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Scammers posing as Federal Trade Commission agents targeted an elderly Massachusetts woman, convincing her not to call police and persuading her to withdraw thousands of dollars by falsely claiming her finances were compromised and promising government reimbursement. Police arrested Suqi Chen of New York in connection with the scam after detectives coordinated with the victim to intercept a second cash pickup on June 22. To protect yourself: be suspicious of unsolicited calls claiming financial fraud, never withdraw cash based on phone instructions, verify caller identity independently using official numbers, and always report such incidents to local police rather than following caller instructions not to do so.

New York State's Department of State has warned immigrants about scams targeting vulnerable populations, particularly those with limited English proficiency, where fraudsters pose as immigration officials to steal personal information and money by exploiting the complexity of the immigration system. The article also highlights that the American Liver Foundation is working to address severe health disparities in liver disease among Hispanic and Latino communities through culturally tailored education and support programs. Immigrants should be cautious of anyone claiming to be an immigration official and verify credentials through official channels before sharing personal information or money.

A law enforcement officer's elderly father lost $400,000 to a sophisticated email scam in which criminals posed as customer service, gained remote access to his computer, and manipulated his screen to convince him to wire money to a coin dealer for fake "refunds"—a scam that repeated the next day. Banks and coin shops failed to question the suspicious transactions despite red flags like an elderly customer making unusually large withdrawals for the first time in decades. To protect yourself, scrutinize unexpected invoices, never grant remote access to strangers, verify requests through official company channels rather than numbers in emails, and watch for pressure tactics—banks and businesses should also ask probing questions about large or unusual transactions.

Credit unions and legislators are partnering to educate seniors about common scams, including romance schemes and AI-powered voice-cloning fraud. Representatives in Nevada, New York, and South Dakota are meeting with credit union leaders to discuss financial services priorities and consumer protection issues. Seniors should be cautious of romantic advances from unknown individuals online and be skeptical of unexpected calls claiming to be from trusted contacts, as scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence to impersonate voices.

Following a Supreme Court decision allowing the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian and Syrian immigrants, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert warning these vulnerable populations about immigration services scams that could exploit their fear and confusion during this uncertain time. Scammers often prey on immigrants facing legal uncertainty by offering fraudulent services or misleading advice, putting families at financial and legal risk. The Attorney General advises TPS holders to seek reliable counsel only from trusted sources, remain cautious about immigration services offers, and understand that legal guidance may differ depending on country of origin.

A federal judge in New York ordered $5.5 million in remedies against scammers who ran a fake cryptocurrency investment scheme from September 2023 to June 2024, targeting at least 18 investors through WhatsApp groups where they posed as finance professionals and showed fake trading dashboards. The victims lost nearly $1 million, with over $2 million diverted to bank accounts in Hong Kong, and the defendants failed to appear in court, resulting in a default judgment. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited investment pitches on messaging apps, verify that trading platforms are legitimate and regulated, and avoid sending cryptocurrency or funds overseas to unknown parties, as recovering money sent through crypto is extremely difficult.

A New York Times journalist embedded himself with romance scammers in Lagos, Nigeria to document their operations in a new book called "The Yahoo Boys." The scammers exploit lonely people online through fake romantic relationships to steal money, causing real emotional and financial harm to victims. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic interests who quickly ask for money, verify identities through video calls, and research people before sending funds.

A Filipino domestic worker lost approximately $1,625—a year's savings—to an AI-powered romance scam that used deepfake technology to impersonate Dubai's crown prince, complete with convincing video calls where the scammer's lips synced to his words. The scammer, operating from Nigeria, posed as Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed on dating sites and convinced Maria to send money for fake marriage certificates and "royal membership cards" before she discovered the fraud by tracing the account. To protect yourself: be skeptical of online romantic interests who quickly move conversations to private messaging, never send money to people you haven't met in person, verify claims by independently researching the person's official accounts, and watch for red flags like requests for payments related to visas, jobs, or meetings.

