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in Romance Scam
eccalifornian.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams remain the leading fraud reported to the FTC, with San Diego County alone reporting over $1.3 million in losses in 2023 and nationwide losses exceeding $1.1 billion annually. Scammers, often operating from overseas labor camps, pose as romantic interests and request money for emergencies, investments, or personal situations, using common excuses like illness, military deployment, or business deals. The article advises potential victims to avoid sending money to unmet online contacts, verify photos using reverse image search, and be suspicious of requests to move conversations off dating apps or provide personal information.
news.abplive.com
· 2025-12-08
A Mumbai man lost Rs 61,000 in a dating app scam where a woman met him at an upscale restaurant, ordered expensive items without showing him the menu, then left abruptly, leaving him to pay the inflated bill. The scam operates through dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, with victims reportedly threatened by bouncers if they refuse to pay bills ranging from Rs 23,000 to Rs 61,000, and at least 12 victims have been identified targeting the same venue and perpetrators. Similar schemes have been reported across major Indian cities including Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Men in Mumbai have been targeted in a organized dating app scam where women lure victims to expensive nightclubs via platforms like Tinder and Bumble, resulting in bills ranging from ₹23,000 to ₹61,000; the women allegedly receive 15-20% commissions, suggesting involvement of nightclub management. At least 10 men reportedly fall victim daily at single venues like the Godfather Club in Andheri West, with similar incidents reported across Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and other major Indian cities, including one case involving a ₹1.2 lakh bill. Mumbai Police have launched an investigation into the suspecte
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A dating app scam operating across multiple Indian cities targeted men through fake dates at upscale nightclubs, with victims in Mumbai losing between Rs 23,000 to Rs 61,000 after women lured them into ordering expensive items before disappearing. The scheme involved women hired by nightclub networks who matched with men on dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, then used intimidation tactics by club staff and bouncers to force payment of inflated bills. Similar incidents have been reported in Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, with at least 12 victims identified in Mumbai alone and authorities investigating the coordinated network of venues involved.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Twelve men in Mumbai fell victim to a dating scam orchestrated through dating apps including Tinder and Bumble, with individual losses ranging from ₹23,000 to ₹61,743. The scam involved women meeting men at upscale venues like Godfather Club in Andheri West, ordering expensive drinks and hookah without showing menus, then disappearing while bouncers allegedly pressured victims to pay inflated bills. The scheme was exposed by lawyer and activist Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj in a viral post that attracted over four million views.
mortgagebusiness.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Between January and June 2024, Scamwatch received 143,113 reports and documented over $139 million in losses, with people aged 55 and over accounting for 48.7 percent of losses despite representing only a portion of reports. A key finding shows that 30 percent of people do not report serious scams, and social media scams cost Australians $80.2 million in the previous year, with common tactics including fake accounts, fraudulent investment opportunities, and requests for personal information. Banks emphasize the importance of reporting scams and sharing awareness to collectively prevent fraud, particularly targeting vulnerable populations including older adults, non-English speakers, and people with
mk.co.kr
· 2025-12-08
A criminal organization based in Myanmar's "Golden Triangle" lured dozens of Korean men (ages 20-40s) with false promises of high-paying jobs (10-100 million won monthly), then imprisoned them in heavily guarded compounds and forced them into romance scams and stock fraud after confiscating their documents. The victims endured physical torture, threats, and forced labor for approximately 40 days until one escaped and reported the scheme to the Korean Embassy in October 2023, leading to the rescue of 19 victims and the arrest of 37 perpetrators; the estimated fraud damages exceeded 23 billion won.
