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menafn.com
A Bengaluru woman lost Rs 48,199 in a phishing fraud after clicking on a fake online egg seller's website offering eggs at Rs 49 per order. After entering her credit card details on the fraudulent site, the scammers debited Rs 48,199 from her account before she could complete the OTP verification, transferring the funds to an account named 'Shine Mobile HU'. The victim's bank's fraud detection call prevented further losses, and a case has been filed under the IT Act with investigations ongoing and the fraudster's account frozen.
mashable.com
Tax season scams commonly target vulnerable people through three main schemes: criminals impersonating the IRS via phone, email, or mail to steal personal information like Social Security numbers and bank details; fraudsters filing fake tax returns in victims' names to claim their refunds; and scammers offering fraudulent tax preparation services. The IRS advises people to never click links in unsolicited communications, avoid sharing personal data over the phone, file taxes early to prevent refund theft, and verify any IRS contact directly through official channels like 1-800-829-1040 or the IRS website.
columbian.com
A widespread death hoax targeting public figures and notable individuals circulated online starting around 2021, primarily designed as a clickbait phishing scheme to generate views and ad revenue. According to scam prevention expert Elijah Dittersdorf, who works with seniors, the hoax targeted people across various professions including actresses, lawyers, and media figures, with perpetrators using false celebrity deaths to drive clicks and grow monetized YouTube channels. While the exact creators remain unknown, experts confirmed the scam's primary goal was financial gain through advertising revenue rather than direct theft of personal information, though some versions included attempts to harvest user data.
cantonrep.com
Medical billing scams trick consumers into paying fake or fraudulent bills by impersonating legitimate medical providers or collection agencies and using scare tactics about credit damage or legal consequences. To protect yourself, verify claims directly with your doctor or hospital, look up official customer service numbers, ignore pressure tactics, and never share personal information with unexpected callers. Report suspected scams to BBB.org/ScamTracker to help raise awareness.
chainalysis.com
Romance scams ("pig butchering scams") generated over $700 million in reported losses to Americans in 2022, with scammers building fake relationships and coercing victims into fraudulent cryptocurrency and fiat investments before disappearing. Beyond victimizing romance scam targets, criminal gangs operating compounds in Myanmar and Southeast Asia have kidnapped and trafficked individuals forced to work 12+ hour days executing these scams, with gangs also collecting ransoms from victims' families in cryptocurrency, effectively mixing scam proceeds with extortion payments.
bradfordera.com
This educational piece advises consumers to watch for gas pump skimmers—devices that steal card information during refueling—which can cause significant financial damage to bank accounts. The article emphasizes awareness and vigilance as key prevention measures against this type of fraud at gas stations.
fox23.com
During tax season, scammers impersonate the IRS through unsolicited phone calls and emails to threaten taxpayers and extract personal information, financial data, or money via unconventional payment methods like gift cards or prepaid debit cards. The IRS does not initiate contact via cold calls, demand odd payment methods, or accept gift cards or digital payment services—they only accept cash or checks and typically contact people through mail or in-person visits. Additionally, many taxpayers feel deceived by tax filing services that advertise "free" federal filing while charging for state taxes or specialized documents, though this is often due to unread fine print rather than actual fraud.
thegazette.com
An 83-year-old Iowa woman avoided a gift card scam where a caller claimed she had won $2 million and demanded a $150 gift card to claim the prize. Iowa reported nearly 13,000 fraud cases in 2023 resulting in $42.6 million in losses, with gift card scams accounting for $228 million stolen nationally, prompting AARP and state officials to launch an 18-stop awareness tour and push for legislation requiring stores to post gift card scam warnings.
abc12.com
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel visited the Krapohl Senior Center in Mt. Morris Township to educate seniors on identifying and avoiding common scams. She emphasized that seniors should verify suspicious calls by contacting the Attorney General's office rather than acting immediately, noting that scammers typically hang up when faced with this response. Residents can report scams online at michigan.gov/consumerprotection.
islandssounder.com
The Orcas Senior Center is hosting National Consumer Protection Week (March 3-9, 2024) in partnership with the Federal Trade Commission, featuring an in-person discussion on March 6 at 1:00 pm led by FTC Assistant Director Jennifer Tourjé about avoiding scams and recovering from identity theft. The center also offers free consumer education materials and resources through the FTC website to help individuals learn to spot, report, and avoid fraud and scams.
