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news.trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
**Trend Micro Research on Australian Scam Vulnerability**
A Trend Micro survey of 1,072 Australians revealed significant misconceptions increasing scam vulnerability, including beliefs that scams require oversharing (31%), are easily spotted by poor grammar (47%), or that extortion only occurs through explicit photo sharing (32%). Australians lost over $2 billion to online scams in the past year, with investment scams targeting a quarter of respondents, yet only 15% discussed scam response strategies with family and just 9% use verification phrases against impersonation scams. The research recommends staying wary of unsolicited communications, enabling two
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains romance scams, which involve scammers creating fake dating profiles to build romantic relationships with victims—particularly older Americans—before requesting money for fabricated emergencies or opportunities. Older people are targeted because they typically have more savings, less familiarity with online scams, and may experience isolation, making them vulnerable to the emotional manipulation of promised romantic connections. The article provides guidance for adult children whose parents fall victim, including stopping communications, reporting to authorities and platforms, attempting to recover funds through banks and financial institutions, and protecting against identity theft.
mitchellnow.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau is warning of a surge in identity and information scams, with federal agencies logging over three million cases in the past year. BBB South Dakota recommends freezing credit with major reporting agencies to prevent scammers from opening accounts or taking loans in victims' names.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two Bremerton, Washington women, Heather Marquis and Emily Vranic, were indicted on charges of conspiracy, bank fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft for stealing mail and using personal documents to take over the identities of approximately 278 victims between April 2019 and November 2024. The defendants opened credit cards, lines of credit, and accessed bank accounts in victims' names, transferring funds to their own accounts and using victim accounts to pay their mortgage, resulting in an estimated $620,000 in losses. Both defendants face trial in June 2025, with potential sentences ranging up to 30 years in prison depending on convictions.
komu.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season scams spike around Tax Day, with fraudsters impersonating IRS officials, posing as "ghost preparers," and using phishing emails and threatening calls to target filers. The IRS reminds taxpayers that legitimate communication comes only via U.S. mail, never through unsolicited calls, texts, or emails, and the agency never demands payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Filers should work with reputable tax professionals, verify charity solicitations with the IRS, and those needing more time can file for an extension by April 15 to gain until October 15 to complete their return.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud losses nationwide reached $12.5 billion in 2024, with New York State accounting for $534 million in losses across 118,933 reported cases; older adults were disproportionately affected, with those over 50 reporting 28,578 fraud cases totaling $159 million in losses. AARP New York, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and local officials launched "The Big Shred NY!" — a statewide initiative offering 27 free document shredding locations through May 10, 2025, to help residents safely dispose of personal documents containing sensitive information that could be used for identity theft.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP New York, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and city officials launched "The Big Shred NY!" initiative, offering 27 free document shredding locations across New York State through May 2025 to help residents safely dispose of personal documents and prevent identity theft. Fraud targeting Americans reached $12.5 billion in 2024—a 25% increase from 2023—with New York State accounting for $534 million in losses, and older adults particularly vulnerable with $159 million lost among those over 50. The program aims to combat the rising sophistication of scams targeting seniors through document destruction as a preventive measure against financial fraud.
easttexasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A writer's Facebook account was hacked by criminals from Nigeria who used it to post fake car and trailer advertisements, gaining access through a rarely-contacted friend's account. The author lost access to their 17-year-old account and experienced a fraudulent charge on an associated bank card; meanwhile, local police report that elderly victims in their area have lost entire life savings to similar scams, with approximately 300,000 Facebook accounts hacked daily. The author recommends updating privacy settings, removing personal information from profiles, and limiting social media exposure as preventive measures.
reviewjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece advises seniors on protecting themselves from identity theft by placing either a fraud alert or credit freeze on their credit files with the three major credit reporting bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). A credit freeze provides stronger protection by restricting access to credit reports and preventing new accounts from being opened in one's name, though it temporarily prevents the account holder from obtaining new credit themselves. Both protections are free, do not affect credit scores, and can be easily set up by contacting any of the three bureaus by phone, online, or mail.
harlemworldmagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP New York, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and other officials launched "The Big Shred NY!" initiative, offering 27 free document shredding locations across New York State through May 2025 to help residents safely dispose of personal documents and prevent identity theft. Fraud targeting Americans reached $12.5 billion in 2024—a 25% increase from 2023—with New York State accounting for $534 million in losses, and adults over 50 reporting $159 million in losses from 28,578 documented fraud cases.
yellowhammernews.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudulent text messages (smishing) falsely claiming unpaid tolls are increasing in frequency and sophistication, with the FBI receiving nearly 2,000 complaints in the past year and cybersecurity researchers identifying over 10,000 fraudulent domains. These scams use urgent language and fake links to trick victims into revealing personal and financial information, though legitimate toll notices arrive by mail. Experts recommend verifying claims through official toll authority websites, reporting suspicious messages to the FBI's IC3, and immediately contacting your bank if any information was compromised.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scams and identity fraud cost victims over $3.1 billion in 2024, with adults aged 50 and older disproportionately targeted by catfishing and fake profiles. In response, SeniorMatch dating platform launched Selfie Liveness Verification, a new safety feature using AI to authenticate user identities by comparing live selfies to profile photos, with a survey showing 87% of users over 50 are concerned about identity fraud and 72% prefer verified profiles. The verification process uses end-to-end encryption and immediately deletes biometric data after processing to protect user privacy.
silicon.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Online scams and identity fraud cost victims over $3.1 billion in 2024, with adults aged 50 and older disproportionately targeted; a survey found 87% of SeniorMatch dating platform users over 50 were concerned about fraud and fake profiles. SeniorMatch launched Selfie Liveness Verification, a new security feature using AI to authenticate user identities in real-time by comparing live selfies to profile photos, with verified users receiving a badge to increase trust and connection authenticity.
01net.it
· 2025-12-08
**Identity fraud and catfishing on dating platforms are significant threats to older adults, with online scams causing over $3.1 billion in losses in 2024 according to the FTC.** A survey of 967 SeniorMatch users over 50 found that 87% worry about identity fraud and fake profiles, prompting the platform to launch Selfie Liveness Verification—a feature that uses AI to match live selfies with profile photos and instantly awards verified badges to authenticated users. The system encrypts biometric data and deletes it immediately after verification to protect privacy while helping seniors connect safely.
lelezard.com
· 2025-12-08
SeniorMatch launched Selfie Liveness Verification, becoming the first 50+ dating platform to implement AI-powered identity verification to combat romance scams and catfishing. According to FTC data, online scams targeting older adults resulted in over $3.1 billion in losses in 2024, with a SeniorMatch survey showing 87% of users over 50 are concerned about identity fraud and 72% feel more comfortable engaging with verified users. The feature uses real-time selfie capture and AI authentication to confirm user authenticity, issuing a verified badge within seconds while immediately deleting biometric data after processing.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warned of a surge in Real ID scams as the May 7th deadline approached, with scammers using calls, texts, emails, and fake websites to impersonate government employees and steal personal information such as bank account numbers and identity details. The BBB advised that no government agency contacts people directly about Real ID and recommended not clicking links or providing information unless on official government websites, and reporting suspicious communications to the BBB.
myupnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel released a scam awareness roundup highlighting major fraud schemes targeting state residents, including disaster relief and charity scams, government imposter fraud, phishing/smishing attacks, cryptocurrency "pig butchering" romance scams, and data breach identity theft. The advisory recommends consumers verify charity legitimacy before donating, never click suspicious links or provide personal information to unsolicited contacts, monitor credit reports regularly through AnnualCreditReport.com, and implement security measures like two-factor authentication and password changes following data breaches.
cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 60,000 complaints were filed with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center about unpaid toll text scams, with scammers using location data and fake domains to impersonate state toll services and trick recipients into clicking malicious links. One Massachusetts resident received both legitimate and fraudulent toll texts, ultimately falling victim to confusion between the two and facing collection agency action before resolving the debt. The FBI advises people to avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages, verify company contact information independently, and recognize that legitimate toll agencies do not request payments via text.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using AI to create fake job applicants with altered appearances, fabricated resumes, and fraudulent profiles to infiltrate companies and steal secrets or install malware. Research firm Gartner estimates one in four job applicants will be fake by 2028, with the Justice Department identifying networks of North Koreans using this scheme to land remote U.S. IT jobs and funnel hundreds of millions of dollars annually to their country's Ministry of Defense. Organizations can protect themselves by verifying LinkedIn profile creation dates, asking cultural questions about claimed hometowns, and conducting in-person interviews whenever possible.
dailyutahchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
Phishing and email scams pose growing cybersecurity risks to college students, with scams becoming increasingly sophisticated and sometimes targeting students directly through fake payment links and malicious emails. University of Utah IT officials and students recommend strategies to reduce vulnerability, including avoiding suspicious links, using password managers with unique passwords, reviewing cookie policies, utilizing pop-up blockers, and reporting suspicious activity to IT support. The article emphasizes that even tech-savvy individuals can fall victim to phishing scams, highlighting the importance of vigilance and awareness when handling online communications and data collection.
fingerlakes1.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting confusion about federal stimulus programs by sending fake IRS texts, emails, and creating fraudulent websites claiming to offer early access to stimulus checks, primarily targeting low-income families and seniors. These scams use urgency tactics and request personal information like Social Security numbers and bank details, though the IRS clarifies it will never contact people via email, text, or social media about stimulus money and legitimate updates only appear on IRS.gov. Recipients should avoid clicking links, report suspicious messages to the IRS and FTC, and monitor their credit if they've already shared information.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
Indian telecom companies Vodafone-Idea and Bharti Airtel are deploying AI-powered systems to combat the rising threat of cyber fraud, including digital arrest scams and AI voice-cloning calls. Vi's Spam SMS solution has flagged over 250 million suspicious messages using machine learning to detect phishing and scam attempts in real-time, while Airtel's spam detection network identified nearly one million spammers daily and flagged 8 billion spam calls and 0.8 billion spam SMS messages within 2.5 months, resulting in a 12% decline in suspicious contact attempts.
en.as.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers increasingly use identity theft and impersonation via messaging apps (WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram DMs, iMessage) to pose as friends or relatives in distress and request urgent money transfers. The Spanish National Police recommend a simple verification tactic: ask the suspicious contact a personal question only a real acquaintance would know, such as "Where did we meet?" to confirm their identity before responding to money requests. This basic security question can effectively prevent victims from falling for these emotionally manipulative scams that exploit goodwill across messaging platforms worldwide.
winknews.com
· 2025-12-08
Fake job offer scams targeting job seekers, particularly via text messages, caused Floridians to lose nearly $16 million in 2022. Scammers pose as employers offering work-from-home positions to steal personal information (Social Security numbers, dates of birth) and money through requests for equipment payments or banking details for "payroll setup." Job seekers should verify offers directly through official company websites, never send money to potential employers, and avoid providing sensitive information or clicking suspicious links.
ynetnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The National Insurance Institute warned of a surge in phishing scams impersonating the government body, using fake messages about "unusual account activity" that direct recipients to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal and banking information. The scam targets vulnerable populations, particularly elderly individuals and those with limited digital literacy, with similar impersonation schemes affecting other Israeli institutions like the Tax Authority, Health Ministry, and banks. The Institute advises recipients to avoid clicking links, verify website addresses end in .gov.il, and report suspicious messages to authorities rather than providing any personal information.
