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in Money Mules / Laundering
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Carlton Rembert, 70, was sentenced to 66 months in prison for his role in a guardianship fraud scheme that stole over $1 million from at least 120 incapacitated elderly people in Pennsylvania between 2012 and 2018. Working with his sister Gloria Byars, a court-appointed guardian, and co-conspirator Alesha Mitchell, Rembert deposited over $695,000 in fraudulent checks into shell company accounts and spent the stolen funds on personal expenses including vacations and vehicles. Rembert was ordered to pay $534,335 in restitution to victims.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
William Jack Berg, a 52-year-old from Waukee, Iowa, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for defrauding approximately 17 victims over eight years by posing as a financial advisor and convincing them to invest in two companies he created and controlled (W. Holdings of Iowa and Excel Performance Management), using fabricated investment documents and statements. Berg used the victims' money for personal expenses and attempted to destroy evidence after learning of his federal indictment; he was ordered to pay over $1.6 million in restitution and serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 29-year-old Bengaluru businessman lost Rs 14.57 lakh in a "digital arrest" scam in which fraudsters impersonated officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and CBI, falsely claiming his phone number was linked to money laundering and threatening legal consequences. The scammers pressured the victim to transfer 80% of his bank balance to a supposedly secure RBI account for "verification" after having him download Signal to record a fake video statement. The article advises victims to verify caller claims directly with organizations, avoid sharing personal information or transferring funds in response to unsolicited calls, be cautious of urgency-inducing tactics
orilliamatters.com
· 2025-12-08
Project Sharp, a 15-month investigation by 11 Ontario and Quebec police services, resulted in 14 arrests and 56 charges related to an "emergency grandparent" scam targeting seniors with landlines. Scammers impersonated police officers or lawyers claiming victims' grandchildren were in custody and demanded bail money, often using money mules to collect funds from victims who experienced significant financial loss and emotional trauma. A 14th suspect, a 24-year-old from Waterloo, was arrested in October 2024 as part of the ongoing investigation.
journalpatriot.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of Justice's Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force identified four trending elder fraud scams targeting older adults: SSA Impostor Scams (falsely claiming Social Security numbers are suspended), Tech Support Scams (charging for unnecessary computer repairs and fake refunds), Lottery Scams (claiming victims won foreign lotteries requiring upfront fees), and IRS Impostor Scams (impersonating IRS agents demanding payment). These scams often operate internationally using U.S.-based "money mules" to receive payments, and older adults are targeted because they are less likely to report suspected fraud; victims can report scams to the National
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
A 45-year-old clerk in Hutan Melintang, Malaysia lost RM445,000 in a phone scam involving impersonators claiming to represent an online shopping company and police, who accused her of unlicensed business operations and money laundering to trick her into transferring her and her mother's savings. After waiting two months with no return of funds and failing to contact the scammer, the victim filed a police report in October. Authorities advise the public to ignore calls from unknown numbers, never share banking details, and verify suspicious claims directly with relevant agencies or trusted contacts.
cp24.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Police arrested 24-year-old Jahzion Holness-Edie as part of Project Sharp, a multi-agency investigation into emergency grandparent scams operating across Canada. The ongoing investigation has identified 126 victims (primarily from Ontario) who lost a combined $739,000 after being deceived by callers posing as police or lawyers claiming their grandchildren were in custody and needed bail money. The criminal organization allegedly has ties to Italian organized crime and uses "money mules" to collect payments from seniors.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 21-year-old Boston man was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud after serving as a courier in a tech support scam that defrauded a 75-year-old Massachusetts man of approximately $420,000 between June and October 2024. The victim was lured by a fake Microsoft pop-up message, then convinced by a scammer posing as a federal Treasury agent that his identity was involved in money laundering and instructed to withdraw cash in installments and hand it to couriers at his home. The defendant was arrested on October 7, 2024, when he arrived to collect a package from an undercover officer, and admitted to collecting packages for payment at the
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters impersonating FedEx courier employees and police officers are conducting an escalating scam across India, wherein victims receive calls claiming a package linked to their Aadhaar number contains illegal drugs, followed by "digital arrest" tactics where victims are coerced into transferring money through fear of legal consequences and threats of leaked videos. FedEx has issued an advisory urging recipients of suspicious calls to avoid sharing personal information and report to authorities, as documented victims have lost substantial sums ranging from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 2.8 crore, with 163 cases registered in Bengaluru alone totaling Rs 5 crore in losses.
