Explore the Archive

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) by partnering with law enforcement agencies, AARP, Meals on Wheels, and the FBI to combat elder fraud through community education. The office hosted three public outreach events in Raleigh, Wake Forest, and Supply to help seniors recognize signs of financial scams and connect them with resources and support services. U.S. Attorney Michael Easley emphasized that seniors are frequently targeted by fraudsters and prioritized prosecuting cases involving elderly victims as part of broader efforts to protect vulnerable populations.

North Carolina's Senior Consumer Fraud Task Force held a press conference highlighting the rising epidemic of elder fraud, with statistics showing that approximately 1 in 10 seniors becomes a victim, resulting in $3.1 billion in losses nationwide in 2022 (an 84% increase from 2021), with individual victims losing an average of $40,000. The task force identified five major scam types targeting seniors: sweetheart scams, sweepstakes scams, impostor scams, tech support scams, and grandparent scams, while warning that scammers increasingly use AI to replicate voices. Victims can report fraud to local authorities, the FBI's Internet Crime

North Carolina authorities report that seniors lost approximately $7 million to scams in 2023, with over 500 elder fraud complaints resulting in an average loss of $50,000 per victim, though many cases go unreported due to shame or embarrassment. Tech support, investment, and romance scams are the most prevalent schemes, and a new helpline (2-1-1) has been launched to assist victims and provide fraud prevention resources. State officials emphasize that scammers employ increasingly sophisticated tactics and urge community members to support victims while maintaining healthy skepticism of unsolicited offers that sound too good or too urgent.

The IRS issued a warning about impersonation scams targeting older adults in North Carolina, where fraudsters pose as government officials or businesses to steal personal information and pressure victims into making payments via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Common tactics include fabricating urgent tax debts or refund claims, spoofing caller IDs, and threatening arrest or deportation to create a sense of urgency. The IRS recommends hanging up on unexpected calls and verifying communications through official channels (800-829-1040) or their online account portal.

A free educational program titled "Don't Get Scammed" will be held July 19 from 10-11 a.m. at the Wilkes Senior Center in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, addressing online scams that target seniors. The program provides awareness and prevention information to help older adults protect themselves from fraud.

In honor of Elder Abuse Day on June 15, the North Carolina Senior Consumer Fraud Task Force held a press conference to raise awareness about elder financial fraud and launched new resources to help seniors report scams, including a fraud prevention video and a new 2-1-1 statewide phone number for reporting suspected financial scams. The task force, which now includes the N.C. Association on Aging, is distributing information through senior centers across the state, noting that Americans lost a record $10 billion to fraud in 2023 according to the Federal Trade Commission.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued a warning about rising IRS impersonation scams targeting seniors in North Carolina, where fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. These scams employ sophisticated tactics including spoofed caller IDs, fabricated claims of outstanding debts or prize winnings, and demands for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The IRS advises that it does not initiate contact via email, text, or social media, and provides reporting resources and verification phone numbers for taxpayers uncertain about communications they receive.

North Carolina's Senior Consumer Fraud Task Force released a new 23-minute fraud prevention video and expanded resources to combat rising scams targeting seniors, following World Elder Abuse Day in June. According to the FTC, Americans lost a record $10 billion to fraud in 2023 with a median loss of $500, with scammers increasingly targeting smaller amounts to avoid law enforcement detection. The state now offers simplified reporting through a dial-211 hotline, the N.C. Attorney General's fraud hotline, and AARP's Fraud Watch helpline to help victims recognize and report fraud without shame.

North Carolina's fraud watchdogs warned of rising scams targeting seniors, with particular focus on financial elder abuse during World Elder Abuse Month in June. The N.C. Senior Consumer Fraud Task Force released a 23-minute fraud prevention video and streamlined reporting resources, including a new 2-1-1 hotline for victims to access appropriate assistance and a Department of Justice no-scam line (1-877-5-NO-SCAM) for reporting fraud. Officials emphasized that scammers impersonate government, law enforcement, and family members to steal money and information, and urged older adults to verify identities before sharing information over phone, email, text, or

The IRS issued a warning about impersonation scams targeting North Carolina seniors, where fraudsters pose as government officials or IRS representatives to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. The warning was part of a broader awareness effort around World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to educate older adults about these scams and encourage collaboration among federal agencies, state tax authorities, and tax professionals to protect vulnerable populations.

