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Victoria and Jeremy Hankins of Prentice, Wisconsin lost $14,000 in cash after purchasing a 2024 Toyota Camry through Facebook Marketplace that turned out to be stolen; the seller, known as "DeAndre," disappeared after the sale and used a forged vehicle title that was so authentic it initially fooled state authorities. The Better Business Bureau warns that significantly below-market prices, cash payments, and online marketplace purchases are major red flags for vehicle fraud. The community has begun raising funds through a GoFundMe campaign to help the family recover from the loss.

A wave of SMS phishing (smishing) scams impersonating U.S. toll authorities like E-ZPass, SunPass, and TxTag has spread across the country, with some users receiving up to 7 fraudulent messages daily. The scams use urgent language threatening fines or license suspension and direct victims to fake websites designed to steal personal and payment information through domains that closely mimic legitimate toll service sites. State transportation departments including Wisconsin and Arizona have issued public warnings, and the FBI recommends reporting suspicious messages to ic3.gov along with the originating phone number and malicious link.

Research shows veterans and active-duty military service members are nearly 40 percent more likely than civilians to fall victim to fraud, with scammers frequently impersonating Department of Veterans Affairs officials to exploit confusion surrounding government benefits programs. AARP Wisconsin is launching multiple initiatives to combat this threat, including a Veterans Fraud Center workshop, regional "Scam Jams" events, and a new Southeastern Wisconsin AARP Veterans Advisory Council to provide resources and fraud protection education. Scammers have particularly targeted veterans since 2022 regarding PACT Act benefits through email, phone, and social media schemes.

Scammers in Wisconsin are impersonating Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative employees via phone calls, claiming either that meters need installation or that payment is due, then requesting personal information to "verify" identity or update accounts. The cooperative warns customers that they never initiate calls requesting personal information and advises residents to hang up and contact the company directly if they receive such calls.

A 24-year-old Indian national living in California was arrested on April 9, 2025, in Washington County, Wisconsin, after attempting to defraud an elderly woman through a tech support email scam that gained access to her bank account. The suspect convinced the victim that a large refund had been accidentally deposited and instructed her to prepare $26,500 in cash for courier pickup, but the victim became suspicious and contacted authorities, leading to the suspect's arrest during the coordinated pickup. The suspect confessed to conducting similar fraud operations across multiple states under instructions from relatives in India, with travel and expenses covered by the fraud operation.

Employment scams are increasing as the job market becomes more competitive, with scammers exploiting job seekers through unsolicited messages offering work-from-home positions. In 2023, 810 people in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin reported employment scams resulting in $2.4 million in losses. Job seekers should be cautious of unsolicited offers, avoid clicking links or sharing personal information, proceed slowly through the hiring process, and look for verified badges on legitimate job postings.

A retired man in Wisconsin lost all his savings and went into debt after falling victim to an internet inheritance scam, forcing him to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. While his house is paid off, he now struggles to afford bankruptcy payments and risks losing his truck, which he needs for medical appointments. Dear Abby recommends he seek help from the Legal Aid Society or a pro bono attorney to explore options for reducing his bankruptcy payments.

Wisconsin has experienced an uptick in text message scams impersonating tolling agencies, directing recipients to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal data, financial information, or identities. To protect themselves, consumers should avoid clicking suspicious links, verify toll charges directly with legitimate agency contact information, report unwanted texts to their service provider, and delete suspicious messages without engaging with them.

A Wisconsin woman lost $80,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam after discovering it on Facebook and being lured by promises of rapid returns; she initially invested $30,000, saw her balance apparently double, invested additional funds, and ultimately paid an extra $30,000 in fraudulent "taxes and fees" before realizing the investment dashboard was fake. The scam exemplifies the growing sophistication of crypto fraud in the U.S., where Americans lost $1.4 billion to cryptocurrency-related scams in 2024, with police indicating recovery of the funds is unlikely.

