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in Scam Awareness
fallriverreporter.com
Two individuals were arrested and ordered detained for their roles in online scams targeting Rhode Island seniors. Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada, was charged in a scheme that defrauded a 79-year-old Narragansett man of approximately $165,000 (cash and gold bars) after a pop-up falsely claimed he was under investigation for child pornography and money laundering; Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut, was charged in a separate scheme where a 72-year-old Tiverton man was defrauded of nearly $200,000 through similar tactics involving a fake FTC agent. Both perpetrators
ktar.com
A Komando staff member describes four active email scams currently circulating: a $40,000 fake invoice scheme that impersonates business contacts and uses social engineering to trick finance staff into payment; fake subscription receipt emails designed to extract credit card information or phone calls; sextortion scams threatening to share fabricated embarrassing footage unless victims pay Bitcoin; and direct deposit phishing emails attempting to steal banking information and business data. The article advises recipients to verify requests through established channels, be suspicious when normal approval procedures are bypassed, and recognize that scammers often lack the information they claim to possess.
the-sun.com
O2, the UK's largest phone network, has issued a scam alert warning customers about fraudulent activity targeting both iPhone and Android users, particularly during the busy pre-Christmas tech launch season. The scams involve criminals posing as O2 representatives to steal personal data, passwords, and bank details by offering too-good-to-be-true deals like steep discounts or free devices, then using the stolen information to fraudulently order phones in victims' names. O2 advises customers to never share sensitive information over phone or text, avoid clicking suspicious links, and report unexpected package deliveries or account changes directly to O2 rather than engaging with the scammers.
wbbjtv.com
Sextortion scams are rapidly increasing, with the FBI reporting dramatic spikes in incidents targeting boys aged 14-17, where online criminals pose as attractive girls on social media to solicit nude photos and then blackmail victims with threats to share the images publicly. The scammers often continue demanding additional photos or money even after victims comply, and victims frequently remain silent due to fear and embarrassment, sometimes with tragic consequences. Parents are urged to educate children about the dangers of sharing intimate photos, and victims can report incidents to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
newstopicnews.com
Senior citizens are frequently targeted by scammers using untraceable payment methods like prepaid cards and wire transfers, with law enforcement noting these scams are largely preventable through awareness. Documented cases in Sanford included a 77-year-old man defrauded of $3,000 in iTunes cards by someone impersonating his granddaughter claiming to need bail money, and various lottery and inheritance scams sent to residents. Law enforcement agencies advise that any unsolicited request to pay money to receive money is a scam, recommend never sharing personal information over the phone, and note that legitimate government agencies would never demand payment via gift cards or money orders.
indeonline.com
Scammers are using fake "card declined" messages on fraudulent websites and in phishing emails to trick consumers into entering payment information and personal details, then charging their accounts without authorization. The BBB and AAA have received multiple reports of consumers being charged unexpectedly despite receiving error messages suggesting their transactions failed. To protect yourself, verify website URLs and security features, research businesses before purchasing, avoid unsolicited offers that seem too good to be true, use credit cards for added fraud protection, and monitor your accounts for unauthorized charges.
technologyforyou.org
Malwarebytes research found that over 66% of survey respondents were targeted by romance scams, with 10% of victims losing more than $10,000 and 3% losing $100,000 or more, while 94% were unable to recover their losses. The scams predominantly target individuals over 55 (74%) and males (56%), though younger demographics are also affected, with 26% of victims engaging with scammers for extended periods—some relationships lasting a year or longer. Key protective measures include verifying identities, keeping personal information private, consulting trusted third parties before financial transactions, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities.
decripto.org
US authorities recovered over $6 million in stolen cryptocurrencies from Southeast Asian fraudsters who targeted multiple victims through text messages, dating apps, and investment groups, directing them to fake investment platforms that promised high returns. The FBI used blockchain technology to trace the stolen funds, and Tether assisted by blocking the scammers' wallets, enabling rapid recovery despite the international complexity of the case. This recovery highlights a larger crisis: cryptocurrency investment scams caused $3.9 billion in losses in 2023, with fraudsters often targeting vulnerable individuals desperate for investment opportunities, including some who took additional mortgages on their homes.
