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in Robocalls / Phone Scams
nz.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-02-24
Deepfake scams have tripled in 2025, defrauding people of approximately $1.1 billion worldwide, with over 80% of losses occurring on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated deepfake videos and audio to impersonate celebrities, politicians, and financial leaders to promote fraudulent investments, as well as creating fake romantic relationships to extract money from victims. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities and romantic advances on social media, verify celebrity endorsements through official channels, and never send money to people you've only met online.
aol.com
· 2026-02-24
A major fraud ring operating in Texas stole at least $55 million from elderly victims by impersonating federal agents and threatening them with arrest to coerce them into surrendering gold, cash, and cryptocurrency. The scheme is part of a growing crisis of elder fraud, with Americans over 60 accounting for 36% of all fraud reports and losing nearly $2.4 billion to scams in 2024 alone. To protect yourself and elderly relatives, remain skeptical of unsolicited calls or messages from officials making threats, remember that legitimate authorities won't demand payment by gift card or wire transfer, and verify any official claims by contacting the agency directly using a number from their official website.
republicworld.com
· 2026-02-24
An Indian national named Atharva Shailesh Sathawane, who overstayed his student visa, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in a fraud scheme that defrauded elderly Americans of millions of dollars. Working as a courier for an international scam operation, Sathawane visited victims' homes to collect cash and gold after they were deceived into believing their retirement savings were at risk, personally handling over $6.6 million in stolen assets across multiple states over four months. Seniors should be cautious of unsolicited calls or visits claiming their assets are in danger, verify such claims directly with their financial institutions using official contact numbers, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement immediately.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-02-24
# Fraud Summary
A Texas crime ring stole at least $55 million from elderly victims by impersonating federal agents and threatening them into surrendering gold, cash, and cryptocurrency. The FTC reports that fraud targeting seniors has surged, with people over 60 accounting for 36% of all fraud reports in 2024 and losing approximately $2.4 billion to scams. To protect yourself and older relatives, be wary of unsolicited calls or messages from people claiming to be government officials, especially those creating urgency or threatening arrest—legitimate authorities will never demand immediate payment or asset transfers over the phone.
digitaljournal.com
· 2026-02-24
# Article Summary
Plastic card fraud is the most common identity theft scam in the UK, affecting over 94,000 victims in 2024 and accounting for more than one-third of all identity theft cases, with phone companies experiencing a dramatic 72.72% surge in fraud attempts. Bank account fraud came in second place with nearly 58,000 cases, while online shopping fraud declined significantly by 25.41%, suggesting that improved security measures in some sectors are working. To protect themselves, consumers should monitor their credit and debit cards regularly for unauthorized charges, use strong passwords and two-factor authentication, and consider freezing their credit if they suspect fraud.
tradingview.com
· 2026-02-23
# Pig-Butchering Crypto Scams Summary
Pig-butchering scams are a growing threat in the cryptocurrency world where fraudsters build fake romantic or friendly relationships with victims over weeks or months before pressuring them to invest in fake crypto platforms, with reported losses reaching $370.3 million in January 2026 alone. Unlike quick phishing attacks, these scams use psychological manipulation—showing fake profits, requesting escalating deposits, and then blocking withdrawals—to exploit emotional trust and extract large sums of money. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious about unsolicited investment advice from people you've only met online, never share crypto wallet details with new contacts, and verify investment platforms through official regulatory databases before depositing any money.
nationaltoday.com
· 2026-02-23
New York Attorney General Letitia James has warned of "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters build fake relationships with victims on social media and dating apps before convincing them to invest money in fraudulent schemes like cryptocurrency, sometimes resulting in losses exceeding $1 million. These sophisticated scams typically begin with friendly contact, move to encrypted chat platforms to hide the scammer's identity, and end with the perpetrator disappearing with the victim's savings. To protect yourself, remain cautious of unsolicited messages from strangers urging investments, verify investment opportunities independently, and report suspected scams to the Attorney General's office.
