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aol.com
· 2026-02-27
Romance scams targeting seniors generate over $1B in annual losses according to the FTC.
Retirees are primary targets due to available funds and lower technological proficiency.
The analyst who call...
trmlabs.com
· 2026-02-26
Romance and “investment” scams are not random. They are engineered — built on trust, pressure, and highly scripted manipulation. And while crypto is often the payment rail, the underlying crime is fam...
aldianews.com
· 2026-02-26
Americans lose savings, retirement funds, and financial stability in schemes that exploit trust built online.
Romance scams are no longer a fringe crime tied to fake social media profiles. Today, the...
washingtonexec.com
· 2026-02-26
The message popped up on Tiziana Barrow’s phone like any other dating app intro. The photos showed a handsome blond with glasses — a Washington, D.C.-based architect from Sweden finishing a project ov...
mexc.com
· 2026-02-26
U.S. authorities have seized more than $61 million worth of cryptocurrency tied to an investment fraud scheme known as the pig-butchering scam. Federal agents worked with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to...
cryptorank.io
· 2026-02-26
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US federal agents from North Carolina have captured over $61 million worth of USDt associated with a large-scale “pig butchering” crypto investment scam that hunted victims via fake online rel...
en.cryptonomist.ch
· 2026-02-26
U.S. authorities in North Carolina have executed a major tether seizure targeting funds linked to crypto investment scams built on fake relationships.
Summary
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the East...
straitstimes.com
· 2026-02-26
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The amount lost to scammers also dipped from the record high of $1.1 billion in 2024 to $913.1 million in 2025, the police said on Feb 25.
S...
channelnewsasia.com
· 2026-02-26
Singapore
Government officials impersonation scam cases jumped 123.6 per cent last year, however.
There were 37,308 scam cases in 2025, a 27.6 per cent drop from the 51,501 cases recorded in 2024. (...
asiaone.com
· 2026-02-26
In 2022, Nurul Shifa found a focus group discussion on Telegram that promised rewards for simply sharing her thoughts.
However, she soon found herself embroiled in an investment scam that saw her nea...
usatoday.com
· 2026-02-25
# Romance Scams Summary
Romance scams are surging, with victims losing thousands to thousands of dollars to scammers who pose as love interests or impersonate celebrities on dating apps and social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Telegram. Victims—ranging from individuals to vulnerable populations like the elderly and those dealing with mental health issues—are being manipulated into sending money via gift cards, wire transfers, and cash, with some losing entire retirement savings or monthly mortgage payments. To stay safe, be cautious of online romantic connections who quickly ask for money, verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a celebrity, and never send gift cards or wire money to someone you haven't met in person.
phemex.com
· 2026-02-25
U.S. authorities seized $61 million in cryptocurrency from a "pig butchering" romance scam, where fraudsters pose as romantic partners to trick victims into investing in fake cryptocurrency platforms with fabricated profits. Victims of these scams are typically prevented from withdrawing their money or pressured to pay additional "taxes." The seizure demonstrates law enforcement's growing ability to track and recover stolen cryptocurrency, and people should be wary of unsolicited investment offers from online romantic contacts.
panewslab.com
· 2026-02-25
Federal law enforcement seized over $61 million in cryptocurrency linked to "pig butchering" scams, where criminals pose as romantic partners to convince victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency trading platforms and then refuse withdrawal requests. Victims across the country lost money when scammers claimed taxes were owed and quickly moved the funds through multiple wallets to launder the money. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited romantic connections who encourage cryptocurrency investments, verify trading platforms independently, and never send money to accounts you cannot verify.
therecord.media
· 2026-02-25
Criminal networks operating in Southeast Asian compounds are running sophisticated "pig-butchering" cryptocurrency scams that target victims worldwide, stealing billions of dollars annually through fake investment schemes and complex money laundering operations. The U.S. FBI and international law enforcement agencies are intensifying efforts to disrupt these operations, with recent major actions including the execution of Myanmar crime leaders by China, the indictment and extradition of a Cambodian businessman who ran a massive scamming empire, and raids across Cambodia that have freed trafficked workers. To protect yourself, be extremely skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities—especially cryptocurrency schemes—verify the legitimacy of investment platforms independently, and never send money to people you've only met online.
