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king5.com
A phishing scam is targeting Washington drivers by sending text messages impersonating the Good To Go tolling service, directing recipients to a fake website (mygoodtogotoll.com) to pay a purported unpaid toll of $6.67 with threats of additional $66.70 charges. The Washington State Department of Transportation warned drivers not to click the malicious link and reminded them the legitimate payment website is MyGoodToGo.com without the word "toll" in the URL. The Better Business Bureau recommends avoiding unsolicited messages, verifying website URLs carefully, and never replying to suspected scam texts.
kpq.com
Remote job scams are targeting college students through fake job postings on legitimate sites and email, where scammers send fraudulent checks as "advance payments" and instruct victims to wire portions of the funds to other accounts. When the checks bounce days later, victims are held liable for the full amount by their banks while the money sent to scammers becomes unrecoverable, leaving students with significant financial losses.
12news.com
Arizona ranked fifth nationally for online romance scams in 2023, with more than 800 victims losing over $22 million, averaging $27,000 per victim—significantly higher than the national average of $2,000. The most dangerous emerging scams involve deepfake video calls, cryptocurrency investment schemes, and fake celebrity profiles using artificial intelligence technology. To protect themselves, potential victims should verify identities through reverse image searches, watch for signs of deepfakes like unnatural blinking and mismatched mouth movements, and never send money or cryptocurrency to unknown online contacts.
miaminewtimes.com
Rosanna Lisa Stanley (48) and Gina Guy (37) were arrested for operating a 15-year romance scam targeting at least 16 elderly and vulnerable victims, defrauding them of over $7 million through fake romantic relationships and fabricated business opportunities. Stanley and Guy lured victims via dating platforms and in-person meetings, then solicited money for nonexistent organ transplants, businesses, and fake psychic services, using the funds for personal luxury purchases and debt payments. Both face federal charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy, each carrying up to 20 years in prison.
kvoa.com
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bbc.com
Eileen Leeks, 63, from Felixstowe, Suffolk, lost £200 to fraudsters impersonating actor Kevin Costner and his management on Facebook, who initially demanded £100 vouchers for fan membership and later claimed she needed a £1,000+ VIP card to meet him in person. After reporting the scam, the fraudsters contacted her again via private messaging, offering her a job and apartment in America to further exploit her, demonstrating a multi-layered romance/celebrity impersonation scheme targeting a vulnerable victim.
newsandsentinel.com
Sophisticated overseas criminals steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone scams, with the crime wave projected to worsen as the aging population and AI technology make fraud easier to perpetrate and harder to prosecute. Law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed and underfunded to handle the exponential growth of scams—including romance, grandparent, and technical support fraud—with victims rarely recovering their stolen money and perpetrators rarely facing consequences. A notable case involved an 81-year-old Ohio man who fatally shot an Uber driver after being defrauded by scammers attempting to extract $12,000, highlighting how these crimes can have devastating downstream effects even as the perpetrators remain
jamaica-star.com
Sophisticated overseas scammers steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans, with losses to adults over 60 ranging from $3.4 billion to $137 billion depending on the source, as law enforcement agencies lack resources to investigate the exponentially growing crime wave. Common schemes include romance scams, grandparent scams, pig butchering, and technical support fraud, with victims rarely recovering their money and often reluctant to report due to shame and self-blame. The problem is expected to worsen as the U.S. population ages and criminals increasingly use AI and cryptocurrency to evade detection, requiring coordinated action from technology, banking, retail, and telecommunications sectors to make fraud harder to execute
local.aarp.org
Amazon impostor scams resulted in 44,000 reports and $19 million in losses to consumers last year, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Criminals employ two primary tactics: complex multi-layered scams involving fake Amazon, bank, and law enforcement personas to increase perceived legitimacy, and fraudulent membership renewal messages with counterfeit websites designed to collect payment information. Consumers should verify transactions directly through official websites and customer service lines rather than clicking links or calling numbers from unsolicited emails or texts.
