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yahoo.com
· 2026-04-10
In 2025, cybercriminals stole over $21 billion from Americans through online scams—a significant jump from $16.6 billion in 2024—with phishing and extortion being the most common tactics, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Report. Seniors over 60 were hit particularly hard, losing $7.75 billion across 201,266 complaints, while cryptocurrency investment scams and AI-powered fraud schemes also surged dramatically. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited messages and links, verify requests through independent contact methods before sharing personal information, and be especially cautious of emotional appeals or investment opportunities that promise quick returns.
patch.com
· 2026-04-10
Pennsylvania ranked 6th nationally in internet crime complaints with over 31,000 reported cases resulting in $538 million in losses, according to a new FBI report. Seniors over 60 were hit hardest, losing $215.88 million across 7,088 complaints, though people of all ages fell victim to investment fraud, business email compromise, and tech support scams. The FBI advises residents to be cautious of phishing emails, verify investment opportunities carefully, and be skeptical of unsolicited tech support offers, with AI-generated content now being used increasingly in fraud schemes.
ksl.com
· 2026-04-10
A Utah resident lost over $200,000 in a "pig butchering scam" involving a fraudulent investment company called APL Finance, where scammers posed as financial advisers, encouraged increasingly larger investments that appeared to show gains, then demanded additional payments to "unlock" frozen funds. The FBI has identified more than 30 victims of this scheme in the past year, with millions of dollars lost overall. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited investment offers on social media platforms like WhatsApp, verify any investment company through official financial regulators, and never wire money to personal bank accounts for investments or to "unlock" promised returns.
theregister.com
· 2026-04-10
Law enforcement agencies from the US, UK, and Canada disrupted a $45 million global cryptocurrency scam called "pig butchering," in which criminals trick victims into approving fake access requests that allow them to drain their cryptocurrency wallets. The operation, called Operation Atlantic, identified over 20,000 victim wallets across 30 countries, recovered $12 million for more than 3,000 victims, and froze an additional $33 million in suspected stolen funds. To protect yourself, be cautious of unexpected notifications asking you to approve account access—verify requests directly through official apps or websites rather than clicking links in messages.
mexc.com
· 2026-04-10
Binance has partnered with the UK National Crime Agency to combat phishing scams where criminals impersonate regulatory authorities and exchanges to trick cryptocurrency users into revealing their login credentials and funds. These scams typically arrive via spoofed emails, social media messages, or fake support chats claiming urgent account verification is needed, and have targeted users across multiple countries. To protect yourself, verify any compliance notices directly through official exchange websites or apps rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages, enable two-factor authentication, and never share seed phrases or passwords with anyone claiming to be from regulators or exchanges.
mexc.com
· 2026-04-10
A man lost $240,000 to Adorian Diamonds Ltd after being cold-called by someone claiming to be Thomas Garrod, a sophisticated broker offering exclusive access to "investment-grade" wholesale diamonds. Over three months, the scammer used classic fraud tactics—building rapport, creating urgency with limited-time offers, and providing fake grading certificates and market charts—to convince the victim to invest his entire life savings. The advice is clear: be extremely skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, especially those promising guaranteed returns on tangible assets, and always verify claims independently with reputable third-party experts before committing money.
mashable.com
· 2026-04-10
Romance scams on AdultFriendFinder are increasingly common and costly, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting that romance scams now cause more financial losses than any other scam type. Users on the adult dating site are vulnerable to various schemes including phishing attacks where scammers impersonate trusted sources to steal sensitive information and money. To stay safe, users should be aware of common scams, remain vigilant about their account activity, and avoid clicking suspicious links or sharing personal/financial information with unverified contacts.
peterboroughmatters.co.uk
· 2026-04-10
A Cambridgeshire woman nearly fell victim to a romance scam in which a fraudster posed as American actor Jay Harrington, convincing her to sell her home to fund a move to the USA for marriage. An alert estate agent recognized the scheme and contacted police, preventing her from losing her home, though she had already sent hundreds of pounds to various UK and US addresses and purchased a wedding dress. Police advise that romance scams targeting vulnerable people are increasingly common, and recommend vigilance when strangers request money or personal financial information online.
allhiphop.com
· 2026-04-10
Scammers impersonating musicians stole over $12 million from more than 527 people in romance scams between January 2024 and September 2025, with additional losses from fake record deals, social media hacks, and ticket fraud bringing total music-related fraud to $13.4 million. The FBI warns that criminals are targeting music industry professionals and fans alike—particularly people over 60—using AI-enhanced tactics and operating from overseas "fraud factories" in countries like Cambodia. To protect yourself, pause before acting on unsolicited offers from musicians, be skeptical of high-pressure tactics, and verify identities through official channels before sharing money or personal information.
