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in Romance Scam
abc17news.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old Ontario woman lost $20,000 to a romance scam after being contacted on Facebook by someone posing as a widower who built an emotional connection with her and eventually requested money via Apple gift card purchases for a fabricated emergency. The case highlights romance scams as one of Canada's top three frauds, with Canadians losing over $52 million annually, and the victim's family is advocating for retailers and social media platforms to implement better fraud prevention measures.
cp24.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old woman from Newfoundland lost $20,000 to a romance scam after a stranger contacted her on Facebook, posed as a widower, and gradually convinced her to purchase Apple gift cards under the pretense of helping with his sick son and financial difficulties. The victim, who was vulnerable following her husband's death and cancer treatment, was targeted through escalating requests that began with $50 gift cards and increased to amounts as high as $3,000. The daughters are working with the RCMP and Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to recover funds and are advocating for retailers and social media platforms to implement stronger safeguards against such fraud, which costs Canadians over
okcfox.com
· 2025-12-08
Oklahoma lost $67 million to online scams last year, ranking 31st nationally, with Tulsa, Lawton, and Oklahoma City as the most targeted cities. Approximately 39% of scams used artificial intelligence to create deepfake videos and audio impersonations of business leaders, politicians, or family members to trick victims into sending money. Security experts recommend limiting digital footprints, enabling multifactor authentication, and watching for visual anomalies like fidgety movements and lighting inconsistencies to detect AI-generated scam videos.
independent.ng
· 2025-12-08
The Director-General of Nigeria's National Identity Management Commission commended the Nigeria Police Force's National Cyber Crime Center for efforts in combating identity fraud, phishing websites, email scams, and romance scams across the country. She stated that cybercrime has significantly reduced in Nigeria over the past 18 months and highlighted that Nigeria is becoming a pace-setter in addressing cybercrime threats in Africa through collaborative security efforts and public awareness initiatives like Cybersecurity Week 2024.
guardian.ng
· 2025-12-08
Nigeria's National Identity Management Commission and the Nigeria Police Force's National Cyber Crime Center are collaborating to combat identity fraud, phishing scams, and romance scams, with officials reporting a significant decline in cybercrime activities over the past year and a half. The agencies emphasized the importance of public awareness and clarified their respective roles, with NIMC issuing national identification numbers and telecommunications companies handling SIM card registration under NCC supervision. Law enforcement is also targeting teenage involvement in cybercrime through planned awareness campaigns in universities and higher institutions.
epicdope.com
· 2025-12-08
"Deceitful Love," an Italian Netflix miniseries, is a fictional drama (based on the 2019 BBC series "Gold Digger") exploring an age-gap romance between a wealthy 60-year-old woman and a younger man, using the storyline to examine societal double standards and romantic fraud. The show uses this fictional narrative to highlight the real-world problem of romance scams, which cost Americans over $1.14 billion in losses in 2023 and affect people across all demographics, not just the commonly stereotyped victims.
ktvz.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old Ontario woman lost $20,000 to a romance scam after being contacted via Facebook by someone posing as a widower her age, who eventually requested money for his sick son and instructed her to purchase Apple gift cards in escalating amounts. The victim, who was vulnerable after her husband's death and recent cancer treatment, was targeted during a lonely period and gradually sent funds ranging from $50 to $3,000 per transaction. The case highlights that romance scams remain among Canada's top three frauds, with Canadians losing over $52 million in the previous year, and the family is now advocating for retailers and social media platforms to implement stronger safegu
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime issued a report warning that digital scamming in Southeast Asia is rapidly expanding and becoming more sophisticated through the integration of generative AI, deepfakes, and cryptocurrency theft tools. Criminal networks have trafficked approximately 200,000 people into compounds across Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos over the past five years to operate scams, with "pig butchering" investment schemes alone defrauding victims of around $75 billion, while organized crime groups in the region earned an estimated $37 billion last year. These criminal operations are increasingly using AI-generated content, deepfake videos, and automated tools to overcome language barriers and scale their scams globally, low
redrocknews.com
· 2025-12-08
Detective Justin White of the Sedona Police Department presented on internet and identity safety, emphasizing that gift card and cryptocurrency payment requests are always fraudulent and warning residents about 40 types of scams, particularly warrant and government impersonation scams that target older adults by exploiting fear and emotions. In 2023, the FBI reported 14,190 government impersonation victims with losses exceeding $394 million, while local authorities received 25-30 fraud reports in a 10-week period with no successful losses. White advised residents to stay calm, trust their instincts, verify claims independently, and report scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center or local authorities.
