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Holiday season scams and financial fraud are surging, with Minnesotans losing $94 million in 2023 and the FBI receiving a record 880,428 complaints nationally with losses exceeding $12.5 billion. Artificial intelligence is making scams harder to detect, enabling criminals to create deepfake voices, fake videos, and fraudulent messages impersonating trusted sources, while investment scams alone jumped 40% with $4.6 billion in losses. The Better Business Bureau recommends verifying websites, using credit card payments, avoiding unsolicited emails and links, using strong passwords, and registering with the National Do Not Call Registry to protect against fraud.

The Minnesota Attorney General's Office warned of an increase in mortgage-assistance scams targeting homeowners struggling with payments, with scammers using unsolicited mailings and publicly available foreclosure records to appear legitimate. While foreclosure rates remain historically low, Minnesota experienced an 18.59% monthly increase in foreclosures from September to October, with the state ranking 27th nationally, prompting heightened alerts about predatory schemes exploiting financially vulnerable homeowners.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison warns that scammers posing as immigration attorneys target immigrant populations by promising legal services, collecting upfront payments, and then disappearing while potentially damaging victims' immigration cases through incorrect forms or missed deadlines. The advisory provides protective measures including verifying attorney credentials, obtaining free immigration forms from USCIS.gov, never signing blank documents, and getting receipts and copies of all work. Victims can report scams to the Minnesota Attorney General's Office, the Federal Trade Commission, or directly to social media platforms where fraudulent accounts operate.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce is urging residents to become "scam spotters" in 2025 as the state reports an increase in fraudsters tricking people into sharing financial information and losing money. The department provides key prevention tips including verifying requests directly with the source, resisting emotional manipulation and urgency tactics, avoiding upfront payment demands, and not clicking suspicious links—and offers resources for reporting scams and checking business licenses.

A WalletHub study ranking states on elder-abuse protections found Minnesota ranks 10th overall, excelling in financial crime legislation (1st) but lagging in abuse complaint reporting (27th). The article highlights a recent case in rural Douglas County where an elderly resident was defrauded of over $100,000 through a gold investment scam, and emphasizes that elder abuse—including physical, financial, emotional, and neglect—often goes unreported and can be perpetrated by family members or caregivers, requiring greater awareness and preventive measures.

A "brushing" scam circulating in Minnesota and across the country involves victims receiving unsolicited packages containing small items like Bluetooth speakers or jewelry with a QR code inside; scanning the QR code compromises the phone and grants scammers access to banking information, resulting in drained bank accounts. Police departments warn consumers to avoid scanning QR codes from unknown sources and to educate family members about this fraud tactic.

A fake PayPal invoice scam is circulating in Minnesota, with fraudsters sending official-looking emails claiming payment is owed for unauthorized purchases and threatening account suspension to pressure victims into calling fake customer service numbers or clicking malicious links. The scam exploits holiday season distractions and mimics legitimate PayPal formatting to trick recipients into divulging financial information or compromising their accounts. The article advises verifying claims directly through PayPal's official website/app, avoiding links and phone numbers in suspicious emails, and reporting phishing attempts to PayPal.

A concerned citizen nearly fell for an impersonation scam where a caller claiming to be law enforcement demanded $15,000 bail to release the victim's daughter from jail after a purported car accident; the parents avoided loss by verifying the claim at the actual jail and discovering their daughter was safe. The article documents multiple similar law enforcement impersonation scams in Wright County, Minnesota, where scammers pose as sheriffs or court officials demanding payment or personal information, and provides guidance that legitimate law enforcement never calls demanding cash payments and advises victims to hang up and contact the actual agency directly.

