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in Money Mule / Laundering
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Asian crime syndicates operating multibillion-dollar cyberscam networks have expanded globally to South America and Africa despite intensified Southeast Asian raids, with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime reporting the industry generates tens of billions in annual profits by victimizing people worldwide through schemes like romance and cryptocurrency scams. Many scam workers are trafficked and forced into operations, and criminal groups have adapted by relocating to remote areas with weak governance in Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and now Georgia, Zambia, Angola, and Namibia. The U.S. alone reported $5.6 billion in cryptocurrency scam losses in 2023, with elderly and vulnerable people particularly
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Three Chinese nationals were sentenced to federal prison (24-60 months) for their roles in a transnational gift card fraud conspiracy that laundered over $100 million obtained through romance scams, elder fraud, and hacking. The defendants purchased stolen gift cards and used them to buy Apple products for export to China, converting stolen funds into tangible goods as part of a larger criminal supply chain. All three face deportation to China upon completion of their sentences.
news.un.org
· 2025-12-08
A Thai woman working in the United States lost $300,000 to an Asia-based criminal network that impersonated Thai embassy and Central Investigation Bureau officials in a sophisticated scam spanning three months. The scammers convinced her she was a suspect in an international money laundering scheme and demanded she transfer money to prove her innocence, exploiting psychological manipulation and careful timing to prevent her from verifying their claims. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime reports this scam type is increasingly used by transnational organized crime groups expanding operations across Asia and globally.
vice.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, seniors aged 60+ lost nearly $5 billion to online scams, filing 147,127 complaints representing a 46 percent increase in complaints and 43 percent increase in losses compared to 2023, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Report. The elderly were most commonly victimized by investment scams, tech support fraud, and romance scams, with an average loss of $83,000 per person, while cryptocurrency fraud also surged with seniors losing over $2.8 billion to such schemes. Overall, Americans reported over $16 billion in online fraud losses across 859,532 complaints in 2024, a 33 percent increase from
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, scammers stole a record $16.6 billion from over 250,000 victims, representing a 33% increase from 2023, with an average loss of $19,000 per victim. People over 60 filed the most complaints (147,000) and suffered the greatest losses at $4.8 billion (average of $83,000 per person), while investment scams ($6.5 billion), compromised business emails ($2.7 billion), and tech support scams ($1.4 billion) were the leading fraud types. The FBI notes that cryptocurrency was the most common payment method used by scammers, and reporte
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Hardik Jayantilal Patel, a ringleader of an international telemarketing fraud scheme, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $3.2 million in restitution to 85 elderly victims.** From 2019-2020, Patel coordinated a network of "money mules" across the United States who picked up hundreds of cash packages sent by victims responding to scams originating from call centers in India, where fraudsters impersonated government officials claiming victims were under investigation. The scheme victimized primarily elderly individuals nationwide and resulted in millions of dollars in losses, with seven total conspirators sentenced an
neherald.com
· 2025-12-08
A Thai woman working in the United States lost $300,000 to an Asia-based criminal network that conducted an elaborate scam involving false claims of identity theft, an international money laundering investigation, and threats of criminal prosecution. The scammers, posing as Thai embassy and Central Investigation Bureau officials, convinced her to wire money over three months as "proof of innocence," exploiting psychological manipulation and careful timing to prevent her from verifying their claims. According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, this type of sophisticated transnational organized crime scheme is increasingly common and expanding globally, with victims experiencing severe financial and emotional consequences.
oig.ssa.gov
· 2025-12-08
Hardik Jayantilal Patel, 37, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for leading a money laundering operation that supported an international telemarketing fraud scheme targeting elderly Americans from March through November 2019. Operating from Kentucky, Patel coordinated with "runners" who picked up hundreds of cash-filled packages mailed by victims across multiple states after scammers impersonating government officials convinced them they were under investigation; Patel and his conspirators caused significant harm to 85 identified victims, with Patel ordered to pay $3,203,478 in restitution. The case involved seven total defendants sentenced, with co-conspirators receiving
coingeek.com
· 2025-12-08
A Brazilian judge sentenced Joel Ferreira de Souza to 128 years in prison for laundering proceeds from the Braiscompany Ponzi scheme, which defrauded approximately 20,000 investors of around $190 million between 2020-2023. Simultaneously, the U.S. SEC charged Ramil Palafox with operating a fraudulent crypto and foreign exchange scheme called PGI Global that raised $198 million from investors worldwide, with Palafox misappropriating over $57 million for personal luxury purchases while using remaining funds to pay earlier investors in a Ponzi-like structure.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
Indian national Hardik Jayantilal Patel, living illegally in the US, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for orchestrating a telemarketing scam that defrauded senior citizens of $3.2 million between March and November 2019. Patel and his network of "runners" impersonated US government officials, threatening victims with fake investigations and demanding cash payments, which the runners then collected and laundered. Patel was ordered to pay $3.2 million in restitution to 85 identified victims and faces removal from the country following his sentence.
