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in Grandparent Scams
vancouver.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman in Kelowna was targeted in a grandparent scam on February 9, 2024, when a caller impersonating "Sgt. Ashley Olsen" claimed her grandson had been arrested and demanded an immediate bond payment. The senior withdrew a large sum of money that was collected by a female suspect in her building's lobby, and received a follow-up call requesting additional funds, but a bank employee recognized the fraud and prevented further withdrawal. Police are seeking a woman described as 23-30 years old with long dark hair and specific clothing, and are reminding the public to verify such claims directly with family members.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Josiah DeJesus, a 22-year-old from the Bronx, was sentenced to 80 months in prison for serving as the lead courier in a "grandparents" fraud scheme operating from the Dominican Republic from June to October 2020. The scam targeted elderly Americans nationwide by using phone calls from overseas co-conspirators posing as grandchildren or attorneys to convince victims their grandchildren had been arrested and needed immediate bail money, with DeJesus and his recruits collecting thousands of dollars from UPS and FedEx packages across Pennsylvania. DeJesus was ordered to pay $366,303.28 in restitution to victims.
thepointsguy.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FTC received 2.6 million fraud reports totaling $10 billion in losses, with imposter scams being the most common type, and AI technology is rapidly enabling new fraud methods including voice cloning, deepfakes, email spoofing, and credential stuffing attacks. Scammers use AI to impersonate loved ones, clone voices, generate fake images, mimic writing styles, and create convincing fraudulent communications to steal money and loyalty points, with the technology expected to advance further to include convincing deepfake video calls. Protection strategies include awareness of these AI-enabled tactics, verification procedures beyond video calls, and regulatory efforts like the FTC's
oudtshoorncourant.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece provides ten practical strategies for avoiding romance scams on the internet. Key advice includes: not engaging with unknown online contacts, using reverse image lookups to verify identities, recognizing manipulation tactics (excessive terms of endearment, avoidance of video calls), never sending money to people you haven't met, and avoiding sharing personal information or intimate photos that could be used for sextortion or extortion. The article emphasizes trusting friends and family who recognize warning signs, as scammers often exploit emotional manipulation and create false scenarios to extract money or sensitive information.
stories.td.com
· 2025-12-08
A TD survey found that 41% of young adult Canadians (ages 18-34) are more likely to be targeted by fraudsters on social media than older adults, with nearly 30% having fallen victim to financial fraud or scams through various channels including social media (43%), online ads (29%), and job applications (25%). Young adults are most concerned about job scams (19%), investment scams (15%), and cheque scams (12%), with 62% feeling vulnerable to fraud despite 60% taking steps to educate themselves about warning signs. Experts recommend learning to identify red flags, reporting incidents to banks and police, opting for electronic payments over cheques, and being suspicious
atlantafed.org
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission reported over 850,000 imposter fraud complaints in 2023, resulting in approximately $2.7 billion in losses—a 60 percent increase over five years. Business and government imposters account for nearly 80 percent of these complaints, with phone calls generating the highest median losses per victim at $1,500. While older adults are frequently targeted, younger people also fall victim to phone-based imposter scams involving fake government agencies, tech support, or romantic partners using emotional manipulation to extract money.
doorcountydailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece outlines the anatomy of the "Grandchild Scam," explaining how perpetrators use caller ID cloning to appear legitimate, create emotional urgency (such as claiming a grandchild is injured or jailed), isolate victims from seeking outside advice, and request wire transfers or money card purchases. The article emphasizes that scammers follow consistent methodology across fraud types—elevating emotion to lower logic—and advises potential victims to end suspicious calls immediately and adopt a decisive "hard target" approach to discourage further contact.
