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This article is not relevant to the Elderus database. It is a general "Today in History" calendar entry containing historical events and celebrity birthdays with no content related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse.

A Wells Fargo fraud expert warns Arizonans about evolving scams including impersonation schemes (which cost victims $2.7 billion last year), where scammers pose as bank representatives claiming card fraud and then trick victims into handing over debit cards or personal information. Additional threats include AI-powered deepfake calls mimicking family members, cryptocurrency investment scams promising quick returns, and holiday shipping scams posing as delivery services to steal tracking information.

The Arizona Attorney General's Office held a community awareness event in Yuma to educate seniors about current scam tactics, following data showing Arizona had the highest rate of elder fraud cases per 100,000 seniors in 2023. Officials warned residents to be vigilant about scams involving Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and gift cards, which are commonly used by fraudsters to steal money from older adults. The Attorney General's Office is conducting similar educational visits throughout Arizona to help prevent elder fraud.

Arizona experienced a 36% surge in elder fraud cases from 2022 to 2023, prompting the Green Valley Council to host Fight Fraud Day at a local recreation center, where the Pima County Sheriff's Department warned residents about evolving scams including voice cloning, number spoofing, and romantic fraud schemes that increasingly target the retirement community. The presentation demonstrated how artificial intelligence and voice cloning technology are being weaponized to impersonate family members and create fraudulent stories, with Green Valley residents reporting 2-3 scam attempts daily ranging from telephone fraud to compromised bank accounts. The PCSD provided fraud prevention resources and encourages residents to remain skeptical of unsolic

**Not Applicable for Elderus Database** This article does not contain information relevant to the Elderus elder fraud research database. The content addresses a state court ruling on public employee labor relations and union agreements, which is unrelated to elder fraud, scams, elder abuse, or financial exploitation of seniors. No summary is warranted.

Two Aiea, Hawaii women were federally charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy for stealing a credit card number and check from a man in his 90s between February and March, using them to make over $20,000 in unauthorized purchases at spas, car dealerships, jewelry stores, and other businesses. Kalehuaiwilliamekamaile "Maile" Montez and Totie Tauala also allegedly used stolen identities of a California woman and an Arizona woman to facilitate the fraudulent transactions. The scheme was discovered when the victim's caregiver and daughter were contacted by a credit card company

WSMV4 Investigates documented a multi-city funeral scam in which solicitors hold signs featuring photos of children who allegedly died, requesting money for funeral expenses. The investigation found the same gray 2007 KIA van with an Arizona temporary tag being used in both Nashville, Tennessee and Grand Rapids, Michigan, with solicitors becoming hostile and aggressive when confronted, and police indicated those involved could be charged with theft by fraudulent means.

Robert Giuliano, a New York fugitive with a history of fraud, is wanted for romance scams targeting women and is listed among New York State's 17 Most Wanted Fugitives. Previously convicted in 2014 of scamming dozens of victims across multiple states out of thousands of dollars through a fake concierge company ("Giuliano Group Concierge"), he has continued criminal activity through dating scams and maintains false online profiles on LinkedIn and Instagram to deceive victims. Law enforcement believes he may be in New York, Miami, or Scottsdale, Arizona.

Robert Giuliano, a New York man with a history of fraud convictions, is wanted as a fugitive for romance scams targeting women in multiple states. Previously convicted in 2014 for scamming dozens of travelers out of thousands of dollars through his fake concierge company between 2008-2012, Giuliano is now among New York State's 17 Most Wanted and is believed to be operating in New York, Miami, and Scottsdale, Arizona. He uses false credentials and social media profiles to perpetrate his schemes.

**Educational/Awareness Event** Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes will hold an Elder Scams Townhall on December 3 in Safford to educate seniors about protecting themselves from fraud and hacking schemes. The free event runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Graham County Senior Center and aims to help vulnerable populations recognize and avoid common scams.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes addressed seniors in Safford about the rising scam epidemic affecting older adults, noting that Arizona had the nation's highest senior fraud victimization rate at 289 per 100,000 population in 2023. She warned about emerging threats including cryptocurrency scams, romance scams on social media, and AI voice-cloning schemes that impersonate family members to solicit money, recommending families establish secret passwords and watch for warning signs like unexplained financial secrecy, unusual withdrawals, and changed spending patterns. The Attorney General's Office can be reached at 602-542-5763 to report suspected fraud.