A retired woman in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin lost her entire savings of $24,000 to a cryptocurrency scam after scammers impersonated Microsoft and her bank, convincing her to transfer money to a Bitcoin ATM under the false pretense of protecting her account from fraud. Local police reported an alarming increase in similar crypto scams over the past year, with some departments posting warning signs at Bitcoin ATMs to alert residents to common scam tactics. Once the money was transferred to the ATM, it was lost and likely moved internationally.

Credit card skimming devices were deployed at multiple locations across Milwaukee and Wisconsin between February and April, compromising the QUEST Cards (FoodShare/food stamp benefits) of vulnerable residents, including Miguel Sr., a disabled elderly man with limited English proficiency. The FBI estimates credit card skimming costs Americans over $1 billion annually; in response to this incident, the Department of Health Services reset PINs for 2,965 affected QUEST card users and advised recipients to change their PINs through the EBTEDGE website.

Wisconsin Public Service warned customers of a scam in which fraudsters impersonate utility company representatives and demand immediate payment to avoid service disconnection, creating false urgency to panic victims into providing banking information for theft. The scam targeted residential customers, businesses, and religious organizations across Wisconsin, with scammers requesting payment details to steal money and personal identity information. WPS advised customers to hang up suspicious calls and contact the company directly to verify any service issues.

Detective Michelle Viney and Gwen Ruppert from the Dane County Sheriff's Office discuss the rising sophistication of scams across Wisconsin and the nation, including AI-generated dating scams and cryptocurrency fraud that exploit advancing technology. The detectives emphasize the importance of public awareness in combating these increasingly complex schemes.

A Wisconsin woman lost over $500,000 to a romance scam, the fourth-largest amount lost to such fraud in the U.S., after meeting a man on a dating app who posed as an international oil rig worker and repeatedly requested money for emergencies. According to Nasdaq Verafrin, romance scams cost $3.8 billion globally in 2023, making them among the world's fastest-growing frauds. The victim, who had mortgaged her home and taken loans against her vehicles to send the money over seven months, eventually reported the scam to law enforcement with assistance from the Dane County Sheriff, FBI, and Internet Crime Complaint Center.

This weekend recap article mentions that romance scams are among the world's fastest-growing frauds, with $3.8 billion lost to romance scams and confidence schemes in 2023. A Wisconsin woman recently lost the fourth-largest amount of money in the U.S. to a romance scam, though specific dollar amounts and details about her case were not provided in this brief mention.

Kenosha, Wisconsin residents are falling victim to a rising cryptocurrency ATM scam where scammers trick victims into depositing cash into bitcoin machines, with three victims losing a combined $60,000 in untraceable funds. Scammers pose as police, banks, or tech support and pressure victims with urgent demands for payment, sometimes instructing them to deposit specific amounts like $9,500 into crypto ATMs. The Kenosha Police Department advises residents to hang up on suspicious calls, refuse urgent money demands, never use crypto ATMs, and is calling for state regulations similar to Minnesota and North Dakota that limit daily crypto ATM deposits to $2,000.

**Summary:** Two Milwaukee-area prenatal care coordination companies (PNCCs) have been referred to the Wisconsin Department of Justice for Medicaid fraud investigations, with eight additional PNCCs flagged by the state Department of Health Services for potential fraud, waste, or abuse. These companies, which operate in the infant mortality prevention sector, are being scrutinized as part of a broader state examination of the troubled industry.

Nirav B. Patel, a 44-year-old illegal immigrant from India, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in an imposter scam that defrauded elderly victims across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana of over $400,000. Patel served as a cash collector for the scheme, which involved fraudsters posing as federal agents and convincing elderly victims that their accounts were compromised, then pressuring them to withdraw life savings into fake government trust accounts; in one instance, he collected $177,000 in gold bars from an elderly woman using a walker at an assisted living facility. The scammers, based in India, use

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is warning residents of a phishing scam where fraudsters send unsolicited text messages impersonating WisDOT/DMV officials, claiming unpaid traffic violations or issuing "final notices" to trick recipients into sharing personal information. The scam has surged in recent weeks, with the DMV experiencing an influx of customer inquiries; residents are advised to ignore unsolicited messages, avoid clicking links, and sign up for official eNotify alerts to monitor account activity. Victims should report incidents to local law enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission, or IC3.gov.

