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A former romance scammer named Christopher Maxwell, who operated from Nigeria and defrauded tens of thousands of dollars from North Carolina victims over years-long online relationships, revealed his tactics in an interview—including impersonating military personnel to explain why he couldn't video chat and requesting money for supposed deployment emergencies. Maxwell's guilt intensified after scamming an elderly woman out of $30,000, leading him to reform and work for Social Catfish, a company that verifies online identities, and he now warns victims to avoid anyone unwilling to show their face on video. The article also features a local victim, Lara Katherine Miller, who lost $50 to a similar scammer before recogn

The FBI warned the public about a sophisticated scam in which fraudsters contact victims by phone or email claiming they failed to report for jury duty and face federal arrest warrants, then demand payment via virtual currency to avoid jail time. The scammers enhance credibility by using actual names of North Carolina law enforcement officers, manipulating caller IDs to appear as government agencies, and sometimes claiming offices are closed due to COVID-19 to discourage in-person payment verification. The FBI emphasized that legitimate arrest warrants are never issued via email or text and never require immediate payment, and recommends victims verify any legal claims directly with law enforcement or courts rather than paying unsolicited demands.

Americans lost more than $1.14 billion to romance scams in 2023, with over 64,000 people reporting losses and North Carolina ranking tenth nationally with 453 victims losing $16.8 million. A reformed scammer from Nigeria revealed that romance fraudsters typically target vulnerable individuals, particularly single parents, by posing as military personnel deployed overseas and requesting money for fictitious emergencies, with advice to victims to insist on video verification of anyone met online.

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

The IRS issued a warning about impersonation scams targeting North Carolina seniors, where fraudsters pose as government officials or IRS representatives to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. The warning was part of a broader awareness effort around World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to educate older adults about these scams and encourage collaboration among federal agencies, state tax authorities, and tax professionals to protect vulnerable populations.

North Carolina's fraud watchdogs warned of rising scams targeting seniors, with particular focus on financial elder abuse during World Elder Abuse Month in June. The N.C. Senior Consumer Fraud Task Force released a 23-minute fraud prevention video and streamlined reporting resources, including a new 2-1-1 hotline for victims to access appropriate assistance and a Department of Justice no-scam line (1-877-5-NO-SCAM) for reporting fraud. Officials emphasized that scammers impersonate government, law enforcement, and family members to steal money and information, and urged older adults to verify identities before sharing information over phone, email, text, or

North Carolina's Senior Consumer Fraud Task Force released a new 23-minute fraud prevention video and expanded resources to combat rising scams targeting seniors, following World Elder Abuse Day in June. According to the FTC, Americans lost a record $10 billion to fraud in 2023 with a median loss of $500, with scammers increasingly targeting smaller amounts to avoid law enforcement detection. The state now offers simplified reporting through a dial-211 hotline, the N.C. Attorney General's fraud hotline, and AARP's Fraud Watch helpline to help victims recognize and report fraud without shame.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued a warning about rising IRS impersonation scams targeting seniors in North Carolina, where fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. These scams employ sophisticated tactics including spoofed caller IDs, fabricated claims of outstanding debts or prize winnings, and demands for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The IRS advises that it does not initiate contact via email, text, or social media, and provides reporting resources and verification phone numbers for taxpayers uncertain about communications they receive.

In honor of Elder Abuse Day on June 15, the North Carolina Senior Consumer Fraud Task Force held a press conference to raise awareness about elder financial fraud and launched new resources to help seniors report scams, including a fraud prevention video and a new 2-1-1 statewide phone number for reporting suspected financial scams. The task force, which now includes the N.C. Association on Aging, is distributing information through senior centers across the state, noting that Americans lost a record $10 billion to fraud in 2023 according to the Federal Trade Commission.

A free educational program titled "Don't Get Scammed" will be held July 19 from 10-11 a.m. at the Wilkes Senior Center in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, addressing online scams that target seniors. The program provides awareness and prevention information to help older adults protect themselves from fraud.

The IRS issued a warning about impersonation scams targeting older adults in North Carolina, where fraudsters pose as government officials or businesses to steal personal information and pressure victims into making payments via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Common tactics include fabricating urgent tax debts or refund claims, spoofing caller IDs, and threatening arrest or deportation to create a sense of urgency. The IRS recommends hanging up on unexpected calls and verifying communications through official channels (800-829-1040) or their online account portal.

