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in Crypto Investment Scams
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Georgia residents lost over $20,000 to phone scams in April 2024: a 50-year-old man paid $2,000 in cryptocurrency after a caller impersonating a sheriff's deputy claimed he had an arrest warrant, while a 62-year-old man lost $12,000 (later reimbursed) plus an additional $7,550 in unauthorized charges after providing debit card information to someone posing as a bank official. The Oconee County Sheriff's Office warned the public that law enforcement never demands payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or money transfer services to avoid arrest.
brooklyneagle.com
· 2025-12-08
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez hosted an Older Americans Month event in Canarsie on May 20, 2025, with over 100 seniors in attendance to raise awareness about scams, fraud, and elder abuse targeting seniors. Presenters from the DA's office discussed various scam types including phone/text scams, cryptocurrency fraud, grandson scams, gift card schemes, and deed theft, while noting that the office had taken down over 300 fraudulent websites in the previous 18 months and assisted thousands of scam victims. The event provided resources and encouraged seniors to report abuse and fraud without shame, emphasizing that scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics and that victims should contact
thecut.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old retired urban planner named Brian Ketcham lost significant money to romance scammers on the dating website Dream Singles, communicating with profiles of women (primarily one named "Vasilisa") who likely did not exist in real life. After his death in 2024, his children discovered hundreds of printed chat transcripts and documented evidence of the scheme, which required him to purchase credits for each message sent to the fake profiles. The article explores how his initial skepticism gradually eroded as the scammers built emotional connections with him, ultimately resulting in financial loss before his death.
sportskeeda.com
· 2025-12-08
"Hey Beautiful: Anatomy of a Romance Scam" is a Hulu documentary series following three women from Connecticut, Ontario, and Frankfurt who were defrauded by the same anonymous romance scammer using stolen photos and multiple fake identities (Scott Donald Hall, James Richards, Michael Silver). The scammer exploited each woman's emotional vulnerability through social media and private messaging, eventually extracting thousands of dollars under false pretenses, with one victim losing over $30,000 and another compromising her Social Security information. Despite the victims' collaborative investigation, the scammer's true identity remains unknown, illustrating how AI technology and deepfakes enable modern romance fraud, which resulted in $16.6
thesun.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Lisa Nock, a 44-year-old woman with autism from Staffordshire, was scammed out of £11,000 over 18 months by a romance fraudster posing as TV vet Dr Chris Brown on Instagram. The scammer used "love bombing" tactics, claiming to love her and proposing, then requesting money for flights, visas, and cryptocurrency payments, which Lisa transferred while sacrificing her own activities and disability allowance. The scam ended in December 2024 when Lisa could no longer afford to send money and the fraudster ceased contact.
tmj4.com
· 2025-12-08
Tony Lupo, an Oak Creek senior, fell victim to multiple scams including fake prize notifications and fraudulent calls claiming to involve his Social Security and Medicare benefits. Milwaukee County authorities report three prevalent phone scam tactics targeting residents: fake arrest warrants, missed jury duty claims, and Social Security impersonation scams. AARP hosted a community Scam Jam event featuring expert speakers and resources to educate residents on recognizing and reporting scams, with law enforcement emphasizing the importance of verifying suspicious calls through official agency contact numbers before providing any personal information.
tmj4.com
· 2025-12-08
Kenosha, Wisconsin residents are falling victim to a rising cryptocurrency ATM scam where scammers trick victims into depositing cash into bitcoin machines, with three victims losing a combined $60,000 in untraceable funds. Scammers pose as police, banks, or tech support and pressure victims with urgent demands for payment, sometimes instructing them to deposit specific amounts like $9,500 into crypto ATMs. The Kenosha Police Department advises residents to hang up on suspicious calls, refuse urgent money demands, never use crypto ATMs, and is calling for state regulations similar to Minnesota and North Dakota that limit daily crypto ATM deposits to $2,000.
