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theleader.info
· 2025-12-08
Spanish Civil Guard arrested 21 individuals and investigated 4 others connected to an organized romance scam network that defrauded over 70 victims of approximately €1.5 million. The criminal group, operating across Spain, Europe, and Africa, used fake profiles and emotional manipulation to convince victims they were in genuine relationships, then solicited large money transfers; one victim lost €94,000. The organization employed document forgers, money launderers, and "money mules" to conceal funds through fraudulent bank accounts, export schemes, and international transfers.
wpbf.com
· 2025-12-08
A South Palm Beach woman lost $18,000 in a fraud scheme where scammers impersonated FBI and bank officials, convincing her she was under investigation for money laundering and instructing her to withdraw cash for "protection." Suspect Wilkens Eugene was arrested on April 3 after arriving at a second victim's home to collect $90,000, and he now faces multiple fraud and theft charges.
dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-08
A scammer impersonating JPMorgan Chase and PayPal defrauded two Florida victims of $30,000 total through a multi-stage scheme involving fake security alerts about unauthorized Bitcoin purchases, threats of arrest for money laundering, and impersonation of a Chase fraud officer and FBI agent. The victims were instructed to withdraw cash ($18,000 from the first victim and $12,000 from the second) and hand it to a courier who visited their homes; suspect Wilkens Eugene was arrested when the second victim became suspicious after being contacted again for an additional $60,000.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Jammu and Kashmir cyber police uncovered 7,200 mule bank accounts used in cyber fraud schemes in Kashmir since January 2025, with 21 people arrested so far. These accounts, opened by individuals for commissions and controlled from abroad, were used to launder money from victims of fake investment sites, online gaming, and betting scams through cryptocurrency and layering techniques. Police warned that account holders and money recipients face strict legal consequences with minimum 10-year sentences, and plan to interrogate all 7,200 account holders.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A finance director at a multinational corporation nearly lost US$499,000 (S$670,000) in March when scammers used deepfake technology to impersonate the company's CEO and CFO during a fake video conference, convincing him to transfer funds to a money mule account. Singapore's Anti-Scam Centre and Hong Kong Police successfully recovered the full amount from Hong Kong bank accounts within days after the victim discovered the fraud on March 27. Police advised businesses to establish verification protocols for video calls and fund transfer requests, particularly from senior executives, and to confirm urgent instructions through established communication channels.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 56-year-old former financial advisor in Fox Island, Washington was indicted for stealing over $920,000 from a widow in her 70s by exploiting her trust and moving funds from her brokerage and bank accounts into his own accounts through multiple transactions. Winslow used the stolen money to purchase personal assets including an island home, hot tub, car, and jewelry, and attempted to conceal the fraud by funneling funds through gold coin purchases and layered transactions while falsifying his tax returns. He faces charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, and tax fraud, with trial scheduled for June 2025.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A trial began in Munich in April 2025 against 12 suspected members of the Black Axe Nigerian mafia organization, accused of operating romance scams that defrauded victims by feigning romantic relationships to extract money. One victim alone lost approximately €235,000 ($257,400), with dozens of romance scam cases involved in the proceedings—the first major trial in Germany targeting this criminal organization, which is also known for money laundering and human trafficking. The defendants, aged 33-54, face charges of forming a criminal organization, with the trial expected to conclude by December 2025.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Twelve suspected members of the Nigerian mafia gang Black Axe went on trial in Munich in connection with romance scams targeting dozens of victims, with one woman defrauded of €235,000. The defendants, aged 33 to 54, are accused of forming a criminal organization and using fake romantic relationships to manipulate victims into sending money, in what is Germany's first major prosecution of the group. The trial, expected to last months with a verdict possibly in December, follows April raids by Bavarian police that revealed the mafia's previously unknown significant presence in Germany.
myupnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert warning about a Bitcoin ATM scam targeting unsuspecting victims, particularly older adults. The scam involves fraudulent calls or messages claiming financial accounts are compromised, with callers impersonating legitimate companies or law enforcement and threatening prosecution to coerce victims into withdrawing cash and depositing it into Bitcoin ATMs, after which the money is irretrievably converted to cryptocurrency. Because Bitcoin ATMs lack regulation and oversight, unlike traditional banking systems with fraud prevention measures, victims have no meaningful consumer protections and funds cannot be recovered once the transaction is complete.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert warning residents about Bitcoin ATM scams targeting older adults, in which fraudsters pose as representatives from companies like Apple, Google, or law enforcement to convince victims their accounts are compromised and demand immediate payment. Victims are instructed to withdraw cash from banks and deposit it into Bitcoin ATMs, where it is converted to cryptocurrency and sent to scammers; once transferred, the money cannot be recovered because Bitcoin ATMs lack oversight, regulation, and fraud prevention measures unlike traditional financial institutions. The alert advises consumers never to deposit money into Bitcoin ATMs at anyone's request, to be wary of urgent calls, to verify requests with their banks, and to report suspecte
kaynewscow.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, of Pawnee was arrested for laundering approximately $1.5 million obtained through online romance scams targeting four elderly women (ages 64-79) between September and December 2024. One victim sold her house and sent $600,000 after believing she was in a romantic relationship with a scammer; Echohawk converted the illicitly obtained funds through bank accounts and cryptocurrency before sending payments to an unidentified suspect. She faces five counts carrying 24 to 62 years in prison and up to $260,000 in fines.
koco.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk, a 53-year-old from Pawnee, Oklahoma, was arrested and charged with laundering approximately $1.5 million obtained through online romance scams targeting senior women between September and December 2024. The victims, all between ages 64 and 79, believed they were sending money to men they were in online relationships with before the funds were diverted through Echohawk's accounts.
wdbj7.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS Criminal Investigation division has charged more than 1,000 people with CARES Act-related fraud over the five years since the pandemic relief program's passage, with particular focus on the Paycheck Protection Program and Employee Retention Credit loans. In Virginia alone, a federal grand jury indicted 24 people from the Roanoke area for wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering related to PPP fraud, while a Southwest Virginia woman was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a separate scheme involving over $1.5 million in stolen unemployment benefits. The IRS states it will continue investigating fraudulent use of pandemic relief programs.
upi.com
· 2025-12-08
Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded elderly victims across Missouri, New Jersey, and Minnesota between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi and co-conspirators used social media to build fake relationships with victims and convince them to send money for various pretexts, with one victim losing over $27,400; he was ordered to pay $311,500 in restitution. The investigation involved multiple federal agencies and resulted in charges for money laundering conspiracy.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded elderly victims in Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey of approximately $311,520 between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi received wire transfers from victims who were deceived by scammers posing as individuals like "Kevin Condon," who fabricated stories about business expenses, medical issues, and legal problems to solicit money. The court ordered Obafemi to pay full restitution and serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a 34-year-old Nigerian national, was arrested in April 2025 and charged with mail fraud and money laundering for orchestrating romance scams that defrauded six victims of over $2.5 million between 2016 and 2019. Nwadavid created fake dating profiles to build trust with victims, then manipulated them into sending money under false pretenses, using a Massachusetts victim as an intermediary to funnel funds to cryptocurrency accounts he controlled. He faces up to 20 years in prison and will be subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence.
ky3.com
· 2025-12-08
Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for his role in an online romance scam targeting elderly victims in Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi conspired to receive fraudulent wire transfers totaling $311,520 by coordinating bank accounts and fund transfers, with one victim in Missouri alone losing $27,460 after being deceived by someone claiming to be "Kevin Condon" seeking money for overseas business and medical expenses. He was ordered to pay full restitution to his victims and serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration.
