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in Crypto Investment Scam
denver7.com
· 2025-12-08
The Wheat Ridge Police Department warned of a cryptocurrency extortion scam circulating through the community in which victims receive emails containing personal information (addresses, photos from Google Maps) and threats of blackmail involving fabricated malware and compromising videos, demanding cryptocurrency payment via Bitcoin QR code. None of the Wheat Ridge residents who received these emails fell victim to the scam, though police emphasized the importance of reporting such attempts to raise community awareness. The scam exploits urgency and fear through false claims, reflecting a broader national problem—Americans lost over $5.5 billion to cryptocurrency scams in 2023, with Colorado reporting more than 1,300 fraud cases costing residents $81 million
miltontimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment fraud losses exceeded $4.5 billion in 2023, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Report. Common scams include cryptocurrency schemes promoted via social media, dubious investment programs claiming "proven" get-rich strategies, fraudulent real estate development offerings, and precious metals sales using pressure tactics and false guarantees. Protection measures include verifying that investment professionals are registered with FINRA, avoiding pressure to make quick decisions, being skeptical of "risk-free" claims, and researching companies online before investing.
mcknightsseniorliving.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FTC reported $10 billion in total consumer fraud losses (up $1 billion from 2022), with older adults losing $3.4 billion according to FBI data, driven primarily by imposter scams, investment fraud (up 400% since 2021), and tech support scams despite scam types remaining largely consistent with previous years. The Senate Special Committee on Aging released its ninth annual fraud book highlighting that common scams targeting seniors include imposter, sweepstakes, lottery, cryptocurrency, and AI-enabled schemes, with tech support scams causing nearly $590 million in losses and investment scams topping $1.2 billion. Between June
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
On September 20, hackers compromised the Supreme Court of India's official YouTube channel (217,000+ followers) and rebranded it to promote a Ripple/XRP cryptocurrency scam, featuring a fake livestream with deepfake or impersonated CEO Brad Garlinghouse and phishing links designed to steal cryptocurrency wallet access. YouTube removed the compromised channel for violating Community Guidelines, though the scammers' phishing approach—directing victims to connect wallets and granting hackers full fund access—mirrors similar attacks on high-profile accounts like DidYouKnowGaming and Ben&Ben throughout 2024. These incidents reflect a rising trend of YouTube account breaches used to
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. It appears to be a general financial advice landing page or navigation hub for CNET Money's content categories (credit cards, mortgages, insurance, etc.). No summary is applicable for the Elderus database.
headtopics.com
· 2025-12-08
David Checkley, a romance fraudster, was jailed again after previously defrauding Sharon Shearer, 70, of over £200,000 during a three-year relationship that left her bankrupt and homeless. The article also reports a significant rise in various fraud schemes in the UK, including an 43% increase in banking complaints about denied refunds (8,700 cases between April-June), a 34% surge in purchase scams totaling £85.9 million in 2023, and a 31% increase in romance scam payments reaching £36.5 million—the highest ever recorded. Common scams highlighted include marketplace fraud, fake ticketing schemes,
kaaltv.com
· 2025-12-08
The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office reported an increase in "grandparent scams" targeting senior citizens in North Iowa, where callers falsely claim a relative has been arrested and demand cash payment delivered by a courier to the victim's home. Law enforcement identified a suspect as a well-dressed Black male driving a dark four-door SUV with possible Minnesota plates, and advised seniors to hang up, verify information independently, and report suspicious calls to local police. The FTC recommends protecting yourself by remembering that legitimate businesses don't demand immediate payment via wire transfer or gift cards, law enforcement won't threaten arrest over the phone, and government agencies won't solicit sensitive information through unsolicite
milwaukeeindependent.com
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated overseas criminals steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone scams, with the problem projected to worsen as the aging population and AI technology make fraud easier to perpetrate and harder to prosecute. Law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed and under-resourced, with perpetrators rarely caught or convicted, and victims—particularly older adults—often unable to recover stolen funds from romance scams, grandparent scams, and technical support fraud. The article illustrates the crisis through cases including an 81-year-old Ohio man who fatally shot an Uber driver after being manipulated by a scammer, while the perpetrator remained at large, highlighting how inadequate law enforcement
