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in Robocall / Phone Scam
foxrgv.tv
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The Better Business Bureau has issued a public alert about a bail impersonation scam targeting senior citizens in which fraudsters pose as grandchildren or other relatives in legal distress and request urgent bail money via untraceable digital payment platforms like CashApp or WhatsApp. Seniors should be alert to warning signs including unsolicited calls requesting money, urgent payment demands, and pressure to act quickly; those targeted can report incidents to the BBB at 956-969-1804 or bbb.org/scamtracker.
audacy.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud schemes cost the FBI-reported $3 billion annually, with losses to victims over 60 rising 84% between 2021-2022, prompting the FBI and Highmark to launch a public awareness campaign. Common scams include romance fraud, tech support impersonation, grandparent scams, and fake sweepstakes or charity schemes that exploit seniors' trust and desire for companionship. Protective measures include verifying caller information, resisting pressure to act quickly, and never sharing personal or financial information with unverified contacts.
wtae.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Pittsburgh field office and Highmark are warning of a surge in scams targeting people over 60, which represents a $3 billion annual problem nationally affecting thousands of victims. Common schemes include romance scams, tech support scams, and grandparent scams, all designed to exploit vulnerable populations. The agencies recommend never sharing personal or financial information with unknown callers, resisting pressure to act quickly, verifying caller identity through independent contact with authorities, and reporting incidents to law enforcement and financial institutions.
techtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Australian scammers cost citizens $2.3 billion across 601,000 reported cases, with investment scams being the costliest at $1.3 billion, followed by remote access and romance scams. Seniors over 65 experienced a 13.3% increase in losses, and social media and text messages emerged as primary contact methods, while government officials called for stronger safeguards including enforceable obligations on banks and digital platforms.
english.news.cn
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Australians reported over 601,000 scams—an 18.5% increase from 2022—though total losses fell 13% to 2.74 billion AUD, marking the first year-on-year decline since 2016. Investment scams were the most costly at 1.3 billion AUD (47% of total losses), followed by remote access and romance scams, with seniors aged 65+ being the only age group to lose more money than the previous year. Job scam losses surged 151.2% to 24.3 million AUD, disproportionately affecting culturally and linguistically diverse communities
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
Jenny and Jian Lim lost $138,000 to an HSBC "spoofing" text message scam in October 2023, in which scammers impersonated the bank using authentic-appearing SMS messages and knowledge of account details to gain access and extract funds. This scam alone defrauded HSBC customers of $6.3 million between July 2023 and March 2024. While Australian authorities cited a 13% decrease in reported scam losses ($2.74 billion in 2023 versus $3.1 billion in 2022), consumer advocates argue the remaining losses remain "unacceptably high" and call for
marketrealist.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI issued a warning to Houston residents about a hospice care scam in which fraudsters illegally enroll seniors in Medicare's $22 billion hospice program without their knowledge or consent, then bill insurance thousands or tens of thousands of dollars before victims realize what happened. The scam involves doctors, recruiters, and company employees working together, and can prevent victims from accessing end-of-life care with providers of their choice when they actually need it. The FBI recommends residents avoid sharing personal information with strangers, hang up suspicious calls, and report them to authorities; meanwhile, Medicare has increased oversight in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas, and recently convicted a California hospice company owner who
kvnutalk.com
· 2025-12-08
People over 60 lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, an 11% increase from 2022, with 101,068 complaints filed by elderly victims—a 14% increase—and an average loss of $33,915 per person, according to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report. Tech support fraud was the most common scam type targeting seniors, while investment scams caused the highest financial losses at over $1.2 billion, with illegal call scams netting over $700 million. The FBI called on financial institutions to take greater responsibility in protecting elderly customers and announced efforts to arrest scammers operating from call centers internationally while
uk.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, people over 60 lost $3.4 billion to scams, an 11% increase from 2022, with 101,068 complaints filed—a 14% rise in reporting. Tech support fraud was the most common scam type targeting seniors, while investment scams caused the greatest financial losses at over $1.2 billion; the FBI urged financial institutions to take greater responsibility in protecting elderly customers and victims to report losses promptly for faster recovery.
wlbt.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from Americans over age 60 last year, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, according to an FBI report. The FBI received over 100,000 complaints from older victims, with nearly 6,000 losing more than $100,000 each, as criminals increasingly employ sophisticated tactics including tech support scams, romance frauds, investment schemes, and in-person courier pickups to collect cash and precious metals. The report highlights a rise in organized, transnational criminal enterprises targeting vulnerable older Americans, with some victims becoming destitute.