the-daily-record.com
· 2025-12-08
Wayne County, Ohio has launched a free scam education and awareness program for residents ages 60+ with incomes below 300% of the poverty line, partnering the Gilcrest Center with county commissioners and Job and Family Services through an Ohio Department of Aging grant. The initiative addresses the growing vulnerability of older adults to sophisticated online scams, including COVID-19 fraud, medical equipment sales, and phishing schemes, by providing mentoring and practical safety tips such as verifying sender identity, avoiding suspicious links, and protecting personal information.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Wayne County, Ohio is launching a free scam education and awareness program for residents ages 60 and older through a partnership between the Gilcrest Center, county commissioners, and Job and Family Services, funded by an Ohio Department of Aging grant. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to online financial scams due to declining cognitive abilities, lower technology familiarity, and susceptibility to tactics using fear or urgency, with common 2023 scams including COVID-19 fraud, fake medical equipment sales, and bogus genetic testing. The program emphasizes protective measures such as verifying sender identity, avoiding suspicious links, and protecting personal information to help seniors safely navigate digital transactions.
castanet.net
· 2025-12-08
**Fraud Landscape and Impact:**
Canadian fraud and cybercrime losses reached $530 million in 2022, a 40% increase from 2021, with AI and emerging technologies enabling criminals to create personalized scams and voice replications. While young adults (20-29) report fraud most frequently, older adults suffer substantially larger financial losses, exemplified by cases including a 68-year-old losing $3,000 to cryptocurrency fraud and an 80-year-old losing $5,000 in a grandparent scam.
**Key Prevention Strategy:**
Experts recommend four protective measures: remain alert to red flags and share scam awareness with
winnipeg.ca
· 2025-12-08
Fraud Prevention Month 2024 highlights the importance of education and awareness in combating scams targeting Canadians, particularly seniors through schemes like the grandparent scam. In 2022, Canada reported 70,878 frauds affecting 37,047 victims with total losses of $529.3 million, while Manitoba alone experienced 1,850 scams resulting in $10.4 million in losses across 1,011 victims. Law enforcement agencies, including the Winnipeg Police Service, are promoting fraud prevention throughout March via radio panels, community events, educational articles, and social media campaigns focused on cryptocurrency, grandparent, bank investigator, and sextortion frau
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Two suspects—a 26-year-old man from Montreal and a 24-year-old woman from Quebec City—were arrested at Vancouver International Airport in connection with a grandparent scam operation that defrauded Saanich, B.C. residents of more than $20,000. The scam involved fraudsters posing as relatives in distress to convince elderly victims to send money. Both suspects face two counts of fraud and are scheduled to appear in court, though police believe additional victims on Vancouver Island may not have reported the crimes.
terracestandard.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary as requested. The content provided is a website homepage/navigation menu for a news outlet, not an article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. To create a summary for the Elderus database, please provide an actual article or transcript that discusses a specific fraud case, scam scheme, or elder abuse incident.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Jean Richard Audate, a 38-year-old New York City man, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for his role in a grandparent scam conspiracy that defrauded elderly victims across the United States of over $867,000. Audate traveled to multiple locations, including Rhode Island, to collect cash that victims had been tricked into sending after receiving phone calls from scammers posing as grandchildren or lawyers claiming a relative needed bail money. The scammers also falsely invoked "gag orders" to prevent victims from discussing the requests with others.
pembinavalleyonline.com
· 2025-12-08
The Grandparent Scam, currently prevalent in Manitoba, involves criminals calling seniors pretending to be relatives who need bail money for a supposed arrest, then arranging cash pickup at the victim's home. RCMP Sergeant Joanne Ryll advises recipients to hang up, verify the story by calling other family members, never share personal information, and establish a family safety word, noting that fraudsters often make multiple calls requesting additional money once they identify a vulnerable victim. Recovery of money lost to these scams is nearly impossible once handed over to the criminals.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Vancouver police held anti-fraud workshops for seniors after a Broadway Lodge resident lost approximately $5,000 to phone scammers, highlighting the need for fraud prevention education. The workshops cover common scams including grandparent scams (which cost victims over $10 million in 2022), bail scams, distraction theft, and cybersecurity threats, with officers noting that fraudsters are increasingly using artificial intelligence and social media to target vulnerable seniors. Police emphasize that prevention through education is critical since recovering stolen funds—often sent overseas—is extremely difficult.
calgaryherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Nishaan Singh Sandhu pleaded guilty to his role in a grandparent scam targeting 81-year-old Calgary senior John Roy, who lost $12,000 after being told his grandson was in jail in Philadelphia and needed bail money. When the judge indicated a custodial sentence was appropriate and rejected a probationary proposal, Sandhu's lawyer sought to withdraw the guilty plea; the case returns to court March 15 to determine if the plea can be vacated or proceed to sentencing. Sandhu was arrested at Roy's home while posing as "Michael Lee" to pick up the fraudulent payment, though the Crown did not allege he was involved in the
vancouver.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
The Vancouver Police Department is hosting free scam prevention workshops for seniors, with the first session on February 28, 2024, covering phone scams, bail money scams, distraction thefts, and cybercrime. The initiative follows recent scams in the region, including a bail money scam targeting a Vancouver senior, a $7.5 million cryptocurrency scam affecting a Burnaby senior, and an AI-enabled grandparent scam in Richmond. Monthly workshops will continue through June at various community locations, including sessions in multiple languages.
natlawreview.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC has proposed expanded regulations to combat impersonation fraud, which has surged due to emerging technologies like deepfake AI. The proposed rule changes would prohibit impersonation of individuals (extending beyond current government and business protections) and hold companies liable if they knowingly provide services—such as payment processing or AI platforms—used in impersonation schemes including romance scams and grandparent scams. The rule will enter a 60-day public comment period before implementation.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Video call scams are fraudulent schemes conducted via platforms like WhatsApp where scammers use impersonation, deepfakes, and emotional manipulation to target victims through four main methods: blackmail (threatening to release recorded calls), investment fraud, tech support deception, and romance schemes. India's CERT-In recommends safeguards including avoiding video calls from unknown contacts, not sharing personal information, verifying identities, using secure platforms, and maintaining restricted privacy settings on social media.
netnewsledger.com
· 2025-12-08
The Thunder Bay Police Service warned of persistent grandparent scams targeting seniors in the community, with one victim losing $3,000 after receiving a call from someone impersonating a lawyer representing her grandson who allegedly needed bail money. The scam typically involves fraudsters calling from private numbers, sometimes playing background voices to create credibility, and requesting urgent fund transfers via email or gift cards. The police recommend protective measures including hanging up on suspicious calls, independently verifying claims with family members, being alert to pressure tactics, reporting suspicious activity, and staying informed through resources like the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
orilliamatters.com
· 2025-12-08
The Huronia West Ontario Provincial Police arrested two individuals (ages 24 and 25) in late February after investigating a grandparent scam in which a suspect impersonated a police officer and falsely told a victim their grandson was in jail, demanding money for legal fees; the suspect visited the victim's home three times to collect cash before police intervened on the third visit. Both suspects were charged with fraud over $5,000, with the 24-year-old also charged with resisting a peace officer. The OPP provided guidance on protecting against emergency/grandparent scams, emphasizing verification of callers through independent contact information and warning that legitimate law enforcement will never request payment by
healthjournalism.org
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud schemes—including grandparent scams, romance scams, and government impersonation scams—have become increasingly sophisticated through AI technology like deepfake videos and robocalls, making them difficult to distinguish from legitimate communications. In 2022 alone, approximately 88,000 people aged 60 and older lost $3.1 billion to fraud, with victims over 70 losing an average of nearly $42,000; scammers typically exploit emotions rather than intelligence, and experts advise victims and their families to watch for financial requests as the key indicator of fraud. The AARP Fraud Watch Network received nearly 100,000 calls last year from victims of all
steinbachonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Steinbach RCMP responded to four grandparent scam incidents in two days, with two victims losing money. Scammers called elderly residents impersonating relatives in legal trouble and requesting bail money, which victims were instructed to hand over to couriers at their homes. Police advise recipients to hang up, verify the story by calling the alleged family member, never share personal information, and establish a family safety word to prevent falling victim to this fraud.
