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greenwichfreepress.com
· 2025-12-08
Matthew Ramos-Soto, 27, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for his role as a courier in a grandparent scam wire fraud scheme targeting elderly victims across the United States. Between October 2022 and June 2023, Ramos-Soto and co-conspirators picked up over $250,000 in cash from victims by posing as bail bondsmen, claiming their relatives had been arrested in accidents; he personally collected money from victims at 18 different locations before his arrest in Michigan in June 2023. The case resulted in federal charges filed across multiple districts, with authorities encouraging victims and witnesses to report fraud to the National Elder
fincen.gov
· 2025-12-08
FinCEN issued an alert warning the public about fraudsters impersonating FinCEN officials or misusing the agency's name, insignia, and authority to perpetrate financial scams, including schemes exploiting beneficial ownership reporting and the Money Services Business Registration tool. FinCEN emphasized that legitimate officials will never threaten, demand immediate payment, or contact people via unsolicited email, call, or text, and urged the public to report suspected impersonation to the Treasury Inspector General, FTC, and FBI. Victims aged 60 and older can report fraud to the Department of Justice's National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11.
mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
**Scams Expected to Surge in 2025 with Advanced Technology**
Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using stolen personal data, AI-powered deepfakes, and auto-dialing software with AI chatbots to target victims with highly personalized schemes. Cryptocurrency scams—including "pig butchering" (romance baiting) and investment fraud—are expected to proliferate in 2025, with victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars on average. Security experts advise approaching unsolicited requests with skepticism and distrust rather than assuming legitimacy, as scammers now have access to information from data breaches and social media to make their schemes appear cre
infosecurity-magazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Interpol has advocated for replacing the term "pig butchering" with "romance baiting" when describing a type of cyber-enabled financial crime, arguing that the original terminology dehumanizes victims and discourages incident reporting. In this scam, fraudsters build romantic relationships with victims on dating sites before convincing them to invest in fake cryptocurrency schemes or fraudulent opportunities, ultimately stealing their money and disappearing. According to the FBI, romance and confidence fraud resulted in victim losses exceeding $652 million, while investment fraud overall generated over $4.5 billion for cybercriminals.
opindia.com
· 2025-12-08
On December 10, Nigeria's EFCC raided a sophisticated romance and cryptocurrency investment scam operation in Lagos, detaining 792 suspects including 148 Chinese, 40 Filipinos, and various other foreign nationals who trained Nigerian accomplices. The syndicate operated from a luxury call center equipped with high-end technology, targeting victims primarily in America and Europe through social media platforms by impersonating foreign females and luring them into fake cryptocurrency investments on a platform called Yooto-dot-com, with activation fees starting at $35 USD. The operation recovered approximately 500 SIM cards and involved specially trained Nigerian operatives who were rewarded in cash for their participation in the frau
gbhackers.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
INTERPOL has advocated replacing the term "pig butchering" with "romance baiting" to describe scams where fraudsters emotionally manipulate victims into transferring money, often for fake cryptocurrency investments, before abandoning them with substantial financial losses. The organization argues that the new terminology is less stigmatizing and dehumanizing, encouraging victims to report crimes and seek support rather than remaining silent out of shame. This language shift is part of INTERPOL's broader Think Twice campaign to raise awareness about online scams and foster a justice system centered on victim dignity.
nbcdfw.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI and Better Business Bureau warn of a surge in holiday season scams targeting consumers during Christmas shopping. Common scams include misleading social media ads leading to counterfeit products, illegal pyramid schemes disguised as gift exchanges (like "Secret Sister"), fake toll collection texts, phishing emails offering free gift cards, and fraudulent seasonal job postings that exploit personal information. Consumers are advised to research businesses on BBB.org, verify offers directly with official sources, review app privacy policies, and avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 56-year-old businessman from New Delhi lost Rs 23 lakh ($27,600 USD) to a fake stock trading platform after scammers built trust through a WhatsApp group offering market tips, then directed him to a fraudulent website where they showed false profits to prevent his withdrawal attempts. Delhi Police arrested a 21-year-old Kolkata resident who supplied bank accounts to the fraudsters and identified accomplices including a woman who rented her account to the scam ring, with investigations ongoing to apprehend the main perpetrators operating from abroad.
