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in Robocalls / Phone Scams
gulfnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article discusses the growing threat of cybercrime and provides practical defense strategies for consumers. Cybercriminals use psychological manipulation tactics (phishing, fake emails, deepfake technology) to exploit trust and urgency, with cybercrime costing the global economy over $1 trillion annually. The article recommends vigilance through several protective measures: verify links before clicking, scrutinize emails for red flags, never share OTPs, monitor bank statements weekly, use transaction limits and card freezes, and report suspicious activity immediately to banks.
nbcsandiego.com
· 2025-12-08
The "Sandwich Generation" refers to middle-aged adults caring for both young adult children and aging parents, each with distinct online safety vulnerabilities. A Cox Mobile survey found that 86% of people in this group experience stress managing cybersecurity for both generations, with younger adults targeted by fake job offers, investment scams, and rental fraud, while seniors face grandparent schemes, impostor scams, and romance fraud. Experts recommend open, non-judgmental conversations about scams with both groups, setting boundaries, and prioritizing self-care to manage the stress of this dual responsibility.
lowellsun.com
· 2025-12-08
A transnational grandparent scam operation based in the Dominican Republic defrauded over 400 elderly victims (average age 84) of more than $5 million, with at least 50 victims from Massachusetts, using fake calls claiming grandchildren needed emergency money. Thirteen suspects, including alleged mastermind Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, faced charges after a two-year FBI investigation, with the scheme involving "opener" and "closer" call center employees who posed as family members and lawyers, directing victims to hand cash to rideshare drivers for delivery. The operation highlights the emotional and financial devastation of elder fraud and the importance of bank scrutiny for unusual senior withdrawals
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
This article examines how white-collar crime has evolved in the digital age, with global losses from business email compromise exceeding $2.9 billion annually and cryptocurrency money laundering surpassing $3 billion. The piece discusses emerging investigation techniques including digital forensics, blockchain analysis, and machine learning, while highlighting the human impact—including a tragic case where an elderly fraud victim shot a ride-share driver under scammer threat, and noting that elderly victims lose an average of $35,000 per incident with over 88,000 reported cases in 2022.
cnhi.com
· 2025-12-08
**Romance Scam – Online Dating**
Evelyn, a woman in her early 60s, identified a romance scammer posing as an engineer on a dating site for people over 50 after discovering his claimed oil rig job did not exist; she avoided financial loss by reporting him immediately. Romance scams cost Americans over $1.1 billion in 2023, with adults over 60 accounting for a disproportionate share and often losing more money per incident than younger victims, including life savings. The article outlines warning signs of romance scammers (early professions of love, pressure to move off-site, requests for money, poor English) and adv
beverlyhillscourier.com
· 2025-12-08
On July 1, an elderly Beverly Hills resident lost $59,000 to an organized crime group impersonating financial institution employees and federal agents who convinced him his bank accounts had been compromised and needed to collect his funds for "safekeeping." The suspects used caller ID spoofing and made two separate visits to collect the cash, but were identified through security cameras and license plate readers; one suspect was arrested and charged with grand theft, theft by false pretense, and financial elder abuse. Investigators believe there are additional victims and continue searching for a second suspect, while urging the public to verify suspicious calls directly with their financial institutions.
