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khak.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Iowa residents lost $42.6 million to various scams, with romance scams alone accounting for over $4 million in losses and representing nearly 30% of senior financial exploitation reports filed with the Iowa Insurance Division. Common scams affecting Iowans include identity theft, investment fraud, tech support scams, grandparent scams, and compromised business email schemes. The FBI's "Take A Beat" initiative recommends protecting against scams by being cautious of unsolicited contact, verifying senders, enabling two-factor authentication, avoiding sharing personal information, being wary of cryptocurrency or gift card payment requests, and reporting suspected fraud to the Internet Crime Complaint Center
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
Following hurricanes Helene and Milton in the Southeast, authorities including the FCC and state attorneys general warned residents about surge in fraud and price gouging, with scammers targeting disaster victims through home repair, tree service, water treatment, and charity donation schemes. Consumers should avoid unsolicited traders, never share personal information with unverified parties, verify credentials through the Better Business Bureau, and report suspected fraud to their state attorney general or the FTC. Price gouging laws vary by state but typically prohibit selling goods or services at "unconscionable" prices during declared states of emergency.
reed.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Senator Jack Reed partnered with AARP Rhode Island and the Rhode Island State Police to hold an Elder Fraud Prevention Summit addressing the rising threat of scams targeting older adults. According to the FBI, elder fraud complaints rose 14 percent in 2023 with losses exceeding $3.4 billion nationally, including $7.4 million lost by Rhode Islanders over age sixty. The summit emphasized public education, awareness of common scam tactics (tech support, romance, investment, and data breach scams), and the importance of reporting fraud to authorities rather than remaining silent out of embarrassment.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Luz Paulino, owner of a Massachusetts tax preparation company, was sentenced to 54 months in prison for using stolen identities to defraud the IRS, a bank, and the Small Business Administration of approximately $2.1 million in COVID-19 relief loans between 2019 and 2021. She filed false tax returns under victims' names to obtain fraudulent refund advance loans and fraudulently applied for SBA disaster loans using stolen identities of businesspeople, using proceeds to wire funds internationally and purchase a vehicle. Paulino fled the United States after being indicted in January 2021 and remained a fugitive for 19 months before being returned by
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 100,000 elderly Americans fell victim to fraud last year, losing more than $3.4 billion, with Rhode Island seniors alone losing approximately $7.4 million. U.S. Senator Jack Reed and partners hosted an awareness event highlighting common elder scams—including tech support, grandparent, government impersonation, sweepstakes, home repair, romance, and family scams—and recommended strategies to avoid them: never volunteer personal information, be skeptical of urgent claims, avoid payments via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and don't hesitate to hang up on suspicious callers. Victims should report scams to local police or the FTC, and seniors can access
independent.ng
· 2025-12-08
The Director-General of Nigeria's National Identity Management Commission commended the Nigeria Police Force's National Cyber Crime Center for efforts in combating identity fraud, phishing websites, email scams, and romance scams across the country. She stated that cybercrime has significantly reduced in Nigeria over the past 18 months and highlighted that Nigeria is becoming a pace-setter in addressing cybercrime threats in Africa through collaborative security efforts and public awareness initiatives like Cybersecurity Week 2024.
guardian.ng
· 2025-12-08
Nigeria's National Identity Management Commission and the Nigeria Police Force's National Cyber Crime Center are collaborating to combat identity fraud, phishing scams, and romance scams, with officials reporting a significant decline in cybercrime activities over the past year and a half. The agencies emphasized the importance of public awareness and clarified their respective roles, with NIMC issuing national identification numbers and telecommunications companies handling SIM card registration under NCC supervision. Law enforcement is also targeting teenage involvement in cybercrime through planned awareness campaigns in universities and higher institutions.
morningjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Wellington Kiwanis will host an Internet Safety for Adults educational meeting on October 17 at 6 p.m. at the Wellington Fire Department, featuring systems engineer Chris Mohler who will teach attendees how to recognize and avoid online scams, phishing, email fraud, and identity theft. The presentation will cover practical warning signs and common attacks targeting older adults, with an emphasis on making the topic accessible and actionable for all users.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Google has issued warnings about increasingly sophisticated AI-driven phishing scams targeting Gmail users, with attackers impersonating Google support personnel via phone calls following fake account recovery notifications. In one notable case, a Microsoft solutions consultant nearly fell victim to a scam where a caller claimed suspicious activity had accessed his account for 7 days, using realistic details and spoofed phone numbers that appeared legitimate to pressure the victim into revealing credentials. Google has implemented new anti-scam alliance initiatives and recommends users enroll in its Advanced Protection Program to secure high-risk accounts against these evolving threats.
govtech.com
· 2025-12-08
**Disaster Relief Fraud Alert:** As Hurricanes Milton and Helene impacted the Southeast, the National Center for Disaster Fraud warned of scammers impersonating legitimate charities through fraudulent emails, social media, texts, websites, and door-to-door solicitations targeting both disaster victims and well-intentioned donors. This pattern repeats after major hurricanes, exploiting public generosity and lack of source verification to steal money and personal information.
dungogchronicle.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Margaret Noy fell victim to a phishing scam after clicking on a fraudulent email impersonating Centrelink and providing her account details, resulting in a $1,600 fraudulent application and unauthorized bank account change within an hour. Services Australia reported a sharp rise in government impersonation scams, with 10,060 unique scams observed in 2023-24 compared to 3,936 the previous year, and calls to their scams helpline increased from 18,412 to 22,451. The agency recommends using strong security measures such as passpasses, Digital ID, and two-factor authentication to protect accounts.
coinmarketcap.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary for Elderus as requested. This content is about cryptocurrency markets, blockchain protocols, and financial technology—not elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It does not fall within the scope of elder fraud research and contains no information relevant to the Elderus database's purpose of documenting scams or fraud targeting older adults.
advantagenews.com
· 2025-12-08
During Medicare open enrollment season, scam artists target seniors through unsolicited emails, texts, and calls impersonating government agencies to steal personal information for identity theft or fraudulent medical billing. The Better Business Bureau advises seniors to be cautious of such contacts and directs them to bbb.org for resources on avoiding and reporting healthcare scams.
upi.com
· 2025-12-08
Following hurricanes Helene and Milton, federal agencies and NGOs warn of a surge in disaster-related fraud targeting victims during rebuilding efforts. Common scams include fraudulent contractors requesting upfront payments, fake charities soliciting donations, and scammers claiming to help secure FEMA funding for fees, with an estimated $9.3 billion lost annually to post-disaster fraud. Experts recommend homeowners verify contractors are licensed and bonded, review all insurance documents before signing agreements, avoid pressure tactics, and never sign blank contracts to protect themselves from fraudsters.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated AI-powered account takeover scam impersonated Google support staff using spoofed phone numbers and fake emails to target users, with multiple victims reporting similar incidents across Reddit and Australian scam forums. The scam involved fake account-recovery notifications followed by convincing calls from AI-generated voices claiming suspicious account activity, designed to trick users into entering credentials on cloned login portals that could bypass two-factor authentication. Security experts recommend vigilance, verification of sender details, and checking account activity logs to avoid falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated phishing schemes.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, American consumers lost an average of over $1,500 to holiday shopping scams, with half of targeted adults falling victim. Experts recommend protecting against fraud by shopping only with trusted retailers, avoiding public Wi-Fi for purchases, verifying website URLs start with "https://," and being cautious of unsolicited emails and texts, as scammers frequently create fake websites mimicking legitimate retailers.