Scammers in Wisconsin are impersonating the Wisconsin Department of Transportation DMV by sending text messages claiming unpaid traffic violations or final notices, attempting to trick recipients into revealing personal information or clicking malicious links. The Wisconsin DMV received a large volume of complaints on June 2 and noted similar scams had recently targeted Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and New York. The DMV advises residents not to respond to unsolicited texts, avoid clicking links, and warns to be suspicious of communications requesting money or creating urgency.

Minnesota Department of Public Safety issued a warning about scam text messages threatening residents with fines and license suspension for alleged outstanding traffic tickets. The texts falsely claim to be from the "Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles" or "DPSMN," include fake official language and links to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal information, and demand payment via wire transfer or similar methods. Officials recommend not responding to or clicking links in these messages, deleting them, and contacting Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) directly through drive.mn.gov if verification is needed; anyone who has already provided information or money should contact their bank and report the incident to law enforcement.

A Wisconsin consumer fell victim to a door-to-door charity scam where fraudsters convinced him to donate $40 but fraudulently charged his credit card $4,000 after scanning it. The state's Division of Trade and Consumer Protection recommends donating through familiar charities' official websites, paying by credit card for fraud protection, and verifying solicitors' credentials before contributing.

State Departments of Transportation in Idaho, Iowa, and Wisconsin issued warnings about phishing text scams impersonating state agencies and demanding payment for unpaid tolls or traffic violations, with threats of legal action. The scams have already targeted Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and New York, and are becoming more sophisticated by using fear tactics to trick victims into clicking malicious links or sharing personal information. State agencies advise recipients to ignore urgency demands, avoid clicking links or sharing information, block senders, and report scams to the FTC or Internet Crime Complaint Center.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) issued a public awareness alert ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, urging consumers to recognize and report scams targeting older adults. The advisory encourages community members to educate themselves and others about senior-targeting fraud schemes in order to protect vulnerable populations.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection is urging consumers of all ages to protect older adults from scams, noting that seniors lose significantly more money to fraud than younger consumers—a median of over $1,000 versus less than $500 for those under 60, according to 2024 FTC data. Scammers specifically target older adults who have larger savings, may lack technological familiarity, experience isolation, or have cognitive vulnerabilities. The state recommends five protective strategies: staying informed about common scams, having proactive conversations with seniors about fraud tactics, pausing before sharing personal information, consulting trusted contacts before acting, and reporting scams to help prevent future victimization.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection raised awareness about senior-targeting scams on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, noting that consumers aged 70 and over lost more than $1,000 per scam in 2024—double the losses of younger age groups—with investment, romance, and government imposter scams becoming increasingly sophisticated. The department recommends five preventative measures: staying informed about common scams, planning ahead to identify impersonation attempts, pausing before sharing personal information, consulting trusted contacts before acting, and reporting suspected fraud to authorities or the Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 422-7128.

On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15, 2025), the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions issued a public alert highlighting how social isolation—both voluntary and involuntary—significantly increases the risk of financial exploitation among older investors in the state. The awareness campaign emphasizes the connection between elderly isolation and vulnerability to financial fraud and scams.

Otaniyen Iduozee, a Nigerian citizen on a student visa, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for laundering millions of dollars obtained through romance scams targeting vulnerable Americans, primarily elderly and isolated individuals. Iduozee controlled fraudulent bank accounts and funneled victim money through various transactions to Nigeria, playing a central role in the money laundering operation. Upon completing his sentence, he has agreed to be deported from the United States.

Wisconsin residents reported receiving fraudulent letters impersonating a Canadian law firm claiming they were eligible to claim a $10 million life insurance policy (requesting $980,000 in processing fees) and a fake Medicare letter threatening penalty fees and requesting personal information from a soon-to-be Medicare enrollee. The article advises consumers to pause before acting, verify the sender's legitimacy, research common scam templates, and take preventative steps such as opting out of prescreened offers and reducing unsolicited mail through services like OptOutPrescreen.com and the DMA Mail Preference Service.

