Explore the Archive

Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for his role in an online romance scam targeting elderly victims in Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi conspired to receive fraudulent wire transfers totaling $311,520 by coordinating bank accounts and fund transfers, with one victim in Missouri alone losing $27,460 after being deceived by someone claiming to be "Kevin Condon" seeking money for overseas business and medical expenses. He was ordered to pay full restitution to his victims and serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration.

Scammers in Salem County, New Jersey are impersonating correctional facility employees and calling victims claiming that an inmate has been approved for early release due to prison overcrowding and needs a $2,100 ankle monitor fee paid via PayPal or Venmo. The Salem County Sheriff's Office warns that they and the correctional facility never request payments through payment apps for inmate release or services, and urges anyone contacted to refuse payment and report the scam to local police.

Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded elderly victims in Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey of approximately $311,520 between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi received wire transfers from victims who were deceived by scammers posing as individuals like "Kevin Condon," who fabricated stories about business expenses, medical issues, and legal problems to solicit money. The court ordered Obafemi to pay full restitution and serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration.

Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded elderly victims across Missouri, New Jersey, and Minnesota between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi and co-conspirators used social media to build fake relationships with victims and convince them to send money for various pretexts, with one victim losing over $27,400; he was ordered to pay $311,500 in restitution. The investigation involved multiple federal agencies and resulted in charges for money laundering conspiracy.

New Jersey launched an online portal on March 26, 2025, to streamline reporting of suspected financial exploitation of elderly and vulnerable adults by financial professionals under the state's SAFE Act. Since the law took effect in April 2020, financial professionals have reported over 1,200 suspected fraud cases, resulting in halted disbursements from dozens of victim accounts. The new digital portal allows faster submission of fraud alerts and supporting documents, enabling the Bureau of Securities to intervene more quickly before vulnerable adults lose their assets.

This educational article identifies New Jersey as the safest U.S. state for retirees based on FBI data analysis, citing low violent and property crime rates, minimal senior involvement in fatal accidents, and strong healthcare access. The article also lists nine additional safe states for retirement (New York, Mississippi, Louisiana, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Connecticut, Alabama) and warns against five states with higher risks of elder fraud, property crime, and scams (Colorado, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico).

This is an educational announcement for a three-part fraud prevention workshop series offered by AARP NJ at the Senior Resource Center in Chester, New Jersey, scheduled for May and June. The sessions cover fraud landscape awareness and prevention tools, government imposter scams with identity protection checklists, and cybercrime safety across various settings including social media and online banking.

A 27-year-old man from New Jersey was sentenced to six years in prison for stealing over $120,000 from an 80-year-old Highlands Ranch woman through a fake federal agent gold bar scam in July 2023. Sagar Jayeshkuma Patel posed as law enforcement after she clicked a virus pop-up, convincing her to purchase gold bars and hand them over at a convenience store; he was caught through cellphone records, credit card records, and surveillance footage, and ordered to pay approximately $144,000 in restitution. Patel is also under investigation for similar crimes in New York and Delaware and faces an ICE hold for being an un

A 78-year-old woman in Washington Township, New Jersey nearly lost $24,600 in a multi-layered scam involving fake iCloud alerts, spoofed police calls, and impersonation of a banker pressuring her to withdraw cash. An alert Uber driver recognized the suspicious situation and prevented the fraud by warning the woman and returning her to the bank to re-deposit the money. Washington Township Police partnered with the FBI to hold a senior scam awareness seminar in response to the incident.

At least two dozen elderly and vulnerable people across multiple states lost over $1 million to a construction fraud scheme perpetrated by James Dinnigan, Martin Maughan, and recruited foreign nationals posing as legitimate home repair contractors. The scammers lured victims through false advertisements, then deliberately damaged their properties and coerced them into paying tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars for unnecessary repairs through intimidation and threats. Most victims were located in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.

