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A Louisiana woman discovered her inherited family property had been fraudulently sold for $45,000 when she attempted to pay taxes on the lot in December; criminals used identity theft with a forged signature, stolen notary stamp, and fake witnesses to impersonate her and transfer the deed to a company. Although the $45,000 payment was frozen and reversed, Batiste continues fighting to restore her legal title to the property, which has been in her family for over 200 years. Investigators believe this case may be connected to an international crime ring, as similar real estate identity theft schemes are becoming increasingly common across the nation.

A 27-year-old man in Lancaster, California was charged with stealing over $4,000 and attempting to steal over $13,000 in public benefits using fraudulent EBT cards obtained through skimming devices at an ATM. The suspect allegedly used nine different cloned cards and possessed multiple skimming devices, pinhole cameras, and re-encoded gift cards in what authorities describe as a sophisticated operation targeting vulnerable benefit recipients. The case highlights California's broader EBT fraud crisis, with over $100 million in stolen funds reported statewide in the past year, primarily in Los Angeles County.

James Henley, 35, of Greenwood, Indiana, was sentenced to ten years in federal prison for orchestrating complex fraud schemes over three years that defrauded homeowners, government agencies, a bank, and an attorney of approximately $2.9 million. His crimes included COVID-19 unemployment fraud ($1.1 million), home title theft (5 homes stolen and sold), mortgage fraud, and auto loan fraud, all facilitated through five fake businesses used to mask his identity and launder proceeds. Henley was ordered to pay $1,887,426.63 in restitution, with co-conspirators including his wife and an associate also facing

This AARP article provides educational guidance on protecting oneself from common fraud schemes affecting adults. It recommends three key protective steps: placing security freezes on credit accounts, monitoring financial accounts regularly, and using strong unique passwords. The article also warns about three specific scams—romance scams involving cryptocurrency, fake gift card balance-checking websites, and identity fraud from data breaches—and advises checking official sources like the SEC's investor.gov before making investments and using phone numbers or addresses on the back of gift cards rather than search results. For victims, AARP offers the Fraud Watch Network Helpline (1-877-908-3360) available weekdays 8 a.m.–

In 2023, multiple high-profile fraud cases emerged involving sophisticated impersonation schemes: a Hermès heir reported a $13 billion fortune missing, Elvis Presley's estate discovered Graceland nearly sold at auction after a woman forged loan documents and signatures, and an Arup engineering employee wired $25 million to fraudsters using deepfake technology to impersonate company executives. The article highlights how modern scammers exploit advancing technology—including AI-generated voices and deepfakes—to impersonate authority figures, family members, and trusted individuals, with experts predicting AI-generated fraud could reach $40 billion by 2027. Recommended protections include establishing family

Criminals are impersonating Elon Musk using fake advertisements and deepfake videos to perpetrate three main scams: selling ineffective energy-saving devices (with victims reporting losses of $152+ per unit), promoting a fraudulent Quantum AI investment platform using fabricated celebrity endorsements, and running giveaway schemes that extract fees or personal information from victims (with one person losing $6,000). These scams exploit AI deepfake technology to create convincing but entirely fictitious endorsements designed to steal money and personal information from unsuspecting targets.

Three accounting and management professors analyzed 20 years of IRS "Dirty Dozen" fraud data and found that identity theft and phishing schemes have been the most prevalent tax scams since 2002, with pandemic-era fraud increasingly involving theft of government relief funds like PPP and Employee Retention Program money intended for legitimate taxpayers. Their research, published in the Journal of Business and Accounting, highlights how fraudsters exploited pandemic relief programs to divert funds away from deserving recipients.

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Following Southern California wildfires, the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation warns consumers to avoid scams targeting disaster victims, particularly deed-transfer foreclosure schemes, intentional default fraud, and advance-fee loan modification scams. The DFPI advises homeowners to contact their mortgage servicer directly or a HUD-certified counselor for legitimate relief options, and urges all consumers to verify company licensing before borrowing or investing. Residents can report complaints to the DFPI at dfpi.ca.gov or call 866-275-2677.

The IRS Criminal Investigation unit uncovered over $9.1 billion in tax fraud and financial crimes in 2024, with scams expected to peak during the 2025 tax-filing season. Common tactics include scammers impersonating IRS agents or tax preparers to claim taxpayers owe additional taxes or are due larger refunds, with threats of arrest or requests for bank details to steal information. Retired taxpayers and those nearing retirement are frequent targets, and experts recommend taking time to verify communications and avoiding pressure from scammers rather than responding immediately.

