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in Crypto Investment Scam
wmar2news.com
· 2025-12-08
Veterans are 40 percent more likely to fall victim to scams than the general population, with scammers using tactics like caller ID spoofing to impersonate VA officials and request personal banking information. Over the past year, a Baltimore VA office handled at least seven cases where veterans lost money through fraudulent schemes, including unauthorized bank withdrawals and loans taken in their names. Red flags include requests for payment via non-traditional methods such as Zelle, Venmo, MoneyGram, Western Union, or cryptocurrency.
madvalleycurrent.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly victim in Ontario lost nearly $10,000 after being contacted by phone and directed to deposit money into a cryptocurrency ATM with promises of high investment returns that never materialized. Fraudsters often create fake cryptocurrency investment companies with convincing websites and fake testimonials to pressure victims into making increasingly large deposits. The OPP advises the public to be wary of abnormally high return promises, verify company legitimacy through business registries, never share cryptocurrency private keys, and report suspected fraud to local police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
sbs.com.au
· 2025-12-08
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is suing telecommunications company Optus for engaging in unconscionable conduct by selling unwanted phone products to hundreds of vulnerable customers, including First Nations people from remote areas and individuals with disabilities or financial disadvantages, then pursuing them for resulting debts. Additionally, scam-related complaints in Australia reached a record high, with an 81% increase in complaints to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority in 2023-2024, with phishing, spoofing, remote access scams, bank impersonation scams, and romance scams being the most prevalent types.
thenewsenterprise.com
· 2025-12-08
Since 2020, the Better Business Bureau has received over 4,000 reports of investment scams, with cryptocurrency-based schemes increasingly migrating to social media platforms like TikTok where scammers quickly build trust and solicit money. These scams typically begin with fake investment opportunities promising rapid returns; victims are directed to send funds via digital wallet services, after which scammers either disappear or demand additional "service fees" while claiming to multiply the initial investment. To avoid such scams, consumers are advised to use good judgment (legitimate investments rarely guarantee huge returns), research contacts and companies thoroughly before engaging, refuse intimidation tactics, treat digital wallet transfers as irreversible cash, and report suspected sc
ncoa.org
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered scams represent an emerging threat to consumers, particularly older adults, utilizing artificial intelligence tools to create highly convincing impersonations and fraudulent messages at scale. Scammers employ four main tactics: voice cloning to impersonate family members or authority figures, deepfake videos to pose as public figures, sophisticated phishing emails that bypass spam filters, and fake websites promoting fraudulent investments. The FBI has warned that as AI technology advances, cybercriminals' ability to execute personalized, authentic-seeming fraud campaigns will continue to increase.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, older Americans reported $1.9 billion in fraud losses to the FTC, though the actual figure is estimated at $61.5 billion when accounting for underreporting. Adults ages 60 and older experienced higher median losses than younger groups (ranging from $500 for ages 60-69 to $1,450 for ages 80+) and were significantly more vulnerable to tech support scams (5x more likely), sweepstakes scams (3x more likely), and impersonation scams, with investment scams and cryptocurrency payments causing the largest losses.
renfrewtoday.ca
· 2025-12-08
An elderly victim lost nearly $10,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam after a phone caller promised high returns and directed them to deposit money into a cryptocurrency ATM. The Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment warns that scammers use fake companies with professional websites and high-pressure sales tactics to fraudulently solicit investments. To protect against such schemes, individuals should be skeptical of unusually high returns, research company legitimacy, never share cryptocurrency wallet credentials, and report suspected fraud to local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This article presents educational advice from a Scam Jam event in Richmond, Virginia, where experts from organizations including AARP Virginia and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service provided seniors with strategies to protect themselves against fraud. Speakers described various scams targeting older Americans, including durable medical equipment fraud, mail theft, identity theft, phishing, and AI-powered impersonation calls, and advised attendees to avoid unsolicited contacts, protect personal information, and use secure mailing practices. The event emphasized that fraudsters use both low-tech methods like mail theft and high-tech tactics like voice manipulation, and stressed that seniors should be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This article covers a "Scam Jam" educational event in Richmond, Virginia organized by AARP Virginia where law enforcement and fraud prevention experts educated about 30 seniors on common scams targeting older adults. Presenters from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol discussed various fraud schemes including mail theft, identity theft, durable medical equipment fraud, and AI-powered impersonation scams, while offering practical protective strategies such as mailing checks directly to post offices and shredding personal documents.
kyma.com
· 2025-12-08
The Arizona Attorney General's Office held a community awareness event in Yuma to educate seniors about current scam tactics, following data showing Arizona had the highest rate of elder fraud cases per 100,000 seniors in 2023. Officials warned residents to be vigilant about scams involving Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and gift cards, which are commonly used by fraudsters to steal money from older adults. The Attorney General's Office is conducting similar educational visits throughout Arizona to help prevent elder fraud.
