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chroniclet.com
· 2025-12-08
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cxotoday.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common financial fraud tactics and prevention strategies, noting that bank frauds in India exceeded 302.5 billion rupees in fiscal year 2023. Key warning signs include unsolicited contact, pressure to act quickly, requests for personal information, unrealistic investment promises, and demands for payment via unconventional methods. The article recommends staying informed about scams, verifying identities before sharing information, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and being cautious with app downloads to protect against fraud.
microsoft.com
· 2025-12-08
Celebrity scams use artificial intelligence tools like deepfakes and voice cloning to impersonate trusted public figures and celebrities, tricking victims into investing money, sharing personal information, or signing up for fraudulent platforms. To identify these scams, consumers should examine deepfake videos for unnatural movements, facial expressions, background distortion, and verify sources through official channels, while also recognizing red flags in voice cloning scams such as unusual speech patterns and urgent requests for personal information. These scams pose significant risks to victims' identity and finances.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned of a rising three-phase timeshare exit scam traced to Mexican drug cartels that targets older, wealthy Americans seeking to recover timeshare investments. Scammers pose sequentially as brokers demanding upfront taxes and fees, then as law firm representatives requesting legal fees, and finally as government officials from agencies like Interpol or Mexico's Financial Intelligence Unit. The cartels exploit these scams due to low operational costs and minimal law enforcement attention compared to drug trafficking.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 62-year-old woman from Thane, Maharashtra lost Rs 1.5 crore (approximately $1.8 million USD) between April and June 2024 to a cyber fraud scheme promising high investment returns. Seven accused individuals contacted the victim via fake investment platform links and a WhatsApp group, gradually building trust before convincing her to invest Rs 1,45,35,600, after which she received no returns and reported the case to police. The incident underscores the importance of skepticism toward unrealistic investment promises, verification of secure connections, and thorough research before committing funds.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 62-year-old woman from Thane lost approximately Rs 1.5 crore after being lured into an investment scam between April and June, where seven accused individuals promised high returns through WhatsApp groups and fraudulent links. Seven suspects have been identified and charged under the IPC and IT Act. The article advises potential victims to avoid unrealistic investment promises, verify secure website connections (HTTPS), research trading platforms thoroughly, and watch for red flags such as pressure to act quickly or requests for personal information.
southfloridareporter.com
· 2025-12-08
In Operation First Light 2024, international police coordinated by Interpol arrested 3,950 people and seized $257 million in assets from online scammers engaged in phishing, investment fraud, fake shopping sites, and romance scams. The operation aims to disrupt transnational organized crime networks at a time when U.S. authorities report consumers lost over $10 billion to online fraud in the previous year.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
**AI-Powered Scams and Protective Measures**
This educational piece identifies two primary AI-enabled scams targeting vulnerable individuals: voice cloning of family members to solicit emergency financial assistance, and personalized phishing emails using AI-generated text customized with stolen personal data to increase credibility. The article recommends verifying suspicious communications by contacting the person through normal channels, avoiding attempts to detect fake voices, treating unknown contacts as suspicious, and remaining skeptical of personalized messages that reference recent purchases or locations.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scammers are increasingly exploiting job seekers by posing as recruiters on platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed, either requesting money and personal information or selling fraudulent training courses as prerequisites for employment. The FBI and FTC have issued warnings about these schemes, which often feature red flags including unsolicited job offers that seem too good to be true, vague or confidential job descriptions, lack of standard vetting procedures, and phony interviews conducted via text or video. Job seekers can protect themselves by being skeptical of unusually attractive positions they didn't apply for, verifying legitimate job descriptions, and checking companies' authentic online presence.
