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Romance scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with cybersecurity experts warning of a rise in AI-deepfake-assisted schemes, particularly around Valentine's Day; McAfee blocked over 321,000 malicious romance-related URLs between December 2024 and January 2025, and one victim in France lost $850,000 to a scammer using deepfake images of Brad Pitt who posed as the actor over 18 months. Texas ranks third nationally for romance scam losses at over $114 million from 2022-2023, and experts advise being cautious of suspicious online profiles, overly quick declarations of love, requests for money, and fake Valentine's shopping ads with

Scammers in Brown County and surrounding areas are impersonating sheriff's deputies in phone calls, claiming victims have missed court dates or arrest warrants and demanding immediate payment via cryptocurrency machines. The Brown County Sheriff's Office warns that legitimate law enforcement will never call demanding payment for fines or warrants, and victims should report such calls to local authorities. Similar scams have been reported across multiple Texas counties, with perpetrators instructing victims to withdraw bank funds and convert them to Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies.

A Humboldt County family narrowly avoided losing money to an AI voice-cloning scam in which fraudsters used artificial intelligence to impersonate their son Izaak and demand $15,000 in bail for a fabricated car accident and DWI charge. The family verified the scam by contacting an attorney, bail bondsman, and ultimately reaching their son at home; however, a similar scam in Harris County, Texas resulted in a $5,000 loss when a couple believed the AI-cloned voice of their son requesting emergency bail money. The FTC advises using personal security questions or code words known only to family members to verify callers' identities, an

This article is not relevant to elder fraud research. It is a music entertainment piece about R&B podcast recommendations featuring tracks by artists like Camper, Melvin Riley, and Jus Epik. This does not contain information about scams, fraud, elder abuse, or related topics suitable for the Elderus database.

Romance scams are on the rise in Texas, with the state ranking third nationally for losses from this type of fraud, totaling over $114.4 million from 2022 to 2023. According to FTC data, nearly 70,000 people reported romance scams in 2022, losing an average of $4,400 each across $1.3 billion in total losses. The article outlines common red flags—such as avoiding video calls, rushing romantic declarations, and requesting money—and recommends protective measures including reverse image searching, never sending money to unmet contacts, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities.

A scam in Corpus Christi, Texas involves sending unsolicited packages containing items like jewelry or speakers with QR codes that claim to identify the sender; scanning these codes can expose personal and financial information, download malware, or compromise bank accounts. Recipients should avoid scanning unknown QR codes, monitor their accounts for fraud, and report suspected identity theft to local authorities or IdentityTheft.gov.

The Federal Trade Commission warned about a surge in SMS phishing scams (smishing) impersonating toll road agencies like EZDriveMA, North Texas Toll Authority, and Sunpass, with texts containing fake toll charges and links designed to steal banking and credit card information. The scams, orchestrated by Chinese groups using newly available spoofing kits, represent a shift from package delivery fraud schemes and aim to extract personal financial data from victims. The FTC recommends verifying toll charges through official agency contact information, avoiding clicking suspicious links, and reporting fraudulent texts to prevent becoming a victim.

This article is not relevant to the Elderus database. It is a music industry feature about R&B artists from Texas and does not contain information about scams, fraud, elder abuse, or related topics. No summary is needed for this content.

In 2024, Texans lost over $10 million to scams according to the Better Business Bureau's latest report. The article identifies the top five scams affecting Texas residents and provides prevention tips, while encouraging victims to report incidents to the BBB scam tracker.

The Temple Police Department is hosting a free Senior Scam Awareness Session on February 5 to educate community members about common scams targeting seniors, including Microsoft scams, IRS tax scams, Social Security/Medicare scams, and phishing schemes that typically request payment via prepaid cards, Bitcoin, or wire transfers. The session provides practical advice such as never sharing financial information with unverified callers, verifying contacts directly with banks, and checking official government websites for scam alerts. The event is open to all community members and aims to increase awareness of prevalent online and phone fraud tactics in Central Texas.

McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara warned the public about a surge in cryptocurrency scams where scammers contact victims via email or text with threats (such as bail money needed or arrest warrants) to pressure them into depositing money into crypto kiosks. Reported losses from these scams jumped dramatically from $32,033 in 2023 to $3.84 million in the following year, with victims losing entire life savings; one New Braunfels woman lost $111,000, though another victim recovered $15,000 after police obtained a search warrant. Authorities advise victims to contact law enforcement immediately and warn that elderly individuals are frequently targeted by these

**Not applicable for Elderus database** This article is about Daylight Saving Time scheduling and does not relate to elder fraud, scams, abuse, or financial exploitation. It contains no information relevant to the Elderus elder fraud research database.

IRS tax debt scam calls are circulating in Central Texas, with scammers posing as IRS agents and requesting personal information, bank details, and payments via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Temple Police reported 142 scams since 2021 (62 in 2024 alone), and authorities warn residents to never provide personal information to callers, hang up suspicious calls, and contact agencies directly using official website contact information rather than numbers provided by callers. The legitimate IRS does not collect payments over the phone.

Texas law enforcement is warning residents about four active scams targeting the state, with particular focus on impersonation scams where criminals falsely claim to be police officers, sometimes spoofing legitimate police phone numbers, and demand payment for alleged outstanding debts or missed court appearances to avoid arrest. One victim lost $9,500 in Bitcoin to this scam; police advise that legitimate law enforcement never requests payment by phone and recommend hanging up on suspicious callers and contacting your local non-emergency police line to verify.

June Walker, a Detroit woman, paid $15,000 over four years for a rent-to-own lease from a fraudulent "landlord" who had no authority to lease the property; after making her final payment in 2021, she faced eviction by the actual owner, Boccafe LLC. Texas entrepreneur Jerry Gumbert learned of Walker's story and donated $45,000 to help her purchase the home outright in 2022, giving her ownership of the house she had worked to restore. The "fake landlord" scam is prevalent in Detroit, affecting an estimated one in ten residents facing eviction, and involves scammers collecting rent payments on properties they do not

Texas law enforcement, specifically the Lakeway Police Department, is warning residents about a "virtual kidnapping scam" in which callers falsely claim to have kidnapped a parent's child and demand money for the victim's safe return. The scammers use personal details about the family to increase panic and pressure the parent into meeting at retail locations like Walmart or Target to pay a ransom. Police advise anyone receiving such calls to immediately contact law enforcement rather than complying with the scammer's demands.

This article is not relevant to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It is a general informational piece about Daylight Saving Time in 2025 for Texas residents, including the dates when clocks change and historical background on the practice. This content falls outside the scope of the Elderus database.

The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers are exploiting winter weather conditions to defraud consumers by impersonating utility companies and threatening immediate service shutoffs unless payment is made via untraceable methods like gift cards or peer-to-peer payments. Texas law prohibits utility companies from disconnecting service during freezing temperatures, making these threats illegal and fraudulent. The BBB advises customers to verify utility company policies, remain calm when receiving such communications, and report suspected scams to authorities.

Robinson Police warned residents of a "brushing scam" operating in the community, where unsolicited packages of cheap items are sent to people who didn't order them. The scam inflates seller ratings and positive reviews online to boost their credibility for future fraud, and may indicate the recipient's identity information has been compromised; authorities advised victims to report it immediately, monitor credit reports, and use unique passwords changed every 30-60 days, noting such scams increase during the holiday season.

This article outlines common holiday scams targeting consumers during the Christmas season, including gift card fraud (via tampered barcodes), fake package delivery notifications that trick users into clicking malicious links, dangerous "free" Santa tracker apps containing malware, and fraudulent charity websites. The Better Business Bureau and FBI advise consumers to inspect gift cards for tampering, verify package tracking directly through official carrier websites rather than clicking text links, avoid free Santa tracker apps, and research charities before donating. Victims should report suspected scams to the BBB Scam Tracker.