romesentinel.com
· 2026-02-23
AI-powered romance scams are affecting an estimated 1.4 million New Yorkers, with scammers using sophisticated tools like fake photos and AI-generated messages to deceive victims. The financial impact is substantial—romance scams cost Americans $1.14 billion in 2023 and over $672 million in 2024 alone—and the widespread fraud is eroding online trust, making people hesitant to engage in digital transactions and interactions beyond dating. To protect yourself, be cautious of urgent pressure tactics, verify identities carefully before sharing personal information or money, and look for transparent, credible signals when interacting with brands and individuals online.
dailymail.co.uk
· 2026-02-23
A 34-year-old man named Adam Mowle defrauded a victim of over £9,000 by posing as a woman named "Jenna Smith" on a dating app, claiming to need money due to illness and financial hardship. The victim, devastated by the scam, subsequently lost an additional £93,000 through desperate gambling attempts to recover his money, while Mowle spent the stolen funds on his horse and living expenses. To protect yourself from romance scams, be wary of requests for money from online dating matches, especially early in a relationship, verify identities through video calls, and never send cash to someone you haven't met in person.
thesun.co.uk
· 2026-02-23
A 53-year-old tech professional and fraud specialist named Tracy Cray intentionally strung along a romance scammer for nine months after recognizing classic con tactics on a dating site, including love bombing, requests to move to private messaging, and eventually requests for money. The scammer, posing as "Richy," used stolen photos from a real businessman in Florida and employed typical romance scam methods to try to extract money from victims. For people using dating apps, key warning signs include pressure to move conversations off-platform quickly, excessive declarations of love from someone you've just met, vague employment details with no online presence, and sudden requests for money due to emergencies or business problems.
sanmarcosrecord.com
· 2026-02-23
Financial advisor Jason Fischer warned that one in ten older adults fall victim to scams—particularly romance, collections, sweepstakes, imposter, and grandparent scams—often perpetrated by people the victims trust, though many cases go unreported due to embarrassment. Common red flags include unsolicited calls claiming to be from the IRS or utilities threatening immediate action, requests for money from supposed romantic partners built on trust over time, and prizes offered for contests the victim never entered. To protect yourself, Fischer emphasized that legitimate organizations like the IRS never call to demand immediate payment, and you should be skeptical of any request for money from unfamiliar contacts, even if they seem trustworthy.
jesseltontimes.com
· 2026-02-23
In January 2026 alone, Malaysian romance scammers defrauded victims of RM3.5 million across 100 reported cases, with women aged 30-50 making up the majority of targets. Scammers exploit emotional vulnerability by creating fake profiles on social media and dating platforms, building trust over weeks or months before fabricating emergencies (medical crises, customs delays, travel costs) to extract money from victims seeking genuine connection and companionship.
**Actionable advice:** Be cautious of romantic connections with strangers online who quickly profess feelings or request money for emergencies; verify identities through video calls before sending any funds, and report suspicious profiles to platform administrators and police immediately.
travelandtourworld.com
· 2026-02-23
In 2025, Americans lost $1.3 billion to increasingly sophisticated AI-powered romance scams that use realistic fake profiles and personalized messages to build emotional connections before requesting money or personal information. Unlike older scams with obvious red flags like poor grammar and blurry photos, these AI bots are designed to mirror victims' interests and preferences, making them difficult to distinguish from real people. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of online romantic connections that develop quickly, be wary of requests for money or personal data, and verify profiles through video calls or other means before investing emotionally.
newsweek.com
· 2026-02-23
The U.S. Treasury Department recently sanctioned a timeshare fraud network allegedly run by Mexico's CJNG cartel, which has been systematically defrauding American retirees through high-pressure call centers that drain their savings. The cartel, led by "El Mencho" who was recently killed by Mexican forces, has diversified beyond drug trafficking into various scams targeting Americans, including elder fraud and cryptocurrency schemes. Seniors should be wary of unsolicited calls about timeshare properties and luxury vacation deals, verify any offers independently through official channels, and never provide personal financial information to unknown callers.
