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Florida state officials have prioritized combating fraud after FBI data showed seniors lost over $300 million to scams in 2023, the second-highest rate nationally. Governor Ron DeSantis signed new legislation protecting residents who sign up for fraud notification services and allowing deed fraud alerts to combat property theft schemes. State officials warn against common scams including deed fraud, jury duty impersonation, roof scams, and cryptocurrency transfers, urging residents never to respond to unrecognized emails or send money through unsecured methods.

In 2023, Americans aged 60 and older lost over $3.4 billion to financial scams—an 11% increase from 2022—with tech support fraud and investment scams being the most common schemes. Florida ranked second nationally in elder fraud complaints and losses, with seniors there losing over $90 million to investment schemes alone. The FBI emphasizes that victims should report suspected scams immediately despite feelings of shame, as prompt reporting helps authorities address these crimes.

In 2023, romance scams resulted in over 64,000 reports and $1.1 billion in losses, predominantly affecting elderly victims who were deceived by scammers posing as romantic partners on dating apps and social media. Cristine Petitfrere, a 30-year-old from Florida, was arrested and sentenced to 30 months in prison for laundering nearly $3 million from romance scams by funneling money to Ghana; she personally facilitated transfers from three elderly victims in their 60s-70s who lost over $158,000 combined. Federal law enforcement has intensified prosecution efforts against romance scam networks, with romance fraud losses increasing

A Florida woman received an unsolicited genetic testing kit with her Medicare information and was contacted by someone claiming to represent the lab offering "free" testing covered by Medicare—a common healthcare fraud scheme. Scammers target seniors at public venues and through mail to obtain Medicare numbers for identity theft and fraudulent billing, with false claims sometimes reaching thousands of dollars; Medicare only covers genetic testing when ordered by a patient's physician and deemed medically necessary. Victims are protected from liability if investigations confirm their non-participation, with the burden shifting to the fraudulent provider instead.

A 92-year-old World War II veteran in Houston lost over $300,000 to a fraudulent investment scheme operated by Ternion Group International LLC, a fake "Christian" company that promised high returns on construction and job training projects but never delivered any funds. Five defendants from Florida and Alabama were arrested and charged with wire fraud and conspiracy, with one defendant allegedly manipulating the victim into changing his will and granting power of attorney. Each defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted.

McKhaela Katelynn McNamara (28, Flint) and Jmyla Elaine Sha'Taria White (29, Florida) were sentenced to 51 and 97 months in federal prison respectively for operating a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme targeting senior citizens. The scam involved fake virus warnings and compromised bank account alerts designed to trick victims into withdrawing cash and handing it over; one West Michigan victim lost nearly $400,000, and the perpetrators were ordered to pay over $3.8 million combined in restitution.

A Florida opinion piece highlights the prevalence of elder fraud targeting Space Coast seniors, featuring the case of 80-year-old Judy Kirk who nearly fell victim to a tech support scam demanding $25,000. According to FBI data, seniors over 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, with Florida ranking second nationally; common scams affecting state residents include tech support, investment, romance, gift card, and roofing schemes. The article emphasizes that while Kirk avoided financial loss by sensing something wrong at the last moment, many of her peers were successfully scammed, underscoring the need for elder awareness and vigilance.

Federal law enforcement agencies in Florida are prosecuting money mules—individuals who transfer stolen funds from fraud victims to international scam operators—as part of a multi-agency initiative involving the FBI, U.S. Attorney's Office, Secret Service, and FDIC. Three Florida residents laundered between $1.5 million and $9.5 million by impersonating bank representatives to steal small business owner information and move funds, with one defendant sentenced to 46 months in prison and another awaiting sentencing; a separate case involved a man who recruited others to open bank accounts and withdraw money from victims defrauded on eBay, Booking.com, and Airbnb. The DOJ emphas

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida announced a Money Mule Initiative in partnership with the FBI, Secret Service, and FDIC-OIG to identify, disrupt, and prosecute networks that facilitate fraud schemes targeting older Americans, including lottery fraud, romance scams, and grandparent scams. Money mules—individuals who receive and transfer stolen funds—are recruited either as unwitting victims of scams or through fake work-at-home job offers, and law enforcement is pursuing criminal prosecution against those knowingly assisting fraudsters, with recent cases involving defendants laundering between $1.5 million and $9.5 million in fraud proceeds.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, in partnership with the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, and FDIC Office of Inspector General, launched the Money Mule Initiative to identify and prosecute individuals who transfer stolen funds from fraud victims to international criminals. The initiative targets money mule networks that facilitate various scams affecting older Americans, including lottery fraud, romance scams, and grandparent scams, with some money mules unknowingly recruited as victims themselves or through fake work-at-home job offers. Law enforcement has brought criminal charges against multiple defendants, including cases involving multi-continent money laundering schemes and bank impersonation plots targeting small business owners.

