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in Robocalls / Phone Scams
people.com
· 2025-12-08
Sharon Brightwell of Florida lost $15,000 to scammers who used AI-cloned audio of her daughter's voice in a fake emergency scheme. On July 9, Brightwell received a call mimicking her daughter's number where she heard AI-generated crying claiming a car crash occurred; a fake attorney then demanded $15,000 bail, which she paid, and scammers attempted to extort an additional $30,000 by claiming the daughter had caused a miscarriage. The daughter's son intervened and confirmed via a three-way call that she was safe at work, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is investigating the case.
gbnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Television personality Ore Oduba, a former Strictly Come Dancing champion and host of BBC's Claimed and Shamed fraud awareness program, fell victim to an elaborate online scam in which fraudsters impersonated self-help expert Mel Robbins using AI-generated correspondence. After publicly endorsing Robbins on ITV's Loose Women, Oduba received fake emails from a Gmail account posing as Robbins' podcast team, which he initially believed before noticing red flags like misspelled email addresses and inconsistencies that he confirmed with Robbins' official PR team. Oduba publicly shared his experience in an emotional video to raise awareness about how scams can deceive
panewslab.com
· 2025-12-08
A cryptocurrency investment scam originating from mainland China spread to Hong Kong in 2025, affecting at least 118 victims aged 33-80 who lost approximately HK$3.2 million through a fraudulent platform called "DGCX Xinkangjia." Hong Kong police arrested four local suspects in July 2025 for organizing promotional dinners that recruited victims and collected HK$3.89 million, though most funds remain unrecovered as the fake trading platform never invested the money and used funds to maintain operations and process other victims' withdrawals. The use of USDT stablecoin for transactions has complicated investigation, fund recovery, and victim compensation efforts.
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A seminar in Chandigarh organized by the Second Inning Association highlighted digital fraud as an escalating threat to senior citizens, with police, Reserve Bank of India, and Bombay Stock Exchange officials warning that cybercriminals use psychological manipulation, fake rewards, and impersonation to target vulnerable elderly individuals—even highly educated retirees and former bureaucrats. Experts emphasized that victims should immediately report crimes to police (dial 112) or the cybercrime helpline (1930), practice "digital isolation" by verifying messages before responding, and that financial institutions must enhance staff training and client education on cyber safety. In Chandigarh alone, cybercrimes
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A seminar in Chandigarh organized by the Second Inning Association addressed the growing threat of digital fraud targeting senior citizens, with officials from Chandigarh Police, the Reserve Bank of India, and Bombay Stock Exchange highlighting that cybercriminals exploit ignorance, fear, and greed through phishing scams, fake investment offers, and fraudulent calls—even affecting highly educated and retired professionals. The experts recommended that financial institutions increase cyber safety education for elderly clients, staff train to detect suspicious activity, victims report crimes immediately to police (dial 112) or the cybercrime helpline (1930), and individuals practice "digital isolation" by verifying messages before responding. In one
northfortynews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Larimer County Sheriff's Office issued a public alert about a surge in fraud targeting Northern Colorado residents, particularly seniors and small business owners, including romance scams, bank impersonation, fake government texts (DMV, law enforcement), and business invoice schemes that pressure victims to pay via Bitcoin, gift cards, or money apps. Common red flags include unsolicited requests for personal information, urgent threats, and payment demands via untraceable methods, with victims urged to verify requests directly with official sources and report fraud to law enforcement and agencies like the FTC and IdentityTheft.gov.