**Source:** AARP Hearing Center – AARP Texas 2025 Legislative Agenda AARP Texas has announced its 2025 legislative priorities, which include preventing elder fraud and exploitation through enhanced consumer protections for solar contracts and cryptocurrency transactions, as well as addressing common scams like identity theft, spoofing, and deed theft. The organization will also advocate for improved emergency preparedness for vulnerable older adults, healthcare access and affordability, and financial security measures including affordable housing and utilities. These initiatives aim to protect older Texans during the 89th regular session of the Texas Legislature.

During the 2023-2024 holiday season, scammers exploited increased online shopping and gift-giving through phishing emails impersonating trusted companies (like Amazon and PayPal), fake social media advertisements using urgency tactics, and fraudulent charities requesting gift card donations. From November 2023 to January 2024, Texas alone reported over 1,400 scams resulting in $1.12 million in losses, while the U.S. reported over 21,000 scams totaling $94 million in losses. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to use only trusted websites, be skeptical of time-limited offers and gift card donation requests, and report

Chinese-backed organized crime networks are operating a nationwide gift card scam where "mules" shoplift cards from retailers, which are then tampered with and reshelved for unsuspecting consumers to purchase; the proceeds fund illegal activities including fentanyl production, human trafficking, and smuggling. Law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations' Project Red Hook, have arrested multiple perpetrators across Texas and beyond, discovering thousands of stolen gift cards worth millions of dollars in single operations.

Saint Jovite Youngblood of Manor, Texas was sentenced to 40 years in prison for wire fraud and money laundering after impersonating a U.S. Army Delta Force officer and falsely warning 32 victims that Mexican drug cartels would harm them unless they paid for protection. Youngblood defrauded his victims of over $12.7 million, which he subsequently gambled away in Las Vegas casinos, and was ordered to pay full restitution to the victims.

Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, a 40-year-old Nigerian national, was arrested in Texas in December 2023 on 14 counts of wire fraud for operating a romance scam that defrauded victims of over $3.3 million. Using fake profiles under variations of the name "Giovanni" on dating websites like Match and Christian Café, Nwadialo posed as a deployed military officer and convinced victims to send money for various false expenses, including military fines, funeral costs, and investment schemes; individual victims lost between $270,000 and $2.4 million.

The FBI warns consumers during Cyber Monday shopping season to be vigilant against common scams targeting older adults, including cryptocurrency investment schemes, tech support fraud, and social media scams featuring unrealistic deals and fake contests. Elder fraud increases during the holiday season when seniors give gifts and donate to charity, though younger people can also fall victim to social media-based schemes. Suspected scams should be reported to banks or local law enforcement.

This article does not involve elder fraud, elder abuse, or scams targeting seniors. It describes a domestic violence incident in Alice, Texas, where a police officer shot a 21-year-old man who was allegedly threatening to stab his girlfriend while she held a baby. This is a law enforcement/public safety matter and falls outside the scope of the Elderus elder fraud research database.

A con man named Matt Thrash defrauded victims across multiple states, including Texas, from 2012 to 2024 using investment scams that posed as a successful businessman offering lucrative opportunities through fake ventures including a sports management company, sports memorabilia store, and cannabis dispensary stock. The FBI has apprehended Thrash and is seeking additional Texas victims who may not yet realize they were defrauded or are too embarrassed to come forward.

Local law enforcement agencies across the Tampa Bay area are warning that elderly fraud has reached epidemic levels, particularly during the holiday season when seniors are vulnerable to scams involving romance, fake investments, and impersonation schemes. The Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit has investigated cases resulting in nearly $3 million in losses this year, including a case where a 56-year-old man scammed a Texas woman of approximately $600,000 by impersonating billionaire Elon Musk via Facebook over several months. Authorities advise seniors to verify identities by calling contacts directly, hang up on suspicious calls, and recommend family members stay involved in elderly relatives' financial and digital activities.

