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ohioattorneygeneral.gov
· 2026-07-24
Romance scams cost Americans age 60 and older $584 million in 2025—a 50% increase from the previous year—with actual losses likely much higher due to underreporting by embarrassed victims. The Ohio Attorney General's Office is combating these crimes by providing resources including hotline numbers, guidance on immediate protective steps (like securing personal information), and educational materials to help people recognize and avoid romance scams. If you suspect a loved one is being targeted, contact the Attorney General's hotline immediately, and remember that acting quickly to protect personal information is key to regaining control after victimization.
patch.com
· 2026-07-24
Older Americans lost $7.7 billion to online scams in 2025, with over 200,000 seniors falling victim to phishing, smishing, and vishing schemes—a 37% increase from the previous year. The Palos Park Police Department is hosting two free educational seminars on August 4th to help residents recognize and avoid these scams, led by experienced officers who will explain current fraud trends and warning signs. Residents of all ages are encouraged to attend either the 2 p.m. or 6 p.m. session to learn how to protect themselves and their personal information from scammers.
yahoo.com
· 2026-07-24
An elderly Burton man with dementia lost over $350,000 to an investment scam between August 2025 and May 2026, sending money to 10 unknown individuals and LLCs who promised investment returns. The funds came from his certificates of deposit, retirement benefits, and rental income, and despite warnings from his wife and bank representatives, he continued making payments because he refused to accept he was being scammed. This case highlights the vulnerability of seniors with cognitive decline to financial exploitation—families should monitor elderly relatives' accounts closely, encourage them to establish power of attorney arrangements while still able, and work with banks and social services if suspicious activity is detected.
cohousedems.com
· 2026-07-24
Starting August 12, 2026, two new Colorado laws take effect to protect vulnerable residents from fraud and financial exploitation. HB26-1017 redirects criminal restitution payments away from insurance companies and back to actual crime victims, while HB26-1110 specifically helps prevent older and vulnerable Coloradans from being scammed. These laws ensure that restitution funds—money criminals must pay back—go directly to people harmed by crime rather than to insurance companies, helping victims rebuild their lives rather than getting trapped in cycles of unpayable debt.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2026-07-24
Scammers are impersonating the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) using AI-generated content and fake websites to target people who have already fallen victim to scams, claiming they can recover stolen money or help with their cases. The fraud works by tricking victims into clicking malicious links or providing financial information that allows criminals to steal from them again. To protect yourself, the FBI recommends going directly to www.ic3.gov by typing the address rather than using search engines, and remember that the real IC3 will never contact you directly asking for money or information.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-07-24
In 2026, the safest way to earn money online is through legitimate employment or client work offering real skills, rather than schemes promising effortless returns or cryptocurrency gains. Crypto scams alone cost people at least $14 billion in 2025, while internet fraud complaints topped $21 billion in losses, with suspicious unsolicited offers being particularly risky. To protect yourself, seek employment through established platforms, avoid any offer requiring upfront payment, and be extremely skeptical of strangers proposing ways to make money online.
sheridanmedia.com
· 2026-07-24
Americans lost over $20.9 billion to internet crimes in 2025, with investment scams and cryptocurrency fraud causing the most damage, while seniors aged 60 and older were hit particularly hard, losing $7.7 billion. Common scam tactics include phishing emails and texts that trick people into clicking malicious links, paying via gift cards (which are hard to trace), and making wire transfers, often with scammers keeping victims on the phone to prevent them from listening to bank employees' warnings. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited messages demanding immediate action, never use gift cards or wire transfers for payments as requested by strangers, and listen to your bank's fraud warnings even if a caller pressures you to ignore them.
cpapracticeadvisor.com
· 2026-07-24
In 2025, approximately 15 million Americans (6% of the population) lost about $68 billion to financial scams, with the median loss being $500 and nearly half of victims experiencing severe or moderate financial hardship. Scams disproportionately affected lower-income adults, people of color, and those without a bachelor's degree, with most scams originating through online purchases, phone calls, and social media. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited contact through these channels, verify requests before sharing personal information or money, and report suspected scams to authorities.
forbes.com
· 2026-07-24
Pig butchering scams—a form of financial fraud where scammers build trust with victims over weeks or months before persuading them to invest large sums in cryptocurrency—have caused an estimated $15 billion in losses and are increasingly targeting business leaders and employees through LinkedIn and other social platforms. Scammers use fake personas, facial AI technology, and impersonation of trusted figures like executives or investment partners to deceive victims into sending money in installments. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment conversations from unfamiliar contacts on professional networks, verify the identity of anyone requesting financial decisions through independent channels (not just video calls), and educate your team about these tactics through company security training.
