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The Minnesota Department of Transportation warned motorists about a phishing scam where scammers send fake text messages and emails impersonating E-ZPass toll agencies, claiming recipients owe money and requesting payment through fraudulent links to steal personal and financial information. MnDOT emphasized that legitimate tolling agencies never request sensitive information via text or email, and advised recipients to verify any toll debt through official websites and contact customer service directly rather than clicking suspicious links.

Kenosha, Wisconsin residents are falling victim to a rising cryptocurrency ATM scam where scammers trick victims into depositing cash into bitcoin machines, with three victims losing a combined $60,000 in untraceable funds. Scammers pose as police, banks, or tech support and pressure victims with urgent demands for payment, sometimes instructing them to deposit specific amounts like $9,500 into crypto ATMs. The Kenosha Police Department advises residents to hang up on suspicious calls, refuse urgent money demands, never use crypto ATMs, and is calling for state regulations similar to Minnesota and North Dakota that limit daily crypto ATM deposits to $2,000.

Julie Darrah, a Santa Maria investment advisor, was sentenced to over 10 years in federal prison for stealing approximately $2.25 million from elderly clients of her advisory firm between 2016 and 2023. Darrah manipulated vulnerable elderly clients by gaining their trust, convincing them to authorize fund transfers from their accounts into her own, and then used the stolen money for personal purchases including properties and luxury vehicles, leaving some victims unable to afford end-of-life care. She was also ordered to repay $2.4 million in restitution and a Minnesota investment firm lost over $5 million after acquiring her company based on false representations.

Investment advisor Julie Anne Darrah of Santa Maria was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison for stealing approximately $2.25 million from elderly clients between November 2016 and July 2023 by obtaining control of their assets and liquidating them without consent. Darrah exploited her clients' trust—often portraying herself as a caring daughter figure—to convince them to sign documents granting her power of attorney and trustee status, then transferred funds to her own accounts to purchase properties and luxury vehicles, leaving some victims unable to pay for end-of-life care. Additionally, a Minnesota-based investment firm that acquired Darrah's company incurred $5.4 million in losses

The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers are exploiting confusion around the Real ID deadline by creating fraudulent websites and sending unsolicited messages promising quick access to Real IDs in exchange for sensitive personal and financial information. Real ID applications can only be obtained in person at the DMV, which will never contact individuals via text, email, social media, or phone to request personal information. Consumers should avoid entering information on suspicious sites and report suspected scams to the BBB Scam Tracker or the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General.

The Senior LinkAge Line, a free Minnesota state service, will host a virtual presentation on May 14 from 10-11:30 a.m. focused on health care fraud, waste, and abuse prevention for older adults. The presentation, which includes information from the Senior Medicare Patrol federal program, will cover fraud detection, prevention strategies, and reporting procedures to help seniors protect their personal information. Individuals needing accommodations to participate can contact Dianne Kiser at [email protected] by May 9.

Texting scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with common schemes including fake unpaid toll notices, prize offers, student loan assistance, and AI-generated celebrity videos (such as Kevin Costner impersonations) that request money. Minnesota ranks 12th nationally for impostor scams with a median loss of $800 per victim, and experts advise recognizing red flags such as urgent requests, unknown senders, international numbers, and requests for gift cards or remote computer access, noting that legitimate government agencies and the FBI never ask for payment via gift cards.

Phishing scams, particularly fake shipping notices impersonating UPS, are the most common fraud targeting Minnesotans, with 69 percent of state residents reporting low confidence in spotting such attempts. One in five Minnesotans have received localized phishing messages that reference nearby towns or businesses, making them increasingly difficult to distinguish from legitimate communications. The article advises consumers to verify deliveries directly through official websites, avoid clicking suspicious links, and be wary of urgent language and requests for personal information.

Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Nigerian national, was convicted and sentenced to 24 months in prison for his role in an online romance scam that defrauded elderly victims in Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and was ordered to pay $311,520 in restitution; he received funds from victims through personal and business accounts while scammers posed as romantic interests requesting money for business, medical, travel, and other expenses. The Taney County victim alone lost $27,460, with scammers attempting to solicit an additional

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Minnesota lawmakers are proposing to expand the state's Medicaid fraud control unit from 32 to 41 investigators and increase penalties for health and elder-care providers who defraud Medicaid, with fines up to $100,000 and prison sentences up to 20 years for thefts exceeding $35,000. The $390,000 annual expansion is justified by the fraud unit's track record of recovering $53 million in civil penalties and criminal restitution over six years while costing the state $6 million. Attorney General Keith Ellison argues the expansion is critical to protect Medicaid's integrity and preserve public support for the program serving 1.4

Scammers have created fake Joann Fabrics websites offering discounts up to 91% following the company's announcement that all stores are closing in 2025. Multiple Minnesota residents have been victimized through fraudulent sites like joann-liquidation-us.com advertised on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, with victims reporting unauthorized charges on payment methods and worthless gift cards purchased at steep discounts. The Better Business Bureau warns that this scam continues to resurface as scammers capitalize on the legitimate store closures to deceive crafters seeking liquidation deals.

The La Crescent Police Department reported five scam calls in one day targeting residents with a "grandchild in jail" premise, where callers falsely claimed relatives were arrested after vehicle accidents and demanded money for bail. Two families nearly lost $9,000 and $18,000 respectively before recognizing the fraud; scammers instructed victims to lie to banks about withdrawal purposes and used spoofed local phone numbers and computer-generated voices to appear legitimate. Police advised community members to verify incidents directly with family, noting that scammers specifically target elders with landlines using fear tactics, and emphasized that government agencies like the IRS and Social Security do not initiate arrest-related calls.

Scammers in Minnesota and Iowa are targeting elderly residents with a "bail scam" where they claim a family member has been arrested and demand immediate payment to secure their release. The scam escalates by claiming a gag order prevents victims from telling anyone and requesting in-person payment, making the money impossible to recover. Law enforcement urges residents to inform elderly family members and report any such calls.

The Senior LinkAge Line is offering a free virtual presentation on April 9 from 10-11:30 a.m. focused on health care fraud, waste, and abuse prevention for older adults. The presentation, developed in partnership with the Senior Medicare Patrol, provides information on fraud prevention, detection, and reporting to help seniors protect their personal information. The Senior LinkAge Line is a statewide Minnesota service designed to help older adults and caregivers access resources and support.

Two individuals were arrested in Olivia, Minnesota after attempting to collect cash from a resident through a computer and phone scam that compromised the victim's computer. The victim had already handed over an unspecified sum of cash to a courier on February 11, 2025, and the scammers subsequently demanded an additional $40,000; officers arrested both suspects at the victim's residence when the courier arrived to collect the second payment. One suspect has been flagged with an immigration hold by ICE, and the case remains under investigation by the Olivia Police Department and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Brandon Michael Ferguson and his asphalt company, Community Blacktop LLC (operating under multiple aliases), defrauded consumers across Minnesota and nationwide by quoting low prices for asphalt work, then delivering substandard results and demanding inflated bills multiple times the original quote—with one victim quoted $2,000-$3,000 charged $17,000 instead. The Minnesota Attorney General reached a settlement requiring the company to dissolve and pay $100,000 in restitution to victims, with Ferguson admitting to procuring work through fraud and violating consumer protection laws. The AG urges victims to contact his office to help identify affected consumers, as poor recordkeeping makes tracking

In October 2023, Dennis from Maplewood lost $20,000 in a grandparent scam when callers impersonated his grandson and a public defender, claiming he needed bail money for a car accident, followed by a second request for $15,000 for a manslaughter settlement. The article reports that fraud victimizes billions of dollars annually from U.S. consumers, with Minnesota alone receiving over 22,000 fraud reports totaling nearly $103 million in losses during the first three quarters of 2024, and notes that recovery options remain limited. AARP Minnesota is advocating for a state Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund financed by civil penalties

The Senior LinkAge Line is offering a free virtual presentation on March 12 to educate older adults about health care fraud, waste, and abuse prevention, recognizing that scams targeting seniors are on the rise. The 90-minute session, in partnership with the Senior Medicare Patrol federal program, will cover fraud detection, reporting mechanisms, and personal information protection strategies. The Minnesota Board on Aging's Senior LinkAge Line provides free statewide support to help older Minnesotans and caregivers access services and resources.