North Carolina authorities report that seniors lost approximately $7 million to scams in 2023, with over 500 elder fraud complaints resulting in an average loss of $50,000 per victim, though many cases go unreported due to shame or embarrassment. Tech support, investment, and romance scams are the most prevalent schemes, and a new helpline (2-1-1) has been launched to assist victims and provide fraud prevention resources. State officials emphasize that scammers employ increasingly sophisticated tactics and urge community members to support victims while maintaining healthy skepticism of unsolicited offers that sound too good or too urgent.

North Carolina's Senior Consumer Fraud Task Force held a press conference highlighting the rising epidemic of elder fraud, with statistics showing that approximately 1 in 10 seniors becomes a victim, resulting in $3.1 billion in losses nationwide in 2022 (an 84% increase from 2021), with individual victims losing an average of $40,000. The task force identified five major scam types targeting seniors: sweetheart scams, sweepstakes scams, impostor scams, tech support scams, and grandparent scams, while warning that scammers increasingly use AI to replicate voices. Victims can report fraud to local authorities, the FBI's Internet Crime

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) by partnering with law enforcement agencies, AARP, Meals on Wheels, and the FBI to combat elder fraud through community education. The office hosted three public outreach events in Raleigh, Wake Forest, and Supply to help seniors recognize signs of financial scams and connect them with resources and support services. U.S. Attorney Michael Easley emphasized that seniors are frequently targeted by fraudsters and prioritized prosecuting cases involving elderly victims as part of broader efforts to protect vulnerable populations.

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein released a resource card in June 2024 to help seniors and families navigate long-term care options and understand available health insurance plans, addressing concerns about costs, staffing, and residents' rights in care facilities. The initiative, part of Elder Abuse Awareness Month, connects residents with state and federal agencies and includes the Department of Justice's Medicaid Investigations Division, which has recovered over $1 billion in restitution and penalties since 1979 and investigates fraud and abuse in Medicaid-funded facilities.

North Carolina has experienced a significant spike in insurance fraud since the COVID-19 pandemic, with senior citizens particularly targeted through online scams that convince them to move savings into fraudulent high-return annuities and investment accounts. Additional fraud schemes include door-to-door impostors posing as Department of Insurance employees, medical prescription scams, and staged accidents, with Americans collectively paying over $300 billion annually to cover known insurance fraud costs.

**Summary:** North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey warned residents about door-to-door scammers impersonating N.C. Department of Insurance agents to sell fake insurance policies. At least two recent incidents were reported, marking the fourth occurrence since 2020, with fraudsters sometimes presenting fake business cards bearing the department's logo. The department clarified that it does not sell insurance and urged consumers to report such impersonation attempts to law enforcement.

In 2022, elder fraud cost North Carolina and South Carolina consumers approximately $100 million combined, with North Carolina seniors losing $63 million (averaging $32,000 per victim) and South Carolina seniors losing $35 million (averaging $27,000 per victim), according to analysis of FBI and FTC data by cybersecurity company VPNPro. Despite these significant losses, both states ranked better than at least half of the country in elder fraud victimization.

One in ten older adults in the US experience elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation annually, with North Carolina ranking 15th nationally for fraud victims age 60 and older, totaling over 90,000 victims. Mecklenburg County, AARP, and the US Attorney General's Office organized a community awareness walk on June 4, 2024, at Freedom Park to raise visibility about elder mistreatment in its various forms—physical, emotional, psychological, financial, and neglect. Residents can report elder abuse and exploitation to the Department of Child, Family, and Adults Services at 980-336-2273.

A sophisticated scam in Asheville, North Carolina defrauded two residents of $50,000 total, in which suspects posed as Microsoft employees after displaying pop-up warnings on victims' computers, then convinced them to withdraw cash and sent an in-person courier to collect it from their homes. The scam is notable for its rare in-person component, involving a suspect driving a dark silver or gray Toyota Highlander with possible front-right quarter panel damage. Police are warning residents to verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent Microsoft or other companies before providing money or access to their homes.

A Charlotte, North Carolina motorist lost over $10,600 purchasing a 2015 Honda Odyssey from Facebook Marketplace with a rolled-back odometer that concealed the vehicle's true mileage of approximately 200,000 miles by displaying only 132,000 miles. According to Carfax, North Carolina has experienced widespread odometer fraud with an estimated 49,000 clocked vehicles statewide and 16,000 in the Charlotte area. The article advises buyers to verify mileage against service records, inspect vehicle wear patterns, and scrutinize paperwork to detect odometer tampering.

