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I cannot provide a summary because the text provided appears to be a website navigation menu and header structure rather than an actual article content. While the title mentions "How AI is revolutionizing Internet fraud and romance scams" and includes a reference to a 10-year prison sentence and $2 million restitution order, the full article text is not included. Please provide the complete article content for an accurate summary.

A Long Island woman lost $468,000 in a romance scam perpetrated by someone claiming to be an engineer in the Philippines who built an emotional relationship with her during the pandemic before requesting money. When she sought help through Facebook support groups, she was victimized again by scammers posing as FBI officials who promised to recover her funds. Experts advise that romance scam victims should recognize red flags such as rapid declarations of love followed by requests for money, and note that funds sent via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency are typically unrecoverable, especially when perpetrators are located overseas.

This article is an opinion/advocacy piece rather than a fraud or abuse case report. It discusses the author's 40-year experience volunteering with United Hebrew of New Rochelle, a senior living community in New York, and advocates for volunteering to serve elderly populations during National Volunteer Week. The piece emphasizes the importance of compassionate community care for seniors rather than addressing specific scams or fraud incidents.

A Long Island woman lost $468,000 in a romance scam perpetrated by someone claiming to be an engineer in the Philippines who persuaded her to send money over six months. Compounding her loss, she was subsequently scammed again by fraudsters posing as FBI representatives in online support groups who promised to recover her funds. Experts warn that romance scam money is often irretrievable, particularly when wire transfers or cryptocurrency are used and perpetrators are located overseas.

I cannot provide a summary of this content because the text provided appears to be only a navigation menu and header structure from a CBS News webpage, not an actual article with substantive content about romance scams or fraud. To create an accurate summary for the Elderus database, please provide the full article text, including the body content that discusses the romance scam investigation challenges, specific cases, or statistics mentioned.

I cannot provide a meaningful summary of this text. The article appears to be a collection of unrelated headlines and fragments rather than a coherent narrative about Ed Bambas or a specific scam/fraud incident. To create an accurate summary for the Elderus database, I would need the full article content describing what type of fraud Ed Bambas experienced, how much he lost, and the circumstances of his case.

This article covers testimony in Donald Trump's criminal trial regarding alleged hush money payments, not an elder fraud case. It documents cross-examination of former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker about a "catch-and-kill" scheme to suppress negative stories during the 2016 campaign, with the defense challenging his credibility and testimony details. The case involves a payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and is unrelated to elder fraud, scams targeting seniors, or elder abuse.

This article covers recent legal developments involving Donald Trump across multiple jurisdictions and does not relate to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It focuses on criminal prosecutions, civil cases, and political matters involving the former president. This content is outside the scope of the Elderus elder fraud research database and cannot be summarized as requested.

I cannot provide a summary of this article because the text provided only contains website navigation menus and headers, not the actual article content. To summarize the piece about romance scam victims for the Elderus database, please provide the full article text or transcript, including the details shared by Jim Axelrod about the victims' experiences.

Sixteen individuals—eleven from the Dominican Republic and five from New York—were charged in connection with a "grandparent scam" that defrauded hundreds of elderly Americans out of millions of dollars. The defendants allegedly impersonated grandchildren in distress, claiming they had been arrested and needed immediate cash for bail or legal fees, with victims sometimes losing tens of thousands of dollars before authorities intervened. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies including HSI, the FBI, and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General.

I cannot provide a summary of this content as it appears to be a navigation menu and header structure from a CBS News webpage rather than a complete article. The only substantive information provided is a headline stating that elder fraud targeting people over 60 is rising in the U.S., with $3.4 billion stolen in the last year according to an FBI report, but the actual article body is missing. Please provide the full article text for a complete summary.

Sixteen individuals were charged in a "grandparent scam" that defrauded hundreds of elderly people in the Northeast out of millions of dollars by impersonating their relatives and claiming they needed bail money for legal emergencies. The sophisticated scheme involved "openers" making initial contact, "closers" impersonating lawyers or police officers, couriers collecting cash from victims' homes, and dispatchers operating a call center in the Dominican Republic that used technology to spoof U.S. phone numbers. Of the 16 charged, 11 were from the Dominican Republic and 5 from New York areas, facing charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering conspiracy.

