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justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Jackson resident agreed to a civil court order permanently prohibiting her from participating in romance scams after acting as a money transmitter for an international fraud ring. Holly Locke received packages of money from multiple victims and forwarded the funds to her online romantic partner, unknowingly facilitating fraud against people who believed they were helping their own romantic partners. This civil consent decree marks the first of its kind in the Eastern District of Michigan and is part of a broader Department of Justice effort to disrupt international romance scam operations targeting U.S. citizens.
gbnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Car insurance fraud cases in the UK have reached record levels, with 42,500 cases recorded last year, targeting vulnerable populations including elderly drivers through tactics like "ad spoofing" (fake websites), "ghost broking" (fraudulent policies), and "data farming" (cold calling to encourage false claims). In one case, a fraudster was jailed for four years after cloning an insurance company's identity to sell fake policies to elderly drivers worth £26,000. Authorities warn drivers to verify insurance deals, recognize suspicious offers, and report suspected fraud to protect themselves from potentially losing thousands of pounds.
kfoxtv.com
· 2025-12-08
El Paso police reported a rise in identity theft scams targeting elderly residents over the past two years, with victims particularly vulnerable to text and phone scams due to high trust levels and limited awareness of technology capabilities. Sgt. Cristina Mendoza of the Financial Crime Unit identified key warning signs including unsolicited contact, pressure to pay in specific ways, and inability to verify the other party's identity.
goldendalesentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
From 2022 to 2023, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network reported approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity related to elder financial exploitation, with 80% of all suspicious activity reported by banks involving elder scams. Common scams targeting seniors include government impersonator scams, fake prizes/sweepstakes, computer tech support scams, and grandparent scams, perpetrated by strangers, family members, friends, or caregivers. Prevention strategies include protecting sensitive documents, monitoring financial accounts, avoiding unsolicited requests for personal information, consulting financial advisors before making decisions, and building relationships with trusted financial institutions.
cgsentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud complaints to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center increased 14 percent in 2023, with victims aged 60 and over losing $3.4 billion total and an average of $33,915 per victim. Tech support scams were the most commonly reported type of elder fraud, while investment scams proved the costliest, exceeding $1.2 billion in losses, with over 12,000 victims also targeted through cryptocurrency schemes. Oregon specifically saw elderly residents lose $44 million in 2023, with scammers exploiting older Americans' relative lack of technological proficiency.
wlos.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article addresses the rising trend of financial scams targeting elderly people and emphasizes that knowledge and community vigilance are key defenses. It recommends that seniors protect themselves by exercising caution with unsolicited communications, utilizing security software, maintaining strong passwords, monitoring financial statements regularly, and reporting suspected fraud to the FTC and local authorities. The article also encourages families and communities to stay informed about common scams through trusted resources like the FBI and National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-FRAUD-11).
wsoctv.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, elder fraud cost North Carolina and South Carolina consumers approximately $100 million combined, with North Carolina seniors losing $63 million (averaging $32,000 per victim) and South Carolina seniors losing $35 million (averaging $27,000 per victim), according to analysis of FBI and FTC data by cybersecurity company VPNPro. Despite these significant losses, both states ranked better than at least half of the country in elder fraud victimization.
foxcarolina.com
· 2025-12-08
The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Secret Service are investigating a surge of "missed jury duty" scams in which callers impersonating law enforcement demand payment via Bitcoin to avoid arrest, with recent victims losing $30,200 and $7,200 respectively. Scammers operating overseas use authentic-sounding details like case and badge numbers to convince victims, though legitimate law enforcement never demands cryptocurrency payment. Spartanburg County residents lost $1.4 million to scams in 2024, and authorities advise refusing calls from unknown numbers and never sharing banking or personal information over the phone.
nasdaq.com
· 2025-12-08
An AARP report found that 141.5 million American adults (42%) have been victims of fraud, with those buying or selling homes facing heightened risk from scammers using peer-to-peer payment apps, fake social media ads, and high-pressure tactics. Common scams targeting homebuyers include fake service provider ads on social media, unsolicited home warranty solicitations, wire transfer fraud, and account hacking, with experts recommending consumers verify service providers through official channels, avoid peer-to-peer payment apps for unfamiliar vendors, use credit cards for online purchases when possible, and monitor accounts for suspicious activity.
