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Malachi Mullings, 31, from Sandy Springs, Georgia, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for laundering over $4.5 million stolen through business email compromise (BEC) scams, romance fraud, and healthcare benefits fraud. Mullings opened approximately 20 shell company bank accounts between 2019 and 2021 to launder the proceeds, which he spent on luxury items including a Ferrari purchased with $260,000 fraudulently obtained from an elderly romance scam victim. His criminal network targeted businesses, healthcare programs, and vulnerable elderly individuals across the United States.

Malachi Mullings of Sandy Springs was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for laundering over $4.5 million obtained through romance fraud and business email compromise schemes between 2019 and 2021. Mullings opened 20 fraudulent bank accounts to hide proceeds from scams targeting elderly victims and private companies, using stolen funds to purchase luxury items including a Ferrari bought with $260,000 stolen from an elderly romance fraud victim. He was ordered to pay restitution to victims and serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

Older adults, despite 88% using the internet, are increasingly targeted by scammers who exploit fears and lack of technical knowledge to steal identities and money. The author, a 50-year finance professional, fell victim twice to tech support scams that tricked him into providing sensitive information including his Social Security number and credit card details. FBI data shows elder fraud complaints rose 14% recently with victims averaging losses of $33,915, and common scams targeting seniors include fake tech support calls, Medicare/health insurance fraud, internet pop-up viruses, and telemarketing schemes.

Malachi Mullings, a Sandy Springs man, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for laundering over $4.5 million stolen from romance fraud schemes and business email compromise scams between 2019 and 2021. Mullings operated 20 fraudulent bank accounts under a fake company name to hide proceeds from schemes targeting elderly victims and healthcare programs, using some stolen funds to purchase luxury items including a Ferrari purchased with $260,000 taken from an elderly romance fraud victim. He was ordered to pay restitution and faces three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

AARP Virginia identifies three prevalent Medicare scams in 2024: false billing for unreceived diabetes treatments and devices, offers of free products (typically cheap or nonexistent) in exchange for Medicare numbers, and free genetic testing at health fairs designed to harvest Medicare information. Seniors are advised to scrutinize monthly Medicare statements, only share their Medicare number with legitimate healthcare providers, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement or AARP's Fraud Watch Network.

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Minal Patel, a Georgia man who owned LabSolutions in Atlanta, was sentenced to 27 years in prison for orchestrating a $463 million Medicare fraud scheme involving unnecessary genetic cancer tests. Patel used telemarketing calls to recruit Medicare beneficiaries, paid kickbacks and bribes to patient brokers and telemedicine companies to obtain fraudulent doctor's orders, and submitted claims to Medicare from 2016 to 2019, resulting in $187 million in actual payouts to his company, of which Patel personally received over $21 million. The case was part of a larger federal investigation that charged 35 people involved in billing billions in fraudulent

Leslie Smith, a 63-year-old licensed attorney and office manager at an Indianapolis podiatry practice, was sentenced to five and a half years in federal prison and ordered to pay $2,341,655.08 in restitution after pleading guilty to healthcare fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion. Over several years, Smith submitted approximately 288 fraudulent Medicaid claims for oxygen monitoring devices totaling $1.75 million, fraudulently obtained COVID-19 mortgage assistance funds using a deceased relative's property, sold a jointly-owned home without consent by forging her co-owner's signature, and failed to file federal income tax returns from 2018-2

A Mount Zion woman was charged with stealing over $100,000 in cash and property from an elderly female victim between May 2022 and July 2023. Ali L. Fisher, 31, faces two counts including financial exploitation of an elderly person and obtaining control of property through deception, with the alleged theft totaling more than $40,000 in additional cash. Fisher was arrested on May 14 and released on pretrial release pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 24 in Macon County Circuit Court.

Malachi Mullings, 31, of Georgia was sentenced to 10 years in prison for laundering over $4.5 million obtained through business email compromise (BEC) schemes targeting healthcare programs and companies, as well as romance scams targeting elderly victims, between 2019 and 2021. Mullings opened 20 fraudulent bank accounts under a fake company name to conceal the proceeds and used funds to purchase luxury items, including a Ferrari bought with $260,000 from a romance scam. The case highlights ongoing efforts to prosecute money launderers facilitating cyber fraud schemes.

An Australian businesswoman fell victim to a phishing text scam impersonating Coles supermarket, which lured her to a fake website by claiming her loyalty rewards points were expiring soon. The scam, which has been circulating for months and targeting multiple Australian loyalty programs (Coles, Qantas Frequent Flyer, and Telstra), is designed to steal personal information like passwords and banking details for fraudulent activities. Scamwatch received 209 reports of this scam in four months, with authorities warning Australians not to click links in unsolicited messages claiming to be from major retailers or loyalty programs.