Sixteen people were charged in connection with a "grandparent scam" that defrauded hundreds of older Americans across the Northeast out of millions of dollars between January 2019 and December 2023. Scammers operating call centers in the Dominican Republic used spoofed phone numbers to call elderly victims, impersonating distressed grandchildren or relatives needing bail money, then posed as attorneys and officials to extract payments via couriers or mail. The charges carry penalties up to 20 years in prison, with elder fraud complaints rising 14% nationally and victims losing an average of $33,915 each in 2023.

Small business owners should be vigilant against several common scams: fraudulent invoices and unordered merchandise schemes (where scammers demand payment for unsolicited goods), illegitimate business coaching services that charge fees for non-existent or inflated services, and directory scams where fraudsters solicit payment for fake or misrepresented business listings. The FTC and Better Business Bureau recommend reporting suspected scams to ReportFraud.ftc.gov or BBB.org/ScamTracker, and seeking business coaching only through legitimate sources like local Small Business Administration offices.

Okechukwu Nwofor, a 32-year-old from Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced to approximately six years in prison for leading a romance and business email compromise scam network that defrauded victims of nearly $1 million between July 2018 and November 2019. The scheme, which involved money mules transferring stolen funds through multiple accounts, devastated victims—causing one woman's inability to care for her disabled son, another's home foreclosure, and one victim's suicide—resulting in a restitution order of nearly $400,000. Four of Nwofor's co-conspirators pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy, with three

A U.K.-based influencer with 4 million followers was extradited to the U.S. and accused of running romance scams targeting older Americans between 2013 and 2019, earning approximately $2 million. Prosecutors allege she deceived victims into believing they were in romantic relationships with her, then convinced them to send money under false pretenses—including one victim who transferred $89,000 across 82 wire transfers after the influencer claimed she needed funds to save her father's farm in Ghana. Montrage has been charged with wire fraud, money laundering, and related conspiracy counts, each carrying up to 20 years in prison; she pleaded not guilty and bail

Rochester Gas and Electric and New York State Electric and Gas warned customers about two prevalent scams: fraudsters posing as utility representatives demanding immediate payment via prepaid debit cards for allegedly past-due accounts, and similar scams claiming payment is needed for new meters. Both utilities emphasized they never request non-refundable payment methods or employee home visits to photograph bills, and advised customers to contact customer service if uncertain about a caller's identity or report suspected fraud to local law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission.

A New York City corporate attorney lost over $2,500 in a Venmo scam after two teenagers asked for a donation, took her phone, and transferred funds without her authorization. After sharing her story on TikTok (viewed nearly 40,000 times), she identified at least 10 other victims in the Financial District and surrounding areas who fell for the same scheme. Venmo refunded the victim and recommends enabling Face ID and PIN protection to prevent similar incidents.

A study of 644 older adults in the Chicago area found that 16.4% were vulnerable to government imposter scams, falling for a fictitious Social Security and Medicare benefits fraud attempt by providing personal information or Social Security numbers, while an additional 15.1% engaged but remained skeptical. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, revealed that vulnerability to fraud affects many seniors regardless of cognitive status, though those with lower financial literacy and scam awareness were most susceptible. The findings underscore that elder fraud poses significant public health and economic threats, with victimization potentially leading to serious consequences including hospitalization and depression.

AARP partnered with the Flushing YMCA to host a free document shredding event for older adults as part of 33 statewide events aimed at preventing identity theft and fraud. According to the Federal Trade Commission, New York experienced over 200,000 fraud reports last year totaling $401 million in losses, with a median loss of $500 per victim. The event drew dozens of participants who sought to safely destroy documents containing personal information, with attendees noting the convenience of professional shredding compared to doing it manually at home.

This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It covers Bumble's decision to cancel an advertising campaign that mocked celibacy and apologize for the offensive messaging to various communities including those who are asexual or celibate by choice. This is a corporate PR/marketing story unrelated to the Elderus database's focus on elder fraud and abuse.

