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**Summary:** This is an educational awareness piece from Larimer County Sheriff's Office highlighting current scam trends affecting Northern Colorado residents, particularly seniors. Chief Scambuster Barbara Bennett presents 20+ active scams including romance schemes, impersonation frauds (bank, IRS, law enforcement), tech-based scams (DocuSign phishing, hacked Facebook accounts), and marketplace fraud, while proposing a confidential support group for scam victims and their families to address shame and isolation barriers to reporting.

JPMorgan Chase is pursuing additional lawsuits against customers who exploited an "infinite money glitch" discovered in August 2024, which allowed users to deposit fraudulent checks via ATM and withdraw funds before the checks bounced. The bank has filed suits in Georgia, Florida, New York, and Texas against individuals accused of stealing amounts up to $75,000 each, and has sent demand letters to over 1,000 customers since October 2024, with a representative stating the bank will pursue cases "for as long as it takes to hold fraudsters accountable."

**Article:** "The Surprising Truth About the Age Group Most Likely to Fall for Financial Fraud" Recent FTC data reveals that younger adults (ages 20-29) are losing money to scams at nearly twice the rate of older adults, with 44% experiencing financial losses compared to 24% of those aged 70-79. Younger adults are primarily targeted through online scams including fake shopping sites, cryptocurrency fraud, and social media job offers, with their "digital native" status and tendency toward impulsive decision-making making them particularly vulnerable despite overconfidence in their tech savviness. The study emphasizes that scammers exploit age-specific psychological factors and online

A Nigerian-based scammer used fake photos of a German life coach to catfish Liza Likins, a widow in her mid-70s, during a 19-month online romance on Facebook Dating, eventually exploiting her for money. Catfishing—creating fraudulent identities on dating apps and social media to deceive victims—has become the top dating scam, with Meta removing 1.4 billion fake accounts in late 2024 and a Norton survey finding 40% of dating app users targeted by such scams. Scammers typically use stolen photos, AI-generated images, or celebrity identities to build trust before requesting cash or promoting bogus

Spanish police dismantled a cryptocurrency investment scam ring that used AI-generated deepfake videos of celebrities to defraud over 200 victims of approximately 19 million euros ($21.5 million). The scheme convinced investors to contribute funds to fake crypto ventures and pay additional fees to access their supposed returns. Seven suspects, including the ringleader who was arrested while attempting to flee to Dubai, face charges including fraud, money laundering, and document forgery.

A woman in Israel nearly fell victim to a romance scam when she attempted to deposit bitcoin into what she believed was tennis star Roger Federer's personal wallet at a crypto ATM. The article reveals that romance scams are a growing threat, with scammers impersonating celebrities and prominent figures to establish emotional connections before requesting money for fabricated crises. Crypto-related fraud has surged dramatically, with an 800% increase in fake cryptocurrency platforms and increasingly sophisticated schemes using AI-generated personas, fake trading platforms, and fabricated celebrity endorsements to deceive victims into transferring funds.

AARP identifies six major scams threatening consumers in 2025, with particular risks for older adults: AI-powered scams using deepfakes and convincing phishing, imposter scams impersonating trusted figures, employment scams targeting job seekers with fake offers, tech support scams (which cost Americans 60+ over $175 million in 2023), romance scams exploiting emotional connections, and cryptocurrency scams (resulting in $1.6 billion in losses for those 60+ in 2023). The article advises vigilance against sophisticated tactics, emphasizing that legitimate companies don't request Social Security numbers during hiring, tech support representatives shouldn't demand remote access, and legitimate

This opinion piece argues that Florida exemplifies America's vulnerability to fraud and scamming, and expresses concern that cryptocurrency and current political leadership are enabling widespread fraud at scale. The author contends that scamming has become endemic to American society, from corporate fraud to crypto schemes, and that the president's creation of a memecoin represents a normalization of fraud at the highest governmental levels.

**Romance Scam - Bobrisky Case** Social media personality Bobrisky fell victim to an online romance scam and lost $990 after chatting with a scammer for several months who claimed to be living in Canada. The scammer gained access to her cash transfer by offering his CashApp account to receive a deposit from an advertising client, then blocked her immediately after the money arrived. Bobrisky publicly shared evidence of the scam on Instagram seeking help to identify the perpetrator.

