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nationthailand.com
· 2025-12-08
Between January and March 2024, Singapore police reported at least 1,551 victims lost over $737,000 to e-commerce concert ticket scams, with 960 victims specifically targeted for Taylor Swift concert tickets, losing more than $538,000. Scammers used fake tickets, reseller platforms, and disappeared after receiving payment, primarily targeting women aged 30 and below through marketplaces like Facebook, Telegram, and Xiaohongshu. Police warned that e-commerce scams may become the top scam category in 2024 as more major concerts are hosted in Singapore, and called for regulation of ticket scalping and bot-purchasing practices to combat the growing fraud.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Between January 1 and March 12, 2024, at least 960 people in Singapore lost over $538,000 to Taylor Swift concert ticket scams, with victims primarily being women aged 30 and below who purchased fake tickets from resellers or were contacted by scammers who disappeared after receiving payment. Police identified e-commerce ticket scams as a growing threat, noting that scammers operated across multiple platforms including Carousell, Facebook, X, Telegram, and Xiaohongshu, and expressed concern that this trend could become the top scam type in Singapore for the first half of 2024 as more major concerts are hosted.
theblaze.com
· 2025-12-08
A 60-year-old Australian man, Renato Calalang, lost approximately $150,000 in an inheritance scam after responding to a fraudulent email claiming to be from a Philippine bank offering him a 3.8 million euro inheritance from a deceased relative. Over a three-month period, the scammer convinced Calalang to transfer funds to an Australian Commonwealth Bank account, using a fake death certificate and phone communication to establish credibility. After reporting the fraud to police and Commonwealth Bank in September 2023, the bank stated it could not recover the funds due to lack of cooperation from the Philippine bank, leaving Calalang unable to retire as planned.
thetimes.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Maria Woodhouse, a 34-year-old job seeker, lost £2,655 to a recruitment scam after being contacted via WhatsApp by a fake recruiter offering remote work for £13 per hour. The scammer created a false job using a cryptocurrency platform (OKX) as a payment method, tricking Woodhouse into depositing money for each "task" while the scammer redirected her funds out of the wallet. Recruitment scams are the third most commonly reported fraud type, with cases rising 156% year-over-year and averaging £3,000 in losses per victim.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Justice Department and law enforcement officials attended the United Kingdom's first Global Fraud Summit in March, joining over 200 leaders from 11 countries and international organizations to address global fraud threats. The U.S. delegation participated in discussions on law enforcement collaboration, coordinated with international partners to enhance intelligence sharing and disrupt fraud networks at the source, and held bilateral meetings with Singapore and UK officials to strengthen transnational fraud-fighting efforts.
tribuneindia.com
· 2025-12-08
This article presents recommendations from Chandigarh Tricity residents and police officials on protecting elderly citizens from crime and fraud. Key proposals include: maintaining police databases of seniors living alone with regular contact, forming dedicated senior citizen cells, creating community WhatsApp groups, establishing toll-free helplines, increasing CCTV surveillance and police patrols, conducting tech-literacy workshops to prevent online scams, and streamlining crime reporting procedures. The Panchkula police department confirmed they have already implemented a senior citizen cell with designated officers maintaining regular contact with elderly residents in their jurisdictions.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines five types of auto loan fraud schemes, including yo-yo financing (where dealers falsely claim financing is final then demand worse terms later), car refinance scams (where scammers charge upfront fees to lower payments), and negative equity scams. The article advises consumers to obtain financing before visiting dealerships, contact lenders directly about payment modifications, and carefully review all loan paperwork to avoid these costly schemes that can result in lost money or repossession.
qns.com
· 2025-12-08
A Flushing man, Fei Liang, 39, was charged with scamming more than $600,000 from seniors across the country by impersonating Social Security Administration officials and bank representatives, convincing victims to wire money to accounts he controlled for "safekeeping." Following the charges, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and elected officials held community presentations at senior centers to educate older adults about common scams including government impersonation, sweepstakes schemes, tech support fraud, and the grandparent scam, emphasizing the importance of never sharing personal information with strangers and contacting authorities if contacted by potential fraudsters.
battlefordsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
March is recognized as Fraud Prevention Month, emphasizing that awareness and education are the most effective defenses against fraud. In 2022, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported that fraud and scams resulted in losses totaling $530 million, highlighting the significant financial impact of these crimes.
sasknow.com
· 2025-12-08
March is recognized as Fraud Prevention Month, with education identified as the primary defense against fraud. In 2022, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported $530 million in losses from fraud and scams across Canada.
stories.td.com
· 2025-12-08
New Canadians face heightened vulnerability to financial fraud, with 90% of surveyed newcomers worried about becoming victims and 73% feeling particularly susceptible. Common scams targeting this population include phishing (stealing personal/financial information via fake emails or texts), job scams (fraudsters posing as employers to extract money for fake training or supplies), and romance scams, with 28% of affected new Canadians unsure how to respond if victimized. The best defense is awareness of warning signs, understanding common fraud tactics, and knowing how to report fraudulent activity.
deeside.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, over 22,500 people in the UK had their social media or email accounts hacked, resulting in £1.3 million in financial losses, according to Action Fraud data. The attacks employed methods such as on-platform chain hacking (where fraudsters impersonate account owners to trick contacts into sharing authentication codes) and phishing/leaked password schemes that exploit users' tendency to reuse passwords across multiple accounts. Action Fraud advises protecting accounts by using strong, unique passwords, enabling two-step verification, and never sharing passwords or verification codes.
ktvb.com
· 2025-12-08
Detective Brad Thorne of the Boise Police Department is hosting a live Q&A session on March 20 to educate the public about scams and fraud prevention. With over 15 years of experience investigating financial crimes, Thorne will address common scam methods, warning signs, and strategies for protecting vulnerable family members, as well as guidance for victims. The session will be broadcast live on the Boise Police Department's Facebook and Instagram stories at 2 p.m.
bgindependentmedia.org
· 2025-12-08
Bowling Green is warning residents and businesses about an escalating utility imposter scam involving individuals posing as service technicians who enter properties and demand immediate payment for utilities. The Better Business Bureau reports numerous complaints about these coordinated scams, which appear to be perpetrated by organized groups targeting the region aggressively. Residents are advised to never allow unidentified individuals entry, verify worker identity by calling the city utilities office at 419-354-6252, and report suspicious activity to police, as legitimate city employees never demand on-the-spot payments or accept gift cards.
goldsborodailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational piece from the North Carolina Department of Justice providing prevention tips for spring break travel scams. The article advises travelers to research companies through the Better Business Bureau, read contracts carefully, obtain written details before paying, use credit cards instead of cash, and contact authorities if victimized. No specific fraud cases or dollar amounts are mentioned.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission reported that fraud losses exceeded $10 billion for the first time, a 14% increase from 2022, with investment scams accounting for $4.6 billion and cryptocurrency fraud totaling $1.4 billion. Impostor scams were the most frequently reported fraud type, with victims losing an average of $7,000 each, and email became the primary method criminals used to contact victims, surpassing text and phone calls. The report notes that actual fraud losses likely far exceed reported figures, as most fraud goes unreported.
the-daily-record.com
· 2025-12-08
abcactionnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scams are growing rapidly across multiple channels (text, email, phone, social media), with cryptocurrency/investment, employment, and online purchase scams ranking as the top three types reported to the Better Business Bureau, while debt relief and romance scams are also rising significantly. Red flags include demands for upfront payment, guaranteed outcomes, and unsolicited contact from scammers who may possess personal information to appear legitimate. Experts warn that consumers should never share personal information or click unknown links, as AI technology will likely make scams increasingly difficult to detect in the future.