This article is not relevant to the Elderus elder fraud database. It concerns wildlife poaching and animal cruelty, not elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. Please submit articles related to financial exploitation, scams targeting seniors, or elder abuse cases.

Robert Giuliano, a multi-state romance scammer operating under the alias "Rob Scotto," defrauded an Arizona woman of $30,000 over several months by posing as a romantic interest on a dating site and requesting money for trips he claimed he couldn't afford. Giuliano, who was wanted by New York authorities for forgery, grand larceny, and identity theft, was arrested by Scottsdale Police in December after investigators received a tip from New York and discovered he was living in the area. He remains in custody awaiting extradition to New York.

Robert Giuliano, an alleged multi-state romance scammer with a New York felony warrant for forgery, grand larceny, and identity theft, was arrested in Scottsdale but released from jail on parole in January after extradition to New York. Victims of his romance scams expressed frustration over his release, while a judge determined that his non-violent charges and limited criminal history warranted bail; Giuliano is scheduled for a parole revocation hearing in April and has reportedly contacted some victims promising repayment.

Bridget C. O'Brien was sentenced to 2 years in prison plus 3 years probation and ordered to pay $1,273,794.95 in restitution for defrauding the federal Small Business Administration of approximately $2.9 million between March 2020 and January 2021. O'Brien submitted twenty-three fraudulent loan applications containing material misrepresentations and used the funds for personal expenses including a $1.9 million luxury home purchase, dining, travel, clothing, and her child's tuition and volleyball lessons. The Arizona Attorney General's office prosecuted the case as part of efforts to hold fraudsters accountable and protect taxpayer interests.

This article announces Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes' creation of a Cold Case Homicide unit to re-examine unsolved murder cases using advanced technology and fresh investigative approaches in partnership with local law enforcement. The unit will initially focus on five Arizona cold cases, including the 2008 shooting death of Leslie Good, the 2018 fatal shooting of 21-year-old Sabino Lopez, the 2012 stabbing of Victoria Lacey, the 1996 disappearance and murders of Diana Shawcroft and Jennifer Lueth, and the 1992 death of unidentified teen Melody Harrison. No dollar amounts or recent outcomes are specifie

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes partnered with major utility companies (APS, SRP, TEP, and UniSource Energy Services) and the Arizona Anti-Human Trafficking Network to launch statewide training for utility employees on recognizing and reporting human trafficking. The training initiative equips frontline workers with tools to identify warning signs of trafficking and report suspected cases to appropriate authorities. This collaborative effort aims to increase awareness and enhance the state's ability to protect vulnerable individuals from human trafficking.

This educational article warns about "smishing" scams—fraudulent text messages that trick recipients into clicking malicious links or providing personal information. Digital coach Grace Buscher recommends that targets question unexpected messages, verify requests through official channels, delete suspicious texts, and report them to authorities and their service providers. The article provides guidance for seniors and the general public to protect themselves from this growing scam threat.

This article is about a legal/political matter rather than elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It describes Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes joining a multistate lawsuit challenging President Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship, which she argues violates the 14th Amendment and federal law. The article does not contain information relevant to the Elderus database's focus on elder fraud and abuse.

Scammers impersonating bank representatives targeted at least four Yavapai County, Arizona residents, instructing them to withdraw funds and deposit them into new accounts under the false premise that their accounts were compromised. Victims who fell for the scheme lost an average of $25,000 each, though one woman was prevented from becoming a victim when an alert bank teller recognized the scam while the caller was still on the phone. Authorities recommend that anyone receiving such calls contact their bank directly to verify whether their account has actually been compromised.

A coalition of 13 state attorneys general, led by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, warned federal employees about the Trump administration's "deferred resignation" program, which offered continued pay and benefits through September 30, 2025 if employees resigned by February 6, 2025. The attorneys general cautioned that the buyout offer was unreliable and potentially unenforceable, while major federal employee unions independently advised members against accepting it due to lack of guaranteed benefits. The warning highlighted concerns that the program could disrupt critical federal services relied upon by state residents.

Arizona banking customers are experiencing a surge in sophisticated tech scams, with victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars to fraudsters who use alarming text messages about account fraud to trick people into revealing account credentials. The Better Business Bureau also reports a spike in romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day, with victims averaging $126,000 in losses per person in early 2024, typically initiated through social media or dating websites with warning signs including rapid friendships, quick money discussions, and reluctance to video chat. Banks emphasize that contacting financial institutions within 24 hours of suspected fraud is critical, as scammers typically transfer funds overseas quickly, making recovery difficult after that window closes.

