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aol.com
· 2026-07-24
TruStart Technologies, a Canadian cryptocurrency platform, blocked over $23.5 million in fraudulent transactions through its multi-layered fraud prevention program since June 2025, protecting customers from crypto scams including impersonation schemes and fake investment platforms. The company's system combines identity verification, human review, and blockchain analysis to catch suspicious activity before funds are transferred, addressing a critical gap in crypto security since losses from crypto fraud are typically irreversible once sent. Consumers should use regulated platforms like TruStart that employ human oversight and advanced screening before authorizing any crypto transactions, especially given that crypto scams surged dramatically in 2025 with losses estimated at $17 billion globally.
analyticsinsight.net
· 2026-07-24
Romance scams have evolved into a highly industrialized global operation using AI-generated fake identities, automated conversations, and cryptocurrency to target vulnerable people at scale. Scammers use AI to create convincing profiles and deepfake videos, then build trust before pushing victims toward fake cryptocurrency investment platforms—a tactic called "pig butchering"—resulting in over $11 billion in cryptocurrency fraud losses in 2025. To protect yourself, be skeptical of online dating matches who quickly push investment opportunities, verify identities through video calls with trusted contacts, never send money to strangers, and report suspicious activity to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
cryptobriefing.com
· 2026-07-24
A UN report reveals that organized scam networks operating from Southeast Asia defrauded victims across the Asia-Pacific region of between $88.3 billion and $114.1 billion in 2025—triple the losses from just two years prior. These industrial-scale operations use trafficked workers, AI tools, and cryptocurrency (particularly Tether stablecoins) to run romance scams and fake investment schemes, with East Asia accounting for 71% of losses. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited romantic advances or investment opportunities online, verify claims independently, and avoid sending money or cryptocurrency to unknown individuals or unverified platforms.
cryptonews.net
· 2026-07-24
Southeast Asian criminal networks cost victims between $88-114 billion in 2025 through interconnected scam operations, including romance scams and investment fraud, with proceeds laundered through cryptocurrency. The UN reports that these formerly independent syndicates have merged into a sophisticated, transnational operation offering specialized services like money laundering and data harvesting. To protect themselves, people should be wary of unsolicited investment and romance opportunities, especially those involving cryptocurrency, and authorities need better training to trace criminal funds through digital channels.
cleveland19.com
· 2026-07-24
Ohio's Attorney General has launched a dedicated hotline (1-855-961-SCAM) to help victims of romance scams, which are becoming increasingly common and emotionally manipulative schemes where scammers pose as romantic interests to steal money from victims. The hotline allows Ohioans to report suspected romance scams for themselves or loved ones, with calls reviewed by law enforcement investigators to help intervene early and prevent financial loss. If you suspect you or someone you know is being targeted, calling the hotline can connect you with resources and help authorities investigate these crimes.
bobsullivan.net
· 2026-07-24
A test pilot named Pat Marsh has been the unwitting victim of romance scams for nearly a decade, with his identity stolen and used to deceive hundreds of people on dating sites into believing they were in romantic relationships with him. Victims have sent him thousands of cards, letters, gifts, and money, and some have even shown up at his home, leading to dangerous confrontations. To protect yourself, be cautious of online dating profiles, verify identities through video calls, and be wary of requests for money or personal information from people you've only met online.
timesofsandiego.com
· 2026-07-23
Seniors in San Diego County are losing hundreds of millions of dollars annually to fraud schemes that use impersonation, urgency, and increasingly AI technology—with victims 60 and older nationally reporting over $7.75 billion in losses in 2025, a 59% increase from the previous year. The article urges Congress to pass H.R. 2478, the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act, which would allow banks to temporarily pause suspicious withdrawals to prevent exploitation. Actionable steps include contacting your senators to support this legislation and being cautious of unsolicited calls, texts, and emails claiming to be from grandchildren, banks, or government agencies, especially those creating a sense of urgency.
