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witl.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan residents are being warned about three Amazon Prime Day scams: fake text messages impersonating Amazon to steal personal information, phishing messages falsely claiming Prime membership cancellation requiring payment, and account suspension scams using fraudulent links to compromise account access. Experts advise verifying any Amazon communications directly through the official app or website and never sharing personal details via unsolicited texts or calls.
chronicleonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud caused over $3.4 billion in losses to seniors in 2023, with an average loss of $34,000 per victim, and Florida had the second-highest number of complaints that year. The most common scams include tech support fraud, personal data breaches, romance scams, non-delivery scams, and investment scams (which cause the largest financial losses). To protect against fraud, seniors should never share personal information with unknown callers, verify requests by contacting organizations directly, be skeptical of unsolicited offers, and report suspected fraud to authorities as soon as possible.
siliconvalley.com
· 2025-12-08
California's reported elder fraud complaints decreased slightly by 2 percent from 2022 to 2023 (from 145 to 142 complaints per 100,000 adults aged 60+), but the state remains among the top 10 most affected states in the nation. The FBI data shows significant variation across states, with Arizona leading at 289 complaints per 100,000 elders compared to Mississippi's lowest rate of 64, while nine states experienced increases of 19-36 percent in elder fraud complaints during the same period.
cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
**Scam Losses in Cuyahoga County, Ohio More Than Double; Nationwide Fraud Crisis Escalates**
Reported scam losses in Cuyahoga County jumped from $1.2 million in 2023 to $2.7 million in 2024, with fraudsters using spoofed caller IDs, stolen personal data, and cryptocurrency to steal larger amounts in shorter timeframes. A particularly dangerous trend involves scammers posing as federal agents claiming victims' bank accounts are involved in drug trafficking, convincing them to move savings to crypto "wallets" and in some cases obtaining house sale proceeds—with national fraud losses reaching $
thesun.ng
· 2025-12-08
Cristine Petitfrere, a 30-year-old from Miramar, Florida, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy after funneling over $2.7 million from romance scam victims to an overseas co-conspirator, keeping hundreds of thousands in fees for herself. Romance scams—where fraudsters create fake online personas to exploit victims financially and emotionally—cost Americans $1.14 billion in 2023, often targeting elderly individuals. Petitfrere faces up to 10 years in prison at her December 11 sentencing.
theregister.com
· 2025-12-08
A Cambodian senator and entrepreneur, Ly Yong Phat, was sanctioned by the US Treasury for operating O Smach Resort as a forced labor camp where trafficked workers were coerced into promoting cryptocurrency and foreign exchange scams that defrauded victims globally. Workers at the resort reported being lured with false job offers, having their documents confiscated, and enduring beatings, electric shocks, ransoms, and threats; two victims reportedly died by suicide. The sanctions prohibit US persons from conducting business with Ly without permission and require reporting of his US-based assets.
nbcphiladelphia.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers stole $1.14 billion from Americans in one year according to the FTC, though experts believe the actual amount is higher due to underreporting by embarrassed victims. A Philadelphia-area widow lost approximately $39,000 to a romance scam orchestrated by a man posing as a surgeon, who built an emotional relationship with her over months before requesting money for various fabricated needs, ultimately disappearing when they were supposed to meet in person. The victim has since recovered and now volunteers with the AARP Fraud Watch Helpline to help prevent others from falling victim to similar schemes.
cw34.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Petitfrere, a 30-year-old Miramar woman, was convicted of laundering over $2.7 million in stolen money from romance scams orchestrated by overseas conspirators, keeping hundreds of thousands of dollars for herself. Romance scams typically involve criminals creating fake online accounts to build trust with victims—often elderly—before stealing their money, with victims losing approximately $1.14 million in a single year. Petitfrere faces up to 10 years in prison at her December sentencing.
