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The Veterans Affairs Department is investigating Acadia Healthcare, a major psychiatric hospital chain, for allegedly defrauding government insurance programs by keeping patients hospitalized longer than medically necessary to increase profits from Medicare and Medicaid. The investigation follows similar inquiries from federal prosecutors in Manhattan, a Missouri grand jury, and anticipated scrutiny from the SEC and other agencies.

Five individuals were arrested and charged with wire fraud conspiracy after stealing at least $8 million from older victims across ten states through a tech support scam that included gold bar purchases. The scammers contacted elderly victims claiming their financial accounts were compromised and directed them to transfer funds, open new accounts, and purchase gold bars that couriers then collected; one 82-year-old Missouri woman lost approximately $250,000 in the scheme. To protect against such scams, authorities advise victims and their families to report suspicious activity immediately to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Nick Gertsema delivered a seminar at Benedictine Living Community in St. Joseph, Missouri, educating senior citizens on preventing identity theft and scams. Key prevention strategies include never sharing personal information with unknown contacts, verifying the identity of those requesting information, and recognizing that requests for payment in cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency are scam indicators. Individuals who suspect fraudulent contact should hang up and contact their bank and authorities.

This educational piece from the Missouri Secretary of State identifies five common investment fraud schemes targeting seniors: unlicensed online brokerage management, unregistered traders/brokers, Ponzi schemes, fake real estate investments, and fraudulent investment "fads." The article was prompted by recent local cases involving hundreds of thousands of dollars allegedly stolen from seniors and serves as a cautionary reminder for the aging population to verify credentials and be skeptical of unsolicited investment offers.

**Summary:** This is a community newsletter from Grant City, Missouri that briefly mentions local activities and updates. While the piece includes a note that a local bank has posted information about current scams, it does not detail any specific fraud incidents, scam types, or elder abuse cases.

Durable medical equipment (DME) scams represent a significant Medicare fraud threat, with scammers using telemarketing, internet ads, and in-person events to target beneficiaries seeking common items like braces and walkers. The Missouri Senior Medicare Patrol advises beneficiaries to be aware of these schemes to protect themselves and Medicare dollars, which are spent in the billions annually on legitimate DME.

Grandparent scams, which surge during the school year, involve scammers impersonating distressed family members to solicit emergency money from seniors, often using social media information and increasingly voice cloning technology. Law enforcement in Maryville, Missouri documented cases where seniors were deceived into sending bail money or visiting police stations, with the FBI reporting over 195 complaints and $1.9 million in losses from January to September of the previous year. Seniors are targeted because they are trusting, have financial resources, and are often reluctant to report fraud due to shame or fear of losing family confidence.

Taylor Swift Eras Tour ticket scams are proliferating on social media resale groups, with scammers targeting desperate fans willing to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for the limited remaining tour dates. One Missouri fan nearly fell victim after sending $200 via PayPal for a fake ticket to an Indianapolis show, but was protected by PayPal's goods and services feature, which automatically refunded her when fraudulent activity was detected. Cybersecurity experts recommend buyers use PayPal's goods and services option, meet sellers in person at safe public locations, or request venue verification to avoid these high-value ticket scams.

Austin James, a 27-year-old contractor from Missouri, was sentenced to five years of probation, 90 days of house arrest, and ordered to repay $94,606 after pleading guilty to identity theft in connection with the financial exploitation of an 80-year-old St. Louis woman. James received eight checks totaling $94,606 between January and July 2021 for home renovation work he did not complete, as part of a larger scheme led by unlicensed contractor Gino Rives that defrauded the victim of over $550,000 in total. Bank employees' concerns about the high volume of checks prompted an investigation that revealed the

Zella Rives, 57, of St. Louis County, Missouri, was sentenced to 18 months of house arrest and five years of probation and ordered to repay $131,155 for fraudulently obtaining Social Security disability benefits for her son over 13 years by concealing he was not disabled and falsely reporting his employment and resources. Her son, Gino Rives, was separately sentenced to 87 months in prison for the disability fraud and additional charges involving the financial exploitation of two elderly women, from whom he fraudulently obtained over $855,000 and a house.