9now.nine.com.au
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering" is a sophisticated romance scam operating from compounds on the Myanmar-Thailand border, where trafficked workers—held captive and beaten by Chinese organized crime gangs—use AI-generated avatars and psychological manipulation scripts to build romantic relationships with victims on dating apps, then convince them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms. The scams have become so prevalent and profitable that they rival the drug trade; Australian victim Sarah lost $100,000 after months of grooming, and law enforcement officials warn this criminal enterprise poses an unprecedented global threat to vulnerable populations worldwide.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
A study ranking online dating safety across U.S. states identified Nevada, Alaska, Georgia, Florida, and Arizona as the five most dangerous states, based on rates of romance scams, identity theft, fraud, violent crime, and encounters with registered sex offenders. Georgia and Florida ranked among the least safe due to particularly high identity theft and fraud rates, while Arizona led the nation in romance scams specifically. The research demonstrates that geographic location significantly influences online dating risks for users.
deccanherald.com
· 2025-12-08
A dating scam operating in Mumbai lures men through popular dating apps (Tinder, Bumble, Happn, and QuackQuack) by arranging meetups at expensive nightclubs, where women accomplices then abandon the victims, leaving them responsible for substantial bills. The scam exploits men who are left to pay inflated charges after their dates depart abruptly. No specific dollar amounts or arrest details were provided in this report.
unisa.edu.au
· 2025-12-08
During Australia's Scams Awareness Week 2024, UniSA expert Dr. Braam Lowies highlighted that despite a 13% drop in scam losses, Australians lost $2.7 billion to scams in 2023, with older people over 65 suffering disproportionately—losing $120 million (a 13.3% increase). Investment scams, romance scams, and remote access scams remain prevalent, with investment scams causing the most harm, while scammers exploit psychological tactics and target older adults' retirement savings, often exacerbated by limited digital literacy and cyber security awareness. The campaign emphasized the importance of sharing scam
thefinanser.com
· 2025-12-08
The UK government is implementing new APP (Authorised Push Payment) fraud regulations on October 7 that will require payment providers to reimburse consumers up to £415,000 per case when they are defrauded, addressing losses exceeding £450 million annually (potentially £700 million unreported). The payments industry strongly opposes the law, arguing it will increase moral hazard, attract fraudsters to the UK, raise consumer costs, reduce competition among fintech companies, and potentially destabilize critical payment infrastructure, with some calling for a one-year delay to prepare adequate systems and technology.
newstalk940.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI has identified five major scams targeting Texans: phishing emails mimicking banks to steal personal information, romance scams involving fake dating profiles that request money, lottery/sweepstakes scams requiring upfront fees to claim winnings, tech support scams requesting remote computer access, and IRS/government impersonation scams threatening legal action for immediate payment. The article advises Texans to be cautious of unsolicited requests for money or personal information and to trust their instincts when something seems suspicious.
augustachronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
A Privacy Journal study ranked Georgia as the third most dangerous state for online dating, scoring 43.16 based on six risk factors including romance scams, identity theft, fraud, registered sex offenders, STD prevalence, and violent crime. Georgia performed particularly poorly in identity theft and fraud cases, with 358 per 100,000 residents experiencing identity theft annually and 470 per 100,000 falling victim to other types of fraud, though it had the fourth-lowest rate of romance scams. Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire were identified as the safest states for online dating.
kwqc.com
· 2025-12-08
The Coalition Against Financial Crime is hosting a scam awareness event on September 12 in Bettendorf, Iowa to educate financial institutions, law enforcement, and businesses about evolving fraud tactics. Common scams discussed include romance scams, check fraud, work-from-home schemes, and back-to-school scams, with experts advising the public to slow down before making financial decisions and learn to verify information to avoid victimization.
abilene-rc.com
· 2025-12-08
Detective Kevin Landers of the Abilene Police Department outlines common scams targeting seniors, including romance, lottery, sweepstakes, and government impersonation schemes where callers demand payment via gift cards or bitcoin. Seniors are frequently targeted because they tend to be trusting, have savings, own homes, and maintain good credit, though scammers prey on people of all ages. Landers recommends protecting oneself by verifying unsolicited offers online, resisting pressure to act quickly, monitoring credit reports annually, and stopping communication with suspected scammers immediately.
fbcnews.com.fj
· 2025-12-08
During Fiji's National Scam Awareness Week, police revealed that retired women are being targeted in romance scams, with one victim losing approximately $500,000 after being manipulated through WhatsApp by a perpetrator posing as an overseas resident. Nine cases have been reported, with scammers employing tactics such as requesting nude photos and threatening to expose victims on social media unless they provide money. Retired women, particularly those aged 60-70, are identified as vulnerable targets for these fraudulent schemes.
