Explore the Archive

The U.S. imposed sanctions on three Mexican accountants and four firms allegedly supporting a timeshare fraud operation run by the Jalisco New Generation drug cartel that targets Americans. Timeshare fraud perpetrated by Mexico-based criminals results in tens of millions in annual losses, with the FBI receiving over 600 complaints in 2022 alone totaling approximately $39.6 million, with elderly Americans being particularly targeted. The Treasury Department and FBI advised banks to remain vigilant against these schemes and reminded consumers to be cautious of unsolicited communications regarding timeshares and high-pressure sales tactics.

Two Irish nationals, Patrick and Matthew McDonagh, were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud for stealing over $435,000 from an elderly Shoreline, Washington homeowner through a contractor scam. The brothers posed as repair workers, falsely claiming the victim's roof had holes and foundation was cracked, then pressured him to write multiple checks for fake repairs and building supplies over several days in January 2024. The FBI investigation also connected them to approximately $50,000 in additional contractor fraud complaints in Oregon and Washington using similar tactics of fake photos and misrepresentation.

The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned three Mexican accountants and four Mexican companies connected to timeshare fraud schemes operated by the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), which primarily targets U.S. timeshare owners in Mexico, including elderly victims. The scammers operate call centers impersonating legitimate brokers and attorneys, defrauding victims through complex multi-year schemes involving fake timeshare exits, re-rentals, and investment offers, with victims often re-victimized through impersonation of law firms and authorities. The stolen funds are funneled through wire transfers to Mexican shell companies and then laundered by cartel-connected money

The IRS and Security Summit partners warn tax professionals to remain vigilant against evolving phishing scams and cloud-based schemes designed to steal sensitive taxpayer information, with email attacks numbering in the hundreds targeting the tax professional community year-round. The advisory details various phishing tactics including spear phishing, clone phishing, and whaling attacks that trick recipients into disclosing passwords, account numbers, and Social Security numbers. These security warnings are part of an ongoing public-private partnership effort to protect the tax system against identity theft and fraud.

This is an educational/awareness piece, not a scam or fraud report. **Key Findings:** An AARP study of 2,212 LGBTQ+ adults age 45+ reveals that 78% are concerned about family and friend support as they age, while 45% already live with chronic conditions or disabilities. The research identifies critical challenges including social isolation (48% feel isolated), caregiver stress (78% of LGBTQ+ caregivers report emotional stress), and healthcare discrimination based on age, sexual orientation, and gender identity. AARP recommends increasing healthcare access and training providers in LGBTQ+ awareness to improve outcomes for this vulnerable population.

A Washington business owner nearly fell victim to an impersonation scam when a fraudster posing as a National Australia Bank representative called his assistant, requesting banking credentials under the pretense that his business credit card had been blocked due to activity in Darwin. The scammer targeted an account containing $3 million, but the business owner and assistant recognized red flags—including the scammer's inability to provide account details or the correct banker's name—and verified the call through official channels, preventing any loss. The article notes that impersonation scams are among the most common fraud tactics, with the Australian Tax Office receiving 22,000 reports of government impersonation scams in the past year, emphasizing the importance of vigilance

The Federal Trade Commission warns Washington State residents about utility company barcode scams in which fraudsters impersonate utility companies via calls or messages, creating urgency around unpaid bills and directing victims to scan QR codes or barcodes to pay through Walmart, Walgreens, or other payment methods. To protect themselves, consumers should independently verify bills by contacting their utility company using official phone numbers or websites, recognize that legitimate utilities do not demand specific payment methods that prevent refunds, and immediately report suspected fraud to reverse payments if money has already been sent.

Scammers are sending fraudulent text messages to drivers claiming they have unpaid tolls, creating a sense of urgency by threatening additional fees if balances aren't paid immediately through fake toll payment websites. The Identity Theft Resource Center reports this scam is proliferating across the country, exploiting drivers' anxiety about legitimately owing toll fees by using real toll system names like "Good-to-Go" in Washington State and "Easy Pass" on the East Coast. The scheme preys on consumers' fear of accumulating fines and encourages them to click malicious links or provide personal information to cybercriminals.

The IRS, state tax agencies, and over 60 private sector organizations launched the Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats (CASST) in August 2024 to combat growing tax-related scams that exploit vulnerable taxpayers. The three-pronged initiative will expand public education about emerging scams, develop methods to identify fraudulent returns during filing, and improve infrastructure protections across federal, state, and industry tax systems. Modeled on the successful 2015 Security Summit that addressed tax-related identity theft, CASST aims to strengthen information sharing and coordinated responses to threats across the entire tax ecosystem.

