Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 22,013 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
1,418 results
in Grandparent Scams
fox13now.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are increasingly using text messages and voice-cloning technology to target consumers, particularly the elderly, through sophisticated schemes such as fake toll notices, USPS delivery delays, and grandparent scams where AI-generated voices impersonate relatives claiming to be in jail. According to Utah's Division of Consumer Protection director Katie Hass, artificial intelligence has made scams more convincing by gathering personal information from social media and the web while eliminating typical red flags like spelling errors and poor grammar. To protect themselves, consumers should establish family passwords or safe words, avoid responding to unknown numbers, and take a moment to verify callers' identities before taking action.
wcvb.com
· 2025-12-07
Between 2023 and May 2025, the FBI's Boston Division documented 103 courier-based fraud schemes targeting elderly victims, resulting in over $26 million in losses, with 59 Massachusetts residents losing $18.6 million collectively. Nearly all victims (98%) were over 60 years old and were deceived through grandparent, government impersonation, or tech support scams that convinced them to hand over cash or gold bars to couriers posing as legitimate third parties. Nationally, the FBI documented at least 1,737 similar instances during this period with approximately $186.2 million in losses, and officials urge the public to educate elderly relatives about
statehousenews.com
· 2025-12-07
Between 2023 and May 2025, the FBI's Boston Division documented 103 courier-based fraud schemes targeting elderly residents, resulting in over $26 million in losses, with 59 Massachusetts victims accounting for $18.6 million of that total. Nearly all victims were over 60 years old and were deceived through "grandparent," "government impersonation," or "tech support" scams that manipulated them into withdrawing cash or gold bars for a third-party courier to collect. The FBI reports this is part of a national trend affecting 1,737 victims with approximately $186.2 million in losses and urges the public to educate elderly relatives
masslive.com
· 2025-12-07
The FBI warns of a significant surge in gold bar and bulk cash courier scams targeting older adults, where fraudsters use grandparent, government impersonation, or tech support schemes to convince victims to hand over valuables to in-person couriers. From 2023 to 2025, FBI Boston documented 103 instances resulting in over $26 million in losses (98% of victims over age 60), while nationwide figures reached 1,737 cases with approximately $186 million in losses. The FBI advises the public never to purchase precious metals at a government's request, avoid posting personal information online, and refrain from allowing unknown individuals access to computers or personal data.
vice.com
· 2025-12-07
An 80-year-old woman in Sapporo, Japan, lost approximately 1 million yen ($6,750) to a romance scammer who posed as an astronaut in distress, claiming he needed money for oxygen while stranded in space. The scammer initiated contact via social media in July and gradually built trust before requesting funds, exploiting the victim's loneliness and the elderly population's particular vulnerability to fraud schemes. Japan's aging demographic makes it especially susceptible to various romance and impersonation scams, including fake celebrity suitors and fabricated emergency situations.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A national poll found that three in four adults ages 50-80 experienced scam attempts in the last two years, with approximately 30% losing money to fraud. The article identifies the most common scams targeting Western New York seniors, including romance scams, sweepstakes scams, imposter scams (government/business officials), grandparent scams, and tech phishing scams, and advises victims to disengage from suspicious contacts, verify requests independently, and report losses to the Federal Trade Commission, state Attorney General, or New York State Office of Victim Services.
irs.gov
· 2025-12-07
The U.S. Attorney's Office announced the "Save our Seniors" initiative resulting in the arrest of eight defendants across seven criminal complaints for defrauding over 139 senior citizens of more than $11 million total. The defendants engaged in various schemes including customer support scams, romance scams, counterfeit check fraud, and identity theft, with notable cases including Dhruv Patel (accused of defrauding at least 12 victims of over $9.1 million through pickups of stolen goods), Stephen Odiboh (received $70,000 from a romance scam victim who lost $175,000), and Christopher Hernandez (stole $
civilbeat.org
· 2025-12-07
A Kailua woman received a voicemail from someone claiming to represent Hawaiian Electric Company, warning that her home utilities would be disconnected unless she called back immediately—a common scam tactic that exploited her vacation anxiety and inability to verify the claim. The article discusses how artificial intelligence and readily available personal information are making it increasingly easier for scammers to create sophisticated frauds, including voice-cloning technology that impersonates trusted contacts, with particular vulnerability among seniors and young people.
