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manchestereveningnews.co.uk
· 2026-06-19
Ahead of Father's Day, UK banks are warning about a surge in "Hi Dad" scams where fraudsters use AI-generated calls and text messages impersonating children to trick parents into sending money, with Santander reporting £160,000 already stolen using this tactic in 2024. The scams are part of a broader fraud problem, with men losing an average of £100,000 per day to various fraud schemes in the first half of the year. Banks recommend using the "Take Five" protocol—stopping to think before responding to unexpected money requests—and being especially cautious of urgent appeals claiming to involve a child's emergency or temporary phone number.
wdhafm.com
· 2026-06-18
Bergen County prosecutors warned of a surge in "pig butchering" scams where criminals pose as friendly contacts online, build trust with victims, and convince them to invest money in cryptocurrency before disappearing with their funds. The scam works by gradually encouraging victims to deposit larger amounts while showing fake profits, exploiting emotional manipulation and the lure of quick riches. To protect yourself, authorities advise never trusting online strangers who mention cryptocurrency, remembering that legitimate investments don't sound too good to be true, and reporting any suspected scams to local police.
ny1.com
· 2026-06-18
Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting and Hawaii State Judiciary are warning residents about sophisticated scams involving fake inspection notices, permits, and communications that impersonate government officials. Scammers have sent fraudulent violation notices to evict tenants and fake permit emails requesting wire transfer payments for fake "approval fees"—tactics the real DPP never uses. Residents should verify any government communications directly with the agency by phone or in person, avoid wire transfers for government fees, and never respond to suspicious emails or calls claiming to be from city officials.
time.com
· 2026-06-18
Scammers are using AI to impersonate popular Nashville rock band Sons of Legion on social media, creating convincing fake videos and profiles that trick fans into romantic relationships and sending thousands of dollars to fraudsters posing as the band members. The band reports 50-60 new fake accounts appearing daily, with fans showing up to concerts believing they had been in relationships with the impersonators and had been defrauded of significant money. To protect yourself, verify accounts directly through official band websites or verified social media profiles, be cautious of sudden relationship requests from celebrities or musicians, and never send money to online contacts you haven't met in person—no matter how convincing they appear.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-06-18
In 2025, Americans lost $3.5 billion to imposter scams where criminals pretended to be government agencies, banks, tech support, employers, and romantic partners—a nearly 20% increase from the previous year and the ninth consecutive year this was the most common fraud type. The scams exploit trust rather than technical tricks, with government imposter scams surging 40%, particularly fake toll payment messages that create urgency through threats of penalties. To protect yourself, verify any unexpected requests for payment or personal information by contacting the organization directly using official contact information, never respond to unsolicited messages, and be skeptical of anything demanding immediate action.
btpm.org
· 2026-06-18
Community leaders and organizations held a press conference for Elder Abuse Day to address a surge in online fraud targeting seniors, with people over 60 losing an estimated $8 billion to scams in 2025—the worst crisis an FBI financial crimes supervisor has witnessed in 30 years. According to officials, elder abuse takes many forms including financial fraud, yet the vast majority of cases go unreported, with only about 24% of suspected abuse reaching adult protective services. Community members are urging increased awareness and education about available support systems to help vulnerable seniors protect themselves and report abuse.
mk.co.kr
· 2026-06-18
Four major scam types—investment fraud, fake job schemes, commodity payment fraud, and romance scams—caused 68.7 billion won in damage in May, down 33% from April, marking the first significant monthly decline since police began tracking these crimes. The decrease reflects police efforts to implement targeted countermeasures against each scam type and increased cooperation with platforms like Naver and Kakao to disrupt criminal operations. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities and romantic advances from online contacts, verify job offers through official channels, and report suspicious activity to authorities immediately.