kbtx.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau identifies 12 holiday-season scams targeting consumers, including misleading social media ads, fake charities, puppy scams, and employment fraud schemes that exploit seasonal shopping and giving. Experts advise consumers to avoid wire transfers, gift card payments, and unsolicited links; research businesses and organizations before engaging; and report scams to law enforcement even if embarrassed, as scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
wave3.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau identifies twelve common holiday scams that increase during the festive season, including advent calendar fraud, fake charities, imposter emails/texts mimicking legitimate companies, fake shipping notifications, misleading social media ads, gift exchange schemes, puppy scams, and fake toll collection texts. The BBB advises consumers to verify charities through official evaluators, avoid unsolicited links and texts, use credit cards for social media purchases for protection, and contact companies directly through official channels if suspicious activity occurs. These scams particularly harm consumers with tight budgets who are trying to purchase gifts and prepare holiday meals.
berkshireeagle.com
· 2025-12-08
Ellen, a 48-year-old widow, met "Frank," a supposed widower, on social media in early 2022 and developed an online relationship that progressed to private messaging platforms. Over approximately two years, Frank manipulated Ellen into sending over $60,000 by claiming his son needed cancer treatment in South Korea, using emotional appeals and promises of future in-person meetings that never materialized. The article documents this romance scam and provides warning signs and prevention strategies, including requesting recent selfies, insisting on face-to-face meetings, and verifying details that don't add up.
agassizharrisonobserver.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this content. What you've shared appears to be a website navigation menu and headline listings from a British Columbia news publication, not an article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse.
To help you, please provide the full text of an actual article related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse that you'd like summarized for the Elderus database.
southernstar.ie
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide defines scams as illegal schemes designed to steal money or personal information, and describes current fraud methods including "quishing" (fake QR codes at parking meters), fraudulent text messages impersonating government energy credit schemes, and spoofed business emails requesting payment. The article provides protective measures such as avoiding QR code payments, using multi-factor authentication, verifying websites through cybersecurity tools, recognizing warning signs (unsolicited contacts, pressure to act quickly, grammatical errors), and safeguarding personal information by only sharing details in initiated communications and checking website security features.
grandrapidsmn.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece outlines how digital scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread across all age groups. Key tactics include phishing emails and texts impersonating banks or employers, phone scams posing as government agencies or tech support, and online shopping fraud, all enabled by advances in technology like AI-generated messages and deepfakes. The article emphasizes that staying informed about these evolving fraud methods is essential for protecting personal finances and information in an increasingly digital world.
news.abplive.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old retired lecturer in Scotland was defrauded of £17,000 (approximately Rs 18 lakh) by a romance scammer who used AI-generated deepfake videos, fake documents, and impersonation to pose as a woman named "Alla Morgan." The scammer exploited the victim's loneliness following personal losses and gradually extracted money through various pretexts, including gift cards and a fake helicopter fare, before the victim's bank detected the fraud and alerted her. Scotland Police is investigating the case, and the scammer has reportedly continued attempting contact by sending false claims that the impersonated woman is imprisoned and needs money.
bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Bengaluru experienced severe cybercrime losses in 2024, with criminals stealing an average of ₹5.4 crore daily through digital arrest scams, fake investment schemes, and part-time job frauds, totaling ₹1,806 crore through November with individual losses ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹9 crore. The city recorded 16,357 cybercrime cases by year-end, with police successfully freezing ₹611.29 crore in fraudulent transactions and recovering ₹122.87 crore for victims. Authorities emphasize the critical "golden hour" immediately after fraud is reporte
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 39-year-old software engineer in Bengaluru lost ₹1.2 crore between September and November 2024 in an online trading fraud that began with a WhatsApp message offering free stock market training. The fraudsters added him to a Telegram group where they posed as trading experts, convinced him to invest through a fake brokerage platform, and used fake testimonials from other group members to encourage larger investments; after his account showed ₹1.4 crore in profits, he was blocked from withdrawing funds and the fraudsters disappeared. A case has been registered against the perpetrators under the Information Technology Act and cheating provisions.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A Jamestown, Tennessee pharmacist, Philip Hall, was indicted on nine counts of health care fraud and six counts of aggravated identity theft for submitting false claims totaling over $6 million to Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and Blue Cross Blue Shield between 2018 and May 2024. Hall submitted claims for medically unnecessary prescriptions, drugs that were never dispensed, or medications not ordered by physicians, while also using other people's identities without authorization to obtain reimbursement. If convicted, he faces up to ten years in federal prison per health care fraud count and the government is seeking a money judgment of approximately $6.5 million in fraud proceeds
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
An elder woman successfully identified and thwarted two "grandparent scam" calls by asking the caller which grandchild they were pretending to be, causing them to hang up. The article emphasizes that while older adults are often targeted by such scams, younger generations (Gen X, millennials, Gen Z) actually lose money to fraud at 34% higher rates than those over 60, typically through online shopping, investment, and job scams. The piece advises families to discuss financial safety during holiday gatherings and recommends being caller-aware, questioning suspicious calls, and verifying directly with the person or institution allegedly contacting you.
lbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between December 25, 2023 and January 1, 2024, nearly £2 million was lost to authorized push payment (APP) scams during the festive period, with 596 scams reported to Santander bank including investment fraud, impersonation scams, and fake marketplace listings for goods and tickets. The scams exploited holiday distractions, with individual losses ranging from hundreds to over £600,000 in investment schemes. Santander advises consumers to verify payments carefully, avoid suspicious social media purchases, confirm identities through trusted contact methods, and research companies before sending money.
tribdem.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder financial exploitation is a growing problem in Pennsylvania, with scammers targeting older adults through romance scams, investment fraud, and schemes impersonating banks or government officials to steal money and personal information. The article advocates for updated state legislation to require banks and credit unions to place temporary holds on suspected fraudulent transactions and report them to local aging agencies, while also urging older residents to remain vigilant about recognizing scam warning signs. Current Pennsylvania law does not mandate reporting of elder financial abuse, leaving many vulnerable seniors without adequate legal protections against exploitation by family members, friends, or strangers.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides guidance on avoiding four major AI-enhanced scams targeting holiday shoppers: romance scams using deepfake video technology, fraudulent websites mimicking legitimate retailers, deepfake marketing videos featuring public figures, and time-sensitive investment schemes. The piece offers practical prevention tips for each scam type, such as using reverse image searches to verify identities, carefully checking website URLs, watching for unnatural elements in promotional videos, and consulting financial advisers before investing.
rappler.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scams across Asia surged dramatically in 2023, with Singapore reporting a 47% increase to over 46,000 cases, while young people and those with higher education have become primary targets through social media platforms and fake accounts promoting fraudulent investments and schemes. Scammers exploit young people's emotions and trust through influencers and gaming platforms, while also targeting older adults with more complex psychological narratives; traditional awareness campaigns struggle to keep pace with rapidly evolving scam tactics, particularly AI-generated content and deepfakes that make fraud increasingly difficult to detect.
delawareonline.com
· 2025-12-08
As financial scams increasingly use AI technology, consumers should remain vigilant against four major holiday-season fraud tactics: romance scams using AI face-swapping, fake retail websites with AI chatbots, deepfake videos of celebrities promoting fraudulent deals, and urgent investment schemes promising guaranteed returns. Key prevention strategies include using reverse image searches to verify identities, carefully checking website URLs, watching for unnatural elements in promotional videos, and consulting financial advisers before investing. Banks recommend consumers leverage security features, stay informed about emerging scams, and exercise caution with digital payments.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman in Huddersfield was defrauded of tens of thousands of pounds by a man who impersonated a police officer investigating financial fraud, obtaining her bank details through a cold call and later meeting her in person as part of the scheme. West Yorkshire Police released a photograph of the suspect, described as Asian, approximately 6ft tall, stocky build with dark curly hair, known to frequent Manchester city centre, Leeds city centre, and the Trafford Centre. Officers advised the public not to provide personal financial details to unsolicited callers and to hang up immediately.