the420.in
· 2026-02-23
# Article Summary
A 23-year-old Indian national living illegally in the U.S. on an overstayed student visa was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in an international fraud scheme that targeted elderly Americans across multiple states. Working as a courier for a larger conspiracy based in India, Sathawane made at least 33 trips to victims' homes between summer and fall 2025, collecting over $6.6 million in cash and gold by convincing seniors to liquidate their retirement accounts under false pretenses. To protect yourself: elderly Americans should be wary of unsolicited calls or visitors pressuring them to convert savings to cash or gold, verify any financial advice through trusted sources, and report suspicious activity to authorities immediately.
financialexpress.com
· 2026-02-23
# Fraud Scheme Summary
A 23-year-old Indian national was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in an international fraud scheme that defrauded elderly Americans of approximately $6 million. Operating as a "courier," he convinced seniors to liquidate their retirement accounts and hand over cash and gold, which he then delivered to co-conspirators based in India. Elderly citizens should be cautious of unsolicited requests to withdraw retirement funds or hand over valuables, and should report suspicious activity to authorities immediately—it was a victim's suspicion that helped law enforcement break the case.
fox5dc.com
· 2026-02-23
# Tax Scam Summary
During tax filing season, scammers impersonate IRS agents to target taxpayers through phone calls and emails, either demanding immediate payment for supposed back taxes (threatening arrest) or requesting personal information under the guise of issuing refunds. Anyone filing taxes is vulnerable, with college students particularly targeted, and scammers use pressure tactics, fake credentials, spoofed caller IDs, and official-looking emails to appear legitimate. To protect yourself, remember that the real IRS never demands immediate payment, asks for payment via wire transfer or prepaid debit cards, or requests credit card numbers over the phone—hang up on suspicious calls and verify directly with the IRS before responding.
knoxtntoday.com
· 2026-02-23
Two Knox County men lost a combined $500,000 in a sophisticated Bitcoin scam after clicking on a deceptive Facebook advertisement, with one man losing his entire life savings of $375,000. Detective Wayne Doster spent months investigating the international fraud ring operated from Malaysia, ultimately leading to the arrest of Lee Kah Poh, a Malaysian national who came to Tennessee to collect the money. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious about unsolicited investment opportunities on social media, never click links from unknown sources, and verify any investment through official channels before sending money.
fourstateshomepage.com
· 2026-02-23
As tax season approaches, the Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about widespread phone, text, email, and social media scams where fraudsters impersonate the IRS to steal money and personal information. The IRS will never initiate contact by phone—legitimate tax issues are addressed through official mail—so any unsolicited communication claiming to be from the IRS is a scam. To protect yourself, obtain an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) directly from the IRS, which verifies your identity when filing and prevents criminals from filing taxes in your name.
fox32chicago.com
· 2026-02-22
# Tax Scam Summary
During tax filing season, scammers are targeting taxpayers through phone calls and emails impersonating the IRS, using two main tactics: falsely claiming victims owe back taxes and demanding immediate payment via wire transfer or prepaid debit cards, or posing as refund issuers to steal personal information for identity theft. These scams often use sophisticated tactics like fake badge numbers, spoofed caller IDs showing Washington D.C., and official-looking emails with IRS logos to appear legitimate. To protect yourself, remember that the real IRS will never demand immediate payment, require a specific payment method, or ask for credit card information over the phone—hang up and contact the IRS directly through their official website or phone number if you're unsure about a communication.
newsnationnow.com
· 2026-02-22
# Tax Season Alert: Ghost Preparer Scams
The IRS is warning taxpayers about "ghost preparers"—fraudsters who offer suspiciously fast refunds by filing returns with fabricated deductions or inflated claims, then submitting them without legally required signatures or tax ID numbers. When the IRS catches these fraudulent returns, it's the taxpayer who faces penalties and legal trouble, not the scammer. To protect yourself, ask potential preparers upfront whether they'll sign the return with their tax ID, verify their qualifications through IRS resources, use established companies, and check the Better Business Bureau's website for complaints before hiring anyone.