Criminals in New York City have been targeting SNAP recipients by installing hidden skimming devices on ATM and payment terminals at stores and gas stations to steal EBT card information and drain accounts. The Secret Service launched a crackdown operation with 14 teams searching businesses for these devices, having recovered skimmers that prevented an estimated $139 million in fraud losses over the past year. To protect yourself, inspect payment terminals before using them, monitor your EBT account regularly, and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately.

New York City renters, especially during the busy summer season, are vulnerable to rental scams where fraudsters take deposits and disappear or misrepresent properties. A Gothamist investigation uncovered patterns of fraud by individuals like a Queens-based "real estate advisor" with a revoked license who has been sued by dozens of renters unable to recover their deposits. To protect yourself, experts advise avoiding listings that seem too good to be true (unusually low rent, incomplete addresses, agents without credentials), and being wary of listings that don't require good credit or income verification.

# Summary Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling sent letters to governors of 53 states and territories demanding immediate action to combat unemployment insurance (UI) fraud, warning that states failing to comply could lose federal funding—marking the first time the department has threatened to withhold administrative funds. Sonderling highlighted significant improper payments, including New York paying over $2 million daily in incorrect UI benefits and California owing more than $20 billion to its trust fund, with five major states collectively making over $2.5 billion in improper payments in the prior year. The crackdown is part of President Trump's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud led by Vice President JD Vance.

During the Knicks and World Cup season, scammers have created thousands of counterfeit merchandise websites and phishing schemes targeting fans eager to buy gear. Consumers can fall victim by clicking suspicious links on social media or texts, visiting fake websites with misspelled URLs, or responding to follow-up texts about failed payments—all designed to steal credit card and banking information. To protect yourself, shop only on official retailer websites, carefully check URLs for typos, read reviews before purchasing, and avoid clicking links from unsolicited messages.

A 53-year-old Georgia man pleaded guilty to operating a romance scam that defrauded at least four victims of approximately $356,500, with a 77-year-old New York woman losing over $177,000 after being contacted through Facebook by someone posing as a widowed American living in Norway. The scammer, Stephen Odiboh, built an 18-month fake relationship with the victim before convincing her to send thousands in gift cards and checks, though her bank ultimately stopped two final payments of $158,000. People should be cautious of online romantic contacts requesting money, verify identities through official channels before sending funds, and alert their banks immediately if they suspect fraud.

A Georgia man pleaded guilty to running a romance scam scheme that defrauded at least four victims of approximately $356,500 between 2023 and 2025, including a 77-year-old New York woman who lost over $177,000 after being deceived by someone posing as a widowed American living in Norway. The scammer used fake identities on social media and dating websites to build trust with victims before requesting money through gift cards, checks, wire transfers, and cash apps, often with follow-up requests for additional funds. To protect yourself, be skeptical of online romantic interests you've never met in person, especially those who claim to be overseas or in financial emergencies, and verify requests with your bank before sending money.

A Georgia man pleaded guilty to leading romance and business scams that defrauded four victims of approximately $356,500 between 2023 and 2025, including a 77-year-old Western New York woman who lost over $177,000 after being befriended online by someone claiming to be a widowed man living in Norway. The scammer built trust over a year before requesting gift cards and checks, eventually claiming he needed $158,000 to pay customs fines, though the victim's bank stopped payment on the final checks. To protect yourself, be skeptical of romantic interests who quickly ask for money or gift cards, verify identities through video calls, and report suspicious requests to your bank immediately.

Oneida County, New York is holding free scam prevention workshops in June to help seniors protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated financial schemes that target older adults. The sessions will feature expert speakers discussing common scams, credit protection, and how to recognize and report suspicious activity, with resources like the free SilverShield service available to verify questionable calls and messages. Since implementing SilverShield in May, the county has already identified 23 scams and prevented approximately $20,700 in losses—seniors interested in the free service can call 315-798-5456.

