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A mother of eleven was scammed out of $5,250 after accidentally calling a fraudulent number while trying to contact American Airlines about accommodations for her autistic daughter and niece. The scammer, posing as an airline representative, gained her trust by reciting her flight details and credit card information, then offered discounts and refunds that required processing through her cards, ultimately charging her thousands before sending a fake confirmation email from "flight trip" instead of American Airlines. The victim discovered the fraud when her original flights remained unchanged in the American Airlines app and successfully disputed the charges after locking her credit cards.

Kyle Chasse, former president of a local union chapter at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and making false statements for embezzling over $10,000 in union funds between 2020 and 2022. Chasse made unauthorized cash withdrawals and debit purchases for personal expenses (bars, restaurants, vending machines) and filed false financial disclosure forms to conceal the theft. He faces up to 20 years imprisonment and $250,000 in fines, with sentencing to be determined after a presentence investigation.

Czech police reported a 5% decline in cybercrime cases in 2024, with 18,500 incidents investigated—the first decrease since the pandemic began. Online fraud remained the most prevalent cybercrime type, encompassing fake bank alerts, investment scams, and romance fraud, though authorities attributed the overall decline partly to increased awareness campaigns by police, banks, and state institutions.

"Revenge on Gold Diggers," a Chinese interactive video game released in June, became a commercial hit by simulating pig-butchering love scams where players protect themselves from women who manipulate men for money, selling over one million copies. The game sparked intense debate in China, with supporters praising its anti-fraud educational value amid rising scam concerns (40,000 telecom fraud cases in 2024), while critics condemned it for reinforcing misogynistic stereotypes and portraying women as inherent schemers rather than addressing systemic vulnerabilities in relationships. The developers changed the Chinese title to "Emotional Anti-Fraud Simulator" but maintained the English title remained "

Edwin Brant Frost IV, a prominent Christian conservative and former political operative, allegedly ran a $140 million Ponzi scheme through First Liberty Building and Loan, which promised investors 8-18 percent returns on bridge loans for small businesses but instead used incoming investor funds to pay earlier investors and finance personal expenses including rare coins, vacations, and jewelry. Over more than a decade, approximately 300 investors—many attracted through conservative Christian podcasts and radio endorsements—invested at least $25,000 each, with some losing their life savings; the SEC investigation found that while some money did go to small businesses, most ultimately benefited Frost and his family rather than supporting the promised economic opportunities

In 2024, reported fraud losses reached $12.5 billion, a 25 percent increase driven primarily by sophisticated investment scams totaling $5.7 billion. Bipartisan legislation called the TRAPS Act proposes creating a federal task force composed of representatives from the Treasury Department, CFPB, FCC, FTC, DOJ, and industry experts to coordinate efforts in combating financially advanced scams and develop recommendations for regulatory and legislative reforms. These efforts are part of a broader government initiative that includes executive orders on check fraud reduction and the GUARD Act to investigate elder fraud using technologies like blockchain.

Three men were arrested following a six-month investigation into a fraud scheme that defrauded over 75 elderly Texans of $1.5 million across North Texas cities including McKinney, Allen, Wylie, and Frisco. Operating under business names Precision Home Pros and Krishnaraj Construction, the suspects approached victims offering to reduce utility bills, then used forged electronic signatures to create unauthorized 20-year loans ranging from $13,000 to $32,500, funneling the funds through shell companies while victims remained liable for repayment. Prakash Krishnaraj (58), Christian Bolding (31), and Eric Ell (

North Branford police conducted an elder fraud awareness presentation at Evergreen Woods Community to educate seniors on prevention strategies. The presentation highlighted that seniors lose more than $3 billion annually to various fraud schemes including romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, and government impersonation scams, with tips provided on how to recognize and protect against these threats.

Maine secured a federal grant to create the nation's first dedicated elder justice investigator position, filled by Kennebuck Police Officer Candice Simeoni, as part of a two-year pilot program to address rising elder fraud and abuse. According to the FBI, one in ten seniors becomes a victim of elder crime, though few report it; Simeoni notes that over 85 percent of elder abuse is perpetrated by someone the victim knows and trusts, often involving financial crimes and cognitive impairment. The investigator will focus on investigations, research, and education to protect Maine's vulnerable senior population.