lowyat.net
· 2025-12-08
Former Heartland Tri-State Bank CEO Shan Hanes was sentenced to 24 years in prison for illegally wiring $47.1 million from the bank in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam, ultimately causing the bank's collapse. The scheme harmed multiple victims including church funds, investment clubs, and children's college savings, resulting in $9 million in losses for bank investors and forcing the FDIC to absorb the $47 million loss. Hanes faces an additional 28 charges in North Dakota with a potential 86-month sentence scheduled for trial in October.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A GOBankingRates survey found that Gen Z and millennials fall victim to financial scams at higher rates than older generations, with 35% experiencing phone-related scams compared to 25% of Gen Xers, and 18% of Gen Zers victimized by Social Security scams versus less than 2% of seniors. Fraud prevention experts attribute this vulnerability to younger generations' greater trust in digital platforms, overconfidence in spotting scams, financial pressures, and exposure to recruitment into fraudulent activities on social media, despite 81% of Gen Z believing they can identify AI-generated fraud.
khaleejtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A dating app scam ring operating in Dubai uses fake female Tinder profiles to lure men to complicit nightclubs in Business Bay and Dubai Marina, where they are pressured into ordering expensive drinks and food, resulting in bills ranging from Dh3,000 to Dh10,000 before the scammers disappear and block contact. The scheme, which involves at least six nightclubs and two identified individuals including a nightclub manager and a European woman, exploits an extreme version of upselling tactics and has victimized multiple Dubai residents who reported the fraud on online forums. While victims have little chance of recovering their money, some have negotiated reduced bills through confrontation with establishments.
floridatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors are frequently targeted by scammers who exploit their trust and financial stability, with elder fraud causing over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 and an average victim loss of $33,915. Common scams include fraudulent phone calls impersonating banks or family members, phishing emails and texts, fake charities, Medicare/insurance schemes, tech support scams, and romance scams (which resulted in $1.3 billion in losses in 2022). The article advises seniors to be skeptical of unsolicited contact, verify organizations directly before donating or sharing information, and report suspected scams to the FTC, Department of Justice, or AARP.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Brookdale Senior Living released educational guidance on protecting seniors from fraud, noting that crimes against seniors totaled over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, with more than 100,000 complaints filed by people over 60—an 11% increase from the previous year. The article identifies common scam types including tech support scams, romance scams, investment schemes, and non-payment fraud, advising seniors to recognize red flags such as urgent demands for payment, requests for wire transfers or cryptocurrency, and threats from authorities. Resources provided include awareness information at Brookdale.com and the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311) for reporting suspecte
wcpo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 65-year-old Cincinnati woman, Pamela Moore, pleaded guilty to laundering over $8 million obtained through romance scams between 2020 and 2023, using personal and business bank accounts to convert the funds to Bitcoin at scammers' direction and personally profiting approximately $1.7 million. She was sentenced to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay $1,680,900 in restitution.
wa.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
Two Western Australian victims lost over $1.4 million combined to romance scammers in recent weeks, with one victim transferring $825,000 for relocation costs and another losing at least $600,000 to a fake cryptocurrency investment scheme. The scammers employed multiple tactics including coaching victims to evade bank questions, using deepfake AI technology to manipulate video calls, and dragging victims into secondary scams as money mules and fake recovery schemes. Western Australia has recorded $2.9 million in losses across 26 romance scam victims in 2024, prompting authorities to warn people never to transfer money to online-only contacts and to be wary of love interests unw
coindesk.com
· 2025-12-08
Australians lost AUD$180 million (USD$122 million) in cryptocurrency investment scams over 12 months, representing 47% of the AUD$382 million lost to investment scams in the 2023-24 financial year. Contrary to assumptions that only older people are targeted, 60% of scam reports came from people under 50 years old, with scammers using pressure tactics, pig butchering schemes, and deepfake technology to deceive victims into making poor investment decisions.