In 2024, Australians lost $2 billion to scams (down 25.9% from 2023), though more people fell victim to increasingly sophisticated impersonation scams, with social media being the leading contact method for financial loss at $69.5 million across 7,724 reports. Common impersonation scams include bank impersonation, government agency impersonation, family/friend impersonation using deepfakes, job scams requiring upfront payments or bank access, and celebrity endorsement scams. The key prevention strategies are to stop and verify before giving money or information, check requests independently using known contact details, and protect yourself by contacting your bank immediately

A West Bend, Wisconsin woman discovered her husband was victimized in a celebrity romance scam after he was contacted by someone impersonating Nancy Wilson of the band HEART on Facebook, leading him to send approximately $1,000 and share personal information including their home address. The scammer used AI-enhanced "deepfake" videos and fabricated money requests (including a $600 claim to dock a jet) to manipulate the victim, who professed love for someone he had never met. According to the FTC, romance scammers stole over $1 billion in 2023, with law enforcement noting these scams are difficult to trace since perpetrators typically operate internationally.

An elderly widow who had accumulated significant wealth through early Coca-Cola investments lost her entire fortune to an online scammer despite family warnings and police intervention; she now lives in assisted living on a $5,000 monthly VA pension with only $1,000 remaining after care costs. The article documents this case alongside similar romance scams targeting affluent seniors, including a 73-year-old Boeing retiree who lost over $20,000 to a scammer posing as an MSNBC anchor, and notes that banks typically cannot reimburse authorized transfers to scammers. Prevention strategies emphasized include skepticism of online offers, resistance to pressure tactics, verification of contacts, an

Romance scams are evolving to incorporate AI-generated videos and images to impersonate celebrities and create fake online relationships, with scammers targeting people of all ages but particularly vulnerable seniors who feel isolated. A French woman lost $850,000 to a fraudster claiming to be Brad Pitt who used AI to fabricate hospital photos and impersonate the actor, requesting money for medical treatment. Consumers should watch for red flags including unsolicited urgent contact, requests for personal information, and demands for upfront payments, and can verify suspicious photos through reverse image searches.

Romance scams are evolving with AI-generated videos and images to impersonate celebrities and create fake relationships, with scammers targeting Arizonans of all ages—particularly isolated seniors—to extract thousands of dollars through emotional manipulation and fabricated emergencies. A French woman lost $850,000 to a fraudster impersonating Brad Pitt using AI-generated hospital images, exemplifying how scammers build trust over months before requesting wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. Consumers should watch for red flags including unsolicited contact with urgency, requests for personal information, upfront payment demands, and suspicious grammar, and can verify photos through reverse image searches.

Actor Martin Henderson warned his 1.2 million Instagram followers to ignore fake accounts impersonating him after romance scammers fleece fans out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by posing as him and requesting money for flights, medical treatments, and legal fees. At least seven victims have come forward reporting losses ranging from $160,000 to $375,000, with scammers even attempting secondary scams posing as private investigators after the initial romance fraud was exposed. Henderson emphasized he has only one official Instagram account and urged people to be cautious as scammers become increasingly sophisticated with AI and deepfake technology.

Romance scammers impersonated New Zealand actor Martin Henderson across dozens of fake social media accounts, defrauding his fans of hundreds of thousands of dollars by posing as him and claiming he needed money for flights, medical treatment, and legal fees. At least seven victims came forward, including a woman who lost $375,000 believing she was in a relationship with Henderson; scammers continued pursuing victims with follow-up scams even after the romance scheme was exposed. Henderson publicly warned his 1.2 million Instagram followers that he has only one official account and urged them to ignore all impersonators, expressing concern that deepfake technology could make future scams even more convincing.

Canadians lost $638 million to scams in 2024, with impersonation and investment fraud being the costliest types, as fraudsters increasingly use sophisticated technology including AI to create convincing deepfakes and pose as legitimate organizations or celebrities. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reports that while fewer cases were processed in 2024 compared to 2023, authorities estimate 90-95% of fraud cases go unreported, and recommend Canadians verify unexpected calls or messages and be aware of red flags such as requests for personal information or unsolicited payment demands. Key prevention strategies include trusting instincts, questioning suspicious communications, and educating seniors about evolving scam tactics.