inkl.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost a record $10 billion to scams in 2023, with fraud schemes becoming increasingly sophisticated in their execution. Forensic accounting expert Mike McCall highlights gift card scams as a particularly damaging form of elder fraud, where scammers pose as government officials, law enforcement, or family members to pressure victims into purchasing gift cards to pay fines, debts, or emergency expenses. AARP reports that older Americans lose billions annually to such schemes, and McCall emphasizes that no legitimate agency will ever request payment via gift cards.
bostonglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
Wisdom Oghenekaro Onyobeno, a 44-year-old Nigerian man, was sentenced to over 10 years in federal prison for leading a $5.8 million romance scam that targeted vulnerable women in their 60s, 70s, and 80s across the United States. The victims, many widowed and seeking companionship, were deceived by fabricated romantic stories and charm, losing retirement savings, valuables, and in some cases their health and lives, with one Florida widow alone losing over $324,000. Judge John J. McConnell Jr. rejected Onyobeno's pleas for leniency, calling the scheme "
cnbctv18.com
· 2025-12-08
**Digital Arrest Scam Advisory**
On October 27, the Prime Minister's office issued an advisory warning the public about "digital arrest" scams, clarifying that no investigative agency—including the CBI, police, customs, or ED—conducts arrests via phone or video call. These scams involve fraudsters impersonating government officials who claim victims are involved in illegal activity and demand payment of fines or penalties to avoid arrest; notable victims include an NBCC official who lost ₹55 lakh and businessman SP Oswal, 82, who lost ₹7 crore after being held in a state of virtual "arrest" for two days
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Wisdom Oghenekaro Onyobeno, 44, an Atlanta man, was sentenced to over 10 years in federal prison for his role in a romance scam and money laundering conspiracy that targeted elderly widows and divorcees across Rhode Island and other states, resulting in losses exceeding $5.8 million. Onyobeno and his co-conspirators used dating apps and online games to create false personas—posing as military members, contractors, or government officials—to convince victims to send money for fabricated emergencies, which was then laundered through shell bank accounts and business entities. The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal
abc6.com
· 2025-12-08
Wisdom Oghenekaro Onyobeno, 44, was sentenced to over 10 years in federal prison for leading a romance scam that defrauded elderly widows and divorcees across multiple states of more than $5.8 million. Onyobeno and his conspirators used fake personas on dating apps and online games to build trust with victims, then convinced them to send money through false scenarios involving military emergencies, stranded contractors, or overseas packages, with funds laundered through fraudulent business entities and bank accounts. The case underscores the need for seniors to be cautious about unsolicited financial requests from unknown contacts.
bangkokpost.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 200 people filed complaints with Thai cyber crime police alleging they were defrauded by an online gold jewelry shop operated by a woman using the alias "Khun Bainad," with police suspecting over 500 total victims. The scam operated as a Ponzi-like scheme where the shop initially delivered items to early customers using payment from new buyers, but eventually ran out of funds after spending customer money; victims paid amounts such as 33,000 baht for promised gold that was never received, with some victims losing their entire life savings. The shop owner faces fraud charges and asset seizure by authorities investigating the scheme.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
Southeast Asian scam operations generated between $18 billion and $37 billion in fraudulent losses during 2023, with criminal networks expanding their use of sophisticated technologies including malware and generative AI to conduct crypto fraud, romance scams, and money laundering across the Mekong region. Beyond direct victims, thousands of people have been trafficked to work in "scam centers" embedded in casinos, hotels, and special economic zones, while organized crime groups have professionalized their money laundering operations to become global market leaders in moving illicit proceeds.
