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durbin.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
Senator Dick Durbin testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on elder fraud, reporting that Americans aged 60 and older lost nearly $4.9 billion to fraud in the prior year, with average losses of $83,000, representing a 43 percent increase year-over-year. He highlighted the particular threat of cryptocurrency ATM scams, which caused nearly $247 million in losses in 2024, a 31 percent increase, with one case involving an elderly Illinois woman losing her entire $40,000 life savings. Durbin introduced the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act to require operators to register with regulators, display scam warnings, implement transaction limits, and ref
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Ghanaian nationals, including alleged kingpin Isaac Kofi Oduro Boateng, were arrested in June 2025 and face extradition to the United States for a $100 million fraud scheme operating from 2016 to 2023. The syndicate conducted Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams by impersonating company officials through spoofed emails to trick victims into wire transfers, and also ran romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly, through dating platforms and email. At least one business and eight individuals suffered confirmed losses exceeding $100 million, with the suspects now in Ghanaian police custody pending extradition proceedings.
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian businessman Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng and multiple associates have been charged in coordinated U.S. federal prosecutions for operating transnational romance and inheritance scams targeting elderly Americans between 2013 and 2024. Boateng allegedly led a decade-long scheme convincing seniors they could claim gold and jewels if they paid fabricated taxes and fees, while related defendants in Ohio and elsewhere defrauded elderly victims through fake romantic relationships and fraudulent business deals, laundering proceeds to Ghana and other countries. These cases represent part of a broader Department of Justice crackdown on international fraud networks preying on seniors, announced in conjunction with World Elder
news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Otaniyen Iduozee, a Nigerian citizen on a student visa, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for laundering millions of dollars obtained through romance scams targeting vulnerable Americans, primarily elderly and isolated individuals. Iduozee controlled fraudulent bank accounts and funneled victim money through various transactions to Nigeria, playing a central role in the money laundering operation. Upon completing his sentence, he has agreed to be deported from the United States.
graphic.com.gh
· 2025-12-08
Three separate indictments targeting Ghanaian nationals were unsealed in U.S. federal courts as part of a crackdown on transnational romance fraud schemes targeting elderly Americans. The cases involve multiple defendants accused of operating romance and inheritance scams from 2013 to 2024, using fake romantic engagements and false promises of wealth to defraud seniors of large sums of money, with proceeds laundered through Ghana and other locations. Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng was arrested in Ghana and faces extradition, while other defendants face wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges.
fox4news.com
· 2025-12-08
Five Texans were sentenced to federal prison terms ranging from 9 to 40 years for their roles in a transnational fraud scheme that defrauded approximately $17 million from at least 100 victims worldwide, including vulnerable elderly individuals, between January 2017 and the sentencing date in June 2025. The scheme involved multiple fraud types including online romance scams, business email compromises, investor fraud, and unemployment insurance fraud, with proceeds laundered through bank accounts in Africa and Asia. The defendants collectively received nearly 160 years in prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
10news.com
· 2025-12-08
A 30-year-old Los Angeles resident, Eric Anthony Olivas, was sentenced to one year in jail and two years probation for attempting to collect $50,000 in cash from a 75-year-old Carlsbad senior as part of a transnational scam. The victim, Dale Marsh, had been deceived by an overseas scammer posing as Norton antivirus support after receiving a suspicious text message; however, law enforcement and the FBI intervened with an undercover sting operation using fake cash, preventing the loss. The case highlights a growing problem in San Diego County, where seniors lost $108 million to fraud scams in 2024, with money
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two men—Jinrong Shi, 28, of New York, and Jiyang Zhong, 27, a Chinese national—were indicted on federal charges for running "grandparent" and "tech support" scams targeting elderly victims in Northeast Ohio (Cleveland Heights, Willoughby, Canton, and Warren) in May and June 2024. The defendants, working with a network of co-conspirators using "fraud callers" and "fraud couriers," defrauded victims of over $201,000 by posing as law enforcement or tech support personnel and arranging cash pickups at victims' homes or directing victims to mail money. The laundered proceeds
nationwidemediacentre.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A Nationwide Building Society survey of 2,000 students found that 28% have been scammed, with purchase fraud (46%), WhatsApp impersonation scams (39%), and blackmail/sextortion scams (29%) being the most common types. The research revealed a rising trend of blackmail scams targeting younger people on social media, often linked to romance scams where perpetrators extract private images or information before demanding money under threat of exposure to victims' contacts.