atg.wa.gov
· 2025-12-08
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that Metropolitan Commercial Bank will pay $10 million to the state as part of a fraud recovery initiative that has collected over $52 million from financial institutions that accepted stolen COVID-19 pandemic unemployment funds. Criminals stole more than $15 million from Washington's unemployment fund in 2020 using fake identities and MovoCash, a fintech company sponsored by Metropolitan, which failed to implement adequate anti-fraud and money-laundering safeguards. This marks the second phase of Ferguson's investigation—the first to pursue fintech companies through state consumer protection laws—following an initial phase that recovered $42 million from 26 financial institutions through asset forfeiture.
courant.com
· 2025-12-08
Matthew Ramos-Soto, a 27-year-old from Connecticut, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for his role in a multi-state grandparent scam targeting elderly victims. Operating as a courier posing as a bail bondsman, Ramos-Soto collected over $250,000 from victims across the United States between October 2022 and June 2023, as part of a larger fraud network that contacted elderly people claiming their relatives had been arrested and needed bail money. The scheme, which operated across multiple states including Wisconsin, Michigan, Vermont, Rhode Island, and California, resulted in restitution being ordered and prompted federal authorities to emphasize the importance of
radio.wpsu.org
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns that criminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence tools to create more sophisticated and convincing scams, particularly phishing attacks and voice-cloning schemes that target victims during the holiday season. Key vulnerabilities include AI-generated emails and texts that mimic legitimate communications, deepfake voice calls impersonating loved ones (especially "grandparent scams"), and fraudulent websites that appear authentic. Experts recommend creating family code words, securing social media accounts, carefully verifying web addresses and email domains, and screening unfamiliar calls to protect against these evolving AI-enabled frauds.
npr.org
· 2025-12-08
Criminals are using artificial intelligence tools to create increasingly convincing scams during the holiday season, with phishing attacks being the most common threat. To protect yourself, experts recommend: verifying suspicious emails for subtle red flags (misspellings in domain names, logo variations), establishing secret code words with family members to verify identity during emergency calls, securing social media accounts by setting them to private and limiting personal information, and carefully checking website URLs and encryption before entering sensitive information, as scammers can use AI to create fraudulent websites that appear legitimate.
gmtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
The Mequon Police Department issued a warning about a spike in fraud cases in its community, noting that scams have become increasingly sophisticated and are targeting vulnerable populations through various methods including phishing, impersonation, tech support fraud, investment schemes, and cryptocurrency-related scams. Victims often lose thousands of dollars through wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency with little chance of recovery, and emotional distress frequently prevents reporting. The department recommends residents remain vigilant, verify unsolicited offers, protect personal information, and anticipate that scams will continue to evolve with advancing technology, including AI-driven schemes.
commercialappeal.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults reported $1.9 billion in fraud losses to the FTC in 2023-2024, with actual losses potentially reaching $61.5 billion, and they suffer significantly higher median losses ($1,450 for those 80+) compared to younger people ($480 for ages 20-29). Older adults are particularly vulnerable to investment scams ($538 million in losses), tech support scams (5 times more likely than younger people), and romance/impersonation scams, with payment methods ranging from gift cards to cryptocurrency and bank transfers. The FTC and Better Business Bureau are working to combat these scams through enforcement actions and prevention messaging, though challenges remain including
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
A 44-year-old technician in Johor Baru lost RM172,000 after being lured into a fake investment scheme via WhatsApp that promised 400% returns; he was directed to download a fraudulent app and make 13 transfers before the scammer demanded an additional RM620,000 to release his profits. In a separate incident, a 55-year-old woman was defrauded of RM70,000 by an impostor claiming to be from a police station who tricked her into linking her bank account for a fake money-laundering investigation. Police urged the public to verify unsolicited offers and calls, and reminded scam victims to contact
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A cybersecurity expert warned of three common holiday scams targeting consumers during the Christmas season: fake sales on social media platforms (where scammers pose as sellers and demand gift card payments before disappearing), impersonation scams (where criminals hijack accounts to pose as family members requesting money or information, increasingly using AI voice cloning and deepfakes), and fake prize giveaways (which collect personal information or processing fees). These schemes exploit the holiday shopping rush and emotional vulnerabilities to quickly extract financial information and money from victims.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters increasingly use AI-generated deepfakes and voice cloning to impersonate family members in scams demanding urgent money for emergencies like kidnappings or accidents. The FBI and banks now recommend families create secret passphrases to verify identity during suspicious calls or messages, using unique phrases unrelated to publicly available personal information and kept strictly private. While family passphrases offer a useful defense layer, experts caution that victims in genuine emergencies may struggle to remember them due to panic or adrenaline.