A sophisticated property fraud scheme involving Jose Manuel Santiago, Rosson Dwayne Hamilton, and Vernon Lavoie resulted in multiple homes being stolen and sold without owners' knowledge across Virginia, Florida, and North Carolina. The trio created fraudulent bank accounts in homeowners' names, with Lavoie using fake IDs to impersonate owners; one home in Tampa, Florida sold for $65,000 and a U.S. Army veteran lost his house along with military memorabilia and his Jeep. Santiago received three years in prison for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, Hamilton received one day, and Lavoie received two years and seven months; experts recommend homeowners obtain

Former Army specialist Sanda G. Frimpong was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution for laundering over $350,000 obtained through romance scams targeting vulnerable victims including seniors and military veterans. Frimpong and at least three conspirators executed multiple scams by impersonating romantic interests, diplomats, and military personnel via encrypted messaging apps, and also fraudulently obtained CARES Act funds and unemployment benefits using stolen identities across multiple states. The money was laundered through various banking systems, across state lines, and through contacts in Ghana while Frimpong remained on active duty at Fort Liberty, North Carolina.

"Smishing" is a text message-based scam combining "phishing" and SMS that tricks recipients into clicking malicious links by claiming unpaid toll balances are due. The FBI issued a warning after more than 2,000 complaints across North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, though Virginia has not yet reported cases; authorities advise never clicking links in unsolicited toll-related texts and instead using official websites or calling legitimate customer service numbers to verify account status.

Former Army Specialist Sanda Frimpong was sentenced to 40 months in prison in April 2022 for money laundering connected to romance scams that defrauded victims of over $350,000 between December 2019 and February 2022. Operating with three co-conspirators from Fort Liberty, North Carolina, Frimpong impersonated romantic interests, military personnel, and customs officials via WhatsApp and Snapchat to convince victims—including seniors and military veterans—to send money under false pretenses such as inheritance releases and asset transfers. He must also pay restitution to victims and serve three years of supervised release.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation warned of a "smishing" scam in which fraudsters impersonate tolling agencies nationwide and send text messages to randomly selected phone numbers demanding payment for unpaid tolls. Victims should verify legitimacy by confirming NC Quick Pass never requests payment via text and that official links contain ncquickpass.com, and should report suspicious messages to the IC3 at www.ic3.gov.

Sanda Frimpong, a 33-year-old Army specialist, was sentenced to more than three years in prison for operating romance scams that defrauded vulnerable individuals including widows, widowers, and divorcees of approximately $357,961 over two years while stationed at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. Frimpong posed as different people online (including "Catherine White" and "Tom Tanner") to convince victims to wire money under false pretenses involving gold transfers and marriage proposals, and he also conspired to fraudulently collect COVID-19 pandemic unemployment benefits using stolen identities across multiple states. He was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands in restitution after pleading guilty to

Sanda G. Frimpong, an E-4 soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, orchestrated multiple online romance and fraud schemes between December 2019 and February 2022, defrauding victims of thousands of dollars by impersonating romantic interests, military personnel, and officials. One victim lost over $150,000 after being convinced by a fake soldier to send money for gold and diamond transfers, while another victim sent over $7,000 after being targeted with a romance scam involving fake inheritance claims. Frimpong was arrested in 2023, pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering, and was sentenced to 40 months in

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of North Carolina is warning residents about IRS imposter scams and other fraud schemes that disproportionately target older adults, with the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report noting that individuals 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses—the highest among all age groups. Common scams include government impersonation (IRS, SSA, sheriff's office), tech support scams, romance scams, grandparent scams, and non-delivery schemes, with authorities emphasizing that reporting fraud helps recover stolen funds and identify emerging criminal trends.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in North Carolina warned the public about IRS imposter scams and other financial fraud schemes targeting older adults, particularly around Tax Day. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals 60 and older filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses, with tech support scams, government impersonation, phishing, romance scams, and non-delivery schemes being the most common schemes. Federal prosecutors used an interactive "Fraud Bingo" educational tool at a senior center to help older adults, caregivers, and community workers recognize fraud tactics and report suspicious activity to help recover stolen funds and identify emerging

Americans lost over $1 million to online puppy scams in the past year, with the Better Business Bureau receiving thousands of reports primarily from Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, where approximately 80% of sponsored pet advertisements are potentially fraudulent. A North Carolina grandmother lost her life savings when she sent $5,000 in gift cards to a scammer on Facebook Marketplace while attempting to purchase a Yorkshire terrier. The FTC recommends consumers adopt from local shelters, reverse image search photos, request in-person meetings, and avoid unusual payment methods like gift cards, while law enforcement has begun prosecuting perpetrators with felony charges carrying substantial prison sentences.