dhs.gov
· 2025-12-08
HSI arrested two men in Rhode Island in connection with elder fraud schemes targeting seniors through online pop-up scams. Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada was charged after allegedly defrauding a 79-year-old man of $30,000 in cash and $130,000 in gold bars by impersonating federal authorities and falsely claiming his assets were compromised; a 72-year-old victim lost nearly $200,000 in a similar scheme involving Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut, who posed as an FTC agent directing the victim to purchase and deliver gold bullion.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Two Ontario women were sentenced to house arrest for their roles as "money mules" in a grandparent scam that defrauded nine elderly Manitoba residents of nearly $90,000 in summer 2022. Gabriel Edith Marie Paradis received a one-year conditional sentence, while Vanessa Fatima Alves Dasilva received an 18-month conditional sentence, after they pleaded guilty to fraud charges for picking up cash from victims who were deceived by phone calls claiming their grandchildren needed bail money. While most victims recovered their funds, the court noted lasting emotional impacts including embarrassment, loss of trust, and shattered confidence among the seniors targeted.
metro.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Co-operative Bank experienced a widespread outage of its mobile app and online banking services beginning around 1:30pm, preventing customers from accessing their accounts and prompting complaints on social media; the bank apologized and stated it was working to resolve the issue. The article also covers unrelated banking news including proposed government measures to extend fraud investigation time for suspicious transactions to 72 hours to better protect consumers from scams like romance fraud.
thewesterlysun.com
· 2025-12-08
Two individuals, Jirui Liu (22, Canada) and Kush J. Patel (22, Connecticut), were charged with wire fraud and money laundering in separate but similar schemes targeting Rhode Island seniors. Liu's scheme defrauded a 79-year-old victim of $35,000 in cash and $130,000 in gold bars through fake pop-up warnings about illegal activity, while Patel's scheme extracted approximately $363,090 in gold bullion from another victim using the same tactics; both defendants were arrested when law enforcement arranged controlled deliveries of counterfeit items.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Two Ontario women—Gabriel Edith Marie Paradis, 27, and Vanessa Fatima Alves Dasilva, 20—were sentenced to house arrest (one year and 18 months respectively) for their role as "money mules" in a grandparent scam that defrauded nine elderly Manitoba seniors of nearly $90,000 in summer 2022. The scheme involved unknown scammers calling victims posing as grandchildren in legal trouble and requesting bail money, which the women would pick up from victims' homes; while most victims recovered their money, the emotional impact included loss of trust and embarrassment.
7news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
An Australian woman lost $813,000 to a Business Email Compromise (BEC) scam when she transferred funds intended for a home purchase to a fraudulent account created by criminals using a fake email address nearly identical to a legitimate conveyancer's. Australian Federal Police and international partners recovered $777,000 (96%) of the stolen funds through coordinated efforts involving cryptocurrency exchange freezes and bank account recovery. The AFP advises Australians to protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated BEC scams by enabling multi-factor authentication and carefully verifying email addresses, noting that such scams accounted for nearly $80 million in reported losses during 2022-2023.
therakyatpost.com
· 2025-12-08
A 50-year-old contractor from Johor Bahru lost RM688,000 in an online investment scam that promised 410% returns over three months, after being lured through a Facebook advertisement and WhatsApp group where scammers posed as investment educators and sent a fake guarantee letter along with a fraudulent mobile app. The victim made 17 transfers between July and September, received an initial return of RM64,000 to build confidence, but had his account frozen when he refused to invest additional funds, ultimately discovering the supposed investment company did not exist. Police are investigating under cheating laws and probing whether money mule accounts were involved in the fraud.
providencejournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Two out-of-state men faced federal charges for defrauding two elderly Rhode Island residents through gold bullion scams totaling approximately $530,000 in losses and purchases. The scammers used fake online popup messages falsely accusing the victims (ages 79 and 72) of child pornography and money laundering offenses, then impersonated federal authorities to direct them to purchase and surrender gold bars and cash. Law enforcement from multiple agencies coordinated to apprehend one conspirator during a controlled delivery in September, with ongoing investigations into similar schemes.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Abilash Kurien, Vice President of International Cargo Airline Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, was sentenced to 32 months in prison for his role in a decade-long fraud scheme that defrauded the company of more than $32 million in revenue. Kurien personally received over $7 million in kickbacks from vendors in exchange for ensuring they received favorable business arrangements, and was ordered to forfeit $7.2 million and pay $23 million in restitution. The scheme involved at least 10 senior executives and employees at Polar and its vendors and operated from 2009 through July 2021.
