Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
1,554 results
in Money Mule / Laundering
abc6.com
· 2025-12-08
Chukwunonso "Douglas" Umegbo, 39, a former New Bedford resident extradited from the United Kingdom, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for operating romance scams between 2018 and 2019. Umegbo created fake online personas to develop romantic relationships with U.S. victims, then solicited money and property from them, obtaining over $568,000 across multiple scams by depositing fraudulently obtained funds into bank accounts he opened using false identity documents. He was ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture totaling $578,954.78.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Chukwunonso Umegbo, a former New Bedford man, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for wire fraud and money laundering related to romance scams between 2018 and 2019. Umegbo used fake identities to open bank accounts in the Boston area that received over $568,000 from romance scam victims, which he then withdrew as cash, converted to cashier's checks, or spent; he was arrested in London in 2022 and extradited to face charges in 2023. He was ordered to pay $578,954.78 in restitution and forfeiture.
turnto10.com
· 2025-12-08
Chukwunonso "Douglas" Umegbo, 39, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for his role in laundering money from romance scams, having pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges. Between 2018 and 2019, Umegbo opened fraudulent bank accounts using fake identity documents in Greater Boston to receive funds from romance scam victims, ultimately processing over $568,000 in stolen money before withdrawing it in cash or converting it to cashier's checks. He was ordered to pay $570,000 in restitution and forfeiture.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
In Greater Manchester, 15,623 fraud cases were reported to Action Fraud in the past year, with online shopping/auction fraud being most common (3,100 cases), followed by advance fee fraud (1,500 cases). Notable cases included serial fraudster Cieran McNamara, who manipulated four women into sending over £300,000 through romance scams before being sentenced to seven years in prison, and a separate case where a man defrauded a woman of £50,000 on a widows' dating site. Other scams included pet fraud, concert ticket fraud, and designer goods schemes targeting victims through emotional manipulation and online platforms.
boston.com
· 2025-12-08
Chukwunonso Umegbo, a 38-year-old former New Bedford man, was sentenced to over three years in prison for operating a romance scam fraud scheme that defrauded victims of more than $568,000. Umegbo used fake identities and online personas to create fraudulent romantic relationships, then funneled the stolen money through bank accounts under false names, converting it to cash and cashier's checks. He was ordered to pay approximately $578,000 in restitution and forfeiture after his arrest in London in April 2022 and extradition to the U.S. in February 2023.
news4sanantonio.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly homeowner in Luling, Texas received an unsolicited package of precious metals worth approximately $100,000 after being contacted by a scammer posing as customer support; police intervention prevented the fraudster from collecting the package and led to the arrest of California resident Shalin Amin on money laundering charges. The scam targeted the victim by creating urgency and manipulating them into accepting a shipment they never requested. Authorities recommend avoiding unsolicited precious metals purchases, safeguarding personal information, and reporting suspected fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center or the Elder Justice Hotline.
gript.ie
· 2025-12-08
**Romance Scam Case:** A 37-year-old man in Dublin was charged under money laundering laws in connection with a suspected romance scam involving over €255,000 that was deposited into his bank account between February 2017 and February 2020; the alleged victim is believed to be a resident of Finland, and the case is under consideration for referral to Circuit Criminal Court.
cryptotimes.io
· 2025-12-08
Millions of dollars in fraudulent funds were seized at Evolve Bank and Trust after the bank discovered that entities including Parallel Design Limited, Gatcha Pictures Limited, and Bytechip LLC were facilitating crypto scams and pig-butchering schemes operated by a network of 26 Chinese nationals. Evolve froze over $15 million in virtual accounts linked to these fraudulent activities and subsequently severed relationships with the implicated firms due to unsatisfactory banking practices.
masslive.com
· 2025-12-08
Chukwunonso "Douglas" Umegbo, 39, a former New Bedford resident, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison after pleading guilty to running romance scams between 2018 and 2019 that defrauded victims of over $568,000. Umegbo used fake identities to open bank accounts and receive money from fictitious online relationships, then withdrew the funds in cash, purchased cashier's checks, or spent the money directly, and continued directing victim funds to co-conspirators' accounts even after fleeing to London. He was arrested in London in April 2022, extradited to the U.S.