witn.com
· 2026-07-23
The Kinston Police Department held a fraud prevention forum for seniors after seeing an increase in scam attempts targeting older adults in their community. Common schemes include spoofed phone calls from fake bank representatives, romance scams, and marketplace fraud, with Americans 60 and older losing over $7.7 billion to fraud in 2025. Police advise seniors to verify requests before sharing personal information or money, avoid gift card payments, trust their instincts by hanging up on suspicious calls, and report scams within the first 72 hours when recovery is still possible.
floridaweekly.com
· 2026-07-23
Older adults in South Florida are increasingly targeted by scams—including romance schemes, fake tech support calls, government impersonation, and cryptocurrency fraud—which can devastate those living on fixed incomes where even small losses affect their ability to afford housing, food, and medications. A Palm Beach woman fell victim to a classic romance scam where a fraudster posed as a Hallmark actor to gain her trust and money. Experts recommend that seniors and their families take preventive steps to protect themselves, such as watching for common scam tactics and being cautious about unfamiliar technology and unsolicited contacts.
news.bloombergtax.com
· 2026-07-23
"Pig butchering" is a sophisticated long-term romance scam where criminals build trust with victims over weeks or months before directing them to fake cryptocurrency investment platforms that show false gains, ultimately stealing their money. The scam has become a major problem, generating $7.2 billion in losses across over 61,000 complaints to the FBI in 2025, with many operations run by human trafficking victims forced to work for Southeast Asian criminal enterprises. While victims may be able to claim tax deductions for their losses under certain circumstances, they face significant hurdles including proving the money was "stolen" under state law and navigating tax code provisions that generally block personal theft-loss deductions.
chaincatcher.com
· 2026-07-23
U.S. authorities have seized over $25 million in cryptocurrency from investment fraud and "pig butchering" scams that affected hundreds of victims across the United States and Canada, with the largest case involving 200+ victims and $12.1 million. The scams included criminals posing as investment advisors and fake "fund recovery" services, with money launderers primarily operating from Southeast Asia. If approached by unsolicited investment opportunities or promises of recovering lost money, verify the legitimacy of the organization through official channels before sending any funds or personal information.
finance.biggo.com
· 2026-07-23
U.S. federal prosecutors seized over $26 million in cryptocurrency from Southeast Asian "pig butchering" scam rings—elaborate romance and fake investment schemes that defrauded hundreds of victims in the U.S. and Canada. The seizure, announced in July 2026, resulted from a specialized task force launched to dismantle transnational crypto fraud networks, with the largest cases involving over 200 romance scam victims and 270 fake investment victims. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities and romantic contacts online, verify the legitimacy of crypto platforms through official channels, and report suspected scams to law enforcement immediately.
kucoin.com
· 2026-07-23
U.S. federal authorities have seized over $25 million in cryptocurrency linked to investment fraud and "pig butchering" scams (where scammers build fake relationships to manipulate victims into sending money), affecting hundreds of victims across the United States and Canada. The operation, coordinated by the Department of Justice and Secret Service, identified money launderers primarily operating from Southeast Asia and uncovered a scheme where fraudsters even impersonated "fund recovery" services to defraud victims a second time. Victims should be cautious of unsolicited investment offers, verify recovery services through official channels, and report suspicious activity to law enforcement rather than sending money to unknown intermediaries.
cryptobriefing.com
· 2026-07-23
U.S. federal prosecutors are pursuing civil forfeiture of over $25 million in cryptocurrency linked to international fraud and money laundering networks, continuing efforts to combat crypto scams that caused victims more than $7.2 billion in losses in 2025 alone. The action, filed by the DOJ's Scam Center Strike Force focused on Southeast Asian fraud operations, targets tokens allegedly connected to investment schemes, though specific suspects and wallet details remain undisclosed at this early stage. To protect themselves, people should verify investment opportunities independently, avoid unsolicited crypto investment offers, and report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
nypost.com
· 2026-07-23
Seeking.com is using AI-powered facial recognition technology to identify and block dating app scammers, with the platform successfully preventing over 53,000 fraudsters from even creating profiles since January 2025. Romance scams cost consumers $1.14 billion in 2023 alone, with scam operations originating primarily from countries like China, India, Indonesia, Romania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Users can protect themselves by being cautious of suspicious profiles, using platforms with verification requirements like live selfies, and trusting their instincts when something seems off about a potential match.