A 63-year-old woman from Los Angeles, Guadalupe Cepeda, was defrauded of over $3,000 by a scammer impersonating Latin pop star Enrique Iglesias through a fan group on social media. Over two years, the impostor used romantic manipulation and convinced her to send money via gift cards before her family traced the scammer to Nigeria. The real Enrique Iglesias responded by warning fans to only connect with verified accounts and cautioning against celebrity impersonation scams.

Online dating platforms face escalating risks from AI-driven romance scams and deepfake deception, with over half of online daters reporting being scammed or pressured to send money, and celebrity impersonation scams averaging nearly $2,000 in losses. LatamDate.com recommends safety practices including keeping conversations on-platform, using video verification features early, protecting personal information, and avoiding financial transactions in favor of secure in-app gifting features to help users distinguish authentic connections from sophisticated digital fraud.

In 2024, older adults lost a record $12.5 billion to scams and fraud—a 25 percent increase from 2023—with adults in their 70s reporting median losses of $1,000 compared to $417 for those in their 20s. The most common scams were imposter schemes (particularly government impostors, which surged from $171 million to $789 million), followed by online shopping, job opportunity, and investment scams, with investment fraud being the most lucrative for criminals at $5.7 billion in reported losses. The FTC notes that fraud's impact on older adults is often catastrophic, affecting retirement security and forcing

Katie Powell, a single mother from Portland, Oregon, was scammed out of $40,000 by a romance scammer posing as a civil engineer on Tinder who used Photoshopped images and emotional manipulation to gain her trust over several months. The scammer eventually convinced Powell to send money by claiming financial hardship and hospitalization, and later deposited $750,000 into her Vanguard retirement account—funds that were frozen and disappeared when the scheme unraveled. Romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals are increasingly common on dating apps, with approximately 70,000 people reporting such fraud to the FTC in 2022, and experts note that one in ten

Katie Powell, a single mother from Portland, Oregon, was scammed out of $40,000 by a romance scammer on Tinder who posed as a civil engineer working in Turkey. The scammer used fabricated photos (including a Photoshopped image of MLB pitcher Phil Hughes) and months of intensive communication to build trust before requesting money for medical emergencies, eventually moving $750,000 into her Vanguard retirement account before the funds disappeared. The article highlights that romance scams are increasingly prevalent on dating apps, with approximately 70,000 people targeted in 2022 alone, often using AI-generated fake profiles, and affecting vulnerable individuals seeking companionship.

Katie Powell, a single mother from Portland, Oregon, lost $40,000 to a romance scammer on Tinder who posed as a civil engineer working in Turkey and used fabricated photos and emotional manipulation to build trust over several months before requesting money. The scammer also fraudulently moved $750,000 into her Vanguard retirement account, which was frozen and the funds disappeared; romance scams are increasingly prevalent, with the FTC reporting approximately 70,000 victims in 2022 alone, particularly targeting people ages 40-69, and one in ten dating app profiles are reportedly fake profiles created by scammers using AI technology.

Hundreds of fake Facebook accounts impersonating actor Martin Henderson have been used in a global romance scam targeting vulnerable women, with at least one US divorcee losing $375,000 over two years believing she was in a relationship with the star. The fake accounts, many operated from Nigeria, use stolen images from Henderson's official Instagram and Virgin River publicity materials to build emotional connections with middle-aged and lonely women before requesting money for travel, medical emergencies, or investments. Henderson has warned fans that he maintains only one verified Instagram account and experts advise looking for poor English and suspicious requests as warning signs of these catfish schemes.

Romance scammers increasingly target lonely individuals on dating apps and social media using stolen photos and AI-generated deepfakes to establish fake identities. A Utah woman lost $187,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam, another became an unwitting money mule, and innocent West Haven resident Justin Yoder faced harassment after his photos were stolen and used to defraud victims. Reverse image searches and awareness of common tactics—such as targeting vulnerable individuals and gradually building trust before requesting money—can help people identify catfishing attempts before falling victim.

