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The FBI's Boston Division has reported a spike in "vishing" scams across New England in which callers impersonate law enforcement and government officials to extort money or steal personal information, with recent cases in Berkshire County demanding $2,500 for fake warrant clearances. In 2024, approximately 17,367 people nationwide reported losses exceeding $405 million from government impersonation scams, with over 500 Massachusetts victims losing around $9.5 million. Legitimate law enforcement agencies never call threatening arrest or demanding immediate payment; victims should verify caller identity, avoid engaging, and report suspected scams to local police and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

The FBI Boston Division is warning New Englanders of an increasing surge in scam calls from fraudsters impersonating federal agents and law enforcement officials who use intimidation tactics—threatening arrest, property confiscation, or bank account freezes—to pressure victims into sending money via wire transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or cash. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, 778 complaints were filed across Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, resulting in total losses of $12.9 million. The FBI emphasizes that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not call threatening arrest or demanding payment, and victims should hang up immediately, contact their financial institutions, and report the scam to local police

A texting scam impersonating the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles has resurfaced with an updated message, asking recipients for payments or personal information. The scam, known as "smishing," originally began in early June across multiple states and was updated again in mid-July 2025. Massachusetts officials are warning residents to be cautious of unsolicited RMV text messages requesting money or personal data.

A fire at Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts killed 9 residents (aged 61-86) and injured dozens more, with survivors reporting that staff members abandoned the scene without alerting residents or assisting evacuations. The incident revealed systemic safety failures including inadequate staffing levels, lack of fire drills, and insufficient emergency equipment and firefighting resources, which advocates and union officials said contributed to the tragedy's severity.

A 74-year-old Massachusetts woman lost approximately $450,000 of her retirement savings in a year-long romance scam where perpetrators impersonated country music star Vince Gill and his daughter, fabricating a story about divorce and legal troubles to extract money through wire transfers, checks, and cash. Despite warnings from banks, law enforcement, and family members, the victim continues to believe the online relationship is genuine. Santa Barbara County District Attorney investigators emphasize that romance scams are particularly difficult to prevent due to emotional manipulation tactics like "love bombing," and recommend that concerned family members approach victims with empathy while asking non-judgmental questions and contacting authorities if suspicious activity is detected.

A 74-year-old Massachusetts woman lost approximately $450,000 in a year-long romance scam in which perpetrators impersonated country music star Vince Gill and his daughter, fabricating an emotional story about a false rape accusation to solicit money. Despite warnings from banks, law enforcement, and family members, the victim sent wire transfers, cashier's checks, cash, and took out personal loans and credit card advances before her daughter discovered the fraud on Christmas morning. Authorities emphasize that romance scammers exploit emotional manipulation and social isolation, particularly targeting older adults who are widowed, divorced, or lonely, and recommend that concerned family members ask non-judgmental questions and contact

Recent CDC data indicates that approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60+ experience elder abuse annually. A comprehensive analysis of senior safety across U.S. states, measuring scam reports, homicide rates, violent death rates, and quality of life, ranked Massachusetts as the safest state for seniors (score: 89.96), followed by Minnesota (89.03) and Nebraska (88.78), with scam rates against seniors ranging from 95.5 to 141.1 reports per 100,000 people depending on the state.

A 35-year-old Nigerian man, Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, pleaded guilty to operating a romance scam that defrauded six women across Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Kansas of approximately $1.88 million between 2019 and 2024. Using fake identities such as "Williams Moore," "Manuel Sykes," and "Edward Nowak," Nwadavid posed as an oil rig worker and other professionals to build romantic relationships with vulnerable women online, then solicited money under false pretenses including medical emergencies and inheritance claims. The case highlights the growing threat of romance scams targeting women over 60, which

Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a 35-year-old married Nigerian real estate worker, pleaded guilty to running a sophisticated romance scam that defrauded six women across Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Kansas of approximately $1.88 million between January and June 2019. Using fake identities, he posed as men working on oil rigs or in overseas positions, love-bombing vulnerable victims and convincing them to send money for medical emergencies or travel expenses, with one victim losing over $896,000. The case reflects a broader epidemic of romance scams targeting older adults, with the FBI reporting nearly 18,000 complaints in 2024

Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a 35-year-old, admitted to orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded at least six women across multiple states of millions of dollars by posing as different men (including "Williams Moore" and "Manuel Sykes") claiming to need financial help due to oil rig injuries. Victims from Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Kansas were manipulated into opening cryptocurrency accounts and transferring funds totaling millions, with individual losses ranging from $235,000 to $896,000, which Nwadavid then laundered through his own Bitcoin wallets. The case reflects a broader trend of romance fraud, with the

Charles Nwadavid, a 35-year-old Nigerian businessman, pleaded guilty to mail fraud and money laundering for his role in romance scams that defrauded six victims of over $2.5 million between 2016 and 2019. He used a Massachusetts victim as an intermediary to receive funds from victims across the United States, then converted the money through cryptocurrency accounts he controlled. Nwadavid faces sentencing on September 23, 2025, with potential penalties including up to 40 years in prison, a $750,000 fine, and deportation.

Nigerian national Charles Uchenna Nwadavid pleaded guilty to orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded six victims of over $2.5 million, using fake online profiles to build trust before requesting money for fabricated emergencies like inheritances and medical crises. One Massachusetts resident was manipulated into serving as a money conduit, receiving funds from five other victims across the U.S. and transferring the collective $2.5 million to Nwadavid through cryptocurrency transactions on LocalBitcoins. Nwadavid was arrested in April 2025 upon arrival at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and faces up to 20 years in prison on

Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a Nigerian man, pleaded guilty to operating a romance scam that defrauded six U.S. victims of over $2.5 million, which he converted into cryptocurrency through accounts under his control. Arrested in April 2025 after arriving at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Nwadavid admitted to mail fraud and money laundering charges, using one victim from Massachusetts as a conduit to receive and transfer funds from five other victims. He faces up to 20 years in prison, fines up to $250,000-$500,000, restitution, and potential deportation to Nigeria upon sentencing.

Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a 35-year-old Nigerian national, pleaded guilty to stealing over $2.5 million from six victims through romance scams between 2016 and 2019, laundering the funds through cryptocurrency accounts he controlled. Nwadavid manipulated victims into sending money via fake dating profiles and romantic relationships, then transferred the stolen funds through a Massachusetts resident accomplice into crypto wallets on LocalBitcoins. He faces up to 20 years in prison on mail fraud and money laundering charges, along with potential deportation.

Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a 35-year-old Nigerian national, pleaded guilty to his role in a romance scam that defrauded six victims of over $2.5 million between 2016 and 2019. Nwadavid created fake online profiles to gain victims' trust, then directed them to send money under false pretenses, using a Massachusetts resident as an intermediary to transfer funds through cryptocurrency accounts he controlled. He faces sentencing on September 23, 2025, on charges of mail fraud and money laundering, with potential penalties including up to 20 years in prison and deportation.

The Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol Program, a national initiative to combat healthcare fraud and errors, presented educational workshops at its 11th Statewide Conference in May, emphasizing the billions of dollars annually lost to healthcare fraud and abuse. The program recommends that Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries maintain personal healthcare journals tracking all medical encounters, medications, and services, protect sensitive documents like Medicare cards, and ask key questions at medical appointments to detect errors and fraud. The MA SMP provides free educational sessions statewide and estimates that approximately 98,000 lives are lost annually due to medical errors, underscoring the importance of consumer engagement in preventing costly and health-damaging healthcare fraud and unnecessary treatments.

