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nypost.com
· 2026-04-14
An 82-year-old retired sportswriter lost nearly $270,000 of his life savings in a "pig-butchering" scam after being contacted by someone posing as a young woman named "Daisy Miller" who built a romantic relationship with him before convincing him to invest in gold futures. The scammer used personalized details, glamorous photos, and emotional manipulation to gain his trust over 10 weeks, exploiting Levine's loneliness despite some of his own attempts to verify the person's identity. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited romantic advances from strangers online, especially those who quickly pivot to investment opportunities, and verify claims through official channels before sending any money.
infosecurity-magazine.com
· 2026-04-14
Law enforcement agencies from the UK, US, and Canada collaborated in "Operation Atlantic" to combat approval phishing scams, where criminals trick victims into granting access to their cryptocurrency wallets through fake alerts and popups. The week-long operation identified over 20,000 victims across 30+ countries, froze $12 million in stolen crypto, and shut down 120 fraudulent websites. To protect yourself, be cautious of unexpected alerts or requests for wallet access, verify communications directly with official apps or services rather than clicking links in messages, and use multi-factor authentication on crypto accounts.
southfloridareporter.com
· 2026-04-14
The FBI reported record cybercrime losses of $20.9 billion in 2025, with cryptocurrency fraud alone reaching $11.4 billion—more than half of all reported losses and representing a 400-fold increase since 2017. Victims of crypto scams lose an average of $62,604 per incident, far exceeding losses from other types of cybercrime, with investment fraud schemes being the most destructive category. The FBI warns that criminals are increasingly using AI to bypass security measures and exploit victims, so people should be extremely cautious about unsolicited investment opportunities, verify the legitimacy of platforms independently, and avoid sending money or crypto to unknown parties.
bangkokpost.com
· 2026-04-14
A 40-year-old woman was arrested in Bangkok for defrauding a retired elderly woman of over 9 million baht through a fake investment scam. The suspect initially posed as a home buyer interested in the victim's property listed on Facebook, then gained her trust and convinced her to invest in various schemes over six months. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities from people you meet online, verify identities independently, and avoid transferring large sums of money to unknown individuals, especially those you've only recently met.
ibtimes.co.uk
· 2026-04-14
Cryptocurrency fraud cost Americans $11.4 billion in 2025, with older adults aged 60 and above losing $4.4 billion—making them the primary targets due to their accumulated savings and unfamiliarity with digital assets. Scammers typically build trust through social media and email by posing as financial advisers, showing fake profit dashboards, then disappear once victims try to withdraw funds. The FBI recommends older Americans verify investment opportunities independently, avoid unsolicited crypto investment offers, and be suspicious of pressure to invest quickly or use unfamiliar platforms.
thestandard.com.hk
· 2026-04-14
A Hong Kong woman over 50 lost more than HK$2 million in a cryptocurrency scam after an Instagram user posing as a romantic interest and investment expert convinced her to repeatedly exchange cash for cryptocurrency. The scammer disappeared with the money after establishing trust through affectionate daily messages and promising guaranteed investment returns. Police advise the public to be cautious of overly affectionate messages from online contacts who propose financial schemes, and recommend using fraud-assessment tools like the Scameter before making any payments.
wishtv.com
· 2026-04-14
AI-powered scams cost Americans $12.5 billion in 2024, with criminals using deepfakes and impersonation technology to target people through fake investment schemes ($5 billion lost), job listings ($750 million lost), and fraudulent messages from banks and government agencies. Victims of all ages and backgrounds were affected, from social media users to job seekers. To protect yourself, ignore unsolicited urgent requests via email, text, or phone; hang up and call organizations directly using verified numbers; and never share passwords or personal information with unknown contacts.
thestandard.com.hk
· 2026-04-13
A 33-year-old man named Angelo is accused of defrauding approximately 50 victims of nearly HK$1 million through multiple schemes, including romance fraud where he posed as an attentive partner to extract money and valuables from women, fake investment schemes, and bogus concert ticket sales. Victims reported that he manipulated romantic relationships, stole or replaced luxury items, and disappeared without repaying debts, with some women losing hundreds of thousands of dollars and one experiencing emotional trauma from a terminated pregnancy. To protect yourself, be cautious of romantic partners who quickly profess strong feelings, avoid lending large sums to people you've recently met, and verify investment opportunities through official channels before committing money.