communitynewspapers.com
· 2025-12-08
Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz testified before a U.S. Senate committee that scammers are using increasingly sophisticated schemes—including AI-generated scams, cryptocurrency theft, and robocalls—to target seniors, with those over 60 losing $4.8 billion in 2023 alone and individuals aged 50-59 losing an additional $2.5 billion. The sheriff noted that most victims do not report crimes due to shame and fear, and highlighted emerging threats including condo and homeowner association fraud that particularly affects elderly homeowners in South Florida. Sen. Rick Scott introduced legislation to provide law enforcement with advanced tools to combat financial exploitation
wlos.com
· 2025-12-08
Two men, Theodore Anthony Brooks (21) and Real Samuel Wells (19), were arrested in Asheville, North Carolina on August 14 in connection with an armed robbery and carjacking that occurred when a victim met a female contact from an online romance scam at her residence. The victim was robbed at gunpoint, driven several miles away, and his iPhone was later recovered at a residence on Reed Street where police also seized drugs and firearms. Brooks and Wells face multiple felony charges including robbery with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping, conspiracy, and larceny of a motor vehicle, with bonds set at $20,000 and $80,000 respectively, while charges are pending against the female suspect involved in the
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
A real estate agent in Iowa was nearly defrauded in a vacant land scam in which scammers impersonated a property owner to solicit fraudulent sale of a $200,000 lot. The scammers contacted the agent via phone, email, and text, creating a convincing narrative that matched public records, though the agent ultimately discovered the deception before completing the transaction. The agent emphasized that vacant land is particularly vulnerable to such scams due to fewer safeguards and transfer requirements compared to residential properties, and is working to raise awareness among colleagues about the need for strict verification procedures when confirming seller identity.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
The DOJ extradited and indicted four Ghanaian nationals for allegedly leading a criminal organization that stole over $100 million through romance scams and business email compromise schemes targeting Americans, primarily older men and women. In 2024 alone, nearly 59,000 Americans lost an estimated $697.3 million to romance scams, with the actual losses believed to be significantly higher due to underreporting. The article outlines how these scams operate—building trust through fake relationships before requesting money for fabricated emergencies or investment opportunities—and provides protective measures including verifying profiles, avoiding money transfers to strangers, and reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A man in Mangaluru lost approximately Rs 4.8 lakh in an online investment scam after being lured through a WhatsApp group called "A24 Premium VIP Stock Sharing Club" that promised returns on gold trading and stock investments. The scammer, posing as a woman named Ella, used fake testimonials from group members showing profits to build credibility, then demanded increasingly larger transfers, ultimately directing the victim to send Rs 3.4 lakh to an account belonging to Prizm Infratel Pvt Ltd. When the victim attempted to withdraw his funds in July, he was asked for additional payments, revealing the fraudulent scheme, and a case was registered with
khou.com
· 2025-12-08
Thirteen people were charged in a sophisticated "grandparent scam" operation based in the Dominican Republic that targeted over 400 seniors across the United States, resulting in losses exceeding $5 million. The scheme, led by Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, involved English-speaking call center workers posing as distressed grandchildren or their attorneys to pressure elderly victims (average age 84) into sending cash via runners and mail, with the funds then laundered back to the Dominican Republic. Victims should report suspected fraud to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center, and experts advise verifying urgent requests directly with family members before sending
nbcphiladelphia.com
· 2025-12-08
An 86-year-old grandmother from South Philadelphia fell victim to a grandparent scam in July in which a caller impersonated her granddaughter, claiming she had been in an accident and detained by police, and requested $6,000 in cash that was picked up from her home. The scam highlights the evolving threat of elder fraud, which affected over 147,000 victims in 2024 with losses totaling nearly $4.9 billion, with criminals increasingly using artificial intelligence to clone voices and make impersonations more convincing.
libn.com
· 2025-12-08
A 78-year-old retired art teacher in Port Jefferson Station lost $15,000 to fraud after receiving a convincing fake Apple Pay notification followed by calls instructing her to withdraw cash for "safekeeping." This case exemplifies a broader wave of sophisticated scams targeting seniors across Long Island and the country, with Suffolk County alone reporting over $126 million in elder fraud losses in 2023, using tactics like AI-generated voices and fake emails that exploit family and financial networks. Elder law attorneys recommend prevention strategies including verifying identities through independent sources, using strong passwords with two-factor authentication, monitoring accounts regularly, and avoiding suspicious emails and links—emphasizing that fraud prevention is both a personal security
oregonlive.com
· 2025-12-08
Oregon law enforcement agencies issued a public warning about common summer scams, including impersonators posing as police or court officials demanding payment for missed jury duty via cryptocurrency or gift cards, fraudsters claiming pets have been hit by cars to extort veterinary fees, and fake vacation rental listings offering unrealistic deals. Officials advised residents to independently verify contact information, avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources, and use only authorized vendors for ticket purchases and vacation bookings.
gantnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania State Police issued a warning about increased scams, con artist schemes, and home invasions targeting residents, particularly the elderly. Common tactics include home improvement fraud (offering low-quality services like diluted driveway sealant at below-market prices), paired home invasions where one person distracts the homeowner while the other searches for valuables (often posing as utility workers), and phone scams that lead to identity theft. Police recommend verifying identification and employment, checking contractor references, and being skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true.