In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Month, the U.S. Department of Justice announced reinvigorated efforts to prosecute transnational elder fraud schemes that cost American seniors billions of dollars. Recent prosecutions in the District of Rhode Island include: a British national convicted in a multi-state construction fraud targeting seniors across four states for over $1 million; eight individuals indicted for orchestrating transnational tech support scams that defrauded approximately 300 seniors across 37 states of over $5 million; and two residents charged with grandparent scams that defrauded seniors in Rhode Island and Massachusetts of at least $230,000. The DOJ urged seniors an

In 2024, Americans lost over $4.8 billion to financial scams across 147,127 reported complaints—a 46% increase in complaints and 43% increase in losses compared to 2023, according to FBI data released ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Massachusetts was particularly hard hit, with over 3,200 victims losing nearly $100 million, while the broader Boston Division reported $135 million in losses. Scammers exploit trust, loneliness, and fear by posing as romantic partners, tech support agents, government officials, or advisors, pressuring victims to send money through untraceable methods like wire transfers or gift cards.

Teresa Rogg, a 74-year-old Massachusetts resident, lost approximately $140,000 from her retirement account after falling victim to an evolving "phantom hacker" scam that began with a fake security pop-up and escalated to in-person cash pickups over two months. The scammers convinced her that suspicious activity had been detected on her accounts and instructed her to withdraw cash and hand it to couriers using code words, while also sending fraudulent letters impersonating the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Tech support scams in Massachusetts have surged dramatically, with reported losses increasing from $1.2 million in 2019 to over $50 million in the most

**Medicare Fraud Prevention Week Awareness and Protection Guide** Medicare fraud costs American taxpayers over $60 billion annually and takes various forms including overcharges, fraudulent billing, unauthorized medical equipment orders, and identity theft schemes. The Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) recommends retirees protect themselves by never providing personal information over the phone, regularly reviewing Medicare statements and bills for errors, maintaining detailed medical journals documenting appointments and services received, and contacting SMP at 800-892-0890 or [email protected] if they suspect fraudulent charges or abuse.

Eight individuals with ties to China have been indicted for operating a transnational elder fraud scheme that victimized approximately 300 seniors across at least 37 states and Canada, with confirmed losses exceeding $5 million and suspected laundered funds totaling around $16 million. The scammers used fake pop-up messages impersonating technology companies and government agencies to trick elderly victims into transferring funds via wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or cash purchases of gold bars to accounts controlled by the fraudsters. Fangzheng Wang, a 24-year-old Chinese national in Massachusetts, was among the eight defendants arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and related offenses.

Eight individuals with ties to China, including 24-year-old Fangzheng Wang of Massachusetts, were indicted in a transnational elder fraud scheme that victimized approximately 300 people across at least 37 U.S. and Canadian states. The conspiracy used pop-up messages impersonating technology companies and government agencies (FTC, Federal Reserve) to convince seniors their financial accounts were compromised, then persuaded victims to transfer funds via wire, cryptocurrency, or cash to accounts controlled by the scammers, resulting in confirmed losses exceeding $5 million with an additional $16 million in suspected laundered funds identified. All eight defendants have been arrested and remain in federal custody

This article does not describe elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It covers immigration enforcement policy debates in Massachusetts, specifically disputes between immigrant advocacy groups and Department of Homeland Security officials regarding detention and deportation procedures. This is outside the scope of Elderus, which focuses on elder-targeted fraud and abuse.

Massachusetts' Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations is conducting community education events to alert residents about increasingly common scams, noting that older Americans lost nearly $5 billion to fraud last year. Common fraud tactics include tech support, romance, and cryptocurrency scams, with advice to residents including changing passwords frequently, using two-factor authentication, avoiding calls from unknown numbers, and never sharing personal information with unsolicited callers. The state emphasizes that fraud affects all demographics and encourages residents to report scams or seek guidance through their consumer hotline at 617-973-8787.

