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in Robocalls / Phone Scams
bitdefender.com
· 2025-12-08
Summer 2025 presents heightened fraud risks as scammers target vacationing individuals through fake rental listings, spoofed travel notifications, refund scams, fraudulent social media sales, and emergency impersonation schemes (including AI deepfake calls). The article advises consumers to book through official channels, verify communications directly with companies, avoid clicking suspicious links, be skeptical of unsolicited refund offers, research online sellers, and refrain from posting real-time location information on social media.
dallasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Texas ranks second nationally for internet crime losses, with residents experiencing $1.35 billion in losses in 2024—a $328 million increase from the previous year, according to the FBI. People over 60 experienced the highest financial losses, while Hispanic and Black communities are particularly vulnerable to targeted scams such as family impersonation, phishing, and fraudulent investment schemes. The article provides guidance on recognizing scams (offers that seem too good to be true, pressure to act quickly, requests for personal information, unusual payment methods) and prevention strategies (verifying identities through official channels, using strong passwords, registering with the Do Not Call Registry, and limiting personal information shared online).
it.ucsf.edu
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns students, faculty, and staff about the surge in cyber scams during the back-to-school season, including scholarship fraud, fake tuition processors, IRS impersonation, phishing emails, and fake login pages. The piece provides protective measures such as skepticism toward unsolicited messages, strong password practices, multi-factor authentication, and reporting suspicious emails through institutional channels. The article emphasizes that heightened vigilance is needed during this period when hackers exploit academic community confusion, particularly around student debt relief issues.
fox29.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Delaware County seniors each lost approximately $9,000 in a phone scam where callers impersonated their adult children claiming to be in accidents, then posed as bail bondsmen demanding cash to prevent jail time. The scammers used rideshare services to send couriers to collect the money wrapped in shoeboxes, with funds ultimately transported to Newark, New Jersey and Reading, Pennsylvania. Police urge residents to hang up on such calls and contact authorities, noting that legitimate law enforcement never demands cash payment.
beaconjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Criminals in Ohio are attaching cell phones with magnets to vehicles to track owners to their homes, then attempting home invasions by falsely claiming the homeowner has their phone. The Kirtland Police Department warns residents to avoid opening doors to strangers and to call police immediately if they suspect they are being followed or tracked. Safety recommendations include driving to crowded areas or police stations, using personal safety apps to share location with trusted contacts, and checking devices for tracking notifications.
deccanchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old resident of Hyderabad was scammed out of Rs. 1.46 lakh after responding to a YouTube advertisement falsely promising to buy an old Rs. 20 coin for Rs. 50 lakh; a fraudster posing as "Raj Gyani" extracted the money through multiple requests for payments under various pretexts before demanding an additional Rs. 1 lakh. Police advised the public to avoid transferring money to unknown individuals for extraordinary offers on social media and video platforms, and to verify all communications and preserve transaction records before engaging in online transactions.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Roger Roger, a 41-year-old Costa Rica resident, was sentenced to over 15 years in prison for leading an international telemarketing fraud scheme that defrauded hundreds of victims, many elderly, of over $4 million. The scheme involved co-conspirators posing as U.S. government officials using Voice Over Internet Protocol technology to convince victims they had won sweepstakes prizes, then soliciting up-front payments for non-existent prizes. Roger was ordered to pay $3.3 million in restitution and forfeit $4.2 million.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A 74-year-old Massachusetts woman lost approximately $450,000 of her retirement savings in a year-long romance scam where perpetrators impersonated country music star Vince Gill and his daughter, fabricating a story about divorce and legal troubles to extract money through wire transfers, checks, and cash. Despite warnings from banks, law enforcement, and family members, the victim continues to believe the online relationship is genuine. Santa Barbara County District Attorney investigators emphasize that romance scams are particularly difficult to prevent due to emotional manipulation tactics like "love bombing," and recommend that concerned family members approach victims with empathy while asking non-judgmental questions and contacting authorities if suspicious activity is detected.
