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in Romance Scam
bookriot.com
· 2025-12-08
This is a book review for "Scam Goddess: Lessons from a Life of Cons, Grifts, and Schemes" by comedian and podcaster Laci Mosley, which is an essay memoir exploring various types of scams including religious, housing, job, romance, and body scams through both her personal experiences and stories of other scammers. The review highlights Mosley's key insight that scammers succeed because people care about things, and recommends the audiobook format to best enjoy her comedic delivery. The article is promotional content for entertainment purposes rather than a report on specific fraud incidents or elder abuse cases.
cftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
The CFTC charged individuals including Bai and Lan Bai and their entities Aipu and Fidefx with defrauding at least 32 customers, primarily Asian Americans, of at least $3.6 million through a fake commodity trading platform scheme operating from February 2023 onward. Solicitors contacted victims via social media platforms claiming insider knowledge to generate 10-30% profits per trade, but no actual trading occurred; instead, victims' funds were immediately transferred to offshore accounts. The CFTC is seeking restitution, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, civil penalties, trading bans, and a permanent injunction against the defendants.
ourvalleyvoice.com
· 2025-12-08
The House unanimously passed H.R. 6125, the Online Dating Safety Act on September 23, a bipartisan bill requiring dating apps to notify users if they have interacted with someone removed for fraudulent activity. Romance scams cost victims $1.3 billion in 2022, with seniors being the most vulnerable group, and the legislation aims to address the gap that occurs when scammers continue contact through other platforms after being banned from dating apps.
cyberdaily.au
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old American radiologist was defrauded of $700,000 in a romance scam orchestrated by Ghanaian scam boss Alfred Kwame Ayivor, who posed online as an Australian woman named Grace Erskine and eventually hired Australian national Rebecca Jade Silk to meet the victim in person and pose as Erskine. The scam involved the fake Erskine claiming she had inherited a Ghanaian gold mine and offering the victim a stake in it, with in-person meetings arranged in both the United States and Ghana to build credibility. Ayivor died in custody in 2019 before
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned of a surge in online romance scams, reporting over 15,000 complaints last year with losses exceeding $210 million over three years. Debby Montgomery Johnson, a widow, lost more than $1 million to a scammer posing as a British businessman named Eric Cole over a two-year online relationship before discovering he was actually a young man in Nigeria. FBI officials note that romance scammers are skilled at exploiting emotionally vulnerable victims, often through establishing relationships and requesting money for fabricated emergencies or plans, and advise potential victims to report suspicious behavior to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
verywellmind.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide explains romance scams, a type of fraud where criminals build fake romantic relationships to extract money from victims. The article outlines common tactics (including catfishing), warning signs, and vulnerable populations targeted by scammers, while noting that the FTC reported $304 million in losses from romance scams in 2020—a 50% increase from 2019. The guide provides advice on protecting oneself and recovering from romance fraud, emphasizing that victims should not be blamed for falling for such schemes.
cybersecurityconnect.com.au
· 2025-12-08
An Australian woman named Rebecca Jade Silk was identified as an alleged physical stand-in in a sophisticated romance scam operated from Ghana that defrauded a 75-year-old American radiologist of $700,000. Scam ring leader Alfred Kwame Ayivor posed online as an Australian woman named "Grace Erskine" to romance the victim, and hired Silk to impersonate Erskine during in-person meetings in the United States and Ghana, where she posed as someone offering him a stake in a gold mine. Ayivor died in custody before trial in 2019, while Silk was located in Australia in 2024 but refused to
mobile.ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
CBS News conducted an undercover investigation into Ghanaian "Yahoo Boys," organized online dating scammers who target wealthy elderly men and widowers through dating sites. After underlings build emotional connections with victims, senior operators take over to convince them to invest in fake gold mining schemes, using forged documents and promises of shared wealth; the scammers steal millions of dollars from their victims, who often don't report the fraud due to shame. The scheme exploits victims' vulnerability to emotional manipulation and targets men specifically because they fall in love quickly and are less likely to involve police.
