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Americans lost $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, according to FTC data, with the increase driven by a higher percentage of victims reporting losses rather than more fraud reports overall. Impostor scams were the most commonly reported type of fraud, followed by online shopping issues, job/business opportunities, investments, and internet services. Regional losses included $30.4 million in Washington D.C., $198.9 million in Maryland, and $293.7 million in Virginia in 2024.

Google filed a lawsuit against Maryland resident Yaniv Asayag and up to 20 co-conspirators for operating a "lead generation" scam that created fake business listings on Google Maps and Search for service businesses like locksmiths and HVAC cleaners, then sold the personal information of consumers who contacted these fake businesses to real companies—sometimes predatory ones with histories of overcharging. Over approximately one year, the network modified listings for nearly 150 businesses more than 1,000 times and used fake reviews to lure unsuspecting victims. The FTC recommends verifying business URLs and searching for reviews or complaints before contacting a business to avoid similar scams.

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A Provo man in his 70s lost $186,000 over two years in a romance scam in which a person claiming to be a woman from Maryland convinced him to send money via multiple cash app accounts for an inheritance claim and promised relocation to Utah, with investigators believing a video call between them may have been AI-generated. Provo police used the case to warn of increasing online scams targeting seniors, including impersonation schemes (law enforcement, banks, utilities), tech support fraud, and kidnapping hoaxes, recommending that victims hang up on unsolicited callers and verify requests through official channels.

A Provo man in his 70s lost $186,000 over two years in a romance scam in which someone claiming to be a woman from Maryland promised a romantic relationship and help claiming an inheritance, but the two never met in person and a video call may have been AI-generated. The case, discovered only when the man's son intervened, exemplifies a broader problem affecting seniors nationally, with other common scams including impersonation of law enforcement, banks, and utility companies; tech support schemes; and "grandparent in jail" fraud. Police and the FBI recommend hanging up on calls demanding urgent payment, independently verifying callers' identities, watching for cryptocurrency requests, and family members monitoring elderly relatives

A Maryland woman lost over $3 million in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam, where scammers based in Southeast Asia built trust with her through a Korean messaging app before convincing her to invest in fake crypto platforms that appeared legitimate. The FBI's Baltimore field office warns that this scam is growing, typically targeting victims in their 50s and older, and that victims often lose their entire investments as scammers eventually disappear with all funds, sometimes returning to target the same victims with fake recovery schemes.

The Department of Justice recovered $8.2 million in Tether cryptocurrency stolen through romance baiting scams, including $663,352 from an Ohio woman who fell victim after responding to a wrong-number text in 2023. Romance baiting is a psychological manipulation scheme that builds false intimacy through casual conversation before introducing cryptocurrency investment opportunities with fake trading dashboards and fabricated returns, ultimately trapping victims unable to withdraw their funds. The article also references an 80-year-old Maryland retiree, Judith Boivin, who was targeted by scammers impersonating FBI agents using spoofed caller IDs and forged government communications to extract money under false pretenses of a

Kauai police issued an alert about "pig butchering" scams targeting elderly citizens, where fraudsters build romantic or friendly relationships online before convincing victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency schemes with fabricated profit screenshots. The scammers, often operating from Southeast Asia, manipulate victims through dating apps and social media, eventually disappearing with their money; one documented case involved a Maryland woman losing over $3 million. Police advise seniors and their families to recognize warning signs—including rapid relationship escalation, crypto investment pitches, and pressure to keep investments secret—and to never send money to online-only contacts without verifying with trusted family members or advisors first.

A 75-year-old Maryland resident sued Athena Bitcoin and Genesis Coin in February 2024, alleging the companies knowingly facilitate elder financial abuse by placing ATMs in senior-heavy neighborhoods, charging high fees, and failing to implement fraud-prevention measures. Reynolds lost $13,000 in a tech support scam where she was directed to deposit cash via an Athena ATM using a scammer's QR code. The lawsuit seeks class-action status for Maryland seniors and cites FTC data showing consumers lost over $110 million to Bitcoin ATM scams in 2023, a nearly tenfold increase since 2020.

