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A text message scam is targeting Maryland drivers by impersonating the State Department of Motor Vehicles and demanding immediate payment for alleged traffic violations, threatening suspension of vehicle registrations and driving privileges. Maryland DMV officials confirmed this is a scam and clarified they never demand payment via text or request suspicious links. Recipients are advised to avoid clicking links, delete the messages, and report them to the Maryland Attorney General's Office or FTC.gov.

Congressman Jamie Raskin led a bipartisan group in introducing the Tax Relief for Victims of Crimes, Scams, and Disasters Act, which would restore the Casualty and Theft Loss Deduction for taxpayers from 2018-2025 to prevent victims from facing additional tax liability on stolen or lost income. The legislation was prompted by a Maryland constituent who lost $655,000 in retirement savings to fraud and faced a $148,000 tax bill, and addresses a critical issue as elder fraud caused over $4.885 billion in losses in 2024 with an average victim loss of $83,000.

The FBI warned in April against a sophisticated medical insurance scam where fraudsters pose as legitimate insurance companies to deceive consumers seeking affordable coverage, resulting in hundreds of victims losing thousands of dollars across the country. Scammers use tactics like claiming to offer time-limited discounts, requiring upfront payments, and misrepresenting coverage, leaving victims with unexpected medical debt when claims are denied—including a Maryland man stuck with a $7,000 emergency surgery bill and over 100 Washington state residents defrauded by a multi-named company. The FBI recommends verifying insurance through state commissioners or the Better Business Bureau, confirming provider acceptance, reviewing fine print carefully, and never paying upfront.

A Rockville, Maryland resident lost $400,000 after scammers used phishing tactics—posing as a trustworthy Canadian business via email, text, or phone—to convince the victim to send multiple checks. Police arrested a suspect in Ontario, Canada in March after tracking the funds to Canadian bank accounts and coordinating with banks to shut down the fraudulent accounts, with the investigation ongoing. Montgomery County officials are warning residents that phishing scams are increasingly sophisticated and urging people to be wary of urgent or threatening communications requesting money or personal information.

The FBI warned of growing discount medical insurance scams where fraudsters contact victims via phone, text, and email offering fake insurance plans at reduced rates with high-pressure tactics and upfront payment requirements. Victims have lost millions of dollars annually, including a Pennsylvania couple who discovered their policy didn't cover emergency care and a Maryland man who faced a $7,000 medical bill after his fake insurance was rejected by providers. To protect themselves, consumers should verify insurance offers through their state's insurance commissioner and Better Business Bureau, confirm provider acceptance, and report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

The FBI issued a nationwide alert about fraudulent "discount" medical insurance schemes targeting seniors and other Americans, resulting in millions of dollars in losses. Scammers impersonate legitimate insurance companies through unsolicited calls, texts, and emails, using high-pressure tactics to pressure victims into enrolling in fake plans that provide no actual coverage when medical services are needed. Documented cases include victims in Washington, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Maryland who were denied coverage claims, subjected to unauthorized charges, and refused refunds after discovering the plans were fraudulent.

**Summary:** The FBI has issued a warning about fraudulent discount medical insurance schemes that cost victims millions annually, targeting people seeking affordable healthcare with misleading offers that promise coverage but provide none. Scammers use unsolicited contact and high-pressure tactics to pressure victims into quick sign-ups, with documented cases including a Pennsylvania couple and Maryland resident who discovered their policies provided no coverage after medical events, leaving them responsible for thousands in bills. The FBI recommends verifying insurance through state commissioners or the Better Business Bureau, reviewing policy documents carefully, and avoiding upfront payments to protect against these scams.