broadbandbreakfast.com
· 2025-12-08
As broadband adoption among adults 65+ reaches 90%, older adults with significant wealth holdings are increasingly targeted by scammers exploiting online platforms. In 2024, the FTC reported $12.5 billion in consumer losses to scams and fraud nationally, with global losses exceeding $1 trillion, making fund recovery nearly impossible due to money laundering complexities. The article advises older adults to pause before responding to unsolicited communications, verify requests by contacting relatives directly, and avoid "too good to be true" offers, particularly fake employment and quick-cash schemes, while recognizing that scammers now use spoofing, phishing, and AI-generated voice/video imp
allafrica.com
· 2025-12-08
Jude Okoye, former manager of music duo Psquare, was released from Ikoyi prison after meeting bail conditions in a money laundering case involving allegations of laundering N1.38 billion and approximately $1 million in foreign currency. He faces charges of fraudulently diverting music royalties belonging to his brothers Peter and Paul, totaling over $1 million across multiple currencies, after spending two months in custody. The case involves seven initial charges and four additional counts filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, online scammers stole a record $16.6 billion, a 33% increase from the previous year, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, which received over 859,500 complaints. People over 60 were hit hardest, accounting for more than 147,100 complaints and $4.8 billion in losses, with investment scams ($6.57 billion), phishing/spoofing (193,400 complaints), and cryptocurrency fraud ($9.3 billion, up 66% year-over-year) among the most prevalent crimes. Cyber-enabled fraud represented 83% of all losses at $13.
visayandailystar.com
· 2025-12-08
Asian crime syndicates operating multibillion-dollar cyberscam networks have expanded globally from Southeast Asia to South America and Africa despite regional law enforcement raids, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. These organized groups operate scam farms housing thousands of trafficked workers generating tens of billions in annual profits, with the U.S. alone reporting $5.6 billion in losses to cryptocurrency and romance scams in 2023, disproportionately affecting elderly and vulnerable victims. As Southeast Asian governments intensify crackdowns, the syndicates have adapted by exploiting weak governance and corruption to relocate operations, demonstrating the difficulty of containing what officials describe as a global criminal enterprise.
thecable.ng
· 2025-12-08
A federal court in Lagos ordered the interim forfeiture of assets linked to Chinese nationals and international accomplices arrested in December 2024 for operating an internet fraud syndicate. The 792 suspects—including 114 Chinese nationals, 40 Filipinos, and others from various countries—were arrested at a Victoria Island building where they conducted romance, dating, and investment scams using computers and mobile devices provided by the company Genting International. The court authorized seizure of thousands of items including computers, phones, SIM cards, routers, and furniture used in the operation, pending a 14-day period for interested parties to contest permanent forfeiture to the federal government.
saharareporters.com
· 2025-12-08
On April 23, 2025, Nigeria's Federal High Court ordered the interim forfeiture of 73 properties and thousands of electronic items seized from Chinese nationals suspected of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud, following a motion by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The items—including 1,596 laptops, 4,091 mobile phones, multiple SIM cards, vehicles, and household equipment—were recovered during a December 2024 operation that arrested 792 suspects involved in cryptocurrency investment and romance scams. The court directed publication of the forfeiture order to allow interested parties 14 days to contest before a final forfeiture decision is made.