Scammers are increasingly targeting Substack writers and readers through impersonation of public figures like Keanu Reeves and the author themselves, using engagement patterns and trust-building tactics to gather information before attempting to defraud victims. The author, who lost one-third of her retirement funds to a scam in 2022, warns that sophisticated scammers profile users by age, hobbies, and interactions, and notes that recent romance scams alone exceeded half a billion dollars. She urges the community to be vigilant about fake celebrity accounts and impersonators, as even highly educated individuals and tech professionals have fallen victim to these schemes.

An organized Georgian call center network scammed approximately 6,000 people across the UK, Europe, and Canada out of $35 million (£27 million) between May 2022 and 2023 using deepfake videos and fake celebrity endorsements featuring Martin Lewis, Zoe Ball, and Ben Fogle to promote fraudulent cryptocurrency and investment schemes. UK victims were disproportionately affected, accounting for about £9 million in losses, with some individuals defrauded of over £160,000 after spending hundreds of hours on calls with scammers. The fraud was exposed through a leaked dataset of over 1 million call recordings that revealed how the approximately

In 2024, 53% of men and 47% of women experienced romance scams in online dating environments, with scammers impersonating military personnel or celebrities to build trust before requesting money or personal information from victims. The FBI reported that over 64,000 romance scams were reported in 2023 alone, resulting in $1.14 billion in losses. Veterans are advised to verify identities of new online contacts, protect sensitive information, be cautious of financial requests, trust their instincts, and report suspicious activity to relevant authorities including the FTC or VA benefits hotline.

Multiple women, including an American who lost $375,000, fell victim to romance scams using the likeness and identity of actor Martin Henderson over an extended period, with victims spanning the United States, Britain, and Ireland. After one victim's story was publicized, four additional women came forward, and scammers subsequently attempted secondary extortion by posing as private investigators offering money recovery services. Henderson has issued public warnings that he does not initiate contact through messaging apps and expressed concern that advancing deepfake technology could make such scams increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect.

According to the FBI's 2024 Elder Fraud Report, elder fraud complaints increased 46% with losses rising 43%, while New York ranked fourth nationally in complaints and monetary losses among seniors over 60. The median loss for victims aged 60+ exceeded $83,000, with investment scams causing the highest losses at $6.6 billion overall and New York seniors losing $257.7 million in 2024. AARP warns that holiday season scams are escalating, particularly gift card fraud, phishing, and delivery scams, and recommends shopping directly from official websites, purchasing gift cards only from authorized locations, and being wary of urgent requests for payment via gift cards or

When 13-year-old Lola clicked on a phishing email promising a free clothing voucher, she was redirected to enter her mother's debit card details for a claimed 99p verification charge, resulting in a £200 unauthorized transaction. Research from Vodafone found that nearly 840,000 British children aged 11-16 have been scammed online in the past year, with spoof ads and quizzes being the most common type of fraud, and 81% of parents reporting long-term psychological consequences including anxiety and depression in their children. The bank eventually refunded the money after a lengthy month-long process, but Lola advocates for greater online safety education

In 2024, romance scams affected 53% of men and 47% of women in online dating environments, with scammers creating fake personas to build trust with victims—often impersonating military personnel or celebrities—before requesting money or personal information. The FTC reported over 64,000 romance scams in 2023 alone, resulting in $1.14 billion in losses. Veterans are advised to verify identities of new online contacts, avoid sharing financial information, be cautious of unsolicited messages and monetary requests, trust their instincts, and report suspicious activity to the FTC or relevant authorities.

Cryptocurrency scams are evolving with AI technology, with pump-and-dump schemes and copycat tokens emerging as major threats in 2025. Scammers use AI agents to artificially boost coin prices before selling for profit, and create fraudulent tokens mimicking legitimate projects to deceive investors seeking early-stage opportunities. Experts advise investors to conduct thorough due diligence on projects, communities, and founders before investing, and to be suspicious of sudden price surges with no performance history.

Cryptocurrency remains vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated scams as technology advances. Experts warn of two major threats in 2025: AI-driven pump-and-dump schemes where scammers use hundreds of thousands of AI agents to artificially inflate coin prices before selling off for profit, and copycat token scams where fraudsters create fake or misleading tokens mimicking legitimate projects to deceive investors seeking ground-floor opportunities. The article advises investors to be suspicious of sudden price surges without history, conduct thorough due diligence on projects and founders, and avoid rushing into investments based on FOMO (fear of missing out).

