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On April 16, Massachusetts' Attorney General issued an advisory notice clarifying that AI developers, suppliers, and users must comply with consumer protection laws (Chapter 93A) to avoid "unfair and deceptive" practices. The advisory identified specific violations including false advertising of AI quality, supplying defective systems, misrepresenting reliability or safety, breach of warranty, and using AI-generated deceptive content such as deepfakes or voice cloning for fraud. The guidance reinforces that consumers are protected against AI-related harms including bias, lack of transparency, and data privacy issues under existing Massachusetts and federal consumer protection statutes.

Chukwunonso "Douglas" Umegbo, a 39-year-old Massachusetts man, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for laundering over $568,000 obtained through romance scams between 2018 and 2019. Using fake identities and fraudulent bank accounts in the Boston area, Umegbo received funds from romance scam victims, withdrew the money in cash, and purchased cashier's checks to obscure the funds' origin. He was arrested in London in April 2022, extradited to the U.S. in February 2023, and ordered to pay $578,954.78 in restitution and forfeiture.

An 83-year-old Marin County, California woman lost $30,000 in a phone scam where a caller impersonated her bank's fraud department and convinced her to withdraw cash, which was then collected from her home by the scammer. The suspect, Hao Canh Diep, was apprehended when he attempted to target the woman again for an additional $25,000, and he was charged with financial elder abuse and grand theft. The article also highlights a separate check-washing scam that defrauded a Massachusetts business owner of $13,000 and provides general tips for avoiding scams.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell established a new Elder Justice Unit to combat the frequent and pervasive fraud targeting older residents, with director Mary Freeley coordinating resources across multiple bureaus to enhance prosecution and education. In 2023, Massachusetts consumers reported over 87,000 fraud cases resulting in $142.3 million in losses, though experts note significant underreporting due to shame and lack of awareness. Common scams include impostor fraud targeting bank and government agency impersonation, grandparent scams, and cryptocurrency schemes, with prevention experts recommending victims slow down and avoid emotional reactions that bypass logical thinking.

A 77-year-old Massachusetts woman lost $9,500 to a "grandparent scam" in which a caller claimed to be her grandson in need of emergency cash for a car accident involving a pregnant woman. When scammers attempted to extract an additional $5,000 by impersonating a federal agent, the victim became suspicious and contacted police, who intercepted the second pickup and apprehended the driver (who was unknowingly hired through a ride-share app). The case remains under investigation, and police are urging public awareness to help prevent this common scheme targeting seniors.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Boston filed a civil forfeiture action to recover approximately $2.3 million in cryptocurrency from a "pig butchering" romance scam that defrauded a Massachusetts resident of over $400,000 in spring 2023. The seized cryptocurrency from two Binance accounts was traced to fraud affecting 37 victims across the United States, with the scammer using manipulative online tactics to build trust before luring the victim into fraudulent cryptocurrency investments.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts filed a civil forfeiture action to return $2.3 million in cryptocurrency to 37 victims of online scams, including a "pig butchering" scam where one Massachusetts resident lost $400,000. The cryptocurrencies were seized from two Binance accounts in January following an investigation that traced funds from multiple victims to the same scammers. This action follows a similar recovery by the Chicago U.S. Attorney's Office, which seized $1.4 million in cryptocurrency tied to tech support scams targeting elderly victims.

Two bank branch managers in Massachusetts prevented an elderly couple in their mid-70s from losing $80,000 in March 2024 after scammers posed as law enforcement, claiming the couple needed to transfer funds due to alleged illegal images and money laundering on their computer. Branch Manager Kim Giammasi at Hanscom Federal Credit Union became suspicious and required the couple to complete the transfer in person, allowing her colleague Melody Anoli to contact Billerica police, who confirmed the scam and secured the couple's accounts. The article emphasizes the importance of bank employee vigilance and provides Federal Trade Commission guidance on avoiding such schemes, including never clicking unexpected links, refusing unsolicited payment requests

Boston police warn of increased home improvement scams targeting residents as spring weather approaches, often perpetrated by international travelers offering cheap initial quotes before claiming additional damage requiring thousands in repairs. Massachusetts residents lost nearly $30,000 to these scams in 2021, with seniors particularly targeted; scammers typically use generic business names, lack proper licensing, and operate without city permits. Homeowners should obtain multiple estimates from verified contractors and report suspected scams to local police with detailed information about the perpetrators.