forbes.com
· 2026-04-13
Cryptocurrency investment scams have surged dramatically, with the FBI reporting $8.6 billion in losses last year—double the previous year and accounting for 72% of all investment fraud. Many of these scams use a tactic called "pig butchering," where scammers pose as romantic interests on dating and social media apps, build trust, then convince victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency apps that appear legitimate but aren't available on official app stores like Google Play or the Apple App Store. To protect yourself, be cautious of new contacts encouraging cryptocurrency investments, never download apps outside official platforms, and verify any investment opportunity independently before sending money.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-04-13
According to the FBI's 2025 Internet Complaint Center report, cryptocurrency investment scams have surged dramatically, accounting for 72% of all investment fraud losses—totaling over $8.6 billion, double the previous year. These scams often begin with scammers posing as romantic interests on dating apps who gradually convince victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms, showing fake profits before stealing the money once larger sums are invested. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited investment advice from online dating contacts, only download apps from official platforms like Google Play or the Apple App Store, and verify any investment opportunity through independent research before sending money.
bitget.com
· 2026-04-13
A woman in Hong Kong lost over HK$2 million in a "pig-butchering" romance scam, where a fraudster contacted her on Instagram, built a fake romantic relationship, and posed as a cryptocurrency investment expert to convince her to transfer money. The scammer used a multi-step scheme—first collecting an account opening fee of HK$40,000, then instructing her to visit physical exchange stores seven times to convert cash into cryptocurrency (USDT)—before disappearing once the funds were received. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited romantic advances from strangers online, avoid sending money to people you've only met digitally, and verify the legitimacy of investment opportunities through official channels before committing any funds.
theweek.com
· 2026-04-12
"Pig-butchering" scams originating from Southeast Asian fraud hubs involve criminals who build trust with victims (often through romantic or professional connections on social media) before convincing them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms, resulting in devastating losses like the $47 million stolen from a Kansas bank in 2022. These sophisticated long-con schemes target people across platforms like WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and Telegram, exploiting cryptocurrency's difficulty to trace. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment advice from online contacts, verify investment platforms independently, and avoid sending money to anyone you haven't met in person, especially for cryptocurrency ventures.
news.ssbcrack.com
· 2026-04-12
A Utah resident lost over $200,000 in a "pig butchering scam" operated by APL Finance, where scammers posed as financial advisors and lured victims with promises of high returns before freezing their accounts and demanding additional payments to unlock funds. The FBI has documented over 30 victims of this scheme, with millions in total losses, and California authorities have flagged APL Finance as fraudulent after another victim lost $1.2 million. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited investment offers promising quick gains, verify any financial advisor's credentials through official channels, and never wire money to personal accounts or pay fees to "unlock" investment funds.
clickondetroit.com
· 2026-04-11
Scammers are increasingly using AI technology to impersonate banks, the IRS, and employers, causing consumers to lose over $12.5 billion annually—with investment scams alone accounting for $5 billion and job scams costing $750 million. The scams use AI-generated deepfakes and personalized messages to trick people into sending money or sharing personal information. To protect yourself, ignore unsolicited calls, emails, or texts requesting urgent action; hang up and contact institutions directly using official numbers, and never send money or passwords to unknown callers.
americanbanker.com
· 2026-04-11
Real estate cybercrime losses surged 59% to $275 million in 2025, driven by criminals increasingly using artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency scams to target homebuyers and investors in transactions. The FBI documented over 12,000 real estate-related cybercrime complaints, including AI voice cloning scams designed to trick victims into wire transfers and cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes. Consumers and industry professionals are advised to verify wire transfer requests through independent phone calls, remain skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, and work with established title insurance professionals who can help protect against fraud and forgery in property transactions.
theitem.com
· 2026-04-11
South Carolina residents lost $264 million to cybercrime in 2024, more than double the $146 million lost in 2023, with seniors aged 60 and older suffering the largest financial impact at $97.3 million. The most common scams were investment fraud, business email compromises, and tech support scams. The FBI recommends residents adopt strong cybersecurity practices, resist pressure to act quickly in online transactions, and report suspected fraud to help law enforcement track and stop these crimes.
fallriverreporter.com
· 2026-04-11
A Ghanaian national named Kofi Osei was arrested in Massachusetts for operating a sophisticated romance scam ring that defrauded over $8 million from victims between 2016 and 2020, primarily targeting elderly people through fake dating profiles. Osei opened at least 77 fraudulent bank accounts using fake passports to launder money stolen by his co-conspirators, who posed as romantic interests online to manipulate victims into sending cash. He was sentenced to 54 months in prison and ordered to pay $4.1 million in restitution; as protection, be cautious of online dating profiles that quickly ask for money or claim to need financial help, and verify requests through independent contact with the person.