people.com
· 2025-12-08
An Oklahoma woman, Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, was arrested in April 2025 for laundering approximately $1.5 million from four elderly victims (ages 64-79) in an online romance scam between September and December 2024. One victim sold her house to send $600,000 to the scammer, while others sent gift cards, cash, and cashier's checks; Echohawk allegedly converted the funds through cryptocurrency accounts and sent payments to an unidentified suspect. She faces charges carrying 24 to 62 years in prison and up to $260,000 in fines.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for his role in romance scams that defrauded elderly victims across Missouri, New Jersey, and Minnesota between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi used social media to establish fake romantic relationships with victims, convincing them to send money for various expenses, and coordinated the receipt and transfer of stolen funds through multiple bank accounts; he was ordered to pay over $311,500 in restitution to his victims. The scheme targeted at least one victim in Missouri who lost more than $27,400 to a scammer posing as "Kevin Condon
legends1063.fm
· 2025-12-08
A Georgia man, Badetito O. Obafemi, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded elderly victims across multiple states, including a Taney County, Missouri resident who lost $27,460. Obafemi conspired with scammers who posed as romantic interests online, requesting money for various expenses, and received the stolen funds through personal and business bank accounts he controlled. He was ordered to pay $311,520 in total restitution to all victims across Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, from Oklahoma, was charged with money laundering and computer crimes after stealing approximately $1.5 million from four elderly women (ages 64-79) through romance scams that operated from April 2023 through October 2024. Echohawk used multiple fake male identities to convince victims they were in romantic relationships and needed money for various schemes, including debt payoff, business investments, and ship fuel, with one victim selling her home to send $600,000. After receiving payments via cash, gift cards, and wire transfers, Echohawk converted the funds to cryptocurrency and sent them to an unknown accomplice; she faces 24 to 62
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers operating from Cambodia use sophisticated money laundering networks to quickly move billions of dollars stolen through various schemes, including online romance scams and fake cryptocurrency exchanges. By the time victims realize they've lost their life savings to these frauds, the money has already disappeared into complex financial channels designed to obscure its origins. The article examines how these criminal networks operate with apparent impunity, moving stolen funds at high speed to prevent recovery.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
US Postal Inspector Cory McManus led an investigation into an elaborate romance scam network operated by Wisdom Onyobeno from Atlanta, which stole millions of dollars from dozens of victims. After arresting two money mules who recruited victims and managed bank accounts ("strikers"), investigators traced the operation back to Onyobeno, who posed as a romantic interest to manipulate victims into sending money and even selling their homes. Onyobeno pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
news9.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk, a 53-year-old Oklahoma woman, was charged with money laundering after allegedly orchestrating online romance scams targeting four elderly women (ages 64-79) that netted approximately $1.5 million. Using fake male personas including "Edward Lotts," "Jason Morris," and "Glenn Goddard," Echohawk convinced victims they were in romantic relationships and persuaded them to send funds for various schemes (debt payoffs, oil tanker purchases, financial portfolios), which she then converted to cryptocurrency and sent to an unidentified accomplice. The scam was uncovered when MidFirst Bank flagged suspicious wire transfers in late December 2024, an
wnegradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Badetito O. Obafemi, 42, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded elderly victims in Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey of approximately $311,520 between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi and co-conspirators posed as individuals like "Kevin Condon" online to build relationships with victims and convince them to send money for various expenses, with Obafemi receiving the fraudulent wire transfers through personal and business bank accounts he controlled. The court ordered Obafemi to pay full restitution to victims and serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration.
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Cyber police in Jammu and Kashmir uncovered approximately 7,200 fraudulent "mule accounts" in 2025, with estimates potentially reaching 30,000, which scammers use to launder stolen money and evade detection. Mule accounts are opened by unwitting victims (tricked into sharing identity documents for fake schemes) or willing participants (who sell account access for small commissions of Rs 500–3,000), and when fraud occurs, the legitimate account holders face frozen accounts and legal consequences while actual scammers remain hidden. Students are increasingly targeted with promises of two percent commissions, making them vulnerable to becoming unknowing participants in financial crimes that ultimately victimize them
ynetnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman in Israel nearly fell victim to a romance scam when she attempted to deposit bitcoin into what she believed was tennis star Roger Federer's personal wallet at a crypto ATM. The article reveals that romance scams are a growing threat, with scammers impersonating celebrities and prominent figures to establish emotional connections before requesting money for fabricated crises. Crypto-related fraud has surged dramatically, with an 800% increase in fake cryptocurrency platforms and increasingly sophisticated schemes using AI-generated personas, fake trading platforms, and fabricated celebrity endorsements to deceive victims into transferring funds.