observernews.net
· 2026-07-23
Scammers are increasingly targeting Hillsborough County residents, particularly seniors and vulnerable people, through three main schemes: gold bar scams, lottery scams, and romance scams. In the gold bar scam, fraudsters impersonate government officials and pressure victims into withdrawing savings to buy gold bars by falsely claiming identity theft or criminal activity, with one case resulting in a $1.4 million loss to an 80-year-old veteran. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected calls or messages claiming emergencies, never withdraw money based on such contact, and verify any government agency communication by calling the official number directly rather than using numbers provided by the caller.
poliisi.fi
· 2026-07-23
Scammers are impersonating Finnish police officers through fake video calls on Google Meet, sometimes using deepfake technology to replicate the faces of real officers, and tricking victims—particularly foreign residents in Finland—into revealing banking credentials and personal information by creating a false sense of urgency and legal threats. To protect yourself, remember that legitimate police never request banking or identification information via phone or video calls, adjust your Google Meet settings to accept calls only from known contacts, and immediately contact your bank and report to police if you suspect you've been victimized. This sophisticated fraud scheme caused 88 million euros in damage in 2025 across various scam types.
yahoo.com
· 2026-07-23
A 76-year-old California widow lost $425,000—including proceeds from selling her home—to a romance scammer she met on a dating app who posed as a wealthy widower named "Dean Ramirez" and repeatedly convinced her to send money under the false pretense of clearing a tax lien on his supposed $7 million fortune. Over two years, the victim wired hundreds of thousands of dollars while never meeting the scammer in person, even selling her house below market value when he requested additional funds. To protect yourself: be extremely cautious of online romantic interests you've never met in person, especially those who quickly ask for money or claim to have financial problems that only you can solve; verify claims independently rather than relying on screenshots or promises; and consult trusted friends or family before making large financial decisions.
chase.com
· 2026-07-23
Nearly 50% of scams reported to Chase in late 2025 originated on social media, affecting business owners through fake ads, spoofed websites, and marketplace schemes that can disrupt cash flow and operations. Scammers create urgency and build false trust through professional-looking profiles and offers before disappearing after receiving payment via Zelle or wire transfers. Business owners should be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, verify seller and buyer legitimacy before payment, and avoid sending money through untraceable payment methods to unknown or unverified recipients.
americascreditunions.org
· 2026-07-23
Credit unions in Ohio and Montana are implementing new fraud prevention tactics, such as brief questionnaires for large cash withdrawals, to catch scams before members lose money. One Cleveland-area credit union's simple intervention—asking a member withdrawing $15,000 where the cash was going—led her to realize she was likely being scammed and halt the transaction. These member-owned institutions are partnering with law enforcement and local agencies to create moments of reflection that help stop fraud, with some credit unions reporting three to four suspicious withdrawal attempts per month at individual branches.
abc.net.au
· 2026-07-22
Online scam operations in Myanmar have grown dramatically since the 2021 military coup, with criminal networks now operating large compounds in jungle border regions where thousands of trafficked workers are forced to conduct romance scams and other cyber fraud under brutal conditions—including physical abuse, isolation, and starvation as punishment for missing quotas. A recent raid on one major facility called Shunda Park freed about 3,000 workers and recovered thousands of devices and training materials, revealing the industrial scale of these operations that generate millions of dollars while exploiting victims from around the world. If you receive unsolicited romantic advances online from someone you've never met in person, especially if they eventually ask for money or personal information, you should block the contact immediately and report it to the platform, as these are likely scammers operating from such compounds.
