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Wigbert Bandie, a 34-year-old from Ghana, was sentenced to over five years in prison for operating a romance scam that defrauded 11 elderly victims of $2.18 million total. The scheme involved establishing fake online relationships and friendships before requesting emergency money or fake investment opportunities, with one East Tennessee victim losing over $280,000; Bandie must repay the stolen funds and serve three years of probation following his sentence.

WSMV4 Investigates documented a multi-city funeral scam in which solicitors hold signs featuring photos of children who allegedly died, requesting money for funeral expenses. The investigation found the same gray 2007 KIA van with an Arizona temporary tag being used in both Nashville, Tennessee and Grand Rapids, Michigan, with solicitors becoming hostile and aggressive when confronted, and police indicated those involved could be charged with theft by fraudulent means.

An educational meeting was held in Memphis where the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs taught seniors about common scams targeting older adults. Key advice included being skeptical of unsolicited calls, never sharing personal or financial information with unknown callers, and hanging up on suspicious contacts. The top scams affecting seniors include government imposter calls (especially during Medicare enrollment), fake tech support, sweepstakes scams, and grandchild-in-distress schemes, with scammers exploiting emotional manipulation and targeting older adults for their typically greater assets.

Four Nigerian nationals—Patrick Edah, Efe Egbowawa, Igocha Mac-Okor, and Kay Ozegbe—were sentenced to federal prison (30 to 60 months) for operating a romance and investment scam that defrauded victims across the U.S., including Western Tennessee, from 2017 to 2021. The defendants used fake identities and dating site profiles to establish romantic relationships and solicit emergency financial assistance, with victims losing thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, including one Tennessee resident who lost over $400,000. They were convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering after laundering scam proceeds through

Four Nigerian men were sentenced to federal prison for operating a romance scam targeting victims in West Tennessee. The scam involved perpetrators posing as romantic interests to deceive and defraud victims, though specific victim counts and financial losses are not detailed in the provided excerpt.

Four Nigerian citizens residing in the U.S. and Canada were sentenced to federal prison (ranging from 2.5 to 5 years) for operating romance and investment scams between 2017 and 2021, using fake identities on dating sites and social media to deceive victims into sending money via wire transfers and mail. The conspiracy involved dozens of victims who lost between thousands to over $400,000 each, with the defendants functioning as "money mules" to launder proceeds through shell companies and multiple bank accounts. The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case, which was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee

During Medicare open enrollment season (October 15 – December 7, 2025), scammers pose as Medicare representatives to target seniors in Rutherford County, Tennessee, using fake calls, phishing attempts, and impersonation schemes to steal personal information and financial details. Common tactics include requesting Medicare numbers or credit cards under the guise of "updating" information, falsely claiming Part D coverage is mandatory, and using scare tactics about benefit cancellation. Seniors should never provide personal information to unsolicited callers and instead verify directly with Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or use legitimate resources like Medicare.gov or Tennessee's SHIP program for enrollment assistance.

Four Nigerian citizens were convicted of operating romance scams across the United States between 2017 and November 2021, defrauding victims out of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars each by creating fake identities on dating websites and social media to build false romantic relationships and solicit emergency financial assistance. The defendants acted as "money mules," laundering stolen funds through multiple bank accounts and shell corporations to obscure the money trail; one victim in Tennessee alone lost over $400,000. The four received federal prison sentences ranging from 30 to 60 months, with sentencing occurring between April and October 2024.

Four Nigerian citizens were sentenced to federal prison for operating romance and investment scams between 2017 and 2021, using fake identities on social media and dating platforms to build relationships with victims before requesting money transfers. The scheme affected multiple victims across the U.S., with one West Tennessee victim losing over $400,000, and the defendants acted as money mules moving proceeds through bank accounts and shell companies. Sentences ranged from two-and-a-half to five years in federal prison.

Four suspects from Alabama and Tennessee were arrested in Maryland after scamming a 74-year-old woman out of over $30,000 in a "pigeon drop" scam, where they approached her in a parking lot claiming to have found money that needed to be deposited into an account to avoid tracing before being returned to her. The suspects, ranging in age from 36 to 77, may be connected to similar frauds across multiple states, and police emphasize that elderly citizens should be wary of unsolicited interactions involving monetary gain or urgent requests for money or account information.