A text message scam claiming to be from Maine's Department of Motor Vehicles has resurfaced, falsely threatening to suspend recipients' licenses over unpaid traffic citations and urging them to click a link for payment. Nearly a dozen Maine residents reported receiving the deceptive messages, which include a fake state seal and can be identified as fraudulent by red flags such as Maine not having a DMV (the correct agency name is Bureau of Motor Vehicles) and the state never collecting payments via text. Officials advise recipients not to click links, to delete the message immediately, and to report any financial losses to their bank, while acknowledging that tracking the scammers' source is difficult due to identity-shielding technology.

At least 13 Mainers reported receiving text message scams impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles, using a fake law reference and threatening license suspension to create panic and prompt immediate payment. Maine has seen a significant rise in government impersonation scams, with 98 reported victims in 2024 compared to about 40 annually from 2020-2022, while phishing and spoofing scams jumped from fewer than 100 victims yearly to 357 victims in 2024. Experts recommend acting quickly if scammed by freezing credit with all three major agencies, monitoring financial accounts, and reporting the incident to local police and relevant companies.

Investment scams, particularly those involving cryptocurrency, remained the top cybercrime reported to the Better Business Bureau, with over 80% of reported scams falling into this category and victims losing an average of $5,000. Scammers typically initiate contact via social media, ads, or email, then build trust over weeks or months before offering fake investment opportunities that show false returns until the scammer and funds disappear. The BBB recommends never investing with unknown individuals and verifying investment opportunities through the SEC or FINRA before committing money.

The FBI Boston Division is warning New Englanders of an increasing surge in scam calls from fraudsters impersonating federal agents and law enforcement officials who use intimidation tactics—threatening arrest, property confiscation, or bank account freezes—to pressure victims into sending money via wire transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or cash. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, 778 complaints were filed across Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, resulting in total losses of $12.9 million. The FBI emphasizes that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not call threatening arrest or demanding payment, and victims should hang up immediately, contact their financial institutions, and report the scam to local police

The Liberal Democrats called for urgent regulation of YouTube advertising after scams involving deepfakes, impersonated public figures, and fraudulent investment schemes proliferated on the platform with minimal oversight. Notable examples included AI-generated deepfake ads impersonating consumer champion Martin Lewis to promote cryptocurrency schemes, as well as ads for fake products, scam diet pills, and government grant impersonations that remained online for days before removal. The party is urging the UK government to bring YouTube under the same pre-approval and independent enforcement standards as traditional broadcasters, with Ofcom given powers to levy fines and redirect revenues to scam victims.

Impersonation scams targeting older Americans have increased exponentially since 2020, with losses among people over 60 jumping from $55 million to $445 million by 2024, according to FTC data. Scammers impersonate trusted government agencies or businesses to convince victims that their money is at risk, then pressure them to transfer funds for "protection," sometimes wiping out entire life savings. The FTC advises consumers to hang up on unsolicited calls making such claims, call the agency or business directly to verify, and block suspicious numbers.

Charleston Police are investigating five scam cases targeting elderly residents (ages 61-85) who were manipulated into transferring $7,000-$10,000 each via phone calls, with three victims directed to Bitcoin ATMs while scammers remained on the line. The scammers used high-pressure tactics such as claiming relatives were in jail, threatening arrest warrants, or alleging identity theft, and requested payment through gift cards or cryptocurrency. Police advise victims to hang up immediately, avoid sharing personal or financial information, and verify suspicious claims by calling trusted family members or local law enforcement.

Andrea Estell Cochran, a 51-year-old from Houston, was arrested and charged with federal bank fraud after using fake passports to impersonate account holders and withdraw approximately $11,000 from multiple Washington state banks in 2024, with similar attempts in Maine; she faces up to 30 years in prison and state charges across multiple Washington counties. Additionally, a VPNPro study reveals that seniors aged 60 and over across all U.S. states lost substantial sums to fraud in 2022, with per-victim losses ranging from $13,118 to $30,150 depending on the state, highlighting seniors as prime targets for scammers

