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in Romance Scams
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-07-19
A 76-year-old woman in Riverside lost her home and hundreds of thousands of dollars in a romance scam where a man claimed to have $7 million and used repeated promises of repayment to justify ongoing financial requests. Romance scams are particularly effective because they exploit trust and isolation, with each new money request framed as temporary and necessary to unlock the promised wealth. To protect yourself, be wary of online relationships that quickly turn romantic and involve requests for money, especially from people claiming to have delayed access to large sums—legitimate wealthy individuals don't need your funds to access their own assets.
thestar.com.my
· 2026-07-19
Police in Perak, Malaysia arrested 12 Chinese nationals operating an online romance scam call centre from two houses that targeted victims in China, using fake profiles on Telegram and WeChat to lure people into fraudulent investment schemes. The syndicate, which had been operating since June, used attractive fake photos to build trust before convincing victims to make repeated payments with promises of high investment returns. Authorities advise the public to be cautious of individuals met online and to avoid trusting people known only through online conversations, as these are common tactics used in romance and investment scams.
thesun.co.uk
· 2026-07-19
Organized crime networks operating "scam factories" in Southeast Asia are forcing workers to conduct romance and financial fraud schemes targeting British victims, while subjecting female workers to systematic rape and violence as "rewards" for successful scams. More than 10,000 UK residents lost an average of £9,500 each to romance scams last year, with many unknowingly funding these operations. To protect yourself, verify unexpected romantic interests through independent research, be skeptical of requests for money or financial information, and report suspected scams to Action Fraud or local authorities.
yen.com.gh
· 2026-07-19
Romance scams are costing Americans over a billion dollars annually, with the case of Ghanaian businessman Abu Trica—who faces trial for an alleged $8 million scheme targeting elderly Americans—highlighting the scale of this growing problem. The FBI has intensified efforts to combat cross-border fraud networks, including establishing an office in Ghana, as these scams continue to rise across the United States. To protect yourself, be cautious of romantic relationships that develop quickly online, especially with people who claim to need money or avoid meeting in person.
times.co.sz
· 2026-07-19
Americans have lost over $16.6 billion to online gambling and investment scams in recent years, with losses jumping 66% in 2024 alone, primarily to operations based in Southeast Asia. Following the arrest of alleged kingpin Chen Zhi in Cambodia, scam networks have relocated to African countries like Eswatini, where authorities are now making arrests and cracking down on foreign nationals operating illegal gambling operations. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities and online gambling offers, verify the legitimacy of platforms before participating, and report suspicious activity to local authorities or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
fortune.com
· 2026-07-18
A 43-year-old woman named Jean Booth lost $90,000 to a romance scam in which she developed an online relationship with a man named "Donnie" who never existed and whom she never met in person. The scammer repeatedly requested money by fabricating emergencies and claiming to be stuck or in danger, exploiting Jean's belief in people's inherent goodness despite warnings from family and friends. To protect yourself from similar scams, be extremely cautious about online relationships that never progress to video calls or in-person meetings, never send money to someone you haven't verified in person, and listen to loved ones who express concerns about suspicious behavior.
arabamericannews.com
· 2026-07-18
The FBI's Detroit Field Office is warning residents about increasingly sophisticated scams using AI, phone calls, texts, emails, and social media to steal money and personal information, with scammers often creating false urgency to pressure quick decisions. These fraud schemes—including romance scams and fake investment opportunities—typically build trust gradually over weeks or months before requesting payment through hard-to-trace methods like cryptocurrency or gift cards. To protect yourself, verify unexpected communications with trusted contacts, take time before responding to urgent requests, and be suspicious of unsolicited messages or investment offers promising quick returns.
indianexpress.com
· 2026-07-18
Scammers are increasingly using AI-generated photos, deepfake videos, and forged documents to create convincing fake profiles on matrimonial (dating) websites, targeting financially stable individuals with promises of romance followed by investment schemes. India now ranks third globally for romance scam profiles, with recent arrests in Gujarat exposing networks operating dozens of fake profiles simultaneously to lure victims into fraudulent forex trading platforms. To protect yourself, verify identities thoroughly before meeting, be skeptical of profiles that quickly escalate to investment opportunities, and never send money to unknown contacts, especially for trading or financial schemes.