aol.com
· 2026-07-24
TruStart Technologies, a Canadian cryptocurrency platform, blocked over $23.5 million in fraudulent transactions through its multi-layered fraud prevention program since June 2025, protecting customers from crypto scams including impersonation schemes and fake investment platforms. The company's system combines identity verification, human review, and blockchain analysis to catch suspicious activity before funds are transferred, addressing a critical gap in crypto security since losses from crypto fraud are typically irreversible once sent. Consumers should use regulated platforms like TruStart that employ human oversight and advanced screening before authorizing any crypto transactions, especially given that crypto scams surged dramatically in 2025 with losses estimated at $17 billion globally.
analyticsinsight.net
· 2026-07-24
Romance scams have evolved into a highly industrialized global operation using AI-generated fake identities, automated conversations, and cryptocurrency to target vulnerable people at scale. Scammers use AI to create convincing profiles and deepfake videos, then build trust before pushing victims toward fake cryptocurrency investment platforms—a tactic called "pig butchering"—resulting in over $11 billion in cryptocurrency fraud losses in 2025. To protect yourself, be skeptical of online dating matches who quickly push investment opportunities, verify identities through video calls with trusted contacts, never send money to strangers, and report suspicious activity to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
cryptobriefing.com
· 2026-07-24
A UN report reveals that organized scam networks operating from Southeast Asia defrauded victims across the Asia-Pacific region of between $88.3 billion and $114.1 billion in 2025—triple the losses from just two years prior. These industrial-scale operations use trafficked workers, AI tools, and cryptocurrency (particularly Tether stablecoins) to run romance scams and fake investment schemes, with East Asia accounting for 71% of losses. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited romantic advances or investment opportunities online, verify claims independently, and avoid sending money or cryptocurrency to unknown individuals or unverified platforms.
cryptonews.net
· 2026-07-24
Southeast Asian criminal networks cost victims between $88-114 billion in 2025 through interconnected scam operations, including romance scams and investment fraud, with proceeds laundered through cryptocurrency. The UN reports that these formerly independent syndicates have merged into a sophisticated, transnational operation offering specialized services like money laundering and data harvesting. To protect themselves, people should be wary of unsolicited investment and romance opportunities, especially those involving cryptocurrency, and authorities need better training to trace criminal funds through digital channels.
bobsullivan.net
· 2026-07-24
A test pilot named Pat Marsh has been the unwitting victim of romance scams for nearly a decade, with his identity stolen and used to deceive hundreds of people on dating sites into believing they were in romantic relationships with him. Victims have sent him thousands of cards, letters, gifts, and money, and some have even shown up at his home, leading to dangerous confrontations. To protect yourself, be cautious of online dating profiles, verify identities through video calls, and be wary of requests for money or personal information from people you've only met online.
losalamosreporter.com
· 2026-07-23
The Los Alamos Police Department and FBI are hosting a community presentation on August 18 to educate residents about fraud and scams, with particular attention to schemes targeting seniors. The free town hall event will feature law enforcement experts discussing common fraud tactics and protection strategies, with time for attendees to ask questions about safeguarding themselves and their families. Community members concerned about fraud risks are encouraged to attend and can contact Sergeant Dezendorf with questions in advance.
wausaupilotandreview.com
· 2026-07-23
A Chicago man named Tao Wu was sentenced to 2½ years in prison for orchestrating a scam that stole over $135,000 from an elderly Marathon County woman's life savings. Wu received a total sentence of 7½ years (split between prison time and extended supervision) and was ordered to pay restitution, maintain employment, and avoid contact with the victim. Elderly residents should be cautious of unsolicited financial requests and contact from strangers, verify requests through independent means, and report suspicious activity to local authorities immediately.
witn.com
· 2026-07-23
The Kinston Police Department held a fraud prevention forum for seniors after seeing an increase in scam attempts targeting older adults in their community. Common schemes include spoofed phone calls from fake bank representatives, romance scams, and marketplace fraud, with Americans 60 and older losing over $7.7 billion to fraud in 2025. Police advise seniors to verify requests before sharing personal information or money, avoid gift card payments, trust their instincts by hanging up on suspicious calls, and report scams within the first 72 hours when recovery is still possible.