The FBI warns of discount medical insurance scams that promise reduced rates but provide no actual coverage, resulting in millions in annual losses and primarily targeting people seeking affordable healthcare through unsolicited contact. Washington state issued a cease-and-desist order against one fraudulent company after over 100 complaints, with victims reporting misrepresented coverage, denied refunds, and unauthorized charges; specific cases included Pennsylvania residents pressured into plans with no actual coverage, a Texas senior deceived into unwanted dental insurance, and a Maryland man left responsible for $7,000 in surgery costs after his purchased plan was not accepted by his hospital. To protect themselves, consumers should verify that insurance companies are licensed in their state through the state

**Summary:** The FBI has issued a warning about fraudulent discount medical insurance schemes that cost victims millions annually, targeting people seeking affordable healthcare with misleading offers that promise coverage but provide none. Scammers use unsolicited contact and high-pressure tactics to pressure victims into quick sign-ups, with documented cases including a Pennsylvania couple and Maryland resident who discovered their policies provided no coverage after medical events, leaving them responsible for thousands in bills. The FBI recommends verifying insurance through state commissioners or the Better Business Bureau, reviewing policy documents carefully, and avoiding upfront payments to protect against these scams.

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The FBI issued a nationwide alert about fraudulent "discount" medical insurance schemes targeting seniors and other Americans, resulting in millions of dollars in losses. Scammers impersonate legitimate insurance companies through unsolicited calls, texts, and emails, using high-pressure tactics to pressure victims into enrolling in fake plans that provide no actual coverage when medical services are needed. Documented cases include victims in Washington, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Maryland who were denied coverage claims, subjected to unauthorized charges, and refused refunds after discovering the plans were fraudulent.

The FBI warned of growing discount medical insurance scams where fraudsters contact victims via phone, text, and email offering fake insurance plans at reduced rates with high-pressure tactics and upfront payment requirements. Victims have lost millions of dollars annually, including a Pennsylvania couple who discovered their policy didn't cover emergency care and a Maryland man who faced a $7,000 medical bill after his fake insurance was rejected by providers. To protect themselves, consumers should verify insurance offers through their state's insurance commissioner and Better Business Bureau, confirm provider acceptance, and report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

A Rockville, Maryland resident lost $400,000 after scammers used phishing tactics—posing as a trustworthy Canadian business via email, text, or phone—to convince the victim to send multiple checks. Police arrested a suspect in Ontario, Canada in March after tracking the funds to Canadian bank accounts and coordinating with banks to shut down the fraudulent accounts, with the investigation ongoing. Montgomery County officials are warning residents that phishing scams are increasingly sophisticated and urging people to be wary of urgent or threatening communications requesting money or personal information.

Lance Norman, 36, of Queens, was arrested for operating a Publishers Clearing House scam targeting a Columbia County resident who lost approximately $62,000 in cash across two in-person meetings in Hudson. Norman was located in Westchester County with a large sum of cash in his vehicle and was charged with grand larceny and conspiracy, both felonies. New York State Police urged the public to be cautious of prize or sweepstakes scams demanding upfront payments and to report suspicious financial activity targeting older adults.

The FBI warned in April against a sophisticated medical insurance scam where fraudsters pose as legitimate insurance companies to deceive consumers seeking affordable coverage, resulting in hundreds of victims losing thousands of dollars across the country. Scammers use tactics like claiming to offer time-limited discounts, requiring upfront payments, and misrepresenting coverage, leaving victims with unexpected medical debt when claims are denied—including a Maryland man stuck with a $7,000 emergency surgery bill and over 100 Washington state residents defrauded by a multi-named company. The FBI recommends verifying insurance through state commissioners or the Better Business Bureau, confirming provider acceptance, reviewing fine print carefully, and never paying upfront.

Congressman Jamie Raskin led a bipartisan group in introducing the Tax Relief for Victims of Crimes, Scams, and Disasters Act, which would restore the Casualty and Theft Loss Deduction for taxpayers from 2018-2025 to prevent victims from facing additional tax liability on stolen or lost income. The legislation was prompted by a Maryland constituent who lost $655,000 in retirement savings to fraud and faced a $148,000 tax bill, and addresses a critical issue as elder fraud caused over $4.885 billion in losses in 2024 with an average victim loss of $83,000.

I'm unable to provide a summary of this content. What you've shared appears to be only the navigation menu and header structure of an NBC4 Washington website, not an actual article about a scam, fraud, or elder abuse case. To create a summary for the Elderus database, please provide: - The actual article text or transcript content - Information about the scam/fraud/abuse that occurred - Details about who was affected and any relevant outcomes Once you share the full article content, I'll be happy to write a concise 2-3 sentence summary following the Elderus format.