**Summary:** Ariell Dix, age 37, was convicted of two felonies related to illegal control of an enterprise and sentenced to three and a half years in prison for her role in an Arizona Medicaid (AHCCCS) fraud scheme. Dix helped establish fraudulent clinics, obtained patient lists for illegal billing, and falsified records to enable the scheme, which defrauded the state of tens of millions of dollars between January 2019 and September 2021.

Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (observed around June 5) educates Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers, families, and healthcare providers on protecting themselves from fraud, errors, and abuse through monitoring statements, protecting Medicare numbers, and reporting suspicious activity. The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program offers free resources like My Health Care Trackers and educational support to help individuals detect and prevent Medicare fraud, which causes significant harm to both beneficiaries and the Medicare program.

Medicare Fraud Prevention Week educates beneficiaries, caregivers, families, healthcare providers, and community members on protecting themselves and others from Medicare fraud, which costs the program an estimated amount annually. Key prevention strategies include monitoring Medicare statements for unauthorized services, safeguarding Medicare numbers, reviewing medical equipment shipments, and reporting suspicious activity to the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), which provides free resources and educational services to detect and report fraud, errors, and abuse. Individuals can contact the SMP at 1-800-963-5337 for questions and assistance with potential Medicare fraud concerns.

Medicare is a frequent target for criminal scammers, with the Senior Medicare Patrol reporting three prevalent scams in 2024: false billing for diabetes treatments and devices that were never received, offers of free products that are either never delivered or of poor quality, and fraudulent free genetic testing at health fairs used to obtain Medicare numbers. To protect themselves, beneficiaries should carefully review their monthly Medicare statements for unauthorized charges, never share their Medicare number with anyone except healthcare providers, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement or the AARP Fraud Watch Network.

Three trending Medicare scams in 2024 include false billing for diabetes treatment and devices not received, fraudulent offers of free products that are cheap or never delivered, and fake genetic testing schemes at health fairs designed to steal Medicare numbers. Seniors are advised to scrutinize monthly Medicare statements, never share their Medicare number with unsolicited offers, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement or the AARP Fraud Watch Network.

Criminals are targeting Australian Age Pension recipients with social media messages and online advertisements promising non-existent "bonus" payments of up to $1,800 from Centrelink, directing victims to fake websites designed to steal personal information. Services Australia warns seniors to only use official government websites and highlights multiple active scams affecting older Australians, including MyGov impersonation, Medicare fraud, fake disaster relief, COVID-19 schemes, and deepfake investment scams that have caused significant financial losses. The Australian government has allocated $67.5 million over four years to combat scamming, but individuals must remain vigilant about unsolicited messages and suspicious links.

This educational piece highlights World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15), which aims to raise global awareness about physical, emotional, and financial exploitation of older adults. AARP and Florida organizations are hosting multiple virtual and in-person events throughout June to educate seniors and caregivers on fraud prevention, scam recognition, and elder protection resources, with information available on the Florida Fraud Resource Page.

Three prevalent Medicare scams in 2024 include false billing for diabetes treatment and devices on statements of non-diabetic beneficiaries, fraudulent offers of free products that are either never delivered or of poor quality, and fake free genetic testing solicitations at health fairs that require Medicare numbers. Consumers are advised to carefully review monthly Medicare statements, report false charges, and avoid sharing their Medicare numbers with anyone other than legitimate healthcare providers.

**Medicare Fraud Prevention Week Educational Piece** Senior Medicare Patrol Hawai'i is promoting Medicare fraud awareness during June 3-9, highlighting that Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion annually to false claims. The organization recommends beneficiaries use a free "My Health Care Tracker" booklet to log health services and cross-check against billing statements, monitor for unauthorized use of their Medicare number, and never share their Medicare number with unsolicited callers—while caregivers, families, and community members should watch for suspicious medical equipment deliveries and encourage loved ones to protect their Medicare information as they would a credit card number.

Senior Medicare Patrol Hawaii is hosting Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (June 3-9) to educate the public about Medicare fraud schemes, offering a free webinar on June 8 and providing resources like the "My Health Care Tracker" booklet to help seniors detect fraudulent claims. Medicare loses approximately $60 billion annually to false claims, and the program teaches seniors and their caregivers how to prevent, detect, and report fraud by monitoring billing statements, protecting their Medicare numbers, and reporting suspected identity theft.

**Article:** Blue Shield of California Medicare Fraud Prevention Week Alert Blue Shield of California warned Medicare beneficiaries during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (June 3-9, 2024) about scams targeting seniors seeking personal, financial, and health plan information. Healthcare fraud costs the U.S. up to $300 billion annually, with older adults accounting for 40% of call center fraud complaints and 58% of losses—nearly $770 million in 2023, more than all other age groups combined. The organization recommends seniors protect themselves by never sharing personal information, verifying callers through official numbers like 1-800-MEDICARE, reviewing Explanation of Benefits statements

Blue Shield of California issued a Medicare Fraud Prevention Week alert warning seniors about scammers targeting personal and financial information, noting that healthcare fraud costs up to $300 billion annually in the U.S. and that older adults lost nearly $770 million to call center schemes in 2023—more than all other age groups combined. The health plan recommends Medicare beneficiaries protect themselves by never sharing personal information unsolicited, refusing free offers for medical care, and contacting Medicare directly at 1-800-633-4227 if they suspect fraudulent activity.