Romance scams, where fraudsters create fake profiles on dating apps and social media to manipulate victims emotionally and extract money, have increased 14% globally in 2024 with over 1,193 new scam profiles detected. The United States (38%), Nigeria (14%), and India (12%) are the most affected countries, with scammers employing tactics like "love bombing," fake personas, and blackmail to exploit victims over weeks or months. Tech companies including Meta, Tinder, Bumble, and Google are implementing AI-powered detection systems, safety notices, and content filters to identify and remove fraudulent accounts and warn users of suspicious activity.

Romance scams using AI-generated deepfake videos impersonating celebrities became the most reported scams in 2024, with criminals creating hyper-realistic videos and audio to trick victims into fraudulent relationships or investment schemes. A recent investigation by London's Proactive Economic Crime Team led to two arrests after victims handed over approximately £200,000, including one individual who lost £60,000, while a similar case involving a deepfake of Martin Lewis and Elon Musk defrauded a tradesman of £76,000. The technology has evolved faster than regulatory measures, making it increasingly difficult for the public to distinguish real from fabricated content, with deepfake attempts occurring every five

A French woman lost $850,000 to a scammer impersonating Brad Pitt using AI-generated images and videos in a year-long online romance scheme, with the fraudster claiming to need money for medical treatment. Multiple other women have been similarly victimized by fake celebrity dating scams involving impersonations of Brad Pitt, Keanu Reeves, and other stars, exploiting victims' vulnerability to flattery, loneliness, and difficulty detecting deepfakes and AI-generated content. Experts note that advances in AI technology, combined with victims' common traits of being trusting and susceptible to persuasion, make these scams increasingly effective and difficult to identify using

Romance scams cost Americans $1.14 billion in 2023, with a median loss of $2,000 per victim, and $384 million in the first nine months of 2024 alone. Scammers create fake profiles on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, build emotional relationships with victims, and then request money or investment opportunities; one elderly widow lost an estimated $50,000-$60,000 to seven overlapping romance scams over seven years. To protect themselves, users should verify identities through video calls, be skeptical of requests for money or personal information, and report suspicious accounts to platforms.

Romance scammers operating primarily from overseas (notably Nigeria and Ghana) use fake dating profiles with stolen photos to build false romantic relationships with Americans, then manipulate victims into sending money. The FBI and FTC report that romance scams caused over $1 billion in losses in 2023, with more than 64,000 victims, and scammers employ sophisticated tactics including impersonating celebrities and military members. To protect themselves, people should avoid sending money to online-only contacts, verify profile photos through reverse image searches, and be cautious about sharing personal information on social media and dating platforms.

Meta Platforms is warning users about romance scams that surge around Valentine's Day, where scammers pose as attractive, successful individuals with fake or AI-generated photos to build trust before requesting money for emergencies or cryptocurrency investments. The company recently dismantled romance scam networks impersonating military officers, celebrities, and matchmaking agencies, and is testing facial recognition tools to identify fake profiles. Meta advises users to verify strangers' identities through profile details and reverse image searches, and to be skeptical of any money requests.

Meta Platforms warned users ahead of Valentine's Day about romance scams targeting people through Facebook, Instagram, and text messages, where scammers pose as attractive, successful individuals with military, medical, or business backgrounds and use stolen or AI-generated photos to build trust before requesting money for emergencies or cryptocurrency investments. Meta recently dismantled romance scam networks impersonating military officers, celebrities, and fake matchmaking agencies targeting vulnerable populations, and is testing facial recognition tools to identify fake celebrity accounts. Users are advised to verify stranger identities through reverse image searches, check account creation dates, and remain skeptical of any requests for money via gift cards or payment apps.

Meta Platforms is warning users about romance scams on Instagram and Facebook, particularly ahead of Valentine's Day, where scammers pose as attractive, successful individuals with military, medical, or business backgrounds to build trust before requesting money or cryptocurrency investments. The company recently dismantled romance scam networks impersonating military officers, celebrities, and fake matchmaking agencies targeting people in Africa, and is testing facial recognition tools to identify fake profiles. Users are advised to verify strangers' identities through account creation dates and reverse image searches, and to be skeptical of any requests for money or gift cards.