Attorney General Kris Mayes warned Arizona sports bettors ahead of Super Bowl Sunday to avoid illegal sportsbooks that lack regulatory oversight, fair play testing, security standards, and anti-money laundering compliance. Red flags include sportsbooks based outside the U.S., deceptive bonus offers, suspicious ads, and "risk-free" bet claims, while consumers should verify licensed operators through the Arizona Department of Gaming website and avoid sharing personal information with unapproved services. Those who fall victim to sports betting scams can report activity to the Department of Gaming or file complaints with the Attorney General's Office.

This article announces programming and services at Banner Olive Branch Senior Center in Arizona, including breakfast and lunch meals ($5 each), free food pantry services, and to-go meals available daily. The center is hosting an Attorney General townhall on elder scams and fraud on February 7, along with educational workshops on legal documents and diabetes management.

Andres "Manny" Lopez, 36, pleaded guilty to wire fraud for defrauding at least nine victims of over $1.4 million between November 2019 and July 2023 through his Arizona auto repair business. Lopez accepted advance payments for vehicle upgrades, parts, and vehicle purchases with no intention of delivering, instead using the money for personal expenses and making false excuses to victims, including impersonating a Toyota dealership manager. He continued defrauding victims even after being indicted in October 2023, defrauding one victim alone of approximately $567,892.

Arizonans have lost millions of dollars to scams involving unregulated Bitcoin ATMs, with victims typically tricked by fraudsters posing as customer service representatives who direct them to deposit money into these machines. In 2023, Arizona residents reported losing approximately $325 million to such scams, with Peoria alone experiencing nearly $1 million in losses from 24 incidents; one victim, Tamara Glerum, lost nearly $28,000 after being socially engineered into using a Bitcoin ATM. Law enforcement and AARP are advocating for state and federal regulations to require safeguards at Bitcoin ATM operators, as most machines currently lack fraud-detection measures an

Attorney General Kris Mayes launched a webpage to collect reports from Arizona government entities and nonprofits experiencing disrupted federal funding despite court orders halting the Trump administration's funding freeze. Federal judges issued restraining orders preventing the administration from pausing, freezing, or blocking congressionally allocated federal grants and loans, yet some organizations continued facing funding access problems affecting healthcare, research, emergency services, and other critical programs.

Arizona is advancing House Bill 2387 to combat Bitcoin ATM scams, which have surged dramatically—accounting for $112 million in fraud in 2023 compared to $12 million in 2020, with people over 60 being disproportionately targeted. The legislation proposes daily transaction limits of $1,000, state operator licensing, and refund policies; Arizona alone lost $127 million to virtual money fraud in 2023. One victim, Tamara, lost $17,000 after being impersonated by a fraudster posing as PayPal who convinced her to withdraw funds and convert them to Bitcoin through an ATM.

AARP Arizona warns consumers to be vigilant against romance scams, which target vulnerable individuals seeking companionship through social media and dating apps, with scammers requesting money after building false emotional connections. The organization also cautions against fraudulent tax season text messages impersonating the IRS that attempt to steal personal and financial information, recommending people contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network at 877-908-3360 if they suspect fraud.

This educational piece identifies three major Valentine's Day scams to watch: impostor websites that mimic legitimate retailers using fake photos and logos, romance scams where fraudsters build fake dating profiles to extract money after establishing emotional connections, and wrong-number ploys where scammers initiate contact to gather personal information. The article advises consumers to recognize red flags such as unrealistic discounts, requests for cryptocurrency payments, rapid relationship progression, and pressure for secrecy, and recommends reporting suspected fraud to the FTC, FBI, local law enforcement, or the Arizona Attorney General's office.

Arizona experienced over $47 million in losses from online romance scams during 2022-2023, ranking fifth nationally, with elderly residents particularly targeted by scammers who build false relationships to extract money. Common tactics include professing instant love, moving conversations off dating platforms to private channels, refusing to share photos, and requesting money—sometimes stringing victims along for extended periods. Authorities warn that scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to create convincing false identities, and many victims remain unreported due to embarrassment.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued a Valentine's Day warning about romance scams, which target tens of thousands of Arizonans through dating apps, dating sites, and social media platforms. Scammers create fake profiles to build trust with victims before requesting money through lies about emergencies, sick relatives, military service, or investment opportunities. The advisory provides warning signs—such as quick declarations of love, requests for wire transfers or gift cards, and broken plans to meet in person—and recommends victims avoid sending money to strangers, verify stories with loved ones, and file complaints with the Internet Crime Complaint Center or Arizona Attorney General's office if victimized.

