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in Tech Support Scam
krebsonsecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
GitHub users received phishing emails spoofed from GitHub's security team directing them to a fake website (github-scanner[.]com) where a malicious CAPTCHA prompt instructed visitors to press keyboard combinations that automatically downloaded Lumma Stealer malware designed to steal stored credentials. While tech-savvy programmers were unlikely to fall for the scam, security researchers warn the same technique could easily deceive less tech-savvy users unfamiliar with Windows command functions like PowerShell.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
Diljit Dosanjh's Dil-Luminati Tour became the target of online ticket fraud, with a woman losing Rs 15,000 (approximately $180 USD) to a scammer using a fake identity who sold the same fraudulent tickets to multiple buyers. Delhi Police warned the public to purchase tickets only from official verified platforms and to be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, as online ticket scams have become increasingly prevalent during high-demand live events.
mcknightsseniorliving.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FTC reported $10 billion in total consumer fraud losses (up $1 billion from 2022), with older adults losing $3.4 billion according to FBI data, driven primarily by imposter scams, investment fraud (up 400% since 2021), and tech support scams despite scam types remaining largely consistent with previous years. The Senate Special Committee on Aging released its ninth annual fraud book highlighting that common scams targeting seniors include imposter, sweepstakes, lottery, cryptocurrency, and AI-enabled schemes, with tech support scams causing nearly $590 million in losses and investment scams topping $1.2 billion. Between June
saharareporters.com
· 2025-12-08
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recovered €5,100 from a Nigerian romance scammer and returned the funds to Spanish citizen Heinz Burchard Einhaus Uchtmann, with the handover made to Spain's Ambassador to Nigeria in September 2024. The recovery was achieved through collaboration between the EFCC and Spanish Police, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in combating cross-border financial crimes. EFCC leadership emphasized the agency's commitment to preventing Nigeria from becoming a safe haven for financial criminals and called for continued global partnership among law enforcement agencies to address the borderless nature of internet fraud.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Bengaluru man named KJ Rao lost Rs 59 lakh in an elaborate online scam involving fraudsters who impersonated police, CBI officials, and a judge to convince him he was under "digital arrest" for money laundering and misuse of Aadhaar details. Using multiple deceptive tactics including fake video calls, fabricated courtroom proceedings, and continuous surveillance via Skype, the scammers pressured Rao to transfer Rs 50 lakh and Rs 9 lakh to separate bank accounts under the pretense of court orders. Rao reported the scam to local police after the scammers abruptly ended contact
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A Bengaluru man lost Rs 59 lakh in a sophisticated online scam involving fluent English-speaking fraudsters who impersonated police officers, CBI officials, and a judge to convince him he was under "digital arrest" for money laundering and Aadhaar misuse. The scammers used automated calls, WhatsApp video calls, fake courtroom theatrics, and round-the-clock surveillance via Skype to psychologically manipulate the victim into transferring funds across multiple bank accounts before abruptly disconnecting. The victim reported the incident to police after realizing the deception.
cadillacnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel met with over 70 senior citizens in Cadillac to educate them about emerging scams, including phishing, smishing, identity theft, grandparent scams, and "pig butchering" scams—a long-term fraud where perpetrators build false relationships with victims via social apps before stealing money or personal information. Nessel highlighted how artificial intelligence is increasingly being used by scammers to create personalized, convincing fraud schemes, including deepfake audio and video to impersonate family members, and directed residents to the Michigan Attorney General's Consumer Protection website for scam information and alerts.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
On September 21, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration announced new initiatives to support women's economic security, particularly as they age, acknowledging that women typically retire with less savings than men while living longer and facing greater financial vulnerability. The announcement included over $200 million in grants for senior employment training, nearly $3 million for emergency housing for older women experiencing abuse, and new resources for retirement planning and financial literacy. The administration also emphasized existing protections against financial fraud and scams targeting women, alongside policies to strengthen Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
pandasecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
As Amazon Prime Day approaches on October 8-9, scammers are preparing to exploit the shopping rush by targeting consumers through phishing emails, fake Amazon websites, and stolen credential misuse. Common tactics include fraudulent messages claiming Prime subscriptions have been canceled to steal login information, as well as package theft by "porch pirates" taking advantage of increased deliveries. Consumers can protect themselves by using antivirus software, verifying account information directly through Amazon, and using Amazon Lockers for package delivery to avoid theft.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Tennessee man's wife fell victim to a sophisticated scam where thieves posed as bank representatives following a legitimate fraud alert text, tricking her into revealing the answer to her account's security question. Using this information, the scammers disabled notifications, transferred funds between accounts, and set up an ACH withdrawal—though the victim's daily account monitoring allowed her to catch the fraud quickly and recover most funds through her bank and IC3 reporting. The incident illustrates how scammers exploit trust and use security question answers to bypass account protections, and highlights the importance of verifying caller identity and being cautious about sharing personal information even when requests seem legitimate.