seattlemedium.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains why intelligent people are vulnerable to modern scams despite their cognitive abilities. Key risk factors include social isolation, financial struggles, overconfidence in security, and lack of awareness of current schemes, while scammers exploit cognitive biases (confirmation bias, optimism bias, authority bias, scarcity principle), emotional manipulation (fear, urgency, threats), and social pressure to manipulate victims into participating in fraud schemes. The article emphasizes that anyone can be scammed regardless of intelligence level, and understanding these psychological tactics is essential for avoiding fraud.
abc7chicago.com
· 2025-12-08
A North Carolina woman lost over $17,000 in a sophisticated scam that began when she was redirected from her bank's website to fraudsters who gained remote access to her computer. The scammers manipulated her into believing her account was compromised by a PayPal charge and an IRS tax issue, then used her printer to forge official-looking bank and PayPal letters instructing her to withdraw cash; a man later arrived at her home to collect the money in person. The incident is part of a larger scam operation affecting multiple victims across several North Carolina counties.
redhotcyber.com
· 2025-12-08
Four Ghanaian nationals were indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice for operating an international fraud ring called the "Sakawa Boys" that stole over $100 million between 2016 and May 2023 through romance scams targeting elderly individuals and Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks on corporations. The defendants, extradited to the U.S. in August 2025, held leadership positions in the hierarchical organization and used fake identities to gain victims' trust online, then laundered proceeds through fictitious bank accounts and international transfers. Each faces charges including wire fraud (up to 20 years per count), money laundering conspiracy (up to 20
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article provides guidance from the Better Business Bureau on recovering from scams and protecting yourself if you fall victim to fraud. Key recovery steps include placing fraud alerts on credit reports, freezing credit, monitoring accounts weekly, disputing unauthorized charges with financial institutions, and reporting scams to the BBB and relevant agencies like the FTC's IdentityTheft.gov. The article also offers prevention advice such as ceasing contact with scammers, deleting unfamiliar emails, contacting businesses directly to verify requests, and reporting phishing attempts to ic3.gov.
mcknightsseniorliving.com
· 2025-12-08
Impersonation scams targeting older adults have surged dramatically, with the FTC reporting a four-fold increase in reports of losses exceeding $10,000 and an eight-fold increase in losses over $100,000 (from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024), totaling nearly $5 billion in fraud losses in 2024. Common scam tactics include fake security alerts impersonating banks, government agencies, and tech companies like Microsoft and Apple, as well as fraudsters posing as FTC officials directing victims to Bitcoin ATMs or cash couriers. Arizona, Indiana, and Nevada reported the highest fraud complaint rates among
wamc.org
· 2025-12-08
A transnational grandparent scam operating from the Dominican Republic was dismantled following a two-year investigation, with suspects from New York, Massachusetts, and the Dominican Republic charged after defrauding at least 400 elderly victims of over $5 million. The sophisticated operation used call centers with "openers" posing as grandchildren in emergencies and "closers" impersonating lawyers demanding cash, with unwitting rideshare drivers recruited to transport victims to banks and deliver money; the scheme was uncovered when Uber flagged suspicious rides and alerted federal authorities. At least nine suspects were arrested facing wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering charges carrying up to 20
kesq.com
· 2025-12-08
Coachella Valley residents are experiencing rising scam cases through phone calls, texts, and emails, prompting officials to launch awareness initiatives including a Senior Scam Awareness Seminar hosted by Assemblymember Greg Wallis and the Desert Recreation District. Fraud officials are advising older adults not to engage with scammers and directing victims to report incidents to the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, local law enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission, or the FBI depending on the type of fraud.
live5news.com
· 2025-12-08
Charleston Police are investigating five scam cases targeting elderly residents (ages 61-85) who were manipulated into transferring $7,000-$10,000 each via phone calls, with three victims directed to Bitcoin ATMs while scammers remained on the line. The scammers used high-pressure tactics such as claiming relatives were in jail, threatening arrest warrants, or alleging identity theft, and requested payment through gift cards or cryptocurrency. Police advise victims to hang up immediately, avoid sharing personal or financial information, and verify suspicious claims by calling trusted family members or local law enforcement.