Medicare fraud costs the system an estimated $60 billion annually and directly harms beneficiaries through stolen medical identities, increased stress, wasted time navigating fraudulent claims, and potential health complications. Perpetrators exploit the Medicare system to commit identity theft and financial crimes that extend beyond monetary losses to affect seniors' medical records and care.

Medicare fraud costs an estimated $60 billion annually and affects beneficiaries through loss of medical identity, time, stress, and potential health consequences. The Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol launched Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (June 5-6) to educate beneficiaries, caregivers, families, and healthcare providers on protective measures such as monitoring insurance statements, verifying medical equipment orders, safeguarding Medicare numbers, and reporting suspicious activity.

Medicare fraud costs the government billions annually and affects beneficiaries through fraudulent billing schemes ranging from unnecessary medical tests to identity theft using stolen Medicare numbers. Senior Medicare Patrols (SMPs) work to help beneficiaries and caregivers prevent and detect fraud, with Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (held annually in June) providing education on common scams including unwanted COVID-19 test kits, genetic testing, and durable medical equipment schemes. Beneficiaries can protect themselves by monitoring Medicare statements, refusing unsolicited offers for free services or equipment, and immediately reporting suspicious charges to Medicare.

The Ishpeming Multi-Purpose Senior Center hosted a free scam awareness presentation featuring Michigan's Assistant Attorney General Kristen Stinedurf, who addressed phishing, AI scams, and fraud warning signs across calls, texts, mail, and email. The presentation, held in partnership with the Tri-County Office on Aging, targeted seniors new to Medicare and technology who receive frequent scam-related communications, aiming to help attendees recognize and avoid fraud.

**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.

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.

Medicare fraud costs the nation $60 billion annually, with Michigan experiencing a rise in scams targeting the 22% of its population enrolled in Medicare. Common scams include imposters claiming to be from Medicare calling to verify personal information and healthcare providers billing for unnecessary services; seniors are advised to hang up on any calls claiming to be from Medicare, monitor their Explanation of Benefits monthly, and report suspicious charges. Last year, 23 Michigan home health-care operators were charged with Medicare fraud totaling over $61 million in fraudulent billings.

This is a personal essay by columnist Mary Mitchell about retirement planning and lifestyle, not a news article about fraud or elder abuse. While the piece briefly mentions that scammers target seniors and that elder fraud resulted in $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 (an 11% increase), the main focus is Mitchell's advice on avoiding depression, staying active, protecting finances from scams, decluttering thoughtfully, and appreciating retirement privileges. The fraud reference serves as one of five general retirement tips rather than detailing a specific scam incident.

On June 15, 2024, U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and highlighted that financial exploitation is the most common form of elder abuse, costing older adults an estimated $23 billion annually. The U.S. Attorney's Office has expanded efforts to combat elder fraud through initiatives including the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force, which targets foreign-based schemes, the Money Mule Initiative to disrupt fraud networks, and Senior Scam Alerts educating the public about common schemes such as Social Security impostor scams, tech support fraud, and lottery scams.

The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens nationwide, including in Mississippi, where fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money. These scams use tactics such as fabricating urgent debts or prize claims, threatening arrest or deportation, and demanding payment through untraceable methods like gift cards and cryptocurrency. The IRS advises seniors to hang up on unexpected calls claiming to be from the agency and to report suspected scams to the IRS at 1-800-366-4484.

The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors nationwide, particularly in Louisiana, where fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers use advanced tactics including spoofed caller IDs, fabricated debt claims, and pressure for immediate payment via gift cards or wire transfers to exploit victims. The IRS recommends hanging up on unexpected calls about tax issues and verifying legitimacy by calling official IRS customer service at 800-829-1040.

The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning on June 12, 2024, about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors who are deceived by fraudsters posing as IRS or other government agency representatives. Scammers use manipulated caller IDs, fabricated urgent scenarios, and pressure victims to make immediate payments via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to steal personal information and money. The IRS recommends that anyone receiving unsolicited calls from alleged IRS representatives should hang up immediately and verify legitimacy by calling the official IRS customer service line at 800-829-1040.

The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about impersonation scams targeting seniors in Illinois and nationwide, where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use tactics such as spoofed caller IDs, fabricated urgent scenarios (false tax debts or refunds), threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The IRS recommends hanging up on unexpected calls claiming to be from the IRS, never returning calls using provided numbers, and verifying legitimacy by contacting IRS customer service at 800-829-1040.