wsvn.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers used fake dating profiles impersonating Miami doctor Nataliya Bocharova on social media to defraud men out of millions of dollars through a "pig butchering" scheme, in which victims were lured by romance and promises of investment returns, then directed to fake trading sites where their money disappeared. One victim lost $300,000 before the real doctor's warning video on Instagram alerted him to the scam; the FBI is now investigating, though the schemes are typically run by organized crime groups overseas and most money is not recovered.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
At a September 2024 Senate Banking Committee hearing, Senator Elizabeth Warren highlighted the severe impact of romance and cryptocurrency investment scams on older Americans, noting that Massachusetts residents alone lost over $85 million to these schemes in 2023. Testimony revealed that scammers use extended emotional manipulation through dating apps before gradually coercing victims to deposit funds into fake trading accounts that show false profits, ultimately draining their entire savings; crypto scam losses nationally increased tenfold from 2020-2023 to over $110 million, with adults over 60 being three times more likely to lose money in such schemes. Senator Warren advocated for her bipartisan Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering
publishedreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
Cristine Petitfrere, 30, of Miramar, Florida, pleaded guilty to money laundering approximately $2.7 million obtained from elderly victims of romance scams, earning hundreds of thousands in fees by routing victim funds to foreign co-conspirators. Romance scams, which involve fraudsters creating fake online personas to manipulate victims into sending money, cost Americans $1.14 billion in 2023 according to the Federal Trade Commission. Petitfrere faces up to ten years in prison at her December 11 sentencing in the Southern District of Florida.
coingape.com
· 2025-12-08
The CFTC has partnered with federal agencies including the SEC, FBI, and IRS to combat "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams, which cost Americans billions annually and exploit victims through fake romantic relationships to lure them into fraudulent crypto investments. These collaborative efforts include developing educational infographics and investor alerts designed to help consumers—including experienced investors—identify and avoid such schemes. The CFTC advises the public to ignore unsolicited messages, report suspicious activity, and provide detailed information to law enforcement to assist investigations.
wsbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
Billions of dollars are lost annually to scams targeting older Americans, with the FBI reporting over $3 billion in losses in 2023 alone, including devastating cases such as romance scams, sextortion schemes, and AI-enabled impersonations that have cost some seniors their entire life savings. The AARP Fraud Watch Network receives more than 100,000 calls yearly from affected seniors, and experts testified before U.S. Congress emphasizing that criminals continue to evolve their tactics with increasing sophistication. Lawmakers are responding with bipartisan legislation and recommendations for education, public outreach, and federal efforts to combat spoofing and robocalls as key strategies to protect vulnerable seniors.
keysnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A California financial advisor, Paul Horton Smith, was convicted in January for operating a $24 million Ponzi scheme called "Northstar" from 2000 to 2020, defrauding hundreds of elderly victims who believed they were investing in annuities or real estate. The case exemplifies a broader trend of rising elder fraud nationally, with FBI data showing a 14% increase in reported elder fraud cases in 2023 and losses exceeding $3 billion annually, exploited through scams ranging from fake prizes and romance schemes to AI-generated voice impersonations. Financial experts recommend victims verify advisor credentials through free tools like BrokerCheck and the IAPD
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Erika DeMask lost over $1 million of her life savings in a "pig butchering" scam, where a man she met online posed as a romantic interest and gradually built trust before requesting money for fake emergencies and investment opportunities. These scams involve fraudsters establishing prolonged digital relationships to gain victims' trust before stealing their money, with the FBI reporting over $3.5 billion in losses and 40,000 U.S. victims in 2023 alone. DeMask now must sell her home to repay debts and has only $400 remaining.
independent.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance cryptocurrency scams are rising significantly, with the FBI reporting over 70,000 complaints and $5.6 billion in losses in 2023, often targeting educated and affluent victims. A 68-year-old woman was defrauded of $58,000 after meeting a man posing as a wealthy businessman on an elite dating app who gradually manipulated her into sending funds for fake business emergencies, later revealing the money was funneled into cryptocurrency investments. Investment fraud is the most common type of cryptocurrency scam, accounting for 71 percent of complaints and $3.96 billion in losses in 2023.