Two Minnesota brothers, Abdulkadir Nur Salah and Abdi Nur Salah, pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges for their roles in the Feeding Our Future scandal, a $250 million scheme involving fraudulent reimbursements from the Federal Child Nutrition Program. One brother's restaurant received over $16 million in fraudulent payments, while the other registered a fake nonprofit to obtain federal funding by falsely claiming to provide meals to children across Minnesota. Both men agreed to forfeit over $1.5 million in bank accounts and several properties to the federal government, with sentencing to be scheduled later.

Two Minnesota brothers, Abdulkadir Nur Salah and Abdi Nur Salah, pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges in connection with the Feeding Our Future scandal, a $250 million scheme involving fraudulent claims under the Federal Child Nutrition Program. The brothers, who operated Safari Restaurant and a fraudulent nonprofit, received over $16 million in false reimbursements and must forfeit more than $1.5 million in bank accounts and several properties to the federal government.

Scam attempts in Minnesota and globally are escalating, with over $1.03 trillion lost to scammers in 2024, increasingly aided by artificial intelligence that generates convincing phishing emails, fake images, and cloned voices. High-risk scams include imposter schemes (grandparent and romance scams with median losses of $800), government imposter scams ($14,000+ median loss), cryptocurrency scams, employment scams, and task scams (which increased from 5,000 reports in 2023 to 20,000 in the first half of 2024). Scammers exploit recent disasters and events while using AI to intensify existing frau

Russell Rahm, leader of a telemarketing scheme spanning two decades (2000-2020), was sentenced to 10 years in prison for defrauding 183,000 elderly and vulnerable victims of approximately $335 million through fake magazine subscription sales. The conspiracy involved 61 defendants across the U.S. and Canada who used fraudulent scripts and lead lists to trick victims into unwanted subscriptions, with some victims charged up to $1,000 monthly by multiple phony companies simultaneously; Rahm was ordered to pay full restitution.

A Minnesota man warned of a lottery scam targeting elderly residents, in which callers claiming to represent a prize giveaway repeatedly contacted him over four days, offering $2.5 million and a car in exchange for purchasing a pre-paid debit card. The scammer used a Jamaican area code (867) and did not request credit card information directly, instead asking the victim to buy Green Dot cards at local retailers. The victim did not fall for the scheme and urged others—particularly seniors—to remain vigilant and report such incidents to the Federal Trade Commission.

An unlicensed caregiver at Madonna Meadows of Rochester, Minnesota allegedly used a resident's debit card to order over $500 in unauthorized food deliveries and attempted to forge a check, which was caught when the bank noticed a signature mismatch. The caregiver fled the facility and abandoned her driver's license at the bank before police could be notified; the facility confirmed the employee no longer works there and stated they cooperated with investigations and conduct background checks on all staff.

Holiday season scams and financial fraud are surging, with Minnesotans losing $94 million in 2023 and the FBI receiving a record 880,428 complaints nationally with losses exceeding $12.5 billion. Artificial intelligence is making scams harder to detect, enabling criminals to create deepfake voices, fake videos, and fraudulent messages impersonating trusted sources, while investment scams alone jumped 40% with $4.6 billion in losses. The Better Business Bureau recommends verifying websites, using credit card payments, avoiding unsolicited emails and links, using strong passwords, and registering with the National Do Not Call Registry to protect against fraud.

