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in Crypto Investment Scam
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Maryland woman lost over $3 million in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam, where scammers based in Southeast Asia built trust with her through a Korean messaging app before convincing her to invest in fake crypto platforms that appeared legitimate. The FBI's Baltimore field office warns that this scam is growing, typically targeting victims in their 50s and older, and that victims often lose their entire investments as scammers eventually disappear with all funds, sometimes returning to target the same victims with fake recovery schemes.
greenecountynewsonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird warned residents in 2024 about the state's top 10 complaint categories, with the Consumer Protection Division receiving over 3,900 complaints across 30+ scam types. Notable 2024 trends included significant increases in social media hacking/account locking and imposter scams, particularly schemes directing victims to cryptocurrency ATMs to send money to fraudsters. The top complaints involved auto fraud (623), internet/social media issues (593), imposter scams (376), home improvement fraud (332), and personal goods/services complaints, with the Attorney General's office urging Iowans to verify sellers, avoid prepayment and cryptocurrency
legion.org
· 2025-12-08
The VA has released a fraud prevention toolkit highlighting common scams targeting veterans, including postcards falsely promising extra VA benefits or Social Security credits, phishing texts impersonating the IRS or Netflix, and requests for payment via untraceable methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The toolkit advises veterans to never share banking information, verify identities of requesters, avoid suspicious links, use trusted payment methods, and be cautious of social media contact from alleged military connections.
mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies six common online scams and their warning signs: phishing scams (impersonating trusted companies via email/text to steal credentials), investment scams (promising unrealistic returns through unregulated platforms), job offer scams (requesting upfront payments or personal information for fraudulent positions), and tech support scams (using fake alerts to trick users into paying for unnecessary services or granting device access). Key prevention strategies include verifying sender information directly with companies, researching investment opportunities with licensed professionals, being skeptical of unsolicited offers, and avoiding clicking links or granting remote access to unknown parties.
investmentexecutive.com
· 2025-12-08
FINRA's Securities Helpline for Seniors recovered over $9.3 million for investors approaching its 10th anniversary, with all funds returned voluntarily after helpline intervention without requiring enforcement action. The service has handled more than 32,000 calls and generated thousands of enforcement referrals and referrals to other authorities, addressing rising reports of crypto scams, impersonation schemes, and romance scams targeting seniors. Success depends on collaboration between the helpline, brokerage firms, and regulatory agencies, with many firms designating contacts to expedite resolution of investor concerns.
amp.cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
Around 7,000 people were recently released from scam compounds operated by criminal syndicates along the Myanmar-Thailand border, where an estimated 100,000 people remain trapped and forced to conduct romance scams and fraudulent investment schemes targeting victims worldwide, including American citizens, generating billions of dollars in illicit proceeds. The scam operations, run largely by Chinese crime syndicates and ethnic militia groups, are rapidly evolving to use artificial intelligence, deepfakes, cryptocurrency, and other advanced technologies to expand their targeting capabilities and evade law enforcement. Experts warn that a coordinated global response is needed to combat what they describe as an unprecedented and growing cyber threat that shows no signs of slowing despite recent
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI seized $8.2 million in cryptocurrency from an international "pig butchering" romance scam investigated by its Cleveland Field Office, which identified over 30 victims whose funds were traced through three cryptocurrency wallets using advanced blockchain analytics. One Cleveland victim alone lost over $650,000 in retirement savings after being deceived into what she believed was a legitimate investment account. The scam—named for how perpetrators "fatten up" victims emotionally before draining their finances—originated in China and typically targets vulnerable individuals through dating apps; seized funds are expected to be used for restitution as the Department of Justice continues investigating additional victims and fraud networks.
