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in Identity Theft
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
A "pump and dump" scam impersonated economist David Rosenberg and his investment firm, defrauding investors of over $1 million through fake Facebook and Instagram ads that promoted a nonexistent "Wolfpack program." Victims were lured into WhatsApp investment groups where scammers recommended obscure stocks that initially showed dramatic gains before collapsing, with individual losses ranging from $16,000 to $450,000.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Family members can commit financial fraud against seniors in retirement, with red flags including unusual account activity, missing valuables, suspicious signatures, and unauthorized changes to wills or powers of attorney. Experts recommend protecting yourself through estate planning, forming a trusted financial care team, automating bill payments, securing personal information, obtaining legal documents like powers of attorney and wills, and implementing dual signatures or co-trustees to prevent any single person from having complete financial control.
nasdaq.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults are vulnerable to financial fraud from family members and trusted individuals, not just external scammers. Experts recommend protecting against family financial abuse by establishing a trusted team to oversee finances, automating bill payments, monitoring accounts regularly, organizing legal documents (power of attorney, wills), requiring dual signatures for major transactions, and watching for red flags such as unusual financial activity, missing valuables, and unauthorized account changes.
3dvf.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI has alerted the public to two growing smartphone scams targeting Android and iPhone users: one falsely claiming unpaid tolls requiring immediate payment, and another impersonating government agents threatening legal action. Both scams use spoofed official numbers and fraudulent links to steal personal and banking information, with payments often routed through untraceable methods like cryptocurrency and gift cards, resulting in financial loss, identity theft, and lasting psychological damage to victims. The FBI recommends ignoring urgent payment requests, never sharing personal information over the phone, verifying requests directly with official organizations using verified contact information, and exercising caution with unexpected links.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Ridwan Adeleke Adepoju, a 33-year-old Nigerian national, was sentenced to 43 months in federal prison for operating multiple cyber fraud schemes from Nigeria that targeted U.S. citizens and businesses, including those in the Chicago area. His schemes included phishing scams, romance scams, and fraudulent tax return submissions, utilizing spoofed emails, fake social media accounts, and unwitting money mules to victimize numerous victims. Adepoju was arrested in the United Kingdom, extradited to the U.S., and pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges.
theprescotttimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Since January 1, 2025, the Prescott area has experienced over $2 million in reported scam losses, with seniors particularly vulnerable to romance scams, bank impersonation schemes, warrant scams, and gift card fraud. Notable cases include a $632,000 romance scam and gift card losses exceeding $33,000, with scammers using emotional manipulation and pressure tactics to request untraceable payments via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or electronic platforms. The Prescott Police Department urges residents to remain vigilant, hang up on suspicious callers, and contact their 24/7 dispatch line at (928) 445-3131 if they suspect fraud.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
Two Indian nationals on student visas, Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel and Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya, were convicted in a $2.69 million elder fraud scheme targeting at least 25 elderly U.S. citizens through phishing and impersonation of government officials; Patel received 63 months in prison and was arrested in Texas attempting to collect $130,000 in illicit proceeds. The U.S. Embassy in India issued a formal warning that visa holders engaging in illegal activities face immediate visa revocation and permanent ineligibility, highlighting a growing pattern of international student fraud exploited for elder scams.
mobileidworld.com
· 2025-12-08
Two California brothers-in-law, Ayman Alaaraj and Ahmad Nassar, were indicted on 17 counts of bank fraud and identity theft for stealing $794,000 from elderly victims through phone number porting schemes that bypassed two-factor authentication security measures. The defendants allegedly took control of victims' phone numbers to intercept security codes and gain unauthorized access to financial accounts, transferring funds without permission. The case highlights growing vulnerabilities in SMS-based authentication systems and carries potential sentences of up to 30 years in prison for each defendant.
ksl.com
· 2025-12-08
Scam Jam, an educational event held in Sandy, Utah, brought together FBI and AARP experts to educate residents about common fraud schemes including romance, internet, cryptocurrency, and tech support scams. The event featured a personal testimony from Rita, who lost several thousand dollars to a romance scam impersonating a celebrity, emphasizing the importance of reporting fraud despite the emotional and financial toll. Utah reported over 150,000 fraud cases totaling $61 million in losses, with experts stressing that fraud prevention through awareness and recognizing red flags is more effective than recovery efforts.