gothamist.com
· 2026-06-18
New York City renters, especially during the busy summer season, are vulnerable to rental scams where fraudsters take deposits and disappear or misrepresent properties. A Gothamist investigation uncovered patterns of fraud by individuals like a Queens-based "real estate advisor" with a revoked license who has been sued by dozens of renters unable to recover their deposits. To protect yourself, experts advise avoiding listings that seem too good to be true (unusually low rent, incomplete addresses, agents without credentials), and being wary of listings that don't require good credit or income verification.
foxbusiness.com
· 2026-06-17
# Summary
Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling sent letters to governors of 53 states and territories demanding immediate action to combat unemployment insurance (UI) fraud, warning that states failing to comply could lose federal funding—marking the first time the department has threatened to withhold administrative funds. Sonderling highlighted significant improper payments, including New York paying over $2 million daily in incorrect UI benefits and California owing more than $20 billion to its trust fund, with five major states collectively making over $2.5 billion in improper payments in the prior year. The crackdown is part of President Trump's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud led by Vice President JD Vance.
amarillotribune.org
· 2026-06-17
Financial exploitation of elderly adults through investment scams, romance scams, impersonation fraud, and digital schemes remains a widespread problem, as highlighted during June's Elder Abuse Awareness Month recognition. Warning signs include unexplained withdrawals, pressure to send money or share personal information, and unsolicited contacts via text or social media. Seniors and their families can protect themselves by designating a trusted contact for financial decisions, consulting with family or professionals before major transfers, and reporting suspected fraud to the Texas State Securities Board.
en.sedaily.com
· 2026-06-17
Losses from "new scams" in South Korea—including investment fraud, fake job schemes, and romance scams conducted through social media and apps—dropped 30% in May compared to the previous month, according to police data. The Korean National Police Agency attributes this success to targeted interventions such as blocking fraudulent social media accounts, removing malicious apps from app stores in cooperation with tech companies like Google and Apple, and sending warning notifications to potential victims. The advice for the general public is to be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities, job offers, and romantic contacts on social media platforms, and to report suspicious activity to authorities.
patch.com
· 2026-06-17
Fraudsters are increasingly targeting older Americans through various elaborate schemes including fake timeshare settlements, romance scams, lottery scams, and emergency impersonation tactics, with scammers defrauding seniors of over $885 million in the last five years. The IRS recently arrested more than 20 people in "Operation Silver Shores," a scheme where criminals posed as attorneys and government officials to trick timeshare owners into sending money, which was then laundered through shell companies. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited contact claiming you've won money or are entitled to settlements, verify caller identities independently, and report suspected fraud to the National Elder Fraud Hotline.
morungexpress.com
· 2026-06-17
Sri Lanka has become a major hub for international cybercrime, particularly telecom fraud and "pig-butchering" investment scams, with criminal networks from Southeast Asia relocating there due to economic instability and weak regulatory oversight. Victims worldwide are targeted through fake romance schemes and fraudulent investment platforms, while workers are recruited under false pretenses, have their passports confiscated, and are forced to operate scams from luxury hotels across the country. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited romantic connections offering investment opportunities, verify investment platforms independently, never send money to unknown accounts, and report suspicious job listings that seem unusually lucrative or request upfront payments.
sarkaritel.com
· 2026-06-17
Sri Lanka has become a major hub for international cybercrime, with criminal networks relocating from Southeast Asia to operate sophisticated telecom and pig-butchering scams from luxury hotels and guesthouses across the country. Victims worldwide are targeted through fraudulent investment schemes, fake dating profiles, and mass phishing campaigns using stolen identities and SIM-box equipment that can manage hundreds of phone lines simultaneously. Authorities have intensified raids since mid-2024, arresting hundreds of suspected scammers, but victims can protect themselves by being cautious about unsolicited investment opportunities, verifying identities before sending money, and using strong security practices like enabling two-factor authentication and avoiding clicking links from unknown sources.