Milendophe Duperier and Vanessa Joseph, a Massachusetts couple, agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for operating a $3.2 million Ponzi scheme from 2018 to 2022, in which Duperier falsely posed as an investment advisor to solicit money from victims, particularly members of the Haitian community. The pair used investor funds for personal purchases (luxury vehicles, mortgage and credit card payments) and to pay earlier investors, supplementing the scheme with over $1.42 million in fraudulently obtained COVID-19 Small Business Administration and Paycheck Protection Program loans. Both defendants face up to 20 years

An 83-year-old Tampa woman lost $4,500 to a phishing scam after clicking a link in a text message impersonating Florida's SunPass toll system, which led to 25 fraudulent charges at stores in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The scam exemplifies a national surge in toll-related phishing fraud, where scammers send mass texts threatening license suspension or credit damage to pressure victims into entering payment information on fake portals. To protect yourself, avoid clicking unsolicited text links, verify messages directly with agencies through official websites, be skeptical of urgent threats, enable bank alerts, and report suspicious messages to 7726 (SPAM).

A 70-year-old Massachusetts woman experienced two separate fraud incidents—identity theft involving her name and social security number years earlier, and unauthorized debit card charges in February 2024 that were caught when she received a text alert for a fraudulent taxi charge in Oklahoma City. Her bank successfully stopped the fraudulent charges and issued a new card, advising her to use credit cards for online purchases and tap (rather than insert) debit cards in person to reduce fraud vulnerability. The article emphasizes the emotional toll of fraud on victims and recommends monitoring accounts regularly and staying alert to suspicious activity.

The FBI has warned of a rising trend of "home title theft" or quitclaim deed fraud, particularly targeting elderly homeowners in Massachusetts, after a Boston city employee and family members were accused of fraudulently transferring an 89-year-old man with dementia's paid-off Dorchester home to themselves and securing a $2 million mortgage against it. The scheme involved deceiving the homeowner into signing documents he believed were for insurance while forging his life partner's signature, then using the fraudulently obtained funds to purchase another property at foreclosure. The FBI attributes the increase in such cases since the COVID-19 pandemic to remote real estate transactions conducted via email and phone, which create

Over 60,000 complaints were filed with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center about unpaid toll text scams, with scammers using location data and fake domains to impersonate state toll services and trick recipients into clicking malicious links. One Massachusetts resident received both legitimate and fraudulent toll texts, ultimately falling victim to confusion between the two and facing collection agency action before resolving the debt. The FBI advises people to avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages, verify company contact information independently, and recognize that legitimate toll agencies do not request payments via text.

Cryptocurrency ATMs have become a prevalent tool for scammers targeting older adults, with the FTC reporting $65 million in fraud losses through Bitcoin ATMs in the first half of 2024 alone—$46 million from victims aged 60 and older. Scammers use these unregulated kiosks in various schemes including romance and grandparent scams to trick victims into depositing cash. AARP Massachusetts is advocating for legislation requiring cryptocurrency ATM operator licensing, daily transaction limits, fraud warning notices, and consumer education to strengthen protections for residents.

A 34-year-old Nigerian national, Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, was arrested at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in April 2024 after operating a sophisticated romance scam between 2016 and 2019 that defrauded victims of $2.5 million in cryptocurrency. Nwadavid created fake online personas to manipulate at least one primary victim in Massachusetts into unknowingly facilitating the transfer of over $2.5 million through remote account access and peer-to-peer crypto platforms. He faces up to 40 years in federal prison on charges of mail fraud and money laundering following his indictment by a Boston federal grand jury

A 34-year-old Nigerian man, Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, was arrested in Dallas-Fort Worth in April 2025 after being indicted for masterminding a $2.5 million romance scam that operated from 2016 to 2019. The scheme involved creating fake dating profiles to manipulate vulnerable victims into sending money under false pretenses, with one Massachusetts victim unknowingly serving as a money mule who converted stolen funds into cryptocurrency through platforms like LocalBitcoins. Nwadavid faces charges of mail fraud and money laundering, each carrying up to 20 years in prison, plus fines, restitution

Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a 34-year-old Nigerian national, was arrested in April 2025 and charged with mail fraud and money laundering for orchestrating romance scams that defrauded six victims of over $2.5 million between 2016 and 2019. Nwadavid created fake dating profiles to build trust with victims, then manipulated them into sending money under false pretenses, using a Massachusetts victim as an intermediary to funnel funds to cryptocurrency accounts he controlled. He faces up to 20 years in prison and will be subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence.