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
CBS News's undercover investigation exposed Ghanaian "Yahoo Boys" who operate a sophisticated romance scam targeting wealthy foreigners, particularly elderly men and widowers, through dating sites. The scammers build emotional connections with victims before introducing fake investment schemes, typically claiming to offer stakes in Ghanaian gold mines with forged documentation, and extract millions of dollars from their targets. The victims are reluctant to report the crimes due to shame, allowing the perpetrators to maintain their fraudulent operations and lavish lifestyles.
sandhillsexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. man lost $700,000 in an elaborate romance scam orchestrated from Ghana. CBS News investigation revealed that sophisticated overseas romance scams—which have evolved from simple "Nigerian Prince" emails—are costing Americans over $10 billion annually, with scammers operating from "boiler rooms" in Ghana where young men pose as attractive women on dating apps to target lonely, older American victims, with criminal syndicates taking large cuts of the money extracted.
thetimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Broadcaster Moira Stuart nearly fell victim to an authorized push payment (APP) fraud scam when someone impersonating her bank convinced her to transfer money to a "safe" account, but bank staff intervened and stopped the transaction. APP fraud incidents exceeded 230,000 cases in the most recent year, resulting in £460 million in losses, with fraudsters increasingly using artificial intelligence and evolving tactics including purchase scams, investment schemes, romance scams, and impersonation fraud targeting energy suppliers and tax authorities. Banks are struggling to refund victims, and regulators have capped APP scam refunds at £85,000 starting October 7.
decripto.org
· 2025-12-08
US authorities recovered over $6 million in stolen cryptocurrencies from Southeast Asian fraudsters who targeted multiple victims through text messages, dating apps, and investment groups, directing them to fake investment platforms that promised high returns. The FBI used blockchain technology to trace the stolen funds, and Tether assisted by blocking the scammers' wallets, enabling rapid recovery despite the international complexity of the case. This recovery highlights a larger crisis: cryptocurrency investment scams caused $3.9 billion in losses in 2023, with fraudsters often targeting vulnerable individuals desperate for investment opportunities, including some who took additional mortgages on their homes.
technologyforyou.org
· 2025-12-08
Malwarebytes research found that over 66% of survey respondents were targeted by romance scams, with 10% of victims losing more than $10,000 and 3% losing $100,000 or more, while 94% were unable to recover their losses. The scams predominantly target individuals over 55 (74%) and males (56%), though younger demographics are also affected, with 26% of victims engaging with scammers for extended periods—some relationships lasting a year or longer. Key protective measures include verifying identities, keeping personal information private, consulting trusted third parties before financial transactions, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities.
fox61.com
· 2025-12-08
A 31-year-old New York man was arrested in Branford, Connecticut after operating as a courier in a text message scam scheme that initiates contact with unsuspecting victims through unsolicited "Hello" messages to build fake relationships and extract money. The suspect, Wenije He, was apprehended while attempting to collect a large cash sum believed destined for criminal enterprise and faces larceny and phone fraud charges with a $200,000 bond. Police warn residents to ignore unsolicited texts from unknown numbers, never send money or personal information to unknown contacts, and report suspicious activity to local authorities.
newshub.medianet.com.au
· 2025-12-08
International Justice Mission (IJM) Australia presented evidence to a parliamentary committee highlighting social media companies' inadequate responses to crimes facilitated on their platforms, including livestreamed child sexual abuse and fraudulent job advertisements that lead to worker trafficking. The organization noted that while AI tools exist to detect and block such content, platforms like Facebook and Skype are not implementing them, and called for stronger action given that Australians lost over $210 million to romance scams in 2022-23 and online child abuse reports increased 45% year-over-year.
parisstaronline.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Sarnia seniors lost over $1 million in separate online scams, including a 67-year-old woman defrauded of $350,000 by a man posing as a physician who claimed to need money to evacuate a war zone, a 63-year-old man scammed of $52,500 through a romance and extortion scheme involving fake intimate photos, and a 70-year-old man who lost $710,000 to both a lottery prize scam and a romance fraud by the same perpetrator. Police emphasized that such large losses are common among vulnerable seniors and warned residents to avoid risky online behavior and educate elderly relatives about these schemes.
