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theglobeandmail.com
Megan E. Shine of Providence was arraigned in federal court on four counts of mail fraud and one count of conspiracy for operating fraudulent mail-order sweepstake schemes through shell companies Lucky Dog LLC and Destiny Merchandise LLC. The scheme defrauded elderly and vulnerable individuals out of approximately $10 million by sending personalized letters with forged government seals promising cash prizes and requesting $20-$30 "processing fees" from victims. Shine faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
justice.gov
**Sweepstakes Mail Fraud Scheme**
Meagan E. Shine, 47, of Warwick, Rhode Island, was indicted in June 2024 on four counts of mail fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud for operating deceptive sweepstakes schemes that defrauded seniors and vulnerable individuals across 41 states out of an estimated $10 million. Through businesses including Lucky Dog, LLC and Destiny Merchandise, LLC, Shine sent official-looking mailings falsely claiming recipients had won prizes or were entitled to cash, instructing victims to send $20-$30 processing fees to a Providence PO Box
katu.com
Victor Valdez, a New York City man, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for helping operate a "grandparent scam" between 2020 and 2021, in which call center operators in the Dominican Republic posed as grandchildren, lawyers, or court officials to convince elderly victims they needed bail money, with Valdez collecting the cash from victims' homes. The scheme defrauded grandparents of tens of thousands of dollars, and Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The case highlights a broader trend: elder fraud reports to the FBI increased 14% last year, with victims aged 60+ losing over $3.
yahoo.com
Former romance scammer Christopher Maxwell, who operated from Nigeria and defrauded tens of thousands of dollars from victims across North Carolina, revealed his tactics: building trust with women through dating apps over extended periods while posing as a deployed military member, then requesting money under false pretenses. Maxwell's guilt intensified when an older victim lost $30,000 and suffered physical and mental illness as a result, prompting him to reform and work for an online verification company. The article also features victim Lara Katherine Miller, who lost $50 to a similar scam before recognizing the red flags.
prnewswire.com
House Bill 692, "Larry's Law," took effect in Virginia on July 1, 2024, requiring financial institutions to train employees to identify and report potential elder financial exploitation and notify seniors' trusted contacts of suspicious activity. The law was named after Larry Cook, a retired Navy commander from Herndon, Virginia, who lost $3.6 million in a phishing scam; his niece and estate administrator, Janine Williamson, advocated for the legislation, which unanimously passed the Virginia General Assembly and aims to strengthen frontline defenses against elder financial fraud.
cbsaustin.com
Victor Valdez, a New York City man, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for conspiring with Dominican Republic call center operators between 2020 and 2021 to defraud grandparents by impersonating their grandchildren, lawyers, and court officials claiming bail money was needed. Valdez collected tens of thousands of dollars from victims by picking up cash from their homes after the scammers convinced them to withdraw money, and he faces up to 20 years in prison. The case highlights a broader trend in elder fraud, with reports to the FBI increasing 14% annually and scams targeting seniors 60+ causing over $3.4 billion in losses.
wchstv.com
Victor Valdez, a New York City man, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for helping operate a grandparent scam between 2020 and 2021, in which call center operators in the Dominican Republic impersonated grandchildren, lawyers, and court officials to convince senior victims they needed bail money, with Valdez collecting the cash from their homes. The scheme defrauded grandparents of tens of thousands of dollars, and Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; the FBI reports that scams targeting people over 60 caused over $3.4 billion in losses last year.
states.aarp.org
Ellen Klem and Billie McNeely, working for Oregon's Attorney General's office and Adult Protective Services respectively, are leading efforts to combat rising elder fraud in the state, with recent scams increasingly involving cryptocurrency schemes that are difficult for law enforcement to trace. Elder fraud is growing nationally and particularly threatening to Oregon's aging population, with victims experiencing devastating financial losses and psychological harm that can be life-altering. Their prevention work includes training bankers and law enforcement, educating the public through campaigns like "Just Hang Up!," and providing dedicated prosecution support for complex financial exploitation cases.