finder.com.au
· 2025-12-08
An ANZ customer nearly lost AUD $50,000 to a romance scam involving a woman he met online who claimed her father had left her USD $1.5 million and needed him to send funds for taxes; ANZ's fraud team identified red flags and prevented the transfer. The article outlines six common romance scam scenarios and warning signs, including scammers expressing quick affection, avoiding video calls, and requesting money either directly or indirectly, as part of Scams Awareness Week 2024 education efforts highlighting that approximately 2.5% of Australians have experienced scams.
miragenews.com
· 2025-12-08
This awareness piece highlights sophisticated investment scams targeting Australians, particularly "pig butchering" schemes where scammers build trust over weeks or months before soliciting cryptocurrency investments. A Queensland victim lost approximately $244,000 AUD after being befriended on Facebook by a scammer who gradually encouraged increasingly larger investments in cryptocurrency, promising substantial returns; when the victim attempted to withdraw funds, the scammer blocked all contact. Recent data from the AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre shows Australians lost at least $180 million to cryptocurrency investment scams in 12 months, with nearly half of all investment scam losses involving cryptocurrency and victims now more likely
7news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A Perth woman lost tens of thousands of dollars to a romance scammer who used deepfake artificial intelligence to disguise his identity as "Brian," a supposed Sydney engineer working on an oil rig. The scammer built trust through fake documents and video calls with digital filters, then exploited her vulnerability following her husband's death by requesting money for fabricated emergencies on the rig, with the victim only discovering the deception when a technical glitch exposed his real appearance during a video call. This case is part of a broader pattern in Western Australia, where romance and dating scams drained $2.9 million from 26 victims in the year covered by the report, leaving the victim emotionally devastated and financially dependent
thewest.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers in Western Australia are now using AI-generated deepfake videos as a new tactic in their fraud schemes, which collectively cost residents millions of dollars annually. These deepfakes create fake video evidence of legitimacy, making scams more convincing and harder for victims to detect. This represents an escalation in romance scam tactics that exploit emotional connections to defraud vulnerable individuals.
9news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A woman was defrauded of tens of thousands of dollars by romance scammers using deepfake technology to impersonate a man named "Bryan" through AI-manipulated video calls that mimicked facial expressions and voice. The scam was discovered when a video glitched, revealing the actual person—a US real estate agent whose identity had been stolen—rather than the fabricated persona. Recent weeks have seen at least two Western Australians lose over $1 million combined to similar deepfake romance scams, prompting experts to warn about red flags like unnatural movements and poor lip syncing, while emphasizing that money should never be sent to anyone not met in person.
au.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Perth widow Maggie Ayres lost tens of thousands of dollars in a romance scam involving a man named "Bryan" who used deepfake technology to impersonate an American real estate agent on video calls and claimed to work on an oil rig. Ayres discovered the fraud when a technical glitch revealed the scammer's actual face during a video call, and authorities report that deepfake-enabled romance scams have affected multiple Western Australian victims, with the state losing $3.7 million to romance fraud in 2023 and $2.9 million already by mid-2024.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
West Australian authorities have warned of romance scams using AI-generated deepfake technology in video calls, with 26 victims losing $2.9 million to such scams in the current year. One victim, Maggie Ayres, transferred tens of thousands of dollars to a scammer posing as "Bryan" before discovering during a video call that deepfake technology was being used to disguise the perpetrator's identity. State Commerce Minister Sue Ellery urged people to never transfer money to individuals they haven't met in person and to report suspicious online activity to authorities.
2news.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment and cryptocurrency scams pose the highest fraud risk for seniors aged 65 and older, with romance scams ranking as the second most prevalent threat. Senior citizens are increasingly falling victim to scams, according to Better Business Bureau experts who emphasize the need for targeted prevention awareness among this vulnerable population.