abc7ny.com
· 2025-12-08
Consumer fraud increased 25 percent in 2024, with Americans losing $12.5 billion total, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Common scams include robocalls, phishing emails (particularly fake job recruitment and toll collection schemes), and fraudulent websites mimicking legitimate retailers like Joann Fabrics. Experts recommend using call-blocking apps, verifying email addresses and website URLs, paying by credit card, and considering identity theft protection insurance to help prevent fraud.
newstalkkgvo.com
· 2025-12-08
A scammer from India was arrested and charged with wire fraud after defrauding a Missoula senior citizen out of over $1 million through an elaborate impersonation scheme. The perpetrator initially posed as an Amazon representative, then claimed the victim's identity had been stolen and transferred her to accomplices posing as Social Security and U.S. Marshal Service officials, who convinced her to hand over cash in multiple pickups under the pretense of "legalizing" it for her protection. Law enforcement arrested the suspect during a sting operation when he returned to collect the final payment.
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
The US Justice Department filed a civil forfeiture complaint to recover $225.3 million in stolen Tether cryptocurrency from seven virtual currency addresses, with the goal of returning funds to at least 430 victims of cryptocurrency investment scams. The scams, often called "pig butchering," typically begin with contact via text, social media, or dating apps, where perpetrators build rapport before manipulating victims into fake investment schemes; the FBI estimates these frauds caused $9.3 billion in losses in 2024, with seniors over 60 losing approximately $2.8 billion. Victims who believe they were affected are urged to file reports through the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center website
diyatvusa.com
· 2025-12-08
Security researchers confirmed a massive data breach exposing over 16 billion login credentials from major platforms including Apple, Google, Facebook, and Telegram, with credentials organized in an easily exploitable format that enables phishing, account takeovers, and identity theft. The freshly stolen data, compiled from multiple infostealers in recent months, represents an unprecedented blueprint for cybercriminals to launch large-scale attacks across social media, government services, and corporate accounts. Experts recommend users immediately change passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, use password managers, monitor dark web services, and consider switching to passkey-based authentication to protect against exploitation.
mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
A compilation of 16 billion exposed passwords made headlines as a historic data breach, but the records were aggregated from multiple previous breaches rather than resulting from a single new hack, making it a "greatest hits" collection of stolen credentials from various sources including phishing scams and malware. While no recent single breach occurred, the consolidation of this data in one location increases risks for phishing scams and identity theft. The article recommends users check Have I Been Pwned to identify compromised accounts, change passwords immediately, and enable multi-factor authentication on all accounts.
newslj.com
· 2025-12-08
This compilation of scam alerts documents multiple phishing and fraud schemes targeting individuals and organizations: a DocuSign phishing scam redirects victims to a Canva site potentially hosting malware like ScreenConnect; a "phantom payment" email uses hidden text to disguise phishing attempts; a fake "healthcare award" scam impersonates selection for professional programs to solicit video calls; and the University of Wyoming reported voicemail phishing emails with deceptive subject lines and non-audio file attachments. The alerts emphasize that mobile scams are increasingly prevalent, with half of US and UK mobile users encountering scams daily, and advise users to verify sender addresses, avoid clicking
liherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Nearly 25 seniors at General Douglas MacArthur Village in Hempstead attended a scam awareness workshop presented by the Office of Crime Victim Advocate on June 9, where they learned to recognize and avoid common fraud schemes including romance scams, identity theft, deed theft, and "grandparent scams." The training, which covered tactics like phishing and bogus official calls that create artificial urgency, statistically reduces victimization risk by 80 percent according to studies. The New Greater Hempstead Chamber of Commerce Committee on Aging continues to provide resources and will host another awareness workshop in September.
wnegradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Justice Department announced increased prosecution efforts against elder fraud schemes, which cost victims billions of dollars annually and often deplete life savings. The Northern District of Georgia has prosecuted multiple cases including an Indian call center scam where perpetrators impersonated government officials to fraudulently obtain funds, resulting in convictions and money laundering charges against Pradip Parikh, Alpesh Patel, and others. The Justice Department employs a two-pronged approach combining criminal prosecution with community outreach and education about common elder fraud schemes including romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams.