salon.com
· 2025-12-08
American consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, the highest amount ever recorded, with fraudsters increasingly using AI to create convincing deepfakes and impersonation scams. Key fraud types include AI-driven impersonation, phishing emails, investment/cryptocurrency scams (which rose to $3.96 billion in losses), tech support scams, and romance scams (which caused $1.14 billion in losses with a median loss of $2,000 per victim). Consumers should watch for red flags such as rushed messages, inconsistencies, and suspicious email addresses to protect themselves from these evolving schemes.
cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
Approximately 7,000 people were recently released from scam compounds operated by Chinese crime syndicates and warlords along the Myanmar-Thailand border, where they had been held captive and forced to conduct fraudulent investment schemes and romance scams targeting victims worldwide, including American citizens who lost their life savings. An estimated 100,000 people remain trapped in these facilities, which generate billions of dollars annually; experts warn the industry will quickly rebuild using advanced technologies including AI-generated scripts, deepfakes, cryptocurrency, and malware. A coordinated global response is needed to combat what analysts describe as an unprecedented and rapidly expanding cyber threat that is spreading to Africa, South Asia, the Gulf, and the Pacific
actuarialpost.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A webinar session featured industry experts and Chris Bell from City of London Police discussing pension scam prevention efforts by PSAG and introducing a new fraud reporting service replacing Action Fraud. The session emphasized the importance of reporting suspected pension scams and fraud, and included a Q&A addressing common questions about these issues.
chroniclejournal.com
· 2025-12-08
In February 2024, Melanie McGovern from Montreal's Better Business Bureau received a suspicious message from what appeared to be her 16-year-old niece's hacked Instagram account requesting money, alerting her to a rising tide of investment fraud in Canada. Investment scams—including impersonations via social media, deepfake voice calls, and fake cryptocurrency schemes—cost Canadians $310 million in 2024 (compared to $33.5 million in 2020), with victims losing a median of $5,000 per incident, though experts estimate 90-95% of cases go unreported. To protect themselves, Canadians should pause before responding to
bigcountrynewsconnection.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams have evolved to use AI-generated profiles and sophisticated emotional manipulation, resulting in over $2.95 billion in losses in 2024—a 30% increase from 2023, according to FTC data. Scammers typically establish fake identities on social media, build trust with victims, and then solicit money through fabricated stories or fake investment opportunities. To protect themselves, consumers should guard personal information, conduct reverse image searches, insist on video/in-person meetings, avoid pressure to send money quickly, and report suspected scams to their financial institution, local law enforcement, the FBI's IC3, or the FTC.
ibtimes.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
An 18-year-old aspiring mechanic from North Yorkshire, Kieron Mullins Bunn, died by suicide in February 2024 after falling victim to a financial scam; an inquest concluded that the emotional shock and financial panic from the scam directly contributed to his decision. The tragedy underscores the UK's escalating scam crisis, with one in five Britons (9 million people) victimized by financial scams in 2024, resulting in over £11.4 billion in total losses, with common schemes including investment fraud, fake debt assistance, and impersonation scams targeting people via social media.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines major scams targeting older adults, including "pig butchering" (cryptocurrency investment fraud built through relationship manipulation), tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams (sometimes using AI voice cloning), and sweepstakes/lottery scams. The article advises seniors and their families to watch for red flags such as urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), poor grammar, and to have trusted individuals review any communication requesting personal information or payment before responding.
theregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Five romance scammers were convicted in the UK for operating a multimillion-pound fraud scheme that defrauded at least 99 victims out of an estimated £3.25 million ($4.22 million). The criminals posed as romantic interests on dating websites to build trust with vulnerable individuals—often recently divorced or widowed—and repeatedly scammed them until they had no money left, with proceeds laundered through the perpetrators' bank accounts. The case highlights the sophistication of romance fraud operations and emphasizes that victims should report incidents without shame, as such schemes exploit even intelligent individuals through well-honed manipulative tactics.
npr.org
· 2025-12-08
Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and profitable, generating approximately $500 billion annually through a global industry that leverages AI, cryptocurrency, and social media platforms. The article highlights emerging threats including job scams that exploit economic uncertainty and federal workforce reductions, while experts from law enforcement and financial journalism discuss prevention strategies and victim resources.