An 88-year-old Hingham, Massachusetts resident lost $15,500 in a phishing scam after receiving a fraudulent email impersonating the Federal Trade Commission. The scammers convinced her that her daughter was in financial trouble and instructed her to send a cashier's check to an address in Illinois, where it was cashed immediately. Police emphasize that awareness and education are the most effective prevention methods, recommending residents delete, block, or ignore suspicious communications.

A 76-year-old Massachusetts resident lost $30,000 in a tech support scam after fraudsters convinced him his computer had a virus and his bank account was at risk. The scammers instructed him to withdraw cash without telling bank staff (claiming an employee was "corrupt"), then directed him to deposit the money into a Bitcoin machine at a gas station, which he believed was an "FDIC machine." The victim became suspicious only when scammers asked him to convert additional stock funds and arrange for someone to pick up cash from his home, preventing total loss of a second $35,000.

The FBI warned New England homeowners and real estate agents about Quit Claim Deed fraud, in which scammers forge documents to illegally transfer property ownership and then sell, mortgage, or rent the properties for profit. Since 2019, the scam has cost victims over $61.5 million across New England, with Massachusetts accounting for $46 million in losses, and victims in Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island suffering an additional $15 million combined. The FBI provided recommendations for both homeowners (monitoring property records, setting up title alerts, and watching for suspicious activity) and real estate agents (requiring in-person identity verification, requesting original documentation, and confirming notary credentials) to

Regina Henaku, a 33-year-old from Leominster, Massachusetts, was indicted on nine counts including larceny from elders and identity fraud for stealing approximately $28,000 from elderly patients between August and November 2024. She posed as a health care professional using stolen identities at five different facilities across Worcester and Middlesex counties, fraudulently using credit and debit cards from at least 11 patients over age 60 without their knowledge.

Multiple residents in the Braintree and Hingham, Massachusetts area fell victim to Bitcoin ATM scams, with losses totaling at least $48,000 ($18,000 in Braintree and $30,000 in Hingham). Police warn that scammers convincingly instruct victims to withdraw cash and deposit it at Bitcoin ATMs, after which funds are transferred to untraceable Bitcoin wallets. Elderly residents are particularly targeted, and police advise that any instruction to use a Bitcoin ATM is a definitive sign of scam activity.

Regina Henaku, 33, of Leominster, Massachusetts, was indicted on multiple counts after posing as a professional caregiver at health care facilities and assisted living centers in Worcester and Middlesex Counties, where she stole bank cards from at least 16 elderly victims over age 60 between August and November 2024. She used the stolen cards to steal approximately $28,000 from 11 victims and attempted to steal from others, while also using forged identities of a relative and former coworker to gain employment at multiple facilities. Henaku was charged with nine counts of larceny over $250 from an elderly or disabled person, credit card fraud, identity frau

A 76-year-old Massachusetts resident lost $30,000 after scammers convinced him his bank account was at risk due to a virus and instructed him to withdraw cash and deposit it into a Bitcoin machine at a gas station, claiming it was an "FDIC machine." When the scammers later asked him to convert additional stock funds and arrange for someone to pick up cash from his home, he became suspicious and contacted his bank before losing additional money. Hingham Police warn that scammers use extended phone calls, fear tactics about compromised accounts, and instructions to avoid telling bank staff to manipulate victims into transferring funds.

Authorities in Massachusetts are warning about a text message scam where criminals claim recipients are under investigation and demand they call back to avoid legal action, often including fake case numbers and malware-laden links. The scam exploits fear and urgency to pressure victims—particularly older and less tech-savvy individuals—into acting without thinking. Law enforcement advises that legitimate agencies never contact people via text or email demanding money or threatening legal action; recipients should delete such messages and report them.

This article reports on federal law enforcement arrests of undocumented immigrants with criminal records in Massachusetts during early 2025, including individuals charged with sexual assault, drug trafficking, and weapons offenses. The cases involved coordination between DEA, ICE, and local police, with one suspect remaining in ICE custody pending removal proceedings and another wanted for felony drug trafficking in Brazil. The article does not contain information related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse and is therefore outside the scope of the Elderus database.