The FBI warns of discount medical insurance scams that promise reduced rates but provide no actual coverage, resulting in millions in annual losses and primarily targeting people seeking affordable healthcare through unsolicited contact. Washington state issued a cease-and-desist order against one fraudulent company after over 100 complaints, with victims reporting misrepresented coverage, denied refunds, and unauthorized charges; specific cases included Pennsylvania residents pressured into plans with no actual coverage, a Texas senior deceived into unwanted dental insurance, and a Maryland man left responsible for $7,000 in surgery costs after his purchased plan was not accepted by his hospital. To protect themselves, consumers should verify that insurance companies are licensed in their state through the state

A 75-year-old Maryland resident sued Athena Bitcoin and Genesis Coin in February 2024, alleging the companies knowingly facilitate elder financial abuse by placing ATMs in senior-heavy neighborhoods, charging high fees, and failing to implement fraud-prevention measures. Reynolds lost $13,000 in a tech support scam where she was directed to deposit cash via an Athena ATM using a scammer's QR code. The lawsuit seeks class-action status for Maryland seniors and cites FTC data showing consumers lost over $110 million to Bitcoin ATM scams in 2023, a nearly tenfold increase since 2020.

Kauai police issued an alert about "pig butchering" scams targeting elderly citizens, where fraudsters build romantic or friendly relationships online before convincing victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency schemes with fabricated profit screenshots. The scammers, often operating from Southeast Asia, manipulate victims through dating apps and social media, eventually disappearing with their money; one documented case involved a Maryland woman losing over $3 million. Police advise seniors and their families to recognize warning signs—including rapid relationship escalation, crypto investment pitches, and pressure to keep investments secret—and to never send money to online-only contacts without verifying with trusted family members or advisors first.

The Department of Justice recovered $8.2 million in Tether cryptocurrency stolen through romance baiting scams, including $663,352 from an Ohio woman who fell victim after responding to a wrong-number text in 2023. Romance baiting is a psychological manipulation scheme that builds false intimacy through casual conversation before introducing cryptocurrency investment opportunities with fake trading dashboards and fabricated returns, ultimately trapping victims unable to withdraw their funds. The article also references an 80-year-old Maryland retiree, Judith Boivin, who was targeted by scammers impersonating FBI agents using spoofed caller IDs and forged government communications to extract money under false pretenses of a

A Maryland woman lost over $3 million in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam, where scammers based in Southeast Asia built trust with her through a Korean messaging app before convincing her to invest in fake crypto platforms that appeared legitimate. The FBI's Baltimore field office warns that this scam is growing, typically targeting victims in their 50s and older, and that victims often lose their entire investments as scammers eventually disappear with all funds, sometimes returning to target the same victims with fake recovery schemes.

A Provo man in his 70s lost $186,000 over two years in a romance scam in which someone claiming to be a woman from Maryland promised a romantic relationship and help claiming an inheritance, but the two never met in person and a video call may have been AI-generated. The case, discovered only when the man's son intervened, exemplifies a broader problem affecting seniors nationally, with other common scams including impersonation of law enforcement, banks, and utility companies; tech support schemes; and "grandparent in jail" fraud. Police and the FBI recommend hanging up on calls demanding urgent payment, independently verifying callers' identities, watching for cryptocurrency requests, and family members monitoring elderly relatives

A Provo man in his 70s lost $186,000 over two years in a romance scam in which a person claiming to be a woman from Maryland convinced him to send money via multiple cash app accounts for an inheritance claim and promised relocation to Utah, with investigators believing a video call between them may have been AI-generated. Provo police used the case to warn of increasing online scams targeting seniors, including impersonation schemes (law enforcement, banks, utilities), tech support fraud, and kidnapping hoaxes, recommending that victims hang up on unsolicited callers and verify requests through official channels.

Google filed a lawsuit against Maryland resident Yaniv Asayag and up to 20 co-conspirators for operating a "lead generation" scam that created fake business listings on Google Maps and Search for service businesses like locksmiths and HVAC cleaners, then sold the personal information of consumers who contacted these fake businesses to real companies—sometimes predatory ones with histories of overcharging. Over approximately one year, the network modified listings for nearly 150 businesses more than 1,000 times and used fake reviews to lure unsuspecting victims. The FTC recommends verifying business URLs and searching for reviews or complaints before contacting a business to avoid similar scams.

