Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 22,013 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
5,810 results
in Romance Scams
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
FBI arrested multiple Ghanaian nationals, including Kofi Boat (associate of musician Shatta Wale) and Dada Joe Remix, in connection with a decade-long transnational fraud scheme involving romance scams that targeted elderly Americans from 2013 to 2023, with one case involving a $100 million fraud scheme. The suspects face charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy, with stolen funds allegedly laundered and distributed to co-conspirators across Ghana and other countries. A local radio presenter attributed the fraud activity to Ghana's entertainment industry's shift toward materialism over genuine talent, advocating for wealthy individuals to redirect focus toward national development.
tech.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are using sponsored Google ads and a technique called "search parameter injection" to display fake customer support numbers on legitimate websites for major brands including Netflix, Microsoft, Bank of America, PayPal, Apple, Facebook, and HP. When victims call these fraudulent numbers, scammers impersonate company representatives to steal personal data, financial information, or gain remote access to computers. Malwarebytes reports that malvertising incidents in the US increased 41% between July and September 2024, with an estimated 90% of scammers operating from South and Southeast Asian countries.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Blackmail and sextortion scams targeting students through dating apps are rising sharply in the UK, with nearly 8,000 reported cases referencing sextortion in 2023 compared to just 23 in 2014. Fraud investigators urge victims not to suffer in silence and recommend victims verify profiles through reverse image searches, consult trusted friends before sharing intimate images, and report cases to authorities. A Nationwide survey found 28% of students had been scammed and 50% worried about becoming victims.
wirralglobe.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance fraud reports rose 9% nationally, with Merseyside Police recording 150 incidents in 2024 resulting in £2.4m in combined losses. People aged 50-59 suffered the highest financial losses at £22.1m nationally, targeted due to greater financial assets and vulnerability during life transitions like divorce or bereavement. Scammers use "love bombing" tactics to build trust and emotional dependence before requesting money; authorities advise victims to verify identities, stay within dating app messaging, and report suspicious activity to Action Fraud or Crimestoppers.
au.pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are using paid search ads and a technique called "search parameter injection" to redirect customers of major brands like Bank of America, Netflix, Microsoft, PayPal, and Apple to legitimate-looking websites where fraudulent support numbers are displayed in the search bar, tricking users into calling scammers who then attempt to steal personal data, financial information, or remote computer access. Malwarebytes reports a 41% increase in such "malvertising" scams in the US between July and September 2024, with an estimated 90% of perpetrators operating from South and Southeast Asian countries. Users can protect themselves by watching for red flags including urgent language, pre-populated text in
ktvz.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans lost an estimated $1.14 billion to romance scams, with the FBI reporting 17,910 complaints totaling $672 million in 2024 alone. Romance scammers build fake online relationships on social media and dating platforms to manipulate victims into sending money, gifts, or sensitive information, using emotional manipulation ("love bombing") and moving conversations to private messaging apps to avoid detection. These scams disproportionately affect lonely, grieving, or trusting individuals, and victims experience lasting emotional and financial trauma beyond the immediate monetary loss.
dentonrc.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article presents a quiz-format overview of common elder fraud schemes and prevention strategies, based on insights from a Texas Elder Justice Coalition summit. Key scams covered include romance/pig butchering scams, tech support fraud, impersonation scams using AI, fake lottery schemes, and caregiver theft, with recommendations including reporting to IC3.gov, using family code words, and recognizing warning signs like secretive apps and unusual bank activity.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is a general news roundup from Spectrum News Hawaii covering multiple unrelated stories from the week, including Rams rookies helping rebuild homes in Lahaina following the 2023 wildfires, an unannounced emergency alert test sent to Hawaii residents, a restaurant closure due to health violations, and a brush fire update. None of these stories involve elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse, so this content is not relevant to the Elderus database.