David Murar, a 73-year-old Missouri defense contractor, was sentenced to five years probation and fined $50,000 for fraudulently obtaining at least $333,465 in government contracts by sourcing restricted military parts from China and other foreign countries while concealing their origin and falsely claiming one of his companies was woman-owned. Murar violated export control laws by sharing protected military technical data with foreign entities and repackaged parts to hide their overseas origin, creating potential national security risks to U.S. Armed Forces weapon systems. He has already repaid $166,710 and was banned from future government contracting.

Online vehicle purchase scams are increasing, where fraudsters post fake listings with photos and addresses to trick buyers into wiring deposits for vehicles that don't exist or are never delivered. Recent victims in Alabama, Utah, and Missouri lost between $25,000 and $36,000 each after transferring funds based on fraudulent contracts and dealer credentials. To protect themselves, buyers should verify the vehicle's VIN through services like CarFax, inspect the car in person, and avoid electronic transfers in favor of cashier's checks.

KY3 News and the Springfield Police Department reported on an uptick in scams targeting elderly residents in the Springfield, Missouri area. The report discusses new fraud schemes affecting seniors, though specific scam types, victim numbers, and dollar amounts are not detailed in the available excerpt. The segment aims to raise awareness about the growing threat of elder fraud in the community.

The Better Business Bureau warns of "grandparent scams" where fraudsters impersonate family members using phone calls, texts, or AI-generated voices to create false emergencies and extract money from vulnerable people. In a Hazelwood, Missouri case, a scammer posing as a grandson requesting bail money was stopped when a caretaker verified the grandson's safety; the BBB documented nearly 200 instances of this scam in 2023 with a median loss of $850 per victim. To protect yourself, verify caller identity through independent contact, question callers on personal details, avoid untraceable payment methods, and contact police if someone demands in-person money collection.

Gino Rives, 36, of St. Louis County, Missouri, was sentenced to 87 months in prison and ordered to repay over $1.1 million for exploiting two elderly women while fraudulently collecting disability benefits from Social Security. Rives falsely claimed mental health disabilities since 2010 while concealing employment and assets, obtaining four vehicles, a house, and over $855,000 in checks and unauthorized debit card charges from his elderly victims, one of whom was moved to a nursing home and left with minimal possessions.

Gino Rives, 36, of St. Louis County, Missouri, was sentenced to seven years in prison for defrauding the Social Security Administration of over $721,000 through false disability claims since 2010 and financially exploiting two elderly women, from whom he obtained over $855,000, four vehicles, a house, and checks for incomplete construction work. The court ordered Rives to repay $1.1 million in restitution, return six vehicles and a house, and pay a $100,000 fine, with additional charges pending against his mother and an accomplice.

Sherry Cox of California, Missouri lost $20,000 to a tech support scam after clicking a cancellation link in a fraudulent "Geek Squad" email. A scammer posing as "Justin" manipulated her through remote access and psychological coercion—claiming she had mistakenly authorized a $40,000 refund and threatening to lose his job—to withdraw cash, wrap it in a book, and overnight it to California, before attempting to solicit an additional $10,000 wire transfer to Thailand, which was prevented by her bank's intervention. Cox publicly shared her story to raise awareness that anyone, regardless of intelligence or caution, can fall victim

A reformed Nigerian scammer named Chris Maxwell, who previously defrauded women of over $70,000 through romance scams, now works for an identity verification company exposing fraud networks to authorities. Missouri experienced approximately 58,250 impersonation scams in the first three months of the year resulting in millions in losses, with scammers increasingly using artificial intelligence to impersonate family members and government officials, often targeting older adults who may lose their life savings after multiple transactions. Experts recommend establishing trusted family contacts for verification, using reverse image search tools, insisting on video meetings before sending money, and reporting suspected scams to local law enforcement and the Missouri Attorney General's Office.