Americans lost $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, according to FTC data, with the increase driven by a higher percentage of victims reporting losses rather than more fraud reports overall. Impostor scams were the most commonly reported type of fraud, followed by online shopping issues, job/business opportunities, investments, and internet services. Regional losses included $30.4 million in Washington D.C., $198.9 million in Maryland, and $293.7 million in Virginia in 2024.

Charles Anthony Keemer, a 64-year-old Maryland resident, pleaded guilty to preparing and filing hundreds of false federal tax returns for clients between 2013 and 2016 without being a registered tax preparer. Keemer added fictitious business expenses and fake Schedule C businesses to client returns to fraudulently inflate tax refunds, resulting in approximately $128,691 in losses to the IRS. He faces a maximum sentence of three years in federal prison.

Ambrose A. Obinna Warrior, 44, of Maryland, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business that facilitated romance, business email compromise, and investment scams from March 2018 through August 2021. Warrior transmitted or attempted to transfer over $700,000 in fraudulent proceeds by depositing victims' funds into bank accounts and shell companies, retaining approximately 20% in fees while distributing the remainder to other scheme participants, with documented victim losses of at least $467,912.

Vipul Thakkar, 53, of Owings Mills, Maryland, pleaded guilty to theft and conspiracy after orchestrating a gold bar scam targeting elderly residents in Montgomery County that defrauded victims of over $1.1 million between March and June 2024. Thakkar convinced victims, including a 74-year-old Bethesda man and an 82-year-old woman, to convert their bank deposits into gold bars under the false pretense of protecting their assets, then arranged pickups by accomplices; he was arrested in July 2024 during an undercover operation and faces up to 60 years in prison at sentencing schedule

Duane Dixon, Jr., a 35-year-old Maryland man, was convicted of wire fraud conspiracy and three counts of wire fraud for his role in a real estate impersonation scheme targeting a Virginia realtor. The fraud involved a co-conspirator impersonating a property owner to fraudulently list a Hampshire County, West Virginia parcel for sale, with Dixon providing his bank account to receive the sale proceeds; Dixon lied to an undercover FBI agent about his involvement in the scheme. Dixon faces up to 20 years in federal prison per count.

A smishing scam targeting drivers across the DMV region (Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia) uses text messages impersonating toll agencies to trick recipients into sharing personal information through fraudulent links. The FBI recommends recipients report the scam to IC3.gov, verify accounts through official toll service websites, contact legitimate customer service, and secure their financial accounts if they clicked any links or shared information.

A Maryland senior, Judith Boivin, lost nearly $595,000 to a government impersonation scam in which fraudsters posed as FBI agents and Rockville Police, claiming her Social Security number was involved in a federal drug investigation and asking her to move funds to a "government safety locker" for protection. The scammers used spoofed caller IDs, fake FBI email addresses with .com domains, assigned case IDs, and maintained contact over months to build trust and credibility. Government impersonation scams—where criminals pose as FBI, IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, or other agencies to pressure victims into immediate payments or asset transfers—are widesprea

A Maryland senior lost nearly $600,000 to a government impersonation scam after receiving a spoofed call from someone claiming to be an FBI agent investigating alleged drug cartel activity involving her Social Security number. Over months of contact, the scammer convinced her to withdraw cash for a "government safety locker" while maintaining her silence. Government impersonation scams remain common and cost consumers $76 million in 2023; protection involves knowing that legitimate agencies do not call unsolicited, threaten immediate payment, or request personal information over the phone.

Judith Boivin, an 80-year-old Maryland retiree, lost $600,000 of her life savings in an elaborate government impersonation scam in September 2023. Scammers posing as FBI and local police officers convinced her that her Social Security number was being used for drug trafficking and money laundering, then persuaded her to withdraw her retirement funds in cash under the guise of assisting a federal investigation. This case exemplifies a broader trend of sophisticated scams targeting well-meaning Americans, particularly those with caregiving backgrounds and strong civic values.