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
"Digital arrest" scams have become a widespread fraud in India where perpetrators pose as law enforcement officials via video call, falsely accusing victims of crimes and ordering them to remain isolated at home while transferring money to avoid arrest. Victims reported losing approximately Rs 120.3 crore during the first quarter of 2024 alone, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently warning the public that digital arrests do not legally exist in India and legitimate agencies never request personal information via phone or video call. The scam exploits fear-based social engineering tactics, often initiated with calls about overseas parcels containing drugs, misused identification, or family members in legal trouble.
firstpost.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud is now the leading crime against seniors in Canada, with sophisticated scams exploiting technological vulnerabilities and seniors' social isolation. Common schemes include grandparent fraud ($9.4 million in losses from 2,494 victims), romance scams (Canadians lost $59 million in 2022), and phishing attacks ($58 million in losses in 2022), all enhanced by AI and voice simulation technology. Despite widespread awareness campaigns, seniors remain vulnerable due to lower digital confidence (only 26% feel very confident with technology) and emotional manipulation that overrides caution.
decrypt.co
· 2025-12-08
A Keystone, Colorado resident lost over $6,000 in Bitcoin to scammers impersonating law enforcement who threatened arrest for missed jury duty, with an additional $4,000 transfer prevented by deputies. Similar incidents have occurred across Colorado, including a Denver woman who lost nearly $5,000 in Bitcoin through the same scheme; the state documented over 1,300 crypto fraud cases totaling $81 million in losses during 2023. Law enforcement warns that scammers use number spoofing to appear legitimate and target crypto because transactions are irreversible and difficult to trace.
ckom.com
· 2025-12-08
Saskatoon Police Service warned the public about "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams, which begin with unsolicited contact via text, email, or dating apps and use romance and fake investment promises to defraud victims. Fraudsters gain trust, direct victims to fraudulent investment platforms showing false returns, then demand additional fees before cutting off contact, often leaving victims with losses of tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Police advise Canadians to avoid unsolicited investment offers, consult registered financial professionals, and report suspected fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and local authorities.
bobsullivan.net
· 2025-12-08
A man named Dennis fell victim to a combined crypto and romance scam, losing his life savings and eventually taking his own life after being manipulated into borrowing additional money through an LLC when his initial funds were depleted. His adult children, Laura and Matt, shared their father's story to raise awareness about how scams—which affect people of all ages, not just the elderly—can lead to devastating psychological consequences, including suicide. The piece emphasizes the importance of open, non-judgmental communication with loved ones about online scams and the mental health crisis they can trigger.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
**Scammer Payback Answers Scam Questions** (11/05/2024)
YouTube scambaiter Pierogi from Scammer Payback identifies key red flags of scams, including pressure to make quick decisions, requests for remote computer access, and demands for payment via gift cards, Cash App, wire transfers, or Bitcoin. The video addresses common scam types including tech support pop-ups, romance scams (citing a case where a 90+ year old woman was defrauded of tens of thousands of dollars by someone posing as a celebrity), and explains why scammers prefer gift cards for money laundering and anonymity, while demonstrating
theregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Shan Hanes, CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank in Kansas, was sentenced to 24 years in prison after embezzling $47.1 million from the bank, a local church, and an investment club in an 8-week period after being lured into a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam via WhatsApp. The scam crashed the bank and devastated the small city of Elkhart; the FBI recovered approximately $8 million in stolen funds that will be returned to victims. Hanes exploited his position of trust and 30-year tenure at the bank to authorize fraudulent wire transfers without serious oversight.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence—including deepfakes, convincing emails, and fake trading bots—to perpetrate investment fraud, with a Canadian study showing people invested 22% more in AI-enhanced scams compared to traditional ones. Vulnerable populations include elderly investors, recent immigrants, and younger self-directed investors, with documented cases including a man from Barrie, Ontario who lost $11,000 to a deepfake video of Justin Trudeau in September 2023. The Ontario Securities Commission found that investor education about warning signs reduced AI scam investments by 10%, while technology-based detection tools proved most effective, reducing fraudulent investments by nearly one-