A "pig butchering" romance scam targeting elderly people involves fraudsters impersonating actor Johnny Depp on Facebook, then moving conversations to messaging apps to convince victims to send money via cryptocurrency, gift cards, and other payment methods. The FTC received 197 complaints over one year from victims across the country, many in their 60s who lost thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars from retirement accounts, with one Minnesota woman losing $1,700 before her bank intervened. The scammers exploit emotional vulnerability and loneliness by posing as Depp or associates like his fictional "manager Jack Wingham," using flattery and false promises of romance or investment returns.

Online shopping fraud is a significant risk during the holiday season, with Americans across all age groups losing hundreds of millions of dollars to scams in 2023, particularly through fake websites and credit card theft. Experts advise consumers to watch for red flags such as prices significantly below market value and artificially created urgency, as scammers exploit the hectic holiday season to encourage rushed purchases without proper research.

A 56-year-old Bradenton, Florida man was arrested for defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of at least $250,000 (possibly up to $600,000) by posing as Elon Musk on Facebook and promising a $55 million return on fake business investments. The article also highlights a related case where a 26-year-old Minnesota man was arrested for stealing over $100,000 from a 77-year-old widower through an online romance scam, reflecting a broader trend in which scammers stole at least $3.4 billion from Americans aged 60 and older in 2023.

**Summary:** AARP Minnesota is advocating for legislation (SF 447/HF 1392) to establish a Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund that would redirect civil penalty payments from fraud cases won by the state Attorney General's office to compensate fraud victims, particularly older adults. Minnesotans reported losses totaling $144.6 million in fraud cases in 2024, and the proposed fund would be especially crucial for cases where perpetrators are overseas or bankrupt, while incentivizing both law enforcement action and crime reporting.

The FBI is investigating a crypto romance scam ring responsible for up to $5 million in fraud, with federal prosecutors in North Carolina seizing approximately $4.99 million from suspicious Tether wallets linked to the operation. The scammers, known as "pig butchering" schemes, built trust with at least 71 victims (including a 60-year-old from North Carolina and an 83-year-old from Minnesota) before luring them into fraudulent investments on a fake exchange called Bitkanant, where victims were then blocked from withdrawing funds unless they paid additional taxes and fees. Two victims lost over $2.75 million combined, and the scam rings

The FBI targeted a romance scam operation linked to $5 million in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes affecting approximately 71 victims, including a 60-year-old from North Carolina and an 83-year-old from Minnesota. Scammers used fake identities on social media to build romantic relationships with victims before directing them to invest in a counterfeit cryptocurrency platform called Bitkanant, after which they cut off contact and disappeared with the funds. The U.S. Attorney's office seized nearly $5 million in Tether cryptocurrency in August, with one victim losing an entire retirement account, and the FBI is working to identify perpetrators and return assets to victims.

A 26-year-old Minnesota man, Benjamin Yakah, was arrested following a five-month investigation by the Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit for stealing over $100,000 from a 77-year-old Bradenton widower through a romance scam. The victim was deceived by a fake Facebook profile using photos stolen from a West Virginia woman, with the scammer posing as "Julia" and convincing the victim to send money for an alleged debt settlement in Minnesota. The victim's children discovered the fraud in June 2024, and Yakah is currently awaiting extradition to Manatee County; investigators believe there may be additional victims in other

A 26-year-old Minnesota man, Benjamin Yakah, was arrested and charged with grand theft after stealing over $100,000 from a 77-year-old Bradenton widower through an eight-month romance scam on Facebook. The scammer posed as a woman named "Julia" from the United Kingdom, using stolen photos and claiming to need money to pay debts before relocating to Florida, while all funds were directed to Yakah's bank account in Minneapolis. The investigation, initiated by the victim's family in June 2024, revealed additional victims in other states, and Yakah is being extradited to Manatee County to face charges.

A 77-year-old widower from Bradenton, Florida lost over $100,000 in a romance scam after meeting someone claiming to be "Julia" on Facebook Messenger who posed as a woman from the United Kingdom seeking to relocate to America. Benjamin Yakah from Minnesota was arrested after investigation revealed he operated the scam, using stolen photos and convincing the victim to send cash and checks to pay off fabricated debts; evidence suggests there are additional victims. Yakah is awaiting extradition to Manatee County as the investigation continues.

