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bbc.com
· 2026-09-20
Five men, all 19 years old, were arrested in London after elderly residents in Wolverhampton were defrauded through a courier fraud scam in which fraudsters impersonated police officers. Two victims in their 80s were convinced to hand over a combined £10,000 in cash to individuals posing as officers. The suspects remain in custody on suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud.
ktla.com
· 2026-09-20
An 82-year-old woman in Pomona was defrauded of $2,500 in a lottery ticket scam on September 10, 2026, when two suspects convinced her that an undocumented immigrant had a winning $10,000 ticket and needed her help cashing it. The scheme involved multiple perpetrators, including a fake lottery official on the phone claiming a $2,500 processing fee was required, and the suspects drove the victim to her bank to withdraw cash before abandoning her. Authorities are seeking a man and woman who fled in a white 2014-2016 Ford Escape and urge anyone with information to contact the Pomona Police Department.
creators.yahoo.com
· 2026-09-20
A caller impersonating an Adams County Sheriff's sergeant attempted to scam the author by claiming there was a "legal matter" requiring attention, but the scam was foiled when the caller incorrectly referred to the agency as "Adams County Sheriff's Department" instead of the correct "Adams County Sheriff's Office." The scammer, identifying himself as "Sgt. Don Davis," was part of a broader scheme where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement to extract money from victims by claiming they missed jury duty, have legal violations, or face arrest unless they pay fines immediately.
ground.news
· 2026-09-20
Two members of a telephone scam ring were arrested in Karpenisi after attempting to defraud a police officer through an extortion scheme involving fake calls claiming to be an accountant. The scammer posed as a financial official and demanded money and jewelry under the pretense of securing electronic devices. Police discovered stolen goods in the suspects' vehicle during the subsequent arrest operation.
sciotocountydailynews.com
· 2026-09-19
A woman lost nearly $1,000 from three accounts after calling a number in a fake Geek Squad refund email, where scammers impersonated company representatives and convinced her to send money before admitting the fraud. In a separate case, another woman reported suspicious gift-card charges totaling over $78 connected to a man she was communicating with through a dating app, highlighting two common scam tactics: fake refund schemes and online romance fraud. The FTC warns consumers to verify company contact information independently rather than using numbers from unsolicited emails or texts, and to never send money to people met only online.
abc45.com
· 2026-09-19
The Burlington Police Department is warning residents about multiple scam types including fake customer service, jury duty impersonation, malware pop-ups, sweepstakes, romance, and NFC/ghost tapping scams. Police advise residents to verify requests directly with official sources, never provide remote access or banking information to unsolicited callers, and report suspicious activity to avoid becoming victims of these evolving fraud schemes.
en.sedaily.com
· 2026-09-19
A woman in her 30s lost 35 million won ($25,000) to a romance scammer who impersonated South Korean actor Lee Dong-wook over eight months, claiming to be in a romantic relationship with her and repeatedly requesting money for customs clearance fees for a supposed gift package. The scammer built trust by sending selfies, offering career advice, and expressing affection, while the victim wired money to multiple accounts with different account holder names. Romance scams in South Korea have surged 73% in reports and more than doubled in losses, reaching 136 billion won ($97 million) in 2024, according to police data.
wesh.com
· 2026-09-19
A Seminole County gas station owner and his employees have prevented over $100,000 in losses by intervening in Bitcoin ATM scams targeting Central Florida residents. Scammers use threats of arrest, deportation, or legal consequences to pressure victims into depositing money into Bitcoin machines with false promises that transactions can be reversed. Authorities warn that legitimate organizations never request payment via Bitcoin, and victims should contact police if they suspect fraud.
hometownnewstc.com
· 2026-09-19
Barbara Ann Baumgarten, 60, was arrested and charged with grand theft, exploitation, and neglect of an 84-year-old Port St. Lucie resident she cared for, after an investigation revealed she isolated the victim from family, gained control of his finances and legal affairs, and depleted his assets from approximately $106,000 to $4,900 between March 2023 and April 2024. She also obtained a $616,550 mortgage on her home with the victim listed as co-borrower without his knowledge. The victim was removed from her care, placed under temporary guardianship, and reunited with family.