koreatimes.co.kr
· 2025-12-08
South Korea experienced a surge in mobile spam messages, with 4.128 billion spam texts sent in 2019-2023, including increasing numbers of "smishing" attacks (1,673 reported cases in the most recent year) and romance scams disguised as investment tips and dating opportunities. Losses from smishing jumped 36 times to 14.4 billion won, with scammers using stolen personal information and evolving tactics across text messages, social media platforms like Instagram and Telegram, and messaging apps like Naver Line. Government filtering efforts face practical limitations, and experts recommend users avoid responding to unknown messages while advocating for stronger account authentication processes and regulatory measures to prevent scamm
thesun.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A 44-year-old woman in West London fell victim to a decade-long catfish scam in which her cousin Simran Bhogal impersonated a heart doctor named "Bobby Jandu" online, creating an elaborate false identity complete with a fictional Facebook network of 60 friends and family members. The scam began in 2009 and involved fake stories of violence in Kenya, witness protection in America, and a stroke, manipulating the victim emotionally and sexually for nearly ten years until she discovered the real Bobby Jandu had no knowledge of her. The case is documented in a Netflix series and is described as the longest and most complex catfish scam in
inews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Sarah and her family in Greater Manchester became victims of a honeytrap scam in which fraudsters used fake online profiles to lure men to their home address after the men paid for promised sexual services, resulting in over 30 unwanted visits by male strangers in two months. Despite providing police with video evidence, car registration plates, and a phone number, Greater Manchester Police stated they had insufficient evidence to pursue the case. According to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, romance and honeytrap scams reported nearly 9,000 cases in 2023 with an 8% year-over-year increase, though experts believe actual cases are significantly underreported due to victim shame.
dailybreeze.com
· 2025-12-08
A Santa Monica software developer lost $740,000 in a "pig butchering" romance scam, where a scammer cultivated trust over two months through daily communication before pitching fake cryptocurrency investments. This sophisticated long-con scheme, which originated in China in 2019 and expanded globally during the pandemic, has devastated hundreds or thousands of Californians—some victims have died by suicide after losing family fortunes—with Americans losing $4 billion to cryptocurrency investment scams in 2023, including $1.1 billion from California residents alone.
journalpatriot.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of Justice's Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force identified four trending elder fraud scams targeting older adults: SSA Impostor Scams (falsely claiming Social Security numbers are suspended), Tech Support Scams (charging for unnecessary computer repairs and fake refunds), Lottery Scams (claiming victims won foreign lotteries requiring upfront fees), and IRS Impostor Scams (impersonating IRS agents demanding payment). These scams often operate internationally using U.S.-based "money mules" to receive payments, and older adults are targeted because they are less likely to report suspected fraud; victims can report scams to the National
dailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Santa Monica software developer lost $740,000 in a "pig butchering" romance scam in which a scammer spent two months building trust and romantic connection before pitching a fake cryptocurrency investment scheme. The scam, which originated in China in 2019 and expanded globally during the pandemic, involves networks of scammers posing as romantic partners to exploit victims over weeks or months, with California residents losing over $1.1 billion to cryptocurrency investment scams in 2023 alone, and some victims driven to suicide after devastating financial losses.
presstelegram.com
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering" romance scams have siphoned millions of dollars from Californians annually through sophisticated confidence schemes that build romantic relationships with victims before exploiting them financially. The scams have caused severe damage to victims' lives, including destroyed families, lost retirement savings, and in some cases, suicides. State agencies are working to combat this fast-growing fraud scheme that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations.
mypolice.qld.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
Cairns Police issued a public awareness alert about romance scams, in which perpetrators establish fake online identities to build trust with victims before requesting money or personal information. A recent case involved a 60-year-old Cairns woman who lost $200,000 to a scammer who gradually gained her trust over time. Police advise residents to be cautious of unsolicited online requests, verify identities in person before financial transactions, and report suspected scams to authorities or support services like ScamWatch or ID Care.