yahoo.com
· 2026-02-25
U.S. authorities in North Carolina seized $61 million in cryptocurrency (Tether/USDT) connected to "pig butchering" scams, a fraud scheme where criminals build fake romantic relationships with victims online and direct them to fraudulent investment platforms that show fake returns before demanding "taxes" or "fees" to withdraw funds. These scams have cost victims billions globally, with criminals repeatedly extracting money through a cycle of fake promises and hidden charges. To protect yourself, be suspicious of online romantic connections that quickly push cryptocurrency investments, verify investment platforms independently, and remember that legitimate investments never demand upfront fees to access your returns.
tradingview.com
· 2026-02-25
U.S. Federal agents seized $61 million in cryptocurrency (USDT) from a "pig butchering" scam ring that used fake romantic relationships and fraudulent trading platforms to defraud victims. The scammers posed as romantic partners with trading expertise, directed victims to fake crypto websites showing fake high returns, then blocked withdrawals and demanded extra fees. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic partners who quickly pivot to investment opportunities, verify trading platforms independently, and never invest money you can't afford to lose—especially if pressured by someone you've only met online.
ksl.com
· 2026-02-25
Online scams and identity theft are widespread problems affecting 73% of U.S. adults, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics like AI-generated phishing emails and cloned voices to trick victims. To protect yourself, experts recommend verifying website security by checking that URLs begin with "https://" rather than "http://," adjusting browser settings to only allow secure connections, and carefully checking website spellings and domain extensions before sharing personal information. Taking these preventive steps can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a scam victim.
euronews.com
· 2026-02-24
Deepfake scams cost people approximately $1.1 billion worldwide in 2025—triple the losses from 2024—with over 80% of fraud occurring on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Scammers use sophisticated deepfake videos and audio to impersonate celebrities, business leaders, and even politicians to promote fraudulent investments or build fake romantic relationships before requesting money from victims. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected investment opportunities or romantic advances on social media, verify celebrity endorsements through official channels, and never send money to people you've only met online.
nz.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-02-24
Deepfake scams have tripled in 2025, defrauding people of approximately $1.1 billion worldwide, with over 80% of losses occurring on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated deepfake videos and audio to impersonate celebrities, politicians, and financial leaders to promote fraudulent investments, as well as creating fake romantic relationships to extract money from victims. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities and romantic advances on social media, verify celebrity endorsements through official channels, and never send money to people you've only met online.
aol.com
· 2026-02-24
A major fraud ring operating in Texas stole at least $55 million from elderly victims by impersonating federal agents and threatening them with arrest to coerce them into surrendering gold, cash, and cryptocurrency. The scheme is part of a growing crisis of elder fraud, with Americans over 60 accounting for 36% of all fraud reports and losing nearly $2.4 billion to scams in 2024 alone. To protect yourself and elderly relatives, remain skeptical of unsolicited calls or messages from officials making threats, remember that legitimate authorities won't demand payment by gift card or wire transfer, and verify any official claims by contacting the agency directly using a number from their official website.
republicworld.com
· 2026-02-24
An Indian national named Atharva Shailesh Sathawane, who overstayed his student visa, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in a fraud scheme that defrauded elderly Americans of millions of dollars. Working as a courier for an international scam operation, Sathawane visited victims' homes to collect cash and gold after they were deceived into believing their retirement savings were at risk, personally handling over $6.6 million in stolen assets across multiple states over four months. Seniors should be cautious of unsolicited calls or visits claiming their assets are in danger, verify such claims directly with their financial institutions using official contact numbers, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement immediately.
