Explore the Archive

Allen Brown, 41, of Augusta, Georgia, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for operating a "ghost" tax preparation business in 2022-2023 that falsified 63 federal income tax returns, resulting in $1,003,631 in fraudulent refunds to clients. Brown and his associates fabricated income and deductions without clients' knowledge, offered tiered fraud schemes ("Standard" and "I'm Not Scared" options yielding $2,000-$30,000 in false refunds), and charged clients 10% fees while withholding copies of filed returns. Brown faces up to 20 years in prison, supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties upon

Two Georgia residents lost over $20,000 to phone scams in April 2024: a 50-year-old man paid $2,000 in cryptocurrency after a caller impersonating a sheriff's deputy claimed he had an arrest warrant, while a 62-year-old man lost $12,000 (later reimbursed) plus an additional $7,550 in unauthorized charges after providing debit card information to someone posing as a bank official. The Oconee County Sheriff's Office warned the public that law enforcement never demands payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or money transfer services to avoid arrest.

An elderly Johns Creek, Georgia woman lost $47,000 in a scam that began with a pop-up message while she was doing an online crossword puzzle. Scammers used spoofed caller IDs to impersonate Bank of America employees and police officers, convincing her to transfer funds to a Bitcoin machine for "account protection" and attempting to extract an additional $10,000. Police advise residents to avoid sending money to unknown sources and to call 911 if targeted, emphasizing that scammers exploit fear and urgency.

Georgia has implemented new fraud training requirements for police officers to identify fraud, abuse, and neglect of older adults and people with disabilities, with legislation requiring specialized dementia training for first responders. Georgia residents age 60 and over reported losing more than $92 million to fraud in 2023, up from $33.5 million in 2021, with over one-third of the state's 28,546 abuse reports in 2024 involving financial exploitation. These initiatives represent increased collaboration among law enforcement, advocates, and government agencies to protect Georgia's growing elderly population, which is projected to comprise more than 1 in 5 residents by 2030.

Vickie Long of Ringgold, Georgia pleaded guilty to exploiting her elderly mother through an elaborate scheme involving false cancer diagnoses and fake treatment costs, ultimately defrauding her mother of approximately $200,000. After Adult Protective Services intervened, Long escalated her crimes by stealing directly from her mother's checking and savings accounts, causing her victim to lose her home. Long received a 30-year sentence with 15 years to serve in jail, having spent most of the stolen funds on fentanyl.

Briauna Powell, a 24-year-old home health aide for Visiting Angels, was arrested and charged with identity theft, fraud, and elder exploitation after using elderly clients' personal and financial information to make unauthorized purchases totaling approximately $25,000, including a $16,000 vehicle, rent payments, and store purchases. Police confirmed she victimized at least four elderly residents across multiple Georgia counties and believe additional victims may exist. Powell is being held without bond, and authorities are urging anyone who employed her to check for fraudulent activity.

A 24-year-old in-home caregiver, Briauna Michelle Powell of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was arrested and charged with 22 felony counts of identity fraud and elder exploitation after stealing approximately $20,000 from at least four elderly victims. Powell, who worked in victims' homes assisting with household tasks, used stolen checks and fraudulent credit card charges, with victims unaware of the theft until discovered by a power of attorney holder. Police believe additional victims may exist and are asking anyone who employed Powell as a caregiver to contact the Suwanee Police Department.

Briauna Michelle Powell, a home health assistant in Suwanee, Georgia, is wanted for identity fraud and elder exploitation after using an 82-year-old client's credit cards and bank account without authorization. Between February and March, Powell made unauthorized charges totaling at least $1,120 on the victim's Lowe's card for personal items and attempted six unauthorized bank transactions, while also attempting to open an account in the victim's name. Powell has been charged with multiple counts of identity fraud and elder exploitation, and detectives are asking anyone who employed her to report suspected fraudulent activity.

Asian crime syndicates operating multibillion-dollar cyberscam networks have expanded globally to South America and Africa despite intensified Southeast Asian raids, with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime reporting the industry generates tens of billions in annual profits by victimizing people worldwide through schemes like romance and cryptocurrency scams. Many scam workers are trafficked and forced into operations, and criminal groups have adapted by relocating to remote areas with weak governance in Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and now Georgia, Zambia, Angola, and Namibia. The U.S. alone reported $5.6 billion in cryptocurrency scam losses in 2023, with elderly and vulnerable people particularly

JPMorgan Chase is pursuing additional lawsuits against customers who exploited an "infinite money glitch" discovered in August 2024, which allowed users to deposit fraudulent checks via ATM and withdraw funds before the checks bounced. The bank has filed suits in Georgia, Florida, New York, and Texas against individuals accused of stealing amounts up to $75,000 each, and has sent demand letters to over 1,000 customers since October 2024, with a representative stating the bank will pursue cases "for as long as it takes to hold fraudsters accountable."

