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unionleader.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud has become a significant threat to adults age 60 and older in the digital age, with the U.S. Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative working to educate seniors about common scams. The article outlines five major fraud schemes targeting seniors: Social Security impostor scams (falsely claiming account suspension and requesting funds via gift cards), tech support scams (claiming virus detection and requesting remote device access), lottery scams (falsely informing victims of foreign lottery winnings and demanding fees), and romance scams (exploiting victims through dating platforms to solicit money).
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Pump-and-dump stock scams, which have existed for centuries, involve fraudsters accumulating low-priced "penny stocks," artificially inflating their value through promotional campaigns (increasingly via encrypted social media platforms), and then selling their shares at peak prices, leaving other investors unable to sell as the price crashes. These schemes exploit investors' fear of missing out (FOMO) by creating artificial urgency and buzz around stocks with little public information available. Protection strategies include avoiding investment advice from strangers, being cautious of social media investment ads, and conducting thorough research before investing in low-priced securities.
saltwire.com
· 2025-12-08
Luiggi Giovanni Yataco, 35, was sentenced for his role in the "Grandparent Scam," defrauding seniors in St. John's and Gander of nearly $27,900 in October 2023 by posing as a lawyer and claiming grandchildren needed bail money for car accidents. Yataco pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud and one count of wearing a disguise, claiming he was merely a "money mule" collecting cash envelopes, though he was arrested when police caught him attempting to pick up money from one of the victims. The scam is part of a broader pattern affecting Canadian seniors, with over $23
wbrc.com
· 2025-12-08
A 47-year-old Bessemer man, Terrance Alonzo Pruitt, was sentenced to 50 months in prison for defrauding an elderly family member with dementia by fraudulently obtaining power of attorney, becoming a joint account holder, and transferring approximately $550,000 from the victim's bank accounts to his own between September and December 2023. Pruitt was convicted of two counts of wire fraud, with his sentence enhanced due to perjury committed during trial testimony. The FBI investigated the case, and victims of financial fraud can contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 21-year-old international student, Kishan Kumar Singh, was arrested in Guilford County, North Carolina, after attempting to scam a 78-year-old Stokesdale woman by impersonating law enforcement officers and federal agents. The scammers falsely claimed the victim's name was linked to criminal activity and her bank accounts were compromised, pressuring her to withdraw money for "safekeeping" during an investigation. Singh was apprehended when he arrived at the victim's home to collect the money and is being held on a $1 million bond facing charges of felony attempting to obtain property by false pretenses and felony exploitation of an elder adult.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Terrance Pruitt, a 47-year-old from Bessemer, Alabama, was sentenced to 50 months in prison for defrauding an elderly family member with dementia in 2023. Pruitt fraudulently obtained power of attorney, became a joint account holder, and transferred $550,000 from the victim's bank accounts to his own personal accounts, using the funds for personal benefit. He was convicted on two counts of wire fraud in December 2024.
newsandsentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
The First United Methodist Church in Parkersburg hosted an elder fraud awareness and prevention event attended by 56 seniors, featuring FBI Special Agents Jonas Lagergren and Aaron Lee from the FBI Pittsburgh Division. The agents presented updated data on common fraud schemes from the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center Annual Report and provided guidance on protecting against fraudulent activity and reporting procedures to the FBI.
rmpbs.org
· 2025-12-08
An 86-year-old Colorado resident named Beverly Russman has been repeatedly targeted by multiple scams over several years, including fake urgent payment demands, ATM withdrawal schemes, and the "Grandparent Scam," which nearly cost her thousands of dollars before bank tellers and family intervention stopped her. According to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report, Colorado ranks seventh nationwide in senior fraud complaints, with scammers stealing over $54 million from seniors that year, with perpetrators often using personal information gleaned from social media and obituaries to target victims. Experts note that seniors are prime fraud targets due to their financial assets, and victims can report fraud to the FTC but
upi.com
· 2025-12-08
Five individuals were sentenced to federal prison for defrauding retired Florida school district employees through identity theft and unauthorized withdrawal of retirement funds. The conspiracy, which involved a retirement specialist who worked at a company administering 401(k) accounts, resulted in the theft of $1.1 million from 25 different retirement accounts; sentences ranged from six months to 87 months, and all defendants were ordered to pay restitution.
abcactionnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 37-year-old convicted felon, Otiz Swinton Jr., was arrested in Orlando for defrauding a 92-year-old Sun City Center man of over $800,000 through a romantic deception scheme involving bank fraud. The perpetrator drained the victim's accounts through multiple methods including cryptocurrency transfers, ATM withdrawals, and counterfeit checks totaling $14.3 million, and was apprehended after being caught on camera using the victim's Wells Fargo card at a Publix store. Swinton Jr. was charged with multiple counts including fraudulent use of personal information of an elderly person, credit card fraud, and ut
wtsp.com
· 2025-12-08
A 92-year-old Tampa Bay-area man lost over $800,000 in a romance and financial fraud scam perpetrated by Otiz Swinton Jr., 37, a repeat offender arrested in Orlando who posed as a woman online to gain access to the victim's investment accounts, subsequently draining funds through forged checks, unauthorized card use, cryptocurrency transactions, and identity theft between June 2022 and his arrest. Swinton had been released from prison just months prior after serving seven years for defrauding over 50 people of $1 million in a similar scheme, and authorities warn that isolated seniors are particularly vulnerable to such scams and should never grant financial access to
abc3340.com
· 2025-12-08
Terrance Alonzo Pruitt, a 47-year-old from Bessemer, Alabama, was sentenced to 50 months in prison for defrauding an elderly family member with dementia of $550,000 between September and December 2023. Pruitt obtained a Power of Attorney without the victim's knowledge, made himself a joint account holder, altered beneficiary designations, and transferred funds to personal accounts, later providing inconsistent explanations when confronted. His sentence was enhanced due to perjury committed during his trial testimony, and he was convicted on two counts of wire fraud.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Terrance Alonzo Pruitt, a 47-year-old man from Bessemer, Alabama, was sentenced to 50 months in prison for defrauding an elderly family member with dementia of $550,000 between September and December 2023. Pruitt executed a fraudulent Power of Attorney, became a joint account holder, altered beneficiaries, and transferred funds to his personal accounts without the victim's knowledge or permission. His sentence was enhanced due to perjury committed during his trial testimony.
cw34.com
· 2025-12-08
Five fraudsters were sentenced to federal prison for conspiring to steal over $1.1 million from retired Florida school employees' 401(k) retirement accounts, with sentences ranging from 6 months to 87 months. The scheme was orchestrated by Ronald Vargas, a retirement specialist who stole funds and transferred them to accomplices including Lambert Aguebor, Floyd Bostic, Grace Aguebor, and Sarina Levy, who then laundered the money through personal accounts, businesses, and real estate purchases. The court ordered all five defendants to pay $1 million in restitution to victims and serve supervised release periods following their imprisonment.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 42-year-old Hawaii man pleaded guilty to wire fraud for defrauding a 78-year-old Orange County victim of approximately $1.8 million through false promises to broker the sale of his yacht and fraudulent transfer of his home into a controlled LLC. McCabe used fabricated documents to steal yacht ownership, diverted the proceeds to his personal account, and obtained $1 million in loans against the victim's residence, ultimately causing the home to be foreclosed and leaving the victim homeless. McCabe faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison at his October 16 sentencing hearing.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The Eau Claire Police Department warned of a social media scam falsely claiming a local police officer was missing, presented as a silver alert to encourage sharing. The scam circulates initially as a missing person post before being changed to a survey offering cash prizes, designed to trick people into providing personal information for identity theft. Detective Justin Greuel advised the public to verify requests independently, note inconsistencies (such as silver alerts being for elderly persons only), and avoid sharing suspicious posts, as trusted sources sharing the content can lower people's guard against the fraud.