midmichigannow.com
Victor Valdez, a New York City man, was charged with conspiracy to defraud seniors through a "grandparent scam" in which call center operators in the Dominican Republic impersonated grandchildren claiming to need bail money between 2020 and 2021, with Valdez collecting the cash from victims' homes. The scheme resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in losses, and Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. The case reflects a broader trend: elder fraud reports to the FBI increased 14% annually, with seniors losing over $3.4 billion to scams, many of which go unreported.
floridapolitics.com
Rima Nathan, an FSU law professor, received the inaugural AARP Florida Fraud Fighter Award for creating The Claude Pepper Elder Law Clinic, which provides legal assistance and education to low-income seniors aged 60 and older. Since its establishment in 2022, the clinic has trained over 30 law students who have completed 16 cases and are working on 20 additional cases while educating hundreds of seniors on living wills, estate planning, and healthcare matters. The clinic is Florida's only legal clinic exclusively focused on elder law and aims to train future lawyers to better serve the state's growing aging population with empathy and understanding.
wcnc.com
During summer vacation season, scammers are actively targeting travelers and job seekers with three prevalent schemes: fake toll charges via text messages claiming overdue payments, travel scams offering free vacations or fake rental listings, and job scams requesting cryptocurrency payments to unlock employment opportunities. The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs warns consumers to protect their bank accounts as carefully as their skin from the sun and is offering a free webinar on July 3 to discuss these scams and prevention strategies.
ftc.gov
The Federal Trade Commission charged two groups of defendants with operating nationwide unauthorized billing scams that defrauded consumers out of millions of dollars. The defendants advertised "free" CBD and Keto personal care products, then secretly enrolled consumers in unwanted continuity plans and repeatedly charged their bank accounts without consent, while also using shell companies to launder credit card payments. The complaint names six defendants and entities: Harshil Topiwala, Kirtan Patel, and their companies (Legion Media LLC, KP Commerce LLC, Pinnacle Payments LLC), as well as Manindra Garg and Sloan Health Products LLC, with charges including violations of the F
drgnews.com
In 2023, the FTC received nearly 500,000 reports of business and government imposter scams, revealing that fraudsters increasingly use text messages and emails rather than phone calls, persuade victims to pay via bank transfers or cryptocurrency, and often impersonate multiple organizations simultaneously. The five most prevalent imposter scams involve fake account alerts, bogus subscription renewal notices (particularly impersonating Geek Squad), fraudulent discounts or prize offers, false crime allegations paired with payment requests, and fake delivery notifications designed to steal financial information.
heraldguide.com
The Sheriff's Office reports a surge in scams and identity theft cases involving cryptocurrency, romance schemes, impersonation of law enforcement and government agencies, and grandparent extortion. The office provided guidance on common red flags including unsolicited requests for gift cards, wire transfers, remote computer access, and personal financial information, emphasizing verification of caller identity and avoidance of pressure tactics promising prizes or threatening legal action.
myfloridalegal.com
Florida's new state law protecting consumers from moving scams took effect July 1, requiring movers to register with the state, provide transparent contracts, and disclose registration status in advertising, with enhanced penalties including felony charges for refusing to return household goods. Attorney General Moody's office has taken action against over 18 movers and moving brokers, resulting in approximately $27 million in fines and restitution since 2019, and updated consumer guidance recommends verifying mover licensing, reviewing contracts carefully, and reporting suspected scams to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
cbs58.com
The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau warned travelers ahead of July 4th of an increase in airfare scams targeting holiday travelers. Scammers were creating fake airline booking websites and customer service numbers, using fabricated flight cancellation notices to trick travelers into paying rescheduling fees or charging them for non-existent services. The BBB advised consumers to verify URLs and phone numbers, use secure websites, and contact airlines directly to confirm details before making payments.