fingerlakes1.com
· 2025-12-07
Federal prosecutors charged eight individuals in the "Save Our Seniors" initiative for defrauding 139 elderly victims of over $11 million through schemes including fake government agent impersonation, romance scams, identity theft, and counterfeit checks. The charges involve defendants from multiple states accused of targeting seniors aged 60 and older, with individual losses ranging from $70,000 to $600,000. Authorities warn seniors never to send cash, gift cards, or make peer-to-peer payments to anyone claiming to be a government official, and advise reporting suspected scams to local police or the FBI.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers in 2025 exploit AI, cryptocurrencies, and stolen data to target vulnerable individuals through deepfakes, emotional manipulation, and evolving traditional fraud methods. AI-generated audio and video impersonations caused over 105,000 deepfake attacks in the U.S. in 2024, costing more than $200 million in Q1 2025 alone, with elderly victims particularly vulnerable to fake emergency calls from supposed relatives. Cryptocurrency scams include pump-and-dump schemes and "pig butchering" (romance fraud leading to fake crypto investments), while phishing, tech support scams, and fake websites continue to exploit victims by impersonating legitimate
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers in 2025 exploit AI, cryptocurrencies, and stolen data to target vulnerable individuals through deepfakes, impersonation, and emotional manipulation. AI-generated audio and video impersonations cost over $200 million in losses in early 2025, while cryptocurrency scams like "pig butchering" (romance fraud hybrid) and pump-and-dump schemes manipulate victims into investing in fake platforms. Traditional fraud methods—phishing, tech support scams, and fake job listings—have evolved with AI to become more convincing, with scammers leveraging emotions like duty, fear, and hope to exploit targets across all demographics, particularly elderly victims.
greenwichsentinel.com
· 2025-12-07
In August, the author and her community experienced a surge of email scams, including a fake Microsoft security alert, a spoofed "friend in crisis" requesting money, and church phishing using the pastor's name to solicit gift cards and cash from congregation members. Experts warn that scammers operating from Eastern Europe, Russia, and China are increasingly difficult to stop, and that AI-generated emails are making scams harder to detect, with elderly individuals who lack computer experience being particularly vulnerable to these schemes.
fedweek.com
· 2025-12-07
According to the Senate Aging Committee's latest report, scams targeting older adults are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and person-to-person payment transfers to defraud victims who are targeted for their accumulated assets and trusting nature. Reported losses to those age 60 and over surged by over 40% in 2024, with cryptocurrency-related losses jumping by two-thirds, while scammers employ AI-enabled tools like voice cloning and deepfake videos to make imposter scams more convincing and easier to deploy at scale. Common fraud types include imposter scams, online shopping fraud, lottery scams, and investment fraud, with cryptocurrency and P2
financialservices.house.gov
· 2025-12-07
A congressional Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing examined the escalating threat of financial fraud to American consumers, with particular concern for seniors and vulnerable populations. In 2024, there were 2.6 million reported fraud cases resulting in $12.5 billion in losses, involving schemes such as check fraud, romance scams, voice cloning, and AI-driven impersonation targeting grandparents. Federal lawmakers and banking industry representatives discussed the sophistication of criminal operations, many operating overseas, and called for improved federal agency coordination and consumer outreach to combat these growing threats.
kfvs12.com
· 2025-12-07
A 31-year-old Missouri man and 12 others were charged for operating a grandparent scam that defrauded over 300 elderly victims across five states of more than $5 million, with victims averaging 84 years old. The scheme involved callers posing as grandchildren or their lawyers claiming emergency situations, using rideshare drivers to collect cash from victims' homes or accompany them to banks. Law enforcement warns that scammers increasingly use AI voice-cloning technology to impersonate family members convincingly, making victims more likely to act urgently without verifying the caller's identity.
auroranewsregister.com
· 2025-12-07
Bank fraud prevention experts presented findings at a senior center on common scams targeting older adults, including tech support, phishing, vishing, and grandparent scams that use fear and emotional appeals to steal money. According to Federal Trade Commission statistics cited, consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023—a 14% increase from 2022—with tech support fraud being the leading crime type for those over 60, resulting in nearly $600 million in reported losses. The presentation advised seniors to recognize red flags in phishing emails, be skeptical of unsolicited tech support offers, and trust their instincts to avoid becoming victims.