newsnationnow.com
· 2025-12-08
An Austin woman lost thousands of dollars in a warrant scam when a caller impersonating a sheriff's deputy claimed she had missed jury duty and needed to send money via Bitcoin to avoid arrest; a bank manager intervened and prevented further losses. The FBI reports that Texans over 60 lost more than $278 billion in elder fraud last year, with common schemes including investment fraud (using fake cryptocurrency accounts and withdrawal fees) and tech support scams (pop-ups claiming virus infections to trick victims into sending money for gold, cash, or crypto). Law enforcement advises victims to pause and independently verify requests before acting, and recommends reporting fraud to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
kiro7.com
· 2025-12-08
A middle-aged woman lost $120,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam despite conducting thorough research, including verifying the broker's credentials through FINRA and confirming their association with Fidelity. The scammer had stolen the identity of a legitimate broker and used social engineering tactics, including fake tax demands and international permit fees, to manipulate the victim into transferring money through Crypto.com. Security experts note that sophisticated scams like this create convincing illusions and recommend meeting investment advisors face-to-face to verify their legitimacy, as the FBI reports cryptocurrency scams resulted in over $12 billion in losses.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Houston and nationwide are increasingly using cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin, to defraud victims through fake law enforcement calls claiming warrant arrests related to missed jury duty. Lt. Abraham Alanis of the Harris County Sheriff's Office reports receiving daily complaints about these calls, where criminals use spoofed phone numbers and real officer names to pressure victims into sending untraceable Bitcoin payments. According to the FBI, cryptocurrency scams resulted in 69,468 complaints nationwide in 2023 with $5.6 billion in losses, with Texas accounting for 4,770 complaints and approximately $411.9 million in losses.
milwaukeeindependent.com
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated overseas criminals steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone scams, a crisis-level problem projected to worsen as the aging population and AI technology increase vulnerability and perpetrator access. Law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed and underfunded, with relatively few scammers caught or convicted, stolen funds rarely recovered, and many victims reluctant to report crimes—illustrated by an Ohio case where an 81-year-old man fatally shot an Uber driver after being manipulated by a scammer threatening to extract $12,000 in supposed bond money, while the actual perpetrator remained at large. Key challenges include difficulty investigating overseas fraud, rapid conversion of funds to cryptocurrency, some police dismiss
kelly.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
During a Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly discussed the escalating threat of sophisticated fraud targeting seniors, including AI-generated voice cloning, cryptocurrency schemes, and "pig butchering" scams orchestrated by organized crime networks operating internationally, with reported losses totaling $100 billion. Law enforcement and consumer advocates emphasized the need for increased investigative resources, industry engagement, and a comprehensive national strategy to combat these crimes. Kelly highlighted his legislative efforts to protect seniors, including the Stop Senior Scams Act (2022) and the EdCOPS Act (2024), while discussing successful collaborative models like San Diego's Elder Justice Task Force.
nbcchicago.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warned of a surge in investment scams, particularly those involving cryptocurrency, with reports hitting an all-time high in 2023. Con artists typically use social media, dating apps, or hacked Facebook pages to pitch fraudulent investment opportunities, exploiting confusion around cryptocurrency to avoid detection. Average losses per victim rose from $1,000 in 2021 to nearly $6,000 in 2023, with consumers losing over $4.6 billion to investment scams across all categories in the prior year.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering legislation that would require banks to flag suspicious transactions—such as overseas wire transfers—and freeze them for several days while alerting law enforcement and potentially trusted family members, targeting protection for residents age 60 and older. The bill addresses a growing wire fraud problem where scammers trick elderly victims into transferring hundreds of thousands of dollars through elaborate schemes like romance scams and fake investment offers, with nearly 60% of stolen money in financial fraud cases originating from wire transfers and most never being recovered. The measure passed the Pennsylvania House in July with bipartisan support and is currently under Senate consideration.