weau.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reported over $12.5 billion in total fraud losses nationally in 2023, with Wisconsin accounting for 7,683 complaints and $92 million in losses. The FBI Milwaukee field office released a list of common fraud alert questions to help consumers identify potential scams, including cryptocurrency and investment fraud, impersonation of banks or government agencies, tech support scams, romance scams, and cash-for-gift-card schemes. Consumers who suspect they have been targeted are encouraged to file complaints at www.ic3.gov.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old woman and her 91-year-old husband lost $1.46 million over six months in a sophisticated scam involving fraudsters impersonating a Wells Fargo representative and U.S. Marshal who claimed their accounts were compromised and placed them in a witness protection program. The scammers isolated the couple by threatening legal consequences if they contacted family, directing them to liquidate savings into Bitcoin and gold supposedly held in a Federal Reserve account; the couple realized the fraud in October 2023 after losing contact with the scammer, and one arrest has been made in connection with the crime.
beincrypto.com
· 2025-12-08
A scammer impersonating crypto influencer Ansem stole over $2.6 million in Solana tokens by promoting a fake "BULL" token presale on X (formerly Twitter), with the largest individual victim losing nearly $1.2 million. The fraud occurred amid a broader surge in crypto scams, with 57,000 people losing approximately $47 million in February alone, primarily through phishing attacks on social media that impersonate verified accounts. Investors are advised to verify the legitimacy of investment opportunities and exercise caution, particularly during periods of intense market activity and meme coin frenzies.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
In February 2023, a man fell victim to a sophisticated telephone scam two days before heart surgery, losing £130,000 from accounts at NatWest, PayPal, and Starling Bank after scammers impersonated bank fraud teams. While NatWest and PayPal refunded the losses, Starling initially refused to return £10,000, claiming the victim was not grossly negligent; however, after the case was escalated and Starling learned of the victim's vulnerable circumstances (his daughter's recent murder and impending surgery), the bank agreed to refund the amount. The case illustrates how sophisticated scams can deceive even cautious victims an
aba.com
· 2025-12-08
The American Bankers Association and U.S. Postal Inspection Service launched a joint initiative to combat check fraud, which has increased 385% nationwide since the pandemic. Check fraud schemes involve stealing mail, altering checks to change payee and amount information, and draining victims' accounts. The partnership focuses on consumer education, law enforcement collaboration, and employee training, with recommendations including prompt mail collection, use of security envelopes, indelible ink on checks, and monitoring bank statements for unauthorized alterations.
chvnradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Southern Manitoba continues to experience widespread fraud, including bogus speeding text messages, romance scams, and impersonation scams targeting utility and tax payments, with scammers typically demanding cash, gift cards, or Bitcoin transfers. Access Credit Union reports that the most common fraud involves compromised online credentials through phishing, malware, and social engineering, though the institution uses multi-factor authentication and transaction alerts to protect members. In 2023, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre recorded over 66,000 fraud reports totaling $554 million from 44,111 victims, with experts advising awareness during peak scam seasons like tax time.
ca.style.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday season, cybercriminals exploit increased smartphone use and online shopping to perpetrate various scams including malicious mobile apps, SMS phishing, counterfeit gift deals, fake travel offers, malware-laden e-cards, deceptive games, and fraudulent shipping notifications. These scams aim to steal personal information, credit card details, and compromise accounts through malware downloads or social engineering tactics. Consumers are advised to download apps only from official stores, be suspicious of unrealistically low prices, verify sender information, and monitor bills for unauthorized charges.
electronicpaymentsinternational.com
· 2025-12-08
According to global verification platform Sumsub's 2023 research, approximately 1 in 100 digital platform users belonged to organized fraud networks that collectively engaged in multi-accounting, money laundering, and account takeovers. Fraud ring activity varied significantly by region, with Bangladesh (10.2%), Thailand (6.6%), and Vietnam (3.7%) showing elevated rates, while the US and UK reported only 0.2% each; detected networks ranged from 3 to over 750 coordinated members, including a case of Estonian cryptocurrency exchange applicants using identical fraudulent documents. Sumsub warns that fraud rings cause significantly greater damage than individual sc
theregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment fraud, predominantly cryptocurrency scams, cost Americans $4.57 billion in reported losses—a 38 percent increase from the previous year and significantly more than ransomware losses. The FBI found that these scams often begin with social engineering tactics like romance or confidence cons that evolve into investment fraud, with vulnerable victims subsequently targeted by recovery scams. Victims over 60 were disproportionately affected, accounting for 40 percent of complaints and 58 percent of the $1.3 billion in losses from customer support and impersonation scams.