unionesarda.it
· 2026-06-17
A 46-year-old man from Sassari, Italy, defrauded a 70-year-old retiree out of €200,000 over five years by repeatedly lying about needing money for various reasons, including false claims about his parents' deaths and home renovations, while promising repayment. The elderly victim finally reported the fraud to police after realizing he would never recover his money, leading to the suspect's arrest. To protect yourself from similar scams: be extremely cautious about lending large sums to acquaintances, verify stories independently, and stop giving money if repayment doesn't materialize as promised.
irs.gov
· 2026-06-17
The IRS Criminal Investigation division is warning of a sharp rise in fraud targeting elderly Americans, with 161 new cases opened in the past 18 months and over $885 million in alleged fraud from 2021-2026. Common schemes involve criminals using deceptive tactics to steal money and personal information from seniors, with nearly 97% of prosecuted cases resulting in convictions and average prison sentences of four years. Older adults and their family members are encouraged to stay vigilant, report suspected fraud to their local IRS Criminal Investigation office, and not feel embarrassed about falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated scams.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-06-17
Bank of America is launching a "Scaminars" program with 1,000 in-person educational events nationwide through 2026, combined with over 50 AI-powered fraud detection systems, to help older adults identify and avoid financial scams. Elder fraud represents a significant risk to both the bank's customers and its reputation, so the initiative addresses the problem through both technology-based monitoring and consumer education. For seniors and their families, attending these free seminars or staying alert to the warning signs Bank of America promotes through the program can help protect against financial fraud targeting vulnerable populations.
pymnts.com
· 2026-06-17
Google filed a civil lawsuit against Outsider Enterprise, a China-based criminal network accused of using AI tools like Gemini to mass-produce phishing websites at an unprecedented scale—creating over 9,000 fake sites and 1.5 million fraudulent URLs designed to steal banking credentials and personal data. The scam primarily targeted Android users through deceptive text messages mimicking bank alerts and package deliveries, with the operation generating more than two complaints per minute during peak activity. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited texts from banks or delivery services, never click links in these messages, and instead contact companies directly using verified phone numbers or official apps to confirm any alerts.
cnbc.com
· 2026-06-16
Seniors aged 62 and older are increasingly targeted by reverse mortgage scams, with people over 60 filing over 201,000 fraud complaints in 2025 resulting in $7.7 billion in losses. While reverse mortgages can be a legitimate financial tool for homeowners to access their home's equity, older adults should be cautious of fraudulent schemes, particularly because they are more vulnerable to financial fraud. To protect yourself, it's important to research lenders carefully, verify that any reverse mortgage offer comes from a trusted source, and consider consulting with a financial advisor before committing to any reverse mortgage product.
yahoo.com
· 2026-06-16
Romance scams are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect as criminals use AI to create realistic fake profiles and personalized conversations that build emotional connections before requesting money. According to the FTC, nearly 60% of romance scam victims reported losing money in 2025 after meeting scammers on social media, which accounted for $2.1 billion in reported losses across all fraud types. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that develop quickly with excessive personal attention and flattery, especially if the person eventually asks for money, and verify identities through video calls or independent research before sharing personal information or finances.
nbcdfw.com
· 2026-06-16
A Frisco couple was charged with stealing at least $2.5 million from emotionally vulnerable victims through a psychic fraud scheme that operated from 2021 to 2024. The perpetrators posed as psychics on social media, convincing victims that their personal problems were caused by supernatural curses that could only be removed through expensive "cleansing rituals," leading victims to liquidate homes, retirement accounts, and take out loans to send money and purchase gold coins. To protect yourself, be wary of anyone claiming to remove curses or supernatural problems for money, and remember that legitimate financial or relationship advice doesn't require sending large sums to strangers.
patch.com
· 2026-06-16
Bergen County, New Jersey residents are being targeted by "pig butchering" scams, in which fraudsters build trust with victims through online conversations before convincing them to invest money in cryptocurrency, only to disappear with their funds. The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office warns that these scams exploit emotions and gradually pressure victims into making larger investments. Residents should be skeptical of unsolicited online strangers promoting cryptocurrency or investment opportunities that seem too good to be true, and anyone who falls victim should report it to local police.