Celebrity impersonation scams use AI-generated images, videos, and voices to impersonate famous figures like Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Swift, and Brad Pitt, defrauding victims of hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars through fake giveaways, investment opportunities, and cryptocurrency schemes. Key warning signs include unsolicited messages asking for money or personal information, with victims advised to verify celebrity identities through official social media accounts and remember that celebrities will not solicit funds directly. Fraud losses from generative AI are projected to reach $40 billion by 2027, up from $12.3 billion in 2023.

Romance scammers exploit Valentine's Day and other occasions by impersonating military personnel, celebrities, or fake dating agencies across social media and messaging platforms to build trust with victims before soliciting money via wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. A tech company disrupted multiple romance scam networks operating across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, and other platforms, with schemes originating from Nigeria and Kenya targeting users in the US, UAE, Japan, Africa, and other regions. The company recommends users verify identities, avoid sending money to unknown contacts, and use platform safety tools to protect against these schemes.

Meta has removed over 116,000 accounts in 2025 linked to romance scams where fraudsters impersonate celebrities or U.S. military members to build relationships and solicit payments via gift cards and cryptocurrency. The scams, which cost victims over $500 million in 2021 according to the FTC, often originate in West African countries and operate across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, with AI technology making it increasingly easier for scammers to create convincing fake identities and deepfake videos.

The FBI warned of rising romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day, with victims losing $1.14 billion in 2023 according to the FTC. Scammers create fake profiles on dating apps and social media, build trust quickly, and manipulate victims—sometimes impersonating celebrities or military personnel—to send money or invest in cryptocurrency, with one victim losing $850,000 to a scammer posing as Brad Pitt. Red flags include requests for money, reluctance to meet in person or video chat, and inconsistent stories; prevention through identity verification and caution about rapidly escalating relationships is the best defense.

Romance scammers intensify their tactics around Valentine's Day, using social media research and emotional manipulation to build trust with victims before requesting money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Scammers employ various schemes including fabricated emergencies (medical bills, travel costs, equipment damage) and increasingly sophisticated methods like Bitcoin transactions, while also resorting to blackmail and threats. Experts advise vigilance across all communication channels and recommend contacting local law enforcement if victimized, noting that while elderly individuals were traditionally targeted, younger people are now also vulnerable to these evolving scams.

Romance scams targeting older Americans have surged, with fraudsters impersonating celebrities like Keanu Reeves, Jason Momoa, Sandra Bullock, and Ryan Reynolds to build fake emotional relationships and extract money. Charlie, a banking service for seniors, released this data to raise awareness that scammers exploit lonely older adults through online dating sites and social media, fabricating crises to pressure victims into sending money—with one victim losing over $800,000 in a Brad Pitt impersonation scam. Seniors can protect themselves by recognizing warning signs including rapid professions of love, avoidance of in-person meetings, fabricated emergencies, and requests for

Romance scams targeting older Americans have surged, with fraudsters impersonating celebrities like Keanu Reeves, Jason Momoa, and Sandra Bullock to build fake emotional relationships and extract money. The scams exploit loneliness among seniors, with victims losing an average of $35,000 each, as demonstrated by a recent case where someone lost over $800,000 in a Brad Pitt impersonation scam. Charlie, a banking service for Americans 62+, released this data to educate seniors on red flags including rapid professions of love, avoidance of in-person meetings, fabricated emergencies, and requests for secrecy.

A cybercriminal group earned US$46 million from deepfake romance scams targeting men across Asia, including cases like an 80-year-old Malaysian widow losing RM30,000 to an AI-generated video mimicking a Chinese celebrity. In 2024, Malaysians lost US$12.8 billion to scams overall, with deepfake technology making it increasingly difficult to distinguish genuine online dating profiles despite facial verification features. The article advises victims to avoid unverified investment advice from online contacts, refrain from sharing personal information early in conversations, and limit location sharing to protect against emotional manipulation and physical safety threats.