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spotonalabama.com
· 2025-12-08
Five people, including two residents of Moody, Alabama, were charged in an elder fraud scheme, according to a U.S. Attorney announcement in April 2024. The indictment, filed in March, contained twelve counts against the defendants. The article does not provide specific details about the fraud method, victims affected, or dollar amounts involved.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Carlsbad retiree was defrauded of $1.335 million over several months by a multinational scam operation that began with a fake pop-up warning about a hacked computer. The scammers, posing as tech support, bank, and government employees, manipulated the victim into purchasing Bitcoin and gold bars under the false premise of securing her assets, with perpetrator Xilin Sun arrested in February 2024 during a controlled FBI delivery attempt when he was caught receiving a package meant to contain $100,000 in gold.
chicago.suntimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Helen Grace Caldwell, a 59-year-old former Citibank wealth adviser in Chicago, was sentenced to 2½ years in prison for defrauding three elderly clients of nearly $1.5 million through a scheme in which she convinced them to invest their life savings in her film production company, Canal Productions, then diverted the funds to personal expenses. Caldwell, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud, told victims their money would fund movie productions and generate profits, but instead transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars to her personal accounts to pay for home renovations, car repairs, and other personal purchases. The judge rejected her plea for probation, stating that probation would be "
wbrc.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP highlights that elder financial exploitation is a widespread but underreported issue, citing recent arrests for elder fraud in Alabama. The organization recommends protective measures including completing estate planning early, establishing legal paperwork, and designating a trusted person to consult on financial decisions, while noting that caregivers and close contacts are often the first to notice exploitation.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial institutions reported approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity related to elder financial exploitation between 2022 and 2023, according to FinCEN's analysis of Bank Secrecy Act reports. The majority of cases involved elder scams with unknown perpetrators (80% of reported activity), particularly account takeovers using unsophisticated methods like password guessing, while elder theft by known perpetrators—most frequently adult children—comprised the remainder. Banks filed 72% of all elder exploitation-related reports, demonstrating their critical role in identifying and preventing such financial abuse.
fincen.gov
· 2025-12-08
Between June 2022 and June 2023, FinCEN identified 155,415 suspicious activity filings involving elder financial exploitation totaling approximately $27 billion, with approximately 80% involving elder scams (where perpetrators pose as trusted entities to obtain money) and 20% involving elder theft by known individuals. FinCEN's analysis found that account takeover was the most common scam method, adult children were the most frequent theft perpetrators, and perpetrators typically used unsophisticated methods to minimize contact with financial institutions. Financial institutions are encouraged to refer suspected EFE victims to the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311) and recommend victims
the-independent.com
· 2025-12-08
An 81-year-old Ohio man, William Brock, fatally shot Uber driver Loletha Hall, 61, on March 25, 2024, after both became victims of a bail scam in which he was contacted by scammers claiming a relative was in jail and demanding cash. Brock, who had been threatened by the scammers and was instructed to have Hall pick up a package at his home, confronted her with a gun when she arrived; when she attempted to escape, he shot her multiple times, killing her. Brock was charged with murder, felonious assault, and kidnapping, and authorities continue investigating to identify the scammers who orchestrate
onlineathens.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Athens residents were victimized by telephone scams in early April: a 69-year-old senior woman lost her complete savings of $20,000 after being impersonated by a caller claiming to be from Vystar Credit Union who instructed her to withdraw cash and transfer it via a bitcoin machine, and an 18-year-old teenager lost $3,500 after receiving calls impersonating Wells Fargo and FBI officials who convinced him to purchase gift cards and send pictures of them. Both victims reported the incidents to Athens-Clarke police, though the woman stated there was no way to recover her funds.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Connie Seddon, a retired radiation technician from Arizona, lost $35,000 to scammers who impersonated McAfee through a phishing email in January. After calling the fraudulent number, the scammer convinced her that money had been incorrectly deposited into her account and instructed her to withdraw cash and deposit it into Bitcoin machines at gas stations, with the bank teller's concerns dismissed by Seddon's false claim that she was buying a car. Seddon reported the incident to local police, the FBI, and the FTC, though authorities indicated recovery of the funds was unlikely.
community.triblive.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal officials seized four web domains linked to a Russian spoofing service called LabHost that had stolen personal information from over 1 million victims, including two Pittsburgh-area elderly residents who lost $967 and $25 respectively to unauthorized transactions. The LabHost platform created more than 40,000 spoofed websites impersonating legitimate businesses like Amazon, Netflix, and major banks to trick victims into revealing personal and financial information. The domain seizure was coordinated with international law enforcement arrests of dozens of LabHost administrators and customers across 17 countries.