premier.sa.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
South Australia reported 13,183 scams totaling over $15 million in 2023, with romance, investment, classified, and selling scams being most prevalent. A fraudulent Seniors Card website (www.seniorscardportal.au) was also identified, charging $29 for a service that should be free. Authorities urged residents to watch for red flags including pressure to act quickly, requests for unusual payment methods, and suspicious links or attachments.
chicagotribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Long Leaf Trading Group, a Chicago-based boiler-room operation, cold-called victims to pitch a fraudulent commodity-trading scheme between 2020 and its prosecution, resulting in customer losses while company traders collected $1.2 million in commissions. The article uses this case to illustrate how consumer fraud has evolved dramatically, with modern scammers now employing AI voice cloning, personal data harvesting, and impersonation tactics that make scams increasingly difficult to detect, contributing to record losses of $10 billion in U.S. consumer fraud in the previous year.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
This editorial contrasts traditional scams like Long Leaf Trading Group's $1.2 million commodity fraud scheme with modern consumer fraud that leverages artificial intelligence, voice cloning, and personal data harvesting to create highly convincing imposter scams. Consumer fraud reached a record $10 billion in losses last year according to the FTC, with imposter scams representing the fastest-growing category as criminals exploit social isolation, political divisiveness, and technological sophistication to target vulnerable Americans. Law enforcement efforts have increased but remain outpaced by evolving fraud tactics, though a new generation of tech-savvy anti-scammers on platforms like YouTube are gaining traction in exposing these criminals.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 200,000 people in Southeast Asia have been forced into operating online "pig butchering" scams by Chinese organized crime groups, generating billions in stolen funds through a scheme that builds false relationships with victims before directing them to fraudulent investment platforms. The FBI reported nearly $4 billion in losses from these scams in 2023 alone, with total global losses estimated at $75 billion or more, and similar operations have now expanded to the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and West Africa. Despite crackdowns by Beijing and international law enforcement efforts, experts warn that the scam continues to proliferate globally as criminal groups replicate the model in regions with weak governance and enforcement.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Connecticut offers a free bimonthly webinar series called "Fighting Fraud with AARP Connecticut" that educates participants on current fraud schemes including artificial intelligence scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and romance scams through expert speakers and safety tips. The next session is scheduled for Friday, October 25 at noon and can be accessed via Zoom by registering at events.aarp.org/FightFraudOct.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Kate Kleinert, a widow, lost tens of thousands of dollars to a romance scam when a fake doctor contacted her on Facebook during the pandemic, posing as a romantic interest. The financial devastation prevented her from repairing her air conditioning, and a resulting house fire destroyed her home and killed her six hospice dogs. Her story was featured on AARP Connected, a new Tennessee television program that addresses fraud prevention and other issues affecting older adults.
hellorayo.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams across the UK resulted in £6.8 million in losses over 12 months, with North Yorkshire police warning that 65% of people believe it won't happen to them despite the significant threat. Scammers typically build trust through fake profiles and emotional manipulation, sometimes persuading victims to sell assets or homes based on false promises, with losses ranging from hundreds to millions of pounds. Police advise against sharing personal information online, sending money to unknown contacts, moving conversations off legitimate dating platforms, or accepting money transfers that could constitute money laundering.
chroniclelive.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Santander reported that UK customers lost £3.8 million to romance scams in the past six months (a 27% increase), with victims averaging £4,500 lost each across ages 18 to 93. Criminals build emotional relationships with victims before manipulating them into sending money through fabricated emergencies, with the bank noting that 65% of surveyed customers believed they would never fall victim despite half receiving suspected scam messages. Santander recommends performing reverse image searches on photos, refusing video call refusals as red flags, never sending money to online-only contacts, and removing emotion from financial decisions by consulting trusted friends before giving money.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams targeting UK bank customers increased 27% in six months, with Santander reporting £3.8 million stolen from victims aged 18-93, averaging £4,500 per person. Scammers primarily operate on Facebook and Instagram, building emotional connections before requesting money for flights, medical expenses, or gifts, with nearly a third of victims willing to provide financial support to partners known for less than six months. Beyond financial losses, victims face significant emotional trauma and isolation, though 65% of British adults believe such fraud will never happen to them.