sbs.com.au
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational language lesson, not a news article about an actual scam or fraud case. The material teaches intermediate English learners about online scams through vocabulary, grammar (passive voice), and a dialogue example involving a phishing email impersonating the Australian Taxation Office. The lesson provides practical phrases for discussing scams and emphasizes how to recognize suspicious messages, verify sender identity, and report incidents to authorities.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Malwarebytes research reveals that romance scams affected over 66% of survey respondents, with 10% losing more than $10,000 and 3% losing $100,000 or more—yet 94% of victims recovered none of their money. The scams disproportionately target people over 55 (74% of victims), often through social media (38%) and dating platforms (31%), with 26% of victims engaged with scammers for extended periods, including 5% in year-long relationships. The study emphasizes the need for awareness, identity verification, and reporting to law enforcement, as stigma and shame prevent many victims from seeking
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Jill Gogel, vice president of fraud services at Dupaco Community Credit Union in Iowa, has implemented a comprehensive fraud prevention program that requires all employees to receive annual training on spotting suspicious transactions and unusual withdrawal patterns among the credit union's 170,000 members. Since launching the initiative 10 years ago, Dupaco has increased its fraud prevention from $300,000 to an estimated $10 million in blocked losses annually, using proactive measures such as employee communication, customer outreach, and coordination with local law enforcement. The credit union's approach is being highlighted as a model that larger banking institutions should adopt, particularly given that victims over 60 lose $28.3 billion
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
Pig butchering crypto scams involve fraudsters building trust with victims through fake identities and relationships on social media platforms like WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and Instagram before directing them to fraudulent cryptocurrency trading platforms and stealing their money. The SEC filed its first enforcement actions against these scams in September 2024, charging eight defendants in connection with fake platforms NanoBit and CoinW6, while the CFTC and other federal agencies have partnered to distribute educational materials warning consumers that these scams cost Americans billions annually. Victims are advised to ignore unsolicited messages from strangers and report suspicious contacts to prevent becoming targets of this rapidly growing fraud scheme.
sbs.com.au
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational lesson for intermediate English learners about online scams and phishing, not a news report of fraud. The lesson teaches vocabulary and phrases related to scams (such as phishing emails and suspicious messages), demonstrates the passive voice construction in discussing being victimized, and provides a real-world example of someone nearly falling for a fake Australian Taxation Office phishing message before recognizing warning signs.
verywellmind.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide examines why scam victims face blame and shame, explaining that psychological biases—including the "just world" belief, hindsight bias, and defensive attribution—cause people to wrongly hold victims responsible for being scammed. The article emphasizes that victim blaming is harmful and counterproductive, noting that scams are increasingly common (the FTC reported $76 million lost to government impersonation scams in 2023, up 90% from 2022) and that anyone can fall victim regardless of intelligence or caution.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
California Governor Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 278, which would have required banks to establish emergency contact programs for elderly accountholders and delay transactions over $5,000 for three days if fraud was suspected. The bill was introduced by State Senator Bill Dodd in response to Alice Lin, a Southern California widow who lost $200,000 in a cryptocurrency scam after her bank failed to stop seven wire transfers despite red flags. The banking industry initially opposed the measure over liability concerns but removed its opposition after amendments were made, though the bill's enforceability against federally chartered banks remained uncertain due to federal law preemption.
news9.com
· 2025-12-08
Oklahoma ranked 27th nationally with 955 elder fraud complaints according to FBI data, part of a broader trend where Americans over 60 lost nearly $3.5 billion to scams in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year. Experts advise victims to report fraud immediately to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov), as there is a 7 in 10 chance of recovering funds if reported quickly, and recommend hanging up on suspicious callers and telling family members rather than keeping requests secret. Cryptocurrency scams and pressure tactics to conduct immediate financial transactions are common red flags.
postandcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Lexington men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud after scamming at least five victims across five states out of more than $500,000 through email and romance scams between December 2021 and late 2022. Kenneth J. Brown Jr. and Nicholas R. Shepard, who owned Golden Eagle Precious Metals Exchange, converted stolen funds into cryptocurrency and face up to 20 years in federal prison and $250,000 in fines. The scams targeted individuals from Colorado to Florida, with victims losing thousands of dollars each in schemes involving false claims about money transfers and fraudulent romance solicitations.
postandcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Lexington men, Kenneth J. Brown Jr. and Nicholas R. Shepard, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to wire and mail fraud after scamming at least five victims across five states out of over $500,000 through email and romance scams between December 2021 and 2022. The pair operated Golden Eagle Precious Metals Exchange and converted stolen funds into cryptocurrency, facing potential sentences of up to 20 years in federal prison and $250,000 fines.