biometricupdate.com
· 2025-12-08
Sumsub's research found that approximately 1 in 100 users on digital platforms are involved in fraud networks, with significant variation by region (Bangladesh at 10.2 percent, U.S. and UK at 0.2 percent each). The company updated its KYC verification platform to better detect and prevent fraud rings, which range from 3 to over 750 members and pose greater risks than individual scammers, with a notable case involving dozens of crypto exchange applicants in Estonia attempting to issue multiple cards to the same address using identical fake documents.
ktul.com
· 2025-12-08
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond warned of rising Bitcoin ATM scams targeting elderly residents, where fraudsters convince victims their banks are failing and persuade them to withdraw cash and deposit it into cryptocurrency kiosks at retail locations, with funds then sent irreversibly to scammers' wallets. The advisory also outlined related crypto scams including romance scams, pig butchering, fake investment platforms, computer virus alerts, and impersonation of government agencies, urging Oklahomans never to pay anyone demanding cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers as advance payments.
nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
A tourist was scammed out of a new DSLR camera valued at approximately $600 in Buenos Aires through the "bird poo scam," in which an elderly couple distracted her by dumping bird excrement on her, then used physical distraction and misdirection while an accomplice stole her camera. The victim's assumptions that the couple were harmless elderly tourists proved to be her downfall, as the coordinated scam involved at least three perpetrators working together to exploit her in a busy public area.
savings.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australians over 65 are the primary victims of scams according to federal ScamWatch data, leading in both total losses and report numbers in 2023. The article attributes this vulnerability partly to older Australians' lower adoption of digital banking (26% use mobile apps versus 81% using internet banking) due to cybersecurity concerns and difficulty navigating technology changes, combined with over 2,100 bank branch closures since 2017. While banks have implemented safeguards like biometric checks and new payee warnings through a 2023 Scam-Safe Accord, advocates argue critical gaps remain—including customer requests for transfer delays and stronger consumer protection legislation that would compensate
thewesternnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams cost U.S. consumers nearly $5 billion in 2023, prompting Montana's Commissioner of Securities and Insurance to host 16 educational events across western Montana in March to help seniors and adults recognize and prevent financial exploitation. The Montana Department of Revenue also warned of tax season scams, including fraudsters using fake 1-800 numbers mimicking the department's call center to solicit Social Security numbers and payments, along with common schemes involving fake refund fees, property seizure threats, and phishing emails.
ca.movies.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults in Modesto lost thousands of dollars to fraud in 2022, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting a 30% increase in fraud losses nationwide and 3,500 reported incidents in the county. Three prevalent scams targeting seniors locally are romance scams (exploiting social isolation), banking scams (where fraudsters pose as bank IT to gain phone access), and solar scams (linked to the unregulated PACE program). The average loss for victims age 80 and over is $1,500, more than six times the average loss for younger victims, with scammers specifically targeting vulnerable populations including the recently widowed, lonely, or isolated.
presidentialprayerteam.org
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission announced an online meeting of the Scams Against Older Adults Advisory Group scheduled for April 2, featuring reports from four committees focused on consumer education, industry training, scam detection methods, and research on effective prevention messaging. The advisory group, established under the Stop Senior Scams Act of 2022, comprises officials from government agencies (FTC, CFPB, FDIC, DOJ, HHS, Treasury) and representatives from advocacy groups and private industry working to address fraud targeting seniors. The public meeting will be hosted by Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Samuel Levine on the FTC's website.