Federal authorities arrested 25-year-old Indian student Samyag Uday Doshi in Massachusetts for operating as a cash courier in an elder fraud scheme that targeted seniors across Rhode Island, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in losses. The scam involved con artists posing as federal agents who convinced elderly victims they were under investigation for money laundering, then manipulated them into withdrawing cash, making transfers, and attempting large purchases like gold bars. Seniors should be wary of unsolicited calls claiming to be from authorities demanding immediate payment or transfers, and should hang up and contact official agencies directly using verified phone numbers to confirm any such claims.

Between 2023 and May 2025, the FBI's Boston Division documented 103 courier-based fraud schemes targeting elderly residents, resulting in over $26 million in losses, with 59 Massachusetts victims losing $18.6 million combined—98% of losses reported by people over 60. The scams typically involved impersonation (grandparent, government, or tech support) to convince victims to either transfer funds to fake government accounts or hand cash and gold bars to couriers; nationally, the FBI documented 1,737 similar instances totaling approximately $186.2 million in losses. The FBI advises the public to discuss these schemes with elderly relatives and warns that the government

Cryptocurrency ATM fraud cases have surged in Massachusetts, with scammers impersonating business owners and employees to trick victims into depositing funds that cannot be recovered. Reported losses in the state include $11,000, $48,000, and $4,900, with authorities noting the irreversible and untraceable nature of these crimes; nationally, the FBI received over 11,000 complaints in 2024 with victims losing $247 million total, representing a 99% increase from the previous year.

The Acronis Cyber Foundation and Digital Literacy Project are hosting a free cyber safety workshop for seniors on October 11, 2025, in Stoughton, Massachusetts, to address the vulnerability of older adults to online fraud. According to the FBI's 2024 Internet Crime Report, seniors aged 60+ experienced the highest monetary losses from cyberattacks at $4.8 billion, with personal data breaches and investment scams being leading threats. The workshop will educate participants on recognizing AI-enabled deepfake scams, creating strong passwords, identifying phishing attempts, and protecting personal information.

Between 2023 and May 2025, the FBI's Boston Division documented 103 courier-based fraud schemes targeting elderly Massachusetts residents, resulting in over $26 million in losses, with 59 victims (98% over age 60) losing $18.6 million collectively. The scams typically impersonated family members, government officials, or tech support to convince victims to withdraw cash or gold bars for couriers to collect, with similar schemes causing approximately $186.2 million in losses nationwide during the same period. The FBI recommends victims report fraud immediately to ic3.gov or the DOJ Elder Justice hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 and advises

The Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program issued a warning during Medicare's 2025 Open Enrollment period (October 15-December 7) about a surge in scams targeting beneficiaries, including unsolicited calls, fraudulent mailings, and misleading offers of free benefits or refunds. The program advises seniors to protect their Medicare numbers, avoid clicking suspicious links, hang up on unknown callers, and verify plan information only through official Medicare.gov channels or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. Residents can receive free, unbiased assistance from SHINE counselors by contacting MassOptions at 1-800-243-4636 or report suspicious

Massachusetts psychologist Eric Brown, 76, allegedly defrauded a patient out of $600,000 by draining a trust fund established from a drunk driving accident settlement after falling victim to an online romance investment scam himself. Brown, who served as trustee for the patient's trust, was convinced by a con artist posing as a romantic interest to invest the funds overseas, and separately defrauded a family member of $310,000 through false claims about office building improvements. Brown has agreed to plead guilty to two counts of wire fraud and one count of engaging in an unlawful money transaction, and faces potentially decades in prison.

A 76-year-old Newton therapist agreed to plead guilty to wire fraud and unlawful money transactions after falling victim to an online investment romance scam and misappropriating $600,000 of a patient's settlement funds that he held as trustee. Brown was manipulated by a scammer posing as a romantic partner and secretly invested the patient's money overseas without their knowledge, while also deceiving a relative into lending him $310,000 under false pretenses. He faces up to 50 years in prison and fines up to $1 million.

Between 2023 and May 2025, the FBI's Boston Division documented 103 courier fraud cases targeting elderly victims in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, resulting in over $26 million in losses. In these scams, fraudsters convinced victims aged 60 and older to hand over cash or gold bars to couriers by impersonating family members or government officials, with Massachusetts victims alone losing $18.6 million across 59 cases. The FBI advises inexperienced individuals, particularly seniors, to avoid engaging with unsolicited requests for money or valuables and to verify requests through official channels.