The FBI warned businesses of a mail-based extortion scam where unknown criminals impersonate the BianLian ransomware group, falsely claiming to have stolen sensitive data and demanding $250,000-$500,000 in Bitcoin within ten days or threatening to publish the data. The FBI assessed these letters as fraudulent attempts and found no connection between the senders and the legitimate BianLian group, with return addresses traced to Boston, Massachusetts. Organizations are advised to notify executives and employees, verify network security status, and report any incidents to their local FBI field office or the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

During Consumer Protection Week in Springfield, Massachusetts, the mayor's Office of Consumer Information held an educational event at City Hall to help residents recognize and prevent common scams, particularly those targeting vulnerable populations like seniors and children. The event featured resources and information booths, including guidance from Western New England University's Law Center on consumer rights in debt collection cases, with organizers emphasizing that education and awareness are key to staying ahead of scammers and protecting credit and financial security.

Drivers nationwide have received fraudulent texts impersonating toll collection services (TxTag in Texas, EZDriveMA in Massachusetts, and FasTrak in California) claiming unpaid fees and urging immediate payment via suspicious links. Clicking these links directs victims to phishing sites designed to steal personal, financial, and identity information for identity theft and fraudulent purchases. State transportation agencies recommend drivers delete such messages immediately, report them as spam, and note that legitimate toll agencies do not send unsolicited payment demand texts.

Scammers nationwide are sending text messages impersonating toll collection agencies, demanding payment for unpaid tolls and directing victims to fake websites to steal banking information, credit card details, and personal identifying information like driver's license numbers. The Federal Trade Commission and multiple state authorities including New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania have issued warnings about this "smishing" scam, which the FBI reported had generated over 2,000 complaints across at least three states as of April 2023. Victims should avoid clicking links or replying to unsolicited toll texts, and should instead delete and report suspicious messages to their phone carrier.

This educational piece identifies the ten states with the strongest elder-care protections based on metrics including elder fraud rates, prevention expenditures, and care organizations. Massachusetts ranked first in the WalletHub analysis, and the article highlights that federal protections have expanded, such as the Senior Safe Act (signed May 24, 2018) which provides liability immunity for reporting senior exploitation. The article advises financial advisors to understand their states' elder-abuse laws, fraud prevention services, and long-term care resources as their clients age.

Thomas Clasby, former director of the Department of Elder Services in Quincy, Massachusetts, was indicted for embezzlement, mail fraud, and wire fraud for allegedly using city funds as a personal slush fund since 2019, spending over $17,000 on personal items including steak, a self-portrait, and a music recording, while also allegedly funneling a $38,000 consultant contract back to himself. Clasby, who earned $111,971 annually, faces up to 40 years in prison and was fired in May 2024. The case is notable for the brazen nature of the fraud and because it diverted resources from programs intended to help seniors.

Drivers across multiple states are being targeted by a phishing scam impersonating EZDriveMA, Massachusetts' electronic toll collection system, with fraudulent texts claiming small unpaid tolls of $6.99 that direct victims to fake websites to steal personal and financial information. The scam has generated thousands of complaints to the FBI, with Massachusetts residents as primary victims, though texts have been sent nationwide, prompting alerts from highway authorities across six New England states and New York. Authorities advise recipients never to click links in such messages, as the legitimate EZDriveMA system never requests payment by text and only communicates through www.EZDriveMA.com.

A Massachusetts resident received unsolicited calls from someone claiming to be "Sid" from American Express warning about fraudulent credit card activity and requesting verification at the number 1-800-450-8738. After initial skepticism, the caller's persistence led the recipient to investigate; while some online sources claimed the number was legitimate, contacting the real American Express fraud department confirmed it was a scam number. The scam demonstrates the increasing sophistication of voice impersonation fraud, where scammers use personal information and persistent contact attempts to gain trust before attempting financial exploitation.