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in Crypto Investment Scams
local10.com
· 2025-12-08
South Florida FBI agents are warning seniors about rising elder fraud trends, with impersonation scams (including AI-generated voice calls mimicking grandchildren and tax/immigration-related schemes) and "pig butchering" cryptocurrency investment fraud among the most prevalent tactics. According to FBI Florida data, tech support scams affect the most victims (235 cases), while investment scams cause the highest financial losses at $13.3 million across 105 cases, with agents advising potential victims to stay calm, verify requests through third parties, and recognize urgency tactics as red flags.
wfmj.com
· 2025-12-08
The Ohio Attorney General's office held an educational conference in Warren addressing growing scam threats targeting seniors, including cryptocurrency scams, lottery fraud, and online relationship schemes aimed at stealing life savings and personal identity information. Experts advised older adults to be cautious with online links and downloads, research before acting, and consider freezing their credit with the three major credit reporting agencies. Resources for assistance include Pro Seniors' free legal hotline at (513) 345-4160 and local adult protective services.
wideopencountry.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
An Evanston, Illinois woman lost approximately $62,000 to a scammer impersonating Kevin Costner over six months, sending gift cards via Telegram after being convinced the funds would be invested in cryptocurrency. The victim is unlikely to recover her money, as gift card purchases cannot typically be reversed, and police stated an arrest is highly unlikely. This represents part of a growing trend of celebrity impersonation scams, including a similar $350,000 case involving someone posing as Vince Gill, which the Federal Trade Commission has warned the public about since 2018.
fox5atlanta.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired Georgia couple lost nearly $800,000 in a sophisticated cryptocurrency scam after a stranger contacted Jerry Dunaway on WhatsApp and directed him to a fraudulent trading app that displayed fake returns through an AI-generated "ghost site." The scammers built trust by allowing small initial withdrawals before preventing access to the account, leaving the couple financially devastated and unlikely to recover their funds according to police investigators.
wsbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired Gwinnett County couple, Jerry and Mindy Dunaway, lost $802,000 to a sophisticated cryptocurrency scam after being contacted via WhatsApp and directed to a fraudulent investment platform that used fake transaction displays and malware to deceive them. The FBI reports that similar scams have stolen over $50 billion nationally in the past four years, with seniors being particularly vulnerable, and the couple is now publicly warning others to avoid unsolicited investment messages and verify platforms through trusted sources.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Illinois is offering a free two-part virtual educational series called "Fraud Watch 101" scheduled for June 23rd and 27th to help older adults recognize and avoid scams. The program covers common fraud tactics, emerging threats like cryptocurrency scams, red flags in suspicious communications, and psychological manipulation techniques used by fraudsters. This is an awareness and educational initiative designed to equip seniors and their families with knowledge to protect themselves from fraud.
americanbazaaronline.com
· 2025-12-08
Pranav Patel, 33, from New Jersey, was sentenced to 75 months in prison and ordered to forfeit nearly $2 million for his role as a money mule in a government impersonation scam targeting senior citizens between October and December 2023. Patel picked up cash and gold from victims across the East Coast who had been fraudulently told by overseas call center operators posing as Treasury Department officials that they faced arrest warrants or needed to surrender assets for safekeeping. One victim was forced to sell his house and rely on Social Security after losing his savings in the scheme, which resulted in approximately $1.79 million in laundered fraud proceeds.
newsmeter.in
· 2025-12-08
A 38-year-old businessman in Ranga Reddy, Hyderabad, lost nearly Rs 2 crore in a cryptocurrency investment scam after being lured through WhatsApp by a person claiming to be Satish Dubey who promised high returns. The scammer used fake profit screenshots and escalating investment requests (starting with Rs 9 lakh, then Rs 13.5 lakh, then Rs 1.35 crore for "VIP-1 status"), and later claimed the exchange platform was hacked; when the victim traveled to Delhi to meet the scammer in person, he was directed to another fraudster who convinced him to invest an additional Rs
quickcountry.com
· 2025-12-08
An Evanston, Illinois woman lost $62,000 over six months to a Kevin Costner impersonator on Telegram who claimed to be offering cryptocurrency investment returns through gift card payments. The scammer, part of an ongoing cryptocurrency fraud ring active since at least 2018, never returned any funds, and police indicated arrest is unlikely due to the crime's nature. The FTC advises potential victims to verify celebrity identities through Google searches, consult trusted contacts before sending money, and avoid gift cards, which offer minimal buyer protections and are largely irreversible.