thedesertreview.com
· 2025-12-08
Congressman Raul Ruiz, in partnership with the Federal Trade Commission, Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, and Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, hosted a Senior Fraud Workshop on April 24, 2024, in El Centro, California to educate seniors about recognizing and avoiding scams. The workshop covered identity theft, Medicare fraud, and other schemes targeting seniors, with experts providing practical advice on warning signs and steps for reporting suspected fraud to law enforcement.
zoomerradio.ca
· 2025-12-08
A cross-country grandparent scheme investigation by the OPP and 11 police services across Quebec and Ontario resulted in the arrest of 14 people facing 56 charges in Montreal. In the first four months of 2024 alone, 126 identified victims lost approximately $739,000, with the scam involving perpetrators impersonating police officers, judges, and family members to target seniors aged 46-95, using couriers to collect cash while imposing fake "gag orders" to silence victims. Since February 2022, seniors across the country have lost over $2.2 million to this organized crime group, with the investigation having begun in September 2022.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not relevant to elder fraud research. It is a community events calendar listing holiday activities and performances in the Oak Park-River Forest, Illinois area. It contains no information about scams, fraud, elder abuse, or related topics.
newportdispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
A Dedham senior was defrauded by someone posing as a contractor who collected significant payments for substandard and incomplete work. The Dedham Police Department issued a community warning advising residents to research contractors thoroughly, verify proper ID cards (required by law for solicitors), avoid high-pressure sales tactics, and contact police if they encounter suspicious solicitation or demands for immediate payment or personal information.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
In the past year, 2.5 million Americans lost $10 billion to scams—a $1 billion increase from 2022—with investment scams being the costliest at $4.6 billion despite ranking fourth in frequency, and imposter scams (claiming to be government, banks, or companies) being most common at $2.7 billion in losses. The FTC warns that scammers use increasingly aggressive tactics including promises of guaranteed investment returns, pressure to act quickly, and requests to move money via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, while legitimate businesses never unexpectedly contact people asking for money or personal information. Experts estimate these reported figures represent only a
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Sanda Frimpong, a 33-year-old ex-Fort Liberty soldier, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for operating romance scams targeting widows, widowers, and divorcees over more than two years, defrauding victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Frimpong posed as online admirers under fake names like "Catherine White" and "Tom Tanner," convincing victims to wire money for various schemes, including one victim who sent $100,000 after being promised marriage and access to gold and diamonds. In addition to the romance scams, he pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering and conspired to fraudulently collect
taskandpurpose.com
· 2025-12-08
Sanda G. Frimpong, an E-4 soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, orchestrated multiple online romance and fraud schemes between December 2019 and February 2022, defrauding victims of thousands of dollars by impersonating romantic interests, military personnel, and officials. One victim lost over $150,000 after being convinced by a fake soldier to send money for gold and diamond transfers, while another victim sent over $7,000 after being targeted with a romance scam involving fake inheritance claims. Frimpong was arrested in 2023, pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering, and was sentenced to 40 months in
military.com
· 2025-12-08
Specialist Sanda G. Frimpong, a Fort Liberty soldier, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to three counts of money laundering related to romance scams that defrauded victims of over $350,000. Frimpong and co-conspirators posed as romantic interests, military personnel, diplomats, and other personas to manipulate victims into sending money, often laundering the funds through contacts in Ghana. The case highlights the prevalence of romance scams targeting vulnerable populations, including seniors and military veterans, with the FTC reporting nearly 70,000 Americans lost $1.3 billion to romantic fraud in 2022.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-08
A former Fort Liberty soldier, 33-year-old Sanda G. Frimpong, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for operating a romance scam in which he impersonated a love interest to defraud victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars, including funds meant for people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Frimpong pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering and was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution to his victims.
ksltv.com
· 2025-12-08
A fake lottery scam targeting truckers operated at a Flying J truck stop in Willard, Utah in April 2024, where three men approached drivers claiming they had won the lottery and would double their cash if they withdrew it. Once victims pulled out their money, the suspects would take it and flee, with at least one reported victim losing cash in the incident. Police warn the public to be cautious of unsolicited money-doubling offers at gas stations and truck stops, as these schemes are designed to exploit the generosity victims expect from apparent good Samaritans.
