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in Scam Awareness
savingadvice.com
· 2026-05-31
Seniors are losing a record $7.7 billion annually to financial scams that typically begin with unsolicited phone calls or text messages creating false urgency. Common scams include fake bank fraud alerts asking victims to verify account information, Medicare renewal schemes requesting personal details, and other schemes exploiting seniors' retirement savings and established credit. To protect yourself, never respond to unsolicited messages asking for passwords or personal information, remember that legitimate banks and Medicare won't request sensitive data unexpectedly, and verify any suspicious communications by calling your institution directly using a number from their official website.
navarrepress.com
· 2026-05-31
Medicare fraud costs the program an estimated $60 billion annually and has serious consequences for beneficiaries, including stress, identity theft, and potential health impacts. The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is launching Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (around June 5) to educate seniors on how to protect themselves and their loved ones from fraud. To protect yourself, learn to recognize fraud warning signs, review your Medicare statements carefully, and contact the Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-800-963-5337 with any concerns or suspicious activity.
crestviewbulletin.com
· 2026-05-31
Medicare fraud costs the program an estimated $60 billion annually and takes a serious toll on beneficiaries through stress, identity theft, and potential health complications. The Senior Medicare Patrol is offering free education during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (June 5) to help people protect themselves, detect fraud, and report suspicious activity. To learn prevention strategies, seniors can join a free Zoom class on June 1 or contact the Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-800-963-5337 for questions and resources.
kucoin.com
· 2026-05-31
The FBI has seized over $8 billion in cryptocurrency in the largest U.S. forfeiture action ever, targeting a major international crypto confidence scam operation that defrauded investors with fake cryptocurrency investment schemes. While the exact details about victims and specific cryptocurrencies remain unclear, the seizure signals an escalating federal crackdown on crypto fraud and demonstrates improved government capabilities in tracking illicit digital assets. Investors should be cautious about unsolicited cryptocurrency investment opportunities and remember that legitimate investments come with clear regulatory oversight and documentation.
jdsupra.com
· 2026-05-30
Romance scams manipulate emotionally vulnerable people—such as those who are widowed, divorced, or lonely—by creating fake online relationships through dating apps and social media, with scammers using stolen photos and practiced backstories to build trust over weeks or months. When victims eventually send money to their "partners" (often for supposed emergencies or travel), banks struggle to intervene because customers are emotionally invested and may view warnings as intrusive skepticism. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that progress quickly, avoid meeting in person, and be especially wary if someone asks for money or financial assistance.
en.ilsole24ore.com
· 2026-05-30
Scammers are increasingly exploiting technology and artificial intelligence to commit fraud at scale, with common schemes including deepfake videos for financial fraud, romance scams on social media where victims are manipulated into sharing compromising photos and then blackmailed (sextortion), and company email compromises. According to a UN report on global organized crime, these operations are often run from "scam factories" in areas with weak law enforcement, particularly in Southeast Asia, where thousands of operators work simultaneously—sometimes as trafficking victims forced to participate. To protect yourself, be cautious of romantic advances from unknown people online, verify requests for money or sensitive information through independent channels, never share compromising images, and remain skeptical of requests involving cryptocurrency or gift transfers.
256today.com
· 2026-05-30
Deepfake technology is enabling sophisticated scams where fraudsters create convincing fake videos and voice clones to impersonate trusted figures like CEOs or family members, requesting money or sensitive data—with losses already in the billions and projected to reach $40 billion by 2027. Anyone can be targeted, as scammers need only seconds of audio or video from social media to create convincing impersonations. To protect yourself, watch for red flags like artificial urgency, demands for secrecy, requests to switch to encrypted messaging apps, and unnatural audio or video quality, and remember that legitimate organizations don't typically demand immediate action without verification.
timesnownews.com
· 2026-05-30
Romance scams, where fraudsters pose as attractive strangers online and build emotional relationships to extract money, cost Japan ¥324.11 billion in 2025 alone, with romance scams accounting for ¥55.22 billion across thousands of cases. The scam typically begins with a wrong-number message that evolves into an attentive, patient relationship over weeks, after which the victim is manipulated into sending large sums of money; this pattern is now rapidly spreading to Indian cities like Pune, Lucknow, and Surat. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited messages from strangers, verify identities through video calls or in-person meetings before trusting someone, and never send money to people you haven't met in person.