Two Florida and Michigan residents were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in an international fraud conspiracy that defrauded senior citizens of millions of dollars. The scheme involved fake tech support warnings that led victims to surrender cash, wire transfers, and gift cards through various ruses, including impersonation of federal agents and false claims of compromised bank accounts; White was sentenced to 97 months and ordered to pay $3.2 million in restitution, while McNamara received 51 months and must pay $693,073 in restitution. One West Michigan victim lost $398,000 to the conspiracy, which operated with scammers based in India and used U.S.-based oper

McKhaela McNamara (Flint, Michigan) and Jmyla White (Florida) were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in an international wire fraud conspiracy targeting senior citizens across multiple states, with McNamara receiving 51 months and ordered to pay $693,073 in restitution, while White received 97 months and was ordered to pay $3.2 million. The scam began with fake virus warnings on victims' computers, prompting them to call numbers where perpetrators impersonated tech company representatives or federal agents, then convinced victims to withdraw cash, make wire transfers, or purchase gift cards through various ruses involving compromised bank accounts, infected computers, or criminal

A woman of Indian origin was arrested on May 9 for her role in a multi-state gold bar fraud scheme that defrauded a Florida man of $1.5 million. The scam involved perpetrators posing as federal agents who convinced victims to purchase gold bullion and surrender it under the pretense of secure storage.

Fraudsters are sending text message phishing scams impersonating toll collection services like the Illinois Tollway and Florida Turnpike, claiming recipients owe small amounts (typically around $12) and threatening $50 late fees to pressure immediate payment. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to verify any toll debt by visiting the official toll service website or calling their customer service line directly rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.

Romance scams affected 70,000 people in 2022, resulting in $1.3 billion in losses with an average loss of over $4,000 per victim, according to the FTC. Florida ranked third nationally with 1,474 reported victims losing $53.4 million. The article identifies ten warning signs of romance scammers, including unusually fast professions of love, reluctance to video chat, requests to move communications off dating platforms, claims of emergencies requiring money transfers, poor grammar, and pressure to keep the relationship secret from friends and family.

A mother-daughter duo and three co-conspirators were sentenced to federal prison for stealing personal information from two elderly residents in Miami-Dade County and using it to fraudulently purchase over $500,000 in vehicles and obtain credit cards and pandemic relief loans (EIDL and SBA) between May-June 2020. Aisladys Diaz, a home health aide, stole the identities and shared them with her daughter Ailensy Buron Diaz and three others who executed the fraud scheme; sentences ranged from 30 to 52 months in prison with restitution hearings pending.

Florida's seniors lost nearly $300 million to scams in 2023, with the state ranking second nationally for elder fraud complaints. Major schemes included investment fraud ($90 million), tech support scams ($51 million), and romance scams ($40 million), often resulting in devastating consequences such as foreclosed homes and emptied retirement accounts. Nationally, people over 60 lost approximately $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, representing an 11% increase from the previous year.

A Miami mother and daughter were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a $500,000 elder fraud scheme in which they stole personal information from elderly clients and used it to fraudulently purchase vehicles and obtain loans. Aisladys Diaz, a home health aide, obtained the identifiable information from two elderly residents under her care and shared it with her daughter Ailensy Buron Diaz and three accomplices, who then used the stolen information to buy over $500,000 in vehicles and apply for credit cards and pandemic relief loans. Aisladys Diaz received a sentence of four years and four months while her daughter received four years in prison, with both subject to three

Instant transfer apps like Zelle, Venmo, and CashApp are expected to see scam incidents jump over 50% by 2027, prompting Congressional scrutiny. One Kissimmee woman lost $2,500 in a rental scam where fraudsters spoofed a legitimate website, highlighting a widespread problem in Central Florida. Congress is demanding that Zelle implement stronger safeguards, clarify reimbursement policies, and streamline fraud reporting, while banks argue that preventing criminal "spoofing" of legitimate entities requires Congressional action.