1011now.com
· 2025-12-08
Two brothers, ages 76 and 77, lost $1.36 million in an online trading scam that began in November 2024 when a fraudster claimed to invest their money in stocks and cryptocurrency through a fake platform. The victims discovered the fraud when they attempted to withdraw funds during a market downturn and found their accounts were fraudulent. Lincoln Police are urging families to communicate about internet scams and direct victims to report fraud through the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
ketv.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Lancaster County brothers, ages 76 and 77, lost over $1.3 million in a cryptocurrency investment scam that began in November 2024, where fraudsters used a fake online trading platform claiming to invest their money in stocks and cryptocurrency. A separate investigation by the Lancaster County Sheriff involves a 40-year-old man who lost $48,000 to a similar cryptocurrency scam between October and April, discovering the fraud when charged a $6,000 withdrawal fee on a fake account. Authorities estimate cryptocurrency scams in the area have cost victims approximately $250,000 in 2024 and recommend exercising caution with unfamiliar online investment platforms and reporting suspected fraud.
ktar.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies five major scams targeting seniors: "pig butchering" (long-term cryptocurrency investment schemes), tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams (sometimes using voice-cloning AI), and sweepstakes/lottery scams. The article explains that older adults are targeted due to larger savings, higher trust levels, and potential unfamiliarity with technology, and recommends seniors watch for red flags including urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, crypto), poor grammar, and suspicious requests—while seeking a second opinion before sharing personal information or money.
dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-08
A scammer impersonating JPMorgan Chase and PayPal defrauded two Florida victims of $30,000 total through a multi-stage scheme involving fake security alerts about unauthorized Bitcoin purchases, threats of arrest for money laundering, and impersonation of a Chase fraud officer and FBI agent. The victims were instructed to withdraw cash ($18,000 from the first victim and $12,000 from the second) and hand it to a courier who visited their homes; suspect Wilkens Eugene was arrested when the second victim became suspicious after being contacted again for an additional $60,000.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency fraud losses reached $3.96 billion in 2023, up 335% from 2021, with scam activity growing an average of 24% annually since 2020. Crypto scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, particularly "pig butchering" schemes where scammers build online relationships before soliciting investments or money, with this fraud type growing 40% in 2024. Investigators recommend maintaining skepticism in online interactions, verifying investment details independently, and being alert to requests for fees or repeated payments, as scammers often exploit victims over months or years before detection.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This article outlines common scams targeting seniors, including "pig-butchering" schemes that build trust over time before convincing victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms, as well as tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams using voice cloning, and sweepstakes frauds. Older adults are particularly vulnerable due to larger savings, higher trust levels, and potential unfamiliarity with technology, compounded by factors like cognitive decline and social isolation. Key prevention strategies include teaching seniors to recognize red flags such as urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), poor grammar, and soliciting personal information—and encouraging them to verify
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Hawaii consumers lost $61.6 million to scams in 2024, a 32 percent increase from the prior year, with the most common frauds involving imposters, identity theft, and investment scams conducted via social media and cryptocurrency. AARP Hawaii is hosting a series of webinars in April featuring FBI agents and fraud prevention experts to help residents, particularly older adults (kupuna), recognize and report fraud including business imposter scams, online shopping fraud, and Medicare-related schemes. The webinars aim to educate consumers on protecting themselves and their families while encouraging fraud reporting despite the stigma surrounding victimization.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A finance director at a multinational corporation nearly lost US$499,000 (S$670,000) in March when scammers used deepfake technology to impersonate the company's CEO and CFO during a fake video conference, convincing him to transfer funds to a money mule account. Singapore's Anti-Scam Centre and Hong Kong Police successfully recovered the full amount from Hong Kong bank accounts within days after the victim discovered the fraud on March 27. Police advised businesses to establish verification protocols for video calls and fund transfer requests, particularly from senior executives, and to confirm urgent instructions through established communication channels.
