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dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered voice cloning is enabling a new wave of fraud that costs billions of dollars annually, with criminals using synthetic audio to impersonate loved ones and compromise financial accounts in as little as 30 seconds. Deloitte forecasts AI-related fraud losses will reach $30 billion by 2027, up from $12.3 billion in 2023, while the FBI warns the public to limit personal photos and videos on social media, as these can be easily exploited by scammers to create convincing deepfakes and target victims.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost $5.6 billion to cryptocurrency scams in 2023, a 45% increase from 2022, with people over 60 suffering the most damage at $1.6 billion in losses across more than 16,000 reports. Investment fraud scams accounted for the majority of losses at $3.9 billion, and seniors were particularly vulnerable to crypto ATM scams, losing over $124 million through that method alone. The FBI recommends verifying caller phone numbers, scrutinizing website domains and emails, remembering that no legitimate government agency demands crypto payments, and seeking licensed financial advice before investing.
news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost $5.6 billion to cryptocurrency scams in 2023, a 45% increase from 2022, with crypto investment fraud accounting for $3.9 billion of those losses according to the FBI's 2023 report. Seniors over 60 were hit hardest, reporting over $1.6 billion in losses and making up the vast majority of victims using crypto ATMs, losing over $124 million through that method alone. The FBI recommends verifying caller phone numbers, checking for website inconsistencies, and remembering that legitimate agencies will never demand payment via cryptocurrency.
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.
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
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
A car buying scam ring operating across California and involving at least three suspects—Michael Tanase, Constantin Mustata, and Florin Tanase—sabotaged vehicles listed for sale by pouring oil into radiators to simulate engine failure, then made lowball offers to purchase the damaged cars at a fraction of their value. Michael Tanase was arrested in Oklahoma in July 2024 on an outstanding felony warrant for vandalism and theft by false pretense filed by the Placer County District Attorney's Office, while his two co-suspects remain at large; the scam had been reported to multiple law enforcement agencies across California beginning in early 2024.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost $5.6 billion to cryptocurrency scams in 2023, a 45% increase from 2022, with crypto investment fraud accounting for $3.9 billion of those losses according to the FBI's 2023 report. Adults over 60 were disproportionately affected, reporting over 16,000 complaints totaling $1.6 billion in losses, and were particularly vulnerable to crypto ATM scams, losing $124 million through that method alone. The FBI recommends verifying caller information, scrutinizing website domains, avoiding crypto kiosk payments for purported law enforcement or government demands, and consulting licensed financial advisors before investing.
citizensvoice.com
· 2025-12-08
State Rep. Mike Cabell hosted a free educational seminar on October 7 for seniors to learn about financial fraud schemes and protection strategies, led by Pennsylvania's Office of Attorney General director David Shallcross. The event covered safety tips and current scam tactics, emphasizing that seniors are frequent targets of evolving fraud schemes designed to steal their money.
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.
daijiworld.com
· 2025-12-08
A man in Udupi, India lost Rs 89 lakh to online fraudsters who used an impersonation scam involving fake TRAI and police officials. The scammers called Santhosh Kumar on September 11, falsely claiming he had multiple FIRs filed against him and threatening virtual arrest, then used WhatsApp video calls posing as a cyber inspector to convince him his bank account was involved in money laundering. The victim was deceived into transferring the entire sum to a fraudulent SBI account under the guise of RBI fund verification before realizing the scam when communication abruptly ceased.
butlerradio.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FBI reported $5.6 billion in losses from cryptocurrency fraud involving over 69,000 complaints, representing 50 percent of all financial fraud losses despite being only 10 percent of complaints. The FBI warns that legitimate agencies never request cryptocurrency payments, scammers impersonate financial institutions, and investments that seem too good to be true typically are fraudulent. Pennsylvania experienced $120 million in losses from cryptocurrency fraud, ranking 8th nationally in complaints and 9th in losses.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are conducting evolved sextortion scams that use fear tactics and images of victims' homes (obtained from data breaches or public listings) to extort money via email, claiming to have compromising videos and demanding Bitcoin payments of around $2,000. The scams falsely reference advanced spyware like "Pegasus" to appear credible, though legitimate cybersecurity experts note these threats are bluffs since actual spyware installation would make ransom demands unnecessary. Protection strategies include blurring your home on Google Maps, avoiding sharing personal information online, and recognizing common red flags in scammer communications.