koco.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple scams are currently targeting Oklahomans, including fake bank fraud calls where scammers impersonate financial institutions to obtain personal information and conduct unauthorized wire transfers, as well as grandparent scams where callers impersonate relatives claiming to be in emergencies. To protect themselves, Oklahomans are advised to hang up on unsolicited calls, avoid sharing personal information like passwords or account numbers, independently verify emergencies by directly contacting the person or institution involved, and report suspected scams to police, banks, and the state attorney general's office.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Michael Shannon Sims and Juan Carlos Reynoso were charged with wire fraud and money laundering for operating OmegaPro, a fraudulent forex trading platform that defrauded investors of over $650 million between 2019 and 2023. The scheme operated as a Ponzi scheme with pyramid scheme elements, using lavish promotional events and social media displays of wealth to lure victims with promises of up to 300% returns, while no actual trading occurred and the defendants used stolen funds for personal expenses. The scam eventually collapsed in 2023 when victims were told their accounts had been "hacked" and were directed to a non-existent successor platform, leaving them unable
wboc.com
· 2025-12-08
The Dorchester County Sheriff's Office warned of a spike in scam calls where impersonators claiming to be deputies use the department's official number to tell victims they have outstanding warrants or missed court dates, then demand payment via gift cards or digital payment apps like CashApp, Venmo, or Zelle. Authorities emphasized that the sheriff's office never calls to demand payment for legal matters and urged residents to hang up, avoid sharing personal information, and report suspicious calls to local law enforcement.
newsmeter.in
· 2025-12-08
Digital arrest scams in Hyderabad decreased by over 75% in the first half of 2025 (34 cases) compared to the same period in 2024 (140 cases), attributed to increased public awareness efforts. Senior citizens aged 60-80, particularly retired professionals with children abroad, remain primary targets of these scams, where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officers and coerce victims to liquidate assets through psychological manipulation and threats of arrest. Recent cases included an 84-year-old man defrauded of Rs 44 lakh and a 69-year-old woman defrauded of Rs 38.7 lakh, with police adv
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 65-year-old man in Singapore was scammed into withdrawing $52,700 from his savings and purchasing gold bars, which he handed to a stranger at an MRT station after being deceived by callers impersonating financial services and Monetary Authority of Singapore officials who claimed his identity had been misused in a money laundering investigation. This represents a new variant of government impersonation scams where victims are asked to provide physical cash or gold bars rather than wire transfers, using authority figures and fabricated urgency to manipulate victims into compliance. Notably, the victim made a police report immediately upon learning of the scam, and the perpetrator was apprehended at the border the next
lasvegassun.com
· 2025-12-08
This opinion piece advocates for the bipartisan TRAPS Act (Task Force for Recognizing and Averting Payment Scams) to combat the surge in digital fraud, which cost Americans $12.5 billion in losses across 2.6 million fraud reports last year—a 25% increase from the previous year. The author, a former law enforcement executive, argues that payment scams disproportionately target older adults through romance schemes, fake investments, and AI-generated impersonation calls, and that the current fragmented approach leaves victims bouncing between agencies without effective coordination. The proposed legislation would unite the Treasury Department, FTC, Justice Department, FCC, and financial industry leaders
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
An Eastern Oregon woman lost $600,000 (nearly her entire life savings) to scammers impersonating federal agents who convinced her that her financial accounts were at risk and instructed her to purchase gold bars for "safekeeping." Her sister's call to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection Hotline enabled law enforcement to intervene and prevent an additional $300,000 from being transferred before the final transaction could occur.
abc7ny.com
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old woman on Long Island was defrauded of $62,000 by a fortune teller who initially charged her $20,000 for services, then instructed her to withdraw an additional $42,000 from a bank. Nassau County Police arrested Hemanth Kumar Muneppa, 33, of Queens, who was charged with third-degree grand larceny, attempted grand larceny, and fortune telling violations after the victim was alerted to the scam and called police.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2015, Michael and Jan Reed, owners of an accident repair center in County Durham, discovered their customers' personal data was being illegally harvested when three regular clients revealed they had all received cold calls from accident claims companies with detailed information about their accidents. After a decade-long investigation, eight men were convicted in 2024 for operating one of the UK's largest nuisance call schemes, having hacked into approximately one million records from hundreds of accident repair garages between 2014 and 2017 and sold the stolen data to claims management firms. The Reeds' persistence in investigating the source of these calls ultimately led to exposing the conspiracy and bringing the perpetrators
wlos.com
· 2025-12-08
North Carolina officials including Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall launched a statewide initiative with AARP and local partners to prevent cryptocurrency ATM scams, after reports of victims losing their life savings. The scams typically target older adults by establishing emotional connections and directing victims to transfer money from their bank accounts to cryptocurrency ATMs, which scammers then convert to cash and steal. The campaign aims to educate the public on warning signs, such as pressure to withdraw cash immediately or claims that government officials require crypto payments, and provides resources through 211 for residents to report suspicious activity and connect with law enforcement.