itechpost.com
Elder fraud in the U.S. is surging exponentially, driven by advancing AI technology and the technological gap exploiting older adults, with common schemes including romance scams and technical support fraud that often result in victims losing their life savings. Law enforcement faces significant challenges investigating these crimes—particularly when perpetrators operate overseas and convert funds to cryptocurrency—and many cases go unreported because victims hesitate to come forward or police dismiss financial fraud as consensual transactions. The FBI recorded a 14% increase in elder fraud cases in 2023, prompting experts to declare the situation a "crisis level" problem in society.
techstory.in
Americans lost over $10 billion to scams in 2023, a 14% increase from the previous year, with investment scams ($4.6 billion) and imposter scams ($2.7 billion) leading the way. Older adults are disproportionately targeted, and the FTC estimates seniors lose $28.3 billion annually to fraud, with common schemes including romance fraud, grandparent scams, and technical support hoaxes. Law enforcement faces significant challenges combating overseas scammers who exploit cryptocurrency and other untraceable payment methods, highlighting the need for enhanced collaboration between government agencies and private industry to strengthen fraud prevention and victim support.
hindustantimes.com
A 23-year-old man in Hyderabad lost ₹12 lakh after receiving a spoofed call claiming to be from FedEx stating his Aadhaar was being misused for illegal courier shipments; the scammers then impersonated Mumbai Cyber Crime officials and coerced him into transferring funds under the guise of an "investigation" via Skype video call. A case has been registered with Hyderabad Cyber Crimes police, and FedEx issued a warning that they never request personal information through unsolicited calls or emails.
newsweek.com
In 2022, 2.6 million Americans fell victim to fraud with reported losses of $9 billion, though the Justice Department estimates true losses could exceed $137 billion annually since only 15 percent of victims report crimes. The surge in fraud—particularly investment scams and cryptocurrency schemes like "Pig Butchering" which increased 2,000 percent from 2019 to 2022—is driven by enforcement gaps, with federal agencies typically only investigating cases exceeding $1 million, leaving devastating losses to seniors in the tens of thousands unaddressed. Experts argue that the U.S. needs a coordinated national anti-fraud strategy similar to the UK's approach
fortune.com
Sophisticated overseas scammers steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone fraud, with relatively few perpetrators caught or convicted, according to AARP's Fraud Watch Network director. Law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed by the exponential growth of scams targeting older adults, who rarely recover lost funds from romance scams, grandparent scams, and technical support fraud, while victims are often discouraged from reporting due to misconceptions that voluntary money transfers constitute consensual transactions. The challenge is compounded by the use of cryptocurrency and foreign bank accounts, low federal prosecution thresholds, and the ease with which criminals operate with minimal consequences, with one Ohio case illustrating how fraud can
mk.co.kr
Romance scams and online fraud operations, predominantly run by Chinese criminal organizations based in Southeast Asia (particularly Myanmar and Cambodia), have caused an estimated $1.26 trillion in global damage annually through impersonation schemes, investment fraud, and phishing. Approximately 220,000 people are mobilized across Myanmar and Cambodia for these crimes, with victims including those abducted from 35 countries who are coerced to impersonate others via social media, email, and phone calls. In response, China has blocked over $157 billion in fraudulent transactions since 2021, and Myanmar authorities rescued 19 kidnapped South Koreans in the previous year as international law enforcement intensifies crack
finance.yahoo.com
Sophisticated overseas scammers steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and phone fraud, with the crime wave expected to worsen as the aging population and AI technology create easier opportunities for perpetrators while law enforcement struggles to investigate and prosecute due to limited resources and cases originating overseas. Victims, particularly older adults targeted by romance scams, grandparent scams, and technical support fraud, rarely recover their money, and many cases go unreported as victims feel discouraged by police who often mischaracterize fraud as "consensual transactions" and prioritize cases with higher dollar amounts or multiple victims.