odt.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Anne, a 67-year-old New Zealand woman, lost at least $80,000 to an overseas-based investment scam after being referred by a friend to what appeared to be a legitimate trading company. The scam began with small investments that showed returns, escalating to a mandatory 12-month contract requiring regular payments in U.S. dollars; when Anne stopped contributing after a serious accident forced her to leave work, the scammers claimed she owed $25,000 and threatened legal action. With the provider registered overseas, Anne had little recourse to recover her funds, and she now struggles with both the financial impact on her retirement and the psychological toll of feeling she should have recognized the
buckscountyherald.com
· 2025-12-08
This op-ed advocates for updated Pennsylvania legislation to better protect older adults from financial exploitation, which takes multiple forms including tech support scams, romance scams, investment fraud, and abuse by trusted individuals. The authors call for amendments to the state's Older Adults Protective Services Act to mandate reporting of elder financial abuse and allow banks to temporarily hold suspected fraudulent transactions while notifying authorities. Bank employees are identified as key defenders against elder financial exploitation, and the authors urge older Pennsylvanians to remain vigilant during the holiday season when scammers are particularly active.
scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
A Taiwanese son recovered approximately US$21,000 (NT$700,000) that his father lost to online investment scammers by devising a counter-scam in which he posed as three different people to convince the criminals he would make additional investments. The father had initially fallen victim to a romance and investment scam after being flattered by a scammer posing as a woman online and was persuaded to install a suspicious app on his phone. The son's ingenious scheme successfully manipulated the scammers into returning the stolen funds.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
This is an informational resource page from the Michigan Department of Attorney General detailing senior protection services. The Health Care Fraud Division investigates fraudulent activity by health care providers in the Medicaid program, including misappropriation of patient trust funds and identity theft in care facilities, while the Elder Abuse Task Force works to prevent financial exploitation of nursing home residents. The page provides contact information for multiple state agencies and resources available to report fraud and abuse or seek assistance.
paymentsjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Pig butchering scams—where criminals gradually manipulate victims into investing in fake cryptocurrency schemes—resulted in $3.6 billion in stolen assets from crypto investors in 2024, with ethereum being the primary target due to its irreversible smart contracts. The scams, often initiated through social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, affected victims across all financial literacy levels, including a Kansas bank CEO who lost $47 million and "Shark Tank" star Mark Cuban who lost $870,000.
belfasttelegraph.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between November 2023 and October 2024, the PSNI received over 5,200 fraud reports totaling £19 million in losses across Northern Ireland, including a £50,000 romance scam where a victim was deceived into transferring money for a fake business opportunity and a £100,000+ bank impersonation scam. Common fraud methods involved investment scams, ticket scams, and impersonation schemes conducted via phone, social media, email, and text, with criminals targeting individuals through sophisticated tactics to steal personal and financial information.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 27-year-old businessman lost Rs 57.75 lakh in a fake part-time job scam that began with a Telegram message offering Rs 4,650 daily for online work. The scammers created a fraudulent "Mango Fashion" investment scheme, displaying false earnings in a digital wallet and convincing the victim to transfer funds to multiple bank accounts, though he could only withdraw Rs 30,858 when attempting to access his money. An FIR was filed against 14 suspects in December 2024 following the victim's complaint to cybercrime authorities.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
A Gold Coast couple lost $250,000 of their home deposit in a "spear phishing" scam after transferring funds to a fraudulent account based on emails that appeared to be from their conveyancer but contained a slightly altered email address. The scam was not discovered until the day before their property settlement when their conveyancer could not locate the second deposit in the trust account. Queensland Police transferred the investigation to Victoria Police after identifying the scam account holder as a university student in Melbourne, and experts note that such highly-targeted, personalized scams are becoming increasingly common as criminals shift from mass phishing attacks to high-value transactions.