inquisitr.com
· 2025-12-08
A 52-year-old Texas man, Paul Schendel, lost over $6,000 to a sophisticated bank impersonation scam involving call spoofing and an in-person card collection scheme, and died of a heart attack the following day after learning of the fraud. The scam began with a caller impersonating his bank, followed by a woman posing as Wells Fargo security who collected his debit card at his home; the bank confirmed they do not initiate contact via phone and could not reimburse him. Similar scams targeting victims through fraudulent bank employee impersonation have increased dramatically, with other victims like Scott Merovitch losing $20,000
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
The DVLA warned drivers not to share photos of their V5C vehicle logbooks on social media or selling sites, as scammers can use the personal information contained in these documents (such as registered keeper addresses and reference numbers) for identity theft. The alert emphasized that drivers should avoid sharing private information online and report suspicious communications to Action Fraud or Police Scotland, with additional guidance provided for those who have already compromised their details, including notifying their banks and changing passwords. The warning was part of a broader government effort to alert the public about various online scams, including a separate bogus "Energy Support Scheme" text message scam from the Department for Work and Pensions.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
An Asda security guard in Northern Ireland identified 10-15 potential romance scam victims over six months, where fraudsters impersonate celebrities or romantic interests on social media to manipulate victims into purchasing gift cards and sharing the barcodes. The guard intervened in cases involving hundreds of pounds in losses, successfully helping one customer recover £1,000 through police involvement and preventing another from losing £750, highlighting how this scam has become increasingly common in retail settings.
the-independent.com
· 2025-12-08
In early 2025, Chinese actor Wang Xing was abducted after being lured to Thailand under false pretenses and taken to a scam operation in Myanmar, sparking widespread panic about fraud on Chinese social media; Thai police rescued him within three days after he reported being forced into training for "pig butchering" scams. Pig butchering scams, operated by organized crime groups primarily since 2019, involve criminals building trust with victims online before manipulating them into making large fraudulent investments, with victims losing billions globally—including a U.S. banker who embezzled $47 million to cover losses from such a scam, and a Connecticut woman who lost nearly $1
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 42-year-old Chinese national, Zhigang Lian, was indicted for allegedly orchestrating an imposter scam that defrauded a 76-year-old Belleville, Illinois resident of over $70,000. The scheme began with a fake Apple text message, then escalated when scammers posing as federal agents convinced the victim their identity had been stolen and they needed to withdraw all their bank funds for protection; the victim handed over $25,000 on June 17 and $45,000 on July 1 before Lian's arrest by Illinois State Police. Lian faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, each carrying
oswegocountytoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held a press conference to protest proposed federal budget cuts to agencies protecting seniors from fraud, noting that seniors lost nearly $5 billion to scams in the previous year. Gillibrand called on the Trump administration to maintain funding for agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that investigate fraud complaints and requested the Government Accountability Office examine how staffing cuts would impact senior fraud protection efforts.
mycomoxvalleynow.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman in her 70s lost $1,300 to an identity theft scam after receiving a call from someone posing as her bank, who instructed her from depositing cash into a Bitcoin ATM to "protect" her funds; an alert store employee intervened and prevented the victim from depositing an additional $3,700. The Comox Valley RCMP warns that cryptocurrency machines are never used by legitimate financial institutions, and that scammers create urgency by falsely claiming identity theft or account compromise to manipulate victims into irreversible transactions.
