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paloaltoonline.com
· 2026-06-23
Santa Clara County is addressing a growing problem of financial scams targeting older adults, with county officials reporting 4,226 allegations of financial exploitation in 2025, nearly half involving scams. Common schemes include fraudsters impersonating the IRS or banks to trick victims into revealing personal information or transferring assets, with vulnerable seniors particularly at risk for real estate fraud and exploitation of declining cognitive abilities. To protect themselves, residents should avoid unsolicited financial requests, verify contact by calling official numbers on their cards, establish a family code word for verification during unexpected calls, and report scams immediately to law enforcement—as frozen funds can sometimes be recovered if reported quickly.
sg.finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-06-23
Precious metals company Monetary Gold is partnering with law enforcement in New Jersey to warn seniors and vulnerable Americans about courier scams, where criminals impersonate government agencies or banks to pressure victims into purchasing gold and silver or handing over cash and valuables to couriers at their homes. These sophisticated scams use fear and urgency tactics, often falsely claiming bank account compromise or identity theft to convince victims to act quickly and avoid contacting family or authorities. The key warning: legitimate government agencies, law enforcement, banks, or precious metals companies will never instruct you to buy gold, withdraw retirement funds, or give valuables to a courier—if they do, it's a scam.
sfgate.com
· 2026-06-23
Santa Clara County is launching educational efforts to combat rising financial scams targeting older adults, with a 2025 report showing 4,226 reported cases of financial exploitation, nearly half involving scams. Common schemes include scammers impersonating the IRS or banks requesting personal information, as well as real estate fraud targeting seniors with home equity. Residents are advised to verify unsolicited financial institution contacts by calling the number on their credit card, establish family code words for unusual calls, and report scams immediately to authorities, as recovering transferred money is difficult once it's gone.
abc.net.au
· 2026-06-23
Scammers are targeting Australians with fake ABC News articles promoted through Facebook ads, using AI-generated images of celebrities and politicians to lure people into fraudulent investment platforms like "Hexonix 365," with some victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. The fake articles are nearly identical clones of the real ABC News website, complete with dramatic AI-written stories about public figures promoting secret investment strategies, and include fake "editor's notes" claiming ABC has verified the platforms as legitimate. To protect yourself, be skeptical of sensational investment stories on social media, verify news directly on official ABC News websites rather than clicking ads, and remember that legitimate news outlets never promote specific investment platforms in their articles.
bbc.com
· 2026-06-22
A record four million fraud cases were reported in the UK last year, with scammers using tactics like fake "Hi Mum" text messages requesting money, phishing links disguised as delivery notifications, and romance scams to steal banking details and cash. The article highlights that anyone can fall victim—even savvy individuals—and advises people to protect themselves by typing website addresses directly rather than clicking links, never sharing One-Time Passcodes with callers, and being skeptical of urgent requests for money or personal information from unknown sources.
sanjosespotlight.com
· 2026-06-22
Santa Clara County is raising awareness about financial scams that increasingly target older adults, with a 2025 report showing 4,226 reported allegations of financial exploitation, nearly half involving scams. Common scams include fraudsters impersonating the IRS or banks requesting personal information, as well as real estate fraud targeting seniors with home equity. Experts recommend residents be skeptical of unsolicited contact from financial institutions, use code words with family for verification, and report scams immediately—since recovering stolen money becomes difficult once it's transferred.
newsfirst.lk
· 2026-06-22
Sri Lankan authorities have warned of a sharp rise in romance scams targeting women, where fraudsters build fake relationships through social media, manipulate victims into sending money and valuables, and in some cases escalate to sexual assault, robbery, or murder. The scams often involve stolen personal photos and videos used to establish false trust, with some victims being drugged or coerced into handing over financial assets and property. Police are urging women to be cautious of online relationships that quickly turn romantic or involve requests for money, to verify identities independently, and to report suspicious behavior to authorities immediately.