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 Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting Mississippi seniors, where fraudsters pose as IRS or government agency representatives to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers use pressure tactics, fake urgency, and demand payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, often spoofing caller IDs to appear legitimate. The IRS advises that anyone receiving an unexpected call claiming to be from the IRS should hang up immediately and not return the call, as the IRS initiates contact by mail about account issues.

The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about impersonation scams targeting seniors in Illinois and nationwide, where fraudsters pose as IRS or other government agency officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use tactics such as spoofed caller IDs, fabricated urgent scenarios (false tax debts or refunds), threats of arrest, and demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to pressure victims into immediate action. The IRS advises recipients of unsolicited calls claiming to be from the IRS to hang up immediately and contact legitimate IRS customer service at 800-829-1040 to verify any communications.

Quincy Police arrested a suspect for residential burglary at a retirement home who allegedly stole credit and debit cards from elderly residents' apartments. Police and senior advocates warn that criminals target seniors due to their trust and desire for connection, though most crimes against the elderly involve scams conducted via phone, online, or mail. Authorities recommend family members help protect seniors by reviewing their mail and accounts for suspicious charges, discussing scam recognition, monitoring for unauthorized contact, and maintaining regular check-ins to catch fraud early.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens, where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use high-pressure tactics and spoofed caller IDs to demand immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency for fictitious tax debts or false refunds. The IRS advises recipients of unexpected calls claiming to be from the agency to hang up immediately and instead contact IRS customer service directly at 800-829-1040 to verify any legitimate tax issues.

Scammers impersonating federal agencies caused Americans to lose approximately $1.3 billion in the past year, with financial losses surging over sevenfold since 2019. Generative AI technology, particularly voice cloning, has made these impersonation scams more convincing and successful, with criminals posing as Medicare, IRS, law enforcement, and other federal officials to pressure victims into disclosing sensitive information or paying fraudulent fees. The article emphasizes that federal agencies need enhanced tools and tactics to combat these evolving threats, as these scams exploit public trust in government institutions.

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.

In observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the IRS Criminal Investigation's Charlotte Field Office is promoting fraud awareness to combat the rising tide of financial crimes against seniors. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals aged 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses from scams including tech support fraud, government impersonation, phishing, and romance schemes. The IRS employs education, criminal investigations, and public-private partnerships to combat elder fraud, with recent prosecutions including a home health care operator sentenced to 45 months for stealing over $1 million from elderly clients and an investment fraudster sentenced to

The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens in Kansas and nationwide, where fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use tactics including caller ID spoofing, fabricated tax debts or refunds, threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The IRS advises recipients of suspicious calls claiming to be from the IRS to hang up immediately and contact IRS customer service at 800-829-1040 to verify any legitimate tax issues.

The IRS has renewed warnings about impersonation scams targeting older adults, where fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers use tactics including spoofed caller IDs, fabricated urgent debts or prize claims, 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 IRS to hang up immediately and verify legitimacy by calling the official IRS number (800-829-1040) rather than using any number provided by the caller.

The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens, in which fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers use tactics including caller ID spoofing, false claims of tax debt or prize winnings, threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The IRS advises seniors to hang up on unexpected calls claiming to be from the IRS, verify communications through official channels at 800-829-1040, and report suspicious activity.

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, highlighting that while consumers over 60 lose money to scams less frequently than younger people, they lose significantly larger amounts when victimized—averaging nearly $1,000 compared to under $500 for those under 60. Common scams targeting seniors include grandparent scams (using impersonation and AI voice cloning), Medicare scams during enrollment periods, and tech support scams falsely claiming to be from Apple or Microsoft. The article provides prevention strategies for each scam type and guidance on how to supportively help victims by responding with empathy, listening to their experience, validating their story, and assisting with reporting and recovery steps.

Healthcare scams targeting vulnerable populations—including older adults, new mothers, surgery patients, and people with chronic conditions—have caused Americans to lose $10.3 billion to internet fraud in 2022 alone. Common scams involve impersonators contacting victims via phone, text, or email to steal personal information, banking details, or convince them to wire money by creating a sense of panic about their healthcare coverage. To protect yourself, verify caller identity before sharing sensitive information, read communications carefully for red flags, avoid clicking suspicious links, and contact your healthcare provider directly if you're unsure about any request.

The IRS has issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting South Carolina seniors, in which fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) or businesses to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers use tactics including caller ID spoofing, fabricated claims of debts or prizes, pressure for immediate action with threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for payment through cryptocurrency, wire transfers, gift cards, or payment apps. The IRS advises recipients of unexpected calls to hang up immediately, avoid returning calls to provided numbers, verify communications directly with the IRS at 800-829-1040, and report suspected sc