au.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Lloyds Banking Group reported a 52% rise in romance scams targeting people over 55 in the past year, with victims aged 55-64 being the most common targets. Scammers typically pose as military personnel, oil rig workers, or professionals working abroad and request money for medical emergencies, travel expenses, or legal fees, with victims aged 75-84 losing an average of £8,068 per scam. The bank documented cases including an 80-year-old woman who lost £11,000 and an 86-year-old man who lost £2,260 to elaborate stories about accidents, inheritances, and urgent travel needs.
wellsvillesun.com
· 2025-12-07
Eight defendants were arrested in "Operation Save our Seniors," a federal enforcement effort targeting fraud schemes against senior citizens, resulting in over $11 million in actual and attempted losses across 139 victims primarily in Western New York. The defendants engaged in various scams including customer support fraud, romance scams, check fraud, and identity theft, with ringleader Dhruv Patel alone accused of defrauding at least 12 elderly victims out of more than $9.1 million. Charges carry penalties ranging up to 30 years in prison, and several defendants had prior fraud-related convictions.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-07
An operation called "Save our Seniors" resulted in the arrest of eight defendants across seven criminal complaints for defrauding over 139 senior citizens out of more than $11 million through various schemes including customer support scams, romance fraud, check fraud, and account hacking. Key defendants include Dhruv Patel, accused of orchestrating customer support scams that defrauded at least 12 victims of over $9.1 million; Stephen Odiboh, who received $70,000 from a romance scam victim who lost $175,000; and Renee Thompson, charged with creating counterfeit checks totaling over $193,000. The defendants
independent.co.uk
· 2025-12-07
Romance scams targeting people over 55 have surged 52% in the past year, with the 55-64 age group most frequently victimized and those aged 75-84 losing the most money on average (£8,068 compared to the £5,219 average across all ages), according to Lloyds Banking Group data. Scammers commonly impersonate military personnel, oil rig workers, doctors, or engineers and request money for medical emergencies, travel expenses, or legal fees, often directing victims to send funds via bank transfer or gift cards. The article provides warning signs and real cases, including an 80-year-old woman defraude
cjwe.ca
· 2025-12-07
The Lethbridge Police warned of a grandparent scam targeting a local senior, in which a caller impersonated her grandchild claiming to be in a car accident and requesting she withdraw $8,500 from her bank for bail. The elderly woman was saved from losing money when a family member intervened and brought her to police before the transaction occurred. Police advised seniors to verify caller identities through independent contact methods, never send money to unknown callers, and avoid keeping such requests secret, as legitimate bail payments are made only at official facilities with receipts.
wcvb.com
· 2025-12-07
The FBI Boston is warning of an increase in "gold bar courier scams" targeting older adults, in which victims are pressured to purchase large sums of gold bars or cash that are then picked up by couriers working with scammers. From 2023 to May 2025, the FBI documented 103 cases in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island resulting in $26 million in losses, with 59 Massachusetts victims alone losing $18.6 million. The scams typically involve three methods: grandparent scams, government impersonation, and tech support scams, all designed to pressure victims into quickly liquidating assets before they can contact family members.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A Boise, Idaho gas station clerk named Avalon Hardy intervened to stop at least seven cryptocurrency scams targeting elderly customers by questioning suspicious Bitcoin ATM transactions and unplugging the machine to prevent a 79-year-old from losing $15,000 and a 75-year-old from losing $19,000. Crypto fraud has become increasingly prevalent, with scammers using tactics like impersonation, fake government agencies, and AI-powered deepfakes to target older adults, who reported losses exceeding $1.6 billion in 2023 alone and are the most vulnerable demographic to these schemes.
lethbridgepolice.ca
· 2025-12-07
Lethbridge Police warned the public about the grandparent scam following an attempted fraud against a local elderly woman who received a call from someone claiming to be her son requesting $8,500 for an accident-related emergency. The scammer instructed the victim to withdraw cash and keep the matter secret, but a family member intervened and brought her to police before any money was lost. Police advise seniors to verify caller identities by contacting family members directly, recognize that officials never collect bail in cash at homes, and never provide payment or personal information to unknown callers claiming to be relatives in distress.
philstarlife.com
· 2025-12-07
An elderly woman in Hokkaido, Japan was defrauded of approximately 1 million yen (about $382,764) in a romance scam after meeting a person claiming to be an astronaut on social media who convinced her he needed money for oxygen while stranded in space. The woman developed romantic feelings during their online exchanges, making her vulnerable to the scammer's fabricated crisis. Police warn that Japan's aging population is frequently targeted by various organized fraud schemes and recommend being suspicious of any social media contacts requesting cash payments.