ksat.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonated major companies like Best Buy, Amazon, PayPal, and Microsoft to steal at least $660 million last year, with victims losing particularly large sums to Microsoft impersonators—including one couple who lost over $170,000 after being tricked into moving their savings. Common tactics include fraudulent emails and texts with legitimate-looking logos directing victims to fake customer service numbers, along with fake tech support pop-ups on frozen computer screens. The FTC advises consumers to never move money for "safe-keeping" at someone's request, avoid clicking links in suspicious messages, and independently verify unexpected business requests by contacting the company directly or consulting trusted contacts.
oodaloop.com
· 2025-12-08
Malachi Mullings, 31, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for laundering over $4.5 million through business email compromise and romance scams conducted between 2019 and June 2021. Mullings used 20 fraudulent bank accounts under the fake company name "The Mullings Group LLC" to process stolen funds from schemes targeting elderly individuals, healthcare benefit programs, and private companies.
desmoinesregister.com
· 2025-12-08
John F. Clarke, 55, a Des Moines man who targeted single women on dating sites by posing under aliases and gaining access to their phones and credit to purchase and resell electronics, was sentenced to up to 15 years in prison in Black Hawk County for probation violations connected to felony theft and lottery theft charges, with additional cases pending in other counties. Clarke had an extensive criminal history spanning decades with nearly two dozen felonies, and his arrest in December came after victims reported him on social media and law enforcement discovered he had expanded his scheme to multiple states including Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.
mlive.com
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Jackson, Michigan woman was barred by federal court order in May 2024 from participating in romance scams after repeatedly serving as a "money transmitter" for fraudsters while also being victimized herself. Holly Locke received packages of money from scam victims and forwarded them to fraudsters she met online, beginning with someone in Ghana in 2022 who claimed to need funds for an orphanage; despite being warned by postal inspectors and signing a cease-and-desist order, she resumed the activity in May 2023 with new scammers met on Facebook. The consent decree, approved by U.S. District Judge Paul D.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Ariell Dix, age 37, was convicted of two felonies related to illegal control of an enterprise and sentenced to three and a half years in prison for her role in an Arizona Medicaid (AHCCCS) fraud scheme. Dix helped establish fraudulent clinics, obtained patient lists for illegal billing, and falsified records to enable the scheme, which defrauded the state of tens of millions of dollars between January 2019 and September 2021.
pennwatch.org
· 2025-12-08
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities hosted multiple educational presentations throughout June to help seniors and the public recognize and prevent financial fraud and elder abuse. Programs covered topics including elder financial abuse recognition, cybersecurity, identity theft prevention, and investment fraud awareness, with sessions delivered through interactive formats like Fraud BINGO in partnership with organizations such as AARP Pennsylvania and local libraries across the state.
chicagofed.org
· 2025-12-08
Financial scams targeting older adults are rising, and while seniors are not more likely to be scammed than younger people, they experience greater harm when victimized. The Chicago Federal Reserve convened experts who identified key vulnerabilities—including declining financial literacy masked by high confidence, social isolation, and emotional manipulation tactics used by scammers—and recommended strategies such as consulting trusted advisors, establishing power of attorney, recognizing urgency/secrecy red flags, and approaching victims with sensitivity to shame and resistance.
riverreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
**World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) highlights a critical public health issue affecting approximately five million older adults annually in the United States, with financial fraud being the most prevalent form, causing victims an estimated $30 billion in losses per year.** The article emphasizes that elder abuse—which includes physical, emotional, neglect, and financial mistreatment—requires community-wide prevention through awareness training, technology safeguards (bank alerts, secure document storage), and strong social networks. Older adults are advised to be cautious of unsolicited contact requesting personal information or urgent payment via unusual methods, and reporting mechanisms are available through multiple agencies with anonymity protections.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Former Epsilon Data Management executives Robert Reger and David Lytle were convicted of conspiracy and mail/wire fraud for knowingly selling targeted consumer data lists to perpetrators of mass-mailing fraud schemes over a 10-year period. The defendants used Epsilon's algorithms to identify millions of consumers most vulnerable to fraud, including elderly people, and sold approximately 100 lists to fraudster clients who sent deceptive letters falsely promising cash prizes and wealth. The case demonstrates corporate accountability for facilitating consumer fraud through the misuse of personal data and targeting vulnerable populations.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
An AARP report found that 141.5 million U.S. adults (42%) have been victims of fraud, with those buying or selling homes facing elevated risk from cyber-thieves using peer-to-peer payment platforms, fake social media ads, and high-pressure tactics. Key protective measures include avoiding peer-to-peer payments with unknown vendors, using credit cards for online transactions, verifying service providers through official websites rather than unsolicited contacts, and confirming wire transfer instructions directly with legitimate lenders before sending funds.
tristatealert.com
· 2025-12-08
Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown warned consumers about the rising threat of imposter scams that use sophisticated technologies, including AI-generated voices, to impersonate trusted figures such as government officials, bank representatives, law enforcement, and family members in order to steal money or personal information. Common scam types include government imposters threatening fines or arrest, family/friend imposters claiming emergencies, and tech support scams demanding payment for unnecessary repairs. To protect yourself, verify callers' identities by contacting organizations directly using official numbers, establish code words with family members, avoid sharing personal information, and report suspected scams to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, FTC, or AARP Fraud Watch
abnnewswire.net
· 2025-12-08
Refundaroo, a financial recovery organization founded in 2020, helps scam victims worldwide retrieve stolen funds using a team of lawyers, forensic accountants, and ex-military personnel. The company has recovered over $5 million in 2023 alone and reports that Australian scam losses reached $2.74 billion in 2023, with investment scams causing the most harm at $1.3 billion. Refundaroo offers an online case-tracking portal and maintains a database to help individuals verify company legitimacy and avoid fraudulent schemes.
therogersvillereview.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors are frequent targets of investment scams, including Ponzi schemes, fake bonds and certificates of deposit, charitable gift annuities, and prime bank scams, which typically promise unrealistic high returns with minimal risk. Red flags include pressure to invest quickly, unclear or unavailable information, and unsolicited offers via cold calls or email. To protect yourself, verify credentials with regulatory authorities, research opportunities thoroughly, diversify investments, consult a licensed financial advisor, and stay informed about common fraud tactics.
thereporter.com
· 2025-12-08
Nearly 750 senior citizens in Solano County reported financial abuse in the previous year, prompting Solano Public Health's Older and Disabled Adult Services to launch the Solano Senior Fraud Prevention Center website. The center provides prevention resources, educational materials on five key anti-scam strategies, and a reporting mechanism for fraud cases, while addressing three major fraud categories affecting the county: phone/mail fraud, internet/email/texting fraud, and family/caregiver fraud. Nationally, seniors lose over $3 billion annually to fraud, averaging $35,101 per victim.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
A Winnipeg man lost hundreds of dollars in a scam after Meta AI incorrectly verified a fake Facebook customer support phone number (1-844-457-0520) as legitimate. When he called the number to troubleshoot transferring his Facebook account to a new phone, the scammer gained access to his account and convinced him his IP address was hacked, then used remote access to his phone to fraudulently purchase a $500 Apple gift card via his PayPal account. The victim's wife recognized the scam and he was able to cancel his cards and reverse the charge, but the incident highlights the dangers of relying on AI verification tools for sensitive account support numbers.
arlnow.com
· 2025-12-08
An Arlington woman nearly became a victim of an impostor scam when a caller impersonated her daughter, claiming she had been in a serious car accident and arrested, with bail set at $180,000. The scammer used convincing details including the daughter's mannerisms and speech patterns, then transferred the call to someone posing as a police officer and later an attorney, but the scheme unraveled when the husband asked questions the scammer couldn't answer (such as the car model and courthouse location). No money was lost, but Arlington County police report over 700 fraud instances year-to-date and advise residents to verify unusual requests through independent contact with loved ones.