cnn.com
· 2026-05-30
Voice cloning scams using AI technology are rapidly increasing, with scammers using just a few seconds of audio from social media or previous calls to create convincing replicas of family members' voices and demand money by claiming loved ones are in distress or kidnapped. Americans lost over $893 million to AI-related scams last year, and experts say the technology has become so realistic that average people can no longer reliably distinguish fake voices from real ones. To protect yourself, be skeptical of urgent calls requesting money from family members, verify requests through a separate communication channel (like calling the person directly), and be cautious about what audio and personal information you share on social media.
edition.cnn.com
· 2026-05-30
Voice cloning scams using artificial intelligence are rapidly increasing, with fraudsters using just seconds of someone's audio to create realistic voice replicas that impersonate family members, friends, or colleagues in fake emergencies to extort money. Americans lost over $893 million to AI-related scams last year, and experts say the technology has become so convincing that average people can no longer reliably distinguish AI-generated voices from real ones. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected urgent calls requesting money, independently verify claims by contacting loved ones through known phone numbers or in person, and be cautious about sharing audio or personal information on social media that scammers could exploit.
abcnews.com
· 2026-05-30
The FTC is warning about a phishing scam where criminals send fake party invitation emails and texts impersonating legitimate platforms like Evite or Paperless Post to trick people into entering their login credentials. Victims like a New York yoga instructor and a California preschool director have had their email accounts hijacked and used to spread the scam to their contacts, with one victim losing $5,500 to fraudsters who accessed her bank account. To protect yourself, be cautious about unexpected invitation links, verify invitations directly with the sender through another communication method, enable multi-factor authentication, and immediately change your passwords if you suspect you've been compromised.
police.boston.gov
· 2026-05-30
Boston Police District B-2 officers partnered with the City's Age Strong Commission to educate seniors about common fraud and scams through mail, email, phone calls, and in-person interactions. The presentation taught attendees how to recognize warning signs, protect their personal information, and identify potential fraud attempts. Seniors should remain vigilant about unsolicited communications, verify requests for personal information through official channels, and report suspicious activity to authorities.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-05-30
Washington state residents lost over $18 million to imposter scams in 2025, with scammers frequently posing as government agencies like the IRS or Social Security Administration to trick victims into giving up money and personal information. People over 60 have been hit particularly hard, with fraud losses in that age group increasing 400% since 2020, while scams targeting family and friends have tripled from 2024 to 2025. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls or messages claiming to be from government agencies or businesses you know, verify caller identity through official channels before sharing information, and never click links or download files from suspicious sources.
patch.com
· 2026-05-29
A California man was convicted of attempted theft by deception after trying to steal $50,000 from a 92-year-old New Hampshire resident through a tech support scam that used a fake computer pop-up alert to convince her that her bank accounts were compromised. The victim was manipulated into believing she needed to pay a supposed bank agent to protect her money, and the suspect traveled to her home to collect the cash. Seniors should be cautious of unsolicited tech support alerts and unexpected requests for payment, and anyone experiencing or witnessing elder fraud should contact local police or New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services at nheasy.nh.gov.
nbcmiami.com
· 2026-05-29
Scam survivors are increasingly turning to peer support groups, such as those offered by FightCybercrime.org, to recover from sophisticated cybercrime schemes that cause both devastating financial losses and emotional trauma including shame, isolation, and psychological distress. The article highlights real victims who lost significant money to romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and identity theft, emphasizing that the emotional recovery process can be as damaging as the financial impact. Support groups help survivors understand their experiences, connect with others facing similar situations, and work through the cognitive conflict between their rational and emotional responses that made them vulnerable to scammers in the first place.
pulse.ng
· 2026-05-29
Nigerian police arrested a mother and daughter, Urowhe Diana and Rokibat Imoru, along with a manhunt for a third suspect, Emmanuel Amanfo, for operating a romance scam that defrauded a victim in Malta of over ₦18 million. The scammers created fake identities to build romantic relationships with victims and then solicited money, which was funneled through multiple Nigerian bank accounts and eventually transferred to accounts controlled by the suspects. People should be cautious about online romantic relationships, especially those that quickly escalate to requests for money, and verify the identities of people they meet online before sending any funds.
firstalert4.com
· 2026-05-29
The Better Business Bureau is warning about a surging employment scam targeting job seekers, where scammers contact people via text or WhatsApp with fake "product boosting" jobs, then use fake dashboards and gamification to convince victims to deposit their own money to "unlock" earnings—resulting in median losses of $2,300, though some victims have lost up to $140,000. Over 373,000 people have reported falling victim to job scams in the last three years. If you encounter a job offer requiring you to deposit money upfront, verify the company directly through official channels, and report any suspected scams to the Federal Trade Commission or the Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker.