au.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 60-year-old Cairns woman lost $200,000 to a romance scammer who built trust with her through fake social media profiles before requesting money. Cairns Police have issued a warning about romance scams, which typically involve scammers posing as genuine individuals who gradually build relationships and convince victims to send funds via cash, bank transfers, or cryptocurrency. Police advise potential victims to verify the identity of online contacts before making any financial transactions and recommend contacting banks, blocking scammers, and changing passwords if victimized.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
A 60-year-old woman from Cairns lost over $200,000 to an online romance scam after months of contact with a man claiming to be deployed in overseas military service who repeatedly requested money for various needs. Police say it is unlikely the victim will recover any funds, and the scam only ended when authorities intervened after receiving reports of suspicious activity. According to experts, romance scammers typically use profiles claiming military or business travel backgrounds, often operate from overseas to evade jurisdiction, and employ sophisticated emotional manipulation tactics, though victims are advised to report incidents to police, contact their bank, and use services like Scamwatch.
sbsun.com
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering" romance scams are siphoning millions of dollars from Californians annually through sophisticated cons where scammers build fake romantic relationships with victims before manipulating them into sending money. The scheme has devastating consequences, including destroyed families, erased retirement plans, and some victims driven to suicide, according to state officials working to combat the fast-growing fraud.
corporate-adviser.com
· 2025-12-08
Research from WEALTH at Work found that 13% of UK adults fell victim to pension scams in the past year, part of a total 6.2 million people affected by financial fraud overall, with victims losing an average of £1,000. Pension scams typically involved fake promises of guaranteed returns or early access to pensions, while other prevalent scams included purchase scams (27%), investment scams (19%), romance scams (14%), and tax refund scams (10%). The research emphasizes that fraudsters use professional-looking materials and multiple contact methods to appear legitimate, and recommends that people verify company registration with the Financial Conduct Authority, never rush financial decisions, and follow the
articles.listnr.com
· 2025-12-08
A 60-year-old woman lost $200,000 to a romance scammer who built trust with her through fake social media profiles before requesting money transfers. Police warn that romance scams typically begin with unsolicited messages from fake accounts that move conversations to other platforms, and scammers use fabricated stories about financial difficulties to solicit payments via bank transfers or cryptocurrency. Authorities advise victims and their families to verify in-person before sending money, immediately contact financial institutions if compromised, and report the scam to cybercrime units.
finextra.com
· 2025-12-08
Social media platforms, particularly Meta, face increasing pressure to combat fraud after a new UK Authorized Push Payment reimbursement scheme took effect in October, with Revolut reporting that over 60% of APP fraud victims in the first half of 2024 originated on Meta platforms. The article outlines six prevalent social media scams: romance scams (building trust before requesting money), job scams (fake postings requesting upfront fees or personal information, with finance roles most targeted at 35.45%), marketplace scams (rental and ticket fraud), phishing links, cryptocurrency/investment scams, and celebrity impersonation schemes. Payment service providers and social media companies are debating responsibility, with critics arguing
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses the growing threat of real-time video deepfakes used for fraud, describing how Reality Defender and other companies are developing detection tools to combat the problem. Recent cases include a US Senate chairman being deceived by a fake Ukrainian official video call and an engineering company losing millions to deepfake video fraud, with romance scams also employing the technique. Multiple approaches are being developed, including Reality Defender's planned Zoom plug-in and academic research on challenge-based authentication, though these detection tools remain unavailable to the general public.
perthnow.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Cairns Police warned Australian residents about romance scams that begin with scammers using fake social media profiles to contact potential victims through unsolicited messages. These deceptive profiles appear authentic but are designed to manipulate victims into sending money, resulting in significant financial losses beyond emotional harm.