tillamookheadlightherald.com
· 2025-12-08
An Eastern Oregon woman lost $600,000 in life savings to a "gold bar scam" in which scammers impersonated federal agents, claimed her accounts were at risk, and convinced her to purchase gold bars for "safekeeping"; local law enforcement prevented an additional $300,000 loss after her sister reported the scheme to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline. The scam typically involves fraudsters creating false urgency about compromised finances, instructing victims to convert assets into gold, and dispatching couriers to collect the valuables before disappearing. The Oregon DOJ warns that no legitimate government agency requests gold purchases or home visits for money collection, and urges victims to hang up
texasattorneygeneral.gov
· 2025-12-08
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into fraudulent charity scams where bad actors impersonated payment processors to collect flood relief donations intended for the Center Point Volunteer Fire Department under false pretenses. The scammers exploited the Texas Hill Country flooding tragedy to deceive donors, diverting money for personal gain while the fire department itself suffered significant losses. The Attorney General's office advises donors to verify charities through resources like CharityWatch and GuideStar, avoid wiring money or sharing personal information, and report suspected fraud to the Texas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.
wapt.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating Jackson city officials have targeted local businesses, particularly gas stations, with calls claiming grass maintenance violations and threatening $1,500 daily fines. The fraudsters then offer to send someone to cut the grass and charge for the service, which constitutes illegal false pretense and impersonation of a city official. The Jackson Police Department urged residents who receive such calls to contact the city or JPD directly.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
A Florida woman was defrauded of $15,000 by scammers who used artificial intelligence to clone her adult daughter's voice during a phone call, convincing her the daughter had been in a car accident and needed bail money. After an initial $15,000 withdrawal, the scammers attempted to obtain an additional $30,000 by claiming the accident victim's child had died, but the scheme unraveled when the woman's grandson called to confirm her daughter was safe. The family believes the scammers obtained voice samples from the daughter's social media accounts (Facebook and Snapchat) to create the AI replica.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
"Quishing" (QR code phishing) is an emerging scam where fraudsters place fake QR codes on public surfaces like parking meters, signs, and emails to direct unsuspecting users to malicious websites that steal personal information or money. While QR code fraud remains relatively uncommon in Canada with only 10 reported cases since 2024, experts warn the threat is growing as QR code usage becomes ubiquitous and users scan them without verifying their source. To protect yourself, verify the legitimacy of QR codes before scanning, check URLs before entering personal information, and use security tools to scan codes safely.
mysuncoast.com
· 2025-12-08
Venice, Florida residents were targeted by phone scammers impersonating police captains who claimed victims had missed jury duty or faced legal trouble, demanding payment via cryptocurrency or gift cards to resolve fabricated charges. One resident's wife was contacted with false allegations of fentanyl trafficking linked to Homeland Security, but the family recognized it as a scam when payment was demanded. Venice Police warn residents to hang up immediately on such calls and contact the non-emergency police line to verify any legal claims.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
**Online Job Fraud:** A man in Mangaluru lost Rs 4.66 lakh after downloading an app via a WhatsApp link that promised Rs 1,000 daily income; the app hacked his phone, allowing fraudsters to access his and his parents' bank accounts and siphon funds. Four suspects were identified and a case was registered at Surathkal police station.
**Investment Scam:** A 33-year-old woman in Udupi transferred Rs 1.12 lakh to unknown fraudsters between July 7-14 after receiving anonymous calls promising to double her investment. A case was filed at Hiriyadka police station under Section
observernews.net
· 2025-12-08
A man living in an assisted living facility was scammed out of over $800,000 in a romance fraud scheme that began in 2022 when a scammer posing as a woman on social media built a romantic relationship with him, then convinced him to invest in a fake cryptocurrency broker account. The perpetrator, 37-year-old Otiz Swinton Jr., a convicted felon with a prior history of targeting elderly residents, was arrested in May and now faces 20 pending charges with sentences of 5-30 years each. Romance scams cause lasting emotional and financial devastation to victims, often involving their entire life savings built over decades.
iberianlawyer.com
· 2025-12-08
Gary Miller, founder of the International Fraud Group, discusses how fraud investigations and asset recovery operate globally, emphasizing that nearly all scams begin with exploitation of trust. Miller identifies romance and investment scams via social media as the most difficult frauds to combat today, as victims readily believe deceptive messages on trusted platforms without verification, and stresses that effective fraud prevention requires speed, cross-border coordination, and psychological understanding alongside legal expertise.