ktar.com
This educational article outlines 10 common voice cloning scams enabled by cheap AI software (available for as little as $4) that scammers use to impersonate family members, authority figures, and trusted contacts to extract money from victims. The piece provides real examples including a CEO defrauded of $233,000 and a 75-year-old woman nearly losing $27,500, along with a defensive action plan: verify caller identity through alternate contact methods, use video verification when possible, buy time before sending money, and avoid wire transfers or cryptocurrency payments which are hallmarks of scams.
candgnews.com
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido held an educational workshop in June to inform the public—particularly seniors—about common scams and fraud tactics, highlighting how personal information shared online is often sold to third parties and exploited by scammers. The workshop identified four key components scammers use (pretend, payment, prize/problem, and pressure) and covered various fraud methods including spoofing, phishing, vishing, and impersonation of authorities, banks, and tech support. Lucido recommended using "opt out" selections when filling out forms and published a 30-page guide called "S.C.A.M.S." to help prevent identity theft and financial fraud in
abc.net.au
A man in his late 70s lost $2,000 to a sophisticated investment scam involving "Wise Investments," a fraudulent clone website, after weeks of professional-sounding phone calls from fake financial advisors who showed him fabricated investment growth on his computer. Investment scams accounted for over $1.3 billion in losses to Australians in 2023, with people over 65 being the primary targets, though experts note that digital literacy gaps and lack of support systems are also critical factors in vulnerability.
12news.com
Arizona seniors have lost over $82 million to fraud, with tech support scams causing average losses of $23,000 per victim and affecting people 60+ at 500% higher rates than younger adults. The Peoria Police Department is actively combating the "Phantom Hacker Scam," where criminals use pop-ups to trick seniors into sending money via cryptocurrency ATMs while posing as fraud detectives, and authorities are installing warning signs at crypto machines and urging community members to educate elderly relatives about avoiding such scams.
justice.gov
Mona Faiz Montrage, a prominent Ghanaian Instagram influencer with 3.4 million followers, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison in June 2024 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money from romance scams. From 2013 to 2019, Montrage received over $2 million in fraudulent funds from approximately 40 vulnerable elderly victims who were deceived into sending money under false pretenses such as gold transport fees and fake FBI investigations. In addition to her prison sentence, she was ordered to forfeit $216,475 and pay restitution of $1,387,458.
backendnews.net
Online Alerto, a Facebook community page, serves as an educational resource to help users in Southeast Asia recognize and avoid romance scams through shared experiences and digital literacy guidance. The platform identifies common red flags in love scams—such as rapid declarations of love, requests for money, avoidance of in-person meetings, and attempts to isolate victims—along with manipulation tactics scammers use. Online Alerto recommends protective strategies including reverse image searches, video call verification, social media consistency checks, and use of dating app identity verification features to help users safely navigate online dating.
knoe.com
Scammers create fake international driver permits (IDPs) and fraudulent websites to sell them to travelers for high fees, stealing money and personal information while providing worthless documents that could result in legal detention abroad. To protect themselves, travelers should only obtain IDPs from the American Automobile Association (AAA), the sole U.S. Department of State-authorized issuer, either in person at AAA offices or by mail before traveling—never through online applications, which are always scams.
foxnews.com
Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting summer travelers through online booking scams, with popular destinations like Fort Myers Beach, Sandusky, and Chicago being the most frequently exploited. Common scams include AI-generated fake accommodations, fraudulent booking websites, impersonation schemes, phishing emails, and public Wi-Fi data theft. According to McAfee research, 25% of Americans have lost over $1,000 to travel scams, 15% experienced fraudulent charges after using fake sites, and 13% arrived to find their booked accommodations didn't exist.
cnbc.com
Job scammers are increasingly exploiting job seekers by posing as recruiters on platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed, either requesting money and personal information or selling fraudulent training courses as prerequisites for employment. The FBI and FTC have issued warnings about these schemes, which often feature red flags including unsolicited job offers that seem too good to be true, vague or confidential job descriptions, lack of standard vetting procedures, and phony interviews conducted via text or video. Job seekers can protect themselves by being skeptical of unusually attractive positions they didn't apply for, verifying legitimate job descriptions, and checking companies' authentic online presence.
