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Scammers have been impersonating Senior Resource Center employees and attempting to sell burial plots to Douglas County residents, prompting the center's director to warn the public that the organization does not sell anything. The FBI reports that cybercriminals stole over $16 billion from Americans in 2024, with people over 60 losing nearly $5 billion; experts recommend the "Stop, Verify and Report" approach—stopping the conversation, verifying legitimacy through trusted sources, and reporting suspected scams to the Kansas Protection Report Center at 1-800-922-5330.

Sextortion cases in Arkansas have already exceeded the total number of incidents reported throughout 2024, according to state police investigators. The scam involves perpetrators convincing teenagers to share explicit images online and subsequently using those images for blackmail, with investigators anticipating a further surge in cases during the summer months.

Elder fraud complaints increased 46% in 2024, with victims nationwide losing $4.885 billion—a 43% increase from 2023—while Arkansas seniors over 60 alone lost more than $27 million. The FBI identifies investment schemes, technical support scams, romance fraud, and money mule operations as common tactics targeting elderly individuals perceived as more trusting and financially stable. The FBI recommends seniors research unknown contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources, and report suspected fraud through their tip line or online complaint center.

**Elder Fraud on Rise in Arkansas and Nationally** The FBI reported that seniors over 60 lost $4.885 billion nationally in 2024 across 147,127 fraud complaints—a 46% increase from 2023—with Arkansas seniors alone losing $27.3 million to investment scams, technical support scams, money mule schemes, and romance fraud. Seniors are targeted because they tend to be trusting and may be unfamiliar with reporting channels like IC3.gov. The FBI recommends verifying unknown contacts through legitimate sources, resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding unsolicited communications, never sharing personal information with unverified parties

Arkansas seniors suffered $27.25 million in fraud losses during 2024, part of a national epidemic where those over 60 lost $4.885 billion to scams—a 46% increase from 2023. Common schemes targeting older adults include investment fraud, tech support scams, romance scams, and money mule schemes, which succeed because seniors tend to be trusting and may be unfamiliar with reporting mechanisms. The FBI recommends seniors verify unknown contacts through reputable sources, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid unsolicited contact, never share personal information with unverified parties, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement or IC3.gov.

Kansas state agencies partnered to host World Elder Abuse Awareness Day events in June to educate communities about preventing financial scams targeting older adults, emphasizing that recovery rates for investment fraud victims are below 5%. The Kansas Department of Insurance, Department for Children and Families, and Department for Aging and Disability Services offered presentations across the state highlighting how to recognize and prevent financial exploitation of seniors.

Kansas state agencies—the Department of Insurance, Department for Children and Families, and Department for Aging and Disability Services—are partnering to host World Elder Abuse Awareness Day events from June 9–13 and June 20, 2025, featuring presentations on recognizing and preventing financial scams targeting older adults. The initiative aims to educate Kansas communities about elder exploitation, with resources available through multiple state agencies and hotlines for reporting suspected investment fraud.

Tom Grauburger of Lakin, Kansas lost $30,000 to a sophisticated tech support scam that used fear tactics and constant phone monitoring to manipulate him over three weeks. The scammers posed as Microsoft Defender and the FTC, falsely claiming illegal activity was occurring on his computer and demanding cash sent to Boston as "proof of assets," while threatening him with a fake non-disclosure agreement to prevent him from telling family members. His bank ultimately prevented a larger loss by flagging a $100,000+ wire transfer attempt to his retirement fund, but Grauburger and his family are still fighting to recover the initial $30,000.

Multiple states including Kansas, New Mexico, Missouri, and Oregon have warned residents about widespread text and email scams falsely claiming unpaid toll debts and threatening license suspension or legal action to pressure victims into revealing personal and financial information. Scammers are targeting states with no toll roads, and in Indiana's case, fraudulent emails posing as the state DOT requesting payment for TxTag balances were traced to a contractor's hacked account. Authorities recommend reporting suspected scam texts and emails to the Federal Trade Commission and Internet Crime Complaint Center.

A Franklin County senior citizen lost nearly $90,000 in a sweepstakes scam after being told she won $3 million from Publishers Clearing House and needed to pay taxes upfront via personal checks sent to Arkansas. David Nelson, 68, of Little Rock was arrested and charged with felony theft in connection with the scheme. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office advised the public to be skeptical of unsolicited calls, avoid sharing personal information, resist pressure for immediate payments, and watch for high-pressure tactics and "free" offers.

