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q985online.com
· 2026-06-03
A T-Mobile phishing scam targeted Illinois customers by sending text messages claiming they had expiring reward points and could claim free items like Nintendo Switches. The scam used legitimate-looking T-Mobile branding and created urgency by warning points would expire soon, but red flags included a suspicious website URL and the fact that new customers wouldn't have accumulated points yet. Customers should avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts, verify offers directly through the official T-Mobile app or website, and be skeptical of unexpected reward claims—especially those creating artificial urgency.
independent.com
· 2026-06-02
Elder fraud is a growing crisis affecting communities nationwide, with Santa Barbara County alone reporting 357 fraud complaints in 2025 resulting in over $34 million in losses—though the actual numbers are likely much higher due to underreporting from embarrassment and confusion about where to seek help. Scams targeting seniors range from sophisticated international schemes like phishing and fake tech support calls to local betrayals by dishonest caregivers and acquaintances exploiting vulnerable victims. Victims and families should report suspected fraud to local law enforcement, the FBI, or their state's adult protective services, and anyone aware of elder fraud should encourage victims to come forward despite any shame or fear.
pcmag.com
· 2026-06-02
Scammers are using AI voice cloning technology to impersonate children or loved ones in kidnapping and emergency scams, extracting audio samples from social media or public videos to create convincing fake voices that demand immediate payment via cryptocurrency. Parents and other targets are particularly vulnerable because these emotionally manipulative calls trigger panic, making people less likely to verify the caller's identity before sending money. To protect yourself, experts recommend verifying any urgent requests for money by independently contacting your loved ones through a known phone number, being skeptical of pressure to pay via cryptocurrency, and limiting personal audio and video content on public social media accounts.
attorneygeneral.gov
· 2026-06-02
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is warning students and job seekers to be cautious of employment scams, particularly fake work-from-home opportunities that promise high pay and flexible schedules while actually seeking to steal personal information or money. Common scams include requests to repackage stolen goods from home, upfront payment demands, and offers to buy discounted luxury items that never arrive. Job seekers should use reputable job posting websites, research employers thoroughly, and remember that legitimate employers never ask for upfront payments or unsolicited personal information during the hiring process.
vermontpublic.org
· 2026-06-02
Vermont residents lost over $26 million to cyberfraud in 2025, with nearly 1,600 people reporting scams—a dramatic increase from 937 victims the previous year—as criminals increasingly target businesses through phony emails and use cryptocurrency to move stolen funds. While older adults remain frequent targets, people in their 40s reported the highest losses, and business-based scams like fake invoices caused the most damage overall. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited business emails requesting payments, verify requests through independent contact information, avoid cryptocurrency transfers for investments or tech support, and report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
streamlinefeed.co.ke
· 2026-06-02
Nigerian romance scammers are impersonating celebrities like wrestler Cody Rhodes to exploit lonely people globally, extracting millions of dollars through sophisticated psychological manipulation rather than traditional phishing. The scheme, known as "Yahoo Boys" operations, has evolved to include meticulous research of victims' targets—tracking schedules and appearances to build credibility—while the stolen money fuels a chaotic underground economy in Lagos and other West African cities. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of online romantic interests who claim to be celebrities, verify identities through official channels, and never send money to people you haven't met in person.
privateinternetaccess.com
· 2026-06-01
Phishing scams—where criminals impersonate trusted sources like banks or coworkers to steal sensitive information—remain the most common cyberattack, with 3.8 million attacks recorded in 2025, capable of causing devastating losses from identity theft to millions in business damages. These attacks are increasingly sophisticated, using AI-generated messages, deepfake audio and video, and near-perfect fake login pages to manipulate people through psychological tactics like urgency and fear. To protect yourself, verify sender identities through official channels before clicking links or sharing credentials, be suspicious of unexpected urgency or requests for sensitive information, and use multi-factor authentication on important accounts.
seattletimes.com
· 2026-06-01
Scammers are using fake party and dinner invitations that appear to come from services like Evite and Paperless Post to trick people into clicking malicious links, exploiting people's natural desire to socialize and reconnect with friends. The scheme affected people like retired journalist John Lantigua in Miami Beach, who clicked on what he thought was a legitimate invitation from a former colleague. To protect yourself, be suspicious of invitation emails—especially from people who've invited you before—verify requests directly with the sender through another communication method, and avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails.