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.
wsmv.com
· 2025-12-07
The Better Business Bureau of Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky reported an uptick in "emergency scams" targeting families, particularly as college students return to campus. Scammers impersonate loved ones claiming urgent situations (arrests, accidents, medical emergencies) and request money, using voice-altering technology and social media details to make their pleas convincing. The BBB advises verifying requests by contacting loved ones directly, asking verification questions, and never sending money to unverified sources through payment apps, gift cards, or wire transfers.
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.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-07
This educational article explains why credit monitoring remains important for retirees and provides protective strategies against identity theft. Seniors lost $4.9 billion to scams in 2024, with scammers targeting retirees who neglect credit monitoring, as stolen identities can be used for loans, credit cards, or insurance applications. The article recommends four steps: monitor credit reports monthly (free weekly reports now available), place a fraud alert if suspicious activity occurs, freeze credit with all three bureaus for maximum protection, and secure personal data online.
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.
komando.com
· 2025-12-07
A Florida grandmother lost $60,000 in a romance scam after being deceived by fraudsters posing as a retired Army general online. One suspect allegedly pocketed $30,000 of the stolen funds to purchase a Hyundai Kona, and the victim later confronted him in person, though he claimed to be "scamming the scammer."
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.
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
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.
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
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.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers impersonated St. Clair County Sheriff's Office staff by calling or messaging family members of jailed individuals, claiming to offer GPS tether release in exchange for payment via PayPal, Zelle, or Apple Pay. At least one victim lost nearly $1,000 to the scheme, which the sheriff's office emphasized it would never use to collect payments. Residents are urged to verify requests through official channels and report suspected scams to local authorities.
abc3340.com
· 2025-12-07
The FBI warns seniors to remain vigilant against fraud schemes targeting older adults, noting that elder fraud remains a significant problem because criminals exploit vulnerable seniors who may be more trusting and often live alone. The agency recommends protective measures including shredding financial documents, avoiding unsolicited contact, resisting pressure to act quickly, and discussing investments with trusted individuals. Seniors are encouraged to report suspected fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center or local field offices, as many victims do not report incidents due to shame and can suffer severe financial losses.
wsfa.com
· 2025-12-07
AARP warns of AI-enabled "grandparent scams" where sophisticated international crime rings use artificial intelligence to replicate grandchildren's voices and call seniors late at night claiming to be in trouble and requesting immediate money. To protect against these scams, AARP recommends establishing a family code word for verification, avoiding calls from unknown numbers, and keeping personal information off the internet.
wsfa.com
· 2025-12-07
This content does not contain information relevant to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. The articles cover local news topics including a civil rights commemoration, healthcare policy, a shooting investigation, and municipal ordinances. No summary for the Elderus database is applicable.
wnegradio.com
· 2025-12-07
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts arrested 13 individuals involved in a transnational elder fraud scheme that targeted over 400 victims and resulted in more than $5 million in losses. Emergency scams—also called grandparent scams—use fake urgent situations (arrests, accidents, medical emergencies) to pressure victims into sending money via payment apps, often impersonating family members and using personal details found on social media or even voice cloning technology to appear credible. To avoid these scams, victims should resist acting immediately, verify stories by calling family members directly, avoid sending money through payment apps or gift cards without confirmation, and contact police if someone arrives to collect cash.
easttexasradio.com
· 2025-12-07
Federal authorities arrested 13 individuals involved in a transnational emergency/grandparent scam operation that defrauded over 400 victims of more than $5 million. The scammers impersonated distressed family members via calls, texts, or social media, claiming arrests, accidents, or emergencies to pressure victims into sending money via payment apps, sometimes even using fake mugshots or voice-cloning technology to enhance credibility. To protect themselves, people should verify urgent requests by contacting family members directly, avoid sending money through untraceable payment methods, and alert police if anyone offers to pick up cash in person.