A 77-year-old widower in Bradenton, Florida lost $100,000 to a romance scammer who posed as a British woman named "Julia" on Facebook and claimed she needed money to pay off a debt before relocating to be with him. The investigation, launched in June 2024 by the victim's children, revealed that suspect Benjamin Yakah used stolen photos from a West Virginia woman's Facebook account and had the victim send cash and checks to accounts in Minneapolis over an eight-month period. Yakah was arrested in Minnesota and is awaiting extradition to Manatee County; police suspect he scammed multiple victims across different states.

A 26-year-old Minnesota man, Benjamin Yakah, was arrested and faces grand theft charges after defrauding a 77-year-old Bradenton widower of over $100,000 in an eight-month internet romance scam. The victim was deceived by a fake Facebook profile using stolen photos of a West Virginia woman, who posed as "Julia" and convinced him to send cash and checks to Minnesota accounts under the pretense of relocating to Florida to be with him. The victim's children alerted authorities in June, leading to a five-month investigation and Yakah's arrest; evidence suggests he victimized additional people in other states.

A 26-year-old man named Benjamin Yakah was arrested in Minnesota for operating an internet romance scam in which he posed as a woman named "Julia" on Facebook and defrauded a 77-year-old widower in Bradenton, Florida of over $100,000 across eight months. Yakah used stolen photos of a West Virginia woman without her knowledge and convinced the victim that he needed money to pay off a debt before relocating from the United Kingdom to Florida to start a relationship. The victim's children reported the scam to the Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit in June, leading investigators to trace the fraudulent bank account to Yakah, and further investigation reveale

**Summary:** Ideal Credit Union and the Minnesota Department of Commerce are hosting a free "Safe Seniors" workshop on December 12th in Woodbury to educate seniors about financial fraud prevention. The in-person or virtual session will be led by Senior Financial Fraud Investigator Boima Freeman and will cover identity theft, credit card fraud, phishing, invoice fraud, and payroll fraud, with guidance on recognizing and reporting financial exploitation of seniors and vulnerable adults.

Attorney General Keith Ellison warned Minnesota veterans about "claim shark" scams operating before Veterans Day, in which unauthorized individuals and companies illegally charge veterans large fees or a percentage of benefit increases to assist with VA benefit claims they falsely promise to expedite or guarantee. Claim sharks use aggressive advertising, deceptive contracts, and high-pressure tactics while impersonating authorized representatives, and veterans can protect themselves by using only VA-accredited attorneys, claims agents, and Veterans Service Organization representatives who offer free assistance and by never sharing login credentials or signing contracts outside official VA representation forms.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison provides guidance on steps to take after a data breach, warning that stolen personal information (passwords, social security numbers, credit card data, etc.) is frequently used by criminals to open fraudulent accounts or conduct phishing scams that damage victims' credit. Consumers should change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, place a fraud alert with credit bureaus, and consider placing a security freeze on their credit reports to protect themselves from identity theft and unauthorized account creation.

A northern Minnesota woman was charged with three felonies after attempting to submit an absentee ballot for her deceased mother in early October, but the fraud was caught immediately when county election officials cross-referenced deaths with voter registration records and discovered the mother had died in August. The case demonstrates that existing election safeguards are effective at preventing voter fraud, as election officials in Itasca County flagged the fraudulent ballot and are prosecuting the woman, who faces up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines for each charge.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison shut down two fraudulent debt settlement companies, Financial Solutions Group and Accelerated Debt Settlement, that illegally collected fees and misrepresented their services, securing over $1 million in refunds for affected Minnesota clients. Warning signs of debt settlement scams include substantial upfront fees, promises of specific results, and lack of clear service information; consumers should seek help from legitimate nonprofit credit counseling organizations and be wary of claims that sound too good to be true.