A 68-year-old Little Rock man, David Nelson, was arrested for operating a sweepstakes scam that defrauded an Ohio senior citizen of over $89,000. Nelson posed as a Publishers Clearing House employee and convinced the victim she had won $3 million, then persuaded her to send personal checks for taxes before claiming the prize. He faces felony theft charges in Franklin County, Ohio, and is currently awaiting extradition from an Arkansas jail.

An 85-year-old Kansas woman named Shirley Crow died in November 2024 after her family reported suspected neglect by her caretaker to Adult Protective Services on October 5, 2024, alleging missed medications and missed medical appointments. The case remained open eight months later with minimal investigation progress, as the assigned caseworker carried a caseload of 70 other cases; the Kansas Department for Children and Families does not publicly share investigator caseload data, though analysis suggests investigators in some regions handle 12-14 new cases monthly, and proposed federal cuts threaten to further weaken the adult protective services system.

**Title:** Kansas City Senior Citizens Learn Digital Skills Amid Increased Consumer Scams **Summary:** Kansas City is offering digital skills training programs to senior citizens in response to rising consumer fraud targeting older adults. The initiative aims to help seniors recognize and avoid scams by improving their familiarity with technology and online safety practices. No specific scam cases or dollar amounts were detailed in this awareness-focused report.

A Kansas City digital literacy program called "Show Me Seniors Digital Literacy Cohort" graduated its first group of senior citizens who learned computer skills and scam prevention techniques. The initiative, funded by Senator Barbara Washington and Lincoln University, responds to a concerning trend: the Federal Trade Commission reports that the number of older adults losing $100,000 or more to fraud has tripled since 2020, with investment scams being the most common cause. Participants received free laptops and certifications, with the next cohort scheduled to begin in May.

Tyra Brown, a 27-year-old customer service representative at a New Hampshire credit union, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for stealing $301,674.89 from at least 10 elderly customers using unauthorized access to their personal information and account details. Brown exploited her position of trust to transfer victim funds via wires, electronic debits, and Zelle, targeting elderly account holders she knew were unfamiliar with electronic banking.

An Arkansas woman who worked as a customer service representative at a bank was sentenced to 36 months in prison for stealing from elderly customers. The defendant deliberately exploited her position of trust and targeted elderly account holders, particularly those unfamiliar with electronic banking.

The Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) is warning drivers about smishing scams impersonating the agency and demanding payment for unpaid tolls via unsolicited text messages with fraudulent payment links. The KTA clarified that it only sends texts to drivers who have voluntarily signed up for alerts through their DriveKS account and does not request payments through text messages. Residents receiving these scam texts are advised to avoid clicking links and instead report the messages to the Internet Crime Complaint Center and Federal Trade Commission.

Tyra Brown, a 27-year-old Arkansas customer service representative at a New Hampshire credit union, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for wire fraud after stealing $301,674.89 from at least 10 elderly customers. Brown exploited her job access to customers' personal information and account details to conduct unauthorized transfers via wire, electronic debits, and the Zelle app, with attempted theft totaling $428,526.85.

Tyra Brown, a 27-year-old Arkansas woman employed as a customer service representative at a New Hampshire credit union, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for stealing over $300,000 from at least 10 elderly customers. Brown exploited her authorized access to personal identifying information and account details to conduct wire fraud, transferring stolen funds via wire transfers, electronic debits, and Zelle payments, with attempted theft totaling $428,526.85. She pleaded guilty in January 2025 to one count of wire fraud and was specifically criticized for deliberately targeting elderly victims unfamiliar with electronic banking.

Tyra Brown, a 27-year-old Arkansas woman employed as a customer service representative at a New Hampshire credit union, was sentenced to three years in prison for stealing $301,674.89 from at least 10 elderly customers by exploiting her access to their personal information and security questions. Brown used wire transfers, electronic debits, and Zelle to commit the fraud and had attempted to steal an additional $428,526.85 before her arrest; she pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges in January.

Nebraska is experiencing an increase in "pig butchering" scams, a relationship-based fraud scheme where criminals slowly build trust with victims over weeks or months before luring them into fraudulent cryptocurrency investments. These scams can affect anyone regardless of financial sophistication, with the FTC reporting that Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, including a notable case where a Kansas banker lost $47 million. Warning signs include unexpected contact from strangers, emotional manipulation, requests for financial information, and promises of guaranteed high returns; victims should avoid sharing personal information with unknown contacts and report suspected fraud to authorities.