Thousands of people across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware have been targeted by a "smishing" scam impersonating toll authorities, with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission receiving 8,000 inquiries about fraudulent text messages in just the first two months of 2025. The scam texts falsely claim unpaid toll bills and demand immediate payment within 12 hours to avoid fees, targeting random individuals including those who don't even have driver's licenses or have never driven on toll roads. Officials advise recipients to recognize red flags—unsolicited texts, pressure tactics, and claims unrelated to their actual travel history—and note that legitimate toll authorities only contact customers via mail or online account

A 24-year-old New Jersey man, Hirtik Hemchand Khatri, was arrested and faces first-degree felony charges for defrauding a 74-year-old Pennsylvania man out of approximately $688,372 through a fake bank error scheme. The scam began with a disputed PayPal charge, escalated through false claims of accidental overpayments, and ultimately involved the victim purchasing nearly $600,000 in gold bars and transferring Bitcoin, which Khatri collected in person. Authorities identified Khatri through a license plate reader and photo identification, and note that the Lehigh County Elder Abuse Task Force has

A phishing scam is targeting New Jersey E-ZPass customers through unsolicited texts, emails, and calls impersonating the E-ZPass Service Center, claiming accounts are expired and demanding small payments ($3.95-$12.55) to avoid late fees. Hunterdon County Sheriff Fred Brown warns that legitimate government agencies never request personal information or payment via email or phone, and advises residents to watch for red flags like generic greetings, spelling errors, and suspicious links, then report suspicious communications to authorities immediately.

Middlesex County, New Jersey is hosting a free Senior Fraud Prevention Conference on March 14, 2025, in partnership with the County Prosecutor's Office to educate older adults, caregivers, and service providers about scams targeting seniors. The conference will cover common fraud schemes including online, phone, and door-to-door scams, with expert guidance from law enforcement on protecting personal information and financial security. Registration is required and closes March 10.

New Jersey authorities warned residents about a phishing scam using text messages claiming unpaid E-ZPass tolls of $6-$7, with links that steal personal information like credit cards and dates of birth when clicked. The official E-ZPass and consumer affairs agencies clarified they never contact customers by text or phone about unpaid tolls, and advised consumers to watch for red flags like foreign phone numbers and grammatical errors, and to place fraud alerts on their credit with agencies if targeted.

Craig Callaway, a 64-year-old former Atlantic City council president, pleaded guilty to orchestrating a mail-in ballot fraud scheme during the 2022 general election in which he and associates recruited messengers to collect fraudulent ballots and cast them in voters' names without their knowledge. Callaway paid individuals $30-$50 to submit Vote-By-Mail Applications as "authorized messengers," then diverted the ballots instead of delivering them to actual voters, resulting in many fraudulent ballots being counted. The scheme deprived New Jersey residents of a fair election and violated federal law regarding electoral integrity.

Communities First Initiative, the Jewish Community Housing Corporation of Metropolitan New Jersey, and Valley Bank presented an educational program on avoiding scams, frauds, and identity theft to seniors at a housing facility in South Orange. The bilingual presentation is part of Project Thrive, a response to rising victimization of senior citizens by scams and fraud, designed to provide financial education and resources that help seniors protect themselves.

Harmish Patel, 26, of Illinois was indicted for his role in a multi-state gold bullion scam targeting an elderly couple in Brunswick, New York, between December 2023 and March 2024. Patel allegedly conspired with others to transport fraudulently obtained gold bullion across state lines from New York to New Jersey on multiple occasions. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Harmish Patel, 26, of Illinois was indicted for his role in a gold bullion scam targeting an elderly couple in Rensselaer County, New York. Between December 2023 and March 2024, Patel conspired with others to transport gold bullion obtained through fraud across state lines from New York to New Jersey on three separate occasions. Patel faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

A 26-year-old Illinois man, Harmish Patel, is accused of defrauding an elderly couple from Rensselaer County by swindling them out of gold bullion between December 2023 and March 2024. Patel allegedly conspired with others to transport the stolen gold from New York to New Jersey across multiple trips. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

New Jersey is streamlining its Anchor property tax relief program by introducing a new combined application form (PAS-1) that allows eligible residents to apply for multiple relief programs—Anchor, Senior Freeze, and the new Stay NJ program—in one submission. The PAS-1 form, available starting in March, is available for seniors aged 65+ and disabled homeowners or renters, with relief payments ranging from $450 to $1,500 plus an additional $250 for seniors. Residents can apply online at propertytaxrelief.nj.gov or by mail using the paper form.

A jury duty scam is resurfacing in New Jersey, where con artists contact people via phone, text, or email claiming they failed to appear for jury duty and threatening arrest unless they pay a fine immediately. The actual judiciary never requests payment, personal financial information, or identification numbers to resolve jury duty issues; legitimate communications may only request date of birth and residential address. Residents should hang up, avoid clicking links, and report suspected scam communications to their county jury management office and local law enforcement.