mocoshow.com
· 2026-02-22
# Fraud Alert Summary
International call centers operating from India defrauded hundreds of Americans out of nearly $49 million since 2022 through government impersonation and tech support scams, with Maryland residents losing over $6 million. Law enforcement in Maryland and India dismantled the operations and arrested multiple perpetrators, though authorities warn the scams continue to target vulnerable people, particularly seniors. To protect yourself, authorities advise being skeptical of unsolicited calls, texts, or pop-ups demanding urgent payment, and remember that legitimate government agencies will never call demanding money or threatening arrest.
kfiz.com
· 2026-02-22
# Travel-Related Scams Summary
As spring and summer travel approaches, consumers should be aware of two major scams targeting travelers: fraudulent passport websites that mimic official government sites and charge fees for free services, and fake TSA PreCheck enrollment schemes sent via email and text that steal personal information and money. To protect yourself, use only the official Travel.State.Gov website for passport services and apply for TSA PreCheck directly through legitimate enrollment centers found in airports and other locations. If you encounter fraud, report it to DSSCrimeTips.state.gov or contact the TSA directly.
boothbayregister.com
· 2026-02-22
# Travel Scam Summary
Scammers are targeting winter travelers through fake vacation rental listings and pressure tactics to pay upfront via untraceable methods like wire transfers and gift cards. Anyone booking travel is at risk, particularly those lured by steep discounts or unfamiliar booking sites. To protect yourself, always use credit cards for purchases, verify properties and companies by searching for reviews and complaints online, and never pay outside official booking platforms.
centralillinoisproud.com
· 2026-02-22
McLean County residents are being targeted by scammers posing as sheriff's office employees who call claiming there's an arrest warrant and demand money, gift cards, or deposits to resolve it. The scammers spoof the sheriff's office phone number and may cite fake names like "Sgt. Haynes" or "Captain Edmon Smith," sometimes mentioning a "gag order" to prevent victims from seeking help. If you receive such a call, hang up immediately and contact local police, as legitimate law enforcement will never request money or warrant information over the phone.
techbullion.com
· 2026-02-22
# Article Summary
A "pig butchering" scam is a sophisticated fraud where criminals build false trust with victims over weeks or months before stealing their cryptocurrency. Victims who discover they've been scammed should immediately stop communicating with the perpetrator, preserve all evidence (screenshots of messages, profiles, and transactions), and report the theft to authorities and recovery services like Pro Crypto Recovery—while being cautious of recovery scams themselves. The key advice is to treat your phone and computer as a crime scene, gather documentation of all communications and blockchain transactions, and resist the urge to respond to scammers, as alerting them could cause them to destroy evidence.
pcmag.com
· 2026-02-21
# Job Search Scams on the Rise
As job losses mount due to AI and economic pressures, scammers are targeting desperate job seekers through fake job postings on platforms like Indeed and LinkedIn, using AI-generated fake websites to steal personal information like Social Security numbers, addresses, and banking details. Beyond data theft, criminals may also request upfront payments for fake background checks or equipment, or send fraudulent checks that bounce after obtaining bank account information. To protect yourself, verify job postings directly through company websites, be wary of unsolicited payment requests, and never provide sensitive information like your Social Security number before speaking with a legitimate company representative.
boothbayregister.com
· 2026-02-21
People over 50 are particularly vulnerable to fraud, with over $11 million reported in scams during just a nine-month period in 2025, according to a presentation by Coastal Maine Regional Broadband and local police. Most scams involve impostors contacting victims through email, text, or phone with urgent messages designed to cloud judgment, sometimes building fake relationships over time to gain trust. To protect yourself, experts recommend verifying unexpected contacts directly with the person, avoiding clicking links or sharing passwords, watching for language errors and mismatched email addresses, and declining friend requests from people already in your network.