dailytimesng.com
· 2025-12-08
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recovered €5,100 from a Nigerian romance scammer and returned the funds to Spanish victim Heinz Burchard Einhaus Uchtmann in collaboration with Spanish Police. The EFCC Executive Chairman formally handed over the recovered assets to the Spanish Ambassador on September 20, 2024, emphasizing that the case demonstrates the importance of international law enforcement cooperation in combating borderless financial crimes. The recovery underscores both countries' commitment to preventing Nigeria from becoming a safe haven for financial criminals and fraudsters engaged in romance scams and similar schemes.
citynewsokc.com
· 2025-12-08
Tech support scams involve fraudsters posing as representatives from Microsoft, Dell, or other legitimate companies, calling consumers unsolicited and claiming their computers have been hacked or infected with viruses. The scammers use remote access to take control of victims' computers and pressure them to provide credit card information, resulting in losses of $50-500 per victim plus potential data theft and computer lockouts. These operations, primarily based in India, use telemarketing boiler rooms and deceptive advertising to target English-speaking consumers in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and other countries, though the FTC has pursued enforcement action against multiple scam operations.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans received over 4.4 billion robocalls in April, with scam calls surging 73% to 710 million, primarily featuring fraudulent tax relief schemes promising to eliminate or make tax debt "non-collectible." These scams target people with tax obligations by requesting upfront fees and personal information while delivering nothing in return. The article recommends protecting oneself through data removal services, screening unknown calls, verifying caller identity, and reporting suspicious calls to authorities.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Abdul Mohammed, 31, of Des Plaines, Illinois, was federally charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud for his role in a scheme that defrauded elderly victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars in retirement savings. The conspiracy involved scammers posing as FBI agents who falsely claimed victims' identities or accounts were compromised and instructed them to withdraw cash or purchase gold bars for "protection," with one documented victim losing at least $125,000 across multiple transactions. Mohammed is currently a fugitive with an outstanding warrant and faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 43-year-old art director from Mumbai lost Rs 3.37 lakh to a romance scam involving a fake customs official who claimed her Tinder match had been detained at the airport with currency; she was spared from losing an additional Rs 4.99 lakh when an alert bank official detected the fraud. The scam, which echoes similar cases targeting women on dating apps, prompted police to register a cheating case and has renewed warnings for users to exercise caution before sharing personal information or money with online acquaintances.
wfmj.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI arrested 24-year-old Indian national Shreyas Baldevbhai Chaudhary in Georgia for his role in a $4.8 million nationwide elder fraud scheme targeting at least six victims across multiple states using fake tech support scams. Chaudhary allegedly defrauded a 77-year-old Salem man of approximately $61,000 by convincing him his computer was hacked and pressuring him to send cash to couriers posing as Microsoft or financial institution representatives. The investigation, which also identified co-conspirator Trusha Chaudhary and is ongoing with additional arrests expected, revealed a sophisticated operation that victimized elderly Americans in Ohio, California
kelly.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
During a Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly discussed the escalating threat of sophisticated fraud targeting seniors, including AI-generated voice cloning, cryptocurrency schemes, and "pig butchering" scams orchestrated by organized crime networks operating internationally, with reported losses totaling $100 billion. Law enforcement and consumer advocates emphasized the need for increased investigative resources, industry engagement, and a comprehensive national strategy to combat these crimes. Kelly highlighted his legislative efforts to protect seniors, including the Stop Senior Scams Act (2022) and the EdCOPS Act (2024), while discussing successful collaborative models like San Diego's Elder Justice Task Force.