hoodline.com
· 2026-09-19
A 40-year-old Chinese national from Queens, Hong Zhang, was arrested in Lakeville, Minnesota and jailed on $500,000 bail after allegedly collecting $670,000 in stolen cashier's checks from an elderly St. Paul man in a romance or financial fraud scheme. Investigators found over $2 million in uncashed checks, fraudulent identification documents, and multiple cellphones in Zhang's possession and connected residences, suggesting a larger operation involving multiple victims. Zhang was charged with felony theft by swindle and admitted to knowingly collecting cashier's checks not addressed to him while claiming he was picking up misdelivered packages.
cyberguy.com
· 2026-09-19
Criminals purchased Google and Bing sponsored search ads mimicking legitimate banks to redirect customers to fake login pages, stealing credentials to access real accounts and initiate unauthorized transfers; a Russian web developer was extradited for his role in the operation, which resulted in approximately $14.6 million in actual losses across at least 19 identified U.S. victims by December 2025. The FBI warns this "SEO poisoning" tactic is effective because fraudulent ads appear high in search results alongside legitimate ones, and recommends using bookmarks instead of clicking search results to access banking sites.
dexerto.com
· 2026-09-19
A 64-year-old Pennsylvania man lost $42,700 in March 2026 to a scammer impersonating WWE star Rhea Ripley, with few details available about how contact was made or the victim's persuasion. This incident is part of a broader pattern of celebrity impersonation scams targeting older adults, including a 2024 case where a 74-year-old lost nearly $1 million to someone posing as WWE star Alexa Bliss. No arrests have been made, and the victim has refused to cooperate with police investigating the fraud.
thenewsenterprise.com
· 2026-09-18
The House of Representatives passed H.R. 2978, the GUARD Act, with a 414-7 vote to provide additional federal funding to state and local law enforcement agencies for protecting seniors from fraud schemes. Co-sponsored by Representatives Brett Guthrie of Kentucky and Zach Nunn of Iowa, the bill still requires Senate passage and presidential signature to become law.
cbsnews.com
· 2026-09-18
Priscilla Johnson, 33, pleaded guilty to defrauding a 90-year-old Colorado man out of $40,000 through a romance scam that began with grocery store encounters and involved false stories about a deceased fiancé and cancer treatment. Johnson is accused of running the same scam on multiple victims totaling nearly $500,000, including one man who was allegedly defrauded of $450,000 through a fake gold company investment scheme.
quiverquant.com
· 2026-09-18
The House passed H.R. 2978, the "GUARD Act," with bipartisan support (414-7) to expand federal grant funding for state and local law enforcement to combat elder fraud and financial scams targeting seniors. The bill includes reporting requirements for agencies using the funds, as it addresses an estimated $16 billion in fraud losses in 2025 alone. Support for the legislation comes from organizations including AARP, the National Police Association, and the National Sheriffs' Association.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-09-18
Senior Americans lost $7.7 billion to fraud in 2025, a 59% increase from the previous year, prompting Aura to launch Trusted Family Access, a consent-based monitoring tool that allows caregivers to track identity theft, financial fraud, and compromised personal information while preserving the older adult's privacy and control. Research shows 65% of aging adults experienced a scam or fraud attempt in the past year, with nearly half losing money or personal information, while 70% of middle-aged caregivers view protecting their elderly loved ones online as part of their caregiving responsibility. The new feature addresses AI-driven scams that are increasingly sophisticated, with 81% of caregivers
thesun.ng
· 2026-09-18
Access Bank Plc launched a "Spot The Scam" financial crimes awareness campaign targeting teenagers aged 12-16 in Nigeria, prompted by rising cases of young people becoming victims or perpetrators of fraud including romance scams, hacking, and money laundering. The initiative, running until December 2026, combines financial crime education with a debate competition for secondary schools in Lagos State, teaching youth to recognize manipulation, question suspicious requests, and seek help when encountering fraudulent activities. The campaign addresses common fraud methods targeting young people such as fake giveaways, celebrity impersonation, fake job offers, and investment scams.