naija247news.com
· 2025-12-08
A 34-year-old Nigerian man, Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, was arrested in Dallas-Fort Worth in April 2025 after being indicted for masterminding a $2.5 million romance scam that operated from 2016 to 2019. The scheme involved creating fake dating profiles to manipulate vulnerable victims into sending money under false pretenses, with one Massachusetts victim unknowingly serving as a money mule who converted stolen funds into cryptocurrency through platforms like LocalBitcoins. Nwadavid faces charges of mail fraud and money laundering, each carrying up to 20 years in prison, plus fines, restitution
gistmania.com
· 2025-12-08
Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Nigerian national, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for his role in a transnational romance scam that defrauded elderly victims across Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and was ordered to pay $311,520 in restitution; one victim alone lost $27,460 after being lured through a fake Facebook identity. The scam involved establishing fake online relationships and soliciting funds under false pretenses such as business investments and medical emergencies, with Obafemi laundering proceeds through two Georgia
tori.ng
· 2025-12-08
Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Nigerian national, was convicted and sentenced to 24 months in prison for his role in an online romance scam that defrauded elderly victims in Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and was ordered to pay $311,520 in restitution; he received funds from victims through personal and business accounts while scammers posed as romantic interests requesting money for business, medical, travel, and other expenses. The Taney County victim alone lost $27,460, with scammers attempting to solicit an additional
coinfomania.com
· 2025-12-08
A 34-year-old Nigerian national, Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, was arrested at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in April 2024 after operating a sophisticated romance scam between 2016 and 2019 that defrauded victims of $2.5 million in cryptocurrency. Nwadavid created fake online personas to manipulate at least one primary victim in Massachusetts into unknowingly facilitating the transfer of over $2.5 million through remote account access and peer-to-peer crypto platforms. He faces up to 40 years in federal prison on charges of mail fraud and money laundering following his indictment by a Boston federal grand jury
thenerdstash.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk was charged with money laundering after operating a romance scam targeting four elderly women across multiple states, fraudulently obtaining over $1.5 million by posing as a man named "Edward Lotts" and convincing victims to send money under false pretenses. Operating from April 2023 through October 2024, Echohawk convinced her first victim to sell her home and send $600,000, and continued targeting additional victims despite a police confrontation in January 2024; she was arrested in April and now faces 24 to 62 years in prison plus up to $260,000 in fines.
chaincatcher.com
· 2025-12-08
Spanish police dismantled a cryptocurrency investment scam ring that used AI-generated deepfake videos of celebrities to defraud over 200 victims of approximately 19 million euros ($21.5 million). The scheme convinced investors to contribute funds to fake crypto ventures and pay additional fees to access their supposed returns. Seven suspects, including the ringleader who was arrested while attempting to flee to Dubai, face charges including fraud, money laundering, and document forgery.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
The Department of Justice recovered $8.2 million in Tether cryptocurrency stolen through romance baiting scams, including $663,352 from an Ohio woman who fell victim after responding to a wrong-number text in 2023. Romance baiting is a psychological manipulation scheme that builds false intimacy through casual conversation before introducing cryptocurrency investment opportunities with fake trading dashboards and fabricated returns, ultimately trapping victims unable to withdraw their funds. The article also references an 80-year-old Maryland retiree, Judith Boivin, who was targeted by scammers impersonating FBI agents using spoofed caller IDs and forged government communications to extract money under false pretenses of a
channelstv.com
· 2025-12-08