This is an educational awareness program hosted by RWJ Hamilton featuring Sergeant Michael Rosati from New Jersey's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, who discusses the rising trend of fraud and scams targeting older adults and teaches strategies for recognizing and preventing fraudulent schemes. The program aims to help attendees protect their finances and personal information through education on how deceptive tactics work.

KBWB Operations LLC (doing business as Atrium Health and Senior Living) and its former CEO Kevin Breslin pleaded guilty to health care fraud and tax conspiracy for operating 23 skilled nursing facilities in Wisconsin, New Jersey, and Michigan from 2015-2018. The defendants unlawfully diverted Medicare and Medicaid funds intended for resident care to personal expenses and owner distributions, failed to pay vendors and employee insurance premiums, and directed withheld employee taxes not to be paid to the IRS. Breslin faces up to 10 years in prison for health care fraud and five years for tax conspiracy, with both defendants subject to restitution and sentencing scheduled for May 7

A 74-year-old New Jersey woman filed a lawsuit against Athena Bitcoin Inc., a bitcoin ATM operator, alleging the company failed to implement adequate safeguards against impersonation scams targeting seniors. In September 2024, Karen Carew was defrauded by a scammer posing as a Microsoft employee and deposited $39,300 across four Athena ATMs using QR codes; Athena retained $10,060 (over 25%) in fees from the fraudulent transactions. The lawsuit seeks to represent a class of scam victims and alleges the company knowingly facilitated "immediate, untraceable and irreversible" transactions while prof

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs held an educational seminar for over 150 senior residents at Holiday City Berkeley on January 14, providing information on scams and fraud targeting seniors along with state program resources. The event, organized at the request of state legislators, distributed three informational guides on identity theft, consumer shopping, and disaster-related scams. The 9th District Delegation has also introduced legislation (S-1887 and A-4593) to create a new criminal offense for financial exploitation of the elderly, with the Senate having unanimously passed S-1887.

After her 85-year-old mother was targeted by phone scammers who eventually showed up at her home impersonating a bank representative, New Jersey woman Gogie Padilla created Answer Sure, a phone vetting service that re-routes incoming calls through a staffed call center or mobile app where callers must provide a correct password or phrase before being connected. The service is available for both landlines and mobile devices, with users typically seeing a significant drop in scam calls within three weeks as scammers move on to easier targets.

Law enforcement agencies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania are alerting residents to five prevalent scams: Medicaid/Medicare impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as government workers to extract personal information; "brushing" scams involving unsolicited packages with malicious QR codes that compromise phone data; fake law enforcement calls claiming arrest warrants or missed jury duty to extort bond payments; and romance scams where criminals build trust through fake online identities to manipulate victims into sending money. Residents are advised to never provide financial or personal information over the phone, avoid scanning unknown QR codes, and verify contact legitimately through official channels.

Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania rank among the nation's most vulnerable states for identity theft and fraud in 2025, with Delaware ranking second nationally due to high complaint rates and substantial financial losses, while Pennsylvania reported over 314 theft complaints per 100 residents and average losses of $8,228 per case in 2024. The vulnerability is attributed to rising data breaches from major companies, with U.S. consumers facing an estimated $10 billion in fraud losses in 2023, and Pennsylvania's large senior population (2.6 million people aged 65+) identified as particularly susceptible to scams. State officials recommend public education initiatives, strong passwords, verification of websites, and family

Violent crime against seniors in the United States increased 331% over the past decade, prompting a shift in retirement planning toward safety considerations. Seniorly's analysis of FBI data and federal statistics identified New Jersey as the safest state for older adults to retire, followed by New York and Mississippi, while Colorado and Western states (Nevada, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico) ranked as the most dangerous due to high rates of elder fraud, property crime, and violent crime. The safest states were characterized by strong police presence, lower elder fraud rates, and better healthcare access, with East Coast states dominating the top 10.

Violent crime against seniors in the United States increased 331% over the past decade, prompting a comprehensive safety analysis of all 50 states across seven categories including scams, violent crime, property crime, falls, and healthcare access. New Jersey ranked as the safest state for retirement with low elder fraud and violent crime rates, while East Coast states dominated the top 10; conversely, Western states like Colorado, Nevada, Washington, and Oregon ranked as the least safe due to high property crime, elder fraud, and limited police presence. The research reveals a significant shift in retirement planning priorities, with older adults now prioritizing security alongside traditional factors.