kasu.org
· 2025-12-08
This episode of Talk Business and Politics discusses the Arkansas banking sector, featuring Brad Chambless, the new chairman of the Arkansas Bankers Association, and Arkansas Bank Commissioner Susannah Marshall. The guests highlight the banking association's key priorities, including combating elder financial exploitation, supporting service members and veterans, and addressing cybersecurity challenges, while also discussing relevant legislation that empowers banks to take protective actions against elder fraud.
thestatehousefile.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It covers Indiana state political appointments, utility rate decisions, and reproductive health policy matters. It does not contain content relevant to the Elderus elder fraud research database.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This is a personal essay by an AARP writer about her retirement journey, not an article about elder fraud or scams. The author reflects on retiring after four decades of journalism and two years working at AARP covering elder fraud topics, then joining a garden club and navigating early retirement stages. While the piece is published by AARP's organization, it contains no information about fraud cases, scams, elder abuse, or financial exploitation.
**Not suitable for Elderus database inclusion.**
nbcsandiego.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old retired naval architect lost over $40,000 to a scam in January 2023 when fraudsters impersonating Amazon convinced him to send nearly $29,500 in cryptocurrency via ATM, and later accessed his bank account to withdraw an additional $11,870 through fraudulent checks. His attorney is suing Chase Bank for failing to flag suspicious activity, and supports Senate Bill 278, which would require banks to implement stronger safeguards—such as transaction holds or mandatory review by trusted contacts—to protect seniors' accounts from scam-related losses that are particularly devastating given older adults' limited ability to recover financially.
housingwire.com
· 2025-12-08
Between June 2022 and June 2023, FinCEN reported over $27 billion in suspicious activity across 155,000 filings related to elder financial exploitation (EFE), with account takeovers being the most common typology and adult children perpetrating nearly 40% of documented cases. Perpetrators primarily used unsophisticated methods like compromised passwords and phishing emails to avoid in-person detection, while financial institutions also reported increases in tech support and romance scams targeting seniors. FinCEN emphasized the critical role of financial institutions in identifying, preventing, and reporting suspected EFE to protect older adults' financial security and well-being.
weny.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. It is a political interview with a Pennsylvania District Attorney candidate discussing his qualifications and priorities for Attorney General, which include mentions of protecting elders and children alongside fentanyl, mental health, and violent crime initiatives. This content is outside the scope of the Elderus elder fraud research database.
saltwire.com
· 2025-12-08
Omar Zanfi, 25, of Quebec pleaded guilty in December to eight fraud-related charges stemming from a bail scam that targeted seniors in the Halifax area in late 2022, where he and associates impersonated police and lawyers to convince elderly victims their relatives were in custody, then collected cash from their homes—defrauding seven seniors of amounts ranging from $5,000 to larger sums. His sentencing hearing, originally scheduled for May 16, was adjourned after he switched lawyers, as his new counsel indicated potential disagreement with facts related to criminal organization charges and needs time to review evidence. The Crown is seeking a federal penitentiary sentence of at least two years
dailykos.com
· 2025-12-08
A television advertisement by Hearing Life Hearing Centers promoting a "30-day risk-free challenge" for mini digital hearing aids was criticized for using deceptive marketing tactics targeting seniors, including emotionally manipulative language framing the product as a healthcare necessity and omitting clear financial obligations after the trial period. The ad exploits elderly consumers' health anxieties and fear of isolation while concealing high-pressure sales tactics and expensive pricing, representing a broader pattern of predatory healthcare marketing toward vulnerable populations on fixed incomes. Consumer education about deceptive marketing signs and stricter legislative guidelines on healthcare advertising disclosures are recommended to protect seniors from such exploitation.
nevadaappeal.com
· 2025-12-08
Carson High School's Interact Club, a student service organization of about 20 members, has been volunteering at the Carson City Senior Center since February to provide technology assistance to elderly residents, helping them with computers, phones, tablets, apps, photos, and scam awareness. The program addresses both a practical need for tech support and an important social need, as it creates meaningful intergenerational connections that reduce senior isolation while allowing students to learn from older adults' life experiences and career knowledge.
baytoday.ca
· 2025-12-08
Police in Ontario and Quebec arrested 14 individuals involved in an organized emergency grandparent scam that defrauded seniors across Canada of over $2.2 million since February 2022. The scammers impersonated officers or lawyers claiming victims' grandchildren were in custody and demanded bail money, often using money mules to collect funds and instructing victims not to tell anyone due to fake "gag orders." Between January and April 2024 alone, 126 victims lost approximately $739,000, with investigators successfully preventing or recovering $559,000 in losses through coordination with financial institutions.