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
The US Justice Department filed a civil forfeiture complaint to recover $225.3 million in stolen Tether cryptocurrency from seven virtual currency addresses, with the goal of returning funds to at least 430 victims of cryptocurrency investment scams. The scams, often called "pig butchering," typically begin with contact via text, social media, or dating apps, where perpetrators build rapport before manipulating victims into fake investment schemes; the FBI estimates these frauds caused $9.3 billion in losses in 2024, with seniors over 60 losing approximately $2.8 billion. Victims who believe they were affected are urged to file reports through the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center website
local10.com
· 2025-12-08
A 66-year-old Miami woman lost approximately $90,000 to a romance scam after connecting emotionally with a scammer online during her divorce, and she is now sharing her story to warn others. Romance scams affected over 7,625 victims older than 60 last year, resulting in $389 million in losses, with scammers typically professing love without meeting in person, isolating victims from family, and requesting money or compromising content. The FBI recommends victims research profiles carefully, go slowly when meeting online contacts, never send money or sensitive information, and be cautious about what personal details they share publicly.
kentonline.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Sarah from Faversham lost £100,000 and her home to romance fraudsters who contacted her on social media in 2022, posing as an American serviceman and later using sextortion and fake FBI impersonation tactics to extract additional funds. Police report that romance scammers stole £3.1 million from 240 victims in the last financial year, averaging £13,000 per person, with the crimes targeting vulnerable individuals by building trust over months before requesting money for various fabricated expenses. Authorities advise never sending money to people met only online and recommend consulting trusted friends or family if something seems suspicious.
floridadaily.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Americans reported over $12.5 billion in fraud losses, with investment and cryptocurrency scams ranking as the top threat (median loss $5,000), followed by employment scams ($1,500 median loss) and romance scams ($6,099 median loss). Active-duty military members are most vulnerable to scams at 55.5%, while Americans aged 35 and older face the highest risk from investment and cryptocurrency schemes, and social media remains the primary channel for reported financial losses. Though fewer Americans fell victim to scams year-over-year (down 14.6%), median losses increased 30%, indicating that victims are losing significantly larger amounts.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia announced increased efforts to combat elder fraud schemes—including romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandpament scams—that cost victims billions of dollars and deplete life savings. The office employs a two-pronged approach: prosecuting domestic and foreign criminals involved in elder fraud and money laundering, and conducting outreach to law enforcement and community groups on prevention and detection. The National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311) provides free support to seniors age 60 and older who have experienced financial fraud, offering victim assessment, reporting assistance,
newstalkkgvo.com
· 2025-12-08
A scammer from India was arrested and charged with wire fraud after defrauding a Missoula senior citizen out of over $1 million through an elaborate impersonation scheme. The perpetrator initially posed as an Amazon representative, then claimed the victim's identity had been stolen and transferred her to accomplices posing as Social Security and U.S. Marshal Service officials, who convinced her to hand over cash in multiple pickups under the pretense of "legalizing" it for her protection. Law enforcement arrested the suspect during a sting operation when he returned to collect the final payment.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans lost an estimated $1.14 billion to romance scams, emotional cons in which scammers build fake online relationships to manipulate victims into sending money, gifts, or sensitive information. The FBI reported 17,910 romance scam complaints in 2024 totaling $672 million in losses, with scammers increasingly using cryptocurrency for faster, harder-to-trace payments. These scams typically begin on social media (40%) or dating apps (19%), where perpetrators use stolen photos and fake personas to establish emotional trust through "love bombing" before requesting money from vulnerable targets who feel they are helping a romantic partner in crisis.
ksl.com
· 2025-12-08
Scam Jam, an educational event held in Sandy, Utah, brought together FBI and AARP experts to educate residents about common fraud schemes including romance, internet, cryptocurrency, and tech support scams. The event featured a personal testimony from Rita, who lost several thousand dollars to a romance scam impersonating a celebrity, emphasizing the importance of reporting fraud despite the emotional and financial toll. Utah reported over 150,000 fraud cases totaling $61 million in losses, with experts stressing that fraud prevention through awareness and recognizing red flags is more effective than recovery efforts.
wsbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams defraud victims through fake online relationships, with Americans losing an estimated $1.14 billion in 2023 and the FBI reporting $672 million in losses from 17,910 complaints in 2024. Scammers build emotional trust through "love bombing" on social media and dating apps (40% and 19% of cases respectively), then manipulate victims into sending money, gifts, or cryptocurrency—with crypto transfers showing the highest median losses. These schemes cause lasting emotional and financial damage to vulnerable individuals seeking companionship, with the real toll likely higher due to underreporting.
wsbradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta is participating in a national initiative to prosecute perpetrators of elder fraud through cooperation with domestic and international law enforcement agencies. The office employs a two-pronged strategy combining prosecution of offenders with community education and prevention efforts, as these scams—including romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams—cost seniors billions of dollars annually and often deplete life savings. Victims or those aware of elder fraud can report incidents to the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans lost $1.14 billion to romance scams, with the FBI reporting 17,910 complaints and $672 million in losses in 2024. Scammers build fake online relationships through stolen photos and personas on dating apps and social media, using emotional manipulation ("love bombing") to gain trust before requesting money, gifts, or sensitive information. Victims—who are often lonely, grieving, or trusting—experience lasting emotional and financial damage, with cryptocurrency increasingly used as the payment method due to its difficulty in tracing.
analyticsinsight.net
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes to create fake romantic identities on dating apps, establishing emotional connections with victims before requesting money for emergencies or investments. Incidents have risen from dozens to hundreds per month globally in 2024, with reported losses ranging from ₹3.6 lakh to over ₹20 lakhs in India and £93 million in the UK in 2023, including a notable case where a French woman lost €830,000 to someone posing as Brad Pitt. Detection relies on identifying technical inconsistencies (fuzzy edges, unnatural eye movements, poor lip-syncing) and behavioral red flags (pressure to move
theprescotttimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Since January 1, 2025, the Prescott area has experienced over $2 million in reported scam losses, with seniors particularly vulnerable to romance scams, bank impersonation schemes, warrant scams, and gift card fraud. Notable cases include a $632,000 romance scam and gift card losses exceeding $33,000, with scammers using emotional manipulation and pressure tactics to request untraceable payments via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or electronic platforms. The Prescott Police Department urges residents to remain vigilant, hang up on suspicious callers, and contact their 24/7 dispatch line at (928) 445-3131 if they suspect fraud.
ynaija.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
"The TikTok Scammer" is a documentary by Chude Jideonwo that exposes romance scams perpetrated on social media, following the story of an American man named Jlove who used TikTok to deceive Nigerian women under false pretenses. One victim, Jasmine Okafor, lost $13,000 and even married the scammer after he borrowed money from her mother for wedding attire, while another victim named Lola defended him despite warnings. The documentary illustrates how dating apps and social media have become tools for cross-border romance scams that exploit emotional vulnerability and trust.
spotonflorida.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams target vulnerable individuals by building false emotional relationships online, ultimately leading victims to send money to scammers under false pretenses. Spokeo's analysis of public data reveals patterns in who becomes victimized, the mechanics of how these scams develop, and protective measures people can take to avoid becoming targets.
boernestar.com
· 2025-12-08
On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the FBI highlighted the growing threat of elder fraud, reporting $4.885 billion in losses from 147,127 complaints in 2024—a 46% increase in complaints and 43% increase in losses compared to 2023. Seniors are targeted for various scams including investment schemes, technical support fraud, romance scams, and money mule operations because they are often perceived as trusting, financially stable, and less likely to report crimes. The FBI recommends seniors verify unknown contacts online, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid unsolicited offers, never share personal information or money with unverified sources, and report suspected fraud immediately to local law enforcement
lethbridgeherald.com
· 2025-12-08
**Seniors and Financial Fraud - Overview and Rising Threats**
People age 60 and over lost $3.4 billion combined to fraud in 2023, with scammers increasingly targeting older adults through evolving methods including phone impersonation, online platforms like Facebook, and cryptocurrency schemes. Common scams include the grandparent scam, tech support fraud, romance scams, and investment schemes that exploit seniors' trust and lower technological proficiency. Law enforcement notes that fraudsters now use sophisticated tools and AI to appear more credible, making it essential for seniors to remain vigilant about unsolicited contact and requests for personal or financial information.