Truth Social users, predominantly older Americans, lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to scammers using "pig butchering" schemes and romance scams, according to FTC complaints obtained by a tech reporter. Victims included a 60-64-year-old from Minnesota who lost $500,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam, a septuagenarian who lost $21,000 in a romance-based scheme, and a 70-74-year-old from Oregon who lost $120,000 in a fake gold trading scam. Scammers typically build trust on Truth Social before moving victims to other platforms and convincing them to invest in fake cryptocurrency, stock, or precious

A Colorado man, Amondo Antoine Miller, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for his role in a $300 million nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme that defrauded over 150,000 victims, primarily elderly and vulnerable individuals, by deceiving them into unwanted magazine subscriptions. The scheme, which operated from 2000 onward, caused some victims to face monthly charges exceeding $1,000 from multiple fraudulent billings simultaneously. This case marked the largest elder fraud prosecution in the nation and was the first in Minnesota prosecuted under the Senior Citizens Against Marketing Scams Act of 1994, which provides enhanced penalties for telemarketing fraud targeting seniors.

The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office reported an increase in grandparent scams targeting senior citizens in North Iowa, where callers falsely claim a relative has been arrested and demand cash for bail. Victims were duped into handing over cash to couriers who arrived at their homes, with suspects identified as a well-dressed Black male driving a dark SUV with possible Minnesota plates, sometimes accompanied by an unknown female. Law enforcement advises seniors never to provide personal information or cash to unknown callers and to report such incidents immediately.

The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office reported an increase in "grandparent scams" targeting senior citizens in North Iowa, where callers falsely claim a relative has been arrested and demand cash payment delivered by a courier to the victim's home. Law enforcement identified a suspect as a well-dressed Black male driving a dark four-door SUV with possible Minnesota plates, and advised seniors to hang up, verify information independently, and report suspicious calls to local police. The FTC recommends protecting yourself by remembering that legitimate businesses don't demand immediate payment via wire transfer or gift cards, law enforcement won't threaten arrest over the phone, and government agencies won't solicit sensitive information through unsolicite

The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office warned of a "grandparent scam" targeting senior citizens in north Iowa, where scammers called victims claiming a relative had been arrested and needed cash for bail, then sent a courier to collect money from victims' homes. Authorities identified a suspect—a well-dressed Black man driving a black or dark-colored 4-door SUV with possible Minnesota plates, potentially accompanied by a woman—and urged seniors never to give cash or personal information to unknown persons and to report such contacts to law enforcement.

The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office warned of an increase in scams targeting senior citizens in North Iowa, where callers falsely claimed relatives had been arrested and needed bail money, then sent couriers to collect cash from victims' homes. A suspect was identified as a well-dressed Black male driving a dark-colored SUV with possible Minnesota plates, sometimes accompanied by an unknown female. Authorities advise seniors never to provide personal information or cash to unknown persons claiming to represent law enforcement.

A Rochester, Minnesota woman lost $2,000 in a virtual kidnapping scam after a Spanish-speaking caller claimed to have abducted her daughter and demanded ransom money transferred to a Mexico account. The scammer used personal information about the victim and her daughter to make the threat credible and kept the woman on the phone while directing her to a local market to complete the transfer. The daughter was unharmed and returned home from school; the Rochester Police Department is investigating the case.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison issued a warning about growing mortgage assistance scams targeting homeowners in financial distress. Scammers pose as counseling agencies or foreclosure consultants, charging upfront fees for promised loan modifications or foreclosure prevention services that are never delivered, then disappear with the payment. The Attorney General advises homeowners to contact their lenders directly, seek free assistance from legitimate nonprofit organizations like HUD or Minnesota Housing, and report scams immediately to his Consumer Action Division.