scworld.com
· 2026-04-11
Law enforcement agencies from the US, UK, and Canada disrupted a major global cryptocurrency scam called "pig butchering," which defrauded victims by tricking them into granting access to their crypto accounts—affecting over 20,000 people across 30 countries. In Operation Atlantic, authorities recovered $12 million in stolen funds and identified an additional $33 million linked to investment fraud for further investigation. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited notifications about your cryptocurrency accounts, never grant account access to unknown parties, and verify communications directly with your exchange or wallet provider through official channels.
housingwire.com
· 2026-04-11
In 2025, cybercrime losses reached $20.8 billion across over 1 million complaints reported to the FBI, with real estate fraud causing $275 million in losses and criminals increasingly using AI-generated emails, deepfakes, and voice cloning to deceive victims. Seniors aged 60+ were disproportionately affected, filing over 201,000 reports with losses totaling $7.75 billion, while investment scams ($8.64 billion) and business email compromises ($3.04 billion) represented the largest loss categories overall. To protect yourself, verify wire transfer requests through direct phone calls to known numbers, be skeptical of AI-generated content and celebrity endorsements in investment pitches, and avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails—particularly those requesting urgent financial action.
paymentsjournal.com
· 2026-04-10
Online fraud reached an all-time high in the U.S. last year, with Americans losing nearly $21 billion across over 1 million reported complaints, driven largely by cryptocurrency investment scams ($11 billion in losses) and emerging AI-powered fraud schemes ($893 million in losses). Criminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence to create convincing deepfakes and amplify scams at scale, with some organized syndicates operating fraudulent platforms that defraud thousands of victims simultaneously. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities promising high returns, verify the legitimacy of platforms and communications before engaging, and be aware that AI-generated content (deepfakes, convincing emails) is becoming harder to distinguish from authentic sources.
newsbytesapp.com
· 2026-04-10
Americans lost a record $21 billion to online scams in 2025, a 27% increase from 2024, with seniors over 60 being particularly vulnerable—accounting for $7.75 billion in losses and an average of $38,500 per victim. The surge has been fueled by AI-powered scams, including voice cloning used in romance and "grandparent distress" schemes, as well as cryptocurrency investment fraud, with phishing and spoofing remaining the most common attack types. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited contact, verify requests for money through independent channels, and report suspicious activity to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
gov.ca.gov
· 2026-04-10
California authorities have charged organized crime groups for running a major identity theft and hospice fraud scheme that defrauded the state's Medi-Cal program in Los Angeles by stealing identities to bill for fraudulent hospice services. The scheme affected Medi-Cal members and cost taxpayers significant funds, with the investigation beginning in 2024 before recent federal regulation rollbacks. Californians should remain vigilant about protecting their personal information and identities, and report any suspicious activity related to their Medi-Cal benefits or hospice services to state authorities.
yahoo.com
· 2026-04-10
In 2025, cybercriminals stole over $21 billion from Americans through online scams—a significant jump from $16.6 billion in 2024—with phishing and extortion being the most common tactics, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Report. Seniors over 60 were hit particularly hard, losing $7.75 billion across 201,266 complaints, while cryptocurrency investment scams and AI-powered fraud schemes also surged dramatically. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited messages and links, verify requests through independent contact methods before sharing personal information, and be especially cautious of emotional appeals or investment opportunities that promise quick returns.
patch.com
· 2026-04-10
Pennsylvania ranked 6th nationally in internet crime complaints with over 31,000 reported cases resulting in $538 million in losses, according to a new FBI report. Seniors over 60 were hit hardest, losing $215.88 million across 7,088 complaints, though people of all ages fell victim to investment fraud, business email compromise, and tech support scams. The FBI advises residents to be cautious of phishing emails, verify investment opportunities carefully, and be skeptical of unsolicited tech support offers, with AI-generated content now being used increasingly in fraud schemes.
ksl.com
· 2026-04-10
A Utah resident lost over $200,000 in a "pig butchering scam" involving a fraudulent investment company called APL Finance, where scammers posed as financial advisers, encouraged increasingly larger investments that appeared to show gains, then demanded additional payments to "unlock" frozen funds. The FBI has identified more than 30 victims of this scheme in the past year, with millions of dollars lost overall. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited investment offers on social media platforms like WhatsApp, verify any investment company through official financial regulators, and never wire money to personal bank accounts for investments or to "unlock" promised returns.