foxnews.com
· 2026-06-01
Scammers are targeting employees with fake HR performance review emails that contain QR codes (a tactic called "quishing"), claiming urgent action is needed by a deadline and requesting employees scan the code to access their review. These emails appear to come from official HR departments but actually originate from unrelated email domains and direct victims to phishing pages designed to steal login credentials. Employees should be skeptical of any HR communication requesting QR code scans, verify sender email addresses match their company's official domain, and use direct company portals or known links instead of scanning codes in unsolicited emails.
kucoin.com
· 2026-06-01
In 2025, social engineering attacks accounted for 65% of cryptocurrency thefts, resulting in approximately $17 billion in global fraud losses, with "pig butchering" (investment/romance scams) being the largest category at $7.2 billion. Common attack methods include phishing, impersonation, SIM swapping, and AI-driven scams, which exploit user trust and urgency rather than targeting blockchain technology directly. To protect themselves, users should avoid relying on SMS verification codes, verify customer service through official channels, and regularly review wallet permissions.
abhs.in
· 2026-06-01
Americans lost over $21 billion to cybercrime in 2025—a 26% increase from 2024—with over 1 million complaints filed for the first time, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center report. Investment scams, particularly "pig butchering" schemes where criminals build trust over weeks before directing victims to fake cryptocurrency platforms, were the largest loss category at $8.6 billion, often involving AI-generated fake identities and voices that make impersonation nearly impossible to detect. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities online, verify identities through independent channels before sending money, and remember that legitimate investments won't pressure you to use cryptocurrency or unfamiliar platforms.
foxnews.com
· 2026-06-01
Seniors over 60 are increasingly targeted by identity theft and fraud, filing over 201,000 complaints in 2025 with average losses of $38,500—nearly double younger victims' losses—while total fraud costs to older adults range from $10 billion to $81 billion annually. Scammers exploit the fact that seniors have multiple financial accounts (banks, Medicare, Social Security, pensions) that can be breached using publicly available information like birthdates and Social Security numbers, and new AI voice-cloning technology makes impersonation easier than ever. Adult children can help protect aging parents by securing their personal information across all accounts and being cautious of unexpected calls, particularly those requesting verification details or claiming to be family members in distress.
thestandard.com.hk
· 2026-06-01
A man in Hong Kong lost over HK$47,000 (approximately $6,000 USD) to ticket scammers on the marketplace app Carousell while trying to buy sold-out concert tickets, with police reporting nearly 70 similar scams in just one week totaling HK$1.3 million in losses. Scammers typically use fake payment links, request upfront deposits, or circulate counterfeit tickets and fake screenshots to trick buyers. To protect yourself, avoid clicking suspicious links, conduct face-to-face transactions when possible to verify tickets immediately, never share banking passwords or security codes via external links, and use verification tools like Scameter+ to check seller credentials before paying.
aol.com
· 2026-06-01
A 20-year-old named Marlon Ferro was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison for his role in an international cryptocurrency theft ring that stole $263 million from victims over two years. The sophisticated crime operation used various tactics including phishing, hacking, impersonation, and burglary—with Ferro specializing in physically breaking into homes to steal hardware wallets containing cryptocurrency. To protect yourself, use strong security measures for crypto accounts, enable two-factor authentication, store assets in secure offline wallets, and be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities or calls from people claiming to be government officials.
aol.com
· 2026-06-01
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina has seen a surge in cryptocurrency and payment scams, with police investigating over 130 fraud cases this year resulting in more than $2.5 million in losses to residents. Scammers typically pose as law enforcement, claiming victims missed jury duty or court dates and demand immediate payment via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or in-person courier pickup—methods chosen because funds are transferred instantly and irretrievably. Police advise residents to hang up and independently verify any such claims before responding, and to remember that legitimate agencies never request payment through cryptocurrency, gift cards, or courier services.
theguardian.com
· 2026-05-31
Scammers are sending fake antivirus renewal emails impersonating companies like McAfee, using urgent language, fake expiration warnings, and steep discounts to trick people into clicking malicious links and revealing financial information. The fraudulent emails are becoming increasingly sophisticated with AI technology and often contain telltale signs like poor grammar, suspicious sender addresses, and pressure to act immediately. To protect yourself, ignore unsolicited renewal emails, verify directly with the company's official website rather than clicking email links, and never call phone numbers provided in emails or texts.