independent.ng
· 2026-09-18
Access Bank launched the "Spot The Scam" nationwide awareness campaign targeting Nigerian teenagers and students aged 12-19 to combat growing exposure to digital fraud schemes including romance scams, hacking, and money laundering. The initiative, running until December 2026, was prompted by the EFCC's arrest of 792 young people in Lagos in December 2024 who were allegedly operating fraud schemes targeting victims outside Nigeria. The campaign aims to equip young people with practical knowledge to identify and protect themselves from financial crimes while building safer digital habits.
fox13news.com
· 2026-09-18
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier proposed legislation to strengthen penalties for phone and text scams, including those using artificial intelligence, fake warrants, and impersonation, classifying high-volume or high-loss cases as elevated felonies with mandatory prison time. The proposal aims to address gaps in current Florida law that often treats such crimes as misdemeanors with minimal punishment, while also targeting phone farms and SIM farms used in large-scale scam operations. The Attorney General's Office has recovered nearly $10 million for scam victims this year and is seeking broader authority to investigate and pursue civil penalties against scammers and businesses trafficking in illegally obtained records.
rolandgarros.com
· 2026-09-18
Fraudsters are creating fake websites offering Roland-Garros 2027 tickets, hospitality packages, and travel services before official ticket sales have opened, potentially leaving buyers with invalid tickets, non-delivery, inflated prices, or no recourse for refunds. The tournament warns that individual tickets for 2027 are not yet available and directs customers to purchase only through official channels: tickets.rolandgarros.com, hospitality.rolandgarros.com, and travel.rolandgarros.com. Scammers frequently change website URLs and designs to mimic official sites, so consumers should verify exact web addresses rather than relying on appearance alone.
dallasobserver.com
· 2026-09-18
A Texas family of four was indicted for operating unlicensed boarding homes where they exploited elderly and disabled residents, including orchestrating the fraudulent sale of a 79-year-old woman's home and stealing over $156,000 that they misrepresented as a family gift to purchase their own property. The defendants face up to 30 years in federal prison on charges of conspiracy and making false statements to financial institutions. The case reflects a broader surge in elder fraud, with adults over 60 reporting 201,266 fraud complaints totaling $7.7 billion in losses last year, and AI-powered scams accounting for $900 million in reported losses.
news3lv.com
· 2026-09-18
Las Vegas Metro police are clarifying that reckless driving warning letters mailed to residents are legitimate notices that do not result in citations or points on driving records, while simultaneously warning of jury duty scams where fraudsters claim victims have warrants and pressure them to withdraw money immediately. Police advise residents to verify information independently by looking up official agency contact numbers rather than using numbers provided by callers, and to hang up if pressured for money.
nbcconnecticut.com
· 2026-09-18
A months-long investigation by Thomaston Police, with assistance from federal agencies, uncovered an elaborate fraud scheme involving a 31-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man charged with multiple counts of identity theft, forgery, larceny, and fraudulent use of payment cards. The investigation began after reports from Thomaston Savings Bank's Fraud Department and resulted in the arrests of both suspects, who face charges related to forgeries, identity thefts, impersonations, and unauthorized ATM use. The woman was released on a $100,000 surety bond and is scheduled to appear in court.
attorneygeneral.gov
· 2026-09-18
Fourteen individuals, led by 27-year-old Savannah Sperduto of Philadelphia, were charged in a stolen check fraud scheme that netted approximately $170,000 in actual proceeds while attempting thefts exceeding $1 million across Pennsylvania. The conspiracy involved obtaining checks from individuals, school districts, and businesses, then forging and altering them before depositing or cashing them at multiple banks. The defendants face charges including corrupt organizations, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, forgery, theft, and identity theft.
kcra.com
· 2026-09-18
A national investigation found only 513 proven voter fraud cases since 2016 out of more than 685 million votes cast, representing less than 0.00008% of ballots and contradicting claims of widespread fraud. The cases were scattered across multiple states with no evidence of coordinated effort or systemic fraud schemes. Election experts note this rate is rarer than being struck by lightning and reflects the strength of U.S. voting systems compared to fraud observed in other countries.
