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foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
Since early March, the FBI has received over 2,000 reports of "smishing" scams targeting drivers in three states, where scammers send text messages falsely claiming outstanding toll bills and directing victims to fraudulent links designed to impersonate state toll services. Victims who click these links risk compromise of their financial accounts and should immediately secure their accounts, check legitimate toll service websites, and file complaints with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, while reporting any unauthorized charges.
wflx.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the BBB's 2023 Scam Tracker Risk Report, online scams comprised 70% of all fraud reports, with cryptocurrency scams ranking as the riskiest type with a median loss of $3,800 per victim, followed by employment scams at nearly $2,000 per victim. Social media scams rose 63.8% from 2022-2023, and young adults ages 18-24 reported the highest median dollar losses across all age groups, often due to lack of skepticism about online transactions. The BBB recommends consumers verify legitimacy of websites and investment opportunities before providing payment information and report all suspicious activity to help prevent future victims.
stthomastoday.ca
· 2025-12-08
A Malahide resident lost over $2 million in an online romance scam that unfolded over four years starting in 2020, after meeting someone on a dating platform who eventually claimed to need financial assistance for taxes related to an out-of-country inheritance. The victim transferred funds through prepaid gift cards and wire transfers without ever meeting the scammer in person, and Elgin OPP continues investigating the case. The police emphasize protecting personal information, avoiding requests from unknown contacts, and never sending money to people you haven't met as key prevention strategies.
wmdt.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, Maryland residents age 60 and older lost $63.6 million to fraud, with online scams being the most common method. Common schemes targeting older adults include grandparent scams (requesting emergency money), romance and investment scams, and impersonation of law enforcement, often facilitated through information gathered on social media. Red flags to watch for include unexpected emails or calls with misspellings, suspicious URLs, and unsolicited requests for money or personal information; protective measures include enabling multi-factor authentication on accounts, verifying caller identity through official channels, and reporting suspected fraud to local law enforcement or the Federal Trade Commission.
miaminewtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, romance scams resulted in over 64,000 reports and $1.1 billion in losses, predominantly affecting elderly victims who were deceived by scammers posing as romantic partners on dating apps and social media. Cristine Petitfrere, a 30-year-old from Florida, was arrested and sentenced to 30 months in prison for laundering nearly $3 million from romance scams by funneling money to Ghana; she personally facilitated transfers from three elderly victims in their 60s-70s who lost over $158,000 combined. Federal law enforcement has intensified prosecution efforts against romance scam networks, with romance fraud losses increasing
hanfordsentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
CBS News's "Anything for Love" series documented romance scams on dating apps that facilitate human trafficking, including the case of 57-year-old Laura Kowal from Illinois, who was coerced into financial fraud by a trafficker and was later found dead. The FBI warned in March 2020 that dating apps are being exploited by sex traffickers to target vulnerable people, including children, with an estimated 27.3 million people globally trafficked annually generating $150 billion in profits, and dating app companies have resisted implementing basic safety measures such as background checks and age verification despite multiple convictions of traffickers using their platforms. The author calls for Congress to enact regulations requiring dating
newlinesmag.com
· 2025-12-08
A 36-year-old Indian woman named Jhumpa Biswas was targeted by a romance scammer posing as "Mark Anthony," a Scottish cosmetic surgeon who initiated contact via Instagram with flattering messages. Over weeks of increasingly intimate communication across social media and WhatsApp, the scammer built emotional trust through romantic gestures, personal attention, and carefully crafted backstory, exploiting Biswas's limited romantic experience and emotional vulnerability. The article details how the scammer's grooming tactics—including flattery, validation, and demonstrations of care—set the stage for financial exploitation that would follow.
wtsp.com
· 2025-12-08
A Florida woman received an unsolicited genetic testing kit with her Medicare information and was contacted by someone claiming to represent the lab offering "free" testing covered by Medicare—a common healthcare fraud scheme. Scammers target seniors at public venues and through mail to obtain Medicare numbers for identity theft and fraudulent billing, with false claims sometimes reaching thousands of dollars; Medicare only covers genetic testing when ordered by a patient's physician and deemed medically necessary. Victims are protected from liability if investigations confirm their non-participation, with the burden shifting to the fraudulent provider instead.