Scammers are stealing Social Security account credentials through phishing attacks and selling full access on the dark web, then rerouting benefit payments to fraudulent accounts—with the SSA reporting cases involving monthly benefits of $1,855 or more being diverted. The Social Security Administration is implementing new in-person identity verification requirements starting April 2025, though this faces criticism due to concurrent staffing cuts of nearly 12%. Protection strategies include enabling two-factor authentication, regularly monitoring accounts, avoiding phishing links, freezing credit, and reporting suspected fraud to the SSA Office of the Inspector General.

Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Nigerian national, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for his role in a transnational romance scam that defrauded elderly victims across Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and was ordered to pay $311,520 in restitution; one victim alone lost $27,460 after being lured through a fake Facebook identity. The scam involved establishing fake online relationships and soliciting funds under false pretenses such as business investments and medical emergencies, with Obafemi laundering proceeds through two Georgia

Badetito O. Obafemi, 42, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded elderly victims in Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey of approximately $311,520 between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi and co-conspirators posed as individuals like "Kevin Condon" online to build relationships with victims and convince them to send money for various expenses, with Obafemi receiving the fraudulent wire transfers through personal and business bank accounts he controlled. The court ordered Obafemi to pay full restitution to victims and serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration.

A Georgia man, Badetito O. Obafemi, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded elderly victims across multiple states, including a Taney County, Missouri resident who lost $27,460. Obafemi conspired with scammers who posed as romantic interests online, requesting money for various expenses, and received the stolen funds through personal and business bank accounts he controlled. He was ordered to pay $311,520 in total restitution to all victims across Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey.

Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for his role in romance scams that defrauded elderly victims across Missouri, New Jersey, and Minnesota between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi used social media to establish fake romantic relationships with victims, convincing them to send money for various expenses, and coordinated the receipt and transfer of stolen funds through multiple bank accounts; he was ordered to pay over $311,500 in restitution to his victims. The scheme targeted at least one victim in Missouri who lost more than $27,400 to a scammer posing as "Kevin Condon

Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for his role in an online romance scam targeting elderly victims in Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi conspired to receive fraudulent wire transfers totaling $311,520 by coordinating bank accounts and fund transfers, with one victim in Missouri alone losing $27,460 after being deceived by someone claiming to be "Kevin Condon" seeking money for overseas business and medical expenses. He was ordered to pay full restitution to his victims and serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration.

Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded elderly victims in Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey of approximately $311,520 between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi received wire transfers from victims who were deceived by scammers posing as individuals like "Kevin Condon," who fabricated stories about business expenses, medical issues, and legal problems to solicit money. The court ordered Obafemi to pay full restitution and serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration.

Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded elderly victims across Missouri, New Jersey, and Minnesota between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi and co-conspirators used social media to build fake relationships with victims and convince them to send money for various pretexts, with one victim losing over $27,400; he was ordered to pay $311,500 in restitution. The investigation involved multiple federal agencies and resulted in charges for money laundering conspiracy.

A Georgia man was jailed for allegedly impersonating a police officer ("Sergeant Harding") to scam a registered sex offender in Pennsylvania out of $1,000 in August 2022, claiming he could make a fake warrant disappear if the victim purchased gift cards and paid cash. Law enforcement agencies nationwide report that scammers intermittently target people on sex offender registries with similar police impersonation schemes, though the scams are difficult to track and prevalence varies by jurisdiction. In 2023, American adults lost over $25.4 billion to telephone-based scams overall, with young adults aged 18-44 being three times more likely than older adults to

A South Carolina man, Bhargav Patel, was arrested in Jones County, Georgia after attempting to defraud an elderly couple of their life savings through a courier scam, in which he convinced them their bank deposits were unsafe and arranged to pick up their withdrawn money for "safekeeping." The couple's family intervened before the theft was completed, obtained the suspect's license plate, and authorities tracked and arrested Patel, charging him with exploitation of the elderly and two counts of criminal attempt to commit theft. The sheriff's office emphasized that such fraud cases are among the highest-volume crimes they handle and advised residents to be cautious of unsolicited calls, especially from those impersonating government agencies

**Unable to summarize:** This article excerpt does not contain information about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. It appears to be a community news piece about holiday shopping in the Golden Isles, Georgia, with a brief mention of a law enforcement speaker at a community event, but lacks details about any fraud or scam incident. The provided text is incomplete and primarily consists of comment guidelines.