Andrea Estell Cochran, a 51-year-old from Houston, was arrested and charged with federal bank fraud after using forged passports to impersonate account holders and withdraw approximately $11,000 from multiple banks across Washington state and Maine in 2024. She faces up to 30 years in federal prison plus additional state charges, with a plea deal hearing scheduled for August 28, 2025. A separate study by VPNPro found that seniors aged 60 and older across all U.S. states lost significant sums to fraud in 2022, with losses ranging from approximately $3 million to $31 million per state, highlighting the widesprea

Andrea Estell Cochran, a 51-year-old from Houston, accepted a plea deal for a multi-state bank fraud scheme in which she used fake passports to impersonate account holders and withdraw thousands of dollars from banks across Washington and Maine between May and August 2024. She faces federal charges including bank fraud, identity theft, and false use of a passport, with potential sentences up to 30 years, plus additional state charges in multiple Washington counties. Her plea hearing is scheduled for August 28, with specific agreement details pending release.

Arizona ranks as the fourth most dangerous state for online dating, with a romance scam rate of 14 per 100,000 users—the highest in the nation—according to a Privacy Journal study. The state also reports elevated rates of fraud, identity theft, and STD reports on dating apps, though it ranks sixth in registered sex offender numbers. Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire are identified as the safest states for online dating.

A General Hospital fan was defrauded of over $81,000 in cash plus an additional $350,000 from the sale of her family condo by a scammer impersonating actor Steve Burton using AI-generated video messages. The scammer built a romantic relationship with the victim over a year before requesting money, exploiting her mental health vulnerabilities and emotional attachment to the character Burton has played for thirty years. The victim's daughter is now fighting to recover the condo, which was sold to a third party who is demanding an additional $100,000 to return it.

Maine appointed its first statewide elder justice investigator, Candice Simeoni, to address the high prevalence of crimes targeting seniors—a population that represents one in ten victims of elder crime but rarely reports incidents to police. Simeoni, a 21-year veteran law enforcement officer, will gather data, investigate cases, and educate police and seniors about elder fraud and abuse, with approximately 85 percent of suspects being someone the victim knows and trusts. The $150,000 pilot program, which runs through September 2026, aims to create standardized reporting tools and secure funding for a statewide elder justice task force.

AARP Maine offers a free monthly virtual scam-awareness series called "Fraud Watch with Phil and Pam," held via Zoom on the second Thursday of each month for 30 minutes. The October session focuses on cybersecurity and is led by retired journalist Phil Chin and retired educator Pam Partridge, with registration available at states.aarp.org/maine/monthly-fraud-watch.

Maine Credit Unions released a collaborative fraud awareness video featuring state experts including the Maine Attorney General and state police to educate older adults about recognizing and preventing scams. Recent Federal Trade Commission data shows that fraud losses among adults over 60 have surged dramatically between 2020-2024, with reports of losses exceeding $10,000 quadrupling and cases above $100,000 increasing significantly, though actual losses are likely higher due to underreporting. The video is being distributed free to cable access stations and online as a public service to help Mainers identify and stop fraudsters before becoming victims.

Maine Credit Unions released a collaborative educational video warning residents—particularly older adults—about rising fraud, featuring experts from the Maine Attorney General's Office, State Police, and other agencies. Recent FTC data shows that reports of adults over 60 losing $10,000 or more to impersonation scams quadrupled between 2020-2024, with many cases going unreported. The video aims to equip Mainers with practical knowledge to identify and prevent scams before they cause financial and emotional harm.

Singapore reported S$456 million in fraud losses during the first half of 2025, a decline from the previous year, though cryptocurrency scams remained a significant concern accounting for S$81.6 million (18% of total losses), with Tether, Bitcoin, and Ethereum being the primary targets. Victims were predominantly aged 30-49 and fell prey to investment scams, job fraud, and phishing schemes, while authorities recovered S$56.7 million in fraudulent funds and prevented S$179 million in potential losses through collaborative efforts.