kchanews.com
The Floyd County Sheriff's Office issued a scam alert regarding fraudulent calls targeting senior citizens, where scammers claim a family member has been arrested and demand cash bail to be picked up by a courier. The Sheriff's Office clarified that legitimate bail payments are only accepted in person at their office or jail, and urged victims or those receiving such calls to report them to local law enforcement and never provide personal information or money over the phone.
wgem.com
First Baptist Church in Quincy held an educational seminar to help senior citizens recognize and avoid phone scams, particularly impersonation scams involving fake IRS calls. Guest speaker Don O'Brien from the Better Business Bureau advised attendees to question callers about details only legitimate government employees would know and to never share payment information or money with suspicious callers. Pastor Orville Jones emphasized that technology education is essential for seniors to protect themselves while remaining connected in modern society.
siliconeer.com
Imposter scams—where criminals impersonate trusted businesses or government agencies—are the most common type of fraud reported to the FTC, with 360,000 cases in the first half of 2024 alone resulting in $1.3 billion in losses (median $800 per victim). Losses from government and business impersonation scams have surged dramatically, from $370 million combined in 2020 to over $1.3 billion by 2023, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics including fake urgency, unusual payment methods like Bitcoin ATMs, and threats of arrest or deportation. The FTC's new Impersonation Rule
shorenewsnetwork.com
A West Orange, NJ resident lost nearly $400,000 to a "Norton Scam" that began with a fraudulent email claiming they owed money to Norton Antivirus. The scammers gained remote access to the victim's computer, manipulated the screen to change a $300 payment to $300,000, then directed them to call a fake bank number where additional funds were extracted through wire transfers and gold coin purchases. Detective Ryan Funk identified 33-year-old Jaynesh Patel as a suspect in the investigation.
thestar.com.my
A 72-year-old woman in Petaling Jaya lost approximately RM670,994 in cash, jewelry, and gold bars after scammers convinced her that her identity was involved in cybercrime and money laundering, then visited her home posing as police to collect her valuables. The scam occurred between September 20-27, 2024, and highlights a broader trend showing that senior citizens aged 61 and older accounted for 8.9% of online scam victims from January-August 2024, but suffered 27.9% of total losses (RM255,367,680). Police urge families to warn elderly relatives to be vigilant and avoid surren
cardanofeed.com
A fraudulent wallet app impersonating WalletConnect was available on Google Play Store for four months, stealing over $70,000 in cryptocurrency through phishing scams that duped approximately 150 of its 10,000 users into approving unauthorized transactions. The scam highlights ongoing threats in the cryptocurrency space, though overall crypto fraud losses declined 40% in Q3 2024 compared to the prior year.
finance.yahoo.com
This educational article warns that cryptocurrency and investment scammers are increasingly sophisticated, with recent research showing $75.3 billion moved into suspicious exchange accounts including $15.2 billion from U.S. investors. Key warning signs include unsolicited contact via phone/email/social media, promises of unrealistic returns with little risk, pressure to act quickly, and overly complicated strategies that only the scammer can explain. The article advises verifying investment professionals' credentials through FINRA BrokerCheck or SEC databases and being skeptical of any opportunity that sounds too good to be true.
thetimes.com
Broadcaster Moira Stuart nearly fell victim to an authorized push payment (APP) fraud scam when someone impersonating her bank convinced her to transfer money to a "safe" account, but bank staff intervened and stopped the transaction. APP fraud incidents exceeded 230,000 cases in the most recent year, resulting in £460 million in losses, with fraudsters increasingly using artificial intelligence and evolving tactics including purchase scams, investment schemes, romance scams, and impersonation fraud targeting energy suppliers and tax authorities. Banks are struggling to refund victims, and regulators have capped APP scam refunds at £85,000 starting October 7.