The Minnesota Attorney General's Office warned of an increase in mortgage-assistance scams targeting homeowners struggling with payments, with scammers using unsolicited mailings and publicly available foreclosure records to appear legitimate. While foreclosure rates remain historically low, Minnesota experienced an 18.59% monthly increase in foreclosures from September to October, with the state ranking 27th nationally, prompting heightened alerts about predatory schemes exploiting financially vulnerable homeowners.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison warns that scammers posing as immigration attorneys target immigrant populations by promising legal services, collecting upfront payments, and then disappearing while potentially damaging victims' immigration cases through incorrect forms or missed deadlines. The advisory provides protective measures including verifying attorney credentials, obtaining free immigration forms from USCIS.gov, never signing blank documents, and getting receipts and copies of all work. Victims can report scams to the Minnesota Attorney General's Office, the Federal Trade Commission, or directly to social media platforms where fraudulent accounts operate.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce is urging residents to become "scam spotters" in 2025 as the state reports an increase in fraudsters tricking people into sharing financial information and losing money. The department provides key prevention tips including verifying requests directly with the source, resisting emotional manipulation and urgency tactics, avoiding upfront payment demands, and not clicking suspicious links—and offers resources for reporting scams and checking business licenses.

A WalletHub study ranking states on elder-abuse protections found Minnesota ranks 10th overall, excelling in financial crime legislation (1st) but lagging in abuse complaint reporting (27th). The article highlights a recent case in rural Douglas County where an elderly resident was defrauded of over $100,000 through a gold investment scam, and emphasizes that elder abuse—including physical, financial, emotional, and neglect—often goes unreported and can be perpetrated by family members or caregivers, requiring greater awareness and preventive measures.

A "brushing" scam circulating in Minnesota and across the country involves victims receiving unsolicited packages containing small items like Bluetooth speakers or jewelry with a QR code inside; scanning the QR code compromises the phone and grants scammers access to banking information, resulting in drained bank accounts. Police departments warn consumers to avoid scanning QR codes from unknown sources and to educate family members about this fraud tactic.

A fake PayPal invoice scam is circulating in Minnesota, with fraudsters sending official-looking emails claiming payment is owed for unauthorized purchases and threatening account suspension to pressure victims into calling fake customer service numbers or clicking malicious links. The scam exploits holiday season distractions and mimics legitimate PayPal formatting to trick recipients into divulging financial information or compromising their accounts. The article advises verifying claims directly through PayPal's official website/app, avoiding links and phone numbers in suspicious emails, and reporting phishing attempts to PayPal.

A concerned citizen nearly fell for an impersonation scam where a caller claiming to be law enforcement demanded $15,000 bail to release the victim's daughter from jail after a purported car accident; the parents avoided loss by verifying the claim at the actual jail and discovering their daughter was safe. The article documents multiple similar law enforcement impersonation scams in Wright County, Minnesota, where scammers pose as sheriffs or court officials demanding payment or personal information, and provides guidance that legitimate law enforcement never calls demanding cash payments and advises victims to hang up and contact the actual agency directly.

A "pig butchering" romance scam targeting elderly people involves fraudsters impersonating actor Johnny Depp on Facebook, then moving conversations to messaging apps to convince victims to send money via cryptocurrency, gift cards, and other payment methods. The FTC received 197 complaints over one year from victims across the country, many in their 60s who lost thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars from retirement accounts, with one Minnesota woman losing $1,700 before her bank intervened. The scammers exploit emotional vulnerability and loneliness by posing as Depp or associates like his fictional "manager Jack Wingham," using flattery and false promises of romance or investment returns.

Online shopping fraud is a significant risk during the holiday season, with Americans across all age groups losing hundreds of millions of dollars to scams in 2023, particularly through fake websites and credit card theft. Experts advise consumers to watch for red flags such as prices significantly below market value and artificially created urgency, as scammers exploit the hectic holiday season to encourage rushed purchases without proper research.

A 56-year-old Bradenton, Florida man was arrested for defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of at least $250,000 (possibly up to $600,000) by posing as Elon Musk on Facebook and promising a $55 million return on fake business investments. The article also highlights a related case where a 26-year-old Minnesota man was arrested for stealing over $100,000 from a 77-year-old widower through an online romance scam, reflecting a broader trend in which scammers stole at least $3.4 billion from Americans aged 60 and older in 2023.