A 56-year-old Florida man, Jeffrey Moynihan Jr., allegedly impersonated tech billionaire Elon Musk on Facebook beginning in 2023 and defrauded a 74-year-old Texas woman of approximately $600,000 by convincing her that investing in Musk's business ventures would yield returns up to $55 million. The victim transferred funds to accounts actually owned by Moynihan and his businesses, and police arrested him on grand theft charges in November 2023, though none of the victim's money has been recovered. The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals to investment scams involving celebrity impersonation on social media.

A Collin College student, Mark Aiseosa Kadiri, was arrested on November 21, 2024, for operating a financial fraud scheme targeting elderly victims across multiple states, including Virginia and Texas. Investigators found approximately $61,000 in fraudulent funds deposited into his bank account and executed a search warrant at his campus residence to gather additional evidence. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to identify additional victims and file further charges.

A 56-year-old Florida man was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook to defraud a 74-year-old Texas woman of approximately $600,000 through a fake investment scheme promising returns of $55 million on a $500,000 investment. The perpetrator, Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr., built trust over months by synchronizing messages with public events and news, and used his painting company as a front to conceal the stolen funds. He was arrested in November by the Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit and faces charges of grand theft and identity theft.

A 56-year-old Florida man was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of approximately $600,000 by posing as the billionaire and promising massive returns on fake investments. Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr. befriended the victim over several months, using real posts from Musk's social media accounts to appear authentic, and directed the money to bank accounts he controlled. The case highlights a broader epidemic of celebrity impersonation scams targeting elderly victims across the United States.

A 56-year-old Florida man, Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr., was arrested and charged with grand theft for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook to scam a 74-year-old Texas woman out of $250,000 (with her husband reporting the actual total may reach $600,000) by convincing her to invest in fake business opportunities. Moynihan established rapport with the victim over several months in 2023 by referencing real Musk social media posts, eventually persuading her that she had legitimately invested with the tech billionaire; police also discovered evidence he used false identities of actors Johnny Depp and Lionel Richie, an

In Florida, a 56-year-old man named Jeffrey Moynihan Jr. was arrested for posing as billionaire Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of approximately $600,000 between 2023 and April 2024. Moynihan befriended the victim, convinced her to "invest" in fake companies with promised returns up to $55 million, and directed her to send funds to accounts linked to his painting businesses. He now faces charges including grand theft, identity theft, wire fraud, and money laundering, with authorities still investigating the full extent of the scheme.

A 56-year-old man in Bradenton, Florida was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of over $600,000 after convincing her to invest in fake business opportunities with promised returns of $55 million. Elder fraud is rising across Florida's Suncoast region through various scams including romance and phishing schemes, with authorities recommending residents pause to verify requests, question urgency, and recognize too-good-to-be-true offers.

A 56-year-old Florida man, Jeffrey Moynihan Jr., was arrested for defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of approximately $250,000–$600,000 through a fake Facebook account impersonating Elon Musk that promised high investment returns. The victim befriended the fake account in 2023 and sent money over several months, which went directly into Moynihan's personal bank accounts and his painting business rather than generating the promised $55 million return. This case highlights a broader pattern in which scammers frequently exploit Musk's identity through various schemes, including deepfake videos promoting fraudulent crypto investments.

A 56-year-old Florida business owner was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of at least $250,000 over several months in 2023. The victim was lured into investing in fake business opportunities and promised a $55 million return, with funds transferred to bank accounts belonging to the suspect and his painting business. The victim's husband reported she may have sent approximately $600,000 total to the scammer.

A 56-year-old Florida man named Jeffrey Moynihan, Jr. was arrested for grand theft after scamming a 74-year-old Texas woman out of approximately $250,000 to $600,000 using a fake Facebook account impersonating Elon Musk. The victim befriended the fraudulent account in 2023 and was promised a $55 million investment return, but the funds were deposited into Moynihan's personal accounts and his painting business instead. This incident reflects a broader pattern of identity theft schemes exploiting Musk's name, including deepfake cryptocurrency scams that have defrauded victims worldwide of substantial sums.

