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in Bank Impersonation
silive.com
· 2025-12-08
Two New Jersey brothers, Abhishek and Tushar Barvalia, allegedly defrauded four elderly women (ages 76-90) out of nearly $400,000 between June 2023 and January 2024 by impersonating government agents, bank representatives, and Microsoft/FTC officials and convincing them their accounts were compromised or involved in illegal activity. The victims, located in Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, and Connecticut, were manipulated into withdrawing cash or sending cashier's checks to accounts controlled by the defendants, with individual losses ranging from $15,000 to $171,680. The brothers face charges of second-degree gran
fca.org.uk
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters impersonating the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) conducted nearly 5,000 scams in the first half of 2025, with 480 victims losing money through various schemes including fake crypto recovery claims, loan recovery promises, and "pig butchering" romantic investment scams. Older consumers aged 56+ accounted for almost two-thirds of reported cases, with scammers targeting vulnerable victims by requesting bank PINs, passwords, and additional funds under the pretense of regulatory assistance or debt recovery.
onmanorama.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired Kerala couple—Dr. S Lathika (72) and Shankaran Bhattathiri (69)—lost ₹2.4 crore in a "digital arrest" scam after receiving a call claiming to be from TRAI about a money-laundering investigation. The scammers held them in a continuous video call for 11 days, preventing them from disconnecting even at night, monitoring their movements, and threatening arrest while forcing them to transfer funds. The psychological control was so severe that Dr. Lathika delayed cancer treatment to comply with the scammers' restrictions, only visiting a hospital after days of pleading.
people.com
· 2025-12-08
Dan Smoker lost $17,000 after a United Airlines customer service agent transferred him to a scammer posing as "David" who claimed to rebook his family's cancelled flights to Europe. The scammer convinced Smoker the $17,328 charge would be refunded later, but the refund never materialized and David's number became blocked when Smoker followed up. United Airlines confirmed their agent had Googled a fake Lufthansa phone number and transferred Smoker to the scammer by mistake; the airline refunded some associated costs but not the original $17,000, leaving Smoker to dispute the charge with American Express.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warned residents in August 2025 about fraudsters impersonating the agency, reporting nearly 4,500 such scams in the first half of the year, with two-thirds of reports coming from people aged 56 and older. While the number of reports has declined over two years, the number of victims who actually lost money increased to 480 in the first half of 2025, up from 275 in early 2023, with common tactics including fake claims about illegally opened crypto wallets and "pig butchering" romance scams followed by fake recovery offers. The FCA advises people never to share sensitive banking information
cityam.com
· 2025-12-08
The UK's Financial Conduct Authority received nearly 5,000 impersonation scam reports in the first half of 2025, with almost 500 victims losing money to fraudsters posing as the regulator through tactics including fake crypto recovery claims, bogus court judgements, and romance scams. Fraud has become the UK's most common crime, accounting for over 40 percent of offenses and causing £1.17 billion in losses in 2024, with criminals increasingly exploiting trust in regulatory institutions themselves to target vulnerable consumers, particularly those over 56. The surge highlights systemic gaps in fraud defense, requiring coordinated action across financial services firms, insurers, and government to
todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) reported nearly 5,000 fake FCA scams in the first half of 2025, with fraudsters primarily targeting people over 56 years old by impersonating the regulator to extract sensitive information and money. Common schemes include falsely claiming recovered crypto funds, offering to recover losses from previous loan scams, or claiming County Court Judgements have been issued, resulting in 480 victims sending money to scammers. The FCA also warned of "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters build personal relationships with victims before conducting investment fraud, then attempt a second fraud by posing as the FCA to "recover" the lost money
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A 78-year-old man in Noida was defrauded of Rs 3.14 crore in a "digital arrest" scam where fraudsters impersonated government officials (TRAI, police, CBI, Supreme Court) and convinced him he was involved in money laundering, keeping him and his wife under virtual surveillance for 15 days before the deception was discovered. Cybercrimes against seniors have surged 86% between 2020-2022, with common scams including digital arrest, investment fraud, deepfakes, government impersonation, and OTP theft, exploiting seniors' vulnerability to trust-based and fear-based tactics.