John F. Clarke, 55, a Des Moines man who targeted single women on dating sites by posing under aliases and gaining access to their phones and credit to purchase and resell electronics, was sentenced to up to 15 years in prison in Black Hawk County for probation violations connected to felony theft and lottery theft charges, with additional cases pending in other counties. Clarke had an extensive criminal history spanning decades with nearly two dozen felonies, and his arrest in December came after victims reported him on social media and law enforcement discovered he had expanded his scheme to multiple states including Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

Scammers are impersonating toll collection services with phishing text messages claiming recipients owe small amounts (typically $12) with threats of large late fees ($50), directing them to fake payment links to steal personal and financial information. The Better Business Bureau received multiple reports of this scam in spring 2024, including cases targeting travelers in Illinois and Missouri, where scammers falsely claimed to represent toll agencies in states without toll roads or services. Consumers should verify toll balances directly through official agency websites or phone numbers rather than clicking unsolicited text links, and should report suspicious messages to BBB Scam Tracker or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

The Better Business Bureau has received multiple reports of phishing text messages impersonating toll collection services, demanding payment of small amounts (typically $12) with threats of larger late fees to trick travelers into clicking malicious links and providing personal or payment information. Scammers exploit the fact that road travelers may not track tolls closely, with recent cases including fake messages spoofing the Illinois Tollway and fraudulent "Missouri Toll Services" texts directing payments through SunPass, a Florida-based toll agency that does not operate in Missouri. To avoid these scams, consumers should independently verify outstanding tolls through legitimate agency websites or phone numbers rather than clicking links in unsolicited text messages.

Seven members of a nationwide elder fraud ring—including three California residents charged in May—were indicted on conspiracy charges for defrauding elderly people through tech support scams, fake immigration documents, and fraudulent bank accounts. The scheme collected over $7 million from victims, including an elderly Missouri couple who were threatened with prosecution unless they paid $88,000 after seeing a fake virus pop-up warning. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri as part of the Department of Homeland Security's Money Mule Initiative targeting elder fraud networks.

Dongyi Guo, a 27-year-old Chinese national, was indicted on wire fraud conspiracy charges for his role as a cash courier in a scheme targeting elderly victims. Guo collected $95,000 in total from a 79-year-old Missouri woman over four days in March after scammers impersonated financial institutions and Social Security representatives, falsely claiming her accounts were compromised. He was arrested on March 7 while attempting to collect an additional $15,000, and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Three California residents—Bowen Chen (21), Jiacheng Chen (19), and Vianne Chen (41)—were charged in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to defraud senior citizens, including a Missouri couple. The scheme involved creating fake student checking accounts using fraudulent immigration documents to launder money stolen through scams, with the three defendants depositing a combined $2.355 million in illicit funds. The investigation was triggered when a 78-year-old Missouri man nearly fell victim to an extortion scam demanding $88,000 under false pretenses; his suspicions prevented the loss, leading to arrests as part of the Department of Justice's Money Mule Initiative.

This is a community newsletter from Grant City, Missouri, not an article about elder fraud. The only fraud-related content is a brief announcement that the Young at Heart organization is holding an educational meeting on April 18 at 10 a.m. to help attendees detect, prevent, and report Medicare fraud, identity theft, and other scams. The remainder of the newsletter discusses weather, local events, and social activities.

As the April 8 solar eclipse attracts tens of thousands of travelers to Missouri and Illinois, scammers are targeting consumers with counterfeit eclipse glasses and fraudulent rental listings, exploiting patterns from the 2017 eclipse when fake glasses and rental scams proliferated online. The Better Business Bureau advises buyers to purchase eclipse glasses only from vetted manufacturers meeting ISO 12312-2 safety standards, verify rental properties exist through address research and reverse image searches, and use credit cards rather than cash transfer apps to protect against deposit fraud. Consumers should report suspicious products and listings to BBB Scam Tracker.