pcmag.com
· 2026-05-31
Scammers are targeting World Cup 2026 fans with various schemes including fake tickets, counterfeit merchandise, phishing websites impersonating FIFA, and fraudulent cryptocurrency investments designed to steal financial data and money. The scams are spreading through fake apps, websites, social media ads, and phishing messages via email and text, with criminals using AI tools to create convincing fake marketing materials. To stay safe, fans should verify the legitimacy of websites and apps before entering any personal or financial information, purchase tickets only through official channels, and be cautious of unsolicited ads and messages related to the World Cup.
noticias.foxnews.com
· 2026-05-31
Americans aged 60 and older lost $7.7 billion to fraud in 2025, with victims averaging losses of nearly $38,500—almost double younger victims' losses—making seniors the most defrauded age group according to FBI data. Older adults are particularly vulnerable because they typically have multiple financial and government accounts (banks, Medicare, Social Security, pensions) that scammers can exploit, and new threats like AI voice cloning now allow fraudsters to impersonate loved ones convincingly. To protect aging parents, adult children should help them implement credit freezes, secure their sensitive personal information (like Social Security numbers and birthdates) used for account verification, and remain vigilant about phone calls from grandchildren or others requesting money, especially when voice authenticity seems uncertain.
savingadvice.com
· 2026-05-31
Seniors are losing a record $7.7 billion annually to financial scams that typically begin with unsolicited phone calls or text messages creating false urgency. Common scams include fake bank fraud alerts asking victims to verify account information, Medicare renewal schemes requesting personal details, and other schemes exploiting seniors' retirement savings and established credit. To protect yourself, never respond to unsolicited messages asking for passwords or personal information, remember that legitimate banks and Medicare won't request sensitive data unexpectedly, and verify any suspicious communications by calling your institution directly using a number from their official website.
en.ilsole24ore.com
· 2026-05-30
Scammers are increasingly exploiting technology and artificial intelligence to commit fraud at scale, with common schemes including deepfake videos for financial fraud, romance scams on social media where victims are manipulated into sharing compromising photos and then blackmailed (sextortion), and company email compromises. According to a UN report on global organized crime, these operations are often run from "scam factories" in areas with weak law enforcement, particularly in Southeast Asia, where thousands of operators work simultaneously—sometimes as trafficking victims forced to participate. To protect yourself, be cautious of romantic advances from unknown people online, verify requests for money or sensitive information through independent channels, never share compromising images, and remain skeptical of requests involving cryptocurrency or gift transfers.
timesnownews.com
· 2026-05-30
Romance scams, where fraudsters pose as attractive strangers online and build emotional relationships to extract money, cost Japan ¥324.11 billion in 2025 alone, with romance scams accounting for ¥55.22 billion across thousands of cases. The scam typically begins with a wrong-number message that evolves into an attentive, patient relationship over weeks, after which the victim is manipulated into sending large sums of money; this pattern is now rapidly spreading to Indian cities like Pune, Lucknow, and Surat. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited messages from strangers, verify identities through video calls or in-person meetings before trusting someone, and never send money to people you haven't met in person.
cnn.com
· 2026-05-30
Voice cloning scams using AI technology are rapidly increasing, with scammers using just a few seconds of audio from social media or previous calls to create convincing replicas of family members' voices and demand money by claiming loved ones are in distress or kidnapped. Americans lost over $893 million to AI-related scams last year, and experts say the technology has become so realistic that average people can no longer reliably distinguish fake voices from real ones. To protect yourself, be skeptical of urgent calls requesting money from family members, verify requests through a separate communication channel (like calling the person directly), and be cautious about what audio and personal information you share on social media.
edition.cnn.com
· 2026-05-30
Voice cloning scams using artificial intelligence are rapidly increasing, with fraudsters using just seconds of someone's audio to create realistic voice replicas that impersonate family members, friends, or colleagues in fake emergencies to extort money. Americans lost over $893 million to AI-related scams last year, and experts say the technology has become so convincing that average people can no longer reliably distinguish AI-generated voices from real ones. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected urgent calls requesting money, independently verify claims by contacting loved ones through known phone numbers or in person, and be cautious about sharing audio or personal information on social media that scammers could exploit.
abcnews.com
· 2026-05-30
The FTC is warning about a phishing scam where criminals send fake party invitation emails and texts impersonating legitimate platforms like Evite or Paperless Post to trick people into entering their login credentials. Victims like a New York yoga instructor and a California preschool director have had their email accounts hijacked and used to spread the scam to their contacts, with one victim losing $5,500 to fraudsters who accessed her bank account. To protect yourself, be cautious about unexpected invitation links, verify invitations directly with the sender through another communication method, enable multi-factor authentication, and immediately change your passwords if you suspect you've been compromised.