A 91-year-old woman in Newton, North Carolina, lost over $3,000 to credit card fraud after her account information was compromised, possibly during a trip to Florida. Her daughter has spent more than a year unsuccessfully disputing the charges with the credit card company, highlighting a growing trend of scammers targeting seniors for their financial assets. Experts recommend that families monitor their elderly relatives' financial accounts closely and have conversations with older adults about protecting their bank accounts and credit cards.

Americans lost more than $1.14 billion to romance scams in 2023, with over 64,000 people reporting losses and North Carolina ranking tenth nationally with 453 victims losing $16.8 million. A reformed scammer from Nigeria revealed that romance fraudsters typically target vulnerable individuals, particularly single parents, by posing as military personnel deployed overseas and requesting money for fictitious emergencies, with advice to victims to insist on video verification of anyone met online.

The FBI warned the public about a sophisticated scam in which fraudsters contact victims by phone or email claiming they failed to report for jury duty and face federal arrest warrants, then demand payment via virtual currency to avoid jail time. The scammers enhance credibility by using actual names of North Carolina law enforcement officers, manipulating caller IDs to appear as government agencies, and sometimes claiming offices are closed due to COVID-19 to discourage in-person payment verification. The FBI emphasized that legitimate arrest warrants are never issued via email or text and never require immediate payment, and recommends victims verify any legal claims directly with law enforcement or courts rather than paying unsolicited demands.

A former romance scammer named Christopher Maxwell, who operated from Nigeria and defrauded tens of thousands of dollars from North Carolina victims over years-long online relationships, revealed his tactics in an interview—including impersonating military personnel to explain why he couldn't video chat and requesting money for supposed deployment emergencies. Maxwell's guilt intensified after scamming an elderly woman out of $30,000, leading him to reform and work for Social Catfish, a company that verifies online identities, and he now warns victims to avoid anyone unwilling to show their face on video. The article also features a local victim, Lara Katherine Miller, who lost $50 to a similar scammer before recogn

Former romance scammer Christopher Maxwell, who operated from Nigeria and defrauded tens of thousands of dollars from victims across North Carolina, revealed his tactics: building trust with women through dating apps over extended periods while posing as a deployed military member, then requesting money under false pretenses. Maxwell's guilt intensified when an older victim lost $30,000 and suffered physical and mental illness as a result, prompting him to reform and work for an online verification company. The article also features victim Lara Katherine Miller, who lost $50 to a similar scam before recognizing the red flags.

A suspected scammer using the alias "Steve Phillips" targeted small businesses in Horry County, South Carolina, by posing as a magazine salesman offering cheap advertisements ($20-$100) in a non-existent publication called "The Golf Reporter." At least eight businesses across North Carolina and South Carolina fell victim to the scam, losing between $20 to $100 each, while others like Inlet Fencing and Signature Custom Signs became suspicious and declined the offer after recognizing red flags in his sales pitch.

The Hamlet Senior Center hosted a fraud prevention symposium led by North Carolina Attorney General's Office investigator Luke Perrin to educate seniors on recognizing and avoiding scams. Perrin addressed common misconceptions—such as the false belief that only elderly people are targeted—and provided practical advice including how to identify suspicious emails and phone calls, the importance of using credit cards over debit cards for online purchases, and warnings about social media scams that use fake surveys to steal security question answers. The event drew a standing-room-only crowd, prompting the Senior Center Director to plan additional fraud prevention programs for the broader community.

An 87-year-old and 82-year-old couple in Miami lost $18,500 in a grandparent scam where a caller impersonated their grandson claiming to be arrested, directing them to send bail money via a Lyft driver who delivered it to the perpetrator. Agustín García Marsán, 38, was arrested and faces multiple charges including elder theft and organized fraud after being linked to similar scams across Florida and North Carolina using fake identities and ride-sharing services to collect money from elderly victims.

Employment scams targeting job seekers have become increasingly prevalent as remote work normalizes, ranking as the second most common scam type in 2023 according to the Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina. A Durham woman lost $3,000 after scammers impersonating Materna Medical employees sent her a fraudulent check for "equipment," instructing her to deposit it and transfer funds via Zelle, which depleted her bank account. Red flags for employment scams include unsolicited contact via text, unrealistic pay-to-work ratios, lack of face-to-face interviews, companies sending checks instead of providing equipment directly, and odd phrasing in communications.

Andrea Brawley, 46, of Conover, North Carolina, was sentenced to four years in prison for stealing over $300,000 from an elderly couple between August 2016 and January 2023 by exploiting her role as their financial manager. Brawley forged retirement distribution forms, drained their accounts, caused the foreclosure of their home, and isolated the victims from family by confiscating their phones and impersonating them. She was ordered to pay $628,174 in restitution and received three years of supervised release following her prison sentence.