Mark Steven Diamond, a Chicago businessman, was sentenced to over 17 years in federal prison for defrauding more than 100 elderly homeowners through a reverse mortgage and home repair scheme in which he tricked them into obtaining reverse mortgage loans and pocketed the proceeds without performing promised repairs. Diamond was ordered to pay $2.7 million in restitution, and four co-conspirators involved in originating loans and facilitating the fraud also pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme.

Rebecca C. Lutzko announced her resignation as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, effective January 3, 2025, with First Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik assuming the role. During her tenure leading approximately 175 prosecutors and staff, Lutzko's office oversaw prosecutions involving violent crime, organized gang activity, financial crime, public corruption, drug trafficking, child exploitation, and cybercrime, while also recovering tens of millions of dollars in healthcare fraud and civil cases across Ohio's 40 northern counties.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio forfeited $7.7 million in criminal assets during fiscal year 2024, with over $50 million in additional assets pending forfeiture orders from 214 cases involving cash, cryptocurrency, vehicles, real estate, and jewelry. In FY24, $11.1 million of forfeited funds were returned to crime victims as restitution, and $10.5 million was shared with 83 local law enforcement agency partners who assisted federal investigations. Asset forfeiture serves as a tool to punish criminals, deter criminal activity, and compensate victims harmed by fraud and other crimes.

Baltimore resident Ami Porter avoided an employment scam when she recognized that a supposed remote data entry position with "Northzone" required her to purchase equipment (a computer and iPhone 15) and mail it to the company. Porter remembered the key rule: "you shouldn't have to pay to work," which prompted her to verify the offer and report it to the Better Business Bureau. The article highlights that employment scams have surged during the pandemic, with an estimated 14 million people exposed annually resulting in $2 billion in losses, and advises job seekers to verify companies directly and avoid any offer requiring upfront payments.

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

"Senior Savvy: A Comprehensive Guide to Avoiding Scams" is an educational resource released by financial expert Andy LaPointe that teaches seniors to recognize and prevent fraud across multiple platforms, including phishing emails, social media scams, cryptocurrency schemes, romance scams, and door-to-door deception. The guide provides step-by-step explanations, real-world examples, and actionable strategies for responding to scams, with particular emphasis on protecting seniors during high-risk periods like the holiday season when scammer activity increases.

**Summary:** Catherine Corrine Daly, a 54-year-old former office manager at a Memphis law firm, was indicted on embezzlement charges for stealing approximately $1.25 million over a two-year period (June 2019 to October 2021). Daly allegedly used company funds from the firm's operating account to pay personal American Express credit card bills that she and two relatives used for luxury purchases including designer clothing, jewelry, furnishings, and salon services. She faces six federal counts punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and $250,000 in fines per count.

A 61-year-old child specialist in Hyderabad was targeted by scammers using a digital arrest scam who convinced him to withdraw over Rs 13 lakhs to settle a supposed legal dispute, but alert SBI employees Surya Swathi and Kumar Gaud recognized his distressed behavior and continuous incoming calls, educating him about the scam with newspaper evidence before he lost his money. The scammers used fear-mongering tactics common in digital arrest schemes, which prey on elderly and less digitally aware individuals, but the victim severed contact with the fraudsters after realizing the deception.

Deepfake technology is being weaponized for widespread fraud, including financial scams where criminals impersonate executives or loved ones to steal money (one case involved a $25.6 million loss), sextortion schemes, and romance scams enhanced with fake video. The technology poses escalating threats to individuals, corporations, and institutions as criminals exploit AI-generated deepfakes faster than legal protections can be established, with victims including everyday people, minors, and public figures targeted for financial exploitation and non-consensual explicit content.

A fraud awareness forum in Youngstown hosted by Jewish Family and Community Services attracted 126 seniors to learn prevention strategies from Mahoning County Prosecutor Gina DeGenova. The program covered major scam tactics including phishing text links, romance and catfishing schemes, AI voice impersonation, home improvement fraud, and warned against sharing personal information on social media that could endanger children or be used to answer security questions.

Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee launched the "Scam Free HC" initiative to combat a surge in holiday-season fraud, warning that thousands of Houston residents fall victim annually to scams including gift card schemes, spam calls, and contractor fraud. A notable case involved former police officer Julia Marino, who lost $16,200 in a deposit to A & L Sheds, a company accused of defrauding over 100 victims totaling $1.1 million; the company postponed her shed project 27 times without delivering services or refunds. The initiative provides educational resources and a reporting platform as Texas ranks as the 4th most scammed state in the country with $

Raymond McDonald, a 51-year-old serial romance fraudster from County Durham, has been repeatedly imprisoned for scamming multiple women out of thousands of pounds through dating sites by posing as a wealthy, distinguished military man with properties abroad. Police believe he may have victimized "hundreds" of women over decades, with his latest victims reporting severe emotional trauma comparable to sexual assault, though he was arrested again in August 2024 after his December 2023 release. McDonald's scheme involved juggling simultaneous relationships while fabricating stories about military work, property investments, and fake marriages, extracting money for items and services that never materialized.

Raymond McDonald, a 51-year-old serial romance fraudster from County Durham, was jailed again in August 2024 after defrauding multiple women through dating sites within months of his December 2023 release from prison. Police believe he may have victimized hundreds of women over two decades by posing as a wealthy, distinguished military officer and extracting thousands of pounds through false promises of luxury items, property investments, and even marriage. The victims reported experiencing trauma comparable to sexual assault and domestic abuse, with McDonald's emotional manipulation causing deep psychological harm beyond the financial losses.

This Wiley Consumer Protection newsletter (October 29, 2024) covers three major regulatory developments: the CFPB's final rule implementing Section 1033 requiring financial institutions to share consumer financial data with authorized third parties under privacy standards; the FTC's finalized "click-to-cancel" rule making subscription cancellations as easy as sign-ups and prohibiting deceptive negative option practices; and the CFPB's guidance that employers using third-party background dossiers must comply with Fair Credit Reporting Act protections. These regulatory updates primarily affect financial services providers, subscription businesses, and employers rather than describing specific fraud incidents.

A "digital arrest" scam is rapidly spreading across India, where fraudsters impersonate police officers and convince victims they face legal charges, demanding money to drop fabricated cases. The scheme exploits fear and confusion by using deepfake technology, fake credentials, and authoritative impersonation to appear legitimate, with Prime Minister Modi issuing a national warning and clarifying that "digital arrest" does not exist under Indian law. Victims are advised to avoid panic, record interactions when possible, and immediately report incidents to cyber helplines and local police, while the government is urged to strengthen cybersecurity efforts and enforcement to combat the growing threat.

The BBC is launching "Scam Safe Week" (November 23-29, 2024), a multi-platform educational initiative featuring TV, radio, and online content designed to help the public recognize and prevent scams. With fraud now comprising over 40% of all crime in the UK, the week will include the TV-BAFTA winning series "Scam Interceptors," live roadshow events across the country, and expert advice from fraud specialists, in partnership with organizations including Age UK and Stop Scams UK.

Scammers attempted to defraud a Florida title company by using an AI-generated deepfake video to impersonate a missing woman and fraudulently sell a vacant property. The scheme was caught before completion, but property appraiser Marty Kiar warns that AI-enabled title fraud will likely increase as criminals leverage automated tools to synthesize public property records and create sophisticated impersonations faster than ever before.

Real estate fraudsters in Phoenix use tactics including recording false deeds to assume property ownership, passing fake cashier's checks, and selling land they don't own, leaving homeowners and title companies unable to remove squatters. Experts recommend verifying funds through wire transactions, using secure communication, and working with trusted real estate professionals to protect against these scams. Maricopa County has implemented measures to prevent property theft, though incidents continue to occur.

Google announced the launch of the Global Signal Exchange (GSE), a partnership with the Global Anti-Scam Alliance and DNS Research Federation to create a centralized platform for sharing online fraud and scam signals across organizations and platforms. The initiative leverages Google's fraud detection expertise, GASA's stakeholder network, and the DNS Research Federation's data platform containing over 40 million signals, with Google sharing over 100,000 URLs of fraudulent merchants in an initial pilot. Additionally, Google announced that its Cross-Account Protection tool is now actively protecting 3.2 billion users by enabling privacy-preserving security notifications across platforms where users sign in with their Google Account.

A Plymouth, Massachusetts homeowner discovered fraudsters had created a forged purchase and sale agreement for his home when an attorney called to verify the sale; the scammers planned to record a fraudulent deed at the registry of deeds to steal the property, though the scheme was thwarted when the attorney alerted the victim. This incident is part of a rising trend of real estate fraud targeting homeowners, with both the FBI and Secret Service issuing warnings, and the victim has since filed a fraud report and enrolled in free registry of deeds notification alerts to monitor his property.