Four suspects were arrested in Prince George's County, Maryland on October 25 after scamming a 74-year-old woman out of over $30,000 in a "pigeon drop" scheme, where they posed as people who found money and convinced the victim to deposit funds into an account to avoid tracing. The suspects, with addresses in Alabama and Tennessee, allegedly approached elderly victims alone in parking lots claiming they had found cash and needed help laundering it through the victim's bank account before splitting the proceeds. Police warn that this scam targets seniors with promises of quick financial gain or threats of legal trouble, and urge families to discuss such schemes with elderly relatives.

Four suspects from Alabama and Tennessee were arrested in Maryland after defrauding an elderly woman of nearly $40,000 through a "pigeon drop" scam, in which they falsely claimed to have found cash and convinced her to withdraw her own money as "collateral" for a charitable donation. Police apprehended James Davis, Connie Williams, Kenneth Gooden, and Mary Daniel on October 24 just as they attempted to target a second victim at a shopping center in Clinton. The Financial Crimes Unit tracked the suspects following the initial incident on October 21 and encourages anyone with information to contact them.

Tennessee seniors are at high risk for online fraud due to limited digital literacy, with over 1,500 complaints filed to the FBI by Tennesseans 60 and older in 2023. Digital literacy classes, including programs like "Tech Goes Home," aim to educate seniors on internet security, password protection, phishing scams, and tech support fraud—the most common schemes targeting this population. The initiative addresses a critical gap, as seniors with fixed incomes face devastating financial and emotional consequences when defrauded.

Tennessee seniors made over 1,500 digital fraud complaints to the FBI in 2023, with tech support scams being the most costly type of fraud affecting older adults. The Enterprise Center and "Tech Goes Home" are offering digital literacy classes to teach seniors about internet safety, password security, phishing scams, and how to avoid fraudulent emails and pop-ups that exploit their unfamiliarity with technology. These educational programs aim to reduce fraud victimization among seniors aged 60 and older, who are particularly vulnerable due to fixed incomes and limited digital knowledge.

The U.S. Department of State's new online passport renewal system, launched September 18, has created opportunities for scam websites targeting consumers seeking renewals. A Jackson, Tennessee resident lost $109 to a fraudulent passport renewal site, highlighting the importance of verifying the legitimate government website (travel.State.Gov/renewonline, which ends in ".gov") before providing personal information or payment. The BBB advises consumers uncertain about the process to renew through their local U.S. post office instead.

This article is not relevant to elder fraud research. It describes a humorous social media post by a Tennessee truck stop that went viral, featuring staged photos claiming a cashier tackled a shoplifter—later revealed to be a joke about a vendor employee who wasn't wearing proper identification. This is a lighthearted marketing post, not a documented scam, fraud scheme, or elder abuse incident.

Tennessee's Department of Disability and Aging is working to combat scams targeting seniors, a growing concern as the state's population over 60 is rapidly increasing and projected to reach 28% by 2030. Commissioner Brad Turner emphasizes that caregivers should monitor loved ones' communications and social media accounts for suspicious activity, particularly on Facebook where page cloning and identity theft scams are accelerating. The state offers resources through TN.Gov/disabilityandaging to help victims report scams and recover damages.

Kate Kleinert, a widow, lost tens of thousands of dollars to a romance scam when a fake doctor contacted her on Facebook during the pandemic, posing as a romantic interest. The financial devastation prevented her from repairing her air conditioning, and a resulting house fire destroyed her home and killed her six hospice dogs. Her story was featured on AARP Connected, a new Tennessee television program that addresses fraud prevention and other issues affecting older adults.

A Tennessee man's wife fell victim to a sophisticated scam where thieves posed as bank representatives following a legitimate fraud alert text, tricking her into revealing the answer to her account's security question. Using this information, the scammers disabled notifications, transferred funds between accounts, and set up an ACH withdrawal—though the victim's daily account monitoring allowed her to catch the fraud quickly and recover most funds through her bank and IC3 reporting. The incident illustrates how scammers exploit trust and use security question answers to bypass account protections, and highlights the importance of verifying caller identity and being cautious about sharing personal information even when requests seem legitimate.

The Johnson County Board of Education in Tennessee lost $3.36 million in April when a finance director was deceived by a fraudster impersonating a Pearson curriculum vendor using a spoofed email address (pearson.quest instead of .com). The stolen funds were laundered through multiple accounts operated by "money mules"—individuals who were themselves deceived into opening accounts, including a 76-year-old Texan who believed he was helping his online fiancée with an inheritance. As of September, approximately $742,000 of the stolen funds had been recovered, with this business email compromise (BEC) scam exemplifying a common threat to school districts nationwide.