wset.com
· 2025-12-08
Bedford Police reported an increase in scams targeting elderly residents, including romance scams, grandparent scams requesting money or gift cards, and fraudsters impersonating organizations in person. Community Resource Officer Travis Thomas advised victims to request contact information and verify claims through independent research before donating or sending money, and encouraged residents to contact Bedford Police's non-emergency line to report scams or confirm legitimacy of requests.
saskatoon.ctvnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
I'm unable to provide a summary of this article because the text provided only contains the title and a list of unrelated shopping/product recommendation links, with no actual article content about the scam incident. To summarize the grandparent scam case involving the Alberta woman arrested in Saskatoon, please provide the full article text.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office partnered with Winchester and Waltham Police Departments to host financial fraud awareness seminars for older adults, featuring presentations from federal prosecutors, the IRS, and U.S. Postal Service on common scams and protective measures. According to FBI data, victims over 60 experienced an 84% increase in losses from 2021 to 2022, totaling over $3 billion, with nearly 5,500 victims losing more than $100,000 each to schemes including tech support, romance, and sweepstakes scams.
midmichigannow.com
· 2025-12-08
State Representative Jasper R. Martus and Attorney General Dana Nessel will present "Senior Scams Awareness" at the Krapohl Senior Center in Mt. Morris Township to educate seniors about common scams targeting older adults, including grandparent scams, IRS scams, and sweepstakes scams, as well as prevention strategies. The presentation aims to teach seniors how to recognize these frauds and what steps to take if they encounter a scam.
publicnewsservice.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Connecticut is launching a new educational series to address the growing complexity of scams targeting older adults, with 400 different scam types reported in 2022. Seniors are frequently targeted because they tend to have more financial resources, and losses can range from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars, with emotional and psychological impacts extending beyond financial harm. The free online series will cover topics including artificial intelligence and voice cloning scams, with a Connecticut man recently indicted for defrauding Wisconsin seniors of $200,000 through grandparent impersonation scams.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
A YouTube content creator operating under the pseudonym "Neld Harris" poses as an elderly, tech-illiterate widow to infiltrate and expose scam operations targeting vulnerable seniors. Through his ScamSandwich channel, which has garnered over 8 million views since launching in January 2023, he lures scammers into elaborate traps, takes control of their computers, and publicly reveals their identities, locations, and tactics. This "scambaiting" effort addresses a significant problem: the AARP reports Americans over 60 lose $28.3 billion annually to scams, with only 1 in 10 cases reported to authorities.
steinbachonline.com
· 2025-12-08
A senior in Steinbach, Manitoba lost a substantial amount of money in a Grandparent Scam on Wednesday, where a fraudster called pretending to be a relative in jail and requesting bail money, then arranged in-person cash pickup at the victim's home. Police received two complaints that day and report fraudsters have obtained victims' addresses in the area; if successful, scammers typically call back demanding additional money. Authorities recommend seniors hang up on suspicious calls, verify with family members, establish a family safety word, and report all suspected fraud to police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
observernews.net
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, Americans lost nearly $9 billion to scams and fraud, with seniors being particularly vulnerable targets, according to FTC reports. The Community Foundation Tampa Bay, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and Men's Club of Sun City Center partnered to present a free educational seminar on March 5 featuring speakers who covered common scams including charity fraud, lottery schemes, romance scams, and grandparent scams, while providing prevention strategies and resources to protect older adults from financial exploitation.
tryondailybulletin.com
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old woman named Donna lost $34,000 in a romance scam after seven months of communication with someone she met on a dating site who promised to buy a house with her but disappeared after receiving her money. The article highlights that the FTC reported over $10 billion in losses from scams last year, with elderly individuals particularly vulnerable to sweetheart scams, fake prize winnings, grandparent scams, contractor fraud, and phishing emails. The article recommends protective measures including frequent password changes, two-factor authentication, monthly credit monitoring, antivirus software, limiting personal information on social media, and recognizing red flags like pressure to send money immediately.