berkshireeagle.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud reports exceeded $10 billion in the United States last year, representing a 14% increase from the previous year, with scammers increasingly using sophisticated tactics including phishing, fake urgency, and AI-enhanced schemes. Key prevention strategies include never sharing personal information or online banking credentials with anyone claiming to be from a financial institution or government agency, avoiding unknown callers, and immediately contacting your bank using numbers from official statements rather than online searches if fraud is suspected. A local couple nearly lost $46,000 in a Microsoft impersonation scam but was protected when a bank manager intervened, highlighting the importance of quick action and institutional fraud prevention measures.
12news.com
· 2025-12-08
Taylor Trost, a Scottsdale small business owner, lost $25,000 in April to a social engineering scam in which fraudsters impersonated her bank via text and phone call, claiming someone had fraudulently accessed her account and convincing her to provide account information. After weeks of pursuing the matter and sharing her story on TikTok where she discovered other victims, her bank offered only a $128 refund and closed the case without explanation. Trost is now advocating to raise awareness about the scam and urging others to verify bank contacts directly through official websites rather than calling numbers provided by unsolicited callers.
readthereporter.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece observes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) and emphasizes that elder abuse—including physical, emotional, neglect, and financial mistreatment—affects approximately 5 million U.S. older adults annually, with older victims losing roughly $30 billion yearly to financial fraud, yet only one in 14 cases are reported. The article provides prevention guidance including recognizing common scams (lottery schemes, identity theft, phishing), using technology safeguards (bank alerts, direct deposits), maintaining social connections, and leveraging reporting resources such as Adult Protective Services, local law enforcement, and the National Center on Elder Abuse to combat exploitation.
fox13news.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida enacted a new law allowing banks to delay large withdrawals for up to 15 days if employees suspect seniors or vulnerable adults are being financially exploited, with legal immunity for good-faith delays. Florida seniors lost $294 million to scams in 2023 through various methods including social media, phone calls, and door-to-door fraud, though only 20% of cases are reported. The law, effective January 2024, requires banks to notify account holders and "trusted contacts" and contact law enforcement during the delay period to investigate potential fraud.
irishstar.com
· 2025-12-08
Dean Morgan and John McNamara, two Irish men, were charged with racketeering and theft in Denver, Colorado after allegedly defrauding elderly homeowners by convincing them their roofs required expensive emergency repairs due to infestations of insects, squirrels, or raccoons between April and May. The pair, arrested in New York City before fleeing the country, left some victims with damaged roofs and large financial losses; they are also under investigation for similar allegations in California.
myjoyonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Ghanaian nationals, Wigbert Bandie and Khadijah Adam, were arrested in the United States and face charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering for operating romance and advance-fee scams between June 2019 and December 2019. The defendants targeted victims through social media impersonation, with one victim, Richard Coleman from Knoxville, defrauded of $73,550 after being convinced to pay shipping fees for non-existent gold shipments; a third defendant, Mubarak Braimah, remains at large with an FBI warrant issued for his arrest. Pretrial proceedings were scheduled for June
the-review.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting travelers by creating fake airline websites and customer service numbers to charge for non-existent flights or fabricated cancellations. The BBB Scam Tracker has received multiple reports where victims either paid for tickets on fraudulent sites that were never delivered, or received fake cancellation notices and paid extra fees to "rebook" flights that were never actually canceled. To protect yourself, verify website URLs and phone numbers directly with the airline, research companies on BBB.org before booking, and use credit cards for disputes protection.
hawaiinewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Honolulu CrimeStoppers is seeking suspects in three crimes: a vehicle break-in on April 18 where a female stole property from a parked car, a May 10 vehicle break-in by a male suspect, and a May 4 armed robbery in which a male suspect with a handgun robbed a victim on Liliha Street. The department also warns the public about a phone scam where criminals pose as HPD officers (claiming names like "Captain Cortez") using spoofed phone numbers to demand payment for fake arrest warrants; residents should hang up and call the police directly, as law enforcement never requests payment by phone. Tips leading to arrests are eligible for
wjla.com
· 2025-12-08
Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown warned residents of an escalating AI-powered imposter scam targeting Prince George's County residents, where scammers mimicked sheriff's voices to demand $500-$5,000 via cash app, wire transfer, or gift cards by claiming victims had outstanding arrest warrants. The scammers used officials' real names and created false urgency to pressure victims into quick payments, exploiting AI technology's ability to replicate government and law enforcement voices convincingly. Brown recommends verifying unexpected official contacts through independent phone numbers, avoiding payment requests via gift cards or wire transfers, and reporting suspected scams to the Attorney General, FTC, or FBI.
biometricupdate.com
· 2025-12-08
First-party fraud—using one's own identity to commit dishonest acts like requesting false refunds or disputing legitimate transactions—costs U.S. financial institutions and merchants over $100 billion annually, with over one-third of Americans admitting to engaging in this behavior. The fraud is difficult to detect because it lacks obvious signals and appears less malicious than other fraud types, making it particularly prevalent in online gaming, Buy Now Pay Later services, and marketplace lending. Socure recommends cross-industry data sharing and analytics tools to combat the problem, noting that consumers with multiple closed accounts linked to first-party fraud are 189 times more likely to reoffend.
detroitnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults lose an estimated $3.4 billion annually to financial scams (averaging $33,915 per victim), with tech support scams, data breaches, and romance scams being most prevalent due to older adults' assets, trusting nature, and lower likelihood of reporting fraud. Experts recommend protecting against scams through basic data hygiene practices (secure websites, strong passwords, two-factor authentication), using credit cards for online purchases, verifying suspicious communications directly with sources, establishing multiple trusted contacts to monitor accounts, and fostering open conversations about fraud to reduce shame and encourage reporting.
southeastiowaunion.com
· 2025-12-08
Libertyville Savings Bank is hosting a free educational open house on June 13 to raise awareness about elder financial exploitation, coinciding with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15. According to FinCEN, over 155,000 suspicious activity reports related to elder abuse were filed in the past year, totaling $27 billion in suspicious activity, though many cases go unreported. The event will inform attendees about recognizing fraudulent communications and scams targeting seniors of all ages.
wftv.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Timothy Bartlett, 69, of Deltona, Florida, was arrested for defrauding a Tampa-area nonprofit organization of $5,000 by falsely posing as a cancer patient named "Sally Holmes" seeking living expense assistance. Investigators discovered Bartlett had perpetrated the same scam against at least four other nonprofits in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Wisconsin that provide financial aid to cancer patients.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Taylor Trost, a business owner from Scottsdale, Arizona, lost $25,000 in April to a sophisticated social engineering scam in which a caller impersonated her bank and convinced her to provide account access by claiming an impostor was using her identity. After weeks of calling her bank and receiving conflicting information, she received only a $128 refund and her case was closed without explanation. Trost shared her story on TikTok and discovered other victims, while cybersecurity experts advise consumers to verify company contact information directly rather than using provided numbers and to avoid wire transfers, cash apps, and gift cards when conducting sensitive transactions.
nny360.com
· 2025-12-08
During World Elder Abuse Month, New York's Department of State highlighted the growing crisis of elder fraud, noting that adults over 60 lost over $3.4 billion in 2023 (an 11% increase from 2022), with the average victim losing $33,915. State officials urged New Yorkers to educate themselves and older family members about common scam tactics, warning that scammers use increasingly sophisticated methods to steal money and personal information, and emphasized the importance of reporting suspected abuse to adult protective services.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
On Elder Abuse Awareness Day, local leaders highlighted the vulnerability of seniors to financial scams, noting that nearly 90,000 elders were defrauded nationwide in 2022. U.S. Attorney Dena King emphasized the need to protect seniors' hard-earned savings from fraudsters targeting this population. The awareness initiative aims to educate communities about preventing financial exploitation of elderly individuals.