theguardian.com
· 2026-06-22
A Melbourne woman with autism lost over $646,000 to a romance scammer who posed as an attractive man on the dating app Hinge, manipulating her after learning she'd never been in a relationship; her bank refused to refund the money despite her appeal to Australia's financial complaints authority. Romance scams have cost Australians more than $37 million across nearly 4,800 reported cases in the past 18 months, typically beginning on online dating platforms, yet the government's new "world's toughest anti-scam laws" won't take effect until 2027 and aren't expected to regulate dating apps. Consumer advocates and victims like Jane are calling for stronger accountability from banks and dating platforms to prevent and respond to these scams, particularly for vulnerable people.
english.vov.vn
· 2026-06-22
Ho Chi Minh City police discovered and shut down multiple large-scale online scam operations run by foreign nationals, with raids in May and June uncovering over 160 Chinese nationals operating from guesthouses and hotels without proper documentation. The scammers were targeting victims primarily in China through e-commerce fraud, investment schemes, and financial scams, using hundreds of computers and mobile phones seized during the operations. For residents and businesses, authorities emphasized the importance of verifying guest identification and properly registering temporary residencies to prevent similar illegal operations from establishing in their properties.
nerdbot.com
· 2026-06-22
As cryptocurrency adoption has grown into a multi-trillion-dollar industry, so has the sophistication of related fraud schemes—including ransomware attacks, investment scams, pig butchering schemes, wallet compromises, and money laundering. Specialized blockchain forensic investigation firms have become essential for financial crime prevention, asset recovery, and regulatory compliance in this complex digital landscape. Those involved in cryptocurrency should work with reputable exchanges and wallet providers, enable strong security measures, and be cautious of unsolicited investment offers, as these specialized investigators help trace stolen assets and combat increasingly complex digital financial crimes.
cnet.com
· 2026-06-21
Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to generate personalized, convincing emails and phishing campaigns that exploit urgency and trust—particularly targeting authors with fake book club offers, though the tactics affect people across all industries. These AI-powered scams can lead to stolen funds, identity theft, malware infections, and extortion, making them harder to spot than traditional scams. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited emails with suspicious praise or job offers, watch for red flags like all-caps text and generic personalization, verify organizations directly through official websites before clicking links, and never provide personal or financial information to unverified sources.
keenesentinel.com
· 2026-06-21
Older adults in New Hampshire are increasingly falling victim to sophisticated scams including cryptocurrency fraud, investment schemes, romance scams, and government imposter scams, with many victims pressured into secrecy before they can consult family or authorities. These crimes often result in devastating financial losses and eroded sense of security, though many incidents go unreported. Authorities urge immediate reporting of suspected elder fraud and recommend that older adults consult trusted family members and financial institutions before acting on urgent financial requests.
bitbo.io
· 2026-06-21
FBI Director Kash Patel announced a major crackdown on cryptocurrency "pig butchering" scams—schemes where criminals build fake relationships or investment trust with victims before stealing their money—after the bureau seized $8 billion in crypto and made over 300 arrests in Operation Blackout across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The scams disproportionately target elderly Americans and teenagers, with victims experiencing severe psychological harm; the FBI's earlier proactive notification program saved an estimated $500 million by alerting 8,000 victims before they lost funds. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited romantic or investment offers online, never deposit money into platforms you haven't independently verified, and report suspicious activity to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
cryptopolitan.com
· 2026-06-21
Cryptocurrency fraud has become the leading cybercrime category in America, with victims losing over $11 billion last year, particularly affecting elderly Americans and residents of California, Florida, and Texas through investment scams and fake platforms. FBI Director Kash Patel has warned crypto fraudsters that law enforcement will pursue them across borders by following money trails and leveraging international partnerships, with recent successes including 300 arrests in Dubai and recovery of over $500 million in illicit assets. People should be especially cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities involving cryptocurrency, verify platforms through official channels before depositing funds, and report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
mexc.com
· 2026-06-21
The FBI has launched an intensified enforcement campaign against cryptocurrency fraud, with Director Kash Patel announcing that authorities will aggressively pursue and prosecute scammers exploiting Americans through fake crypto investment schemes. These scams typically begin with unsolicited contact via text, social media, or dating apps, where fraudsters build trust over weeks before directing victims to fake trading platforms that show fabricated profits and demand additional fees before allowing withdrawals. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment offers, verify platforms through official channels, and never send money to someone you haven't met in person or to unfamiliar investment sites.