dailymail.com
· 2026-09-18
Priscilla Johnson, 33, pleaded guilty to defrauding a 90-year-old man out of $40,000 after meeting him at a Colorado grocery store, claiming financial hardship and health emergencies to gain his trust and affection. Investigators have since launched additional charges against Johnson, alleging she systematically targeted multiple elderly men at the same store with similar sob stories, defrauding them of nearly half a million dollars combined. Johnson employed various tactics including claims about a deceased fiancé, stolen work equipment, cancer diagnosis requiring a kidney transplant, and false investment opportunities to manipulate her victims into giving her cash.
flvoicenews.com
· 2026-09-18
The House passed four bipartisan bills targeting senior fraud, including the GUARD Act (H.R. 2978) allowing state and local police to use federal grants to investigate elder financial fraud and "pig butchering" schemes involving cryptocurrency, which passed 414-7. Two additional bills would make permanent a Justice Department fraud division created under President Trump and require states to share records from federally funded programs like Medicaid with federal investigators to combat an estimated $245.7 billion in fraud since January 2025. All four bills now await Senate action.
goldrushcam.com
· 2026-09-18
Juliet Mora, a former Hayward resident, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy related to a $36 million transnational fraud scheme targeting over 400 elderly American victims. The scheme involved fraudsters impersonating attorneys offering restitution to timeshare owners and fraud victims, collecting fees through fake agreements, and laundering money through shell companies and U.S. bank accounts. Mora, who operated from Nicaragua as an organizer directing co-conspirators, received and laundered approximately $1.57 million in victim funds before her arrest in December 2025.
newsmobile.in
· 2026-09-18
A Friendswood, Texas woman lost approximately $185,000 in gold bars after scammers impersonating federal agents claimed her Social Security information was compromised and instructed her to convert assets into gold for protection. The alleged courier, Rajdeep Singh from California, was arrested on September 16 and charged with theft, with investigators suspecting he targeted multiple victims in the Houston area. Authorities warn that legitimate law enforcement and financial institutions never request purchases of gold, cryptocurrency, or gift cards to protect assets or prevent arrest.
valdostatoday.com
· 2026-09-18
Ogechi Urenna Udunka of Decatur, Georgia was sentenced to 10 years in prison for her role in laundering $158,000 stolen through a Business Email Compromise (BEC) scam targeting an agricultural company. The scam occurred when criminals sent fraudulent emails impersonating an Oregon seed company, tricking the victim into wiring funds that Udunka then received and disbursed to conceal their origin. Udunka was ordered to pay full restitution and perform 200 hours of community service.
yahoo.com
· 2026-09-18
In 2025, seniors lost over $160 million to scams, prompting the FBI Cleveland office to establish a dedicated team focused on recovering stolen funds from elder fraud victims. The scam targeting elderly individuals represents a significant financial threat to this vulnerable population.
ground.news
· 2026-09-18
The FBI received nearly 61,000 complaints of law enforcement and government impersonation scams between January 2025 and July 2026, resulting in losses exceeding $1.6 billion. Scammers use unsolicited phone calls, threats of arrest, fake uniforms, mock government offices, and video calls to convince victims to surrender money or personal information. The con artists impersonate police officers, judges, and other government officials to extort payments from their targets.
hoodline.com
· 2026-09-17
Samuel Turner, a 42-year-old from Science Hill, Kentucky, was convicted by federal jury on four wire-fraud counts for illegally accessing an elderly relative's bank accounts and credit cards, including cashing out a certificate of deposit valued at more than $35,000. The conviction followed three hours of jury deliberation, with sentencing to be determined at a later court appearance. This case highlights the ongoing problem of financial exploitation of seniors, as people over 60 reported more than $3.4 billion in losses to internet crimes in 2023 alone.
thecyberexpress.com
· 2026-09-17
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan GUARD Act on September 15, 2026, legislation designed to combat elder financial fraud and cryptocurrency investment scams by providing state, local, and Tribal law enforcement with additional resources, training, and blockchain tracing tools. The bill addresses the growing problem of "pig butchering" crypto scams and other financial crimes, with FBI data showing $20.9 billion in total internet crime losses in 2025, including $11.37 billion in cryptocurrency-related losses. The legislation now advances to the Senate and has garnered support from organizations including AARP, the Iowa State Police Association, and various financial and consumer protection groups.