ibj.com
Sophisticated overseas scammers steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone fraud, with relatively few perpetrators caught or convicted, according to AARP's Fraud Watch Network director. Victims—particularly older adults targeted by romance scams, grandparent scams, and technical support fraud—rarely recover their money, and law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed and under-resourced to investigate cases, especially those involving cryptocurrency or foreign bank accounts. The article illustrates the crisis through an Ohio case where an 81-year-old man fatally shot an Uber driver after being manipulated by a scammer into believing she was involved in a $12,000 bond fraud, while the actual
mk.co.kr
Smishing attacks in South Korea have surged dramatically, with scammers impersonating financial institutions, investment firms, and government agencies through fake promotional text messages containing malicious URLs. These sophisticated schemes trick victims into visiting counterfeit websites or downloading malware-laden apps that steal personal information, enable remote device control, or lock data with ransomware demands; spam texts increased nearly 10-fold from 31.12 million in 2019 to over 168 million cases by mid-2023, with projections exceeding 400 million annually. The attacks exploit improved spam reporting visibility, regulatory changes affecting investment advisory services, and compromised text reseller companies to distribute fraudulent messages imp
nbcnewyork.com
Sophisticated overseas scammers steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone fraud, with relatively few perpetrators caught or convicted despite the exponential growth of such crimes. Victims—particularly older adults targeted by romance scams, grandparent scams, and technical support fraud—rarely recover their money, and law enforcement agencies lack sufficient resources to investigate cases, especially those involving cryptocurrency or foreign bank accounts. The article highlights a tragic Ohio case where an 81-year-old man fatally shot an Uber driver after being defrauded of $12,000, illustrating how scams can escalate to violence while the original scammers remain at large.
apnews.com
Sophisticated international scammers steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans, with law enforcement catching and convicting relatively few perpetrators due to resource limitations and investigation challenges, particularly for overseas crimes involving cryptocurrency and foreign accounts. Older Americans are especially vulnerable to romance scams, grandparent scams, and technical support fraud, rarely recovering lost funds including life savings, while some police departments deprioritize financial fraud cases and victims often remain unreported. As the U.S. population ages and AI technology advances, experts warn the crime wave is projected to worsen, with scammers facing minimal consequences for crimes that are increasingly easy to commit and difficult to prosecute.
nypost.com
Sophisticated scammers steal tens of billions of dollars annually from elderly Americans through internet and telephone fraud schemes including romance scams, grandparent scams, and technical support fraud, with perpetrators rarely caught or convicted due to law enforcement resource limitations and overseas origins making investigations difficult. The crime wave is projected to worsen as the population ages and AI technology advances, while victims—who rarely recover lost funds—are often discouraged from reporting due to police skepticism about voluntarily-sent money and the vast majority of cases going unreported.
mb.com.ph
Scammers steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone fraud, with sophisticated overseas criminals exploiting an aging population and increasingly using AI to evade detection and prosecution. Law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed by the exponential growth in scams, with most perpetrators escaping capture and victims rarely recovering their money, while some police departments treat financial fraud as lower priority than other crimes. The article illustrates the crisis through cases including an 81-year-old Ohio man who fatally shot an Uber driver after being targeted by a bond scam, and highlights how stolen funds are quickly converted to cryptocurrency or moved to foreign accounts, making recovery and investigation nearly impossible.
m.economictimes.com
Sophisticated overseas scammers steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone fraud, with projections worsening as the population ages and AI technology advances fraud capabilities. Law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed and underfunded to investigate these crimes, resulting in few convictions and minimal recovery of stolen funds, while victims—particularly older adults—lose life savings to romance scams, grandparent scams, and technical support fraud. A tragic Ohio case illustrates the crisis: an 81-year-old man fatally shot an Uber driver after a scammer manipulated him into believing she was involved in a $12,000 bond extraction scheme, while the actual perpetrator remains
yahoo.com
Sophisticated overseas scammers steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone fraud, with the vast majority of perpetrators escaping prosecution as law enforcement agencies become overwhelmed by the exponential growth in cases. Victims, particularly older adults targeted by romance, grandparent, and technical support scams, rarely recover their losses, and some cases result in tragic secondary consequences when victims become desperate or violent. The combination of low investigation priority at local police departments, difficulty tracking funds moved to cryptocurrency or foreign accounts, and federal prosecution thresholds means that scammers operate with minimal risk of being caught or held accountable.