The U.S. Senate's Special Committee On Aging held a hearing on elder financial fraud, featuring testimony from AARP's Kathy Stokes revealing that organized transnational crime rings operate like corporations, using emotional manipulation to bypass victims' logical thinking, and that identity fraud alone cost Americans $43 billion in 2023. Scammers are increasingly using AI to create convincing fake communications, emails, and deepfakes, making tech support scams and bank impostor scams harder to detect, though awareness of common tactics and red flags can help protect vulnerable adults.

Property theft scams have increased 500% in recent years, with scammers impersonating homeowners to sell properties they don't own by filing false deeds with county registers of deeds offices. Notable cases include a North Carolina woman who filed a fraudulent warranty deed on a $4 million Raleigh home and another incident where a woman's three-acre property was listed for sale without authorization; authorities recommend homeowners sign up for fraud alerts with their county register of deeds and emphasize the importance of thorough due diligence by buyers, real estate agents, and title companies.

Age UK Cheshire is hosting free educational events in October titled "Scam Proof? Protect Yourself and Others from Fraud" to help elderly residents and community members recognize and prevent scams. Expert speakers from local authorities, police, and the Crown Prosecution Service, along with scam survivors sharing their stories, will cover warning signs and tactics used by fraudsters across phone, online, and doorstep scams. The sessions are designed to equip participants with practical strategies to protect their personal and financial information.

The Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director warned the public to be cautious of love scams, citing a case where a 58-year-old female lawyer lost RM1.7 million to a scammer who posed as an American marine geologist and requested loans. The CCID also reported dismantling a Pantheon Ventures investment scam involving 17 suspects that defrauded 66 victims of RM32.9 million since January, using fake investment packages promising unrealistic returns of 6-400% daily through Facebook and WhatsApp advertisements.

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.), chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, held a hearing titled "Fighting Fraud: How Scammers Are Stealing from Older" Americans to address scams targeting elderly citizens. The hearing examined fraud schemes affecting seniors, though specific details about the scams discussed and outcomes are not provided in the excerpt.

In a September 19, 2024 Senate hearing on elder fraud, lawmakers discussed how scammers stole over $3.4 billion from American seniors in 2023, often through impersonation, romance scams, and false investment promises by transnational criminal organizations based in countries like Mexico and China. The hearing highlighted that Medicare alone lost an estimated $60 billion to fraud, errors, and abuse in 2023, with scammers using stolen Medicare numbers to bill for unnecessary medical equipment. Senators emphasized the importance of community banks, local law enforcement, and AI-powered fraud detection systems in combating these crimes and called for enhanced education to help seniors recognize warning signs.

Martins Inalegwu and Steincy Mathieu, a Burlington County couple, were sentenced to prison (80 months and 16 months respectively) for operating a romance scam that defrauded over 100 victims of approximately $4.5 million between 2016 and 2020. The scammers posed as romantic interests on dating websites, targeting vulnerable older adults and others, with one victim—a tourism board finance director—embezzling $2.8 million from her employer to send to the couple. Both defendants were ordered to pay millions in restitution and unpaid taxes.

The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing on September 19 titled "Fighting Fraud: How Scammers are Stealing from Older Adults," featuring testimony from fraud prevention experts, law enforcement, and senior services administrators. The hearing focused on preventing scams targeting seniors, reporting mechanisms, investigation procedures, and available resources for older adults. Witnesses included representatives from AARP's Fraud Watch Network, elder abuse prosecutors, and state senior services programs.

On September 19, the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing titled "Fighting Fraud: How Scammers are Stealing from Older Adults," chaired by Senator Bob Casey and ranking member Mike Braun. The hearing featured witnesses from AARP, law enforcement, and aging services agencies who discussed scam prevention strategies, reporting mechanisms, investigation procedures, and resources available to seniors. Topics covered included where consumers should report fraud and how these crimes are investigated and prosecuted.

The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office has established a dedicated senior crime unit and launched an educational initiative to protect seniors from rising scams in the area. The office distributes an informational booklet titled "S.C.A.M.S. – Stopping Crimes Against Macomb Seniors" that covers common fraud schemes including identity theft, telemarketing fraud, internet fraud, home improvement fraud, and caregiver fraud, along with free presentations scheduled throughout the county. The initiative advises seniors to never share personal information over the phone or email with unfamiliar individuals and encourages community participation in anti-fraud awareness events.