irishstar.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
thehansindia.com
· 2025-12-08
The Enforcement Directorate arrested three individuals, including Meera Srivastava and Asif Naseem, in connection with the Shine City money laundering scam that defrauded investors of approximately Rs 800 crore. The investigation, which began in January 2021, has already resulted in the seizure of Rs 128 crore in assets, while co-founder Rashid Naseem fled to the UAE and remains a fugitive with extradition proceedings initiated against him.
macaudailytimes.com.mo
· 2025-12-08
The Judiciary Police in Macau launched a WeChat-based anti-fraud initiative in response to a sharp 70-120% surge in fraud cases from January to February, which resulted in 69 million patacas in losses across 265 reported incidents, including a concerning 44% increase in student-targeted scams. The interactive program offers fraud risk analysis, reporting channels, and educational resources to help residents identify fraudulent schemes. Two women were victimized by phone scams impersonating public prosecutors and immigration officials, with one losing 41,700 patacas after being coerced into transferring funds based on false money laundering allegations.
wdam.com
· 2025-12-08
Six collegiate track and field athletes, including four from William Carey University, were prosecuted for operating an unlicensed money transmission business as part of overseas fraud schemes originating in Nigeria between 2018-2022. The athletes received funds from over 100 victims and transferred more than $820,000 abroad through romance scams, fraudulent goods scams, and military scams; Aniekeme Etim, the last defendant sentenced, received three years probation and was ordered to pay $74,847.52 in fines plus $123,116.50 in restitution. All six defendants face potential deportation and were ordered to make restitution to their respective victims
wdam.com
· 2025-12-08
Six collegiate track athletes, including former William Carey University athlete Aniekeme Etim, were prosecuted for operating an unlicensed money transmission business that facilitated overseas fraud schemes between 2018 and 2022. Nigerian-based fraudsters used romance scams, fraudulent goods scams, and military scams to target over 100 U.S. victims, with the athletes receiving and transferring more than $820,000 overseas; Etim received a three-year probation sentence, a $74,847.52 fine, and was ordered to pay $123,116.50 in restitution.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Three men were charged with money laundering conspiracy and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business after laundering over $4.5 million in proceeds from business email compromise schemes and romance scams targeting elderly victims between 2020 and 2023. The defendants directed victims to wire funds into bank accounts they controlled, then depleted those accounts through multiple withdrawals and transfers, including to overseas accounts, while keeping a percentage of the fraudulent proceeds. One co-conspirator has already pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Chukwunonso Umegbo, a former New Bedford man, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for operating a romance scam between 2018 and 2019, defrauding victims of over $568,000 by creating fake online personas to develop romantic relationships and extract money. Umegbo used multiple aliases and bank accounts in the Greater Boston area to receive and launder victim funds through cash withdrawals and cashier's checks, and continued the scheme even after leaving the U.S. by coordinating with co-conspirators. He was arrested in London in April 2022, extradited to the U.S. in February 2023, and ordered to pay
southcoasttoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Chukwunonso "Douglas" Umegbo, a 39-year-old former New Bedford man, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for operating a romance scam between 2018 and 2019, defrauding victims of over $568,000 by creating fake online personas and romantic relationships to solicit money through fraudulent bank accounts. He was arrested in London in April 2022 and extradited to the U.S., where he pleaded guilty to wire fraud, money laundering, and false statements to banks, and must pay $578,954 in restitution and forfeiture.
beaconjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
A Tallmadge police sergeant investigated a 2019 online dating scam that defrauded a local woman of $60,000 and uncovered a multi-state money-laundering operation involving victims across Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Florida, and Texas, including one couple who lost $375,000. The investigation led to the arrest of six people in Rhode Island who were processing fraudulent funds through compromised bank accounts and money orders. The FBI reported 19,000 romance scam complaints nationally in 2022 with losses exceeding $739 million, typically targeting women over 40.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Between 2018 and 2022, six collegiate track and field athletes at U.S. universities received and transferred over $820,000 in proceeds from Nigerian-based fraud schemes (romance, goods, and military scams) that targeted more than 100 American victims. Aniekeme Etim, a 24-year-old from Georgia, was sentenced to three years of probation, a $74,847.52 fine, and $123,116.50 in restitution for her role as a money conduit, while her co-defendants received prison sentences ranging from 36 to 46 months and remain subject to deportation.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 34-year-old German language teacher in Chennai lost Rs 2.26 lakh in a courier scam when a caller impersonating a Mumbai police officer falsely claimed she had sent a package containing drugs, then manipulated her into transferring money to a fraudulent account and unknowingly authorizing a loan in her name. In a similar incident, a Bengaluru lawyer was defrauded of Rs 15 lakh over 36 hours by scammers posing as courier service representatives, Mumbai police, and a CBI officer who coerced her into a video call under false pretenses and extracted sensitive financial information.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Uwemedimo Umoren, a Georgia man, was sentenced to three years in prison for laundering over $8 million in proceeds from a Nigeria-based fraud enterprise that operated from 2016 to 2021. The criminal scheme primarily targeted vulnerable elderly Americans through investment, business email compromise, and romance scams, with at least 17 victims suffering significant financial and emotional harm, including one elderly man whose stress-induced stroke contributed to his death. Umoren was ordered to forfeit $8.23 million and pay $1.24 million in restitution for his role in receiving and laundering the fraud proceeds through shell company bank accounts he controlled.
ktar.com
· 2025-12-08
Donald Franklin Huegel, a California man, was sentenced to four years in prison for orchestrating romance scams that defrauded two elderly Arizona women of over $481,000 combined. Working with co-conspirators in Africa, Huegel used fake online profiles ("Chad Callahan" and "Michael Williams") to build romantic relationships with his victims, then manipulated them into sending money through various tactics including identity theft threats. A restitution hearing is pending, and Huegel will serve three years of probation following his prison term.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-08
California resident Donald Franklin Huegel was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded two elderly Arizona residents of nearly $400,000 over two years. Huegel participated in the scheme by funneling victim payments to co-conspirators in Africa after victims were lured by fake online profiles ("Chad Callahan" and "Michael Williams") and manipulated into sending money under false pretenses, including claims their identities were on the Dark Web. The first victim lost over $90,000 and the second lost over $367,000; Huegel was convicted of fraudulent schemes, money laundering, and theft, and will be required to pay
techtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Hong Kong authorities arrested 1,121 people in "Operation AttackPlan," a major crackdown on a cross-border online scam ring linked to 952 fraud cases totaling approximately HK$2.2 billion (US$280 million) in losses. The operation dismantled a money laundering syndicate that had moved over HK$230 million through "stooge accounts" and cryptocurrency purchases, with the syndicate recruiting mainlanders to facilitate illicit fund transfers between Hong Kong and mainland China. The busts come as Hong Kong faces a surge in fraud, with online scams accounting for nearly 68% of cases and authorities urging the public to use detection tools to identify suspicious
azfamily.com
· 2025-12-08
California resident Donald Franklin Huegel was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in romance scams targeting two elderly Arizona victims, stealing nearly $400,000. Huegel posed as a romantic interest online (using aliases like "Chad Callahan" and "Michael Williams") and funneled victims' money to co-conspirators in Africa, with one victim sending over $90,000 and another sending over $367,000. He was convicted of fraudulent schemes, money laundering, and theft, with a restitution hearing to be scheduled for the victims.
nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Offshore scammers stole approximately $6.7 million from 25 New Zealand victims who shared their stories with the Herald, with only $700,000 recovered, representing part of hundreds of millions stolen annually from Kiwis. The scams involved sophisticated fraudsters posing as investment advisers from major banks (Citibank, HSBC, Macquarie) using fake prospectuses and call-routing software to appear legitimate, while directing victims to deposit money into local "holding accounts" controlled by money mules. Victims—including business owners, retirees, health workers, and a politician—experienced significant emotional trauma and shame, with most complaints to the Banking
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A senior in Oceanside, California, was defrauded of $50,000 through a pop-up scam falsely claiming their bank account was compromised; when scammers attempted to collect an additional $40,000, police and the FBI Elder Justice Task Force coordinated with the victim to apprehend 44-year-old Chi Hung Duong, who was arrested and charged with bail set at $200,000. The case highlights the dangers of pop-up scams and courier-based fraud schemes targeting seniors.
wccbcharlotte.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Charlotte issued a warning about IRS imposter scams and other financial fraud schemes targeting older adults, noting that victims often suffer substantial monetary losses and emotional distress. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals aged 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and lost $3.4 billion to fraud, with tech support scams, government impersonation, phishing, romance scams, and non-delivery schemes being the most common schemes. Federal prosecutors conducted "Fraud Bingo" education sessions at senior centers to teach older adults about fraudster tactics and encourage reporting to help identify trends and recover stolen funds.
yourvalley.net
· 2025-12-08
Donald Franklin Huegel, a California resident, was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded two elderly Arizona victims of nearly $400,000 combined. Operating for two years, Huegel funneled money from victims who were contacted by scammers posing as romantic interests online (using fake profiles "Chad Callahan" and "Michael Williams") and later threatened with identity theft claims to extract additional payments. Huegel was convicted of fraudulent schemes, illegal enterprise, money laundering, and theft, with restitution to be determined at a future hearing.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A Canadian man, Patrice Runner, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for operating a psychic mass-mailing fraud scheme that defrauded over 1.3 million victims—primarily elderly and vulnerable Americans—of more than $175 million between 1994 and 2014. The scheme involved sending fraudulent letters falsely attributed to psychics Maria Duval and Patrick Guerin, promising wealth and happiness in exchange for fees, then bombarding victims who paid with dozens of follow-up letters requesting additional payments. Runner, who operated through shell companies in Canada and Hong Kong while living in multiple countries, was extradited from Spain in 2020 to face federal charges of mail
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office in North Carolina warned the public about IRS imposter scams and other financial fraud schemes targeting older adults, particularly around Tax Day. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals 60 and older filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses, with tech support scams, government impersonation, phishing, romance scams, and non-delivery schemes being the most common schemes. Federal prosecutors used an interactive "Fraud Bingo" educational tool at a senior center to help older adults, caregivers, and community workers recognize fraud tactics and report suspicious activity to help recover stolen funds and identify emerging
classaction.org
· 2025-12-08
A class action lawsuit filed in South Carolina in April 2024 alleges that Bitcoin Depot and Circle K Stores knowingly failed to implement adequate safeguards against cryptocurrency ATM scams targeting elderly consumers, despite awareness that their machines are commonly used to facilitate elder fraud and money laundering. The defendants allegedly maintained minimal anti-fraud measures because they profit substantially from charging inflated markups on Bitcoin transactions, with the FTC reporting over 46,000 cryptocurrency scam victims losing more than $1 billion between January 2021 and June 2022, primarily through Bitcoin.
newstopicnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office issued a warning about IRS imposter scams and other financial fraud schemes disproportionately targeting older adults, which cause substantial monetary losses and emotional distress. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals aged 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses, with tech support scams, government impersonation, romance scams, and non-delivery schemes being the most common schemes. Federal prosecutors conducted educational "Fraud Bingo" sessions at senior centers to help older adults recognize scam tactics and encourage fraud reporting to authorities.
iredellfreenews.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of North Carolina is warning residents about IRS imposter scams and other fraud schemes that disproportionately target older adults, with the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report noting that individuals 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses—the highest among all age groups. Common scams include government impersonation (IRS, SSA, sheriff's office), tech support scams, romance scams, grandparent scams, and non-delivery schemes, with authorities emphasizing that reporting fraud helps recover stolen funds and identify emerging criminal trends.
thesentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
A 34-year-old California man was arrested for his role in a government-imposter gold bar scam that defrauded an elderly Leisure World resident of over $700,000 in Montgomery County, Maryland. The scammer impersonated FTC and FBI officials, falsely claiming the victim was an identity theft victim requiring protective measures, and instructed her to purchase gold bars from an online retailer; the victim wired approximately $788,000 in two transactions and handed over the gold bars to couriers in parking lots before realizing the theft. This represents one of a dozen similar incidents reported in Montgomery County over six months, targeting vulnerable seniors in the community.
wral.com
· 2025-12-08
Sanda Frimpong, a 33-year-old Fort Liberty soldier, was sentenced to over three years in prison in 2024 after pleading guilty to three counts of money laundering for his role in romance scams. Frimpong impersonated love interests, military personnel, and other figures to defraud victims of thousands of dollars, which he laundered through personal bank accounts across state lines and to contacts in Ghana, targeting vulnerable populations including seniors and military veterans. He was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution to his victims.
wral.com
· 2025-12-08
Sanda Frimpong, a 33-year-old active-duty soldier stationed at Fort Liberty, was sentenced to over three years in prison in 2024 after pleading guilty to three counts of money laundering related to romance scams. Frimpong impersonated love interests, diplomats, military personnel, and others to deceive victims and steal thousands of dollars, which he laundered through personal bank accounts across state lines and to contacts in Ghana. In addition to his prison sentence, Frimpong was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution to his victims.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Sanda G. Frimpong, a 33-year-old active-duty Army servicemember stationed at Fort Bragg, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for laundering hundreds of thousands of dollars from romance scams. Frimpong and co-conspirators impersonated romantic interests, military personnel, diplomats, and other personas to defraud victims—including seniors and military veterans—before funneling the illicit proceeds through his bank accounts across state lines and contacts in Ghana. He was ordered to pay substantial restitution to the victims of these elaborate fraud schemes.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Sir Maejor Page, 35, of Toledo, was convicted of wire fraud and money laundering after creating a fraudulent Facebook-based charity called "Black Lives Matter of Greater Atlanta" and soliciting donations under false pretenses. Page used donor contributions—intended for social justice causes—to purchase personal items including a house and furniture, even after the organization's tax-exempt status was dissolved in 2019. The jury found him guilty following a six-day trial, though sentencing has not yet been scheduled.
zoomerradio.ca
· 2025-12-08
A cross-country grandparent scheme investigation by the OPP and 11 police services across Quebec and Ontario resulted in the arrest of 14 people facing 56 charges in Montreal. In the first four months of 2024 alone, 126 identified victims lost approximately $739,000, with the scam involving perpetrators impersonating police officers, judges, and family members to target seniors aged 46-95, using couriers to collect cash while imposing fake "gag orders" to silence victims. Since February 2022, seniors across the country have lost over $2.2 million to this organized crime group, with the investigation having begun in September 2022.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Sanda Frimpong, a 33-year-old ex-Fort Liberty soldier, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for operating romance scams targeting widows, widowers, and divorcees over more than two years, defrauding victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Frimpong posed as online admirers under fake names like "Catherine White" and "Tom Tanner," convincing victims to wire money for various schemes, including one victim who sent $100,000 after being promised marriage and access to gold and diamonds. In addition to the romance scams, he pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering and conspired to fraudulently collect
taskandpurpose.com
· 2025-12-08
Sanda G. Frimpong, an E-4 soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, orchestrated multiple online romance and fraud schemes between December 2019 and February 2022, defrauding victims of thousands of dollars by impersonating romantic interests, military personnel, and officials. One victim lost over $150,000 after being convinced by a fake soldier to send money for gold and diamond transfers, while another victim sent over $7,000 after being targeted with a romance scam involving fake inheritance claims. Frimpong was arrested in 2023, pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering, and was sentenced to 40 months in
stripes.com
· 2025-12-08