floridaweekly.com
· 2026-07-23
Older adults in South Florida are increasingly targeted by scams—including romance schemes, fake tech support calls, government impersonation, and cryptocurrency fraud—which can devastate those living on fixed incomes where even small losses affect their ability to afford housing, food, and medications. A Palm Beach woman fell victim to a classic romance scam where a fraudster posed as a Hallmark actor to gain her trust and money. Experts recommend that seniors and their families take preventive steps to protect themselves, such as watching for common scam tactics and being cautious about unfamiliar technology and unsolicited contacts.
news.bloombergtax.com
· 2026-07-23
"Pig butchering" is a sophisticated long-term romance scam where criminals build trust with victims over weeks or months before directing them to fake cryptocurrency investment platforms that show false gains, ultimately stealing their money. The scam has become a major problem, generating $7.2 billion in losses across over 61,000 complaints to the FBI in 2025, with many operations run by human trafficking victims forced to work for Southeast Asian criminal enterprises. While victims may be able to claim tax deductions for their losses under certain circumstances, they face significant hurdles including proving the money was "stolen" under state law and navigating tax code provisions that generally block personal theft-loss deductions.
finance.biggo.com
· 2026-07-23
U.S. federal prosecutors seized over $26 million in cryptocurrency from Southeast Asian "pig butchering" scam rings—elaborate romance and fake investment schemes that defrauded hundreds of victims in the U.S. and Canada. The seizure, announced in July 2026, resulted from a specialized task force launched to dismantle transnational crypto fraud networks, with the largest cases involving over 200 romance scam victims and 270 fake investment victims. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities and romantic contacts online, verify the legitimacy of crypto platforms through official channels, and report suspected scams to law enforcement immediately.
kucoin.com
· 2026-07-23
U.S. federal authorities have seized over $25 million in cryptocurrency linked to investment fraud and "pig butchering" scams (where scammers build fake relationships to manipulate victims into sending money), affecting hundreds of victims across the United States and Canada. The operation, coordinated by the Department of Justice and Secret Service, identified money launderers primarily operating from Southeast Asia and uncovered a scheme where fraudsters even impersonated "fund recovery" services to defraud victims a second time. Victims should be cautious of unsolicited investment offers, verify recovery services through official channels, and report suspicious activity to law enforcement rather than sending money to unknown intermediaries.
fortune.com
· 2026-07-23
FBI Director Kash Patel met with Cambodian and Thai leaders to coordinate efforts against massive online scam operations that cost victims an estimated $114 billion annually in the Asia-Pacific region alone. These scams—including romance and cryptocurrency schemes—are often run from industrial-scale centers in Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, where criminals exploit thousands of foreign workers through human trafficking and forced labor. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited romantic advances online and suspicious cryptocurrency investment opportunities, verify job offers independently before accepting, and report suspected scams to local law enforcement or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
nypost.com
· 2026-07-23
Seeking.com is using AI-powered facial recognition technology to identify and block dating app scammers, with the platform successfully preventing over 53,000 fraudsters from even creating profiles since January 2025. Romance scams cost consumers $1.14 billion in 2023 alone, with scam operations originating primarily from countries like China, India, Indonesia, Romania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Users can protect themselves by being cautious of suspicious profiles, using platforms with verification requirements like live selfies, and trusting their instincts when something seems off about a potential match.
observernews.net
· 2026-07-23
Scammers are increasingly targeting Hillsborough County residents, particularly seniors and vulnerable people, through three main schemes: gold bar scams, lottery scams, and romance scams. In the gold bar scam, fraudsters impersonate government officials and pressure victims into withdrawing savings to buy gold bars by falsely claiming identity theft or criminal activity, with one case resulting in a $1.4 million loss to an 80-year-old veteran. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected calls or messages claiming emergencies, never withdraw money based on such contact, and verify any government agency communication by calling the official number directly rather than using numbers provided by the caller.
chase.com
· 2026-07-23
Nearly 50% of scams reported to Chase in late 2025 originated on social media, affecting business owners through fake ads, spoofed websites, and marketplace schemes that can disrupt cash flow and operations. Scammers create urgency and build false trust through professional-looking profiles and offers before disappearing after receiving payment via Zelle or wire transfers. Business owners should be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, verify seller and buyer legitimacy before payment, and avoid sending money through untraceable payment methods to unknown or unverified recipients.