donegaldaily.com
Gardáí in Donegal warned the public about a postal delivery scam in which fraudsters send text messages claiming a package cannot be delivered and requesting address information via a malicious link designed to steal personal data. The scam exploits increased online shopping and package deliveries, with authorities urging recipients to delete such messages, avoid clicking links, and report incidents to police.
aol.com
Online scams in the United States reached record losses of $6.9 billion in 2021, nearly doubling since 2019, with Pennsylvania ranking fifth among most-scammed states at $207 million in losses affecting 17,262 victims who lost an average of $11,991 each. Romance, cryptocurrency, and investment scams are increasingly sophisticated and affecting educated individuals across all socioeconomic levels, with teens experiencing the highest percentage increase in losses (1,125% over five years) and seniors seeing a 390% increase. The article recommends avoiding money transfers to strangers met online, refusing requests for personal information, performing reverse image searches to verify identities,
daijiworld.com
A Myanmar-based company operating in KK Park defrauded victims of over $100 million in less than two years using "pig butchering" romance scams, where perpetrators engineer false romantic relationships to manipulate victims into sending cryptocurrency payments, often mixed with ransom demands from trafficked workers. Blockchain researchers tracked Tether cryptocurrency tokens flowing to the scam operation, with the single Chinese company transferring over $100 million through just two digital wallets, while the compound reportedly holds over 2,000 trafficked romance scam workers. In 2022 alone, U.S. citizens lost more than $700 million to romance scams and nearly $2
pgurus.com
A company operating in Myanmar's KK Park defrauded victims of over $100 million in less than two years using Tether (USDT) cryptocurrency, primarily through "pig butchering" romance scams where fraudsters build false romantic relationships to manipulate victims into sending money. The operation, which housed approximately 2,000 trafficked workers, also received ransom payments from families of trafficking victims, with a single Chinese company transferring over $100 million through just two digital wallets. In 2022 alone, U.S. citizens reported losses exceeding $700 million to romance scams and nearly $2.5 billion to cryptocurrency investment scams overall.
the-sun.com
Artificial intelligence is enabling cybercriminals to create increasingly sophisticated scams, including deepfake voice and video fraud that can be generated in real-time using minimal audio or video clips from social media. Security experts warn that criminals need only about three seconds of audio to recreate someone's voice with 70% accuracy, and traditional fraud detection methods may no longer be sufficient against AI-generated attacks. To protect themselves, people should watch for unnatural language patterns, unusually quick responses, lack of empathy, and can ask specific open-ended questions or request predetermined code words to detect whether they're communicating with a scammer using deepfake technology.
yen.com.gh
Socialite Hajia4Reall pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money in a romance scam case involving over $2 million in fraudulent funds from vulnerable older victims between 2013 and 2019; she agreed to forfeit and pay restitution of $2,164,758.41 and faces up to five years in prison. Following her guilty plea, Ghana's Economic and Organised Crime Office announced plans to implement lifestyle audits to target individuals with unexplained wealth, seeking to shift the burden of proof onto suspects to explain the source of their assets.
steinbachonline.com
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.
nbcdfw.com
Americans lost over $1 million to puppy scams in 2023, with scammers targeting people seeking to purchase puppies online for convenience. The Better Business Bureau recommends conducting thorough research before buying puppies and purchasing in person rather than online, as emotional attachment to pets makes victims particularly vulnerable to fraud schemes.
www3.erie.gov
National "Slam the Scam" Day on March 7, 2024, is a Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General awareness campaign designed to combat government imposter scams that are spreading across the United States. The event is part of National Consumer Protection Week (March 3-9, 2024) and directs the public to the SSA website for resources and information on protecting themselves from Social Security-related fraud.
wset.com
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.
fijitimes.com.fj
Romance scams cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022, with scammers creating fake online identities through social media to exploit victims emotionally and financially. Perpetrators gradually build trust with targets before requesting money under various pretexts (medical emergencies, travel costs, promised packages), and they commonly avoid video calls or in-person meetings. The scam affects people of all ages and backgrounds globally, with women reported as particularly vulnerable, though many cases remain underreported.