vice.com
· 2026-07-18
Romance scams cost Americans $1.14 billion in 2023 and continue to grow as scammers use AI and fake identities to deceive dating app users. The luxury dating platform Seeking.com is taking a proactive stance by implementing AI-powered identity verification and selfie checks to catch potential scammers before they can contact real users, rather than waiting for victims to report fraud after the fact. Users can protect themselves by being cautious about sharing personal information, using alternative phone numbers until they're confident in a match, and using safety apps when meeting strangers.
hjnews.com
· 2026-07-18
Jean Booth fell victim to a romance scam, a type of fraud where scammers build fake romantic relationships to exploit victims financially. The article highlights her personal experience as a cautionary tale about how these scams target unsuspecting individuals. To protect yourself, be cautious about online relationships, verify identities independently, and never send money to people you haven't met in person or to unknown accounts.
lufkindailynews.com
· 2026-07-18
I'd be happy to help summarize this article, but the text provided appears to be incomplete—it only contains a photo caption and a note about search results, with no actual article content to summarize. Could you please provide the full article text so I can create an accurate 2-3 sentence summary focusing on what happened, who was affected, and actionable advice?
goskagit.com
· 2026-07-18
I don't have enough substantive article content to summarize. The text provided consists mainly of a photo caption and website comment guidelines rather than the actual news story about Jean Booth's romance scam experience. To give you an accurate summary focused on what happened, who was affected, and actionable advice, I would need the full article text.
danvillesanramon.com
· 2026-07-18
Patelco Credit Union's Senior Advocate Program successfully stopped 700 fraud attempts and prevented nearly $10 million in losses over the past year by training employees to identify suspicious transactions through personal interaction. The most common scams targeting seniors involved family and friend impersonation (26%), tech support scams (12%), and cryptocurrency fraud (10%), though overall suspicious transaction attempts have declined since peaking in April. To protect yourself, stay alert to unsolicited requests for money or personal information, verify requests by contacting organizations directly through official channels, and don't hesitate to ask trusted friends or family members for a second opinion on suspicious communications.
irs.gov
· 2026-07-18
Two members of a Chinese money laundering network, Zhuoying Chen and Haojie Zhang, have been charged with laundering over $40 million in funds stolen from victims through "pig butchering" investment scams. These scams typically target vulnerable people who are deceived into investing money that fraudsters steal and move through the network to China. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious about unsolicited investment opportunities, especially those from people you've met online, and verify any investment opportunity through official channels before sending money.
ground.news
· 2026-07-18
U.S. prosecutors charged two New York residents, Zhuoying Chen and Haojie Zhang, for laundering at least $43 million stolen from victims of "pig butchering" investment scams—elaborate online fraud schemes where scammers pose as romantic interests or investment advisors to trick people into sending money. The operation, which ran from 2020 to 2022, involved a network of shell companies and bank accounts used to move stolen funds to China. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities or romantic connections online, verify investment opportunities through official channels, and report suspicious financial activity to authorities immediately.
cbsnews.com
· 2026-07-17
Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to create deepfakes and clone voices to impersonate trusted individuals and steal millions of dollars from victims. The FBI reported nearly $893 million in AI-enabled scam losses in 2025, with criminals targeting people through romance schemes, fake investments, emergency calls, and "grandparent scams" where they impersonate relatives in distress. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected calls or messages requesting money, verify requests through independent contact with known phone numbers, and report suspicious activity to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
chaincatcher.com
· 2026-07-17
Two Chinese citizens operating in New York have been charged with money laundering after allegedly managing a network that funneled over $43 million in stolen funds from "pig butchering" investment scams to accounts in China between 2020 and 2022. The scam targets victims through social media and messaging apps by building trust and promising fake high-return investments before stealing their money. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment offers from online contacts, verify investment opportunities through official channels, and never send money to unknown individuals or accounts.
wuft.org
· 2026-07-17
The Alachua County Sheriff's Office warns that elder fraud is escalating rapidly, with projections of $8.7 million in losses by 2026 and seniors already accounting for over half of reported scam losses. Criminals are using increasingly sophisticated tactics including fake arrest warrants, romance scams, and AI-generated voice impersonations to target vulnerable people over 60, potentially devastating their life savings. Authorities recommend screening unknown calls, avoiding leaving voicemail greetings, establishing code words with family members, and reporting fraud immediately to police—emphasizing that victims shouldn't feel shame, as reporting quickly improves the chances of solving the crime.