trt.global
· 2025-12-08
Nine Chinese nationals were convicted in Lagos, Nigeria and sentenced to one year in prison plus fines of approximately $630 each for their involvement in cryptocurrency investment and romance scams targeting international victims. The arrests were part of a December raid on a fraud operation in Victoria Island that netted 792 suspects total, with authorities seizing computers, mobile phones, and other equipment used in the scheme. The gang recruited Nigerian accomplices to conduct phishing scams primarily targeting Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, and Europeans.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
An Evanston, Illinois woman lost $62,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam after spending six months communicating with someone impersonating Yellowstone actor Kevin Costner on Telegram, who convinced her that gift card purchases would generate cryptocurrency profits. The scam was confirmed to be part of a long-running cryptocurrency ring active since at least 2018, with police stating that arrest and fund recovery are unlikely. The FTC advises verifying celebrity identities through research, consulting trusted sources before sending money, and reporting fraud to both financial institutions and authorities.
mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2025, text-based scams have become the most prevalent threat, with the E-ZPass scam leading the way—fraudsters send texts falsely claiming unpaid tolls and threatening license suspension to create urgency and trick recipients into clicking malicious links. Other major scams include DMV impersonation texts using similar tactics, fake job offer texts posing as employers or Indeed itself, and fraudulent Joann Fabric advertisements on Facebook and Pinterest directing users to counterfeit websites. The FTC recommends never clicking links or engaging with suspicious messages, contacting relevant agencies directly to verify claims, and reporting scams rather than responding to them.
hometownstations.com
· 2025-12-08
Acting U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik highlighted Elder Abuse Awareness Month in June and emphasized the U.S. Attorney's Office commitment to combating financial fraud targeting seniors, noting that scammers use unsolicited communications and impersonation tactics to exploit older adults' savings. The office outlined common scams affecting seniors including cryptocurrency schemes, lottery fraud, grandparent scams, romance scams, government impersonation, money mule recruitment, and tech support fraud, and recommends vigilance and reporting suspected elder financial abuse to the FBI or Department of Justice.
hometownstations.com
· 2025-12-08
Acting U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik announced that the Northern District of Ohio is committed to combating financial fraud targeting seniors during Elder Abuse Awareness Month in June, noting that scammers use unsolicited communications and impersonation tactics to steal victims' life savings. The office highlighted common scams affecting older adults, including cryptocurrency schemes, lottery scams, grandparent scams, romance scams, government impersonation schemes, money mule operations, and tech support frauds, and urged seniors to remain vigilant while offering FBI and Department of Justice resources for reporting elder financial abuse.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence and social engineering tactics to defraud people online, but victims can limit damage by acting quickly. The article provides ten recommended steps for scam victims: stop communicating with the scammer, secure all online accounts with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, monitor financial statements for fraud, avoid sponsored search results when seeking help, place fraud alerts with credit bureaus, attempt fund recovery through chargebacks or bank recalls, gather evidence of the scam, scan devices for malware, report to authorities and relevant platforms, and implement ongoing security protections.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Acting U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik issued a press release for Elder Abuse Awareness Month highlighting the prevalence of financial scams targeting seniors in the Northern District of Ohio, including cryptocurrency, lottery, grandparent, romance, government impersonation, money mule, and tech support schemes. The statement emphasized that scammers use unsolicited communications and fraudulent tactics to exploit seniors' savings, with some victims losing their entire life savings, and urged vigilance and reporting through the FBI and Department of Justice resources.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2025-12-08
Five men from China, the United States, and Turkey pleaded guilty to operating an international cryptocurrency investment scam ring that stole nearly $37 million from U.S. victims through fake digital asset schemes conducted from Cambodia. The perpetrators contacted victims via social media, dating services, and phone calls, falsely claiming their investments were growing while actually stealing their funds and laundering the money through shell companies, international bank accounts, and cryptocurrency conversions in the Bahamas. Eight co-conspirators have pleaded guilty so far, with charges carrying maximum penalties of 20 years for money laundering conspiracy.
bostonglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
Teresa Rogg, a 74-year-old Massachusetts resident, lost approximately $140,000 from her retirement account after falling victim to an evolving "phantom hacker" scam that began with a fake security pop-up and escalated to in-person cash pickups over two months. The scammers convinced her that suspicious activity had been detected on her accounts and instructed her to withdraw cash and hand it to couriers using code words, while also sending fraudulent letters impersonating the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Tech support scams in Massachusetts have surged dramatically, with reported losses increasing from $1.2 million in 2019 to over $50 million in the most
taipeitimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Internet romance scams are surging in Taiwan, with nearly 1,000 reported cases and over NT$260 million (US$8.68 million) in losses in one month. Victims are typically manipulated by scammers posing as romantic interests who eventually request money for "verification fees," loans, or investments under false pretenses, as exemplified by cases where victims lost NT$80,000 and NT$293,500 respectively. The Criminal Investigation Bureau advises that any request for money from online romantic contacts is a definitive sign of fraud and recommends victims contact anti-fraud hotlines immediately.
wyso.org
· 2025-12-08
Ohio seniors reported 302 scam and fraud complaints to the Division of Securities in 2024, a 22% increase from 2023, with the state experiencing over $64 million in losses according to FBI data. Romance scams targeting older adults have grown significantly, with perpetrators using dating apps to build relationships before convincing victims to invest in cryptocurrency by liquidating retirement accounts or refinancing homes, with funds directed to fraudulent exchanges. Investigators advise seniors to verify any claims about compromised accounts directly with financial institutions, avoid secrecy in relationships, and report suspected fraud to local police and the Ohio Division of Securities at 614-644-7381.
news.ltn.com.tw
· 2025-12-08
Taiwan's Criminal Investigation Bureau reported a sharp rise in romance scams, with nearly 1,000 cases and over NT$260 million (US$8.68 million) in losses in May 2025. Two cases illustrate common tactics: a man lost NT$80,000 after being tricked into paying "verification fees" to meet an online woman, and a woman transferred NT$293,500 to someone posing as a military doctor who claimed to need money for his son's medical emergency. The bureau warned that requests for money from online romantic interests are definitive signs of scams and urged people to avoid downloading investment apps or believing promises of quick profits from strangers.
bitcoinke.io
· 2025-12-08
A 25-year-old woman and her 22-year-old brother in Lagos were arrested for orchestrating a romance fraud scheme that resulted in the theft of three iPhones and $10,000 worth of bitcoin from the victim, with authorities recovering $4,300 in cash and still pursuing additional accomplices. The case exemplifies a growing trend of romance-based cryptocurrency scams in Nigeria and globally, where perpetrators exploit emotional trust to steal digital assets that are difficult to trace and reverse. The article emphasizes that cryptocurrency's anonymity, speed, and lack of traceability make it an attractive tool for fraudsters, and recommends victims avoid sharing crypto wallet information, resist emotional pressure to sen
manxradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The Isle of Man Cyber Security Centre reported a surge in digital fraud from March to April, including over 700 suspicious emails, advance fee scams, phishing attempts, and impersonation schemes targeting residents and businesses through fake websites and social media accounts. Notable cases included a romance scam that escalated to sextortion (£1,500 + £4,000 demanded), deepfake videos impersonating politicians promoting cryptocurrency fraud, business invoice fraud costing £9,000, and marketplace scams resulting in losses ranging from £850 to £965. The Centre advised residents to verify financial claims through official sources and businesses to rely on their own websites rather than social media platforms where impersonation
wosu.org
· 2025-12-08
Ohio seniors filed 302 scam and fraud complaints to the Division of Securities in 2024, a 22% increase from 2023, with the state experiencing over $64 million in elder fraud losses in 2023 alone. The most prevalent scam targeting older Ohioans is the romance scam, where international criminals use dating apps to build relationships and eventually persuade victims to invest in cryptocurrency by liquidating retirement accounts or refinancing homes, with funds directed to fictitious platforms. Investigators urge seniors to report suspicious propositions to trusted contacts, verify financial institution communications independently, and report suspected fraud to local police and the Ohio Division of Securities.
rismedia.com
· 2025-12-08
A "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam has targeted at least 40 real estate professionals, where fraudsters pose as wealthy cash buyers, build trust with agents, and gradually convince them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms that appear legitimate before disappearing with their money, often including victims' retirement accounts. The U.S. Secret Service warns that these scams, which originated in China around 2016, are likely to increase and recommends victims report incidents to the FBI's IC3.gov within 72 hours for the best chance of asset recovery.