businessday.ng
· 2025-12-08
A UN Office on Drugs and Crime report warns that Asian-led cybercrime syndicates, facing crackdowns in Southeast Asia, are expanding operations to Africa and Latin America, with Nigeria identified as a major target for romance scams, investment fraud, and cryptocurrency schemes. Law enforcement raids in Nigeria between late 2024 and early 2025 have arrested suspects linked to these East and Southeast Asian groups, as the global scam industry generates an estimated $40 billion annually and increasingly employs AI and deepfakes to evade detection. The report calls for urgent international cooperation, stronger cybersecurity infrastructure, and regional collaboration to combat this growing threat to Nigeria's digital economy and financial systems.
chronicle.ng
· 2025-12-08
Joseph Oloyede, a Nigerian traditional ruler, and Edward Oluwasanmi, a pastor, pleaded guilty to defrauding the United States government of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds through Oluwasanmi's shell companies, which diverted the money for personal expenses including real estate purchases. Both men face potential prison sentences with sentencing scheduled for July 2, 2024, after being charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and related federal crimes.
boothbayregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office documented 29 fraud cases in 2024 with potential losses totaling $452,356 for local residents, with romance and family emergency scams causing the highest losses ($222,780), followed by technical support scams ($94,300) and cryptocurrency fraud ($55,000). The office is seeing a recent spike in grandparent and bail scams, including cases where scammers sent couriers to victims' homes to collect cash in person, with two separate victims losing $63,000 combined in the first quarter of 2025. Law enforcement advises victims to verify emergency claims by calling the person directly and to be aware that legitimate bail commissioners and law enforcement will never
wiscassetnewspaper.com
· 2025-12-08
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office documented 29 fraud cases in 2024 with potential losses of $452,356 to local residents, with romance and family emergency scams accounting for the highest losses at $222,780, followed by technical support scams at $94,300 and cryptocurrency fraud at $55,000. Detective Jared Mitkus reported a recent spike in grandparent/bail scams (March 2025), including two cases where victims lost $63,000 total to couriers collecting cash at their homes, and emphasized that legitimate bail commissioners and law enforcement never collect bail payments in person. Law enforcement advises victims to verify emergency calls by directly contacting the family member
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A North Korea-linked Cambodian organization called Huione Group fraudulently obtained over $4 billion from US citizens between August 2021 and January 2025 through romance scams and "pig butchering" investment schemes on dating and professional networking platforms, with $37 million supporting North Korean cyber operations. The organization facilitated criminals in targeting US pensioners and other victims by posing as romantic interests or investment professionals on social media, convincing them to invest in cryptocurrency before stealing their funds. Federal authorities announced enforcement measures including proposed Treasury regulations to block Huione's access to US financial systems, citing the company's failure to maintain proper anti-money laundering protocols.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-08
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) targeted Cambodian firm Huione Group as a primary money laundering concern, proposing to cut off its access to U.S. correspondent accounts. Huione Group allegedly served as a key conduit for laundering billions of dollars stolen from Americans through romance scams, investment fraud, cyber heists linked to North Korea, and other cybercrimes perpetrated by Southeast Asian criminal organizations.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
A Cambodia-based gang with North Korean ties operated the Huione Group, which facilitated "pig butchering" romance scams and other cyber fraud against Americans, stealing at least $4 billion between August 2021 and January 2025. The scammers used dating apps, social media, and professional networking sites to pose as romantic interests or business contacts, convincing victims to invest in cryptocurrency or transfer funds for fake business ventures. The U.S. Treasury Department announced a proposed rule to sever Huione's access to the American financial system, with one victim, Beth Hyland, losing $26,000 after being manipulated into sending bitcoin payments through ATMs to a Nigeria
tampafp.com
· 2025-12-08
Five individuals were sentenced in federal court for conspiring to defraud retirement accounts of elderly and retired Florida school district employees between January and March 2022. Ringleader Ronald Vargas, a retirement specialist, exploited his position to access personal information of retirees and deceased individuals, which he provided to accomplices who created fraudulent withdrawal requests; the scheme targeted 25 different 401(k) accounts and resulted in a net loss of $1.1 million. The defendants received sentences ranging from 6 months to 87 months in federal prison, with Floyd Bostic receiving the longest sentence for his role as money launderer.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Five defendants were sentenced in federal court for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and identity theft targeting elderly retired Florida school district employees' 401(k) retirement accounts between January and March 2022. The conspirators, including a retirement specialist with inside access to personal information, fraudulently withdrew approximately $1.1 million from 25 different accounts, some belonging to deceased individuals, with sentences ranging from 6 months to 87 months in federal prison. The scheme involved creating fake withdrawal forms, processing them through the company's system, and laundering the stolen funds through various bank accounts.