anz.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australian bank ANZ reports measurable improvements in scam detection through its partnership with BioCatch Trust, an inter-bank fraud intelligence network that uses behavioral biometrics and real-time risk scoring to identify sophisticated scams including impersonation, investment, romance, and business email compromise schemes. In 2024-2025, Australians lost over $2.03 billion to scams, with romance scams averaging AU$15,000 per victim and investment scams causing AU$59 million in losses; the BioCatch integration has enhanced detection of complex fraud while reducing false positives that inconvenience legitimate customers.
asahi.com
· 2025-12-08
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet ordered a crackdown on cybercrime operations, resulting in the arrest of over 1,000 suspects across five provinces between Monday and Wednesday, including foreign nationals from Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Myanmar, along with seized equipment such as computers and mobile phones. UN estimates indicate that cyberscams originating from Southeast Asia generate billions of dollars annually for international criminal gangs, though human rights organizations like Amnesty International have raised concerns about alleged state complicity and associated human trafficking abuses in Cambodia's scamming compounds.
taipeitimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Cambodian authorities arrested over 1,000 people, including 75 Taiwanese, 271 Indonesians, and 213 Vietnamese, during raids on internet scam centers across the country following Prime Minister Hun Manet's directive to crack down on cybercrime operations. The UN estimates these Southeast Asian scam centers defraud social media users of approximately $40 billion annually using romance and business cons, with Amnesty International reporting at least 53 scam compounds in Cambodia involved in human trafficking, forced labor, and other abuses on a "mass scale."
yellowhammernews.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans over 60 reported over $3.4 billion in fraud losses in 2023, with scammers increasingly exploiting technology to target older adults through fake calls, phishing emails, and data collection via smart home devices. The article identifies five red flags: unsolicited contact, pressure to act immediately, requests for untraceable payments (wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency), demands for sensitive information, and promises that seem too good to be true. Key protective measures include verifying unexpected requests with trusted contacts, using strong unique passwords for smart devices, keeping software updated, securing Wi-Fi networks, and reviewing smart device privacy settings to understand what data is being collected.
thederrick.com
· 2025-12-08
This article cannot be summarized as requested. The provided text is a webpage header offering a subscription to TheDerrick.com, followed by a brief educational passage about elder fraud and the Elder Justice Initiative, but the remainder consists of unrelated content (advice columns, horoscopes, medical Q&As, and automotive content) that appears to be archive or navigation elements rather than a coherent article about scams or fraud. To provide an accurate summary for the Elderus database, please provide the complete, relevant article text.
crescentavalleyweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI and FTC are warning the public about evolving scams that exploit advancing technology, including AI-generated voice impersonations of law enforcement and government officials. Elderly Americans are particularly vulnerable to romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, government impersonation scams, sweepstakes scams, and home repair scams, with millions falling victim annually. The agencies also warn against business email compromise, charity fraud (especially after disasters), cryptocurrency job scams, VA benefits overpayment scams, and card skimmers, recommending victims verify charitable organizations through trusted databases and use credit cards rather than cash, gift cards, or wire transfers for donations.
chch.com
· 2025-12-08
A Hamilton couple lost nearly $70,000 in June after fraudsters impersonating a Scotiabank employee convinced them their debit cards were compromised and arranged to collect their cards via courier. The scammers then drained the couple's bank accounts, credit cards, and line of credit within two days, and Scotiabank initially held the seniors responsible for the transactions, claiming no account compromise was found. Hamilton Police report approximately 60 similar cases this year using "social engineering" tactics, and note that recovering stolen funds is extremely rare.
bpi.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud—a 25 percent increase from the prior year—with phone/text scams accounting for $1.5 billion and social media scams for $1.9 billion in losses. Criminals use AI, spoofed calls, and hijacked social media accounts to target victims, with operations often based in Southeast Asia, while telecom and tech companies have financial incentives to monetize rather than prevent fraud. Banks and regulators are calling for stricter collaboration and regulation among tech giants and telecom providers to proactively combat scams at their source.