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian actor Big Akwes warned that he would publicly name prominent musicians involved in romance scams if provoked, claiming they use their spouses to defraud foreigners. The warning came amid discussion of socialite Hajia4Real, who pleaded guilty in February 2024 to her role in a $2 million romance scam targeting older Americans and was extradited from the UK to the US; court documents suggest her ex-partner exploited her involvement in the scheme while she feared for her safety and her daughter's.
occrp.org
· 2025-12-08
Internet fraud losses in the United States exceeded $12.5 billion in the past year, a 22% increase from the previous year, with common scams including identity theft, phishing, romance scams, and investment fraud. INTERPOL's Operation First Light arrested 3,950 suspects and identified 14,643 potential suspects worldwide while intercepting $135 million in cash and seizing assets worth over $120 million. International collaboration has proven effective in combating cybercrime, including one case where coordination between Singapore, Hong Kong, and local banks prevented a 70-year-old victim from losing $281,200 in savings.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
A man in his late 70s lost $2,000 to a sophisticated investment scam involving "Wise Investments," a fraudulent clone website, after weeks of professional-sounding phone calls from fake financial advisors who showed him fabricated investment growth on his computer. Investment scams accounted for over $1.3 billion in losses to Australians in 2023, with people over 65 being the primary targets, though experts note that digital literacy gaps and lack of support systems are also critical factors in vulnerability.
mcdowellnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns consumers to remain vigilant against scams targeting July 4th holiday celebrations, which typically include travel rental fraud, patriotic flag-buying scams, and fireworks purchasing schemes. Common tactics involve fake rental listings that prevent access to booked properties, overpriced flagpole items sold online at below-market prices, and illegitimate fireworks vendors who obtain banking information during transactions. BBB recommends trusting your intuition about deals that seem too good to be true, paying for fireworks with cash at temporary stands, and verifying rental property access before traveling.
clintonherald.com
· 2025-12-08
A June 2024 Washington Post investigation revealed a massive scam operation centered in Myanmar's Kokang region, controlled by Chinese crime families, that employed approximately 120,000 coerced workers across over 300 call centers to perpetrate cryptocurrency investment scams and romance scams targeting US victims. Workers from 35 countries were lured under false pretenses and subjected to beatings, torture, and killings for attempting to escape or failing to meet quotas, demonstrating why legal consequences remain minimal for scammers operating from overseas jurisdictions.
thesmokymountaintimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Tammy Williams and Ginger Frady from United Community Bank conducted a senior fraud awareness program at Swain Senior Center, educating older adults on recognizing and avoiding scams. According to the Federal Trade Commission, older adults lost $1.6 billion to scammers in the previous year, with nearly half lost to fraudulent investments, lottery schemes, phishing, and grandparent scams being among the most common threats. The presenters advised seniors to use credit cards with low limits for online purchases, avoid clicking suspicious links, never send money for prizes they didn't win, hang up on pushy callers claiming to represent government or financial institutions, and consult with their banks when uncertain
todayswillsandprobate.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A 2023 survey by Re-engage of over 1,177 older people (predominantly age 75+) found that two-thirds experienced attempted scams and 8.3% were actual victims, with one-fifth facing weekly or more scam attempts. Telephone scams were the most common attack vector, and victims reported significant quality-of-life impacts, with over one-quarter experiencing high negative effects. Key recommendations include targeted support for isolated older people, increased fraud awareness education, and use of protective measures like call blockers and scam alert registration.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans reported losing $10 billion to fraud, with imposter scams, phishing, investment scams, and romance scams being particularly prevalent. The FTC partnered with Houston Ethnic Media to educate community leaders about these threats, emphasizing that underserved and immigrant communities face heightened vulnerability due to language barriers and economic desperation. Experts stress that verification of recipients and sources is crucial to protecting oneself and one's family from fraud.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans lost $10 billion to fraud, with scammers employing increasingly sophisticated tactics that are difficult to detect. The article identifies 10 common banking scams—including check fraud, phishing, fake prize offers, advance fee schemes, and government imposter scams—and provides protective strategies such as verifying URLs before clicking links, never sharing banking details unsolicited, and using secure check writing practices. The key defense is awareness: recognizing these common schemes and understanding that legitimate institutions rarely request sensitive information through unsolicited messages or calls.