wlbt.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the Better Business Bureau's 2023 Scam Tracker Risk Report, online scams accounted for 70% of all fraud reports, with cryptocurrency scams emerging as the riskiest type (median loss of $3,800) and employment scams ranking second (median loss of nearly $2,000). Young adults aged 18-24 reported the highest median dollar losses, while social media scams increased 63.8% and online purchase fraud affected over 80% of victims who lost money.
mynewsla.com
· 2025-12-08
The Los Angeles City Council recognized National Senior Fraud Awareness Day by honoring the Stop Senior Scams Acting Program, which educates seniors on fraud prevention in communities like Fairfax District and Lincoln Heights. According to the FBI, elderly scam victims increased 84% between 2021 and 2022, with hundreds of thousands of cases annually resulting in over $3 billion in losses, highlighting the need for community-based protective efforts and awareness campaigns.
delawarelive.com
· 2025-12-08
Delaware's elderly population lost over $14 million to fraud in 2022, with 305 victims aged 60 and over suffering average losses of $45,977 each, according to FBI data analyzed by cybersecurity experts. The state recorded 106.6 fraud victims per 100,000 elderly residents, with investment scams, business impostor schemes, and romance scams being the most costly types nationally, while those aged 60 and over were 517% more likely to fall victim to tech support scams than younger adults.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Massachusetts residents over age 60 lost more than $70 million to fraud in 2022, with 1,653 victims averaging $42,408 in losses per person, according to an analysis of FBI and FTC data by VPNPro. Seniors aged 60 and older were 517 percent more likely to fall victim to online tech support scams than younger adults, with investment scams, business imposter scams, and romance scams being the most prevalent types. Experts recommend that families discuss fraud prevention with elderly relatives, including warning signs such as requests for unusual payment methods, pressure to act quickly, and unsolicited offers.
boston25news.com
· 2025-12-08
Massachusetts residents over age 60 lost more than $70 million to fraud in 2022, with 1,653 victims averaging $42,408 in losses each, according to VPNPro's analysis of FBI and FTC data. Seniors in the state were 517 percent more likely to fall victim to online tech support scams than younger adults, with investment scams, business imposter scams, and romance scams being the most prevalent types. Experts recommend that adult children have conversations with elderly parents about fraud red flags and caution them against providing personal or financial information over the phone or through unusual payment methods.
sanfernandosun.com
· 2025-12-08
On National Senior Fraud Awareness Day, the Stop Senior Scams Acting Program, led by Adrienne Omansky, provided elder fraud prevention guidance to Los Angeles seniors. The program recommends a "Take Five, Tell Two" approach where seniors pause before responding to suspicious requests and discuss them with two people, while warning against emerging AI-based scams that clone relatives' voices, wire transfers via gift cards, and sharing personal information. According to FBI data cited in the article, elderly scam victims increased 84% between 2021 and 2022, with hundreds of thousands of cases annually representing over $3 billion in annual losses.
wetaskiwintimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Wetaskiwin RCMP warned the public of an active grandparent scam in the community where victims have lost six-figure amounts of money. Scammers impersonate judges, lawyers, or police officers claiming a family member is incarcerated and needs bail money, sometimes using AI-generated voice replications of victims' loved ones. Police emphasized that bail is never paid by phone, courts and police will not request payments or personal information by phone, and victims should verify claims by contacting the relevant agency directly.
chicago.suntimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau distributed $15 million in compensation checks to 13,413 Illinois residents who were victims of an online lending scam by Texas-based company Think Finance, which collected payments on loans that were legally void under state interest rate caps and licensing requirements. The settlement, part of a larger $384 million payout across 17 states to 191,000 victims, resulted from a 2017 lawsuit against Think Finance for making illegal electronic withdrawals and debt collection calls on non-existent debts. Affected Illinois residents received an average of $1,100 per check from the CFPB's victims relief fund.
bgindependentmedia.org
· 2025-12-08
Bowling Green Police reported eight scams in a single week, increasingly targeting young people alongside traditional elderly victims. Common schemes included fake vehicle sales on Facebook Marketplace requiring deposit payments via gift cards or Bitcoin, impersonation of federal agents, sextortion involving nude photos, and fake bond payment requests. Police advise residents to trust their instincts, verify purchases in person, consult trusted contacts before acting, and resist pressure for immediate payment or photo sharing, noting that alert business employees have helped prevent some losses by identifying suspicious large purchases of gift cards and cryptocurrency.