gmtoday.com
The Jackson Police Department warned of a court scam in which fraudsters use spoofed caller IDs to impersonate law enforcement and claim victims have missed court-ordered activities, threatening arrest. Scammers target individuals with public records (recent arrests, those on bond, sex offender registries) and falsely claim missed appointments such as DNA sample submissions, though no legitimate letter or appointment ever existed. To protect themselves, citizens can verify warrants through Wisconsin's online court records (wicourts.gov) and driving status through the Wisconsin DOT, and should remember that courts never accept payment via bitcoin, gift cards, or home pickup of bail money.
ksfr.org
As the 2023-24 election cycle approaches record spending of over $10 billion, scammers are exploiting the climate to defraud citizens through various election-related schemes. Common scams include fraudulent Political Action Committees posing as candidate fundraisers, illegal robocalls using AI-generated voices, impersonation calls claiming to be from county clerk offices requesting personal information, and fake pollster calls offering payment in exchange for personal data. Experts advise verifying legitimacy through proper PAC procedures, refusing unsolicited calls requesting contributions, never providing personal information to unverified callers, and reporting suspicious election-related communications to authorities.
cbsaustin.com
The Travis County Attorney's Office warned of a phone scam where callers impersonate office staff and claim victims have outstanding warrants or criminal charges, then request payment via QR codes or directing victims to ATM-like machines near gas stations. The Travis County Attorney's Office does not solicit payments by phone and urges residents to call (512) 854-9415 to verify any such calls before providing money.
wbay.com
Job scammers are posting fake positions on platforms like Indeed and LinkedIn that appear legitimate, offering attractive salaries and remote work to lure victims into providing personal information and money. A Green Bay man fell victim to a fake job posting impersonating Ohio nonprofit Battelle, receiving a fraudulent employment contract and a $4,500 check request before verifying the scam directly with the company. The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau reports that job scams cost consumers over $800 million in 2023, with victims primarily ages 18-44, and advises job seekers to verify postings directly on company websites, use company email addresses, and never share personal information with unknown contacts.
sandhillsexpress.com
A U.S. man lost $700,000 in an elaborate romance scam orchestrated from Ghana. CBS News investigation revealed that sophisticated overseas romance scams—which have evolved from simple "Nigerian Prince" emails—are costing Americans over $10 billion annually, with scammers operating from "boiler rooms" in Ghana where young men pose as attractive women on dating apps to target lonely, older American victims, with criminal syndicates taking large cuts of the money extracted.
cbsnews.com
A Rancho Cordova woman lost $9,000 to a scam after being deceived by a fake bank alert on her computer directing her to call a fraudulent number; the scammers kept her on the phone while she withdrew cash and deposited it into a Bitcoin machine. A Call Kurtis volunteer discovered the woman's bank failed to follow its own fraud-prevention protocol of questioning customers before allowing such transactions, and the bank issued a full refund after this oversight was identified.
fhtimes.com
Fountain View Village Senior Living Community in Fountain Hills hosted a fraud prevention seminar on October 3 as part of National Cybersecurity Month, featuring Tiffany Lam from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. The seminar educated seniors on recognizing and avoiding scams, highlighting five red flags including unexpected results, unrealistic promises, scare tactics, urgent demands, untraceable payments, and suspicious communication. Arizona ranks sixth nationally for fraud losses, with seniors losing approximately $128 million in 2023.
thevalleyledger.com
Rep. Ryan Mackenzie partnered with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General to host a free educational seminar on identity theft targeting older residents in the 187th Legislative District. The October 10 event, led by senior protection director Dave Shallcross, covered how to recognize scams, protect personal information, and respond to identity theft.
columbusjewishnews.com
This article does not contain information about scams, fraud, or elder abuse, so it falls outside the scope of Elderus database summaries. The content focuses on an FBI official's background in national security, community Chanukah celebrations, and an obituary notice.