messengernews.net
· 2025-12-08
Iowans lost nearly $30 million to fraud in 2022, with older adults disproportionately targeted because they tend to have more assets, may be less tech-savvy, and are more trusting. People ages 70-79 lost an average of $43,000 per scam incident, though many cases go unreported due to victim embarrassment and fear. Common red flags include promises of something free, pressure to act quickly, requests for personal information or money transfers, vague details, and unsolicited contact.
wobm.com
· 2025-12-08
Howell Township Police issued a warning about rising phone scams targeting senior citizens in New Jersey, where scammers typically pose as government agencies (IRS, utilities) or claim relatives need bail or medical money. Police advise seniors never to pay via gift cards or allow strangers to pick up money, and urge victims to report incidents to local law enforcement to help track patterns.
kqradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Iowa's Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, and AARP State Director are conducting statewide educational stops to raise awareness about AI-enabled scams targeting elderly residents. The latest fraud scheme involves criminals using artificial intelligence to impersonate grandchildren, replicating their voices and phone numbers to deceive seniors in "grandparent scams."
nbcconnecticut.com
· 2025-12-08
Connecticut State Police are investigating multiple bail bond scams across East Haddam, Somers, and other towns where a man (described as approximately 6'3", late 20s) posed as a bail bondsman representative and collected cash directly from residents' homes after convincing them a family member needed bail money. At least three incidents occurred within one week, with victims withdrawing cash from their banks before someone arrived at their homes to pick up the money in person. State police advise residents to verify claims about family members in custody by contacting relatives directly and to be alert for warning signs such as being told not to discuss the request with others.
cbapd.org
· 2025-12-08
This was an educational webinar hosted by the Canadian Bar Association's Elder Law Section on April 16, 2024, addressing scams and frauds targeting older adults across Canada, including grandparent schemes, mortgage lending fraud, and door-to-door HVAC scams. The session featured presentations from police, advocacy organizations, and estate litigation lawyers on criminal justice responses, legal support for victims, and the increasing use of equitable relief and unconscionability doctrines in predatory lending cases.
fox61.com
· 2025-12-08
Connecticut State Police are investigating multiple "bail scams" in which victims received phone calls falsely claiming a family member was arrested and needed bail money, with a person posing as a bail bondsman collecting cash in person. At least three incidents have been reported in East Haddam and Somers, with police seeking a Black male in his late 20s, approximately 6'3", described as the person of interest. State police warn that bail scams often target seniors but can affect anyone, and advise never providing personal or financial information without verifying the request's legitimacy.
pembinavalleyonline.com
· 2025-12-08
**Grandparent Scam Alert from Winkler Police**
Winkler Police Service reports an increasing number of scams over the past five years, with the grandparent scam emerging as a recent variation targeting elderly residents. Scammers pose as grandchildren or their representatives claiming to be in trouble (car accidents, arrests) and requesting money for bail or emergencies, often using spoofed local phone numbers and information gathered from social media to appear credible. Police recommend hanging up, verifying the claim with family members or local police, and contacting the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center if targeted—noting that legitimate police requests differ significantly from scammer tactics.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Howell Township police warned residents of a surge in telephone scams targeting senior citizens, with scammers using common stories about unpaid bills (IRS or utilities) or relatives in legal or medical trouble to pressure victims into sending money via gift cards or arranging in-person cash pickups. Police emphasized that funds lost to these scams are typically unrecoverable and urged residents to be cautious and contact law enforcement if suspicious.
theautopian.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial advice columnist Charlotte Cowles lost $50,000 to a sophisticated phone scam in which callers impersonated Amazon, the Federal Trade Commission, and the CIA, using personal information to convince her to withdraw cash and hand it to an undercover "CIA agent." The scammers obtained her Social Security number and family details, and instructed her not to tell anyone, ultimately leading her to place $50,000 in a shoebox and hand it through a car window. Cowles publicly shared her experience to raise awareness about how scams can target anyone, regardless of financial literacy or expertise, and to help prevent others from falling victim to similar schemes.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Three seniors in Port Moody, B.C., were targeted by "grandparent" scams on the same day, with two victims losing a combined $12,000 in cash. The scammers impersonated grandchildren claiming to need money for legal emergencies like bail or car accidents, then arranged for unknown individuals to collect cash in person from the victims' homes. Police are investigating whether the cases are connected and are reviewing surveillance footage and canvassing neighborhoods for leads.