zdnet.com
· 2025-12-08
A Microsoft consultant received a sophisticated AI-powered scam targeting Gmail users that combined fake account recovery notifications, spoofed Google phone numbers and email addresses, and an AI voice impersonating a Google employee to trick users into revealing account recovery codes or visiting fake login portals. The scam was detected when the AI voice repeated "Hello" identically, prompting the victim to hang up, though red flags included unsolicited account recovery notifications, Google's policy of not calling personal users, and inconsistencies in email headers and recipient fields. Users can protect themselves by verifying suspicious communications through their account security settings, checking for recent unauthorized logins, and remembering that legitimate tech support will never contact users unprompte
fox61.com
· 2025-12-08
Tolulope Samuel Bodunde, a 33-year-old Nigerian citizen, was sentenced to two years in prison for participating in a multi-country business email compromise scheme that defrauded multiple victims including Connecticut, Colorado, Alaska, and New York-based companies. Bodunde specifically exploited elderly women through romance scams to serve as unwitting money mules and was ordered to pay $494,939 in restitution to three victims. The criminal network, led by co-conspirator Okechuckwu Valentine Osuji, operated over several years by impersonating legitimate entities in electronic communications to trick victims into transferring money to accounts controlled by the conspirators.
securitybrief.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Bitdefender launched Scam Copilot, an AI-powered platform designed to detect and prevent online scams across multiple communication channels and devices. The platform addresses a critical need—the Global Anti-Scam Alliance reported over $1 trillion in global scam losses in 2023, with 78% of surveyed individuals experiencing at least one scam—by offering real-time monitoring, geo-specific alerts, and tailored protections for vulnerable populations including seniors. Scam Copilot integrates AI and threat intelligence to counter increasingly sophisticated scams, including text message and phishing attacks enhanced by Large Language Models, and is now available in Bitdefender's Ultimate and Premium Security packages
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies six warning signs of student loan forgiveness scams, which have increased amid confusion about federal student loan programs and recent forgiveness announcements. The FTC fined student loan scammers over $1 million in 2021 and issued refunds to thousands of victims, highlighting the prevalence of these schemes. Key red flags include promises of immediate relief, upfront payment requests, demands for personal information like FSA IDs, and false claims of government affiliation.
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
Insurance fraud scams cost approximately $40 billion annually in the U.S., with household costs reaching $400-$700 per year. Consumers should be aware of four common home and auto insurance scams: unsolicited contractor offers (particularly after natural disasters), fraudulent "free" windshield repair claims, phishing calls and emails posing as insurance companies to steal personal information, and exaggerated damage or injury claims. Protecting yourself involves obtaining multiple contractor estimates, verifying licensing, contacting your insurance company directly before authorizing repairs, and being cautious of unsolicited contact offering suspicious deals.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This article explains Zelle, a peer-to-peer payment service vulnerable to fraud because transfers are often irreversible. According to a congressional investigation, customers at Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo disputed $166 million in Zelle fraud in 2023, but only 38% was reimbursed; from 2021-2023, the three banks rejected approximately $560 million in scam disputes. The article outlines seven common Zelle scams including account takeover, employment schemes, charity fraud, marketplace and rental scams, and impersonation scams, providing awareness and protective guidance for users.
interpol.int
· 2025-12-08
**Operation SOGA X (June-July 2024):** An international law enforcement operation involving INTERPOL and 28 countries made over 5,100 arrests and recovered USD 59 million in illicit proceeds from illegal gambling networks. The operation rescued more than 650 human trafficking victims in the Philippines who had been lured with false employment promises and forced into running cyber scams including romance scams and cryptocurrency fraud, while also dismantling major illegal betting operations in Vietnam, Thailand, and Greece that generated hundreds of millions in illegal transactions through money laundering schemes.
therecord.media
· 2025-12-08
A global law enforcement operation called SOGA X conducted in June and July across 28 countries arrested over 5,100 people and shut down tens of thousands of illegal gambling websites, recovering more than $59 million in illicit proceeds during the UEFA 2024 European Football Championship. The crackdown exposed links between illegal gambling operations and organized cybercrime centers involved in human trafficking, romance scams, and "pig butchering" fraud schemes, with one Philippine raid rescuing over 650 trafficking victims who had been forced to conduct online fraud. Notable takedowns included dismantling a Vietnamese gambling ring generating $800,000 daily and disrupting organized crime operations in Thailand, Greece, an
geaugamapleleaf.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers impersonate Medicare representatives during the October 15-December 7 open enrollment period, using unsolicited calls and texts to trick consumers into divulging personal information like Social Security numbers under the guise of offering better coverage or threatening service discontinuation. One Westlake woman received a fraudulent call from someone claiming to be with Medicare who had partial personal information, but she recognized the scam and reported it. The BBB recommends avoiding unsolicited contacts, never sharing Medicare or Social Security information with unknown callers, using only official websites like Medicare.gov for enrollment, and reporting suspected fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE.