Elder fraud targeting Americans over 60 increased 3% between 2022 and 2023, with victims losing an average of over $36,000 per incident. Arizona, Utah, and Rhode Island experienced the largest increases (36%, 23%, and 22% respectively), with research suggesting scammers are increasingly targeting high-income areas with large senior populations. Prevention measures include educating seniors and financial professionals about common scams, improving digital literacy among older adults, and implementing stronger security settings on financial accounts.

Cybercriminals have expanded text message scams impersonating state electronic toll collection systems across multiple U.S. states (Illinois, Florida, North Carolina, and Washington), with the FBI reporting over 2,000 complaints since early March. The scams use fake government websites and urgent messaging to trick drivers into clicking links and entering personal and financial information, with some scammers also collecting data for additional criminal activities. Symantec researchers recommend state governments increase public awareness campaigns and coordinate with federal agencies to combat these threats, which have also affected Australia, Canada, and Japan.

During the week of August 12-18, 2024, the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office investigated one elder fraud case involving larceny on August 16 at 7600 block Slatestone Rd. in Washington at 12:19 p.m. Additionally, the office documented multiple other fraud incidents during this period, including credit card/ATM fraud on August 12 and general fraud reports on August 14 and 15, though specific details and dollar amounts were not provided in the incident log.

Three men—two from Cleveland and one from Michigan—were indicted for stealing $30,000 from a Washington County senior citizen through an overpayment scam in July, where they posed as PayPal representatives and convinced the victim to provide a refund. The suspects are also linked to a similar $30,000 theft in Franklin County, and investigators indicate there are additional victims throughout the Great Lakes region. Law enforcement advises seniors to verify requests for money or gift cards by contacting family, friends, or local authorities before complying.

Law enforcement in North Central Washington warns residents about three prevalent scams: prize-winner schemes where victims are told they've won prizes (like vehicles) and pressured to pay fees, grandparent scams involving fake emergencies claiming relatives need bail money, and jury duty scams threatening arrest for failing to appear unless fines are paid immediately. The article advises victims to hang up without engaging scammers, avoid sharing personal information or sending payments, and verify claims directly with official county offices rather than responding to unsolicited calls.

Iowa County Sheriff Rob Rotter reports that scams are vastly underreported due to victim embarrassment, with an estimated 59 million people scammed annually and $50,000-$60,000 lost yearly in Iowa County alone. Rotter highlighted common scams including lottery/tax schemes (one couple lost $130,000 across multiple scams), robocalls targeting seniors with health insurance offers, and "grandparent scams" where callers impersonate grandchildren in distress, recommending victims report fraud to authorities and verify caller identity by hanging up and calling back known numbers.

During August 19-25, 2024, the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office investigated numerous incidents across the county, including one elder abuse and fraud case reported on August 21 in Belhaven, though specific details and dollar amounts were not disclosed. The week also saw two credit card/ATM fraud incidents (August 20-21), multiple motor vehicle thefts, assaults, and property crimes across various locations in Washington, Aurora, Chocowinity, and surrounding areas.

Three individuals—Chidi Olujie, Jennifer Chibueze, and Jessica Nortey—were charged with conspiring to launder over $1 million in proceeds from romance scams and other online frauds between 2016 and 2019, allegedly using shell companies and fraudulent bank accounts to move stolen money. The defendants face up to 20 years in prison on money laundering conspiracy charges plus an additional two years for aggravated identity theft. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and investigated by the FBI's Washington Field Office.

Two Irish brothers, Patrick and Matthew McDonagh, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for stealing over $400,000 from elderly homeowners across the Northwest and Illinois by posing as home repair contractors. Using high-pressure tactics and false claims of necessary repairs (roof holes, foundation cracks), they defrauded victims in Washington, Oregon, and Illinois of hundreds of thousands of dollars, with one Shoreline, Washington homeowner losing $435,000. The brothers have agreed to make restitution totaling over $1 million to their victims and face sentencing in November 2024, with prosecutors recommending 26 months in prison for each defendant.

Senator Sherrod Brown testified before the Senate Banking Committee on the escalating problem of scams and fraud targeting Americans, particularly seniors. In 2023, Americans lost at least $10 billion to reported fraud—an increase of over $1 billion from the previous year—with Ohio alone experiencing $126 million in losses; scammers employ increasingly sophisticated tactics including AI voice mimicry, fake bank calls, and romance schemes to target retirees' savings. Brown emphasized that seniors, who represented more than half of fraud losses in Ohio, often hesitate to report crimes due to shame and self-blame, allowing criminals to continue victimizing others.