pintu.co.id
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Retired artist Ed Suman, age 67, lost over $2 million in cryptocurrency assets (17.5 Bitcoin and 225 Ethereum) after falling victim to a phishing scam involving fake text messages and emails impersonating Coinbase security staff. The scammers, who obtained personal data including Suman's wallet type through a data breach at Coinbase caused by a bribed third-party support contractor, tricked him into entering his seed phrase on a fake website designed to mimic Coinbase's interface. The incident was one of multiple attacks following a social engineering-based breach at Coinbase that began in January 2025 and involved attackers attempting
vincennespbs.org
· 2025-12-08
Following weekend storms in Indiana, officials warn residents to watch for contractor scams targeting disaster recovery, where fraudsters pose as repair or cleanup services, collect down payments, and either disappear or deliver poor work. The Indiana Attorney General advises verifying contractor credentials, avoiding upfront full payments or payment via gift cards and cryptocurrency, and being cautious of FEMA impersonators requesting fees and donation fraud schemes. Suspected scams can be reported to the Indiana Consumer Protection Division at indianaconsumer.com or 800-382-5516.
pioneerpublishers.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans over age 60 reported billions in losses to four main types of elder fraud: tech support/government impersonation scams, investment fraud ($1.2 billion in reported losses), romance/confidence schemes ($357 million), and cryptocurrency scams ($1.1 billion). The article advises seniors to recognize these scams, consider having a trusted caregiver or companion to screen communications and spot red flags, and to report suspected fraud immediately to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center and their bank.
durbin.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Crypto ATM Fraud Targeting Seniors**
Senator Dick Durbin proposed an amendment to the GENIUS Act (cryptocurrency regulation legislation) aimed at preventing crypto ATM scams that disproportionately target elderly Americans. According to FTC data, consumer losses from crypto ATM fraud increased nearly tenfold from $12 million in 2020 to $114 million in 2023, with the FBI receiving nearly 2,700 complaints from individuals aged 60 and older in 2023 alone—more than all other age groups combined. Durbin's amendment seeks to add transaction protections and require greater transparency from crypto ATM operators, mirr
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering," a financial grooming scam where perpetrators build trust over months before soliciting investments (often in cryptocurrency), has resulted in victims losing thousands to millions of dollars, with investment scam losses increasing from $3.3 billion in 2022 to $4.5 billion in 2023. One Kentucky victim lost $1.7 million in assets after being manipulated into selling her home and liquidating retirement accounts. AARP recommends victims research investments, ignore unsolicited messages, use reverse image searches, and work with certified financial advisers to protect themselves from these schemes.
coloradosun.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes the evolution of financial scams targeting vulnerable individuals, including romance scams, impersonation scams, and AI-generated voice fraud. Scammers operate in organized international compounds and employ psychological manipulation tactics to isolate victims and extract maximum money, increasingly directing victims to withdraw cash and transfer funds through cryptocurrency ATMs, which offer scammers near-irreversible transactions. Law enforcement emphasizes that victims should verify suspicious communications with trusted contacts and know that legitimate police will never request money via phone, computer, or cryptocurrency.
munsifdaily.com
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old retired IAS officer from Hyderabad lost ₹3.37 crore in a sophisticated cyber scam after clicking on a link promoting a fake AI-based trading platform and being contacted by a fraudster posing as a Chief Investment Officer named Arjun Mehta. The scammer built trust through regular video calls and promised returns of 120-160%, eventually convincing the victim to transfer funds across multiple installments; the victim discovered the fraud when a virtual account showed ₹22.35 crore in fake profits that could not be withdrawn, leading to a Telangana Cyber Security Bureau investigation.
dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-08
Meta executives acknowledged an "epidemic of scams" growing in scale and sophistication on Facebook and Instagram, with the company experimenting with facial-recognition technology and partnering with banks and tech firms to address the problem. JPMorgan Chase reported that Meta accounted for nearly half of all scams on its Zelle payment platform between summer 2023 and 2024, prompting the bank to block certain transactions originating from Meta platforms. Despite recent improvements, internal documents show Meta has deprioritized scam enforcement and reduced resources allocated to combating fraud.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Meta allowed thousands of fraudulent ads to proliferate on Facebook and Instagram while reportedly deprioritizing enforcement to protect advertising revenue, according to a Wall Street Journal investigation. The platform accounted for nearly half of all Zelle-related scam complaints to JPMorgan Chase between mid-2023 and mid-2024, with documented schemes including fake bulk merchandise ads using legitimate businesses' addresses, counterfeit McCormick brand promotions charging victims hundreds of dollars, and nonexistent puppy sales operating from overseas. Internal documents and former Meta staffers revealed the company tolerated multiple fraud "strikes" before banning accounts and deliberately avoided stricter advertiser controls despite losses to victims potentially reaching
thetimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scam compounds in Bavet, Cambodia operate forced labor operations where thousands of trafficked workers—many lured under false pretenses—are coerced into perpetrating romance and investment fraud schemes against international victims, particularly British, American, and Australian adults, using a tactic called "pig-butchering" that builds trust before extracting large sums of money. Workers, including minors, face beatings, electrocution, and torture for failing to meet daily quotas, with the UN estimating over 100,000 people held in such compounds generating billions in annual revenue for organized crime networks influenced by Chinese mafia organizations. A 15-year-old Vietnamese girl was trafficked to
english.news.cn
· 2025-12-08
Meta Platforms' Facebook and Instagram have become major conduits for internet fraud, accounting for nearly half of reported scams on JPMorgan Chase's Zelle payment platform between summer 2023 and 2024, with similar patterns documented by British and Australian regulators. An internal 2022 Meta analysis found that 70 percent of newly active advertisers were promoting scams, illicit goods, or low-quality products, driven by cryptocurrencies, AI, and overseas crime networks. The company has been reluctant to remove repeat scammers or add fraud prevention measures that might impact its $160 billion advertising business, despite repeated employee warnings.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Researchers published 1,000 email addresses linked to North Korean IT worker scams targeting Western companies, while cryptocurrency money laundering platforms Xinbi Guarantee ($8.4 billion) and Haowang Guarantee ($27 billion in transactions) were dismantled following Telegram's crackdown. Additionally, Coinbase disclosed a data breach affecting less than 1% of its users where attackers compromised personal and financial information through bribed overseas support agents, with remediation costs expected between $180-$400 million.
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Impersonation scams are increasingly sophisticated, exploiting digital banking and UPI apps through fraudulent calls and emails that mimic legitimate financial institutions and government agencies. Key warning signs include unsolicited requests for passwords or OTPs, pressure to act quickly, demands for secrecy, and slight variations in sender email addresses—legitimate organizations never request sensitive information via phone or email. Experts recommend never sharing private information, enabling multi-factor authentication, verifying requests by calling contacts directly, and remaining skeptical of offers promising unrealistic returns or urgent money transfers.
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
Hackers have been operating since April 2024 using deepfake voice and text messages to impersonate senior US government officials in phishing campaigns targeting federal and state officials to steal sensitive data and compromise accounts. In separate incidents, deepfake scams also targeted cryptocurrency founders including Polygon co-founder Sandeep Nailwal, with attackers using compromised Telegram accounts to lure victims into fake video calls where they requested installation of malicious software. The FBI and crypto industry leaders advise verifying identities, avoiding clicking unknown links, using multi-factor authentication, and never installing software during unsolicited online interactions.
dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is warning of an ongoing phishing scheme active since April that uses text messages and AI-generated voice calls impersonating senior US officials to target current and former government officials and their contacts. Perpetrators employ smishing and vishing techniques to establish rapport, trick victims into clicking malicious links, and gain access to personal or official accounts, which they then use to target other government officials or harvest sensitive information and funds. The FBI advises recipients to not assume messages claiming to be from senior officials are authentic.
en.cibercuba.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Florida's elderly adults lost over $180 million to increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes, with scammers using phone calls, texts, emails, social engineering, artificial intelligence, and identity theft as primary tactics. The most common scams targeting seniors include romance scams, fake investment opportunities (particularly cryptocurrency), and the "grandparent scam" where victims are pressured to send money urgently based on false emergencies. Authorities recommend never answering unknown calls, never providing personal information or money over the phone, and contacting institutions directly through official channels to verify any suspicious requests.