A 56-year-old Bradenton, Florida man was arrested for defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of at least $250,000 (possibly up to $600,000) by posing as Elon Musk on Facebook and promising a $55 million return on fake business investments. The article also highlights a related case where a 26-year-old Minnesota man was arrested for stealing over $100,000 from a 77-year-old widower through an online romance scam, reflecting a broader trend in which scammers stole at least $3.4 billion from Americans aged 60 and older in 2023.

A 56-year-old Florida man was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk online and defrauding a 74-year-old North Texas woman of approximately $600,000 over several months in 2023. Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr. promised the victim a $55 million return on her investment in fake Musk businesses and transferred at least $250,000 to accounts he controlled. The Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit made the arrest, noting that this case is part of a broader pattern of elder fraud involving nearly $3 million in losses to victims over 60 this year.

A 56-year-old Florida man was arrested for posing as Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of $600,000 after months of messages in which he promised her $55 million in investment returns. The scammer exploited the victim's financial fears to convince her to send money, and the arrest is part of a broader pattern of elder fraud cases totaling nearly $3 million in losses investigated by Bradenton police this year alone.

A 56-year-old Florida man was arrested for grand theft after impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of $600,000 over several months. The scammer gained her trust through social media friendship and convinced her to invest money in fake business opportunities, promising returns of $55 million. The Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit has investigated nearly $3 million in fraud losses so far that year.

A 56-year-old Florida man was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and scamming a 74-year-old Texas woman out of at least $250,000 over several months in 2023, though her husband reports she may have transferred approximately $600,000 total to the fake account. The perpetrator used the false identity to convince the victim to invest in his businesses with promises of a $55 million return and funneled the money through bank accounts associated with his painting and pressure washing company. This case is part of a broader fraud trend in the region, with fraud cases targeting victims over 60 resulting in nearly $3 million in losses

A 56-year-old Florida man, Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr., was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook to defraud a 74-year-old Texas woman out of approximately $250,000 to $600,000 through a fake investment scheme promising to turn $500,000 into $55 million. The victim was convinced by the perpetrator's use of Musk's real profile photos and references to his public activities over several months of conversation in 2023, though her husband eventually reported the fraud after their bank flagged the suspicious withdrawals. Investigators believe additional suspects are involved and note this type of celebrity impersonation scam

A 56-year-old Bradenton man was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of at least $250,000 in an investment scam; the victim's husband reported approximately $600,000 total may have been lost. Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan, Jr. used Musk's real profile photos and news about his activities to build trust over months before proposing an investment opportunity that would turn $500,000 into $55 million. Evidence suggests other people were involved in the scheme and Moynihan may have also impersonated Johnny Depp and Lionel Richie, with

A 56-year-old Florida man was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk online and defrauding a 74-year-old North Texas woman of approximately $600,000 between 2023 and mid-2024. Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr. befriended the victim under the guise of Musk, encouraging her to invest in his businesses with promises of a $55 million return, with financial records confirming at least $250,000 in confirmed transfers to accounts he controlled. The case was investigated by both Frisco police and the Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit, which reported handling nearly $3 million in fraud losses involving victims

A 56-year-old Florida man was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of $600,000 by convincing her to invest in his purported businesses with promised returns of $55 million. The scam developed over several months of online messaging that exploited the victim's financial fears. This case is part of a broader pattern, with Bradenton Police's Elder Fraud Unit investigating nearly $3 million in elder fraud losses in 2024 alone.

A 56-year-old Bradenton, Florida man was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of at least $250,000 (with the victim's husband reporting losses up to $600,000) between 2023 and 2024. Jeffrey Moynihan, Jr. befriended the victim online and convinced her to invest in fake business opportunities promising a $55 million return, transferring the funds to accounts associated with his painting and pressure washing business. Bradenton police's elder fraud unit reports nearly $3 million in fraud losses among victims over 60 in 2024

A 56-year-old Florida business owner was arrested for defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of $250,000 by impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and convincing her to invest in his businesses with promises of a $55 million return. The victim may have actually lost as much as $600,000, and investigators suspect additional victims exist. The case is part of a broader pattern, with Florida's Elder Fraud Unit handling nearly $3 million in losses from seniors in 2024 alone.