yahoo.com
· 2026-04-10
In 2025, Americans lost nearly $21 billion to cybercrime—a 26% increase from the previous year—affecting over 1 million victims, with investment scams being the largest category of fraud at $8.64 billion and cryptocurrency losses accounting for over half the total due to its difficulty to trace. Scammers increasingly used AI-generated deepfakes and voice cloning to deceive victims, while older Americans were particularly vulnerable to Bitcoin ATM scams. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities and requests for cryptocurrency transfers, verify contact information through official channels before responding to financial requests, and report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
thenightly.com.au
· 2026-04-09
Australian businesses are losing over $150 million annually to sophisticated email scams where fraudsters impersonate managers or embed themselves in company email chains to request urgent payments or approvals, often timing their requests strategically during busy periods when workers are distracted. These "payment redirection scams" are now more successful than romance scams, with 73% arriving via email that either spoof legitimate addresses or compromise real accounts. To protect yourself, verify any urgent payment requests through a separate communication channel (call the sender directly), be especially cautious of messages arriving at day's end, and check that payment details haven't been altered in ongoing email conversations.
aapnews.aap.com.au
· 2026-04-09
Australian businesses are losing over $150 million annually to sophisticated payment redirection scams, where fraudsters embed themselves in email chains and impersonate managers or suppliers to trick employees into redirecting payments or changing account details. These scams are particularly effective when timed strategically—such as end-of-day when workers are distracted—and use nearly identical email addresses or compromised company accounts to appear legitimate. To protect yourself, verify urgent payment requests through direct contact with the requester using a known phone number, watch for red flags in email tone or unusual payment instructions, and report suspicious messages to your IT department before taking action.
cnet.com
· 2026-04-09
In 2025, cyber fraud reached a record $21 billion in losses according to the FBI, with cryptocurrency investment scams and elder fraud being the biggest culprits—seniors over 60 lost $7.75 billion across 201,266 complaints, while crypto-related fraud totaled over $11 billion. Phishing and spoofing attacks were the most common crime type, and AI-powered scams made frauds increasingly convincing and harder to detect. To protect yourself, verify links before clicking, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities (especially crypto), and if you're over 60 or helping an elderly relative, take extra precautions like confirming requests through known contact methods before sharing personal or financial information.
valdostatoday.com
· 2026-04-09
The IRS is warning taxpayers about investment and cryptocurrency fraud schemes, which are increasingly targeting older adults, online investors, job seekers, and people seeking relationships. Common scams include Ponzi schemes (where early investors are paid with money from new investors), pyramid schemes (where earnings come from recruiting rather than legitimate products), and romance-linked crypto fraud where scammers build trust over time before requesting money. To protect yourself, stay informed about financial literacy, verify investment opportunities independently, and be cautious of unsolicited offers promising high returns or involving romantic relationships.
coloradopolitics.com
· 2026-04-09
An 83-year-old Florida man lost $21,000 in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam involving a fraudulent company registered in Colorado's business database, then sued the state's secretary of state to require verification of corporate filings to prevent future fraud. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that state law requires the secretary of state to accept business filings that meet basic requirements without verifying their legitimacy. To protect yourself, verify companies independently before investing, be skeptical of investment opportunities from unfamiliar businesses, and watch out for requests for additional fees when withdrawing funds.
ibtimes.com.au
· 2026-04-09
Americans lost a record $11.4 billion to cryptocurrency scams in 2025, with investment fraud schemes ("pig butchering") accounting for over $7 billion of that total, according to an FBI report. Scammers typically target victims through social media and dating apps, luring them into fake investment platforms with promises of quick profits and sometimes using AI-generated deepfakes to build trust before stealing their money. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, verify platforms independently, never send cryptocurrency to unknown parties, and report suspicious activity to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
mexc.com
· 2026-04-09
In 2025, cybercrime losses surged to over $20.8 billion with more than 1 million complaints filed, a 26% increase from the previous year, according to an FBI report. Cryptocurrency fraud was the biggest culprit, accounting for $11.36 billion in losses primarily through investment scams where victims are manipulated into fake trading platforms, with seniors over 60 being disproportionately affected at $7.7 billion in losses. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities on social media, verify platforms independently before depositing funds, and never rush into financial commitments—legitimate investments don't require urgency or increasing deposits.