In 2024, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr's Consumer Protection Division secured nearly $80 million for Georgia taxpayers and consumers combined, including $3.3 million in restitution for nearly 500 older and disabled adults who were defrauded into purchasing unproven stem cell products. The division assisted over 26,755 consumers and conducted extensive education and outreach efforts, reaching more than 980,000 people through speaking engagements, webinars, and educational resources to help Georgians recognize and avoid scams and fraud.

A call centre operation based in Tbilisi, Georgia defrauded victims of $35 million by using fake social media advertisements and news articles featuring celebrity endorsements (including radio DJ Zoe Ball and adventurer Ben Fogle) to promote non-existent cryptocurrency trading platforms promising AI-driven profits. Victims were directed to fraudulent platforms on Facebook and Google where no actual trading occurred, making this a classic advance-fee or investment fraud scheme targeting savers.

A massive data leak exposed an international crypto scam operation with call centers in Georgia, Israel, Spain, Cyprus, Ukraine, and Bulgaria that defrauded at least 32,000 victims of over $275 million USD. The scammers used fake news articles on social media featuring celebrities like Kevin O'Leary and Elon Musk to lure victims into fraudulent cryptocurrency investments, then deployed "recovery scammers" (using stolen identities) to extract additional payments from desperate victims—including a Canadian factory foreman who lost $200,000 and was later targeted for an additional $3,500. The leaked internal records, including over one million call recordings and 20,

An organized Georgian call center network scammed approximately 6,000 people across the UK, Europe, and Canada out of $35 million (£27 million) between May 2022 and 2023 using deepfake videos and fake celebrity endorsements featuring Martin Lewis, Zoe Ball, and Ben Fogle to promote fraudulent cryptocurrency and investment schemes. UK victims were disproportionately affected, accounting for about £9 million in losses, with some individuals defrauded of over £160,000 after spending hundreds of hours on calls with scammers. The fraud was exposed through a leaked dataset of over 1 million call recordings that revealed how the approximately

A leak of 1 million audio files from Georgian scam call centers exposed sophisticated cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes that defrauded victims of £9 million combined through "authorised push payment" (APP) fraud, which tricks people into voluntarily sending money from their bank accounts. In the first half of 2024, investment scammers cheated Britons out of at least £56 million, accounting for a quarter of the £214 million lost to APP fraud despite representing only 4% of cases. As of October 7, 2024, new UK regulatory rules now mandate banks refund victims up to £85,000 within five days for domestic transfers, significantly improving reimburs

Andrew Hood, a former caregiver at Charter Senior Living in Cobb County, Georgia, was accused of stealing four credit cards from an 81-year-old resident and using them to make unauthorized purchases including a Six Flags season pass, gas, and food in 2024. Hood faces nearly 20 felony charges, with the arrest warrant issued recently after a multi-month investigation involving multiple businesses. The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals to fraud by trusted caregivers, with law enforcement emphasizing the importance of public awareness about elder fraud.

Alina Ciurar, 33, was arrested after conning a 77-year-old woman out of $760.62 at a Walmart self-checkout in Snellville, Georgia by falsely claiming she needed help buying baby supplies for $40, then physically guiding the victim's arm to complete a much larger payment while blocking her view. Two days later, Ciurar allegedly returned most of the items to another Walmart for approximately $500 in cash, and was apprehended when caught attempting to approach another senior citizen at a store. The scheme was uncovered through surveillance footage and bank statements, and Ciurar now faces felony elder exploitation and fraud charges

Senator Jon Ossoff pressed the Trump Administration's FTC to strengthen protections for Georgia's 1.2 million seniors, citing alarming increases in financial scams affecting the state's senior population. According to FBI data, losses from scams targeting Georgia seniors surged from $25 million in 2020 to $92 million in 2023, placing Georgia among the top five states for senior financial fraud. The senator emphasized the substantial financial and emotional toll on seniors and their caregivers, demanding stronger FTC action to restore confidence in the financial system.