police.boston.gov
· 2026-05-30
Boston Police District B-2 officers partnered with the City's Age Strong Commission to educate seniors about common fraud and scams through mail, email, phone calls, and in-person interactions. The presentation taught attendees how to recognize warning signs, protect their personal information, and identify potential fraud attempts. Seniors should remain vigilant about unsolicited communications, verify requests for personal information through official channels, and report suspicious activity to authorities.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2026-05-30
A North Carolina man was sentenced to over 10 years in prison for selling the personal information of more than 7 million elderly Americans to Jamaican scammers between 2016 and 2023, earning over $5.2 million while victims lost at least $9.5 million to lottery fraud schemes. Elderly Americans aged 60 and older are increasingly targeted by scammers, with over 200,000 fraud complaints filed in 2025 alone—a 37% increase from the previous year. To protect yourself, be cautious about unsolicited lottery or prize notifications, never share personal information with unknown callers, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
the420.in
· 2026-05-30
Troy Murray, a North Carolina man, was sentenced to over 10 years in prison for selling the personal data of more than 7 million elderly Americans to scammers between 2016 and 2023, resulting in over $9.5 million in victim losses from lottery fraud schemes. Murray sold detailed lead lists containing names, phone numbers, and addresses to scammers primarily in Jamaica, earning hundreds of thousands of dollars annually until wire services blocked him and he switched to accepting prepaid gift cards. Elderly Americans should be cautious of unsolicited lottery or prize notifications, verify any winnings through official channels before sharing personal information, and report suspicious calls or messages to authorities.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-05-30
Washington state residents lost over $18 million to imposter scams in 2025, with scammers frequently posing as government agencies like the IRS or Social Security Administration to trick victims into giving up money and personal information. People over 60 have been hit particularly hard, with fraud losses in that age group increasing 400% since 2020, while scams targeting family and friends have tripled from 2024 to 2025. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls or messages claiming to be from government agencies or businesses you know, verify caller identity through official channels before sharing information, and never click links or download files from suspicious sources.
ctinsider.com
· 2026-05-29
Senior Americans lost over $7.7 billion to fraud in 2025, representing a 59% increase from the previous year, with phishing, tech support scams, and investment fraud being the most common schemes reported. Those 60 and older should proactively plan for financial caregiving arrangements and stay vigilant by learning to recognize fraud through resources like the SEC's Investor.gov website, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's elder fraud prevention guides, and the FDIC's Money Smart curriculum. Families are encouraged to have conversations now about who will help manage finances and monitor accounts to prevent costly exploitation before a crisis occurs.
santaclaritamagazine.com
· 2026-05-29
Elderly residents across Southern California have become targets of increasingly sophisticated fraud and abuse schemes, including a $17 million identity theft and real estate loan ring that forged documents to steal home equity from seniors, unlicensed care facilities that neglected vulnerable residents, and deed theft that allowed homes to be sold without owners' knowledge. The article advises that the most effective protection involves proactive planning—such as creating durable powers of attorney, funded living trusts, and recording homeowner alerts at the County Recorder—rather than attempting to recover after fraud has occurred, which is significantly more difficult and expensive.
pulse.ng
· 2026-05-29
Nigerian police arrested a mother and daughter, Urowhe Diana and Rokibat Imoru, along with a manhunt for a third suspect, Emmanuel Amanfo, for operating a romance scam that defrauded a victim in Malta of over ₦18 million. The scammers created fake identities to build romantic relationships with victims and then solicited money, which was funneled through multiple Nigerian bank accounts and eventually transferred to accounts controlled by the suspects. People should be cautious about online romantic relationships, especially those that quickly escalate to requests for money, and verify the identities of people they meet online before sending any funds.
wired.com
· 2026-05-29
Cybercriminals have stolen booking information from at least 350 hotels across 50 countries and are using those real reservation details in highly targeted phishing messages to trick travelers into revealing credit card information. The scam, called "reservation hijacking," is particularly effective because it includes legitimate details like guest names, check-in dates, and hotel names, making fraudulent links appear authentic. Travelers should be cautious of unsolicited messages about their hotel bookings and verify any requests for payment or personal information by contacting hotels directly through official phone numbers or websites rather than clicking links in messages.