An 80-year-old retired therapist in Washington, DC was defrauded by scammers posing as FBI agents and police officers who convinced her that her Social Security number was involved in criminal activity. Over several months in 2023, she withdrew $595,000 from her 401(k) to assist in a fake investigation, resulting in a $180,000+ tax liability she now owes to the IRS and Maryland. The scam traces to a call center in India, and while she may have limited recourse for the stolen funds, potential Congressional legislation could restore tax deductions for fraud victims that were eliminated in 2017.

Two Maryland men were sentenced for operating a romance fraud scheme targeting elderly women on social media, where they impersonated U.S. military members deployed overseas to convince victims to send money for fabricated emergencies. Chinedu Ikenna Nwafor received 25 months in prison and was ordered to pay $180,000 in restitution, while Vitus Uzoma Uzowuru received 10 months time served and $50,000 in restitution; one North Dakota victim lost $200,000 across two transfers to the co-conspirators. A third defendant faces trial for similar wire fraud charges involving an $800,000 loss to another North Dakota

A Maryland man's family member lost $10,000-$20,000 to a romance scam involving a woman he met online over nearly a year, despite family efforts to convince him the relationship was fraudulent. According to the FBI Baltimore field office, romance scams are widespread, with 17,823 complaints reported last year resulting in losses exceeding $652 million, with victims typically losing $50,000-$100,000 on average. Scammers build trust over months before requesting money and often isolate victims; red flags include thick accents, unavailability by phone, and pressure to move conversations off dating platforms to apps like WhatsApp.

Two Maryland men were sentenced for operating a romance fraud scheme targeting elderly women on social media, where they posed as U.S. military members deployed overseas and convinced victims to send money for fake emergencies. Chinedu Ikenna Nwafor received 25 months in prison and ordered to pay $180,000 in restitution, while Vitus Uzoma Uzowuru received 10 months time served and ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution; one North Dakota victim alone lost $200,000 ($150,000 and $50,000 in separate incidents), and another victim from Tioga lost $800,000. A third defendant

Scammers are increasingly using cryptocurrency across multiple fraud schemes including investment scams, tech support fraud, romance scams, and employment schemes, exploiting victims' fear of missing out and unfamiliarity with the technology. In Maryland, reported losses from cryptocurrency-related employment scams surged dramatically from $32,033 in 2023 to $3.8 million between January and October 2024, with victims losing an average of $15,000–$20,000 each; scammers use fake cryptocurrency exchanges and work-from-home schemes requiring deposits to "unlock" higher-paying work that victims cannot ultimately access. While cryptocurrency transactions are instant and irreversible, the FBI

Kamila Horakova Dudley, a 43-year-old Maryland woman, was sentenced on December 10, 2024, to 3 years probation and ordered to pay $473,702.43 in restitution for her role in a million-dollar wire fraud scheme targeting a New Orleans Marine Forces Reserve facility. As an office manager for a contractor from March 2017 through November 2018, Dudley knowingly prepared and submitted false invoices billing the U.S. government approximately $1.3 million for services never provided, including charges for executives and employees who worked at separate facilities. Despite learning in October 2017 that the invoices contained fraudulent

Carroll County Sheriff Jim DeWees warns that senior citizens are increasingly targeted by scammers, particularly during the holidays, due to their substantial savings, home ownership, and good credit. Recent scams affecting Maryland seniors include a gold bar scheme that cost seven residents $6.3 million, as well as fake check and phishing scams, with the FBI reporting that people over 60 lost more than $3.4 million to fraud in 2023, an 11 percent increase from 2022. DeWees recommends seniors verify unsolicited communications independently, never share personal information, stay informed about scam tactics through trusted sources, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement.

Scammers are targeting Baltimore residents by impersonating utility company BGE, using threats of service shutoffs and requesting payment via phone calls, texts with QR codes, emails, or payment apps like Cash App and Zelle. BGE clarified they never call customers demanding money or requesting personal information like Social Security numbers or driver's licenses. Maryland's deregulated energy market also allows bad actors to pose as third-party energy providers offering lower rates that later increase, though new regulations taking effect January 1st will cap charges to prevent predatory pricing.