A woman in Arkansas has been charged with theft and fraud in connection with romance scams that allegedly resulted in at least one death. The charges stem from her involvement in scamming victims through romantic deception schemes, though specific dollar amounts and additional victim details are not provided in the headline excerpt.

Aurora Phelps, a 43-year-old Las Vegas woman, faces federal charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping resulting in death for a scheme in which she met older men on dating websites, drugged them, and stole thousands of dollars from their financial accounts between 2021 and 2022. Three of her alleged victims died, and she has been charged in connection with one death; she also faces separate 2019 Arkansas charges for drugging a woman and fraudulently using her credit card for over $5,000 in purchases. The FBI is seeking additional victims and notes Phelps used multiple aliases and operated across Arkansas, Nevada, an

Aurora Phelps, a 43-year-old Las Vegas woman, was federally charged in February 2025 with wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, and identity theft for carrying out romance scams targeting older men between July 2021 and December 2022, in which she allegedly drugged victims and stole from their financial accounts. She also faces Arkansas charges stemming from a June 2019 incident where she drugged a woman and stole her credit card, resulting in approximately $5,000 in fraudulent charges. Phelps is currently in custody in Mexico on murder charges, with her Arkansas hearings postponed to March 2025, and authorities are

**Summary:** Shan Hanes, former CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank in Kansas, was sentenced to 24 years in prison in August 2023 for embezzling over $47 million through a cryptocurrency pig butchering scheme. The bank's collapse wiped out generational wealth for hundreds of residents, including the Tucker family ($1.4 million in lost shares) and the Houtz brothers (hundreds of thousands), while Hanes also stole from his church and investment club to fuel the scam.

**Article:** 10 States Where Retiree Fraud Is on the Rise According to analysis of government elder fraud complaint data, ten states experienced significant increases in elder fraud cases between 2022 and 2023, with Arizona leading at a 36% increase (212 to 289 cases per 100,000 seniors). Other notably affected states include Utah (23% increase), Rhode Island and North Carolina (22% and 20% increases respectively), and Texas, Washington, Oregon, Mississippi, Kansas, and Oklahoma (ranging from 18-20% increases). The data underscores the need for retirees in these high-risk states to heighten financial vigil

A 2025 analysis of government elder fraud complaint data identified 10 states experiencing significant increases in fraud cases targeting retirees between 2022 and 2023. Arizona led with a 36% increase (212 to 289 cases per 100,000 seniors), followed by Utah (23% increase) and Rhode Island (22% increase), with Texas, North Carolina, Washington, Oregon, Kansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma also showing substantial growth ranging from 18-20%. The data underscores the need for vigilance among retirees in these high-risk states.

Ten U.S. states experienced significant increases in elder fraud cases between 2022 and 2023, with Arizona leading at a 36% increase (212 to 289 cases per 100,000 seniors), followed by Utah (23% increase) and Rhode Island (22% increase). Other states with notable rises include Texas, Washington, Oregon, North Carolina, Kansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma, all ranging from 18-20% increases in fraud complaints per capita. The analysis highlights that popular retirement destinations are experiencing elevated fraud risk, prompting seniors in these states to increase financial vigilance.

A 43-year-old Las Vegas woman, Aurora Phelps, was arrested in Mexico for operating romance scams targeting older men across multiple states from 2019-2022. Phelps met victims on dating sites, gained their trust, drugged them with sedatives, and stole their financial information and bank accounts, with one victim allegedly losing millions in liquidated stock; the FBI identified at least four victims (two from Nevada, one each from Arkansas and Mexico) and believes three U.S. citizens died as a result of her crimes. Phelps faces 21 federal charges including bank fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping resulting in death, and is awaiting extra

The North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging and Kansas Legal Services launched a free "Scam Scan" seminar series beginning January 24th to educate older Kansans about recognizing and avoiding common scams involving theft, fraud, and financial exploitation. The educational seminars, presented by managing attorney Corinne Petrik, provide prevention tips to help attendees protect themselves, their money, and personal information from email, phone, and text-based scams, with sessions continuing through April due to high demand.

Tyra Brown, a 27-year-old remote customer service representative for a New Hampshire credit union, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for stealing $301,674.89 from at least 10 elderly customers by abusing her access to their personal information and account details. Brown used wires, electronic debits, and Zelle to transfer victim funds and attempted to steal an additional $428,526.85 in total during her employment from December 2021 to May 2023.