lifehacker.com
· 2025-12-08
Last year saw 2.6 million fraud reports with $10 billion in losses, as scammers employ psychological manipulation tactics to deceive victims. The article identifies three primary techniques scammers use: impersonating authority figures to exploit deference, creating time pressure and artificial scarcity to trigger emotional responses, and using incremental requests (foot-in-the-door) to gradually escalate victim cooperation. Awareness of these tactics—such as recognizing that legitimate authorities welcome verification and that legitimate businesses never demand snap decisions—can help people protect themselves from Romance Scams, Impostor Scams, Delivery Scams, and similar frauds.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, a 40-year-old Nigerian national, was arrested upon arrival in the U.S. and indicted on 14 counts of wire fraud for operating a romance scam that defrauded victims of over $3.3 million. Operating under the alias "Giovanni" on dating websites, Nwadialo posed as a deployed military member and convinced victims to send money for various fabricated emergencies, including military fines, funeral expenses, and investment schemes, with one victim losing at least $2.4 million. Wire fraud carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 21-year-old South Boston man was indicted for his role in an elder fraud conspiracy that defrauded a 75-year-old Berkshire County victim of approximately $500,000 between February and October 2024. The scheme involved a co-conspirator impersonating a U.S. Treasury Department official who convinced the victim to withdraw cash and hand it to couriers using prearranged passpins; the defendant was arrested while attempting to collect one of the cash boxes. The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
realclearmarkets.com
· 2025-12-08
Truth Social users lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to various scams on the platform, primarily involving cryptocurrency schemes, highlighting broader fraud vulnerabilities across social media and digital payment systems. The article argues that Senator Elizabeth Warren's "Protecting Consumers from Payment Scams Act" would be ineffective and counterproductive, as it would force banks to reimburse users for authorized P2P payments made through platforms like Zelle and Venmo, potentially incentivizing scammers to target these services more aggressively while raising costs for legitimate users. The piece contends that while payment platforms have robust safety tools, Congress cannot legislatively prevent consumer mistakes in complex fraud schemes.
livemint.com
· 2025-12-08
A 63-year-old man from Hyderabad lost ₹50 lakh after being recruited into a fraudulent stock market scheme via WhatsApp, where a scammer posing as financial advisor "Kunal Singh" promised exceptional returns and directed victims to invest through a fake platform called "Skyrim Capital." The article also documents two separate cases in Bengaluru where victims lost money (including ₹19 lakh) after being deceived by deepfake videos featuring prominent business figures promoting fraudulent trading platforms. Authorities advise elderly citizens to avoid joining unverified investment groups on messaging apps and recognize guaranteed high returns as a major red flag.
newsbytesapp.com
· 2025-12-08
India is experiencing a surge in online scams targeting elderly citizens, with a 63-year-old Hyderabad man losing ₹50 lakh after being deceived by a fake stock market scheme on WhatsApp that promised unrealistic returns through fabricated profits and false endorsements from a fraudulent platform called "Skyrim Capital." Scammers are also increasingly using deepfake videos of prominent business leaders to lure victims into trading platform scams, with two Bengaluru residents losing significant amounts after being convinced by manipulated videos purporting to show endorsements from Narayana Murthy and Mukesh Ambani. Authorities recommend that elderly individuals avoid unver
boston25news.com
· 2025-12-08
A 21-year-old South Boston man, Urvishkumar Vipulkumar Patel, was indicted on wire fraud conspiracy charges for his role in a scheme that defrauded a 75-year-old Berkshire County victim of approximately $500,000 between February and October. The scam involved a co-conspirator impersonating a U.S. Treasury Department official who falsely claimed the victim was involved in money laundering and instructed him to withdraw cash and place it in marked boxes for couriers to collect; Patel was arrested after attempting to pick up one of these boxes in North Adams on October 7.