This article provides reporting resources for individuals who suspect or have experienced scam activity, particularly related to gift card fraud. It directs victims to contact the Federal Trade Commission (1-877-382-4357) and their state's Attorney General office, with specific contact numbers listed for Maryland, New York, and New Jersey. The piece emphasizes that reporting scams to these agencies enables law enforcement to investigate and prevent future fraud.

Four suspects from Alabama and Tennessee were arrested in Maryland after scamming a 74-year-old woman out of over $30,000 in a "pigeon drop" scam, where they approached her in a parking lot claiming to have found money that needed to be deposited into an account to avoid tracing before being returned to her. The suspects, ranging in age from 36 to 77, may be connected to similar frauds across multiple states, and police emphasize that elderly citizens should be wary of unsolicited interactions involving monetary gain or urgent requests for money or account information.

Four suspects were arrested in Prince George's County, Maryland on October 25 after scamming a 74-year-old woman out of over $30,000 in a "pigeon drop" scheme, where they posed as people who found money and convinced the victim to deposit funds into an account to avoid tracing. The suspects, with addresses in Alabama and Tennessee, allegedly approached elderly victims alone in parking lots claiming they had found cash and needed help laundering it through the victim's bank account before splitting the proceeds. Police warn that this scam targets seniors with promises of quick financial gain or threats of legal trouble, and urge families to discuss such schemes with elderly relatives.

Four suspects from Alabama and Tennessee were arrested in Maryland after defrauding an elderly woman of nearly $40,000 through a "pigeon drop" scam, in which they falsely claimed to have found cash and convinced her to withdraw her own money as "collateral" for a charitable donation. Police apprehended James Davis, Connie Williams, Kenneth Gooden, and Mary Daniel on October 24 just as they attempted to target a second victim at a shopping center in Clinton. The Financial Crimes Unit tracked the suspects following the initial incident on October 21 and encourages anyone with information to contact them.

An 81-year-old Maryland woman, Gladys Baxley, lost nearly $100,000 to a social security impersonation scam in which fraudsters posed as the Social Security Administration and sent a fake Supreme Court certificate to convince her to transfer funds to shell companies. Over several transactions, Baxley transferred $36,000 to Yongri Trading Inc., $58,000 to Shengya WS Inc., and $15,000 in cash before her son discovered the scam contained numerous grammatical errors. The fraud has left Baxley unable to afford her 30-year family home, though her bank is attempting recovery efforts.

Haotian Sun and Pengfei Xue, Chinese citizens living in Maryland, were convicted of submitting over 6,000 counterfeit iPhones with spoofed serial numbers to Apple for repairs between 2017 and 2019, resulting in $2.5 million in losses. Sun was sentenced to 57 months in prison with over $1 million in restitution, while Xue received 54 months with $397,800 in restitution. The case reflects broader returns fraud challenges, with American merchants losing an estimated $101 billion in 2023 to fraudulent returns and returns policy abuse.

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.

Maryland State Police warned residents about a sextortion scam in which victims receive threatening emails containing their names, Google Street View photos of their homes, and false claims of spyware installation and pornography viewing, demanding $2,000 in Bitcoin within 24 hours or threatening to expose them to contacts. The scam uses publicly available information to intimidate victims; authorities recommend deleting suspicious emails without clicking links and reporting to local police or the FBI rather than paying.

Maryland State Police warned residents of an active scam targeting Gmail accounts in which fraudsters send photos of victims' homes obtained from Google Maps and demand Bitcoin payments, threatening to release personal information if payment is not made. Authorities advised residents to avoid clicking suspicious links, refrain from sharing personal information, and avoid making hasty decisions under pressure from scammers.

California experienced a slight 2 percent decline in elder fraud complaints from 2022 to 2023, dropping from 145 to 142 complaints per 100,000 adults aged 60 and older, according to FBI data analyzed by All About Cookies. However, California remains among the top 10 U.S. states for elder fraud complaints per capita, ranking tied for ninth place with Maryland at 142 complaints per 100,000 seniors, while the nationwide rate of elder fraud reports increased 14 percent in 2023 with associated losses rising 11 percent.