mexc.com
· 2026-04-09
Cryptocurrency scams cost Americans a record $11.36 billion in 2025, with crypto investment fraud alone accounting for $7.2 billion of that total, according to an FBI report that documented over one million cybercrime complaints. Senior citizens over 60 were hit especially hard, losing $7.7 billion combined—a 37% increase from the prior year—while criminals increasingly used AI deepfakes and voice cloning to impersonate trusted individuals. The FBI recommends victims report fraud immediately through IC3.gov and advises the public to be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, particularly those involving cryptocurrency or uses of convincing audio/video impersonations.
mexc.com
· 2026-04-09
According to the FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report, Americans lost $20.9 billion to cybercrime last year, with cryptocurrency-related fraud accounting for over half of those losses—particularly through investment scams, fake exchanges, and "pig butchering" schemes. Seniors aged 60 and above were hit hardest, losing $6.4 billion collectively, while California, Texas, and Florida experienced the highest losses overall. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, verify exchange legitimacy before trading, and be especially cautious of romantic or personal connections offering financial advice.
mexc.com
· 2026-04-09
A father lost $610,000 in a "pig butchering" scam after being befriended on Facebook by a scammer named Robert Barton, who exploited his loneliness following his wife's death and gradually convinced him to invest in a fake trading platform called Vinance Realm. The scammer built emotional trust over months before pivoting to promises of financial returns, showing fabricated profits on screen to justify increasingly large deposits that included the family's life insurance and savings. The son is sharing this story as a warning for others to be suspicious of unsolicited online friendships that eventually lead to investment pitches, especially from people who seem too perfect or consistently say exactly the right things.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-04-09
Americans lost $20.9 billion to cybercrime in 2025, with AI-powered scams driving a record surge in fraud that jumped dramatically from $16.6 billion the year before. Seniors over 60 were particularly vulnerable, suffering $7.7 billion in losses (a 37% increase), as criminals used AI to create highly personalized and convincing scams, with investment and cryptocurrency schemes causing the most damage. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited investment offers promising high returns, verify communications directly with companies through official channels, and be especially cautious if you're over 60—a prime target for these sophisticated attacks.
x.com
· 2026-04-09
Romance scams and AI-driven catfishing schemes are increasingly targeting vulnerable people, causing significant emotional and financial harm across Africa and beyond. Scammers are using sophisticated technology and psychological manipulation tactics to deceive victims, making these schemes harder to detect. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that move quickly, verify identities through video calls before sending money, and research people thoroughly before engaging emotionally or financially with them online.
theaustraliatoday.com.au
· 2026-04-09
Western Australians lost over $24 million to scams last year, with criminals increasingly using stolen personal data and impersonating banks, government agencies, and trusted brands through SMS, email, and phone calls—investment scams were the costliest at $13.7 million, followed by romance scams at $3.8 million. Premier Roger Cook warned residents to be skeptical of unsolicited contact, verify requests by calling organizations directly, and always consult someone they trust before sharing personal information or transferring money, as scammers are becoming more sophisticated in using AI and data breaches to sound convincing.
letsdatascience.com
· 2026-04-09
In 2025, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reported 22,364 AI-related fraud complaints resulting in $893 million in losses, marking the first time the agency tracked these scams separately. Criminals are using artificial intelligence to create fake social media profiles, deepfake audio and video, and personalized messages to conduct romance scams, business email compromise, and investment fraud at scale. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited contact requests, verify identities through independent channels before sharing information or money, and use extra caution with audio/video calls from people you haven't met in person.
iol.co.za
· 2026-04-09
Eight members of the Black Axe criminal syndicate from Nigeria have been ordered extradited to the United States after South Africa's High Court dismissed their appeal, following their arrest in Cape Town in 2021 for operating romance scams and business email compromise schemes that defrauded US victims of approximately $7 million. The scammers used fake romantic relationships and fraudulent business communications to trick their victims into sending money. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited romantic advances online, verify business communications through official channels before sending money or sensitive information, and report suspected fraud to local authorities or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
whiskeyriff.com
· 2026-04-08
Between January 2024 and September 2025, scammers posing as musicians and industry professionals stole over $12 million from both music fans and industry workers, according to FBI Nashville. The most common scheme was romance scams, where 527 victims lost over $12 million to criminals impersonating musicians, while other tactics included fake ticket sales, industry job scams, and extortion threats. The FBI advises people to be wary of high-pressure sales tactics and verify identities before sending money, especially when dealing with unsolicited music industry or musician-related offers.