The FTC is warning about a phishing scam where criminals send fake party invitation emails and texts impersonating legitimate platforms like Evite or Paperless Post to trick people into entering their login credentials. Victims like a New York yoga instructor and a California preschool director have had their email accounts hijacked and used to spread the scam to their contacts, with one victim losing $5,500 to fraudsters who accessed her bank account. To protect yourself, be cautious about unexpected invitation links, verify invitations directly with the sender through another communication method, enable multi-factor authentication, and immediately change your passwords if you suspect you've been compromised.

An older resident in Moreau, New York was targeted by a scammer who attempted to trick them into sending $20,000 to California hidden in books, though the scam was stopped before money was lost. The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office is hosting two educational events in June to help seniors recognize and avoid similar fraud schemes. Older adults in the area can attend presentations on June 24 at the Halfmoon Senior Center or June 30 at the Clifton Park Elks Lodge to learn how to protect themselves from scams.

Democratic state attorneys general declined to attend a White House roundtable discussion on welfare fraud, citing that they received the invitation only late Friday for a Tuesday event—what California's Attorney General Rob Bonta called a "disingenuous last-minute invitation" that signaled they were either an afterthought or unwelcome. The Democratic AGs, representing states like California, New York, and New Jersey, argued that fraud is a bipartisan issue affecting all states, and they emphasized their own track record of recovering billions in taxpayer dollars rather than participating in what they characterized as politically motivated "staged stunts." The disagreement reflects broader partisan tensions over how to address fraud, with Democrats calling for genuine collaboration while questioning the administration's focus on blue states specifically.

New York seniors lost over $408 million to scams last year, with fraud affecting the state at a rate of nearly $47,000 per hour, prompting AARP New York to launch initiatives like their "Big Shred NY!" campaign to help residents safely destroy sensitive documents. Identity theft remains a significant threat as scammers continue using old-fashioned methods like searching through trash for personal information, while imposter scams and poor security habits such as reusing passwords are among the most common fraud tactics. AARP recommends residents avoid answering unsolicited calls, use multifactor authentication, and take advantage of free fraud prevention workshops and resources available year-round to protect themselves.

A Pennsylvania woman lost $24,000 after receiving a text message claiming to be from Apple warning of fraudulent account activity, then following instructions to call a number where scammers posed as bank officials and convinced her to wire money "for protection." This "bank impersonator" scam is spreading rapidly across the country, exploiting people's trust in financial institutions and fear of losing money by creating false urgency. To protect yourself, authorities advise never wiring money based on unsolicited contact—instead, hang up and call your bank directly using a number from your statement or official website.

Scammers posing as lawyers, law enforcement officials, and immigration organizations are targeting immigrants across the U.S., including in Chicago, by falsely claiming victims need to pay "bonds" to avoid jail or claiming money will support immigration cases. A Chicago woman was charged with defrauding multiple victims of $3.5 million using this scheme, and similar cases have been prosecuted in New York and other states. The FBI warns people to be cautious of unsolicited contacts demanding payment and to verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a government official or lawyer through official channels before sending money.

Two Southern California residents pleaded guilty to defrauding an elderly Ventura man out of $25,000 through an elaborate scam that began with a fake Apple Store purchase alert and escalated into false claims that his bank account was linked to child exploitation material in Canada. The victim was manipulated into withdrawing cash and handing it over to someone posing as an undercover police officer, using a secret code phrase to complete the fraudulent transaction. To protect yourself: be skeptical of unsolicited text alerts or calls claiming urgent account issues, never withdraw large sums of cash based on phone instructions, and verify suspicious claims by contacting your financial institution directly using a number from your statement rather than one provided by the caller.