nbcmiami.com
· 2025-12-08
Law enforcement agencies in Miami-Dade are warning of an increasing number of AI-powered scams targeting residents, particularly elderly individuals, using sophisticated deepfakes and spoofed calls impersonating police and other authorities to demand money. Florida ranks third nationally for investment fraud, with cryptocurrency scams being the most common type, and authorities caution that as AI technology advances, criminals will exploit it further. Victims are advised to question unsolicited demands for money, verify caller identity independently by calling back through official channels, and avoid sharing personal information without thorough research.
atlantanewsfirst.com
· 2025-12-08
National Senior Fraud Awareness Day (May 15) highlights a growing problem: seniors lost over $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, an 11 percent increase from 2022, through schemes including tech support, romance, and cryptocurrency fraud. The Federal Trade Commission reports that older adults experienced the highest financial losses among all age groups who reported scam losses in 2024, making fraud prevention education and resources from major financial institutions essential for protecting vulnerable seniors.
recordcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
A scam awareness seminar presented by the Better Business Bureau and Douglas County Sheriff's Office emphasized that fraud can affect anyone regardless of age, though seniors are disproportionately targeted due to having savings, home ownership, and good credit. Key scam tactics include robocalls, identity theft, and cryptocurrency investment schemes that use fear and urgency to pressure victims into immediate payment, with Nevada ranking fourth in fraud reports and third in identity theft cases. Protection strategies include regularly monitoring financial statements, reporting suspected fraud to relevant companies and agencies, and utilizing free resources like IdentityTheft.gov to create recovery plans.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
A Manitoba woman received an AI-generated phone call mimicking her son's voice asking for money without judgment, prompting her to verify by calling her son directly. This "spear phishing" scam, which uses artificial intelligence to recreate loved ones' voices from online audio clips, is an evolved version of the grandparent scam and has also targeted a Winnipeg legislator whose voice was used to solicit $5,000 from a constituent. Experts recommend verifying callers through trusted phone numbers, testing them with false information, and trusting instincts when something feels off.
ksl.com
· 2025-12-08
A Utah woman received a phishing text claiming she owed a fine to the Utah Department of Transportation, with a URL designed to mimic an official state website. The scam directs victims to a fake UDOT site requesting login credentials or payment information, using a fraudulent domain that closely resembles the legitimate .gov address. The FBI advises verifying domain names carefully, as scammers can create convincing lookalike websites, and legitimate government sites only use official .gov domains.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reported that internet-related crime reached a five-year high in 2024, with victims losing $16.6 billion across approximately 860,000 complaints—a 33% increase from 2023. Individuals aged 60 and older suffered the largest financial losses at $4.8 billion, with the most common scams being phishing/spoofing, cryptocurrency fraud, and extortion, while investment fraud, business email compromise, and tech support fraud were the costliest schemes overall.
youralaskalink.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's 2024 Internet Crime Report documented 6,770 online fraud complaints in Alaska totaling over $26 million in losses, with residents over 60 experiencing the highest financial impact, particularly from cryptocurrency scams comprising 45% of losses. Investment fraud, business email compromise, and tech support fraud were the top scam types in the state, with the FBI urging residents to report incidents to their financial institutions and the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
dailypress.net
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued consumer alerts about a rising trend of scams impersonating celebrities (Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, Kid Rock) and military leaders. The scams include romance fraud, cryptocurrency/pig butchering schemes, merchandise fraud, and AI-generated deepfake audio and video impersonations designed to extract money from victims. The alert advises consumers never to send money or personal information to online contacts claiming to be celebrities or officials, to verify requests through trusted contacts, and to be wary of urgent investment opportunities or requests for banking details.
sbs.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Australians over $23 million last year, with fraudsters creating fake online identities to build emotional connections and exploit victims for money or personal information. While older adults, widowers, divorcees, migrants, and Indigenous people are frequently targeted, anyone seeking love online can fall victim to increasingly sophisticated scammers. Key warning signs include love bombing, pressure to move off dating platforms, secrecy, avoiding in-person meetings, and requests for money—and protection requires never sharing personal/financial details, avoiding intimate photos, refusing to send money, and recognizing that AI-generated images can fake video verification.