markets.financialcontent.com
· 2026-06-21
In 2026, cryptocurrency scams evolved dramatically, with $17 billion lost to fraud that now disguises itself as legitimate customer service, compliance checks, and payment systems rather than obvious red flags. Impersonation scams—where criminals pose as trusted figures like exchange support agents, government agencies, or even family members using AI-cloned voices—grew by 1,400% and are significantly more profitable, extracting an average of $3.2 million per operation. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited contact from companies or individuals, verify requests through official channels directly, and never share sensitive information or make payments based on urgent-sounding messages, even if they appear authentic.
ground.news
· 2026-06-21
FBI Director Kash Patel has announced an intensified crackdown on "pig butchering" scams—cryptocurrency fraud schemes where criminals pose as romantic interests or investment advisors to lure victims, often older adults, into sending money. Scammers are increasingly using cash couriers to collect payments in person to avoid detection by bank security systems, and the FBI's new Operation Level Up aims to intervene early before victims lose more money. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment offers on social media or messaging apps, verify investment opportunities through official channels, and never send cash to couriers or wire money to unknown parties.
mexc.com
· 2026-06-21
FBI Director Kash Patel has warned cryptocurrency fraudsters that law enforcement will pursue and prosecute them, as crypto-related scams have become the dominant form of cybercrime in America—with Americans losing over $11 billion to digital asset fraud last year alone, particularly affecting elderly citizens and residents in California, Florida, and Texas. The FBI is intensifying efforts by following money trails and partnering with foreign governments, recently freezing over 3,000 illicit crypto wallets and recovering more than $500 million in stolen assets. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities involving cryptocurrency, verify the legitimacy of platforms before depositing funds, and never send money to unknown parties or click links from unsolicited messages.
markets.financialcontent.com
· 2026-06-21
AsiaDatingGuide.com has launched a new resource series to help Western men navigate international dating in Asia while protecting themselves from romance scams, which the FBI reports cost Americans hundreds of millions of dollars annually. The guide includes cultural etiquette primers, city-specific dating advice, and a dedicated scam-awareness section highlighting common manipulation tactics used by online predators. Users can learn red flags to watch for and practical protective steps to take when pursuing genuine long-term relationships across borders.
freemalaysiatoday.com
· 2026-06-21
Online investment scams in Malaysia's Kelantan state have caused the largest financial losses among all fraud cases, with some victims losing over RM1 million each after being lured by promises of unrealistic returns and continuing to deposit money hoping to recover losses. Police report a concerning surge in commercial crime cases and financial losses in the first five months of 2024, with online investment scams accounting for RM5.18 million in losses. To protect yourself, authorities advise being skeptical of investment opportunities promising exceptionally high returns in short timeframes and to think rationally before committing money to any investment scheme.
aol.com
· 2026-06-20
Young adults are increasingly targeted by scammers using fake job offers and investment schemes, particularly on platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, and social media. Common tactics include requesting upfront fees or personal information for bogus jobs, using fake checks for "training costs," and promising unrealistic investment returns (especially in cryptocurrency), with employment scams accounting for 30% of reported fraud among 18-24 year-olds. To protect yourself, verify job offers directly through official company websites, never pay upfront fees for employment, be skeptical of promises of high returns, and avoid sending money or personal information to unverified sources.
thecommunityvoice.com
· 2026-06-20
The IRS Criminal Investigation division reports a significant surge in fraud targeting seniors, with 97 new elder fraud cases opened in fiscal year 2025 alone and $885.86 million in alleged fraud uncovered between 2021-2026. Common schemes include criminals impersonating government officials or attorneys, claiming emergencies involving loved ones, or building fake romantic relationships to extract money and personal information from older adults. Seniors should be wary of unsolicited contact demanding immediate payment, verify caller identities through official channels, and consult trusted family members or authorities before sending money.