koaa.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, scammers stole $243.5 million from Colorado victims and over $16 billion nationwide, according to FBI data—a $56 million increase in Colorado compared to 2023. Seniors aged 60 and older reported 3,125 complaints involving $74.5 million in losses, with the most costly schemes being investment fraud ($90 million), business email compromise ($48 million), and personal data breaches ($23 million). The FBI warns that scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using social media, dating sites, and text messages to build trust before pitching fraudulent cryptocurrency and other investment schemes, with recovery of stolen funds typically
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Five defendants were sentenced in federal court for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and identity theft targeting elderly retired Florida school district employees' 401(k) retirement accounts between January and March 2022. The conspirators, including a retirement specialist with inside access to personal information, fraudulently withdrew approximately $1.1 million from 25 different accounts, some belonging to deceased individuals, with sentences ranging from 6 months to 87 months in federal prison. The scheme involved creating fake withdrawal forms, processing them through the company's system, and laundering the stolen funds through various bank accounts.
tampafp.com
· 2025-12-08
Five individuals were sentenced in federal court for conspiring to defraud retirement accounts of elderly and retired Florida school district employees between January and March 2022. Ringleader Ronald Vargas, a retirement specialist, exploited his position to access personal information of retirees and deceased individuals, which he provided to accomplices who created fraudulent withdrawal requests; the scheme targeted 25 different 401(k) accounts and resulted in a net loss of $1.1 million. The defendants received sentences ranging from 6 months to 87 months in federal prison, with Floyd Bostic receiving the longest sentence for his role as money launderer.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Georgia has implemented new fraud training requirements for police officers to identify fraud, abuse, and neglect of older adults and people with disabilities, with legislation requiring specialized dementia training for first responders. Georgia residents age 60 and over reported losing more than $92 million to fraud in 2023, up from $33.5 million in 2021, with over one-third of the state's 28,546 abuse reports in 2024 involving financial exploitation. These initiatives represent increased collaboration among law enforcement, advocates, and government agencies to protect Georgia's growing elderly population, which is projected to comprise more than 1 in 5 residents by 2030.
oswegocountytoday.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, more than 4,300 older New Yorkers were defrauded, losing over $200 million, as older Americans nationwide lost $3.4 billion to scams. The Trump administration is attempting to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by firing approximately 90% of its staff, including nearly all employees of the Office of Financial Protection for Older Americans, which provides fraud education and counseling to seniors. This action threatens to leave vulnerable older adults without critical protections and resources, despite the CFPB having returned over $21 billion in compensation to Americans harmed by financial fraud since its creation.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for Southern Illinois partnered with the Du Quoin Public Library to host a fraud prevention seminar educating seniors on common scams targeting them via phone, text, email, and online platforms, including schemes where fraudsters impersonate federal agents to extort money. Prosecutors from the Southern District of Illinois presented information on fraud schemes, federal cases, and tips for detecting scams, noting that local scammers have previously defrauded seniors in the region of substantial portions of their life savings.
clickorlando.com
· 2025-12-08
A 92-year-old from Sun City Center, Florida was defrauded of over $800,000 through a combined bank and romance scam that began in June 2022, with the victim's funds transferred through cryptocurrency platforms, peer-to-peer transactions, and ATM withdrawals. Otiz Swinton, 37, was arrested in March 2025 after being spotted using the victim's Wells Fargo card at a store; he also orchestrated five counterfeit checks totaling $14,300 and unauthorized credit card charges exceeding $5,000, with evidence showing accomplices continued the fraud while Swinton was incarcerated. S
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
A Cambodia-based gang with North Korean ties operated the Huione Group, which facilitated "pig butchering" romance scams and other cyber fraud against Americans, stealing at least $4 billion between August 2021 and January 2025. The scammers used dating apps, social media, and professional networking sites to pose as romantic interests or business contacts, convincing victims to invest in cryptocurrency or transfer funds for fake business ventures. The U.S. Treasury Department announced a proposed rule to sever Huione's access to the American financial system, with one victim, Beth Hyland, losing $26,000 after being manipulated into sending bitcoin payments through ATMs to a Nigeria
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-08
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) targeted Cambodian firm Huione Group as a primary money laundering concern, proposing to cut off its access to U.S. correspondent accounts. Huione Group allegedly served as a key conduit for laundering billions of dollars stolen from Americans through romance scams, investment fraud, cyber heists linked to North Korea, and other cybercrimes perpetrated by Southeast Asian criminal organizations.