Russell Rahm, 54, of Olathe, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his central role in what prosecutors describe as the largest elder fraud conspiracy in U.S. history, involving over 60 defendants and 100,000 victims who were defrauded of more than $300 million over 24 years through telemarketing scams. As owner and CEO of Kansas-based companies including Subscription Ink Co. and Millennium Marketing, Rahm orchestrated fraudulent magazine sales schemes using deceptive scripts targeting vulnerable and elderly consumers, personally collecting approximately $103 million from victims; he has been ordered to pay $110 million in restitution. The

A 28-year-old caregiver in North Little Rock, Arkansas pleaded guilty to elder abuse after striking an 82-year-old dementia and Alzheimer's patient at a senior living facility, leaving her with facial and forearm bruises. McClendon was sentenced to five years of probation and a $1,000 fine in Pulaski County Circuit Court.

A man in his 70s in Wichita, Kansas, lost $15,000 to a scam in which fraudsters impersonated Amazon, the Social Security Administration, and the U.S. Marshals Service, falsely claiming his account was compromised and involved in money laundering. The victim was instructed to withdraw cash and purchase bitcoin at two separate locations in Newton before bank employees recognized the scheme and alerted authorities. The Sedgwick County District Attorney's office warns that legitimate government agencies and companies will never call to report hacked accounts or request money transfers.

**Summary:** Pig butchering scams—where criminals gradually manipulate victims into investing in fake cryptocurrency schemes—resulted in $3.6 billion in stolen assets from crypto investors in 2024, with ethereum being the primary target due to its irreversible smart contracts. The scams, often initiated through social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, affected victims across all financial literacy levels, including a Kansas bank CEO who lost $47 million and "Shark Tank" star Mark Cuban who lost $870,000.

During the 2023 holiday season, Arkansas saw a surge in scam reports, with 53 complaints submitted to the Better Business Bureau in one month, including fake Facebook ads for online shopping and "smishing" text messages impersonating USPS requesting personal information. One victim, Lisa Kirkpatrick, lost money on a counterfeit Old Navy ad and was further threatened by scammers claiming that disputing the charge would damage her credit. The USPS Inspection Service launched a "Don't Get Snowed" campaign urging people not to click suspicious links, report messages to authorities, and conduct urgent financial transactions in person rather than via unsolicited online communications.

Trung Nguyen, a 48-year-old Massachusetts man, was convicted Friday of money laundering charges for operating an unlicensed Bitcoin exchange service from 2017 to 2020 that converted over $1 million in cash into cryptocurrency. His operation facilitated money laundering for a methamphetamine dealer and multiple romance scammers, including $325,000 from a Kansas City victim, $60,000 from a Connecticut victim, and $60,000 from a Massachusetts victim. Nguyen faces decades in prison and hundreds of thousands in fines at his February 12 sentencing.

Three Arkansas residents were arrested on October 31 on separate charges of elder abuse and Medicaid fraud. Ja'Layia McClendon was arrested for physically assaulting an 82-year-old woman with Alzheimer's at an assisted living facility, leaving her with facial and forearm bruises; Trey Franks was arrested for fraudulently transferring over $1,000 from a long-term care resident's bank account in five transfers between September and October 2023; and Hannah Christmas was charged with Medicaid fraud for billing school districts $5,500 for physical therapy services never provided between August 2023 and April 2024.

Three individuals were arrested in separate incidents involving Medicaid fraud and elder abuse following investigations by Arkansas's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Hanna Christmas faced felony Medicaid fraud charges for billing school districts $5,490.72 for physical therapy services never provided; Ja'Layia J. McClendon was charged with felony abuse after witnesses saw her strike an 82-year-old woman with Alzheimer's disease at an assisted living center; and Trey Franks was charged with felony abuse for making unauthorized bank transfers totaling $1,086.26 from a long-term care facility resident's account between September and October 2023.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit arrested three individuals—Hannah Christmas, 34, of Hamburg; Ja'Layia McClendon, 28, of North Little Rock; and Trey Franks, 28, of Jacksonville—following fraud investigations. The article does not specify the nature of the alleged Medicaid fraud or provide additional details about the charges or outcomes.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced the arrest of three individuals in separate Medicaid fraud and elder abuse cases: Hanna Christmas was charged with felony Medicaid fraud for billing school districts $5,490.72 for physical therapy services never provided; Ja'Layia McClendon was charged with felony abuse of an endangered person after witnesses saw her strike an 82-year-old woman with Alzheimer's disease at an assisted living center, causing facial and forearm bruising; and Trey Franks was charged with felony abuse after $1,086.26 in unauthorized transfers were made from a long-term care facility resident's account to his credit card between September and October

Shan Hanes, CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank in Kansas, was sentenced to 24 years in prison after embezzling $47.1 million from the bank, a local church, and an investment club in an 8-week period after being lured into a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam via WhatsApp. The scam crashed the bank and devastated the small city of Elkhart; the FBI recovered approximately $8 million in stolen funds that will be returned to victims. Hanes exploited his position of trust and 30-year tenure at the bank to authorize fraudulent wire transfers without serious oversight.