dutchessny.gov
· 2026-05-29
Dutchess County is offering free workshops in June to teach seniors and caregivers about SilverShield, an AI-powered tool designed to help older adults identify and respond to increasingly sophisticated scams in real time. Scammers are using technology to make their schemes feel personal and urgent, leaving victims feeling shaken or embarrassed, which is why county officials are providing this resource to help seniors stay safe and confident. Interested residents can register for workshops at multiple locations throughout the county by contacting their local senior centers or the Office for the Aging.
mexc.com
· 2026-05-29
Cryptocurrency holders are increasingly vulnerable to scams and hacks that result in billions in annual losses, with threats ranging from impersonation scams to AI-powered fraud schemes. The article emphasizes that crypto users bear full responsibility for their security since transactions are irreversible and there's no customer support to recover lost funds. To protect digital assets, experts recommend using cold storage wallets (like hardware wallets) for the majority of holdings, keeping hot wallets only for small amounts, and never sharing seed phrases—practices that can prevent most losses through basic security habits.
fox6now.com
· 2026-05-29
Job scams in Wisconsin have doubled compared to last year, with the Better Business Bureau receiving nearly 50,000 reports over the past three years of job seekers being tricked into paying thousands of dollars. Scammers are using new tactics, including impersonating well-known companies and offering task-based work to lure victims. Job hunters should be cautious about any employment opportunity that asks for upfront payment and verify company legitimacy through official websites and contact information before applying or sending money.
foxbusiness.com
· 2026-05-28
# Summary
President Trump claims Vice President JD Vance's federal anti-fraud task force has identified "billions and billions" in fraud that could help save Social Security and balance the budget without cuts to the program. Trump cited examples of fraudulent payments to deceased or extremely elderly individuals (claiming some over 115 years old), stating the recovered funds could strengthen Social Security, which is projected to become insolvent by 2032. The task force was launched to combat entitlement fraud, particularly cases involving illegal immigrants, though specific fraud amounts recovered have not been detailed in this statement.
kmbc.com
· 2026-05-28
Americans lost nearly $16 billion to fraud in 2025, with investment scams skyrocketing 36% to become the costliest category at $6.4 billion, followed by romance scams at $1.3 billion, according to FTC data. States like Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii experienced the highest per capita losses, while Washington D.C. had the most fraud reports relative to its population. To protect yourself, be especially cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities and romantic advances from online contacts, verify the legitimacy of investment firms through official regulatory databases, and never send money to unknown parties regardless of the promised returns.
abc.net.au
· 2026-05-28
The Australian federal government is proposing a new Scam Protection Framework that would automatically reimburse scam victims up to $3,000 through their banks, targeting fraud losses that affect everyday consumers. Banks, telecommunications companies, and digital platforms will be required to implement stronger fraud prevention systems by March 2025 and bear the costs of reimbursing most scam victims under the new framework. The government is currently seeking public feedback on the proposal to strengthen protections across the financial ecosystem and hold major institutions accountable for preventing scams.
bath.ac.uk
· 2026-05-28
A phishing scam is circulating through compromised internal email accounts at the University of Bath, offering expensive items like laptops and gaming consoles for free with only a shipping fee—a classic bait-and-switch designed to steal money or personal information from staff and students. Warning signs include unrealistic offers, requests to pay vague "shipping fees" via gift cards, and pressure to respond quickly to personal email addresses rather than official accounts. To protect yourself, never respond to suspicious messages, don't send money or gift cards, and report the email to your institution's IT or security team instead.
wgal.com
· 2026-05-28
A Pennsylvania woman lost $5,400 after scammers used artificial intelligence to mimic her daughter's voice in a fake kidnapping call, instructing her to wire money to Mexico. AI voice cloning technology has become sophisticated enough that criminals can create convincing deepfakes from just seconds of audio or video, exploiting people's emotional panic to bypass their judgment. To protect yourself, experts recommend verifying any urgent requests for money by contacting the person directly through known phone numbers or in person, and questioning the authenticity of unexpected calls—especially those creating fear or time pressure.