The Tennessee Attorney General's Office warns that QR code scams are rising, including phishing scams that steal personal information, payment scams using fake codes in public places, package scams directing users to malicious websites, cryptocurrency scams, and donation scams impersonating charities. The office recommends verifying QR code sources, inspecting codes for tampering, using secure scanner apps, previewing URLs before clicking, avoiding unsolicited codes from mail/email/text, and keeping device security software updated.

The Tennessee Attorney General warned consumers about two imposter scams: a jury duty scam where fraudsters pose as court officials threatening fines or arrest for missed jury duty, and a customs/border patrol scam claiming illegal items were shipped in the victim's name. The Federal Trade Commission advised consumers never to wire money or provide personal/financial information to callers claiming to be government officials, and to distrust caller ID and unsolicited links or messages.

This educational article outlines common rental scams including fake listings, unauthorized fees, and deposits for non-existent rentals, and recommends verification strategies such as viewing properties in person, verifying landlord identity and credentials, and checking county property records. The Better Business Bureau reports 2-3 rental scam complaints weekly in West Tennessee, with younger renters aged 19-29 showing 42% higher victimization rates than other age groups.

The Tennessee Attorney General's Office and Secretary of State issued a warning about scammers impersonating celebrities through fake charities, bogus product endorsements, and phishing schemes on social media. Victims are targeted to donate money or provide personal information under the false pretense of legitimate charitable organizations or celebrity endorsements. Authorities recommend verifying charities through tools like Charity Navigator, contacting organizations directly using known contact information, and never sending money or personal details to unknown individuals regardless of their claimed celebrity status.

A study by Badcredit.org analyzing Federal Trade Commission data found that 78% of Gen Z and Millennials report receiving fraudulent debt collection calls or emails, with 28% expressing concern about becoming victims. Georgia leads states with the highest rate of debt collection scams (77.8 per 100,000 people), while Atlanta, Georgia has the highest rate among cities (102.9 per 100,000), and Memphis, Tennessee ranks fifth among cities most affected. Legitimate debt collectors must provide valid debt information within five days and cannot harass, threaten, or contact consumers more than seven times weekly, while common scam tactics include phishing, identity theft, and mobile

The FBI reported an 11% increase in elder fraud losses in 2023 compared to 2022, with people over 60 losing $3.4 billion nationwide and $43 million in Tennessee alone. Common scams targeting seniors include cryptocurrency investments, tech support fraud, business scams, and romance scams, with scammers exploiting older adults' disposable income and lower proficiency with online services. The FBI advises victims to stop sending money, cut off contact with scammers, and file complaints with the Internet Crime Complaint Center immediately.

Tennessee experienced $36.6 million in elderly fraud losses in 2022, affecting 1,462 residents aged 60 or over (averaging $25,012 per victim), with an incident rate of 87.4 victims per 100,000 elderly residents. Nationally, investment scams caused the largest losses to seniors ($404 million), followed by business impostor and romance scams, with online contact methods and bank transfers being the most common fraud channels. Elderly residents aged 60+ were significantly more vulnerable to tech support scams, being 517% more likely to fall victim compared to younger age groups.

**Summary:** Timothy Bartlett, 69, of Deltona, Florida, was arrested for defrauding a Tampa-area nonprofit organization of $5,000 by falsely posing as a cancer patient named "Sally Holmes" seeking living expense assistance. Investigators discovered Bartlett had perpetrated the same scam against at least four other nonprofits in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Wisconsin that provide financial aid to cancer patients.

Card skimmers were discovered and removed from cash registers at three Food City locations in Kodak, Gatlinburg, and Mechanicsville/Knoxville, Tennessee, affecting approximately 146 magnetic stripe card transactions between April 9-17. The skimmers only captured card numbers and PINs; suspects were identified via surveillance, detained when attempting to retrieve the devices, and taken into custody on multiple charges. Customers who swiped magnetic stripe cards at these locations during the affected dates are advised to monitor their bank and credit accounts.