Nigerian music star Peter Okoye (Mr P) testified in Federal High Court that his elder brother and former manager Jude Okoye allegedly misappropriated over two decades of P-Square group earnings by secretly registering a company (Northside Music Limited) to control digital royalties without consent, manipulating backend data to reduce catalogue value from $8,000 to $500 monthly, and converting over $1 million through suspicious financial channels. Jude is facing seven charges including money laundering violations related to an ₦850 million property purchase and currency conversion, and has pleaded not guilty; Peter stated the lack of financial transparency cost the group both revenue and business opportunities
dailypost.ng
· 2025-12-08
Peter Okoye of the P-Square music group testified before a Federal High Court in Lagos against his elder brother and former manager, Jude Okoye, who is facing a seven-count charge of money laundering and fraud involving alleged N1.38 billion ($945 million USD equivalent). Peter alleged that Jude, as sole signatory to the group's bank accounts, denied him access to funds and stopped financing his house project in 2022, and also discovered a separate company called Northside Music Limited that generated revenue from their music without his knowledge or consent. Jude pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include the acquisition of an N850 million property in Lagos
dailyguidenetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Peter Okoye of the P-Square music group testified in a Federal High Court in Lagos against his elder brother and former manager Jude Okoye, accusing him of mismanaging group finances, withholding revenue information, and unlawfully acquiring ₦850 million (approximately $570,000 USD) in property through illicit means. Jude faces seven counts of money laundering and fraud related to the ₦1.38 billion case, with Peter claiming Jude was the sole signatory to P-Square accounts and secretly operated Northside Music Limited to handle the group's royalties without his knowledge. The ongoing trial involves examination of financial records
indicanews.com
· 2025-12-08
Dr. Neil Anand, a 48-year-old Indian-origin physician, was convicted in federal court in Pennsylvania for his role in a $2.3 million healthcare fraud and illegal controlled substance distribution scheme, along with money laundering charges. The Justice Department prosecution targeted Anand's involvement in unlawfully distributing controlled medications and defrauding the healthcare system.
fox10phoenix.com
· 2025-12-08
Apache Junction police arrested two men accused of defrauding an 86-year-old woman of $82,000 through an email scam that began in March. The suspects posed as customer service representatives, claiming the victim had accidentally received a refund and pressured her to withdraw cash to repay them, eventually collecting money in person until police intervened. Both suspects were booked for conspiracy, money laundering, and fraud, with investigators indicating they may have been part of a larger operation based in California and suspecting additional victims exist.
missioncityrecord.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this content. The text you've provided appears to be a website navigation menu and homepage listing for a news website, not an article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. To create a summary for the Elderus database, please provide an actual article or transcript that discusses fraud, scams, or elder abuse incidents.
digit.fyi
· 2025-12-08
Cyber gangs based in Southeast Asia and China conducted investment, cryptocurrency, and romance scams that cost eastern and southeastern Asian countries approximately $37 billion in 2023, with significantly higher global losses. These organized crime syndicates, often operating from compounds in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos using trafficked workers, have expanded their operations to Africa and the Pacific while partnering with drug cartels and criminal organizations worldwide. Despite regional crackdowns that freed thousands of workers, law enforcement efforts have only displaced rather than dismantled these networks, which continue to exploit evolving technologies like cryptocurrency for money laundering and victim targeting.
euronews.com
· 2025-12-08
Transnational organized crime groups from East and Southeast Asia are expanding scam operations globally, with the UNODC estimating hundreds of industrial-scale scam centers generating nearly $40 billion in annual profits through romance scams, fake investments, and illegal gambling schemes. These operations are spreading to Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Pacific islands as authorities intensify crackdowns in Southeast Asia, while emerging technologies like AI, deepfakes, and cryptocurrency facilitate "crime as a service" models that enable rapid adaptation and money laundering networks.
