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In Maine, nearly 400 seniors over age 60 lost a combined $7.1 million to elder fraud last year, with the FBI attributing the rise to increased romance and investment scams using hard-to-trace payment methods like cryptocurrency. To protect themselves, seniors should be cautious of unsolicited communications, resist pressure to act quickly, never share personal information with unverified sources, and recognize gift cards and bitcoin requests as red flags. Experts note that actual victim numbers are likely higher due to underreporting driven by fear and embarrassment.

In 2023, adults aged 50 and older lost at least $28 billion to fraud according to FTC data. AARP Maine hosted an educational event featuring expert panelists to discuss the prevalence of financial elder abuse, methods to identify it, and resources for seeking help. The free public program aired from Husson University and included speakers specializing in elder law, justice advocacy, and fraud prevention.

Elder fraud in the New England region resulted in $89.6 million in reported losses across Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island in 2023, with Massachusetts accounting for $63.7 million of that total, though the FBI estimates actual losses are significantly higher due to underreporting. The FBI-Boston reports a double-digit increase in financial fraud targeting adults over 60, with investment scams showing the sharpest growth (victimization up 209% and losses up 419% from 2021-2023), largely driven by cryptocurrency schemes, alongside common scams including tech support, romance, and government impersonation fraud. The FBI recommends elderly individuals and their families be

Elder fraud losses in the Boston FBI Division (Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island) totaled $89.6 million across 2,689 victims in 2023, with national losses reaching $1.6 billion from January to May 2024—a significant increase from the prior year. The most common scams targeting seniors include tech support, romance, investment, and government impersonation schemes, with investment scams involving cryptocurrency showing a particularly sharp rise of 419% in losses between 2021-2023. The FBI emphasizes that actual losses are likely higher due to underreporting and recommends elders be cautious of unsolicited contact, resist pressure

Two individuals, Kingsley Inegbedion and Efemena Igbe, were indicted on 16 counts of money laundering and internet fraud for operating romance scams and business email compromise schemes that defrauded American citizens of approximately $1.5 million between April 2020 and May 2023. The defendants posed as legitimate businesses, directed victims to wire money into fraudulent accounts at major banks, and quickly distributed the funds to conceal the scheme; Igbe fled to Nigeria before facing charges while Inegbedion remained to defend himself. The FBI is seeking full restitution and forfeiture of all property obtained through the fraud.

Scammers in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts are exploiting the July 2024 Microsoft outage (caused by a CrowdStrike software update affecting 8.5 million Windows machines) through phishing emails and text messages that either request personal information or send malware-infected files under the guise of computer fixes. Residents are advised to rely on official sources for information, verify email addresses and links carefully, and check on elderly relatives, as the legitimate fix was deployed automatically without user interaction needed.

In 2023, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore found that approximately 13% of phishing scams analyzed were likely generated using artificial intelligence, marking the first disclosure of AI usage in such scams. While reported phishing attempts fell 52% to 4,100 cases and overall scam losses declined for the first time in five years, experts warn that scams are becoming more convincing due to generative AI tools like ChatGPT, which enable fraudsters to produce more authentic-looking emails and messages at scale. The agency recommends organizations strengthen cyber-security policies and conduct employee phishing simulations to combat this evolving threat.

Singapore's Cyber Security Agency reported that approximately 13 percent of scams analyzed in 2023 were likely AI-generated, making fraudulent communications increasingly convincing, though overall phishing cases fell 52 percent to 4,100 reported incidents and total scam losses declined for the first time in five years to $14.2 million. The agency attributed the decrease partly to new anti-scam measures implemented by major banks, but warned that reported cases likely represent only a fraction of actual phishing attempts and that generative AI tools like ChatGPT are enabling scammers to produce more sophisticated fraud at scale.

Fraud cases are surging across financial institutions, with Kennebec Savings Bank in Maine tripling its fraud cases between 2021 and 2023 and preventing over $430,000 in losses in 2023 alone. Scammers increasingly use sophisticated social engineering tactics—including impersonation, phone number spoofing, and AI-generated content—to manipulate victims into voluntarily transferring funds, making it difficult for banks to prevent losses even with strong security measures. The FTC reported a 14% increase in fraud losses in 2023, with imposter scams accounting for nearly $2.7 billion of the over $10 billion in total annual frau

A study by PrivacyJournal.net ranked Nevada as the most dangerous state for online dating, based on reported incidents of romance scams, fraud, identity theft, and violent crime per 100,000 residents. Nevada ranked second nationally for romance scam reports and third for fraud reports, with Las Vegas contributing significantly to these numbers. The article advises online daters to take common sense precautions, noting that Vermont and Maine are the safest states for online dating.