home.treasury.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned four Mexican individuals and 13 companies linked to CJNG's timeshare fraud operation in Puerto Vallarta, which has been targeting elderly American timeshare owners since approximately 2012. CJNG, a designated terrorist organization, uses call centers staffed with English-speaking telemarketers to perpetrate complex scams that can last years and result in victims losing their life savings, while generating significant alternative revenue for the cartel's violent operations. Treasury officials warned current and prospective timeshare owners in Mexico to be cautious of unsolicited offers and conduct due diligence before engaging in purchases.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Thirteen individuals were charged with operating grandparent scam call centers based in the Dominican Republic that defrauded approximately 400 older adults (average age 84) of over $5 million across the United States by posing as family members in legal trouble needing bail money. Nine of the defendants are in custody, including ringleader Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, while four remain at large; the perpetrators used dark web data to target victims, employed scripted calls, and laundered proceeds toward luxury purchases and home upgrades.
bitdefender.com
· 2025-12-08
Modern scams have become increasingly sophisticated, employing AI voice cloning, fake e-commerce sites, deceptive subscription schemes, cryptocurrency pump-and-dump schemes, and fraudulent tech support tactics to deceive even cautious consumers. Key examples include a Hillsborough County family losing $15,000 to an AI voice scam impersonating their daughter and scammers exploiting footballer Diogo Jota's death with fake promotional ads. The article provides detection strategies and protective measures across five common scam types, emphasizing that awareness of red flags and staying informed about evolving fraud tactics are essential defenses.
nbcboston.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal authorities dismantled a transnational elder fraud ring based in the Dominican Republic, charging 13 individuals led by Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia with defrauding over 400 elderly Americans of more than $5 million. The sophisticated scheme employed "openers" who posed as grandchildren in emergencies, "closers" who impersonated lawyers demanding fees, and "runners" in the U.S. who collected cash from victims' homes, with money laundered back to the Dominican Republic. Many victims experienced repeated calls threatening escalating emergencies and suffered emotional trauma, with some too ashamed to report the fraud to their families.
hawaiinewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
The Hawaii Police Department is warning the public about a phone scam where callers impersonate police officers using real department personnel names, falsely claiming victims owe money for missed court appearances or warrants and pressuring them to pay via untraceable methods like gift cards. Scammers use caller ID spoofing and fraudulent documents to appear legitimate, but the department emphasizes it never requests phone payments or gift cards. Residents should verify caller identity independently, avoid sharing personal information, be suspicious of urgent threats, and report suspected scams to police or the Federal Trade Commission.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
A "smishing" scam targeting North Americans claims recipients have unpaid toll or radar violations and tricks them into clicking malicious links to steal personal information like credit card and driver's license details. The scam has been reported across Canada and the U.S., with authorities including the Competition Bureau of Canada, Ontario Provincial Police, Calgary Police, and the U.S. Federal Communications Commission issuing warnings. To protect yourself, verify sender identity through official websites, avoid clicking suspicious links, and report fraudulent texts to authorities.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old woman in Chambersburg lost $18,000 in an AI-powered grandparent scam after receiving calls from someone impersonating her grandson claiming he was in jail following a DUI accident. The scammer used artificial intelligence to recreate the grandson's voice based on videos found on social media, convincing the victim to make two separate bank withdrawals of $9,000 each. Police are investigating and the family advises others to establish a family code word as a verification method to prevent falling victim to this increasingly sophisticated scam.
wwnytv.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal investigators charged 13 people operating from Dominican Republic call centers in a grandparents scam that defrauded approximately 400 elderly victims (average age 84) of over $5 million. The scammers impersonated grandchildren requesting emergency funds, then used Uber drivers to transport cash from victims' homes to middlemen and eventually to the Dominican Republic, with ringleader Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia allegedly using stolen money to fund a lavish lifestyle including purchasing a boat. Uber flagged the scheme to the FBI and subsequently implemented driver training changes to prevent similar fraud.
intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Australians lost A$2.03 billion to scams, a decline from A$3.1 billion in 2022, though actual losses are likely higher due to underreporting caused by victim shame and embarrassment. Investment scams were the costliest category at A$945 million, often featuring fake trading platforms and impersonated businesses, while remote access scams and other common schemes like romance and phishing scams continue to evolve. Scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence, data from breaches, and organized criminal syndicates to create convincing impersonations, making it essential for consumers to verify investment opportunities independently rather than clicking on
thevibes.com
· 2025-12-08
A romance scam syndicate operated by three Nigerian men and one Indonesian woman was dismantled in Melaka following early morning raids, with the group having targeted victims across Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines over a six-month period by creating fake Facebook profiles posing as foreign suitors and manipulating victims into transferring money via e-wallets. Police seized laptops, phones, passports, and a USB drive valued at RM15,000, and all four suspects were remanded for investigation under cheating and immigration violation charges. Authorities advised the public to verify suspicious contacts through official channels and report suspected scams to the National Scam Response Centre at 997.