dallasexpress.com
· 2026-02-24
A San Antonio CEO named Devin Ward Elder pleaded guilty to operating a $69.5 million fraud scheme that deceived approximately 345 investors in fake real estate projects between 2023 and 2025. Elder used a Ponzi-like setup, falsely promising high returns with minimal risk and using new investors' money to pay fake "interest" to earlier investors, ultimately leaving victims with substantial losses when payments stopped in March 2025. To protect yourself, be skeptical of investment opportunities promising unusually high returns with minimal risk, verify a company's credentials and track record independently, and avoid putting money into deals where the operator claims to co-invest their own funds without transparent documentation.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-02-24
# Fraud Summary
A Texas crime ring stole at least $55 million from elderly victims by impersonating federal agents and threatening them into surrendering gold, cash, and cryptocurrency. The FTC reports that fraud targeting seniors has surged, with people over 60 accounting for 36% of all fraud reports in 2024 and losing approximately $2.4 billion to scams. To protect yourself and older relatives, be wary of unsolicited calls or messages from people claiming to be government officials, especially those creating urgency or threatening arrest—legitimate authorities will never demand immediate payment or asset transfers over the phone.
tradingview.com
· 2026-02-23
# Pig-Butchering Crypto Scams Summary
Pig-butchering scams are a growing threat in the cryptocurrency world where fraudsters build fake romantic or friendly relationships with victims over weeks or months before pressuring them to invest in fake crypto platforms, with reported losses reaching $370.3 million in January 2026 alone. Unlike quick phishing attacks, these scams use psychological manipulation—showing fake profits, requesting escalating deposits, and then blocking withdrawals—to exploit emotional trust and extract large sums of money. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious about unsolicited investment advice from people you've only met online, never share crypto wallet details with new contacts, and verify investment platforms through official regulatory databases before depositing any money.
nationaltoday.com
· 2026-02-23
New York Attorney General Letitia James has warned of "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters build fake relationships with victims on social media and dating apps before convincing them to invest money in fraudulent schemes like cryptocurrency, sometimes resulting in losses exceeding $1 million. These sophisticated scams typically begin with friendly contact, move to encrypted chat platforms to hide the scammer's identity, and end with the perpetrator disappearing with the victim's savings. To protect yourself, remain cautious of unsolicited messages from strangers urging investments, verify investment opportunities independently, and report suspected scams to the Attorney General's office.
thecsrjournal.in
· 2026-02-23
An Indian national was sentenced to 18 years in prison for defrauding elderly Florida residents out of $6.6 million by posing as a trusted authority figure and convincing victims to buy gold bars under false pretenses. The scam specifically targeted vulnerable seniors who surrendered their life savings, part of a larger problem in Florida where elder fraud victims lost over $33 million last year to similar schemes. The FBI warns consumers to verify any unsolicited requests for money or investments independently through official channels before sending funds.
the420.in
· 2026-02-23
# Article Summary
A 23-year-old Indian national living illegally in the U.S. on an overstayed student visa was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in an international fraud scheme that targeted elderly Americans across multiple states. Working as a courier for a larger conspiracy based in India, Sathawane made at least 33 trips to victims' homes between summer and fall 2025, collecting over $6.6 million in cash and gold by convincing seniors to liquidate their retirement accounts under false pretenses. To protect yourself: elderly Americans should be wary of unsolicited calls or visitors pressuring them to convert savings to cash or gold, verify any financial advice through trusted sources, and report suspicious activity to authorities immediately.
financialexpress.com
· 2026-02-23
# Fraud Scheme Summary
A 23-year-old Indian national was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in an international fraud scheme that defrauded elderly Americans of approximately $6 million. Operating as a "courier," he convinced seniors to liquidate their retirement accounts and hand over cash and gold, which he then delivered to co-conspirators based in India. Elderly citizens should be cautious of unsolicited requests to withdraw retirement funds or hand over valuables, and should report suspicious activity to authorities immediately—it was a victim's suspicion that helped law enforcement break the case.
knoxtntoday.com
· 2026-02-23
Two Knox County men lost a combined $500,000 in a sophisticated Bitcoin scam after clicking on a deceptive Facebook advertisement, with one man losing his entire life savings of $375,000. Detective Wayne Doster spent months investigating the international fraud ring operated from Malaysia, ultimately leading to the arrest of Lee Kah Poh, a Malaysian national who came to Tennessee to collect the money. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious about unsolicited investment opportunities on social media, never click links from unknown sources, and verify any investment through official channels before sending money.