theregister.com
· 2026-04-10
Law enforcement agencies from the US, UK, and Canada disrupted a $45 million global cryptocurrency scam called "pig butchering," in which criminals trick victims into approving fake access requests that allow them to drain their cryptocurrency wallets. The operation, called Operation Atlantic, identified over 20,000 victim wallets across 30 countries, recovered $12 million for more than 3,000 victims, and froze an additional $33 million in suspected stolen funds. To protect yourself, be cautious of unexpected notifications asking you to approve account access—verify requests directly through official apps or websites rather than clicking links in messages.
yahoo.com
· 2026-04-10
In 2025, Americans lost nearly $21 billion to cybercrime—a 26% increase from the previous year—affecting over 1 million victims, with investment scams being the largest category of fraud at $8.64 billion and cryptocurrency losses accounting for over half the total due to its difficulty to trace. Scammers increasingly used AI-generated deepfakes and voice cloning to deceive victims, while older Americans were particularly vulnerable to Bitcoin ATM scams. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities and requests for cryptocurrency transfers, verify contact information through official channels before responding to financial requests, and report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
thenightly.com.au
· 2026-04-09
Australian businesses are losing over $150 million annually to sophisticated email scams where fraudsters impersonate managers or embed themselves in company email chains to request urgent payments or approvals, often timing their requests strategically during busy periods when workers are distracted. These "payment redirection scams" are now more successful than romance scams, with 73% arriving via email that either spoof legitimate addresses or compromise real accounts. To protect yourself, verify any urgent payment requests through a separate communication channel (call the sender directly), be especially cautious of messages arriving at day's end, and check that payment details haven't been altered in ongoing email conversations.
aapnews.aap.com.au
· 2026-04-09
Australian businesses are losing over $150 million annually to sophisticated payment redirection scams, where fraudsters embed themselves in email chains and impersonate managers or suppliers to trick employees into redirecting payments or changing account details. These scams are particularly effective when timed strategically—such as end-of-day when workers are distracted—and use nearly identical email addresses or compromised company accounts to appear legitimate. To protect yourself, verify urgent payment requests through direct contact with the requester using a known phone number, watch for red flags in email tone or unusual payment instructions, and report suspicious messages to your IT department before taking action.
ktvu.com
· 2026-04-09
A Chinese national named Jiandong Chen pleaded guilty to defrauding elderly Americans out of over $27 million through a sophisticated scam operation that used fake tech support calls, bank impersonations, and fake refund schemes to target seniors in their 70s and 80s. The scammers would contact victims via unsolicited calls and emails, convince them they were owed a refund, then "accidentally" overpay them and pressure them to wire the excess money back—which was actually the scammers' goal all along. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected refunds or tech support offers, never wire money to unknown sources, and hang up on unsolicited callers claiming to represent banks or retailers.
centralnebraskatoday.com
· 2026-04-09
An 82-year-old man in Grand Island, Nebraska lost $9,000 in a phone scam, a case now being investigated as theft by deception. Elderly Americans are particularly vulnerable to these schemes, with seniors losing over $3 billion annually to various scams including romance, lottery, and sweepstakes fraud. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited phone calls asking for money or personal information, verify caller identity independently, and report suspected scams to local law enforcement.
cnet.com
· 2026-04-09
In 2025, cyber fraud reached a record $21 billion in losses according to the FBI, with cryptocurrency investment scams and elder fraud being the biggest culprits—seniors over 60 lost $7.75 billion across 201,266 complaints, while crypto-related fraud totaled over $11 billion. Phishing and spoofing attacks were the most common crime type, and AI-powered scams made frauds increasingly convincing and harder to detect. To protect yourself, verify links before clicking, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities (especially crypto), and if you're over 60 or helping an elderly relative, take extra precautions like confirming requests through known contact methods before sharing personal or financial information.
kolotv.com
· 2026-04-09
Nevada lost over $302 million to cybercrime in 2025, ranking third in the nation per capita, with investment fraud, business email compromise, and tech support scams being the most common schemes. Elderly residents and cryptocurrency investors were hit particularly hard, with seniors reporting $115 million in losses and crypto-related scams accounting for $205 million. The FBI advises anyone who suspects fraud to immediately contact their bank and file a report at ic3.gov.