siliconcanals.com
· 2026-06-16
In October 2025, the US Justice Department seized 127,271 bitcoin (worth $15 billion) in what it called the largest asset seizure in its history—coins that had sat untouched on the blockchain for five years with no police reports or public filings. The bitcoin is allegedly connected to Chen Zhi, a Cambodian businessman accused of running forced-labor scam operations across Southeast Asia alongside his legitimate business conglomerate, Prince Group. The case is unusual because such a massive theft typically generates immediate police reports and regulatory filings, but this one unfolded in complete silence, making the absence of any public reporting itself a key part of the investigation.
analyticsinsight.net
· 2026-06-16
As cryptocurrency use grows worldwide, so do crypto-related scams—including pig butchering schemes, rug pulls, exchange hacks, and Ponzi schemes—leaving victims needing specialized legal help beyond traditional services. Affected individuals and businesses require a combination of blockchain forensic analysis, asset tracing, legal expertise, and international regulatory knowledge to recover losses and navigate the complex digital asset landscape. When facing crypto fraud, victims should seek out law firms with proven experience in cryptocurrency disputes, blockchain investigations, and cross-border asset recovery rather than attempting to resolve these issues alone.
tennews.in
· 2026-06-16
Sri Lanka has become a major hub for international telecom fraud and "pig-butchering" investment scams, where criminals pose as romantic interests to trick victims into investing in fake platforms. Cybercrime networks from Southeast Asia have relocated operations to Sri Lanka due to economic instability and weak regulations, with recent police raids uncovering large scam centers in luxury hotels and arresting hundreds of foreign nationals who were forcing trafficked workers to operate the schemes. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited romantic advances online that lead to investment opportunities, verify investment platforms independently, enable two-factor authentication on social media accounts, and never send money to strangers or unfamiliar accounts based on requests through messaging apps.
spacedaily.com
· 2026-06-16
In June 2020, auditors discovered that German fintech company Wirecard had fraudulently claimed to hold €1.9 billion in Philippine bank accounts that never actually existed, leading to the company's insolvency within weeks. The fraud involved fake documentation purportedly from major Philippine banks, with auditors failing to directly verify the accounts for over a decade. Investors and stakeholders should demand that auditors independently confirm high-value assets directly with financial institutions rather than accepting documents routed through intermediaries, and be skeptical of companies with unusually high margins in hard-to-verify business segments.
njoag.gov
· 2026-06-16
A North Jersey financial adviser was convicted of stealing over $300,000 from an elderly client whose finances he was managing, facing up to 10 years in prison. The case highlights the vulnerability of seniors living on fixed incomes who rely on trusted professionals to manage their money. To protect yourself, elderly individuals and their families should monitor account statements regularly, use advisers who are registered and regulated, and consider having a trusted family member or independent party review financial arrangements.
newsroom.bankofamerica.com
· 2026-06-16
Bank of America is hosting 1,000 in-person educational seminars in 2026 to help customers recognize and prevent fraud and scams, bringing the total number of these "Scaminars" to 2,500 since the program began. Financial scams have become increasingly sophisticated, with social media scams alone causing $2.1 billion in losses in 2025—an eightfold increase since 2020, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The free seminars, developed through Bank of America's financial education platform, are available to all consumers at local branches and aim to equip people with practical knowledge to protect themselves, with particular focus on helping vulnerable populations like seniors during Elder Abuse Awareness Month.
losgatan.com
· 2026-06-15
Scammers are targeting older Americans with increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes, with reported losses to people age 60+ skyrocketing from 2020 to 2024—including a nearly 9-fold increase in cases involving losses of $100,000 or more. Seniors are particularly vulnerable because scammers exploit trust, urgency, and unfamiliarity with technology by impersonating legitimate companies, banks, or loved ones through convincing texts, emails, and spoofed caller IDs. To protect yourself and older loved ones, stay informed about common scams, verify unexpected requests before responding, and encourage regular check-ins to discuss potential threats.