dailystar.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between March and August 2024, Santander UK customers lost £3.8 million to romance scams, representing a 27% increase from the previous six months, with victims ranging in age from 18 to 93 and losing an average of £4,500 each. A survey found that nearly one-third of respondents would send money to someone they've known for less than six months, while half had received suspicious romantic messages online. The bank advises potential victims to remove emotion from financial decisions, verify photos through reverse image searches, request video calls, and never share personal or banking information with new online contacts.
bet.com
· 2025-12-08
A CBS investigation uncovered a network of Ghanaian romance scammers operating from "boiler rooms" in Accra who target lonely Americans through online dating sites, with victims losing over $10 billion according to the Federal Trade Commission. The scammers, like an operative named Abdullah, are supplied by syndicate bosses who take 60% of profits, and they deliberately study American culture and time zones to impersonate potential romantic partners and extract money from victims. These schemes represent an evolution from earlier Nigerian Prince emails, employing more sophisticated tactics that are difficult to detect.
thesun.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Online romance scams increased by 27% between March and August, with Santander customers alone losing approximately £3.8 million during this period, up from £3 million in the previous eight months. The average loss per victim was £4,500, with targets ranging from ages 18 to 93, and a bank survey found that nearly one-third of respondents would offer money to a romantic partner known for less than six months, despite most believing they would never fall victim to such fraud.
irvinetimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Santander UK customers £3.8 million in the six months from March to August 2024, a 27% increase from the previous period, with victims aged 18 to 93 losing an average of £4,500 each. Research found that 50% of people have received suspected scam messages, yet 65% believe they would never fall victim, while nearly 30% would offer financial help to someone they've known less than six months. Santander recommends removing emotion from financial decisions, verifying photos through reverse image searches, being wary of those who avoid video calls, and never sharing money or personal details with online-only contacts.
futurescot.com
· 2025-12-08
Research in Scotland revealed that 400,000 older people have been targeted by online scams, prompting the Cyber and Fraud Centre to relaunch a safety guide addressing cryptocurrency scams, fake calls/emails, and text message fraud. The Cyber and Fraud Hub has handled approximately £250,000 in cryptocurrency fraud cases across all age groups while preventing around £60,000 from reaching scammers, with older adults identified as particularly vulnerable due to lower technology familiarity and greater trust in unsolicited contacts. The guide recommends that seniors remain cautious of unexpected communications, protect personal information, be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, and discuss finances with trusted individuals.
observerlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Palm Coast woman discovered her 79-year-old friend had been duped by fake warranty scam mailings, paying approximately $300 per month to two home warranty companies and one car warranty company for coverage she never purchased. The official-looking letters with urgent language like "Final Notice" and "Past Due" convinced the senior she had existing warranties, and when she tried to cancel, one company refused a refund and suggested only a temporary hold. Law enforcement officials report that over 60% of fraud complaints in their jurisdiction involve seniors, with median individual losses ranging from $800 for ages 70-79 to $1,500 for those 80 and older, and they advise seniors
ktvz.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. consumers lost $10.3 billion to fraud in 2023, with seniors (ages 60+) among the most vulnerable populations targeted through tech support scams, romance scams, investment scams, and credential stuffing attacks. OnPoint Credit Union released a 2024 cybersecurity eBook highlighting emerging threats including deepfake phishing, AI-enhanced scams, and smart device vulnerabilities, recommending consumers verify sender information, monitor accounts closely, and remain vigilant against unsolicited communications.
mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
In the first six months of 2024, Americans lost $65 million to Bitcoin ATM scams, with losses increasing nearly 10-fold since 2023. Scammers use various tactics—such as impersonating law enforcement and threatening arrest—to manipulate victims into depositing cash at Bitcoin ATMs; one Houston man lost nearly $60,000 after being told he had an active warrant. The median loss across all ages is $10,000, though consumers over 60 are more frequently targeted, and the FTC warns that if anyone directs you to use a Bitcoin ATM, it is a scam.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Delhi man was scammed on a dating app when a woman lured him to a café, ordered expensive items (hookah, vodka shots, and food) without his consent, then abandoned him with a ₹16,000 bill after pretending to have an emergency. The victim later discovered the same woman conducting the same scam with another man at the same location, and security was aware of her fraudulent activities.
lawyer-monthly.com
· 2025-12-08
Wire transfer scams cost Americans $343.7 million in 2023, with fraudsters impersonating trusted contacts to redirect payments to their accounts through compromised emails, fake documents, or intercepted communications. Wire transfers are nearly impossible to reverse once processed, making them the scammer's preferred method; one victim lost his entire $900,000 life savings intended for a home down payment when scammers hijacked his email conversation with his real estate agent. Common wire transfer scams include real estate fraud, advance-fee loan schemes, fake checks, family emergency impersonations, rental fraud, tech support scams, and business email compromise attacks.
ibtimes.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old California widow lost her entire $720,000 life savings to an online scammer on WeChat who used "pig butchering" tactics to build trust and convince her to invest in cryptocurrency between August and September 2022. After JPMorgan Chase Bank failed to flag the suspicious transactions despite red flags and her long account history, Lin sued the bank and successfully prevented its dismissal of the case; her experience prompted California State Senator Bill Dodd to introduce Senate Bill 278, which would require banks to implement emergency contact programs and delay suspicious transactions over $5,000 for three business days for elderly customers.
npr.org
· 2025-12-08
Cambodian investigative reporter Mech Dara was arrested and charged with incitement to commit a felony for social media posts, facing up to two years imprisonment. Dara is known for exposing online scams, human trafficking at scam compounds, and corruption across Cambodia—including "pig butchering" romance scams where victims are defrauded of large sums. His arrest has been condemned by international press freedom organizations and the U.S. State Department, which previously honored him for his anti-trafficking work.
independent.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams in the UK surged 27% in the first half of 2024, with Santander UK customers losing nearly £4 million (average £4,500 per victim), affecting people aged 18 to 93. Key warning signs include rapid declarations of love, avoidance of in-person meetings, vague backstories (often military or overseas workers), requests for financial help during emergencies, and suspicious or unverifiable profile images. Victims should use reverse image searches to verify identities and never send money via untraceable methods like wire transfers or gift cards.
newpelican.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece by attorney Tara David discusses preventing elder financial abuse through careful fiduciary planning and monitoring. Key recommendations include thoughtfully selecting trustees and power-of-attorney agents, reviewing these designations periodically, and revoking documents if agents become untrustworthy—with formal notification to both the agent and financial institutions. The article also advises monitoring elderly individuals' financial statements for suspicious activity, watching for new relationships (particularly remote ones, given that Florida seniors lost over $40 million to romance scams in 2023), and contacting authorities if exploitation is suspected, with guardianship available as a legal recourse for incapacitated individuals.
perspectivemedia.com
· 2025-12-08
The UK government proposed legislation extending the window for banks to delay suspicious payments from one business day to up to 72 hours, allowing more time to investigate potential fraud and block high-risk transactions. The measure aims to combat authorized push payment (APP) fraud, romance scams, and purchase scams that cost hundreds of millions of pounds annually, with banks required to compensate customers for any interest or late fees resulting from delays.
gov.uk
· 2025-12-08
The UK government proposed new legislation extending the time banks can delay suspicious payments from one business day to up to 72 hours to investigate potential fraud and protect consumers. This measure aims to address the £460 million lost to fraud annually, particularly from romance scams and purchase scams targeting vulnerable people, by giving banks time to contact customers and intervene before money reaches scammers. Banks must have reasonable grounds to suspect fraud, inform customers of delays, and compensate them for any resulting fees or interest.