wsbradio.com
· 2026-05-28
Scammers are using artificial intelligence to create fake vacation rental listings and phishing emails that look increasingly legitimate, targeting summer travelers with unrealistic deals and AI-generated photos that lack real-world details. Cybersecurity experts warn that if a rental seems too cheap or looks suspiciously perfect (like a magazine cover with no neighbors visible), it's likely a scam, especially since fraudsters are harvesting personal information from data breaches to make their schemes more convincing. To protect yourself, carefully verify listings through official booking websites, scrutinize unusually discounted deals, and never share payment or personal information without thoroughly reviewing the listing and sender's legitimacy.
yahoo.com
· 2026-05-28
A Jamaican man known as "Ice Man" pleaded guilty to orchestrating a romance and lottery scam that defrauded an 85-year-old Arizona woman of over $469,000 between 2015 and 2019. The scheme involved sending fake love messages and flowers, then convincing the victim she had won the lottery and a car, but needed to pay taxes and fees to claim her prizes. Elderly residents should be cautious of unsolicited romantic contact online, lottery winnings they didn't enter, and any requests to pay upfront fees or taxes—legitimate lotteries never require payment to claim prizes.
threatfabric.com
· 2026-05-28
Becky Holmes, an author and fraud expert, discusses how romance and fraud scams are evolving and why preventing them requires more than just technology—it demands human understanding and empathy. She became interested in this topic after observing romance scammers on Twitter during the COVID-19 lockdown and subsequently wrote books exploring fraud trends through interviews with victims, experts, and even perpetrators. Holmes emphasizes that effective fraud prevention depends on collaboration between organizations, law enforcement, and communities rather than relying solely on technical tools, since scams exploit trust and emotion that systems alone cannot counter.
wbaltv.com
· 2026-05-28
Americans lost nearly $16 billion to fraud in 2025, with investment scams surging 36% to become the costliest scheme type at $6.4 billion, followed by romance scams at $1.3 billion. States like Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii experienced the highest per capita losses, while Washington D.C. had the highest fraud reporting rate overall. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities and romantic advances from online contacts, verify the legitimacy of financial advisors through official channels, and report suspected scams to the FTC immediately.
fox13news.com
· 2026-05-28
A nationwide gold bar scam targeting senior citizens defrauded at least 12 older adults of over $6 million, with one 80-year-old veteran losing $1.4 million after scammers impersonated federal marshals and convinced him to buy gold bars for a fake sting operation. The investigation, which began in Bradenton, Florida, led to the arrest of multiple conspirators including Syed Makki, who was sentenced to 15.5 years in prison for overseeing the scams across the country, with the larger operation believed to be based in India. Older adults should be skeptical of unsolicited visits from government officials claiming to have arrest warrants and should verify any such claims directly with official agencies before handing over money or assets.
thenews.com.pk
· 2026-05-28
Investment fraud has surged 87% over two years, with losses nearly doubling from $4.6 billion to $8.6 billion, making it the most lucrative crime for hackers according to the FBI's latest report. Seniors over 60 are particularly vulnerable, losing over $3.5 billion to investment scams last year, though younger investors are increasingly targeted as criminals refine their tactics using AI-generated impersonations and deepfakes. To protect yourself, verify any unsolicited investment opportunities through official regulatory channels, consult a licensed financial advisor before investing, and be wary of promises of unrealistic returns or pressure to act quickly.
klin.com
· 2026-05-28
A 77-year-old Lincoln man lost $1.4 million in a cryptocurrency investment scam, part of a surge that has affected 37 residents in the area with total losses exceeding $2.7 million. Lincoln Police are warning residents to be skeptical of promises for quick investment returns and to verify suspicious opportunities before sending money. Anyone who suspects they've been scammed should contact local police immediately and discuss potential investment opportunities with family members first.
scmp.com
· 2026-05-28
Six Chinese men have been sentenced to life imprisonment in Cambodia for the torture and murder of a South Korean student, with authorities linking them to the massive "pig butchering" scam operation—a multibillion-dollar fraud scheme involving romance and cryptocurrency cons that has flourished in Cambodia. The victim was kidnapped by the criminal gang and found dead in August. To protect yourself, be cautious of unexpected romantic advances online and investment opportunities that promise unrealistic returns, especially those involving cryptocurrency, as scammers often use these tactics to lure victims into transferring money or personal information.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-05-27
Brett Blackman, founder of HealthSplash, was convicted of orchestrating a $1 billion Medicare fraud scheme that operated from 2015 to 2020 across Florida, Kansas, and Arizona by billing Medicare for unnecessary medical equipment that vulnerable elderly and sick patients were coerced into purchasing. His co-conspirator Gary Cox received a 15-year sentence, while Blackman faces up to 30 years in prison for his role in what prosecutors called "cold, calculated, industrial-scale theft." To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited offers for medical equipment, verify that any recommended medical devices are actually prescribed by your doctor, and report suspicious billing or pressure from medical companies to your insurance provider or local authorities.