Bitcoin ATM scams have surged dramatically, with losses increasing nearly 10-fold from $12 million in 2020 to $114 million by 2023, and victims already losing $65 million in the first half of 2024 alone. Scammers impersonate bank or government officials via phone, text, or pop-ups to convince victims their accounts are compromised, then direct them to deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs (which they falsely call "safety lockers") by scanning a QR code that transfers funds to the scammer's wallet, with a median loss of $10,000 per victim. Vermont and Minnesota have enacted laws limiting daily crypto kio

The Senior LinkAge Line is offering two educational classes on September 11 to help older adults detect, understand, and report healthcare fraud, waste, and abuse, including Medicare scams and how to protect beneficiary numbers. The free online classes, offered in partnership with the Minnesota Board on Aging and the Senior Medicare Patrol program, cover reading Medicare paperwork and identifying potential errors and scams targeting seniors. Registration is available through www.arrowheadaging.org or by calling 800-333-2433 by the registration deadline.

Two men were sentenced to prison for operating a massive magazine subscription fraud scheme that defrauded victims across all 50 states of over $300 million—the largest elder fraud conspiracy prosecuted by Minnesota federal authorities. Anthony Eugene Moulder, 63, received 10 years for owning fraudulent magazine companies that used deceptive scripts to bilk thousands of vulnerable and elderly victims out of over $86 million between 2008 and 2020, while Abdou-Rahmane Diallo, 36, received 7.5 years for posing as a cancellation service representative and collecting large payments from victims seeking to cancel unwanted subscriptions.

**Summary:** This article reports on AARP's analysis showing that approximately 40,050 Minnesota Medicare beneficiaries will benefit from a new prescription drug out-of-pocket spending cap of $2,000 annually beginning January 1, 2025, resulting in average savings of roughly $1,500 (56% reduction) for those who reach the cap. The provision, part of a 2022 prescription drug law championed by AARP, will benefit an estimated 3-4 million Part D enrollees nationwide annually through 2029, with the majority of beneficiaries aged 65-84.

Grand Marais State Bank warned customers of a text message phishing scam impersonating the bank and requesting users click a link to "secure" their account after detecting a new device login. The scam attempts to trick victims into clicking malicious links (hosted on free website services like Weebly) and providing personal banking information that fraudsters could use to access accounts. The bank advises customers never to click unexpected links related to accounts and instead contact their bank directly to verify any security alerts.

The Federal Trade Commission reported over $10 billion in losses to fraud and identity theft last year, prompting AARP to advocate for new consumer protections in Minnesota. New legislation now regulates cryptocurrency ATMs with daily transaction limits of $2,000 for new customers and requires operators to post fraud warnings, along with 14-day refund protections for fraud victims. Additional protections were enacted to combat predatory real estate schemes targeting vulnerable homeowners, making long-term exclusive sales contracts unenforceable and allowing victims to pursue court damages or restitution through the Attorney General's office.

The City of Blaine, Minnesota lost $1.57 million to an international wire fraud scam in August 2023 when fraudsters used a fake email address mimicking a legitimate contractor (New Look Contracting) to intercept a payment meant for a construction project. The scam was discovered when the real contractor inquired about their overdue payment, prompting Blaine to issue a duplicate payment; federal authorities later indicted a Maryland-based network that used confusingly similar company names and shell companies to steal and launder funds. The city did not publicly disclose the fraud for nearly a year, and it remains under federal investigation.