mercurynews.com
· 2025-12-08
YouTubers conducting "scambait" sting operations in 2020-2021 provided crucial evidence that helped federal prosecutors dismantle a Chinese organized crime group that defrauded more than 2,000 elderly victims of approximately $65 million across the United States. The scheme, operated primarily by Chinese nationals working with Indian call centers, targeted seniors (average age 70+) through phone calls, emails, and pop-up ads, using social engineering tactics to trick victims into wire transfers, cash shipments, and gift card payments by impersonating bank employees or government officials. Twenty-five of 28 indicted defendants were arrested and face federal charges including mail fraud, wire fraud,
virginmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
This article outlines common social media scams including fake friend requests and impersonation accounts, malicious app downloads, data-harvesting quizzes, romance fraud, and investment/crypto schemes. Key warning signs include unrealistic offers, pressure to act quickly, suspicious requests for money or personal information, suspicious links, poor grammar, and low-quality profile photos. Users are advised to verify unfamiliar accounts, download apps only from official sources, avoid sharing financial information with online-only contacts, and be skeptical of guaranteed investment returns.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This AARP educational piece emphasizes three key protective measures against fraud: recognizing that most scams are run by organized international criminal networks (not individuals), taking proactive financial safeguards like strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and credit freezes, and reporting fraud to local police and the FBI's IC3.gov to help expose the true scale of the problem. The article also highlights emerging threats including AI-powered deepfake scams in banking, peer-to-peer payment app fraud (where scammers impersonate loved ones or create fake transactions), and identity theft, while advocating for federal legislation to combat AI-enabled financial crimes.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A financial expert shares insights on common scams targeting individuals and businesses, with particular focus on the "emergency bank fraud" call scam where fraudsters impersonate bank employees to trick victims into moving funds to fraudulent accounts. One client lost $25,000 after receiving such a call, while another lost $50,000 due to password reuse that allowed scammers access to multiple accounts. The expert recommends protection measures including unique passwords managed through password managers, multifactor authentication on all accounts, and staying informed about current scam tactics to recognize red flags before falling victim.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Phishing scams are increasingly using fake DocuSign emails impersonating major companies like Apple to trick victims into calling fraudulent support numbers. These convincing emails include fabricated receipts, order IDs, and DocuSign links with security codes, but scammers use the provided phone numbers to steal personal information, banking details, or convince victims to download remote access software. Users can protect themselves by verifying sender email addresses, knowing that legitimate companies do not send receipts through DocuSign, and avoiding clicking suspicious links or calling numbers in unsolicited emails.
cordcuttersnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Phantom Hacker Scam, enhanced by artificial intelligence, has defrauded seniors across the United States of over $1 billion since 2024 through a three-phase scheme: scammers posing as tech support gain remote computer access, then impersonate bank representatives to convince victims to transfer funds to fake "secure" accounts, and finally pose as government officials to move money into "alias" accounts. AI enables criminals to personalize attacks using social media information, making detection difficult and often resulting in complete loss of victims' retirement savings and life savings. Experts recommend family education, verification of unsolicited contacts, and avoiding remote access software as protective measures.
inquisitr.com
· 2025-12-08
A widespread scam targets Social Security recipients, particularly vulnerable seniors living alone and dependent on benefits for survival. Scammers impersonate Social Security Administration officials via phone calls, texts, or emails, falsely claiming account problems or requesting verification of information to obtain personal data (Social Security numbers, bank details) or money directly through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The key warning signs include unsolicited contact, payment demands, pressure tactics, and suspicious links or misspellings; the legitimate SSA communicates only by postal mail and does not solicit sensitive information unsolicited.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A new Social Security scam targets seniors by impersonating Social Security Administration officials through phone calls, texts, and emails, claiming victims must verify their details to receive Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) benefits or face account suspension. Scammers use pressure tactics and threats of benefit loss to extract personal information like Social Security numbers and bank details, or to pressure victims into sending money via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The SSA never initiates unsolicited contact requesting sensitive information; legitimate COLA notices are delivered by official mail or through secure online accounts, and victims should hang up, verify the caller independently, and report suspicious contact directly to the SSA.