hoosierenquirer.com
· 2026-07-22
An elderly Indiana man lost his home to title theft while hospitalized when a former caregiver fraudulently changed the property records, but local police refused to file a report, claiming it was a civil matter rather than a crime. The incident highlights a broader problem of elder fraud cases going unreported and unaddressed in Indiana, with courts and prosecutors reportedly too overwhelmed to handle these crimes effectively. Seniors should protect themselves by monitoring property records, keeping legal documents secure, carefully vetting caregivers, and contacting Adult Protective Services or state authorities if they suspect fraud rather than relying solely on local police.
aol.com
· 2026-07-22
Scam victims face a double financial hit: not only do they lose money to fraudsters, but a 2017 tax law change now permanently prevents them from deducting those losses on their taxes, even if the stolen funds came from retirement accounts that are still taxed as income. Fraud losses have surged dramatically, reaching a record $15.9 billion in 2025 with a 27% increase from the previous year, yet victims are denied any tax relief despite their losses. To protect yourself, remain vigilant against scams (especially those impersonating federal agents), verify unexpected requests independently, and consult a tax professional if you do become a victim to understand your specific tax obligations.
nypost.com
· 2026-07-22
A 76-year-old California widow lost $425,000—including proceeds from selling her home—to a romance scammer she met on a dating app who posed as a wealthy oil rig worker named "Dean Ramirez" and promised marriage and financial security. Over two years, the scammer repeatedly convinced her to wire money by claiming he needed funds to unlock a frozen $7 million fortune, even sending fake bank screenshots as proof. Experts and law enforcement warn vulnerable individuals—particularly widows, divorced people, and those experiencing isolation or cognitive decline—to be skeptical of online suitors who quickly profess love and ask for money, and to verify claims through independent research before sending any funds.
uppermichiganssource.com
· 2026-07-22
Scammers are increasingly using AI technology to impersonate friends, family members, and colleagues in phone calls and messages to steal money, with billions of dollars lost annually and seniors over 60 being particularly targeted. Law enforcement recommends establishing family code words, limiting personal information on social media, being suspicious of urgent money requests, and scrutinizing video calls for unnatural details like incorrect lighting or unusual eye movements. If contacted by someone claiming to be from your bank or a family member in an emergency, hang up and independently verify the caller's identity before taking any action.
nine.com.au
· 2026-07-22
Darron Levin, a man who presented himself as a wealthy property investor and gentleman on dating apps like Bumble, has been exposed as a convicted criminal with a history of domestic violence who allegedly defrauded at least one woman out of $30,000 through a fake investment scheme. Entrepreneur Sissi Wang met Levin on a dating app, and after he pitched her a Bondi property investment promising returns within three months, she invested $30,000 that she never recovered—a situation that has prompted her to file a fraud complaint with NSW Police. To protect yourself, be cautious of romantic connections who quickly propose investment opportunities, verify business credentials independently, and avoid sending money to people you've only met online, no matter how legitimate they appear.
haveagonews.com.au
· 2026-07-22
Seniors in Western Australia have lost over $1 million to gift card scams in recent years, with romance scams—where criminals pose as online romantic partners—now being the leading cause. Scammers convince victims to purchase gift cards and share the serial numbers, with some victims losing tens of thousands of dollars despite warnings from retail staff. To protect yourself, remember that no legitimate business, government agency, or employer will ever ask for payment via gift cards, and report any suspected scams to WA ScamNet at 1300 30 40 54.
wa.gov.au
· 2026-07-22
Gift card scams in Western Australia have surged past $1 million in losses this year, with older residents becoming primary targets through romance scams where fraudsters pose as love interests and convince victims to buy large amounts of gift cards. The scammers are increasingly sophisticated, coaching victims on what to say to store staff and directing them to multiple retailers to avoid detection, though some victims have lost tens of thousands of dollars despite warnings from cashiers. Consumer Protection urges retailers to maintain visible scam warnings and train staff to question customers making unusually large gift card purchases, while the public should be wary of anyone—especially online romantic interests—requesting payment via gift cards.