I don't have access to the full article content - only the navigation menu and header information from the FOX 5 DC website. The title indicates the piece is about celebrities Chris Carmack and Erin Slaver sharing their experiences with scams, but the actual article text with details about what scams they experienced, amounts lost, or specific advice is not included in what you've provided. To create an accurate summary for the Elderus database, please share the complete article text or transcript.

A text message scam is targeting Maryland drivers by impersonating the State Department of Motor Vehicles and demanding immediate payment for alleged traffic violations, threatening suspension of vehicle registrations and driving privileges. Maryland DMV officials confirmed this is a scam and clarified they never demand payment via text or request suspicious links. Recipients are advised to avoid clicking links, delete the messages, and report them to the Maryland Attorney General's Office or FTC.gov.

A multi-state text scam impersonating the North Carolina DMV claimed recipients had unpaid traffic tickets or toll charges and threatened vehicle registration suspension or required payment of $6.99 within hours. The fraudulent texts included links to fake websites mimicking official DMV sites, designed to steal personal information or payment card details from drivers across North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, New York, and Florida. The NC DMV advises recipients not to respond, to block the sender, and to report the messages to the FTC via text to 7726.

Maryland officials, the FBI, and AARP launched "Protect Week" to educate seniors and families about avoiding scams, following reports that more than 3,200 Marylanders over age 60 lost a combined $80 million to fraud in 2024. The statewide initiative highlighted common scam tactics including urgency, emotional manipulation, and impersonation, with officials advising seniors to verify sources before sending money and to report suspicious activity to law enforcement.

Montgomery County held a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day event highlighting scams targeting seniors, including tech support impersonation, government impostor schemes, and gold bar frauds. Maryland reported 1,385 complaints of tech support and government imposter scams in 2024 with nearly $30 million in losses—up 41% in complaints and 15% in losses over three years—while 84% of financial exploitation perpetrators were family members. Officials emphasized prevention through account monitoring, power of attorney transparency, and assertiveness in refusing suspicious requests, noting that recovery of scammed funds is rarely possible.

Montgomery County, Maryland police warn of a scam targeting seniors where fraudsters impersonate bank employees and claim the victim's ATM card is compromised, then request the PIN and arrange to pick up the card—only to use it to drain the account at nearby ATMs. Victims have lost considerable sums, with seniors being frequent targets of this scheme. Police advise that legitimate banks never send couriers to retrieve cards and recommend calling your bank directly to verify any claims about card issues.

An 87-year-old Maryland woman lost tens of thousands of dollars in a tech support scam after receiving a fake pop-up warning that her bank accounts were compromised and demanding $18,000 to fix the issue. Two New York residents, Chongsong Chen (48) and Wei Hua Wang (71), were arrested and charged with theft and theft scheme after physically picking up cash from the victim's home, with authorities apprehending them during the handoff when the victim called the sheriff's office. The case prompted Harford County law enforcement to warn the public that elder fraud increased 14% nationally in 2023 and caused over $3.4 billion in losses

Evester Edd, 64, a former senior human resources employee for the Peace Corps, was arrested and charged with wire fraud, theft of government funds, and making false statements after a yearlong investigation revealed he simultaneously worked as both a federal employee and contractor while falsifying timecards to double bill the government for tens of thousands of dollars. The charges also include abusing his government computer access over 1,000 times to transmit sensitive Privacy Act information and making false statements during security clearance documentation and federal interviews regarding overseas contacts and payments to foreign nationals. Edd retired from federal service in December 2024 and faces up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud, 10

James and Maureen Wilson of Baltimore County were sentenced to 12 and 4 years in prison, respectively, after defrauding insurance companies of over $20 million through a 25-year scheme involving more than 40 fraudulent life insurance policies and money laundering across multiple accounts and trusts. The couple was ordered to pay $16 million in restitution to victims, $2.7 million to the U.S., and forfeit nearly $14.8 million. The case highlights a broader problem in Maryland, where the FBI reported that over 3,200 residents over 60 lost $80 million to scams in 2024.

James and Maureen Wilson of Baltimore County were sentenced to 12 and 4 years in prison, respectively, for operating a 25-year insurance fraud and money laundering scheme that defrauded insurance companies and investors of over $20 million. The couple opened more than 40 fraudulent life insurance policies, laundered proceeds through multiple bank accounts and trusts, and failed to report approximately $7.7 million in income on tax returns; they were ordered to pay $16 million in restitution and forfeit nearly $14.8 million.

