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in Robocalls / Phone Scams
english.elpais.com
· 2026-04-08
Romance scammers operating from the Golden Triangle region (Laos, Myanmar, Thailand) are stealing billions from Western victims by posing as romantic interests and using AI tools like ChatGPT to find targets, create deepfakes, and craft convincing messages. Mohammad Muzahir, a computer programmer kidnapped and forced to work in one such operation, exposed how scammers use AI to generate personalized approaches based on victims' social media profiles, though the actual manipulation remains human-driven. To protect yourself, be skeptical of romantic advances from people you've never met in person, especially if they eventually ask for money or cryptocurrency, and verify identities through video calls before developing emotional or financial connections.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-04-08
Cambodia has enacted strict new anti-scam legislation with life imprisonment as a maximum penalty for operators of fraud compounds that exploit tens of thousands of people to conduct romance scams and investment fraud targeting victims worldwide—between 100,000-150,000 people are currently trapped in these operations that steal over $12.5 billion annually. The law protects victims forced into scamming from prosecution while penalizing ringleaders, and Cambodia claims to have shut down 250 scam centers and arrested 800 operators since July 2025. However, concerns remain about enforcement effectiveness given that state-licensed casinos are simultaneously being linked to torture and trafficking, and potential victims should be wary of deceptive job postings on Facebook and Instagram that are commonly used to lure people into these criminal compounds.
ketv.com
· 2026-04-08
A 21-year-old Texas woman lost thousands of dollars after finding what appeared to be a legitimate remote job posting on Indeed, only to discover it was an elaborate scam. She was sent a fraudulent check for nearly $5,000, instructed to withdraw the funds and transfer them via cryptocurrency and money orders before the check was flagged as fake by her bank, leaving her responsible for repaying the full amount. Job seekers should be cautious of opportunities that move off legitimate job boards to external communication channels, skip formal interviews, and request upfront deposits or money transfers—legitimate employers don't ask new hires to handle cash transfers.
thehill.com
· 2026-04-08
Social Security beneficiaries are being targeted by a surge in government imposter scams that have increased 25% in 2025, with scammers posing as SSA officials via phone, email, text, or social media to steal personal information and cause "devastating financial losses." These criminals create false urgency by claiming problems with benefits or Social Security numbers, and use tactics like spoofed caller IDs, fake badge numbers, and official-looking documents to appear legitimate. To protect yourself, never share your Social Security number with unexpected callers, delete suspicious emails immediately, and report any suspected scams to the SSA.
atg.wa.gov
· 2026-04-08
Washington State's Attorney General has warned residents about a surge of fraudulent investment schemes on Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) that use fake ads and deepfake technology to trick people into scams like "pump and dump" schemes and cryptocurrency fraud, resulting in devastating financial and psychological losses for victims. To protect yourself, be skeptical of investment advice posted on social media, remember that legitimate brokers rarely advertise specific investments on these platforms, and report any suspected scams to the Consumer Protection Division.
wlwt.com
· 2026-04-08
A 21-year-old Texas woman lost $5,000 after falling victim to a job scam she found on Indeed; the scammers posed as employers, offered her a remote position without a formal interview, then sent her a fraudulent check to deposit and instructed her to withdraw the funds and send money via cryptocurrency and money orders. The scam affected thousands of job seekers annually, particularly those searching for flexible remote work opportunities. To protect yourself, be wary of job listings that move off legitimate platforms quickly, skip formal interviews, offer positions without proper vetting, or ask you to handle money transfers as part of the hiring process—legitimate employers don't ask new hires to deposit checks and send funds back.
cbsnews.com
· 2026-04-07
A 16-year-old Girl Scout created an educational game called "Scout the Scam" after her grandparents nearly fell victim to a fake uncle scam, helping seniors recognize and avoid fraud in an age of sophisticated AI-powered schemes. According to AARP, nearly one in four American adults have lost money to fraud, with common tactics including urgent-sounding calls and texts requesting immediate financial information. Experts advise people to question unsolicited requests, verify caller identity independently, and remember that banks never ask for account information or money transfers over the phone.
8days.sg
· 2026-04-07
YES 933 DJ Zhong Kunhua, a 40-year-old broadcaster, fell victim to a sophisticated job scam that unfolded over weeks in December 2025, despite taking multiple precautions like verifying the company website and checking credentials. The scam began with a WhatsApp message offering him a Mandarin voiceover job with staged payments, using professional-looking emails, legitimate company details, and even references to real industry websites to appear credible. Kunhua's experience highlights that modern scams target professionals across all ages and are far more elaborate than typical cold calls, so people should remain vigilant even when opportunities seem legitimate and professionally presented.
