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Between March and August 2024, Santander UK customers lost £3.8 million to romance scams, representing a 27% increase from the previous six months, with victims ranging in age from 18 to 93 and losing an average of £4,500 each. A survey found that nearly one-third of respondents would send money to someone they've known for less than six months, while half had received suspicious romantic messages online. The bank advises potential victims to remove emotion from financial decisions, verify photos through reverse image searches, request video calls, and never share personal or banking information with new online contacts.

Santander reported that UK customers lost £3.8 million to romance scams in the past six months (a 27% increase), with victims averaging £4,500 lost each across ages 18 to 93. Criminals build emotional relationships with victims before manipulating them into sending money through fabricated emergencies, with the bank noting that 65% of surveyed customers believed they would never fall victim despite half receiving suspected scam messages. Santander recommends performing reverse image searches on photos, refusing video call refusals as red flags, never sending money to online-only contacts, and removing emotion from financial decisions by consulting trusted friends before giving money.

Senior citizens are frequently targeted by scammers using untraceable payment methods like prepaid cards and wire transfers, with law enforcement noting these scams are largely preventable through awareness. Documented cases in Sanford included a 77-year-old man defrauded of $3,000 in iTunes cards by someone impersonating his granddaughter claiming to need bail money, and various lottery and inheritance scams sent to residents. Law enforcement agencies advise that any unsolicited request to pay money to receive money is a scam, recommend never sharing personal information over the phone, and note that legitimate government agencies would never demand payment via gift cards or money orders.

**Summary:** Tanya Alahmad, 46, of Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay $46,064.30 in restitution for mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. From November 2019 to February 2022, Alahmad gained the trust of an elderly victim by providing household assistance, then forged a power of attorney in her name and used it to fraudulently obtain credit and debit cards, making unauthorized purchases and withdrawals totaling over $46,000, including while the victim was hospitalized.

Tanya Alahmad, 46, of Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay $46,064.30 in restitution after pleading guilty to mail fraud and aggravated identity theft for forging a power of attorney to steal over $46,000 from an elderly victim between November 2019 and February 2022. Alahmad befriended the victim, gained access to their home, and used a forged POA to obtain fraudulent credit and debit cards in the victim's name, making unauthorized purchases and withdrawals even while the victim was hospitalized. The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection

In the first half of 2024, 580 Singapore residents fell victim to government official impersonation scams, a 58 percent increase from 367 cases in the same period the previous year, with each victim losing an average of $116,534—the highest loss amount among all scam types. Scammers impersonate police officers, bank staff, and government officials (including China government officials) to accuse victims of money laundering or other crimes, using psychological manipulation, time pressure, and fake credentials to coerce victims into transferring money to designated accounts. Authorities recommend verifying caller identity before complying with requests and looking for legitimate government sender IDs (gov.sg)

At a September 2024 Senate Banking Committee hearing, Senator Elizabeth Warren highlighted the severe impact of romance and cryptocurrency investment scams on older Americans, noting that Massachusetts residents alone lost over $85 million to these schemes in 2023. Testimony revealed that scammers use extended emotional manipulation through dating apps before gradually coercing victims to deposit funds into fake trading accounts that show false profits, ultimately draining their entire savings; crypto scam losses nationally increased tenfold from 2020-2023 to over $110 million, with adults over 60 being three times more likely to lose money in such schemes. Senator Warren advocated for her bipartisan Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering

Cristine Petitfrere, 30, of Miramar, Florida, pleaded guilty to laundering $2.7 million obtained through romance scams, in which she and co-conspirators created fake online personas to defraud vulnerable victims, many elderly, and transferred funds through bank accounts to associates abroad while retaining hundreds of thousands for herself. She faces up to 10 years in prison at her December 11 sentencing. Romance scams cost Americans $1.14 billion last year, with victims often deceived by fabricated stories and fake professional identities designed to extract money through wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards.