bnonews.com
· 2026-07-17
Multiple U.S. states, including North Carolina and Maryland, are expanding bank powers to combat rising financial exploitation of older adults by allowing financial institutions to temporarily freeze suspicious transactions for up to 30 days and notify authorities when fraud is suspected. Elder financial abuse costs older Americans approximately $28.3 billion annually through sophisticated scams involving impersonation, romance schemes, and AI-generated communications, prompting these legislative changes to provide protection before victims suffer irreversible losses. Older adults should remain vigilant about unsolicited financial requests, verify contact information independently before responding to urgent money requests, and consider designating a trusted contact with their bank who can be alerted to suspicious activity.
texasobserver.org
· 2026-07-17
Romance scammers operate sophisticated schemes using deepfake videos, scripts, and pressure tactics to pose as romantic partners, targeting vulnerable people who often continue sending money even after suspecting fraud—sometimes for the emotional connection alone. Author Amanda Eyre Ward explores this dark underworld in her new novel "Arrivals and Departures," drawing on two years of research including interviews with fraud examiners in Austin who work to dismantle these scams. If you're being pursued by someone online asking for money or personal information, be cautious—legitimate romantic partners won't pressure you for funds or use overly polished messaging, and it's worth reporting suspicious activity to fraud examiners and law enforcement rather than continuing engagement.
newsday.com
· 2026-07-17
Romance scams are surging in the U.S., with over 49,000 people losing $1.3 billion collectively last year—a 14% increase driven partly by pandemic-related loneliness and isolation that continues to affect millions. Victims like Jean Booth develop emotional connections with fake personas who never meet them in person but repeatedly request money for emergencies, exploiting humans' psychological need for relationships and connection. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that never progress to phone or video calls, verify identities through multiple methods, and never send money to someone you haven't met in person—especially if they claim to be in crisis.
seattlepi.com
· 2026-07-17
Jean Booth fell victim to a romance scam in which she developed a years-long emotional relationship with a man named "Donnie" who didn't actually exist, yet she continued sending him money despite knowing he was fake and receiving warnings from family and friends. The scammer used classic tactics like claiming to be stranded and in danger to manipulate her into providing financial support. The article highlights how romance scams can affect vulnerable individuals emotionally and financially, and serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of verifying online relationships in person and trusting the concerns of loved ones.
seattlepi.com
· 2026-07-17
Romance scams, where perpetrators build fake relationships to extract money from victims, have surged dramatically in the United States, with over 49,000 people losing $1.3 billion to these schemes last year—a 14% increase from the previous year. The rise is fueled partly by pandemic-related isolation and loneliness, as scammers exploit people's fundamental human need for connection and love. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that never progress to phone or video calls, never send money to someone you haven't met in person, and report suspicious activity to the FTC immediately.
telegraphherald.com
· 2026-07-17
Jean Booth fell victim to a romance scam that lasted eight months, during which a man named "Donnie" whom she met online repeatedly asked her for money and stood her up. Romance scams hit record highs in the United States last year, particularly affecting lonely individuals seeking connection during the post-pandemic period. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships where romantic partners ask for money, verify identities through video calls before meeting, and report suspicious activity to authorities.
aarp.org
· 2026-07-16
Romance scammers use dating sites and social media to build fake emotional connections with victims over weeks or months before requesting money or investment opportunities, exploiting the anonymity of the internet and advances in AI technology. People of all ages are vulnerable to these schemes, which often leave victims financially devastated and emotionally heartbroken. To protect yourself, be cautious of online matches who avoid meeting in person, watch for requests for money or investment opportunities, and verify the identity of people you meet online before sharing personal or financial information.
crescent-news.com
· 2026-07-16
This article offers guidance for seniors entering the dating scene, noting that about one-third of Americans 65 and older are single. The piece advises older adults to clarify their dating goals, consider online dating platforms designed for seniors like OurTime and SilverSingles, and maintain honesty in their profiles by using recent photos and being upfront about what they're seeking. While the article primarily focuses on dating advice rather than fraud prevention, it emphasizes transparency as a foundation for healthy relationships.