techradar.com
· 2025-12-08
Scam robocalls have declined 75% since fall 2021, but financial losses have increased significantly—rising from $692 million in 2021 to $948 million in 2024, with median losses per victim climbing from $1,200 to $1,500. Scammers have become far more efficient by using curated victim lists obtained from data breaches and the dark web, targeting specific customers with convincing impersonation rather than making indiscriminate calls. The article advises individuals to assume their personal information is already exposed and practice skepticism toward unexpected calls by using call-blocking technology and verifying callers through legitimate institutional contact numbers.
techradar.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2025, scammers are expected to leverage AI-driven tactics to conduct increasingly sophisticated fraud, building on the $1.03 trillion stolen in 2024. The article identifies five emerging scams including AI-powered robocalls with cloned voices, SIM swap attacks targeting two-factor authentication weaknesses, and OTP bot attacks, while noting common warning signs such as unsolicited urgent communications, requests for money transfers or app downloads, and suspicious video or audio inconsistencies. Consumers are advised to recognize these red flags and use enhanced security tools to protect themselves against evolving fraud schemes.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
A newlywed couple in Pune lost ₹1.6 lakh to a sophisticated phishing scam after the groom clicked a link in a fake SMS claiming to be from a courier service about wedding gift delivery, which redirected him to a counterfeit website designed to steal his banking credentials. The scammers exploited the couple's emotional and logistical distractions during their wedding period, using a fraudulent domain name and interface that closely mirrored legitimate courier platforms. An FIR has been filed with Pune Police Cyber Crime Cell, and authorities have issued warnings urging citizens to avoid clicking unsolicited links requesting personal or financial information.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A Philadelphia man lost over $1 million in two consecutive scams orchestrated by a fraudster posing as "Daisy" from Apple customer support. The scam began when he called a fake Apple support number, and evolved from a customer service fraud (where he was tricked into buying gift cards) into a romance scam that built trust over months of daily communication, ultimately resulting in him handing over $780,000 in precious metals to a money mule. The article warns consumers to watch for red flags including fake customer support numbers, lookalike websites, unsolicited contact, and suspicious requests for money or assets.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Jelissa LaCour, age 36, a Jefferson Parish resident, was indicted in June 2025 on two counts of wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft for fraudulently obtaining Paycheck Protection Program loans using falsified tax forms and Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds using the identities of purported renters and accomplices. If convicted, LaCour faces up to 20 years imprisonment for each wire fraud count and up to two years for each identity theft count, plus fines up to $250,000 per count.
yubanet.com
· 2025-12-08
On June 20, 2025, Rushabh Rajesh Desai, 35, of San Jose, was arrested by Nevada County Sheriff's Office deputies after attempting to scam a 75-year-old woman out of $30,000 through a phone scam; a concerned friend called 911 during the scam in progress, and deputies located Desai's vehicle near the victim's residence before the money could be handed over. Desai was charged with conspiracy to commit crime, attempting to obtain money by false pretense, and elder theft. The incident highlights the importance of contacting law enforcement or a trusted person immediately when suspicious contact occurs, as this quick action prevented the
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada and FBI Las Vegas Division are reinforcing efforts to combat elder fraud during World Elder Abuse Awareness Month, noting that such schemes cost billions annually and affect over 100,000 elder Americans each year. The office charged Aurora Phelps with 21 counts including wire fraud, mail fraud, and identity theft for allegedly defrauding older men she met through online dating services; Phelps is currently in custody in Mexico. The Justice Department provides a National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-FRAUD-11) offering personalized support to victims age 60 and older, with case managers helping victims report fraud an
shreveportbossieradvocate.com
· 2025-12-08
Louisiana residents lose millions annually to identity theft, with the state ranking eighth nationally at 350 cases per 100,000 residents, costing nearly $47 million in fraud losses in 2023. Common methods include database breaches, phishing, malware, and dumpster diving, though experts recommend setting up fraud alerts, credit freezes, and responding quickly to suspicious activity to prevent theft, particularly during peak spending seasons like summer travel. AARP Louisiana and Georges Media Group are partnering on a June 26 town hall to educate residents about local scams and fraud prevention strategies.