tradingview.com
· 2025-12-08
Australia's financial regulator (ASIC) obtained a court order to shut down 95 companies linked to "pig butchering" scams—sophisticated investment and romance fraud schemes where criminals build trust with victims over weeks before directing them to fake trading platforms for forex, crypto, and commodities. These organized criminal networks, often operating from countries like Myanmar and Eastern Europe, target high-income individuals globally by using fake websites, stolen identities, and complex deception tactics to create false legitimacy. Despite regulatory efforts to remove scam websites and shut down fraudulent companies, Australians lost AU$2.74 billion to financial fraud in the most recent reporting period, though losses declined 13.1
asic.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
ASIC successfully obtained Federal Court orders to wind up 95 companies incorporated with false information that were suspected of facilitating "pig butchering" scams (romance baiting scams) involving fake investment platforms for forex, digital assets, and commodities trading. The scammers used professional-looking websites and apps to trick victims into depositing money into accounts controlled by fraudsters, with some companies potentially incorporated using stolen identities. ASIC warns consumers remain highly vigilant against these sophisticated scams, noting it removes approximately 130 scam websites weekly as part of its ongoing enforcement efforts.
johnsoncitytn.org
· 2025-12-08
The Johnson City Police Department reported a rise in phone scams where callers impersonate law enforcement, government agents, or company representatives to pressure victims into purchasing gift cards, sending cryptocurrency, or sharing financial information by claiming urgent issues like pending arrests or compromised bank accounts. Victims have been contacted via phone, social media, text, and other platforms, with scammers requesting gift card numbers after purchase to access funds immediately. The JCPD emphasizes that legitimate law enforcement never demands payment to avoid arrest and advises the public to hang up on suspicious callers and report them to Crime Stoppers, noting that older adults are particularly targeted in these scams.
myupnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert warning about a Bitcoin ATM scam targeting unsuspecting victims, particularly older adults. The scam involves fraudulent calls or messages claiming financial accounts are compromised, with callers impersonating legitimate companies or law enforcement and threatening prosecution to coerce victims into withdrawing cash and depositing it into Bitcoin ATMs, after which the money is irretrievably converted to cryptocurrency. Because Bitcoin ATMs lack regulation and oversight, unlike traditional banking systems with fraud prevention measures, victims have no meaningful consumer protections and funds cannot be recovered once the transaction is complete.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert warning residents about Bitcoin ATM scams targeting older adults, in which fraudsters pose as representatives from companies like Apple, Google, or law enforcement to convince victims their accounts are compromised and demand immediate payment. Victims are instructed to withdraw cash from banks and deposit it into Bitcoin ATMs, where it is converted to cryptocurrency and sent to scammers; once transferred, the money cannot be recovered because Bitcoin ATMs lack oversight, regulation, and fraud prevention measures unlike traditional financial institutions. The alert advises consumers never to deposit money into Bitcoin ATMs at anyone's request, to be wary of urgent calls, to verify requests with their banks, and to report suspecte
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Secret Service seized the web domain NFT-UNI.com, which was used in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam that defrauded a Warren County victim of approximately $172,405.61 between November 2023 and March 2024, with total losses across all victims reaching approximately $4,564,936.47. In pig butchering schemes, scammers build trust with victims through dating apps, social media, or text messages before convincing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms, then disappearing with their funds. This is the second domain seizure by the Secret Service in Warren County related to this type of scheme, as part
mitrade.com
· 2025-12-08
Australia's Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) shut down 95 companies operating as fronts for crypto romance scams following Federal Court approval, with liquidators appointed to manage the wind-down. Over 1,500 victims from 14 countries have filed claims totaling more than $35 million, with scammers using fake company registrations, stolen identities, and AI-generated content to perpetrate "pig butchering" schemes that increased 40% between 2023-2024. Despite ASIC taking down over 10,000 fraudulent websites, regulators warn that scams remain persistent and evolving, though Australia saw a 26% decline in total sc
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
Australia's corporate watchdog (ASIC) secured court approval to shut down 95 "hydra" companies suspected of operating "pig butchering" scams—romance and cryptocurrency investment frauds where scammers build fake relationships to manipulate victims into investing in fraudulent schemes. Nearly 1,500 investors across 14 countries filed claims totaling over $35.8 million in losses, with the scam activity believed to originate largely from Southeast Asia. ASIC has removed over 10,000 scam websites in recent efforts, though the regulator warns that new fraudulent sites continue to emerge rapidly.