turnto23.com
· 2025-12-08
California seniors lost nearly $833 million to scams in 2024, a 43% increase from the previous year, with romance and technology scams being the most prevalent in Bakersfield and Kern County. The FBI highlighted a case involving a retired educator who was defrauded after being contacted by a scammer posing as an attractive woman through a text message, demonstrating how emotional vulnerability can be exploited. To protect themselves, seniors should independently verify claims, check with the Better Business Bureau, resist pressure to act quickly, and never send money or gift cards to unverified individuals.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Ridwan Adeleke Adepoju, a 33-year-old Nigerian national, was sentenced to 43 months in federal prison for operating multiple cyber fraud schemes from Nigeria that targeted U.S. citizens and businesses, including those in the Chicago area. His schemes included phishing scams, romance scams, and fraudulent tax return submissions, utilizing spoofed emails, fake social media accounts, and unwitting money mules to victimize numerous victims. Adepoju was arrested in the United Kingdom, extradited to the U.S., and pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges.
therecord.media
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a civil forfeiture complaint to seize $225.3 million in cryptocurrency stolen from over 430 victims across multiple states through romance scams and investment fraud schemes operated by actors in the Philippines and Vietnam. Scammers, operating from what authorities believe were "scam compounds," contacted victims via social media posing as potential romantic interests or legitimate investment advisors, directing them to deposit funds into fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms before locking them out of accounts. This represents the largest cryptocurrency seizure in U.S. Secret Service history and demonstrates law enforcement's growing capacity to use blockchain analysis to trace and recover stolen digital assets.
fortune.com
· 2025-12-08
The Department of Justice seized $225 million in cryptocurrency from a "pig butchering" scam operation—where fraudsters build trust with victims before tricking them into sending large sums of money—marking the largest U.S. crypto seizure of its kind; the funds were traced to a scam compound in the Philippines and laundered through crypto exchange OKX, with investigators identifying over 430 victims including Shan Hanes, former CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank, who was sentenced to 24 years for stealing $47 million from his bank to invest in what he believed was a legitimate cryptocurrency opportunity. Cryptocurrency scam losses in the U.S. sur
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Jamaican national Sherwayne Benjamin Bellinfantie was extradited to the United States in June 2025 to face charges for participating in a romance and lottery sweepstakes scheme that defrauded an 85-year-old Arizona resident of over $400,000 between 2015 and 2019. Bellinfantie and co-conspirators posed as romantic interests and falsely claimed the victim had won lottery prizes, requesting money for taxes and fees, while sending flowers to reinforce the deception. He faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, each carrying a maximum 20-year prison sentence.
broadandliberty.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder abuse and fraud targeting seniors remains a persistent problem, with the FBI reporting $4.885 billion in losses from 147,127 complaints in 2024—a 46% increase in complaints and 43% increase in losses compared to 2023. Criminals exploit elderly individuals through various schemes including investment scams, technical support fraud, romance scams, and home invasions, targeting them because they are perceived as polite, trusting, financially stable, and less likely to report crimes. The FBI emphasizes the need for public education about these scams and their devastating financial and emotional impacts on victims and their families.
nationwidemediacentre.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A Nationwide Building Society survey of 2,000 students found that 28% have been scammed, with purchase fraud (46%), WhatsApp impersonation scams (39%), and blackmail/sextortion scams (29%) being the most common types. The research revealed a rising trend of blackmail scams targeting younger people on social media, often linked to romance scams where perpetrators extract private images or information before demanding money under threat of exposure to victims' contacts.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
A "pump and dump" scam impersonated economist David Rosenberg and his investment firm, defrauding investors of over $1 million through fake Facebook and Instagram ads that promoted a nonexistent "Wolfpack program." Victims were lured into WhatsApp investment groups where scammers recommended obscure stocks that initially showed dramatic gains before collapsing, with individual losses ranging from $16,000 to $450,000.