oag.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
Shekira Thompson, a former nursing assistant at Sutter Roseville Medical Center, was sentenced to 200 days in jail for stealing credit cards and cash from three elderly patients between November and December 2022, and fraudulently charging over $2,000 on the stolen credit cards at various retailers. Thompson pleaded guilty to two felony counts and one misdemeanor count of theft from an elder or dependent adult, plus felony identity theft, and was ordered to pay restitution to victims and banned from working as a caregiver for elder or dependent adults.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Mary Ellen Strange, a retired nurse from Indiana, fell victim to an elaborate impersonation scam in June 2024 where fraudsters posing as Amazon, FTC, and federal officials falsely accused her of money laundering, drug trafficking, and other federal crimes. The scammers convinced her to withdraw cash from her bank accounts under the guise of an "alternative dispute resolution" process, exploiting her fear of legal consequences and promises of eventual restitution. This case illustrates how sophisticated fraud schemes manipulate victims through authority impersonation and psychological manipulation, with the victim's story being shared as part of AARP's awareness campaign to encourage fraud victims to speak publicly about their
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
In June 2024, Mary Ellen Strange, a retired nurse from Indiana, fell victim to an elaborate impersonation scam in which fraudsters posing as Amazon, FTC, and federal agents convinced her she faced serious federal crimes including money laundering and child pornography. The scammers used a fake "alternative dispute resolution" process to manipulate Strange into withdrawing large amounts of cash from her bank under the false premise that she would receive restitution and clearance letters from government officials. This case illustrates a common elder fraud tactic combining authority impersonation, fear-based manipulation, and false promises of resolution.
insight.scmagazineuk.com
· 2025-12-08
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports that Southeast Asian cyber fraud networks operating billion-dollar scams are expanding globally through "one-stop-shop" digital marketplaces, establishing new hubs across Africa and collaborating with South American drug cartels despite law enforcement takedowns in Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines. These industrialized criminal enterprises increasingly target individuals worldwide with sophisticated social engineering and emotional manipulation tactics, including romance scams and fake investment schemes that exploit human vulnerabilities. Experts warn that technological defenses alone are insufficient; comprehensive user education and cybersecurity awareness training are critical to combating these expanding criminal operations.
northfortynews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
This is an educational awareness piece from Larimer County Sheriff's Office highlighting current scam trends affecting Northern Colorado residents, particularly seniors. Chief Scambuster Barbara Bennett presents 20+ active scams including romance schemes, impersonation frauds (bank, IRS, law enforcement), tech-based scams (DocuSign phishing, hacked Facebook accounts), and marketplace fraud, while proposing a confidential support group for scam victims and their families to address shame and isolation barriers to reporting.
linknky.com
· 2025-12-08
A 69-year-old Philadelphia woman nearly fell victim to a sophisticated tech support scam in which fraudsters, posing as Norton antivirus support and her bank's fraud department, pressured her to withdraw cash and purchase cryptocurrency by falsely claiming hackers had downloaded illegal content to her computer and stolen $18,000. The scammer used emotional manipulation, urgency, and knowledge of her banking details to convince her, but she avoided the scheme after recalling a friend who lost $800,000 to a similar scam. Financial scams cost Americans between $23.7 billion and $158.3 billion in 2023-2024, with AI, dark web data access, an
benitolink.com
· 2025-12-08
Online fraud and identity theft targeting seniors are rising significantly, with the senior population accounting for $3.4 billion in losses out of $12.5 billion total U.S. fraud losses tracked by the FBI. Common scams include phishing and spoofing schemes, with cryptocurrency investment fraud being particularly costly in 2023, affecting approximately 22% victims over age 60. Law enforcement recommends hanging up immediately when warning signs appear (such as demands for immediate payment or claims of official authority) and reporting attempts to authorities, while emphasizing that victims should not feel embarrassed about disclosing fraud since scammers exploit even aware individuals.
press.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
The AARP Fraud Watch Network report reveals widespread consumer vulnerability to cyber threats, with over 276 million adults exposed through unverified apps and unreliable social media content, and 203 million lacking multifactor authentication on their accounts. The report emphasizes that consumers can reduce fraud risk through protective measures such as enabling multi-factor authentication, verifying app sources, and staying informed about emerging scams. AARP offers free resources including a fraud helpline (877-908-3360) and peer support groups to help victims and advocates for policy changes to combat the growing fraud problem.