shoredailynews.com
· 2026-02-21
Scammers are increasingly targeting renters by posting fake rental listings on platforms like Facebook, using stolen photos and offering suspiciously low prices to pressure victims into sending deposits before viewing properties. Once payment is made through untraceable methods, the scammers disappear and victims discover the homes were never available for rent. To protect yourself, always tour a property in person and verify the listing through a licensed real estate professional before sending any money or sharing personal information.
cbsnews.com
· 2026-02-21
# Fraud Awareness Summary
The Boulder County Sheriff's Office launched a new training program to help people recognize and avoid fraud scams, after Sheriff's Victim Advocate Stephen Conley witnessed fraud impact his own family members through grandparent and tech support scams. The program, targeting seniors and the general public, teaches people to recognize warning signs like urgency, requests for secrecy, password demands, and money transfers—using the acronym SUPER as a memory tool. The key advice is to slow down when contacted with urgent demands, pause before acting, talk to someone you trust, and ask yourself "Could this be a scam?" before sending money or personal information.
fox8live.com
· 2026-02-21
Two scammers, Kenneth Akpieyi and Emuobosan Emmanuella Hall, were sentenced to over three decades in prison for orchestrating a romance fraud scheme that targeted vulnerable widows over 60, stealing nearly $10 million across multiple victims. The victims, including a 77-year-old woman from Louisiana who lost over $100,000, were approached through social media by the fraudsters who posed as romantic interests. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic relationships that quickly request money or financial information, verify identities through video calls, and never send money to people you haven't met in person—especially if they claim to need emergency funds or have investment opportunities.
fox44news.com
· 2026-02-21
The Brenham Police Department is warning about multiple scams targeting elderly residents, including impersonation calls from government agencies, fake tech support, romance scams, and fake lottery winnings. Red flags include pressure to act quickly, requests for gift cards or wire transfers, demands for personal information, and instructions to keep the matter secret. To protect yourself, slow down before acting, never share personal details over the phone or online, verify requests by calling organizations directly, and consult with family or trusted friends before sending money—and report suspected scams to local police, Adult Protective Services, or the FTC.
wehoonline.com
· 2026-02-21
A West Hollywood man named James Kantor was sentenced to over four years in prison for his role in a fraud scheme targeting elderly and deceased people, where conspirators forged wills and trust documents to steal estates. The scheme began when one member of the group broke into homes of vulnerable people, and after discovering a deceased resident, the conspirators used stolen personal information to fraudulently access and transfer assets. If you have elderly relatives, especially those you're not in frequent contact with, regularly check in on them and monitor their financial accounts and important documents for suspicious activity.
the-sun.com
· 2026-02-21
Two men were sentenced to federal prison for running a sophisticated online romance scam that defrauded 31 elderly women, primarily widows, of nearly $10 million. The scammers created fake identities as military generals, engineers, and other professionals on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, then manipulated victims into sending money under false pretenses such as emergency repairs or business ventures. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic connections with people you've never met in person, verify identities through video calls, and never send money to strangers regardless of their claimed circumstances.
inkl.com
· 2026-02-21
Your Social Security number is highly valuable to criminals who can use it to commit identity theft, open fraudulent accounts, and file fake tax returns, yet many Americans share it too freely without realizing the risk until damage occurs. Scammers use convincing tactics like impersonating government agencies through calls, creating fake emails and text messages that look legitimate to pressure people into revealing their SSN. To protect yourself, never share your Social Security number in response to unsolicited calls, emails, or texts—instead, hang up and call official numbers directly from verified sources, delete suspicious emails, and avoid clicking links from unknown senders.
tpr.org
· 2026-02-20
San Antonio's Department of Human Services is expanding fraud and abuse protections for seniors following a council member's request prompted by a rise in scams targeting elderly residents in the area. Scammers have been impersonating utility companies and solar firms to trick seniors into signing contracts for loans exceeding $95,000, sometimes resulting in liens on their properties. With over 316,000 residents aged 65+ in Bexar County and over 1,100 exploitation allegations reported in 2024, the city plans to increase preventative messaging and regularly report on elder fraud cases to council members.