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from Americans over age 60 last year, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, according to an FBI report. The FBI received over 100,000 complaints from older victims, with increasingly sophisticated schemes including tech support scams, romance frauds, investment schemes, and in-person courier pickups to collect cash or precious metals. The report highlights the devastating impact on vulnerable seniors, including one case where an 81-year-old Ohio man fatally shot an Uber driver after being targeted by a court impersonation scam.
kagstv.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from Americans over 60 last year, an 11% increase from the previous year, according to an FBI report that documents increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics. The FBI received over 100,000 complaints from older victims, with tech support scams being the most common fraud type, followed by rising schemes involving in-person couriers collecting cash or gold from victims deceived into believing their accounts were compromised. Investigators warn that organized criminal enterprises are using romance scams, investment fraud, and impersonation tactics, with losses potentially underreported as many victims never report their victimization.
whsv.com
· 2025-12-08
Older Americans lost over $3.4 billion to scams in the past year, a rise of 11% from the previous year, according to an FBI report showing increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics targeting victims over 60. The most common fraud was tech support scams, with a rising trend of in-person couriers collecting cash or precious metals from victims convinced their bank accounts had been compromised. Federal investigators warn of organized, transnational criminal enterprises using romance scams, investment fraud, and impersonation schemes, with nearly 6,000 victims losing over $100,000 each last year.
voanews.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reported that scammers stole over $3.4 billion from Americans aged 60 and older in the past year, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, with more than 100,000 complaints filed and nearly 6,000 victims losing over $100,000 each. The most common schemes include tech support scams and impersonation frauds where criminals convince victims their accounts are compromised and direct them to move funds or liquidate assets into cash or precious metals, with a rising trend of using couriers to collect money in person. Investigators attribute the rise to increasingly sophisticated tactics by organized criminal enterprises operating transnationally, targeting vulnerable older Americans who may lack the
tomsguide.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns that scammers are using fake "free" verification services on dating apps to steal victims' financial and personal information through recurring subscription charges. Scammers lure dating app users to encrypted platforms by claiming verification prevents contact with offenders, then direct them to fraudulent websites that request credit card numbers and personal data under the guise of safety verification. To protect themselves, users should avoid clicking links from new online contacts, refrain from moving conversations off dating platforms, and never provide financial information to unverified verification services.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A Nigerian citizen, Efe Egbowawa, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in an international romance scam ring that defrauded victims across the United States, including Tennessee, from 2017 to 2021. The conspiracy involved members using fake identities on dating sites and social media to build romantic relationships with victims before requesting emergency financial assistance in escalating amounts, with money then laundered through shell companies and bank accounts. Two co-conspirators, Igocha Mac-Okor and Kay Ozegbe, also face charges in connection with the scheme, with one awaiting sentencing and the other scheduled for trial.
fox5atlanta.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report found that seniors over 60 lost $3.4 billion to scammers, representing a 14% increase in complaints, with Georgia accounting for approximately $92 million in losses. Tech support scams remain the most common fraud type targeting this age group, while investment scams cause the greatest financial damage; one victim, Joan Stone, lost $350 to an impersonation scam claiming to be law enforcement threatening license suspension. The FBI emphasizes that these are professional criminals and advises seniors to exercise caution with solicitations for money and report fraud to their bank and the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
wafb.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI released its 2023 IC3 Elder Fraud Annual Report warning of rising fraud targeting elderly people, with call center fraud (tech support, consumer support, and government impersonation scams) being the most common method and investment scams causing the greatest financial losses. In Louisiana alone, over 700 reported victims lost more than $18 million in 2023, though officials acknowledge the actual number of victims is significantly higher due to underreporting. The FBI provides protective measures including recognizing scam attempts, verifying contact information online, resisting pressure to act quickly, and safeguarding personal information and devices.