bbc.com
· 2026-07-16
Guernsey authorities are expanding education programs to protect children from online sexual risks, including deepfakes, sextortion, grooming, and nudifying apps, after reporting 20 cases of child sexual exploitation, 96 of sexual abuse, and 72 of harmful sexual behavior in 2025. Schools have increased digital safety lessons tailored by age group, while parents are being offered guidance on online safety. Children and parents should be aware of these emerging threats and take advantage of educational resources available to understand how to recognize and avoid exploitation online.
iol.co.za
· 2026-07-16
A 52-year-old woman in Klerksdorp lost R2 million from her pension after being romantically involved with a man claiming to need money to access a R14 million inheritance left by his deceased father. The scammer and his accomplices convinced her that R1.2 million was needed for a "cleansing process" to release the funds, and the Hawks police unit is now searching for three men connected to the fraud scheme. To protect yourself from similar romance scams, be wary of online or new relationships where someone quickly asks for money, verify claims about inheritances through official channels, and never send money to someone you've just met, regardless of their story.
housingwire.com
· 2026-07-16
Fairway Home Mortgage launched Fairway SAFE, a nonprofit initiative offering free education and resources to help seniors, their families, and financial professionals recognize and prevent financial scams—which are increasingly targeting older adults through social engineering, impersonation, investment fraud, and romance scams. The organization is hosting a free national webinar on July 29 featuring fraud prevention expert Steven J. Weisman, who will teach practical steps seniors can take to protect themselves and recognize warning signs of financial exploitation. Seniors and their families should take advantage of free educational resources like this webinar and learn to ask questions about suspicious financial offers, as education is one of the most effective tools in preventing fraud.
sqmagazine.co.uk
· 2026-07-16
WhatsApp users lost millions in 2025 as the platform became the second-costliest for social media scams after Facebook, with criminals operating organized "scam centers" (often in Southeast Asia using forced labor) that cycle victims through multiple platforms to avoid detection before directing them to payment or cryptocurrency platforms. Common scams arrive as seemingly innocent messages—wrong numbers, job offers, or investment opportunities—that are actually part of coordinated chains designed to eventually extract money. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited WhatsApp messages offering jobs or investments, avoid clicking links from unknown contacts, and never share personal or financial information with unverified people, especially those directing you to cryptocurrency platforms.
manxradio.com
· 2026-07-16
A major international cybercrime investigation targeting a transnational criminal network will be discussed at the 2026 Countering Financial Crime Conference in August, with presentations from the US Treasury and UK National Crime Agency focusing on sanctions enforcement and combating "pig butchering" online investment fraud schemes. The conference aims to strengthen the Island's financial sector by sharing knowledge about how these criminal operations work and how to prevent them. Attendees can learn about protective measures against investment fraud schemes that typically target victims by building false relationships and trust before stealing their money.
cryptobriefing.com
· 2026-07-16
A UK government review found that judges and magistrates lack specialized training to handle a growing surge of cryptocurrency fraud and money laundering cases, including sophisticated "pig butchering" scams where victims are manipulated over months through AI-generated personas before losing their savings to fake investment platforms. The report highlights that criminal networks now operate with industrial-scale organization, and without proper judicial training in blockchain forensics and crypto transactions, even successful investigations may fail during prosecution. To protect themselves, people should be wary of unsolicited investment opportunities involving cryptocurrency, especially those involving new online relationships, and major banks are already tightening restrictions on crypto transfers as a precaution.
prnewswire.com
· 2026-07-16
Fairway Home Mortgage launched Fairway SAFE, a new nonprofit initiative to help seniors protect themselves from financial scams and fraud, which disproportionately target older adults through tactics like impersonation, investment fraud, and romance scams. The organization is offering free educational resources and hosting a complimentary webinar on July 29 featuring fraud expert Steven J. J. Weisman to teach seniors how to recognize warning signs and prevent becoming victims. Seniors and their families are advised to take advantage of these free educational resources to increase their financial awareness and learn practical strategies for protecting themselves from scams.
legit.ng
· 2026-07-16
Nollywood actor Frederick Leonard warned the public that scammers are impersonating him and charging fees for fake auditions, targeting aspiring actors who believe they're auditioning for his production company. Leonard emphasized that legitimate auditions are always free and announced only through his verified social media accounts, urging people to disregard any fee-charging schemes claiming to be associated with him. To protect yourself, only trust official announcements from verified celebrity accounts, remember that legitimate auditions never require upfront payments, and report suspicious impersonation accounts to social media platforms.