In September 2023, scammers impersonating law enforcement and the FBI targeted 81-year-old Judith Boivin of Maryland by exploiting her well-researched background as a nurse, social worker, and humanitarian to convince her she needed to assist in an FBI operation against a Mexican cartel allegedly using her Social Security number for money laundering. Over three months of twice-daily contact with the fraudsters, who used authentic-sounding case numbers and FBI branding, Boivin transferred nearly $600,000 of her retirement savings before discovering the elaborate scheme was fraudulent.

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration warned residents about a text message scam falsely claiming traffic violations, suspended licenses, and demanding immediate payment under threat of legal action. The scam attempted to trick recipients into sharing personal information and making payments for bogus penalties. The MVA clarified that it never contacts drivers via text to request personal information or payment and advised recipients to delete such messages and report them to the Federal Trade Commission.

This article is not related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It discusses a U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding parental rights to opt children out of classroom instruction on LGBT-themed content, and the Alabama Policy Institute's advocacy calling on parents and school districts to implement opt-out policies. This is a political/educational policy matter and falls outside the scope of the Elderus fraud research database.

Government impersonation scams targeting older adults in Maryland have surged, with fraudsters posing as federal agents and law enforcement to pressure victims into transferring funds via untraceable methods like gold bars, gift cards, and cryptocurrency. Montgomery County alone reported over $5 million in gold-related scam losses in the past year, including a Bethesda woman who lost $1.1 million and a man sentenced to 6.5 years in prison for collecting nearly $800,000 in gold bars. The FTC warns that legitimate government agencies never demand immediate payment or ask people to buy gold, and urges victims to hang up, report incidents at ReportFraud.ftc

A multi-state fraud operation that stole $8.8 million from 235 predominantly elderly victims was dismantled, resulting in eight arrests in Polk County, Florida. The scheme involved three M&T Bank employees in Maryland who sold stolen customer data via Telegram to fraudsters, who then used the credentials to drain bank accounts and purchase luxury items. The perpetrators, including bank insiders Antonio Penn, Roshado Durrant, and others, face racketeering and related felony charges with bonds exceeding $1 million.

Eight people have been charged in a sophisticated $8.8 million bank fraud operation that victimized over 230 people, many of them seniors, after three Maryland bank employees allegedly used their access to steal customer information including Social Security numbers and account details, which co-conspirators then used to open fraudulent accounts and transfer funds. The defendants, arrested across multiple states, face charges including racketeering, conspiracy, identity fraud, and unauthorized computer access, with bonds ranging from $10,000 to $1,020,000. Authorities recovered some stolen funds that were spent on personal purchases including vehicles, and the case involved coordination between Florida, Maryland, Virginia, and Missouri law enforcement agencies.

Drivers in New Jersey, California, and Maryland have received phishing text messages falsely claiming to be from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission warning of unpaid traffic tickets and threatening license suspensions and fines. The scam is a phishing attempt designed to trick recipients into clicking a malicious link and providing personal information; the actual New Jersey courts and MVC communicate only by U.S. Mail and never by text message, and legitimate traffic ticket payments go directly to municipal courts, not through the links provided in these messages.

**Summary:** A multi-state investigation called Operation Teller-to-Telegram resulted in the arrest of eight individuals, including three Maryland bank employees, who allegedly stole $8.8 million from elderly customers through a coordinated fraud ring. The bank employees Barbara Frazee, Camala Shafer, and Antonio Penn sold senior customers' personal information via the encrypted app Telegram to co-conspirators who used the stolen account details, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth to drain victims' savings accounts. All eight suspects face RICO charges, identity theft felonies, and other serious charges.

A Maryland woman and multiple other customers were defrauded by Vehicle Veterans, a used car service, after paying thousands of dollars upfront with little follow-through. Debra Godsey paid $2,800 and eventually received a defective 2012 Chevrolet Traverse with over 167,000 miles and multiple recalls, while another victim lost $10,000 of her inheritance when the company went silent; co-founder Michael Henry allegedly disappeared with customer funds, and the Maryland Attorney General's office has received multiple complaints against the company.

A transnational elder fraud ring based in the Dominican Republic was disrupted after a two-year investigation resulting in nine arrests and four additional charges, with 13 suspects identified in total. The scheme defrauded over 400 victims (average age 84) of more than $5 million across Massachusetts, Florida, California, Maryland, and New York by using bilingual callers posing as distressed grandchildren in accidents or legal trouble, followed by a "closer" impersonating an attorney, then a "runner" collecting cash via rideshare services. Alleged ringleader Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia and associates face charges including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering,

Thirteen Dominican Republic citizens have been charged with operating a sophisticated grandparent scam that defrauded approximately 400 U.S. seniors out of $5 million by posing as their grandchildren in distress and repeatedly extracting money from victims. The victims, averaging 84 years old and located across Massachusetts, California, New York, Florida, and Maryland, were targeted with calls claiming emergencies such as car accidents or arrests, with fraudsters sometimes contacting the same victims multiple times. Nine suspects are in custody while four remain at-large, each facing conspiracy charges for mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering with potential sentences up to 20 years in prison.