broadandliberty.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder abuse and fraud targeting seniors remains a persistent problem, with the FBI reporting $4.885 billion in losses from 147,127 complaints in 2024—a 46% increase in complaints and 43% increase in losses compared to 2023. Criminals exploit elderly individuals through various schemes including investment scams, technical support fraud, romance scams, and home invasions, targeting them because they are perceived as polite, trusting, financially stable, and less likely to report crimes. The FBI emphasizes the need for public education about these scams and their devastating financial and emotional impacts on victims and their families.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Jamaican national Sherwayne Benjamin Bellinfantie was extradited to the United States in June 2025 to face charges for participating in a romance and lottery sweepstakes scheme that defrauded an 85-year-old Arizona resident of over $400,000 between 2015 and 2019. Bellinfantie and co-conspirators posed as romantic interests and falsely claimed the victim had won lottery prizes, requesting money for taxes and fees, while sending flowers to reinforce the deception. He faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, each carrying a maximum 20-year prison sentence.
therecord.media
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a civil forfeiture complaint to seize $225.3 million in cryptocurrency stolen from over 430 victims across multiple states through romance scams and investment fraud schemes operated by actors in the Philippines and Vietnam. Scammers, operating from what authorities believe were "scam compounds," contacted victims via social media posing as potential romantic interests or legitimate investment advisors, directing them to deposit funds into fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms before locking them out of accounts. This represents the largest cryptocurrency seizure in U.S. Secret Service history and demonstrates law enforcement's growing capacity to use blockchain analysis to trace and recover stolen digital assets.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Ridwan Adeleke Adepoju, a 33-year-old Nigerian national, was sentenced to 43 months in federal prison for operating multiple cyber fraud schemes from Nigeria that targeted U.S. citizens and businesses, including those in the Chicago area. His schemes included phishing scams, romance scams, and fraudulent tax return submissions, utilizing spoofed emails, fake social media accounts, and unwitting money mules to victimize numerous victims. Adepoju was arrested in the United Kingdom, extradited to the U.S., and pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges.
hometownstations.com
· 2025-12-08
Two men, Jinrong Shi (28) and Jiyang Zhong (27), were indicted on 10 counts for defrauding elderly victims in Northeast Ohio through "grandparent" and "tech support" scams in May-June 2024, stealing over $201,000 from residents in Cleveland Heights, Willoughby, Canton, and Warren. The defendants worked with a criminal network of "fraud callers" and "fraud couriers" who convinced victims to withdraw cash and used passwords to gain trust, then laundered proceeds across state lines and through cryptocurrency accounts in China. Both men face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
boernestar.com
· 2025-12-08
On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the FBI highlighted the growing threat of elder fraud, reporting $4.885 billion in losses from 147,127 complaints in 2024—a 46% increase in complaints and 43% increase in losses compared to 2023. Seniors are targeted for various scams including investment schemes, technical support fraud, romance scams, and money mule operations because they are often perceived as trusting, financially stable, and less likely to report crimes. The FBI recommends seniors verify unknown contacts online, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid unsolicited offers, never share personal information or money with unverified sources, and report suspected fraud immediately to local law enforcement
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
Two Indian nationals on student visas, Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel and Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya, were convicted in a $2.69 million elder fraud scheme targeting at least 25 elderly U.S. citizens through phishing and impersonation of government officials; Patel received 63 months in prison and was arrested in Texas attempting to collect $130,000 in illicit proceeds. The U.S. Embassy in India issued a formal warning that visa holders engaging in illegal activities face immediate visa revocation and permanent ineligibility, highlighting a growing pattern of international student fraud exploited for elder scams.
news.outsourceaccelerator.com
· 2025-12-08
Pranav Patel, a 33-year-old Indian national, was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in federal prison for operating as a money collector in a $1.79 million government impersonation scam that targeted elderly Americans, with co-conspirators posing as government agents and threatening victims with arrest to extort cash and gold. Patel traveled along the East Coast collecting packages from vulnerable seniors, including one victim who was forced to sell his home after losing his life savings. Law enforcement recovered most of the funds after arresting Patel during a planned collection operation, though overseas call center operators remain under investigation.