startupfortune.com
· 2026-06-20
The FBI under Kash Patel is aggressively cracking down on cryptocurrency fraud through coordinated international operations, treating it as organized crime rather than a regulatory issue—including a April 2026 operation that resulted in 276 arrests across scam compounds and a June operation with Meta and other tech platforms that removed 1.4 million fraudulent accounts and seized over $3 million in crypto. Victims are being targeted through "pig-butchering" scams that use fake relationships and investment platforms to steal their money, with cryptocurrency being the preferred vehicle for these crimes. Crypto business founders need to take these enforcement efforts seriously, as the FBI is now moving faster and more publicly than traditional regulators, coordinating with platforms, exchanges, and international law enforcement rather than waiting for formal policy frameworks.
bookandfilmglobe.com
· 2026-06-20
Carlos Barragan's book "The Yahoo Boys" explores the Nigerian romance scam industry through interviews with teenage scammers, motivated in part by his own mother falling victim to one of these schemes. The book profiles four young Nigerian men who use online relationships to manipulate victims into sending money, revealing that despite understanding the real harm they cause, these scammers show little genuine interest in stopping. For those vulnerable to romance scams, the key takeaway is to be wary of online relationships that quickly lead to requests for money, especially from people you've never met in person.
intellectia.ai
· 2026-06-20
FBI Director Kash Patel has issued a warning that the agency will aggressively pursue crypto scammers responsible for $11 billion in losses in 2025, with particular focus on "pig butchering" schemes that manipulate victims through social media relationships before directing them to fake investment platforms. The scams predominantly affect older Americans, though the FBI's Operation Level Up has already helped over 8,000 victims recover more than $500 million. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited investment offers on social media, verify any crypto platform's legitimacy through official channels before depositing money, and never send cash through cryptocurrency kiosks or use couriers for financial transactions.
u.today
· 2026-06-20
Americans lost a record $20.9 billion to cybercrime last year, with cryptocurrency fraud accounting for over half of that—$11 billion—through schemes like fake exchanges, investment scams, and "pig butchering" tactics that exploit victims' pseudonymity on blockchain. Elderly Americans were hit particularly hard, losing nearly a third of the total amount, with California, Texas, and Florida seeing the most crypto-related losses. In response, FBI Director Kash Patel vowed to intensify enforcement efforts, noting the bureau has already frozen over 3,000 illicit crypto wallets and recovered $500 million, with plans to expand these asset-recovery operations.
kucoin.com
· 2026-06-20
Americans lost $20.9 billion to cybercrime last year, with investment scams—including crypto fraud—accounting for approximately $10.7 billion of those losses, prompting FBI Director Kash Patel to announce intensified efforts to combat crypto scams. Common tactics include fake exchanges, "pig butchering" schemes, and fraudulent DeFi projects that exploit blockchain's anonymity to evade tracking, with elderly Americans being disproportionately targeted and accounting for nearly one-third of total losses. To protect yourself, avoid unsolicited investment opportunities promising high returns, verify the legitimacy of exchanges and platforms before transferring funds, and be cautious of unfamiliar cryptocurrency projects or complex financial terminology used by bad actors.
en.bloomingbit.io
· 2026-06-20
FBI Director Kash Patel has pledged to aggressively pursue cryptocurrency fraudsters, stating the bureau will find and prosecute offenders involved in crypto-related crimes. Recent enforcement efforts by the FBI and Department of Justice have targeted investment fraud, romance scams, and money laundering schemes involving digital assets. While regulators are cracking down on fraud, they're simultaneously working to support legitimate cryptocurrency industry growth.