addisonindependent.com
· 2025-12-08
The Internal Revenue Service warns that scammers are increasingly targeting seniors by impersonating government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) and other trusted entities to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. These fraudsters use tactics including caller ID spoofing, fabricated urgent scenarios (false tax debts or refunds), threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The IRS advises recipients of unexpected calls claiming to be from the agency to hang up immediately and contact IRS customer service directly at 800-829-1040 to verify any legitimate tax issues.
familyhandyman.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending threatening extortion emails claiming to have compromising videos or photos of recipients and demanding $2,000 or more in cryptocurrency, using photos of victims' houses obtained from Google Street View screenshots to appear credible. Victims can identify the scam by checking whether actual intimate images are included in the email, searching the email text online to see if others received similar messages, or comparing the house photos to current Google Street View imagery. The FTC recommends reporting fraudulent transactions to your bank for potential reversal (though cryptocurrency transfers are typically irreversible) and filing a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
urbanmilwaukee.com
· 2025-12-08
Lakia Jackson, a 34-year-old Milwaukee woman, was indicted in October 2024 for a $3.7 million health care fraud scheme involving We Care Services, where she allegedly offered kickbacks to recruit pregnant women and new mothers for prenatal and childcare coordination services, then submitted false claims for services never provided. Jackson also submitted claims for services allegedly provided before clients were ever enrolled or met with her agency. She faces multiple federal charges including health care fraud, kickback violations, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft, with potential sentences reaching up to 20 years in prison per count.
thepaypers.com
· 2025-12-08
In the first half of 2024, criminals stole £571.7 million through unauthorized and authorised fraud in the UK, a 1.5% decrease from 2023, though unauthorized fraud cases rose 19% to over 1.5 million incidents with card-not-present fraud increasing 26%. Authorised push payment (APP) fraud losses declined 11% to £213.7 million, with notable decreases in romance scams, investment scams, and impersonation fraud, and 59% of APP losses were recovered and returned to victims. Banks prevented £710.9 million in unauthorized fraud through security systems, with 98% of unauthorized fraud victims fully
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is a promotional piece about digital identity solutions for elderly care, not a scam or fraud incident. It discusses how AI-powered identity verification systems can help protect seniors from identity theft and fraud while improving access to healthcare and financial services, and highlights successful implementations of such technologies in elderly care settings.
kpel965.com
· 2025-12-08
Texas residents over age 50 are nearly six times more likely to be targeted by scams, with older Americans losing approximately $3 billion to fraud between 2019-2020, primarily through identity theft and phone/text schemes. Scammers target seniors because they hold 85% of the nation's wealth, have higher credit limits, and tend to be more trusting, with nearly 60% of elder financial exploitation committed by their own adult children. Experts recommend that family members educate older relatives about current scams, encourage reporting of attempts, and contact local law enforcement if victimized.
nbcphiladelphia.com
· 2025-12-08
QR codes pose significant fraud risks as scammers use fake codes—often placed as stickers over legitimate ones—to steal personal information and money through fake payment links and malicious app downloads. A recent survey found 83% of people used QR codes for financial transactions in three months, with a notable incident involving 150 tampered parking meters in a California beach town. Security experts recommend verifying QR code sources, using physical payment methods when available, avoiding codes that request personal information, and using free verification apps like "Genie" to identify potential scams.