Authorities in New Jersey are warning residents about "brushing scams," in which fraudulent sellers send unsolicited packages to consumers who never ordered them, then post fake positive reviews online to boost sales. The packages may contain QR codes linking to malicious websites designed to harvest sensitive personal information. Experts recommend changing passwords on shopping accounts, enabling two-factor authentication, enrolling in credit monitoring, and avoiding clicking links in unsolicited shipment notifications.

Violent crime against seniors has surged 331% over the past decade, with property crime up 79% between 2013 and 2023, while seniors collectively lost a record $3.4 billion to scams in 2023. A comprehensive safety analysis examining crime rates, healthcare access, falls, traffic fatalities, and fraud across all 50 states found New Jersey to be the safest retirement destination, followed by New York, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Nebraska, while western states dominated the least safe rankings.

Victor Anthony Valdez, a Bronx-based Social Security Administration employee, pleaded guilty in December for his role in a "grandparent scam" targeting elderly New Yorkers and New Jerseyans, in which he collected cash payments from victims who had been deceived by Dominican Republic-based call centers posing as distressed grandchildren or their representatives. The scheme defrauded vulnerable seniors of thousands of dollars each through false claims of arrest or legal troubles. Authorities recommend that older adults verify caller identities through personal questions, keep social media private, avoid transferring money or buying gift cards, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement or the National Elder Fraud Hotline at

Enorense Izevbigie, a leader of the "Black Axe" crime organization, was extradited from South Africa to face federal charges in New Jersey for operating a decade-long romance scam and advance fee fraud scheme from 2011 to 2021. Izevbigie and his conspirators used fake identities on social media and dating websites to defraud U.S. victims of money and valuables, sometimes threatening to distribute intimate photos to coerce payments, then laundered the proceeds through U.S. bank accounts to South Africa. He faces two counts of wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy, each carrying up to 20 years in prison

Victor Anthony Valdez, a 40-year-old New York man and Social Security Administration employee, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for serving as a courier in a transnational "grandparent scam" operated from Dominican Republic call centers between August 2020 and August 2021. The scheme targeted elderly American victims by falsely claiming their grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money, with Valdez and other couriers collecting tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine at his April 2025 sentencing.

After her 85-year-old mother was targeted by phone scammers who eventually sent someone to her home posing as a bank representative, Gogie Padilla of Spotswood, New Jersey created "Answer Sure," a phone vetting service that launched commercially in 2020. The service reroutes incoming calls through a 24-hour call center or mobile app where callers must provide a password or phrase to reach the client; if they cannot, the call is blocked or a message is taken, with users typically seeing a significant drop in robocalls and spam within three weeks. Answer Sure is unique in offering both landline and mobile app options and has expanded nationwide with about

The FBI warned New Jersey and Pennsylvania residents about two holiday scams: romance scams, where criminals use fake online identities to build trust and manipulate victims into sending money or gifts; and ransomware attacks, which lock computer files and demand payment for their return, often triggered by clicking suspicious emails or links about package deliveries. Both scams exploit holiday season vulnerabilities, and the FBI advises victims to verify identities, never send money to strangers online, and avoid clicking on unsolicited messages about packages or purchases.

This article provides reporting resources for individuals who suspect or have experienced scam activity, particularly related to gift card fraud. It directs victims to contact the Federal Trade Commission (1-877-382-4357) and their state's Attorney General office, with specific contact numbers listed for Maryland, New York, and New Jersey. The piece emphasizes that reporting scams to these agencies enables law enforcement to investigate and prevent future fraud.

A New Jersey resident lost $16,000 after responding to a fake Instagram advertisement from a fraudulent company called "D&J Auto Transportation," which deleted its ad and website after receiving payment via wire transfer. The scam affected at least three victims across New Jersey, California, and New York for a total of over $38,000 before New York resident Ariel Cruz was identified and charged with theft by deception and computer theft. Red flags for online car purchase scams include pressure to finalize quickly, inability to meet the seller or inspect the vehicle, and payment requests via wire transfer or gift cards.