iowastartingline.com
· 2025-12-08
A Central Iowa woman nearly fell for a sophisticated jury duty scam in which a caller impersonated a Polk County sheriff's sergeant, provided her correct personal information, and falsely claimed she had missed jury duty and had a warrant for her arrest. The scammer spoofed the sheriff's office phone number and used detailed personal data found online to appear credible, but the victim's husband identified red flags including incorrect county information and the demand for payment. According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, these scams are increasingly common and difficult to investigate; legitimate fines for missed jury duty are only imposed by judges in court, never by law enforcement over the phone.
nbcmontana.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS warned of widespread tax scams involving false claims for fuel tax credits, sick and family leave credits, and household employment taxes, which social media posts and scam artists have misrepresented as pathways to large refunds. Taxpayers who file fraudulent or frivolous claims face penalties up to $5,000 per return, audits, and potential criminal prosecution, with the IRS having already frozen refunds for thousands of affected filers. To avoid such scams, taxpayers should use reputable tax software, consult certified tax professionals, or seek assistance from IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance programs rather than relying on social media advice.
money.com
· 2025-12-08
Young job seekers, particularly students seeking remote work, are being targeted in "money mule" scams where fraudsters trick them into transferring stolen money through their bank accounts, digital wallets, or cryptocurrency accounts. These scams often originate from lottery fraud, romance scams, and grandparent scams, and unwitting participants can face identity theft and potential criminal charges for money laundering. The Justice Department took action against over 3,000 money mules in the past year, with criminal charges brought against more than 20 serious offenders, including a case involving three people charged for recruiting college students to launder approximately $7 million from elderly tech fraud victims over three years.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Illinois is hosting a monthly virtual fraud prevention series featuring expert speakers including the Better Business Bureau, with the first session on May 28 addressing general fraud protection strategies and upcoming sessions covering specific scam types such as travel fraud, mail fraud, internet fraud, romance scams, healthcare scams, and holiday scams. The program aims to educate participants on recognizing and avoiding common fraud schemes to protect their personal information and financial security.
lfpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams involve fraudsters posing as romantic interests online to manipulate victims into sending money, personal information, or cryptocurrency, often citing emergencies or investment opportunities. Recent cases in Ontario have resulted in significant losses, including one victim losing over $2 million and a Toronto woman losing $450,000; nationally, nearly 800 Canadians lost almost $42 million to romance scams in 2023, with one in four victims in their 60s. Protection strategies include avoiding sharing personal or banking information with online strangers, refusing to invest in unfamiliar platforms, and being wary of people who confess love quickly or consistently make excuses to avoid meeting in person.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office has launched an online fraud complaint form to help seniors report suspected scams, which are increasingly targeting older adults through schemes like fake lotteries, tech support scams, and romance/grandparent scams. According to FBI data, seniors over 60 reported $3.4 billion in financial fraud losses in 2023, an 11 percent increase from the previous year. The A.G.'s office urges seniors to protect themselves by avoiding sharing personal information unsolicited, verifying emails before clicking links, and rejecting high-pressure payment requests.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, elderly Americans lost over $3.4 billion to fraud, with the FBI reporting an 11% increase in elder fraud losses compared to 2022, and the DOJ charging 16 defendants in April 2024 connected to a scam defrauding hundreds of seniors. Common schemes include tech support fraud, government impersonation, and "grandparent scams" where perpetrators use spoofed phone numbers to impersonate distressed relatives or officials, convincing victims to wire money. To mitigate losses, experts recommend regular elder check-ins with financial account monitoring, restricting wire transfers by amount or location, and implementing verbal verification protocols before funds are transferre
nasdaq.com
· 2025-12-08
Losses from scams targeting adults age 60 and older reached $3.4 billion last year—an 11% increase from the prior year—with an average loss of $33,915 per victim, according to FBI data. Older adults are frequently targeted through tech support scams, personal data breaches, and romance scams because they often have substantial assets and may be more trusting and less likely to report fraud. Experts recommend protective measures including strong data hygiene practices, using credit cards for online purchases, verifying unsolicited communications directly with trusted sources, establishing account oversight with multiple trusted contacts, and fostering open conversations about scams to reduce shame and encourage reporting.