fox23.com
· 2025-12-08
A Broken Arrow woman testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee about the rising threat of romance scams targeting seniors, sharing how her mother lost $350,000 to such a scam before her death. The hearing featured multiple advocates presenting data showing Americans lose between $7 billion and $62 billion annually to romance scams, emphasizing the need for federal action including the creation of a task force and stronger protections for elder victims.
fox23.com
· 2025-12-08
A Broken Arrow woman testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee about romance scams targeting seniors, sharing how her mother lost $350,000 to a scammer before passing away—a tragedy April Helm attributed directly to the fraud and sleep deprivation tactics used by scammers. Advocates testified that adults lose between $7 billion and $62 billion annually to romance scams, urging Congress to establish a task force and strengthen enforcement measures to prosecute these criminals and protect elderly victims.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
Malwarebytes research surveying 1,300 people across the US and Europe found that 78% encounter scams on their smartphones at least weekly, with 44% encountering them daily, primarily through email (65%), phone calls/voicemails (53%), text messages (50%), malicious websites (49%), and social media (47%). Despite the high frequency of scam encounters, only 15% of respondents strongly agreed they could confidently identify a scam, highlighting the need for caution when receiving messages from unknown senders or urgent requests for money or personal information.
mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
Pig butchering scams are online confidence schemes where cybercriminals build trust with victims (often through romance or friendship) before convincing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency opportunities, with the U.S. Attorney's Office recently seizing $225 million in cryptocurrency stolen from 400 victims worldwide. These scams, which operate at an industrial scale from compounds in countries like India, the Philippines, and Myanmar, typically target older Americans and lonely individuals, using fake identities and fabricated investment platforms from which victims cannot withdraw funds. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited contact from strangers online, especially those promoting investment opportunities, and verify the legitimacy of any investment before sending money.
cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
US law enforcement seized over $225 million in cryptocurrency stolen from more than 400 victims worldwide in a sophisticated investment scam, marking the largest-ever recovery in so-called "crypto confidence" or "pig butchering" schemes. The scammers, traced partly to the Philippines, conducted hundreds of thousands of transactions to launder the stolen funds, with authorities working to return assets to victims. Crypto investment scam losses have surged dramatically, reaching $5.8 billion in 2024 compared to $2.57 billion in 2022, with scammers often preying on vulnerable individuals including elderly Americans.
fox4news.com
· 2025-12-08
Five Texans were sentenced to federal prison terms ranging from 9 to 40 years for their roles in a transnational fraud scheme that defrauded approximately $17 million from at least 100 victims worldwide, including vulnerable elderly individuals, between January 2017 and the sentencing date in June 2025. The scheme involved multiple fraud types including online romance scams, business email compromises, investor fraud, and unemployment insurance fraud, with proceeds laundered through bank accounts in Africa and Asia. The defendants collectively received nearly 160 years in prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
graphic.com.gh
· 2025-12-08
Three separate indictments targeting Ghanaian nationals were unsealed in U.S. federal courts as part of a crackdown on transnational romance fraud schemes targeting elderly Americans. The cases involve multiple defendants accused of operating romance and inheritance scams from 2013 to 2024, using fake romantic engagements and false promises of wealth to defraud seniors of large sums of money, with proceeds laundered through Ghana and other locations. Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng was arrested in Ghana and faces extradition, while other defendants face wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
aOK, a new identity-verified chat app, launched to address the growing threat of romance scams and catfishing in online dating. The app requires government-issued ID verification for all users and uses end-to-end encryption to create a secure messaging environment, addressing a critical gap where conversations typically move to less secure platforms like WhatsApp after initial dating app contact. Romance scams cost victims £94.7 million in the UK and $1.3 billion in the US in 2024, with individual losses averaging over £10,000, making robust identity verification tools increasingly urgent for dating safety.
news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Otaniyen Iduozee, a Nigerian citizen on a student visa, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for laundering millions of dollars obtained through romance scams targeting vulnerable Americans, primarily elderly and isolated individuals. Iduozee controlled fraudulent bank accounts and funneled victim money through various transactions to Nigeria, playing a central role in the money laundering operation. Upon completing his sentence, he has agreed to be deported from the United States.