tradingview.com
· 2026-04-08
According to the FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report, Americans lost $20.9 billion to cybercrime last year, with cryptocurrency fraud accounting for over half of those losses—particularly through investment scams, fake exchanges, and "pig butchering" schemes. Seniors aged 60 and older suffered the heaviest financial impact, losing $6.4 billion, while younger adults filed more complaints despite lower individual losses. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities and romantic advances from strangers online, verify cryptocurrency exchanges through official channels, and consider reporting suspicious activity to the FBI's IC3 reporting system.
perthisok.com
· 2026-04-08
Western Australians lost over $24 million to scammers in 2025, with investment scams being the biggest culprit at $13.7 million, followed by romance and fake charity scams, while new AI-powered and data breach-fueled tactics like bank impersonation calls are making scams increasingly convincing. Older adults aged 65+ and women were disproportionately affected, losing $2.6 million and 65% of total losses respectively. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls or messages claiming to be from your bank, verify contact information independently before sharing personal details, and be wary of investment opportunities and romantic advances from online contacts.
time.com
· 2026-04-08
Scams have reached epidemic levels globally, with one in four adults losing money to fraud last year and over $1 trillion lost annually, often orchestrated from trafficking compounds in Southeast Asia where hundreds of thousands of people are forced to run romance, investment, and crypto schemes. Scammers are now using increasingly sophisticated malware and remote access trojans that give attackers complete control of victims' devices to steal personal data and monitor their activities, affecting at least 20 countries worldwide. To protect yourself, stay vigilant about unsolicited contact from romantic interests or investment opportunities, use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, and never grant remote access to unknown parties.
ambcrypto.com
· 2026-04-08
In 2025, cybercrime losses surged to $20.8 billion, a 26% increase from the previous year, with cryptocurrency fraud being the dominant vehicle for theft—accounting for $11.36 billion in losses, particularly through investment scams that manipulate victims into fake trading platforms. Seniors aged 60 and above were hit hardest, losing $7.7 billion, often through social engineering schemes originating on social media and run by organized groups in Southeast Asia. To protect yourself, avoid unsolicited investment offers on social media, verify platforms independently before depositing funds, and be especially cautious if pressured to use cryptocurrency for any investment or financial transaction.
cryptorank.io
· 2026-04-08
World Liberty Financial, a Trump-linked cryptocurrency project, partnered with AB DAO in November 2024, but investigations revealed AB DAO has ties to sanctioned individuals and criminal networks, including connections to a "pig butchering" crypto scam operator and a Cambodian criminal group. The partnership exposes serious compliance failures in due diligence and anti-money laundering checks, putting the DeFi project at risk of regulatory enforcement by U.S. authorities (OFAC, FinCEN, SEC, DOJ). For consumers, this highlights the importance of researching the backgrounds and partnerships of cryptocurrency projects before investing, as even high-profile ventures can have hidden red flags.
techlicious.com
· 2026-04-08
According to an FBI report released in 2026, Americans lost a record $20.9 billion to online scams in 2025—a 26% increase from the previous year—with investment fraud accounting for nearly half of those losses, particularly through "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams where fraudsters build trust via social media and dating apps before directing victims to fake investment platforms. The volume of complaints surged to over 1 million for the first time, averaging nearly 3,000 reports daily, indicating that scammers are using increasingly sophisticated techniques that are harder to detect. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment tips from online contacts, verify requests claiming to be from banks or government agencies by calling official numbers directly, and never transfer money to unfamiliar investment platforms or send funds to cover "taxes" on account withdrawals.
ncsc.admin.ch
· 2026-04-08
Romance scammers are increasingly using AI-generated images and fake profiles on dating sites and social media to build trust with victims before convincing them to send money, often by fabricating emergencies. These scams cause significant financial losses and emotional harm to those targeted. To protect yourself, verify the authenticity of people you meet online by requesting video calls, being skeptical of urgent money requests, and never sending funds to someone you haven't met in person.
english.elpais.com
· 2026-04-08
Romance scammers operating from the Golden Triangle region (Laos, Myanmar, Thailand) are stealing billions from Western victims by posing as romantic interests and using AI tools like ChatGPT to find targets, create deepfakes, and craft convincing messages. Mohammad Muzahir, a computer programmer kidnapped and forced to work in one such operation, exposed how scammers use AI to generate personalized approaches based on victims' social media profiles, though the actual manipulation remains human-driven. To protect yourself, be skeptical of romantic advances from people you've never met in person, especially if they eventually ask for money or cryptocurrency, and verify identities through video calls before developing emotional or financial connections.