hellorayo.co.uk
Following the collapse of Flybe airline into administration, Citizens Advice warned stranded passengers seeking refunds to be alert for scams, as fraudsters typically exploit such situations to offer fake recovery services. The article advises affected customers to check their ticket purchase method (direct vs. travel agent), payment type (credit card may offer protections), and accommodation terms, while several rail and coach operators offered free alternative travel to help passengers reach their destinations.
shawlocal.com
The Better Business Bureau launched "Your Home HQ," an educational nonprofit to help consumers avoid common household scams, particularly home improvement and security system fraud targeting homeowners of all ages. Home improvement scams were identified as the riskiest fraud type for consumers 55 and older in 2023, with scammers using tactics such as falsely claiming alarm providers are out of business or offering fake upgrades and driveway paving services with large upfront payments. The BBB recommends obtaining multiple estimates, verifying contractor credentials and licensing, signing written contracts, avoiding urgency tactics, and using staggered payments to prevent falling victim to these scams.
cnbc.com
Employment scams surged 118% in 2023, with criminals using AI to create convincing fake job listings on legitimate platforms like LinkedIn to steal personal information and money from job seekers. The typical victim lost $2,000, with total losses reaching $367 million in 2022; scammers pose as recruiters, request upfront payments for equipment or training, and solicit sensitive data like Social Security numbers under the guise of employment paperwork. The rise of remote work and AI-generated recruitment messages that appear legitimate have made these scams an "emerging threat," particularly targeting recent graduates, immigrants, and others unfamiliar with standard hiring practices.
news5cleveland.com
McAfee identified five U.S. cities—Fort Myers Beach, Sandusky, Pocono Manor, Waimea, and Chicago—as hotspots for travel booking scams, including phishing fraud, rental scams, and ticketing scams targeting families and travelers. The company recommends booking only through official channels, using credit cards with fraud protection rather than debit cards, and avoiding requests to complete transactions off-platform or on suspicious websites to prevent identity theft.
nowhabersham.com
Sheriff's offices in Hart and Stephens counties warned residents of two resurgent scams: a fake warrant telephone scheme where callers impersonate deputies and demand cryptocurrency payments for arrest warrants, and a door-to-door asphalt sealing scam targeting homeowners with artificially low prices. Authorities emphasized that legitimate law enforcement never solicits payment by phone and advised residents to hang up on suspicious calls, refuse door-to-door service offers, and contact local reputable contractors for actual home services.
indeonline.com
Scammers are impersonating U.S. passport renewal websites to trick consumers into paying fees to fill out forms that are actually free downloads on the government website, then requesting additional payment for the actual renewal. Victims unknowingly provide personal information like Social Security numbers and payment details to fraudsters, with reported losses of at least $68 per incident. To avoid these scams, consumers should verify they are on the official state.gov website (not .com or similar variants), allow sufficient time for legitimate renewal processes, and confirm websites are secure before entering sensitive information.
montgomeryadvertiser.com
Social Security scammers commonly impersonate federal agents and law enforcement officials, threatening arrest or benefit suspension to coerce victims into providing personal information or payments. To protect yourself, hang up immediately on suspicious calls, never share personal information or make payments, and report scams to the Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov. The SSA will never threaten legal action, demand payment via gift cards or wire transfers, require secrecy, or send official documents with personal information via email.
wanderer.com
This article is not about elder fraud but rather a general opinion piece about vehicle-related scams and towing issues. The author describes several incidents including a woman who received a speeding ticket while her car was being towed (not her driving), a tow company that attempted to tow an occupied vehicle, and a Facebook car sale scam where a buyer lost a $25,000 Porsche to repossession after unknowingly purchasing a vehicle with financing issues. While these situations affect consumers generally, they do not specifically target or involve elder abuse or fraud targeting seniors.