wwaytv3.com
· 2025-12-08
North Carolina officials launched a statewide initiative to combat Bitcoin ATM scams, which have caused victims millions of dollars in losses with cryptocurrency-related crime jumping nearly 1,300% from 2017 to 2023. The typical scam involves fraudsters impersonating trusted individuals via phone calls and directing victims to Bitcoin kiosks for urgent withdrawals, with seniors over 65 being the primary targets. Officials are encouraging businesses to post warning signs at crypto machines and urging the public to avoid unexpected cash withdrawals, delete suspicious messages, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or the NC Secretary of State.
heartfm.ca
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
An Oxford County resident lost $5,000 in a romance scam after developing an online relationship with a stranger who requested money for a flight home. Police warn that romance scams commonly target single individuals through deception, and advise the public to avoid sending money to unknown online contacts, verify dating website legitimacy, and refrain from sharing personal information online.
wdrb.com
· 2025-12-08
The Publishers Clearing House (PCH) scam remains a prevalent fraud targeting seniors, who are deceived by official-looking letters claiming they have won large sums of money (such as $1.6 million) and instructing them to deposit checks and send back fees for taxes and processing. Legitimate PCH winners are notified through personal visits and never asked to send money back, making any request for payment a clear indicator of fraud.
dos.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection warns that the military community lost $584 million to fraud in 2024 across 99,443 reported incidents, with service members, veterans, and their families targeted at higher rates than the general population due to their steady income, benefits, and frequent relocation. Common scams include imposter fraud, online shopping scams, and investment-related schemes, though protection strategies such as placing "Active-Duty Alerts" on credit reports, using free FTC credit monitoring, and researching purchases before completing transactions can reduce vulnerability.
phys.org
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering" scams are sophisticated fraud schemes operated by organized crime groups that have stolen billions globally, in which scammers build fake romantic or friendly relationships with victims online before pressuring them into fraudulent investments, typically over a few months rather than years. Notable victims include a Kansas banker who embezzled $47 million to cover his losses and a Connecticut woman who lost nearly $1 million in cryptocurrency investments, with scammers exploiting victims' desire for financial gain rather than solely relying on romantic manipulation. The scams operate in three stages—hunting for victims online, building trust, and executing the "kill" by pushing large financial commitments—and are typically run by highly organized criminal
investor.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece describes five common investment scams targeting investors: relationship investment scams (building trust through romance or friendship), advance fee fraud (demanding upfront payments before fund release), impersonation schemes (falsely claiming to be SEC officials or legitimate firms), and stock tip scams (promoting stocks on social media to artificially inflate prices). Scammers typically use social media and messaging apps to build trust, pressure victims into fraudulent investments or phony accounts, then steal funds or demand additional fees for supposed account access or loss recovery. Victims can report suspected investment scams to the SEC, FBI, FTC, state securities regulators, or state attorneys general.
lifehacker.com
· 2025-12-08
**Callback phishing scams** impersonate trusted companies (Microsoft, Adobe, PayPal, Norton LifeLock, DocuSign, Geek Squad) via fraudulent emails with auto-loading PDFs containing company logos and phone numbers, directing recipients to call fake tech support. Once on the phone, scammers pose as customer service representatives and extract personal information or direct victims to malicious links and downloads that steal data or install malware. These scams exploit urgency and emotion to bypass critical thinking; recipients should verify requests by contacting companies directly through official channels and be wary of unsolicited emails with attachments, links, or QR codes.
ksnblocal4.com
· 2025-12-08
Broken Bow Public Schools in Nebraska fell victim to a sophisticated phishing scam in spring 2025, resulting in a fraudulent $1.8 million ACH transfer intended for a construction contractor to an illegitimate account. The district has recovered approximately $700,000 with assistance from the FBI, Nebraska State Patrol, and U.S. Secret Service, and has implemented new financial safeguards to prevent future incidents. The construction project will continue without interruption or tax increases, and the district remains in a strong financial position.