dig.watch
· 2025-12-08
The Phantom Hacker scheme uses AI and multiple fake identities impersonating tech support, bank, and government officials to manipulate seniors into transferring their savings to scammer-controlled accounts under the guise of fraud prevention. Cybersecurity experts note that AI helps scammers identify vulnerable targets by analyzing social media and online activity, making these schemes increasingly sophisticated. Immediate reporting of theft is critical, as delays significantly reduce victims' chances of fund recovery.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
A PYMNTS Intelligence study of 10,103 U.S. consumers found that approximately 77 million adults (3 in 10) lost money to scams over the past five years, with many losing more than $500. Modern scammers use mass personalization to tailor fraud schemes by age, income, and habits—targeting Gen Z through social media, older adults via email and phone calls, and selecting contact channels that feel legitimate to each demographic. The study reveals that scams now account for 27% of U.S. financial institutions' fraud losses in 2024 (up from 12% in 2023), highlighting the need for dynamic defenses including behavioral monitoring
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency scams resulted in $9.3 billion in reported losses in 2024, with $5.8 billion specifically from investment fraud schemes; seniors over 60 suffered approximately $2.8 billion in losses. Scammers increasingly use AI-generated deepfakes of celebrities and trusted contacts to convince victims to invest in fake cryptocurrencies or surrender wallet access. The article advises investors to verify the legitimacy of coins and sources, never share private wallet information, use multi-factor authentication, and carefully examine exchange website URLs before investing.
digitalterminal.in
· 2025-12-07
Quick Heal Technologies' report reveals that cybercrimes against seniors in India surged 86% from 2020 to 2022, with projected losses exceeding ₹1.2 lakh crore by 2025, as the senior population increasingly adopts digital platforms. The report identifies three primary fraud schemes targeting elders: impersonation and authority scams (fake police arrests, court sessions), technical deception scams exploiting digital unfamiliarity, and investment scams that can devastate life savings, exemplified by a Telangana case where a 75-year-old lost ₹13 crore. The company recommends combating this epidemic through
brooklyneagle.com
· 2025-12-07
Two New Jersey brothers, Abhishek and Tushar Barvalia, were indicted for allegedly defrauding four elderly women aged 76 to 90 out of approximately $400,000 between June 2023 and January 2024. The defendants impersonated government agents, FBI officials, and bank representatives to convince victims their accounts were compromised, instructing them to withdraw funds and transfer money to accounts the perpetrators controlled. The victims, located in Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, and Connecticut, were told to keep the transactions confidential, and a total of over $393,000 was stolen through cashier's checks and wire transfers.
northwestgeorgianews.com
· 2025-12-07
The Elder Justice Initiative highlights common financial scams targeting seniors age 60 and older, including Social Security impostor scams (false suspension claims), tech support scams (fake virus/hacking warnings), lottery scams (foreign sweepstakes requiring upfront fees), and romance scams (online dating schemes requesting money). Digital technology has increased seniors' vulnerability to these schemes, which exploit personal information and trust, making elder fraud a recognized threat requiring public education and awareness efforts.
hola.com
· 2025-12-07
An 80-year-old woman in Hokkaido, Japan lost approximately $6,700 of her life savings to a romance scam in which a man posed as an astronaut claiming his spaceship needed oxygen money. The article highlights the growing epidemic of romance fraud targeting vulnerable elderly populations, noting that in the U.S. alone over 7,600 seniors were scammed through romance and confidence fraud in 2024, losing nearly $389 million, and that seniors remain prime targets due to isolation, trusting nature, and available savings.
countryherald.com
· 2025-12-07
Impersonation scams targeting older adults in Illinois and nationwide have increased more than fourfold since 2020, with losses exceeding $100,000 skyrocketing from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024, according to FTC data. Scammers impersonate trusted entities like government agencies, banks, and businesses through urgent calls, texts, or emails, pressuring victims to transfer money, move funds to cryptocurrency, or hand over cash by falsely claiming account compromises, criminal ties to Social Security numbers, or hacked computers. The FTC advises consumers to never send money in response to unsolicited communications, verify contacts through
atlantanewsfirst.com
· 2025-12-07
Fulton County launched ACT (Avoid Cyber Threats), a free online cybersecurity training program for seniors, in response to alarming fraud statistics showing that seniors lost approximately $5 billion to internet crimes in 2024, with Georgia ranking 7th nationally for such losses. The program educates seniors on recognizing digital scams including AI voice cloning, government impersonation, and phishing schemes, with the county aiming to train 2,000 seniors and caregivers by year-end. One local resident shared how she fell victim to a scam that resulted in $2,000 being stolen from her account, though her bank helped her recover the funds.