2news.com
· 2025-12-08
Washoe County partnered with the Better Business Bureau to educate seniors about common scams, as fraud targeting this population is increasing. Imposter scams (posing as Social Security, revenue agencies, or retailers like Amazon) are most frequently reported, while investment, cryptocurrency, and romance scams pose the highest financial risk to those 65 and older; scammers often use phone calls rather than online methods, exploiting seniors' likelihood of answering calls. The BBB emphasizes that reporting scams—even those without financial loss—is critical since only about 5% of victims report fraud, and encouraging community reporting helps prevent others from becoming victims.
coindesk.com
· 2025-12-08
Chainalysis reports that crypto scams remain the dominant form of crypto crime in 2024, with "pig butchering" scams—where fraudsters build trust through romantic contact before stealing cryptocurrency investments—posing particular danger to crypto wallet holders. The report identifies Huione Guarantee, a Cambodian online marketplace that has processed $49 billion in crypto transactions since 2021, as a key off-ramp used by scammers to convert stolen digital assets into usable funds, as traditional exchanges have strengthened their compliance measures.
decrypt.co
· 2025-12-08
This content does not contain a suitable article for summarization. The post is a brief social media announcement from Chainalysis about a cryptocurrency crime update, followed by an unrelated list of cryptocurrency prices. To provide an accurate summary for the Elderus database, please share the actual mid-year crypto crime update report or article that discusses scam trends, CSAM-related activity, and the Huione Guarantee marketplace.
infosecurity-magazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Blockchain analysts report that online scammers are shortening the duration of scams and creating new fraudulent schemes at an accelerated pace to avoid detection, with 43% of cryptocurrency flowing to scam wallets in 2024 originating from newly created accounts. The average scam duration has collapsed from 271 days in 2020 to 42 days in 2024, while "pig butchering" romance scams—where victims are deceived into fake investments—remain highly lucrative, with one Myanmar-based operation netting $100 million year-to-date. Illicit cryptocurrency marketplaces like Huione Guarantee have processed billions in transactions and enabled these scams to
miragenews.com
· 2025-12-08
During the 2023-24 financial year, Victorians lost $76.5 million across nearly 70,000 scams, with investment scams accounting for $44.8 million, followed by romance and false billing scams. The Allan Labor Government launched Scams Awareness Week (August 26-30) encouraging victims to share their experiences to reduce stigma, support law enforcement efforts, and prevent others from falling victim to similar scams, particularly "get rich quick" investment schemes that promise unrealistic returns. Consumers are advised to avoid pressure-based investment decisions, seek independent financial advice, and verify company registration with ASIC before reporting suspected scams to their bank, local police, or
cyberscoop.com
· 2025-12-08
Chainalysis reports that online scam cycles have accelerated dramatically, with average scam duration shrinking from 271 days in 2020 to just 42 days in 2024, as cybercriminals shift toward shorter, more targeted campaigns using disposable infrastructure. Forty-three percent of tracked blockchain scam revenues went to newly created wallets, indicating a surge in fresh campaigns, with criminals increasingly employing "pig butchering" tactics—building trust with victims before requesting large sums—rather than broad, long-term schemes. This evolution reflects criminals' adaptation to improved detection methods and represents a more profitable, lower-risk strategy for laundering stolen cryptocurrency and evading law enforcement
zeenews.india.com
· 2025-12-08
Dating app scams are increasingly common due to anonymity, rising platform usage, and scammers' ability to exploit users' emotional vulnerability when seeking companionship. Red flags include overly perfect profiles, story inconsistencies, reluctance to meet in person, requests for money, and use of stock photos; common scam types include fake emergencies, phishing, investment fraud, and blackmail schemes. Users can protect themselves by verifying profiles through reverse image searches, meeting only in public places, guarding personal information, and reporting suspicious activity.
fijivillage.com
· 2025-12-08
Police are investigating multiple romance scam cases, with one victim losing up to $500,000. The scams primarily target retired women who are manipulated into sharing intimate photos, then extorted through threats of social media exposure and blackmail. Several cases involve a single perpetrator posing as an overseas contact via WhatsApp, with at least eight to nine cases currently before the courts.
itwire.com
· 2025-12-08
The ACMA warns the public during Scams Awareness Week to be vigilant against romance scams, where fraudsters initiate contact via social media, WhatsApp, email, and SMS to build trust and manipulate victims into sending money or personal information. Romance scammers typically develop relationships gradually, request intimate images for potential coercion, ask for money under false pretenses, and direct victims to malicious links designed to steal financial or personal data. The ACMA recommends verifying unexpected contacts, avoiding sharing personal information with unknown online contacts, not clicking suspicious links, consulting trusted friends or family about money requests, and immediately contacting banks and telecommunications providers if scammed.
fijitimes.com.fj
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting elderly and retired women (ages 60-70) through romance fraud schemes, with perpetrators posing as overseas suitors via WhatsApp, sweet-talking victims into sharing nude photos, and then extorting money by threatening to expose the images on social media. One victim lost approximately $500,000 to a local perpetrator who targeted multiple women this way, with close to 10 cases currently pending in court. Authorities advise women to avoid sharing personal information and photos with strangers on social media to prevent falling victim to these extortion schemes.