cedirates.com
· 2026-02-22
# Romance Fraud Summary
Romance scams are costing Ghanaian women hundreds of thousands of dollars as fraudsters create fake online identities to build trust and then manipulate victims into sending money for fabricated emergencies or investments. A 2025 pan-African cybercrime operation across 14 countries resulted in 260 arrests, with 68 in Ghana alone and 108 identified victims who lost approximately $450,000, though authorities recovered $70,000. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that quickly ask for money, verify identities through video calls, never send funds to strangers or for unexpected emergencies, and report suspicious activity to local authorities.
abc11.com
· 2026-02-21
The Better Business Bureau of Eastern Carolinas reported over 2.6 million dollars in scam losses across the region in 2025, with online purchase scams being the most common threat, followed by phishing and employment scams. Consumers are urged to research online purchases carefully (especially those from social media ads), verify financial communications by calling their bank directly using numbers on official cards, and avoid clicking unexpected links or responding to urgent messages. Legitimate employers will never ask you to pay upfront, and being cautious about where you shop and whom you communicate with online can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to these prevalent scams.
boothbayregister.com
· 2026-02-21
People over 50 are particularly vulnerable to fraud, with over $11 million reported in scams during just a nine-month period in 2025, according to a presentation by Coastal Maine Regional Broadband and local police. Most scams involve impostors contacting victims through email, text, or phone with urgent messages designed to cloud judgment, sometimes building fake relationships over time to gain trust. To protect yourself, experts recommend verifying unexpected contacts directly with the person, avoiding clicking links or sharing passwords, watching for language errors and mismatched email addresses, and declining friend requests from people already in your network.
patnapress.com
· 2026-02-21
# I'd be happy to help, but I notice the article text you've provided doesn't contain information about the crypto trading scam mentioned in the title. Instead, it only shows a headline about an IIT Patna financial planning session from February 2026.
Could you please share the actual article content about the Patna man who lost Rs 6.92 lakh in the crypto trading scam? Once you provide the full text, I'll be able to create a 2-3 sentence summary focusing on what happened, who was affected, and actionable advice for readers.
centralmaine.com
· 2026-02-21
Online romance scams exploit people's desire for genuine connection by creating fake profiles with stolen photos and elaborate backstories, sometimes targeting vulnerable populations like seniors and LGBTQ+ individuals by using circumstances (like living in hostile countries) that justify secrecy and distance. These scams are sophisticated and patient operations designed to build emotional trust over months before requesting money, making victims feel foolish for falling for them—but the con artists are deliberately manipulating basic human needs rather than relying on victims' stupidity. To protect yourself, use reverse image searches to verify photos, be skeptical of requests for money or secrecy from online connections, and remember that scammers are skilled manipulators who prey on loneliness and the universal desire for love.
bankinfosecurity.com
· 2026-02-21
Cambodia shut down approximately 190 online scam centers and arrested 11,000 foreign nationals in a major crackdown on transnational fraud operations that were running romance and investment scams on a massive scale, generating tens of billions of dollars annually for criminal gangs. The scam centers, which primarily operated in Phnom Penh and southern Cambodia, exploited trafficked and forced workers to defraud victims, with prominent targets including Chen Zhi, founder of Prince Holding Group, who was indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice for overseeing multiple compounds since 2015. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited romantic or investment opportunities online, verify the legitimacy of financial institutions directly through official channels, and report suspicious activity to law enforcement.
paysonroundup.com
· 2026-02-20
Police arrested two individuals in connection with a gold scam targeting a Payson woman who was deceived into surrendering her life savings to fraudsters posing as government agents investigating identity theft. The scam is part of a broader pattern of elder fraud that the FBI has been tracking, with the Internet Crime Complaint Center receiving numerous complaints about similar schemes in 2023. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming to be from government agencies, never send money or valuables to unknown parties, and verify any official investigation directly with the actual agency through their official phone number.