yespunjab.com
A Hisar resident lost ₹8,91,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam conducted through Telegram, where fraudsters using the alias "CAPTAIN AMERICA" convinced him to transfer funds to bogus bank accounts supplied by a bank employee accomplice. Haryana Police arrested three individuals involved in the scheme: the primary perpetrator who received the funds, the bank employee who sold the fraudulent accounts for ₹25,000 each, and a facilitator connecting with the scammers. Authorities advise citizens to avoid unknown Telegram investment groups and verify legitimacy before investing, and to report suspected fraud immediately to the Cyber Helpline (1930).
greenwichfreepress.com
Utility scammers impersonate water, electric, and gas company representatives via phone, text, or in-person visits, threatening immediate service disconnection unless customers pay outstanding bills urgently, often demanding payment through prepaid debit cards, gift cards, or wire transfers. The scams may also involve fake meter replacement offers, unauthorized home entry for "repairs" or "energy audits" to steal valuables or personal information, or promises of energy discounts to capture account details. To avoid these scams, consumers should hang up and call the utility company directly using a number from their official bill, never allow unscheduled entry into their home, request proper identification from utility workers,
m.economictimes.com
AI-enabled scam software available for as little as $5 online is being used to defraud people through voice cloning and impersonation tactics. Scammers extract personal information and voice samples from public social media accounts to create convincing AI clones that impersonate victims to their friends and family, requesting emergency wire transfers for fabricated jail, medical, or business crises. To protect against these scams, individuals should keep social media accounts private and verify emergency requests directly with contacts before sending money.
koaa.com
A scam impersonating law enforcement officers from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office is defrauding dozens of people daily, with scammers claiming victims missed court appearances and demanding payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency to clear fake warrants. Detective Marissa Williams advises victims to request specific details from callers, independently verify identity by calling the agency directly, and report incidents to law enforcement, noting that many victims don't report due to embarrassment or believing nothing can be done.
3newsnow.com
McAfee identified five cities with high rates of travel booking scams: Fort Myers Beach (FL), Sandusky (OH), Pocono Manor (PA), Waimea (HI), and Chicago (IL). Common scams include phishing fraud, rental scams (fake listings), and ticketing scams (fraudulent entertainment tickets), with families particularly targeted at attractions like Cedar Point amusement park. To protect yourself, book only through official channels and credit cards with fraud protection, avoid providing payment details on suspicious websites, and be skeptical of requests to complete transactions outside booking platforms.
latrobebulletinnews.com
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abc7chicago.com
Hotel booking scams are increasing, with fraudsters creating fake websites that mimic legitimate hotels to steal payment and personal information from unsuspecting travelers. To protect yourself, book only through official hotel websites, verify the URL starts with "https" and displays a padlock symbol, avoid clicking links from texts or emails, and check for reviews and grammatical errors before entering payment information.
noozhawk.com
This is an educational awareness piece, not a news report of a specific scam or fraud incident. Here's the summary:
State Senator Monique Limón is hosting a Senior Scam Prevention Seminar on July 9 at the Goleta Community Center, featuring expert panelists from multiple California state departments who will discuss detecting scams and protecting against fraud tactics. The free event aims to educate seniors and their families on the latest scam methods and prevention strategies.
mychesco.com
AARP Pennsylvania has warned of an increase in utility scams targeting older adults during summer months when energy usage and bills peak, with fraudsters posing as utility company representatives and using threats of service disconnection or offers of discounts to obtain personal information or payments. A recent AARP poll found that 62% of Pennsylvania voters aged 50 and older expressed concern about fraud and scams including robo-calls and phishing emails. AARP advises residents to verify any unsolicited utility claims by contacting their utility company directly using the number on their bill, noting that legitimate companies send multiple notices before disconnection and never demand immediate payment over the phone.