1450wlaf.com
· 2026-06-15
Tennessee authorities are warning seniors about rising financial fraud, particularly targeting elderly investors through digital assets, social media scams, and AI-enabled impersonation schemes. According to the FBI, scammers stole over $108 million from Tennessee residents aged 60 and older, with cryptocurrency accounting for $142 million in total losses across all ages. The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance advises seniors and caregivers to learn fraud warning signs, be cautious with cryptocurrency and virtual investments, and contact state securities officials when approached about suspicious investment opportunities.
yahoo.com
· 2026-06-15
Romance scams are among the fastest-growing forms of online fraud worldwide, with scammers building fake emotional relationships with victims on social media and dating platforms before requesting money. In 2024 alone, the FBI received nearly 18,000 romance scam complaints with victims losing $672 million combined, while a global Interpol operation identified 1,463 victims who lost nearly $2.8 million. To protect yourself, be cautious of strangers who quickly develop emotional connections online, watch for inconsistencies in communication or requests for money, and verify profiles before sharing personal information or sending funds.
floridapolitics.com
· 2026-06-15
Florida seniors face growing threats from sophisticated cybercriminals using AI, cryptocurrency, and the dark web to commit identity theft and financial fraud. While Congress considers the CLARITY Act to help law enforcement combat these crimes, the author warns that the bill contains problematic exemptions that would allow certain cryptocurrency intermediaries to avoid the anti-money laundering oversight that traditional banks must follow, potentially making it easier for criminals to hide their tracks. The recommendation is for Congress to strengthen the bill by removing these exemptions and requiring crypto platforms to meet the same transparency and reporting standards as banks in order to better protect vulnerable seniors.
spacedaily.com
· 2026-06-15
"Pig butchering" is a sophisticated scam where criminals pose as romantic interests or investment advisors, building trust over weeks or months before convincing victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency accounts that show impressive returns until the scammers disappear with the money. The FBI reported over $5.8 billion in losses from this type of fraud in 2024 alone, with victims typically being contacted through fake "accidental" text messages that initiate seemingly genuine relationships. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited messages from strangers, never invest based on advice from people you've only met online, and verify investment platforms through official regulatory agencies before sending any money.
thisismoney.co.uk
· 2026-06-15
Scammers stole nearly £1.3 billion from UK victims last year, with fraud cases surging 11% to over 4 million as criminals exploited weaknesses in online systems and social media platforms. Investment scams and "authorized push payment" frauds—where victims are tricked into transferring money directly to criminals—hit record levels, with losses rising 19% to £576 million. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment offers and money transfer requests, verify requests through official channels before sending funds, and report suspicious activity to your bank immediately, as they can only refund 88% of losses despite protection rules.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-06-14
Federal authorities arrested five suspects accused of running a $15 million romance scam that defrauded over 100 elderly Americans through fake online dating profiles and AI-generated videos. The scammers built trust with victims by posing as potential romantic partners, then convinced them to send money using fabricated stories about inheritances and precious gems, with one 74-year-old victim losing $1.1 million. To protect yourself, be cautious of online dating connections that quickly develop emotional bonds and request money, verify identities through video calls, and remember that legitimate romantic interests will never ask you to send cash or wire funds.
newsghana.com.gh
· 2026-06-14
Moroccan police arrested a 40-year-old Ghanaian man at Casablanca airport based on a US-backed Interpol warrant alleging he operated an online romance scam targeting victims in the US, Ghana, and other countries by building fake relationships to steal money. The arrest reflects a broader crackdown on West African romance fraud networks, with an Interpol operation across 14 African countries making 260 arrests last year, including 68 in Ghana. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic interests who quickly ask for money, verify identities through video calls, and never send funds to strangers or international accounts for personal reasons.