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
Coinbase's Chief Information Security Officer identifies social engineering scams as the top threat to crypto users, advising people to ignore unsolicited calls from exchanges, verify contacts through official channels (which can prevent up to 80% of such scams), and avoid sending crypto to unknown individuals. Additional threats include deepfake technology used to impersonate leaders and romance scams exploiting emotional vulnerabilities, with Coinbase addressing these risks through AI-driven fraud detection and machine learning monitoring, while advocating for industry-wide information sharing through initiatives like the Crypto Information Sharing and Analysis Center.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Urvishkumar Vipulkumar Patel, 21, of South Boston was indicted on conspiracy to commit wire fraud charges for his role in a scheme that defrauded a 75-year-old Berkshire County man of approximately $500,000 between February and October. A co-conspirator posed as U.S. Treasury Department official "Sam Wilson" and convinced the victim to withdraw cash and place it in boxes for "safekeeping," with couriers (including Patel) collecting the funds using predetermined security procedures before authorities apprehended Patel in North Adams. The investigation is ongoing, and the conspiracy charge carries a potential sentence of
mynorthwest.com
· 2025-12-08
Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, a 40-year-old Nigerian national, was arrested and indicted on 14 counts of wire fraud for operating a romance scam that defrauded victims of over $3.3 million in Western Washington. Using false profiles with the name "Giovanni" on dating platforms like Match and Zoosk, Nwadialo posed as a military serviceman and manipulated victims into sending money through various pretexts, including claims about his father's death, military fines, and investment opportunities. One victim alone lost $2.4 million, while others lost between $270,000 and $310,000 each
republicanherald.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece outlines nine common scam tactics and warning signs, including unsolicited phone calls claiming to be from banks or government agencies, requests for untraceable payment methods (gift cards, prepaid debit cards), poor quality communications with misspellings, upfront payment demands, and pre-checked boxes for recurring donations. The author advises readers to verify caller identity independently, watch for threats or "too good to be true" offers, and report suspected scams to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office.
timesofsandiego.com
· 2025-12-08
The San Diego Seniors Community Foundation and FBI are hosting free Elder Fraud Prevention seminars during International Fraud Week to educate seniors about recognizing and avoiding scams. In 2023, seniors over age 60 reported losses exceeding $3.4 billion to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, with tech support fraud being the most common crime type affecting this age group ($600 million in losses) and investment scams being the costliest ($1.2 billion). The seminars will cover common fraud schemes including romance scams, tech support fraud, cryptocurrency scams, and investment fraud.
asaaseradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, a 40-year-old Nigerian national, was arrested at a Texas airport and indicted on 14 counts of wire fraud for operating a romance scam that defrauded victims of over $3.3 million. Using fake military personas and profiles on dating sites like Match and Zoosk, Nwadialo convinced victims he needed money for various expenses, including military fines, funeral costs, and investments, with one victim alone losing $2.4 million. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
wydaily.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scams caused an estimated $1 trillion in global losses in 2023, with Americans over 60 experiencing more than $3.4 billion in losses that year, primarily through tech support scams and investment schemes involving cryptocurrency. Experts are convening at the Global Anti-Scam Summit in November 2023 to develop cross-industry and international strategies to combat increasingly sophisticated scams that operate across multiple countries. The FBI advises people to consult trusted friends and family before responding to suspicious communications and warns of scammers exploiting the 2024 election for fraud.
irishtechnews.ie
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece discusses the prevalence and types of online scams targeting seniors, drawing parallels between modern cyber-scammers and historical fraud schemes. In 2023, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre processed 62,365 fraud reports totaling over $554 million in losses, with seniors especially vulnerable due to their trust and familiarity with traditional communication. Common scams include phishing emails, tech support pop-ups, fraudulent government calls threatening legal action, and romance scams, with the article emphasizing that skepticism, verification of requests, and avoiding hasty responses are key protective measures.