Rebecca Adami from North Carolina lost $60,000 in an employment scam where a romantic interest connected her with a fake recruiter offering a charity finance position. The scammer obtained her banking information, made fraudulent charges on her credit cards, deposited bad checks in her name totaling $67,000, and reversed legitimate payments to trap her in debt. Employment scams surged 118% in 2023, with the FTC reporting $367 million in consumer losses in 2022, and the agency recommends verifying employers independently and never providing financial information or prepaying for legitimate job positions.

A North Carolina woman lost $60,000 after a romantic interest connected her to a fraudulent job opportunity posing as a charity finance position, requiring her to open bank accounts and provide all banking credentials to the scammer. The perpetrator used her accounts to make over $60,000 in unauthorized charges on her credit cards and attempted to deposit fraudulent checks, with payment reversals leaving her liable for mounting debt. The FTC reports nearly 105,000 job opportunity scams in 2023 alone with $450 million in total losses, and advises job seekers to never disclose personal information before formal employment, refuse positions requiring payment, and independently verify company legitimacy.

The Federal Communications Commission warns college students about back-to-school scams that disguise themselves as legitimate fundraisers through cold calls, robocalls, deceptive emails, and text messages, with common schemes including fake scholarship offers, technical support fraud, and roommate/rental scams. The FCC advises students never to provide personally identifiable information like Social Security numbers or banking details over the phone and to monitor financial accounts closely, noting that scammers frequently target students with existing loans throughout the entire school year.

A smishing (SMS phishing) scam is targeting random phone numbers nationwide, with fraudsters impersonating tolling agencies and demanding payment for unpaid tolls. The North Carolina Turnpike Authority warns that these messages are not tied to actual toll accounts or road usage, and recommends customers verify notifications through official channels and report suspicious messages to authorities.

Elder fraud targeting Americans over 60 increased 3% between 2022 and 2023, with victims losing an average of over $36,000 per incident. Arizona, Utah, and Rhode Island experienced the largest increases (36%, 23%, and 22% respectively), with research suggesting scammers are increasingly targeting high-income areas with large senior populations. Prevention measures include educating seniors and financial professionals about common scams, improving digital literacy among older adults, and implementing stronger security settings on financial accounts.

Federal investigators in North Carolina seized approximately $5 million in cryptocurrency tied to a "pig butchering" scam, in which criminals pose as romantic partners to build trust with victims before directing them to fake cryptocurrency trading platforms. The scammers promised high investment returns on these fraudulent platforms, then prevented victims from withdrawing funds and demanded additional payments for supposed taxes and penalties. The FBI traced victim funds through multiple cryptocurrency wallets used to launder the proceeds, with one victim losing an entire individual retirement account to the scheme.

Cybercriminals have expanded text message scams impersonating state electronic toll collection systems across multiple U.S. states (Illinois, Florida, North Carolina, and Washington), with the FBI reporting over 2,000 complaints since early March. The scams use fake government websites and urgent messaging to trick drivers into clicking links and entering personal and financial information, with some scammers also collecting data for additional criminal activities. Symantec researchers recommend state governments increase public awareness campaigns and coordinate with federal agencies to combat these threats, which have also affected Australia, Canada, and Japan.

An elderly woman with dementia in Asheboro, North Carolina, lost $25,000 to a scammer who posed as a tech support representative after she contacted a fictitious number online seeking device help. The scammer convinced her to purchase gift cards and send cash over several days of contact, resulting in approximately $4,000 in gift cards and $25,000 in cash. The Asheboro Police Department is urging elderly residents to verify suspicious requests with loved ones or local authorities before sending money and encouraging retailers to intervene when customers make large gift card purchases.

An elderly woman with dementia in Asheboro, North Carolina, lost $25,000 to a tech support scammer who impersonated law enforcement, created a false sense of urgency and fear, and coerced her into purchasing gift cards and withdrawing cash at a gas station. Detective Marcus Pierce emphasizes that requests to load money on gift cards are a major red flag, and urges family members and community members to watch for elderly individuals attempting unusual cash withdrawals or bulk gift card purchases and to contact local law enforcement if concerned.

An elderly woman with dementia in Asheboro, North Carolina lost $25,000 to a tech support scam in which fraudsters impersonated law enforcement, used threats and fear, and manipulated her into withdrawing cash and purchasing gift cards. Detective Marcus Pierce emphasizes that tech scams are the most common fraud affecting elderly people, and urges the public to watch for red flags such as requests to load money on cards or large cash withdrawals, and to report concerns to local law enforcement.