diyatvusa.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Indian nationals studying in the United States were sentenced to prison for their roles in separate elder fraud schemes targeting elderly Americans. Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel received 63 months for operating as a "money mule" in a phishing scam impersonating federal officials that defrauded at least 25 elderly victims of over $2.6 million, while Moinuddin Mohammed received 8 years for a similar impersonation scheme resulting in nearly $6 million in losses. Both cases highlight growing transnational fraud operations exploiting vulnerable seniors through government impersonation and threats of legal action.
ksl.com
· 2025-12-08
Scam Jam, an educational event held in Sandy, Utah, brought together FBI and AARP experts to educate residents about common fraud schemes including romance, internet, cryptocurrency, and tech support scams. The event featured a personal testimony from Rita, who lost several thousand dollars to a romance scam impersonating a celebrity, emphasizing the importance of reporting fraud despite the emotional and financial toll. Utah reported over 150,000 fraud cases totaling $61 million in losses, with experts stressing that fraud prevention through awareness and recognizing red flags is more effective than recovery efforts.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-08
The Department of Justice seized $225.3 million in cryptocurrency linked to investment scams, marking the largest cryptocurrency seizure in Secret Service history. Over 400 victims lost funds after being deceived into making fraudulent crypto investments through a sophisticated money laundering network. Cryptocurrency investment fraud caused more than $5.8 billion in reported losses in 2024, with law enforcement and banking organizations working to raise public awareness about these scams.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia announced increased efforts to combat elder fraud schemes—including romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandpament scams—that cost victims billions of dollars and deplete life savings. The office employs a two-pronged approach: prosecuting domestic and foreign criminals involved in elder fraud and money laundering, and conducting outreach to law enforcement and community groups on prevention and detection. The National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311) provides free support to seniors age 60 and older who have experienced financial fraud, offering victim assessment, reporting assistance,
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is a general news roundup from Spectrum News Hawaii covering multiple unrelated stories from the week, including Rams rookies helping rebuild homes in Lahaina following the 2023 wildfires, an unannounced emergency alert test sent to Hawaii residents, a restaurant closure due to health violations, and a brush fire update. None of these stories involve elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse, so this content is not relevant to the Elderus database.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
A 60-year-old retired Air Force officer in Noida was defrauded of ₹1 crore in a sophisticated "digital arrest" scam where cybercriminals posing as Mumbai Police and CBI officers kept him isolated via video call for 27 days, gradually coercing him to transfer his savings under the pretense of a money laundering investigation. The scam involved doctored documents, impersonation of senior officials, and psychological manipulation to prevent the victim from contacting anyone, and was only discovered when a relative grew suspicious after being unable to reach him. Noida Police have launched an investigation in collaboration with bank authorities and cyber forensic experts, with preliminary
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 32-year-old property agent in Singapore narrowly avoided losing a five-figure sum when a bank app warning message alerted her during a government impersonation scam in March 2024. Scammers posing as police officers and bank staff had spent four hours pressuring her to transfer money to a "secure account" by falsely claiming she was under investigation for money laundering and presenting fake court orders. Singapore experienced $151.3 million in losses to such government official impersonation scams in 2024, with experts advising victims to disengage, verify claims with trusted contacts, and recognize that everyone is susceptible to manipulation tactics employed by scammers.