The FBI has issued a warning to Missouri residents about 13 active scams currently targeting the state, including adoption fraud, investment schemes, business email impersonation, charity fraud, elder fraud, romance scams, ransomware attacks, and skimming at ATMs and gas stations. The advisory emphasizes that elderly Missourians are particularly vulnerable targets and recommends citizens verify legitimacy before responding to unsolicited contacts, providing funds, or clicking links from unknown sources.

Lauren McEwen, a 70-year-old Missouri woman, fell victim to a romance scam using stolen photographs of Dr. Christian Boving, a Danish doctor and television personality, who was impersonated by scammers on Facebook under the alias "Ace Swift." The article reveals that an estimated 140,000 people lose money annually on Meta platforms, with romance scams causing £18.5 million in losses in the first half of the prior year, and notes that Meta has failed to remove numerous fake profiles using Boving's images despite repeated reporting and complaints about inadequate identity verification measures.

St. Louis County residents fell victim to an AI-generated phone scam where callers impersonated their children in distress, claiming a car accident occurred and demanding money (up to $2,000) or threatening kidnapping, with scammers using as little as 3 seconds of voice samples from social media to synthesize convincing audio. One victim avoided losing money when police arrived at a Walmart before she could wire funds, though authorities noted other local cases resulted in thousands of dollars in losses. Experts recommend families establish safe words or questions to verify identity, and victims should contact the threatened family member directly, report to police, and file a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General's Office.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey issued a warning to residents about tax season scams, where fraudsters impersonate the IRS via phone calls, emails, and phishing schemes to steal personal information and social security numbers. The advisory provides protective measures including filing taxes early, using reputable preparers, being suspicious of unsolicited IRS contact, and securing personal documents. Consumers who suspect they are victims of scams are encouraged to contact the Missouri Attorney General's consumer hotline at 800-392-8222 or ago.mo.gov.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey issued a warning to residents about tax season scams, advising vigilance against fraudsters attempting to steal personal information, particularly Social Security numbers. The advisory highlights that scammers impersonate the IRS through fake phone calls and phishing emails, and recommends consumers file taxes early, use reputable preparers, protect sensitive documents, and verify credentials to prevent identity theft. Those who suspect fraud can contact the Missouri Attorney General's consumer hotline at 800-392-8222 or visit the office's website for assistance.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey issued a tax season fraud warning, advising residents to protect their personal information from scammers posing as the IRS through unsolicited calls, emails, and phishing schemes. The advisory emphasizes that the IRS never initiates contact via phone or email requesting personal data, and recommends filing taxes early, using credentialed preparers, and securely handling sensitive information to prevent identity theft. Consumers who believe they are victims of scams can contact the Missouri Attorney General's consumer hotline at 800-392-8222 or ago.mo.gov.

Four California men have been indicted for operating a nationwide tech support fraud scheme targeting elderly victims, with Yu-Chieh Huang arrested as a courier after attempting to pick up $88,000 from a Missouri couple who were told their computer contained evidence of a crime. The scam, which operated from 2020 to 2023, involved Liang Jin and Kaiyu Wen directing couriers and recruiting individuals to fraudulently open bank accounts, resulting in approximately $7 million in fraudulent transactions before authorities intervened. One suspect, Kaiyu Wen, remains at large.

Three suspects were indicted in federal court in St. Louis for operating a nationwide tech support fraud scam targeting elderly victims, including a scheme where a 69-year-old Missouri couple was deceived into believing their computer was infected and coerced into paying $99,000 to prevent criminal prosecution. A related case involved a man posing as an FBI agent who defrauded an elderly Union man out of nearly $50,000 in gold by claiming his identity had been stolen, with similar scams occurring across Colorado and Oregon.