foxbusiness.com
· 2026-06-13
# Summary
Sam Bankman-Fried, the FTX cryptocurrency exchange founder convicted of wire fraud and conspiracy in 2023, lost his appeal and will serve a 25-year prison sentence after a federal court unanimously rejected his case. The fraud involved him misappropriating billions in customer deposits while publicly assuring customers their funds were safe, using the money for personal expenses, real estate, and political donations. Bankman-Fried is now seeking a presidential pardon from Donald Trump and claims customers have been repaid 170%, though prosecutors allege he orchestrated one of the largest financial frauds in history.
westsidecurrent.com
· 2026-06-13
A Los Angeles man with power of attorney and his accountant have been charged with stealing over $6 million from elderly clients between 2018 and 2025 by writing unauthorized checks and diverting funds from trusts and estates they were hired to manage. The scheme affected five client accounts and involved tax evasion, with prosecutors alleging deliberate conspiracy to defraud vulnerable elderly individuals. Seniors and their families should carefully monitor financial accounts, verify all transactions with their financial representatives, and consider regular independent audits if someone else has power of attorney over their finances.
businessday.ng
· 2026-06-13
Carlos Barragán's book "The Yahoo Boys" documents the reality of romance scams through the stories of Nigerian scammers like "Biggy," who earned approximately $30,000 over a decade by posing as women online to build trust with lonely victims—primarily men in the United States—before requesting money through fabricated emergencies. The book reveals how these scams operate through patience and emotional manipulation rather than single large thefts, affecting vulnerable people seeking genuine connections while showing the economic desperation that drives perpetrators in Lagos. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic interests who quickly build intimacy, request money for emergencies, or resist video calls, and verify identities through reverse image searches before developing emotional or financial commitments.
blog.knowbe4.com
· 2026-06-13
AI-powered fraud is now the most common type of fraud, with criminals using AI tools to create fake documents, deepfake videos, and synthetic identities at industrial scale with minimal effort. Online dating and entertainment platforms are particularly vulnerable, with fraudsters using AI-generated profile photos and fake identity documents to conduct romance scams and catfishing schemes. To protect yourself, be cautious of new online connections—especially those asking for money or personal information—and use dating platforms that employ strong identity verification and deepfake detection technologies.
forbes.com
· 2026-06-13
In 2024, Americans lost $470 million to text scams (also called "smishing"), which are fraudulent messages designed to trick people into clicking malicious links, sharing personal information, or sending money. Common scams include fake package delivery notifications, fake bank alerts, and fake job offers, and they're becoming increasingly difficult to detect as scammers use AI technology. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited texts, avoid clicking suspicious links, verify contact information independently, enable spam filters on your phone, and report suspected scams to 7726 (SPAM) and the Federal Trade Commission.
vov.vn
· 2026-06-13
Police in Ho Chi Minh City discovered 83 Chinese nationals preparing an online fraud operation at a hotel in June, with investigators finding computers and mobile phones they believed were intended to target victims across multiple countries including China. The group had allegedly entered Vietnam illegally from Cambodia, and authorities also found that 84 accommodation facilities failed to report foreign guests as required by law, with nearly 300 other foreign nationals identified with various violations. Authorities warned that hotels and landlords who knowingly rent to undocumented foreigners or fail to report their presence face criminal prosecution, and residents should report suspicious activity at accommodation facilities to local police.
pulse.com.gh
· 2026-06-13
A 40-year-old Ghanaian man was arrested in Morocco after being flagged by Interpol as wanted by U.S. authorities for allegedly operating an international romance scam that targeted victims in the United States, Ghana, and other countries. The scheme involved creating fake online romantic relationships to manipulate victims into sending money, and the suspect is also accused of laundering millions of dollars from the fraud through complex international bank transfers. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited romantic connections online, especially from people who quickly ask for money or claim to need financial help—verify identities through video calls and never send money to people you haven't met in person.