Between 2023 and May 2025, the FBI Boston Division documented 103 courier-based fraud schemes resulting in over $26 million in losses, with 59 Massachusetts victims (98% over age 60) losing $18.6 million collectively. The scams primarily used "grandparent," "government impersonation," or "tech support" tactics to trick victims into giving cash or gold bars to couriers, with the FBI reporting at least 1,737 similar incidents nationwide totaling approximately $186.2 million in losses during the same period.

Gloucester, Massachusetts voted to ban Bitcoin ATMs due to a surge in cryptocurrency scams predominantly targeting senior citizens, with approximately $11 million stolen from victims in Essex County during 2025 alone. Scammers use the ATMs to facilitate fraud schemes, such as emergency bail-out scams, by convincing victims to transfer money to untraceable cryptocurrency accounts. The city council unanimously approved the ordinance, giving the two existing Bitcoin ATMs in the city 30 days to cease operations, and cited a 99 percent increase in FBI complaints related to virtual currency kiosks in 2024.

Between 2023 and May 2025, the FBI's Boston Division documented 103 courier fraud scams targeting elderly residents, resulting in over $26 million in losses nationally and $18.6 million in Massachusetts alone. Nearly all victims (98%) were over 60 years old and were deceived into believing they were helping a family member or paying a government debt, after which fraudsters sent couriers to collect cash or gold bars from their homes.

Between 2023 and May 2025, the FBI's Boston Division documented 103 courier-based fraud schemes targeting elderly residents, resulting in over $26 million in losses, with Massachusetts victims accounting for $18.6 million of that total. The scams typically involved fraudsters impersonating family members, government officials, or tech support representatives who convinced victims (98% over age 60) to either transfer funds to fake accounts or hand cash and gold to couriers sent to their homes. Nationally, the same period saw at least 1,737 similar courier fraud cases with approximately $186.2 million in documented losses, though the actual total is believed to be significantly higher.

Between 2023 and May 2025, the FBI's Boston Division documented 103 courier-based fraud schemes targeting elderly residents, resulting in over $26 million in losses, with Massachusetts victims (59 people, mostly over age 60) accounting for $18.6 million of that total. The scams typically impersonated family members, government officials, or tech support, convincing victims to withdraw cash or purchase gold bars for courier pickup. The FBI advises that legitimate government agencies never request gold purchases or large cash withdrawals, and encourages victims to report incidents immediately to ic3.gov or the DOJ Elder Justice hotline.

Between 2023 and May 2025, the FBI's Boston Division documented 103 courier-based fraud schemes targeting elderly victims, resulting in over $26 million in losses, with 59 Massachusetts residents losing $18.6 million. Nearly all victims (98%) were over 60 years old, and the scams typically involved perpetrators posing as distressed family members, government officials, or tech support to pressure victims into purchasing gold bars or withdrawing cash for pickup by couriers. The FBI advises that the government never requests precious metals purchases and recommends victims report incidents to ic3.gov or contact the DOJ Elder Justice hotline at 1-833-

Thirteen individuals were arrested in a transnational elder fraud scheme that affected over 400 victims and caused more than $5 million in losses. These "emergency" or "grandparent" scams manipulate elderly victims by impersonating family members claiming to be in distress and requesting urgent financial assistance via payment apps or wire transfers, with perpetrators using social media research and increasingly sophisticated voice cloning technology to make their deceptions credible. To protect against these scams, victims should resist immediate action, verify stories directly with the actual family member, avoid sending money to unfamiliar payment methods, and contact police if they suspect fraudulent activity.

The FBI's Boston Division reported a significant surge in elder fraud scams between 2023 and May 2025, documenting 103 instances where fraudsters used couriers to collect cash or gold bars from victims. Nearly all victims (98%) were over 60 years old, with Massachusetts residents accounting for 59 victims who lost a combined $18.6 million out of the $26 million total loss across the region. The scams typically involved fraudsters convincing elderly victims they were helping a family member or paying a surprise government debt.