headtopics.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using AI-generated deepfake videos of famous doctors on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to promote unproven health treatments, particularly targeting older audiences. The fraudulent videos falsely endorse dangerous "natural" remedies for serious conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, leveraging the trusted reputations of well-known TV health personalities including Michael Mosley and Hilary Jones. Experts warn these scams pose serious health risks as victims may abandon proven medical treatments in favor of ineffective products, and the deepfakes are difficult to combat as new versions quickly replace removed content.
publishedreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
A 30-year-old woman from Miramar, Florida pleaded guilty to money laundering involving millions of dollars stolen from elderly romance scam victims and transferred to foreign co-conspirators. Petitfrere used bank accounts to facilitate the transfer of fraud proceeds obtained through romance scams targeting seniors.
spotonflorida.com
· 2025-12-08
A Miramar woman was convicted this week for laundering millions of dollars stolen from romance scam victims on behalf of the criminals who perpetrated the schemes. The case involved vulnerable individuals being defrauded through romance scams, with the defendant playing a key money-laundering role in the criminal operation.
theprint.in
· 2025-12-08
"Hustle kingdoms" are informal training academies in West Africa (particularly Ghana and Nigeria) that teach individuals digital fraud techniques, including romance scams and business email compromise schemes, with graduates exporting these skills globally and contributing to an estimated $50 billion in online scam losses in the United States in 2023 alone. These operations evolved from 1980s-90s "business centres" and function as hierarchical knowledge hubs where novices learn sophisticated fraud tactics from experienced scammers. Some perpetrators justify their crimes as restitution for historical colonial exploitation, while employing both psychological manipulation and supernatural tactics like "juju magic" to defraud victims worldwide.
postandcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
Since 2020, the Better Business Bureau has received over 4,000 reports of investment scams, many involving cryptocurrency or romance fraud tactics where scammers build trust through fake relationships before soliciting investments. Median losses have increased significantly from $1,000 in 2021 to nearly $6,000 in recent years, with some victims losing over $84,000. The article outlines red flags including guaranteed returns promises, unknown cryptocurrencies, pressure to share wallet access, and unsolicited friendship offers, and provides resources for reporting scams to the BBB, FTC, and FBI.
decripto.org
· 2025-12-08
Zikica Fiser, a 54-year-old man, was convicted of a sentimental scam targeting a 78-year-old dementia sufferer in Trieste, embezzling EUR 74,200 through false pretenses including impersonating a doctor and fabricating personal crises. The Court of Appeal upheld his sentence of two years and six months imprisonment and ordered him to pay EUR 106,000 in compensation, though no restitution has been made to date. The case was uncovered by the victim's niece and highlights the rising trend of romance scams in Italy, which increased 118% from 2020 and caused EUR 4
cantonrep.com
· 2025-12-08
Perry Township police held an educational session for approximately 80 seniors to warn about prevalent scams costing consumers over $10 billion annually in 2023. Detectives outlined multiple fraud schemes targeting seniors, including "pig butchering" (investment scams where one victim lost nearly $200,000), grandparent scams (one local case involved a $15,000 loss), AI voice cloning, Social Security benefit threats, and Facebook account hacking. Police emphasized warning signs such as pressure tactics, requests for non-credit card payments, and threats, while advising seniors to establish family passwords, verify callers independently, and never share personal information with unsolicited contacts.
the-review.com
· 2025-12-08
Perry Township police held an educational session for approximately 80 seniors to raise awareness about common scams targeting older adults, which cost consumers over $10 billion in 2023 according to the FTC. Police detectives outlined major fraud schemes including "pig butchering" (romance/investment scams where victims lose substantial sums), grandparent scams (fake bail requests), and Social Security benefit threats, with local examples showing losses ranging from $15,000 to nearly $200,000. The presentation covered warning signs of fraud and protective measures, such as establishing family passwords to combat AI voice impersonation and never sharing personal information with unsolicited callers.
techbullion.com
· 2025-12-08
Documentary Plus Stories is seeking victims of cyber fraud—including investment scams, romance scams, and cryptocurrency scams—to participate in a groundbreaking documentary film aimed at raising public awareness and preventing future crimes. Participants will receive compensation including a one-time payment and potential future royalties, and their authentic stories will be featured in a documentary expected to reach millions of viewers worldwide.