iol.co.za
· 2026-07-16
A 52-year-old woman in Klerksdorp, South Africa lost R2 million from her pension after being targeted by a romance scam in which a man claiming to be "Emmanuel Jackson Kigezi" convinced her he needed money to release a supposed R14 million inheritance from his late father. The Hawks police unit is now searching for three men connected to the fraud scheme, which used a fake inheritance document and a fake "cleansing process" to extract payments from the victim. To protect yourself from similar scams, be wary of romantic relationships that quickly involve requests for money, never send funds to release inheritances or large sums of money, and verify claims through independent channels rather than trusting documents provided by the person asking for money.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-07-15
Romance scams cost consumers $1.16 billion in the first nine months of 2025, with AI making it easier for scammers to create convincing fake identities using stolen or manipulated photos. To help combat this, Euclid Squared launched CaraComp, a new AI tool that verifies whether two faces belong to the same person in about five seconds and produces court-ready forensic reports—giving everyday people and investigators the same advanced technology that scammers use. The takeaway for consumers: if you're uncertain about someone's identity online, tools like this can help verify whether their photos are authentic.
dailyhodl.com
· 2026-07-15
Interpol's Operation First Light 2026 uncovered a $122 million cryptocurrency wallet linked to romance scams, leading to the arrest of a 20-year-old suspect in Thailand and resulting in 5,811 arrests across 97 countries with over 142,000 victims identified globally. Criminals were using cross-chain cryptocurrency swaps to hide the money trail from romance fraud schemes that exploited victims' emotions and trust. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships requesting money or cryptocurrency transfers, verify the identities of people you meet online, and report suspicious financial requests to local authorities immediately.
reuters.com
· 2026-07-15
A casino boss in Cambodia allegedly rented properties at his Royal Hill Resort and Casino complex to Chinese scammers and human traffickers operating near the Thailand border. The scheme affected victims of online fraud and human trafficking schemes that were being run from the casino complex location. People should be cautious about online offers and transactions originating from Southeast Asia, verify the legitimacy of any business before sending money, and report suspected scams or trafficking to local authorities.
asaaseradio.com
· 2026-07-15
Ghanaian influencer Frederick Kumi, known as Abu Trica, was extradited to the U.S. and accused of leading a romance scam network that defrauded over 80 elderly Americans—primarily widows and divorcees—of more than $8 million between 2023 and 2025 using fake identities, AI-generated videos, and fabricated inheritance stories. The scheme involved accomplices who communicated with victims through dating sites and social media, then laundered the stolen money through fake businesses and money mules before distributing it among network members and purchasing luxury assets like mansions and high-end vehicles. Elderly people should be cautious about online romantic connections, especially those involving requests for money, inheritance claims, or urgent financial needs from individuals they've never met in person.
miamitimesonline.com
· 2026-07-15
According to recent polling, approximately 3 in 10 Americans have lost money or personal information to scams, with about 1 in 10 experiencing significant financial losses exceeding $500 in the past year alone. Despite widespread victimization, most scam victims don't report incidents to law enforcement or federal agencies, largely because they believe reporting won't help recover their money. Experts and victims suggest that banks, social media platforms, and the federal government need to take greater responsibility for protecting consumers and recovering stolen funds.
alachuachronicle.com
· 2026-07-15
Alachua County law enforcement and Florida Elder Options held a press conference warning residents about rapidly evolving scams—including jury duty, arrest warrant, unpaid toll, and romance scams—that are expected to increase 25% locally over the next year. Scammers use sophisticated tactics to create urgency and isolate victims through extended phone calls or threats, often demanding payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Authorities urged residents to simply hang up on suspected scammers, report attempts to police, and not feel ashamed if victimized, as every report helps law enforcement identify and stop criminal networks.
mvprogress.com
· 2026-07-15
A Las Vegas business owner defrauded over 400 investors of $24 million in a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme, and Nevada has seen a surge in "pig butchering" scams targeting retirees and seniors, with Americans losing $9.3 billion to crypto-related crimes in 2024. The article argues that cryptocurrency operates in regulatory loopholes that traditional banks don't have, allowing fraudsters to move money overseas through platforms with minimal controls, making recovery nearly impossible once funds leave U.S. jurisdiction. The author, a Nevada county commissioner, calls for Congress to close these loopholes by extending anti-money laundering laws to cryptocurrency platforms and requiring them to follow the same compliance rules as traditional banks.