sacurrent.com
· 2026-02-20
San Antonio real estate CEO Devin Ward Elder pleaded guilty to wire fraud for operating a $69.5 million Ponzi scheme that defrauded 345 investors between 2021 and 2023. Elder falsely promised high returns on real estate investments while actually using money from new investors to pay earlier ones, eventually stopping all payments in March 2023 and telling investors to expect total losses. To protect yourself, be cautious of investment opportunities promising unusually high returns with minimal risk, verify that investment managers have actually invested their own money alongside yours, and research investment firms thoroughly before committing funds.
nationaltoday.com
· 2026-02-20
San Antonio real estate entrepreneur Devin Elder pleaded guilty to wire fraud for operating a Ponzi scheme that defrauded approximately 345 investors of $69.5 million across 17 real estate projects. Elder falsely claimed he would co-invest his own money in projects while actually contributing almost nothing, and illegally used investor funds from one project to pay returns on another—a classic Ponzi scheme structure. To protect yourself, be wary of real estate investment schemes promising high returns, verify that promoters have genuine "skin in the game" with their own money at risk, and thoroughly research any investment opportunity before committing funds.
bisnow.com
· 2026-02-20
San Antonio real estate CEO Devin Ward Elder pleaded guilty to wire fraud for operating a $69.5 million Ponzi scheme that defrauded over 300 investors between January 2023 and March 2025. Elder promised high returns with low risk while secretly using money from new investors to pay returns to earlier investors, eventually admitting in March 2025 that investors would lose significant portions of their capital. To protect yourself from similar schemes, be wary of investment promises that sound too good to be true, verify that fund managers actually co-invest their own money as claimed, and research a company's financial stability and regulatory standing before investing.
texasborderbusiness.com
· 2026-02-20
A San Antonio investment firm CEO named Devin Ward Elder pleaded guilty to defrauding approximately 345 investors out of $69.5 million between 2023 and 2025 through his company DJE Texas Management Group, which promised high returns on real estate investments. Elder made false claims about his own co-investment and operated a Ponzi scheme by using new investor funds to pay "interest" to existing investors, ultimately halting all payments in March 2025. To protect yourself, be skeptical of investment opportunities promising unusually high returns with low risk, verify that investment managers have their own money invested alongside yours, and always research the credentials and track record of firms and their operators before investing.
ktsa.com
· 2026-02-20
A San Antonio investment firm CEO named Devin Ward Elder pleaded guilty to defrauding approximately 345 investors out of over $69.5 million between January 2023 and March 2025 through his company DJE Texas Management Group, which promised high returns on real estate investments while falsely claiming he would co-invest his own money. Elder operated a Ponzi scheme, paying some investors with money from other investors rather than actual returns, until he abruptly stopped payments in March 2025 and admitted the projects wouldn't be completed. To protect yourself, be cautious of investment opportunities promising unusually high returns with low risk, verify that investment managers actually co-invest their own money, and thoroughly research companies and their track records before committing funds.
wrenews.com
· 2026-02-20
A Texas real estate investor named Devin Ward Elder pleaded guilty to defrauding approximately 345 investors out of $69.5 million between 2023 and 2025 through his company DJE Texas Management Group LLC, which offered investments in apartments, commercial properties, and other real estate projects. Elder used a classic Ponzi scheme, paying some investors with money from other investors while falsely claiming high returns with low risk, and eventually halted payments in March 2025 when the scheme collapsed. Investors should be extremely cautious of investment opportunities promising unusually high returns with minimal risk, verify that investment firms are properly registered and regulated, and request detailed documentation about where their money is actually being invested.
koco.com
· 2026-02-20
# Gold Scams Costing Americans Hundreds of Millions
Scammers are exploiting Americans' trust in gold as a safe investment through "gold courier" schemes that have resulted in over $262 million in losses nationwide between January and October 2025. The scam typically begins with a fraudulent phone call, email, or pop-up claiming to be from your bank or a federal agency (FBI, IRS, or FTC), warning that your accounts have been compromised and urging you to immediately withdraw cash to purchase gold bars or coins. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited urgent demands to buy gold, verify any claims by contacting your bank directly using a number from their official website, and remember that legitimate government agencies will never ask you to purchase gold to protect your money.