azag.gov
· 2026-04-09
Arizona's Attorney General is warning residents about widespread investment scams on Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) that use fake advertisements and deepfake technology to trick people into fraudulent schemes like "pump and dump" scams, confidence scams, and cryptocurrency fraud. These scams target vulnerable communities with false promises and can result in significant financial losses. Arizonans should be cautious of investment advice on social media, remember that legitimate brokers rarely advertise specific investments on these platforms, and report any suspected fraud to www.azag.gov/consumer.
valdostatoday.com
· 2026-04-09
The IRS is warning taxpayers about investment and cryptocurrency fraud schemes, which are increasingly targeting older adults, online investors, job seekers, and people seeking relationships. Common scams include Ponzi schemes (where early investors are paid with money from new investors), pyramid schemes (where earnings come from recruiting rather than legitimate products), and romance-linked crypto fraud where scammers build trust over time before requesting money. To protect yourself, stay informed about financial literacy, verify investment opportunities independently, and be cautious of unsolicited offers promising high returns or involving romantic relationships.
coloradopolitics.com
· 2026-04-09
An 83-year-old Florida man lost $21,000 in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam involving a fraudulent company registered in Colorado's business database, then sued the state's secretary of state to require verification of corporate filings to prevent future fraud. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that state law requires the secretary of state to accept business filings that meet basic requirements without verifying their legitimacy. To protect yourself, verify companies independently before investing, be skeptical of investment opportunities from unfamiliar businesses, and watch out for requests for additional fees when withdrawing funds.
ibtimes.com.au
· 2026-04-09
Americans lost a record $11.4 billion to cryptocurrency scams in 2025, with investment fraud schemes ("pig butchering") accounting for over $7 billion of that total, according to an FBI report. Scammers typically target victims through social media and dating apps, luring them into fake investment platforms with promises of quick profits and sometimes using AI-generated deepfakes to build trust before stealing their money. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, verify platforms independently, never send cryptocurrency to unknown parties, and report suspicious activity to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
mexc.com
· 2026-04-09
In 2025, cybercrime losses surged to over $20.8 billion with more than 1 million complaints filed, a 26% increase from the previous year, according to an FBI report. Cryptocurrency fraud was the biggest culprit, accounting for $11.36 billion in losses primarily through investment scams where victims are manipulated into fake trading platforms, with seniors over 60 being disproportionately affected at $7.7 billion in losses. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities on social media, verify platforms independently before depositing funds, and never rush into financial commitments—legitimate investments don't require urgency or increasing deposits.
mexc.com
· 2026-04-09
Cryptocurrency scams cost Americans a record $11.36 billion in 2025, with crypto investment fraud alone accounting for $7.2 billion of that total, according to an FBI report that documented over one million cybercrime complaints. Senior citizens over 60 were hit especially hard, losing $7.7 billion combined—a 37% increase from the prior year—while criminals increasingly used AI deepfakes and voice cloning to impersonate trusted individuals. The FBI recommends victims report fraud immediately through IC3.gov and advises the public to be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, particularly those involving cryptocurrency or uses of convincing audio/video impersonations.
mexc.com
· 2026-04-09
According to the FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report, Americans lost $20.9 billion to cybercrime last year, with cryptocurrency-related fraud accounting for over half of those losses—particularly through investment scams, fake exchanges, and "pig butchering" schemes. Seniors aged 60 and above were hit hardest, losing $6.4 billion collectively, while California, Texas, and Florida experienced the highest losses overall. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, verify exchange legitimacy before trading, and be especially cautious of romantic or personal connections offering financial advice.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-04-09
Americans lost $20.9 billion to cybercrime in 2025, with AI-powered scams driving a record surge in fraud that jumped dramatically from $16.6 billion the year before. Seniors over 60 were particularly vulnerable, suffering $7.7 billion in losses (a 37% increase), as criminals used AI to create highly personalized and convincing scams, with investment and cryptocurrency schemes causing the most damage. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited investment offers promising high returns, verify communications directly with companies through official channels, and be especially cautious if you're over 60—a prime target for these sophisticated attacks.
theaustraliatoday.com.au
· 2026-04-09
Western Australians lost over $24 million to scams last year, with criminals increasingly using stolen personal data and impersonating banks, government agencies, and trusted brands through SMS, email, and phone calls—investment scams were the costliest at $13.7 million, followed by romance scams at $3.8 million. Premier Roger Cook warned residents to be skeptical of unsolicited contact, verify requests by calling organizations directly, and always consult someone they trust before sharing personal information or transferring money, as scammers are becoming more sophisticated in using AI and data breaches to sound convincing.