cyberguy.com
· 2026-09-17
A 75-year-old South Carolina man with Parkinson's disease and a brain injury had his home transferred to his caregiver via quitclaim deed for $5, along with significant unauthorized bank transfers, after the caregiver obtained power of attorney and allegedly isolated him from family. This case of alleged elder financial exploitation highlights the risks of undue influence and coercion targeting vulnerable seniors, where a caregiver exploited the victim's cognitive decline. The FBI warns that such quitclaim deed fraud can involve forged documents or manipulation by close associates, and recommends families monitor property records and enroll in free county title alerts to detect suspicious ownership changes early.
yahoo.com
· 2026-09-17
Ohio seniors lost over $160 million to fraud in 2025, with an average loss of $20,000 per victim, according to FBI data. Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence, including voice imitation technology, alongside traditional methods like investment schemes, phishing emails, and impersonation of government agencies and tech companies. Many of these transnational scams originate in Southeast Asia, India, and Africa, with cryptocurrency schemes being particularly prevalent.
yahoo.com
· 2026-09-17
Five alleged leaders of the Black Axe organization were extradited from South Africa to the United States in September 2024 to face charges related to years of online romance scams, advance fee schemes, and money laundering spanning 2011-2021. The conspirators used fake identities on dating websites and social media to target U.S. victims with fabricated stories—such as romantic partners stranded in South Africa needing money—and pressured victims to send cash, electronics, and personal information, with some victims coerced through threats to distribute sensitive photographs. The scheme involved laundering proceeds through U.S. bank accounts controlled by victims and shell companies before transferring funds to South Africa.
macaudailytimes.com.mo
· 2026-09-17
This article examines Macau's safety paradox, noting conflicting safety rankings—Kakapo's study placed it 89th globally while Numbeo ranked it 5th—despite government statistics showing declining overall crime rates and very low violent crime. However, financial crimes remain a significant concern, with fraud cases totaling 1,006 in the first half of 2026 (down 10.8% but still substantial), including investment scams, official impersonation, and romance scams causing "high financial losses," alongside a troubling 12.2% rise in gambling-related cases. The article cautions that low violent crime rates should not mask the real financial harm documented in Macau
gazettengr.com
· 2026-09-17
The FBI secured the extradition of 235 fraudsters from Nigeria and other countries, representing a 60 percent increase in fugitive returns, according to FBI Director Kash Patel. Notable cases include Samuel Ugberease, extradited in May 2024 for romance scams and wire fraud, and two Nigerian "Yahoo Boys" extradited in August 2024 for child exploitation and sextortion. The FBI's intensified international collaboration, including over 100 calls to foreign partners, has significantly increased the prosecution of internet fraudsters in the United States.
nationthailand.com
· 2026-09-17
Two US House committee chairmen requested the Trump administration investigate 28 people and entities, including Thai financier Vorapak Tanyawong, for possible sanctions over alleged links to Southeast Asian scam operations. The lawmakers attribute growing American financial losses to Chinese criminal organizations operating industrial-scale scam compounds in Southeast Asia that exploit approximately 400,000 trafficking victims forced to commit cryptocurrency fraud, romance scams, and other schemes. They estimate cyber-scam profits in the Mekong subregion equaled nearly 40% of combined formal GDP in 2024, with scam operations allegedly protected by corrupt officials in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos.
news.tuoitre.vn
· 2026-09-17
A transnational fraud ring operating from Laos defrauded thousands of Vietnamese victims of approximately $57.7 million through a scheme involving fake Facebook accounts and bogus e-commerce websites promising commission payments. Police arrested 91 suspects (64 Vietnamese nationals and 27 foreigners) on September 12 following a coordinated raid by Vietnamese and Laotian authorities in Bokeo Province. The operation, which ran from early 2025 until its shutdown, lured victims by building trust on social media before redirecting them to fraudulent shopping task websites to steal their money.
wect.com
· 2026-09-17
Scammers in North Carolina are posing as police officers and court personnel to target domestic violence survivors, using public court records to create convincing stories and demanding immediate phone payments for bond, protective orders, and electronic monitoring. These callers exploit vulnerable victims by falsifying urgency and falsely claiming that legal services require fees, when in fact domestic violence protective orders and support services are always free. State officials urge victims to hang up on such calls and contact local law enforcement or the North Carolina Consumer Protection Division.