themountaineer.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A free educational program titled "Medicare 101" is being offered on April 25 at the Haywood County Senior Resource Center in Waynesville, hosted by certified counselor John Chicoine. The presentation covers Medicare basics, supplements, Advantage plans, prescription plans, and includes information about Medicare scams to help those approaching Medicare age navigate their options.
readthereporter.com
· 2025-12-08
American Senior Communities partnered with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana to present free educational sessions on avoiding elder fraud, which costs seniors over $5.9 billion annually through scams involving impersonation, romance schemes, and fake investment opportunities. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Eakman will teach seniors how to identify common scams, recover from them, and report fraud to appropriate authorities. The series begins April 22 at The Commons on Meridian assisted living community in Indianapolis.
latimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating Medicare and conducting a growing phone scam targeting Medicare beneficiaries, falsely claiming to issue new cards and requesting verification of Medicare numbers and personal information. Victims report receiving numerous unsolicited calls daily, with scammers using professional tactics and detailed personal information to build trust. Medicare clarifies that it does not call beneficiaries, already has their information, and completed distribution of new Medicare cards by January 2019; the public should report suspected fraud to the California Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-855-613-7080.
mdjonline.com
· 2025-12-08
The North Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force, a nonprofit organization of law enforcement and social service professionals, trains investigators and conducts prevention workshops to combat elder abuse and financial exploitation in Georgia. The organization identifies "romance scams" as the most prevalent type of fraud targeting seniors over 65, in which scammers build fake romantic relationships through social media and dating sites to manipulate lonely, isolated older adults into sending money or serving as money mules for laundering schemes. Victims often delay reporting because they are embarrassed by significant losses and reluctant to accept they were deceived, with only about one in 30 victims filing police reports.
gantnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams targeting elders are at an all-time high, with victims losing $1.3 billion in 2022 alone—more than double the previous year—according to FTC data. Scammers create fake profiles on dating and social media apps, build emotional trust through manipulation and "love bombing," then exploit victims by requesting money for fabricated crises or investment opportunities, often via untraceable methods like cryptocurrency or gift cards. To protect against these scams, individuals should verify identities through video chat, consult trusted friends before sending money, use reverse image searches, and report suspicious activity to the FTC and FBI.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Nigerian-based online criminals known as "Yahoo Boys" conduct romance scams that cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022, with victims—often elderly people targeted for retirement funds and life savings—losing substantial amounts; the scam has become more sophisticated as perpetrators now use AI-generated deepfakes and video calls to impersonate romantic interests and financial officials. A 69-year-old widow lost $39,000 of her life savings, and in Utah alone, victims lost $3.6 million to these scams in 2022, prompting law enforcement to recommend reverse image searches and caution against sending money to people met only online.
thehindubusinessline.com
· 2025-12-08
Sterling Holidays and Resorts, a vacation ownership company with over 100,000 members in India, warned members of a phone scam in which fraudsters impersonated company representatives and pressured members to sell their memberships at inflated prices. Members reported receiving calls with threats that their memberships would lapse, and became abusive when offers were refused; Sterling Holidays confirmed no data breach occurred and advised members to use only official contact channels and avoid sharing personal information over the phone.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Sanda G. Frimpong, a 33-year-old former Army service member, was sentenced to over three years in federal prison for running a romance scam in which he impersonated military officials, diplomats, and other personas to defraud victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars. One victim, a recently divorced woman, lost at least $100,000 to Frimpong's scheme using the alias "Tom Tanner." Romance scams cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022 and disproportionately target older adults and vulnerable populations, sometimes depleting life savings, retirement funds, and inheritances.
beaconjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
An EF-1 tornado that struck Windham, Ohio on April 17 damaged 34 homes, destroying 5 and causing major or minor damage to the others. At a public meeting, officials warned residents to be aware of contractor scams targeting elderly residents and those with cash on hand, advising them not to pay contractors upfront and to verify their insurance coverage. Relief efforts included donations from local businesses and organizations, with volunteers and community support helping residents clear debris while insurance adjusters worked through backlog caused by 43 tornadoes across Ohio since January.
latintimes.com
· 2025-12-08
From June 2022 to June 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) recorded 155,415 suspicious Elder Financial Exploitation (EFE) filings totaling $27 billion, affecting victims across racial and ethnic groups. Elder financial crimes fall into two categories: elder theft (misappropriation by trusted individuals) and elder scams (deceptive transfers to strangers), with the latter predominating through schemes like tech support scams and romance scams that exploit cognitive decline, loneliness, and social engineering tactics. Victims—79.7% White, 9.5% Hispanic, and
thestar.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Montreal native Patrice Runner was sentenced to 10 years in prison for leading a mass-mailing fraud scheme that defrauded 1.3 million people in Canada and the U.S. between 1994 and 2014, collecting US$175 million through personalized letters featuring fake psychic predictions and bogus shamans targeting elderly victims. While traditional mail-fraud operations have declined due to investigative efforts, seniors remain vulnerable to evolving scams including emergency and romance fraud, with authorities and prosecutors in Canada criticized for failing to take adequate action against elder fraud despite the low reporting rates and lenient sentencing compared to other crimes.
lavalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
A multi-jurisdictional investigation across Quebec, Ontario, and the U.S. resulted in the arrest of 14 suspects (ages 24-34) involved in "grandparent" scams that defrauded elderly victims of $2.2 million over two years. In 2024 alone, the scheme targeted 126 people across Canada, stealing approximately $739,000 by impersonating law enforcement and falsely claiming grandchildren were in police custody and needed bail money. The investigation involved the Sûreté du Québec and Ontario Provincial Police, with accomplices acting as "money mules" to collect payments from victims aged 46-95.
local12.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Colerain Township Police warn of a wave of impersonation scams targeting elderly residents in Greater Cincinnati, where callers pose as loved ones in danger to extort money, often using personal information gleaned from social media. To protect yourself, avoid answering calls from unknown area codes, verify the caller's identity by asking personal questions, independently contact the alleged person in distress, and never send money or gift cards. Victims should report suspected fraud to the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Elder Justice Unit.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Army service member Sanda G. Frimpong, 33, was sentenced to over three years in federal prison for operating a romance scam in which he impersonated military officials, diplomats, and other personas to defraud victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars, with at least one victim losing over $100,000 in cashier's checks. Frimpong was ordered to pay substantial restitution to his victims as part of a sentence that highlights the broader problem of romance scams, which cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022 and often target vulnerable populations including elderly individuals and military veterans.
fbcnews.com.fj
· 2025-12-08
The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission has identified a series of sophisticated online scams targeting senior citizens with false offers of free government-sponsored health insurance distributed through social media and websites. These scams direct victims to fraudulent links designed to harvest personal information, and authorities warn the public to avoid clicking such links while emphasizing that while financial losses can be recovered, the damage to trust in the community is harder to repair.
kxoradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz is hosting a senior fraud awareness workshop on Wednesday in El Centro with representatives from the Federal Trade Commission, Social Security Administration, IRS, and Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program. The workshop will educate seniors on recognizing and avoiding common scams including identity theft and Medicare fraud, while providing guidance on steps to take if they suspect they are victims of fraud.
news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Sanda G. Frimpong, a 33-year-old Army service member stationed at Fort Bragg, was sentenced to over three years in federal prison for operating a romance scam in which he impersonated military officials, diplomats, and romantic interests to defraud victims. Frimpong used aliases and tricked at least one victim into sending $100,000 in cashier's checks following a recent divorce, and was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands in restitution. Romance scams cost American victims $1.3 billion in 2022, often targeting older adults and military veterans who lose retirement savings and life insurance to these schemes.
atholdailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Royalston Ladies' Benevolent Society will host an educational presentation on scams targeting older adults on April 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Royalston Town Hall, presented by a representative from the Worcester County District Attorney's office and open to the public. Additionally, a free elder law presentation will be held on May 8 at 1 p.m. at the Athol Senior Center, featuring Attorney Lynette Goodnow discussing elder law topics and distributing the "2024 Elder Law Education Guide."
techtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency scams targeting elderly individuals have surged dramatically, with investment fraud losses among Americans aged 60+ rising 38% to $4.57 billion in 2023, and crypto-specific investment fraud increasing 53% to $3.96 billion. Scammers exploit social media platforms to establish trust with seniors through fake investment opportunities featuring artificially high returns, gradually escalating requests for larger amounts. Recovery solutions exist through specialized blockchain forensics and asset recovery services, while protection measures include verifying contacts through face-to-face communication and avoiding suspicious links or unsolicited requests.
kpax.com
· 2025-12-08
Aging services agencies in Montana are warning Medicare enrollees about a scam where fraudsters pose as government officials and offer free medical equipment (such as catheters) in exchange for Medicare numbers, which are then used to commit identity theft and fraud. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General reports that scammers contact victims via phone, email, or social media claiming to represent Medicare or state health departments, requesting personal information under false pretenses like settling debts or providing grants. Medicare beneficiaries are advised to hang up immediately on unsolicited offers of free equipment, never provide their Medicare number to callers, review Explanation of Benefits statements, and report suspected fraud to the H