Law enforcement in North Central Washington is warning residents about three prevalent scams: fake prize claims (where a woman lost thousands after being told she won a truck), grandparent scams claiming a relative needs bail money, and jury duty scams threatening arrest for failure to report unless a fine is paid. Authorities advise victims to hang up immediately, avoid sharing personal information or sending money, and contact their local county court with any questions rather than engaging with callers.

Director of Consumer Affairs Sheryl Harris testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs about sophisticated scams targeting Ohio residents, particularly older adults who comprise the majority of scam reports in Cuyahoga County. Harris described how scammers use psychological manipulation tactics—creating false urgency through threats of arrest or asset seizure, isolating victims from help, and establishing false authority—to route victims' money to fraudsters. The hearing highlighted the need for stronger regulations and corporate accountability from tech and financial companies to protect consumers from increasingly complex fraud schemes.

**Scam Losses in Cuyahoga County, Ohio More Than Double; Nationwide Fraud Crisis Escalates** Reported scam losses in Cuyahoga County jumped from $1.2 million in 2023 to $2.7 million in 2024, with fraudsters using spoofed caller IDs, stolen personal data, and cryptocurrency to steal larger amounts in shorter timeframes. A particularly dangerous trend involves scammers posing as federal agents claiming victims' bank accounts are involved in drug trafficking, convincing them to move savings to crypto "wallets" and in some cases obtaining house sale proceeds—with national fraud losses reaching $

At a September 2024 Senate Banking Committee hearing, Senator Elizabeth Warren highlighted the severe impact of romance and cryptocurrency investment scams on older Americans, noting that Massachusetts residents alone lost over $85 million to these schemes in 2023. Testimony revealed that scammers use extended emotional manipulation through dating apps before gradually coercing victims to deposit funds into fake trading accounts that show false profits, ultimately draining their entire savings; crypto scam losses nationally increased tenfold from 2020-2023 to over $110 million, with adults over 60 being three times more likely to lose money in such schemes. Senator Warren advocated for her bipartisan Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering

Billions of dollars are lost annually to scams targeting older Americans, with the FBI reporting over $3 billion in losses in 2023 alone, including devastating cases such as romance scams, sextortion schemes, and AI-enabled impersonations that have cost some seniors their entire life savings. The AARP Fraud Watch Network receives more than 100,000 calls yearly from affected seniors, and experts testified before U.S. Congress emphasizing that criminals continue to evolve their tactics with increasing sophistication. Lawmakers are responding with bipartisan legislation and recommendations for education, public outreach, and federal efforts to combat spoofing and robocalls as key strategies to protect vulnerable seniors.

A widespread scam targeting Washington residents impersonates court officials and police, claiming victims missed jury duty and have arrest warrants unless they pay fines immediately. Scammers use phone calls or emails (which legitimate courts never do) and request payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers, often also demanding sensitive personal information like Social Security numbers. Residents should verify contact by hanging up and calling the court directly, and report suspected scams to the FTC.

**Summary:** Scammers impersonating Safelite AutoGlass technicians lured Central Washington residents through Facebook Marketplace by offering discounted windshield services, then collected payments via third-party apps before arriving and charging higher prices than advertised. At least five victims fell for the scheme in one week, prompting Safelite and local law enforcement to warn residents to contact companies directly through official channels, avoid third-party payment apps, and verify technician credentials.

Scammers are using AI-generated deepfake videos of famous doctors on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to promote unproven health treatments, particularly targeting older audiences. The fraudulent videos falsely endorse dangerous "natural" remedies for serious conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, leveraging the trusted reputations of well-known TV health personalities including Michael Mosley and Hilary Jones. Experts warn these scams pose serious health risks as victims may abandon proven medical treatments in favor of ineffective products, and the deepfakes are difficult to combat as new versions quickly replace removed content.

Congressman Luetkemeyer held a House Financial Services hearing in September 2024 to examine "confidence scams" (also called "pig butchering"), a multi-billion dollar fraud industry that has surged since the COVID-19 pandemic. Scammers build trust with victims over weeks or months through fake romantic relationships, then convince them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes by showing fake portfolio gains and instructing them to wire money to Southeast Asian accounts or fake exchanges, systematically draining victims' savings and retirement funds until nothing remains.