nbcchicago.com
· 2026-05-29
The FBI has warned of a phishing scam called Kali 365 that targets Microsoft Outlook and 365 users by tricking them into authorizing attackers' devices to access their accounts, allowing hackers to bypass multi-factor authentication and gain full access to email, Teams, and OneDrive. The pre-packaged phishing kit is being distributed through Telegram and makes it easier for less-skilled hackers to launch convincing phishing attacks using AI-generated lures. Users should limit device sign-in options, maintain backup access methods, and report any suspected targeting to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
dutchessny.gov
· 2026-05-29
Dutchess County is offering free workshops in June to teach seniors and caregivers about SilverShield, an AI-powered tool designed to help older adults identify and respond to increasingly sophisticated scams in real time. Scammers are using technology to make their schemes feel personal and urgent, leaving victims feeling shaken or embarrassed, which is why county officials are providing this resource to help seniors stay safe and confident. Interested residents can register for workshops at multiple locations throughout the county by contacting their local senior centers or the Office for the Aging.
mexc.com
· 2026-05-29
Cryptocurrency holders are increasingly vulnerable to scams and hacks that result in billions in annual losses, with threats ranging from impersonation scams to AI-powered fraud schemes. The article emphasizes that crypto users bear full responsibility for their security since transactions are irreversible and there's no customer support to recover lost funds. To protect digital assets, experts recommend using cold storage wallets (like hardware wallets) for the majority of holdings, keeping hot wallets only for small amounts, and never sharing seed phrases—practices that can prevent most losses through basic security habits.
livenowfox.com
· 2026-05-28
The FBI is warning about a phishing scam called Kali365 that tricks people into entering device codes on fake Microsoft verification pages, allowing hackers to steal login tokens and gain persistent access to Microsoft 365 accounts—including email, Teams, and OneDrive—while bypassing multi-factor authentication protections. The scam affects anyone using Microsoft 365 and is particularly dangerous because it's being offered as a subscription service to criminals, complete with AI-generated phishing emails and attack templates that make it easy for less-skilled attackers to launch attacks. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unexpected emails asking you to verify your identity or enter device codes, and organizations should consider disabling or restricting device authentication codes as a security measure.
bath.ac.uk
· 2026-05-28
A phishing scam is circulating through compromised internal email accounts at the University of Bath, offering expensive items like laptops and gaming consoles for free with only a shipping fee—a classic bait-and-switch designed to steal money or personal information from staff and students. Warning signs include unrealistic offers, requests to pay vague "shipping fees" via gift cards, and pressure to respond quickly to personal email addresses rather than official accounts. To protect yourself, never respond to suspicious messages, don't send money or gift cards, and report the email to your institution's IT or security team instead.
wsbradio.com
· 2026-05-28
Scammers are using artificial intelligence to create fake vacation rental listings and phishing emails that look increasingly legitimate, targeting summer travelers with unrealistic deals and AI-generated photos that lack real-world details. Cybersecurity experts warn that if a rental seems too cheap or looks suspiciously perfect (like a magazine cover with no neighbors visible), it's likely a scam, especially since fraudsters are harvesting personal information from data breaches to make their schemes more convincing. To protect yourself, carefully verify listings through official booking websites, scrutinize unusually discounted deals, and never share payment or personal information without thoroughly reviewing the listing and sender's legitimacy.
ocnjsentinel.com
· 2026-05-28
Elder financial fraud is rapidly increasing, with criminals specifically targeting people over 65 who have money, according to an FBI presentation in New Jersey. Common scams exploit this vulnerable population, but authorities stress that victims should report suspicious activity to police without shame, as community awareness and vigilance are key to prevention. If something feels amiss—unusual calls, requests for money, or suspicious transactions—residents should contact their local police department immediately rather than keeping it private.
thenews.com.pk
· 2026-05-28
Investment fraud has surged 87% over two years, with losses nearly doubling from $4.6 billion to $8.6 billion, making it the most lucrative crime for hackers according to the FBI's latest report. Seniors over 60 are particularly vulnerable, losing over $3.5 billion to investment scams last year, though younger investors are increasingly targeted as criminals refine their tactics using AI-generated impersonations and deepfakes. To protect yourself, verify any unsolicited investment opportunities through official regulatory channels, consult a licensed financial advisor before investing, and be wary of promises of unrealistic returns or pressure to act quickly.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-05-27
Brett Blackman, founder of HealthSplash, was convicted of orchestrating a $1 billion Medicare fraud scheme that operated from 2015 to 2020 across Florida, Kansas, and Arizona by billing Medicare for unnecessary medical equipment that vulnerable elderly and sick patients were coerced into purchasing. His co-conspirator Gary Cox received a 15-year sentence, while Blackman faces up to 30 years in prison for his role in what prosecutors called "cold, calculated, industrial-scale theft." To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited offers for medical equipment, verify that any recommended medical devices are actually prescribed by your doctor, and report suspicious billing or pressure from medical companies to your insurance provider or local authorities.