Cryptocurrency investment scams, particularly "pig butchering" schemes where fraudsters pose as attractive, wealthy traders on social media and dating apps, continue to defraud victims of substantial sums. Two North Carolina victims—Jim Wilkerson of Cary and Pamela Magnum of Durham—lost approximately $790,000 and $70,000 respectively after being lured with fake platforms showing false returns that eventually disappeared when they attempted withdrawals. According to the FBI, crypto-investment scam losses increased from $3 billion in 2022 to $4.5 billion in 2023, with over $1.9 billion in losses reported in the first six

A 52-year-old North Carolina musician named Michael Smith was arrested and charged with fraud for allegedly using artificial intelligence to create hundreds of thousands of songs, then streaming them through bot accounts on platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music to fraudulently generate over $10 million in royalty payments between 2017 and 2024. Federal authorities describe the scheme as "brazen fraud" and the first of its kind involving artificially inflated music streaming, with Smith working alongside unnamed co-conspirators including an AI music company CEO and music promoter. The scam diverted millions in royalties that should have been paid to legitimate musicians and rights holders.

In 2023, Virginians lost $265 million to scams, with the FBI's Norfolk office receiving approximately 2,700 elder fraud complaints that year alone. Common schemes include investment scams targeting seniors, jury duty scams impersonating law enforcement, romance scams (the top locally reported type with 17,000 national incidents in 2023), and business email compromise attacks. The FBI advises victims and the public to verify suspicious requests, avoid clicking suspicious links, maintain open communication with vulnerable relatives, and report incidents to IC3.gov or local FBI offices.

More than $500,000 was stolen from North Carolina's Food and Nutrition Services program in late August and early September 2024 through phishing scams and credit card fraud targeting EBT cards, with over $2.7 million reported stolen through similar schemes since October 2022. The theft particularly impacts vulnerable families with children and seniors who depend on these benefits for grocery purchases. Authorities recommend FNS participants check balances frequently, use strong PINs, monitor accounts for suspicious activity, and contact their local county social services to request replacement benefits if compromised.

Joshua David Mayberry, 39, was arrested and charged with nine felonies after stealing more than $100,000 from an elderly relative in western Iredell County, North Carolina. The fraud began in April 2018 when Mayberry fraudulently accessed and used the victim's bank accounts and credit cards for unauthorized purchases, with the theft discovered in April 2024 following a report from a financial institution. Mayberry faces seven counts of identity theft, one count of elder exploitation from a position of trust, and one count of obtaining property by false pretense.

Roger, a 40-year-old Costa Rican man, was convicted of orchestrating a multi-million dollar international telemarketing sweepstakes scam that defrauded victims in the United States, many of them elderly, by posing as government officials and convincing them to pay upfront fees for supposed prize winnings. Operating from a call center in Costa Rica and using VoIP technology to mask his location, Roger and his co-conspirators stole over $4 million from victims before being extradited and prosecuted. He was convicted on multiple counts including conspiracy and wire fraud, facing up to 25 years in prison per count.

Property theft scams have increased 500% in recent years, with scammers impersonating homeowners to sell properties they don't own by filing false deeds with county registers of deeds offices. Notable cases include a North Carolina woman who filed a fraudulent warranty deed on a $4 million Raleigh home and another incident where a woman's three-acre property was listed for sale without authorization; authorities recommend homeowners sign up for fraud alerts with their county register of deeds and emphasize the importance of thorough due diligence by buyers, real estate agents, and title companies.

Following hurricane relief efforts in western North Carolina, scammers are exploiting donors' goodwill through charity fraud schemes including phishing emails, fake websites, and counterfeit crowdfunding campaigns. The article provides guidance on verifying legitimate organizations through resources like the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and Charity Navigator, avoiding unsolicited donation requests, and donating by credit card or check rather than gift cards. Victims of charity scams are encouraged to report fraud to the North Carolina Consumer Protection Division.

Following Hurricane Helene, scammers targeted disaster victims in Asheville, North Carolina with a tree removal scam charging $280 upfront fees while falsely claiming to be "FEMA-authorized" representatives who would cover 90% of removal costs. Victims were also targeted with charity scams involving fake donations and identity theft schemes. North Carolina's Attorney General advised residents to obtain written estimates, avoid upfront payments, verify company credentials and email domains, and research any business before engaging services.