In a September 19, 2024 Senate hearing on elder fraud, lawmakers discussed how scammers stole over $3.4 billion from American seniors in 2023, often through impersonation, romance scams, and false investment promises by transnational criminal organizations based in countries like Mexico and China. The hearing highlighted that Medicare alone lost an estimated $60 billion to fraud, errors, and abuse in 2023, with scammers using stolen Medicare numbers to bill for unnecessary medical equipment. Senators emphasized the importance of community banks, local law enforcement, and AI-powered fraud detection systems in combating these crimes and called for enhanced education to help seniors recognize warning signs.

In 2017, Congress eliminated a tax deduction that had allowed fraud victims to deduct their losses from taxable income, leaving scam victims to pay taxes on stolen money. Susan Whittaker testified before a Senate Committee about her elderly husband with Alzheimer's who lost $28,000 to an imposter scam (with only $8,000 recovered), highlighting the financial and emotional toll on victims. Democratic Senator Bob Casey is advocating to reinstate the provision, arguing victims should not be "victimized a second time" through taxation, while the repeal is set to expire next year, giving lawmakers an opportunity to restore the deduction.

This article is not relevant to the Elderus database. It concerns former President Donald Trump's statements about a potential 2028 presidential run and his views on COVID-19 vaccines—political content with no connection to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the "Protect Our Children Act" to reauthorize and modernize the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program through 2027. The legislation would update the program's requirements for child exploitation prevention, provide liability protections for investigators, and modernize the program to address current technology and needs. Since its inception in 1998, ICAC has trained over 826,700 law enforcement officers and operates through 61 coordinated task forces representing more than 5,400 federal, state, and local agencies.

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.), chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, held a hearing titled "Fighting Fraud: How Scammers Are Stealing from Older" Americans to address scams targeting elderly citizens. The hearing examined fraud schemes affecting seniors, though specific details about the scams discussed and outcomes are not provided in the excerpt.

U.S. consumers lost $10.3 billion to fraud in 2023, with seniors (ages 60+) among the most vulnerable populations targeted through tech support scams, romance scams, investment scams, and credential stuffing attacks. OnPoint Credit Union released a 2024 cybersecurity eBook highlighting emerging threats including deepfake phishing, AI-enhanced scams, and smart device vulnerabilities, recommending consumers verify sender information, monitor accounts closely, and remain vigilant against unsolicited communications.

Two individuals—Darryl Lamont Young and Aqeelah Ngiesha Williams—were indicted for defrauding seriously ill veterans between December 2021 and April 2023. Young, calling from correctional facilities, posed as a VA employee to obtain personal and banking information from patients at medical facilities, which he and Williams then used to steal approximately $8,000 from over 60 victims across more than 30 facilities through 130 fraudulent transactions. Both defendants face charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, carrying potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison.

Truth Social users, predominantly those over 60, have filed numerous FTC complaints alleging they were scammed out of hundreds of thousands of dollars through schemes including "pig butchering" (fake investment cons) and romance scams, with individual losses ranging from $120,000 to $500,000. The platform's parent company claims to actively monitor for and remove scammers, but FTC complaints obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request reveal the scams have persisted over at least a two-year period.

Idaho Attorney General Larry EchoHawk warned residents about companies using patriotic-sounding names to conduct fraudulent or deceptive business practices, with his Consumer Protection Unit taking enforcement action or investigating eleven businesses involved in sweepstakes scams, living trust sales, loan brokering, and magazine subscriptions. The attorney general cautioned consumers not to judge businesses solely by their names and to scrutinize what is actually being offered, regardless of how patriotic the company's branding appears.

Haotian Sun and Pengfei Xue, Chinese citizens living in Maryland, were convicted of submitting over 6,000 counterfeit iPhones with spoofed serial numbers to Apple for repairs between 2017 and 2019, resulting in $2.5 million in losses. Sun was sentenced to 57 months in prison with over $1 million in restitution, while Xue received 54 months with $397,800 in restitution. The case reflects broader returns fraud challenges, with American merchants losing an estimated $101 billion in 2023 to fraudulent returns and returns policy abuse.

Danielle Baltimore, a 40-year-old direct support professional in Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 180 days in prison for financially exploiting two vulnerable adults with developmental disabilities under her care. In December 2023, Baltimore coerced the two clients to shoplift items (sneakers, clothing, and merchandise) from Walmart on her behalf, then retrieved the stolen goods; one victim complied due to fear of harm. The case was prosecuted under the U.S. Attorney's Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Initiative in collaboration with the D.C. Office of Inspector General.

**Summary:** Following Hurricanes Milton and Helene, the IRS warned taxpayers about scammers operating fake charities to steal money and personal information from donors seeking to help disaster survivors. The agency advises donors to verify charities using the Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) tool before giving, and to avoid payment methods like gift cards or wire transfers, never share sensitive personal information, and resist pressure to donate immediately. Only donations to IRS-qualified tax-exempt organizations are tax-deductible.