The 22nd annual Senior Life Fair in Lyon County held an educational event focused on scam prevention, attracting hundreds of seniors to learn about fraud risks and community resources. Kansas Assistant Attorney General Melanie Jack delivered the keynote address emphasizing the prevalence of scams targeting seniors, including romance scams and internet-based fraud, while noting that fraud against Kansas residents over 60 is now treated as a criminal investigation. Nearly 40 vendors provided information on senior services, health screenings, and safety topics.

**Summary:** Senator Kit Bond held a hearing in Kansas City to address elder abuse and discuss the pending Elder Justice Act, which would establish federal offices of Elder Justice, create victim support programs, and require criminal background checks for federally funded long-term care facilities. U.S. Attorney Todd Graves testified that while his office has prosecuted nursing home abuse cases using federal False Claims Act provisions, prosecutors need stronger tools to directly charge elder abuse, and AARP reported that elder abuse reports jumped 150 percent between 1986 and 1996 (from 117,000 to 293,000 cases). Bond warned that elder abuse cases will increase as Baby Boomers age and emphasized the need for

An Arkansas nurse lost over $1M in life savings to the XChief cryptocurrency investment scam, which promised high returns but prevented withdrawals when she attempted to access her funds. Crypto Crime Investigation (CCI) successfully recovered the majority of the stolen cryptocurrency through specialized investigative techniques and collaboration with law enforcement. The case underscores the importance of reporting crypto scams and seeking expert guidance to prevent future victimization.

Evergy utility company is warning customers about two escalating scams: one targeting seniors by falsely claiming $200 refunds through the Evergy Cares Kansas Fund in exchange for account information, and another offering discounts in exchange for credit card numbers over the phone. The company emphasizes that legitimate assistance is provided directly to accounts only after customer-initiated contact, and regulated utilities cannot offer unsolicited discounts, advising customers to verify caller identity, avoid sharing personal information, and contact Evergy directly through official channels when suspicious.

Evergy warned customers about two recent scam attempts targeting both seniors and general customers: one falsely claiming the utility company would return $200 to seniors through its Evergy Cares Kansas Fund in exchange for account and personal information, and another offering immediate discounts in exchange for credit card numbers over the phone. Evergy clarified that its assistance program provides direct account credits (not cash refunds) only after customers initiate contact, and that legitimate rate changes require state regulatory approval rather than phone-based offers. The company provided guidance including verifying employee identity before sharing information, avoiding unsolicited emails/texts about bills, and reporting suspected scams through its website or local law enforcement.

Former Heartland Tri-State Bank CEO Shan Hanes was sentenced to 24 years in prison for illegally wiring $47.1 million from the bank in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam, ultimately causing the bank's collapse. The scheme harmed multiple victims including church funds, investment clubs, and children's college savings, resulting in $9 million in losses for bank investors and forcing the FDIC to absorb the $47 million loss. Hanes faces an additional 28 charges in North Dakota with a potential 86-month sentence scheduled for trial in October.

Shan Hanes, former CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank in Kansas, was sentenced to 24 years in prison after embezzling $47.1 million from the bank and routing it to cryptocurrency accounts controlled by pig butchering scammers. Between May and June 2023, Hanes made 11 wire transfers using stolen bank funds while also embezzling from a local church, investment club, and his daughter's college savings account, ultimately causing the bank to collapse. Pig butchering scams, which lure victims into fake cryptocurrency investments through relationship-building on messaging apps and social media, have cost victims over $75 billion globally in recent years

Shan Hanes, CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank in Kansas, was sentenced to over 24 years in prison for embezzling $47 million after falling victim to a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam. Over eight weeks in 2022, Hanes transferred stolen funds from the bank, a local church, an investment club, and his daughter's college savings to cryptocurrency wallets controlled by scammers, ultimately losing all the money and causing the bank's collapse and FDIC takeover. The scheme devastated shareholders and community members, with victims losing 70-80 percent of their retirement savings and facing severe financial hardship.