texasborderbusiness.com
· 2026-02-20
A San Antonio investment firm CEO named Devin Ward Elder pleaded guilty to defrauding approximately 345 investors out of $69.5 million between 2023 and 2025 through his company DJE Texas Management Group, which promised high returns on real estate investments. Elder made false claims about his own co-investment and operated a Ponzi scheme by using new investor funds to pay "interest" to existing investors, ultimately halting all payments in March 2025. To protect yourself, be skeptical of investment opportunities promising unusually high returns with low risk, verify that investment managers have their own money invested alongside yours, and always research the credentials and track record of firms and their operators before investing.
koco.com
· 2026-02-20
# Gold Scams Costing Americans Hundreds of Millions
Scammers are exploiting Americans' trust in gold as a safe investment through "gold courier" schemes that have resulted in over $262 million in losses nationwide between January and October 2025. The scam typically begins with a fraudulent phone call, email, or pop-up claiming to be from your bank or a federal agency (FBI, IRS, or FTC), warning that your accounts have been compromised and urging you to immediately withdraw cash to purchase gold bars or coins. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited urgent demands to buy gold, verify any claims by contacting your bank directly using a number from their official website, and remember that legitimate government agencies will never ask you to purchase gold to protect your money.
ntu.org
· 2026-02-20
# Tax Season Scams: What You Need to Know
During tax season, scammers impersonate the IRS and state tax agencies through texts, emails, and phone calls to pressure people into sending money immediately, exploiting the confusion and urgency surrounding tax filing. The key warning sign is that legitimate tax agencies never initiate contact via text, email, social media, or unsolicited calls demanding immediate payment—they send official letters by mail with time to respond. If you receive a suspicious tax message demanding urgent payment, threatening legal action, or asking for gift cards or wire transfers, stop and verify it independently before responding; legitimate agencies don't use these pressure tactics or payment methods.
wbal.com
· 2026-02-20
# Gold Scam Summary
Scammers are exploiting Americans' trust in gold as a safe investment through "gold courier" scams that have cost victims over $262 million nationwide in just the first ten months of 2025. The scheme typically begins with a fraudulent call or message impersonating banks or federal agencies like the FBI or IRS, claiming your accounts are compromised and pressuring you to withdraw cash and buy gold bars or coins. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited urgent messages about account security, verify caller identities by contacting institutions directly (not using numbers they provide), and remember that legitimate agencies won't ask you to buy gold or wire cash to protect your money.
wowt.com
· 2026-02-20
A 74-year-old Council Bluffs woman lost her entire $123,000 retirement savings to scammers impersonating DEA agents who claimed she was involved in a drug case and needed to cooperate by withdrawing cash as "bait." The fraudsters used threatening tactics, provided scripts for her to deceive bank tellers, and instructed her to hand money to couriers in parking lots and wire additional funds out of state. Authorities warn that the real DEA will never call demanding personal information or money, and victims should hang up and contact their bank or local law enforcement if they receive similar threatening calls.
fox8live.com
· 2026-02-20
Two scammers were sentenced to over 30 years in prison for running a romance scam that defrauded 31 victims—primarily widows over 60—of nearly $10 million. The criminals posed as wealthy professionals like military generals and oil engineers on social media, building fake romantic relationships and convincing victims to send money for supposed emergencies or projects. Senior citizens, particularly those increasingly active on smartphones, should be wary of online romantic interests who quickly ask for money, and should verify identities independently before sending funds.
aarp.org
· 2026-02-20
Scammers are targeting vulnerable immigrants by posing as immigration lawyers and federal agents to steal money for fake legal services, with the American Bar Association reporting more than a dozen cases of impostors falsely claiming to work for them. Victims have lost thousands of dollars, and criminals are using artificial intelligence to create convincing fake documents and even impersonating real attorneys using their actual bar numbers. To protect yourself, verify an attorney's credentials directly through official bar association websites, never pay for immigration services through gift cards or wire transfers, and be skeptical of unsolicited offers on social media—you can also call the AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline at 877-908-3360 for free advice if you suspect you've encountered a scam.