wfmj.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI arrested 24-year-old Shreyas Baldevbhai Chaudhary in Georgia for his role in a $4.8 million nationwide elder fraud scheme targeting at least six victims across multiple states, including a 77-year-old Salem man who lost approximately $61,000. The scam involved fake tech support pop-ups claiming victims' computers were hacked, followed by pressure to send cash or gold to couriers posing as Microsoft or financial institution representatives. A co-conspirator, Trusha Chaudhary, was also apprehended, and authorities indicate the investigation is ongoing with additional arrests expected.
wkbw.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau reports a record surge in phishing scams in 2024, with scam reports doubling between 2022 and 2023, targeting people through text messages (such as fake toll payment demands), extortion emails involving threats to release compromising images unless Bitcoin payment is made, and stolen event tickets from major data breaches like the Ticketmaster hack affecting 500 million users. Experts recommend not engaging with scammers, using app-based authentication with two-factor verification, and reporting suspected scams, noting that cryptocurrency payments are nearly impossible to recover once sent.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
West African "Yahoo boys" operating from Ghana conduct large-scale romance and computer repair scams, targeting vulnerable Americans (particularly widowers and elderly victims) and stealing billions in fraudulent wire transfers and gold purchase schemes. A 92-year-old retired nurse lost significant portions of her life savings to a gold scam despite repeated warnings, leading to lawsuits against banks like Charles Schwab for allegedly ignoring red flags on suspicious transactions. U.S. consumers reported over $10 billion in fraud losses in 2023—a 14% increase from 2022—as overseas-based scams exploit weak bank safeguards and psychological manipulation to drain American accounts.
bristolpost.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Journalist Moira Stuart fell victim to a sophisticated bank impersonation scam approximately three years ago in which a caller claimed to be from her bank, alleging fraudulent activity and instructing her to withdraw cash from an alternative branch while remaining on the phone. The scam was thwarted when a vigilant bank teller questioned her actions and advised her it "doesn't sound right," prompting her to report the incident to the bank's anti-fraud team. Stuart has since partnered with BT Group and AbilityNet to educate older adults about common scams including delivery fraud, family impersonation schemes, and bank/email fraud, emphasizing that scammers are sophisticated enough to target
northwichguardian.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Age UK Cheshire is hosting free educational events in October titled "Scam Proof? Protect Yourself and Others from Fraud" to help elderly residents and community members recognize and prevent scams. Expert speakers from local authorities, police, and the Crown Prosecution Service, along with scam survivors sharing their stories, will cover warning signs and tactics used by fraudsters across phone, online, and doorstep scams. The sessions are designed to equip participants with practical strategies to protect their personal and financial information.
nbcmontana.com
· 2025-12-08
Missoula Aging Services reported a surge in phone scams where callers impersonate Medicare, government agencies, banks, and tech support to extract victims' personal information including Medicare numbers, Social Security numbers, and bank account details using high-pressure tactics. The organization urges consumers to be suspicious of unsolicited calls requesting personal information and recommends verifying caller identity by independently contacting the organization, then reporting suspicious calls to Montana Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-800-551-3191 or the Federal Trade Commission.
wlos.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder financial scams increased 14% in complaints and 11% in financial impact in 2023, with criminals targeting seniors through imposter scams (IRS/Social Security), shopping fraud, grandparent scams, tech support schemes, and sweepstakes fraud. The article provides protective measures for each scam type, emphasizing that seniors should never share personal information unsolicited, verify requests through independent contact with family or organizations, be skeptical of unusual payment methods, and report suspected fraud immediately.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost thousands of Americans millions of dollars annually, with the FTC reporting 64,003 romance scam complaints in the previous year totaling $1.14 billion in losses (median $2,000 per victim). A Malwarebytes survey found that 66% of respondents were targeted by romance scammers, with 10% losing over $10,000 and 3% losing $100,000 or more, though 40% of victims never reported the fraud due to shame or lack of faith in law enforcement. Scammers typically build trust over weeks or months through online dating platforms and social media before requesting money or personal information, with 94%
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
Pig butchering crypto scams involve fraudsters building trust with victims through fake identities and relationships on social media platforms like WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and Instagram before directing them to fraudulent cryptocurrency trading platforms and stealing their money. The SEC filed its first enforcement actions against these scams in September 2024, charging eight defendants in connection with fake platforms NanoBit and CoinW6, while the CFTC and other federal agencies have partnered to distribute educational materials warning consumers that these scams cost Americans billions annually. Victims are advised to ignore unsolicited messages from strangers and report suspicious contacts to prevent becoming targets of this rapidly growing fraud scheme.
irishnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Veteran broadcaster Moira Stuart, 75, was nearly scammed in a phone call where a fraudster claimed money had been stolen from her account and instructed her to transfer funds, though a bank cashier intervened before any loss occurred. Research shows people aged 55-64 face the highest number of scams, with Age UK finding that 41% of people over 50 were scammed in the last five years, losing an average of £2,022, and experiencing significant psychological and social impacts beyond financial loss. Digital skills experts recommend older people verify sender details, confirm whether communications are expected, and be cautious of suspicious pop-ups to protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated scammers.
massapequapost.com
· 2025-12-08
The Town of Oyster Bay partnered with the Nassau County District Attorney's office to combat an escalating wave of scams targeting seniors, with over $230 million stolen from New Yorkers in 2024 alone. Scammers exploit seniors through telephone and email schemes impersonating government agents, bank officials, or family members to gain access to retirement accounts and savings, while also using methods ranging from mailbox theft to sophisticated malware attacks. The partnership is hosting educational seminars to inform seniors and their families about recognizing and reporting these threats, which have grown increasingly sophisticated, including the use of AI voice-mimicking technology.
boston.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Brooklyn men, Shaoquin Liu, 27, and Shiwang Ning, 33, were arrested in Quincy for allegedly stealing over $120,000 from a senior citizen through a tech support scam involving fake emails and calls impersonating the victim's banks and the FDIC. The suspects remotely accessed the victim's computer, obtained financial information, and convinced the victim to withdraw large cash amounts that were picked up from their home multiple times before the victim grew suspicious and contacted police. Both men were charged with one count of larceny and two counts of fraud.
thecourierexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 50 seniors attended a Scam Jam educational seminar in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, presented by state and local officials to teach fraud prevention and recognition of common scams targeting elders. Presenters highlighted increasingly sophisticated scams including voice cloning via AI, fake tech support calls requesting gift card payments, and impersonation schemes, emphasizing that victims should contact police immediately when suspicious and never provide personal information or payment via non-traditional means like gift cards. A recent local case was cited where timely police contact prevented a $30,000 loss to a potential victim.
patriotledger.com
· 2025-12-08
Quincy police arrested two men from Brooklyn in connection with a tech support scam that defrauded a local senior citizen of over $120,000. The perpetrators used a fake Microsoft notification to lure the victim into calling a number where they impersonated an FDIC employee, convincing the senior to withdraw cash and hand it over to a courier, while simultaneously accessing the victim's computer remotely to obtain financial information and send fraudulent correspondence from government agencies. The victim became suspicious and contacted police; both men were charged with larceny and conspiracy and held on $100,000 bail.
koco.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud in Oklahoma increased 15% from 2022 to 2023, with nearly 1,000 seniors over age 60 falling victim to scams and losing over $22 million in total. The most common fraud schemes targeting seniors are fake tech support and romance scams, with criminals exploiting seniors' accumulated wealth; the FBI advises victims and potential victims to hang up, log off, and walk away from any pressure to conduct financial transactions.
news9.com
· 2025-12-08
Oklahoma ranked 27th nationally with 955 elder fraud complaints according to FBI data, part of a broader trend where Americans over 60 lost nearly $3.5 billion to scams in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year. Experts advise victims to report fraud immediately to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov), as there is a 7 in 10 chance of recovering funds if reported quickly, and recommend hanging up on suspicious callers and telling family members rather than keeping requests secret. Cryptocurrency scams and pressure tactics to conduct immediate financial transactions are common red flags.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, nearly 1,000 Oklahomans age 60 and older lost more than $22 million to fraud, with complaints from this age group increasing 15% in Oklahoma between 2022 and 2023—higher than the national 11% increase. Tech support scams are the most common type targeting seniors, though lottery/sweepstakes scams also pose significant risks, as illustrated by an Oklahoma couple who nearly fell victim to a $500,000 prize scam. The FBI emphasizes that victims should report all scams and attempted scams without shame, as early reporting helps prevent fraud rather than merely respond to it after losses occur.