Two Albany residents, Amber Diacetis (30) and Devin Zielinski (33), were arrested for allegedly stealing over $200,000 from an 86-year-old state pensioner by becoming his live-in caregiver and convincing him to let them manage his bills, which they failed to pay for four years while using the money for personal expenses. The victim's home went into foreclosure, his vehicle was repossessed, and he lived without utilities or plumbing while isolated and unaware of the theft. The case highlights a broader problem, as people over 60 experienced $3.4 billion in elder fraud losses in 2023, an 11%

Voice cloning scams are a growing threat, with scammers using AI-powered websites to impersonate loved ones and business contacts, resulting in over $752 million in losses last year. The technology is easily accessible—requiring only a 30-second audio clip (often sourced from social media) and taking just 2-4 minutes to create a convincing fake voice. Law enforcement recommends protecting yourself by establishing secret code words with family members, trusting your instincts when requests for money or sensitive information arise, and double-checking suspicious calls, while regulators work on legislation requiring digital watermarking of AI-generated content.

**Summary:** Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (June 3-9) educates beneficiaries, caregivers, and families on how to prevent fraud that costs Medicare beneficiaries their medical identity, time, and stress. Common Medicare fraud schemes include charging for services not provided, misrepresenting diagnoses, and prescribing unnecessary tests, which can be prevented by opening and reading Medicare statements, reporting suspected fraud to the NY Senior Medicare Patrol (1-800-333-4374), and detecting unrecognized providers or services. The New York Senior Medicare Patrol provides free resources including My Health Care Trackers and certified counselors to help Medicare beneficiaries and their support networks protect against fraud, errors

A former Miss New York USA was defrauded of $2,000 in a "Zelle scam" while sitting in Madison Square Park, where two teenage boys posed as fundraisers for a South Bronx basketball team and convinced her to transfer money via the payment app after one boy gained access to her phone. Police have warned that this type of scam is common across NYC parks and public spaces, with perpetrators using charitable causes to solicit donations through digital payment platforms like Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App.

A woman in New York City fell victim to a street scam where two young men posed as fundraisers for a South Bronx basketball team, then used her phone to fraudulently transfer money via Zelle and Venmo to their own accounts. The scammers have been operating across multiple NYC locations including parks and the Barclays Center, targeting multiple victims with the same deceptive fundraising pitch.

This segment features consumer advice on identifying and avoiding job offer text scams, a growing threat where scammers use SMS messages to impersonate employers and target job seekers. The piece, presented by Nina Pineda on a New York-based news program, aims to educate viewers on protective measures against this type of fraud.

Former Miss New York Briana Siaca lost $2,000 in seconds after handing her phone to scammers posing as teenagers collecting money for a Bronx basketball team, who used the access to make an unauthorized Zelle transfer. The NYPD's Financial Crimes Task Force reports that at least 87 victims, mostly women, fell for this same scam in 2024, with thieves stealing $35,000 from 15 victims in less than a month by targeting vulnerable individuals in parks near subway lines; notably, Zelle fraud victims have received no reimbursements despite the payment platform's policy allowing reversals in certain imposter scams.

Cryptocurrency scams resulted in over $24 million in losses during 2023, with common schemes including high-yield investment scams (Ponzi schemes), phishing attacks on fake trading platforms, and impersonation of celebrities or authorities. Users are advised to verify investment authenticity, access platforms only through official channels, avoid suspicious links, use strong cybersecurity software, and authenticate payment requests through official channels before providing personal information or funds.

A workshop titled "Seniors in the Know" was scheduled for June 14, 2024, in Auburn, New York, to educate seniors on fraud and scam awareness as well as patient rights and healthcare advocacy. The $40 event, presented by the Cayuga County Council of Senior Citizens and the State-Wide Finger Lakes Chapter, included a buffet lunch and required reservations by May 31.

Dean Morgan and John McNamara, two Irish men, were charged with racketeering and theft in Denver, Colorado after allegedly defrauding elderly homeowners by convincing them their roofs required expensive emergency repairs due to infestations of insects, squirrels, or raccoons between April and May. The pair, arrested in New York City before fleeing the country, left some victims with damaged roofs and large financial losses; they are also under investigation for similar allegations in California.

Two Irish nationals, John McNamara and Dean Morgan, were arrested in New York City and charged with four counts of theft and one count of racketeering for operating a roofing scam targeting elderly Denver residents between April and May 2024. The men allegedly defrauded homeowners by falsely claiming their roofs were infested with pests and required urgent repairs, leaving some properties damaged; both men are also under investigation for similar offenses in California.