manilatimes.net
This article uses the movie "Inside Out 2" as a framework to explain how scammers exploit emotions to commit cybercrimes. It highlights fear-based manipulation tactics, where fraudsters impersonate banks and pressure victims to act quickly by threatening account access loss, demonstrating how emotional exploitation is central to cyber fraud schemes.
headtopics.com
This article is not relevant to the Elderus database. It is a entertainment piece ranking the greatest country music singers of all time based on chart performance and accolades. It contains no information about scams, fraud, elder abuse, or elder financial exploitation.
cnbc.com
A 93-year-old grandmother (the real-life inspiration for the movie "Thelma") nearly fell victim to a grandparent scam in which a caller impersonating her grandson claimed he was in jail and needed $10,000, though her family stopped her before she sent money. Imposter fraud caused $2.7 billion in losses in the prior year, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated voice deepfakes to exploit victims through fear and urgency tactics, affecting an estimated 25% of adults according to a 2023 survey.
swissinfo.ch
A network of fraudulent investment platforms linked to Cyprus uses fake celebrity endorsements and fabricated news articles to lure victims into investing money that is never actually invested in stocks or real financial products. The scam, which includes platforms such as InvesaCapital, OBRInvest, and ForexTB, targets investors internationally—including many in Switzerland—who are pressured by manipulative phone calls to deposit increasingly larger sums, resulting in total losses ranging from tens of thousands to over CHF100,000 per victim. Swiss authorities have confirmed dozens of criminal charges related to this network, though prosecution is often difficult due to perpetrators operating abroad.
abc15.com
The ABC15 Let ABC15 Know team identifies four common summer scams targeting consumers: fraudulent event/concert tickets sold through fake websites and social media, phony travel booking sites offering non-existent deals, vanishing vacation rental scams on legitimate platforms, and fake vacation prize schemes requiring upfront fees. The article recommends protective measures including verifying website authenticity, booking directly from official providers, paying with credit cards rather than peer-to-peer apps, researching rental properties, and trusting instincts when offers seem suspicious.
aarp.org
Cybercriminals are sending text messages impersonating highway toll authorities and transponder companies like E-ZPass, requesting payment for small unpaid tolls (typically $11-$13) to avoid larger late fees, with links that expose victims to malware and identity theft. The scam, which began in spring and has accelerated in recent months, is tailored to specific states with URLs mimicking legitimate toll services, and has prompted warnings from the FBI, state transportation departments, and the Federal Trade Commission.
wsiu.org
The Better Business Bureau warns of "grandparent scams" where fraudsters impersonate family members using phone calls, texts, or AI-generated voices to create false emergencies and extract money from vulnerable people. In a Hazelwood, Missouri case, a scammer posing as a grandson requesting bail money was stopped when a caretaker verified the grandson's safety; the BBB documented nearly 200 instances of this scam in 2023 with a median loss of $850 per victim. To protect yourself, verify caller identity through independent contact, question callers on personal details, avoid untraceable payment methods, and contact police if someone demands in-person money collection.
crozetgazette.com
Patsy Froehlich fell victim to a remote access scam when a fake PayPal representative tricked her into allowing screen-sharing access to her computer, manipulating her into attempting a $20,000 bank transfer she believed was a refund correction; her bank caught the suspicious transfer and prevented the loss. The article also describes a separate Publisher's Clearinghouse prize scam targeting Andrew Taylor, who was asked to purchase gift cards as a supposed legal requirement to claim a $5.1 million prize, and notes that scammers increasingly use urgency, emotional manipulation, and emerging technologies like AI to defraud victims.
m.economictimes.com
**Summary:**
AI-enabled scam tools available for as little as $5 online enable fraudsters to create convincing voice clones and impersonate victims using personal data harvested from public social media accounts. Common AI scams target victims with fake emergency scenarios—such as claims that a friend is in jail needing bail or facing a medical crisis—to manipulate them into sending money to fraudulent accounts. To protect against these schemes, individuals should keep social media accounts private and always verify the authenticity of urgent requests before sending funds.