sbs.com.au
A young mother of Indian origin lost $225,000 to a work-from-home job scam after being recruited through a Facebook messenger group to review hotels online; she was instructed to book hotels with her own money using a fake platform and make cryptocurrency payments that were never reimbursed despite promises of commission. Victoria police report dozens of similar victims have lost over $1 million in 2023, with people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities accounting for 12.7 percent of targeted scam losses, and authorities warn against any online arrangement requiring upfront payments in digital currency or via bank transfer.
gantnews.com
An elderly woman in Henderson Township, Jefferson County, lost $5,000 in a phone scam on September 23. Pennsylvania State Police are seeking information about the incident, which occurred at a residence along Route 410 around 3:56 p.m.
cybersecurityconnect.com.au
An Australian woman named Rebecca Jade Silk was identified as an alleged physical stand-in in a sophisticated romance scam operated from Ghana that defrauded a 75-year-old American radiologist of $700,000. Scam ring leader Alfred Kwame Ayivor posed online as an Australian woman named "Grace Erskine" to romance the victim, and hired Silk to impersonate Erskine during in-person meetings in the United States and Ghana, where she posed as someone offering him a stake in a gold mine. Ayivor died in custody before trial in 2019, while Silk was located in Australia in 2024 but refused to
consumer.ftc.gov
This article warns consumers about solar panel installation scams where salespeople falsely claim government programs will cover all costs or promise free installations with no electricity bills. The FTC advises homeowners to research reputable licensed providers, avoid advance fees and high-pressure sales tactics, and carefully review contracts before signing, as dishonest companies often disappear after collecting upfront payments without completing work.
news.harvard.edu
Online scams cost American consumers $12.5 billion last year, a 22 percent increase, with cybercriminals using sophisticated psychological tactics that can affect anyone regardless of age, intelligence, or education. According to cybersecurity expert Bruce Schneier, scammers' methods are fundamentally unchanged from historical cons, but technology has dramatically increased the scale and speed of attacks through fake social media ads, phishing emails, and AI-generated content. Cryptocurrency has made scams more profitable and harder to prevent because transactions cannot be reversed or monitored by traditional banking safeguards.
marketplace.org
This podcast episode features threat researcher Selena Larson discussing common online scams targeting teenagers, including sextortion/blackmail, job and scholarship scams, malware-laden game advertisements, shopping imposter scams, phishing attacks, and payment app fraud. Larson explains that scammers use social engineering techniques to manipulate teens emotionally—posing as authority figures, attractive individuals, or legitimate businesses—to trick them into sending money, compromising photos, or sensitive information. Key red flags include unsolicited offers that seem too good to be true, requests for payment upfront, and pressure to act quickly.
verywellmind.com
This educational guide explains romance scams, a type of fraud where criminals build fake romantic relationships to extract money from victims. The article outlines common tactics (including catfishing), warning signs, and vulnerable populations targeted by scammers, while noting that the FTC reported $304 million in losses from romance scams in 2020—a 50% increase from 2019. The guide provides advice on protecting oneself and recovering from romance fraud, emphasizing that victims should not be blamed for falling for such schemes.
yahoo.com
The FBI warned of a surge in online romance scams, reporting over 15,000 complaints last year with losses exceeding $210 million over three years. Debby Montgomery Johnson, a widow, lost more than $1 million to a scammer posing as a British businessman named Eric Cole over a two-year online relationship before discovering he was actually a young man in Nigeria. FBI officials note that romance scammers are skilled at exploiting emotionally vulnerable victims, often through establishing relationships and requesting money for fabricated emergencies or plans, and advise potential victims to report suspicious behavior to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
cyberdaily.au
A 75-year-old American radiologist was defrauded of $700,000 in a romance scam orchestrated by Ghanaian scam boss Alfred Kwame Ayivor, who posed online as an Australian woman named Grace Erskine and eventually hired Australian national Rebecca Jade Silk to meet the victim in person and pose as Erskine. The scam involved the fake Erskine claiming she had inherited a Ghanaian gold mine and offering the victim a stake in it, with in-person meetings arranged in both the United States and Ghana to build credibility. Ayivor died in custody in 2019 before
ourvalleyvoice.com
The House unanimously passed H.R. 6125, the Online Dating Safety Act on September 23, a bipartisan bill requiring dating apps to notify users if they have interacted with someone removed for fraudulent activity. Romance scams cost victims $1.3 billion in 2022, with seniors being the most vulnerable group, and the legislation aims to address the gap that occurs when scammers continue contact through other platforms after being banned from dating apps.