beincrypto.com
· 2025-12-08
Hong Kong police arrested 27 perpetrators (21 men and 6 women, mostly university graduates in digital media) operating a sophisticated romance scam that defrauded approximately $46 million from men across Asia between October 2023 and September 2024. The scammers used deepfake AI technology to create fake female personas who engaged victims in romantic conversations, building trust before convincing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms from which funds could not be withdrawn. This case exemplifies the growing trend of AI-enabled romance scams (also called "pig-butchering" schemes), which have caused over $75 billion in global losses since 2020, with deepfake-specific sc
advertiserandtimes.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Two romance scams targeted Lymington residents, with fraudsters posing as Brad Pitt to contact a woman in her 70s via Facebook, and another scammer using a dating website to target a man in his 20s who lost £1,300. These incidents follow previous celebrity impersonation scams in the New Forest area, including a woman in her 90s who lost £13,000 to a fake Sir Tom Jones account and a man in his 60s who lost £910 to a Celine Dion impersonator. Hampshire police urged the public to recognize that wealthy celebrities would never request money from strangers online and encouraged vulnerable individuals and their relatives to exercise caution when
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
Hong Kong police arrested 27 people involved in a sophisticated romance scam that defrauded victims from multiple countries of $46 million between October 2023 and the investigation's conclusion. The syndicate used AI-generated photos and deepfake technology to pose as attractive women in online relationships, convincing victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms while showing fabricated transaction records and discussing false future plans. The operation was highly organized with specialized roles in scamming, technical support, and accounting, with individual fraudsters earning tens of thousands of dollars monthly.
firstpost.com
· 2025-12-08
Hong Kong police dismantled a deepfake romance scam that defrauded victims across multiple countries of $46 million, arresting 27 suspects including college graduates who used AI-generated images of attractive women to build romantic relationships with victims before luring them into fraudulent cryptocurrency investments. The organized syndicate operated from an industrial unit in Hong Kong for approximately one year, using a detailed manual to manipulate victims' emotions and present fake profit records until victims discovered they could not withdraw funds. Police recovered over 100 cell phones, $26,000 in cash, and luxury watches during the raid, with the investigation ongoing.
decrypt.co
· 2025-12-08
Hong Kong police dismantled a deepfake romance scam that defrauded victims across Hong Kong, Singapore, and mainland China of approximately $46 million between October 2023 and the investigation's conclusion. The multinational fraud syndicate used AI-generated images and deepfake technology to pose as women in online relationships, eventually convincing victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms with falsified transaction records showing profits, then preventing withdrawals. Authorities arrested 27 individuals, including university graduates and suspected triad members, who operated specialized roles in the scheme and earned tens of thousands of Hong Kong dollars monthly.
cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
Hong Kong police arrested 27 members of a sophisticated romance scam ring that used deepfake AI technology to defraud victims across Asia of more than $46 million. The well-organized gang, composed of young university graduates, posed as attractive women to lure victims into fake romantic relationships, then coerced them to invest in a bogus cryptocurrency platform, using a detailed training manual to manipulate victims' emotions and trust. The scam operated for approximately one year before police raids in August recovered over 100 cell phones, nearly $26,000 in cash, and luxury watches.
therecord.media
· 2025-12-08
Hong Kong police arrested 27 people for operating a romance scam ring that used AI-generated photos and deepfake face-swapping technology to defraud victims of $46 million across Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, India, and Singapore. The syndicate operated from a headquarters in Hung Hom and recruited university graduates to create fake trading platforms and cryptocurrency investment schemes, with scammers using deepfake technology during video calls to impersonate attractive individuals and gain victims' trust. Police seized computers, phones, and approximately $25,750 in suspected proceeds.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Carlton Rembert, 70, was sentenced to 66 months in prison for his role in a guardianship fraud scheme that stole over $1 million from at least 120 incapacitated elderly people in Pennsylvania between 2012 and 2018. Working with his sister Gloria Byars, a court-appointed guardian, and co-conspirator Alesha Mitchell, Rembert deposited over $695,000 in fraudulent checks into shell company accounts and spent the stolen funds on personal expenses including vacations and vehicles. Rembert was ordered to pay $534,335 in restitution to victims.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
This roundup covers multiple news stories, including one relevant to elder fraud: Hong Kong police reported a deepfake romance scam in which artificial intelligence was used to create fake video calls of an attractive woman to defraud men of $46 million. The article also covers unrelated topics such as parenting stress, AI risks, credit card debt concerns, and tourism regulations.