ketk.com
· 2026-02-20
A Chinese national was sentenced to 40 months in prison and ordered to pay $2.8 million after running "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams that defrauded multiple victims. The scam involved fraudsters posing as romantic interests or financial professionals on social media and dating apps, building trust with victims before convincing them to invest in a fake cryptocurrency platform called Nanobit. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited investment offers from people you meet online, verify that financial platforms are legitimately registered with the SEC, and never invest based on advice from strangers on social media or messaging apps.
techflowpost.com
· 2026-02-20
A 31-year-old Chinese national named Liao Fei was sentenced to 40 months in prison for laundering millions of dollars from cryptocurrency investment scams, particularly "pig-butchering" schemes where fraudsters gain victims' trust on social media before tricking them into fake crypto investments. Victims lost millions of dollars in these scams, and Liao Fei was ordered to forfeit $2.3 million and pay $2.8 million in restitution. To protect yourself, be wary of investment opportunities promoted by strangers on social media, avoid sending money to unknown individuals or companies, and verify investment opportunities through official regulatory channels before committing funds.
kucoin.com
· 2026-02-20
A 31-year-old Chinese national named Liao Fei was sentenced to 40 months in prison for laundering millions of dollars obtained through "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters pose as romantic interests or trusted contacts on social media to trick people into investing in fake cryptocurrency schemes. The scheme affected numerous victims who lost money they couldn't recover, and Liao Fei was ordered to forfeit $2.3 million and pay $2.8 million in restitution. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of investment opportunities offered by people you meet online, especially on social media, and never send money to unknown individuals or unverified cryptocurrency platforms.
kucoin.com
· 2026-02-20
A Chinese national was sentenced to 40 months in prison for laundering millions of dollars from cryptocurrency investment scams, including the deceptive "pig butchering" scheme that targets victims through social media and dating apps by building false trust before requesting cryptocurrency investments. Victims lose money when fraudulent platforms show fake returns and prevent withdrawals, with this case involving over $2.3 million in seized assets and $2.8 million in restitution. If you encounter these scams, report them to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and preserve all communications, transaction records, and details about the fraudulent platform, cryptocurrency addresses, and suspect contact information.
yonkerstimes.com
· 2026-02-20
New York Attorney General Letitia James has warned residents about "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters build fake relationships with victims through social media and dating apps before convincing them to invest money in fake cryptocurrency or currency trading schemes. The scammers use encrypted messaging apps to hide their identities and create elaborate personas—such as romantic partners or financial advisors—to gain trust before stealing victims' savings. New Yorkers should remain vigilant about unsolicited contact, verify investment opportunities independently, and report suspected scams to the Attorney General's office or the platforms where they occur.
rockawaytimes.com
· 2026-02-19
Romance scammers and imposter fraudsters cost Americans billions annually—the FTC reported $12.5 billion lost in 2024, though actual losses may exceed $158 billion due to underreporting. These criminals use fake online identities to build trust and emotional connections before requesting money or personal information, with 11 million Americans age 50+ and residents in Rockaway/Broad Channel reporting such schemes, though no age group is immune. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited romantic advances online, especially from people claiming to be overseas with high-profile jobs, and never send money or share personal/financial information with someone you've only met online.
eldoradospringsmo.com
· 2026-02-19
# Romance Scams: What You Need to Know
Romance scammers create fake dating profiles to build trust with victims over weeks or months, then exploit that relationship by asking for money or pushing cryptocurrency investments. Scammers are increasingly using AI tools to generate convincing conversations and realistic fake profiles, while also combining romance scams with investment schemes to steal thousands of dollars from victims. To protect yourself, be cautious of anyone who asks for money or personal information, makes excuses to avoid meeting in person, or seems unrealistically perfect—legitimate partners will be willing to meet face-to-face and won't pressure you for financial commitments.