states.aarp.org
Kate Kleinert, an AARP Pennsylvania volunteer, lost her entire life savings of $39,000, her home, and her six dogs to a romance scam involving a man posing as a surgeon in Iraq who she met on Facebook. After the scammer failed to appear as promised and a subsequent house fire destroyed her remaining possessions, Kleinert rebuilt her life and now volunteers as a Fraud Watch Network Speaker, educating seniors and community groups about recognizing and avoiding romance scams. Her advocacy work demonstrates how victims can transform their experience into meaningful action to protect others from similar financial and emotional devastation.
montereyherald.com
This educational column outlines four prevalent scams targeting seniors: elder financial abuse (where trusted individuals gain unauthorized access to finances), romance scams (where online/phone relationships lead to requests for money), tech support scams (fraudulent calls claiming computer or banking problems), and bereavement scams (scammers targeting grieving family members by posing as funeral homes). The article estimates that over 10% of U.S. elderly are victimized annually and recommends protective measures including adding trusted contacts to financial accounts, establishing estate plans, verifying unexpected calls by contacting organizations directly, and reporting fraud to law enforcement.
citizensadvice.org.uk
This educational guide describes common scams affecting people in Scotland, including phishing emails and texts impersonating TV Licensing, HMRC, PayPal, banks, and Ofcom, as well as dating and romance scams. The advice emphasizes verifying sender information, avoiding clicking suspicious links, never providing personal or financial details to unsolicited contacts, and immediately contacting your bank and police (101) if details have been compromised. Key prevention strategies include checking official websites for legitimate communication, using trusted contact methods, and consulting trusted friends or relatives when suspicious of a scam.
siliconeer.com
The Federal Trade Commission held a February 2023 media briefing highlighting key findings on national scams and fraud trends, with experts emphasizing that consumer reporting, public education, and awareness are critical tools in combating fraudulent activities. FTC officials stressed the importance of a two-way communication approach where individuals must stay informed through reliable sources and report scams, while the FTC uses reported data to take enforcement action and raise public awareness. The agency outlined its commitment to reaching diverse and vulnerable communities through multilingual resources and ethnic media outreach to equip consumers with knowledge and tools to identify and report scams effectively.
mercurynews.com
This is a Q&A advisory piece rather than a news article about a completed scam. The questioner, an adult inheritor of multi-million-dollar Silicon Valley properties held in a special-needs trust, expressed concerns about pressure from a professional fiduciary and unresponsive attorney to sell the properties without full understanding. The response provides educational guidance on elder fraud awareness—citing AARP data that $28.3 billion is lost annually to elder fraud, with 72% perpetrated by known individuals—and directs the questioner to file complaints with California's Professional Fiduciaries Bureau and Santa Clara County Bar Association, contact Adult Protective Services, and hire specialized legal counsel before signing any documents.
michigan.gov
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reissued a tax identity theft alert in February 2024, urging residents to file taxes early to prevent criminals from using stolen personal information to claim fraudulent refunds. The alert provides guidance on protecting Social Security numbers, using secure filing methods, and recognizing IRS scams, while advising victims of tax-related identity theft to contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit and file an FTC complaint.
marketplace.org
Financial advice columnist Charlotte Cowles lost $50,000 to an elaborate scam in which fraudsters impersonated Federal Trade Commission and CIA officials; she withdrew the cash from her Bank of America account before realizing the scheme later that day. Banks have limited tools to prevent such scams, with policies varying by institution—some tellers may offer alternatives like cashier's checks or wire transfers, while others simply warn customers—and the FTC reported consumers lost $8.8 billion to scams in 2022, a 30% increase from the previous year.
timesnownews.com
A 22-year-old man from Telangana, India was deceived by recruitment agents who promised him a job in Russia with a salary of 1.5 lakh rupees, but he was instead sent to serve in the Wagner private army near the Ukraine border. His family borrowed 300,000 rupees to pay the agent and has been unable to obtain assurances of his safe return, prompting them to seek intervention from India's Ministry of External Affairs. The scam has affected multiple Indian youths lured to Russia through false job promises, with some social media influencers promoting these dangerous recruitment schemes while others have warned against them.