hellorayo.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams across the UK resulted in £6.8 million in losses over 12 months, with North Yorkshire police warning that 65% of people believe it won't happen to them despite the significant threat. Scammers typically build trust through fake profiles and emotional manipulation, sometimes persuading victims to sell assets or homes based on false promises, with losses ranging from hundreds to millions of pounds. Police advise against sharing personal information online, sending money to unknown contacts, moving conversations off legitimate dating platforms, or accepting money transfers that could constitute money laundering.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 200,000 people in Southeast Asia have been forced into operating online "pig butchering" scams by Chinese organized crime groups, generating billions in stolen funds through a scheme that builds false relationships with victims before directing them to fraudulent investment platforms. The FBI reported nearly $4 billion in losses from these scams in 2023 alone, with total global losses estimated at $75 billion or more, and similar operations have now expanded to the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and West Africa. Despite crackdowns by Beijing and international law enforcement efforts, experts warn that the scam continues to proliferate globally as criminal groups replicate the model in regions with weak governance and enforcement.
latintimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 79-year-old Narragansett man lost $35,000 in cash and $135,000 in gold bars to an online scam in which fraudsters falsely claimed he was under investigation for child pornography and money laundering, then physically collected the assets from his home. Two men—Jirui Liu of Canada and Kush J. Patel of Connecticut—were arrested and charged with wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy; Liu was caught attempting to collect a final $160,000 payment when police intervened, while Patel separately defrauded a 72-year-old victim of nearly $300,000 in gold bars
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two individuals were charged in federal court for operating online scams targeting Rhode Island seniors. Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada, defrauded a 79-year-old man of $35,000 in cash and $130,000 in gold bars through a scheme involving fake pop-up warnings and impersonation of federal authorities; Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut, defrauded a 72-year-old victim of approximately $363,000 in gold bullion using similar tactics. Both perpetrators were ordered detained and face charges including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering
abc6.com
· 2025-12-08
Two men—22-year-old Jirui Liu of Ontario and 22-year-old Kush J. Patel of Connecticut—have been charged with wire fraud and money laundering for running online scams targeting Rhode Island seniors. Liu's scheme defrauded a 79-year-old man of $35,000 in cash and $130,000 in gold bars, while Patel's scam victimized another Rhode Islander of approximately $200,000. Both defendants have been detained and appeared in court.
courant.com
· 2025-12-08
Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut and Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada face federal charges for orchestrating online scams targeting Rhode Island senior citizens, defrauding victims of approximately $200,000 and $165,000 respectively through fake pop-up messages and impersonation of federal agents. The scammers falsely claimed the victims' identities were compromised and directed them to purchase gold bullion as a means to "secure" their assets, with law enforcement ultimately arresting both suspects during undercover delivery operations.
newportdispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
Two young adults—Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada and Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut—were arrested on federal charges for operating separate online fraud schemes targeting elderly Rhode Island residents. Liu defrauded a 79-year-old victim of $35,000 in cash and $130,000 in gold bars through a fake child pornography investigation pop-up, while Patel scammed a 72-year-old victim of nearly $200,000 using false claims about computer viruses and identity theft; both cases involved impersonation of federal agents and prompted law enforcement intervention to recover assets. Authorities encourage elder fraud reporting via the
fallriverreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