boston25news.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Brooklyn men, Shaoquin Liu and Shiwang Ning, were arrested and charged with larceny and conspiracy after defrauding an elderly South Shore resident of $120,000 through a tech support scam. The perpetrators impersonated Microsoft, FDIC, and Social Security Administration officials, convincing the victim their bank account had suspicious activity and manipulating them into making repeated large cash withdrawals that were picked up by associates. The victim became suspicious and contacted police, leading to the suspects' arrest when they arrived to collect additional cash.
ktvz.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, nearly 1,000 Oklahoma seniors fell victim to fraud schemes, losing over $22 million combined—representing a 15% increase in elder fraud cases in the state from 2022 to 2023, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Common scams targeting seniors include romance schemes conducted through social media and fake tech support pop-ups, with criminals exploiting seniors' accumulated wealth over their lifetimes. The FBI advises older adults and their families to recognize warning signs and immediately disengage from any interaction involving financial pressure by hanging up the phone or logging off.
timesofsandiego.com
· 2025-12-08
Bitcoin ATMs are increasingly exploited by fraudsters to steal money from victims, particularly seniors in San Diego County, where victims lost over $5 million in 2023. Scammers convince victims through tech support scams and other fraud schemes to withdraw cash and convert it to cryptocurrency at these machines, then transfer the funds to encrypted addresses; the stolen money can be moved globally within minutes, making recovery nearly impossible. Law enforcement and senators are calling for stronger safeguards at Bitcoin ATM operators to prevent victims from depositing funds in the first place, as the window for intervention is extremely narrow.
verywellmind.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide explains romance scams, a type of fraud where criminals build fake romantic relationships to extract money from victims. The article outlines common tactics (including catfishing), warning signs, and vulnerable populations targeted by scammers, while noting that the FTC reported $304 million in losses from romance scams in 2020—a 50% increase from 2019. The guide provides advice on protecting oneself and recovering from romance fraud, emphasizing that victims should not be blamed for falling for such schemes.
news.harvard.edu
· 2025-12-08
Online scams cost American consumers $12.5 billion last year, a 22 percent increase, with cybercriminals using sophisticated psychological tactics that can affect anyone regardless of age, intelligence, or education. According to cybersecurity expert Bruce Schneier, scammers' methods are fundamentally unchanged from historical cons, but technology has dramatically increased the scale and speed of attacks through fake social media ads, phishing emails, and AI-generated content. Cryptocurrency has made scams more profitable and harder to prevent because transactions cannot be reversed or monitored by traditional banking safeguards.
thetimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Broadcaster Moira Stuart nearly fell victim to an authorized push payment (APP) fraud scam when someone impersonating her bank convinced her to transfer money to a "safe" account, but bank staff intervened and stopped the transaction. APP fraud incidents exceeded 230,000 cases in the most recent year, resulting in £460 million in losses, with fraudsters increasingly using artificial intelligence and evolving tactics including purchase scams, investment schemes, romance scams, and impersonation fraud targeting energy suppliers and tax authorities. Banks are struggling to refund victims, and regulators have capped APP scam refunds at £85,000 starting October 7.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns that cryptocurrency and investment scammers are increasingly sophisticated, with recent research showing $75.3 billion moved into suspicious exchange accounts including $15.2 billion from U.S. investors. Key warning signs include unsolicited contact via phone/email/social media, promises of unrealistic returns with little risk, pressure to act quickly, and overly complicated strategies that only the scammer can explain. The article advises verifying investment professionals' credentials through FINRA BrokerCheck or SEC databases and being skeptical of any opportunity that sounds too good to be true.