wesh.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, with the Better Business Bureau identifying investment/cryptocurrency schemes, employment scams, and romance/friendship scams as the year's most dangerous, often involving financial grooming tactics where scammers build trust over time. Victims of investment and cryptocurrency scams lost money at rates exceeding 80%, while young adults aged 18-34 were primary targets for employment fraud, and imposter scams frequently involved fraudulent claims from PayPal, Publishers Clearing House, and the U.S. Postal Service. Experts recommend verifying credentials, asking questions about unsolicited offers, and confirming communications to avoid falling victim
koco.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission and a new Better Business Bureau report analyzing the year's most dangerous schemes. The top scams involved investment and cryptocurrency schemes (80% loss rate), employment scams targeting young adults 18-34, romance and friendship scams on dating platforms, and imposter scams impersonating major companies. Experts advise consumers to verify credentials, ask questions about investment claims, and verify unsolicited communications to protect against scammers using financial grooming tactics to build trust before exploitation.
wmar2news.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI launched "Operation Level Up" in January 2024 to proactively contact victims of cryptocurrency investment scams in progress, using emails and phone calls to prevent further money transfers. From January 2024 to February 2025, the FBI contacted over 5,000 victims and estimated it saved approximately $318 million in planned transfers, with 76 percent of contacted victims unaware they were being scammed. The scammers typically pose as romantic interests or influencers on social media, build trust over weeks, then direct victims to fake investment websites promising high cryptocurrency returns before requesting increasingly larger deposits.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Research identifies loneliness and financial fragility as the two most significant risk factors for elder financial fraud victimization. Socially isolated individuals are more vulnerable to relationship-based scams (romance, pig-butchering, affinity fraud) because they lack trusted contacts to validate suspicious offers, while financial stress impairs rational decision-making and increases willingness to take risky financial gambles that fraudsters exploit.
actuarialpost.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) and Pension Scams Action Group (PSAG) are using technology and multi-agency collaboration to combat pension scams, having reviewed 830 websites, removed 29 high-risk sites, and made 94 referrals to partner agencies. A new Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting and Analytics Service will replace Action Fraud later this year, improving intelligence gathering and police investigation timelines. Only 11% of pension schemes correctly understood that scams should be reported to Action Fraud, highlighting the need for continued education and reporting compliance.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, scammers targeted elderly residents and visitors in Beaufort County, South Carolina, stealing over $3.1 million across 62 cases by impersonating law enforcement and demanding cryptocurrency transfers via Bitcoin ATMs. The scams exploited urgency and fabricated threats of arrest or legal consequences, with victims directed to convert cash to cryptocurrency at predatory ATMs with high transaction fees. Officials across South Carolina are calling for government oversight of cryptocurrency ATMs, as these machines have become primary tools for targeting aging communities, with the FTC noting that cryptocurrency scam losses in the U.S. increased tenfold between 2020 and 2023.
elderjustice.usc.edu
· 2025-12-08
This article collection presents educational resources on elder abuse prevention and protection across multiple topics: nutrition services as a preventive touchpoint for vulnerable seniors, a new Bill of Rights model for guardianship, practical scam prevention strategies, technology's role in reducing isolation (a risk factor for abuse), community-coordinated elder justice responses, faith community engagement on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and awareness about relationship investment scams using digital platforms. The materials emphasize that elder abuse prevention requires multi-sector approaches involving healthcare providers, legal advocates, community organizations, and faith leaders working together to protect older adults' rights and wellbeing.