clickorlando.com
· 2025-12-08
A Brevard County couple thwarted a grandparent scam when a caller impersonating their grandson "Bram" claimed he was in jail and needed $9,000 for bail after hitting a pregnant woman. Chris Scott, an insurance claims adjuster, grew suspicious when the scammer's story contained inconsistencies (incorrect bail percentage, unusual procedures) and his wife confirmed via text that their real grandson was safe, prompting the scammer to hang up. The Scotts shared their experience and provided a checklist of questions to ask and steps to take—including contacting the supposed loved one directly and verifying details with police—to help other seniors recognize and avoid this common fraud scheme.
fortune.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reported that scammers stole over $3.4 billion from Americans aged 60 and older last year, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, with criminals employing increasingly sophisticated tactics including impersonation of officials and in-person courier services to collect cash and precious metals. The FBI received more than 100,000 complaints from older victims, with tech support scams being the most commonly reported fraud, followed by romance scams and investment schemes, while investigators warned of organized transnational criminal enterprises targeting this vulnerable population.
abcnews.go.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans aged 60 and older lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, an 11% increase from 2022, with 101,068 complaints filed—a 14% rise from the previous year—according to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report. Tech support fraud was the most common scam type, while investment scams caused the highest financial losses at over $1.2 billion. The FBI is urging financial institutions to take greater responsibility in protecting elderly customers and working with international law enforcement to arrest perpetrators, while also noting an increase in violent threats and intimidation tactics used by scammers.
journal-topics.com
· 2025-12-08
The Prospect Heights Police Department hosted a community education event where officers shared crime statistics and fraud prevention advice with residents. Police highlighted that over 2.6 million seniors are victims of identity theft annually and more than 13% of older Americans experience financial fraud each year, with the top scams being cryptocurrency, family emergency, and romance schemes. Residents were advised to never share banking information, verify URLs, avoid unsolicited contacts, and report suspected scams to ftc.gov or reportfraud.ftc.gov.
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams in Australia experienced a dramatic 150% increase in financial losses in 2023, making them among the top ten scam categories despite an overall 13.1% decline in reported scam losses nationally. Scammers use fake job advertisements across social media, emails, and employment websites to extract upfront fees, personal information, or banking credentials from vulnerable victims—particularly targeting unemployed individuals, students, recent graduates, and immigrants unfamiliar with legitimate employment practices. To protect themselves, job seekers should use only legitimate job boards, verify employer information independently, and be wary of positions offering unrealistic pay, upfront fees, or requests for sensitive personal details.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Real estate scams are surging, with the FBI's IC3 receiving 9,521 complaints in 2023 resulting in $145.2 million in losses, primarily through business email compromise (BEC) schemes targeting homebuyers and sellers. Notable cases include a Connecticut homebuyer who nearly lost $426,000 after receiving a spoofed email posing as their attorney, and a Texas realtor who identified a fraudulent property listing scheme. Common tactics include fake closing/wire fraud emails, rental listing scams, and home warranty schemes, with scammers exploiting the busy March-June real estate season by impersonating attorneys, lenders, and property owners to steal money
fox17online.com
· 2025-12-08
An FBI report found that Americans over 60 lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, with fraud complaints against seniors rising 14% year-over-year. Tech support scams generated the most complaints, while investment scams proved costliest, with 6,000 victims each losing over $100,000. Experts recommend seniors verify payment methods, seek second opinions before transactions, and recognize that many scams are technology-based despite myths that older adults don't use digital platforms.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Sixteen people were charged in connection with a "grandparent scam" that defrauded hundreds of older Americans across the Northeast out of millions of dollars between January 2019 and December 2023. Scammers operating call centers in the Dominican Republic used spoofed phone numbers to call elderly victims, impersonating distressed grandchildren or relatives needing bail money, then posed as attorneys and officials to extract payments via couriers or mail. The charges carry penalties up to 20 years in prison, with elder fraud complaints rising 14% nationally and victims losing an average of $33,915 each in 2023.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. seniors over 60 experienced record elder fraud losses of $3.4 billion across over 101,000 reported complaints in 2023, with a 14% increase from 2022, according to an FBI report. Investment scams, tech support scams, romance scams, and "grandparent scams" were identified as the most costly schemes, with individual victims losing over $100,000 in some cases. The FBI urged financial institutions to implement stronger safeguards and emphasized that early reporting and public education are critical to preventing victims from completing fraudulent transfers.