watcher.guru
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans lost $5.6 billion to cryptocurrency scams, accounting for approximately 50% of all financial crimes reported to the FBI. Fraudsters employed various tactics including fake gaming apps, "pig butchering" romance scams to gain trust and access to cryptocurrency wallets, and fake investment signal groups on Telegram that promised high returns before blocking victims. The FBI attributed the rise in crypto crimes to technological advances enabling fraud and consumers' vulnerability to "fear of missing out" marketing around digital assets.
globalsecuritymag.fr
· 2025-12-08
The 2024 NICE Actimize Fraud Insights Report reveals a significant shift in fraud tactics, with fraudsters increasingly targeting investment and romance scams while moving away from account takeover fraud toward authorized fraud schemes. Investment and romance scams pose heightened consumer risk, while authorized fraud and domestic wire fraud continue to rise globally, though attempted fraud increased 6% in volume but decreased 26% in value. The report, based on analysis of billions of transactions, highlights the need for sophisticated fraud prevention technologies, particularly for web-based P2P transactions which show fraud rates 5 times higher than mobile-based transactions.
independent.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance cryptocurrency scams defrauded Americans of $5.6 billion in 2023, with the FBI receiving over 70,000 complaints—a 45% increase from 2022—targeting often educated and affluent victims. A 68-year-old woman named Debbie Fox lost $58,000 from her retirement account after being deceived by a scammer posing as a wealthy businessman on an elite dating app, who built trust over weeks before requesting funds for a fake business emergency and directing the money into cryptocurrency investments. Investment fraud is the most common cryptocurrency scam type, accounting for 71% of complaints and $3.96 billion in losses, leaving victims facing severe
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
According to multiple surveys, Gen Zers lost more money to online scams than baby boomers in 2023, with romance scams being particularly prevalent among younger users (15% of Gen Z fell for romance scams compared to 4% of baby boomers). Their vulnerability stems from pandemic-related social isolation during formative years, overconfidence in their ability to spot AI-generated fraud despite falling for it at higher rates (31% vs. 11% for baby boomers), and increased comfort meeting strangers online where scammers use deepfakes and sophisticated image-enhancing tools to create convincing fake identities.
home.barclays
· 2025-12-08
Financial criminals are exploiting cost-of-living pressures and AI technologies to target young people, with 80% of 18-24 year-olds reporting they have been targeted or know someone approached by scammers. Money muling—where individuals unknowingly or knowingly allow criminals to use their bank accounts to transfer stolen funds—is a growing concern, with "unwitting money mules" making up approximately one-third of confirmed fraud cases. Common scam tactics include fake job advertisements, romance scams using AI-generated profiles, purchase fraud (76% of scams targeting this age group), and schemes offering commissions on transactions or involving "mistaken" deposits.
effinghamradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias issued a warning that scammers are using sophisticated AI technology, including voice cloning and deepfake videos, to fraudulently access personal information and financial accounts from Illinois residents. The alert highlights four prevalent scam types—deepfakes, romance scams, Ponzi schemes, and affinity scams—and recommends that prospective investors validate identities, verify licenses through BrokerCheck or Investment Adviser Public Disclosure, and avoid suspicious links and attachments.
wibx950.com
· 2025-12-08
Herkimer police are warning residents about multiple scams circulating in the area, including blackmail schemes where fraudsters claim to have installed spyware and threaten to release compromising information unless victims pay (such as $2,000 in bitcoin), and police impersonation scams where criminals falsely claim that Herkimer Police are searching for the victim. The article also highlights emerging AI-enabled threats including romance scams ("pig butchering") and virtual kidnapping ransom schemes where criminals use cloned voices to impersonate loved ones, urging residents to verify requests directly with police rather than through third parties.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Nana Yaw Marfo, 39, of Alexandria, Virginia, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy for his role in laundering approximately $4.7 million stolen from romance scam victims across the United States. Marfo received the victims' money and wired it to overseas bank accounts through multiple business accounts to conceal the criminal proceeds. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine at sentencing scheduled for February 4, 2025.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
A grandmother received a deepfake voice call from a scammer impersonating her grandson claiming to be in jail and needing $10,000 for bail, but she verified the call was fake by contacting her grandson directly. The article outlines common scams targeting seniors—including grandparent scams, government impersonation, romance scams, and spoofing—and provides protective strategies such as verifying callers through known phone numbers, establishing family safe words, taking time to think despite pressure tactics, and using unique passwords with one-time passcodes.