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The Better Business Bureau has received multiple reports of phishing text messages impersonating toll collection services, demanding payment of small amounts (typically $12) with threats of larger late fees to trick travelers into clicking malicious links and providing personal or payment information. Scammers exploit the fact that road travelers may not track tolls closely, with recent cases including fake messages spoofing the Illinois Tollway and fraudulent "Missouri Toll Services" texts directing payments through SunPass, a Florida-based toll agency that does not operate in Missouri. To avoid these scams, consumers should independently verify outstanding tolls through legitimate agency websites or phone numbers rather than clicking links in unsolicited text messages.

An 80-year-old Florida man nearly fell victim to a grandparent scam when someone impersonating his grandson called asking for $5,000 bail money, though the grandson was actually safe at university. Florida reported over 40,000 online scams in 2023 resulting in $874 million in losses, ranking third nationally, with adults 60 and older losing over $290 million—the highest of any age group—yet only 15% of offenses are reported due to shame and embarrassment among victims.

Rapper Sean Kingston and his mother, Janice Turner, were arrested and charged with conducting an organized fraud scheme that allegedly netted over $1 million through identity theft, grand theft, and bank fraud between October and March, including stealing approximately $500,000 in jewelry, $200,000 from Bank of America, and $160,000 from a luxury vehicle dealer. Kingston waived his right to fight extradition and agreed to be returned to Florida to face charges, where both defendants are expected to address the allegations in court. Kingston has prior probation for trafficking stolen property, and his mother has a 2006 conviction for bank fraud.

A Florida man, Jian Hua Ren, was arrested for attempting to defraud a Hicksville woman of $45,000 through an impersonation scam. The suspect posed as a Nassau Federal Credit Union fraud representative and convinced the victim her account was compromised, instructing her to withdraw the funds for safekeeping. The victim, who had fallen for a similar scam previously, recognized the scheme and called 911, leading to Ren's arrest and charge of Attempted Grand Larceny 3rd Degree.

A Privacy Journal study analyzing FBI, CDC, FTC, and Internet Crime Complaint Center data ranked U.S. states by danger levels for online dating users, identifying Nevada, Alaska, Georgia, Florida, and Arizona as the five most risky states. The analysis considered romance scams, identity theft, fraud, violent crime, STD rates, and registered sex offender concentrations, with Arizona having the highest romance scam rate (9.2 per 100,000), Nevada the second-highest (8.1 per 100,000), and Georgia leading in identity theft and fraud victimization rates. The findings highlight that geographic location can predict vulnerability to various threats when using dating apps.

Florida ranked second nationally in elder fraud complaints and losses in 2023, with Americans aged 60+ losing $3.4 billion that year, an 11% increase from 2022. Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 556 into law, which takes effect January 1 and permits banks to delay money disbursements if employees suspect financial exploitation of seniors or vulnerable adults, while providing legal immunity to banks acting in good faith. The legislation was developed in response to widespread scams targeting Florida's retiree population, particularly tech support fraud schemes.

In 2022, Florida's population aged 60 and over lost over $328 million to fraud, with 8,480 victims averaging $38,693 in losses per person—ranking the state ninth nationally. Investment scams were the most costly fraud type nationally ($400 million), followed by business impostor and romance scams, with online fraud and bank transfers being the primary methods used by scammers to target and steal from older adults.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 556 into law, which allows financial institutions to delay suspicious transactions from seniors aged 65+ or vulnerable adults for up to 15 business days (extendable to 30 days) while investigating potential fraud. The bill addresses the rising threat of scams targeting elderly Floridians, who lost nearly $294 million to fraud in 2023, with seniors nationwide losing over $3.4 billion that same year to schemes including fake calls, investment fraud, and romance scams. The law takes effect January 1, 2025, and requires banks to notify trusted contacts and develop employee training programs to identify and prevent financial exploitation.

This educational piece highlights World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15), which aims to raise global awareness about physical, emotional, and financial exploitation of older adults. AARP and Florida organizations are hosting multiple virtual and in-person events throughout June to educate seniors and caregivers on fraud prevention, scam recognition, and elder protection resources, with information available on the Florida Fraud Resource Page.

A Privacy Journal study analyzing FBI, FTC, and CDC data ranked states by online dating safety risks, including romance scams, identity theft, STIs, violent crime, and registered sex offenders per 100,000 people. South Carolina ranked among the 10 most dangerous states for online dating, alongside Nevada, Alaska, Georgia, and Florida, while Vermont and Maine were identified as safest. The study notes that while dating apps facilitate connections (with 1 in 4 couples meeting online), users should avoid money requests, meet in public locations, and refrain from sharing personal information until after meeting someone in person.