ossoff.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
Georgia seniors lost over $775,000 to financial scams in 2022, with the state ranking among the top five most scammed states nationally and the FBI reporting a surge in deceptive practices targeting those over 60. Senator Jon Ossoff launched an inquiry with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to review the effectiveness of their senior protection resources and improve communication, noting that 68% of elderly fraud victims reported substantial emotional impact from their experiences.
sent-trib.com
· 2025-12-08
Bowling Green is warning residents and businesses about an escalating utility impostor scam where fraudsters impersonate service technicians, physically enter properties, and demand immediate payment. The Better Business Bureau reports numerous complaints about these coordinated scams, which appear to be targeting the region heavily before moving to other areas. Residents are advised to never allow unidentified individuals into their homes, verify utility worker identities by calling the city directly, and report suspicious activity to police, as legitimate utility employees never demand on-the-spot payment or gift card payments.
securityboulevard.com
· 2025-12-08
QR code scams exploit users' trust in this ubiquitous technology by disguising malicious URLs, phishing links, or malware within QR codes that direct victims to fraudulent payment sites, credential-harvesting pages, or malware downloads. Criminals use these codes in phishing emails, fake payment systems, and by tampering with legitimate codes to steal financial data, login credentials, and personal information for identity theft or ransomware installation. Users can protect themselves by remaining vigilant for warning signs such as poor code quality, unfamiliar domain names, and suspicious requests for personal information, and by following cybersecurity best practices.
cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
**Obituary Piracy Scam**
Journalist Deborah Vankin discovered fake obituaries about herself posted online in January, complete with AI-generated video "news reports" and morbid imagery, created by scammers seeking clickbait ad revenue. This "obituary piracy" scheme targets high-profile individuals whose deaths would generate web traffic, exploiting the fact that obituaries drive 80-85% of traffic to funeral home websites. Google announced new policies to combat this growing problem, as experts warn AI technology will make such hoaxes increasingly sophisticated and difficult to prevent.
oilcity.news
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Wyoming residents and companies lost $13.7 million to scams, with investment fraud being the costliest at $5.7 million, followed by business email compromise ($2.3 million) and data breaches ($1.5 million), according to the CyberWyoming Alliance's annual report. Extortion, tech support, and non-payment scams affected the most victims, while impersonation of companies like PayPal, Geek Squad, and Kohl's and spoofing of individuals were common tactics. The report recommends that business leaders educate employees to verify unusual requests through alternative channels before acting on them.
wtok.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns that increasingly sophisticated AI technology enables scammers to create realistic fake images, videos, and text to deceive people, including through phony celebrity endorsements and fake emergency messages from loved ones. The advisory provides guidance on recognizing AI-generated content, such as looking for typos, repetitive phrases, physical inconsistencies in images (distorted hands, melting features), and verifying suspicious content through independent sources before responding.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Cyprus-based tech support companies, Restoro Cyprus Limited and Reimage Cyprus Limited, agreed to pay $26 million to settle FTC charges for defrauding tens of millions of dollars from consumers, particularly older adults, using fake pop-up warnings claiming their computers had viruses. The companies used scare tactics and false threat claims to trick users into purchasing software ($27-$58) and then pressured them into buying additional services costing hundreds of dollars through phone activation calls. The FTC plans to use the settlement funds to compensate affected victims once the order is approved by federal court.
chqgov.com
· 2025-12-08
The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office warned residents of two ongoing scams primarily targeting elderly community members: imposters posing as Department of Social Services representatives going door-to-door to collect sensitive personal information (Social Security numbers, Medicare cards, utility bills) under the guise of distributing free tablets and phones, and fraudsters coercing residents to sign paperwork designating Social Services as their representative payee for Social Security income by threatening cessation of benefits. The Department of Social Services confirmed it does not engage in such activities and urged residents to report any suspicious encounters to local law enforcement.
ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission is warning consumers about scammers impersonating FTC employees to steal money, with median losses increasing from $3,000 in 2019 to $7,000 in 2024. The scammers falsely demand consumers move money to Bitcoin ATMs, purchase gold bars, withdraw cash, or threaten arrest and deportation—tactics the real FTC never uses. Consumers can report suspected FTC impersonation scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, at least 52 people in Singapore lost approximately $2.3 million to scammers impersonating Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras) officials, with 79% of cases involving fraudulent tax refund offers and 15% involving fake capital gains or income tax demands. The scams typically directed victims to fake Iras websites to steal payment details and one-time passwords, with six additional victims falling prey since early 2024. Iras advises taxpayers that legitimate refunds are credited via PayNow or registered bank accounts (never debit/credit cards) and that capital gains on investments and shares are not taxable in Singapore.
rnz.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
New Zealand saw a 24 percent drop in scam losses ($3.6 million) and a 12 percent decrease in reports to CERT NZ during Q4 2023, but authorities warn this decline may reflect underreporting rather than decreased scammer activity. Phishing remains the most common scam type, with fraudsters impersonating banks and postal services via email, text, and phone calls. CERT NZ emphasizes that early reporting is critical for financial recovery and encourages victims to overcome shame and reporting barriers.
fox29.com
· 2025-12-08
A Delaware County family lost $24,557.89 in a bank impersonation scam when a fraudster called posing as a Wells Fargo representative, claimed suspicious activity on their account, and tricked the victim into repeating text codes that actually authorized a wire transfer rather than stopping one. The sophisticated scheme, completed in 12 minutes with three text messages, exploited the victim's trust in the caller's knowledge of his legitimate transactions and familiarity with banking procedures. Despite reporting the fraud to police and the state attorney's office, Wells Fargo held the victim responsible for the authorized transfer, and the money was deemed irretrievable.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A 76-year-old Georgia widow lost her life savings of approximately $78,700 in a romance scam after meeting a man claiming to be a doctor working for the Red Cross in Yemen on Facebook. The scammer, using the name Caleb, built a months-long relationship with Jennifer Dennis and convinced her to wire money toward purchasing a home in North Carolina together, but the property was already occupied and the scammer disappeared after sending a final photo claiming he had been beaten. Dennis and her son ended up homeless and sleeping in their car until receiving a camper from their church, and she now warns others about romance scam red flags.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Identity theft targeting children under 19 has become increasingly common, with the FTC reporting 22,229 claims in a recent year resulting in over $15 million in losses, often going undiscovered for years. Perpetrators—ranging from online criminals to family members—use children's clean credit histories and Social Security numbers to obtain loans, credit cards, and government benefits, with victims like a 28-year-old experiencing wage garnishment and long-term financial damage into adulthood. Parents can protect their children by freezing credit reports, monitoring for warning signs such as debt collection calls or IRS notices, and safeguarding personal information from data breaches and social media exposure.
yourvalley.net
· 2025-12-08
Over 100 Sun City residents attended a March 20 scam prevention seminar hosted by Chase Bank and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, where officials reported that fraud and scams are rising nationally and particularly in retirement communities. Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Captain Brian Stutsman noted that Arizona ranked 10th nationally for fraud in 2022, with losses reaching over $10 billion in 2023, and that a nine-month period in the Sun Cities resulted in $2.7 million in losses, though actual figures are likely higher due to underreporting caused by shame and embarrassment.
cbs6albany.com
· 2025-12-08
A 24-year-old woman and two 18-year-old men were charged in two separate armed robberies in the Guilderland and Troy areas, where they lured victims through dating apps and robbed them at gunpoint of cars, money, and personal items. The Better Business Bureau reports that online dating and romance scams ranked in the top 5 consumer risks in 2023, with victims losing an average of $3,600 compared to $1,400 in 2022. Police advise dating app users to watch for red flags such as fast-moving relationships, hints of financial trouble, or financial pressure, and encourage reporting suspected scams to authorities and the BBB.