Aroostook County, Maine has experienced an increase in online scams using fake missing person posts to manipulate people into sending money, with scammers mimicking real emergencies like missing children or natural disasters. Red flags include unfamiliar names, photos from non-local locations, repeated posts asking for donations across multiple platforms, misspellings, disabled comments, and lack of official law enforcement sources. Police recommend verifying posts by contacting local law enforcement directly, checking with Facebook group administrators, and ensuring legitimate posts come from official sources like NCMEC or credible news outlets with specific details about the missing person.

A Privacy Journal study ranked Georgia as the third most dangerous state for online dating, scoring 43.16 based on six risk factors including romance scams, identity theft, fraud, registered sex offenders, STD prevalence, and violent crime. Georgia performed particularly poorly in identity theft and fraud cases, with 358 per 100,000 residents experiencing identity theft annually and 470 per 100,000 falling victim to other types of fraud, though it had the fourth-lowest rate of romance scams. Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire were identified as the safest states for online dating.

This article contains local crime and municipal news briefs from Marin County communities. The primary crime story involves two suspects—Rick Bonner, 54, and Natascha Katja Volk, 42—arrested for burglary at an apartment complex in Greenbrae after police caught Bonner using a drill to steal coins from the laundry room; Bonner faces additional probation violation charges given his extensive criminal history dating to 1991, while Volk was also charged with methamphetamine possession. The remaining items cover routine municipal matters including housing project permit extensions in San Rafael and Planning Commission reappointments in San Anselmo, plus a youth

This article discusses online dating safety in Illinois, ranking the state 30th for safety among U.S. states, primarily due to high STD rates of 839.2 per 100,000 people annually. The piece mentions various online dating risks including romance scams, catfishing, and dishonest actors, while noting that Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire are the safest states for online dating, whereas Nevada, Alaska, and Georgia pose the greatest risks.

A partnership between Maine's U.S. attorney, AARP Maine, Hannaford, and the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention launched a pilot initiative to combat elder fraud by distributing informational brochures about recognizing and reporting scams through pharmacy prescription bags at Hannaford stores statewide. Nearly 400 Mainers over age 60 filed fraud complaints last year reporting losses of approximately $7.1 million, with state officials noting that many incidents go unreported due to victim embarrassment and fear of competency being questioned. The educational materials highlight common scam tactics such as pressure for quick action and victim isolation, and encourage reporting to law enforcement to help identify perpetrators and potentially recover

In 2023, 397 Maine residents filed fraud complaints totaling $7.1 million in losses, prompting the U.S. Attorney's Office to launch the Maine Rx Elder Fraud Program in September. The initiative distributes informational brochures through Hannaford pharmacy prescription bags at 60 locations statewide to educate older Mainers about common scam signs and reporting procedures, leveraging pharmacists' trusted relationships with customers. Nationally, over 101,000 Americans aged 60 and older lost $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for Maine launched the Maine Rx Elder Fraud Program, distributing informational brochures through prescription bags at Hannaford's 60 in-state pharmacies to educate seniors about common scams and the National Elder Fraud Hotline. The initiative leverages pharmacists' trusted position and regular contact with older customers—approximately nine of ten people over 65 have regular prescriptions—to reach vulnerable populations and reduce fraud incidents in Maine, where residents lost over $7.1 million to fraud last year.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for Maine, in partnership with AARP Maine and the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention, launched the Maine Rx Elder Fraud Program, an educational initiative that will distribute anti-fraud informational brochures through Hannaford Supermarkets' 60 in-state pharmacies to reach older customers and caregivers. The program addresses a significant problem: in the prior year, 397 Mainers aged 60+ filed fraud complaints totaling $7.1 million in losses, reflecting a national trend in which over 101,000 Americans over 60 were defrauded of $3.4 billion. The materials

Mainers unknowingly purchased stolen vehicles from thieves, including a case where a buyer acquired two stolen GMC pickup trucks from Texas for $80,000 each and another where an elderly woman was manipulated into titling a stolen Aston Martin. Criminals used "cloned vehicles" by grinding off original VIN numbers and replacing them with salvage yard numbers to disguise the thefts, with an investigation revealing a large stolen vehicle ring involving unlicensed online dealers. The Secretary of State's Office recommends consumers obtain vehicle history reports and research state-specific laws before purchasing used vehicles to protect themselves from such fraud.