antonmediagroup.com
· 2025-12-08
This article contains multiple unrelated police reports from Nassau County, New York. The fraud-relevant case involves Elizabeth Stern, 52, of Hicksville, who was arrested for stealing approximately $339,958 from her former employer, Superior Air Condition & Heating Systems Inc., over 18 months by forging and cashing company checks to pay personal credit card bills; she faces multiple charges including grand larceny, identity theft, and forgery. The remaining reports detail arrests for illegal massage and prostitution operations, a bomb threat at Family Court, and a burglary with assault incident.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Prasad Margabandhu, 48, of Pittsburgh pleaded guilty to bankruptcy fraud and mail fraud for filing multiple fraudulent bankruptcy petitions between March 2019 and June 2022 to delay creditors' collection efforts on an East Carson Street property, and for submitting false statements to an insurance company regarding a June 2022 fire that destroyed the property. He faces up to 25 years in prison and $500,000 in fines at his January 14, 2025 sentencing.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Tavoy Farquharson, a 32-year-old Jamaican national, was charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud for operating a lottery scam that defrauded victims of at least $9.5 million between March and July 2023. Farquharson and his co-conspirators contacted victims by mail and phone, falsely claiming they had won lottery prizes and requesting advance payment for taxes and fees via wire transfer, gift cards, cash, checks, and other methods. If convicted, Farquharson faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Tanya Alahmad, 46, of Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay $46,064.30 in restitution after pleading guilty to mail fraud and aggravated identity theft for forging a power of attorney to steal over $46,000 from an elderly victim between November 2019 and February 2022. Alahmad befriended the victim, gained access to their home, and used a forged POA to obtain fraudulent credit and debit cards in the victim's name, making unauthorized purchases and withdrawals even while the victim was hospitalized. The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
The Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office warned residents of an impersonation scam in which a caller claiming to be "Sergeant Eric Roberts" from the department contacted victims demanding payment via cryptocurrency machines to resolve a "failure to appear" warrant and avoid arrest. The sheriff's office emphasized that it never solicits payment by phone and advised residents that requests for payment via cryptocurrency or gift cards are major red flags for scams.
thespec.com
· 2025-12-08
Four individuals were charged in connection with a multi-year renovation and mortgage fraud scheme that defrauded an elderly woman of approximately $374,000 and forced her to sell her home. The scammers used door-to-door sales tactics to sell home renovation products (water softeners, air conditioning units, insulation, etc.) on high-interest contracts, then fraudulently registered notices of security and four reverse mortgages against the victim's property without her knowledge, systematically extracting her home's equity. The coordinated scheme, which originated in 2021-2022, involved four perpetrators working in different roles—two conducting door-to-door sales and installations, and two facilitating
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.
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.
iredellfreenews.com
· 2025-12-08
Joshua David Mayberry, 39, was arrested and charged with nine felonies after stealing more than $100,000 from an elderly relative in western Iredell County, North Carolina. The fraud began in April 2018 when Mayberry fraudulently accessed and used the victim's bank accounts and credit cards for unauthorized purchases, with the theft discovered in April 2024 following a report from a financial institution. Mayberry faces seven counts of identity theft, one count of elder exploitation from a position of trust, and one count of obtaining property by false pretense.
oig.ssa.gov
· 2025-12-08
Tavoy Farquharson, a 32-year-old Jamaican national, was charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud in connection with a lottery scheme that defrauded victims of at least $9.5 million between March and July 2023. Farquharson and his co-conspirators contacted victims by mail and phone, falsely claiming they had won lottery prizes and demanding advance payments for taxes and fees via wire transfer, gift cards, cash, checks, or other methods. If convicted, Farquharson faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.