Senator Jon Ossoff pressed the Trump Administration's FTC to strengthen protections for Georgia's 1.2 million seniors from financial scams, citing alarming increases in fraud losses from $25 million in 2020 to $92 million in 2023. Georgia ranked among the top five states most affected by senior financial fraud in 2023, creating substantial financial and emotional strain on seniors and their caregivers.

Senator Ossoff urged the Trump Administration's FTC Chairman to increase protections for Georgia's 1.2 million seniors from financial scams. Georgia ranked among the top five states for senior fraud in 2023, with reported losses to Georgia seniors surging from $25 million in 2020 to $92 million in 2023, according to FBI data.

This article is about a college basketball game, not elder fraud or abuse. It describes Old Dominion University's 76-70 loss to Georgia State on Senior Night, where the Monarchs struggled with shooting (34.1% from the field) despite taking 21 more shots than their opponents. The article is not relevant to the Elderus database, which focuses on scams, fraud, and elder abuse.

A Georgia man ordered a drill and pressure washer from AliExpress but received a photo of the drill and a screw bit instead, losing approximately $40. The incident highlights a common online marketplace scam where buyers receive incorrect or worthless items instead of their purchases, prompting the victim to warn others about the fraudulent practice.

This educational piece provides identity theft prevention tips from the Better Business Bureau of Central Georgia for the new year. Key recommendations include checking credit reports weekly (available free from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), joining the "do not call" registry to avoid telemarketer calls, researching online retailers before purchases and using secure checkout options, and avoiding sensitive transactions on public Wi-Fi networks without a VPN. The article advises reporting any suspected identity theft or fraudulent activity to the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov.

A 91-year-old Georgia man lost over $109,000 after a scammer posing as an old friend gained remote access to his computer and convinced him the scammer had accidentally sent him $100,000, leading him to wire cash to an unknown address in New York. The FBI reported that seniors lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, with hundreds of similar cases occurring across the country, including an 85-year-old woman who lost $1.4 million to fraudsters impersonating JPMorgan and the U.S. government, and a woman whose father was tricked into sending €7,000 through a "Hi

Joe Gavalis, a retired federal law enforcement investigator and prominent elder abuse advocate, has died at age 77. Gavalis founded the North Georgia Task Force on Elder Abuse and served on multiple boards including the Cobb Elder Abuse Task Force, earning the Georgia Council on Aging's Distinguished Older Georgian award in 2021 for his decades of work combating elder fraud, exploitation, and abuse through law enforcement training and public education. He also led the unsuccessful East Cobb Cityhood movement from 2018-2022 and continued speaking to seniors about scam prevention into 2022.

Miranda Rachel Briggs, 34, of Georgia pleaded guilty to wire fraud after falsely claiming to be the surviving spouse of a deceased U.S. Army veteran to fraudulently obtain approximately $129,000 in VA benefits and medical care. Briggs had divorced the veteran before his death in 2018 but subsequently filed false claims with the VA and Civilian Health and Medical Program, and even had herself named administrator of his estate by misrepresenting her marital status. She faces up to 20 years in prison plus restitution and financial penalties upon sentencing.

A 93-year-old Georgia resident lost $109,000 after a scammer gained remote computer access by posing as an old friend, convincing him he needed to return an accidentally deposited $100,000. While Georgia's 2023 SPEAR Act allows the state to delay suspicious transactions for up to 25 days and has been used over 550 times, most banks remain under federal regulation and are not required to implement similar protections, leaving seniors vulnerable as Congress debates stronger federal safeguards.

**Summary:** Georgia Power warned customers in January 2025 about increasing scams during post-holiday and tax season periods, including threats of power disconnection and requests to update billing information. The utility highlighted evolving tech scams such as fraudulent payment requests through Cash App using fake company logos and fake digital ads directing customers to non-company websites to steal personal information. Georgia Power provided guidance to customers on legitimate payment methods, verification procedures, and reporting mechanisms to protect against scammers impersonating company representatives.

Georgia Power is warning customers about escalating scams as tax season and new year bills arrive, including fake calls, emails, and door-to-door visits impersonating utility representatives demanding immediate payment or personal financial information. The utility also flagged fraudulent Cash App accounts, cryptocurrency payment demands, and fake websites mimicking Georgia Power's official site to steal billing and credit information. Customers should verify any communication by calling Georgia Power's official customer service line at 888-660-5890 and use only legitimate payment methods through the company's official website at www.GeorgiaPower.com.