The Maine U.S. Attorney's Office launched the Maine Rx Elder Fraud Program, a collaboration with AARP Maine and the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention, which distributes educational brochures about scam prevention through prescription bags at 60 Hannaford pharmacies across the state. The initiative targets elderly Mainers because nearly 9 in 10 people over 65 have regular prescriptions, making pharmacies an ideal venue for fraud awareness; in 2023 alone, 397 elderly Mainers reported fraud losses totaling over $7.1 million, part of a national trend where seniors lost $3.4 billion to scams.

On September 5, 2024, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maine, AARP Maine, and the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention launched the Maine Rx Elder Fraud Program, which will distribute educational brochures about common scams through Hannaford Supermarkets' 60 in-store pharmacies across the state. The initiative responds to a growing national problem: in 2023, over 101,000 Americans aged 60+ lost $3.4 billion to fraud, including 397 Mainers who reported losses exceeding $7.1 million, with many cases going unreported due to embarrassment and reluctance

A new brochure created by the U.S. Attorney's Office and non-profit partners will be distributed at Maine pharmacies to help prevent elder fraud, following reports that 397 Maine residents aged 60+ lost over $7.1 million to scams in the previous year. The brochure educates seniors about common fraud tactics—including gift card/wire transfer demands, urgency pressure, and fake computer infection pop-ups—and provides victim support resources. Officials note that the reported losses likely represent only a fraction of actual fraud cases, as many incidents go unreported.

This article is not relevant to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It covers Hunter Biden's tax felony plea, Maine congressional politics, and solar energy development disputes. It does not contain information about fraud targeting seniors or elder-related crimes and should not be included in the Elderus database.

This article discusses Portland's potential use of opioid settlement funds (approximately $750,000 received plus $235,000 annually) to address public health issues, including a proposed "syringe buyback" pilot program that would pay drug users five cents per used syringe returned to the exchange. The city is considering this initiative alongside other harm reduction strategies to address the problem of improperly discarded syringes littering Portland streets, which has increased since 2022 when Maine's CDC rule change allowed distribution of up to 100 syringes per client without requiring a returned used syringe. This article is not about elder fraud and does not belong in the Elderus database.

Hannaford Supermarkets launched the Maine Rx Elder Fraud Program across 60 Maine pharmacies in partnership with the U.S. Attorney's Office, AARP Maine, and the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention, distributing informational brochures on prescription bags to help seniors recognize and report fraud. The initiative addresses a growing problem: in 2023, over 101,000 Americans age 60+ lost $3.4 billion to fraud, with 397 Maine residents alone filing complaints for $7.1 million in losses. The brochures include common scam warning signs and information about the National Elder Fraud Hotline, leveraging pharmacists' trusted relationships

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maine launched the Maine Rx Elder Fraud Program, a collaborative awareness initiative with AARP Maine and the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention that distributes educational brochures through Hannaford Supermarkets' 60 in-state pharmacies to educate seniors about recognizing scams and reporting fraud. In the prior year, 397 Mainers aged 60+ filed fraud complaints with reported losses exceeding $7.1 million, while nationally over 101,000 seniors were defrauded of $3.4 billion through increasingly sophisticated schemes.

This AARP survey of Maine residents reveals that while people of all ages generally view aging optimistically and believe wisdom comes with age, 91 percent of respondents acknowledge that older adults are vulnerable targets for fraud and scams. The survey also found widespread perceptions of age discrimination in employment and concerns about older adults' ability to manage technology and afford living expenses, highlighting the need for education to combat aging stereotypes and protect seniors from exploitation.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for Maine launched the Maine Rx Elder Fraud Program on September 5th, a collaborative initiative with AARP Maine and the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention to educate older adults about scams through pharmacy distribution channels, beginning with informational brochures at 60 Hannaford in-store pharmacies. In 2023, over 101,000 Americans aged 60+ lost $3.4 billion to fraud, including 397 Mainers who reported losses totaling $7.1 million, though actual losses are believed to be significantly higher due to underreporting. The program aims to help seniors recognize common scam tactics

**Summary:** Roslyn Weems, a 52-year-old Mississippi woman previously employed in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to wire fraud for stealing approximately $52,000 in rental income from her employer's luxury coastal Maine property in July 2021. Weems intercepted rental payments by diverting them to accounts under her control rather than the property owner's account and used the funds for personal benefit. She faces sentencing on December 19, 2024, with potential penalties including up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and mandatory restitution.