In 2023, cryptocurrency scams cost Marylanders nearly $94 million, with the state ranking 13th worst hit nationally among approximately 58,000 U.S. complaints, according to an FBI report. These scams frequently use emotional manipulation and romance tactics to lure victims into fraudulent investment schemes, with perpetrators collecting personal and financial data to facilitate theft. Experts recommend verifying online contacts, protecting cryptocurrency wallets, and remaining cautious of quick-return investment pitches, particularly when emotionally vulnerable.

An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to tech support fraud when she clicked on a fake Safari warning, which led scammers to manipulate her into purchasing gift cards worth thousands of dollars over 10 hours. The case illustrates a broader problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through stranger fraud, with gift cards becoming an increasingly common payment method for criminals because they lack consumer protections similar to credit and debit cards. The article reveals systemic failures in federal regulation, inadequate retailer safeguards, and the profitable role that technology companies and retailers play in the gift card fraud ecosystem, where "everybody but the victim makes money."

The Maryland Board of Elections warned voters about text message scams targeting registered voters with false claims that they are not registered to vote, directing them to click malicious links to "re-register" before a deadline. The scammers aim to steal personal information, spread election disinformation, and undermine confidence in the electoral process. To protect themselves, voters should verify voter registration status only through official state websites (`.gov` domains) and report suspicious election-related messages to the Board of Elections.

An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae was targeted by scammers who used a fake Apple security alert to trick her into believing her bank account was compromised, then pressured her to withdraw cash and purchase gift cards (Target, Apple, Amazon) to "secure" her funds. Gift card fraud has become a leading payment method used by fraudsters against seniors, with an estimated $5.5 billion to $27.5 billion stolen annually through this method, as the cards are highly portable, anonymous, and easily converted to cash on the dark web or resold illegally. The article reveals that federal regulators have failed to adequately protect consumers from gift card fraud, while retailers, gift car

**Olusegun Samson Adejorin, a Nigerian national, was extradited from Ghana in August 2024 to face federal charges for a $7.5 million business email compromise scheme targeting two charitable organizations—one in Maryland and one in New York. Between June and August 2020, Adejorin gained unauthorized access to employee email accounts, impersonated staff members, and fraudulently requested fund withdrawals, successfully diverting over $7.5 million from Victim 2's investment funds. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison on wire fraud charges, plus additional penalties for identity theft and unauthorized computer access.**

Seven Maryland residents lost a combined $6.3 million in a gold bar scam where fraudsters posed as federal agents and claimed to be safeguarding assets from identity theft or foreign threats, directing victims to convert cash into gold bars for courier pickup by fake "FBI agents." The Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office believes approximately 20 victims total were targeted in what officials describe as organized crime with international links to India and China, with scammers able to transport the untraceable gold across borders. Seniors are particularly vulnerable, with people over 60 reporting $3.4 billion in cyber fraud losses nationally in 2023.

An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to tech support fraud when she clicked a malicious link claiming to be from Apple, leading scammers posing as tech support and bank fraud personnel to convince her to purchase gift cards totaling thousands of dollars over a 10-hour period. The case illustrates a larger problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through stranger fraud, with gift cards increasingly becoming the preferred payment method for scammers because they lack consumer protections afforded to credit and debit cards and are easily converted to untraceable purchases or resold on dark web marketplaces. The investigation reveals that federal regulators have consistently

An 83-year-old Maryland resident named Mae fell victim to a tech support scam that ultimately resulted in fraudsters convincing her to purchase gift cards as payment. The article documents how gift card fraud has become a leading payment method in elder fraud schemes, with an estimated $8 billion stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older, yet federal regulators have failed to implement consumer protections for gift cards comparable to those for credit and debit cards. The investigation reveals that while fraudsters, gift card companies, and retailers profit from these schemes, the privately-held technology companies managing the gift card infrastructure are best positioned to prevent fraud but lack legal requirements to do so.