murrayledger.com
· 2025-12-08
At least two people in Calloway County, Kentucky fell victim to an impersonation scam over the weekend in which fraudsters posed as sheriff's deputies and claimed victims had missed jury duty and had active arrest warrants, demanding immediate payment via electronic transfer, wire services, or Bitcoin to avoid arrest. One victim lost approximately $900. Sheriff Nicky Knight emphasized that legitimate law enforcement will never solicit money over the phone or in person for warrants or charges, and warned that scammers are becoming more sophisticated by spoofing official phone numbers and using publicly available information to appear credible.
news4jax.com
· 2025-12-08
Online vehicle scams have increased significantly, with reports rising to 256 cases in 2023, affecting predominantly buyers aged 45 and above who account for over three-quarters of victims. Scammers employ multiple tactics including listing non-existent vehicles on fake or real websites, creating fraudulent vehicle history lookup sites (up 30% in 2023), and impersonating dealerships—particularly targeting high-end classic car buyers—often using fake escrow companies to steal money before disappearing. The BBB advises consumers to view vehicles in person before purchasing and avoid sending money through payment services to unknown sellers.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Baby Boomers lost over $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, with the FBI receiving more than 100,000 complaints from Americans over 60—an 11% surge from the previous year. The most common scams involved phone calls from fraudsters impersonating tech support or banking officials, tricking victims into transferring funds to fake accounts, liquidating assets for gold, or using courier services and cryptocurrency transfers, with some victims losing over $100,000 and becoming destitute. The actual financial losses are likely higher, as only half of reported complaints included victim age data, and these schemes have expanded to include dangerous in-person courier pickups.
newsday.com
· 2025-12-08
Small business owners should be vigilant against several common scams: fraudulent invoices and unordered merchandise schemes (where scammers demand payment for unsolicited goods), illegitimate business coaching services that charge fees for non-existent or inflated services, and directory scams where fraudsters solicit payment for fake or misrepresented business listings. The FTC and Better Business Bureau recommend reporting suspected scams to ReportFraud.ftc.gov or BBB.org/ScamTracker, and seeking business coaching only through legitimate sources like local Small Business Administration offices.
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
At least 101,000 Americans ages 60 and older lost an average of $33,915 each to digital fraud in 2023, totaling approximately $3.4 billion in losses, according to FBI data. Cryptocurrency scams accounted for nearly 40% of total losses ($1.33 billion), often preceded by romance or confidence schemes, while call center and tech support scams remained the most common complaint type. Some victims reported devastating consequences including selling homes, depleting retirement accounts, and in severe cases, suicide due to financial losses and shame.
timberjay.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reported a 14% increase in elder fraud complaints in 2023, with financial losses exceeding $3.4 billion and an average victim loss of $33,915. Over 101,000 seniors aged 60+ reported fraud to IC3, with investment scams, tech support scams, and romance scams being among the most common schemes, while cryptocurrency scams affected over 12,000 seniors. The report notes that actual fraud rates are likely higher due to underreporting, and scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to create convincing deepfakes and chatbots to target elderly victims.
abc7ny.com
· 2025-12-08
People over 60 lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, representing an 11% increase from 2022, with 101,068 complaints filed—a 14% rise—and an average loss of $33,915 per victim, according to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report. Tech support fraud was the most common scam type targeting seniors, while investment scams caused the greatest financial losses at over $1.2 billion; the FBI urged financial institutions to strengthen protections and victims to report losses quickly, noting that scammers often operate from call centers in India, Western Africa, Laos, and Cambodia.