success.com
· 2025-12-08
Smishing (text-based phishing) attacks cost Americans $470 million in reported losses in 2024, more than five times the 2020 total, with the actual amount likely much higher due to underreporting. The article identifies three trending scams in 2025: fake unpaid toll notices (particularly targeting metropolitan areas), package delivery issues and "brushing scams" using QR codes, and fake job opportunities (losses increased from $90 million in 2020 to $501 million by 2024). Key prevention strategies include never clicking links or responding to unexpected texts, verifying alerts directly through official websites, and reporting suspicious messages to your phone provider an
miragenews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Thai woman working in the United States lost $300,000 to an Asian criminal network operating a romance/identity theft scam that began with a fraudulent call claiming to be from the Thai embassy in March 2024. The scammers created an elaborate false narrative involving identity theft, a police investigation, and threats of criminal prosecution to manipulate the victim into providing personal information and making payments. The victim reported feeling mentally trapped by fear for her family's safety, which prevented her from recognizing the deception.
news.un.org
· 2025-12-08
A Thai woman working in the United States lost $300,000 to an Asia-based criminal network that impersonated Thai embassy and Central Investigation Bureau officials in a sophisticated scam spanning three months. The scammers convinced her she was a suspect in an international money laundering scheme and demanded she transfer money to prove her innocence, exploiting psychological manipulation and careful timing to prevent her from verifying their claims. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime reports this scam type is increasingly used by transnational organized crime groups expanding operations across Asia and globally.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Anna Rowe, a 52-year-old teacher in England, was victimized by a romance scam involving "love bombing" and catfishing when she met a man named Antony on a dating app who used a fake identity and flooded her with excessive attention and affection over 14 months. After discovering Antony was married and had defrauded at least 16 other women (possibly up to 200), Rowe founded two nonprofits to help romance scam victims and now assists approximately 100 people weekly, as dating app romance scams have increased significantly with 40 percent of dating app users reporting being targeted. Love bombing is a multi-
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Text-based job scams have surged dramatically, with reported losses climbing from $14.8 million in 2023 to $61.2 million in 2024, according to the FTC. Scammers send unsolicited job offers via text with fake interview links and offers, exploiting economic uncertainty and job market competition to target vulnerable job seekers. Experts advise resisting the urge to immediately respond to text messages and verifying job offers through official company email addresses and websites.
welivesecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Threat actors are exploiting Google Forms—a widely trusted, free, and easy-to-use tool with approximately 50% market share—to conduct phishing scams and malware distribution campaigns. They leverage Google Forms' legitimacy to evade email security filters and create convincing spoofs of banks, social media sites, and payment pages to harvest login credentials, financial information, and personal data, or to redirect victims to malware installation sites. Additional tactics include "callback phishing" where victims are tricked into calling numbers controlled by voice phishing gangs, and quiz spam designed to collect sensitive information.
fox5dc.com
· 2025-12-08
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a consumer alert warning of deepfake telemarketing scams targeting District residents, particularly seniors, which use artificial intelligence to create fake audio or video of loved ones requesting money for emergencies. Scammers easily obtain audio samples from voicemails or social media to create convincing "cheap fakes" that are simple to produce using low-cost tools. The AG recommends protecting yourself by refusing to share personal information, hanging up and calling back using verified numbers, disclosing requests to trusted contacts, denying remote access to devices, and staying informed about evolving scam tactics.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, scammers stole a record $16.6 billion from over 250,000 victims, representing a 33% increase from 2023, with an average loss of $19,000 per victim. People over 60 filed the most complaints (147,000) and suffered the greatest losses at $4.8 billion (average of $83,000 per person), while investment scams ($6.5 billion), compromised business emails ($2.7 billion), and tech support scams ($1.4 billion) were the leading fraud types. The FBI notes that cryptocurrency was the most common payment method used by scammers, and reporte
wsbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
Briauna Michelle Powell, a home health assistant in Suwanee, Georgia, is wanted for identity fraud and elder exploitation after using an 82-year-old client's credit cards and bank account without authorization. Between February and March, Powell made unauthorized charges totaling at least $1,120 on the victim's Lowe's card for personal items and attempted six unauthorized bank transactions, while also attempting to open an account in the victim's name. Powell has been charged with multiple counts of identity fraud and elder exploitation, and detectives are asking anyone who employed her to report suspected fraudulent activity.