hyperallergic.com
· 2025-12-08
Art dealer Wendy Halsted Beard was sentenced to five years and three months in prison for defrauding 43 elderly collectors of approximately $1.6 million through a fine art photography consignment scheme at her Birmingham, Michigan gallery between 2017 and 2022. Beard sold consigned artworks without paying owners their share of proceeds, failed to deliver works to buyers after payment, and returned counterfeit pieces when victims demanded returns—including an original Ansel Adams photograph valued at $625,000 that she sold for $440,000 and kept the difference. A judge ordered Beard to pay over $2 million in restitution, with investigators unable to
hometownstations.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Tanya Alahmad, 46, of Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay $46,064.30 in restitution for mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. From November 2019 to February 2022, Alahmad gained the trust of an elderly victim by providing household assistance, then forged a power of attorney in her name and used it to fraudulently obtain credit and debit cards, making unauthorized purchases and withdrawals totaling over $46,000, including while the victim was hospitalized.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Tanya Alahmad, a Cleveland woman, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay $46,000 in restitution for forging a power of attorney and stealing from an elderly victim between November 2019 and February 2022. While posing as a caregiver in the victim's home, Alahmad fraudulently obtained credit and debit cards in the victim's name and wrote unauthorized checks, particularly during periods when the victim was hospitalized. She pleaded guilty to mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-08
The FDIC, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and AARP hosted a virtual town hall on October 30 to educate older adults about financial scams and exploitation. The event included real-world examples of elder financial exploitation, fraud statistics, and prevention strategies to help protect seniors from becoming victims.
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.
blog.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Elder financial exploitation is the most common form of elder abuse, affecting at least 10% of older adults annually in the U.S., with AARP estimating annual losses at $28.3 billion for those over 60. Critical data gaps exist regarding the impact on historically discriminated-against communities, including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ populations, and low-income groups, due to underreporting caused by fear of retaliation, distrust of authorities, and language barriers. Better demographic data collection is essential to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies tailored to vulnerable populations.
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.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old Winnipeg retiree lost nearly $650,000 in November 2022 after a fraudster posing as a Bank of Montreal portfolio manager convinced him to transfer funds into a fraudulent Toronto RBC account in the name of B21 Trade (Canada) Ltd. Squire is now suing Access Credit Union and Royal Bank of Canada, alleging they failed to identify red flags such as the transfer of his entire retirement account to an unknown third party, constituting negligent facilitation of financial elder abuse under Manitoba law.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Antranette Echols, a 57-year-old Indianapolis resident, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for wire fraud involving fraudulent COVID-19 relief loan applications. Echols prepared and submitted falsified loan applications on behalf of business borrowers in exchange for fees, resulting in losses of $373,690 to financial institutions and the Small Business Administration, which she was ordered to repay.
foxbaltimore.com
· 2025-12-08
Baltimore State's Attorney Ivan Bates announced multiple convictions and indictments targeting elder abuse and financial exploitation, including cases involving theft schemes, home improvement fraud, and physical abuse. Notable cases include Bryan Oneal Jones, who defrauded 15 vulnerable adults of approximately $309,299 through fake home improvement contracts; David Coleman, charged with defrauding a 72-year-old disabled veteran of $105,700; and James Rickey Dupree, convicted of theft and forgery in a $200,000 vehicle theft scheme. The announcement coincided with a resource fair by the Economic Crimes Unit's Older & Disabled Persons Unit to educate seniors on
baltimoresun.com
· 2025-12-08
Baltimore State's Attorney Ivan Bates announced multiple convictions and indictments targeting crimes against older adults and vulnerable people, including theft schemes, financial exploitation, and home improvement fraud. Notable cases include James Rickey Dupree convicted of stealing approximately $200,000 in vehicles using falsified documents; Bryan Oneal Jones accused of defrauding 15 victims of $309,299 through fake home improvement contracts; David Coleman charged with defrauding a 72-year-old disabled veteran of $105,700; and several defendants charged with exploiting elderly relatives through undue influence, identity theft, and physical abuse. The announcement coincided with a resource fair by the
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.
riverreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
On September 19, the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing titled "Fighting Fraud: How Scammers are Stealing from Older Adults," chaired by Senator Bob Casey and ranking member Mike Braun. The hearing featured witnesses from AARP, law enforcement, and aging services agencies who discussed scam prevention strategies, reporting mechanisms, investigation procedures, and resources available to seniors. Topics covered included where consumers should report fraud and how these crimes are investigated and prosecuted.