techround.co.uk
· 2026-07-22
Pig butchering scams are a rapidly growing form of fraud that have cost victims over $10 billion globally, in which criminals spend weeks or months building trust with victims through social media, messaging apps, and dating platforms before convincing them to invest money in fake cryptocurrency schemes. Unlike traditional scams that rely on urgency, these sophisticated scams operate as a slow "grooming process" designed to gradually extract larger amounts of money from victims who believe they're developing genuine relationships or legitimate investment opportunities. To protect yourself, be cautious of new online contacts who seem unusually friendly and interested in discussing investments, and avoid sharing financial information or sending money to anyone you haven't met in person or verified through official channels.
eu.36kr.com
· 2026-07-22
Huiwang Pay, a major Southeast Asian financial platform, collapsed in December after operating as an underground financial empire handling hundreds of billions of dollars while allegedly facilitating money laundering, human trafficking, and scams like "pig-butchering" schemes. The collapse has triggered a reshuffle in the escrow platform industry, with competitors like Xinbi, Jinbei, and Dali filling the void left behind, continuing to operate in a largely unregulated space that enables illicit activities. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of unregulated financial platforms and escrow services, especially those operating in less-regulated jurisdictions, and verify that any platform you use is properly licensed and regulated by legitimate authorities.
cryptonews.net
· 2026-07-22
U.S. authorities have recovered over $25 million in cryptocurrency stolen from thousands of fraud victims in the United States and Canada, with the funds seized as part of the Scam Center Strike Force launched to combat crypto investment fraud linked to Chinese criminal syndicates. The recovered money came from five separate investigations involving "pig butchering" scams, where criminals build trust with victims over time, convince them to buy cryptocurrency, and then steal the funds through fake trading platforms operated by networks based in Southeast Asia. Victims can protect themselves by being cautious about unsolicited investment opportunities, verifying that trading platforms are legitimate, and reporting suspicious cryptocurrency transactions to authorities.
floridaweekly.com
· 2026-07-22
A Palm Beach woman fell victim to a classic romance scam in which a fraudster posed as a Hallmark actor and eventually separated her from money—a scheme emblematic of the growing threat seniors face across South Florida. Older adults living on fixed incomes are increasingly targeted by various scams including tech support fraud, government impersonation, Medicare fraud, and romance schemes, with even small financial losses potentially jeopardizing their ability to afford housing, utilities, medication, and care. Experts recommend that seniors and their families take protective steps such as staying alert to common scam tactics, being cautious with technology, and verifying the identities of people requesting money or personal information.
globaldatinginsights.com
· 2026-07-21
Seeking.com has launched an enhanced anti-fraud program that uses AI-powered verification and behavioral analysis to block scammers before they can contact users, with the platform now publicly displaying images of caught fraudsters to demonstrate the scope of the problem. Romance scams caused $1.14 billion in losses in 2023 according to the FTC, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated profiles and deepfakes to target dating app users. To protect yourself, use dating platforms that require identity verification, be skeptical of accounts requesting money or personal information, and report suspicious profiles to the platform.
newson6.com
· 2026-07-21
An 82-year-old man from Broken Arrow lost over $1 million to online romance scammers over six years before his death, with his family now warning the public about the dangers of these schemes. Romance scams typically involve fraudsters building fake emotional relationships with victims to manipulate them into sending money. The family's advice is to be proactive by questioning unexpected romantic connections, verifying identities through video calls, and consulting trusted family members before sending money to anyone met online.
cutoday.info
· 2026-07-21
Credit unions serving military members and veterans are increasingly dealing with sophisticated financial crimes including money laundering, identity theft, cybercrime, synthetic identity fraud, and romance scams targeting servicemembers and their families. The Defense Credit Union Council urged Congress to modernize anti-money laundering rules and expand the use of artificial intelligence to help combat these crimes more effectively, noting that fraud can have serious consequences beyond financial loss—including disrupting deployments, damaging credit, affecting security clearances, and harming family stability. The council recommended updating regulations to focus resources on actually preventing criminal activity rather than outdated compliance requirements.