wifr.com
· 2025-12-07
The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers are increasingly using AI voice-cloning technology to impersonate grandchildren and other loved ones, convincing seniors to send money by claiming emergencies such as accidents, arrests, or medical crises. These "grandparent scams" are becoming more realistic by incorporating personal details gleaned from social media, and scammers can now replicate voices with just seconds of audio. The BBB recommends families establish code words for verification, limit personal information on social media, avoid sending money through untraceable methods like gift cards or payment apps, and contact police if suspicious requests occur or money has already been sent.
bitdefender.com
· 2025-12-07
This educational piece highlights the rising threat of sophisticated online scams targeting seniors, noting that FTC data shows reports of victims aged 60+ losing $10,000 or more quadrupled between 2020 and 2024. Scammers use impostor schemes impersonating businesses or government agencies, increasingly leveraging AI-generated deepfakes and voice technology, with a notable 2024 case involving 16 defendants charged in a grandparent scam ring that defrauded victims of over $55 million. The article recommends verification through trusted channels, raising awareness of scam tactics, and implementing cybersecurity tools as key defenses against elder fraud.
gilmermirror.com
· 2025-12-07
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) provides resources and tools to help older adults, caregivers, and families protect themselves from fraud and scams. Key resources include the BBB's Older Adult Resources page for recognizing red flags, ScamTracker for reporting and researching scams, credit monitoring through annualcreditreport.com, and the Do-Not-Call Registry to reduce unsolicited communications. The article also highlights warning signs of elder abuse—including unexplained injuries, financial manipulation, isolation, and declining living standards—and encourages families to use these tools to support safe, informed aging.
97x.com
· 2025-12-07
An elderly woman in her 80s from Hokkaido, Japan lost approximately $6,700 after being targeted by a romance scammer who posed as an astronaut claiming his spaceship was under attack and needed money for oxygen. The victim, who lived alone and met the scammer on social media in July, developed emotional attachment through online conversations that made her vulnerable to his fabricated crisis. This case reflects a broader surge in romance scams globally, with the U.S. reporting over 64,000 victims and $1 billion in losses in 2023 alone, prompting authorities to urge the public to avoid sending money to online contacts and report suspicious requests immediately.
abc10.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers increasingly target seniors through digital platforms, with California consumers reporting over $1.7 billion in fraud losses in 2024, particularly involving identity theft and smartphone scams. Seniors are vulnerable because they are more likely to respond to unsolicited calls and urgent emails, and common tactics include impersonating government agencies or family members to pressure victims into quick payments via gift cards. Experts recommend that seniors never give personal information over the phone, keep antivirus software updated, verify website legitimacy before transactions, and immediately notify law enforcement and financial institutions if targeted, while family and friends can support prevention through regular check-ins and open conversations about fraud.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-07
Financial exploitation of older adults is rising at epidemic rates through scams, family manipulation, and digital illiteracy, with the FBI reporting over 100,000 victims age 60+ in 2023 and total losses exceeding $3 billion (averaging $35,000 per person). Older adults are particularly vulnerable due to trust, isolation from face-to-face interaction, and a digital divide, with those age 80+ suffering the highest median losses. Common schemes include tech support, grandparent scams, government impersonation, romance scams, and increasingly sophisticated AI-generated voice clones, while many cases go unreported due to shame or involvement of trusted family members
japantimes.co.jp
· 2025-12-07
An elderly woman in Hokkaido, Japan lost approximately ¥1 million ($6,700) in a romance scam after meeting a fraudster on social media in July who posed as an astronaut claiming to be stranded in space and needing money for oxygen. The victim, who lived alone, developed romantic feelings for the scammer during their online communications before he successfully extracted the funds from her. Police emphasized that elderly individuals should remain suspicious of any requests for cash from social media contacts and report such incidents to authorities, noting that Japan's aging population is frequently targeted by organized fraud schemes.
ctvnews.ca
· 2025-12-06
Two people have been charged in Regina for running "grandparent scams" that targeted seniors, with at least six confirmed victims so far. In these scams, fraudsters impersonate a grandchild or family member in distress and pressure elderly victims to send money urgently, often through wire transfers or gift cards. Seniors should be cautious of unexpected calls requesting immediate payment, verify the caller's identity through independent contact with known family members, and never send money without confirming the emergency directly.