Florida enacted a new law allowing banks to delay large withdrawals for up to 15 days if employees suspect seniors or vulnerable adults are being financially exploited, with legal immunity for good-faith delays. Florida seniors lost $294 million to scams in 2023 through various methods including social media, phone calls, and door-to-door fraud, though only 20% of cases are reported. The law, effective January 2024, requires banks to notify account holders and "trusted contacts" and contact law enforcement during the delay period to investigate potential fraud.

Travel scams increase during busy vacation seasons, and consumers can protect themselves by researching typical pricing for their destination, booking directly through official platforms rather than external communications, and avoiding wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency payments that pressure quick decisions. Additional red flags include imposter scams where fraudsters impersonate airline or hotel staff to steal personal information, making it especially important to verify you're on legitimate websites when booking on mobile devices. Suspected travel scams should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission.

**Summary:** Timothy Bartlett, 69, of Deltona, Florida, was arrested for defrauding a Tampa-area nonprofit organization of $5,000 by falsely posing as a cancer patient named "Sally Holmes" seeking living expense assistance. Investigators discovered Bartlett had perpetrated the same scam against at least four other nonprofits in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Wisconsin that provide financial aid to cancer patients.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new Florida law that empowers banks to delay withdrawals or transactions for up to 15 days if employees suspect a senior citizen or vulnerable adult is being financially exploited. The law addresses the vulnerability of isolated elderly people and those with disabilities who may be targeted by scammers—including unscrupulous caregivers, family members, or home health aides—seeking access to their substantial assets.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new Florida law allowing banks to delay withdrawals or transactions for up to 15 days (extendable) if employees suspect a senior citizen or vulnerable adult is being financially exploited. The law addresses concerns that isolated seniors and disabled individuals are targets for financial scams by family members, caregivers, and other unscrupulous individuals who gain access to their substantial assets.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed Florida's "Protection of Specified Adults" bill into law, which allows banks to delay disbursing funds for up to 15 days if employees suspect seniors aged 65 and older or vulnerable adults are being scammed. Florida seniors reported nearly $300 million in losses from scams, the second-highest in the nation, with cases ranging from phone impersonation schemes to elaborate financial exploitation; the law takes effect in January 2025. Experts recommend protecting against scams by hanging up on suspicious calls, avoiding unverified links, and verifying requests directly with official sources rather than numbers provided by potential scammers.

**Not applicable for this database.** This article ranks states for single people based on dating prospects and mental health resources, but does not describe a specific scam, fraud incident, or elder abuse case. While it mentions that Florida has heightened risks of catfishing and romance scams generally, it provides no details about actual victims, perpetrators, financial losses, or fraud outcomes relevant to elder fraud documentation.

A 91-year-old Rockland woman became a victim of credit card fraud in late 2022 when over $3,000 in unauthorized charges from Texas energy companies appeared on her statement after a Florida vacation, though her family's dispute with Citibank was closed due to insufficient information. The case highlights a broader problem: Massachusetts residents over 60 lost over $70 million to fraud in 2022, with seniors 517 percent more likely to fall victim to online tech support scams than younger adults. Experts recommend families monitor elderly parents' financial accounts closely and discuss common scam tactics, including requests for unusual payment methods and pressure to act quickly.

Research from the University of Florida shows that approximately 1 in 6 Americans aged 65+ are vulnerable targets for financial fraud, with the FBI reporting over 90,000 older victims in 2021 alone, resulting in $1.7 billion in losses (a 74% increase from 2020). Psychologists have identified that susceptibility to deception varies by individual factors—including cognitive decline, memory loss, emotional state, and social isolation—as well as the method of deception employed, with those carrying Alzheimer's risk gene variants showing particular vulnerability to phishing and fraud schemes. Financial exploitation, often perpetrated by family members, caregivers, or stran

A 91-year-old Rockland woman became a victim of credit card fraud when over $3,000 in fraudulent charges from Texas energy companies appeared on her statement in late 2022, shortly after she vacationed in Florida. Her daughter spent more than a year attempting to dispute the charges with Citibank, but the case was closed due to insufficient information, highlighting challenges elderly fraud victims face in resolving disputes. The incident reflects a broader trend in Massachusetts, where residents over 60 lost over $70 million to fraud in 2022, with seniors being significantly more vulnerable to online scams, investment fraud, and imposter schemes.

After hurricanes, scammers target disaster victims through fake contractors demanding upfront payment or using misleading Assignment of Benefits documents, fake government/utility workers requesting personal information, non-existent rental listings, and fraudulent charities. Victims should verify all contractors' credentials and insurance, avoid cash/wire transfer payments, never pay for FEMA assistance, and check charity legitimacy before donating.