cftc.gov
The CFTC charged individuals including Bai and Lan Bai and their entities Aipu and Fidefx with defrauding at least 32 customers, primarily Asian Americans, of at least $3.6 million through a fake commodity trading platform scheme operating from February 2023 onward. Solicitors contacted victims via social media platforms claiming insider knowledge to generate 10-30% profits per trade, but no actual trading occurred; instead, victims' funds were immediately transferred to offshore accounts. The CFTC is seeking restitution, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, civil penalties, trading bans, and a permanent injunction against the defendants.
timesofsandiego.com
Bitcoin ATMs are increasingly exploited by fraudsters to steal money from victims, particularly seniors in San Diego County, where victims lost over $5 million in 2023. Scammers convince victims through tech support scams and other fraud schemes to withdraw cash and convert it to cryptocurrency at these machines, then transfer the funds to encrypted addresses; the stolen money can be moved globally within minutes, making recovery nearly impossible. Law enforcement and senators are calling for stronger safeguards at Bitcoin ATM operators to prevent victims from depositing funds in the first place, as the window for intervention is extremely narrow.
newportdispatch.com
Martha's Vineyard Bank reported a series of scams targeting elderly customers in which fraudsters impersonated bank representatives and pressured victims to withdraw large sums of money while instructing them not to discuss the transactions with anyone, including bank staff. The scammers created false urgency by claiming customers' funds were in jeopardy, exploiting seniors' vulnerability to financial fraud. The bank coordinated with the Dukes County Sheriff's Office to alert the community and urged residents to report suspicious activity.
aol.com
Cryptocurrency scams are increasingly common and take multiple forms, including romance scams where perpetrators build relationships then direct victims to fraudulent investment sites, tech support scams with fake pop-ups, and schemes impersonating authorities demanding payment in cryptocurrency. According to South Dakota's Attorney General and digital forensics experts, consumers should only use reputable cryptocurrency platforms independently, never send cryptocurrency or payment information to unsolicited requestors, and report suspected scams to protect others and aid law enforcement investigation.
businesstoday.in
India's digital transformation has increased online scam targeting, with cybercriminals particularly exploiting elderly pensioners through impersonation schemes. The Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) warned that fraudsters are impersonating government officials and contacting pensioners via WhatsApp, email, and SMS, falsely claiming pension payments will be stopped unless they complete forms and share personal information like PPO numbers and bank details. Authorities advise pensioners to verify communications directly with relevant agencies, resist artificial urgency tactics, and report suspicious activity to prevent financial fraud.
ktvz.com
In 2023, nearly 1,000 Oklahoma seniors fell victim to fraud schemes, losing over $22 million combined—representing a 15% increase in elder fraud cases in the state from 2022 to 2023, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Common scams targeting seniors include romance schemes conducted through social media and fake tech support pop-ups, with criminals exploiting seniors' accumulated wealth over their lifetimes. The FBI advises older adults and their families to recognize warning signs and immediately disengage from any interaction involving financial pressure by hanging up the phone or logging off.
paducahsun.com
The Paducah McCracken County Senior Center held an emergency preparedness presentation led by Camp Graves, which included education on avoiding scams that target seniors after severe weather events. The program addressed multiple safety concerns for older adults, including financial protection and home security, as part of broader fraud prevention efforts.