Following Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina, scammers have been targeting disaster victims through multiple schemes including door-to-door fake donation collections, insurance fraud, and contractor scams. Police reported several reports of fraudsters posing as relief workers collecting donations in areas like Patton Avenue in West Asheville, while insurance adjusters may underestimate wind damage to shift liability to federal flood insurance programs, and unqualified contractors overcharge desperate homeowners for substandard repairs. Authorities advise residents to verify the legitimacy of donation solicitors and repair contractors, avoid upfront payments, and check online reviews before hiring services.

Truth Social users, predominantly older adults, have reported losing tens of thousands to half a million dollars to romance scams, fake cryptocurrency investment schemes ("pig butchering"), and recovery scams originating on the platform, according to FTC complaints. One 72-year-old victim lost $21,000 to a romance scammer, while a North Carolina resident lost $150,000 to a fake investment scheme falsely claiming Trump and other Republican figures as co-founders. Many victims are Baby Boomers withdrawing retirement savings, with scammers using fake identities, false promises of investment returns, and fake banking websites to perpetrate the frauds.

Following Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, authorities warned of increased scam activity targeting disaster victims, including FEMA impersonation fraud, fake fundraisers, home repair rackets, and land theft schemes via text messages. The North Carolina Attorney General's office had already received over 200 complaints about price gouging as of the article's publication. Residents are advised to verify contractor licenses, research charities through the Better Business Bureau, confirm FEMA representatives' credentials, and report suspected fraud to local police or the Attorney General's office at 877-566-7226.

U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins warned the public about charity scams following Hurricane Helene's September 2024 landfall, noting that fraudsters exploit disasters by creating fake charities and phishing communications to solicit donations. The advisory recommends donating directly to verified organizations, avoiding unsolicited communications and suspicious links, paying by credit card or check rather than cash, and reporting fraud to the National Center for Disaster Fraud at (866) 720-5721 or online.

Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Florida and surrounding states experienced a surge in price gouging and scams targeting disaster victims. Price gouging—excessive increases on essential goods like fuel, groceries, and lodging—resulted in over 100 complaints to North Carolina's Attorney General alone, while scammers posed as FEMA representatives, insurance adjusters, and contractors to exploit vulnerable residents. Consumers are advised to document suspicious pricing, report gouging to state attorneys general, and remain vigilant against fraudsters during disaster recovery.

This educational article provides guidance on safely donating to Hurricane Helene and Milton relief efforts while avoiding fraud schemes. It recommends using established organizations like the American Red Cross (which offers texting and website donation options), United Way, Salvation Army, and Catholic Charities, and warns against phishing scams using misspelled charity email addresses that redirect to fraudulent payment platforms like PayPal, Zelle, or Venmo. The article advises verifying GoFundMe requests and emphasizes that legitimate major organizations will not solicit donations via unsolicited emails or texts.

This educational piece from the North Carolina Department of Justice warns voters ahead of the November 5, 2024 election about common scams designed to prevent voting or steal personal information, including fraudulent calls claiming polls are closed, fake text/email voting schemes, false absentee ballot offers, and campaign investment pool scams. The article advises eligible voters to verify polling information directly through official sources, never provide personal financial data to unsolicited callers, and report suspected election fraud to the North Carolina State Board of Elections or Consumer Protection Division.

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein warned voters to avoid multiple scams around Election Day, including fake poll closure notices, false claims that voting can occur via text or email, and absentee ballot scams requesting fees. Additional threats include polling scams requesting sensitive information and "campaign investment pool" schemes falsely promising returns on donations if a candidate wins. Residents should report suspected election scams to the NC Consumer Protection Division at www.ncdoj.gov/complaint or 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.

This article does not contain information about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. It reports on legitimate senior housing development and financing transactions, including a $73.3M expansion at Penick Village in North Carolina, $13M in skilled nursing facility financing in Texas, and a $65M affordable senior housing project opening in Brooklyn. As this is industry news about housing construction and financing rather than fraud or abuse, it is outside the scope of the Elderus database.

The FBI is investigating a crypto romance scam that defrauded at least 71 victims of nearly $5 million, with federal prosecutors in North Carolina seeking to seize $4.99 million in recovered Tether cryptocurrency. Scammers posed as romantic interests on social media platforms using fake identities to lure victims into fake investments on a fraudulent exchange called Bitkanant, then froze accounts and demanded additional fees; two victims alone lost $2.75 million. The operation targeted seniors, particularly those over 60, reflecting a broader trend of crypto scams that exceeded $5.6 billion in losses during 2023.

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.