wzzm13.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned of a surge in scams where fraudsters impersonate celebrities like Garth Brooks, Snoop Dogg, and Kid Rock, as well as military officials, to steal money from victims. The scams typically involve romance schemes, cryptocurrency/"pig butchering" investment frauds, and merchandise purchases, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes to create convincing audio and video impersonations. The attorney general advised consumers never to send money to online contacts, avoid sharing personal or financial information with strangers, and to be wary of high-pressure tactics, unusual payment requests, and demands for gift cards or cryptocurrency.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned consumers about a rising trend of scams impersonating celebrities (including Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, and Kid Rock) and military leaders to defraud victims. The scams include romance schemes, cryptocurrency/pig butchering investment frauds, and merchandise scams, often using AI-generated deepfakes to appear authentic. Nessel advised consumers never to send money to online contacts claiming to be celebrities, to verify requests through trusted contacts, and to avoid sharing personal or financial information with unverified online sources.
fox47news.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned of a surge in online scams where perpetrators impersonate celebrities (Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, Kid Rock) and military/government officials to defraud victims. Common schemes include romance scams, cryptocurrency/pig butchering fraud, merchandise scams, and AI-generated deepfake calls, with scammers using high-pressure tactics and requests for money via untraceable methods like gift cards and cryptocurrency. The advisory recommends never sending money to online contacts, verifying identities through official channels, and avoiding sharing personal or financial information with unverified online sources.
mlive.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a public advisory warning residents about increasingly common celebrity impersonation scams, in which fraudsters pose as famous figures like Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, and Kid Rock to deceive victims into sending money. Common schemes include romance scams (where victims believe they're in relationships with celebrities and send substantial sums), cryptocurrency/investment scams, and merchandise fraud; one notable case involved a French woman who sent over $800,000 to someone impersonating Brad Pitt. Nessel advises never sending money to online contacts, avoiding pressure to rush into relationships, and consulting trusted contacts before engaging with strangers on social media.
wnem.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert warning of an uptick in celebrity impersonation scams, where fraudsters pose as celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Kid Rock, and Garth Brooks to steal money through romance scams, cryptocurrency schemes, and merchandise fraud. The scams often exploit victims on dating apps and social media by building fake relationships or promoting fake investment opportunities, with scammers using AI to create convincing voice and video impersonations. The AG recommends victims avoid sending money to online contacts, verify caller information independently, and report scams to the Department of Attorney General.
clickondetroit.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a warning about increasing celebrity impersonation scams targeting state residents, involving fraudsters posing as celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, and military leaders to perpetrate romance scams, cryptocurrency "pig butchering" schemes, and merchandise fraud. Common tactics include creating deepfake audio and videos, using high-pressure tactics and fear appeals, and requesting money, sensitive information, or unusual payment methods. The attorney general advises victims to avoid sending money to online contacts, never share personal or financial information with strangers online, and report suspected scams to Michigan's Consumer Protection Team.
wilx.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned of an uptick in celebrity-impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as famous figures like Snoop Dogg and Garth Brooks to steal money through romance scams, cryptocurrency/investment schemes, or merchandise fraud. The AG advised residents to never send money or personal information to online contacts claiming to be celebrities, and to verify requests through official channels before responding.
hometownstations.com
· 2025-12-08
In the first four months of 2024, elder fraud resulted in an estimated $1.6 billion in losses nationwide, with Ohio reporting a 22% increase in scam complaints year-over-year. Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated methods including deepfakes, voice cloning, and cryptocurrency to target older adults, who are exploited due to perceived vulnerability and are often reluctant to report crimes due to shame or fear. Authorities recommend verifying unfamiliar contacts, establishing family code words, monitoring financial accounts regularly, and resisting high-pressure tactics to prevent fraud.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Former San Diego Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood shared insights on elder fraud at the 8th Annual Fairfax Scam Jam, highlighting why victims often remain silent—including impairment, isolation, shame, loyalty to abusers, fear of losing independence, dependence on caregivers, and retaliation fears. Greenwood advocates for a proactive community approach to fraud prevention, including training notaries to recognize fraud signs, public awareness campaigns, and educating the public about misconceptions such as ageism affecting investigations and the false belief that giving someone money cannot constitute a crime.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
A PYMNTS Intelligence and Featurespace report examining over 10,000 U.S. consumers reveals that scammers increasingly use personalized, sophisticated tactics targeting specific vulnerabilities across generations rather than employing generic approaches. Generation Z faces higher risks from employment and social media fraud, while older generations are disproportionately targeted by fake eCommerce and sweepstakes scams—with baby boomers and seniors experiencing eCommerce fraud at three times the rate of Gen Z. The report emphasizes that financial institutions must implement dynamic defenses, advanced analytics, and consumer training to combat these evolving threats that exploit psychological manipulation and consumer trust.