verywellmind.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide examines the psychology behind why people fall for scams, emphasizing that susceptibility is not a matter of intelligence but rather how scammers exploit psychological vulnerabilities. Key findings include that adults aged 35-44 are most likely to be deceived (though older adults remain targeted), those 18-24 lose the most money, and online fraud causes an estimated $2.7 billion in annual losses while also impacting victims' mental health. The article outlines how scammers build trust through impersonation and social engineering, and notes that common scams include phone fraud, phishing, fake job offers, and emergency schemes—increasingly enhanced by AI technology.
whitehallledger.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes a voice-cloning scam where scammers impersonated a grandfather by mimicking his voice to request bank account information from family members, highlighting how scammers use increasingly sophisticated technology to target victims. The piece reports that Americans lost $10 billion to scams in 2023 and emphasizes that elderly people are frequently targeted, recommending protective measures such as slowing down before responding to urgent requests, being selective about who accesses financial information, and seeking help from certified financial planners to monitor accounts and recover from fraud.
scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
A Hong Kong police crackdown arrested 11 members of a fraud syndicate that defrauded 99 men of HK$20 million (US$2.8 million) through online romance scams over nine months, with victims including doctors, engineers, teachers, and other educated professionals aged 21-44. Police noted that men comprised 35 percent of romance scam victims in August, challenging assumptions that only women fall prey to such schemes, and warned the public to be cautious about requests for money in online relationships.
postregister.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, seniors lost $3.4 billion to scams—an 11% increase from 2022—prompting a unanimously passed Senate Resolution to combat elder fraud. Common scams include romance fraud, tech support scams, cryptocurrency schemes, and investment fraud, with warning signs including unexpected contact, pressure to act quickly, requests for personal information, and demands for untraceable payments. Victims are encouraged to end contact with scammers, report incidents to local police, the FTC, FBI, or postal inspection services, and take protective measures such as updating security software and monitoring financial accounts.
kvoa.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reports a 25% increase in scam victims and $300 million in additional losses over the past year, with particularly harsh impacts on retirees in Arizona living on fixed incomes. The bureau has launched the "Take a Beat" awareness initiative to combat various schemes including romance scams, phone fraud, and cryptocurrency scams (which alone resulted in $4.5 billion in losses nationally last year). The FBI advises potential victims to pause before sending money, verify requests independently rather than using provided phone numbers, consult financial advisors or law enforcement, and report scams quickly—noting a 70% success rate in recovering wired funds within 24 hours.
rlsmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
A 39-year-old Virginia man pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy for handling approximately $4.7 million stolen from romance scam victims across the United States, which he laundered through multiple bank accounts under fake business names and wired to overseas accounts. Nana Yaw Marfo faces up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $500,000 or twice the value of funds involved for knowingly facilitating the illegal financial transfers.