cbs6albany.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Albany residents, Amber Diacetis (30) and Devin Zielinski (33), were arrested for allegedly stealing over $200,000 from an 86-year-old state pensioner by becoming his live-in caregiver and convincing him to let them manage his bills, which they failed to pay for four years while using the money for personal expenses. The victim's home went into foreclosure, his vehicle was repossessed, and he lived without utilities or plumbing while isolated and unaware of the theft. The case highlights a broader problem, as people over 60 experienced $3.4 billion in elder fraud losses in 2023, an 11%
nerdwallet.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults are increasingly targeted by financial scams, with losses reaching $3.4 billion in the past year—an 11% increase from the previous year, with an average loss of $33,915 per victim. Scammers target this demographic because they typically have savings and assets, are more trusting, and less likely to report fraud, with tech support scams, personal data breaches, and romance scams being most common. Protective measures include adopting basic data hygiene practices (using secure websites, strong passwords, two-factor authentication), verifying unsolicited contacts directly with known sources, establishing multiple trusted contacts to monitor accounts, and reducing stigma around reporting scams.
collins.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Kyrsten Sinema introduced a bipartisan resolution that unanimously passed the Senate to designate May 15, 2024, as "National Senior Fraud Awareness Day." According to FBI data, seniors lost over $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023—an 11% increase from 2022—through various schemes including tech support, romance, and cryptocurrency scams. The resolution aims to raise awareness and help protect seniors' savings from increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 37-year-old pregnant woman in Navi Mumbai, India lost over Rs 54 lakh (approximately $65,000 USD) in a work-from-home scam between May 7-10, after fraudsters promised payment for rating companies and restaurants but disappeared after she made multiple advance payments. The Navi Mumbai cyber police registered a case against four unidentified individuals under the Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act, and the incident highlights the dangers of online scams targeting those seeking remote income opportunities. The article advises verifying company legitimacy through research, avoiding unsolicited work-from-home offers on social media, never paying upfront fees, and being skeptical of
kroc.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FTC reported that Americans lost over $10 billion to scams, with Minnesota residents falling victim to various schemes including law enforcement impersonation, phishing emails, social media fraud, and fake streaming service emails. The article provides awareness of common scams while promoting a free document shredding event in Rochester, Minnesota on May 22, 2024, co-hosted by AARP and the Better Business Bureau to help residents safely dispose of sensitive documents and protect against identity theft.
tech.hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 37-year-old woman in Navi Mumbai lost ₹54 lakh in an online investment scam between May 7-10, after being lured with promises of freelance work rating restaurants and subsequently coerced into transferring funds with false assurances of high returns. The victim reported the fraud to cyber police, and a case was registered against four unidentified perpetrators. The incident highlights the importance of verifying job opportunities through established platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed, avoiding unfamiliar links, and refraining from sharing sensitive information with unknown online contacts.
floridatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
A Florida opinion piece highlights the prevalence of elder fraud targeting Space Coast seniors, featuring the case of 80-year-old Judy Kirk who nearly fell victim to a tech support scam demanding $25,000. According to FBI data, seniors over 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, with Florida ranking second nationally; common scams affecting state residents include tech support, investment, romance, gift card, and roofing schemes. The article emphasizes that while Kirk avoided financial loss by sensing something wrong at the last moment, many of her peers were successfully scammed, underscoring the need for elder awareness and vigilance.
idahobusinessreview.com
· 2025-12-08
The Idaho Department of Finance warned the public about a sophisticated precious metals scam targeting primarily senior citizens, in which scammers convince victims their identity or finances have been compromised, then direct them to purchase gold or other precious metals and hand them over to couriers posing as government or financial officials. According to FBI data, victims lost over $55 million to this scam in the last eight months of 2023 alone. The department advises people to distrust requests to purchase physical precious metals for government or business purposes and to report suspected fraud to local authorities and the FBI.
abc15.com
· 2025-12-08
Employment scams are the second riskiest scam type according to the Better Business Bureau, with incidents increasing as recent graduates and remote work seekers apply for positions. A Phoenix woman nearly fell victim to an employment scam but avoided financial loss by recognizing red flags including grammar errors, suspicious links, and inconsistent sender names, then verifying the company through the BBB Scam Tracker. The article advises job seekers to research companies thoroughly, avoid sending payments for employment, and watch for employers who hire without interviews.