An elderly woman from Sullivan County, Tennessee was defrauded of over $130,000 after scammers used a fake Microsoft pop-up warning to trick her into purchasing Apple gift cards and eventually withdrawing cash from her bank account. The scheme involved multiple contacts claiming to remove illegal content from her computer, and culminated with a man collecting $130,000 in person at her home. A 29-year-old suspect, Hang Zhan, was arrested and charged with theft and financial exploitation of an elderly person, though as of May 2, no funds had been recovered.

Tennesseans over age 60 lost $43 million to scams in 2023, representing an 18% increase from 2022, with tech support fraud being the most common scheme and investment scams causing the largest financial losses at nearly $15 million. Nationally, elderly victims reported over $3.4 billion in losses across 101,068 complaints, reflecting a 14% increase in elder fraud, with romance scams and data breaches also significantly affecting seniors in Tennessee.

Romance scams, including "pig butchering" schemes, are defrauding Americans out of billions of dollars, with perpetrators using tactics like building trust over time and creating fictional personas with AI technology. One Middle Tennessee resident lost $40,000 in such a scheme, and hundreds of additional victims are falling prey to these scams, which are nearly impossible to recover money from once lost.

A Nigerian citizen, Efe Egbowawa, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in an international romance scam ring that defrauded victims across the United States, including Tennessee, from 2017 to 2021. The conspiracy involved members using fake identities on dating sites and social media to build romantic relationships with victims before requesting emergency financial assistance in escalating amounts, with money then laundered through shell companies and bank accounts. Two co-conspirators, Igocha Mac-Okor and Kay Ozegbe, also face charges in connection with the scheme, with one awaiting sentencing and the other scheduled for trial.

Tennessee passed legislation (HB 1248) that unanimously approved the creation of a hotline managed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for banks and financial institutions to report suspected financial exploitation of seniors and vulnerable adults. The bill addresses a significant problem in the state where approximately 7,000 elderly residents fall victim to financial abuse annually, with an estimated $500 million stolen, and requires the TBI to establish a 1-800 number and coordinate investigations with law enforcement and adult protective services by October 1, 2024.

The Johnson County Senior Center hosted a presentation on property fraud awareness, highlighting that Americans lost $10 billion to scams in 2023, with imposter scams accounting for $2.7 billion of that total. Seller impersonation schemes—where scammers create fake deeds to sell property they don't own—were recognized as the "Scam of the Year" and have been reported across the U.S., including in nearby Nashville, Tennessee. The senior center aims to educate and protect its members by providing fraud resources and regularly hosting informational presentations on scams and other elder-related services.

A Tallmadge police sergeant investigated a 2019 online dating scam that defrauded a local woman of $60,000 and uncovered a multi-state money-laundering operation involving victims across Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Florida, and Texas, including one couple who lost $375,000. The investigation led to the arrest of six people in Rhode Island who were processing fraudulent funds through compromised bank accounts and money orders. The FBI reported 19,000 romance scam complaints nationally in 2022 with losses exceeding $739 million, typically targeting women over 40.

A 34-year-old woman lost $60,000 in a wire fraud scam when she received a fraudulent email impersonating her title company to send a down payment for a home purchase in Memphis, Tennessee in January 2023. Scammers had hacked the title company's system to obtain property details and mimic the agent's communication style, making the fake email appear legitimate until she noticed a misspelled realtor's name an hour after wiring the funds. Although the Secret Service eventually recovered her money, she missed out on the property purchase, highlighting the increasingly sophisticated nature of wire transfer fraud targeting real estate transactions.

In 2023, Americans lost $10 billion to scams, with imposter scams being the leading fraud category at $2.7 billion in reported losses, followed by social media scams ($1.4 billion) and investment scams (with median losses rising to $7,700). Tennessee ranked 16th nationally for fraud reports, with email being the scammers' primary contact method and bank transfers and cryptocurrency the most common payment methods exploited.

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.

This article provides general awareness and advice about fraud and scams in America, emphasizing that they are a form of stealing. The piece recommends victims report scams to local law enforcement and federal agencies (FTC and Tennessee Department of Consumer Affairs), encourages the public to recognize deceptive patterns and not be embarrassed by victimization, and stresses that proactive reporting helps catch perpetrators and prevent future crimes. The article concludes with an appeal for victims and witnesses to speak up about fraud rather than suffer in silence.