wsaw.com
· 2026-06-20
Wisconsin has seen over $10.3 million stolen through investment scams since 2024, with reported cases surging 35% from 2023 to 2025, particularly targeting seniors and vulnerable individuals who have already lost money. Scammers are using sophisticated schemes including romance scams, fake digital assets, and especially fraudulent "asset recovery" services that falsely claim they can retrieve stolen funds for an upfront fee—sometimes even impersonating state regulators. To protect yourself, verify investment companies through trusted government sources before investing, be wary of unsolicited recovery offers, and report suspected scams to Wisconsin's Department of Financial Institutions.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-06-20
Cybercrime in Asia and the South Pacific has grown so rapidly that it now rivals traditional crime, with organized scam operations accounting for over 30% of all recorded crime in more than half of surveyed countries. The threats are evolving fast—criminals are increasingly using AI, ransomware, sophisticated phishing schemes, and infostealer malware to steal credentials and launch attacks on digital banking and financial platforms. To protect yourself, be wary of phishing emails, use strong unique passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, and avoid clicking suspicious links or downloading unexpected files.
yahoo.com
· 2026-06-19
A young man named Richie from Lagos, Nigeria, who had a difficult childhood marked by parental separation and family conflict, eventually became involved in romance scams targeting older women—a scheme detailed in a new book about Nigerian scammers. The excerpt traces his path from working as an underpaid baker's apprentice at age 16 to his later involvement in fraud, illustrating how economic hardship and personal circumstances can lead people into criminal activities. For protection, people—especially older adults—should be cautious about online relationships with individuals they've never met in person, verify claims through independent research, and be wary of requests for money or personal financial information.
cryptobriefing.com
· 2026-06-19
Scammers are increasingly sending couriers to victims' homes to collect cash in person, bypassing bank fraud detection systems that have become better at blocking suspicious wire transfers. This emerging tactic, which the FBI warned about in June 2025, typically starts with romance or investment scams where fraudsters build trust with victims over time before pressuring them to send money, often framing it as taxes or penalties. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, never send cash to unknown couriers even if they provide verification codes, and verify any urgent financial requests directly with your bank before acting.
digitalinformationworld.com
· 2026-06-19
Hundreds of thousands of job seekers, particularly those with language skills or vulnerable circumstances, are being trafficked to Southeast Asian countries under false employment promises and forced to run online fraud schemes like "pig-butchering" scams. Scammers control victims through wage withholding, document confiscation, location tracking, and violence, while also extorting ransom from families. Research based on survivor testimonies identifies warning signs of trafficking recruitment, and experts recommend that job seekers verify employment offers through official channels, be cautious of unsolicited job opportunities abroad, and watch for red flags like requests for upfront payments or pressure to move quickly.
aol.com
· 2026-06-19
Older adults lost $7.748 billion to scammers in 2025—a 59% increase from the previous year—according to an IRS warning, with common fraud schemes including investment fraud, government impersonation calls, identity theft, and romance scams. The IRS emphasized that nearly 97% of prosecuted elder fraud cases result in convictions and urged seniors to protect themselves by monitoring accounts, avoiding suspicious links, verifying callers' identities, and never sending money to unknown people. Those who suspect fraud can report it at IRS.gov or contact the Washington D.C. Field Office directly.
rdrnews.com
· 2026-06-19
New Mexico's Adult Protective Services received approximately 18,000 reports of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation in 2026, with scams—including fraudulent phone calls, impersonation schemes, and romance scams—being a significant form of financial exploitation targeting older adults. The state is urging residents to watch for warning signs such as unexplained injuries, sudden behavioral changes, withdrawal from social activities, unusual financial activity, and signs of neglect or poor living conditions. Anyone concerned about an older adult's safety should report suspected abuse and help combat elder abuse through awareness, social connection, and checking in on vulnerable neighbors.
cjme.com
· 2026-06-19
An 80-year-old Saskatoon man lost approximately $500,000 to an online romance and investment scam after being contacted by a woman claiming to have gold bars in the Netherlands who needed help bringing them to Canada. His daughter discovered the fraud after her father, who had recently gotten his first iPhone, revealed he had been communicating exclusively through Facebook Messenger with the scammer since October and had already transferred $200,000 believing it was a "guaranteed" investment. Family members advise that elderly people, particularly those new to technology and experiencing isolation, are vulnerable to these schemes—watch for unusual financial activity, verify romantic interests through video calls or in-person meetings, and report suspected scams to police immediately.