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
An Indian Master's student at Indiana University Bloomington lost $5,000 in gift cards to scammers impersonating ICE and police officers who threatened her with arrest and deportation over a three-hour phone call in May. The scammers used spoofed phone numbers, detailed personal information about her, and psychological manipulation to coerce her into purchasing Apple and Target gift cards before disappearing without following through on promised bond papers. The victim emphasized that legitimate government agencies never call directly or request gift cards, and she advised international students to hang up and contact a lawyer rather than comply with such demands.
wbay.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans receive approximately 50 billion nuisance and scam calls annually, with scammers responsible for roughly 30 billion of those calls and text messages. The article provides seven key ways to identify scam calls and texts, including checking the official organization's website, understanding what legitimate organizations will and won't do (such as the IRS never calling without sending a letter first), and recognizing common scam characteristics like pressure to act quickly and requests for personal information. While robocalls have declined somewhat since the TRACED Act gave regulators new enforcement tools, individuals remain primarily responsible for protecting themselves from these increasingly common scams.
dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old Wells Fargo customer in North Carolina lost $61,000 to an impostor scam that began with a fake virus warning pop-up, which directed her to call a fraudulent Apple Care number. The scammers posed as Apple and Wells Fargo representatives, convincing her that her accounts were compromised and instructing her to withdraw cash and convert it to Bitcoin over several days. The victim became suspicious when the scammers asked her to meet at a police station to recover funds and reported the incident to the sheriff's office, which is investigating the case.
gulfnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Pakistani authorities launched "Operation Grey," a major crackdown targeting a transnational cybercrime network involving individuals from over ten countries who perpetrated multibillion-rupee online fraud through illegal gambling apps, loan scams, call centres, and fake investment platforms. The investigation led to arrests including a woman and bank manager, recovery of Bitcoin and foreign currency, and exposed suspicious transactions across 36 company accounts, with the operation being monitored at the highest government levels due to its scale and complexity. The FIA plans to expand the nationwide operation post-Eid holidays to dismantle remaining illegal call centres involved in cyber fraud.
brigadanews.ph
· 2025-12-08
At age 80, Priscilla Presley filed a lawsuit in July 2024 against memorabilia dealer Brigitte Kruse and alleged co-conspirators, claiming they manipulated her into signing over approximately 80 percent of her earnings—worth more than $1 million—through financial fraud and elder abuse, including isolation from key relationships and systematic bank account draining. Presley was reportedly within two months of financial collapse when the suit was filed, and the case is proceeding in California with additional hearings scheduled for June and July. Kruse has countered that she assisted Presley during financial difficulties when the former actress owed over $700,000 in unp
cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is a profile of comedian Alex Falcone and his popular TikTok series "Is it a scam? Yep," which exposes various frauds and deceptive business practices to over half a million followers. Falcone, inspired by his family's carnival background and early exposure to con artists, creates fast-paced educational content that reveals how people and companies manipulate consumers. The piece reflects on society's growing awareness of scams in the digital age and people's fascination with understanding the mechanics behind fraud.
gvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Bitcoin ATMs are increasingly being exploited as tools to facilitate scams targeting older adults, according the R.O.S.E. (Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly) organization and law enforcement officials. While Bitcoin ATMs themselves are legal, scammers leverage victims' confusion about cryptocurrency to direct them to these machines to transfer money, making them effective "scam facilitation" devices. The article warns seniors to be suspicious if anyone—particularly in romance, tech support, or investment scams—instructs them to use Bitcoin ATMs.
silversurfers.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes seven prevalent scams on social media targeting users: fake shop accounts, phishing scams with malicious links, fake giveaways, investment scams promising high returns, romance scams, impersonation scams, and charity scams exploiting crises. The article advises users to verify sources, avoid clicking unsolicited links, use strong passwords with two-factor authentication, and stay educated about evolving fraud tactics to protect themselves and report suspicious activity to platforms.
nwestiowa.com
· 2025-12-08
Four Sioux Center banks—American State Bank, Northwest Bank, Peoples Bank, and Primebank—are partnering with local police to present a free fraud awareness education event on June 11, aimed at helping community members recognize and prevent scams. While the presentation targets the 55+ demographic, organizers emphasize that all age groups are vulnerable to fraud, with data showing adults 18-59 are actually 34 percent more likely to report fraud losses than older adults. The event will address common scam tactics including impostor scams, romance scams, and cryptocurrency fraud, teaching attendees to recognize red flags like urgency, unnerving pressure, and unexpected contact.