Two individuals were arrested and ordered detained for their roles in online scams targeting Rhode Island seniors. Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada, was charged in a scheme that defrauded a 79-year-old Narragansett man of approximately $165,000 (cash and gold bars) after a pop-up falsely claimed he was under investigation for child pornography and money laundering; Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut, was charged in a separate scheme where a 72-year-old Tiverton man was defrauded of nearly $200,000 through similar tactics involving a fake FTC agent. Both perpetrators
bernama.com
· 2025-12-08
During the first eight months of 2024, 1,916 elderly individuals aged 61 and above in Malaysia fell victim to online scams, losing RM255.37 million (27.9% of total online fraud losses that year). Although elderly victims represent only 8.9% of online fraud cases, they suffer disproportionately large financial losses, making them prime targets for scammers using tactics such as impersonation of police officers and false claims of cybercrime involvement. Malaysian police officials emphasized the importance of awareness and vigilance, urging families to advise elderly relatives to verify suspicious calls through official channels rather than following unsolicited instructions.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old woman in Petaling Jaya lost approximately RM670,994 in cash, jewelry, and gold bars after scammers convinced her that her identity was involved in cybercrime and money laundering, then visited her home posing as police to collect her valuables. The scam occurred between September 20-27, 2024, and highlights a broader trend showing that senior citizens aged 61 and older accounted for 8.9% of online scam victims from January-August 2024, but suffered 27.9% of total losses (RM255,367,680). Police urge families to warn elderly relatives to be vigilant and avoid surren
sandhillsexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. man lost $700,000 in an elaborate romance scam orchestrated from Ghana. CBS News investigation revealed that sophisticated overseas romance scams—which have evolved from simple "Nigerian Prince" emails—are costing Americans over $10 billion annually, with scammers operating from "boiler rooms" in Ghana where young men pose as attractive women on dating apps to target lonely, older American victims, with criminal syndicates taking large cuts of the money extracted.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old retiree in Petaling Jaya lost over RM670,000 in cash, jewelry, and gold bars after being deceived by scammers posing as police officers in a Macau scam; the victim was falsely told her phone number was used in cyber crimes and that she needed to consolidate her savings and surrender valuables for a supposed investigation. According to Malaysian authorities, senior citizens aged 61 and older accounted for 6.4% of the 86,266 online scam victims from 2021-2023, collectively losing over RM552 million, with the trend continuing in 2024.
sbs.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A young mother of Indian origin lost $225,000 to a work-from-home job scam after being recruited through a Facebook messenger group to review hotels online; she was instructed to book hotels with her own money using a fake platform and make cryptocurrency payments that were never reimbursed despite promises of commission. Victoria police report dozens of similar victims have lost over $1 million in 2023, with people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities accounting for 12.7 percent of targeted scam losses, and authorities warn against any online arrangement requiring upfront payments in digital currency or via bank transfer.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
CBS News investigated romance scams originating from Ghana that have defrauded Americans of over $10 billion according to the Federal Trade Commission. The scammers operate from "boiler rooms" in Accra where young men pose as attractive women on dating apps to build trust with lonely victims, particularly older American men, before convincing them to send money; the scammers retain 40% of funds while their syndicate bosses take 60%. The operation has evolved from crude "Nigerian Prince" emails into a sophisticated, billion-dollar transnational criminal enterprise that exploits vulnerable Americans through emotional manipulation and identity deception.
abc7chicago.com
· 2025-12-08
Spanish police arrested five people and investigated ten others in Operation Bralina for a romance scam involving impersonating Brad Pitt to defraud two women out of 325,000 euros ($362,000). The scammers targeted vulnerable women suffering from depression through a fan site, building fake romantic relationships via messaging apps and convincing them to make multiple bank transfers; police recovered 85,000 euros and discovered the operation used fake identity documents and money mules to launder funds across eight provinces.
bankinfosecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
At least six U.S. states—Pennsylvania, Florida, California, Connecticut, Maine, and Delaware—are enacting legislation to empower banks to identify and block suspicious transactions targeting seniors, as cyber fraud against older adults rises with seniors losing $3.4 billion in 2023 alone, largely through impersonation scams. These state-level efforts aim to fill federal protection gaps, though they create varying liability standards for financial institutions and may complicate compliance across different jurisdictions. Florida has already signed nine bills into law effective January 2024, while Pennsylvania's House Bill 2064 and similar measures in other states would allow banks to delay or refuse fraudulent transactions and face reimbursement liability
govinfosecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
At least six U.S. states (Pennsylvania, Florida, California, Connecticut, Maine, and Delaware) are enacting legislation to give banks new tools to identify and block suspicious transactions targeting seniors, as cyber fraud against older adults rises and the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau remains inactive. In 2023, impersonation scams alone caused $1.3 billion in losses with nearly half of victims over 60, and seniors filed over 101,000 complaints totaling $3.4 billion in losses. The state bills vary in their approach and liability provisions for financial institutions, though all aim to empower banks to halt or delay transactions suspected of elder financial exploitation.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Spanish police arrested five members of a criminal organization who operated a romance scam impersonating actor Brad Pitt, defrauding two Spanish women of over €350,000 by convincing them they were in a romantic relationship with the actor and requesting money for fake investment projects. The scammers targeted victims through a fan page, profiled them via social media to identify vulnerable individuals, and laundered funds through money mules in West African countries; authorities recovered €85,000 of the stolen amount. The case highlights the prevalence of romance scams, which caused over $50 million in reported losses across Canada alone in 2023.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Isaiah Okere, a 42-year-old Nigerian citizen, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after being extradited from South Africa for his role in an international scam operation targeting at least 15 victims. From 2015 to 2019, Okere and co-conspirators orchestrated romance scams, lottery scams, and business email compromise schemes that resulted in over $1 million in losses, with vulnerable and elderly victims losing their entire retirement savings, and one victim reporting suicidal ideation. Okere used false identities and foreign bank accounts to facilitate the fraud and money laundering scheme, and faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
The Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director warned the public to be cautious of love scams, citing a case where a 58-year-old female lawyer lost RM1.7 million to a scammer who posed as an American marine geologist and requested loans. The CCID also reported dismantling a Pantheon Ventures investment scam involving 17 suspects that defrauded 66 victims of RM32.9 million since January, using fake investment packages promising unrealistic returns of 6-400% daily through Facebook and WhatsApp advertisements.
wfmj.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI arrested 24-year-old Shreyas Baldevbhai Chaudhary in Georgia for his role in a $4.8 million nationwide elder fraud scheme targeting at least six victims across multiple states, including a 77-year-old Salem man who lost approximately $61,000. The scam involved fake tech support pop-ups claiming victims' computers were hacked, followed by pressure to send cash or gold to couriers posing as Microsoft or financial institution representatives. A co-conspirator, Trusha Chaudhary, was also apprehended, and authorities indicate the investigation is ongoing with additional arrests expected.
wfmj.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI arrested 24-year-old Indian national Shreyas Baldevbhai Chaudhary in Georgia for his role in a $4.8 million nationwide elder fraud scheme targeting at least six victims across multiple states using fake tech support scams. Chaudhary allegedly defrauded a 77-year-old Salem man of approximately $61,000 by convincing him his computer was hacked and pressuring him to send cash to couriers posing as Microsoft or financial institution representatives. The investigation, which also identified co-conspirator Trusha Chaudhary and is ongoing with additional arrests expected, revealed a sophisticated operation that victimized elderly Americans in Ohio, California
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Afeez Akinloye, a Nigerian citizen, was sentenced to 30 months in prison on September 19, 2024, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud targeting U.S. real estate businesses. Between fall 2016 and summer 2017, Akinloye and co-conspirators hacked email accounts related to real estate transactions and impersonated sellers to request fraudulent wire transfers, using accounts obtained through romance scams; eleven total victims lost $1.85 million with an additional $4.6 million in attempted losses, including two Nebraska victims who lost $52,000. Akinloye was arrested in South Africa in 2022
milwaukeeindependent.com
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated overseas criminals steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone scams, a crisis-level problem projected to worsen as the aging population and AI technology increase vulnerability and perpetrator access. Law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed and underfunded, with relatively few scammers caught or convicted, stolen funds rarely recovered, and many victims reluctant to report crimes—illustrated by an Ohio case where an 81-year-old man fatally shot an Uber driver after being manipulated by a scammer threatening to extract $12,000 in supposed bond money, while the actual perpetrator remained at large. Key challenges include difficulty investigating overseas fraud, rapid conversion of funds to cryptocurrency, some police dismiss
milwaukeeindependent.com
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated overseas criminals steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone scams, with the problem projected to worsen as the aging population and AI technology make fraud easier to perpetrate and harder to prosecute. Law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed and under-resourced, with perpetrators rarely caught or convicted, and victims—particularly older adults—often unable to recover stolen funds from romance scams, grandparent scams, and technical support fraud. The article illustrates the crisis through cases including an 81-year-old Ohio man who fatally shot an Uber driver after being manipulated by a scammer, while the perpetrator remained at large, highlighting how inadequate law enforcement