wyff4.com
The FBI warned the public about a sophisticated scam in which fraudsters contact victims by phone or email claiming they failed to report for jury duty and face federal arrest warrants, then demand payment via virtual currency to avoid jail time. The scammers enhance credibility by using actual names of North Carolina law enforcement officers, manipulating caller IDs to appear as government agencies, and sometimes claiming offices are closed due to COVID-19 to discourage in-person payment verification. The FBI emphasized that legitimate arrest warrants are never issued via email or text and never require immediate payment, and recommends victims verify any legal claims directly with law enforcement or courts rather than paying unsolicited demands.
yahoo.com
**AI-Powered Scams and Protective Measures**
This educational piece identifies two primary AI-enabled scams targeting vulnerable individuals: voice cloning of family members to solicit emergency financial assistance, and personalized phishing emails using AI-generated text customized with stolen personal data to increase credibility. The article recommends verifying suspicious communications by contacting the person through normal channels, avoiding attempts to detect fake voices, treating unknown contacts as suspicious, and remaining skeptical of personalized messages that reference recent purchases or locations.
wgal.com
The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about a growing scam targeting smart TV users, where fraudsters display pop-ups claiming device problems and requesting payment or remote access to fix them. If victims comply, scammers may install malware to steal personal information or convince them to pay fake activation fees. To protect yourself, verify any support numbers directly with the manufacturer's official website, never pay unsolicited activation fees, and refuse remote access requests.
wgal.com
Romance scammers create fake profiles on dating apps and social media posing as military members stationed overseas, often stealing real soldiers' identities and photos to exploit people's patriotism and trust. Red flags include identical photos appearing across multiple platforms, quick requests for money sent via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and claims of investment opportunities or travel costs. Users can protect themselves by performing reverse image searches, searching names with terms like "scam" and "imposter," and being cautious of anyone requesting immediate financial assistance.
theprogressnews.com
Pennsylvania's Shapiro Administration warns older adults during Elder Abuse Awareness Month to be cautious of predatory annuity sales practices, where agents pressure seniors into purchasing annuities that don't suit their financial needs and may lock their savings for 5-10 years with surrender charges. The state's Insurance Department recommends that seniors read contracts carefully, utilize free look periods, avoid pressure tactics, and work only with credentialed agents, while noting that since 2023 Pennsylvania has recovered over $2 million for consumers, including one case where $130,000 was returned to an older adult sold an unsuitable annuity.
straitstimes.com
AI-powered scams targeting Malaysian hoteliers and travelers are rising, particularly through sophisticated phishing emails and fake booking schemes that exploit personal data and credit card information. Industry leaders are calling for stronger government regulation of online travel agencies (OTAs), stricter identity verification procedures, and enhanced cybersecurity measures, while noting that smaller hotel operators are more vulnerable than large international chains that have established security systems in place. Collaborative efforts between hotels, OTAs like Booking.com, and staff training on recognizing fraudulent communications are currently being used to combat these evolving threats.
news.abplive.com
A Delhi IAS aspirant lost Rs 1.20 lakh in a "café con" dating scam where he was lured to Black Mirror Café by a woman he met on Tinder; she ordered expensive items, staged an emergency exit, and he was threatened into paying an inflated bill. The incident reveals an organized scam ring operating across major Indian cities involving dating app matches, cafés/pubs, and coordinated staff who split proceeds (15% to the woman, 45% to managers, 40% to owners), with many victims reluctant to report due to social stigma around dating app usage. Police arrested the café owner and the woman involved, uncovering similar cases
southfloridareporter.com
In Operation First Light 2024, international police coordinated by Interpol arrested 3,950 people and seized $257 million in assets from online scammers engaged in phishing, investment fraud, fake shopping sites, and romance scams. The operation aims to disrupt transnational organized crime networks at a time when U.S. authorities report consumers lost over $10 billion to online fraud in the previous year.