1043wowcountry.com
· 2025-12-08
An Idaho homeowner received an unsolicited text message from someone claiming to be an assistant to a real estate agent named "Daniel," who knew the homeowner's address and asked about listing their home without an agent. The interaction raised red flags including the sender's possession of personal information, vague responses, lack of transparency about her employer, and an untraceable phone number, before the sender ceased communication. The article warns Idaho homeowners to be cautious of similar contacts, as such scams could potentially lead to identity theft, property fraud, or safety concerns, and advises verifying the legitimacy of unknown parties before sharing any personal information.
cbs12.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal law enforcement agencies in Florida are prosecuting money mules—individuals who transfer stolen funds from fraud victims to international scam operators—as part of a multi-agency initiative involving the FBI, U.S. Attorney's Office, Secret Service, and FDIC. Three Florida residents laundered between $1.5 million and $9.5 million by impersonating bank representatives to steal small business owner information and move funds, with one defendant sentenced to 46 months in prison and another awaiting sentencing; a separate case involved a man who recruited others to open bank accounts and withdraw money from victims defrauded on eBay, Booking.com, and Airbnb. The DOJ emphas
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This AARP educational article outlines three major scams targeting homeowners and consumers, particularly older adults: contractor fraud involving upfront payment demands and shoddy work; digital package delivery scams using fake text messages from shipping companies to steal personal information and payment details (which cost Americans $330 million in 2022); and Medicare scams including false billing for unreceived services, fraudulent "free" product offers, and genetic testing schemes designed to obtain Medicare numbers. The article recommends getting multiple contractor estimates, avoiding upfront payments, ignoring unsolicited messages, verifying package issues directly with retailers, and carefully reviewing Medicare statements while protecting Medicare numbers from unauthorized parties.
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Google announced it is testing a real-time phone call scanning feature using AI to detect financial scams and alert Android users, demonstrated at its I/O developer conference. While Google claims the processing stays on-device for privacy protection, privacy advocates express serious concerns that the technology could be exploited for surveillance of vulnerable populations, including political dissidents and those seeking sensitive services. The feature's implementation timeline and security controls remain unclear, though Google indicated more details would be shared in summer.
countryherald.com
· 2025-12-08
The Tinley Park Police Department warns of an increase in phone and email scams targeting elderly residents, with common schemes including government impersonation, lottery scams, robocalls, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. The department recommends protecting personal information, monitoring financial statements, using multifactor authentication, avoiding wire transfers and gift card payments, and being skeptical of urgent demands or threats. Victims should contact local police immediately or report scams to the Federal Trade Commission to preserve evidence.
dvidshub.net
· 2025-12-08
Special Agent Johnny Guerrero and other U.S. Air Force cybersecurity experts warn that scammers exploit information shared on social media and dating sites to target military personnel and civilians through fake personas, romance scams, and AI-enabled voice cloning schemes. Social media fraud losses exceeded $2.7 billion in the first half of 2023, with online purchase scams accounting for 44% of losses, while romance scams on dating sites cost victims $1.3 billion in 2022 with a median loss of $4,400. Experts recommend applying a "never trust, always verify" approach: avoid sharing personal details online, verify suspicious requests with family directly, and use
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida announced a Money Mule Initiative in partnership with the FBI, Secret Service, and FDIC-OIG to identify, disrupt, and prosecute networks that facilitate fraud schemes targeting older Americans, including lottery fraud, romance scams, and grandparent scams. Money mules—individuals who receive and transfer stolen funds—are recruited either as unwitting victims of scams or through fake work-at-home job offers, and law enforcement is pursuing criminal prosecution against those knowingly assisting fraudsters, with recent cases involving defendants laundering between $1.5 million and $9.5 million in fraud proceeds.