James and Jessica Dougherty of Boise were sentenced for wire fraud involving over $187,000 after systematically defrauding 81-year-old Donna Douglass, a former elementary teacher. The couple befriended Douglass, isolated her by controlling her transportation and communication, obtained power of attorney over her finances, and fraudulently sold her 46-acre Idaho ranch to themselves for $96,085—far below its assessed value of over $190,000—without her consent. James Dougherty received 41 months in prison and Jessica received three years of probation, with restitution to be determined later.

James and Jessica Dougherty of Boise were sentenced for wire fraud exceeding $187,000 after systematically defrauding elderly rancher Donna Douglass, now 81, beginning in 2015. The couple befriended the former teacher, moved onto her 46-acre property, isolated her from communication and transportation, gained control of her finances as power of attorney, and fraudulently sold the ranch to themselves for $96,085 despite it being valued at over twice that amount. James received 41 months in prison and Jessica received three years of probation, with restitution to be determined later.

A father-daughter duo from Ulster County, New York—Frank Whittaker and Christine Ellsworth—were arrested for stealing over $250,000 from a 92-year-old elderly woman between 2021 and the time of their arrest. After gaining the victim's trust through help with household tasks, Whittaker obtained Power of Attorney and used it to drain the woman's accounts through checks and illegal bank transfers, spending the stolen money on vehicles, jewelry, restaurants, and casinos. Both face charges of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, with potential sentences of up to 15 years if convicted.

This educational article from the Federal Trade Commission outlines common online scams and fraud schemes affecting consumers. Key scams discussed include spoofing (falsifying caller ID to impersonate legitimate organizations), the 809 scam (international callback schemes with high rates), catfishing (creating fake online identities for romance or exploitation scams), cramming (unauthorized small charges on bills), and family emergency scams (targeting grandparents with urgent requests for money). The article advises consumers to hang up on unsolicited callers, verify numbers independently, never share personal information with unknown callers, and be cautious of suspicious requests—noting that while younger adults report romance scams more frequently, older consumers typically lose

This educational resource from DISB (District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking) provides information on common scam types to help consumers protect themselves during financial transactions. The tracker includes detailed examples of advance fee scams, affinity scams by licensed professionals, and credit card phishing scams, with specific case narratives and protective strategies such as verifying information directly with legitimate agencies and being cautious of unsolicited financial offers.

A 35-year-old New York man pleaded guilty to mistreatment of an elder person after defrauding a 78-year-old widowed Wichita woman of over $110,000 in a romance scam conducted through social media. Jango Touray posed as "Victor" and convinced the victim he needed financial assistance, leading her to send the money; he received a three-year probation sentence with a requirement to pay full restitution, though only $38,000 of the $110,000 has been recovered so far. The District Attorney's office warns elderly residents, particularly those living alone, to be suspicious of requests for money from online contacts.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia has initiated civil forfeiture proceedings to recover $2.5 million in cryptocurrency seized from a Thailand-based perpetrator of a "pig-butchering" scam targeting American victims. Pig-butchering scams involve fraudsters establishing romantic relationships with victims to gain their trust, then pressuring them to invest in fake cryptocurrency opportunities before disappearing with the funds. U.S. authorities emphasize their commitment to holding scammers accountable and returning seized assets to victims.

A Delhi IAS aspirant lost Rs 1.20 lakh in a "café con" dating scam where he was lured to Black Mirror Café by a woman he met on Tinder; she ordered expensive items, staged an emergency exit, and he was threatened into paying an inflated bill. The incident reveals an organized scam ring operating across major Indian cities involving dating app matches, cafés/pubs, and coordinated staff who split proceeds (15% to the woman, 45% to managers, 40% to owners), with many victims reluctant to report due to social stigma around dating app usage. Police arrested the café owner and the woman involved, uncovering similar cases