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian businessman Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng and multiple associates have been charged in coordinated U.S. federal prosecutions for operating transnational romance and inheritance scams targeting elderly Americans between 2013 and 2024. Boateng allegedly led a decade-long scheme convincing seniors they could claim gold and jewels if they paid fabricated taxes and fees, while related defendants in Ohio and elsewhere defrauded elderly victims through fake romantic relationships and fraudulent business deals, laundering proceeds to Ghana and other countries. These cases represent part of a broader Department of Justice crackdown on international fraud networks preying on seniors, announced in conjunction with World Elder
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Ghanaian nationals, including alleged kingpin Isaac Kofi Oduro Boateng, were arrested in June 2025 and face extradition to the United States for a $100 million fraud scheme operating from 2016 to 2023. The syndicate conducted Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams by impersonating company officials through spoofed emails to trick victims into wire transfers, and also ran romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly, through dating platforms and email. At least one business and eight individuals suffered confirmed losses exceeding $100 million, with the suspects now in Ghanaian police custody pending extradition proceedings.
mhobserver.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud complaints increased 46% in 2024, with victims nationwide losing $4.885 billion—a 43% increase from 2023—while Arkansas seniors over 60 alone lost more than $27 million. The FBI identifies investment schemes, technical support scams, romance fraud, and money mule operations as common tactics targeting elderly individuals perceived as more trusting and financially stable. The FBI recommends seniors research unknown contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources, and report suspected fraud through their tip line or online complaint center.
uchealth.org
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole $3.4 billion from older U.S. adults in 2023, a 14% increase from the previous year, using tactics like romance scams, fake investments, and Medicare fraud that exploit fear and greed. Beyond financial losses, elder fraud causes significant psychological harm including anxiety, shame, depression, and in severe cases, suicidal ideation, requiring individualized mental health interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Older adults are particularly targeted due to their assets, trust in authority, unfamiliarity with technology, and potential cognitive changes that impair fraud recognition.
smnewsnet.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of Justice announced reinvigorated efforts to combat transnational elder fraud schemes costing billions of dollars, with recent prosecutions targeting romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. Key cases include Troy Murray, who sold a database of over seven million elderly Americans' personal information to Jamaican lottery fraudsters and laundered $1.6 million in proceeds, and Dennis Anderson and Frank Angelori, who brokered lead lists to Jamaica-based scammers from 2015-2020. Individual victims lost significant sums, with one Arizona victim losing over $400,000 to a lottery fraud scheme.
detroitnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In response to rising scam cases in Metro Detroit, Chase and the Detroit Police Department hosted a workshop for seniors to educate them on common fraud tactics and prevention strategies, coinciding with World Elder Abuse Awareness Month. According to the FBI, individuals 60 and older lost nearly $4.9 billion to scams in 2024, with Michigan residents alone losing over $206 million to fraud last year, and the average victim losing $35,101. The workshop emphasized the motto "trust but verify" and covered common scams including impersonation, spoofing, phishing, and vishing, recommending that seniors verify contacts, avoid sharing personal information, resist pressure to act quickly, an
fox23.com
· 2025-12-08
April Helm, a Broken Arrow woman and host of the Scammer Stories Podcast, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on June 17 about her mother's loss of at least $350,000 in a romance scam. Helm discussed both romance scams and "pig butchering" scams (hybrid romance and cryptocurrency schemes) and emphasized that addressing the problem requires coordinated efforts from dating platforms, law enforcement, prosecutors, and mental health professionals to combat transnational scam networks.
etedge-insights.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams on dating apps have escalated dramatically, with reported losses topping $1 billion globally in 2024 and a projected rise through 2025. Scammers use emotional manipulation, stolen photos, and increasingly sophisticated AI tools (deepfakes, voice cloning) to build fake relationships and extract money from victims, often through fake investment schemes or fabricated emergencies. The article illustrates this trend through Jay's experience with "Alina" and notes that India has been particularly hard-hit, with 39% of daters encountering scammers and 77% seeing AI-generated photos, while crypto-hybrid romance scams grew nearly 40% year-