A 25-year-old Indian man pleaded guilty to money laundering in a scheme that defrauded six elderly Americans of nearly $5 million, including a 77-year-old Salem resident who lost $61,000 after responding to a fake Microsoft Security pop-up ad and an 82-year-old New York man who was tricked into sending over $3 million to someone impersonating a U.S. Attorney. The scam operated from December 2022 to December 2023 and involved multiple tactics to convince victims to hand over large sums of money. To protect yourself: be suspicious of unsolicited pop-up ads and phone numbers they display, never trust callers claiming to be government officials without verifying through official channels independently, and always verify requests for large money transfers directly with trusted sources before sending anything.

Scammers are targeting drivers nationwide with fake text messages claiming unpaid traffic violations and asking them to scan QR codes to pay small fees (around $6.99), but these messages are actually phishing attempts designed to steal payment information. The scam has affected residents across multiple states including New York, California, Texas, and others, and uses fake court notices with official-looking language and embedded QR codes to bypass security detection. To protect yourself, ignore these texts entirely—legitimate courts communicate through official mail, not unsolicited text messages—and never scan QR codes from unexpected sources.

Seniors in America lose approximately $800 million annually to scams, with experts identifying two main types: imposter scams (where criminals claim to be someone else and demand urgent payment) and investment scams (fake opportunities promising unrealistic returns). Technology and AI make these scams increasingly difficult to detect, and many victims don't report being scammed due to shame or denial, making the problem even larger than statistics suggest. To protect yourself, be skeptical of urgent money requests, verify caller identities through official channels, and remember that legitimate investments never guarantee unrealistic returns with minimal risk.

Police in New York arrested two men after discovering three cash-filled packages at an abandoned house that were connected to fraud scams targeting seniors across multiple states, including a $6,700 bank con from Utah, a $12,500 computer virus scam from Illinois, and a $24,500 FBI impersonation scam from Colorado. The suspects were caught retrieving the packages containing a total of $43,700 in stolen funds. Seniors should be cautious of common scams like grandparent schemes, romance fraud, and government impersonation, and verify requests for money by contacting financial institutions or government agencies directly using official phone numbers.

A new report from the Consumer Federation of America estimates that Americans lost approximately $119 billion to online scams in 2024—potentially double or triple the officially reported numbers—with investment fraud, crypto schemes, and tech support scams being among the costliest categories. The report reveals that most scams go unreported to authorities, masking the true scale of the problem, which disproportionately affected residents in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois. To protect yourself, experts recommend pausing when something seems suspicious and independently verifying requests by calling organizations directly using numbers you find yourself, rather than responding to unsolicited contacts, while also reporting scams to help authorities track the problem.

A 73-year-old woman from New York lost her entire $300,000 retirement savings in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam that began with an unsolicited WhatsApp message. The scammers used AI tools to target vulnerable individuals, built trust through a fake persona, showed fake investment gains to encourage larger deposits, then disappeared with the money. Authorities warn that these are sophisticated scams that can affect anyone, and they urge victims to report crimes to law enforcement rather than suffer in silence due to shame.

A 73-year-old New York woman lost her entire $300,000 retirement savings to a sophisticated cryptocurrency scam that began with an unsolicited WhatsApp message promising investment returns. Scammers using AI tools identified her as a vulnerable target while she was recovering from an injury, built trust through a fake persona, and used the "pig butchering" technique—showing false initial gains to encourage larger deposits across multiple crypto wallets. Authorities investigating the case traced the stolen funds to a network that defrauded multiple victims of approximately $5 million, and officials urge potential victims to report scams to law enforcement rather than remain silent out of shame.

A 73-year-old New York woman lost her entire $300,000 retirement savings after being targeted through WhatsApp with a fake cryptocurrency investment opportunity that used the "Pig Butchering" scam tactic—building trust, showing fake profits, and gradually convincing her to transfer money to multiple wallets. Seniors and vulnerable individuals are particularly at risk as scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence and personalized messaging to appear legitimate. To protect yourself, avoid unsolicited investment offers on messaging apps, never transfer money based on promises of quick returns, and verify any investment opportunity directly with established financial institutions before sending funds.