wbal.com
· 2026-02-20
# Gold Scam Summary
Scammers are exploiting Americans' trust in gold as a safe investment through "gold courier" scams that have cost victims over $262 million nationwide in just the first ten months of 2025. The scheme typically begins with a fraudulent call or message impersonating banks or federal agencies like the FBI or IRS, claiming your accounts are compromised and pressuring you to withdraw cash and buy gold bars or coins. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited urgent messages about account security, verify caller identities by contacting institutions directly (not using numbers they provide), and remember that legitimate agencies won't ask you to buy gold or wire cash to protect your money.
fox13now.com
· 2026-02-20
Romance scammers use fake online relationships to exploit lonely people—especially around Valentine's Day—by building emotional trust before asking for money under false pretenses like emergencies or investments. Anyone can fall victim, but you can protect yourself by slowing down when feeling pressured by urgency or emotion, and by independently verifying the identity of anyone asking for money or personal information before responding. If you suspect a scam, stop contact immediately, document everything, alert your bank, and report it to the FTC, IC3.gov, and law enforcement.
techflowpost.com
· 2026-02-20
A 31-year-old Chinese national named Liao Fei was sentenced to 40 months in prison for laundering millions of dollars from cryptocurrency investment scams, particularly "pig-butchering" schemes where fraudsters gain victims' trust on social media before tricking them into fake crypto investments. Victims lost millions of dollars in these scams, and Liao Fei was ordered to forfeit $2.3 million and pay $2.8 million in restitution. To protect yourself, be wary of investment opportunities promoted by strangers on social media, avoid sending money to unknown individuals or companies, and verify investment opportunities through official regulatory channels before committing funds.
kucoin.com
· 2026-02-20
A 31-year-old Chinese national named Liao Fei was sentenced to 40 months in prison for laundering millions of dollars obtained through "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters pose as romantic interests or trusted contacts on social media to trick people into investing in fake cryptocurrency schemes. The scheme affected numerous victims who lost money they couldn't recover, and Liao Fei was ordered to forfeit $2.3 million and pay $2.8 million in restitution. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of investment opportunities offered by people you meet online, especially on social media, and never send money to unknown individuals or unverified cryptocurrency platforms.
kucoin.com
· 2026-02-20
A Chinese national was sentenced to 40 months in prison for laundering millions of dollars from cryptocurrency investment scams, including the deceptive "pig butchering" scheme that targets victims through social media and dating apps by building false trust before requesting cryptocurrency investments. Victims lose money when fraudulent platforms show fake returns and prevent withdrawals, with this case involving over $2.3 million in seized assets and $2.8 million in restitution. If you encounter these scams, report them to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and preserve all communications, transaction records, and details about the fraudulent platform, cryptocurrency addresses, and suspect contact information.
yonkerstimes.com
· 2026-02-20
New York Attorney General Letitia James has warned residents about "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters build fake relationships with victims through social media and dating apps before convincing them to invest money in fake cryptocurrency or currency trading schemes. The scammers use encrypted messaging apps to hide their identities and create elaborate personas—such as romantic partners or financial advisors—to gain trust before stealing victims' savings. New Yorkers should remain vigilant about unsolicited contact, verify investment opportunities independently, and report suspected scams to the Attorney General's office or the platforms where they occur.
rockawaytimes.com
· 2026-02-19
Romance scammers and imposter fraudsters cost Americans billions annually—the FTC reported $12.5 billion lost in 2024, though actual losses may exceed $158 billion due to underreporting. These criminals use fake online identities to build trust and emotional connections before requesting money or personal information, with 11 million Americans age 50+ and residents in Rockaway/Broad Channel reporting such schemes, though no age group is immune. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited romantic advances online, especially from people claiming to be overseas with high-profile jobs, and never send money or share personal/financial information with someone you've only met online.