Brandon Dean Guffey, 41, was convicted on four felony counts including elder abuse and theft for defrauding two Wichita residents in their 90s between 2020 and 2022 through a tree-trimming scam, stealing approximately $5,600 combined by altering checks and falsely claiming work remained unpaid. This is Guffey's second conviction for similar yard-work fraud targeting elderly victims with diminished cognitive capacity; he previously pleaded guilty to related crimes in 2014, including convincing an 86-year-old woman to pay $8,800 for a $400 job.

A couple in Singapore lost their $7,200 rental deposit after being scammed by a fake property agent who listed a condo unit on Facebook Marketplace; at least two other couples were simultaneously defrauded for the same property, with one couple losing at least $5,000. Between July 2023 and January 2024, at least 389 victims fell victim to similar rental scams involving impersonated property agents and fake assistants, totaling losses of at least $2.4 million. Police advise renters to verify agents through the Council for Estate Agencies registry, meet agents in person, and never pay deposits to assistants' personal accounts.

Scammers posing as bank representatives are targeting small business owners in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts by calling victims about suspicious account activity and requesting screen-sharing access to transfer funds. Amy Kelly, owner of TaleSpinStudio in Maine, lost all funds from her business account after falling victim to this scam, which the Federal Trade Commission reports occurred over 1,000 times in Maine in 2023. Despite reporting the incident to police and her bank, recovery efforts were largely unsuccessful.

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

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

A sting operation by India's Mid-Day newspaper in August 2024 exposed a dating app scam targeting male users across major Indian cities including Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. Women match with men on apps like Tinder and Bumble, arrange dates at specific nightclubs, and then leave after the men accumulate large bills—with the women receiving 15-20% commissions from the establishments. Despite the scam's prevalence and complaints on social media, dating app platforms have largely remained silent and failed to launch awareness campaigns, with only Tinder responding that it enforces fraud detection measures and photo verification.

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.

At least six U.S. states (Pennsylvania, Florida, California, Connecticut, Maine, and Delaware) are enacting legislation to give banks new tools to identify and block suspicious transactions targeting seniors, as cyber fraud against older adults rises and the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau remains inactive. In 2023, impersonation scams alone caused $1.3 billion in losses with nearly half of victims over 60, and seniors filed over 101,000 complaints totaling $3.4 billion in losses. The state bills vary in their approach and liability provisions for financial institutions, though all aim to empower banks to halt or delay transactions suspected of elder financial exploitation.

At least six U.S. states—Pennsylvania, Florida, California, Connecticut, Maine, and Delaware—are enacting legislation to empower banks to identify and block suspicious transactions targeting seniors, as cyber fraud against older adults rises with seniors losing $3.4 billion in 2023 alone, largely through impersonation scams. These state-level efforts aim to fill federal protection gaps, though they create varying liability standards for financial institutions and may complicate compliance across different jurisdictions. Florida has already signed nine bills into law effective January 2024, while Pennsylvania's House Bill 2064 and similar measures in other states would allow banks to delay or refuse fraudulent transactions and face reimbursement liability

A TikTok content creator warned British tourists about scams in Armutalan, Marmaris, Turkey, after losing "a considerable amount of money" to card fraud where scammers watched him enter his PIN. He also cautioned visitors to be vigilant about inflated drink prices and bars serving undisclosed "concoctions" of alcohol, particularly in fishbowl drinks, and recommended paying for beverages one at a time to avoid unauthorized charges. The warning video accumulated over 70,000 views, with mixed responses from viewers—some confirmed similar experiences while others reported the area remained safe during their visits.

Luz Paulino, owner of a Massachusetts tax preparation company, was sentenced to 54 months in prison for using stolen identities to defraud the IRS, a bank, and the Small Business Administration of approximately $2.1 million in COVID-19 relief loans between 2019 and 2021. She filed false tax returns under victims' names to obtain fraudulent refund advance loans and fraudulently applied for SBA disaster loans using stolen identities of businesspeople, using proceeds to wire funds internationally and purchase a vehicle. Paulino fled the United States after being indicted in January 2021 and remained a fugitive for 19 months before being returned by

Scammers are exploiting high demand for Taylor Swift's sold-out Eras Tour tickets in Canada by hacking social media accounts and posing as friends to sell fake tickets, defrauding victims of thousands of dollars each. One Toronto woman's hacked Facebook account was used to scam at least four people out of up to $1,600 each, and despite numerous reports to Facebook and police, the fraudulent account remained active. Experts recommend verifying seller identity by contacting the person directly, as police note recovered funds are rare due to the volume of fraud reports.