nagpurtrends.com
· 2025-12-08
A 35-year-old computer hardware vendor in Nagpur, India was defrauded of Rs 18.06 lakh ($21,700 USD) in a share trading scam after being contacted by fraudsters who promised high returns through a mobile trading app. The victim initially saw apparent profits, which encouraged further investments across multiple transactions, but discovered he could not withdraw any funds when attempting to access his principal or earnings. Police have registered a case under IPC and IT Act sections, with investigations ongoing to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
courant.com
· 2025-12-08
Sextortion, a cyber-based sex crime involving extortion for money, is rapidly increasing across the U.S. and Connecticut, with officials warning of its dangers. The scheme has been linked to the deaths of more than a dozen children who were targeted victims. Authorities are raising awareness about this growing threat to protect vulnerable populations from this form of exploitation.
infosecurity-magazine.com
· 2025-12-08
A UK industry survey found that 65% of payments professionals identify fraud as their top financial crime concern, with authorized push payment (APP) scams—where fraudsters impersonate trusted entities to trick victims into transferring money—being the most impactful type, affecting 27% of respondents' organizations. APP fraud cases rose 12% year-on-year in 2023 with losses reaching £460 million, primarily through purchase scams (67% of cases) and online sources (76% of cases), though the scams are relatively unsophisticated and succeed through mass targeting rather than complexity. Payment service providers are concerned about upcoming liability rules that would require them to split responsibility for APP
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
An X user shared screenshots of how he outsmarted a romance scammer who attempted to extract Rs 1,000 (approximately $12 USD) via Google Pay by posing as a dating app match. Instead of sending the requested amount, the user convinced the scammer to send Rs 20 first as a "test transaction," then blocked the scammer after receiving the money. The incident highlights the prevalence of dating app scams, which typically involve fake profiles building emotional connections before requesting money for emergencies or other expenses, and underscores the importance of skepticism, identity verification, and trusting one's instincts when using dating platforms.
rd.com
· 2025-12-08
Work-from-home job scams are fraudulent job postings designed to steal personal information or trick applicants into paying upfront fees for fake background checks, training, or equipment. According to the Better Business Bureau, approximately 14 million job seekers encounter these scams annually, resulting in over $2 billion in losses. To protect yourself, job applicants should verify company legitimacy through official websites, watch for red flags like requests for payment before employment or overly quick hiring processes, and be cautious of positions advertised on social media or through direct messages rather than official job boards.
decanter.com
· 2025-12-08
UK national Casey Alexander, 27, was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $202,195.58 in restitution for his role in a wine and whiskey investment scam that defrauded over 150 elderly victims across the US of more than $13 million. Alexander and co-conspirators used cold-calling and aggressive tactics to convince victims to invest in fine wines and whiskeys purportedly held in European warehouses, then pressured them to make additional investments for higher returns. The scheme was uncovered after a victim's family member reported losses exceeding $300,000 over 18 months to police in 2020.
wvpublic.org
· 2025-12-08
Elder financial fraud is trending upward in West Virginia and nationally, with Americans aged 60 and older losing $3 billion annually to scammers. U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld advises seniors and their families to resist pressure to act quickly, avoid clicking unexpected links in texts and emails, and to contact law enforcement immediately if money is sent fraudulently, as funds can sometimes be recovered or frozen. The fraud targets vulnerable populations and often involves schemes using artificial urgency, such as lottery processing fees or fake emergencies from loved ones.