mpacorn.com
· 2025-12-08
Debbie Deem, a retired FBI victim specialist, volunteers as a fraud intervention coach in Camarillo, California, providing free counseling and education to community members who have fallen victim to scams and fraud. She emphasizes that fraud disproportionately affects older adults (particularly those aged 70-79) and isolated individuals, with victims in her caseload losing anywhere from $500 to $5 million, and some losing their homes entirely. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency are making sophisticated scams—including romance investment fraud, charity fraud, and romance scams—increasingly difficult to combat and devastating to victims often living on fixed incomes.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Trung Nguyen, a 48-year-old from Danvers, Massachusetts, was convicted of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business and money laundering after converting over $1 million in cash to Bitcoin between 2017 and 2020 through his company National Vending, LLC. Nguyen deliberately circumvented federal anti-money laundering regulations and knowingly facilitated transactions for criminals, including a methamphetamine dealer ($250,000) and multiple romance scam victims from whom he converted approximately $445,000 in stolen funds. Sentencing is scheduled for February 12, 2025.
cbp.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers posing as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are calling residents nationwide claiming to have intercepted drug or money shipments with the victim's name, demanding personal information like Social Security numbers and banking details while threatening police arrival if the target refuses to comply. The scammers use authentic-sounding details including real CBP employee names, fake case numbers, and pre-recorded messages to appear legitimate. CBP emphasizes it never calls citizens unsolicited requesting money, personal information, or threatening legal action, and urges residents to hang up on such calls and report them to the Federal Trade Commission.
arise.tv
· 2025-12-08
Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, a 40-year-old newly elected Local Government Chairman in Nigeria, was arrested in Texas on charges of operating a $3.3 million romance scam targeting multiple victims in the United States. Operating under fake personas using the name "Giovanni" on dating websites like Match and Zoosk, Nwadialo posed as a deployed military officer and fabricated various emergencies—including military fines, inheritance transfers, investment schemes, and funeral expenses—to defraud at least four victims of between $150,000 and $2.4 million each. He faces 14 counts of wire fraud, each punishable by
dfpi.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams, also known as confidence scams, are a growing fraud problem in the United States, with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center receiving over 1,800 complaints in 2021 resulting in losses exceeding $133.4 million. Scammers typically use emotional manipulation through fake online profiles (catfishing), false love relationships with urgent money requests, and fraudulent websites to steal personal information and money from victims. To protect yourself, avoid sending money or personal information to people you've only met online, watch for red flags like refusals to meet in person or requests for unusual payments, and stop all contact immediately if you suspect a scam.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A survey of 100 fraud cases by the National Fraud Helpline found that 74% of victims had a mental health condition, with additional vulnerabilities including physical disabilities, long-term illnesses, recent life crises (income loss, relationship breakdown, bereavement), and language barriers. Victims lost an average of £15,095 each through various scams including romance, cryptocurrency, rental, and investment schemes, with psychological consequences including depression and suicidal ideation. The study highlights how scammers deliberately target vulnerable populations and calls for greater protective measures from government, banks, and technology companies.
techradar.com
· 2025-12-08
Quishing, a form of phishing that uses fraudulent QR codes, is becoming an increasingly common scam threat warned about by UK banks, regulators, and the US Federal Trade Commission. Scammers send malicious QR codes via email or place them on real-world objects like parking machines; when scanned, they direct victims to fake websites designed to steal personal information, payment details, or install malware. These attacks are difficult to detect because QR code content isn't visible before scanning and often bypass security tools, with a May 2024 survey finding that over 20% of UK online scams likely involved QR codes.
levittownnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania State Police warned of a sophisticated Bitcoin scam targeting older residents, wherein scammers impersonated financial institution representatives and federal agents (FBI, FTC) to convince victims to withdraw cash and deposit it into Bitcoin kiosks under the pretense of protecting their assets from fraudulent activity. Victims were tricked into providing receipts or scanning QR codes that granted scammers access to the transferred funds, which are typically irretrievable due to Bitcoin's anonymous nature. The scammers used phone number spoofing to appear legitimate, and victims are urged to report incidents to the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357.
bctv.org
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania State Police warn of a Bitcoin scam targeting retirees in which fraudsters impersonate bank representatives and federal investigators, persuading victims to withdraw cash and deposit it into Bitcoin kiosks under the guise of protecting their money from fraudulent activity. Once victims provide confirmation receipts or QR codes linking their accounts, scammers access the Bitcoin deposits and transfer the funds, which are untraceable due to the nature of cryptocurrency. The scam typically involves phone number spoofing to appear legitimate, and victims are advised to contact authorities such as the Pennsylvania Attorney General (800-441-2555) or the Federal Trade Commission (877-382-4357) if targeted.