chaincatcher.com
· 2026-06-18
U.S. authorities seized nearly $9 million in cryptocurrency (USDT) connected to "pig butchering" scams, a fraud scheme where criminals build fake romantic or personal relationships with victims to trick them into investing money in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. These scams typically target people looking for personal connections online, who are then persuaded to transfer funds based on false promises of investment returns. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that quickly escalate to investment opportunities, verify any investment offers independently, and never send money to people you haven't met in person, especially for cryptocurrency investments.
wdhafm.com
· 2026-06-18
Bergen County prosecutors warned of a surge in "pig butchering" scams where criminals pose as friendly contacts online, build trust with victims, and convince them to invest money in cryptocurrency before disappearing with their funds. The scam works by gradually encouraging victims to deposit larger amounts while showing fake profits, exploiting emotional manipulation and the lure of quick riches. To protect yourself, authorities advise never trusting online strangers who mention cryptocurrency, remembering that legitimate investments don't sound too good to be true, and reporting any suspected scams to local police.
odaily.news
· 2026-06-18
The U.S. Department of Justice seized approximately $9 million in Tether cryptocurrency linked to "pig butchering" scams, which involve criminals posing as romantic interests to trick victims into depositing money on fake crypto investment platforms. The scam network affected over 70 U.S. victims who lost millions of dollars collectively. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious about unsolicited romantic advances online that lead to investment opportunities, verify the legitimacy of any crypto platform through official channels before depositing funds, and never share personal financial information with people you've only met online.
wishtv.com
· 2026-06-18
Criminals are increasingly using AI technology to conduct sophisticated scams, with the FBI reporting over 22,000 AI-related fraud complaints in 2025 resulting in approximately $893 million in losses, including $632 million from investment scams alone. These scams target everyday people through realistic AI-generated emails, texts, calls, and voice cloning—often impersonating government agencies or officials—making them harder to detect than traditional fraud. To protect yourself, verify unexpected requests by contacting organizations directly using official phone numbers or websites, scrutinize sender email addresses for subtle spoofing (like "USA.com" instead of official government domains), and be skeptical of unsolicited financial requests regardless of how professional they appear.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-06-18
In 2025, Americans lost $3.5 billion to imposter scams where criminals pretended to be government agencies, banks, tech support, employers, and romantic partners—a nearly 20% increase from the previous year and the ninth consecutive year this was the most common fraud type. The scams exploit trust rather than technical tricks, with government imposter scams surging 40%, particularly fake toll payment messages that create urgency through threats of penalties. To protect yourself, verify any unexpected requests for payment or personal information by contacting the organization directly using official contact information, never respond to unsolicited messages, and be skeptical of anything demanding immediate action.
yahoo.com
· 2026-06-18
Utah's top federal prosecutor is touring the state to warn seniors about AI-powered scams that impersonate banks, the IRS, and family members, which have caused reported losses to adults over 60 to skyrocket from $600 million in 2020 to over $3 billion in 2025. The scams often involve imposter schemes, investment fraud, and romance scams that target older adults with increasingly sophisticated tactics. Seniors are being urged to stay calm when contacted by unknown callers or messages, verify identities independently, and ask detailed questions before sharing any financial information—especially when feeling pressured or hearing from someone claiming to be a trusted contact.