metro.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Co-operative Bank experienced a widespread outage of its mobile app and online banking services beginning around 1:30pm, preventing customers from accessing their accounts and prompting complaints on social media; the bank apologized and stated it was working to resolve the issue. The article also covers unrelated banking news including proposed government measures to extend fraud investigation time for suspicious transactions to 72 hours to better protect consumers from scams like romance fraud.
santander.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Santander UK data reveals romance scams resulted in over £3.8 million in reported losses over six months (a 27% increase), with victims aged 18-93 losing an average of £4,500 each. Over half of Brits have received suspicious romantic messages online, primarily on Facebook and Instagram, with scammers exploiting loneliness by building emotional connections before requesting money for medical expenses or gifts. The bank partnered with BBC personality Paul Gorton to raise awareness, emphasizing that conducting early verification checks and maintaining cautious skepticism can help prevent falling victim to these sophisticated scams.
birminghammail.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Santander UK customers £6.8 million over 12 months, with victims averaging £4,500 in losses across all ages from 18 to 93. Despite 65% of Brits believing they would never fall victim, scammers exploit loneliness by building emotional trust before requesting money, leaving victims with financial and emotional damage. Santander advises early verification checks and caution when potential romantic partners request financial help within the first six months of contact.
news.trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
Contrary to the stereotype of elderly victims, research shows younger people report losing money to scams more frequently than older adults, with those under 21 experiencing the largest surge in online fraud losses and 18-24 year-olds losing a median of $200 per scam. However, older adults suffer larger individual losses, with those aged 70-79 losing a median of $800 and those 80+ losing $1,500, reflecting how scams are tailored to different generations—younger people are targeted primarily on social media (40% of cases for ages 18-29) while older adults are targeted via phone (40% for those 80+). Different age groups face distinct
clintonherald.com
· 2025-12-08
The Iowa Department of Public Safety warned of an emerging trend in which scammers are demanding gold bars, coins, and bullion as payment instead of traditional methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. Common scam types—including government impersonation, tech support, and romance scams—have shifted to this new payment method, with one central Iowa resident losing $305,000 in gold and silver to a fake Microsoft representative in June 2024, and the FBI reporting $55 million in precious metals losses nationwide during the second half of 2023.
hellorayo.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Santander UK reported that romance scams resulted in over £3.8 million stolen from customers in the last six months, representing a 27% increase from the previous period, with victims ranging in age from 18 to 93 and losing an average of £4,500 each. Nearly half of people surveyed in the South East received suspected or confirmed fraudulent messages, yet two-thirds believe they won't fall victim to these scams, which exploit emotional connections built through social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. To protect themselves, people should remove emotion from financial decisions, verify identities through reverse image searches, be wary of those refusing video calls, and never send money or personal information to
japantimes.co.jp
· 2025-12-08
Investment fraud and romance scams conducted via social media tripled in the first eight months of the year, with 6,868 reported cases resulting in approximately ¥88 billion ($600 million) in losses, compared to 2,008 cases and ¥21.1 billion the previous year. Scammers employed two primary methods: posing as trusted investors or celebrities in investment fraud schemes, and courting victims through dating apps to solicit money in romance scams. The National Police Agency issued the warning to raise public awareness about these escalating threats.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
**Not a fraud/elder abuse article**
This is a personal essay about the author's experience with modern dating apps—not an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. It discusses the evolution of online dating from 2007 to present, the author's feelings about current dating app quality and user experience, and broader cultural commentary on dating. While the author mentions that apps are "overrun with scams," the article does not detail specific scam incidents, victims, or fraud schemes relevant to an elder fraud database.
thehackernews.com
· 2025-12-08
INTERPOL arrested eight individuals in Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria under Operation Contender 2.0, targeting phishing and romance cyber fraud in West Africa. A large-scale phishing scheme targeting Swiss citizens resulted in over $1.4 million in losses, with criminals using fake buyer profiles and QR codes to direct victims to fraudulent payment websites; the main suspect confessed to making $1.9 million illicitly. In a separate case, two suspects were apprehended in Nigeria for a romance scam that defrauded a Finnish victim of a substantial amount of money.