The Mequon Police Department issued a warning about a spike in fraud cases in its community, noting that scams have become increasingly sophisticated and are targeting vulnerable populations through various methods including phishing, impersonation, tech support fraud, investment schemes, and cryptocurrency-related scams. Victims often lose thousands of dollars through wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency with little chance of recovery, and emotional distress frequently prevents reporting. The department recommends residents remain vigilant, verify unsolicited offers, protect personal information, and anticipate that scams will continue to evolve with advancing technology, including AI-driven schemes.

The Brooklyn District Attorney's office launched an investigation into fraudulent NFT platforms after an 85-year-old artist lost his life savings to a fake OpenSea website, uncovering 40 similar phishing sites targeting artists across the country. Scammers accessed victims' digital assets and laundered stolen funds through Nigeria, affecting at least three artists from New York, Georgia, and California. The DA's office shut down the fraudulent websites and advised NFT artists to verify site legitimacy and protect their crypto wallet seed phrases to prevent asset theft.

**Summary:** Xiao Kun Cheung, a 58-year-old deported Chinese national, was indicted in September for his role in a multi-state elder fraud conspiracy targeting seniors in Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. The scheme involved fraudsters contacting elderly victims via phone or pop-up messages claiming their accounts were compromised, then convincing them to withdraw cash, purchase gift cards, or buy gold bars for "safekeeping"; Cheung was arrested in March attempting to collect $132,000 in gold bars from a victim in Pooler, Georgia. According to the FBI, seniors lost over $3.5 billion to fraud in 2023, with Georgia victims alone losing

A 58-year-old man, Xiao Kun Cheung, was indicted for his role in a multi-state scheme that defrauded elderly victims out of more than $1 million, targeting seniors in Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee through phone calls and pop-up messages falsely claiming their computers or financial accounts were compromised. Cheung convinced victims to withdraw cash, purchase gift cards, or buy gold bars for "safekeeping," and was arrested in March attempting to collect $132,000 in gold bars from a victim in Pooler, Georgia. He faces up to 20 years in prison and financial penalties upon conviction, reflecting a broader crisis where seniors lost over $3

An 85-year-old Brooklyn artist was defrauded of $135,000 after being contacted on LinkedIn by a scammer posing as an art dealer who directed him to a fake NFT marketplace resembling OpenSea, promising $300,000 in profits but then demanding a "fee" to access funds. The Brooklyn District Attorney's office shut down 40 fraudulent NFT websites connected to the scheme, which targeted artists and was traced to Nigeria, with investigators identifying at least two other victims in Georgia and California.

Xiao Kun Cheung, 58, was charged in Georgia for operating a multi-state elder fraud scheme that extorted over $1 million from seniors up to 92 years old through phone calls and pop-up messages falsely claiming their accounts were compromised. Cheung convinced victims to withdraw cash, purchase gift cards, and buy gold bars under the pretense of government safekeeping, and was arrested attempting to collect $132,000 in gold bars from one victim. The case highlights the broader crisis of elder fraud, with Americans over 60 suffering $3.5 billion in losses in 2023, including $92 million in Georgia alone.

Xiao Kun Cheung, a 58-year-old Chinese national, was indicted for his role in a multi-state elder fraud conspiracy that defrauded senior citizens (up to age 92) of over $1 million across Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. The scheme involved contacting victims by phone or pop-up messages claiming their computers or accounts were compromised, then convincing them to withdraw cash, purchase gift cards, or buy gold bars; Cheung was arrested in March while attempting to collect approximately $132,000 in gold bars from a victim in Pooler, Georgia. He faces charges including wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud, carrying up to 20 years in federal

A Chinese national was indicted for operating an elder fraud scheme targeting victims in Savannah and Pooler. The indictment indicates a coordinated fraud operation that specifically preyed on elderly residents in the Georgia area, though specific dollar amounts and detailed scheme methods were not provided in the available headline information.

Xiao Kun Cheung, 58, a Chinese national, was indicted for his role in a multi-state elder fraud conspiracy that targeted seniors up to age 92 across Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee, swindling over $1 million through phone calls and pop-up messages falsely claiming compromised accounts, then persuading victims to withdraw cash, purchase gift cards, or buy gold bars. Cheung was arrested in March 2024 while attempting to collect approximately $132,000 in gold bars from a victim in Pooler, Georgia, and faces charges including wire fraud and extortion with potential penalties up to 20 years in prison. The case

Chinese national Xiao Kun Cheung was federally indicted for operating a scheme targeting senior citizens in Savannah and Pooler, Georgia; he was arrested while attempting to pick up approximately $132,000 in gold bars from a victim in Pooler.