wgme.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered scams are increasing in sophistication and financial impact, with the Identity Theft Resource Center reporting fewer overall identity crime reports but significantly higher losses per victim. Impersonation scams rose 148% year-over-year, with criminals using AI to create convincing fake websites, emails, and messages impersonating banks and businesses, while also targeting victims through employment fraud and Google Voice scams. The positive trend is growing public awareness, with more people seeking prevention advice before becoming victims.
infosecurity-magazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Impersonation scams surged 148% year-over-year from April 2024 to March 2025, now accounting for 34% of all identity crimes reported to the Identity Theft Resource Center, with businesses (51%) and financial institutions (21%) as primary targets. AI tools are enabling cybercriminals to scale campaigns more effectively through fake websites, phishing emails, and fraudulent ads, though the ITRC notes that overall reported identity crimes declined 31% while the percentage of victims reporting multiple incidents increased from 15% to 24%. The organization warns that fewer reports likely reflect underreporting rather than fewer actual crimes, and that criminals are increasingly using AI to democratize
amac.us
· 2025-12-08
This educational resource presents a chart detailing common scams targeting consumers, including AI scams (deepfake impersonations), bank text scams (phishing for account information), billing/invoice scams (fake invoices demanding payment), brushing scams (unsolicited items to boost reviews), and charity scams. The guide identifies shared scammer tactics such as impersonation, creating urgency, and pressuring victims to share personal information, while offering specific identification and prevention strategies for each scam type. The material encourages sharing this information with friends and family as a primary defense against fraud.
theorcasonian.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
This educational piece from the Orcas Senior Center outlines how Medicare scams operate in four stages: scammers gain trust through unsolicited contact, request Medicare numbers under false pretenses, use those numbers to bill Medicare for fraudulent services, and ultimately compromise victims' benefits, health access, and financial security. The article provides protective measures including never sharing Medicare or Social Security numbers with unsolicited callers, remaining skeptical of "free" offers, reviewing statements regularly, and contacting 1-800-MEDICARE or local Senior Medicare Patrol for verification.
familywealthreport.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance fraud—emotional manipulation by scammers to extract money or personal information—has surged significantly in the UK, with over 8,500 reports totaling £92 million in 2024 alone. Elderly and vulnerable individuals are particularly at risk due to isolation, cognitive decline, and limited digital literacy, leaving victims financially depleted and emotionally traumatized. The article recommends practical protective measures including maintaining open family communication, encouraging digital literacy training, monitoring unusual financial behavior, implementing account controls, and leveraging legal tools like Lasting Powers of Attorney to safeguard vulnerable relatives.
theunion.com
· 2025-12-08
On June 20, 2025, Rushabh Rajesh Desai, 35, of San Jose, was arrested by Nevada County Sheriff's Office deputies after attempting to scam a 75-year-old woman out of $30,000 through a phone scam; a vigilant friend called 911 while the scam was in progress, allowing deputies to intercept Desai's vehicle near the victim's residence. Desai was charged with conspiracy to commit crime, attempting to obtain money by false pretense, and elder theft. The sheriff's office emphasized that scams targeting elderly individuals are common and often go unreported due to victim shame, and recommends immediate action including
fox23maine.com
· 2025-12-08
A new report from the Identity Theft Resource Center reveals that AI-powered scams are becoming more sophisticated and costly, with cybercriminals using AI to create convincing fake websites, emails, and deepfakes to impersonate trusted brands and financial institutions. While the number of identity crime reports declined, victims lost significantly more money per incident, with impersonation scams rising 148% year-over-year and nearly 1 in 4 victims targeted multiple times. The report shows a positive trend: more people are seeking prevention advice, indicating growing awareness of these threats, and individuals are encouraged to use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and verify caller identity before sharing personal information.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational resource defines elder fraud as the exploitation of adults age 60+ for monetary gain through tactics like impersonation, romance scams, and fake investment schemes, with seniors losing over $5.9 billion annually. Common scammer tactics include using fear, false hope, romance, pressure, isolation, and threats, while phishing emails often urge account verification or threaten account closure. Protection strategies include never responding to unsolicited requests for personal information, verifying website security, avoiding suspicious links, maintaining updated security software, and consulting trusted family members before sending money.
trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is a product description and educational piece about Trend Micro ScamCheck, an AI-powered anti-scam tool designed to protect users from modern identity theft and fraud. The tool offers features including scam call/text blocking, deepfake detection, suspicious content analysis, and real-time alerts to help users identify and avoid scams across multiple platforms (SMS, email, social media, video calls, and websites). The piece emphasizes that scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics and that anyone can be targeted, making dedicated anti-scam protection necessary alongside traditional antivirus software.
stocktitan.net
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Trend Micro launched Scam Radar, a new feature in its ScamCheck app that provides real-time detection of coordinated scam tactics across SMS, websites, and messaging apps. According to Trend Micro's study of 6,632 consumers across six countries, 30% had been scam victims, with common fraud types including online shopping scams (27%) and investment fraud (22%), often with victims not realizing they were targeted until significant financial loss occurred.
nbcsandiego.com
· 2025-12-08
Megan Prosser lost $47,000 to an AI-assisted task scam after responding to a text offering easy money for clicking apps and generating traffic. She was manipulated by an AI-generated mentor named "Helen" who provided convincing phone support and initial earnings of $1,200, which led her to deposit increasing amounts into the platform over several months, eventually exhausting her savings when she couldn't retrieve her "earnings." Experts advise never sending money for job opportunities, avoiding contact with people you haven't met in person, and recognizing that screen-displayed earnings may not be real, as AI-generated scammers can now operate at massive scale with minimal cost.
ky3.com
· 2025-12-08
A BBB study examining business scams across North America (2022-2024) found over 3,600 reported cases involving employee impersonation, data breaches, and business email compromise schemes, with data breaches alone costing companies an average of $4.9 million and totaling $1.4 billion in 2024. The research highlights common warning signs such as unsolicited outreach, unexpected invoices, urgent renewal demands, and payment requests via gift cards, and recommends businesses implement employee training, establish secure payment procedures, research unknown vendors, and deploy cybersecurity measures like multifactor authentication to protect against these schemes.
wrex.com
· 2025-12-08
Since 2022, businesses across North America have experienced a surge in sophisticated scams—including impersonations, data theft, and fraudulent services—resulting in billions of dollars in losses, according to Better Business Bureau data showing over 3,600 BBB reports and 74,489 FBI reports between 2022-2024. Experts warn that AI-generated fake videos and emails are increasingly used in scams, and the true scale of incidents is likely much higher due to underreporting. Businesses are advised to implement security measures such as employee training, secure payment procedures, firewalls, multifactor authentication, and verification of requests through alternate channels to protect against these threats.
mynorthwest.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers posing as Chinese police targeted young adults in Bellevue through phone calls, messages, and social media, claiming victims were involved in crimes like fraud or identity theft and demanding money under threat of arrest or asset freezing. Four victims in late 2024 and early 2025 wired a combined total of approximately $2.57 million after being coerced to provide sensitive personal information including Social Security numbers, passports, and fingerprint scans. Bellevue Police emphasize that legitimate law enforcement never demands payment to avoid arrest and urge victims to contact the FBI or local police.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
McAfee's 2025 Safer Summer Travel Report found that one in five Americans has fallen victim to travel scams while booking trips, with 23% of victims losing money—including 13% who lost over $500 and 5% who lost more than $1,000. Younger adults (ages 18-34) are more vulnerable to these scams than older generations, with common tactics including fake booking sites, malicious confirmation links, and AI-manipulated travel photos designed to exploit budget-conscious travelers seeking deals.
wsiu.org
· 2025-12-08
A Better Business Bureau study found that business scams cost North America billions annually, with over 3,600 scam reports filed since 2022, using tactics like vendor impersonation, account hijacking, and fake invoices—data breaches alone average $4.9 million per incident. The BBB recommends businesses implement employee training, verify contacts, strengthen cybersecurity, and establish secure payment procedures to combat these threats.