nbcphiladelphia.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers stole $1.1 billion from consumers in 2023, targeting people across all backgrounds through classic manipulation tactics. NBC10 reporter Tracy Davidson documented her interaction with a scammer posing as "James Williams," a military surgeon supposedly working for the United Nations in Syria, who built trust over two weeks before requesting $14,000 in bitcoin to fund a fake vacation certificate—a scheme involving fake UN emails, money mules, and grammatical red flags that Secret Service investigators confirmed followed standard romance scam protocols. The article illustrates how scammers operate as organized operations using multiple identities and aliases, targeting lonely individuals through relationship-building techniques before requesting money.
winchesterstar.com
· 2025-12-08
An FBI report revealed that scammers stole over $94 million from Virginia residents over age 60 in 2023, representing a 56% increase from the prior year and moving the state into the top 10 nationally for elder fraud losses. Tech support fraud was the most commonly reported scam type, with victims over 60 losing more than all other age groups combined, some resorting to remortgaging homes and emptying retirement accounts to cover losses. The significant increase has been partially attributed to increased virtual activities and isolation following the COVID-19 pandemic, with experts noting that many cases go unreported to law enforcement.
wvua23.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from Americans over age 60 last year, representing an 11% increase from the prior year, according to an FBI report. The FBI received over 100,000 complaints from older victims, with nearly 6,000 losing more than $100,000 each, and investigators warn of rising sophistication in schemes including tech support scams, romance fraud, investment fraud, and in-person courier pickups of cash and precious metals. The losses may be significantly underreported, and experts caution that these crimes can leave elderly victims financially devastated and destitute.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole over $3.4 billion from Americans aged 60 and older in the past year, representing an 11 percent increase from the previous year, according to an FBI report. The FBI received more than 100,000 complaints from older victims, with nearly 6,000 losing over $100,000 each, as organized criminal enterprises increasingly use sophisticated tactics including tech support scams, romance scams, investment frauds, and in-person courier schemes to drain bank accounts. Investigators warn that these scams have a devastating impact on older Americans who may lack the ability to replace lost funds.
wbrc.com
· 2025-12-08
Virtual kidnapping scams use voice cloning or recordings of victims' voices combined with urgent demands for money, targeting parents and relatives with threats of harm. Two Alabama residents—Kevin David and Jim Kidd—received calls claiming their daughters had been kidnapped and demanding $5,000 and unspecified amounts respectively; both calls were revealed to be scams when family members were contacted directly. The FBI advises keeping callers on the line, texting loved ones to verify their safety, remaining skeptical, and establishing a family password to confirm legitimate emergencies.
waff.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reports that seniors over 60 are prime targets for fraud, with Alabama residents in this age group losing over $33 million to scams. Elder fraud complaints increased 14% in 2023, with tech scams, personal data breaches, and romance scams—particularly the "grandparent scam"—leading the way, as scammers increasingly use urgency and fear tactics to pressure victims into sending money or revealing sensitive information. Experts recommend that seniors and their family members hang up immediately when pressured for banking information, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, as these are hallmarks of fraud.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FBI reported that Americans over 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud—an 11% increase from 2022—with tech support scams and investment schemes causing the most damage at $600 million and $1.2 billion respectively. Call center schemes were particularly devastating for seniors, accounting for nearly $770 million in losses and reportedly leading some victims to remortgage homes, drain retirement accounts, and in extreme cases, take their own lives. California reported the highest losses nationally at $620 million across over 11,000 complaints from elderly victims, and the FBI recommends seniors verify unsolicited contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, and report suspecte
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating utility company representatives using increasingly aggressive tactics, including visiting homes to request computer access, photograph bills, or demand payment via pre-paid debit cards, while also using fake phone numbers to contact customers. Utility companies including NYSEG and RG&E warn that they never send representatives to homes for these purposes and advise customers to verify caller identity by contacting their provider directly, particularly during spring when elderly residents are commonly targeted. Victims should report scams to local law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is an educational overview of online fraud tactics, particularly on social media platforms. In 2024, 70% of authorized push payment (APP) fraud originated online, with criminals impersonating legitimate businesses, charities, or loved ones to manipulate victims into sending money through fake profiles and targeted ads. The UK introduced new consumer protections in October 2024, including up to £85,000 reimbursement coverage and a five-day claims process, as social media's anonymity, ease of account creation, and access to personal information make it an ideal environment for fraudsters to operate at scale.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP's Fraud Watch Network Helpline director Amy Nofziger discusses six fast-growing scams identified through thousands of annual helpline calls, including celebrity impersonation, check fraud, sweepstakes and grandparent scams, voice printing fraud, and Olympics-related schemes. The Fraud Watch Network offers free resources to consumers of any age, including a helpline staffed by 150 trained fraud specialists who provide support and guidance to scam victims and those seeking fraud prevention advice.