journal-news.com
· 2025-12-08
A 67-year-old Ohio woman was victimized by a cryptocurrency scam where she was instructed to withdraw cash and deposit it into a Bitcoin ATM via QR code—one of hundreds of similar cases targeting seniors in Ohio in 2024, often impersonating companies like Amazon, FedEx, or federal agencies. Americans aged 60+ lost nearly $4.89 billion to internet fraud in 2024 (a 46% increase from 2023), with cryptocurrency scams being particularly difficult to reverse once funds are transferred through digital wallets and mixers that obscure transaction origins. Law enforcement emphasizes that quick reporting is critical to recovering funds, and legitimate companies never request payments
wwnytv.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Government Accountability Office released a 116-page report urging the creation of a government-wide strategy to combat fraud and scams, identifying critical weaknesses including no centralized estimate of scam-related losses, no uniform definition of scams, and fragmented inter-agency coordination. The report found that federal agencies lack risk assessments and adequate consumer education efforts, and recommended that the FBI lead a unified initiative to define scams, develop countermeasures, and establish consistent fraud prevention messaging—including prominent warnings at retailers like gift card locations. The GAO director emphasized the importance of consumer reporting, stating that filing scam reports helps agencies identify patterns and take preventive action before fraud becomes widesprea
wusf.org
· 2025-12-08
A 92-year-old Florida man lost over $800,000 in a cryptocurrency and romance scam operated by inmates using smuggled cellphones, representing one of several victims in a scheme orchestrated from within state prisons. Florida law enforcement officials reported that nearly $13 million has been stolen through these coordinated scams with only $1.4 million recovered, and are calling for legislation to block drone signals and eliminate contraband communications in prisons.
kttc.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report identifies significant gaps in federal anti-fraud coordination, finding that 13 agencies lack a unified strategy, clear definitions of scams, government-wide loss estimates, and risk assessments needed to combat fraud proactively. The report recommends establishing a government-wide coordinated approach led by the FBI, improving consumer education and awareness, and urging the public to report scams rather than remain silent, while noting inconsistent fraud warnings across retailers like gift card sellers demonstrate the need for standardized consumer outreach.
bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A Bengaluru pre-owned motorcycle dealer lost Rs.38.85 lakh in a "pig butchering" scam that combined romance fraud with cryptocurrency investment schemes. A woman posing as "Lakshmi Priya" connected with him on a matrimonial site, built emotional trust through video calls with fake family members, and convinced him to invest in a fraudulent cryptocurrency trading platform called "Bost Base," showing fake returns that eventually reached Rs.1.4 crore. When he attempted to withdraw his funds, he was told he needed to pay Rs.21 lakh in "UK taxes" and, after borrowing money from friends and family to complete this payment
theindependent.sg
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Funnull Technology Inc., a Philippine-based tech firm, for supplying infrastructure to host over 332,000 fraudulent cryptocurrency investment domains used in "pig butchering" scams. These elaborate romance-based schemes victimized thousands of people, causing average losses of $150,000 per victim with total damages exceeding $200 million. The company, registered in the Philippines in 2021, purchased bulk IP addresses from cloud providers and sold them to scammers to evade detection, while also compromising a widely-used JavaScript library to redirect users to malicious sites.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Text message job scams have surged dramatically, with reported losses reaching $470 million in 2024—five times the 2020 amount—making job offers the second most common scam after fake package delivery. Scammers pose as recruiters from well-known companies, using increasingly sophisticated AI-crafted messages to lure vulnerable job seekers with unrealistic offers, then steal personal information (Social Security numbers, IDs, bank details) or trick victims into sending money for supposed work equipment. The problem is expected to worsen as economic uncertainty and remote work demand increase, making people more susceptible to these plausible-seeming frauds.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission warned of investment scams on social media where hackers compromise victims' accounts to post bank account screenshots and fake investment opportunities promising quick returns with little risk, typically requesting a few hundred dollars via cryptocurrency or payment apps before blocking the victim. The FTC advises consumers to resist pressure to act immediately, research companies using terms like "scam" or "fraud," and remember that no legitimate investment guarantees returns. Victims should alert their compromised contacts directly in case their accounts have been hacked.