berkshireeagle.com
· 2025-12-08
This article explains why fraud victims often experience greater shame and social stigma than victims of violent crimes, despite both being theft. Romance and relationship scams are particularly devastating because criminals invest time building emotional connections with vulnerable individuals (often those seeking companionship after loss) through fake profiles on social media, then repeatedly extract money by fabricating emergencies or personal crises. The article advises recognizing red flags such as requests to move communication off dating platforms, inability to meet in person, and repeated requests for money, while recommending early intervention through trusted intermediaries and resources like the AARP Consumer Hotline.
secretservice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, in partnership with the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, and FDIC Office of Inspector General, launched the Money Mule Initiative to identify and prosecute individuals who transfer stolen funds from fraud victims to international criminals. The initiative targets money mule networks that facilitate various scams affecting older Americans, including lottery fraud, romance scams, and grandparent scams, with some money mules unknowingly recruited as victims themselves or through fake work-at-home job offers. Law enforcement has brought criminal charges against multiple defendants, including cases involving multi-continent money laundering schemes and bank impersonation plots targeting small business owners.
tribtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, scams targeting American seniors increased 11% with reported losses reaching $3.4 billion, according to the FBI's annual Elder Fraud Report. Tech-support scams were the most common type, while investment scams resulted in the largest financial losses; Ohio ranked eighth nationally in senior scam complaints with losses exceeding $64 million. The article recommends seniors educate themselves about common scams, verify suspicious requests with trusted contacts, and avoid high-pressure situations involving gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
insurancenewsnet.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (June 3-9) educates beneficiaries, caregivers, and families on how to prevent fraud that costs Medicare beneficiaries their medical identity, time, and stress. Common Medicare fraud schemes include charging for services not provided, misrepresenting diagnoses, and prescribing unnecessary tests, which can be prevented by opening and reading Medicare statements, reporting suspected fraud to the NY Senior Medicare Patrol (1-800-333-4374), and detecting unrecognized providers or services. The New York Senior Medicare Patrol provides free resources including My Health Care Trackers and certified counselors to help Medicare beneficiaries and their support networks protect against fraud, errors
freepressokc.com
· 2025-12-08
The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office launched an online senior fraud complaint form to help older Oklahomans report scams, as financial fraud targeting people over 60 reached $3.4 billion nationally in 2023, an 11 percent increase from the previous year. Common schemes include fake lotteries, tech support scams, and impersonation of grandchildren, government officials, or romantic interests. The office advises seniors to protect themselves by avoiding sharing personal information unsolicited, not clicking email links or attachments, being wary of upfront payment demands, and rejecting high-pressure tactics from unknown callers.
kitv.com
· 2025-12-08
A Honolulu resident received a scam call from someone impersonating an HPD officer claiming she had a bench warrant for missing jury duty, using spoofed caller ID to appear legitimate. The Hawaii State Judiciary warned that scammers are posing as law enforcement and judiciary employees to threaten arrests and demand upfront fees, though courts never contact people about jury duty bench warrants by phone or email. The victim avoided becoming a victim by independently researching the scam, highlighting the importance of verification, especially for vulnerable older adults who may lack computer access or live alone.
theoaklandpress.com
· 2025-12-08
An 81-year-old Troy man lost $460,000 in a fake gold exchange scam between October 2023 and February 2024, after being contacted by a woman online posing as a legitimate exchange representative. The victim only discovered the fraud in April when asked to pay a tax penalty to withdraw his supposed earnings, prompting a family member to alert him to the scam. Police recommend verifying investment opportunities through research and having family members review large financial commitments before proceeding.
vindy.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, scams targeting American seniors increased 11% with reported losses reaching $3.4 billion, according to the FBI's Elder Fraud Report. Tech-support scams were the most common type, while investment scams resulted in the largest financial losses; Ohio ranked eighth nationally for senior scam complaints with residents losing over $64 million. The article advises seniors to educate themselves about scams, avoid high-pressure situations involving payments, and consult trusted family members before sending money.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
**Deepfake Video Conference Fraud - Arup Engineering Company**
London-based engineering firm Arup lost HK$200 million (approximately $25 million) in January 2024 after an employee was deceived by AI-generated deepfake videos and audio of the company's CFO and other staff members during a video conference, who instructed the employee to execute 15 wire transfers to fraudulent Hong Kong bank accounts. The employee discovered the fraud only after following up with company headquarters, and Hong Kong police classified the case as "obtaining property by deception." Arup confirmed that no internal systems were compromised and business operations were not affected, though