legalexaminer.com
· 2026-07-21
Phone scammers impersonating banks through "spoofing" have become a major fraud problem, with over 191,000 complaints and $215 million in losses reported in 2025, particularly affecting older Americans. Whether you can recover money depends on the type of transfer: if a scammer made an unauthorized transfer, you have stronger legal protections under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, but if you were tricked into authorizing the transfer yourself, banks are typically not liable under current law. To protect yourself, be cautious about unsolicited calls claiming to be from your bank, independently verify requests by calling your bank's official number, and never authorize transfers based on phone requests alone—especially for wire transfers, which offer fewer consumer protections.
bostonglobe.com
· 2026-07-21
Romance scams originating from Nigeria typically involve young men, sometimes as young as 14, who pose as Western women online to manipulate and extract money from victims, primarily in places like California. The scammers use fake profiles, downloaded scripts, and Google searches to build convincing false identities, often targeting lonely men who are seeking romantic connections. To protect yourself, be skeptical of online romantic interests who quickly ask for money, verify identities through video calls, and research new contacts before sharing personal or financial information.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-07-21
Two New York residents have been charged with laundering over $43 million stolen from victims of "pig butchering" investment scams—a fraud scheme where scammers build trust through social media and dating apps before directing victims to fake cryptocurrency trading platforms that show fabricated profits. The defendants allegedly operated a network of shell companies and bank accounts to move the stolen money to China. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited investment offers on social media or dating platforms, especially those promising high returns in cryptocurrency, and verify any investment opportunity through official channels before sending money.
bkreader.com
· 2026-07-21
A Brooklyn woman and Queens man were charged with operating a major "pig butchering" fraud scheme that stole over $40 million from victims between 2020 and 2022. The scammers used social media and messaging apps to build fake relationships with victims, convincing them to invest in fake opportunities and showing them fabricated profits before stealing their money, which was then laundered through shell company bank accounts. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment offers from people you meet online, verify investment opportunities through official channels, and never send money to strangers promising quick returns.
cambodianess.com
· 2026-07-21
The death of a 22-year-old South Korean student in Cambodia in August 2025 sparked international attention to a major cybercrime crisis, where criminal syndicates operating scam compounds across Southeast Asia—particularly in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos—force trafficked workers to run online investment fraud and "pig butchering" scams that have stolen billions globally. The incident prompted Cambodia to launch its largest crackdown on these organized networks and strengthen cooperation with South Korea, while also spurring legal reforms to combat the cybercrime industry. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities online, verify the legitimacy of financial platforms independently, and report suspicious activity to authorities.
adexchanger.com
· 2026-07-21
Ofcom released recommendations to combat ad fraud on digital platforms, with experts like Rob Leathern (formerly of Facebook and Google) advocating for platforms to grant third-party access to ad data, proactively alert users who click fraudulent ads, and remove financial incentives that allow platforms to profit from fraud. Currently, users and advertisers often aren't compensated when they fall victim to scams on Google Search or Instagram, while platforms benefit from fraudulent ad placements through advertiser payments and ad credits. The article also notes that major food brands like Kraft Heinz and General Mills face declining sales as GLP-1 drugs reduce sugar and snack consumption among users.
kucoin.com
· 2026-07-21
The Financial Action Task Force released a 2026 report showing that global compliance with virtual asset regulations has slightly improved, with only 1 jurisdiction fully compliant and 34% largely compliant, though significant gaps remain particularly in lower-capacity regions. The report identifies major threats affecting virtual asset users, including pig butchering scams, theft by North Korean hackers, misuse of stablecoins, and unregulated decentralized finance platforms. To protect themselves, users should work with regulated virtual asset providers, be cautious of unsolicited investment schemes, and understand that regulatory gaps still exist in peer-to-peer transactions and offshore services.
thehill.com
· 2026-07-20
A woman lost her life savings to a romance scammer who manipulated her into withdrawing funds from retirement accounts, and despite law enforcement investigation, the money was never recovered—then she faced an additional blow when the IRS hit her with a tax bill on those withdrawals. While the IRS allows theft-loss deductions for victims of investment scams like "pig butchering" scams, romance scam victims are ineligible because they weren't motivated by profit, creating an unfair distinction in the tax code between people defrauded by different tactics. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious with online dating connections that quickly escalate emotionally or request money, verify the identity of romantic interests through video calls, and consult a tax professional if you've been victimized by any type of scam.