heritagefl.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency scams targeting seniors have risen sharply, with fraudsters impersonating federal agents and falsely claiming victims' bank accounts are compromised, then pressuring them to deposit money into cryptocurrency ATMs for purported "government protection." The article provides four key preventative measures: verify communications through official government channels, educate yourself on common scammer tactics, use only reputable cryptocurrency exchanges with security features, and exercise caution with cryptocurrency ATMs. Resources like the Orlando Senior Help Desk (407-678-9363) are available to help seniors and families identify potential fraud.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
timesofsandiego.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
cftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
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.
news.harvard.edu
· 2025-12-08
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.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A 39-year-old UK resident, Robert Westbrook, was charged with fraud after allegedly using genealogy websites to answer security questions and hack the email accounts of senior executives at five U.S. companies, then trading on nonpublic earnings information to make millions in illicit profits. Westbrook employed multiple concealment tactics including VPNs, Bitcoin payments, and fake email aliases to access the executives' Microsoft Outlook accounts and read confidential financial data before company announcements. The SEC successfully traced his activities through advanced data analytics and cryptocurrency tracking, with his insider trades generating hundreds of thousands to over $1 million in illegal gains.
thehackernews.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity researchers discovered a malicious Android app masquerading as the legitimate WalletConnect protocol on Google Play Store that stole approximately $70,000 in cryptocurrency from over 150 victims across five months through a cryptocurrency drainer tool. The fake app, which achieved over 10,000 downloads by using fake reviews and high search rankings, redirected users to fraudulent websites that tricked them into signing transactions granting attackers permission to drain their wallets. This marks the first cryptocurrency drainer exclusively targeting mobile users, highlighting the sophisticated tactics criminals employ in the decentralized finance space.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
cardanofeed.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
decripto.org
· 2025-12-08
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.
technologyforyou.org
· 2025-12-08
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.
newshub.medianet.com.au
· 2025-12-08
International Justice Mission (IJM) Australia presented evidence to a parliamentary committee highlighting social media companies' inadequate responses to crimes facilitated on their platforms, including livestreamed child sexual abuse and fraudulent job advertisements that lead to worker trafficking. The organization noted that while AI tools exist to detect and block such content, platforms like Facebook and Skype are not implementing them, and called for stronger action given that Australians lost over $210 million to romance scams in 2022-23 and online child abuse reports increased 45% year-over-year.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 200,000 people in Southeast Asia have been forced into operating online "pig butchering" scams by Chinese organized crime groups, generating billions in stolen funds through a scheme that builds false relationships with victims before directing them to fraudulent investment platforms. The FBI reported nearly $4 billion in losses from these scams in 2023 alone, with total global losses estimated at $75 billion or more, and similar operations have now expanded to the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and West Africa. Despite crackdowns by Beijing and international law enforcement efforts, experts warn that the scam continues to proliferate globally as criminal groups replicate the model in regions with weak governance and enforcement.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Connecticut offers a free bimonthly webinar series called "Fighting Fraud with AARP Connecticut" that educates participants on current fraud schemes including artificial intelligence scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and romance scams through expert speakers and safety tips. The next session is scheduled for Friday, October 25 at noon and can be accessed via Zoom by registering at events.aarp.org/FightFraudOct.
futurescot.com
· 2025-12-08
Research in Scotland revealed that 400,000 older people have been targeted by online scams, prompting the Cyber and Fraud Centre to relaunch a safety guide addressing cryptocurrency scams, fake calls/emails, and text message fraud. The Cyber and Fraud Hub has handled approximately £250,000 in cryptocurrency fraud cases across all age groups while preventing around £60,000 from reaching scammers, with older adults identified as particularly vulnerable due to lower technology familiarity and greater trust in unsolicited contacts. The guide recommends that seniors remain cautious of unexpected communications, protect personal information, be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, and discuss finances with trusted individuals.
fox19.com
· 2025-12-08
A senior couple in Boone County, Kentucky nearly fell victim to a cryptocurrency scam initiated by a pop-up message on their computer that directed them to call a number claiming their accounts were compromised. When they called the provided number, scammers instructed them to withdraw money and convert it to Bitcoin at a local vape shop, but an alert vape shop employee and the couple's own suspicions prompted them to contact the sheriff's office before completing the transaction. The Boone County Sheriff's Office successfully recovered the couple's funds, with deputies noting that recovering money in such scams is exceptionally rare.