people.com
· 2025-12-08
An Oklahoma woman, Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, was arrested in April 2025 for laundering approximately $1.5 million from four elderly victims (ages 64-79) in an online romance scam between September and December 2024. One victim sold her house to send $600,000 to the scammer, while others sent gift cards, cash, and cashier's checks; Echohawk allegedly converted the funds through cryptocurrency accounts and sent payments to an unidentified suspect. She faces charges carrying 24 to 62 years in prison and up to $260,000 in fines.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers operating from Cambodia use sophisticated money laundering networks to quickly move billions of dollars stolen through various schemes, including online romance scams and fake cryptocurrency exchanges. By the time victims realize they've lost their life savings to these frauds, the money has already disappeared into complex financial channels designed to obscure its origins. The article examines how these criminal networks operate with apparent impunity, moving stolen funds at high speed to prevent recovery.
local12.com
· 2025-12-08
An Ohio woman who lost nearly $42,000 to an online scam in August was able to recover $35,600 with help from law enforcement. The victim was tricked into sending Bitcoin to a scammer posing as Microsoft support after receiving a fake hacking warning on her computer. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation's Electronic Financial Investigations Unit traced and froze the funds, returning the majority of her money.
fedweek.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The Government Accountability Office called for better federal coordination in countering scams, finding that while 13 agencies have anti-scam roles, they operate independently without a comprehensive government-wide strategy. The report noted that common scams include impersonations of federal agencies (particularly SSA, IRS, and DHS), tech support, and family members in crisis, and recommended developing unified strategies, national scam estimates, and measurement of consumer education effectiveness.
defector.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
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
local12.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old Greater Cincinnati woman recovered over $35,000 after falling victim to a tech support scam involving a fake Microsoft pop-up that convinced her to convert nearly $42,000 into Bitcoin to repair her compromised computer. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation's Electronic Financial Investigations Unit was able to trace and recover most of the funds because the case was reported promptly, highlighting the importance of contacting law enforcement immediately upon suspecting fraud. Investigators could not identify the scammer but cautioned the public against responding to unsolicited calls demanding money and reminded people that law enforcement will not call about warrants or missed court dates.
ynetnews.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
naija247news.com
· 2025-12-08
A 34-year-old Nigerian man, Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, was arrested in Dallas-Fort Worth in April 2025 after being indicted for masterminding a $2.5 million romance scam that operated from 2016 to 2019. The scheme involved creating fake dating profiles to manipulate vulnerable victims into sending money under false pretenses, with one Massachusetts victim unknowingly serving as a money mule who converted stolen funds into cryptocurrency through platforms like LocalBitcoins. Nwadavid faces charges of mail fraud and money laundering, each carrying up to 20 years in prison, plus fines, restitution
coinfomania.com
· 2025-12-08
A 34-year-old Nigerian national, Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, was arrested at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in April 2024 after operating a sophisticated romance scam between 2016 and 2019 that defrauded victims of $2.5 million in cryptocurrency. Nwadavid created fake online personas to manipulate at least one primary victim in Massachusetts into unknowingly facilitating the transfer of over $2.5 million through remote account access and peer-to-peer crypto platforms. He faces up to 40 years in federal prison on charges of mail fraud and money laundering following his indictment by a Boston federal grand jury
thenerdstash.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk was charged with money laundering after operating a romance scam targeting four elderly women across multiple states, fraudulently obtaining over $1.5 million by posing as a man named "Edward Lotts" and convincing victims to send money under false pretenses. Operating from April 2023 through October 2024, Echohawk convinced her first victim to sell her home and send $600,000, and continued targeting additional victims despite a police confrontation in January 2024; she was arrested in April and now faces 24 to 62 years in prison plus up to $260,000 in fines.