westword.com
· 2026-04-08
A Colorado woman who fell victim to a romance scam later became complicit in the scheme, helping scammers steal approximately $3.5 million from other victims before being sentenced to over a year in federal prison and ordered to pay $3.1 million in restitution. Lori Ann Kimball, a 53-year-old widow, was initially deceived by someone posing as "Joe Hart" on a dating app who claimed to work on an offshore oil rig and eventually asked her for money; after sending her own funds via cryptocurrency, she began facilitating transfers from other victims at the scammer's direction. Authorities urge online daters—especially those grieving or vulnerable—to be cautious about people they meet online who request money, and to verify identities before sending any funds.
theindependent.sg
· 2026-04-08
Singapore's Hougang Neighbourhood Police Station released a viral one-minute video warning the public about romance scams, where scammers pose as romantic interests online to deceive victims. While the video's creative approach—inspired by a Korean dating show and featuring visual tricks to demonstrate how scammers manipulate people—was informative, it gained widespread attention largely due to the striking appearance of the police officer featured in it. To protect yourself, be cautious of people you meet online as they may not be who they claim to be, and watch for red flags in romantic interactions with strangers on social media.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-04-08
Cambodia has enacted strict new anti-scam legislation with life imprisonment as a maximum penalty for operators of fraud compounds that exploit tens of thousands of people to conduct romance scams and investment fraud targeting victims worldwide—between 100,000-150,000 people are currently trapped in these operations that steal over $12.5 billion annually. The law protects victims forced into scamming from prosecution while penalizing ringleaders, and Cambodia claims to have shut down 250 scam centers and arrested 800 operators since July 2025. However, concerns remain about enforcement effectiveness given that state-licensed casinos are simultaneously being linked to torture and trafficking, and potential victims should be wary of deceptive job postings on Facebook and Instagram that are commonly used to lure people into these criminal compounds.
8days.sg
· 2026-04-07
YES 933 DJ Zhong Kunhua, a 40-year-old broadcaster, fell victim to a sophisticated job scam that unfolded over weeks in December 2025, despite taking multiple precautions like verifying the company website and checking credentials. The scam began with a WhatsApp message offering him a Mandarin voiceover job with staged payments, using professional-looking emails, legitimate company details, and even references to real industry websites to appear credible. Kunhua's experience highlights that modern scams target professionals across all ages and are far more elaborate than typical cold calls, so people should remain vigilant even when opportunities seem legitimate and professionally presented.
bbc.com
· 2026-04-07
A Cambridge woman was nearly defrauded of her home after being targeted by a romance scam in which an online fraudster impersonated actor Jay Harrington and convinced her to send approximately £150,000 to UK and US addresses over several years. Police and an alert estate agent intervened just before she could sell her property to fund a fake wedding, highlighting how romance scammers exploit vulnerable people by building false trust and relationships. To protect yourself, be suspicious of requests for money from online contacts, verify identities independently, and always discuss concerns with trusted friends or family before transferring funds.
ca.finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-04-07
An 81-year-old man who lost $1 million to a romance scam was targeted again by criminals posing as lawyers from a fake legal firm, claiming they could recover his stolen money. The scammers used AI-generated credentials and professional video call setups to appear legitimate, but were caught when they couldn't provide real proof of credentials. To protect yourself: be skeptical of unsolicited offers to recover lost money, verify credentials independently through official channels rather than accepting documents provided by the person contacting you, and know that legitimate government agencies and law firms won't ask for upfront fees to recover stolen funds.
wfmd.com
· 2026-04-07
A 58-year-old Frederick man has been indicted for operating an international romance fraud scheme that targeted victims by creating fake online relationships and convincing them to send money for fabricated emergencies and investments since at least 2022. The suspect and his associates used messaging apps, emails, and fake documents to appear legitimate, then funneled the stolen money through multiple bank accounts to countries overseas. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic partners who quickly ask for money, verify identities through video calls, and never send funds to people you haven't met in person.
mexc.co
· 2026-04-07
Pig butchering scams have cost victims worldwide over $75 billion, according to a new advisory from Finance Complaint List, with these sophisticated operations using social engineering and psychological manipulation to build false trust with targets over time before directing them to fraudulent investment platforms. The scams typically begin with unsolicited contact on social media or dating apps, where criminals pose as successful professionals or investors, gradually earning credibility before introducing fake cryptocurrency or forex trading opportunities with fabricated returns. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited investment offers from new online contacts, verify any investment platform independently before depositing funds, and report suspicious activity to authorities and the relevant platform.