firstalert4.com
· 2026-09-17
Christopher Gibbon, 55, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for his role in a Jamaican lottery scam that defrauded at least four victims of approximately $96,302 between December 2016 and July 2018. The scheme involved co-conspirators in Jamaica calling victims claiming they won the lottery and needed to send taxes and fees to Gibbon before collecting their prizes, with Gibbon keeping 20% of the money before transferring the rest to Jamaica. Gibbon fled St. Louis in 2018 after learning of the investigation and was arrested in Connecticut in 2025, with sentencing scheduled for December 21.
wral.com
· 2026-09-17
A Durham woman lost nearly $2,000 to scammers impersonating sheriff's deputies who claimed she had missed jury duty and owed bail for three arrest warrants. The fraudsters used personal information about the victim and created urgency through fake legal documents and intimidating language to convince her to wire money. This jury duty scam is among hundreds reported across central North Carolina in 2026, with law enforcement agencies documenting over 100 similar complaints in the Triangle area alone.
bbc.com
· 2026-09-17
Scammers impersonated Kent Police officers in phone calls to multiple victims on Wednesday, attempting to obtain personal information that could be used for financial fraud. The criminals spoofed police phone numbers to appear legitimate while targeting residents. Kent Police advised the public never to provide personal or banking information in response to unsolicited calls and urged victims to report the incidents to the police or Report Fraud.
ic3.gov
· 2026-09-17
Between January 2025 and July 2026, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received nearly 61,000 complaints of law enforcement and government impersonation scams resulting in over $1.6 billion in losses. Scammers contact victims via phone, email, and text using spoofed official numbers and credentials to make urgent threats of legal consequences, demanding payment through prepaid cards, cryptocurrency, bank wires, or cash. Targeted victims include the general public, medical professionals threatened with license revocation, and foreign nationals threatened with extradition, with specialized schemes against these groups resulting in hundreds of millions in additional losses.
abc7.com
· 2026-09-17
Siddharth Jawahar, a Texas-based investment adviser, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for running a Ponzi scheme through his company Swiftarc Capital LLC that defrauded NFL star Travis Kelce and other investors of over $35 million beginning in 2015. Jawahar falsely claimed investors were making profits while consolidating 99% of client funds into a single failing investment, then used the money for personal luxury expenses and to pay earlier investors. He was ordered to pay $31.35 million in restitution to victims.
abc7.com
· 2026-09-17
A New Jersey social media influencer exposed a sophisticated arrest warrant scam in which callers impersonated Bergen County Sheriff's Office personnel and used personal information to convince victims to pay cash bail to avoid arrest. The scammers used fake arrest warrants, involved multiple callers to appear credible, and redirected victims to federal credit unions instead of the sheriff's office when suspicion arose. Law enforcement estimates the operation has stolen approximately $500,000 over four to five years and believe the scheme may be coordinated by an inmate in Georgia with outside accomplices.
wnky.com
· 2026-09-17
The House of Representatives passed H.R. 2978, the GUARD Act, by a vote of 414-7, legislation cosponsored by Congressman Brett Guthrie that provides additional federal funding to law enforcement agencies to combat elder fraud and financial scams targeting seniors. The bill would enable law enforcement to use existing federal grant programs to hire and train officers dedicated to countering fraud schemes such as relationship scams, phishing, and confidence schemes, with requirements for agencies to report on implementation. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost nearly $16 billion in reported fraud schemes in 2025, with estimates suggesting actual losses exceed $190 billion when accounting for unreported schemes.
fox40.com
· 2026-09-17
A family in Placer County was defrauded of $12,000 after purchasing a stolen vehicle from three brothers—Gabi, Ionut, and Marius Tanase—who operated a vehicle scam scheme in May. The scam involved the suspects posing as buyers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, then tampering with vehicles by adding oil to create false mechanical problems during test drives. The brothers pleaded guilty to vehicle fraud and elder fraud charges, and authorities recovered the $12,000 and returned it to the victims along with seizing $33,000 in additional evidence.