news.uoregon.edu
· 2025-12-08
The University of Oregon's Information Security Office reports positive results from simulated phishing email training campaigns, with employee click-through rates on fake phishing emails dropping from 40 percent in early 2022 to 19 percent by spring 2024. Phishing scams attempt to trick recipients into sharing sensitive information or clicking malicious links, potentially leading to identity theft, financial loss, or unauthorized system access, with cybercriminals targeting universities particularly during semester starts and breaks. The university recommends remaining vigilant against phishing attempts through email, phone, text, or chat; utilizing training resources; and reporting suspicious messages, while warning that even though 98.2 percent of mal
innovationorigins.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, one in ten Dutch people fell victim to online scams, experiencing both financial and emotional harm from millions of fraudulent emails and messages circulating annually. The Dutch government launched the "Don't be scammed" campaign during cybersecurity month, with expert Patrick Jordens emphasizing that while sophisticated criminal tactics (including AI-generated phishing) and human vulnerability both play roles, effective prevention requires government support through resources like fraudhelpdesk.nl alongside individual vigilance—such as verifying sender identities and avoiding rushed decisions under pressure.
ici.radio-canada.ca
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting high demand for Taylor Swift's sold-out Eras Tour tickets in Canada by hacking social media accounts and posing as friends to sell fake tickets, defrauding victims of thousands of dollars each. One Toronto woman's hacked Facebook account was used to scam at least four people out of up to $1,600 each, and despite numerous reports to Facebook and police, the fraudulent account remained active. Experts recommend verifying seller identity by contacting the person directly, as police note recovered funds are rare due to the volume of fraud reports.
sbs.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Bank impersonation scams, where criminals pose as bank representatives via phone, email, or message to solicit personal information or funds, are rising across Australia and caused $11 million in losses between January and September 2023, with over-55s accounting for 56 percent of impersonation scam losses. To protect yourself, independently verify any banking communication by contacting your bank directly using details from official statements or websites, and remember that legitimate banks never request passwords, security codes, PINs, or ask customers to transfer money for safekeeping over the phone.
710keel.com
· 2025-12-08
Louisiana residents over age 50 are nearly six times more likely to be targeted by scams, with older Americans losing approximately $3 billion to fraud between 2019-2020. Scammers exploit this demographic because they hold 85% of the nation's wealth, have higher credit limits, and tend to be more trusting, with nearly 60% of elder financial exploitation cases perpetrated by their own adult children. The article recommends that family members and friends educate older relatives about current scams, encourage reporting of attempted fraud, and advise contacting local law enforcement if victimized.
abc17news.com
· 2025-12-08
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and experts advise consumers to protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated scams by remembering the "three S's": stay suspicious, stop and think, and stay protected. Common scam tactics exploit fear, urgency, and money; frequent targets include seniors and vulnerable populations through robocalls, phishing emails, impersonation of authorities, and romance scams—with one 70-year-old woman losing tens of thousands over several months to a romance scammer. Experts recommend hanging up on unsolicited calls and texts, calling official numbers to verify requests, and asking trusted younger relatives to reverse-image search suspicious photos.
highcountryshopper.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines four common scams affecting individuals today: work-from-home scams that exploit job seekers through fake employment offers and requests for upfront payments or personal account access; tech support scams initiated by unsolicited pop-ups or calls impersonating companies like Microsoft or Apple to steal data or demand payment; romance scams where fraudsters build trust online before fabricating emergencies to solicit money; and grandparent scams targeting vulnerable individuals with urgent requests for untraceable payments. The article advises readers to verify unsolicited job offers and tech support contacts, be cautious with online contacts requesting money, and report suspected fraud to law enforcement, the FTC, FBI's Internet Crime Complaint
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and security experts outline key scam prevention strategies as sophisticated fraud tactics continue to evolve. Scammers commonly exploit fear, urgency, and money as bait through phishing emails, spoofed caller IDs, robocalls, romance scams, and impersonation schemes targeting vulnerable populations including seniors and isolated individuals. The article recommends staying suspicious, stopping to think before acting, and staying protected by verifying requests through official channels and using tools like reverse image searches to identify potential fraud.
nbcphiladelphia.com
· 2025-12-08
**October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and experts emphasize protecting yourself from increasingly sophisticated scams using three key tactics: stay suspicious, stop to think, and stay protected.** Common scam methods exploit fear, urgency, and money incentives—such as fake tax return errors, impersonation of authority figures, and romance scams that can last years and target vulnerable individuals including seniors. Defensive measures include avoiding robocalls and suspicious texts, verifying contacts through official numbers, and using reverse-image searches to identify stolen photos used in romance scams.