trmlabs.com
· 2025-12-07
This resource is a law enforcement guide for investigating cryptocurrency-enabled scams, which have caused at least $53 billion in losses since 2023, with figures likely underreported due to delayed victim reporting. The guide provides investigators with essential terminology, investigation methodologies, and blockchain forensics techniques to trace fraudulent cryptocurrency transactions and identify the real-world controllers behind pseudonymous addresses. It serves as a practical manual for police and law enforcement professionals to understand and combat crypto-related investment scams, phishing schemes, and other cryptocurrency fraud.
cosmopolitan.com
· 2025-12-07
Christopher Harkins, a serial romance scammer based in Glasgow, Scotland, operated on dating apps like Tinder from approximately 2012 to 2020, defrauding multiple victims by creating fake profiles, building false relationships through "lovebombing," and then requesting money under various pretexts (frozen bank accounts, fake investments, holiday bookings). Harkins used manipulation, threats, and in some cases physical/sexual violence to control victims, and is considered one of the UK's most prolific romance scammers; his exposure came through the determination of victims who overcame fear and shame to speak out, now documented in the Amazon Prime Video series "Catching the
marketing-interactive.com
· 2025-12-07
Hang Seng Bank launched a public awareness campaign from September to December featuring four Hong Kong actors known for villain roles who formed the "Hang Seng Anti-Fraud Band" to promote fraud prevention through a reimagined Cantonese song and music video highlighting common scams including phishing, investment fraud, online shopping scams, and virtual romance scams. The bank's integrated campaign included live performances, a traveling educational bus, and social media content, supported by technology measures that detected over 1,200 fraud cases in the first half of the year and protected approximately HK$200 million in customer funds.
thenewsminute.com
· 2025-12-07
Cybercrime police in Coimbatore alerted the public after nearly 50 residents fell victim to a scam where fraudsters impersonated online travel company customer service representatives to steal bank account access. A 60-year-old woman from Kerala lost Rs 18 lakh after fraudsters posed as travel app agents, directed her to download a malicious APK file that granted them remote access to her phone, and then obtained her banking credentials through a fake "test transaction." Police emphasized that legitimate travel platforms never request third-party app downloads or direct transfers and advised citizens to only use official websites and apps for cancellations and refunds.
kristv.com
· 2025-12-07
Nueces County, Texas experienced five cyberattacks in July, with three resulting in approximately $2 million in losses, primarily through Business Email Compromise (BEC) schemes where fraudsters impersonate vendors to redirect payments to their accounts. BEC scams are among the top three fraud schemes targeting organizations, along with bill pay fraud and phishing emails, and can be prevented by verifying payment requests through official contact information rather than using details provided in suspicious communications.
ew.com
· 2025-12-07
Netflix's docuseries "Love Con Revenge" features Cecilie Fjellhøy and private investigator Brianne Joseph exposing romance scams, with cases including Todd Dean (the "Selfie Scammer"), who defrauded at least eight women of tens of thousands of dollars for a fake wellness startup called Sanjara and was ordered to pay one victim $30,727.50 in court before filing for bankruptcy in December 2023, and Ricky Morrisey, who stole over $13,000 from victim Bridget Phillips while posing as a military veteran with a fabricated tragic backstory, resulting in fraud and larceny
wrif.com
· 2025-12-07
Oakland County (Southeast Michigan) experienced a surge in scams targeting bank customers, renters, and seniors, according to AARP Scam Tracker data. Scammers used multiple tactics including fake bank calls claiming account breaches, fraudulent rental listings with stolen photos, impersonation of medical device sellers targeting seniors for credit card information, fake utility workers, and phishing emails promoting bogus antivirus software. Authorities recommend verifying information through official sources, never sharing personal details with unsolicited callers, and contacting Michigan's Attorney General (877-765-8388) or AARP's Fraud Watch (877-908-3360) for assistance.