dos.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection issued guidance on elder fraud awareness, reporting that scams targeting adults over 60 caused $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 (an 11% increase from 2022), with average victim losses of $33,915. The advisory outlined common scams affecting older adults including medical device scams, grandparent scams, identity theft targeting deceased persons, jury duty scams, and sweepstakes scams, while recommending protective measures such as avoiding unsolicited calls, not clicking unknown links, and verifying requests through trusted phone numbers.
wbiw.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud incidents rose 14% in 2023, with seniors over 60 losing over $724 million to scams in 2022—more than all other age groups combined. The article identifies five prevalent fraud types targeting seniors: impersonation scams (using AI voice technology), robocalls and phishing, the grandparent scam, sweepstakes scams (costing victims nearly $70 million in 2022), and investment/charity scams (causing $1.2 billion in losses in 2023). Key protective measures include verifying caller identity through alternative channels, hanging up on suspicious calls, confirming situations with family members, and researching
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office, along with Age-Friendly Mecklenburg and AARP-Charlotte, hosted a Walk for Awareness event on June 15, 2024, to highlight World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and increase community recognition of elder exploitation, neglect, and abuse. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals 60 and older filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses from online fraud, with tech support scams, government impersonation, phishing, and romance scams being particularly prevalent threats to older adults.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud complaints are rising significantly, with the FBI reporting 101,000 victims who lost $3.4 billion in 2023, though AARP estimates actual losses exceed $28 billion annually due to underreporting driven by victim shame and embarrassment. Common scams targeting seniors include AI voice cloning, romance scams, tech support fraud, impersonations of banks and government agencies, and investment schemes. Key protective measures include establishing code words with family to verify identity, never sending money to unknown contacts, ignoring unsolicited pop-up and email messages, hanging up and calling back known numbers to verify callers, and remembering that legitimate government agencies contact by mail rather than
ca.style.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
During Melbourne's lockdown, Australian comedian Michelle Brasier transferred $500 AUD to a man named Jacob on Facebook Marketplace for a discounted Pilates Reformer that was never delivered; when Jacob blocked her after refusing a refund, she tracked down his contact information and confronted him, discovering he had scammed multiple people. Rather than pursue legal action, Brasier chose to befriend Jacob after suspecting he was in personal distress, eventually establishing an ongoing relationship based on empathy and radical forgiveness.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Two men were indicted for allegedly stealing over $8.5 million from thousands of people through a short-term rental scam on Airbnb and Vrbo, operating nearly 100 properties across 10 states by listing the same properties at different prices, overbooking, and canceling reservations with false excuses while using fake identities and addresses. Over two years, they completed more than 10,000 fraudulent reservations and allegedly discriminated against Black renters. To protect themselves, consumers should reverse image search property photos, verify consistent addresses and descriptions, avoid off-site payment requests, maintain host communication, be suspicious of last-minute cancellations, and use credit
ktvz.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Portland Division reported an increase in scammers impersonating federal agents and government officials to extort cash and gold from victims, with couriers collecting payments directly from homes. Seniors over 60 are the primary targets, and in 2023, government impersonation scams resulted in over 14,190 victim reports nationally with losses exceeding $394 million, including $1.7 million in Oregon alone. The FBI emphasized that legitimate federal agencies never call or email threatening arrest or demanding money, and encouraged victims to report suspicious contacts to local law enforcement and the IC3 at ic3.gov.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
In January 2023, a Massachusetts workers union was defrauded of $6.4 million through a business email compromise (BEC) scheme in which scammers spoofed an investment consulting firm's email address (changing one letter) to request a payment information change. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a civil forfeiture action to recover approximately $5.3 million in traced proceeds that were transferred through multiple intermediary accounts in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, and Nigeria before being seized from seven domestic bank accounts.
freep.com
· 2025-12-08
Two emerging scams exploit people's willingness to help others: the "borrow your phone" scam, where strangers ask to use your phone and secretly transfer money from payment apps to their accounts (stealing $150-$200 or more), and the "accidental deposit" scam, where scammers claim they mistakenly sent you money via Venmo and request you send it back, potentially involving fraudulent transactions. Experts recommend never handing phones to strangers and verifying overpayment claims directly with payment app customer support rather than trusting unsolicited requests.