A 73-year-old New York woman lost her entire $300,000 retirement savings to a cryptocurrency fraud scheme after responding to an unsolicited WhatsApp message promising investment returns. Scammers used AI tools to target vulnerable individuals, building fake relationships and showing fake profits before disappearing with the money—a scheme called "pig butchering" that defrauded multiple victims of approximately $5 million total. Authorities urge potential victims to report fraud to law enforcement without shame, as these are sophisticated scams targeting people of all backgrounds, and to be extremely cautious about unsolicited investment opportunities, especially those promising quick returns.

Nearly a third of all scam victims in 2025 reported being defrauded through social media, with losses reaching $2.1 billion, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Shopping scams were the most common type, involving fake ads leading to counterfeit or non-existent products, while investment scams caused the most financial damage despite being less frequent. To protect yourself, avoid clicking on unfamiliar shopping ads, be skeptical of investment opportunities on social media, and verify seller legitimacy before making purchases.

Immigrants facing deportation fears are becoming easy targets for scams, with fraudsters posing as immigration lawyers on social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to exploit desperate families. One Venezuelan woman in New York lost money to such a scheme after seeking help for a detained family member, falling victim to convincing fake USCIS documents and professional video calls from someone claiming to be an attorney. Immigration experts warn these social media fraud schemes have surged recently, so immigrants should verify lawyers through official bar associations, work only with in-person meetings and official contact information, and be wary of promises for quick case resolutions.

A 43-year-old New Jersey deacon has been arrested in Kentucky for operating a romance scam that defrauded an elderly New York woman of over $500,000 across three years, and then threatening to have her son killed when she tried to stop paying him. Police discovered the scheme when her son reported it and seized evidence including cell phones, computers, and Western Union receipts from the suspect's home. Law enforcement advises people to be suspicious of requests for money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or personal information from strangers, and to report anything suspicious to authorities rather than risk losing their savings.

A 43-year-old New Jersey man was arrested in Mt. Sterling after an elderly New York woman lost over $500,000 in a romance scam that turned into extortion when the perpetrator demanded money to prevent alleged harm to her son. The suspect was caught after investigators traced the scam to an address in Kentucky, where authorities seized phones, computers, and evidence of multiple money transfers. Police warn the public to never send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or personal information to unknown individuals, and to report anything suspicious immediately.

Americans lost over $11 billion to cryptocurrency fraud between 2024 and 2025, with complaints rising 21%, according to FBI data showing California residents were hit hardest, followed by Texas, Florida, and New York. Seniors aged 60 and older were particularly vulnerable, accounting for more than $4.4 billion in losses. To protect themselves, consumers should be cautious with cryptocurrency investments and digital asset transfers, and residents can look to new state regulations—23 states have now enacted crypto ATM laws to help prevent these scams.

A personal assistant named Catalina Corona stole $10 million from an elderly couple in New York over seven years by using fraudulent checks, unauthorized transfers, and impersonation—fraud that continued even after one employer's death and only came to light when a bank flagged a suspicious check in 2024. Elder financial abuse is a widespread problem, with the FBI reporting nearly $5 billion in losses and over 147,000 complaints in 2024 alone, though the actual numbers are likely much higher since many victims don't report abuse due to shame, unawareness, or dependence on their abuser. To protect yourself or elderly loved ones, monitor bank accounts regularly, set up alerts for unusual transactions, verify major financial changes directly with trusted sources, and consider establishing oversight checks with trustworthy family members or professionals.

A New York man has been convicted of money laundering after helping scammers steal nearly $1 million from elderly victims nationwide, including in Arizona, by funneling the stolen funds through cryptocurrency and offshore accounts. The scam operated by sending phishing emails, text messages, and fake pop-ups impersonating trusted companies like Apple, Microsoft, and PayPal, then tricking victims into believing their accounts were compromised or had received erroneous refunds so they would send their own money to the criminals. Elderly people should be cautious of unsolicited messages claiming account issues, never call numbers provided in suspicious communications, and verify directly with their bank or trusted companies through official channels before taking any action.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in Louisville seized over 1,500 pieces of counterfeit jewelry worth $9.2 million in retail value that arrived from Hong Kong destined for New York in April 2024. The fake items bore luxury brand names including Cartier, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel, and were verified as counterfeit through collaboration with trademark holders. To protect yourself, authorities urge consumers to only purchase authentic products from reputable retailers to avoid counterfeit goods that can pose health and safety risks while supporting illegal trade.