secureworks.com
· 2025-12-08
The film "Thelma" depicts a 93-year-old woman who loses $10,000 to a grandson impersonation scam, reflecting a real crisis: the FBI reported over 101,000 elder fraud victims aged 60+ in 2023, with tech support, romance, confidence, and investment scams being the most common types. Social engineering attacks exploit human psychology and create artificial urgency to manipulate victims into divulging sensitive information or making payments, and victims often experience lasting emotional harm including shame and loss of confidence. Key prevention strategies include educating oneself about scams, trusting instincts when requests seem unusual, verifying the identity of callers, an
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans over 60 lost $3.4 billion to scams—a 10.6% increase from 2022—with 101,068 reports filed, according to FBI IC3 data. Criminals obtained victims' personal information through data brokers and used it to perpetrate tech support scams (18,000 victims, $589.8 million lost), investment fraud (6,400 victims, $1.2 billion lost), and romance scams (6,700 victims, $356.9 million lost). The article advises seniors to use data removal services, place fraud alerts with credit agencies, and remain cautious of phishing
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
An X user shared a story of successfully turning the tables on a romance scammer who attempted to con him out of Rs 1,000 via Google Pay by posing as a dating app match. The user outsmarted the scammer by pretending payment failed twice, then convincing the scammer to send Rs 20 first as a "test," after which he blocked them. The article outlines common dating app scams including romance scams, location scams, and fake investment schemes, while offering protective measures such as identity verification, skepticism toward early money requests, and use of app security features.
newsbytesapp.com
· 2025-12-08
An X user named Jay outwitted a romance scammer on a dating app who had requested ₹1,000 by pretending to attempt payment twice, then convincing the scammer to send him ₹20 as a "test transaction" before blocking them. The incident, which gained over two million views online, highlights the prevalence of dating app scams and demonstrates the importance of skepticism, identity verification, and reporting suspicious behavior to protect against romance fraud, investment scams, and other schemes on dating platforms.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency scam victims in Northeast Ohio face a secondary threat from recovery scams, where fraudsters posing as lawyers from fake firms promise to retrieve lost funds but instead steal additional money. Between February 2023 and February 2024, such fictitious law firm schemes targeting crypto victims resulted in nearly $10 million in losses reported to the FBI. The FBI's Cleveland Midwest Cryptocurrency Task Force warns victims against recovery schemes and advises reporting all suspected scams to the BBB Scam Tracker or FBI.
25newsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Between February 2023 and February 2024, cybercriminals posing as lawyers scammed cryptocurrency fraud victims out of $9.9 million by claiming they could recover their initial losses, using tactics such as requesting personal information, upfront fees, and payments for back taxes. The FBI warns that victims should immediately report scams to the Internet Crime Complaint Center and never provide financial information or payment to unsolicited recovery service contacts, as legitimate law enforcement never charges fees for crime investigations.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder financial exploitation is trending upward in West Virginia and nationally, with seniors aged 60+ losing $3 billion to scammers last year and $27 billion in suspicious elder fraud activity reported by the U.S. Treasury Department. U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld emphasizes that while some cases can be reversed if reported immediately, prevention is critical—he advises seniors and their families to resist pressure to act quickly, avoid clicking unexpected links in texts or emails, and consult trusted loved ones before sending money.
newsregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans age 60 and older lost more than $3 billion to scammers in 2023, with elder fraud complaints to the FBI increasing 14% year-over-year, though actual losses are likely far higher due to underreporting and unreported crimes. Older adults are disproportionately targeted because they tend to be trusting, have savings, and may be less comfortable with technology, with tech-support scams, romance scams, and investment frauds being the most common schemes. Prevention through education—such as being cautious of unsolicited contacts, verifying businesses online, and never sharing personal information with unverified sources—can help mitigate the psychological and financial
lancasteronline.com
· 2025-12-08
**70-year-old Mark Heath lost his entire $161,000 retirement savings to a "pig butchering" romance scam** in which a woman named Libby Collins contacted him on Facebook, built an emotional relationship with him, and convinced him to invest in cryptocurrency and NFT schemes through multiple transfers. After his son identified the scam during the holidays, Heath contacted the FBI, but the money and the scammer had already disappeared, leaving him dependent on Social Security and his son's financial support.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Ernakulam rural police in Kochi issued a warning against cyber fraud after scammers defrauded residents of at least Rs 3 crore over four months, with victims losing approximately Rs 2 crore through fake online trading schemes and another Rs 1.15 crore in an impersonation scam where fraudsters posed as investigative officers. Notable cases include a senior citizen from Aluva who lost Rs 1.15 crore after scammers falsely claimed a Supreme Court warrant was issued and demanded money for a "security check," while other residents lost between Rs 22 lakh and Rs 50 lakh in trading fraud schemes; police
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Robert Louis Sanchez, a 57-year-old from New Mexico, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for his role in a grandparent scam that targeted hundreds of elderly victims across the United States, resulting in over $3 million in losses. The scheme involved scammers calling seniors posing as grandchildren in distress (claiming car accidents or legal trouble) and then sending couriers to collect cash from victims' homes, with the money subsequently deposited in banks or laundered through cryptocurrency exchanges. Four other conspirators have also been convicted and sentenced, with charges pending against additional participants in the operation.
norfolkdailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, U.S. consumers reported losing over $10 billion to fraud—a 14% increase from 2022—with investment scams accounting for $4.6 billion and imposter scams for $2.7 billion of those losses. Government imposter scams are increasingly prevalent, particularly those falsely claiming to be law enforcement or court officials demanding immediate payment via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards to avoid arrest or jail. The FTC advises consumers never to send money to unsolicited government callers or share personal and financial information with unverified sources.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are sending text messages impersonating highway toll authorities and transponder companies like E-ZPass, requesting payment for small unpaid tolls (typically $11-$13) to avoid larger late fees, with links that expose victims to malware and identity theft. The scam, which began in spring and has accelerated in recent months, is tailored to specific states with URLs mimicking legitimate toll services, and has prompted warnings from the FBI, state transportation departments, and the Federal Trade Commission.
swissinfo.ch
· 2025-12-08
A network of fraudulent investment platforms linked to Cyprus uses fake celebrity endorsements and fabricated news articles to lure victims into investing money that is never actually invested in stocks or real financial products. The scam, which includes platforms such as InvesaCapital, OBRInvest, and ForexTB, targets investors internationally—including many in Switzerland—who are pressured by manipulative phone calls to deposit increasingly larger sums, resulting in total losses ranging from tens of thousands to over CHF100,000 per victim. Swiss authorities have confirmed dozens of criminal charges related to this network, though prosecution is often difficult due to perpetrators operating abroad.
devdiscourse.com
· 2025-12-08
A 60-year-old man in India lost Rs 30.80 lakh after being contacted via WhatsApp by two suspects who promised high returns on cryptocurrency investments. After the victim invested approximately Rs 31 lakh, the fraudsters ignored his attempts to withdraw returns and ceased communication. Police have registered a case against the two suspects, though no arrests have been made yet.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
A 67-year-old retired school clerk in Ipoh lost approximately RM242,000 in an investment scam after responding to a Facebook post promising 8,000% returns between April and June. The victim made 25 transactions to 16 different bank accounts before realizing the fraudulent nature of the scheme when promised profits never materialized, and reported the incident to police in July.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
A 67-year-old former school clerk in Ipoh lost approximately RM242,000 to an investment scam after being lured by a Facebook advertisement promising an unrealistic 8,000% profit return. Between April and June, the victim made 25 transactions to 16 different bank accounts before realizing the scheme was fraudulent when promised profits never materialized. Police advise the public to exercise caution on social media and stay informed about current scamming tactics.