financialservices.house.gov
· 2025-12-08
Congressman Luetkemeyer held a House Financial Services hearing in September 2024 to examine "confidence scams" (also called "pig butchering"), a multi-billion dollar fraud industry that has surged since the COVID-19 pandemic. Scammers build trust with victims over weeks or months through fake romantic relationships, then convince them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes by showing fake portfolio gains and instructing them to wire money to Southeast Asian accounts or fake exchanges, systematically draining victims' savings and retirement funds until nothing remains.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
A March 2024 Interac survey found that nine in 10 Canadians experienced at least one fraud attempt in the past year, with experts warning that AI-enabled scams and upcoming real-time payment systems will increase risks. The most common digital scams targeting Canadians are investment fraud (particularly cryptocurrency schemes responsible for over half of the $309 million in investment fraud losses), imposter fraud targeting financial institutions, and job fraud—often using sophisticated tactics including AI voice mimicry and fake social media profiles. Experts recommend prevention through Interac's "3-S" approach: stop, scrutinize, and speak up.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Pennsylvania hosted a Telephone Town Hall featuring experts from the U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI to educate residents about scams targeting older adults, including impostor, romance, lottery, and tech support fraud. The session provided warning signs, protective strategies, and resources for reporting fraudulent activities, emphasizing that individuals should question unsolicited contacts and never share money or personal information with unknown parties. Listeners can report scams to local law enforcement or contact AARP at 1-877-908-3360 for assistance.
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
The SEC filed its first-ever enforcement actions against "pig butchering" scammers, charging five entities and three individuals operating fake crypto trading platforms NanoBit and CoinW6 that defrauded approximately 18 and 11 investors, respectively, of nearly $3.2 million combined. Fraudsters posed as attractive professionals on social media, built romantic relationships with victims, and lured them to fake platforms promising high returns before blocking withdrawals and demanding additional fees or threatening to expose private messages. The SEC is seeking permanent injunctions, penalties, and disgorgement against both entities for violating securities law.
winnipegfreepress.com
· 2025-12-08
A 62-year-old retired pilot from Manitoba lost his life savings of over $185,000 to a romance scam involving a woman who posed as a California plastic surgeon on Instagram and convinced him to invest in a fake artificial intelligence scheme. After being confronted by a friend about the scam, Kiss was unable to contact the scammer again and was forced to return to full-time work to rebuild his finances. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, romance scams victimized 48 Manitobans of over $1.6 million in 2023, with law enforcement noting that these schemes commonly involve building emotional connections, planning meetings that are cancelled with excuses, and pressure
cleburnetimesreview.com
· 2025-12-08
A BSA Scout writes about the rising threat of scams targeting elderly residents in Johnson County, highlighting common schemes including romance, tech support, refund, emergency, and Medicare scams. The author describes a personal experience with a Medicare scam in which fraudsters using spoofed phone numbers impersonated Medicare or doctors' offices to pressure victims into changing their Medicare plans or face cancellation. The piece emphasizes that scammers continuously develop new tactics to exploit vulnerable seniors.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Pennsylvania hosted a Telephone Town Hall featuring law enforcement and volunteer experts who discussed sophisticated scams targeting older adults, including impostor, romance, lottery, and tech support fraud. The session provided guidance on recognizing warning signs, protecting personal information, and reporting fraudulent activities to local authorities. Listeners learned the importance of questioning unexpected contact and never sending money or personal details to unknown sources.
helsinkitimes.fi
· 2025-12-08
Financial scams in Finland increased significantly in the first half of 2024, with losses totaling 27.5 million euros—nearly 8 million more than the same period in 2023. Phishing scams caused the largest losses at 11.7 million euros, while investment scams more than doubled to 10.9 million euros, though banks managed to block an additional 18.2 million euros in fraudulent transactions. Experts advise caution against scams using urgency tactics and impersonation of officials, and recommend being skeptical of offers that sound too good to be true.
news.bloomberglaw.com
· 2025-12-08
A proposed bill would require online dating service providers to notify users when they receive messages from banned individuals attempting to commit fraud, establishing a national standard for such notifications. The measure aims to protect seniors who are frequently targeted by romance scams, with implementation occurring one year after the bill's enactment.
uta.edu
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Rebecca Cole, a PhD candidate at the University of Texas at Arlington, successfully defended her dissertation on online romance scam victimization in the United States. Her mixed-methods research examined factors associated with victimization (including loneliness and interpersonal trust) and found that impacts extend beyond financial loss to include significant emotional, psychological, physiological, and legal consequences. Cole's work advocates for comprehensive victim support, trauma-informed care, increased awareness, and improved law enforcement training to reduce stigma and encourage reporting of these scams.