cw34.com
· 2025-12-08
Five fraudsters were sentenced to federal prison for conspiring to steal over $1.1 million from retired Florida school employees' 401(k) retirement accounts, with sentences ranging from 6 months to 87 months. The scheme was orchestrated by Ronald Vargas, a retirement specialist who stole funds and transferred them to accomplices including Lambert Aguebor, Floyd Bostic, Grace Aguebor, and Sarina Levy, who then laundered the money through personal accounts, businesses, and real estate purchases. The court ordered all five defendants to pay $1 million in restitution to victims and serve supervised release periods following their imprisonment.
mississauga.com
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old Toronto man was charged with defrauding two victims of over $610,000 through a romance scam conducted between June 2021 and July 2023, in which he posed as an oil rig owner seeking urgent financial assistance while communicating only electronically and never meeting the victims in person. The suspect, who faces multiple fraud and money laundering charges, was previously accused of using the same method to steal over $250,000 from another victim in November 2023, and police believe he is part of a larger criminal network targeting vulnerable users on dating websites.
upi.com
· 2025-12-08
Five individuals were sentenced to federal prison for defrauding retired Florida school district employees through identity theft and unauthorized withdrawal of retirement funds. The conspiracy, which involved a retirement specialist who worked at a company administering 401(k) accounts, resulted in the theft of $1.1 million from 25 different retirement accounts; sentences ranged from six months to 87 months, and all defendants were ordered to pay restitution.
saltwire.com
· 2025-12-08
Luiggi Giovanni Yataco, 35, was sentenced for his role in the "Grandparent Scam," defrauding seniors in St. John's and Gander of nearly $27,900 in October 2023 by posing as a lawyer and claiming grandchildren needed bail money for car accidents. Yataco pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud and one count of wearing a disguise, claiming he was merely a "money mule" collecting cash envelopes, though he was arrested when police caught him attempting to pick up money from one of the victims. The scam is part of a broader pattern affecting Canadian seniors, with over $23
gistmania.com
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old Toronto man, Chimezie Nwabueze, was charged after defrauding two victims of over $610,000 between June 2021 and July 2023 through an elaborate romance scam in which he posed as a wealthy oil rig owner and gained their trust via dating platforms before fabricating financial emergencies. Nwabueze allegedly cut off contact once victims grew suspicious, and police believe he may be part of an organized group targeting older adults; he faces multiple charges including fraud over $5,000, uttering forged documents, and money laundering, and had previously been arrested in November 2023 for a similar $250
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Researchers disclosed multiple vulnerabilities in Apple's AirPlay platform that could allow attackers on the same Wi-Fi network to take over third-party devices like speakers and TVs, though patches have been released with uncertain adoption rates among manufacturers. The article also reports that three major British retailers—Co-op, Marks & Spencer, and Harrods—were recently hit by cyberattacks, with ransomware group Scattered Spider allegedly responsible for at least the Marks & Spencer breach that began in February and disrupted online orders and store operations.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A Cambodia-based gang with North Korean ties operating under the Huione Group has stolen billions of dollars from Americans through "pig butchering" romance scams and investment fraud since August 2021, according to federal officials. Between August 2021 and January 2025, Huione raked in at least $4 billion in proceeds, with the operation facilitating payments and cryptocurrency exchanges that enabled the scams targeting US retirees and others through dating apps and social media. The US Treasury Department has proposed a federal rule to sever Huione Group's access to the US financial system, with one victim, Beth Hyland, losing $26,000 to a Tinder sc
bangkokpost.com
· 2025-12-08
A 32-year-old Thai engineer lost 8.46 million baht (approximately $240,000 USD) to call center scammers impersonating Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officials who claimed he was involved in money laundering. The scammers used forged documents, continuous calls over seven days, and threats of asset confiscation to coerce him into making 11 wire transfers from multiple bank accounts, while keeping him isolated and on the phone throughout. The victim only realized he was scammed when he informed his father, and recovery efforts through his banks have been unsuccessful so far.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated scam targets older adults through WhatsApp and text messages, with fraudsters impersonating family members or close friends claiming to have lost their phone and urgently needing money for various reasons. According to Santander data, scammers posing as sons are most successful, with schemes evolving to include AI voice impersonation technology to increase credibility. Victims are advised to verify requests by contacting the person directly on their known number, establish family passwords, and report suspicious messages through their bank, the messaging app, or Action Fraud.
gulfnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 21-year-old Indian student, Kishan Kumar Singh, was arrested in North Carolina for attempting to defraud a 78-year-old woman as part of a scheme in which scammers posing as law enforcement officers pressured her to withdraw money for "safekeeping" after falsely claiming her bank accounts were compromised. Singh faces felony charges including attempted obtaining of property by false pretenses and exploitation of an elder adult, and is being held on a $1 million bond. The case is part of a growing trend of scammers targeting elderly individuals in residential care facilities.
therecord.media
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Myanmar militia group Karen National Army (KNA) and its leader Saw Chit Thu for profiting from large-scale cyber scam operations, particularly in Shwe Kokko where industrial scamming compounds force trafficked workers to defraud victims through fraudulent investment schemes. The KNA leases land to criminal groups, provides security, and facilitates human trafficking to support these operations, which have caused Americans to lose over $6.5 billion to cryptocurrency investment fraud alone. The sanctions block the militia leader and his family from U.S. business dealings and follow international designations by the UK and EU, as well as broader Treasury actions against money laun
punchng.com
· 2025-12-08
Nigerian national Chimezie Nwabueze, 28, was arrested by Canadian police in April 2025 for a romance scam that defrauded two victims of $610,382 between June 2021 and July 2023. Nwabueze posed as a romantic interest on dating platforms and falsely claimed to own an oil rig in the Middle East, requesting money with promises of repayment before cutting off communication once victims questioned him. This marks his second arrest for similar fraud; he was previously charged in November 2023 for defrauding another victim of over $250,000 using the same method, and investigators believe he is part of a
azcentral.com
· 2025-12-08
Kingsley Sebastian Ibhadore, a Nigerian citizen and lawful U.S. resident from Phoenix, was sentenced to federal prison for laundering approximately $4 million in proceeds from romance scams by structuring financial transactions to evade detection. The case underscores the significant impact of organized online romance fraud schemes operating across Arizona and the nation.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
A 21-year-old Indian student, Kishan Kumar Singh, was arrested in North Carolina for impersonating a federal agent and attempting to defraud a 78-year-old woman by convincing her that her bank accounts were compromised and pressuring her to withdraw cash for "safekeeping"; he was apprehended when arriving to collect the money. This marks the third arrest of an Indian student in two weeks for targeting elderly Americans through similar government impersonation scams, with Singh now facing felony charges including attempted theft and elder exploitation under a $1 million bond.
keyt.com
· 2025-12-08
Craig Case, a 77-year-old security company owner and television host, was sentenced to 26 years and eight months for embezzling approximately $690,000 from elderly Montecito resident Constance McCormick Fearing between 2018 and 2021. Case was convicted of 63 of 64 charges including 45 counts of money laundering, with accomplice Nancy Coglizer (who held power of attorney) writing over 100 small checks to Case for fraudulent "security services" that avoided financial reporting triggers. Coglizer received a reduced sentence of 10 years probation and 364 days in jail in exchange for her guilty plea
ice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A Cameroonian criminal organization operating across southern California defrauded at least 100 elderly victims of over $10 million through phone and email scams impersonating law enforcement and bank employees, as well as fake real estate sales schemes. Leslie Kibula Bongajum, 34, is wanted on money laundering charges after three co-conspirators were arrested in February 2024; the group created 36 shell companies, 145 fraudulent bank accounts, and 32 fake mailboxes to launder stolen funds and facilitate their asylum system abuse. The conspiracy operated from at least November 2021 to the present, with victims tricked into transferring money to accounts controlled by
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Kingsley Sebastian Ibhadore, a 40-year-old Glendale resident, was sentenced to 17 months in prison in May 2025 for serving as a "money mule" in online romance scams, laundering over $500,000 in fraud proceeds through 24 bank accounts under false names while structuring withdrawals to evade federal reporting requirements. Between July 2019 and March 2020, Ibhadore deposited victims' money into accounts opened with fraudulent identities and withdrew it in small amounts to avoid detection, continuing the scheme even after acknowledging the funds came from romance scams. The U.S. Secret Service investigation revealed he conducted transactions
kvoa.com
· 2025-12-08
Kingsley Sebastian Ibhadore, a 40-year-old Nigerian national in Glendale, Arizona, was sentenced to 17 months in prison for laundering over $500,000 in romance scam proceeds through 24 bank accounts using false identities between July 2019 and March 2020. Acting as a "money mule," Ibhadore structured withdrawals below federal reporting thresholds and continued transferring funds even after confirming their fraudulent origins, with the U.S. Secret Service ultimately identifying him through bank surveillance footage across Arizona.