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.
manhattanda.org
· 2025-12-08
Marina Trubitsky, a 52-year-old suspended personal injury attorney, stole $86,500 from litigation finance company Necessity Funding Partners by submitting forged medical bills and fraudulent applications without her clients' knowledge. She pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Second Degree and was sentenced to three years of conditional discharge with full restitution ($43,250 already paid, $43,250 ordered as judgment). This case demonstrates how attorneys who abuse their positions can exploit vulnerable clients seeking legal assistance.
unr.edu
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reported $3.4 billion in elder fraud losses in 2023, with complaints increasing 14% year-over-year, prompting the University of Nevada, Reno Extension's Healthy Aging Initiative to host its second annual summit on October 16 in Las Vegas. The "Shared Responsibility: Combating Elder Fraud" summit will feature keynote speaker Kathy Stokes from AARP and expert panels on prevalent scams targeting older adults, survivor testimonies, and prevention strategies.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder financial exploitation affects millions annually, with consumers losing an estimated $48.4 billion per year and individual victims averaging $120,000 in losses, while survivors often experience severe psychological harm including depression, anxiety, and in some cases suicide. The American Bankers Association addresses this epidemic through banker training programs, consumer education campaigns, partnerships with law enforcement and adult protective services, and fraud-detection technology to identify suspicious transaction patterns. Bankers play a critical role in protecting seniors by recognizing and reporting exploitation, and the ABA Foundation offers free resources and hosts a summit to help the industry combat elder financial abuse.
upstatetoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Oconee County Sheriff's Office warned residents of two active scams: a cryptocurrency extortion scheme where scammers claim to have installed spyware and threaten to release personal information unless Bitcoin is paid, and an impersonation scam where fraudsters pose as FBI agents claiming victims' information has been compromised and demanding $15,000 in cash. One resident targeted by the FBI impersonation scam avoided financial loss by requesting law enforcement accompaniment to the bank, which the scammer refused.
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
riverreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing on September 19 titled "Fighting Fraud: How Scammers are Stealing from Older Adults," featuring testimony from fraud prevention experts, law enforcement, and senior services administrators. The hearing focused on preventing scams targeting seniors, reporting mechanisms, investigation procedures, and available resources for older adults. Witnesses included representatives from AARP's Fraud Watch Network, elder abuse prosecutors, and state senior services programs.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Roger, a 40-year-old Costa Rican man, was convicted of orchestrating a multi-million dollar international telemarketing sweepstakes scam that defrauded victims in the United States, many of them elderly, by posing as government officials and convincing them to pay upfront fees for supposed prize winnings. Operating from a call center in Costa Rica and using VoIP technology to mask his location, Roger and his co-conspirators stole over $4 million from victims before being extradited and prosecuted. He was convicted on multiple counts including conspiracy and wire fraud, facing up to 25 years in prison per count.
courierpostonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Martins Inalegwu and Steincy Mathieu, a Burlington County couple, were sentenced to prison (80 months and 16 months respectively) for operating a romance scam that defrauded over 100 victims of approximately $4.5 million between 2016 and 2020. The scammers posed as romantic interests on dating websites, targeting vulnerable older adults and others, with one victim—a tourism board finance director—embezzling $2.8 million from her employer to send to the couple. Both defendants were ordered to pay millions in restitution and unpaid taxes.
reporternews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Taylor County impersonated law enforcement by spoofing the Sheriff's Office phone number and used scare tactics to convince victims they had arrest warrants, instructing them to pay fines via cash withdrawal and cryptocurrency. The scheme successfully defrauded residents of at least $31,000 before being reported. The Taylor County Sheriff's Office clarified they never solicit payment by phone for warrants or court orders and advised residents to hang up on such calls and report them immediately.
seehafernews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating law enforcement officers from multiple Wisconsin agencies, including the Fond du Lac Police Department, Manitowoc Police Department, and Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, using spoofed phone numbers and posing as specific officers. The scams involve false claims of arrest warrants and requests for DNA samples or large cash payments via Bitcoin, with perpetrators demonstrating detailed knowledge of DNA procedures to increase credibility. Law enforcement agencies warn that legitimate police will never request DNA samples or cryptocurrency payments and urge citizens to report such calls.