ca.finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-04-07
An 81-year-old man who lost $1 million to a romance scam was targeted again by criminals posing as lawyers from a fake legal firm, claiming they could recover his stolen money. The scammers used AI-generated credentials and professional video call setups to appear legitimate, but were caught when they couldn't provide real proof of credentials. To protect yourself: be skeptical of unsolicited offers to recover lost money, verify credentials independently through official channels rather than accepting documents provided by the person contacting you, and know that legitimate government agencies and law firms won't ask for upfront fees to recover stolen funds.
wsls.com
· 2026-04-07
Scammers are increasingly using AI technology to impersonate people through deepfakes and personalized messages, costing Americans over $5 billion in investment scams and $750 million in job scams. Common schemes include fake cryptocurrency promotions, phony job listings requiring upfront payment, bogus emails, and fraudulent calls impersonating banks and the IRS. To protect yourself, avoid responding to unsolicited communications, hang up and call organizations directly using verified numbers, never send money or passwords to unknown contacts, and be skeptical of urgent requests.
oag.maryland.gov
· 2026-04-07
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued a warning about fraudulent investment schemes spreading on Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp), where scammers use fake ads and deepfake technology to trick people into "pump and dump" schemes, confidence scams, and cryptocurrency fraud that drain their savings. The scams typically involve building fake trust relationships or hyping low-priced stocks before the fraudsters cash out, leaving investors with losses. To protect yourself, scrutinize investment ads on social media carefully, remember that legitimate brokers rarely advertise specific investments there, and report suspected scams to the Attorney General's Securities Division or Consumer Protection Division.
foxnews.com
· 2026-04-07
Scammers are sending text messages impersonating Amazon with fake job offers featuring unrealistic pay and vague job descriptions to lure victims into potential fraud schemes. Key red flags include generic greetings without your name, unsolicited contact with no prior application, emails from non-Amazon domains (like Hotmail), and vague job responsibilities. To protect yourself, verify any job opportunity directly through Amazon's official website or app, never click links in unsolicited messages, and be suspicious of offers that arrive unexpectedly without a formal hiring process.
kstp.com
· 2026-04-07
Scammers are using AI technology to impersonate people—like a pastor whose hacked Facebook account was used to promote fake cryptocurrency investments—causing consumers to lose over $5 billion to investment scams and $750 million to job scams in recent years. To protect yourself, avoid responding to unsolicited communications (emails, texts, calls) asking for urgent action or money; instead, hang up and contact the organization directly using a number you know is legitimate. Never send money, passwords, or personal information to unknown contacts, and be especially skeptical of requests for upfront payments or too-good-to-be-true investment opportunities.
ktvh.com
· 2026-04-07
Fraud targeting seniors is surging in Montana, with over 6,000 residents reporting fraud losses totaling more than $23 million in 2024, according to Federal Trade Commission data. Older Americans are particularly vulnerable and can suffer devastating financial and emotional consequences from scams that arrive via calls, texts, emails, social media, and AI. To protect yourself, watch for red flags like artificial urgency and requests for untraceable payments through gift cards or cryptocurrency, remember that legitimate government agencies never demand immediate payment, and report suspected scams to local law enforcement or the Division of Criminal Investigation.
mexc.co
· 2026-04-07
Pig butchering scams have cost victims worldwide over $75 billion, according to a new advisory from Finance Complaint List, with these sophisticated operations using social engineering and psychological manipulation to build false trust with targets over time before directing them to fraudulent investment platforms. The scams typically begin with unsolicited contact on social media or dating apps, where criminals pose as successful professionals or investors, gradually earning credibility before introducing fake cryptocurrency or forex trading opportunities with fabricated returns. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited investment offers from new online contacts, verify any investment platform independently before depositing funds, and report suspicious activity to authorities and the relevant platform.
mychesco.com
· 2026-04-06
Pennsylvania's Department of Banking and Securities is offering free financial literacy events throughout April to help residents avoid fraud, identity theft, and investment scams through education on budgeting, saving, and cybersecurity. The programs are designed for people of all ages and backgrounds and aim to provide practical skills to recognize financial threats and make better money decisions. Pennsylvanians can access these free resources by visiting pa.gov/dobs, calling 1-800-PA-BANKS, or reporting scams through 1-866-PACOMPLAINT.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-04-06
Women are increasingly targeted by AI-powered scams on social media and dating platforms, with criminals using fake personas, deepfakes, and voice cloning to perpetrate romance scams and sextortion schemes that combine emotional manipulation with financial or reputational harm. According to Bitdefender's 2025 survey, over 70% of people encountered a scam in the past year, with 37% citing AI-powered scams as their biggest concern. To protect yourself, remain cautious of requests for money or personal information from online connections, verify identities through video calls, and report suspicious accounts immediately to the platform.