cheapism.com
· 2025-12-07
In 2024, Americans lost $12.5 billion to scams, with adults over 60 being frequent targets due to their savings, limited digital experience, and trust in official-sounding messages. Modern scammers employ sophisticated tactics like AI voice cloning and deepfake videos to impersonate loved ones and government agencies. The article provides ten practical tips for seniors to avoid scams, including not answering unknown numbers, never sharing personal information over the phone, recognizing pressure tactics, avoiding unusual payment methods, verifying identities through trusted sources, and enabling two-factor authentication on accounts.
phillyvoice.com
· 2025-12-07
**Article Type:** Educational/Awareness Piece
This educational article outlines common business fraud schemes targeting small business owners, including phony invoices, vendor impersonation, fake consultant services, and fraudulent online advertising schemes. The piece advises business owners to implement protective measures such as verifying vendor legitimacy, requiring multi-party invoice approval, avoiding signing blank documents, and recognizing urgency-based pressure tactics as red flags, noting that over 60% of businesses encountered scammers in 2024.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
An 85-year-old grandmother nearly fell victim to an imposter scam when scammers posing as her bank claimed she owed $50,000 in fraudulent charges, then connected her with someone impersonating an FTC official who pressured her to purchase prepaid debit cards for payment. According to the FTC, fraud losses for seniors have surged dramatically, with losses of $10,000 or more quadrupling between 2020 and 2024, as scammers exploit fear and use untraceable payment methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, and prepaid cards. Key protective measures include recognizing red flags such as unexpected contact from institutions, requests for unusual payment
jsonline.com
· 2025-12-07
Ankurkumar Patel, a 41-year-old Brookfield man, was indicted for operating a "Phantom Hacker Scam" that defrauded elderly victims across multiple states of over $1 million. The scheme involved fraudsters posing as customer service agents or law enforcement officers who convinced victims their accounts were compromised, then directed them to transfer cash or gold to supposedly safe accounts before the funds were laundered through co-conspirators. Patel faces up to 20 years in prison and substantial fines if convicted of money laundering conspiracy and substantive money laundering charges.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-07
Text message job scams have surged in recent years, with reported losses rising from $90 million in 2020 to $501 million by 2024. Contrary to expectations, younger Americans—particularly Gen Z (20%) and millennials (16%)—are more vulnerable to these scams than older generations, with young men being especially susceptible due to financial pressures, career inexperience, and the appeal of fast remote income. Among victims who engaged with scam texts, approximately 30% had money stolen from their accounts and 45% shared personal information with scammers.
dailyrecord.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are spoofing caller ID to appear as Mount Olive Police Department, with callers impersonating Police Chief Michael Spitzer and requesting banking and personal information from residents. Police warn that legitimate officers never request personal information over the phone and advise residents to hang up immediately and verify any questionable calls by contacting the department directly at their official number.
aol.com
· 2025-12-07
Americans lost $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, with adults over 60 being frequent targets due to their savings, limited digital experience, and trust in official-sounding communications. The article provides 10 protective strategies for seniors, including not answering unknown numbers, rejecting unsolicited calls from government agencies, never sharing personal information over the phone, resisting pressure tactics and unusual payment requests (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), verifying impersonators through independent sources, consulting trusted contacts before responding to suspicious requests, and enabling two-factor authentication on accounts.
upworthy.com
· 2025-12-07
A Canadian bank teller prevented a senior citizen from losing $9,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam. The elderly customer had clicked on a Facebook advertisement months earlier, deposited a few hundred dollars, and was now being told he needed to pay $9,000 upfront to access supposedly generated earnings of $90,000 USD—a classic advance-fee cryptocurrency fraud. The alert teller recognized the scam, showed the customer evidence from Reddit's scam community, and successfully convinced him not to proceed, limiting his actual loss to the initial small deposits.
phillyvoice.com
· 2025-12-07
**Article Type:** Educational/Awareness
**Summary:**
Over 60% of businesses fell victim to scams in 2024, with common frauds including phony invoices, vendor impersonation, fake business consultants, and advertising schemes that target business owners and their employees' financial information. Scammers exploit business automation, credit card processing, and growth opportunities through tactics like spoofed websites, fake testimonials, and demands for immediate payment. Businesses can protect themselves by verifying all communications, checking fine print on agreements, avoiding signing blank documents, and staying alert to red flags such as urgency and promises that seem too good to be true.