wrtv.com
· 2026-05-27
The Federal Trade Commission has warned consumers about a phishing scam disguised as party invitations sent via text or email, which trick people into entering their email login credentials or personal information by posing as legitimate invitation platforms like Evite or Paperless Post. Scammers use this stolen information to take over email accounts and spread the same fraudulent invitations to the victim's contacts. To protect yourself, avoid clicking on unexpected party invitations and instead verify directly with the host; if you receive a suspicious invitation, report it to the Anti-Phishing Working Group or the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
amac.us
· 2026-05-26
American consumers lost $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, with older adults particularly targeted because they often have savings and may be less familiar with modern technology. Scammers use unsolicited contact via phone, email, or social media to create false urgency and manipulate people into sending money or revealing personal information. To protect yourself, treat unexpected outreach with caution, verify callers' identities before sharing information, and report suspected scams to the FTC or other authorities to help stop fraudsters and protect others.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-26
Scammers are systematically targeting veterans by mining military records, VA databases, and public data sources to build detailed fraud profiles for identity theft and financial crimes. Veterans are particularly vulnerable because much of their sensitive information—including Social Security numbers, discharge papers, and service details—is scattered across semi-public federal databases and sold by data brokers. To protect yourself, be cautious about sharing personal information, monitor your credit reports regularly, verify requests from VA or military-related organizations directly, and consider a credit freeze if you believe your information has been compromised.
kiro7.com
· 2026-05-26
Scammers are increasingly difficult to detect online because they're using advanced technologies like AI, deepfakes, and voice cloning to create convincing deceptions that bypass traditional warning signs. In 2025 alone, the Federal Trade Commission received over one million reports of imposter scams, with reported losses reaching $3.5 billion—a 20% increase. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited demands for money, verify requests through official channels before sharing sensitive information, and be cautious of investment opportunities promising high returns with little risk.
capegazette.com
· 2026-05-26
Scammers are targeting vulnerable people—particularly seniors over 60—with increasingly sophisticated schemes that have caused fraud losses to jump from $600 million to $2.4 billion between 2020 and 2024, often involving romance scams, fake investment opportunities, and AI-generated deepfake voice calls impersonating loved ones. While people are becoming more skeptical of obvious scams, criminals are using artificial intelligence to make their schemes more convincing and harder to detect. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited requests for money or personal information from people you've met online or by phone, verify requests by contacting family members directly through known phone numbers, and never share account login credentials or financial information with anyone you haven't thoroughly verified in person.
odunews.com
· 2026-05-25
Thai police arrested six Nigerian nationals operating an AI-powered romance scam targeting older Thai women from a luxury Bangkok condominium, discovered after a drug trafficking investigation revealed their broader fraud operation. The scammers used fake profiles with AI-generated faces, posed as pilots and military officers, and manipulated victims into transferring money by claiming customs fees for fake packages, with police finding scripts designed to lower victims' defenses. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that move quickly to requests for money, verify the identity of people you meet online through independent means, and never send money to strangers claiming to have packages stuck in customs or similar emergencies.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-25
Scammers are exploiting the familiar CAPTCHA security check by creating fake versions that trick users into opening hidden command windows and pasting malicious scripts that install StealC malware on their computers. The malware then silently runs in the background to steal sensitive information like passwords and financial data without the victim's knowledge. To protect yourself, be suspicious of any CAPTCHA that asks you to use keyboard shortcuts, open command windows, or paste code—legitimate security checks never require these actions.
wsmv.com
· 2026-05-25
Scammers are sending fraudulent text messages to Tennessee residents claiming to be from the state's Department of Safety and Homeland Security, telling them they have unpaid traffic violations or fees. The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security warns that it never sends text messages about fines, fees, or license suspensions, and urges recipients to delete suspicious messages, avoid clicking links, and report them rather than sharing personal information.