nebraska.tv
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns that cryptocurrency, online, romance, and home improvement scams pose significant risks to older adults, with scammers often impersonating government agencies, banks, or trusted sources through phone calls and spoofing tactics. The FTC cautions that these scammers may initially appear friendly before becoming aggressive and threatening to coerce victims into providing information or money. Consumers are advised to hang up on suspicious calls, independently verify caller identity, and check BBB.org's scam tracker for current fraud reports.
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
Detective Michelle Viney and Gwen Ruppert from the Dane County Sheriff's Office discuss the rising sophistication of scams across Wisconsin and the nation, including AI-generated dating scams and cryptocurrency fraud that exploit advancing technology. The detectives emphasize the importance of public awareness in combating these increasingly complex schemes.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A Midwest woman fell victim to two interconnected online scams that have left her facing 29 years in prison and thousands in fines. She first lost thousands of dollars in a romance scam on Words with Friends, then unknowingly became a "money mule" transferring $300,000 in illegally obtained funds for cybercriminals. The scammers exploited her trust by moving conversations to untraceable messaging platforms, creating artificial urgency, and isolating her from verification opportunities, while she now faces legal consequences while the actual criminals remain at large.
klarna.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide from Klarna outlines common fraud and scam types affecting consumers, including phishing, impersonation, fake investment schemes, robocalls, online shopping fraud, job scams, and scams targeting elderly individuals. The article advises protecting personal information by never sharing credentials unsolicited, recognizing red flags such as unexpected urgent requests, untrustworthy websites, and promises that seem too good to be true, and verifying merchant legitimacy through store reviews, return policies, and contact information before making purchases.
nwitimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency investment fraud accounted for nearly $4 billion in losses in 2023 (71% of all crypto-related losses), a 53% increase from 2022, with victims often lured through "pig butchering" scams that build trust via dating apps and social media before directing them to fake investment platforms. Criminals exploit cryptocurrency's decentralized nature, irreversible transactions, and AI-enhanced deception tactics—including voice cloning and fake videos—to operate sophisticated call center operations that mimic legitimate businesses. While people aged 30-49 filed the most complaints, victims over 60 suffered the highest losses at over $1.24 billion.
12onyourside.com
· 2025-12-08
An FBI report reveals that scams targeting adults 60 and older are increasing rapidly, with over 100,000 complaints filed in 2023 resulting in $3.4 billion in losses nationwide, with Virginia ranking 9th at over $90,000 in fraud losses. Romance scams, cryptocurrency scams, and impostor scams (such as fake bank agent calls) are the most common tactics exploiting older adults who have more time and financial resources. Experts recommend authenticating all communications, not trusting caller ID alone, and educating seniors about fraud prevention strategies.
klaq.com
· 2025-12-08
The "wrong number" text scam is surging in Texas, where scammers initiate contact with seemingly innocent messages like "Is this Kevin?" to verify active phone numbers, then build rapport over days or weeks before soliciting money or sensitive information through romance scams or investment schemes. Texans are advised not to respond to unknown numbers, to block and report suspicious texts to their carrier (7726), and to avoid clicking links or switching to other messaging apps, while warning vulnerable relatives of this social engineering threat.
aikenstandard.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial crime specialists from SRP Federal Credit Union presented information to the Aiken Senior Men's Club about recognizing and reporting online scams targeting seniors. The presentation covered major scam types including investment scams, imposter scams, and romance scams, noting that reported consumer losses from scams totaled $12.54 billion in 2024, and identified red flags such as unsolicited contact, urgent pressure, requests for personal information, and unconventional payment methods.