Between 2023 and May 2025, the FBI's Boston Division documented 103 courier-based fraud schemes targeting elderly victims, resulting in over $26 million in losses, with 59 Massachusetts residents losing $18.6 million collectively. Nearly all victims (98%) were over 60 years old and were deceived through grandparent, government impersonation, or tech support scams that convinced them to hand over cash or gold bars to couriers posing as legitimate third parties. Nationally, the FBI documented at least 1,737 similar instances during this period with approximately $186.2 million in losses, and officials urge the public to educate elderly relatives about

Between 2023 and May 2025, the FBI's Boston Division documented 103 courier-based fraud schemes targeting elderly residents, resulting in over $26 million in losses, with 59 Massachusetts victims accounting for $18.6 million of that total. Nearly all victims were over 60 years old and were deceived through "grandparent," "government impersonation," or "tech support" scams that manipulated them into withdrawing cash or gold bars for a third-party courier to collect. The FBI reports this is part of a national trend affecting 1,737 victims with approximately $186.2 million in losses and urges the public to educate elderly relatives

Massachusetts resident Donald Peltier operated fraudulent political websites impersonating the Democratic and Republican National Committees to solicit donations from the public. A Michigan court ordered Peltier to shut down the fake sites and cease obtaining money through false pretenses, with daily fines of $300 for non-compliance. Attorney General Nessel advises voters to verify political websites through official sources and the Federal Election Commission before donating, particularly warning that seniors are frequent targets of such scams.

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 36-year-old Canadian man, Jia Hua Liu, was arrested in July at a Louisville airport after defrauding seniors across multiple U.S. states of approximately $309,000 through in-person and attempted scams. Liu targeted vulnerable seniors by convincing them to withdraw cash, with one Charlestown, Massachusetts resident losing $27,000; family members prevented an additional $70,000 in losses by intervening in other attempts. The article notes that seniors are particularly vulnerable to fraud due to factors including significant savings, lower familiarity with digital scams, cognitive decline, and social isolation, with 2024 Canadian fraud losses alone exceeding $638

An 89-year-old Hingham, Massachusetts woman lost $19,000 in a phishing and impersonation scam after receiving a fraudulent email posing as her bank. The scammer instructed her to withdraw cash from multiple branches while staying on the phone, claiming her account was compromised, and later sent someone to her home to collect the money under the pretense of depositing it into a secure account. The Hingham Police Department is investigating and urging anyone with information to contact Detective Heather Hermida.

A former U.S. Postal Inspector in Massachusetts was indicted on 45 federal charges for stealing over $330,000 from mail sent by elderly scam victims between 2019 and 2023, with victims averaging 75 years old and losing amounts between $1,400 and $19,100. Scott Kelley, who headed the Mail Fraud Team investigating scams targeting seniors, allegedly intercepted approximately 1,950 suspicious parcels and pocketed cash from them, then laundered the funds through money orders and personal accounts while spending on luxury items including a pool deck, Caribbean cruises, and other goods and services. He also allegedly stole $7,000

Social Security scams surged 46% in 2024, resulting in $4.885 billion in losses and disproportionately affecting retirees who were pressured through fake government alerts to transfer funds or deposit cash into ATMs or cryptocurrency accounts. The FBI and FTC reported that fraud losses for those aged 60+ skyrocketed from $122 million in 2020 to $700 million in 2024, with significant regional impacts such as $99.8 million in losses in Massachusetts alone. To protect themselves, retirees are advised to adopt strategic diversification, use Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, implement fraud detection technology, maintain social networks, and work with

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts arrested 13 individuals involved in a transnational elder fraud scheme that targeted over 400 victims and resulted in more than $5 million in losses. Emergency scams—also called grandparent scams—use fake urgent situations (arrests, accidents, medical emergencies) to pressure victims into sending money via payment apps, often impersonating family members and using personal details found on social media or even voice cloning technology to appear credible. To avoid these scams, victims should resist acting immediately, verify stories by calling family members directly, avoid sending money through payment apps or gift cards without confirmation, and contact police if someone arrives to collect cash.

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles is warning residents about text message scams claiming they owe money for traffic violations and threatening license suspension if payment isn't made immediately. The RMV never contacts people via text about payment and only accepts payments in person or through its official website at mass.gov/RMV. Anyone receiving such texts should delete them immediately, avoid clicking any links, never share personal information, and report the scam to warn others.

Thirteen suspects were arrested in connection with a sophisticated international grandparent scam ring that stole over $5 million from more than 400 seniors, with call centers in the Dominican Republic and money-collection runners across the United States including Massachusetts. The scam involved criminals posing as grandchildren in distress and pressuring elderly victims to withdraw cash from banks, with one victim's family losing $18,000 in the scheme. Authorities recommend families establish a code word that grandchildren must provide when calling, as a protective measure against this type of fraud.

Federal law enforcement dismantled a coordinated grandparent scam ring operating from a call center in the Dominican Republic, charging 13 alleged scammers who stole millions of dollars from hundreds of elderly victims across the country. The operation used runners in the United States, including Massachusetts, to pick up cash from victims' homes and used ride-share services to transport the money, with the investigation initiated after alert Uber drivers reported suspicious activity. The scammers posed as grandchildren in emergencies to manipulate victims into sending money.

Thirteen members of a transnational elder fraud ring operating from a call center in the Dominican Republic were charged, with nine arrested and four still at large. The sophisticated operation targeted more than 400 victims, including at least 50 in Massachusetts, using the "grandchild in trouble" scam and even arranging Uber rides to banks to collect cash from seniors. Many victims lost their life savings and suffered lasting emotional trauma, with full financial recovery unlikely as authorities work to seize assets.

Massachusetts consumer protection officials warn residents to stay alert against increasingly common scams, noting that older Americans lost nearly $5 billion to fraud in the past year. Key red flags include social media scams that create urgency, unsolicited phone calls, tech support scams, romance scams, and cryptocurrency schemes, with protective measures including ignoring unknown callers, using two-factor authentication, and regularly changing passwords.

A Charlotte-area wedding photographer named Courtney Smith allegedly scammed dozens of couples across multiple states (Massachusetts to the Carolinas) by accepting deposits for wedding photography services, then disappearing without delivering photos or refunds. Affected couples lost their deposits and were left without photographers for their weddings, prompting victims to speak out publicly to prevent further fraud.

Hundreds of Massachusetts residents received fraudulent text messages impersonating E-ZPass (Easy Drive MA), requesting payment for tolls, in what authorities are investigating as a "smishing" scam with FBI involvement. One victim clicked the malicious link and was directed to a fake payment page; the scam messages originated from a Philippines phone number and contained spelling errors that revealed their fraudulent nature. Cybersecurity experts advise users not to click links in unsolicited text messages and to verify directly with official sources before providing payment information.

Jasiel Correia, the former mayor of Fall River, Massachusetts, was denied early release from his federal prison sentence following a 2021 conviction for public corruption and fraud. The 32-year-old, who is currently serving a six-year sentence at a Kentucky facility, failed to demonstrate sufficient grounds for sentence reduction to the presiding judge. Correia is scheduled for release in July 2026.

Massachusetts residents lost $2.2 million to real estate scams last year, including rental fraud where scammers use sophisticated tactics to impersonate licensed agents. One victim, Caroline Newman, lost $500 when she submitted a security deposit to a fraudster posing as a realtor after seeing a listing posted on multiple platforms; she later learned the actual agent had no involvement in the transaction.

A Massachusetts couple, Russell and Linda Callahan, defrauded multiple landlords across Western County by posing as trustworthy tenants with forged documentation including fake credit reports, background checks, and pay stubs. After securing leases and keys, their security deposit checks bounced due to closed bank accounts, and they subsequently refused to pay rent while remaining in the properties for extended periods. The scheme exploited landlords' trust in professional paperwork and the couple's credible appearance.

A Townsend, Massachusetts woman was defrauded by romance scammers posing as actor Christoph Waltz, who convinced her to send money. On the same day she reported the fraud to police, her husband Paul became unresponsive and was rushed to the hospital; she was subsequently investigated as a suspect in his alleged attempted murder. The case highlights how romance scammers use sophisticated scripts to build trust with vulnerable targets before exploiting them financially.

An FBI Art Crime Team investigation recovered 22 Okinawan artifacts—including scrolls, pottery, a 19th-century hand-drawn map, and metalwork—that had been looted during World War II and were discovered in Massachusetts among a deceased man's personal effects. The artifacts were matched to items in the FBI's National Stolen Art File using a detailed collection letter found with them and photographic comparison with known looted pieces. The FBI coordinated with the Department of Defense to repatriate the culturally significant items back to Okinawa, where they represent an important part of the region's historical and cultural heritage.