timesnownews.com
A YouTuber operating the "ScamSandwich" channel poses as an elderly widow to expose and disrupt online scammers, gaining over 90,000 subscribers since January 2023. By gaining remote access to scammers' computers, he reveals their locations (primarily in India and West Africa), deploys disruptive viruses, and publicly humiliates them on camera, sometimes prompting expressions of remorse and reports to authorities. While his videos provide entertainment and awareness, they highlight the serious problem of elder fraud, with Americans over 60 losing billions of dollars annually to scams.
punekarnews.in
A couple in Pune's Wakad area lost Rs 35 lakhs 35 thousand between January 29 and February 17, 2024, after being lured through social media advertisements into a fake share market investment scheme. The fraudsters created a deceptive WhatsApp group and counterfeit mobile app to convince the victims to invest, then prevented them from withdrawing funds and refused to return their money or promised profits. Five individuals have been identified in the case, and Wakad Police are investigating the incident.
wnem.com
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel conducted an educational outreach event at a senior center in Mt. Morris to teach seniors how to identify and avoid scams, emphasizing that while AI-generated deepfakes and voice-emulation scams are real threats, education is the best defense. Nessel stressed that seniors are disproportionately impacted by scams and advised vigilance against criminals posing as banks, government agencies, and other trusted entities through email and phone calls. She encouraged victims to report scams to local police.
justice.gov
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
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
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.
marketrealist.com
An 80-year-old Taiwanese immigrant lost approximately $720,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam after being approached on WeChat by a scammer who built her trust and convinced her to invest her life savings and retirement funds into a fraudulent trading app. She subsequently sued Chase Bank, claiming the bank failed to alert her or her daughter (joint account owner) to the suspicious transactions that deviated from her normal spending patterns, though the bank disputed this account and stated it had provided warnings about fraud risks. The case highlights the vulnerability of seniors to investment scams, with Americans losing over $3 billion to such schemes in 2022 alone.
kbtx.com
The Brazos County Sheriff's Office and College Station Police Department warned residents about a rising trend in phone and internet scams, including impersonation calls falsely claiming to be from law enforcement and demanding payment via digital payment apps. Deputy Christopher Searles emphasized that legitimate law enforcement agencies will never call demanding money or request personal information like Social Security numbers or bank details over the phone, and advised residents to hang up on suspicious calls, verify sender identities by hovering over email addresses, and contact agencies directly if uncertain. Victims of scams are encouraged to report incidents to local law enforcement.
valdostatoday.com
Georgia residents lost $234.3 million to fraud in 2023 across 65,825 reported incidents to the FTC, ranking the state 15th most defrauded nationally. The three most common scam types were Credit Bureaus/Information Furnishers (25% of reports), Identity Theft (23%), and Imposter Scams (9%), with victims advised to monitor credit reports, avoid sharing personal information unsolicited, and never send money to unknown parties.
states.aarp.org
This article highlights that scammers are skilled manipulators targeting people of all ages, with 41% of 2023 FTC fraud reports coming from those under 30. AARP offers resources for fraud victims, including the Fraud Watch Network Helpline (1-877-908-3360) staffed by trained volunteers weekdays, and an online support program to address emotional trauma from victimization. The article advises victims to file police reports for documentation and encourages the public to report suspected scams.
wsfa.com
Funeral home scams are increasing across Alabama, with scammers spoofing local funeral home phone numbers to contact grieving families and demand additional payment for deceased relatives' services, requesting wire transfers via Zelle or Western Union. The Better Business Bureau reports the scams originated in north Alabama but are spreading rapidly throughout the state, targeting vulnerable families during their most emotional time. To protect against these scams, families should verify that funeral homes and morticians are licensed through the Alabama Board of Funeral Service website and consider pre-planning funeral arrangements before death occurs.
georgeherald.com
Romance scams exploit loneliness and love-induced emotional vulnerability to defraud victims of substantial sums. In 2023, the US reported over 70,000 romance scam cases, while South Africa reported 190 cases in 2020 but lost R178 million (averaging nearly R1 million per victim), with scammers using fabricated profiles, promises of visits and gifts, and escalating requests for money under various pretexts. Victims—often educated and otherwise financially prudent—include a divorced woman in her 40s and a 77-year-old widow from Mossel Bay who sent money and purchased expensive gifts despite red flags, as oxytoc
dailyguidenetwork.com
Social media influencer Mona Faiz Montrage (Hajia4Reall) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money in connection with a $2 million romance scam targeting older, single Americans conducted by a criminal enterprise based in Ghana. She was extradited from the United Kingdom in May 2023 and agreed to forfeit $2,164,758.41 and make full restitution, with sentencing pending before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty.