letsdatascience.com
· 2026-04-09
In 2025, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reported 22,364 AI-related fraud complaints resulting in $893 million in losses, marking the first time the agency tracked these scams separately. Criminals are using artificial intelligence to create fake social media profiles, deepfake audio and video, and personalized messages to conduct romance scams, business email compromise, and investment fraud at scale. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited contact requests, verify identities through independent channels before sharing information or money, and use extra caution with audio/video calls from people you haven't met in person.
jdsupra.com
· 2026-04-08
The SEC took action against John R. Brodacki III and Castle Hill Financial Group for defrauding elderly and vulnerable clients between 2018 and 2025, convincing them their money would be invested in bonds, stocks, and other securities while actually using the funds for Brodacki's personal expenses, club memberships, and family payments. Out of numerous victims, only 18 investors received partial repayment totaling $162,750, leaving most clients with significant losses. To protect yourself, verify that financial advisers are properly registered, request written investment plans and regular account statements, and be cautious of promises of high returns or pressure to transfer funds quickly.
tradingview.com
· 2026-04-08
According to the FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report, Americans lost $20.9 billion to cybercrime last year, with cryptocurrency fraud accounting for over half of those losses—particularly through investment scams, fake exchanges, and "pig butchering" schemes. Seniors aged 60 and older suffered the heaviest financial impact, losing $6.4 billion, while younger adults filed more complaints despite lower individual losses. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities and romantic advances from strangers online, verify cryptocurrency exchanges through official channels, and consider reporting suspicious activity to the FBI's IC3 reporting system.
perthisok.com
· 2026-04-08
Western Australians lost over $24 million to scammers in 2025, with investment scams being the biggest culprit at $13.7 million, followed by romance and fake charity scams, while new AI-powered and data breach-fueled tactics like bank impersonation calls are making scams increasingly convincing. Older adults aged 65+ and women were disproportionately affected, losing $2.6 million and 65% of total losses respectively. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls or messages claiming to be from your bank, verify contact information independently before sharing personal details, and be wary of investment opportunities and romantic advances from online contacts.
time.com
· 2026-04-08
Scams have reached epidemic levels globally, with one in four adults losing money to fraud last year and over $1 trillion lost annually, often orchestrated from trafficking compounds in Southeast Asia where hundreds of thousands of people are forced to run romance, investment, and crypto schemes. Scammers are now using increasingly sophisticated malware and remote access trojans that give attackers complete control of victims' devices to steal personal data and monitor their activities, affecting at least 20 countries worldwide. To protect yourself, stay vigilant about unsolicited contact from romantic interests or investment opportunities, use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, and never grant remote access to unknown parties.
ambcrypto.com
· 2026-04-08
In 2025, cybercrime losses surged to $20.8 billion, a 26% increase from the previous year, with cryptocurrency fraud being the dominant vehicle for theft—accounting for $11.36 billion in losses, particularly through investment scams that manipulate victims into fake trading platforms. Seniors aged 60 and above were hit hardest, losing $7.7 billion, often through social engineering schemes originating on social media and run by organized groups in Southeast Asia. To protect yourself, avoid unsolicited investment offers on social media, verify platforms independently before depositing funds, and be especially cautious if pressured to use cryptocurrency for any investment or financial transaction.
techlicious.com
· 2026-04-08
According to an FBI report released in 2026, Americans lost a record $20.9 billion to online scams in 2025—a 26% increase from the previous year—with investment fraud accounting for nearly half of those losses, particularly through "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams where fraudsters build trust via social media and dating apps before directing victims to fake investment platforms. The volume of complaints surged to over 1 million for the first time, averaging nearly 3,000 reports daily, indicating that scammers are using increasingly sophisticated techniques that are harder to detect. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment tips from online contacts, verify requests claiming to be from banks or government agencies by calling official numbers directly, and never transfer money to unfamiliar investment platforms or send funds to cover "taxes" on account withdrawals.
cyberscoop.com
· 2026-04-08
Cybercrime losses surged 26% to $20.9 billion in 2025, with the FBI receiving over 1 million complaints—nearly 3,000 per day—marking a 400% increase since 2020. Seniors over 60 were hit hardest, accounting for 37% of all losses despite representing a smaller share of complaints, with investment fraud, business email compromise, and tech support scams being the top three crime types. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities and tech support offers, verify business email requests through independent channels, and report suspected fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).