legalserviceindia.com
· 2025-12-08
India's Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has prohibited transactions through "mule accounts"—bank or brokerage accounts used to conceal the true identity of individuals conducting illegal financial activities such as market manipulation, insider trading, and money laundering. The regulatory action targets a growing threat to market integrity, as rising digital trading platforms have made it easier for criminals to create mule accounts using fake or stolen identities to artificially inflate or deflate stock prices and mislead investors. This 2024 amendment strengthens SEBI's enforcement framework to enhance transparency, accountability, and investor protection in Indian securities markets.
jamaica-gleaner.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines key strategies for protecting oneself from cyberscams, emphasizing the "three S's": stay suspicious, stop to think, and stay protected. Common scam tactics exploit fear, urgency, and money as bait, with particular vulnerability among seniors and isolated individuals through romance scams, job scams, robocalls, and impersonation schemes; experts recommend verifying contacts through official channels and using reverse-image searches to identify fake profiles.
landline.media
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are conducting a nationwide telephone phishing scam by impersonating U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, claiming to have intercepted drug shipments under the victim's name and demanding personal information such as Social Security numbers, credit card details, or bank account information. The scammers use tactics including threatening police arrival if victims refuse cooperation, providing actual CBP employee names found online, and issuing fake case or badge numbers to appear legitimate. CBP advises the public to hang up on unsolicited calls, never provide personal financial information over the phone, and verify agency contact information through official websites rather than caller ID or provided phone numbers.
insidebitcoins.com
· 2025-12-08
Shizuku Ida, a 27-year-old woman, defrauded approximately 100 men of roughly 100 million yen ($656,000) through an elaborate romance scam conducted on social media and dating apps. Using the alias "Yuu," Ida posed as a hostess and fabricated emotionally compelling stories—including claims of lost money, unpaid debts, and suicidal ideation—to manipulate victims into sending money, which she spent on internet casinos and entertainment. She was arrested after defrauding a Yamagata man of 346,000 yen in October, with experts noting that the lack of face-to-
themarketperiodical.com
· 2025-12-08
Three cryptocurrency investors fell victim to sophisticated phishing scams in 2024, losing a combined $114 million. Attackers impersonated legitimate crypto platforms and exchanges via fake emails and websites, tricking investors into revealing private keys and login credentials—including a $24 million theft in September 2024 involving liquid staking derivatives, a $55 million DAI stablecoin loss, and a $36 million fwDETH token theft in October 2024. These attacks employed advanced social engineering tactics, with scammers typically creating urgency by claiming account compromises and directing victims to malicious links where they unknowingly disclosed sensitive wallet information.
americanbanker.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired Navy commander in Virginia had his estate drained of $3.6 million through 74 wire transfers to Thailand while suffering from diminished mental capacity due to a stroke, with his bank failing to prevent the fraud despite an address as suspicious as "165 alley behind the old Phraya Karai Temple Wat." In a separate case, an 84-year-old Los Angeles man and his 76-year-old wife lost $18.5 million of $29.5 million moved from their accounts after scammers convinced them of a data breach, with Bank of America failing to flag the highly anomalous transactions. These cases highlight systemic vulnerabilities in bank oversight
oklahoman.com
· 2025-12-08
Oklahoma City is warning residents about a resurging scam where callers impersonate municipal court employees or law enforcement, demanding immediate payment of fake fines over the phone under threat of jail. The city advises residents to hang up, independently verify any debts by calling OKC Municipal Court at (405) 297-3898 or checking okc.gov/court, and notes that scammers increasingly use spoofed numbers, actual deputy names, and payment methods like gift cards and cryptocurrency to steal money.
thehackernews.com
· 2025-12-08
Google has identified sophisticated scam techniques including landing page cloaking, where fraudsters impersonate legitimate websites and use AI-generated deepfakes to conduct investment fraud and credential theft schemes. The report highlights emerging tactics such as scareware redirects, app clones, and cryptocurrency scams originating from organized crime syndicates in Southeast Asia, with Google blocking over 5.5 billion policy-violating ads in 2023 and launching new scam detection features in its Android Phone app to protect users.