americascreditunions.org
· 2026-07-23
Credit unions in Ohio and Montana are implementing new fraud prevention tactics, such as brief questionnaires for large cash withdrawals, to catch scams before members lose money. One Cleveland-area credit union's simple intervention—asking a member withdrawing $15,000 where the cash was going—led her to realize she was likely being scammed and halt the transaction. These member-owned institutions are partnering with law enforcement and local agencies to create moments of reflection that help stop fraud, with some credit unions reporting three to four suspicious withdrawal attempts per month at individual branches.
blockchain-council.org
· 2026-07-23
Victims of cryptocurrency scams, lost keys, or wrong-address transfers can sometimes recover their digital assets, but recovery rates are low (often below 30% for theft and scams) and the process is slow and technical. People who have already been scammed are frequently targeted by fake recovery firms promising guaranteed returns, leading to a "second loss"—so victims should avoid unverified recovery services and instead focus on containing damage, preserving evidence, revoking any suspicious smart contract approvals, and reporting to exchanges or law enforcement. To improve recovery chances, victims should document everything carefully, use block explorers to verify transactions, move quickly without panic, and seek help only from legitimate regulators and established platforms.
foxbusiness.com
· 2026-07-22
# Summary
A 39-year-old Chinese national, Didi Zou, was arrested in June for allegedly orchestrating a sophisticated internet fraud scheme that defrauded an elderly Buffalo-area woman of $360,000 in life savings and inherited assets. Using fake Microsoft security alerts and posing as an IRS agent, Zou tricked the victim into transferring $20,000 in cash and gold coins/bullion to "protect" her funds from supposed hackers. Zou faces federal charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering and was ordered held in custody pending trial.
bbc.com
· 2026-07-22
A 70-year-old man in Wiltshire lost £1,800 to an elaborate Amazon scam in which fraudsters posed as Amazon employees and used a two-person verification trick to appear legitimate. The scammers claimed his account was being used fraudulently, asked him to download software and grant remote access, and even had a second caller pose as an Amazon representative to "verify" the first scammer's identity. Amazon warns customers that it never asks for remote access, software downloads, or payments outside its website or app, and advises people to be suspicious of unsolicited calls claiming account problems—always contact Amazon directly through official channels instead of following instructions from incoming callers.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-07-22
A 70-year-old man in Wiltshire lost £1,800 to sophisticated scammers who impersonated Amazon employees and gained his trust through detailed personal knowledge and a clever two-person scheme where one fraudster "verified" the other as legitimate. The scammers convinced him his account was compromised and his IP address corrupted, pressuring him to download software and follow instructions while fake text messages from his bank appeared to confirm the fraud. Amazon warns customers that it never asks for remote access to devices, software downloads, or payments outside its official website or app, and advises people to hang up suspicious calls and contact Amazon directly through official channels if they have account concerns.
aol.com
· 2026-07-22
Scammers increase their activity during summer months by targeting vacation planning and recreational spending, exploiting opportunities when people share personal information and make purchases online. Common summer scams include vacation rental fraud and impostor schemes, with Americans losing $3.5 billion to impostor scams alone in 2025. To protect yourself, stay vigilant about verifying the legitimacy of vacation rental hosts, avoid making impulse purchases, and be cautious about sharing personal details during summer travel planning.
news.bbc.co.uk
· 2026-07-22
A 70-year-old man in Wiltshire lost £1,800 to a sophisticated Amazon impersonation scam where fraudsters posed as Amazon employees and used a second caller to "verify" the first, creating a false sense of legitimacy. The scammers claimed unauthorized purchases were being made on his account and convinced him his device was compromised, directing him to type commands and download software. Amazon warns customers that it never asks for remote device access, software downloads, or payments outside its official website or app—so anyone receiving such requests should hang up immediately and contact Amazon directly through their official channels.
yahoo.com
· 2026-07-22
Scammers are impersonating FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) to target people who have already lost money to fraud, using tactics like AI-generated deepfake videos, fake websites, and social media impersonation to trick victims into sharing more personal and financial information. The FBI has received over 100 reports of these "recovery scams" since December 2023, with losses exceeding $20 billion reported across all cyber fraud in 2025—a 26% increase from the previous year, hitting older adults especially hard. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited contact claiming to recover your lost funds, verify any FBI communication directly through official channels, and avoid clicking links or sharing information with people who contact you first.
patch.com
· 2026-07-22
About 2 million people fall victim to medical identity theft annually, but Medicare beneficiaries can protect themselves through awareness and vigilance. The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program offers free education, counseling, and assistance to help people prevent, detect, and report healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse. If you suspect you've been scammed or want to get involved, contact your local Connecticut SMP at 800-994-9422 or visit their website for resources and information.