thecsruniverse.com
· 2025-12-08
HelpAge India conducts digital literacy workshops and awareness campaigns to help senior citizens navigate technology safely and combat cyber fraud. The organization partners with communities, law enforcement, and volunteers to teach practical skills like online banking and mobile use, while addressing misconceptions about reporting mechanisms and fraud prevention through hands-on training and intergenerational learning programs.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides an overview of the spam and scam call problem affecting US consumers and discusses potential solutions. According to 2023 data, American consumers received an average of eight spam calls per week, with victims losing an average of $2,257 per scam—a 527% increase from the previous year. While the FCC has implemented technologies like Stir/Shaken and passed regulations to reduce unwanted calls, experts indicate these measures are inadequate, and the article advises consumers to employ defensive strategies such as not answering calls asking for confirmation or using call-blocking services.
colitco.com
· 2025-12-08
Sarah and Laine Robinson lost $250,000 of their home deposit in a spear phishing scam when fraudsters impersonated their conveyancer via a fake email address (missing ".au" at the end) and redirected their funds to a scam account. Although their bank ANZ recovered $82,000, the couple faced devastating financial and emotional consequences as they prepared to purchase their dream home on the Gold Coast. The case highlights the growing sophistication of targeted phishing attacks, which leverage personalized details and AI technology to deceive victims during high-value transactions.
rnz.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Sarah and Laine Robinson lost $252,000 of their home deposit in a "spear phishing" scam after unknowingly transferring funds to a fraudulent account based on forged emails appearing to be from their conveyancer—the scam was only discovered the day before their property settlement when the funds failed to appear. The scammers had impersonated their conveyancer with near-perfect detail, including correct fee amounts, but used an email address missing the ".au" domain extension; ANZ Bank recovered only $82,000 of the lost amount, and the case was transferred to Victoria Police after discovering a Melbourne university student owned the recipient account. This attack exemplifies a shift
orissapost.com
· 2025-12-08
Rourkela police arrested a suspect from Uttar Pradesh as part of a major investigation into an international cybercrime syndicate operating from Southeast Asia, with 14 arrests made between January and August 2024. The investigation began after a senior Central government official reported a Rs67.7 lakh fraud involving a fake trading app impersonating SEBI-registered INDIRA Securities, and uncovered a network encompassing stock market fraud, dating app scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and human trafficking. Authorities identified over 1,000 Indian nationals trafficked to Cambodia and trapped there with seized passports, prompting involvement from India's Home Ministry and other Central security agencies.
grandforksherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Holiday season scams and financial fraud are surging, with Minnesotans losing $94 million in 2023 and the FBI receiving a record 880,428 complaints nationally with losses exceeding $12.5 billion. Artificial intelligence is making scams harder to detect, enabling criminals to create deepfake voices, fake videos, and fraudulent messages impersonating trusted sources, while investment scams alone jumped 40% with $4.6 billion in losses. The Better Business Bureau recommends verifying websites, using credit card payments, avoiding unsolicited emails and links, using strong passwords, and registering with the National Do Not Call Registry to protect against fraud.
clickondetroit.com
· 2025-12-08
An 84-year-old Canton, Michigan woman was targeted by a phone scam in December 2024 in which a caller impersonated a bank "senior fraud officer" and instructed her to withdraw cash for a supposed security purpose; the scheme succeeded twice before family members detected suspicious bank activity and alerted police. Li Biao, a 30-year-old undocumented Chinese national, was arrested on December 17, 2024, when he arrived at the victim's home to collect $25,000 in cash, and was charged with fraudulent false pretenses and resisting police. Police emphasized the importance of monitoring elderly relatives for warning signs such as sudden financial changes, large
mlive.com
· 2025-12-08
A 30-year-old man was arrested in Canton, Michigan in December after attempting to defraud an 84-year-old woman through an impersonation scam. The suspect posed as a bank fraud officer and convinced the elderly victim to withdraw between $20,000-$50,000 over four days for two pickups, but was caught during a third attempted pickup after the victim's family discovered the suspicious activity. He was charged with fraudulent false pretenses and assaulting a police officer, with bond set at $100,000 cash.