tradingview.com
· 2026-04-07
Indonesian courts successfully used blockchain evidence to convict three individuals for terrorism financing in 2024-2025, demonstrating that cryptocurrency transactions and wallet data are now admissible and powerful tools in prosecutions. Terrorists and criminals have increasingly used cryptocurrency to move money because it received less scrutiny than traditional banking, but law enforcement agencies across Southeast Asia are now building technical capacity to trace these onchain flows. The evidence shows that keeping detailed records of cryptocurrency transactions and working with financial authorities can help identify and prosecute those financing illegal activities, emphasizing the importance of compliance and reporting suspicious transactions in the crypto space.
tradingview.com
· 2026-04-07
A cybercriminal known as "Jinkusu" is selling AI-powered tools that use deepfakes and voice manipulation to bypass identity verification (KYC) systems at banks and cryptocurrency platforms, potentially allowing fraudsters to open accounts and steal funds. The tool is particularly concerning because it enables low-tech scammers to conduct romance and cryptocurrency investment scams, with victims losing $5.5 billion to such schemes in 2024 alone. To protect yourself, use platforms with layered security measures beyond facial recognition, remain skeptical of unsolicited romantic or investment contacts (especially in crypto), and enable all available security features like two-factor authentication on financial accounts.
mexc.co
· 2026-04-07
A threat actor known as "Jinkusu" is selling cybercrime tools that use deepfake technology and AI voice manipulation to bypass security verification checks on banks and cryptocurrency platforms, potentially enabling fraud and unauthorized account access. The tools can deceive biometric systems even during live video calls by swapping faces and generating fake voices in real-time, with particular vulnerability in high-value transactions like Bitcoin trading and romance scams (which caused $5.5 billion in losses in 2024). Security experts recommend that users and platforms implement layered defenses including liveness detection, behavioral analysis, and device fingerprinting, while staying vigilant about wallet drainers and phishing attempts targeting cryptocurrency accounts.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-04-06
Women are increasingly targeted by AI-powered scams on social media and dating platforms, with criminals using fake personas, deepfakes, and voice cloning to perpetrate romance scams and sextortion schemes that combine emotional manipulation with financial or reputational harm. According to Bitdefender's 2025 survey, over 70% of people encountered a scam in the past year, with 37% citing AI-powered scams as their biggest concern. To protect yourself, remain cautious of requests for money or personal information from online connections, verify identities through video calls, and report suspicious accounts immediately to the platform.
altoonamirror.com
· 2026-04-06
This article advises seniors on how to safely approach dating in their later years, noting that about one-third of adults 65 and older are single. The piece recommends that older adults clarify their dating goals, consider using age-appropriate dating apps like OurTime or SilverSingles, and be honest in their profiles by using current photos and clearly stating what they're looking for. The overall message emphasizes transparency and authenticity as foundations for building genuine connections.
wbrz.com
· 2026-04-06
With 159 million people expected to shop on Super Saturday before Christmas, Baton Rouge Police warn that holiday shopping season creates prime opportunities for thieves and scammers, particularly through online dating and romance scams where fraudsters pose as potential partners to solicit money. Law enforcement recommends shoppers stay alert to their surroundings, shop with a buddy, protect their belongings, park strategically, and be cautious about who they communicate with online during the holidays. People should be especially wary of requests for money from online contacts they haven't met in person.
mexc.com
· 2026-04-05
Pig butchering scams—sophisticated frauds that combine social engineering, cryptocurrency fraud, and psychological manipulation—have cost victims over $75 billion globally, according to a Finance Complaint List advisory. Scammers typically target individuals on social media and dating apps by posing as successful professionals, building trust over time before directing victims to fake investment platforms that promise fabricated returns. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment offers from online contacts, verify investment platforms independently before depositing money, and report suspicious activity to relevant authorities.
kucoin.com
· 2026-04-05
Scammers are impersonating SEC officials on social media and text messages to trick investors into providing personal information, paying upfront fees, or investing in fraudulent schemes. The SEC warns that these fraudsters use official-looking branding and real employee names to appear credible, with tactics ranging from fake stock tips to promises of recovering lost money. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment offers or financial advice from social media and text messages, verify any SEC communication directly through the official SEC website, and never share personal or financial information with unverified sources.