Sanda Frimpong, a 33-year-old Army specialist, was sentenced to more than three years in prison for operating romance scams that defrauded vulnerable individuals including widows, widowers, and divorcees of approximately $357,961 over two years while stationed at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. Frimpong posed as different people online (including "Catherine White" and "Tom Tanner") to convince victims to wire money under false pretenses involving gold transfers and marriage proposals, and he also conspired to fraudulently collect COVID-19 pandemic unemployment benefits using stolen identities across multiple states. He was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands in restitution after pleading guilty to
military.com
· 2025-12-08
Specialist Sanda G. Frimpong, a Fort Liberty soldier, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to three counts of money laundering related to romance scams that defrauded victims of over $350,000. Frimpong and co-conspirators posed as romantic interests, military personnel, diplomats, and other personas to manipulate victims into sending money, often laundering the funds through contacts in Ghana. The case highlights the prevalence of romance scams targeting vulnerable populations, including seniors and military veterans, with the FTC reporting nearly 70,000 Americans lost $1.3 billion to romantic fraud in 2022.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-08
A former Fort Liberty soldier, 33-year-old Sanda G. Frimpong, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for operating a romance scam in which he impersonated a love interest to defraud victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars, including funds meant for people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Frimpong pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering and was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution to his victims.
baytoday.ca
· 2025-12-08
Police in Ontario and Quebec arrested 14 individuals involved in an organized emergency grandparent scam that defrauded seniors across Canada of over $2.2 million since February 2022. The scammers impersonated officers or lawyers claiming victims' grandchildren were in custody and demanded bail money, often using money mules to collect funds and instructing victims not to tell anyone due to fake "gag orders." Between January and April 2024 alone, 126 victims lost approximately $739,000, with investigators successfully preventing or recovering $559,000 in losses through coordination with financial institutions.
mdjonline.com
· 2025-12-08
The North Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force, a nonprofit organization of law enforcement and social service professionals, trains investigators and conducts prevention workshops to combat elder abuse and financial exploitation in Georgia. The organization identifies "romance scams" as the most prevalent type of fraud targeting seniors over 65, in which scammers build fake romantic relationships through social media and dating sites to manipulate lonely, isolated older adults into sending money or serving as money mules for laundering schemes. Victims often delay reporting because they are embarrassed by significant losses and reluctant to accept they were deceived, with only about one in 30 victims filing police reports.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
This compilation covers six major elder fraud and scam cases: Nigerian "Yahoo Boys" used AI-generated deepfakes in romance scams causing $650 million in losses (2021), with recent cases totaling $25 million and a Salt Lake City jury indicting seven members for laundering $8 million; a Montreal woman lost $25,000 to a crypto scam featuring a fake Elon Musk deepfake; Greek police arrested nine individuals who defrauded victims of €305,789 through phone impersonation scams; a Myanmar trafficking operation forced victims into romance scams via torture and exploitation; and a UK survey found 22% of young adults
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Laura Kowal, a widowed healthcare executive, lost her $1.5 million nest egg to a romance scammer operating under the name "Frank Borg" on Match.com, who manipulated her through months of calls and emails before pressuring her into fraudulent investments and coercing her to help defraud other victims; she was found dead in the Mississippi River. The FBI and Justice Department reported over 64,000 American romance scam victims in 2023 (with experts believing the true number is significantly higher due to underreporting), with financial losses ballooning from $500 million in 2019 to $1.14 billion in
thestar.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Montreal native Patrice Runner was sentenced to 10 years in prison for leading a mass-mailing fraud scheme that defrauded 1.3 million people in Canada and the U.S. between 1994 and 2014, collecting US$175 million through personalized letters featuring fake psychic predictions and bogus shamans targeting elderly victims. While traditional mail-fraud operations have declined due to investigative efforts, seniors remain vulnerable to evolving scams including emergency and romance fraud, with authorities and prosecutors in Canada criticized for failing to take adequate action against elder fraud despite the low reporting rates and lenient sentencing compared to other crimes.