multco.us
· 2026-05-27
Multnomah County is hosting a free document shredding event on May 30, 2026, to help protect community members—especially seniors and Medicare beneficiaries—from identity theft and fraud, which costs Medicare an estimated $60 billion annually and is the most common form of elder abuse. The event, held in partnership with the Senior Medicare Patrol during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, allows residents to safely destroy sensitive documents that could be used for fraudulent purposes. To protect yourself, securely dispose of personal documents containing financial or health information, and learn more about Medicare fraud prevention resources in your community.
deseret.com
· 2026-05-27
A caretaker in Minnesota was indicted for Medicaid fraud after allegedly providing no services to an elderly man he was supposed to care for, who died neglected while the fraudster continued billing the government—a case Vice President JD Vance highlighted to demonstrate how fraud harms vulnerable populations, not just taxpayers. The federal government's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, created in March, is intensifying efforts to prosecute fraud cases across the country and has called for bipartisan cooperation among state attorneys general. Vulnerable Americans, particularly the elderly, should be aware of who is providing their care services and verify that providers are actually delivering promised assistance.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-05-27
An 80-year-old man and 79-year-old woman in California died in what authorities suspect was a murder-suicide after the woman fell victim to an elaborate "Tom Selleck" romance scam that lasted months and cost her at least $30,000. The scammer, who contacted her through Facebook, used personal details from her profile to build trust and gradually escalated requests from small gift cards to thousands of dollars, despite family members attempting to restrict her access to money. This case highlights how modern scams are evolving—increasingly using AI to create convincing fake photos, videos, and cloned voices—making them harder for families to detect and stop early, particularly among vulnerable elderly individuals.
aol.com
· 2026-05-27
A Bay Area mother lost thousands of dollars after scammers used AI technology to mimic her daughter's voice in a fake kidnapping scheme, convincing her to wire $5,400 to Mexico before she discovered the hoax. The scammers obtained the voice sample from available audio and used it to create a convincing panic call claiming her daughter had been kidnapped by a drug cartel. To protect yourself, experts advise being cautious of urgent calls demanding immediate payment, independently verifying claims by calling family members directly, and being aware that criminals are increasingly using AI voice cloning technology to impersonate loved ones.
abcnews.com
· 2026-05-27
A San Francisco woman lost $5,400 after receiving a phone call from a scammer who used AI technology to mimic her daughter's voice and claim she had been kidnapped. The scammer convinced her to wire money to Mexico before she discovered her daughter was actually safe at work. Experts warn that voice-cloning AI makes these scams increasingly easy to execute, and advise people to be skeptical of urgent requests for money or personal information, especially those involving threats to loved ones.
wrtv.com
· 2026-05-27
The Federal Trade Commission has warned consumers about a phishing scam disguised as party invitations sent via text or email, which trick people into entering their email login credentials or personal information by posing as legitimate invitation platforms like Evite or Paperless Post. Scammers use this stolen information to take over email accounts and spread the same fraudulent invitations to the victim's contacts. To protect yourself, avoid clicking on unexpected party invitations and instead verify directly with the host; if you receive a suspicious invitation, report it to the Anti-Phishing Working Group or the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-05-27
A California mother lost approximately $5,400 in an AI-powered virtual kidnapping scam where criminals used a cloned voice of her daughter and emotional manipulation to convince her the girl had been abducted, keeping her on the phone for nearly five hours before she discovered her daughter was actually safe at work. The FBI warns that these scams are increasing, with criminals using voice cloning, spoofed phone numbers, and high-pressure tactics to extort families into sending money. If you receive an urgent call about a family member in danger, hang up and contact that person directly using a known phone number rather than one provided by the caller.
amac.us
· 2026-05-26
American consumers lost $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, with older adults particularly targeted because they often have savings and may be less familiar with modern technology. Scammers use unsolicited contact via phone, email, or social media to create false urgency and manipulate people into sending money or revealing personal information. To protect yourself, treat unexpected outreach with caution, verify callers' identities before sharing information, and report suspected scams to the FTC or other authorities to help stop fraudsters and protect others.