thehindu.com
A 31-year-old software engineer in Hyderabad lost ₹18 lakh (~$21,600 USD) to a parcel scam in which fraudsters impersonated FedEx and falsely claimed his Aadhaar card was used to transport illegal drugs, demanding he transfer funds for "verification" with the Ministry of Finance. A constable at the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal registered the complaint and escalated it to the victim's bank within 11 minutes, successfully blocking the entire transaction before the funds were withdrawn.
timesnownews.com
A 62-year-old woman from Thane, Maharashtra lost Rs 1.5 crore (approximately $1.8 million USD) between April and June 2024 to a cyber fraud scheme promising high investment returns. Seven accused individuals contacted the victim via fake investment platform links and a WhatsApp group, gradually building trust before convincing her to invest Rs 1,45,35,600, after which she received no returns and reported the case to police. The incident underscores the importance of skepticism toward unrealistic investment promises, verification of secure connections, and thorough research before committing funds.
microsoft.com
Celebrity scams use artificial intelligence tools like deepfakes and voice cloning to impersonate trusted public figures and celebrities, tricking victims into investing money, sharing personal information, or signing up for fraudulent platforms. To identify these scams, consumers should examine deepfake videos for unnatural movements, facial expressions, background distortion, and verify sources through official channels, while also recognizing red flags in voice cloning scams such as unusual speech patterns and urgent requests for personal information. These scams pose significant risks to victims' identity and finances.
live5news.com
The Colleton County Sheriff's Office issued a warning about real estate scams in which fraudsters impersonate realtors or landlords to deceive victims. Common warning signs include requests for advance payments or credit check fees before signing contracts, pressure tactics, refusal to meet in person, unrealistic listing guarantees, and failure to request standard background checks or references. Residents are advised not to make payments for properties before meeting with the realtor or landlord in person and can report suspected scams to the sheriff's office.
sandhillsexpress.com
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers' office warned nonprofits about donation refund scams targeting charitable organizations, where fraudsters posing as donors submit large fraudulent checks (often five figures or more) and then request partial refunds, causing financial losses when the original checks bounce. Similar scams occur with stolen credit cards, where scammers request refunds to different cards and the nonprofit receives chargebacks. The Attorney General recommended nonprofits educate staff about fraud recognition, verify unusual donor requests directly, research unfamiliar donors before processing refunds, and issue card refunds only to the original card used.
cxotoday.com
This educational article outlines common financial fraud tactics and prevention strategies, noting that bank frauds in India exceeded 302.5 billion rupees in fiscal year 2023. Key warning signs include unsolicited contact, pressure to act quickly, requests for personal information, unrealistic investment promises, and demands for payment via unconventional methods. The article recommends staying informed about scams, verifying identities before sharing information, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and being cautious with app downloads to protect against fraud.
tacomaweekly.com
Since April 2022, Washington State's DSHS has tracked a surge in EBT card scams affecting 9,000 SNAP recipients, resulting in $5.5 million in total losses with an average loss of nearly $600 per household. To address this fraud, DSHS has processed over 8,000 claims and replaced $3 million in stolen benefits, while launching a multilingual education campaign translated into 15 languages to help immigrant and refugee communities recognize scam warning signs and protect their EBT card information.
the420.in
A 72-year-old businessman in Mumbai lost Rs 1.38 lakh to cyber fraudsters while attempting to purchase sweets online for Ganesh Chaturthi after finding a fake contact number for a sweet shop through Google search. The scammer used multiple deceptive tactics—claiming orders weren't confirmed, falsely stating transferred amounts were "codes" with no monetary value, and sending a nominal Rs 50 refund to establish credibility—eventually convincing the victim and his 74-year-old friend to transfer additional funds totaling Rs 29,875 and Rs 45,000 respectively. The Oshiwara police registered a case under the Indian Pe
dailyguidenetwork.com
Ghanaian socialite and singer Hajia4Reall (real name Mona Faiz Montrage) was sentenced to one year and a day in a U.S. federal court on June 28, 2024, for her role in romance scams totaling over $2 million. She was arrested in the United Kingdom in November 2022 and extradited to the U.S. in May 2023, where she pleaded guilty to fraud charges that initially carried a potential five-year sentence. Her case highlights the international scope of romance scam operations and law enforcement efforts to prosecute perpetrators.