Senator Sherrod Brown testified before the Senate Banking Committee on the escalating problem of scams and fraud targeting Americans, particularly seniors. In 2023, Americans lost at least $10 billion to reported fraud—an increase of over $1 billion from the previous year—with Ohio alone experiencing $126 million in losses; scammers employ increasingly sophisticated tactics including AI voice mimicry, fake bank calls, and romance schemes to target retirees' savings. Brown emphasized that seniors, who represented more than half of fraud losses in Ohio, often hesitate to report crimes due to shame and self-blame, allowing criminals to continue victimizing others.

A Brantford senior lost her home and approximately $374,000 through a renovation and mortgage fraud scheme involving four predatory mortgages between 2021 and 2022, resulting in mortgage enforcement in January 2024. Police charged four individuals—a 29-year-old from Oakville, a 34-year-old from Hamilton, a 60-year-old from Toronto, and a 39-year-old from Brampton—with fraud and related offenses following a joint investigation by Brantford and Waterloo Regional Police. Authorities advise seniors to be cautious of unsolicited door-to-door visitors and document signing, and encourage

AARP Louisiana hosted an "Unmasking Fraud" educational event on October 15 featuring keynote speaker Paul Greenwood, a retired San Diego Deputy District Attorney who prosecuted over 750 elder abuse and fraud cases during his 22-year career. The free public event included a resource fair, stakeholder roundtable, and presentation of the AARP Fraud Fighter of the Year Award to recognize organizations dedicated to combating fraud in Louisiana.

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Quit-claim fraud is an emerging scam where criminals forge property deed documents to illegally transfer homeownership without the victim's knowledge or payment, as happened at Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion. The scam exploits easily accessible personal and property information combined with advanced document forgery technology, and victims must pursue costly legal action to recover their property. New Hampshire offers free protection through a fraud alert system that notifies property owners via text or email whenever documents bearing their name are filed with the county registry of deeds.

Ray Cortez, a 90-year-old Brooklyn resident, is facing eviction from his Park Slope home of over 50 years after he unknowingly signed over the deed in 2006 when seeking funds for home renovations; a nearly $700,000 line of credit was taken out against the property without his knowledge, and when it went unpaid, the bank foreclosed and sold the home for $2 million, leaving Cortez's name off the current deed despite having purchased the house in 1969. Deed theft and real estate fraud are common scams in up-and-coming neighborhoods, particularly in communities of color in Brooklyn and Queens, according to his attorney

Real estate scammers are fraudulently selling properties they do not own, targeting owners with out-of-state addresses and free-and-clear titles. Sasha Henderson of Parker nearly fell victim to such a scam when she and her husband attempted to purchase 10 acres in Elbert County, but the title company detected suspicious emails and contacted the actual owner out of state, preventing the fraudulent sale from closing. Real estate professionals advise that buyers should always obtain title insurance regardless of whether they are paying cash, and should be cautious of remote transactions, as title companies are better equipped to identify fraud than third-party monitoring services.

This article is not relevant to the Elderus database. It is a business/HR feature about Synchrony's employee benefits strategy and workplace listening practices, with no connection to elder fraud, scams, elder abuse, or financial exploitation of older adults.

This article outlines six common Craigslist scams to avoid: fraudsters selling non-existent items (tickets, cars, rentals, jobs) at below-market prices to solicit untraceable payments; overpayment schemes where a bounced check leaves sellers out of pocket; Google Voice verification code theft that allows scammers to create accounts linked to victims' phone numbers; phishing emails impersonating Craigslist to harvest personal information; fake cashier's checks that are easier to counterfeit than genuine ones; and fake escrow services. The article advises users to only use secure payment methods, verify items in person before payment, never share verification codes

Nearly 1,500 Americans ages 60 and older reported losing $65 million to real estate scams last year, with overall elder fraud losses exceeding $1.6 billion across all scam types—a problem exacerbated by an aging population and AI-enhanced scammer tactics. Elder real estate fraud and financial exploitation often involve document forgery, coercion, or misuse of power of attorney, frequently perpetrated by trusted relatives or advisors, leaving victims losing life savings, retirement funds, and homes. Industry and advocacy groups are calling for coordinated state and federal government action, combined with private sector collaboration, to implement legislative, educational, and enforcement measures to combat this rising threat.