wesh.com
· 2025-12-08
A Florida mother lost $15,000 after scammers used artificial intelligence to clone her daughter's voice and request bail money in an emergency call. The AI-generated voice was convincing enough to deceive the mother into sending the funds before discovering the scam was fraudulent.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A British content creator warned tourists about a "dish of the day" scam prevalent in Mallorca restaurants, where waiters recommend unlisted seafood specials without disclosing prices upfront, then charge double the standard menu price for ordinary produce presented as rare local delicacies. The scam targets foreign visitors who are persuaded by the appeal of "authentic" offerings while in holiday mode and fail to ask for prices before ordering. Viewers noted that such practices violate Spanish consumer protection laws requiring menu items and prices to be clearly displayed.
idahocountyfreepress.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance and confidence fraud caused $601 million in damages to 16,504 victims across the United States in 2023, with an average loss of $36,459 per victim. Idaho was hit hardest, with 112 victims losing $6.9 million ($61,784 per person), while scammers posing as online pen pals or relatives in distress targeted victims primarily through email and social media. Elderly victims aged 60 and older comprised approximately 40% of victims and suffered $365.9 million in losses.
sequimgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece from a county sheriff outlines common scam tactics affecting communities nationwide, including phishing, imposter scams, investment fraud, romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, and payment transfer schemes. The sheriff advises residents to verify sources independently, avoid urgent pressure to act, be cautious with untraceable payment methods, and report suspected fraud to the FTC, emphasizing that scammers exploit new technologies and crises to target vulnerable victims across all demographics.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired US Army colonel pleaded guilty to conspiracy after disclosing classified national defense information to someone posing as a Ukrainian woman on a foreign dating app between February and April 2022, exploiting emotional manipulation typical of romance scams. Slater, who worked as a civilian at US Strategic Command, provided details about military targets and Russian capabilities, and faces five to seven years in prison under his plea deal. The case illustrates how romance scammers exploit loneliness and the desire for human connection to manipulate even experienced, security-cleared individuals into compromising sensitive information.
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Cambodia arrested over 1,000 cybercrime suspects in a multi-province crackdown ordered by Prime Minister Hun Manet this week, including Vietnamese, Chinese, Taiwanese, Indonesian, and Cambodian nationals, with police seizing computers and mobile phones from scam operations. The raids targeted foreign criminal groups running online fraud schemes that generate billions of dollars annually for international gangs, though human rights organizations claim the Cambodian government has previously enabled these operations through state complicity while workers face human trafficking, slavery, and torture.
dallasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, seniors aged 65 and older reported nearly $4.9 billion in losses to financial scams—a 43% increase from the previous year—with Texas seniors alone filing over 9,473 complaints averaging $489,000 in losses each. Seniors are targeted because they control significant national wealth and often struggle to keep pace with technology, making them vulnerable to romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, government impersonation, and investment fraud. Family members and caregivers can help protect seniors by monitoring account activity, maintaining open communication about financial matters, and encouraging consultation before large transactions, while laws like the 2017 Elder Abuse Prevention
wfae.org
· 2025-12-08
North Carolina's Attorney General Jeff Jackson launched a statewide initiative to combat cryptocurrency ATM scams that primarily target seniors, in which scammers direct victims to deposit cash into crypto accounts the scammers control. The awareness campaign encourages ATM operators to watch for warning signs such as older adults using machines while on the phone, indicating potential fraud in progress.
calgary.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
A 34-year-old Quebec man was charged with fraud, money laundering, and identity theft after defrauding a Calgary senior of over $300,000 in a cryptocurrency scam. Beginning in June 2022, the suspect impersonated the victim's grandson claiming legal trouble, then posed as a lawyer directing her to make daily bitcoin ATM deposits for fake bail and legal fees over six weeks. Calgary police executed a search warrant in the Montreal area and arrested the suspect, who will appear in court in August.
port.ac.uk
· 2025-12-08
A University of Portsmouth study of 2,000 UK adults found that fear of fraud is significantly affecting wellbeing, particularly among women over 75, with 64% experiencing at least one attempted fraud in the past six months. Telephone calls (especially landlines) were the primary scam method, and researchers identified fraud fear as a potential "hidden epidemic" affecting lonely and previously victimized elderly adults, with some so anxious about the topic they refused to participate in the study. The researchers caution that awareness campaigns must be carefully designed to educate without inadvertently increasing anxiety and fear in vulnerable populations.