Despite government efforts to reduce robocalls, phone calls remain scammers' preferred method for targeting victims, with older adults being disproportionately targeted because "criminals go where the money is," according to AARP's Director of Fraud Victim Support. In one Florida case, an elderly man with dementia lost $10,000 after receiving a scam call with an 833-area code and withdrawing cash to mail to scammers in New Jersey—though this victim was fortunate when law enforcement recovered the money before delivery, a rare outcome. Experts recommend not answering calls from unknown numbers, silencing unknown callers on smartphones, and blocking suspicious area codes commonly used by scamm

An elderly couple in Galloway Township, New Jersey, nearly lost $60,000 to an imposter posing as a federal agent who convinced them their bank accounts had been compromised and instructed them to withdraw cash for deposit into a "secure account." Police intervened after the couple's daughter alerted authorities, and arrested Dipen Patel, 51, of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, when he arrived at the home to collect the money. The case highlights the prevalence of elder fraud schemes targeting seniors through phone impersonation.

Assemblyman John Allen (D-32) and New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs hosted an educational event in Hoboken on November 18th to inform seniors about common scams, including IRS phone scams, lottery frauds, and grandparent scams that increasingly target older residents. The session provided practical advice on recognizing scam tactics and protecting against fraud through phone calls, emails, and other methods.

The Department of Justice released its annual report detailing enforcement actions against elder fraud and abuse, resulting in over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants that recovered nearly $700 million and protected over 225,000 seniors. Cases included romance scams and government impersonation schemes, with the DOJ blocking $27 million in fraudulent transfers and the National Elder Fraud Hotline fielding over 50,000 calls from seniors seeking assistance. Notable prosecutions included two Pittsburgh nursing homes convicted of falsifying records to conceal inadequate care, and investigations into New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes that found constitutional rights violations due to inadequate infection control and medical care.

The Department of Justice's annual report documented over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants targeting older adults, recovering nearly $700 million and disrupting major transnational schemes. Notable cases included convictions of two Pittsburgh nursing homes for falsifying Medicare and Medicaid records to hide inadequate care, and investigations into New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes finding constitutional rights violations through poor infection control and medical care. The DOJ also addressed broader elder fraud affecting over 225,000 seniors through romance scams and government impersonation schemes, stopped $27 million in fraudulent transfers, and advanced prevention through nearly 1,000 elder justice events and a National Elder Fraud Hotline that handle

The Department of Justice released its annual elder fraud report detailing over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants that resulted in nearly $700 million in recoveries, including high-profile convictions of two Pittsburgh nursing homes for falsifying Medicare compliance records and investigations into New Jersey veterans' facilities for constitutional rights violations. The DOJ's broader anti-fraud initiative addressed over 225,000 seniors affected by romance scams and government impersonation schemes, preventing $27 million in fraudulent transfers and handling over 50,000 calls through its National Elder Fraud Hotline. The department emphasized prevention through nearly 1,000 elder justice events, including a national law enforcement summit bringing together

New Jersey's Senate unanimously passed legislation S-1887 in late [month], which establishes a new criminal offense of "financial exploitation of the elderly." The bipartisan bill, introduced by Senators Carmen Amato and Troy Singleton, creates legal provisions to prosecute individuals who unlawfully obtain property from elderly persons through exploitation.

The Department of Justice released its annual report detailing over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants targeting older adults, resulting in nearly $700 million in recoveries. Notable cases included convictions of two Pittsburgh nursing homes for falsifying Medicare/Medicaid records to hide inadequate care, and findings that New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes violated residents' constitutional rights through poor infection control and medical care. The DOJ also addressed broader elder fraud schemes affecting over 225,000 seniors through romance scams and government impersonation, halting $27 million in fraudulent transfers and handling over 50,000 calls through its National Elder Fraud Hotline, while promoting prevention through nearly

Andy R. Miqui-Castillo, a 35-year-old from Newark, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud after serving as a courier for a scheme targeting elderly victims. Between October and November 2023, he collected over $550,000 in cash and gold bars from four victims by delivering items to co-conspirators who had falsely claimed to be from financial institutions or government agencies; Miqui-Castillo was arrested while attempting to pick up $196,000 in gold bars from a St. Louis victim and faces up to 20 years in prison at his February 2025 sentencing.

The Department of Justice released its annual report detailing over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants targeting older adults, recovering nearly $700 million and disrupting major transnational schemes. High-profile cases included convictions of two Pittsburgh nursing homes for falsifying records to hide inadequate care, and investigations into New Jersey veterans' facilities for constitutional rights violations and unsafe conditions. The DOJ also addressed fraud affecting over 225,000 seniors through cases ranging from romance scams to government impersonation schemes, stopped $27 million in fraudulent transfers, and expanded prevention efforts through nearly 1,000 elder justice events and a National Elder Fraud Hotline that received over