During World Elder Abuse Month, New York's Department of State highlighted the growing crisis of elder fraud, noting that adults over 60 lost over $3.4 billion in 2023 (an 11% increase from 2022), with the average victim losing $33,915. State officials urged New Yorkers to educate themselves and older family members about common scam tactics, warning that scammers use increasingly sophisticated methods to steal money and personal information, and emphasized the importance of reporting suspected abuse to adult protective services.

The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection issued guidance on elder fraud awareness, reporting that scams targeting adults over 60 caused $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 (an 11% increase from 2022), with average victim losses of $33,915. The advisory outlined common scams affecting older adults including medical device scams, grandparent scams, identity theft targeting deceased persons, jury duty scams, and sweepstakes scams, while recommending protective measures such as avoiding unsolicited calls, not clicking unknown links, and verifying requests through trusted phone numbers.

New York's Department of State Division of Consumer Protection released guidance on scams targeting older adults, noting that elder fraud caused over $3.4 billion in losses nationally in 2023, with the average victim losing $33,915. The advisory outlines common scams including medical device, grandparent, jury duty, funeral notification, and IRS imposter schemes, and recommends that seniors hang up on unrecognizable numbers, avoid unsolicited links, and verify requests through trusted phone numbers. Officials emphasized that elder abuse is widely underreported and urged anyone suspecting abuse to contact the New York State Adult Services Helpline at 1-844-697-3505.

**Title:** New York Department of State Warns of Elder Fraud Epidemic The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection issued guidance on elder fraud following the FBI's 2023 report showing that scams targeting adults over 60 resulted in $3.4 billion in losses (an 11% increase from 2022), with the average victim losing $33,915. The advisory describes eight common scams affecting older adults—including medical device, grandparent, ghosting, jury duty, funeral notification, sweepstakes, IRS imposter, and free grant scams—and provides prevention tips such as resisting immediate action, verifying caller identity, an

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert warning of "pig butchering" scams, in which fraudsters use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build romantic relationships with victims before convincing them to invest money in fraudulent schemes. The scammers typically move conversations to encrypted platforms like WhatsApp or WeChat to hide their identities, gradually building trust before requesting investments. The Attorney General advises New Yorkers to vet recipients before sending money, research online profiles for AI-generated images, and be alert to sudden requests to use encrypted messaging.

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert about "pig butchering" romance scams, where fraudsters use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build trust with victims before convincing them to invest in cryptocurrency or foreign currencies. Victims are shown fake account statements showing gains, but cannot withdraw funds once they deposit substantial sums, at which point the scammers disappear. The Attorney General's Office encourages reporting suspected scams to the relevant platforms and law enforcement at 1-800-771-7755.

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert warning New Yorkers about "pig butchering" scams, in which fraudsters use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build romantic relationships with victims before manipulating them into fake investment schemes, often involving cryptocurrency or foreign currencies. Victims typically see fake account balance increases that encourage larger deposits, ranging from tens of thousands to over a million dollars, before scammers cut off contact and prevent withdrawals or demand prepayment of fees. The Attorney General recommends avoiding money transfers to unknown individuals, researching online profiles for authenticity, and reporting suspected scams to both the platform and law enforcement.

Two Irish nationals, Dean Morgan and John McNamara, were arrested at JFK Airport after running a roofing scam targeting Denver residents, primarily older homeowners, between mid-April and May. The scammers approached homeowners claiming to have spotted roof damage, then planted worms under shingles and falsely claimed they were maggots requiring immediate paid repairs, resulting in victims losing thousands of dollars for work never completed. The investigation expanded from initial reports of three Denver victims to an international case after CBS News Colorado's coverage prompted additional victims to come forward, with prosecutors investigating potential scams in other states including California.

Two Irish nationals, Dean Morgan and John McNamara, were arrested at JFK Airport after being identified in a roofing scam targeting Denver residents, particularly older homeowners in the Congress Park area. The scam involved the men approaching homeowners, claiming to spot roof damage, then planting worms under shingles and falsely presenting them as maggots requiring immediate paid repairs; victims lost over $10,000 each, with some having their roofs deliberately damaged. The investigation expanded from an initial three confirmed victims to a wider international case after CBS News Colorado's report generated community leads, with prosecutors believing the men may have perpetrated similar scams in California and other states.