krcgtv.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker documented over 3,600 scams in the United States over three years, including employee impersonations, vendor fraud, social media account theft, and data breaches that collectively caused billions of dollars in losses across North America. BBB officials warned that scammers can steal hundreds of thousands of dollars rapidly and emphasized the importance of cybersecurity protections such as firewalls and multifactor authentication, along with careful verification of companies before conducting business.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using stolen identities and AI-generated deepfakes to create "ghost students" who fraudulently obtain federal student aid before disappearing, leaving victims with damaged credit scores and fraudulent debt. Criminals obtain personal information through data breaches and phishing, then use AI bots to enroll in classes and trigger financial aid disbursements, while also impersonating FAFSA representatives to steal login credentials and Social Security numbers. To protect against this fraud, students should monitor credit regularly, enable two-factor authentication, and guard sensitive personal information closely.
wsbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines seven common Zelle scams and protective measures. Zelle, a money-transfer service used by major U.S. banks, is generally secure but vulnerable to scammer exploitation; the platform announced in November 2023 it would refund victims of certain imposter scams (financial institution, government, and Zelle refund impersonators) but not others like friend/family or romance impersonators. Users are advised to verify the identity of anyone requesting money transfers, use reverse phone lookup tools, and remember that legitimate institutions never request money via phone, text, or email.
thisdaylive.com
· 2025-12-08
Digital fraud analyst Oluwole Asalu warns that AI-driven autonomous agents pose an emerging cybersecurity threat more sophisticated than traditional attacks, capable of independently planning, executing complex tasks, and replicating successful attacks at scale without human intervention. Organizations are advised to strengthen conventional cybersecurity protocols while developing new defenses specifically designed to counter AI-led intrusions, and policymakers are urged to overhaul national cybersecurity frameworks to address agentic AI risks. This represents a shift from viewing AI primarily as a business efficiency tool to recognizing it as a significant security threat requiring boardroom-level attention.
komonews.com
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated scam targeting seniors in Washington state has stolen over $7 million, with individual losses reaching as high as $870,000. Scammers impersonate trusted entities like government agencies, banks, and tech companies via phone, email, text, or pop-ups to convince victims their accounts or identities have been compromised, then pressure them to withdraw cash or purchase gold to be picked up by a "courier." King County prosecutors report nearly 50 cases since February 2024 and note these crimes are difficult to investigate and prosecute once victims have transferred their money.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned of cyberattacks resembling Scattered Spider targeting the aviation industry, with confirmed sightings also reported by Google's Mandiant and Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42. Scattered Spider, a group of younger hackers using social engineering and phishing, has previously conducted high-profile breaches including the 2023 MGM Casinos attack and a 2024 Marks & Spencer breach that resulted in over $807 million in market capitalization loss. The advisory notes that airlines, vendors, and contractors across the aviation ecosystem face heightened risk, particularly as third-party breaches have doubled to represent 30% of data breaches in the past year.
cbs4local.com
· 2025-12-08
A scam targeting seniors in Washington state has stolen over $7 million, with individual losses ranging up to $870,000, affecting nearly 50 reported cases since February 2024. Scammers impersonate trusted entities (government agencies, banks, tech companies) via phone, email, text, or pop-ups, convincing victims their accounts are compromised and demanding they withdraw cash to purchase gold or place money in boxes for courier pickup. King County prosecutors note these scams exploit trust and fear while being difficult to investigate and prosecute once victims have been compromised.
techradar.com
· 2025-12-08
Criminals are targeting young adults (16-25) in the UK with fake remote job offers promising £300-£800 daily pay for simple tasks like sharing TikTok videos, using initial small payments from previous victims to create false legitimacy before demanding upfront fees for "training" or "unlocking" higher earnings. According to Norton data, 29% of Brits were targeted by scams in early 2025, with 18% being job-related offers that often function as digital Ponzi schemes and money laundering operations. Job seekers should be alert to red flags including unrealistic pay-for-minimal-effort offers, upfront payment demands, and contact through messaging apps rather
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman from Hampton, Virginia fell victim to a sophisticated Facebook account takeover scam in which a scammer impersonated her friend, used fake video calls and personal details to gain her trust, and tricked her into sending a recovery code that gave them access to her account. The scammer changed her email and password, locked her out, compromised three Facebook groups she administered, and attempted to purchase $17,000 in bitcoins on her account before she recognized a follow-up scam demanding money. The article provides recovery steps for compromised Facebook accounts and advises victims to report incidents to IC3.gov and Facebook's official support channels rather than third-party support numbers.