wmar2news.com
· 2025-12-08
Marylanders lost approximately $69 million in cryptocurrency investment scams, where fraudsters contact victims randomly, build trust, and convince them to invest savings or retirement funds into fake trading accounts showing false returns before blocking withdrawals. Scammers typically encourage victims to liquidate retirement accounts and take loans for larger investments, with some victims losing over $1 million while being charged hundreds of thousands in fees to access their funds; cryptocurrency-related fraud comprises about half of all reported fraud cases, and FBI officials warn that peer-to-peer crypto transactions cannot be reversed once completed.
mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
In the first six months of 2024, Americans lost $65 million to Bitcoin ATM scams, with losses increasing nearly 10-fold since 2023. Scammers use various tactics—such as impersonating law enforcement and threatening arrest—to manipulate victims into depositing cash at Bitcoin ATMs; one Houston man lost nearly $60,000 after being told he had an active warrant. The median loss across all ages is $10,000, though consumers over 60 are more frequently targeted, and the FTC warns that if anyone directs you to use a Bitcoin ATM, it is a scam.
7news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
An Australian woman lost $813,000 to a Business Email Compromise (BEC) scam when she transferred funds intended for a home purchase to a fraudulent account created by criminals using a fake email address nearly identical to a legitimate conveyancer's. Australian Federal Police and international partners recovered $777,000 (96%) of the stolen funds through coordinated efforts involving cryptocurrency exchange freezes and bank account recovery. The AFP advises Australians to protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated BEC scams by enabling multi-factor authentication and carefully verifying email addresses, noting that such scams accounted for nearly $80 million in reported losses during 2022-2023.
ibtimes.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old California widow lost her entire $720,000 life savings to an online scammer on WeChat who used "pig butchering" tactics to build trust and convince her to invest in cryptocurrency between August and September 2022. After JPMorgan Chase Bank failed to flag the suspicious transactions despite red flags and her long account history, Lin sued the bank and successfully prevented its dismissal of the case; her experience prompted California State Senator Bill Dodd to introduce Senate Bill 278, which would require banks to implement emergency contact programs and delay suspicious transactions over $5,000 for three business days for elderly customers.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
Meta has partnered with Australian banks through the Fraud Intelligence Reciprocal Exchange (Fire) program to combat celebrity deepfake investment scams, removing over 17,000 fraudulent pages and scam posts in its first six months. Australians reported $43.4 million in social media scam losses to Scamwatch from January to August 2024, with nearly $30 million attributed to fake investment schemes featuring manipulated images of public figures. The initiative enables direct information sharing between Meta and seven major banks to identify and block scams more rapidly, though the program's impact remains limited compared to the overall volume of reported losses.
sbs.com.au
· 2025-12-08
This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse—it is an English language learning resource from SBS Learn English that uses online scams as the topic to teach English vocabulary, grammar (passive voice), and conversational phrases to non-native speakers in Australia. While it includes educational dialogue about recognizing phishing emails and reporting scams to authorities, it is pedagogical material rather than news reporting or fraud research content suitable for the Elderus database.
news.trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
Contrary to the stereotype of elderly victims, research shows younger people report losing money to scams more frequently than older adults, with those under 21 experiencing the largest surge in online fraud losses and 18-24 year-olds losing a median of $200 per scam. However, older adults suffer larger individual losses, with those aged 70-79 losing a median of $800 and those 80+ losing $1,500, reflecting how scams are tailored to different generations—younger people are targeted primarily on social media (40% of cases for ages 18-29) while older adults are targeted via phone (40% for those 80+). Different age groups face distinct
clintonherald.com
· 2025-12-08
The Iowa Department of Public Safety warned of an emerging trend in which scammers are demanding gold bars, coins, and bullion as payment instead of traditional methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. Common scam types—including government impersonation, tech support, and romance scams—have shifted to this new payment method, with one central Iowa resident losing $305,000 in gold and silver to a fake Microsoft representative in June 2024, and the FBI reporting $55 million in precious metals losses nationwide during the second half of 2023.
peoplenewspapers.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams targeting seniors and other consumers have become significantly more costly, with median losses rising from $1,000 in 2021 to nearly $6,000 in 2023, according to a Better Business Bureau study. Scammers increasingly blend romance/confidence tactics with cryptocurrency opportunities, primarily recruiting victims through social media and messaging apps, with Texas residents alone reporting $2.1 million in losses during 2024. Key red flags include guaranteed massive returns, pressure to invest for romantic reasons, aggressive responses to refusal, and unexpected high fees required to access returns.