New York's Attorney General issued a consumer alert about "pig butchering" romance scams, in which fraudsters befriend victims on dating apps, social media, and text messages before directing them to fake investment platforms. Scammers build trust over time, send fake screenshots of trading profits and luxury lifestyle images, then convince victims to invest tens of thousands to over a million dollars in cryptocurrency or foreign currency schemes before cutting off contact and making funds irretrievable. The alert advises New Yorkers to avoid wiring money to unknown contacts, verify identities through reverse image searches, be suspicious of excuses to avoid video calls or requests to use encrypted platforms, and never rush into investments.

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a warning about rising online romance scams across the state, where fraudsters use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build trust with victims before convincing them to invest money or make purchases—a scheme known as "pig butchering." The Attorney General's office provided guidance to avoid these scams, including not wiring money to unknown persons, researching profiles for signs of fraud or AI-generated images, and being suspicious of individuals who avoid video calls, isolate victims from family, or pressure quick investments. Victims are encouraged to report suspected scams to their state Attorney General's office or law enforcement while preserving all communications as evidence.

New York residents lost over $30.2 million to romance scams in 2023, with 819 victims reporting an average loss of $36,931 each, according to a Social Catfish study. Scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to conduct convincing video calls while impersonating celebrities or wealthy individuals, often directing victims toward cryptocurrency investments with no recovery options. The study recommends reverse image searches, video chat verification, avoiding rapid declarations of love, and never sending money to online contacts to prevent victimization.

State officials in New York are raising awareness about scams targeting adults age 60 and older, which caused over $3.4 billion in losses nationally in 2023—an 11 percent increase from 2022, with the average victim losing $22,481. Common scams include medical device scams, grandparent scams, identity theft, jury duty scams, funeral notification scams, sweepstakes scams, IRS imposter scams, and free grant scams. Authorities recommend older adults verify caller identities, ignore unsolicited contacts and links, never send money or share banking information, and consult trusted family members before responding to suspicious calls or

New York State Attorney Letitia James warned of rising "pig butchering" romance scams targeting New Yorkers through dating apps and social media, where fraudsters build fake relationships before convincing victims to invest in cryptocurrency schemes. Victims reported losses ranging from tens of thousands to over $1 million, with two-thirds of crypto complaints to the State Attorney's office linked to online fraud, with communication often conducted through platforms like WhatsApp and WeChat.

New York Attorney General Letitia James warned of rising "pig butchering" romance scams in which fraudsters use dating apps and social media to build fake romantic relationships with victims before pressuring them to invest in cryptocurrency schemes. Victims have lost between tens of thousands and over $1 million, with two-thirds of the Attorney General's cryptocurrency complaints tied to these online crimes. The scammers typically move conversations to encrypted platforms like WhatsApp or WeChat before directing victims to fraudulent investment platforms, often operated by overseas perpetrators.

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert about "pig butchering" romance scams, where fraudsters build romantic relationships with victims on dating apps and social media before convincing them to invest money in fake cryptocurrency or currency schemes. Victims typically deposit tens of thousands to over a million dollars before discovering they cannot withdraw funds or are asked to pay fake fees, at which point the scammers disappear. The Attorney General recommends verifying people's identities, consulting financial advisors before investing, and reporting suspected scams to law enforcement and the relevant platforms.

This article highlights three cases where seniors successfully defended themselves against fraud and crime. A New York grandmother helped police catch a scammer in 2022, Joyce Kennedy used perfume to thwart a kidnapping attempt in 2016, and another grandmother turned the tables on a grandparent scam caller in May by ultimately outwitting the perpetrator.

This AARP awareness piece highlights elder financial exploitation as a multi-billion dollar crime and promotes a free educational event on June 20 featuring Philip Marshall, whose grandmother Brooke Astor (a wealthy New York philanthropist) was isolated, manipulated, and financially exploited by her son in her later years. The article encourages the public to learn scam prevention through AARP's Fraud Watch Network and upcoming speaker programs.