ag.ny.gov
· 2025-12-07
New York Attorney General Letitia James warned of the "Phantom Hacker" scam, a three-phase coordinated fraud targeting seniors that has stolen over $1 billion since 2024 by impersonating banks and government agencies to gain remote computer access and convince victims to transfer retirement savings via wire, cash, or cryptocurrency. The scam begins with a fake security alert prompting victims to download malware, followed by impersonators claiming to be from the victim's bank and a government agency, creating a false sense of legitimacy to steal funds. The AG advises New Yorkers to avoid clicking unsolicited links, calling provided numbers, granting remote computer access, or transferring
bobbybones.iheart.com
· 2025-12-07
Bobby nearly fell victim to a sophisticated impersonation scam when a caller posing as his bank requested personal financial information and attempted to gain remote access to his banking app through FaceTime, using details like his phone number and address to establish credibility. The article also describes a related border package scam targeting Lunchbox and advises that if any unsolicited call feels suspicious, individuals should independently verify requests with their bank or company rather than trusting caller information or timing.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-07
Eight members of a transnational money laundering conspiracy, seven Indian nationals and one Ohio resident, were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 2 to 6 years for laundering proceeds from "phantom hacker" fraud schemes that victimized residents across Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana between May and November 2023. The scam involved fraudsters falsely claiming victims' accounts were compromised, then impersonating law enforcement to pressure victims into transferring their life savings under the guise of account protection. The eight defendants were ordered to pay nearly $4 million in restitution to victims who lost their life savings.
wislawjournal.com
· 2025-12-07
Ankurkumar Patel, a Brookfield man, was indicted on money laundering charges for his role in a "phantom hacker scheme" that defrauded elderly victims across multiple states by posing as customer service and law enforcement agents to trick victims into transferring funds. Patel allegedly personally retrieved over $1 million from victims and conspired to launder the money through anonymous transactions, with one victim from Sheboygan identified in the case. He faces up to 20 years imprisonment and fines up to $500,000 if convicted on the money laundering conspiracy charge.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-07
This educational article warns seniors about Medicare scams that surge during fall open enrollment periods. Scammers impersonate Medicare or medical providers via phone calls to trick beneficiaries into revealing Social Security numbers, Medicare card numbers, and other personal information—which criminals use to submit fraudulent claims worth tens of thousands of dollars. The article advises that Medicare will never call unsolicited, recommends hanging up on suspicious callers, and directs victims to call 1-800-MEDICARE for assistance.
securityboulevard.com
· 2025-12-07
The "Phantom Hacker" scam, which has stolen over $1 billion in the past year, uses a three-phase impersonation scheme targeting seniors and others by posing as tech support, financial institution, and government representatives to trick victims into transferring funds to fraudulent "safe" accounts via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or cash. The scam's effectiveness lies in its elaborate layering of trusted personas, remote computer access, and official-looking communications that convince victims to move money while remaining silent about the transactions. Experts warn that artificial intelligence will make such scams increasingly convincing and scalable, requiring stronger security controls at the vendor and service provider level to protect vulnerable populations.
news.usps.com
· 2025-12-07
The U.S. Postal Service is warning employees and contractors about smishing scams—text message-based cyberattacks where criminals impersonate USPS leadership to steal personal data by requesting credential verification through suspicious links. The advisory recommends employees avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts, be wary of messages from unknown numbers, and report suspicious communications to the Postal Inspection Service.
uk.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Quishing—a scam combining QR codes with phishing techniques—is rapidly increasing, with 784 reported incidents between April 2024 and April 2025 resulting in nearly £3.5 million in losses across the UK. Fraudsters replace phishing links with QR codes to trick victims into visiting malicious websites that steal banking credentials, personal data, or install malware, with cases ranging from small parking fees to major identity theft and loan fraud affecting victims of all ages.
businessworld.in
· 2025-12-07
Cybercrimes against India's elderly surged 86% between 2020 and 2022, with criminals exploiting vulnerabilities including loneliness, cognitive decline, and digital illiteracy through impersonation scams, investment fraud, romance scams, and technical deception. Notable cases include a retired colonel losing Rs 3.4 crore after fraudsters impersonated law enforcement and a 75-year-old losing Rs 13 crore through a WhatsApp investment scam, with digital payment fraud projected to exceed Rs 1.2 lakh crore by 2025. Experts emphasize that protection requires a blend of technological safeguards (AI