953wiki.com
· 2026-06-18
Indiana's Secretary of State is warning residents about a sharp increase in financial scams targeting seniors, with reports nearly doubling from 176 in 2024 to 351 in 2025, resulting in approximately $25 million in losses. The state is encouraging Hoosiers to protect elderly family members by staying informed about common scams—including phone scams, investment fraud, and online schemes—and to report suspicious activity to authorities. Educational programs offered by the Indiana Securities Division are available to seniors, caregivers, and community groups to help identify warning signs of financial exploitation before people become victims.
amarillotribune.org
· 2026-06-17
Financial exploitation of elderly adults through investment scams, romance scams, impersonation fraud, and digital schemes remains a widespread problem, as highlighted during June's Elder Abuse Awareness Month recognition. Warning signs include unexplained withdrawals, pressure to send money or share personal information, and unsolicited contacts via text or social media. Seniors and their families can protect themselves by designating a trusted contact for financial decisions, consulting with family or professionals before major transfers, and reporting suspected fraud to the Texas State Securities Board.
en.sedaily.com
· 2026-06-17
Losses from "new scams" in South Korea—including investment fraud, fake job schemes, and romance scams conducted through social media and apps—dropped 30% in May compared to the previous month, according to police data. The Korean National Police Agency attributes this success to targeted interventions such as blocking fraudulent social media accounts, removing malicious apps from app stores in cooperation with tech companies like Google and Apple, and sending warning notifications to potential victims. The advice for the general public is to be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities, job offers, and romantic contacts on social media platforms, and to report suspicious activity to authorities.
patch.com
· 2026-06-17
Fraudsters are increasingly targeting older Americans through various elaborate schemes including fake timeshare settlements, romance scams, lottery scams, and emergency impersonation tactics, with scammers defrauding seniors of over $885 million in the last five years. The IRS recently arrested more than 20 people in "Operation Silver Shores," a scheme where criminals posed as attorneys and government officials to trick timeshare owners into sending money, which was then laundered through shell companies. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited contact claiming you've won money or are entitled to settlements, verify caller identities independently, and report suspected fraud to the National Elder Fraud Hotline.
morungexpress.com
· 2026-06-17
Sri Lanka has become a major hub for international cybercrime, particularly telecom fraud and "pig-butchering" investment scams, with criminal networks from Southeast Asia relocating there due to economic instability and weak regulatory oversight. Victims worldwide are targeted through fake romance schemes and fraudulent investment platforms, while workers are recruited under false pretenses, have their passports confiscated, and are forced to operate scams from luxury hotels across the country. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited romantic connections offering investment opportunities, verify investment platforms independently, never send money to unknown accounts, and report suspicious job listings that seem unusually lucrative or request upfront payments.
sarkaritel.com
· 2026-06-17
Sri Lanka has become a major hub for international cybercrime, with criminal networks relocating from Southeast Asia to operate sophisticated telecom and pig-butchering scams from luxury hotels and guesthouses across the country. Victims worldwide are targeted through fraudulent investment schemes, fake dating profiles, and mass phishing campaigns using stolen identities and SIM-box equipment that can manage hundreds of phone lines simultaneously. Authorities have intensified raids since mid-2024, arresting hundreds of suspected scammers, but victims can protect themselves by being cautious about unsolicited investment opportunities, verifying identities before sending money, and using strong security practices like enabling two-factor authentication and avoiding clicking links from unknown sources.
vancouver.citynews.ca
· 2026-06-17
A British Columbia senior lost over $60,000 in an online romance scam after connecting with a man who posed as a caring army doctor and repeatedly requested money with various excuses. Her story, shared on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, highlights how seniors are particularly vulnerable to financial scams, with reports of elder abuse steadily increasing in B.C. according to Seniors First BC. Experts advise seniors to be cautious of unsolicited online relationships requesting money, listen to warnings from family members, and report suspected abuse to local authorities or organizations like Seniors First BC's information line.
irs.gov
· 2026-06-17
The IRS Criminal Investigation division is warning of a sharp rise in fraud targeting elderly Americans, with 161 new cases opened in the past 18 months and over $885 million in alleged fraud from 2021-2026. Common schemes involve criminals using deceptive tactics to steal money and personal information from seniors, with nearly 97% of prosecuted cases resulting in convictions and average prison sentences of four years. Older adults and their family members are encouraged to stay vigilant, report suspected fraud to their local IRS Criminal Investigation office, and not feel embarrassed about falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated scams.