startribune.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
October's Cybersecurity Awareness Month highlights the increasing sophistication of scams, including phishing emails, text spoofing, and caller ID spoofing. Security experts advise consumers to remain vigilant by remembering the "three S's"—stay suspicious, stop and think, and stay protected—as scammers use tactics based on fear, urgency, and money to trick victims into sharing personal information or sending funds through romance scams, job scams, and impersonation schemes.
news.trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are conducting multiple scams this week involving deceptive texts and emails impersonating FasTrak, Apple, U.S. and Canadian customs services, and NY Toll Services to steal personal and financial data. These scams use urgent messaging and malicious links to harvest credentials and information, which scammers then use for identity theft, financial fraud, or sell on the dark web. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unexpected communications, avoid clicking unfamiliar links, verify sources directly with institutions, and use security tools like Trend Micro ScamCheck.
livemint.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides general awareness about credit card fraud, which occurs when unauthorized individuals use someone's credit card details to make purchases without consent. The piece emphasizes that credit card fraud is a growing concern in the digital age and advises readers to stay informed about common scam tactics and implement preventive security measures to protect their finances.
wisbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
Extortion, particularly sextortion scams, ranked among the top five internet crimes in the FBI's 2023 report with over 48,000 cases, according to a Better Business Bureau warning. Sextortion scams operate through two primary methods: phishing (claiming to have hacked victims' devices and recorded compromising material) and romance schemes (building trust through fake relationships before blackmailing victims for money). Victims have reported losses ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, with the scams exploiting fear of public embarrassment and loneliness to pressure victims into paying via bitcoin, gift cards, or wire transfers.
aws.amazon.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes Wipro and AWS's development of an Intelligent Financial Fraud Detection (IFFD) solution designed to address gaps in traditional fraud detection systems. The system uses AI and deep learning to detect fraud in real-time, with particular focus on elder fraud, which the FBI reported affected over 101,000 people age 60+ in 2023 with losses exceeding $3.4 billion. IFFD aims to reduce false positives to under 5% while identifying emerging threats like investment scams, romance scams, and grandparent scams before funds are transferred.
thepaypers.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an introductory piece for The Paypers' 2024 report on fraud detection technologies, not a news article about a specific fraud incident.
**Summary:** The report documents rising fraud challenges in financial services, with authorized fraud growing 22% in 2023 and average fraudulent transaction amounts increasing 43% to $3,222. The inaugural Next-Gen Tech to Detect Fraud and Fincrime Report 2024 examines emerging threats including APP fraud, investment scams, and romance scams, while exploring how financial institutions can leverage AI, data sharing, and regulatory compliance strategies to combat financial crime in an evolving threat landscape.
montgomery.crimewatchpa.com
· 2025-12-08
**QUISHING Summary:**
Quishing is a phishing scam using fake QR codes to steal personal information and commit identity fraud, typically delivered through unsolicited text messages, emails, or social media posts that promise discounts or gifts. When scanned, these codes redirect users to fraudulent websites designed to collect sensitive data like names, addresses, banking details, and passwords. Protection strategies include avoiding scanning unknown codes, verifying sources directly through official channels, blocking spam messages, updating smartphone software, and being skeptical of unsolicited offers.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two correctional officers at an Indiana prison, Martins Tochukwu Chidiobi and Lawrence Onyesonwu, were sentenced to three years in federal prison for stealing personally identifiable information from at least five inmates and using their identities to open fraudulent bank accounts between 2015 and January 2019. The defendants received at least $331,282 in fraud proceeds through these accounts, primarily from romance scam victims, and withdrew most funds as cash or transferred them to Nigerian bank accounts. Both men were also ordered to pay $5,000 fines and serve two years of supervised release following their prison sentences.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Leroy Artemus Tolbert, III, a 35-year-old from Michigan, pleaded guilty to wire fraud after fraudulently applying for Lowe's credit cards using another person's identity and purchasing approximately $100,000 in merchandise across multiple states including West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Tolbert has agreed to pay $100,000 in restitution and faces up to 20 years in prison, with sentencing to be determined by a federal judge.