abc13.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned of a resurgence in impersonation scams targeting Houston residents, where fraudsters pose as law enforcement or government agencies using caller ID spoofing to convince victims their identities or finances have been compromised. Victims in the area have lost tens of thousands of dollars after being pressured to transfer money to gift cards or cryptocurrency, with Texas reporting approximately $17 million in losses statewide at an average of $17,000 per victim. The FBI emphasized that legitimate government agents never request payment, gift cards, or immediate money transfers to resolve legal matters.
wthr.com
· 2025-12-08
An FBI report found that scammers stole $3.4 billion from people over 60 in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year, with tech scams, data breach scams, and romance/confidence scams being the most common. Key prevention strategies include ignoring suspicious fraud alerts and calling card numbers directly, verifying data breach notifications through official mail channels, freezing credit with major bureaus, and being alert to scams that create urgency or demand immediate action. Educating older adults about these tactics is critical to preventing them from losing retirement savings or Social Security benefits.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
The Yahoo Boys, a loosely organized collective of thousands of scammers primarily based in West Africa, operate openly on social media platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, TikTok, and YouTube, conducting romance scams, sextortion schemes, business email compromise, and AI-generated deepfake fraud that collectively total hundreds of millions of dollars annually. These cybercriminals openly share their identities, sell fraudulent scripts and fake identification documents, and coordinate their activities across dozens of groups with hundreds of thousands of combined members, with social media companies providing what experts describe as "free office space" for their criminal operations. While major platforms have removed many Yahoo Boys accounts after media scrut
infosecurity-magazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance investment scams have surged dramatically, with the FTC reporting increases from 11,000 victims in 2016 to 70,000 in 2022, resulting in $1.3 billion in cumulative losses, and the FBI documenting $652.5 million in romance scam losses in 2023 alone. Scammers create fake online profiles posing as wealthy professionals or socialites, build emotional connections with victims, and then manipulate them into investing in fake opportunities or trading platforms where funds are immediately lost. Key warning signs include requests for money or cryptocurrency, pressure to keep relationships secret, and persistent avoidance of in-person meetings or video calls.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Emmanuel Quamey, a 36-year-old Ghanaian national, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for money laundering connected to romance scams that defrauded over a dozen vulnerable and elderly U.S. victims between September 2019 and March 2023. Quamey received and laundered approximately $3.8 million in fraud proceeds through multiple bank accounts in the United States and Ghana, and was ordered to pay $3.3 million in forfeiture and restitution to victims. Romance scams involve perpetrators posing as romantic partners on social media and dating websites to trick victims into sending money under false pretenses.
nbcwashington.com
· 2025-12-08
A man posing as a federal agent was arrested in Montgomery County after attempting to con a senior citizen into converting approximately $230,000 in retirement savings into gold bars; the scam was thwarted when a friend intervened and convinced the victim to contact police before the handover. The suspect, identified as Ravinkle Mathon, was apprehended during a staged pickup where he received a decoy box filled with tools instead of gold bars. Authorities report this con has victimized over a dozen Montgomery County seniors in the past year and warn that legitimate law enforcement will never request cash-to-gold conversions.