yourvalley.net
· 2025-12-08
Kingsley Sebastian Ibhadore, a 40-year-old Glendale man, was sentenced to 17 months in prison on May 5 for his role as a "money mule" in online romance scams, having pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit structuring. Between July 2019 and March 2020, Ibhadore used 24 bank accounts under false identities to deposit and withdraw over $500,000 in romance scam proceeds in amounts below federal reporting thresholds to avoid detection. Surveillance footage captured him conducting transactions using fraudulent identities at multiple Arizona banks, and he continued the illegal activity even after confirming the funds came from romance sc
yourvalley.net
· 2025-12-08
Kingsley Sebastian Ibhadore, a 40-year-old Glendale man, was sentenced to 17 months in prison on May 5 for his role as a "money mule" in online romance scams, pleading guilty to structuring charges. Between July 2019 and March 2020, Ibhadore used 24 bank accounts under multiple aliases to withdraw over $500,000 in small amounts below federal reporting thresholds, deliberately concealing and distributing funds stolen from romance scam victims. Surveillance footage documented him conducting transactions using fraudulent identities at multiple Arizona banks even after confirming the money originated from romance scams.
jocoreport.com
· 2025-12-08
An 81-year-old man in Benson lost $17,000 to a grandparent scam in which scammers impersonated his grandson and then a lawyer, claiming the grandson needed bail and legal fees for a traffic accident. The victim withdrew cash twice and left envelopes outside his home for pickup before realizing his grandson had not been in an accident; the Johnston County Sheriff's Office is investigating the case.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A Midwest woman fell victim to two interconnected online scams that have left her facing 29 years in prison and thousands in fines. She first lost thousands of dollars in a romance scam on Words with Friends, then unknowingly became a "money mule" transferring $300,000 in illegally obtained funds for cybercriminals. The scammers exploited her trust by moving conversations to untraceable messaging platforms, creating artificial urgency, and isolating her from verification opportunities, while she now faces legal consequences while the actual criminals remain at large.
morganlewis.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of Justice announced revised criminal enforcement priorities on May 12, 2025, continuing to prioritize prosecution of fraud and abuse of government programs including Medicare, Medicaid, and healthcare fraud, as well as complex frauds such as Ponzi schemes, investment fraud, elder fraud, and securities fraud. The new policy emphasizes three core tenets—focus, fairness, and efficiency—while balancing effective prosecution of corporate and white-collar crimes with minimizing unnecessary burdens on American businesses. The memorandum also reiterates the importance of corporate compliance programs in determining appropriate enforcement actions.
financial-planning.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece discusses how financial planners can help protect older clients from elder abuse and fraud by implementing proactive estate planning and family coordination. Key findings show that dementia and cognitive impairment risk increases significantly with age (affecting roughly 10% of those 65+, and over 50% by age 82), and isolation is a primary risk factor for elder abuse. The article recommends advisors facilitate family planning conversations about long-term care, ensure proper legal documents are in place (such as healthcare powers of attorney), and maintain regular oversight of clients in care facilities to prevent exploitation.
providencejournal.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old Rhode Island man pleaded guilty to laundering $35 million obtained through romance scams and elder fraud schemes by operating a "virtual CFO" business from his home. Craig Clayton faces up to 20 years in prison and hundreds of thousands in fines for money laundering conspiracy and obstruction of justice after processing funds on behalf of foreign scammers who defrauded victims out of millions of dollars.