cbsnews.com
CBS News investigated romance scams originating from Ghana that have defrauded Americans of over $10 billion according to the Federal Trade Commission. The scammers operate from "boiler rooms" in Accra where young men pose as attractive women on dating apps to build trust with lonely victims, particularly older American men, before convincing them to send money; the scammers retain 40% of funds while their syndicate bosses take 60%. The operation has evolved from crude "Nigerian Prince" emails into a sophisticated, billion-dollar transnational criminal enterprise that exploits vulnerable Americans through emotional manipulation and identity deception.
aol.com
The FBI warned of a rising epidemic of online romance scams, reporting over 15,000 complaints last year with losses exceeding $210 million over three years. Debby Montgomery Johnson, a widow, lost over $1 million to a scammer posing as a British businessman named Eric Cole over a two-year online relationship, only to discover he was actually a young man in Nigeria. The FBI notes that romance scammers are sophisticated operators who target emotionally vulnerable victims, often well-educated individuals, and advises people to report suspicious online dating contacts to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
cincinnati.com
The "brushing" scam has reached Ohio, involving unsolicited packages delivered to residents that contain inexpensive items like face masks or speakers and feature QR codes that, when scanned, expose personal and financial information to scammers. Scammers use this technique either to steal data or to create fake positive reviews for third-party sellers, and authorities warn residents never to scan QR codes on unexpected packages and instead report suspicious deliveries to Amazon or local law enforcement. Protection measures include avoiding randomly found QR codes, being wary of sites requesting passwords after scanning, and confirming the legitimacy of QR codes in emails or texts by calling the sender directly.
abc11.com
Property theft scams have increased 500% in recent years, with scammers impersonating homeowners to sell properties they don't own by filing false deeds with county registers of deeds offices. Notable cases include a North Carolina woman who filed a fraudulent warranty deed on a $4 million Raleigh home and another incident where a woman's three-acre property was listed for sale without authorization; authorities recommend homeowners sign up for fraud alerts with their county register of deeds and emphasize the importance of thorough due diligence by buyers, real estate agents, and title companies.
wfsb.com
The Durham Fair warned the public about fraudulent companies illegally selling concert tickets separately from fair admission in September 2024. Scammers were deceiving customers by claiming concert access required additional purchases, when in fact all concerts are included with the $20 fair admission ticket purchased through official channels. Fair organizers reported the scammers to authorities to prevent further incidents.
bankinfosecurity.com
At least six U.S. states—Pennsylvania, Florida, California, Connecticut, Maine, and Delaware—are enacting legislation to empower banks to identify and block suspicious transactions targeting seniors, as cyber fraud against older adults rises with seniors losing $3.4 billion in 2023 alone, largely through impersonation scams. These state-level efforts aim to fill federal protection gaps, though they create varying liability standards for financial institutions and may complicate compliance across different jurisdictions. Florida has already signed nine bills into law effective January 2024, while Pennsylvania's House Bill 2064 and similar measures in other states would allow banks to delay or refuse fraudulent transactions and face reimbursement liability
aol.com
In 2023, nearly 1,000 Oklahomans age 60 and older lost more than $22 million to fraud, with complaints from this age group increasing 15% in Oklahoma between 2022 and 2023—higher than the national 11% increase. Tech support scams are the most common type targeting seniors, though lottery/sweepstakes scams also pose significant risks, as illustrated by an Oklahoma couple who nearly fell victim to a $500,000 prize scam. The FBI emphasizes that victims should report all scams and attempted scams without shame, as early reporting helps prevent fraud rather than merely respond to it after losses occur.
koco.com
Elder fraud in Oklahoma increased 15% from 2022 to 2023, with nearly 1,000 seniors over age 60 falling victim to scams and losing over $22 million in total. The most common fraud schemes targeting seniors are fake tech support and romance scams, with criminals exploiting seniors' accumulated wealth; the FBI advises victims and potential victims to hang up, log off, and walk away from any pressure to conduct financial transactions.