An elderly man in Sheffield lost £6,000 in a courier fraud scam in September after fraudsters impersonated police detectives, claimed his credit card had been compromised, and convinced him to withdraw cash under the pretense of checking for counterfeit notes. The scammers exploited a technique where they remained on the line after the victim attempted to call 999, redirecting him back to them when he called again, ultimately convincing him to hand over the money to a courier. South Yorkshire Police warned vulnerable elderly people and their families to verify any suspicious calls by using a different phone or waiting 20-30 minutes before calling back, and reminded the public that police and banks never request financial details

The FBI Boston is warning of an increase in "gold bar courier scams" targeting older adults, in which victims are pressured to purchase large sums of gold bars or cash that are then picked up by couriers working with scammers. From 2023 to May 2025, the FBI documented 103 cases in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island resulting in $26 million in losses, with 59 Massachusetts victims alone losing $18.6 million. The scams typically involve three methods: grandparent scams, government impersonation, and tech support scams, all designed to pressure victims into quickly liquidating assets before they can contact family members.

A 34-year-old Nigerian man was extradited to the United States to face federal charges for operating cyber-enabled sextortion and romance scams that targeted victims across the country, including an Idaho college student. Shanu and his co-conspirators impersonated women on social media to coerce victims into sharing sexual images, then extorted money by threatening to distribute the images to family and friends, while also conducting romance scams and laundering at least $2 million in proceeds through payment platforms and cryptocurrency. If convicted on eight counts including wire fraud, identity theft, extortion, and money laundering, Shanu faces up to 20 years in federal prison and restitution to victims.

Somerset County is hosting free one-hour fraud awareness workshops throughout October in partnership with AARP and local law enforcement to combat elder fraud, which costs Mainers millions annually. Maine residents over 65 lost nearly $13 million to fraud last year, with common scams including fraudulent crowdfunding pages like GoFundMe; the workshops will teach residents to identify threats, report crimes immediately, and seek help.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has launched a consultation with retail banks to develop a framework for determining shared responsibility when customers suffer losses from authorized payment scams. The framework aims to clarify liability in cases where customers are deceived into authorizing transactions (such as romance scams), distinguishing them from unauthorized transactions where banks bear full responsibility, and will assess both banks' anti-scam measures and customers' diligence in preventing fraud.

Tochuwku Nnebocha, a 43-year-old Nigerian, was extradited from Poland to face federal charges for operating a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded elderly Americans of millions of dollars over five years. The scheme involved sending personalized letters to seniors falsely claiming they were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances from deceased relatives in Spain, then requesting upfront fees that were routed through U.S.-based accomplices. Nnebocha faces charges including mail and wire fraud carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years, with two co-conspirators having already pleaded guilty and received 97-month sentences each.

Kenyan police offered a 1 million shilling ($7,700) reward for information leading to the arrest of suspected serial killer Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, who escaped from custody over a year ago despite being the prime suspect in the murders of over 40 women whose bodies were found in a Nairobi quarry. Khalusha's escape from a high-security police station in August 2024, along with his continued evasion, has sparked public outrage and criticism of police inaction, with activists and the public questioning how such a high-profile suspect remained at large and how officers failed to detect the bodies being dumped near a police station. Several police officers

Goa's elderly population faced 40 criminal incidents in 2023, including theft, fraud, and murder, with cyber scams and "digital arrest" rackets becoming increasingly prevalent through 2024. The judicial system struggles to keep pace, with only 26 of 56 cases disposed of in 2023, a 51.8% pendency rate, and courts recording just one conviction against 14 acquittals across 227 pending cases. The combination of high crime targeting seniors aged 60+ and slow case resolution leaves Goa's growing elderly population vulnerable to continued victimization.

Tochuwku Albert Nnebocha, a 43-year-old Nigerian national extradited from Poland, faces federal charges for operating a transnational inheritance scam that defrauded American seniors over five years. The scheme involved sending personalized letters claiming victims were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances from deceased Spanish relatives, then requesting upfront fees for delivery and taxes; victims sent money through a network of U.S.-based accomplices but never received the promised funds. Nnebocha faces up to 20 years in prison, and two co-defendants have already been sentenced to approximately 8 years each.

Tochuwku Albert Nnebocha, 43, a Nigerian national extradited from Poland, faces federal charges for operating a transnational romance/inheritance scam that defrauded American seniors over five years by falsely claiming they had won multimillion-dollar inheritances from Spain and requesting upfront fees. Victims were instructed to send money through a network of U.S.-based former victims who forwarded funds to the defendants, with none of the promised inheritances ever materialized. Nnebocha faces up to 20 years in prison; two co-conspirators have already been sentenced to 97 months each for their roles in the scheme.