wgem.com
· 2025-12-08
First Baptist Church in Quincy held an educational seminar to help senior citizens recognize and avoid phone scams, particularly impersonation scams involving fake IRS calls. Guest speaker Don O'Brien from the Better Business Bureau advised attendees to question callers about details only legitimate government employees would know and to never share payment information or money with suspicious callers. Pastor Orville Jones emphasized that technology education is essential for seniors to protect themselves while remaining connected in modern society.
decripto.org
· 2025-12-08
US authorities recovered over $6 million in stolen cryptocurrencies from Southeast Asian fraudsters who targeted multiple victims through text messages, dating apps, and investment groups, directing them to fake investment platforms that promised high returns. The FBI used blockchain technology to trace the stolen funds, and Tether assisted by blocking the scammers' wallets, enabling rapid recovery despite the international complexity of the case. This recovery highlights a larger crisis: cryptocurrency investment scams caused $3.9 billion in losses in 2023, with fraudsters often targeting vulnerable individuals desperate for investment opportunities, including some who took additional mortgages on their homes.
technologyforyou.org
· 2025-12-08
Malwarebytes research found that over 66% of survey respondents were targeted by romance scams, with 10% of victims losing more than $10,000 and 3% losing $100,000 or more, while 94% were unable to recover their losses. The scams predominantly target individuals over 55 (74%) and males (56%), though younger demographics are also affected, with 26% of victims engaging with scammers for extended periods—some relationships lasting a year or longer. Key protective measures include verifying identities, keeping personal information private, consulting trusted third parties before financial transactions, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities.
wbbjtv.com
· 2025-12-08
Sextortion scams are rapidly increasing, with the FBI reporting dramatic spikes in incidents targeting boys aged 14-17, where online criminals pose as attractive girls on social media to solicit nude photos and then blackmail victims with threats to share the images publicly. The scammers often continue demanding additional photos or money even after victims comply, and victims frequently remain silent due to fear and embarrassment, sometimes with tragic consequences. Parents are urged to educate children about the dangers of sharing intimate photos, and victims can report incidents to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
O2, the UK's largest phone network, has issued a scam alert warning customers about fraudulent activity targeting both iPhone and Android users, particularly during the busy pre-Christmas tech launch season. The scams involve criminals posing as O2 representatives to steal personal data, passwords, and bank details by offering too-good-to-be-true deals like steep discounts or free devices, then using the stolen information to fraudulently order phones in victims' names. O2 advises customers to never share sensitive information over phone or text, avoid clicking suspicious links, and report unexpected package deliveries or account changes directly to O2 rather than engaging with the scammers.
fallriverreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
Two individuals were arrested and ordered detained for their roles in online scams targeting Rhode Island seniors. Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada, was charged in a scheme that defrauded a 79-year-old Narragansett man of approximately $165,000 (cash and gold bars) after a pop-up falsely claimed he was under investigation for child pornography and money laundering; Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut, was charged in a separate scheme where a 72-year-old Tiverton man was defrauded of nearly $200,000 through similar tactics involving a fake FTC agent. Both perpetrators
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Senate's Special Committee On Aging held a hearing on elder financial fraud, featuring testimony from AARP's Kathy Stokes revealing that organized transnational crime rings operate like corporations, using emotional manipulation to bypass victims' logical thinking, and that identity fraud alone cost Americans $43 billion in 2023. Scammers are increasingly using AI to create convincing fake communications, emails, and deepfakes, making tech support scams and bank impostor scams harder to detect, though awareness of common tactics and red flags can help protect vulnerable adults.
courant.com
· 2025-12-08
Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut and Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada face federal charges for orchestrating online scams targeting Rhode Island senior citizens, defrauding victims of approximately $200,000 and $165,000 respectively through fake pop-up messages and impersonation of federal agents. The scammers falsely claimed the victims' identities were compromised and directed them to purchase gold bullion as a means to "secure" their assets, with law enforcement ultimately arresting both suspects during undercover delivery operations.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two individuals were charged in federal court for operating online scams targeting Rhode Island seniors. Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada, defrauded a 79-year-old man of $35,000 in cash and $130,000 in gold bars through a scheme involving fake pop-up warnings and impersonation of federal authorities; Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut, defrauded a 72-year-old victim of approximately $363,000 in gold bullion using similar tactics. Both perpetrators were ordered detained and face charges including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering