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paymentsdive.com
· 2025-12-08
Zelle parent Early Warning Services and the National Council on Aging launched a joint educational initiative to reach elderly Americans with content about business impostor scams, text messaging scams, and online scams, distributing materials through senior centers and community organizations. About one-third of fraud victims last year were over age 60, with older Americans losing approximately $1.6 billion to scams, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The effort comes as Zelle faces increasing congressional scrutiny over fraud reimbursement policies and criticism that fraud on the platform remains unacceptably high.
troyrecord.com
· 2025-12-08
New York's Department of State Division of Consumer Protection released guidance on scams targeting older adults, noting that elder fraud caused over $3.4 billion in losses nationally in 2023, with the average victim losing $33,915. The advisory outlines common scams including medical device, grandparent, jury duty, funeral notification, and IRS imposter schemes, and recommends that seniors hang up on unrecognizable numbers, avoid unsolicited links, and verify requests through trusted phone numbers. Officials emphasized that elder abuse is widely underreported and urged anyone suspecting abuse to contact the New York State Adult Services Helpline at 1-844-697-3505.
fingerlakesdailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Title:** New York Department of State Warns of Elder Fraud Epidemic
The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection issued guidance on elder fraud following the FBI's 2023 report showing that scams targeting adults over 60 resulted in $3.4 billion in losses (an 11% increase from 2022), with the average victim losing $33,915. The advisory describes eight common scams affecting older adults—including medical device, grandparent, ghosting, jury duty, funeral notification, sweepstakes, IRS imposter, and free grant scams—and provides prevention tips such as resisting immediate action, verifying caller identity, an
elkhornmediagroup.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Portland Division reported an increase in government impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as FBI or other federal agents and demand payment via cash, gold, or courier pickups, using intimidation tactics and threatening arrest. In 2023, 14,190 people nationally reported being victims of these scams with losses exceeding $394 million, with the Portland Division alone losing $1.7 million; adults over 60 accounted for 40% of victims but suffered 58% of national losses, with some experiencing home foreclosures, emptied retirement accounts, and suicides due to financial devastation. The FBI advises that legitimate federal agencies never call demanding money or threatening arrest, an
brooklyneagle.com
· 2025-12-08
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert warning of "pig butchering" scams, in which fraudsters use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build romantic relationships with victims before convincing them to invest money in fraudulent schemes. The scammers typically move conversations to encrypted platforms like WhatsApp or WeChat to hide their identities, gradually building trust before requesting investments. The Attorney General advises New Yorkers to vet recipients before sending money, research online profiles for AI-generated images, and be alert to sudden requests to use encrypted messaging.
ag.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert warning New Yorkers about "pig butchering" scams, in which fraudsters use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build romantic relationships with victims before manipulating them into fake investment schemes, often involving cryptocurrency or foreign currencies. Victims typically see fake account balance increases that encourage larger deposits, ranging from tens of thousands to over a million dollars, before scammers cut off contact and prevent withdrawals or demand prepayment of fees. The Attorney General recommends avoiding money transfers to unknown individuals, researching online profiles for authenticity, and reporting suspected scams to both the platform and law enforcement.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Irish nationals, Dean Morgan and John McNamara, were arrested at JFK Airport after being identified in a roofing scam targeting Denver residents, particularly older homeowners in the Congress Park area. The scam involved the men approaching homeowners, claiming to spot roof damage, then planting worms under shingles and falsely presenting them as maggots requiring immediate paid repairs; victims lost over $10,000 each, with some having their roofs deliberately damaged. The investigation expanded from an initial three confirmed victims to a wider international case after CBS News Colorado's report generated community leads, with prosecutors believing the men may have perpetrated similar scams in California and other states.
fingerlakesdailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
New York's Attorney General issued a consumer alert about "pig butchering" romance scams, in which fraudsters befriend victims on dating apps, social media, and text messages before directing them to fake investment platforms. Scammers build trust over time, send fake screenshots of trading profits and luxury lifestyle images, then convince victims to invest tens of thousands to over a million dollars in cryptocurrency or foreign currency schemes before cutting off contact and making funds irretrievable. The alert advises New Yorkers to avoid wiring money to unknown contacts, verify identities through reverse image searches, be suspicious of excuses to avoid video calls or requests to use encrypted platforms, and never rush into investments.
publicnewsservice.org
· 2025-12-08
Medicare fraud costs the nation $60 billion annually, with Michigan experiencing a rise in scams targeting the 22% of its population enrolled in Medicare. Common scams include imposters claiming to be from Medicare calling to verify personal information and healthcare providers billing for unnecessary services; seniors are advised to hang up on any calls claiming to be from Medicare, monitor their Explanation of Benefits monthly, and report suspicious charges. Last year, 23 Michigan home health-care operators were charged with Medicare fraud totaling over $61 million in fraudulent billings.
nbcwashington.com
· 2025-12-08
A wave of robocalls impersonating the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and D.C. Police scammed residents by claiming they needed to report to headquarters or face arrest, then directing victims to pay via cryptocurrency gift cards or mobile apps. At least one person lost hundreds of dollars in the scam, which generated hundreds of reports within 24 hours of beginning mid-week. Law enforcement officials stressed that legitimate police never request payment, cryptocurrency, bank information, or social security numbers, and urged residents to report any similar calls immediately.
wfmd.com
· 2025-12-08
Frederick Police reported 163 fraud cases in the area so far this year, with scammers targeting residents through phishing emails posing as banks and phone calls impersonating law enforcement claiming arrest warrants exist. Authorities advise citizens to avoid clicking suspicious links, never provide personal information, delete fraudulent emails, verify sender identity by calling institutions directly, and report incidents to police, noting that legitimate police never request money or call about warrants.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont, partnering with federal law enforcement agencies, conducted outreach events at senior centers in advance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15, 2024) to educate older adults about financial fraud and elder abuse. The outreach highlighted prevalent scams targeting seniors including government imposter schemes, tech support fraud, romance scams, grandparent scams, and lottery schemes, while emphasizing that elder abuse remains often overlooked and underreported.
kulr8.com
· 2025-12-08
Roxanna Rae Lewis-Stella, 60, of Billings, Montana, was sentenced to four and one-half years in prison for stealing over $700,000 from her elderly mother in Lewistown between November 2021 and July 2023 while serving as her caregiver. Lewis-Stella forged approximately 70 checks, impersonated her mother to banks, intercepted statements, and also stole jewelry and misused her deceased father's credit cards to fund personal expenses including travel, cosmetic procedures, and shopping. The victim was forced to sell her home and move into an assisted living facility after the thefts were discovered, and Lewis-
wng.org
· 2025-12-08
A 96-year-old World War II veteran lost over $322,000 of his retirement savings to Ternion Group International LLC, a fraudulent Christian investment company that promised to build a vocational school and purchase homes in Chicago, with his own son (age 70) convincing him to invest; the DOJ charged five people in April 2024, including the son, after the promised projects never materialized and contact ceased in 2020. The case highlights the rising threat of investment scams targeting seniors, with Americans over 60 losing $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, and demonstrates the particular vulnerability of elderly victims who may distrust reporting due to family involvement
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Roxanna Rae Lewis-Stella, 60, was sentenced to four and one-half years in prison for forging approximately 70 checks and stealing over $700,000 from her elderly mother in Lewistown between November 2021 and July 2023 while serving as her caregiver. Lewis-Stella also stole other assets including a silver bar, used her deceased father's credit cards, and forged a life insurance check, concealing her crimes by impersonating her mother to banks and intercepting statements. The theft forced her mother to sell her home and move into assisted living, and Lewis-Stella was ordered to pay $725,145 in restitution
dailymontanan.com
· 2025-12-08
Roxanna Rae Lewis-Stella, 60, of Billings, Montana, stole over $700,000 from her elderly mother while serving as her primary caretaker through forged checks, identity theft, and intercepting bank statements, forcing her mother to sell her home and enter assisted living. Lewis-Stella pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft and was sentenced to four years in prison; she also misused her deceased father's credit cards and stole a life insurance check, spending the stolen funds on personal expenses including travel, clothing, and cosmetic procedures. The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals dependent on family caregivers and was noted as particularly eg
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old US citizen testified via video conference from Baltimore against a Kolkata-based cyber fraud gang that defrauded him of several thousand dollars in 2023. The gang, which targeted elderly Americans under the guise of offering technical support, resulted in the arrest of two suspects, Denis Ahmed and Mohammad Iftikhar Ali, after the FBI contacted Indian police through Interpol. This marks the third instance since 2023 of a US victim providing testimony in this manner against Indian-based cyber fraud operations.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 60-year-old man in Nagpur, Chandrasekhar Chaware, was defrauded of ₹87.6 lakh through the Apollo Online Classes app, which falsely promised investment training and profitable returns. Between March and May, Chaware made multiple transfers via IMPS after attending convincing online classes, only to discover the scheme was fraudulent when he attempted to withdraw his alleged profits. Police have registered a case of online financial fraud and are investigating to identify and apprehend the perpetrator.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost over $10 billion to scams last year, with organized criminal networks operating from India and Nigeria using US "cash mules" to launder money through untraceable Bitcoin accounts. Seniors with landlines are particularly targeted through various schemes including romance scams (with victims losing up to $2.5 million), fake emergency calls from supposed grandchildren, phishing emails, suspicious text messages, and fake billing notifications. The article advises never sharing personal or financial information with unsolicited callers, texts, or emails, and recommends blocking suspicious contacts, verifying charges directly with banks, and reporting fraud to email service abuse addresses.
troyrecord.com
· 2025-12-08
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert about "pig butchering" romance scams, where fraudsters build romantic relationships with victims on dating apps and social media before convincing them to invest money in fake cryptocurrency or currency schemes. Victims typically deposit tens of thousands to over a million dollars before discovering they cannot withdraw funds or are asked to pay fake fees, at which point the scammers disappear. The Attorney General recommends verifying people's identities, consulting financial advisors before investing, and reporting suspected scams to law enforcement and the relevant platforms.
wptv.com
· 2025-12-08
The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office warned residents about an impersonation scam where callers falsely claim to be deputies and demand payment via Bitcoin or gift cards to avoid arrest for alleged outstanding warrants. The scammers use spoofing technology to make calls appear to originate from local numbers or the Sheriff's Office itself, and residents are advised to hang up and not provide personal information or payment. Reports of such calls can be submitted to the Sheriff's Office to help law enforcement track emerging scam patterns.
wflx.com
· 2025-12-08
Callers impersonating St. Lucie County Sheriff's deputies are using spoofing technology to contact residents and demand payment via Bitcoin or gift cards, claiming they have outstanding warrants to avoid arrest. Law enforcement emphasizes that legitimate officers never demand payment through unconventional methods and advises residents to hang up on such calls and report them to the Sheriff's Office. No specific losses are mentioned, but the scam highlights the importance of verifying caller identity before providing any personal information or payment.
examiner-enterprise.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not relevant to the Elderus database. It is a community events listing for Bartlesville, Oklahoma, featuring recreational activities such as farmers markets, historical tours, children's activities, and a health fair. It contains no information about scams, fraud, elder abuse, or related incidents.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 19-year-old California man was indicted for stealing over $20,000 from a 74-year-old Kettering woman through a tech support scam that began with a phishing email. The victim was manipulated into mailing cash and transferring funds through multiple interactions before police arrested the suspect during an attempted in-person money exchange. The case highlights the prevalence of tech support scams targeting seniors, which the FBI identified as the most common elder fraud type in 2023, with victims aged 60+ losing an average of $33,915 each.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Over five months, Nashik's cyber police registered 11 share trading fraud complaints affecting approximately 30 victims—primarily retired people and industrialists—who lost a combined Rs12.88 crore. Perpetrators contacted victims through WhatsApp and social media, posing as stock market advisors, representing a shift from previous like-and-earn scams to market-focused fraud schemes. Police continue to urge the public not to transfer money to unidentified persons.
insideedition.com
· 2025-12-08
This article highlights three cases where seniors successfully defended themselves against fraud and crime. A New York grandmother helped police catch a scammer in 2022, Joyce Kennedy used perfume to thwart a kidnapping attempt in 2016, and another grandmother turned the tables on a grandparent scam caller in May by ultimately outwitting the perpetrator.
eyeonannapolis.net
· 2025-12-08
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown warns of increasingly sophisticated imposter scams that use AI-generated voices to mimic trusted figures such as government officials, banks, law enforcement, and family members in order to steal money or personal information. Common scam types include government imposters threatening legal action, family/friend imposters claiming emergencies, and tech support scams, which typically involve unsolicited contact, urgency tactics, requests for sensitive data, or payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Consumers can protect themselves by hanging up on suspicious calls, independently verifying caller identity through official contact numbers, never sharing personal information, and reporting suspected scams to the Attorney General, FTC, AARP Fraud Watch Network,
bbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A cybercrime gang operating in Zambia was convicted and sentenced in Lusaka Magistrates Court, with 22 Chinese nationals and one Cameroonian receiving jail terms ranging from 7 to 11 years for orchestrating a sophisticated internet fraud syndicate that targeted victims across Singapore, Peru, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries. The gang members, who worked for the Chinese-run Golden Top Support Services company, used deceptive online conversations via WhatsApp and Telegram, spoofed phone numbers, and recruited Zambian call-center agents to defraud unsuspecting mobile and bank account users; they were each fined $1,500-$3,000
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
The city of Fresno lost over $600,000 to a phishing scam in 2020 when criminals sent a fraudulent contractor invoice with the legitimate contractor's letterhead but an incorrect account number. A civil grand jury determined that city officials failed to notice conspicuous red flags, including inadequate approval procedures for large payments and unwritten finance department policies, and that the fraud went undetected until 2022. Mayor Jerry Dyer stated that Fresno has since implemented improved training and updated fraud prevention procedures to prevent similar incidents.
starofmysore.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Mysuru residents lost a combined Rs. 40,42,779 to sophisticated fraud schemes between May and June 2024. The victims included an engineer duped by a fake HDFC Securities investment scam on Instagram/WhatsApp (Rs. 22,58,779 lost), a man impersonated by fake Mumbai Crime Branch officials posing as FedEx and ICICI Bank representatives (Rs. 7,00,561 lost), and another victim defrauded by a fraudulent stock trading website (Rs. 10,84,460 lost). Police have registered cases and advise residents to verify identities before sharing personal information or making financial transactions.
saharareporters.com
· 2025-12-08
Sextortion scams have been linked to over 27 suicides in the US, with 17-year-old Jordan Buta becoming a tragic victim in 2022 after scammers posing as a teenage girl on Instagram manipulated him into sharing explicit photos, then demanded hundreds of pounds while threatening to share the images with his friends. Jordan took his own life six hours after the scam began; the perpetrators, Nigerian brothers Samuel and Samson Ogoshi, were arrested, extradited to the US, and faced child exploitation charges. Jordan's mother, Jennifer Buta, has since become an advocate raising awareness about sextortion through social media, helping other families recognize
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
British Columbia authorities warned 10 suspected "money mules" in Metro Vancouver in late May after the BCSC identified them transferring funds obtained from investment fraud victims, with an estimated hundreds of thousands of dollars involved. Money mules—who may knowingly or unknowingly facilitate money laundering for criminal networks—are recruited through false job offers, romance scams, or false identities, and face potential criminal charges for possession or laundering proceeds of crime. The investigation revealed that organized crime groups behind these investment fraud schemes have shifted from Nigeria and Eastern Europe to primarily southeast Asia since the BCSC began investigating in 2020.
vancouversun.com
· 2025-12-08
The RCMP and B.C. Securities Commission delivered warning letters to 10 suspected "money mules" on May 29 who were allegedly laundering proceeds from offshore investment scams involving hundreds of thousands of dollars through cash and cryptocurrency transfers. The operation targets individuals who may be unwittingly assisting criminals, willfully ignoring the illegal activity, or knowingly participating in money laundering schemes that originate from Eastern Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia. British Columbians reported $46.4 million in investment scam losses in 2023, though authorities estimate actual losses are significantly higher, with the true figure likely in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
videos.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This appears to be a webpage header/navigation for AARP content rather than a complete article. Based on the available text, it references an AARP Hearing Center video featuring FBI Financial Crimes Section Chief James Barnacle discussing how people can use technology to protect themselves from scams, though the specific advice or recommendations are not provided in the excerpt shown.
kait8.com
· 2025-12-08
The Mississippi County Sheriff's Office warned residents of a phone scam in which a caller impersonating Officer Rodney Barnett claims victims have arrest warrants and demands bond payments via Cash App, PayPal, Venmo, or gift cards. The sheriff's office emphasized that legitimate law enforcement never accepts payment through these methods or requests personal information over the phone.
baltimoresun.com
· 2025-12-08
Maryland's attorney general and comptroller held a public awareness event in Annapolis to warn older residents about financial fraud risks and prevention strategies. According to AARP data cited in the warning, one in five older adults has fallen victim to fraud schemes, highlighting the widespread nature of this problem in the state.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Samuel Kristofer Bunner was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison for defrauding a Jefferson County man with dementia of approximately $1.9 million through real estate sales, account emptying, and identity theft. Bunner used the stolen funds to purchase homes, campers, vehicles, and consumer goods, and was ordered to pay full restitution to the victim.
mageenews.com
· 2025-12-08
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15, 2024) was recognized by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi to promote awareness of elder fraud and abuse. The Justice Department highlighted common scams targeting seniors—including Social Security impostor schemes, tech support fraud, and lottery scams—and emphasized that information and vigilance, along with partnerships between law enforcement and the public, are key to prevention. Resources like the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force and Senior Scam Alerts are available to help older individuals and families identify and avoid fraudulent activity.
mcall.com
· 2025-12-08
The Lehigh County District Attorney's Office is hosting a free "Safeguarding Seniors" symposium on June 25 to educate older residents and caregivers about recognizing fraud, abuse, and neglect. The event will feature personal stories from families affected by elder abuse, training on identifying scam red flags from the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Elder Abuse Unit, and interactive "Fraud Scam Bingo" sessions to help attendees detect financial fraud.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
On June 15, 2024, U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and highlighted that financial exploitation is the most common form of elder abuse, costing older adults an estimated $23 billion annually. The U.S. Attorney's Office has expanded efforts to combat elder fraud through initiatives including the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force, which targets foreign-based schemes, the Money Mule Initiative to disrupt fraud networks, and Senior Scam Alerts educating the public about common schemes such as Social Security impostor scams, tech support fraud, and lottery scams.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) by partnering with law enforcement agencies, AARP, Meals on Wheels, and the FBI to combat elder fraud through community education. The office hosted three public outreach events in Raleigh, Wake Forest, and Supply to help seniors recognize signs of financial scams and connect them with resources and support services. U.S. Attorney Michael Easley emphasized that seniors are frequently targeted by fraudsters and prioritized prosecuting cases involving elderly victims as part of broader efforts to protect vulnerable populations.
crapo.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, seniors lost $3.4 billion to scams, an 11 percent increase from 2022, prompting Senator Mike Crapo to co-sponsor a unanimously passed Senate Resolution to combat elder fraud. Common scams targeting older Americans include romance schemes, fraudulent tech support, cryptocurrency conversion fraud, and investment scams, with warning signs including unexpected contact with pressure to act quickly, requests for personal information, and demands for untraceable payments. The Idaho Attorney General's office and other agencies provide educational resources and encourage seniors to report fraud without shame, noting that scammers are sophisticated and victims should contact law enforcement, their financial institutions, and relevant agencies rather than remaining silent due to
thethaiger.com
· 2025-12-08
Twenty-one victims reported losing over 12 million baht to an online toy scam involving a Facebook seller who took payment for Labubu and Art Toys collectibles but never delivered the goods. The scammer, who operated a physical store at Mega Sapanlek that was subsequently put up for sale, exploited victims' trust built through prior successful transactions, with some victims like one reseller losing 1.5 million baht and being forced to use children's tuition fees for the fraudulent purchases. Thai police have taken statements and forwarded the case to higher authorities for investigation and arrest.
capitalgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
Maryland policymakers held a public awareness event warning older residents about financial fraud, which affected 1,985 adults age 60+ in the state last year. A 79-year-old Montgomery County woman lost over $500,000 to an FBI imposter scam involving fake fentanyl trafficking investigations, experiencing severe physical and psychological health consequences. State officials announced expanded protections for seniors and encouraged fraud victims to report incidents to law enforcement at 833-372-8311, emphasizing that reports help build cases against scammers targeting vulnerable populations nationwide.
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2021, the FBI reported over 90,000 older adult victims of fraud losing $1.7 billion, a 74% increase from 2020, though actual numbers likely exceed reported cases due to underreporting. Financial exploitation—the most common form of elder abuse—often comes from trusted individuals and is enabled by cognitive decline with age, emotional vulnerabilities like loneliness and isolation, low digital literacy, and specific genetic risk factors associated with Alzheimer's disease. Research shows that older adults' susceptibility to deception varies based on individual characteristics (cognition, memory, mood, social support) and the method of targeting (phishing emails, fake news, deepfakes), with
panhandlenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
Samuel Kristofer Bunner, 51, of West Virginia, was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison for defrauding an elderly man with dementia of approximately $1.9 million through real estate sales, account theft, and identity fraud. Bunner used the stolen funds to purchase homes, vehicles, and consumer goods, and has been ordered to pay full restitution, though recovery is unlikely; the fraud significantly reduced the quality of care available to the victim in his declining years. Bunner's wife, Wendy Bunner, is a co-defendant awaiting sentencing.
phillytrib.com
· 2025-12-08
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging held an Elder Abuse Awareness Day panel discussion to address rising financial fraud against seniors, highlighting that elder abuse affects approximately 1 in 10 seniors nationally, with Pennsylvania victims losing about $12.5 million to financial exploitation. The panel discussed common fraud schemes including dishonest caregivers, unauthorized account withdrawals, and vacation rental scams, and emphasized that 60-90% of perpetrators are family members, making reporting difficult. Officials recommended protective measures such as establishing power of attorney, monitoring joint accounts, and contacting authorities like the Philadelphia District Attorney's Elder Justice Unit at (215) 686-5710 or the AARP Fraud Watch Network at (
wvmetronews.com
· 2025-12-08
Samuel Kristofer Bunner, 51, of Ranson, West Virginia, was sentenced to over 10 years in federal prison for defrauding an elderly man with dementia of nearly $2 million. After befriending the victim at a VFW where he worked, Bunner obtained power of attorney and systematically stole from him by selling real estate, liquidating investment accounts, and opening fraudulent credit cards. The victim's quality of care has deteriorated significantly as a result of losing his life savings, and Bunner has been ordered to pay $1.9 million in restitution, though full recovery is unlikely.
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
An anonymous victim lost approximately $1.1 million to two pig-butchering romance scams between January 2021 and December 2022, where scammers posed as a romantic interest and investment advisor on Facebook to manipulate the victim into transferring funds for false business opportunities and cryptocurrency investments. The US government has filed a forfeiture complaint to seize nearly $200,000 in Tether (USDT) held on Binance that was traced to the scam and converted by suspect Izuchukwu Henry Okolo, with the funds now in FBI custody. Pig-butchering scams use romantic relationships and false investment promises to gain victims' trust
highlandcountypress.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article:** "Raising awareness about fraud targeting seniors"
The FBI reported seniors lost $3.4 billion in 2023, an 11-percent increase from 2022, through scams including romance fraud, fake tech support, cryptocurrency schemes, and investment fraud. The article outlines six warning signs of scams and provides guidance on prevention measures and reporting channels, including contacting local police, the FTC, FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.