New York State Attorney General Letitia James issued guidance on avoiding online "romance scams" (also called "pig butchering"), which use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build trust with victims before directing them to fraudulent investment schemes. Scammers typically spend considerable time building relationships, then move conversations to encrypted platforms and lure victims into cryptocurrency or foreign currency investments, resulting in losses ranging from thousands to over a million dollars. The advisory recommends New Yorkers avoid wiring money or sending cryptocurrency to unknown individuals, verify sender identities, and report suspected scams to law enforcement.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James warns that online "romance scams" (also called "pig butchering") are increasingly common, with fraudsters using dating apps, social media, and text messages to build trust with victims before directing them toward fraudulent investments in cryptocurrency or foreign currencies. The scammers spend substantial time cultivating relationships and using fake credentials, screenshots of inflated account balances, and fabricated luxury lifestyle photos to appear as successful investment experts, eventually cutting off contact after victims deposit tens of thousands to over a million dollars. James advises New Yorkers to avoid wiring money or sending cryptocurrency to unknown individuals, research senders' information, be suspicious of online romantic interests, an

This educational piece warns of romance scams targeting people on social media and dating platforms, where scammers impersonate military servicemembers stationed overseas using stolen photos and identities. The key indicator of a scam is when an online romantic interest requests money through any method (gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps, or cryptocurrency), and victims should verify profiles through reverse image searches and report suspected scammers to the FTC and relevant platforms.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert about rising romance scams on dating apps and social media, which have surged nationally with victims losing $1.14 billion in 2023—a 1,420% increase from 2016. Long Island resident Connie Rotolo, 71, transferred $475,000 to an online scammer she met on Zoosk in 2020 who posed as an engineer and later claimed to be in danger in the Philippines, leaving her dealing with financial and emotional fallout four years later. The scams typically target vulnerable, lonely individuals and often involve fake romantic connections used to lure victims into fraudulent investments or

Dennis Jones, a widowed grandfather, withdrew his life savings after being romantically scammed by a woman named "Jessie" on Facebook and subsequently died by suicide. The scam is part of a massive multibillion-dollar global criminal operation predominantly run by Chinese gangs operating from Southeast Asia, where scammers—many held against their will in compounds—target victims worldwide to steal their life savings.

Dennis Jones, an 82-year-old Virginia man, lost his entire life savings to a "pig butchering" scam after being groomed online for months by a woman claiming to be named Jessie who convinced him to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency; devastated by financial ruin, he died by suicide before his family could help him recover. Pig butchering scams, run primarily by Chinese criminal gangs operating from Southeast Asia, involve con artists building relationships with victims over months before pressuring them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms, with the FBI estimating these scams stole nearly $4 billion from American victims in the past year alone—a 53% increase from the previous year

Madeline Sprints fell victim to a parking lot distraction theft scam in Los Angeles where criminals stole three credit cards from her purse and attempted $10,000 in fraudulent charges, prompting her to join the Stop Senior Scams Acting Program to educate other seniors. According to the FBI, adults over 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023 (an 11% increase from 2022), with common scams including grandparent scams, romance scams through dating apps, and tech support scams. The FBI recommends never responding to unsolicited contact and reporting scams to local FBI offices or the Internet Crime Complaint Center

Elder fraud continues to rise significantly, with older Americans losing over $3.4 billion in 2023 alone—an average of $33,915 per victim and representing an 11% increase in losses from the prior year. The most common scams targeting seniors include tech support fraud (where scammers pose as legitimate companies to gain computer access), imposter scams (impersonating government agencies or financial institutions), and romance scams (criminals building fake relationships to extract money). Protective measures include avoiding unsolicited contact, never downloading software from unknown contacts, and never sharing sensitive information or credentials with unverified callers.

New York officials are warning residents about a rising "pig butchering" scam targeting romance seekers on dating apps and social media. Scammers build trust with victims over time before convincing them to invest money in cryptocurrency or foreign currency schemes, often moving conversations to encrypted platforms like WhatsApp to evade law enforcement. New York Attorney General Letitia James recommends verifying people's identities, avoiding wire transfers to unvetted contacts, and being suspicious of those who resist video calls, pressure for investments, or request personal financial information.