Zella Rives, 57, of St. Louis County, Missouri pleaded guilty to helping her son fraudulently claim Social Security disability benefits for over 13 years by submitting false reports and concealing his income, assets, and employment. The scheme resulted in the Social Security Administration disbursing more than $91,000 in fraudulent benefits between 2010 and 2023. Rives was charged with four counts of theft of government funds and one count of making a false statement, facing up to 10 years in prison and potential $250,000 fines at sentencing scheduled for June 18, 2024.

Four California men were indicted in a nationwide tech support scam targeting elderly victims, with one serving as a courier collecting cash from victims under false pretenses of criminal prosecution. The scheme defrauded victims of millions of dollars between 2020-2023, including an $88,000 loss from a Missouri couple who became suspicious and alerted police; Yu-Chieh Huang (the courier) has been arrested, Liang Jin and Tsz Yin Kan have been apprehended, and Kaiyu Wen remains at large.

Four California men have been indicted for operating a nationwide tech support fraud scam targeting elderly victims, with one indictment originating from a case involving a 78-year-old Missouri man and his 76-year-old wife who were defrauded of $88,000. The scheme involved scammers posing as tech support workers who convinced victims their computers were infected or compromised, then used recruited couriers to collect cash payments; approximately $7 million in fraudulent transactions occurred between March 2020 and July 2023. Two defendants have been arrested, one remains in custody, and one is still being sought.

University of Missouri researchers studying online dating scams found that perpetrators have evolved their tactics, moving away from obvious "too-good-to-be-true" profiles toward "strategic imperfection"—including fake flaws like divorce or ordinary jobs—to appear more credible. The study of thousands of victim reports revealed scammers commonly pose as educated professionals (doctors, engineers, military personnel) around age 50 and use emotional crisis scenarios (health emergencies, work problems, financial hardship) to manipulate victims, with work-related crises proving most effective and even skeptical people susceptible when emotionally engaged. Researchers propose that AI-powered tools trained on linguistic patterns and narrative analysis could provide

A sextortion network operating from Lagos, Nigeria targeted 16-year-old Evan Boettler from Missouri, using a fake female account to coerce him into sharing explicit images before blackmailing him; Evan died by suicide 90 minutes after receiving an extortion message. The investigation exposed "Yahoo Boys" operating sophisticated sextortion and romance scams from "Hustle Kingdoms" in Nigeria, deliberately targeting Western youth, though the case went unsolved when a telecom provider failed to retain digital evidence. Sextortion reports have more than doubled globally, with 55,000 cases reported in the U.S. in 2024 and 110 monthly reports in

A BBC investigation tracks a sextortion scam operation targeting teenage boys, following the 2024 death of 16-year-old Evan Boettler from Missouri, who took his own life 90 minutes after being blackmailed by a scammer posing as a girl on Snapchat. The reporter traces the digital footprint to Lagos, Nigeria, where "Yahoo Boys" and organized "Hustle Kingdom" gangs operate sextortion networks—luring victims into sharing intimate images then threatening to release them unless paid. Law enforcement has made limited progress despite the FBI's involvement, and social media platforms have refused to cooperate without court orders.

University of Missouri researchers studying online dating fraud found that scammers have evolved their tactics away from obviously fake "perfect" profiles toward "strategic imperfection"—including minor flaws like divorce or ordinary jobs—to build credibility with victims. The study of thousands of user reports revealed that scammers typically pose as 50-year-old professionals in high-status fields, fabricate emotional crisis scenarios (work or health emergencies), and successfully manipulate even cautious, educated people through emotionally compelling narratives. Researchers propose developing AI-powered tools using machine learning to identify suspicious linguistic patterns and provide real-time risk assessments on dating apps and social media platforms.