wcvb.com
· 2025-12-08
Thirteen people were charged in a sophisticated transnational elder fraud ring that operated from call centers in the Dominican Republic and defrauded over 400 Massachusetts senior citizens of approximately $5 million in combined losses. The defendants used a coordinated system of "openers" posing as distressed grandchildren, "closers" impersonating lawyers, and "runners" collecting cash, often making repeated calls to victims to extract additional payments for fabricated emergencies. Alleged mastermind Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia and other defendants used rideshare drivers as unwitting money couriers, with nine suspects arrested, two remaining at large in the U.S., and two at large in the Dominican Republic.
bostonherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal authorities dismantled a transnational "grandparent scam" operation based in the Dominican Republic that defrauded over 400 victims nationwide, including at least 50 in Massachusetts with an average age of 84, stealing more than $5 million. The scheme involved call center employees posing as grandchildren in distress or their attorneys, instructing elderly victims to send cash via rideshare drivers or mail, with some victims targeted multiple times for additional funds. Thirteen individuals were charged, with eleven arrested on Tuesday, after a two-year joint investigation by the FBI and Dominican Republic authorities, and the stolen proceeds were laundered back to the Caribbean.
bostonglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal authorities charged 13 people operating a call center in the Dominican Republic with defrauding over 400 U.S. seniors (average age 84) of more than $5 million between May 2022 and April 2024 through a "grandparent scam" in which callers posed as grandchildren in legal or medical distress and accomplices impersonating lawyers extracted additional payments. The sophisticated scheme involved commercial telemarketing software, dark web victim lists, and ride-hail drivers to collect cash, and was dismantled after a two-year FBI investigation initiated when Uber alerted authorities to suspicious activity. Nine of the 13 defendants are in custody,
wtoc.com
· 2025-12-08
Beaufort County officials and scam experts held a community awareness event to address the rising rate of elder fraud targeting adults over 60, noting that one in ten seniors will experience some form of elder abuse. Common scams discussed include romance scams (often perpetrated by international actors), jury duty payment schemes, gift card scams, and sophisticated fraud involving fake verification of items for sale. Experts recommend preventing these scams by questioning unsolicited communications, avoiding high-pressure tactics, not sharing personal information unexpectedly, and contacting law enforcement or the National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-372-8311) to report suspected fraud.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Thirteen individuals, led by Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, were charged for operating a transnational "grandparent scam" call center in the Dominican Republic that defrauded over 400 elderly victims (average age 84) across the United States, resulting in more than $5 million in losses, including at least 50 victims in Massachusetts. The scheme involved callers posing as grandchildren in distress or their attorneys, instructing victims to send cash via rideshare drivers or mail, and often requesting additional payments through fabricated stories. The defendants allegedly laundered the illicit proceeds back to the Dominican Republic through money launderers and bank accounts in the United States.
troopers.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
On July 31, 2025, State Police in Clifton Park and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations arrested Chuncheng Lin, 26, and Hui Lin, 40, for grand larceny and conspiracy related to a computer scam targeting an elderly Saratoga County resident. The victim lost over $80,000 in cash and gift cards after being contacted via computer and phone by someone falsely claiming to be from Citizens Bank Fraud Department who threatened legal prosecution and demanded payment. The suspects were apprehended during a supervised meeting when they attempted to collect an additional $30,000, and both were released on appearance tickets pending court dates in August 2025.
boston25news.com
· 2025-12-08
A transnational elder fraud ring operating a call center in Santiago, Dominican Republic, defrauded over 400 elderly victims (average age 84) out of more than $5 million through "grandparent scams," with at least 50 victims in Massachusetts. Thirteen individuals have been charged in connection with the scheme, which involved callers posing as grandchildren in distress and then as attorneys requesting emergency funds; four suspects remain at large while nine are in custody. Federal authorities shut down the operation following a two-year investigation and are urging victims to come forward without shame, noting that such schemes are increasingly sophisticated, sometimes aided by AI.