An anonymous victim lost approximately $1.1 million to two pig-butchering romance scams between January 2021 and December 2022, where scammers posed as a romantic interest and investment advisor on Facebook to manipulate the victim into transferring funds for false business opportunities and cryptocurrency investments. The US government has filed a forfeiture complaint to seize nearly $200,000 in Tether (USDT) held on Binance that was traced to the scam and converted by suspect Izuchukwu Henry Okolo, with the funds now in FBI custody. Pig-butchering scams use romantic relationships and false investment promises to gain victims' trust

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission issued a warning about the rise of "romance scams" (also called "pig butchering scams"), in which scammers pose as romantic interests to trick victims into making fraudulent cryptocurrency investments, with over $75 billion lost to these schemes between January 2020 and February 2024. The FTC advised that scammers establish emotional connections, conduct background checks on victims, promise unrealistic risk-free returns, and disappear after obtaining funds, and recommended that victims cut off contact and report incidents to the FTC. Notable cases include a Philadelphia woman who lost $450,000 in 2024 and crypto exchange Debiex, which allegedly solicite

Fraud affects one in 17 people in the UK and comprises 38% of all crime, according to an Anti-Money Laundering Professionals Forum. The article outlines seven increasingly sophisticated fraud types targeting victims: impersonation fraud (posing as banks or authorities), social media fraud (fake websites and phishing), cryptocurrency investment scams (promising false high returns), courier fraud (impersonating officials to extract money), romance fraud (building fake relationships to steal assets), investment fraud (promoting worthless overseas properties or shares), and payment diversion (using nearly-identical email addresses to redirect payments). Pension providers and authorities must work together to combat these scams through reporting and vigilance.

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert about "pig butchering" romance scams, where fraudsters build romantic relationships with victims on dating apps and social media before convincing them to invest money in fake cryptocurrency or currency schemes. Victims typically deposit tens of thousands to over a million dollars before discovering they cannot withdraw funds or are asked to pay fake fees, at which point the scammers disappear. The Attorney General recommends verifying people's identities, consulting financial advisors before investing, and reporting suspected scams to law enforcement and the relevant platforms.

New York Attorney General Letitia James warned of rising "pig butchering" romance scams in which fraudsters use dating apps and social media to build fake romantic relationships with victims before pressuring them to invest in cryptocurrency schemes. Victims have lost between tens of thousands and over $1 million, with two-thirds of the Attorney General's cryptocurrency complaints tied to these online crimes. The scammers typically move conversations to encrypted platforms like WhatsApp or WeChat before directing victims to fraudulent investment platforms, often operated by overseas perpetrators.

New York State Attorney Letitia James warned of rising "pig butchering" romance scams targeting New Yorkers through dating apps and social media, where fraudsters build fake relationships before convincing victims to invest in cryptocurrency schemes. Victims reported losses ranging from tens of thousands to over $1 million, with two-thirds of crypto complaints to the State Attorney's office linked to online fraud, with communication often conducted through platforms like WhatsApp and WeChat.

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a warning about rising online romance scams across the state, where fraudsters use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build trust with victims before convincing them to invest money or make purchases—a scheme known as "pig butchering." The Attorney General's office provided guidance to avoid these scams, including not wiring money to unknown persons, researching profiles for signs of fraud or AI-generated images, and being suspicious of individuals who avoid video calls, isolate victims from family, or pressure quick investments. Victims are encouraged to report suspected scams to their state Attorney General's office or law enforcement while preserving all communications as evidence.

New York's Attorney General issued a consumer alert about "pig butchering" romance scams, in which fraudsters befriend victims on dating apps, social media, and text messages before directing them to fake investment platforms. Scammers build trust over time, send fake screenshots of trading profits and luxury lifestyle images, then convince victims to invest tens of thousands to over a million dollars in cryptocurrency or foreign currency schemes before cutting off contact and making funds irretrievable. The alert advises New Yorkers to avoid wiring money to unknown contacts, verify identities through reverse image searches, be suspicious of excuses to avoid video calls or requests to use encrypted platforms, and never rush into investments.