A federal jury convicted two Minnesota residents, Tashena Laverna Crump and Ballam Hazeakiah Dudley, for their roles in a $300 million telemarketing fraud scheme that operated from at least 2000 to 2020 and victimized over 150,000 elderly people nationwide. The scheme involved fraudsters calling victims with existing magazine subscriptions, falsely claiming to renew them at discounts, while actually enrolling victims in unwanted new subscriptions that resulted in charges exceeding $1,000 per month; Crump served as a call center manager overseeing fraudulent sales operations. This is one of the largest elder frau

A 70-year-old Minnesota woman, Gayle J. Ferngren, was sentenced to 1¾ years in prison for her role in a global fraud scheme that victimized over $1.8 million from people across the country through romance fraud and pandemic aid scams. Ferngren was initially targeted by scammers posing as a romantic interest in 2016, but eventually became a knowing participant who transferred stolen funds to co-conspirators in Egypt, South Africa, and other locations. She was ordered to repay $1.76 million to victims and serve 100 hours of community service.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison issued a warning about telemarketing fraud, which generates $40 billion annually and disproportionately targets seniors and people with disabilities through high-pressure sales tactics, fake prize notifications, and requests for payment via untraceable methods. The warning provides guidance on protection strategies including verifying caller identity, avoiding immediate payment decisions, safeguarding personal information, and researching unfamiliar companies or charities before engaging. Ellison encourages victims to report scams to local law enforcement or the Attorney General's office rather than remaining silent due to embarrassment.

A text and phone scam impersonating the Minnesota Department of Transportation is circulating in Grand Marais and Cook County in northern Minnesota, falsely claiming victims owe $35 in late fees for express lane usage and directing them to fraudulent payment links. The Minnesota Department of Transportation had previously warned about this scam in June, and officials note the messages appear convincing; scammers have also made multiple follow-up calls to victims even after being blocked. Residents are advised to avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages and to verify urgent notifications through official channels.

Unsolicited packages from major e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Temu have been delivered to consumers nationwide as part of "brushing scams," where third-party sellers send random items to addresses obtained online to create fake verified-buyer reviews and artificially inflate product ratings. Affected consumers across Minnesota, Illinois, Massachusetts, and other states received unwanted items ranging from baby balloons to military hats and electronics. The Better Business Bureau recommends recipients document incidents, contact retailers to stop deliveries, monitor their accounts for fraudulent reviews and orders, and check credit reports, as the FTC has warned about this deceptive practice for at least a decade.

Upright Cane, an online retailer, defrauded seniors and disabled Minnesotans by advertising and accepting payment for walkers and scooters but failing to deliver any products, while also submitting falsified shipment evidence to block credit card chargebacks. The company owner Caelan Nwokeuku agreed to a 10-year ban from selling in Minnesota and will pay $50,000 in fines and restitution to victims, with the Attorney General's Office facilitating refunds to harmed consumers.

John F. Clarke, 55, a Des Moines man who targeted single women on dating sites by posing under aliases and gaining access to their phones and credit to purchase and resell electronics, was sentenced to up to 15 years in prison in Black Hawk County for probation violations connected to felony theft and lottery theft charges, with additional cases pending in other counties. Clarke had an extensive criminal history spanning decades with nearly two dozen felonies, and his arrest in December came after victims reported him on social media and law enforcement discovered he had expanded his scheme to multiple states including Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

Jeremy Wade Wilson, owner of Publishers Elite, pleaded guilty to operating a $4.8 million nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme from 2013-2019 that defrauded over 14,000 victims, including more than 200 in Minnesota, through fraudulent magazine subscription sales targeting elderly and vulnerable consumers. Wilson, the final of 64 defendants charged, faces sentencing in September 2024 after pleading guilty to six counts of wire fraud and SCAMS Act violations.

This article is about weather conditions (rainfall reports) in Iowa and Minnesota, not about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. It is not relevant to the Elderus database and cannot be summarized for that purpose.

A 2023 study by Incogni found that U.S. residents over age 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud—a 10.6% increase from 2022—with 101,068 reports filed, up 14.5% from the prior year. Minnesota elderly were among the hardest hit nationally, with victims over 60 losing an average of $44,623 each, ranking third-highest per-victim loss behind only DC and Hawaii. The article advises protecting against scams by scrutinizing emails for misspellings, avoiding clicking suspicious links, and verifying requests directly with companies' official websites or customer service.