wgal.com
· 2026-05-26
College graduates are being targeted by scammers posing as loan forgiveness programs, debt relief services, and employers offering fake high-paying remote jobs—these criminals request personal financial information like Social Security numbers and bank accounts under false pretenses. The scams arrive through unsolicited emails, calls, and texts, with some fraudsters even threatening to revoke degrees unless tuition payments are made immediately. Graduates should verify any loan forgiveness or job offers independently through official channels, never provide personal financial information to unsolicited contacts, and be skeptical of remote jobs that require quick interviews or upfront payments for training.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-26
Scammers are systematically targeting veterans by mining military records, VA databases, and public data sources to build detailed fraud profiles for identity theft and financial crimes. Veterans are particularly vulnerable because much of their sensitive information—including Social Security numbers, discharge papers, and service details—is scattered across semi-public federal databases and sold by data brokers. To protect yourself, be cautious about sharing personal information, monitor your credit reports regularly, verify requests from VA or military-related organizations directly, and consider a credit freeze if you believe your information has been compromised.
sundayguardianlive.com
· 2026-05-26
Katie Price's missing husband Lee Andrews allegedly had three hidden mobile phones before his disappearance, claiming to Price that police had seized two but he retained a third—a revelation that has sparked online suspicion about his true intentions and whether the rapidly-escalated relationship (they married just days after meeting) may have involved deceptive behavior. Experts note that quick emotional escalation combined with long-distance communication, as in their case, mirrors patterns commonly seen in romance scams, with UK fraud prevention studies showing 40% of romance scam victims experienced unusually rapid relationship progression. People should be cautious of relationships that move extremely fast, especially involving partners with secretive behavior or those who keep significant distance while building emotional bonds.
kiro7.com
· 2026-05-26
Scammers are increasingly difficult to detect online because they're using advanced technologies like AI, deepfakes, and voice cloning to create convincing deceptions that bypass traditional warning signs. In 2025 alone, the Federal Trade Commission received over one million reports of imposter scams, with reported losses reaching $3.5 billion—a 20% increase. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited demands for money, verify requests through official channels before sharing sensitive information, and be cautious of investment opportunities promising high returns with little risk.
capegazette.com
· 2026-05-26
Scammers are targeting vulnerable people—particularly seniors over 60—with increasingly sophisticated schemes that have caused fraud losses to jump from $600 million to $2.4 billion between 2020 and 2024, often involving romance scams, fake investment opportunities, and AI-generated deepfake voice calls impersonating loved ones. While people are becoming more skeptical of obvious scams, criminals are using artificial intelligence to make their schemes more convincing and harder to detect. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited requests for money or personal information from people you've met online or by phone, verify requests by contacting family members directly through known phone numbers, and never share account login credentials or financial information with anyone you haven't thoroughly verified in person.
nigeriannewsdirect.com
· 2026-05-26
British and Nigerian authorities arrested 31 suspected cybercriminals in a coordinated operation targeting organized fraud networks that operated through messaging groups to conduct romance scams, impersonation schemes, and money laundering across both countries. Victims—including British residents who lost significant sums like £80,000—were psychologically manipulated and emotionally exploited by criminals operating sophisticated, transnational criminal enterprises rather than individual scammers. People should be cautious of online romantic relationships that move quickly, avoid sending money to people they've only met online, and report suspicious activity to local authorities and banking institutions.
winknews.com
· 2026-05-26
A Cape Coral senior lost nearly $4,000 to scammers who impersonated her bank, tricked her into sharing personal information, and fraudulently transferred the money via Zelle—a problem affecting thousands of Florida seniors, who lost over $700 million to fraud last year according to the FBI. After the victim's initial complaints were denied by her bank, media investigation prompted the bank to refund her money, highlighting how persistence can help recover losses. Seniors should be cautious of unsolicited phone calls claiming to be from their bank, verify caller identity independently, and report suspicious activity immediately to both their financial institution and law enforcement rather than relying solely on initial denials.
sundaytimes.lk
· 2026-05-26
Sri Lanka's Central Bank has warned of a growing "pig butchering" scam threat, where foreign scammers operating from scam farms target overseas nationals through elaborate confidence and investment fraud schemes. These long-term cons convince victims to invest money under false pretenses before disappearing with their funds. The Central Bank advises people to be cautious of unsolicited investment offers, verify the legitimacy of financial advisors, and report suspicious activity to authorities immediately.