americascreditunions.org
· 2025-12-08
FinCEN issued guidance alerting financial institutions to a rising trend of scam payments involving cryptocurrency ATMs (CVC kiosks), where scammers contact victims—particularly elderly individuals—via unsolicited calls impersonating banks, government agencies, or tech support to direct them to deposit cash into crypto ATMs. According to FTC data, older adults account for more than two-thirds of all losses from CVC kiosk scams, with criminals often instructing victims to structure transactions across multiple deposits or kiosks to evade reporting thresholds. The advisory identifies red flags for credit unions and CVC operators to detect suspicious activity, including unusual high-value withdrawals, elderly members with no
jfs.ohio.gov
· 2025-12-08
Ohio state agencies warn of rising cryptocurrency scams targeting older adults, where scammers contact victims via phone, text, or email claiming they must pay fines or correct banking errors using Bitcoin or gift cards. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and Department of Aging urge residents and families to remain vigilant against these virtual currency fraud schemes.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP's Fraud Watch Network developed a universal anti-fraud framework called "Pause. Reflect. Protect." to help consumers recognize and avoid scams. The framework identifies three common triggers present in most fraud attempts—unexpected contact, surge of emotion, and urgency—that should prompt an "Active Pause," allowing people to step back and logically evaluate whether a situation makes sense before responding. By recognizing these three elements and engaging critical thinking rather than emotional reaction, consumers can protect themselves from a wide range of scams including tech support, toll road, and grandparent schemes.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner lost $240,000 in an imposter scam when a caller falsely claiming to be from JP Morgan Chase convinced him to wire funds to protect his account from fraudulent activity. Imposter scams are the second-highest fraud category, accounting for $2.95 billion in losses in 2024, and commonly originate via spoofed text messages that mimic legitimate banks; consumers should independently verify suspicious communications and never wire funds to "protect" accounts, as legitimate banks never request such actions.
nature.com
· 2025-12-08
Vietnamese victims, particularly educated professionals, were lured to Cambodia through fraudulent job postings by Chinese-led criminal syndicates operating "pig-butchering" scams between 2018-2023, where they were trafficked, confined, and coerced into committing cyber fraud against others. This mixed-methods study of 10 cases and interviews with 12 Vietnamese police officers reveals complex multi-layered networks targeting skilled workers with promises of IT, programming, and customer service positions, creating "victim-offender overlaps" where trafficked individuals are simultaneously victimized and forced to victimize others. The research highlights the need for greater focus on the intersection of human trafficking, cyber
onlineathens.com
· 2025-12-08
A Jefferson woman lost at least $2,000 after depositing a fraudulent $2,650 check received through the mail as part of a "secret shopper" scam, purchasing $1,500 in gift cards with her checking account and $500 more on credit before discovering the check was fake. In a related incident the same day, a Jackson County man was scammed out of $850 after paying money to a caller claiming to bail his sister out of jail.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Pew Research Center survey found that approximately 73% of U.S. adults have experienced at least one online scam or attack, with credit card fraud, online shopping scams, and ransomware being the most common. Cybersecurity experts warn of evolving threats including phishing attacks via unsolicited calendar invites, multi-factor authentication scams, and malicious HTML attachments, and recommend protective measures such as adjusting calendar settings, verifying suspicious invites through trusted contacts, and remaining vigilant against social engineering tactics.
turnto23.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns consumers about moving scams, which increased during peak moving seasons in 2024, with over 100,000 inquiries and 718 complaints filed against movers, resulting in a median loss of $754 per victim. Common scams include no-shows, unexpected price hikes, weight-based upcharges, stolen items, and holding belongings hostage for additional fees. The BBB recommends researching movers carefully, verifying company legitimacy, and being cautious of red flags such as missing business information, unusual payment methods, and vague contracts before hiring moving services.
americanbanker.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission reported a dramatic surge in imposter scams targeting older adults from 2020 to 2024, with losses over $100,000 increasing nearly sevenfold and reported total losses reaching $700 million in 2023 (though estimated real losses may reach $7.1 billion to $61.5 billion when unreported cases are included). Scammers use deceptive tactics like impersonating banks, government agencies, and tech companies to create urgency and convince victims to send money via cryptocurrency (33%), bank transfers (20%), or cash (16%), with bank transfers most common for losses exceeding $100,000. Banks face pressure to enhance fraud prevention