ibtimes.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Hong Kong police arrested 27 individuals, primarily tech and digital media graduates aged 21-34, for operating a sophisticated deepfake romance scam that defrauded victims across Asia of over $46 million. The organized criminal ring used AI-generated deepfake personas of attractive women to initiate romantic relationships with male victims in Singapore, India, Taiwan, and elsewhere, then manipulated them into investing in fake cryptocurrency platforms through a structured operation with training manuals and specialized departments. The scam operated for approximately one year before law enforcement dismantled the operation in a raid that seized over 100 cell phones, nearly $26,000 in cash, and luxury watches.
fox61.com
· 2025-12-08
Tolulope Samuel Bodunde, a 33-year-old Nigerian citizen, was sentenced to two years in prison for participating in a multi-country business email compromise scheme that defrauded multiple victims including Connecticut, Colorado, Alaska, and New York-based companies. Bodunde specifically exploited elderly women through romance scams to serve as unwitting money mules and was ordered to pay $494,939 in restitution to three victims. The criminal network, led by co-conspirator Okechuckwu Valentine Osuji, operated over several years by impersonating legitimate entities in electronic communications to trick victims into transferring money to accounts controlled by the conspirators.
marketrealist.com
· 2025-12-08
A vigilant bank teller in Australia prevented a 70-year-old woman from losing millions in a dating scam by asking probing questions about her decision to sell her home, ultimately discovering the woman was being manipulated by an online boyfriend who claimed to need money for overseas prison bail—a classic romance scam tactic that was confirmed through a reverse image search. The article also describes a similar incident where a Scottish postal employee protected an elderly woman from a bank impersonation scam, highlighting how alert employees can serve as critical safeguards against fraud that cost consumers approximately $8.8 billion in 2022.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This article explains Zelle, a peer-to-peer payment service vulnerable to fraud because transfers are often irreversible. According to a congressional investigation, customers at Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo disputed $166 million in Zelle fraud in 2023, but only 38% was reimbursed; from 2021-2023, the three banks rejected approximately $560 million in scam disputes. The article outlines seven common Zelle scams including account takeover, employment schemes, charity fraud, marketplace and rental scams, and impersonation scams, providing awareness and protective guidance for users.
pcworld.com
· 2025-12-08
A Hong Kong-based scam ring of 27 people used romance-fraud schemes combined with real-time deepfake video technology to steal approximately $46 million from victims across China, Taiwan, India, and Singapore. The scammers created fake profiles with AI-generated photos, built romantic relationships through messaging, and when victims requested video verification, used deepfake software to convincingly impersonate the attractive women in their profiles before convincing targets to "invest" in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. This "pig butchering" technique, which has reportedly stolen as much as $75 billion globally, is expanding internationally with increasing sophistication as AI tools make it easier for organized crime rings to create convincing
interpol.int
· 2025-12-08
**Operation SOGA X (June-July 2024):** An international law enforcement operation involving INTERPOL and 28 countries made over 5,100 arrests and recovered USD 59 million in illicit proceeds from illegal gambling networks. The operation rescued more than 650 human trafficking victims in the Philippines who had been lured with false employment promises and forced into running cyber scams including romance scams and cryptocurrency fraud, while also dismantling major illegal betting operations in Vietnam, Thailand, and Greece that generated hundreds of millions in illegal transactions through money laundering schemes.
therecord.media
· 2025-12-08
A global law enforcement operation called SOGA X conducted in June and July across 28 countries arrested over 5,100 people and shut down tens of thousands of illegal gambling websites, recovering more than $59 million in illicit proceeds during the UEFA 2024 European Football Championship. The crackdown exposed links between illegal gambling operations and organized cybercrime centers involved in human trafficking, romance scams, and "pig butchering" fraud schemes, with one Philippine raid rescuing over 650 trafficking victims who had been forced to conduct online fraud. Notable takedowns included dismantling a Vietnamese gambling ring generating $800,000 daily and disrupting organized crime operations in Thailand, Greece, an
bitcoinist.com
· 2025-12-08
Hong Kong authorities dismantled a HK$360 million ($46.3 million) cryptocurrency romance fraud scheme operating over approximately one year, arresting 27 suspects who lured victims from Hong Kong, India, Singapore, and Malaysia into fake online relationships and cryptocurrency investment scams. Police seized over HK$200,000 in cash and luxury goods, and authorities emphasized the need for victims to verify cryptocurrency platforms and investment opportunities before participating.