A New York personal assistant named Catalina Corona pleaded guilty to stealing $10 million from her elderly employers, Richard and Priscilla Schmeelk, using fraudulent checks and impersonation from 2017 to 2024—continuing the theft even after Richard's death in 2022. Corona spent the stolen money on luxury items from brands like Gucci and Cartier while paying off personal debts, and now faces up to 30 years in prison. This case highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals to financial abuse by trusted household staff, and families should implement financial safeguards such as monitoring account statements regularly, requiring dual authorization for large transactions, and considering independent oversight of household employees' access to finances.

Scammers are targeting New York residents with text messages impersonating state courts, demanding payment for fake tolls or traffic fines using fake official seals, documents, and QR codes to appear legitimate. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office warns that real New York courts never contact people via text, email, or social media to collect fines, and scammers use urgent language like "Final Notice" to pressure quick payment. If you receive such a message, do not click links or scan QR codes; instead, contact your local court clerk directly, call the New York court system at 1-800-268-7869, or report the scam to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

New Yorkers lost about $6.5 billion to fraud schemes in 2025, according to a new report from the Consumer Federation of America. The report, titled "The Scam Economy: The True Cost of Online Scams an...

By the People, for the People News FBI and NYC officials warn of growing threat targeting older Americans Mar. 2, 2026 at 6:31pm Got story updates? Submit your updates here. › The FBI reports tha...

A search for love shouldn’t cost you your life savings — but for a growing number of Americans, it does. That’s what happened to Jackie Crenshaw, from Connecticut. She told ABC 7 News that while she ...

The New York Times reports on how banks and investment firms are emerging as the first line of defense against elder fraud. The article profiles cases where bank employees trained through AARP's BankSafe program intervened to stop seniors from withdrawing life savings under scammer instruction. With Americans 60 and older losing more than $28 billion annually to financial exploitation, financial institutions are implementing new protocols to detect and prevent fraud targeting older customers.

On February 17, New York State Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert and digital guide warning residents about “pig butchering” scams targeting individuals through social media, datin...

Scammers are impersonating Spectrum customer service representatives and calling, texting, or emailing customers with offers of 50% bill discounts, then directing them to call back on spoofed numbers to steal their personal information or money. The scam has affected Rochester, New York residents, though one alert customer recognized the red flags and avoided falling victim. To protect yourself, hang up on unsolicited calls promising discounts, verify any offers directly by calling Spectrum's official number, register with the Do Not Call Registry, and report suspicious contacts to the FTC or Better Business Bureau.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has warned of "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters build fake relationships with victims on social media and dating apps before convincing them to invest money in fraudulent schemes like cryptocurrency, sometimes resulting in losses exceeding $1 million. These sophisticated scams typically begin with friendly contact, move to encrypted chat platforms to hide the scammer's identity, and end with the perpetrator disappearing with the victim's savings. To protect yourself, remain cautious of unsolicited messages from strangers urging investments, verify investment opportunities independently, and report suspected scams to the Attorney General's office.

AI-powered romance scams are affecting an estimated 1.4 million New Yorkers, with scammers using sophisticated tools like fake photos and AI-generated messages to deceive victims. The financial impact is substantial—romance scams cost Americans $1.14 billion in 2023 and over $672 million in 2024 alone—and the widespread fraud is eroding online trust, making people hesitant to engage in digital transactions and interactions beyond dating. To protect yourself, be cautious of urgent pressure tactics, verify identities carefully before sharing personal information or money, and look for transparent, credible signals when interacting with brands and individuals online.