10tv.com
· 2025-12-08
Ohio seniors lost an average of $18,000 each to scammers in the past year, totaling $54 million statewide, with artificial intelligence making fraud increasingly sophisticated. Rising threats include fraudulent text messages mimicking legitimate banks and federal agencies, as well as data breaches at senior care facilities, such as a breach affecting over 50,000 people at HCF Management. Authorities recommend seniors monitor credit regularly, file fraud reports to help track criminal trends, and consider credit freezes or free credit monitoring to protect themselves.
asianjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Nevada officials warned seniors about rising SSA impersonation scams, following an FTC report showing Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, with adults aged 70 and older heavily targeted. Scammers use spoofed numbers and fear tactics—claiming suspended Social Security numbers or unpaid taxes—to extract personal information, with Filipino-American seniors particularly vulnerable due to language barriers and cultural factors. Authorities recommend hanging up on suspicious calls, never providing personal information unsolicited, and reporting incidents to the FTC or Nevada Attorney General's office, while community groups advocate for multilingual prevention resources.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This article describes an educational event held by AARP Virginia that presented information about six types of scams targeting older adults, paired with wine tastings. The scams covered included cryptocurrency fraud (where victims are tricked into depositing cash at crypto ATMs), jury duty scams (imposter calls claiming arrest is imminent unless fines are paid), and romance scams, with volunteers providing recognition strategies and prevention advice for each.
etvbharat.com
· 2025-12-08
Truecaller announced Scamfeed, a new in-app community feature that allows users to anonymously report and discuss scams in real-time, creating a crowdsourced early warning system against fraud. The platform enables users to share experiences with various scam types—including phishing, impersonation, dating scams, and financial fraud—and check if others have reported similar suspicious activity, helping users identify red flags and protect themselves and their networks.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reported $9.3 billion in losses from cryptocurrency-related scams across 149,686 complaints, a 66% increase from the previous year and the highest figure in IC3 history. Individuals aged 60 and older were the most affected demographic, accounting for over 33,000 complaints and $2.8 billion in losses—nearly one-third of total losses—with younger age groups also significantly impacted. Scammers employed tactics including investment fraud, social engineering, phishing, and impersonation of legitimate platforms, with victims often manipulated via social media and dating apps into transferring funds
regtechtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Barbara Trickle, an 80-year-old Las Vegas resident, pleaded guilty to operating a prize notice scam that defrauded over $15 million from thousands of elderly victims across the United States between 2012 and 2018. Using her printing and mailing company, Trickle designed and distributed millions of fraudulent letters claiming recipients had won cash prizes but needed to pay small upfront fees ($20-$50) to claim them; victims received only cheap trinkets or bogus reports and were repeatedly targeted with additional mailings. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service shut down the operation in February 2018, and authorities warn the public to avoid responding
thesuntimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Tyra Brown, a 27-year-old customer service representative at a New Hampshire credit union, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for stealing $301,674.89 from at least 10 elderly customers using unauthorized access to their personal information and account details. Brown exploited her position of trust to transfer victim funds via wires, electronic debits, and Zelle, targeting elderly account holders she knew were unfamiliar with electronic banking.
bitcoinke.io
· 2025-12-08
Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs raised alarm over a surge in "cyber slavery" and organized scam operations targeting vulnerable Nigerian youth, particularly those lured abroad with false job promises in crypto-related fields. Perpetrators force victims into "419 cyber-scam factories" where they conduct mass fraudulent communications under coercive conditions targeting international victims. Recent enforcement actions include the EFCC's arrest of 792 individuals in December 2024 (including 148 Chinese nationals training Nigerian accomplices in romance and investment scams) and an ongoing investigation into the CBEX crypto platform collapse affecting users across multiple African countries.