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance fraud extends beyond online scams to include in-person relationships, where perpetrators use elaborate deception and psychological manipulation to exploit victims emotionally and financially. Australian cases, including writer Stephanie Wood and marketing executive Tracy Hall, illustrate how fraudsters build trust over time before revealing fabricated identities or requesting money for manufactured crises. Australians lost over A$200 million to romance fraud in 2023, with victims experiencing compounded trauma from both financial loss and emotional betrayal that requires long-term recovery.
ferntreegully.mailcommunity.com.au
· 2025-12-08
During Australia's Scam Awareness Week (August 26-30), authorities highlighted the escalating threat of online scams affecting communities nationwide, including fake missing child posts circulating in social media groups. In 2023, Australians reported over 601,000 scams with losses for people over 65 reaching $120 million (a 13.3% increase), with investment scams, remote access scams, and romance scams causing the most harm; scam calls resulted in the highest reported losses at $116 million. Experts emphasize that victims often experience shame and isolation, and recommend community awareness-sharing, trusted support networks, and mental health services to help
komando.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans over age 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud schemes in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year, with tech support scams being the most commonly reported type and investment scams causing the highest losses at $1.2 billion. Seniors are targeted because they typically have larger nest eggs and assets, and roughly 68% of elder fraud cases begin with personal information leaked online, with underreporting being a significant issue as many victims do not report incidents due to shame or uncertainty about how to report. Common scam types affecting seniors include tech support fraud, romance scams, government impersonation schemes, and data breaches, with warning signs including unsolicited contact
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams—which combine romance fraud with fake investment schemes—surged in 2024, with fraudsters using dating apps and social media to build trust before directing victims to bogus platforms and extracting escalating payments. The U.S. recorded $4.57 billion in investment fraud losses in the prior year, with victims often accumulating significant debt and struggling to recover funds once scammers disappear. This shift from traditional Ponzi schemes to more targeted cons reflects increased law enforcement pressure and reflects a broader trend affecting Americans alongside victims in China and Southeast Asia.
cryptotimes.io
· 2025-12-08
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird raised awareness about rising romance scams targeting state residents, highlighting a case where an Iowa woman lost over $10,000 to a Facebook scammer who fabricated a story about needing money for travel documentation from Turkey. The scammer built trust through shared interests before exploiting the victim's goodwill with repeated requests for money via Bitcoin ATM, with little prospect of recovery. Bird advises Iowans to avoid sending money to online contacts, sharing personal information, or responding to unsolicited communications.
golaurens.com
· 2025-12-08
**QR Code Fraud Schemes**
Scammers are increasingly exploiting QR codes through multiple fraud methods including fake parking meter payments (where victims pay via QR code but still receive tickets or towing), romance scams involving cryptocurrency wallet transfers (victims lose thousands after months of relationship-building), phishing schemes that direct users to malicious websites or malware, and impersonation scams mimicking utilities or government agencies to demand immediate payment. Most QR code fraud victims encounter the codes through unsolicited communications or in public locations, and the difficulty in verifying a code's destination before scanning makes it an effective tool for fraudsters.
tbnweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost victims over $1 billion annually, with older adults frequently targeted by scammers who create fake online identities to build trust and extract money through emotional manipulation. Red flags include profiles less than a year old with few photos, military impersonations, requests for money for business opportunities or visa problems, and grammatical errors despite claimed professional credentials. To protect yourself, conduct background checks and reverse image searches on photos, verify profiles through mutual connections, meet in public places, and use vetted dating services rather than responding to unsolicited social media requests.