**Summary:** AARP Minnesota is advocating for legislation (SF 447/HF 1392) to establish a Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund that would redirect civil penalty payments from fraud cases won by the state Attorney General's office to compensate fraud victims, particularly older adults. Minnesotans reported losses totaling $144.6 million in fraud cases in 2024, and the proposed fund would be especially crucial for cases where perpetrators are overseas or bankrupt, while incentivizing both law enforcement action and crime reporting.

The FBI is investigating a crypto romance scam ring responsible for up to $5 million in fraud, with federal prosecutors in North Carolina seizing approximately $4.99 million from suspicious Tether wallets linked to the operation. The scammers, known as "pig butchering" schemes, built trust with at least 71 victims (including a 60-year-old from North Carolina and an 83-year-old from Minnesota) before luring them into fraudulent investments on a fake exchange called Bitkanant, where victims were then blocked from withdrawing funds unless they paid additional taxes and fees. Two victims lost over $2.75 million combined, and the scam rings

The FBI targeted a romance scam operation linked to $5 million in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes affecting approximately 71 victims, including a 60-year-old from North Carolina and an 83-year-old from Minnesota. Scammers used fake identities on social media to build romantic relationships with victims before directing them to invest in a counterfeit cryptocurrency platform called Bitkanant, after which they cut off contact and disappeared with the funds. The U.S. Attorney's office seized nearly $5 million in Tether cryptocurrency in August, with one victim losing an entire retirement account, and the FBI is working to identify perpetrators and return assets to victims.

A 26-year-old Minnesota man, Benjamin Yakah, was arrested following a five-month investigation by the Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit for stealing over $100,000 from a 77-year-old Bradenton widower through a romance scam. The victim was deceived by a fake Facebook profile using photos stolen from a West Virginia woman, with the scammer posing as "Julia" and convincing the victim to send money for an alleged debt settlement in Minnesota. The victim's children discovered the fraud in June 2024, and Yakah is currently awaiting extradition to Manatee County; investigators believe there may be additional victims in other

A 26-year-old Minnesota man, Benjamin Yakah, was arrested and charged with grand theft after stealing over $100,000 from a 77-year-old Bradenton widower through an eight-month romance scam on Facebook. The scammer posed as a woman named "Julia" from the United Kingdom, using stolen photos and claiming to need money to pay debts before relocating to Florida, while all funds were directed to Yakah's bank account in Minneapolis. The investigation, initiated by the victim's family in June 2024, revealed additional victims in other states, and Yakah is being extradited to Manatee County to face charges.

A 77-year-old widower from Bradenton, Florida lost over $100,000 in a romance scam after meeting someone claiming to be "Julia" on Facebook Messenger who posed as a woman from the United Kingdom seeking to relocate to America. Benjamin Yakah from Minnesota was arrested after investigation revealed he operated the scam, using stolen photos and convincing the victim to send cash and checks to pay off fabricated debts; evidence suggests there are additional victims. Yakah is awaiting extradition to Manatee County as the investigation continues.

A 77-year-old widower in Bradenton, Florida lost $100,000 to a romance scammer who posed as a British woman named "Julia" on Facebook and claimed she needed money to pay off a debt before relocating to be with him. The investigation, launched in June 2024 by the victim's children, revealed that suspect Benjamin Yakah used stolen photos from a West Virginia woman's Facebook account and had the victim send cash and checks to accounts in Minneapolis over an eight-month period. Yakah was arrested in Minnesota and is awaiting extradition to Manatee County; police suspect he scammed multiple victims across different states.

A 26-year-old Minnesota man, Benjamin Yakah, was arrested and faces grand theft charges after defrauding a 77-year-old Bradenton widower of over $100,000 in an eight-month internet romance scam. The victim was deceived by a fake Facebook profile using stolen photos of a West Virginia woman, who posed as "Julia" and convinced him to send cash and checks to Minnesota accounts under the pretense of relocating to Florida to be with him. The victim's children alerted authorities in June, leading to a five-month investigation and Yakah's arrest; evidence suggests he victimized additional people in other states.