bbc.com
· 2026-06-13
Dr Ruja Ignatova, the fugitive "Cryptoqueen" wanted by the FBI, ran a $4.5 billion cryptocurrency scam called OneCoin that defrauded thousands of victims. Authorities in Guernsey have now recovered £8.59 million of stolen funds that were hidden in a bank account and used to purchase luxury properties in London, and this money will be returned to Germany to compensate victims of the scam. The case demonstrates the importance of international cooperation and sophisticated financial investigation in tracking down hidden criminal proceeds—victims and others concerned about fraud should report suspicious financial activity to authorities and remain cautious about cryptocurrency investments that promise unrealistic returns.
cbsnews.com
· 2026-06-13
Scammers are impersonating Denver Sheriff Department employees to trick families of recently arrested people into paying bail before charges are even processed. The scammers use publicly available inmate information and social media to find and contact relatives, claiming they can expedite release for a fee. The Denver Sheriff Department warns families to be suspicious of urgent bail payment requests, especially before court hours or when processing timelines don't make sense, and to verify any communications directly through official channels rather than returning calls from unknown numbers.
lowellsun.com
· 2026-06-13
A California man was sentenced to two to four years in prison after attempting to collect $50,000 in cash from a 92-year-old New Hampshire woman as part of a tech-support scam in which fraudsters used fake pop-up alerts to convince her that her bank accounts were compromised. The woman realized something was wrong and contacted police, who set up a controlled operation and arrested the suspect when he arrived at her home. Authorities advise elderly individuals and their families to be suspicious of unsolicited tech alerts, never withdraw large sums of cash based on computer warnings, and to contact local police or the state's Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit if they suspect they've been targeted by scammers.
einpresswire.com
· 2026-06-13
Carroll County, Maryland is hosting a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day event on June 15, 2026, featuring a financial fraud investigator who will educate seniors about financial exploitation and scams targeting older adults. With an estimated 1 in 10 adults over 60 experiencing abuse or exploitation annually, the free educational program will include presentations from local experts in social services and law enforcement. Seniors interested in attending should register by contacting the Mt. Airy Senior Center at 410-386-3960 to learn how to protect themselves from financial fraud and exploitation.
cbsnews.com
· 2026-06-12
A North Texas couple was arrested for operating a fortune-teller scam that defrauded emotionally vulnerable people out of more than $2.5 million over three years. The perpetrators posed as psychics and targeted people experiencing grief, divorce, or isolation through social media ads, convincing them that supernatural "curses" on their love lives and finances could only be removed through expensive "cleansing" ceremonies. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited offers from psychics or spiritual advisors claiming to remove curses, avoid sending money to strangers online, and seek support through trusted friends, family, or licensed professionals during difficult emotional periods.
salazar.house.gov
· 2026-06-12
Lawmakers have introduced bipartisan legislation to combat crypto ATM scams that cost Americans over $333 million in 2025, with seniors age 60 and older accounting for more than 85% of losses. The Stop Crypto ATM Scams Act would establish new safeguards, strengthen transparency requirements for crypto ATM operators, and give law enforcement better tools to investigate and prosecute these crimes. If you're a senior or helping elderly relatives manage finances, be wary of unsolicited requests to withdraw money and transfer it via cryptocurrency ATMs, and report suspected scams to the FBI immediately.
cbsnews.com
· 2026-06-12
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is warning seniors about a surge of scams targeting them, including common schemes involving threatening phone calls about arrests or false bank deposits, as well as a new World Cup-related fraud where scammers pose as people needing to exchange counterfeit foreign currency for cash. Seniors are particularly vulnerable because they're law-abiding, conflict-averse, and trusting, making them ideal targets for fraudsters. Willis advises seniors to follow the "SAFE" approach—Stop, Assess the situation, reach out to Family or Friends, and Exit—and to call police rather than engage directly if approached by anyone asking for money or help in suspicious circumstances.