Online romance scams in Arizona resulted in over $47 million in losses during 2022-2023, with victims ranging from elderly individuals to people in their 30s, making the state the fifth-highest in the nation for such fraud. Key warning signs include scammers professing "instant love," quickly moving communication off dating platforms, refusing to share photos, and requesting money, sometimes stringing victims along for extended periods. Law enforcement and AARP Arizona warn that scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence and new technology to impersonate people, and encourage vigilance especially around Valentine's Day when people are most vulnerable to romance-based fraud.

Green Valley, Arizona authorities warn residents about multiple evolving scams targeting seniors, including voice cloning fraud, impersonation schemes (costing victims $1.1 billion nationally in 2023), romance scams (which cost Arizona residents $47 million over two years), and pornography-related blackmail scams. Experts recommend residents verify suspicious communications through trusted third parties and never share personal information without confirming legitimacy, noting that scammers use urgency tactics and exploit loneliness to manipulate their targets.

Ten U.S. states experienced significant increases in elder fraud cases between 2022 and 2023, with Arizona leading at a 36% increase (212 to 289 cases per 100,000 seniors), followed by Utah (23% increase) and Rhode Island (22% increase). Other states with notable rises include Texas, Washington, Oregon, North Carolina, Kansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma, all ranging from 18-20% increases in fraud complaints per capita. The analysis highlights that popular retirement destinations are experiencing elevated fraud risk, prompting seniors in these states to increase financial vigilance.

A 2025 analysis of government elder fraud complaint data identified 10 states experiencing significant increases in fraud cases targeting retirees between 2022 and 2023. Arizona led with a 36% increase (212 to 289 cases per 100,000 seniors), followed by Utah (23% increase) and Rhode Island (22% increase), with Texas, North Carolina, Washington, Oregon, Kansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma also showing substantial growth ranging from 18-20%. The data underscores the need for vigilance among retirees in these high-risk states.

**Article:** 10 States Where Retiree Fraud Is on the Rise According to analysis of government elder fraud complaint data, ten states experienced significant increases in elder fraud cases between 2022 and 2023, with Arizona leading at a 36% increase (212 to 289 cases per 100,000 seniors). Other notably affected states include Utah (23% increase), Rhode Island and North Carolina (22% and 20% increases respectively), and Texas, Washington, Oregon, Mississippi, Kansas, and Oklahoma (ranging from 18-20% increases). The data underscores the need for retirees in these high-risk states to heighten financial vigil

Ten U.S. states experienced significant increases in elder fraud cases between 2022 and 2023, with Arizona seeing the largest surge at 36% (from 212 to 289 cases per 100,000 seniors), followed by Utah at 23%. Popular retirement destinations like Arizona, Texas, and others in the study reported rises ranging from 18% to 36%, indicating growing fraud targeting seniors in these regions and signaling the need for increased financial vigilance among retirees.

Fraud targeting older adults in Arizona and nationwide represents a significant crisis, with those 60 and over reporting $3.4 billion in losses nationally in 2023, including $128 million in Arizona, according to FBI data. AARP volunteer Jerry Watterworth and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes are leading prevention efforts by educating seniors about evolving scams including romance frauds, Bitcoin schemes, identity theft, and tech-support scams, emphasizing that fraudsters continuously adapt their methods and prevention through awareness of red flags is key. The article stresses that because scammers exploit human nature—the desire to trust and connect—older residents must remain vigilant across all communication

This article highlights AARP Arizona's fraud prevention efforts in response to a significant crisis: people over 60 reported $3.4 billion in fraud losses nationwide in 2023, with $128 million in Arizona alone. The article details common scams targeting older Arizonans—including romance scams, Bitcoin/cryptocurrency schemes, identity theft, and tech-support fraud—and emphasizes that prevention through awareness of red flags (unsolicited contact, high-pressure tactics, requests for personal information) is essential, as scam methods continually evolve with changing technology.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes sued CBR Systems, Inc., one of the nation's largest cord blood banking companies, alleging systematic deception of families regarding cord blood storage and viability, unsafe sample transportation without temperature controls, and undisclosed financial kickbacks (up to $700 per sample) paid to doctors to recommend its services over cheaper public banking alternatives. The lawsuit seeks restitution for affected consumers, civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation, and disgorgement of profits obtained through the alleged Consumer Fraud Act violations.