thespec.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Three seniors in Port Moody, B.C., were targeted by "grandparent" scammers on the same day in February 2024, with two victims losing a combined $12,000 in cash. The scammers called elderly residents claiming to be grandchildren in legal trouble and arranged for accomplices to collect money in person from their homes, often impersonating authority figures like bailiffs or lawyers. Police suspected the cases may be linked and were investigating by canvassing neighborhoods and reviewing surveillance footage.
ny1.com
· 2025-12-08
The Orange County Sheriff's Office warned residents about scammers impersonating the sheriff's department to sell T-shirts, clarifying that neither the Sheriff's Office nor its association conducts such sales or fundraising. Sheriff Paul Arteta advised the public to ignore unsolicited calls, emails, and requests for payment, emphasizing that legitimate communications arrive by mail or are pre-solicited, and recommended contacting local law enforcement if victimized. The office has established a white-collar task force and is conducting fraud awareness presentations at senior centers to prevent scams.
scdemocratonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Jeff Bank leaders discussed the rising prevalence of fraud and scams targeting their customers, particularly elderly individuals who are being defrauded of substantial sums of money. The bank has increased staff training on scam detection and conducted community outreach to vulnerable populations, while noting that scams often go undetected until money has already been sent. Common scams include the Microsoft pop-up scam, lottery fee schemes, the "grandma scam" involving emergency situations, and unsolicited requests for money through electronic channels or phone calls.
vancouver.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Port Moody police reported three "grandparent" scams in a single day in February 2024, resulting in $12,000 in losses, where callers impersonated grandchildren claiming to need money for car repairs or legal fees. Victims were instructed to withdraw cash from banks and meet the suspects in person to exchange money, with police noting an additional incident the previous week where an elderly couple lost $21,000 under similar circumstances. Law enforcement warned that these scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with scammers using artificial intelligence to alter voices and impersonate family members more convincingly.
thecut.com
· 2025-12-08
In October, the author—a financially literate journalist and New York Times columnist—fell victim to an elaborate impersonation scam that cost her $50,000 in savings. After an initial fraudulent Amazon customer service call, she was transferred to a scammer posing as a federal agent who claimed her identity had been compromised and her home was being monitored, pressuring her to withdraw cash and leave it on the street in a shoebox without telling anyone. The article challenges common stereotypes about scam victims, noting that younger adults are actually 34% more likely to report fraud losses than seniors, and that intelligence, education, and financial literacy provide no protection against sophisticated psychological manipulation tactics.
reverejournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Revere police officers Kenan Resic and Pheachey Chhom prevented a $6,500 theft targeting a senior citizen couple through a "grandparent scam" where the perpetrator impersonated their grandson, claimed to be in jail, and requested bail money. The officers successfully identified and apprehended the courier (a hired Lyft driver) and recovered the stolen funds after the elderly couple provided vehicle information and surveillance video. The incident highlights the rising threat of elder fraud in the region, prompting the Suffolk County District Attorney's office to launch the Suffolk County Fraud Fighters program, a multi-agency initiative designed to educate and protect vulnerable residents across Boston,
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, consumers lost a record $10 billion to fraud, with imposter scams being the most prevalent, affecting nearly 854,000 people and resulting in $2.7 billion in losses at an average of $800 per victim. Imposter scams involve criminals posing as trusted entities (government agencies, companies, relatives, or romantic interests) via email, phone, text, or social media to steal money or personal information, with emerging technologies like AI and voice cloning making these frauds increasingly convincing. Older adults, particularly those 80 and over, experience significantly higher median losses ($1,450) and are particularly vulnerable to "phantom hacker" tech-