A 79-year-old Florida woman lost approximately $2,000 to a flight booking scam and was prevented from boarding a flight to her husband's funeral in Wisconsin after scammers posing as an Allegiant Airlines representative charged her card multiple times for a fraudulent ticket. Although Stainer received a fake confirmation code and was able to check in luggage and pass through TSA with a boarding pass, the airline's fraud detection system only flagged the fraudulent third-party purchaser after she arrived at the gate, preventing her from boarding. Allegiant acknowledged the scam occurred when she booked the same day as departure, stating their system would have caught the fraud had the ticket been purchase

A 79-year-old Central Florida woman missed her husband's funeral in Wisconsin after falling victim to an airline scam while attempting to book a last-minute flight from Orlando-Sanford International Airport. The scam was sophisticated enough to initially deceive the airline itself as well. The woman had to rebook her travel separately after a medical emergency prevented her from joining her family on their originally scheduled June 1 flight to attend her late husband's funeral service.

Scammers are impersonating the My Safe Florida Home program, a legitimate state initiative offering grants up to $10,000 for storm-resistant home improvements, to defraud homeowners by collecting payment for repairs while falsely claiming applicants are enrolled or eligible. Florida officials warn that criminals have left victims responsible for full repair costs after fraudulently claiming to register them with the program, and recommend residents verify contractor credentials, obtain written estimates, and report suspicious activity to prevent being victimized.

Florida's Attorney General's office hosted a Cryptocurrency Scams Symposium in The Villages to educate seniors about avoiding fraud while recognizing top Seniors vs. Crime volunteers. The Seniors vs. Crime program recovered over $2.6 million last year alone, assisting more than 9,100 seniors through volunteer efforts, with cumulative recoveries exceeding $10.5 million since 2019. The event honored five regional Super Senior Sleuths and volunteer John McLaughlin, a former law enforcement officer with over 10 years of service helping seniors and solving high-value fraud cases.

Six individuals were arrested by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody's office for operating a grandparent scam that defrauded Florida seniors of nearly $250,000 across multiple counties. The perpetrators impersonated lawyers and claimed grandchildren had been arrested, demanding bail money in cash from victims—in one case, a Palm Bay victim lost over $54,000 after being told of escalating legal fees and medical expenses. The coordinated arrest involved law enforcement agencies from Miami-Dade, Brevard, Lee, Broward, and Orange counties, with the defendants facing multiple felonies including organized scheme to defraud and grand theft.

A 91-year-old woman lost over $3,000 to credit card fraud after her account information was compromised, possibly during a trip to Florida, highlighting a growing trend of seniors targeted by scammers seeking access to retirement accounts and financial credentials. Her daughter spent more than a year unsuccessfully disputing the charges and now advocates for families to monitor elderly relatives' credit card statements and have conversations about financial threats. Cybersecurity experts warn that seniors are deliberately targeted by fraudsters who can quickly max out compromised accounts before victims become aware of unauthorized charges.

A 91-year-old woman in Newton, North Carolina, lost over $3,000 to credit card fraud after her account information was compromised, possibly during a trip to Florida. Her daughter has spent more than a year unsuccessfully disputing the charges with the credit card company, highlighting a growing trend of scammers targeting seniors for their financial assets. Experts recommend that families monitor their elderly relatives' financial accounts closely and have conversations with older adults about protecting their bank accounts and credit cards.

Six fraudsters were accused of stealing nearly $250,000 from Florida seniors across multiple counties through grandparent scams, where they impersonated lawyers claiming victims' grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money. The defendants directed victims to withdraw cash and place it in boxes for pickup by ride-share drivers (unknowingly recruited couriers), with some victims being contacted repeatedly and pressured to send additional funds based on escalating false charges, resulting in individual losses exceeding $50,000. All six defendants faced multiple first-degree felonies including organized fraud and grand theft.

Rima Nathan, Director of Florida State University's Claude Pepper Elder Law Clinic, was honored as a Florida Fraud Fighter by AARP Florida for her work combating scams targeting seniors and vulnerable populations. Under Nathan's direction, the clinic has recovered nearly $10,000 in predatory solar panel fees and secured financial relief for fixed-income seniors, while providing legal services and education to hundreds of North Florida residents. The recognition highlights the ongoing need for legal aid and community partnerships to address fraud, as Floridians lost $654 million to scams in 2023 alone.