aol.com
· 2026-07-22
Scam victims face a double financial hit: not only do they lose money to fraudsters, but a 2017 tax law change now permanently prevents them from deducting those losses on their taxes, even if the stolen funds came from retirement accounts that are still taxed as income. Fraud losses have surged dramatically, reaching a record $15.9 billion in 2025 with a 27% increase from the previous year, yet victims are denied any tax relief despite their losses. To protect yourself, remain vigilant against scams (especially those impersonating federal agents), verify unexpected requests independently, and consult a tax professional if you do become a victim to understand your specific tax obligations.
yahoo.com
· 2026-07-22
The FBI is warning Americans about sophisticated scams where fraudsters impersonate FBI agents to target people who have already fallen victim to fraud, attempting to steal more money by claiming they can recover lost funds. These scams use fake social media profiles, AI-generated deepfake videos, and fraudulent websites that mimic official FBI pages to trick victims into providing financial information or clicking malicious links. To protect yourself, verify any FBI contact through official FBI channels directly, never click links from unsolicited messages claiming to help recover funds, and be especially cautious if you've already reported a scam.
uppermichiganssource.com
· 2026-07-22
Scammers are increasingly using AI technology to impersonate friends, family members, and colleagues in phone calls and messages to steal money, with billions of dollars lost annually and seniors over 60 being particularly targeted. Law enforcement recommends establishing family code words, limiting personal information on social media, being suspicious of urgent money requests, and scrutinizing video calls for unnatural details like incorrect lighting or unusual eye movements. If contacted by someone claiming to be from your bank or a family member in an emergency, hang up and independently verify the caller's identity before taking any action.
haveagonews.com.au
· 2026-07-22
Seniors in Western Australia have lost over $1 million to gift card scams in recent years, with romance scams—where criminals pose as online romantic partners—now being the leading cause. Scammers convince victims to purchase gift cards and share the serial numbers, with some victims losing tens of thousands of dollars despite warnings from retail staff. To protect yourself, remember that no legitimate business, government agency, or employer will ever ask for payment via gift cards, and report any suspected scams to WA ScamNet at 1300 30 40 54.
wa.gov.au
· 2026-07-22
Gift card scams in Western Australia have surged past $1 million in losses this year, with older residents becoming primary targets through romance scams where fraudsters pose as love interests and convince victims to buy large amounts of gift cards. The scammers are increasingly sophisticated, coaching victims on what to say to store staff and directing them to multiple retailers to avoid detection, though some victims have lost tens of thousands of dollars despite warnings from cashiers. Consumer Protection urges retailers to maintain visible scam warnings and train staff to question customers making unusually large gift card purchases, while the public should be wary of anyone—especially online romantic interests—requesting payment via gift cards.
eu.36kr.com
· 2026-07-22
Huiwang Pay, a major Southeast Asian financial platform, collapsed in December after operating as an underground financial empire handling hundreds of billions of dollars while allegedly facilitating money laundering, human trafficking, and scams like "pig-butchering" schemes. The collapse has triggered a reshuffle in the escrow platform industry, with competitors like Xinbi, Jinbei, and Dali filling the void left behind, continuing to operate in a largely unregulated space that enables illicit activities. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of unregulated financial platforms and escrow services, especially those operating in less-regulated jurisdictions, and verify that any platform you use is properly licensed and regulated by legitimate authorities.
cryptonews.net
· 2026-07-22
U.S. authorities have recovered over $25 million in cryptocurrency stolen from thousands of fraud victims in the United States and Canada, with the funds seized as part of the Scam Center Strike Force launched to combat crypto investment fraud linked to Chinese criminal syndicates. The recovered money came from five separate investigations involving "pig butchering" scams, where criminals build trust with victims over time, convince them to buy cryptocurrency, and then steal the funds through fake trading platforms operated by networks based in Southeast Asia. Victims can protect themselves by being cautious about unsolicited investment opportunities, verifying that trading platforms are legitimate, and reporting suspicious cryptocurrency transactions to authorities.
actionnews5.com
· 2026-07-22
A Memphis-based company called Postland LLC scammed over 100 job seekers from 34 states by recruiting them through Indeed.com for a fake reshipping job that promised high pay but never delivered. Workers were asked to receive packages and reship items like iPhones and jewelry from home, and the scammers requested personal financial information like credit card limits before disappearing without paying them. To protect yourself, be wary of job offers that don't match your resume, require upfront financial information, involve reshipping packages, or come from recruiters with suspicious accents and inconsistent details about their location.