news.wfsu.org
· 2025-12-08
A 92-year-old man lost over $800,000 in a cryptocurrency and Bitcoin scam operated by Florida prison inmates who used smuggled phones and drones to contact seniors and solicit money. Nearly $13 million has been stolen from multiple victims through these schemes, with only $1.4 million recovered, prompting law enforcement officials to call for legislation to block drone signals and eliminate contraband communications in prisons.
theaustraliatoday.com.au
· 2025-12-08
The Australian Federal Police reported a sharp rise in cryptocurrency ATM scams between January 2024 and January 2025, with 150 reported cases resulting in losses exceeding $3.1 million (averaging over $20,000 per victim), though authorities suspect significant under-reporting. Investment scams were most common, followed by extortion and romance scams, predominantly affecting women and people over 51. The AFP, AUSTRAC, and JPC3 have launched a joint taskforce and are placing warning materials at crypto ATM locations, urging the public to avoid sending cryptocurrency to strangers and to report suspicious activity.
ia.acs.org.au
· 2025-12-08
Australian police warned of a surge in cryptocurrency ATM scams, with 150 reported incidents in 2024 resulting in approximately $3.1 million in losses, averaging over $20,000 per scam. Investment scams were the most common type, with 72 victims aged over 51, and one elderly man lost $1.4 million in a romance scam involving crypto ATMs. In response, financial watchdog AUSTRAC implemented new regulations including $5,000 transaction limits, mandatory scam warnings, and enhanced customer due diligence requirements for crypto ATM operators.
newscop.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Women aged 50 and older account for the majority of crypto ATM scam victims in Australia, with 150 reports received over 12 months (January 2024-2025) totaling $3.1 million in losses, averaging over $20,000 per report. The most common scams involved investments (63 cases), extortion emails (35), and romance scams (24), with authorities warning that actual losses are likely significantly underreported due to victim embarrassment or lack of awareness. The AFP recommends vigilance against common warning signs including unsolicited requests to use crypto ATMs, promises of guaranteed high returns, and pressure from new romantic partners or strangers to invest
blog.google
· 2025-12-08
A 2025 survey conducted with Morning Consult reveals that U.S. consumers are increasingly aware of rising online scams, with over 60% perceiving an increase in scam attempts and one-third having experienced a data breach, while the FBI reported online scams reached a record $16.6 billion in losses the previous year (up 33% annually). The study found that security practices vary significantly by generation, with older Americans (Gen X and Baby Boomers) relying on traditional passwords and two-factor authentication, while Gen Z is adopting more modern authentication methods like passkeys and social sign-ins that offer better protection against phishing and data breaches.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes in real-time video calls to conduct romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and other schemes, with experts reporting a dramatic rise from approximately 4-5 cases monthly in 2023 to hundreds per month currently. Notable victims include a Hong Kong finance worker who lost $25 million to a deepfaked CFO impersonation and a New Zealand retiree defrauded of $133,000 through a cryptocurrency scam using a deepfaked government official. As AI tools become more accessible and capable of creating realistic faces and voices, deepfake fraud is expanding to encompass job interview scams, identity theft for banking and housing
scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
The US Treasury Department sanctioned Philippine tech firm Funnull Technology Inc. and Chinese administrator Liu Lizhi for providing infrastructure that supported over 332,000 domains used in "pig butchering" cryptocurrency investment scams that defrauded victims of approximately $200 million total, with individual losses averaging $150,000 each. The scams used fake cryptocurrency platforms to systematically target vulnerable individuals, with internal documents showing the company deliberately distributed domains to cybercriminals for fraudulent schemes including phishing and online gambling.
9news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australia's financial crime watchdog (AUSTRAC) announced a crackdown on cryptocurrency ATM scams, which have cost victims an estimated $3.1 million in reported losses over 12 months, with the actual figure likely much higher. Criminals exploit the machines to pressure victims—predominantly women over 50—into sending cryptocurrency through investment swindles, extortion, and romance scams; once sent, the crypto is nearly impossible to recover. New industry-wide controls are being implemented, and authorities warn people to be suspicious of urgent requests to use crypto ATMs, promises of guaranteed high returns, or any unsolicited pressure to deposit cash.