khq.com
· 2026-04-06
Americans lost a record $15.9 billion to scams in 2025, a more than $3 billion increase from 2024, with nearly half of those losses tied to investment fraud, according to FTC data. The most common scams involved impersonation—including people posing as the FBI, IRS, sheriffs, family members, or romantic partners—out of three million fraud reports received. To protect yourself, the FTC recommends treating unknown phone numbers and emails as potential scams and independently verifying any requests by contacting the organization or person directly.
mexc.com
· 2026-04-05
Pig butchering scams—sophisticated frauds that combine social engineering, cryptocurrency fraud, and psychological manipulation—have cost victims over $75 billion globally, according to a Finance Complaint List advisory. Scammers typically target individuals on social media and dating apps by posing as successful professionals, building trust over time before directing victims to fake investment platforms that promise fabricated returns. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment offers from online contacts, verify investment platforms independently before depositing money, and report suspicious activity to relevant authorities.
kucoin.com
· 2026-04-05
Scammers are impersonating SEC officials on social media and text messages to trick investors into providing personal information, paying upfront fees, or investing in fraudulent schemes. The SEC warns that these fraudsters use official-looking branding and real employee names to appear credible, with tactics ranging from fake stock tips to promises of recovering lost money. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment offers or financial advice from social media and text messages, verify any SEC communication directly through the official SEC website, and never share personal or financial information with unverified sources.
mexc.com
· 2026-04-05
Cambodia's National Assembly has passed legislation imposing sentences up to life imprisonment for operators of large-scale online fraud networks, including crypto scams and "pig-butchering" schemes that have victimized people worldwide. The law targets scam compounds where trafficked workers are forced to run fraud operations, with penalties ranging from 5-10 years for ring operators to life sentences for leaders of major operations involving violence or death. The measure reflects Cambodia's effort to combat its reputation as a major hub for cybercrime and addresses international pressure to dismantle these criminal operations.
panewslab.com
· 2026-04-05
Li Xiong, chairman of Huiwang Group, was extradited to China in April 2026 following the arrest of his associate Chen Zhi, marking the collapse of a $24 billion underground financial empire that operated primarily through Cambodia-based payment systems and thousands of Telegram groups facilitating money laundering and illegal financial services. The Huiwang network, which marketed itself as "Cambodia's Alipay" through legitimate-looking QR codes used by restaurants and shops, was actually five times larger than the dark web marketplace Hydra and three times larger than FTX at its peak. While the article doesn't provide specific advice, it serves as a cautionary tale about cryptocurrency-based payment systems and financial platforms operating from overseas jurisdictions that may mask illegal activity behind seemingly legitimate payment infrastructure.
newscop.com.au
· 2026-04-05
Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to steal money online, including impersonating bank representatives, crypto company officials, and tech support staff to gain victims' trust and access their accounts. In 2025, Australians lost $97.6 million to phishing scams alone, with one victim losing $350,000 in cryptocurrency in just 18 hours after being tricked by a fake ledger company representative. Police advise being cautious of unsolicited calls claiming your accounts are compromised, verifying caller identity through official channels, and never downloading software or sharing personal information based on incoming contact.
startupfortune.com
· 2026-04-05
Cambodia has passed a draft law imposing up to 20 years in prison for cryptocurrency fraud, targeting the operators and facilitators of scam networks that have made the country a global hub for digital asset crimes. The legislation, which includes asset forfeiture provisions and millions of dollars in fines, was driven by international pressure and UN estimates showing these operations generate tens of billions annually through romance scams, fake investment platforms, and "pig butchering" schemes. General audiences should be aware of these common cryptocurrency scams and verify investment opportunities through independent sources before sending money or cryptocurrency to unknown parties online.
aol.com
· 2026-04-05
An 82-year-old Chicago resident received 552 robocalls in a single month, forcing him to disable his phone entirely to escape the constant harassment—a problem affecting millions of Americans who collectively received over 3.8 billion robocalls in February 2026 alone. While some robocalls are legitimate (appointment reminders, pharmacy notifications), about 58% are telemarketing or scams designed to trick people into revealing personal information or sending money. To protect yourself, experts recommend using robocall-blocking apps, registering with the National Do Not Call Registry, and being skeptical of unsolicited calls asking for personal or financial information.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-04-05
Google's AI-generated search summaries (called AI Overviews) can inadvertently display fake phone numbers and misleading information after fraudsters plant scam numbers on obscure websites that the AI then aggregates and promotes at the top of search results. This puts consumers at risk of calling scammers when they search for legitimate customer service numbers for banks, airlines, and other companies. To protect yourself, verify phone numbers through official company websites rather than relying solely on AI summaries, and Google is working to improve spam detection to prevent scammers from hijacking search results.
wbaltv.com
· 2026-04-05
Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to clone voices from just seconds of audio, then impersonating loved ones to trick people into sending money. A Pikesville man's father fell victim to this scam when someone using an AI-cloned voice of his grandson called claiming to be in jail and needing bail money, using personal details like the family's nickname for their father to seem credible. Experts warn that these scams exploit emotion, urgency, and fear of loss, so people should verify unexpected requests for money by contacting family members directly through known phone numbers before sending anything.
tvmnews.mt
· 2026-03-22
Aqra bil-
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The Malta Bankers’ Association and the Central Bank of Malta, in collaboration with various other entities and authorities, organised an informative seminar aimed at raising public a...
aol.com
· 2026-03-22
A message that appears to come from Google might look legitimate at first glance. It could also be a scam designed to steal your personal information.