continentalenews.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an announcement for educational events rather than a news article about a scam. The post promotes two "Golden Gatherings" sessions on senior scams and banking safety scheduled for July 23rd in Continental and July 30th in Ottawa, with RSVPs required by July 15th. The article also includes information about signing up for local news updates via email.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Two women, Rosanna Lisa Stanley (48) and Gina Guy (37), were charged with running a romance scam from 2009 to 2024 that defrauded at least 16 elderly men of over $7 million through fake romantic relationships, false medical emergencies, and bogus investment schemes. Stanley allegedly scammed victims out of at least $555,000 by posing as a fortune teller and astrologer, while Guy targeted at least four men claiming to need money for kidney transplants; both women used the proceeds to fund luxury purchases including a boat and car. Both were arrested in June 2024 and charged with money laundering, wire fraud, and conspiracy
yespunjab.com
· 2025-12-08
A Hisar resident lost ₹8,91,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam conducted through Telegram, where fraudsters using the alias "CAPTAIN AMERICA" convinced him to transfer funds to bogus bank accounts supplied by a bank employee accomplice. Haryana Police arrested three individuals involved in the scheme: the primary perpetrator who received the funds, the bank employee who sold the fraudulent accounts for ₹25,000 each, and a facilitator connecting with the scammers. Authorities advise citizens to avoid unknown Telegram investment groups and verify legitimacy before investing, and to report suspected fraud immediately to the Cyber Helpline (1930).
mk.co.kr
· 2025-12-08
Smishing attacks in South Korea have surged dramatically, with scammers impersonating financial institutions, investment firms, and government agencies through fake promotional text messages containing malicious URLs. These sophisticated schemes trick victims into visiting counterfeit websites or downloading malware-laden apps that steal personal information, enable remote device control, or lock data with ransomware demands; spam texts increased nearly 10-fold from 31.12 million in 2019 to over 168 million cases by mid-2023, with projections exceeding 400 million annually. The attacks exploit improved spam reporting visibility, regulatory changes affecting investment advisory services, and compromised text reseller companies to distribute fraudulent messages imp
mk.co.kr
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams and online fraud operations, predominantly run by Chinese criminal organizations based in Southeast Asia (particularly Myanmar and Cambodia), have caused an estimated $1.26 trillion in global damage annually through impersonation schemes, investment fraud, and phishing. Approximately 220,000 people are mobilized across Myanmar and Cambodia for these crimes, with victims including those abducted from 35 countries who are coerced to impersonate others via social media, email, and phone calls. In response, China has blocked over $157 billion in fraudulent transactions since 2021, and Myanmar authorities rescued 19 kidnapped South Koreans in the previous year as international law enforcement intensifies crack
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, 2.6 million Americans fell victim to fraud with reported losses of $9 billion, though the Justice Department estimates true losses could exceed $137 billion annually since only 15 percent of victims report crimes. The surge in fraud—particularly investment scams and cryptocurrency schemes like "Pig Butchering" which increased 2,000 percent from 2019 to 2022—is driven by enforcement gaps, with federal agencies typically only investigating cases exceeding $1 million, leaving devastating losses to seniors in the tens of thousands unaddressed. Experts argue that the U.S. needs a coordinated national anti-fraud strategy similar to the UK's approach
techstory.in
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost over $10 billion to scams in 2023, a 14% increase from the previous year, with investment scams ($4.6 billion) and imposter scams ($2.7 billion) leading the way. Older adults are disproportionately targeted, and the FTC estimates seniors lose $28.3 billion annually to fraud, with common schemes including romance fraud, grandparent scams, and technical support hoaxes. Law enforcement faces significant challenges combating overseas scammers who exploit cryptocurrency and other untraceable payment methods, highlighting the need for enhanced collaboration between government agencies and private industry to strengthen fraud prevention and victim support.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
I appreciate you sharing this, but I need to note that this article doesn't appear to be about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse—it's about a geologist's mysterious death and potential cover-up, which falls outside Elderus's focus area. The summary you've provided is a title and content warning for what seems to be a true crime podcast or documentary episode, rather than a documented scam or fraud case targeting seniors. If you have an article specifically about elder fraud, financial exploitation, or abuse of older adults, I'd be happy to summarize that for the database.