A Spring Hill, Tennessee family lost their home and approximately $1,175 in deposits and fees after falling victim to a rental scam in which scammers impersonated an AMH property management representative through a fake QR code on a rental listing. The scammer progressively demanded additional payments ($75 application fee, $100 deposit, $250, $350, and $400 for utilities) before disappearing on move-in day, and another family later appeared to tour the same property, revealing the fraud. Police warn renters to verify rental company websites directly, watch for suspicious URLs and spelling errors, avoid paying upfront application fees to unknown parties, and be cautious of contactless rental processes

A Nashville caregiver, Eric Scott, was arrested in May following a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult under his care. Scott allegedly used the victim's bank card and personal information between May 26-27 to make fraudulent withdrawals and purchases. He was charged with theft over $1,000, fraudulent use of a credit card over $1,000, identity theft, and financial exploitation of a vulnerable person over $1,000, with bond set at $17,500.

Scammers are targeting job seekers, particularly those aged 18-34, through unsolicited texts, emails, and calls offering fake employment opportunities to steal money and personal information. Common warning signs include job offers without interviews, requests for upfront payments or credit card information, and unrealistic salary promises (such as $250-$500 daily for virtual assistant work). The Better Business Bureau recommends verifying job postings directly on company websites, never sharing personal information with unsolicited contacts, and reporting suspected scams to their scam tracker.

The Better Business Bureau of Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky reported an uptick in "emergency scams" targeting families, particularly as college students return to campus. Scammers impersonate loved ones claiming urgent situations (arrests, accidents, medical emergencies) and request money, using voice-altering technology and social media details to make their pleas convincing. The BBB advises verifying requests by contacting loved ones directly, asking verification questions, and never sending money to unverified sources through payment apps, gift cards, or wire transfers.

A Florida man, Charles Henry Williams, was arrested following a 5-month multi-state cyber investigation for running an online timeshare scam that defrauded an elderly Georgia couple of over $1 million across four years, with additional victims identified during the investigation. Williams was charged with Theft by Deception and Exploitation of an Elder Person and arrested on August 29, 2025, to face charges in Coweta County. The investigation involved coordination between the GBI, Georgia Attorney General's Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and Florida law enforcement agencies.

# Article Summary Three individuals—two from New Jersey and one from Washington—have been sentenced to a combined 20 years in prison for orchestrating romance scams that targeted elderly Americans, including a Tennessee man who lost his entire $86,900 life savings and later died by suicide. The scammers impersonated celebrities and government officials online to convince victims they were in romantic relationships, then extorted money by posing as law enforcement claiming investigations were underway. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of unsolicited romantic advances online, never send money to people you haven't met in person, and verify claims by contacting official organizations directly through their published phone numbers rather than using contact information provided by the scammer.

Three individuals—two from New Jersey and one from Washington—were sentenced to a combined 20 years in prison for orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded a Tennessee victim of nearly $87,000 in 2023, ultimately contributing to his suicide. The scam involved criminals in Nigeria impersonating celebrities and government officials online to trick elderly victims into sending money, with U.S.-based conspirators receiving the funds and using harassment tactics to extract additional payments. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected romantic connections online, never send money to someone you haven't met in person, and report suspicious communications to authorities immediately.

Scammers in Middle Tennessee are targeting elderly homeowners with driveway repair scams, with at least one couple losing over $60,000. The fraud typically begins with unsolicited door-to-door offers for small asphalt patching jobs at low prices; once work begins, scammers expand the scope and demand significantly higher payments (sometimes $64,000+) across multiple credit cards using high-pressure tactics. The Better Business Bureau recommends that seniors be skeptical of unsolicited offers, obtain written contracts, avoid paying large sums on the spot, and that families discuss these scams with elderly relatives to encourage refusal.

TARCOG held a Fraud and Scam Summit at Athens State University in Limestone County, Alabama, bringing together state leaders to educate residents about scams affecting the Tennessee Valley region. The Alabama Security Commission emphasized that anyone can fall victim to scams regardless of education or awareness level, as scammers manipulate emotions to pressure victims into quick decisions; experts recommend slowing down, thinking critically, and researching before making financial decisions.

Scammers are sending fraudulent text messages to Tennessee residents claiming they have outstanding traffic tickets and threatening license suspension to pressure victims into paying fines immediately. The messages impersonate a nonexistent "Tennessee Department of Vehicles" and warn that unpaid tickets could damage credit scores. To protect yourself, contact law enforcement directly if you believe you have a legitimate ticket, and remember that government agencies send official notices through mail, not text messages.