The Internal Revenue Service warns that scammers are increasingly targeting seniors by impersonating government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) and other trusted entities to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. These fraudsters use tactics including caller ID spoofing, fabricated urgent scenarios (false tax debts or refunds), threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The IRS advises recipients of unexpected calls claiming to be from the agency to hang up immediately and contact IRS customer service directly at 800-829-1040 to verify any legitimate tax issues.

An 81-year-old woman in Washington, D.C. lost approximately $109,000 in a government impersonation scam after receiving a phone call claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. The scammer sent fraudulent documents (including a fake "U.S. Supreme Court" certificate with numerous grammatical errors) and text instructions directing her to transfer funds and mail cash to multiple accounts. This case illustrates a growing trend: the FBI reported elder fraud targeting those 60 and older exceeded $3.4 billion in losses last year, a significant increase from 2022, and authorities advise that legitimate government agencies contact people by mail only, never by phone, email

An 81-year-old Washington grandmother lost $109,000 to a phone scammer who impersonated a Social Security Administration agent and used a fake Supreme Court document to create urgency about bank fraud. The victim transferred funds to shell companies (Yongri Trading Inc. and Shengya WS Inc.) and mailed $15,000 in cash based on the scammer's instructions, while her bank stated it followed proper protocols during the fraudulent transactions.

The Federal Trade Commission reported that seniors aged 60 and over lost $1.9 billion to fraud in 2023, with the actual figure likely higher due to underreporting. Older adults were disproportionately targeted by tech support scams, prize/lottery scams, and impersonation fraud, while the number of seniors reporting losses exceeding $100,000 has tripled since 2020. The FTC's Scams Against Older Adults Advisory Group released recommendations across four areas—employee training, research, consumer education, and technology—to help prevent fraud targeting this vulnerable population.

An 81-year-old grandmother from Washington D.C. lost her entire life savings of $109,000 to a phone scammer posing as a Social Security Administration agent who convinced her that her personal information had been compromised and instructed her to transfer funds to secure her accounts. Despite red flags including grammatical errors in a fake Supreme Court certificate and the scammer's requests for unusual payment methods, Baxley made multiple transfers totaling $109,000 before her son discovered the fraud. This case reflects a broader trend in which scams targeting seniors aged 60 and older resulted in over $3.4 billion in losses last year, with experts advising that legitimate government agencies communicate

During Medicare open enrollment, seniors are targeted by scammers through unsolicited phone calls, texts, and phishing links seeking their Medicare numbers, which are as sensitive as Social Security numbers. Common tactics include offering lower plan prices, requesting payment for plan selection help, or promising free gifts in exchange for personal information. The Better Business Bureau advises seniors to hang up on unsolicited callers, verify requests directly with legitimate companies like Healthcare.gov or Medicare, and watch for red flags such as pressure to act immediately or offers that seem too good to be true.

Seniors reported losing more than $1.9 billion to fraud last year, with actual losses potentially reaching $61.5 billion when accounting for unreported cases, according to an FTC report highlighting romance scams, business impostor schemes, and cryptocurrency fraud as major threats. Older Americans face particular vulnerability due to retirement funds, life insurance proceeds, and assets that criminals target, and many victims avoid reporting due to shame or fear of being perceived as incapable. The FTC is strengthening protections through the Scams Against Older Adults Advisory Group and seeking congressional amendments to expand refund authority, while experts emphasize the need for banks and law enforcement to deploy advanced technology and increase criminal prosecution efforts.

**Note:** This article does not involve elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It describes a reported altercation between a Trump campaign staffer and an Arlington National Cemetery employee during a political visit in August 2024, with the heavily redacted police report released under court order. The cemetery worker declined medical treatment and chose not to press charges.

Walter Holt III, a 35-year-old Washington, Pennsylvania resident, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud for preparing and submitting falsified Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) COVID-19 relief loan applications for Charleroi borrowers in March and May 2021, collecting fees for the fraudulent applications. He faces up to 40 years in prison and $1 million in fines, with sentencing scheduled for January 31, 2025.

**Summary:** Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, a 40-year-old Nigerian national, was arrested upon arrival in the U.S. and indicted on 14 counts of wire fraud for operating a romance scam that defrauded victims of over $3.3 million. Operating under the alias "Giovanni" on dating websites, Nwadialo posed as a deployed military member and convinced victims to send money for various fabricated emergencies, including military fines, funeral expenses, and investment schemes, with one victim losing at least $2.4 million. Wire fraud carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.