aarp.org
Joyce, a 74-year-old Massachusetts woman, lost over $400,000 to scammers impersonating country star Vince Gill over nearly a year in 2022-2023, after she engaged with fake accounts that contacted her following a comment she posted on his Instagram page. Her daughter Jessica discovered the fraud involving romantic manipulation (the scammers posed as Gill and claimed to be her spouse) and discovered it was exacerbated by Joyce's undiagnosed cognitive decline, though experts note cognitive impairment is not required for someone to fall victim to such scams. The case highlights how celebrity impersonation scams exploit vulnerable individuals through manipulative tactics on social media
blackhillsfox.com
Contractors scams pose a risk to homeowners undertaking home improvement projects. To protect yourself, verify how long a contractor has been in business, check online reviews, request proof of a contractor's license, and ask for referrals from previous customers before hiring. These steps help ensure your payment goes to legitimate contractors rather than fraudsters who may take deposits and disappear.
cnet.com
Americans lost $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with scammers increasingly using sophisticated tactics to steal banking information and money. The article outlines ten common banking scams—including check fraud, phishing, fake websites, automatic withdrawal schemes, and government imposter scams—and provides protective measures such as verifying URLs directly with banks, never clicking unsolicited links, and avoiding upfront fee requests. Knowing these common strategies helps consumers recognize and avoid fraudulent schemes before criminals can access their accounts and funds.
dl-online.com
This appears to be a police blotter or incident log rather than an article about elder fraud. However, it does contain two fraud-related incidents relevant to Elderus: A 51-year-old Detroit Lakes woman reported wiring over $100,000 to an unknown person in what family members identified as fraud, and a deceased person's credit card was fraudulently used at a Detroit Lakes residence. Both cases were reported to authorities and investigations are ongoing.
otcnet.org
Unauthorized third-party companies are fraudulently contacting OTC event attendees and sponsors, falsely claiming to offer OTC's attendee list for sale or rent. OTC does not sell or share attendee information, and these companies have no affiliation with OTC; they are simply using publicly available attendee and exhibitor names to conduct mass spam campaigns with frequently changing email addresses to evade reporting.
liherald.com
A 77-year-old Elmont resident lost $47,000 after receiving a pop-up prompt directing him to call a number where someone impersonating a Federal Reserve employee instructed him to withdraw cash for an alleged investigation. Following follow-up calls requesting an additional $10,000, the victim reported the scam to police, leading to the arrest of Staten Island resident Lin Qiu, 46, who was charged with grand larceny and attempted grand larceny; two other individuals involved in the initial cash pickup remain unidentified.
floridabar.org
Rima Nathan, director of Florida State University's Claude Pepper Elder Law Clinic, was recognized by AARP Florida as a "Florida Fraud Fighter" for her work combating scams and exploitation targeting older adults and low-income seniors. Under her leadership since 2022, the clinic has recovered nearly $10,000 in predatory fees from solar panel scams, obtained financial relief from unlawful landlord practices, and partnered with the Florida Attorney General's Office to hold exploitative businesses accountable while providing free legal services and educational programming to hundreds of seniors in North Florida.
ca.style.yahoo.com
Romance scammers use dating apps and social media to build fake relationships and solicit money from victims, with the FTC reporting a record $547 million in losses in 2021 and $1.3 billion lost over the past five years. Scammers employ tactics including fake profiles, claims of emergencies or inability to access funds, and requests for payment via wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, with victims 70 and older losing the highest average amounts ($9,000 median loss). The FTC advises people to avoid sending money to strangers, verify profile pictures through reverse image searches, and never send money to or take investment advice from someone they haven't met in person.