sg.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 32-year-old property agent in Singapore nearly lost a five-figure sum to an impersonation scam in March 2024 when scammers posing as police officers and bank staff convinced her she was under investigation for money laundering and pressured her to transfer funds to a "safety account." A pause prompt on her bank's PayNow app alerting her to confirm the recipient's identity caused her to reconsider, and she hung up before completing the transfer and reported the incident to police. The case illustrates a common tactic in government impersonation scams—using fear, fake credentials, and urgency to manipulate victims—and experts advise disengaging from such
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
FBI arrested multiple Ghanaian nationals, including Kofi Boat (associate of musician Shatta Wale) and Dada Joe Remix, in connection with a decade-long transnational fraud scheme involving romance scams that targeted elderly Americans from 2013 to 2023, with one case involving a $100 million fraud scheme. The suspects face charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy, with stolen funds allegedly laundered and distributed to co-conspirators across Ghana and other countries. A local radio presenter attributed the fraud activity to Ghana's entertainment industry's shift toward materialism over genuine talent, advocating for wealthy individuals to redirect focus toward national development.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI has filed to seize nearly $680,000 in cryptocurrency from a sophisticated romance scam targeting professionals on LinkedIn and dating apps. Two victims—a Solon, Ohio resident who lost $500,000 and an Arizona woman who lost $63,000—were deceived into investing in cryptocurrency after scammers built trust through social media before moving conversations to encrypted platforms. Investigators traced the stolen funds across blockchain networks, identifying how criminals converted the stolen assets to Tether stablecoin, demonstrating law enforcement's growing ability to track cryptocurrency fraud despite the technology's irreversible transactions and pseudonymous nature.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
One month after Telegram banned two major Chinese-language cryptocurrency scam marketplaces (Haowang Guarantee and Xinbi Guarantee) that had facilitated $35 billion in transactions, the black market operations have largely reconstituted themselves on the platform. Smaller competing marketplaces, particularly Tudou Guarantee (which has doubled in size to 289,000 users and now processes approximately $15 million daily), have filled the void left by the bans and continue enabling money laundering for investment scams operating from Southeast Asian compounds that victimize millions worldwide and exploit forced labor. Telegram's enforcement appears ineffective, as the same illicit services—money laundering, stolen
12news.com
· 2025-12-08
A Jamaican man, Sherwayne Benjamin Bellinfantie, was extradited to Arizona and charged with wire fraud and money laundering for deceiving an 85-year-old woman in Vail, Arizona into sending nearly $400,000 between 2015 and 2019 through a romance scam involving fake lottery winnings. The FBI reports that online lottery scams targeting seniors in Arizona increased 400% between 2023 and 2024, with such international prosecutions being exceptionally rare. The article notes common scams include "pig butchering" schemes involving cryptocurrency and tech support frauds, and recommends avoiding unknown contacts, urgent messages, an
wnegradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Justice Department announced increased prosecution efforts against elder fraud schemes, which cost victims billions of dollars annually and often deplete life savings. The Northern District of Georgia has prosecuted multiple cases including an Indian call center scam where perpetrators impersonated government officials to fraudulently obtain funds, resulting in convictions and money laundering charges against Pradip Parikh, Alpesh Patel, and others. The Justice Department employs a two-pronged approach combining criminal prosecution with community outreach and education about common elder fraud schemes including romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A Philadelphia man lost over $1 million in two consecutive scams orchestrated by a fraudster posing as "Daisy" from Apple customer support. The scam began when he called a fake Apple support number, and evolved from a customer service fraud (where he was tricked into buying gift cards) into a romance scam that built trust over months of daily communication, ultimately resulting in him handing over $780,000 in precious metals to a money mule. The article warns consumers to watch for red flags including fake customer support numbers, lookalike websites, unsolicited contact, and suspicious requests for money or assets.
mtdemocrat.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reports that elder fraud losses reached $4.885 billion across 147,127 complaints in 2024, representing a 46% increase in complaints and 43% increase in losses from 2023, with California accounting for $832.7 million of those losses. Seniors are frequently targeted through investment scams, technical support schemes, romance scams, and money mule operations because they are perceived as trusting, financially stable, and less likely to report crimes. The FBI recommends seniors verify unsolicited contact through independent research, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources, and report suspected fraud to law enforcement immediately.
cps.gov.uk
· 2025-12-08
Ahmed Ali Suleman, 63, was sentenced to four years and three months in prison for laundering over £1.9 million for international romance scammers operating between January 2015 and November 2017. Using his textile export business as a front, Suleman processed fraudulent payments from 77 vulnerable victims—many elderly, lonely, or widowed—who had been manipulated into transferring money through fake dating profiles by West African-based criminals. His conviction demonstrates law enforcement's commitment to targeting money launderers who enable romance fraud networks and facilitate the exploitation of vulnerable people.
aba.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this content. What you've shared appears to be a navigation menu or table of contents from a banking industry website (likely the American Bankers Association), not an article or transcript about elder fraud, scams, or abuse.