aljazeera.com
· 2025-12-08
A UN report warns that Asian-based cybercrime syndicates operating primarily from Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos have caused an estimated $37 billion in losses across East and Southeast Asia through fake investment, cryptocurrency, and romance scams, with operations now expanding to Africa, South America, the Middle East, and Pacific island nations. The criminal networks, which often employ trafficked workers, have adapted by establishing international money laundering partnerships with drug cartels and mafia organizations while using encrypted digital ecosystems and cryptocurrency to evade law enforcement. Despite temporary disruptions from recent crackdowns that freed approximately 7,000 trafficked workers, UN officials warned that the syndicates quickly migrate operations to new regions
globalinitiative.net
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses the growing threat of online fraud and cybercrime involving India and the United States, highlighting how scammers exploit weak data security and leverage generative AI. India serves as both a hub for scam operations targeting Western victims through fake tech support and loan schemes, and increasingly, a source of victims itself, with Indian nationals being trafficked to scam compounds in Cambodia and exploited to defraud others. The article calls for the US and India to strengthen cooperation against these transnational fraud networks, particularly regarding data breaches—such as the 2023 theft of 815 million Indian citizens' personal information—that provide scammers with the databases they need to target vulnerable populations
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Mary Ellen Strange, a retired nurse from Indiana, fell victim to an elaborate impersonation scam in June 2024 where fraudsters posing as Amazon, FTC, and federal officials falsely accused her of money laundering, drug trafficking, and other federal crimes. The scammers convinced her to withdraw cash from her bank accounts under the guise of an "alternative dispute resolution" process, exploiting her fear of legal consequences and promises of eventual restitution. This case illustrates how sophisticated fraud schemes manipulate victims through authority impersonation and psychological manipulation, with the victim's story being shared as part of AARP's awareness campaign to encourage fraud victims to speak publicly about their
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
In June 2024, Mary Ellen Strange, a retired nurse from Indiana, fell victim to an elaborate impersonation scam in which fraudsters posing as Amazon, FTC, and federal agents convinced her she faced serious federal crimes including money laundering and child pornography. The scammers used a fake "alternative dispute resolution" process to manipulate Strange into withdrawing large amounts of cash from her bank under the false premise that she would receive restitution and clearance letters from government officials. This case illustrates a common elder fraud tactic combining authority impersonation, fear-based manipulation, and false promises of resolution.
abc13.com
· 2025-12-08
The City of La Marque lost between $15,000 and $20,000 through a phishing scam in which a fraudster impersonated a vendor and tricked a new finance employee into making an unauthorized payment in December; a routine audit discovered the theft weeks later, the employee was fired, and an investigation is underway with no arrests made or funds recovered yet. The article also references a similar 2023 case in Galveston where someone posing as a truck company scammed the city out of nearly $700,000, resulting in the arrest and conviction of Fawn Sloan, who received a 10-year sentence for money laundering and was ordered to pay
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Transnational organized crime groups based in East and Southeast Asia are expanding their scam operations globally in response to increased law enforcement crackdowns, according to a UN report. These criminal syndicates, which operate hundreds of industrial-scale scam centers generating nearly $40 billion annually through romance scams, fraudulent investments, and illegal gambling schemes, have been reported operating in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Pacific islands, with notable operations discovered in Nigeria, Brazil, and Peru. The report warns that as Asian-led groups expand geographically and adopt new technologies like AI and deepfakes, governments face intensifying challenges requiring coordinated responses.
actionnews5.com
· 2025-12-08
Two men, Stanley Anyanwu, 41, and Vitalis Anyanwu, 42, were convicted of defrauding the City of Memphis of $773,695 through a business email compromise (BEC) scam in February 2022, in which funds intended for a contractor were redirected to their accounts and quickly laundered. The brothers were found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering, and were also identified as "money mules" processing funds from romance scams targeting individual victims. Both defendants are scheduled for sentencing on July 18, 2025.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Two Texas men, Stanley Anyanwu (41) and Vitalis Anyanwu (42), were convicted of wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering conspiracy for their roles as "money mules" in a scheme that defrauded the City of Memphis of $773,695.45 through a business email compromise (BEC) scam in February 2022, as well as romance scam victims. The conspiracy quickly laundered the stolen funds through a network before the city could recover them, and sentencing is scheduled for July 18, 2025.