Cybercriminals are increasingly impersonating Go...
cbs19news.com
· 2026-03-22
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- The Albemarle County Police Department is warning residents about a growing scam that, in some cases, involves criminals sending someone directly to a victim’s ho...
odaily.news
· 2026-03-22
Odaily News Hong Kong police's Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau (CSTCB) "CyberDefender" has disclosed a cryptocurrency fraud case. A 66-year-old retiree fell victim to a "cryptocurrency inve...
techflowpost.com
· 2026-03-22
TechFlow News: On March 21, according to a report by the Hong Kong Wen Wei Po, the Cybercrime Division of the Hong Kong Police Force’s “Cyber Guardians” unit disclosed a cryptocurrency fraud case in w...
yahoo.com
· 2026-03-21
A Tampa Bay-area senior narrowly avoided losing $1.75 million after falling victim to a sophisticated bank impersonation scam, according to officials.
The Ruskin customer attempted to wire the money ...
wyomingnews.com
· 2026-03-21
A large “beware of scams” sign on display at a gift card aisle in a store.
SARATOGA — In 2024, Wyoming residents lost $43 million to scams, Bank of Commerce and CEO Copper France told Saratoga senior...
buffalobulletin.com
· 2026-03-21
SARATOGA — In 2024, Wyoming residents lost $43 million to scams, Bank of Commerce and CEO Copper France told Saratoga seniors last week.
“You’re not alone,” he said. “Just understand that we’re here...
mashable.com
· 2026-03-21
Fake dating accounts have always been the bane of online dating, but with ubiquitous and cheap generative AI now able to falsify photos, videos, and profile bios, and even plausibly mimic a human in a...
thebostonpilot.com
· 2026-03-21
Online banking has become an increasingly common tool for managing personal finances. For many older adults, the ability to review account balances, pay bills, and transfer funds without traveling to ...
wpbf.com
· 2026-03-21
Whether it's a child car seat, kitchen appliance, or lawn tool, recall notices warn you of a potential safety risk. Now there's a new warning from Consumer Reports: scammers are trying to trick you wi...
latimes.com
· 2026-03-21
This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
Robocalls, texts and phishing emails from scammers are up this tax season compared with previous years, with arti...
mexc.com
· 2026-03-21
The post FBI, Thai Police Seize $580M in Crypto Scam Crackdown appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News
In a major international law-enforcement operation, the FBI and Royal Thai Police raided scam c...
crypto.news
· 2026-03-21
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The FBI and Thai police froze about $580m in crypto and seized 8,000 phones in a joint strike on Southeast Asian pig butchering gangs targeting American victims.
United States federal law enfo...
mexc.com
· 2026-03-21
Joint efforts by the FBI and Thai police to combat scams targeting Americans are yielding results. The joint task force comprising FBI agents and the Royal Thai Police led to the seizure of 8,000 phon...
fox5dc.com
· 2026-03-20
The Internal Revenue Service has released its annual list of tax schemes to watch for in 2026, warning taxpayers, businesses and tax professionals about the most common and damaging threats circulatin...
wowt.com
· 2026-03-20
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Scammers are now posting fake social media ads featuring a deepfake police officer image in an attempt to discredit warning stickers placed on Bitcoin ATM machines across the Omah...
malwarebytes.com
· 2026-03-20
Tax season is also peak season for identity theft. Criminals use stolen personal data to file fake tax returns and claim refunds before the real taxpayer does. Here’s how the fraud works, and how to p...
wtsp.com
· 2026-03-20
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globaldatinginsights.com
· 2026-03-20
Sequel, a dating app designed exclusively for singles aged 50 and older, is gaining attention in for its approach to user safety and trust. Marketed as the first senior-focused platform to adopt a str...
yahoo.com
· 2026-03-20
BOSTON (WWLP) – A Dominican national has been extradited to Massachusetts for allegedly laundering proceeds from a call center operation that defrauded hundreds of elderly victims, resulting in over $...
yahoo.com
· 2026-03-20
A Dominican national has been extradited to the United States for his alleged role in an elder fraud ring that victimized seniors across the country, including in Massachusetts, federal authorities sa...
fallriverreporter.com
· 2026-03-20
BOSTON – A Dominican national has been extradited to the United States for his alleged role in a transnational “call center” operation in the Dominican Republic that tricked hundreds of elderly victim...