news3lv.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Las Vegas woman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for operating a printing and mailing business that produced millions of fake prize notices between 2012 and 2018, defrauding victims of over $15 million. The scheme instructed recipients to pay $20-$50 fees to claim non-existent cash prizes, then either sent worthless items or inundated victims with additional fraudulent mailings. The defendant supervised the lasering, printing, and mailing of the notices targeting vulnerable community members.
thenevadaglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Las Vegas woman, Barbara Trickle, pleaded guilty to orchestrating a nationwide prize scam that defrauded over $15 million from victims between 2012 and 2018, primarily targeting senior citizens through fake lottery and sweepstakes notices requesting fees of $20-$50. No victims received promised prizes, and federal authorities shut down her printing and mailing business operation through multiple search warrants. The Department of Justice encourages seniors and fraud victims to report similar scams to the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Barbara Trickle, 80, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for operating a printing and mailing business that produced millions of fraudulent prize notices between 2012 and 2018. The scheme targeted thousands of Americans, particularly elderly and vulnerable victims, who were told they could claim large cash prizes by paying fees of $20-$50, resulting in approximately $15.5 million in total losses. Trickle faced a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a minimum fine of $250,000.
guardian.ng
· 2025-12-08
Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, a 36-year-old Nigerian man, was sentenced to 97 months in prison for operating an international inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded over 400 elderly victims of more than $6 million. The scheme involved sending personalized letters falsely claiming to be from a Spanish bank offering inheritance money, then requiring victims to pay fees and taxes upfront before receiving funds that never materialized. The investigation involved international collaboration between U.S. law enforcement agencies and authorities from Portugal, the UK, Spain, and Europol.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Billy Ray Thomas Jr., an assistant branch manager at Neches Federal Credit Union in Texas, pleaded guilty to bank fraud conspiracy and was sentenced to 34 months in federal prison on April 29, 2025. Thomas conspired with another individual to fraudulently obtain loans for approximately 30 credit union members—including family and acquaintances—without their knowledge or consent, causing losses exceeding $1.3 million in documented restitution. Thomas was ordered to repay $1,363,825.18 to victims who either did not sign loan documents or unknowingly signed documents they did not understand while trusting Thomas in his position of authority.
amac.us
· 2025-12-08
Diversion scams targeting seniors are on the rise, with a cluster of burglaries in Philadelphia where two perpetrators worked together—one posed as a worker (fence or electrician) to distract elderly victims while the other burglarized their homes, stealing over $250,000 in jewelry, cash, and valuables. Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to having financial savings, living alone, and often being trusting, making them attractive targets. Protection strategies include verifying unknown visitors' identities through official channels, maintaining home security (locked doors, peepholes, good lighting), never opening doors to strangers, and immediately reporting suspicious activity to police.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Barbara Trickle, 80, of Las Vegas pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for operating a prize notice scam from 2012 to February 2018 that defrauded thousands of consumers, predominantly elderly, of over $15 million. Trickle and her co-conspirators mailed fraudulent notices claiming victims had won cash prizes and would receive them upon paying $20-$50 fees; victims instead received worthless reports or trinkets and were subsequently inundated with additional fraudulent mailings. The scheme was shut down following a U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigation and court order.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, a Nigerian national, was sentenced to 97 months in prison for leading a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded over 400 elderly and vulnerable U.S. victims of more than $6 million. The scheme involved sending personalized letters falsely claiming victims had inherited money from deceased overseas relatives and requesting upfront payments for delivery fees and taxes before the funds could be released. The defendants used a network of U.S.-based money mules to collect victim payments, with no victim ever receiving any actual inheritance funds.
reviewjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Las Vegas woman, Barbara Trickle, pleaded guilty to organizing a prize notice fraud scheme that defrauded thousands of consumers, predominantly elderly victims, by mailing millions of fraudulent notices claiming they had won cash prizes requiring $20-$50 fees to collect. Operating from 2012 to February 2018, Trickle used her printing and mailing business to produce the notices and stole over $15 million before the scheme was shut down by federal authorities.
upi.com
· 2025-12-08
Nigerian national Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata was sentenced to 97 months in prison for an international inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded over 400 elderly U.S. victims of more than $6 million. Ogbata and co-conspirators sent letters falsely claiming to represent a Spanish bank and offering victims inheritances from fictitious family members, then requesting upfront payments for delivery fees and taxes. The Justice Department emphasized the case as part of its commitment to prosecuting transnational criminals targeting vulnerable seniors and reminded elderly Americans to report fraud to the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11.
insurancenewsnet.com
· 2025-12-08
An Arkansas woman who worked as a customer service representative at a bank was sentenced to 36 months in prison for stealing from elderly customers. The defendant deliberately exploited her position of trust and targeted elderly account holders, particularly those unfamiliar with electronic banking.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Robert Cirilo, a 42-year-old former president of United Steelworkers Local 13-1647 in Corpus Christi, Texas, pleaded guilty to embezzling over $280,000 from the union through approximately 430 unauthorized personal transactions that he concealed by deceiving union members. Cirilo faces sentencing in August 2025, with potential penalties including up to 20 years in federal prison and fines totaling up to $260,000.
fox9.com
· 2025-12-08
Texting scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with common schemes including fake unpaid toll notices, prize offers, student loan assistance, and AI-generated celebrity videos (such as Kevin Costner impersonations) that request money. Minnesota ranks 12th nationally for impostor scams with a median loss of $800 per victim, and experts advise recognizing red flags such as urgent requests, unknown senders, international numbers, and requests for gift cards or remote computer access, noting that legitimate government agencies and the FBI never ask for payment via gift cards.
presidentialprayerteam.org
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, consumers lost $470 million to text message scams—a fivefold increase from 2020—despite fewer overall scam reports being filed. The most prevalent scams involved fake package delivery notifications, fraudulent job offers requiring upfront payments, and impersonated bank fraud alerts, with perpetrators also using fake toll notices and "wrong number" schemes that escalated into romance or financial scams. The FTC recommends consumers avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts, verify messages through trusted contacts, and report suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) or through their messaging app's reporting features.
coingeek.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. House lawmakers introduced the bipartisan GUARD Act on April 21 to combat "pig butchering" scams and financial fraud targeting older Americans, particularly through online and investment schemes. The legislation would equip federal, state, and local law enforcement with blockchain technology tools to trace and prosecute scammers, addressing a crisis in which Americans reported over $12.5 billion in fraud losses in 2024 (a 25% increase year-over-year), with older adults suffering disproportionately higher losses—including pig butchering schemes that accounted for 33.2% of digital asset scam revenue in 2024.
hayspost.com
· 2025-12-08
Kyle fell victim to an impersonation scam when a fraudster posing as his bank's fraud department obtained his personal information (social security number and birthdate) by asking identity verification questions while simultaneously using those answers to attempt accessing Kyle's account. Golden Belt Bank's Chief Operations Officer recommends hanging up on unsolicited calls and calling your bank directly using a verified number, and warns of common red flags including pressure for immediate action, requests for secrecy, upfront payment demands, and hard-to-track payment methods like wire transfers or gift cards. Banks will never ask for full debit card numbers, PINs, or online passwords unless you initiate contact, and one-time passcodes shoul
chronicle.ng
· 2025-12-08
Joseph Oloyede, a Nigerian traditional ruler, and Edward Oluwasanmi, a pastor, pleaded guilty to defrauding the United States government of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds through Oluwasanmi's shell companies, which diverted the money for personal expenses including real estate purchases. Both men face potential prison sentences with sentencing scheduled for July 2, 2024, after being charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and related federal crimes.