The article outlines several prevalent scams targeting Mainers, particularly seniors, including fake jury summons demanding payment via gift cards, the "grandparent scam" where callers pose as jailed relatives requesting bail money, online dating scams that build trust before requesting funds, and caller ID spoofing that masks scammers' true identities. Key advice includes never sharing personal information or sending money to strangers, avoiding suspicious links, and warning elderly relatives about these common fraud schemes.

Alfred Mancinelli, a 79-year-old widower, lost approximately $1 million in retirement savings and his granddaughter's college fund to romance scammers impersonating professional wrestler Alexa Bliss and others over several years. Despite his son Chris's attempts to intervene and protect his assets, Alfred remained convinced he was in a genuine romantic relationship and even sued his son, demonstrating how romance scams isolate victims and make them resistant to help. The case illustrates a broader trend where older Americans are disproportionately targeted for costly online scams, with Americans losing an estimated $652 million to romance and confidence scams in 2023 alone.

The Enforcement Directorate filed a writ petition with the Jharkhand High Court alleging that the state government failed to respond to 47 FIRs and multiple corruption complaints involving at least three ministers and four IAS officers over alleged scams in land, mining, sand, coal, and MGNREGA sectors between September 2022 and September 2024. The ED claims the state deliberately stonewalled investigations into what it characterizes as systematic corruption, while the ruling JMM party counters these are politically motivated allegations by the BJP ahead of assembly elections.

Meta received a Shonky Award for failing to protect Australians from scams, as social media fraud losses reached $95 million in 2024, with a Queensland retiree losing $110,000 in a fake celebrity investment scam that remained on Facebook for six to eight weeks. Scams on Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) account for 76% of all reported social media scam losses, and CHOICE found that Meta's response times to reported fraudulent ads were inconsistent, with some remaining live for at least four days. The Australian government has introduced legislation imposing fines up to $50 million on social media platforms and other companies that

A J.D. Power survey found that 29 percent of bank customers experienced fraud on their accounts in the past 12 months, with younger customers (under 40) experiencing higher rates at 42 percent. While 92 percent of customers remained loyal to their banks after fraud was resolved, the study revealed that only 20 percent or fewer customers actively use fraud prevention methods like two-factor authentication or biometric verification. Key recommendations include setting up account alerts, enabling two-factor authentication, using biometric authentication, regularly monitoring accounts, and locking debit cards when not in use.

An American woman over 50 revealed in a viral video how she was victimized by two Nigerian romance scammers ("Yahoo boys") between 2020 and an unspecified later date, losing unspecified amounts of money to both perpetrators. The first scammer posed as a romantic interest for ten months before she discovered his true identity and Nigerian girlfriend when he accidentally called using his real phone number; the second scammer admitted to using her money for his mother's medical bills. Despite significant financial losses, the victim expressed no animosity toward her scammers and remained optimistic about recovery.

During the holiday season, scammers exploit people's charitable giving by creating fake charities with legitimate-sounding names and websites to steal money and personal information. To protect yourself, verify charities through resources like BBB Wise Giving Alliance and Charity Navigator, avoid pressure to donate immediately, pay by credit card rather than cash or gift cards, and never click links or provide personal information like Social Security numbers to unknown senders. Legitimate charities will not rush you, mask caller IDs, or request payment through untraceable methods.

**Scam Type:** Phishing/SMS fraud targeting Camden National Bank customers in Maine. **What Happened:** Belfast Maine Police Department reported a scam involving fraudulent text messages claiming to be from Camden National Bank, stating the recipient's account has been placed on hold due to a security threat and requesting they click a link to restore access. The messages and links are entirely fraudulent and designed to steal personal information. **Advice:** Financial institutions never request sensitive information via text message; customers should contact their bank directly by phone or in-person if they receive such messages and report them to local police.

During the holiday season, Mainers face increasingly sophisticated scams including phishing emails impersonating UPS or PayPal, "brushing" scams with fake QR codes on unexpected Amazon packages, and tampered gift cards that scammers drain before they're given as gifts. AARP Maine recommends checking with companies directly before clicking links, placing credit freezes if data is compromised, verifying charities through the IRS or Charity Navigator, and contacting the AARP Fraud Watch Network if targeted, noting that over 80% of Americans have experienced or been targeted by holiday-related fraud.