travelpulse.com
This article provides consumer awareness advice on recognizing and avoiding travel scams. Travel industry expert Byrd Bergeron identifies six common warning signs including last-minute vacation deals, suspiciously cheap airline tickets, risky vacation rental listings (noting Airbnb removed 59,000 fraudulent listings), requests for personal documents or confidential information, and bogus fees. The article advises travelers to verify legitimacy before booking, guard personal information, and report any scams to authorities while documenting interactions.
etnownews.com
A 58-year-old man in Kolkata lost Rs 20 lakh in an online investment scam after responding to a Facebook advertisement for a free stock trading course, which led him through a WhatsApp group to a fraudulent trading platform called Zoksa. The article outlines common online investment fraud tactics including pump-and-dump schemes, phishing, Ponzi schemes, unlicensed platforms, and fraudulent robot trading software. Key protection measures include researching platforms thoroughly, using only licensed and regulated services, avoiding sharing personal information, and consulting certified financial advisors before making large investments.
inews.co.uk
Chris Pitt, head of First Direct bank, fell victim to fraud five years ago when £250 in unauthorized betting transactions appeared on his account, illustrating how fraud affects people across all backgrounds despite awareness. UK Finance data shows fraud remains prevalent with £580m stolen in the first half of 2023, while average losses per case have increased to £3,589 at HSBC, with romance scams averaging £69,164 and investment scams averaging £27,680. The article emphasizes common scam types (phone, online, mobile, APP fraud, and romance scams) and advises consumers to question uninvited contact, never share personal information or passwords, an
coshoctontribune.com
In 2023, consumers lost a record $10 billion to scams—$1 billion more than the previous year—with approximately 2.6 million reports filed to the FTC, including one in four people experiencing losses with a median of $500 each. The top three scam types were imposter scams ($2.7 billion in losses), investment scams (with median losses rising from $5,000 to $7,700), and social media scams ($1.4 billion total losses). Consumer protection agencies like the FTC and Ohio Attorney General's Office educate the public on recognizing scams targeting specific groups—such as older adults, college students, an
usatoday.com
A major telemarketing scam targeting American timeshare owners, operated by Mexico's Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), has defrauded thousands of victims—many elderly—of hundreds of millions of dollars over the past decade. The scheme, which began in Puerto Vallarta and expanded to Cancún and other resort areas, uses fake offers to buy timeshares at inflated prices, then extracts fees for taxes and other costs that are never refunded; one victim lost nearly $1.8 million across multiple transactions. U.S. government officials believe the cartel now profits more from timeshare fraud than drug trafficking, though the operation remains difficult to prosecut
cavazossentinel.com
Military personnel, veterans, and their families can protect themselves from scams by using strong passwords, password managers, two-factor authentication, and separating work and personal accounts. The most rapidly growing scams targeting this population are confidence and romance scams, along with online impersonation accounts (often impersonating high-ranking officials), credit repair schemes, cryptocurrency fraud, social media account takeovers, and extortion attempts involving compromised photos. Awareness of common tactics—such as requests for gift cards or money from supposed military officials via text, fake investment opportunities posted from hacked accounts, and suspicious website URLs—can help individuals avoid becoming victims.
wcnc.com
Scammers are targeting Hulu customers with phishing emails claiming expired memberships can be extended for free if users enter personal information. To avoid the scam, consumers should inspect sender email addresses for suspicious strings of characters, hover over links to verify their destination, and be wary of offers that seem too good to be true. If a user has already clicked a malicious link, Hulu recommends immediately updating passwords, logging out of all devices, and monitoring credit card and bank statements for fraudulent activity.
montrealgazette.com
A Montreal woman lost $1,800 after being scammed by someone who had hacked her friend's Facebook account and posed as that person to sell fake Taylor Swift Eras Tour tickets to her and her colleagues. The scammer, posing as the hacked account owner, initially sold four tickets at $400 each, then requested an additional $200 in "name change fees" before disappearing. Facebook had been notified of the hacked account approximately one week prior but refused to remove the fraudulent post, which remained active until after the Gazette flagged it as a scam.