abcnews4.com
· 2025-12-08
South Carolina seniors suffered disproportionately in 2024 cybercrime, with 2,295 victims over age 60 losing over $58.5 million—more than a third of the state's total $146 million in reported internet crime losses. The most costly scams targeting seniors were tech support scams, government impersonation schemes, and investment fraud, each accounting for nearly $10 million in losses, while confidence/romance scams cost seniors almost $3 million. The FBI's 2024 Internet Crime Report documented a 33% nationwide increase in cybercrime losses to over $16 billion, with extortion, phishing, and personal data breaches
11alive.com
· 2025-12-08
Briauna Michelle Powell of Stone Mountain was charged with multiple counts of identity fraud and elder exploitation after allegedly using her position as a home health assistant to access elderly clients' personal information. Investigators believe Powell may have victimized multiple seniors and are seeking the public's help to identify additional victims and fraudulent activity.
wsbradio.com
· 2025-12-08
A 24-year-old in-home caregiver, Briauna Michelle Powell of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was arrested and charged with 22 felony counts of identity fraud and elder exploitation after stealing approximately $20,000 from at least four elderly victims. Powell, who worked in victims' homes assisting with household tasks, used stolen checks and fraudulent credit card charges, with victims unaware of the theft until discovered by a power of attorney holder. Police believe additional victims may exist and are asking anyone who employed Powell as a caregiver to contact the Suwanee Police Department.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
Ray Baird was defrauded of over $230,000 by his son Peter over approximately 13 years, beginning in 2011 when Ray asked for help with banking matters. Peter gained access to Ray's MyGov account and Centrelink pension, redirecting $152,423 in pension payments to his own account and taking out $78,000 in loans in his father's name, supported by elaborate deception including fake letters from government officials and impersonated phone calls from politicians and ombudsmen. Peter was convicted of three counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception, highlighting the growing problem of family-perpetrated financial abuse against older Australians, particularly those with
fox5atlanta.com
· 2025-12-08
Briauna Powell, a 24-year-old home health aide for Visiting Angels, was arrested and charged with identity theft, fraud, and elder exploitation after using elderly clients' personal and financial information to make unauthorized purchases totaling approximately $25,000, including a $16,000 vehicle, rent payments, and store purchases. Police confirmed she victimized at least four elderly residents across multiple Georgia counties and believe additional victims may exist. Powell is being held without bond, and authorities are urging anyone who employed her to check for fraudulent activity.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 60,000 drivers have reported receiving convincing text message scams claiming they owe unpaid tolls, with the FBI warning of a significant spike between January and February 2025. The fraudulent texts use location-targeted information and URL shorteners to trick users into clicking malicious links that steal personal and financial data or download malware. Red flags include unsolicited messages creating urgency, generic greetings, suspicious domains, and links from unrecognized numbers—drivers should verify toll charges directly through official state websites or phone numbers rather than clicking message links.
neherald.com
· 2025-12-08
A Thai woman working in the United States lost $300,000 to an Asia-based criminal network that conducted an elaborate scam involving false claims of identity theft, an international money laundering investigation, and threats of criminal prosecution. The scammers, posing as Thai embassy and Central Investigation Bureau officials, convinced her to wire money over three months as "proof of innocence," exploiting psychological manipulation and careful timing to prevent her from verifying their claims. According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, this type of sophisticated transnational organized crime scheme is increasingly common and expanding globally, with victims experiencing severe financial and emotional consequences.
wwltv.com
· 2025-12-08
FBI data reveals that scammers stole over $16.6 billion in 2023, a 33% increase despite heightened public awareness, with victims losing an average of $19,000 each. Adults over 60 were disproportionately targeted, filing the most complaints and losing the most money at $4.8 billion total (averaging $80,000 per victim), with investment scams, romance scams, and tech support scams being the leading fraud types.