An Arizona federal judge ordered crypto platform Debiex to pay $2.5 million in damages after the CFTC proved it operated a "pig butchering" romance scam, in which staff members created fake romantic relationships with victims on social media to convince them to invest in fraudulent crypto trading. Five victims lost approximately $2.3 million total; the court also ruled against an accomplice "money mule" and ordered the transfer of nearly 63 ETH and $5.70 USDT from his wallet to a victim. The case demonstrates how scammers exploit trust-building tactics and cryptocurrency platforms to defraud vulnerable individuals.

A federal court ordered the digital asset platform Debiex to pay over $2.2 million in restitution plus $221,466 in penalties for defrauding customers through a sophisticated online romance scam. The scheme involved "solicitors" who posed as romantic interests on social media to lure victims into opening fake trading accounts, while "money mules" like relief defendant Zhāng Chéng Yáng transferred misappropriated funds through digital asset wallets. The court also ordered approximately $120,000 in digital assets recovered from Zhang's wallet be returned to one victim, though the CFTC cautioned that full fund recovery may not materialize depending on

Romance scams are evolving with AI-generated videos and images to impersonate celebrities and create fake relationships, with scammers targeting Arizonans of all ages—particularly isolated seniors—to extract thousands of dollars through emotional manipulation and fabricated emergencies. A French woman lost $850,000 to a fraudster impersonating Brad Pitt using AI-generated hospital images, exemplifying how scammers build trust over months before requesting wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. Consumers should watch for red flags including unsolicited contact with urgency, requests for personal information, upfront payment demands, and suspicious grammar, and can verify photos through reverse image searches.

Romance scams are evolving to incorporate AI-generated videos and images to impersonate celebrities and create fake online relationships, with scammers targeting people of all ages but particularly vulnerable seniors who feel isolated. A French woman lost $850,000 to a fraudster claiming to be Brad Pitt who used AI to fabricate hospital photos and impersonate the actor, requesting money for medical treatment. Consumers should watch for red flags including unsolicited urgent contact, requests for personal information, and demands for upfront payments, and can verify suspicious photos through reverse image searches.

Debiex, a fraudulent cryptocurrency platform, was ordered by a U.S. District Court in Arizona to pay $2.4 million in restitution and penalties after misappropriating over $2 million from customers through a sophisticated romance scam involving "solicitors" who befriended victims on social media, fake trading accounts, and money mules to launder funds. The scheme targeted U.S. citizens by posing as a legitimate digital asset trading platform while never actually conducting any trades, instead stealing customer deposits.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona issued a default judgment against Debiex, a fraudulent digital asset trading platform, finding it liable for defrauding customers and misappropriating over $2 million in funds. The scheme involved coordinated "solicitors" who used romance scams on social media to recruit victims, fake "customer service" representatives, and money mules who received misappropriated funds through digital asset wallets. The court ordered Debiex to pay $221,466 in civil penalties and over $2.2 million in restitution, while approximately $120,000 in digital assets were recovered from a relief defendant's

A federal court in Arizona ordered the fraudulent digital asset platform Debiex to pay a penalty for operating an online romance scam network that targeted victims. The case involved cryptocurrency and digital assets used to facilitate the romance scam scheme. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission pursued enforcement action against the platform for its role in the financial fraud operation.

Scammers are sending text messages claiming to be from "AZDOT" demanding payment for overdue tolls, a "smishing" attack exploiting social engineering tactics. The scam is fake because Arizona has no toll roads, the phone number originates from another country, and the website domain contains red flags; recipients should delete the message, avoid clicking links, and report it to the FTC or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

A U.S. District Court in Arizona issued a default judgment against Debiex, a fraudulent digital commodity trading operation, finding the company liable for misappropriating over $2 million in customer funds through romance scam tactics and fake trading platforms. The court ordered Debiex to pay $221,466 in civil penalties and $2.2 million in restitution, and banned the company from CFTC-regulated markets; additionally, approximately $120,000 in digital assets held by money mule Zhang Cheng Yang were ordered returned to defrauded customers. The scheme involved solicitors befriending victims on social media, convinc