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert warning New Yorkers about "pig butchering" scams, in which fraudsters use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build romantic relationships with victims before manipulating them into fake investment schemes, often involving cryptocurrency or foreign currencies. Victims typically see fake account balance increases that encourage larger deposits, ranging from tens of thousands to over a million dollars, before scammers cut off contact and prevent withdrawals or demand prepayment of fees. The Attorney General recommends avoiding money transfers to unknown individuals, researching online profiles for authenticity, and reporting suspected scams to both the platform and law enforcement.

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert about "pig butchering" romance scams, where fraudsters use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build trust with victims before convincing them to invest in cryptocurrency or foreign currencies. Victims are shown fake account statements showing gains, but cannot withdraw funds once they deposit substantial sums, at which point the scammers disappear. The Attorney General's Office encourages reporting suspected scams to the relevant platforms and law enforcement at 1-800-771-7755.

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert warning of "pig butchering" scams, in which fraudsters use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build romantic relationships with victims before convincing them to invest money in fraudulent schemes. The scammers typically move conversations to encrypted platforms like WhatsApp or WeChat to hide their identities, gradually building trust before requesting investments. The Attorney General advises New Yorkers to vet recipients before sending money, research online profiles for AI-generated images, and be alert to sudden requests to use encrypted messaging.

Scammers are targeting Canadian dating app and website users with sophisticated crypto romance and investment scams, where fraudsters build fake relationships or pose as investment advisers to convince victims to invest in bogus crypto schemes on fraudulent platforms. Once victims deposit funds, they can only withdraw small amounts to create legitimacy, after which their money becomes locked and inaccessible after identity compromise. In 2023, Canadians lost $309.4 million to investment fraud, with $172 million stemming from social media-related schemes, prompting warnings from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization.

Brett Edward Lovett, a 53-year-old Camarillo man, was convicted in March 2018 of 29 felony counts including investment fraud, elder theft, grand theft, and money laundering for defrauding at least five victims of over $500,000 between 2010 and 2016. Lovett befriended vulnerable individuals, including elderly members of a Carpinteria church, and persuaded them to invest their money with false promises of high returns, leaving some victims homeless and destitute. He faced sentencing in June 2018 with prosecutors requesting over 28 years in prison, following a 15-month investigation by the California Department

Brenda Cowden, 55, a senior service provider employee in Hamilton County, was indicted on 10 felony charges for allegedly defrauding a 79-year-old isolated victim by befriending her, obtaining a fraudulent Power of Attorney, and stealing $13,600 while gaining control over $1 million of the victim's assets through unauthorized account modifications. The fraud was discovered when credit union investigators froze the accounts, preventing Cowden from inheriting the victim's entire estate upon her death. Cowden faces up to 61 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

This article is an educational overview of online fraud tactics, particularly on social media platforms. In 2024, 70% of authorized push payment (APP) fraud originated online, with criminals impersonating legitimate businesses, charities, or loved ones to manipulate victims into sending money through fake profiles and targeted ads. The UK introduced new consumer protections in October 2024, including up to £85,000 reimbursement coverage and a five-day claims process, as social media's anonymity, ease of account creation, and access to personal information make it an ideal environment for fraudsters to operate at scale.

An 80-year-old woman was prevented from losing $10,000 after a vigilant NAB bank teller grew suspicious when the customer attempted to transfer funds to a man she had been communicating with on Tinder for 12 months but never met in person. The scammer had posed as an oil rig worker in Malaysia claiming to be locked out of his Australian bank accounts and needing money to return to the country, using romance scam tactics to build emotional connection through messaging. NAB reported a 29% increase in romance scam reports, with Australians losing an estimated $40 million to such scams in 2023, with those over 55 experiencing the highest

This commentary discusses "scambaiting"—intentionally engaging with scammers to waste their time—as an unconventional tactic some people use against fraud. While it can provide psychological satisfaction and prevent scammers from targeting vulnerable victims, scambaiting carries legal risks under harassment and stalking laws, and may provoke retaliation including doxxing or threats to the person's loved ones.