wknofm.org
· 2026-07-22
A recent study found that 73% of U.S. adults have encountered online scams or cyberattacks, with victims receiving deceptive emails, texts, and calls designed to steal personal information or money—yet many don't report these crimes due to shame and fear of judgment. Scammers succeed through sophisticated manipulation tactics rather than victim mistakes, so experts emphasize responding to victims with empathy rather than blame. If someone you know is scammed, use nonjudgmental language, encourage them to report it, and help remove the stigma so others feel comfortable sharing their experiences and taking preventive action.
newsbreak.com
· 2026-07-22
Three men were arrested for defrauding over $1 million from seniors in Virginia and Maryland using a two-stage scam: fake Amazon alerts warning of unauthorized purchases, followed by imposters posing as federal agents claiming the victims' identities were compromised and demanding they convert savings into gold bars or cash for "safekeeping." The scheme is part of a larger national trend combining business impersonation with government-agent impersonation to exploit elderly victims. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls about account problems, remember that legitimate companies and federal agencies never demand immediate payment or asset conversion over the phone, and verify any such claims by hanging up and calling the official organization directly.
floridaweekly.com
· 2026-07-22
A Palm Beach woman fell victim to a classic romance scam in which a fraudster posed as a Hallmark actor and eventually separated her from money—a scheme emblematic of the growing threat seniors face across South Florida. Older adults living on fixed incomes are increasingly targeted by various scams including tech support fraud, government impersonation, Medicare fraud, and romance schemes, with even small financial losses potentially jeopardizing their ability to afford housing, utilities, medication, and care. Experts recommend that seniors and their families take protective steps such as staying alert to common scam tactics, being cautious with technology, and verifying the identities of people requesting money or personal information.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2026-07-22
Scammers frequently contact people unexpectedly claiming urgent payment is needed, then insist on untraceable payment methods like bank transfers, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, payment apps, or gift cards—a red flag that indicates fraud. In the past year, Americans reported over $4 billion in losses to such scams, often involving impersonation of government agencies or well-known businesses using payment methods that make recovery nearly impossible. The FTC warns that anyone demanding payment through only these specific channels is likely a scammer and urges victims to report suspicious activity to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
wpgtalkradio.com
· 2026-07-21
A 50-year-old Hammonton man has been arrested for allegedly defrauding an 80-year-old woman out of $914,200 over six years by exploiting their long-standing relationship to manipulate her finances through fraudulent leases, forged mortgage documents, and unauthorized checks. The victim's family members discovered the scheme and alerted police, leading to charges including money laundering and multiple counts of theft by deception. Anyone who suspects they may be another victim or has information about the case is urged to contact the Hammonton Police Department or Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.
knue.com
· 2026-07-21
A McKinney man named Hung-Chi Chen was arrested during an undercover sting operation after attempting to collect $44,000 in cash from an elderly victim in Sulphur Springs who had been scammed by fraudsters posing as Federal Trade Commission agents. The scammers had convinced the victim that her bank account was compromised and instructed her to withdraw the money, but law enforcement intervened and arrested Chen when he arrived to pick up the cash. Police urge people to discuss common scams with elderly family members and neighbors, and to contact law enforcement immediately if they suspect suspicious activity.
yahoo.com
· 2026-07-21
The FBI is warning Americans about new scams where fraudsters impersonate FBI agents to target people who have already been scammed, attempting to "help recover" their lost money while actually stealing more. These scams use fake social media profiles, AI-generated deepfake videos, and fraudulent websites designed to look like official FBI pages to gain victims' trust and collect additional financial information. To protect yourself, the FBI advises being skeptical of unsolicited contact claiming to help recover funds, verifying FBI communications through official channels only, and never clicking links or providing financial data to anyone claiming to be an FBI agent.
globaldatinginsights.com
· 2026-07-21
Seeking.com has launched an enhanced anti-fraud program that uses AI-powered verification and behavioral analysis to block scammers before they can contact users, with the platform now publicly displaying images of caught fraudsters to demonstrate the scope of the problem. Romance scams caused $1.14 billion in losses in 2023 according to the FTC, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated profiles and deepfakes to target dating app users. To protect yourself, use dating platforms that require identity verification, be skeptical of accounts requesting money or personal information, and report suspicious profiles to the platform.