Scammers posing as grandchildren are targeting elderly individuals by claiming emergencies (car accidents, arrests, etc.) and requesting urgent money transfers; thirteen Dominican Republic nationals were recently charged with defrauding approximately 400 U.S. grandparents of nearly $5 million across Massachusetts, California, New York, Florida, and Maryland. To protect themselves, grandparents should verify callers' identities through personal questions or video calls, avoid sharing financial information over the phone, and refrain from sending money immediately even if the caller claims to be a distressed family member.

Arizona is projected to lose over $4 billion to financial fraud in 2024, with the state ranking 11th nationally in fraud rates at 1,459 cases per 100,000 residents, according to a Common Sense Institute report. Common fraud types affecting Arizonans include grandparent scams, romance scams, gift card scams, skimming, and forgery, with experts noting that only about 14% of fraud is reported to authorities. Researchers recommend that families help protect older adults—who are at higher risk due to lower technological familiarity—by teaching them to verify sources before sharing financial information online.

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Nadeem Gul, 54, was sentenced to 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud for defrauding three companies out of $257,000 total. Gul impersonated executives of fake wholesale distribution companies (operating under names like Mega Liquidations Group) and convinced victims in Maryland, Arizona, and Texas to submit purchase orders and wire payments between June and November 2021, none of whom received any merchandise. The court ordered Gul to repay his victims.

The Albuquerque Police Department warned the public about officer impersonation scams in which fraudsters posed as APD lieutenants and convinced victims to purchase gift cards totaling $500 and $200 respectively to pay off alleged debts. APD traced one call to a Maryland business and emphasized that legitimate officers never request payment via gift cards, cash, or prepaid cards over the phone or in person. Residents should refuse such requests, avoid sharing personal information or access codes, and report suspicious calls to police immediately.

Two women—Kimberly VanKline of Maryland and Rhonda Brown-Moore of New York—pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for creating and submitting falsified documents to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 relief funds, including Paycheck Protection Program loans for a West Virginia resident, with both defendants profiting from the scheme. They each face up to 20 years in federal prison, with sentencing to be determined by a federal judge.

An 80-year-old Gaithersburg resident lost over $26,000 in a government impersonation scam where fraudsters falsely claimed to be U.S. Treasury Department agents demanding payment to avoid criminal charges. James Smith, 30, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, was arrested in Culpeper County when he arrived to collect an additional $10,000 that authorities had arranged as part of an undercover operation, and he was charged with money laundering, conspiracy to commit a felony, and obtaining money by false pretenses. Authorities indicate the scheme was part of a larger operation intended to send collected funds overseas and warn residents to report suspicious demands for money

A Maryland man named James Smith, 30, of Gaithersburg was arrested after scamming a 90-year-old Culpeper, Virginia woman out of $26,000 in a sophisticated scheme involving impersonation of U.S. Treasury Department agents who threatened her with criminal charges unless she provided cash. Smith was charged with money laundering, conspiracy to commit felony, and obtaining money by false pretenses, and is being held without bond.

Two former Maryland police officers, Philip James Dupree and Mark Ross Johnson Jr., were convicted of arson, wire fraud, and bank fraud for orchestrating multiple schemes between 2018-2019. The officers fabricated a vehicle arson claim that netted over $68,000 from an insurance company and coordinated false debit card theft reports to three banks to obtain fraudulent reimbursements. Both face up to 20 years in federal prison, with sentencing scheduled for February 2026.

**Summary:** A bank employee at Community Resource Federal Credit Union in Colonie, New York prevented a $30,000 elder fraud scam on September 24, 2025, by recognizing that an elderly customer appeared confused while attempting to withdraw cash for a suspicious "construction project" and alerting police. Officers arranged a sting operation posing as the victim, leading to the arrest of two men from Queens—Huifeng Jin and Qinghua Wang—on charges including grand larceny and felony assault. Police credited the bank staff's vigilance with protecting their customer and urged families to discuss scam awareness with elderly relatives, emphasizing the importance of not sharing financial information over the phone.