Cryptocurrency scams targeting elderly individuals have surged dramatically, with investment fraud losses among Americans aged 60+ rising 38% to $4.57 billion in 2023, and crypto-specific investment fraud increasing 53% to $3.96 billion. Scammers exploit social media platforms to establish trust with seniors through fake investment opportunities featuring artificially high returns, gradually escalating requests for larger amounts. Recovery solutions exist through specialized blockchain forensics and asset recovery services, while protection measures include verifying contacts through face-to-face communication and avoiding suspicious links or unsolicited requests.

Morris County authorities warned seniors that Americans lose over $10 billion annually to scams including fake bank notifications, phony job offers, and romance fraud, noting that many senior victims don't report losses due to embarrassment and fear of losing independence. The Prosecutor's Office Financial Crimes Unit provided protection tips including avoiding suspicious links and attachments, never sharing ID or passport information via webcam, and refusing requests for wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency payments. Authorities emphasized that victims should report fraud immediately to increase chances of financial recovery and aid law enforcement investigations.

Google filed suit against two Chinese developers, Yunfeng Sun and Hongnam Cheung, for creating at least 87 fake cryptocurrency exchange apps (including TionRT and SkypeWallet) that defrauded over 100,000 downloaders globally since 2019. The developers used "pig-butchering" scams, initiating contact via Google Voice to build trust before convincing victims to invest in fraudulent projects; at least one victim lost over $75,000, with approximately 8,700 U.S. victims affected. Google seeks a permanent ban on the defendants' use of its services and damages to be determined at trial.

Google filed its first-ever lawsuit against cryptocurrency scammers based in China and Hong Kong for distributing 87 fraudulent trading apps on the Google Play Store that were used to conduct "pig butchering" romance scams. The scheme targeted over 100,000 victims who lost between $100 and tens of thousands of dollars each after being manipulated into downloading fake apps that displayed false investment returns but prevented fund withdrawals. Google is seeking damages, financial compensation exceeding $75,000 in investigation costs, and a court order to bar the developers from future fraudulent activity.

Brett E. Lovett, a 53-year-old former insurance agent from Camarillo, was found guilty of 29 counts including embezzlement, fraud, elder abuse, and money laundering for defrauding at least nine seniors of approximately $1.2 million between 2011 and 2016. Lovett targeted victims he met at a Jehovah's Witnesses congregation and through his legal aid information business, then misappropriated their funds for personal expenses including cosmetic procedures, travel, and jewelry. He was scheduled for sentencing on May 9, 2024.

A Melbourne woman in her 60s was prevented from losing $2,000 to a romance scam when a NAB bank employee identified red flags—including her inability to name the supposed recipient, increasingly coercive messages, and a timely call from the scammer during the transaction. The employee's intervention saved her from joining hundreds of Australians who lost approximately $40 million to romance scams in the previous year, with NAB reporting a 29 percent year-on-year increase in romance scam reports.

A National Australia Bank teller in Melbourne prevented a woman in her 60s from losing thousands of dollars to a romance scam by identifying red flags in her plan to transfer money to an overseas "boyfriend" she had met on social media. The scammer, posing as someone in Turkey needing medical treatment, had convinced the woman to send funds to an intermediary in Sydney, but the teller's intervention and private counseling stopped the transaction. According to NAB, romance scam reports have increased nearly 30 percent year-over-year, with Australians losing an estimated $33 million to such scams annually.

A woman in her 60s was stopped from sending A$2,000 to a scammer posing as her Turkish boyfriend after a quick-thinking NAB bank teller noticed red flags in her story—including that she couldn't name her "boyfriend," had never met him, and was being directed to send money to a stranger in Sydney instead. The scammer had created an emotional narrative about needing money for medical treatment in the UK, with an increasingly coercive tone, and even called during the transaction to pressure her. NAB reported a 29% increase in romance scam complaints, with Australians losing an estimated A$40 million to such scams in 2023, with those