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Amy Jo Reid, a former senior vice president and director of purchasing at a Green Bay, Wisconsin bank, pleaded guilty to stealing $411,923 over a six-year period (May 2018 to May 2024) by charging personal expenses—including flights, hotel stays, casino gambling, and property taxes—to bank-issued purchase cards while submitting falsified or misleading documentation. Reid agreed to pay full restitution of $411,923 and faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine on three fraud charges.

Wisconsin Public Service warns customers to be cautious of phone and door-to-door scammers impersonating utility company employees who threaten service shutoffs and demand immediate payment via prepaid cards or digital payment apps like Venmo. The company advises verifying employee identity through official ID badges, avoiding response to suspicious calls or texts, and being cautious of unusual payment requests. More information is available on their website's scam safety page.

This article advises employees at the Universities of Wisconsin to remain vigilant against phishing scams following the July 7 launch of the Workday system. Employees should avoid clicking links or replying to suspicious emails or texts related to Workday, and should report any phishing attempts to [email protected] or through Outlook's reporting feature. The institution emphasizes that cybersecurity depends on shared responsibility and employee awareness.

**Summary:** Dongdong Ye and Mei Mei Dong, owners of Da Sushi restaurant in Rockledge, Florida, face felony theft charges in Wisconsin for allegedly operating a multi-state gift card scam targeting elderly victims. The scheme involved fraudulent tech support pop-ups that tricked victims into purchasing and providing gift card information; investigators traced gift card usage to store purchases in Florida and Canada, identifying Ye through surveillance footage showing distinctive tattoos. At least three elderly victims lost substantial amounts ($4,300, $25,000, and $75,000), with suspicious deposits totaling tens of thousands of dollars linked to the couple's bank account from victims in multiple states.

Mei Dong and Dong Ye, owners of a sushi restaurant in Rockledge, Florida, were arrested in June 2024 after a Wisconsin police investigation dating to 2023 uncovered an alleged tech support scam targeting seniors across multiple states. A 76-year-old victim was deceived into purchasing $4,300 in gift cards and wiring $10,000 to California after his computer was compromised, with investigators tracing the gift card purchases to the suspects through store surveillance and receipts. Both suspects bonded out of Florida jail and face theft and false representation charges in Wisconsin.

A gold investment scam has resurfaced in Platteville, Wisconsin, targeting elderly residents by impersonating government employees who claim victims have arrest warrants and can settle them by purchasing gold. At least two people have fallen victim to this scheme, which instructs targets to withdraw large sums of money, purchase gold from local dealers, and hand it over to a supposed intermediary who never returns. The Platteville Police Department warns residents to educate elderly family members about this fraud, as scammers use urgency and panic tactics to manipulate vulnerable populations.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin is warning residents about a rise in romance scams, which are among the most frequently reported scams to their office. Scammers initiate contact via social media (Facebook or Instagram), move conversations to private messaging apps, and quickly establish emotional relationships through "love bombing" while claiming to work far away to avoid in-person meetings. The scams rely on AI-generated fake profiles and pictures, and victims are eventually asked to send money to someone they've never actually met.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin issued a warning about romance scams, which are among the most frequently reported scams to their office. Scammers initiate contact via social media (Facebook or Instagram), move conversations to private messaging apps, rapidly build emotional connections through love-bombing, and request money from victims who have never met them in person. The scammers use AI-generated photos and fake profiles to appear legitimate while claiming to work far away and asking victims to keep the relationship secret.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin issued a warning about a prevalent romance scam targeting local residents. The scam typically begins with a fraudster contacting victims on Facebook or Instagram, then moving conversations to private messaging apps, building a rapid romantic relationship through love bombing, and eventually requesting money from the victim while claiming to have reasons (such as a distant job) to avoid meeting in person. Scammers use AI-generated photos and fake social media profiles to appear legitimate, making it crucial for people to avoid sending money to anyone they have not met in person.

Wisconsinites are being targeted with phishing text messages impersonating Amazon, claiming items failed quality inspections or are subject to recalls and offering full refunds without returns if recipients click provided links. The FTC issued an alert warning consumers to recognize red flags such as unexpected orders, unfamiliar sender numbers, and suspicious URLs, and to report suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Those who accidentally engage with scam links should immediately contact their bank and credit card companies, change passwords, and freeze their credit with the three major bureaus.