iomtoday.co.im
· 2026-07-20
The Isle of Man will host a major Countering Financial Crime Conference on August 12, 2026, featuring presentations from international law enforcement agencies on combating cybercrime networks, investment fraud schemes (known as "pig butchering"), money laundering, and tax evasion. The conference will bring together business leaders and policymakers to discuss emerging financial crime threats, with notable speakers including the US Treasury, UK National Crime Agency, and representatives from HM Revenue and Customs. Those interested in learning about global efforts to prevent financial crime can attend for £60, which includes all-day presentations and meals.
lawenforcementtoday.com
· 2026-07-20
A Wisconsin man was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in a sweepstakes fraud scheme that defrauded an elderly couple of over $431,000 by falsely claiming they had won Publishers Clearing House and Mega Millions prizes and needed to pay taxes upfront. The victims lost money through cash payments, gift card purchases, and unauthorized bank withdrawals over an eight-month period. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited prize notifications requiring upfront payments—legitimate lotteries and sweepstakes never ask winners to pay fees before claiming prizes—and verify any claims directly with the official organization before sending money.
thestar.com.my
· 2026-07-20
Romance scams—where fraudsters pose as romantic partners online to extract money from victims—have surged dramatically, with over 49,000 Americans reporting $1.3 billion in losses last year, a 14% increase fueled partly by pandemic-related loneliness and isolation. Victims like Jean Booth, who developed feelings for a boyfriend she never met in person, are targeted because humans have a biological need for connection that can override rational judgment when that need goes unmet. To protect yourself, be wary of online romantic interests who avoid video calls or in-person meetings, never send money to someone you haven't verified in real life, and recognize that scammers often create elaborate backstories involving emergencies or travel obstacles to justify requests for cash.
times.co.sz
· 2026-07-20
Interpol has warned that romance scams and sextortion—where predators threaten to share explicit images unless victims send money or more intimate photos—have become increasingly profitable cybercrimes affecting young people and adults across Africa. These scams typically involve criminals creating fake online identities to build trust before manipulating or stealing from victims, with cases rising exponentially over the past two years. To protect yourself, be cautious about sharing intimate images online, verify the authenticity of romantic interests before deepening relationships, and report suspicious activity to authorities and platform moderators.
newscop.com.au
· 2026-07-20
Queensland police are warning residents about a sophisticated new phishing scam targeting cryptocurrency users, which has stolen nearly $1.47 million from victims in just five days. The scam uses personalized physical letters with QR codes that trick people into visiting fake websites claiming to offer security updates, where criminals steal their digital assets. To protect themselves, cryptocurrency holders should never click unverified links or share private keys, should verify the sender's authenticity before taking action, and should immediately contact their bank and change passwords if they suspect they've been scammed.
cnbc.com
· 2026-07-19
Scam victims face a compounding financial hardship: beyond losing money to fraud, they often owe taxes on the stolen funds, since most non-investment scams (like romance or imposter scams) don't qualify for tax deductions. The problem has worsened as fraud losses hit a record $15.9 billion in 2025, affecting millions of Americans. A bipartisan bill in Congress called the Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act seeks to eliminate these tax penalties and allow victims to deduct their losses, though it's unclear if it will pass the full House.
pressenterprise.com
· 2026-07-19
A 76-year-old Riverside widow lost over $425,000 to a romance scam after meeting someone posing as a wealthy oil rig worker on a dating app. The scammer, claiming to need funds to unfreeze millions in his bank account, convinced her to wire money over two years and eventually sell her home to fund his supposed financial crisis—promises he never kept. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious about online dating profiles, never wire money to people you haven't met in person, verify claims about wealth through independent means, and be especially alert if someone quickly asks for money or mentions unexpected financial emergencies.