The FBI in North Carolina is warning consumers about a surging cryptocurrency investment scam that has cost North Carolina victims over $65 million in 2023, with investment fraud involving crypto rising 53% nationally from $2.57 billion in 2022 to $3.944 billion in 2023. Scammers use social media research and fake websites/apps to build trust with victims, displaying fake profits to encourage larger investments, then disappear with all funds when victims attempt major withdrawals. The FBI advises victims not to be embarrassed and to report scams quickly, though recovery is difficult since cryptocurrency is unregulated.

Scammers are increasingly targeting older adults in North Carolina and nationwide using impersonation, investment schemes, and AI tactics, with senior citizens losing $1.6 billion to financial scams last year out of a total of $10 billion in fraud losses. A common scam involves fraudsters texting seniors posing as wrong numbers to build personal relationships before requesting money or investment. Financial caregivers and seniors can protect themselves by monitoring accounts for suspicious activity, using unique passwords across websites, and staying informed about fraud warnings from the FTC and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

**Article:** Backyard Leisure Customer Non-Delivery Investigation Multiple customers of Backyard Leisure, a Raleigh-based company, paid thousands of dollars for hot tubs and spas that were never delivered despite repeated promises and false tracking updates, with payment amounts ranging from $7,000 to $20,000 and wait times extending from months to over a year. The North Carolina Attorney General's Office began reviewing the case after receiving 18 complaints, and the company subsequently claimed staffing shortages and promised to send order confirmations and obtain receipts. Some affected customers initiated credit card chargebacks to dispute their payments.

A 76-year-old Georgia widow lost her life savings of approximately $78,700 in a romance scam after meeting a man claiming to be a doctor working for the Red Cross in Yemen on Facebook. The scammer, using the name Caleb, built a months-long relationship with Jennifer Dennis and convinced her to wire money toward purchasing a home in North Carolina together, but the property was already occupied and the scammer disappeared after sending a final photo claiming he had been beaten. Dennis and her son ended up homeless and sleeping in their car until receiving a camper from their church, and she now warns others about romance scam red flags.

This is an educational piece from the North Carolina Department of Justice providing prevention tips for spring break travel scams. The article advises travelers to research companies through the Better Business Bureau, read contracts carefully, obtain written details before paying, use credit cards instead of cash, and contact authorities if victimized. No specific fraud cases or dollar amounts are mentioned.

The North Carolina Department of Justice Consumer Protection Division received over 21,000 complaints in the past year, with scams being a major category. The top three scams in the Triad region included online purchase fraud (255 reports, ~$150,000 in losses), employment scams ($70,000 lost through fake job postings), and phishing schemes targeting personal and financial information via email, text, and phone. Police recommend caution with suspicious contacts and note that voluntarily sent funds to scammers are typically unrecoverable.

According to a recent Federal Trade Commission report, older adults in North Carolina and across the country lost $1.6 billion to scammers in the past year, with nearly half of those losses attributable to bogus investment schemes. Common tactics include impersonation scams initiated through text messages and AI-based schemes, which scammers use to build false relationships before requesting money or investments. Experts recommend that seniors and their financial caregivers monitor accounts for suspicious activity, report suspected fraud to their financial institution and police, use strong password practices, and stay informed through resources like the FTC and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

**Spring Break Travel Scams in North Carolina** Scammers are targeting North Carolina travelers during spring break by creating fake websites that mimic legitimate airlines, rental car companies, and vacation listing sites, often differing by only a single letter in the URL. Additional threats include "juice jacking" at public charging stations and malicious Wi-Fi hotspots that steal personal information. Security experts recommend verifying URLs carefully, using Norton's free scanning tools, employing VPNs on public Wi-Fi, and avoiding public charging stations to protect against these threats.

In 2023, North Carolina residents lost nearly $190 million to fraud, with credit scams and identity theft comprising 36% of all Federal Trade Commission complaints in the state. Identity theft (18% of complaints) involves unauthorized use of personal information and can severely damage victims' credit, while credit scams (18%) often include false reporting or improper use of consumer data by credit bureaus and tenant screening companies. Imposter scams, the third most prevalent fraud type at 14% of complaints, typically involve scammers impersonating acquaintances and requesting money via wire transfer or gift card purchases.