Shirley Waller, 43, of St. Louis County, Missouri, was sentenced to 93 months in prison (78 months for fraud crimes consecutive to 15 months for firearm possession) and ordered to repay $313,711 to victims. Waller acted as a "money mule" for overseas scammers, receiving over 193 packages of cash at her home from victims of online fraud schemes, including a 71-year-old woman who lost $35,000 in a romance scam, and she also committed pandemic loan fraud ($19,235) and mortgage fraud ($196,000). The government estimates the overseas fraud ring stole over $1

A former NASA space toxicologist and her husband pleaded guilty to mortgage fraud after fabricating income documents and pay stubs to obtain an $850,000 home loan in Texas in 2017, then defaulting on multiple personal loans used for the down payment and falsely claiming identity theft, resulting in lenders charging off $276,709 in debt. The couple faces up to five years in federal prison, $250,000 in fines, and must pay $276,709 in restitution; additionally, they risk losing the Missouri City home. The case reflects a broader trend, with mortgage fraud detected in approximately 1 in 116 applications in early 2025, with increases

A 31-year-old Missouri man and 12 others were charged for operating a grandparent scam that defrauded over 300 elderly victims across five states of more than $5 million, with victims averaging 84 years old. The scheme involved callers posing as grandchildren or their lawyers claiming emergency situations, using rideshare drivers to collect cash from victims' homes or accompany them to banks. Law enforcement warns that scammers increasingly use AI voice-cloning technology to impersonate family members convincingly, making victims more likely to act urgently without verifying the caller's identity.

Gabrielle Borthwick, a 23-year-old from New York, pleaded guilty to attempting to deposit $2.7 million in fraudulent checks across Missouri and Illinois banks by using counterfeit cashier's checks, stolen personal information, and fake identification documents bearing her photograph but victims' names. She successfully fraudulently obtained $271,667.98 before banks discovered the scheme, and faces sentencing on December 17 with potential penalties up to 30 years in prison plus restitution. The fraud targeted multiple unidentified victims whose identities were stolen for the account openings.

Federal authorities indicted Brookfield resident Ankurkumar Patel, 41, for participating in "phantom hacker scams" that defrauded elderly victims across multiple states of over $1 million. Patel allegedly served as a money launderer in the scheme, physically collecting gold bars and cash from victims who were tricked by scammers posing as government agents and company representatives claiming their identities had been compromised. Specific victims included a Vietnam veteran in Illinois who lost over $1 million in gold bars and a Sheboygan elderly woman who lost $27,500, with additional fraud occurring in Minnesota and Missouri.

During open enrollment season, scammers are targeting people with unsolicited robocalls and text messages offering free incentives like groceries or housing to enroll in health insurance, then requesting personal and financial information to "confirm eligibility." KC Care warns consumers to avoid these scams by only initiating enrollment themselves and working with licensed, trained insurance navigators rather than responding to unsolicited contacts, with free navigator services available through official channels like GetCovered.org (Kansas) and ShowMeCoverage.org (Missouri).

A Missouri woman, Lisa Finley, was arrested for an elaborate estate fraud scheme in which she used multiple aliases and falsified documents to claim that Elvis Presley's daughter had pledged the Elvis Presley estate as collateral for a $3.8 million loan that was never repaid. When the scheme became public, Finley blamed a Nigerian identity thief, and she now faces charges of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.

**Graceland Fraud Scheme** A Missouri woman, Lisa Janine Finley, was arrested by the Department of Justice for allegedly attempting to defraud Elvis Presley's family of millions of dollars and steal their ownership interest in Graceland. Finley falsely claimed that Elvis's daughter Lisa Marie had pledged the Memphis home as collateral for a $3.8 million loan, and she forged loan documents, a deed of trust, and filed false claims in California court in an attempt to foreclose on the property while posing as multiple fictitious lenders.

Multiple women have fallen victim to Facebook dating scams using the stolen identity of Danish doctor Christian Bing, including a 70-year-old woman from rural Missouri and a Ukrainian woman who left her home after being targeted. Scammers create fake profiles impersonating Bing across social media platforms and dating apps, and the real Bing has accused Meta of failing to remove these fraudulent accounts and called for stronger verification methods to prevent identity theft-based romance fraud.