prweb.com
· 2025-12-08
A July 2025 survey of 2,034 U.S. adults found that 39% have received fake job offer texts, with 14% engaging with the scams—particularly younger men, among whom up to 31% of millennials interacted with fraudulent offers. Of those who engaged, victims lost money through direct payments to scammers (22%), unauthorized bank or credit card charges (30%), or by sharing personal information leading to identity theft (29%), with 12% losing over $1,000 each. The scams have created widespread distrust, causing 45% of recipients to become skeptical of recruiter outreach and 25% to delay responding to legitimate job
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-08
A Chinese actor named Wang Xing was abducted in Thailand and taken to a scam compound in Myanmar in early 2025, sparking widespread concern about fraud operations in Southeast Asia. The incident highlighted the prevalence of "pig butchering" scams—a type of fraud where criminals build fake romantic or financial relationships with victims to manipulate them into large investments, with victims worldwide losing billions of dollars. These scams, typically run by organized crime groups, operate in three stages (hunting, raising, and killing) and can result in devastating financial losses, as exemplified by cases like a Connecticut woman who lost nearly $1 million and a Kansas banker who embezzled $47 million to cover
keyt.com
· 2025-12-08
A 74-year-old Massachusetts woman lost approximately $450,000 in a year-long romance scam in which perpetrators impersonated country music star Vince Gill and his daughter, fabricating an emotional story about a false rape accusation to solicit money. Despite warnings from banks, law enforcement, and family members, the victim sent wire transfers, cashier's checks, cash, and took out personal loans and credit card advances before her daughter discovered the fraud on Christmas morning. Authorities emphasize that romance scammers exploit emotional manipulation and social isolation, particularly targeting older adults who are widowed, divorced, or lonely, and recommend that concerned family members ask non-judgmental questions and contact
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated fraudsters in Kerala are targeting elderly pensioners through phone scams impersonating government officials, using stolen personal data (pension details, Aadhaar numbers, nominee information) to build trust before requesting OTPs to access bank accounts. Kerala's Cyber Operations Division reports 2,000-2,500 daily fraud complaints with approximately 125 resulting in cases, causing an estimated loss of ₹1-1.5 crore daily, though 90% of losses are under ₹1 lakh per victim. The Pension Directorate has warned pensioners that legitimate government officials never contact them by phone or online to update life certificates, and victims should report frau
9news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Baby Boomers are the fastest-growing demographic investing in cryptocurrency, with seniors over 65 increasing from 2% to 8.2% of crypto investors over five years, but experts warn this population is vulnerable to "cryptoscams." Australians lost over $170 million to cryptocurrency scams in 2023, with more than 60% of victims first exposed to crypto through social media; advisors recommend seniors conduct thorough research, seek trusted guidance, avoid high-risk meme coins, and maintain personal control of their cryptocurrency wallets.
staysafeonline.org
· 2025-12-08
Smishing is a text message-based scam where cybercriminals impersonate banks, delivery services, government agencies, or other trusted entities to trick recipients into clicking malicious links, sharing personal information, or downloading malware. Common smishing tactics include fake delivery updates, account alerts, prize giveaways, government impersonations, and job offers that create artificial urgency to bypass critical thinking. To avoid smishing scams, recipients should pause before clicking unfamiliar links, verify unexpected messages directly with the claimed sender, and look for suspicious domain names or grammatical errors in the text.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonate FEMA officials after natural disasters, calling, texting, or visiting people to solicit cash upfront for fake disaster grants, home inspections, or assistance services. FEMA never charges for disaster assistance or requests money, banking information, or personal data, so anyone making such requests is fraudulent. To protect yourself, verify identity through official FEMA badges, avoid responding to unsolicited communications, and contact FEMA directly at 1-800-621-3362 if uncertain about a representative's legitimacy.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
Researchers uncovered a large-scale international investment scam operation using 17,000 fake news websites impersonating major outlets like CNN, BBC, and ABC News across 50 countries, with the US being the primary target. The scam operates by buying social media ads featuring local celebrities, directing users to counterfeit news sites that promote fake investment platforms (such as Eclipse Earn and Solara Vynex), collecting personal information, and pressuring victims to deposit money that appears to grow on fraudulent trading platforms before disappearing along with the "friendly advisor" when victims attempt withdrawal. Key protective measures include verifying platform legitimacy through official regulators, avoiding unsolicited links, checking for red flags like
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A Detroit-area woman searching Google for a Geico insurance phone number in June 2025 inadvertently called a scammer's line instead of the legitimate company and lost money to the fraudsters. The incident highlights the risk of clicking on spoofed phone numbers that appear in online search results, which scammers use to impersonate legitimate businesses and steal from unsuspecting callers.
dallasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article reflects on how scams have evolved over the past 20 years, using a 2006 book called "Scamorama" as a reference point. The classic Nigerian 419 scam—featuring poorly written letters promising large sums of money in exchange for small fees—was relatively easy to identify and became the subject of "scam baiting," where victims would intentionally waste scammers' time with absurd requests. Today's scams are far more sophisticated, utilizing artificial intelligence to eliminate grammatical errors and leveraging modern technologies like text messaging, social media, and cryptocurrency, making them significantly more difficult to detect and more effective at defrauding victims.
nar.realtor
· 2025-12-08
More than 60 real estate agents nationwide have lost a combined $15 million in "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams, where fraudsters build trust with agents through social media or text, pose as clients or financial advisors, and gradually coax them into investing on fraudulent crypto platforms before disappearing with the funds. The scams often exploit agents' access to MLS databases and their familiarity with large financial transactions, with victims like Tennessee agent Teri Radcliff losing over $200,000 and a North Carolina agent's family losing $815,000. The perpetrators frequently use deepfakes or video impersonation and withdraw victims' money through fake platforms before requesting additional security
cyprus-mail.com
· 2025-12-08
Since early 2025, Cyprus has experienced a surge in cyber fraud cases, including a Limassol man who lost €56,283 to a cryptocurrency investment scam and a 55-year-old woman who lost €230 to a phishing email impersonating Etsy. Scammers employ sophisticated tactics such as impersonating government officials, creating fake websites, and using urgent messaging with links to fraudulent sites, while exact figures on total reported scams remain unavailable from police. Experts advise the public to recognize warning signs including urgency, spelling errors, requests for personal information, and unfamiliar senders, though vigilance alone provides only partial protection against increasingly professional frau
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
Tasmanian Police uncovered a sophisticated cryptocurrency ATM scam targeting elderly residents, resulting in $1.6 million in losses ($592,000 through crypto ATMs). Scammers manipulated seniors through romance and investment schemes, convincing them to deposit cash into ATMs where it was converted to cryptocurrency and transferred to untraceable wallets. In response, authorities are implementing stricter regulatory measures on crypto ATMs and launching public awareness campaigns, while Detective Sergeant Paul Turner advises victims to verify identities through trusted sources before any financial transactions involving cryptocurrency.
euronews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers used AI voice cloning technology to impersonate U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in messages sent via Signal to foreign ministers, a U.S. governor, and a member of Congress, with authorities investigating whether the fraudster sought to manipulate officials for access to information or accounts. Voice cloning fraud works by capturing a person's speech patterns, accent, and breathing from as little as three seconds of audio—often sourced from social media—to create realistic voice and text message replicas. Experts recommend verifying callers through independent contact methods, avoiding reliance on caller ID, checking for subtle alterations in names or URLs, and limiting personal information shared online to prevent becoming
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Singapore police investigated 536 people for their suspected involvement in scams and unlicensed moneylending activities totaling over $12.2 million in losses during a June 30-July 11 enforcement operation by the Bedok Police Division. Of those under investigation, 391 suspects were linked to more than 2,400 cases including e-commerce, investment, job, rental, and phishing scams, while 145 were implicated in loan scams and unlicensed moneylending involving over $250,000. The operation resulted in 36 arrests, with the suspects ranging in age from 16 to 81 years old.
newsarenaindia.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Punjab are impersonating army personnel to defraud small shopkeepers using fake payment messages and emotional manipulation. In one case, Kamal Singh lost ₹23,400 after receiving a fake payment notification and transferring money back to what he believed was an overpayment by an "army officer," while another shopkeeper, Rajat Khullar, avoided a similar ₹54,000 scam by verifying his account first. Police urge shopkeepers to verify all transactions independently and report suspected fraud immediately, as these schemes increasingly target small business owners unfamiliar with digital fraud tactics.
detroitnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams targeting work-seekers have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the losses from 2020—according to the FTC. These scams typically begin with personalized text or WhatsApp messages from fake recruiters offering easy online tasks (like liking videos or rating images) that promise commissions; victims are shown fake earnings tallies before being asked to deposit their own money in cryptocurrency to withdraw their nonexistent pay. The scammers disproportionately target vulnerable populations including new job-seekers, people re-entering the workforce, and immigrants, exploiting economic uncertainty and the appeal of remote work
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters are sending fake emails to Amazon Prime members claiming subscription price increases and directing them to click "cancel" buttons that lead to phishing pages designed to steal login and payment details. Amazon warned its 200+ million global Prime members about the surge in these impersonation scams and advised customers to ignore suspicious emails, verify account status directly through the Amazon app or website, and enable two-step verification for added security.
kfiz.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, military consumers filed over 200,000 scam reports with the FTC, with 31,833 reporting financial losses totaling $584 million (median loss of $700). Scammers target servicemembers, retirees, and their families through two main housing scams: home loan fraud (impersonating VA officials to demand immediate payment or property transfers) and rental housing fraud (advertising fake properties with military discounts to collect deposits before renters discover the fraud). Consumers are advised to verify all housing-related requests through official channels, avoid unrealistic discounts, tour properties in person, and use legitimate military housing resources like Military By Owner and Homes.mil.
abc57.com
· 2025-12-08
The Marshall County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about scammers impersonating department officials and requesting money via phone and email. The sheriff's department does not solicit funds and never uses third-party payment services like PayPal, Apple Pay, or Western Union; officials advise citizens to verify the identity of any caller before providing personal information or payment.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A Houston man lost $20,000 after receiving a phone call from someone posing as a Wells Fargo representative who claimed fraudulent charges were on his account. The scammer provided legitimate transaction details to build credibility, then sent a woman to his home who collected his physical bank card, cut it in half, and drove away with it—leading to over $20,000 in ATM withdrawals within 90 minutes. The incident reflects a rising trend in imposter scams, with the FTC reporting $12.5 billion in total fraud losses in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, with imposter scams being the most commonly reported frau
observer.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Fraud has evolved from rare, high-profile crimes into a pervasive problem affecting all age groups, with the UK experiencing 4.1 million fraud incidents in the year ending 2024—a 33% increase from the previous year—and identity fraud alone costing the nation approximately £1.8 billion annually. Contrary to stereotypes, younger people (18-24) are slightly more vulnerable than seniors, likely due to greater online activity, though common fraud types now include identity theft, purchase scams, authorized push payments, and romance scams. Modern criminals exploit technological advantages including malware, cryptocurrencies, AI deepfakes, and organized "scam factories" operating
cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
A diplomatic cable revealed that someone used AI to impersonate U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio by generating deepfake voicemails and text messages to reach high-level officials and foreign ministers, sparking global alerts about AI-enabled fraud. The incident reflects a broader rise in deepfake scams since 2023, with criminals increasingly using tools like "FraudGPT" to efficiently manufacture phishing attacks and other frauds, raising questions about whether law enforcement has adequate tools to combat this evolving threat.
timesofmalta.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece outlines how modern fraud affects individuals and organizations across all demographics through sophisticated digital tactics including phishing, deepfakes, and romance scams. It emphasizes that cybercriminals use AI, public information, and impersonation to deceive victims, with goals ranging from financial theft to data breaches and ransomware attacks. The article advocates for defense through education, technology investment, personal vigilance, and coordinated efforts across financial institutions, law enforcement, and government to combat the growing threat.
greeleytribune.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Business job scams are increasing in frequency, with scammers employing a trust-building strategy before exploiting their victims financially. The article advises protective measures to help people identify and avoid falling victim to these schemes.
wdrb.com
· 2025-12-08
The Bardstown Police Department warned the public about scammers impersonating officers and calling residents to solicit donations for fallen officers using the (859) area code. Victims should not provide personal or financial information to these callers, as the police department confirmed it never solicits money through unsolicited calls.
sidneydailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial scams targeting elderly residents in Shelby County, Ohio have become increasingly sophisticated, with people age 60 and over losing a combined $3.4 billion to fraud worldwide in 2023 alone. Scammers employ methods including Social Security imposter scams, grandparent schemes (enhanced by AI-generated voices and videos), and fake law enforcement threats to extract personal information and money from victims. Elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable due to accumulated wealth, health-related sensory impairments, and reluctance to report fraud due to embarrassment or fear of losing independence.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Tampa homeowners Larry and Dreama Bilby discovered criminals attempting to steal their home through a "title piracy" scheme involving a fraudulent quitclaim deed while their house was undergoing repairs after being damaged by a fallen tree. After setting up security cameras and registering for property record alerts, they were notified that Michelle Cherry and Victor Rodriguez had filed a quitclaim deed to transfer ownership of the Bilbys' home without their knowledge. This scam exploits legal documents typically used for legitimate property transfers between family members to fraudulently steal homes from unsuspecting owners.
fox17online.com
· 2025-12-08
A Rockford man received a fraudulent call from someone impersonating a Kent County Sheriff's deputy claiming he had missed federal jury duty and had arrest warrants issued against him. The scammer, who had obtained personal information including the victim's name and address, instructed him to visit the sheriff's office and sign documents, but became suspicious when told he couldn't discuss the matter with others due to a "gag order." The Kent County Sheriff's Office confirmed receiving numerous similar calls and advises residents that legitimate law enforcement will never contact them by phone demanding payment or requesting gift cards or cryptocurrency.
longisland.news12.com
· 2025-12-08
A 79-year-old Massapequa woman was scammed out of more than $250,000 after calling a number from a fraudulent PayPal email and being convinced to purchase gold coins in three separate transactions, which were picked up from her home each time. Nassau police arrested 49-year-old Siarhei Radyna from Staten Island following an extensive investigation that included email and phone traces. Authorities are urging residents to alert vulnerable family members and neighbors about such scams and to report suspected fraud to the Nassau County Fraud and Forgery Squad.
wrdw.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using artificial intelligence to clone the voices of loved ones—often extracted from social media videos or voicemails—and call victims requesting money in urgent situations. According to a McAfee survey, one in four people have experienced or know someone who experienced an AI voice cloning scam, with 77% of victims losing money and 70% unable to distinguish the fake from a real voice. Experts recommend families establish a code word known only to them; if someone cannot provide the code word during an urgent call, victims should hang up and contact the person directly.
cvillerightnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal Trade Commission data estimates fraud theft in the United States reached $158.3 billion in 2023, with imposter scams, romance scams, tech scams, and investment scams being the most common types, typically beginning with phishing attempts via email, text, phone, or QR codes. AARP Virginia warns that AI technology is making scams increasingly convincing, particularly grandparent scams using synthesized voice calls, and recommends victims and witnesses report fraud to local law enforcement or contact AARP's Fraud Watch Network at 1-877-908-3360.
thehindu.com
· 2025-12-08
A 38-year-old woman from Mehdipatnam lost ₹2 lakh in a cyber scam after receiving a WhatsApp call falsely claiming her brother was detained in Qatar and needed urgent bail money; the scammer created a false sense of urgency to pressure her into multiple bank transfers before she discovered the fabrication. Police advised victims to independently verify distressing claims with family members directly before transferring funds, noting that scammers exploit panic and time pressure to prevent rational decision-making.
kdhlradio.com
· 2025-12-08
A gold investment scam has resurfaced in Platteville, Wisconsin, targeting elderly residents by impersonating government employees who claim victims have arrest warrants and can settle them by purchasing gold. At least two people have fallen victim to this scheme, which instructs targets to withdraw large sums of money, purchase gold from local dealers, and hand it over to a supposed intermediary who never returns. The Platteville Police Department warns residents to educate elderly family members about this fraud, as scammers use urgency and panic tactics to manipulate vulnerable populations.