Scammers are creating fake sports betting websites and apps that mimic legitimate services to target North Carolina consumers as legal sports betting launches in March 2024. Common scam tactics include copycat websites offering guaranteed winnings, too-good-to-be-true sign-up bonuses, and account lockouts that prevent withdrawal of deposited funds—one victim reported depositing $500 and being unable to recover their money. To avoid these scams, consumers should verify the company is state-licensed, check for secure website indicators (lock symbol and HTTPS), read fine print carefully, and be skeptical of any guarantees of winnings.

Carteret County, North Carolina is experiencing a surge in elder scams involving cryptocurrency and phone-based fraud, including impersonation of law enforcement, fake bail/accident schemes, and romance scams. County officials warn against sending money to unknown contacts claiming legal authority, investing in cryptocurrency without research, clicking suspicious links, and falling victim to online relationship scams, while noting that cryptocurrency and gift cards are preferred by scammers because they are difficult for law enforcement to trace. Residents are advised to verify suspicious claims with local law enforcement before sending any funds.

In 2022, 70,000 Americans lost a record $1.3 billion to romance scams—nearly double the $547 million lost in 2021—with scammers increasingly using AI, deepfakes, and voice cloning to deceive victims. North Carolina ranked 9th nationally, with 422 victims losing $18 million that year, including a Hickory therapist who sent $50 to a scammer posing as an African man seeking help before recognizing manipulation tactics like emotional appeals, requests for money, and guilt-tripping. Key warning signs include requests for unorthodox payments, emotionally manipulative pitches, false urgency, an

The North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys held a three-day training conference in February 2024 titled "Break the Silence: The Abuse and Exploitation of Older Adults" to educate prosecutors, law enforcement, and allied professionals on recognizing and prosecuting elder abuse and exploitation cases. Participants gained knowledge of exploitation and abuse warning signs, prosecution skills, and strategies to protect vulnerable older adults in their communities. The conference underscored the importance of collaborative justice efforts given North Carolina's aging population.

A North Carolina family lost $100 after purchasing counterfeit tickets to Pullen Park's Holiday Express from an unofficial Facebook group, receiving a fraudulent email designed to look like it came from Ticketmaster. The scam highlights the risks of buying tickets through unofficial resellers and social media groups. To protect yourself, purchase tickets only from official vendors or verified sellers, verify the legitimacy of confirmation emails by checking sender addresses carefully, and avoid paying through untraceable payment methods when possible.

A Privacy Journal study ranks North Carolina 35th out of 50 states for online dating safety, citing high rates of romance scams, identity theft, fraud, violent crime, STDs, and registered sex offenders. Romance scammers typically use fake identities on dating platforms, requesting money for emergencies or travel while avoiding in-person meetings, and the North Carolina Department of Justice warns vulnerable individuals to never send money to online contacts they haven't met and to report suspected scams to 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson warns that scammers are exploiting the federal government shutdown by impersonating agencies like Social Security Administration, Medicare, and SNAP to steal personal information and money through unsolicited calls, texts, and emails. Residents should never provide personal information, make payments, or wire money in response to these contacts, and should instead hang up and call agencies directly to verify legitimacy. Complaints can be filed with the North Carolina Department of Justice at ncdoj.gov/complaint or 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.

A North Carolina insurance agent, Marshall Melton, was ordered to pay nearly $2 million in penalties and disgorgement after a federal judge found him a "serial violator of the securities laws" for defrauding elderly investors in a $1 million real estate scheme. Melton and his company, Integrated Consulting & Management Inc., retained the bulk of investors' funds for personal use rather than investing them as promised. The SEC enforcement action resulted in the court-ordered financial penalties in response to the fraudulent scheme.

Two Mississippi men, Robert Lewis Elliott III and Devin Alonzo Elliott, were charged with conspiracy to pass counterfeit currency after allegedly using sleight-of-hand techniques to swap genuine bills for counterfeit ones at a North Carolina jewelry store in June. The men obtained approximately $300,000 in luxury watches and jewelry, including a Patek Philippe diamond watch valued at $90,000, before fleeing the store. Both were released on bond and face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of passing counterfeit obligations.

This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. It is a weather advisory notice followed by an educational event summary about Medicare fraud prevention. The relevant portion describes an educational workshop where 20 senior citizens in Hertford, North Carolina learned to protect themselves against Medicare fraud during a "Shred & Shield" event on September 16, ahead of Medicare's open enrollment period (October 15-December 7). Ashley Lamb, a family caregiver support specialist, warned attendees about common Medicare scams including unsolicited calls offering free medical equipment in exchange for Medicare numbers, and advised seniors to never provide their Medicare card number, Social Security number, or bank information to callers, since Medicare does not