To help with the Elderus database, please provide:
- An actual article or news story about a scam or fraud incident
- A transcript of an interview or account about elder abuse
- An educational piece on fraud prevention or awareness
Once you share relevant content, I'll provide a concise 2-3 sentence summary focused on what happened, who was affected, the scam type, and outcomes.
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
Michael Zidell lost $20 million in a "pig butchering" romance scam after being targeted on Facebook by a scammer posing as a woman named Carolyn Parker, who lured him into fraudulent NFT investments through fake account statements. Zidell sued Citibank for negligence, alleging the bank failed to detect and act on suspicious wire transfers—including twelve transactions totaling nearly $4 million to an account held by Guju Inc. that contradicted the account holder's declared business activity and violated Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering laws. Pig butchering scams resulted in $5.8 billion in investment fraud losses in 2024
wired-gov.net
· 2025-12-08
Ahmed Ali Suleman, 63, was sentenced to four years and three months in prison for laundering over £1.9 million gained from a romance fraud operation between 2015 and 2017. Using his textile business as a front, Suleman processed fraudulent payments from 77 vulnerable victims—many elderly, lonely, or widowed—who were deceived by West African-based scammers posing as romantic partners on dating websites. The case demonstrates how money launderers enable romance fraud by providing the financial infrastructure that makes such schemes profitable and sustainable.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a 35-year-old Nigerian national, pleaded guilty to his role in a romance scam that defrauded six victims of over $2.5 million between 2016 and 2019. Nwadavid created fake online profiles to gain victims' trust, then directed them to send money under false pretenses, using a Massachusetts resident as an intermediary to transfer funds through cryptocurrency accounts he controlled. He faces sentencing on September 23, 2025, on charges of mail fraud and money laundering, with potential penalties including up to 20 years in prison and deportation.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Pradip Parikh, 67, and Alpesh Patel, 40, were convicted for operating an India-based call center scam that defrauded millions of Americans, predominantly elderly victims, by impersonating Social Security Administration officials and threatening arrest to pressure victims into transferring funds to bank accounts they controlled. Victims testified to losing significant sums, including a 70-year-old who transferred over $600,000 and a widowed mother of eight who lost more than $300,000, with the defendants retaining thousands for themselves before laundering the remaining funds. Both were convicted of money laundering and conspiracy charges, with Patel also convicted of wire fraud conspiracy
vietnam.vn
· 2025-12-08
Gen Z individuals in Hanoi fell victim to sophisticated impersonation scams despite growing up with digital literacy. Multiple cases involved fraudsters posing as police officers or bank employees, using psychological pressure and panic tactics to convince victims to transfer money; a 20-year-old lost 1.6 billion VND, another lost nearly 1 billion VND to fake police calls, and a 30-year-old lost 145 million VND total to a fake bank employee scam. The article highlights that scammers succeed not just through deceiving awareness but by exploiting psychological vulnerabilities and crisis-response confusion with constantly evolving scenarios and impersonation tactics.
news.shib.io
· 2025-12-08
Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a 35-year-old Nigerian national, pleaded guilty to stealing over $2.5 million from six victims through romance scams between 2016 and 2019, laundering the funds through cryptocurrency accounts he controlled. Nwadavid manipulated victims into sending money via fake dating profiles and romantic relationships, then transferred the stolen funds through a Massachusetts resident accomplice into crypto wallets on LocalBitcoins. He faces up to 20 years in prison on mail fraud and money laundering charges, along with potential deportation.
guardian.ng
· 2025-12-08
Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a Nigerian man, pleaded guilty to operating a romance scam that defrauded six U.S. victims of over $2.5 million, which he converted into cryptocurrency through accounts under his control. Arrested in April 2025 after arriving at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Nwadavid admitted to mail fraud and money laundering charges, using one victim from Massachusetts as a conduit to receive and transfer funds from five other victims. He faces up to 20 years in prison, fines up to $250,000-$500,000, restitution, and potential deportation to Nigeria upon sentencing.
fallriverreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
A 35-year-old Nigerian national pleaded guilty in federal court to orchestrating romance scams that defrauded six victims of over $2.5 million between 2016 and 2019, using fake dating profiles to manipulate victims into sending money that was funneled through cryptocurrency accounts he controlled. He was arrested in April 2025 at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and faces up to 20 years in prison on mail fraud charges and up to 20 years on each money laundering charge, with sentencing scheduled for September 23, 2025, followed by deportation.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Patricia Hutchins, 53, of Brockport, NY, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and making false statements after being caught operating multiple fraud schemes including elder fraud, PPP loan fraud, and unemployment insurance fraud. She was ordered to pay approximately $60,000 in restitution to victims, including $25,100 to an elderly person who was defrauded, but instead spent roughly $23,500 of her home sale proceeds on gift cards before her sentencing; she is scheduled for sentencing on October 7, 2025.
cryptorank.io
· 2025-12-08
An Australian investigation identified 90 individuals involved in cryptocurrency ATM fraud, revealing that scammers are exploiting vulnerable elderly victims through romance and investment schemes. A woman in her 70s lost $281,000 and another lost $130,000 after being manipulated into depositing cash into crypto ATMs, with over $3 million lost to such scams nationwide between January 2024 and January 2025. In response, AUSTRAC implemented new operational standards including transaction limits, mandatory scam alerts, and enhanced verification protocols to combat the misuse of the 1,600+ crypto ATMs across Australia.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Nigerian national Charles Uchenna Nwadavid pleaded guilty to orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded six victims of over $2.5 million, using fake online profiles to build trust before requesting money for fabricated emergencies like inheritances and medical crises. One Massachusetts resident was manipulated into serving as a money conduit, receiving funds from five other victims across the U.S. and transferring the collective $2.5 million to Nwadavid through cryptocurrency transactions on LocalBitcoins. Nwadavid was arrested in April 2025 upon arrival at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and faces up to 20 years in prison on
dimsumdaily.hk
· 2025-12-08
**Hong Kong Telephone Scam Operations (June 2025)**
Law enforcement in Hong Kong's New Territories South Region arrested three individuals (ages 22-24) involved in telephone scam syndicates targeting at least 15 victims with losses totaling over HK$10 million (individual losses ranged from HK$140,000 to HK$3 million). The scammers impersonated law enforcement officials using forged documents and fake credentials, falsely accusing victims of mainland crimes and coercing them into payments under threat of arrest and asset freeze; notably, one of the arrested perpetrators was a local law student. Law enforcement warns that youth
cryptorank.io
· 2025-12-08
An Australian investigation identified 90 individuals involved in cryptocurrency ATM fraud schemes, revealing that many were victims rather than perpetrators. A woman in her 70s lost $281,000 and another lost $130,000 after falling victim to romance and investment scams that directed them to deposit cash into crypto ATMs; between January 2024 and January 2025, over $3 million was lost to crypto ATM scams in Australia with nearly half of victims aged over 51. In response, AUSTRAC implemented new operational standards for crypto ATM providers including transaction limits, mandatory scam alerts, and improved verification protocols.
punchng.com
· 2025-12-08
Charles Nwadavid, a 35-year-old Nigerian businessman, pleaded guilty to mail fraud and money laundering for his role in romance scams that defrauded six victims of over $2.5 million between 2016 and 2019. He used a Massachusetts victim as an intermediary to receive funds from victims across the United States, then converted the money through cryptocurrency accounts he controlled. Nwadavid faces sentencing on September 23, 2025, with potential penalties including up to 40 years in prison, a $750,000 fine, and deportation.
region.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Police across Australia are warning of a surge in cryptocurrency ATM scams targeting vulnerable victims, with over 150 reported cases in 2024 resulting in losses exceeding $3 million, including victims who deposited hundreds of thousands of dollars. Scammers manipulate victims—predominantly people over 50—through romance, investment, and employment fraud schemes, directing them to use cryptocurrency ATMs as anonymous cash pipelines after banks block traditional transfers. Authorities emphasize that cryptocurrency ATM transactions are irreversible and advise the public to never send money via cryptocurrency when pressured by unknown persons or promised quick profits.
euroweeklynews.com
· 2025-12-08
An 86-year-old woman's report of a €353,952 romance scam led Spanish authorities to dismantle an international network of romance scammers operating from Nigeria, resulting in the arrest of 14 suspects across six Spanish provinces in "Operation Doyun." The scammers created fake profiles impersonating attractive men and celebrities to emotionally manipulate victims into making bank transfers, with some Spanish elderly women recruited to help launder the stolen funds; approximately €45,000 was recovered from the network's accounts.