singjupost.com
· 2026-07-15
Pig butchering scams lure victims through fake relationships on dating apps and social media, then convince them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms that show false profits before disappearing with the money. If you fall victim to this scam, the first three days are critical—you should immediately hire a crypto fraud lawyer and secure all your accounts, because scammers move funds quickly and delay reduces your chances of recovery. Early legal action can help identify the wallets and platforms involved and may preserve recovery options that close off within days.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-07-14
A Connecticut woman lost nearly $900,000 in retirement savings to a romance scammer she met on a dating app, devastating her ability to retire and putting her home at risk. Romance scams cost consumers over $1.4 billion in 2025 and particularly target older adults with accumulated savings and assets. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic connections that quickly ask for money or personal financial information, verify profiles independently, and never send funds to someone you haven't met in person.
channelnewsasia.com
· 2026-07-14
A 70-year-old woman in Singapore was jailed for 10 weeks after she unknowingly acted as a "money mule" by receiving over S$38,000 (US$29,400) through her bank account for a man she believed was her romantic partner—a classic romance scam where the fraudster convinced her to open a cryptocurrency account in her name and share access credentials. At least S$2,000 of the money traced back to actual love scam victims, and she was criminally charged despite being a victim herself of a similar scam years earlier. The key warning here: never open financial accounts for someone you've only met online, never share banking credentials or authentication codes with online contacts, and be extremely skeptical of romantic partners who ask for financial help—legitimate partners would use their own verified accounts.
themetrodetroitnews.com
· 2026-07-14
The FBI is warning Michigan residents about increasingly sophisticated scams that start with friendly messages on dating apps, social media, or texts, then manipulate victims into fake cryptocurrency investments—a scheme called "pig butchering" where criminals build trust before directing people to fraudulent crypto platforms that steal their money instantly and irreversibly. These scams, which also include romance, grandparent, and AI-based variants, have become a major focus for the FBI, with victims losing entire life savings (one case involved $350,000) and facing financial ruin. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited contact from strangers, especially those quickly pivoting conversations to investments, verify investment platforms independently before sending money, and remember that cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed once sent.
postandcourier.com
· 2026-07-14
Mount Pleasant Police Department reported a significant surge in fraud cases in 2026, with 213 reported incidents and losses exceeding $4 million as of July. Seniors and vulnerable groups are being targeted through common scams including bank fraud (fake fraud alerts directing victims to transfer money), courier scams (using Uber drivers to transport stolen funds), and impersonation schemes (fraudsters posing as law enforcement or bank officials). To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls or messages claiming fraud on your account, never transfer money based on such requests, and verify any official contact by calling your bank directly using a number from their official website or card.
cryptotimes.io
· 2026-07-14
A 70-year-old chartered accountant in Madhya Pradesh lost ₹21.06 crore in a "pig-butchering" crypto scam after being lured on WhatsApp to invest in Bitcoin and Tether through a fake trading platform that showed fake profits. Simultaneously, police in Lucknow arrested nine people running an international money laundering operation that converts stolen funds into cryptocurrency and funnels them to China-based syndicates. To protect yourself, avoid unsolicited investment pitches on social media, verify investment platforms independently before sending money, and be wary of schemes offering quick profits—legitimate withdrawals in early stages are a common tactic to build false trust.
aol.com
· 2026-07-14
Ohio seniors face widespread exploitation through various forms of elder abuse, including phone scams, financial exploitation by caregivers or family members, and schemes that drain lifetime savings, often going unreported due to shame or fear. Law enforcement and prosecutors report these crimes are neither rare nor isolated, with victims often discovered too late after significant financial, physical, or emotional damage. Residents and officials are being urged to support stronger law enforcement measures, improved prosecutions, and accountability systems to protect vulnerable seniors from predators who exploit trust and isolation.
csmonitor.com
· 2026-07-13
Romance scams, where fraudsters pose as romantic interests to deceive victims into sending money or personal information, cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022 alone. One notable case involved a Spanish dental clinic owner who fell for a fake American soldier on Tinder who later claimed to have found gold bars, only to discover the scammer was operating from Nigeria. To protect yourself, be wary of online dating matches who avoid video calls, make unfulfilled promises to meet in person, or quickly introduce financial schemes—and consider having trusted friends or family members review suspicious communications.