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A Grand Chute woman was defrauded of over $2.2 million in gold bars in a scam where she believed she was protecting her money, leading to federal charges against Antonio Peña and Brandi Durst for money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud. The scammers posed as Microsoft representatives, bank officials, and government agents to build trust, isolated victims from family members, and convinced them to convert retirement funds into gold bars, which the defendants would then steal. Gold bar scams have become increasingly common and specifically target elderly populations, as gold is difficult to trace and perceived as secure, making it ideal for money laundering schemes.

A nationwide gold coin scam victimized more than 50 people in Wisconsin, resulting in over $15 million in losses. A New Berlin couple lost $526,095 after scammers posing as U.S. Treasury officials convinced them to convert their cash to gold coins for protection; however, they stopped a fourth transfer after seeing a news report and contacted police, who arrested courier Roshan Shah during a sting operation when he attempted to pick up a decoy package filled with rocks instead of gold coins.

A Wisconsin man nearly fell victim to a sophisticated pop-up scam impersonating Target's account suspension process, which directed him to call a fraudulent number and provide financial information. The incident illustrates the increasing sophistication of fraud schemes; the FTC reported over 6.47 million fraud complaints in 2024 (a 25% increase from 2023), with Americans losing over $12.5 billion, and seniors over 70 experiencing median losses of $1,600. Law enforcement and organizations like AARP warn that scams are becoming more professionally organized—with an estimated 80% originating from crime syndicates outside the United States—and recommend protective measures including credit monitoring

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin issued a warning about romance scams, which are among the most frequently reported scams to their office. Scammers initiate contact via social media (Facebook/Instagram), move conversations to private messaging apps, quickly build romantic relationships through "love bombing," and request money from victims they've never met in person, often using AI-generated fake photos to appear legitimate. The article advises people to be cautious of online relationships and never send money to people they haven't met face-to-face.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin issued a warning about romance scams, one of the most frequently reported scam types in the area. Scammers initiate contact via social media (Facebook or Instagram), move conversations to private messaging apps, quickly build romantic relationships through love-bombing, and request money from victims who have never met them in person, often using AI-generated fake photos to appear legitimate.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin issued a public warning about a prevalent romance scam targeting local residents. The scam operates by having perpetrators initiate contact on social media (Facebook or Instagram), move conversations to private messaging apps, then rapidly build romantic relationships with victims using love-bombing tactics and AI-generated fake profiles before requesting money. Residents are advised to be cautious of online relationships with people they've never met in person and to never send money to strangers online.

Wisconsin officials warn of two scams targeting Amazon users: text messages falsely claiming product recalls and offering refunds that direct victims to fake Amazon sites to steal personal and financial information, and a cryptocurrency investment scam where a fraudster impersonated an online course instructor and convinced a victim to invest $40,000, ultimately resulting in a total loss of $140,000 when fake fees and taxes were demanded before withdrawal. Consumers are advised to never click unsolicited links, be wary of cryptocurrency investment offers on social media, and report suspected scams to Amazon or state authorities.

Wisconsin's Division of Trade and Consumer Protection warns that scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence tools—including chatbots for mass messaging, deepfake videos, and voice cloning—to deceive people and steal personal information and money. Scammers leverage AI because it allows them to contact multiple targets simultaneously and maintain convincing conversations. Consumers should watch for typical scam red flags including artificial urgency, suspicious payment requests, and requests for sensitive personal information.

This article describes common scams targeting consumers—including IRS impersonation calls, toll payment texts, and lottery email schemes—and notes that fraud losses reached $12.5 billion in 2024, a 25% increase from the prior year. Scammers typically use spoofed numbers, demand urgent payment, and attempt to steal personal information or get victims to click malicious links. The article provides five resources for victims: filing complaints with state agencies (Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection or Minnesota's Attorney General's Office), reporting to local police and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, contacting AARP's Fraud Watch Helpline at 877-908-