odishabytes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using deepfake technology and artificial intelligence to perpetrate fraud, employing tactics including romance scams (where victims are lured into fake relationships and defrauded of millions), "digital arrest" schemes (where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement to coerce victims into extended video calls and payments), and investment scams using deepfake videos of celebrities like Virat Kohli and Ratan Tata to promote fraudulent apps. Notable victims include men across Taiwan, Singapore, and India who lost over $46 million to romance scams, and Indian textile baron SP Oswal who was defrauded of $833,000 after being
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
Hong Kong police arrested 27 people in October for operating a crypto romance investment scam that used AI deepfakes to defraud victims of $46.3 million. The scammers, mostly targeting men from mainland China, Taiwan, India, and Singapore, posed as women using deepfake technology to lure victims into fake cryptocurrency investment schemes operated from an industrial building in Hung Hom. The operation employed university graduates in digital media and overseas IT professionals to build the fraudulent platform and develop training materials for the deepfake scams.
justice.org.au
· 2025-12-08
West Australian grandmother Donna Nelson, arrested in January 2023 after being victimized by a romance scam and allegedly attempting to import drugs into Japan, began trial in November 2024 with international human rights support. Nelson has been detained in Chiba prison for 21 months awaiting trial on drug trafficking charges, allegedly having been manipulated by a scammer she believed she was meeting after 18 months of online communication. Her family and legal representatives argue she is a victim who should not be criminalized, citing concerns about her isolated confinement and lack of family contact during pre-trial detention.
waow.com
· 2025-12-08
Northcentral Technical College partnered with the Wisconsin Department of Justice to educate elderly community members about common scams and fraud prevention techniques. The program highlighted romance/love scams as a primary threat, where scammers develop fake relationships with seniors over the phone to extract money, noting that victims in the area have lost homes and life savings to such schemes.
sjgov.org
· 2025-12-08
This article describes San Joaquin County's District Attorney's office and its 175-year commitment to public safety under the leadership of Ronald J. Freitas, the 42nd District Attorney. The office maintains a zero-tolerance approach to prosecution and has established a Family Justice Center—a collaborative service delivery model that provides comprehensive support to victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, elder abuse, child abuse, and stalking under one roof. The center aims to help affected individuals and families feel safe and supported while navigating the help-seeking process and rebuilding their lives.
yourmoney.com
· 2025-12-08
UK Finance's Half Year Fraud Report 2024 revealed a 16% rise in fraud cases compared to 2023, though total losses decreased 1.5% to approximately £1.5 billion. Authorized push payment (APP) fraud cases dropped 16% to 97,344 with losses falling 11% to £213.7 million, while romance scams, investment scams, and impersonation scams also declined; however, unauthorized fraud on cards, cheques, and remote banking surged 19% to 1.5 million cases totaling £358 million. Only 59% of fraud losses were returned to victims, though banks prevented £710.
thepaypers.com
· 2025-12-08
In the first half of 2024, criminals stole £571.7 million through unauthorized and authorised fraud in the UK, a 1.5% decrease from 2023, though unauthorized fraud cases rose 19% to over 1.5 million incidents with card-not-present fraud increasing 26%. Authorised push payment (APP) fraud losses declined 11% to £213.7 million, with notable decreases in romance scams, investment scams, and impersonation fraud, and 59% of APP losses were recovered and returned to victims. Banks prevented £710.9 million in unauthorized fraud through security systems, with 98% of unauthorized fraud victims fully
livebitcoinnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Hong Kong police arrested 27 individuals operating a "pig butchering" romance scam ring that stole $46.3 million from victims across Mainland China, India, and Singapore. The scammers posed as romantic partners online and used AI deepfake technology and fake cryptocurrency investment platforms to deceive primarily male victims into transferring digital assets, which they never recovered. The operation was run from an industrial complex in Hong Kong's Hung Hom neighborhood and employed trained staff and contracted developers to execute the scheme.