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justice.gov
The Justice Department filed a civil forfeiture complaint against $868,247 in Tether cryptocurrency that was allegedly stolen through investment scams operated by the LME Crypto Group, which impersonated the London Metal Exchange and defrauded at least four victims across DC, Texas, Illinois, and Florida between September 2022 and February 2025. The scheme involved criminals establishing trust through misdirected text messages, then directing victims to fake investment platforms that displayed false profits before locking victims out of their accounts and stealing their funds, with one victim losing $1.3 million and another losing $30,000. The FBI recovered and is forfeiting the laundered cryptocurrency funds that were transferred through
justice.gov
**Summary:**
Kristina Higgins, 54, the former general manager of a Missouri company, pleaded guilty to eight counts of bank fraud after embezzling $878,711 by issuing company checks to pay her personal credit card bills and forging the company owner's signature. She also falsified information to the bank's positive pay system in December 2022 to ensure the fraudulent checks would be processed. Higgins agreed to repay the full amount and faces sentencing on December 4, with potential penalties of up to 30 years in prison and/or a $1 million fine.
tradingview.com
Scammers are exploiting the UK's upcoming corporate transparency reform by sending phishing emails and making fraudulent calls to company directors, falsely claiming to represent Companies House and requesting personal information like dates of birth under the guise of identity verification requirements. Starting November 18, 2025, an estimated 6-7 million UK directors and significant shareholders must verify their identity through official GOV.UK channels, but Companies House has warned the public that only GOV.UK should be used for verification and to disregard unsolicited requests. The new identity verification system aims to improve corporate record integrity, though it faces early cyber security challenges as fraudsters exploit the reform announcement.
zamin.uz
Cyber fraud takes multiple forms with gender-based vulnerability patterns: women are disproportionately targeted by romance scams (54.9% of victims, 75.3% of financial losses), while men over 30 are more susceptible to investment and cryptocurrency fraud schemes. Other prevalent scams include fake online stores, technical support impersonation (which particularly affects older adults), with protection requiring caution against promises of quick profits or online emotional intimacy.
koreatimes.co.kr
South Korea launched a five-month nationwide crackdown on phishing crimes beginning in August, following a 95% year-over-year surge in losses to 799.2 billion won ($575 million) across 16,561 cases in the first seven months of the year. Criminal tactics have become increasingly sophisticated, targeting victims through investment fraud (343.8 billion won in losses), romance scams (70.5 billion won), and fake e-commerce schemes, with perpetrators using mass texts, fake identities, and impersonations to create urgency and steal personal data. The police response includes over 400 officers in newly formed special units across multiple provinces, targeting not only ph
aol.com
Former U.S. Postal Inspector Scott Kelley, 51, of Massachusetts, was indicted on 45 counts for stealing over $330,000 in cash from packages mailed by elderly victims of a Jamaican lottery telemarketing scam between 2019 and 2023. Kelley, who led the Mail Fraud Unit investigating senior citizen scams, used his position to intercept approximately 1,950 flagged packages, launder the proceeds through money orders and multiple bank accounts, and even framed a subordinate for a separate $7,000 evidence locker theft. He faces up to 20 years in prison on each wire fraud and mail frau
tampafp.com
**Scam Type:** Mail interception fraud and money laundering related to Jamaican lottery scheme targeting elderly victims
**What Happened:** Former U.S. Postal Inspector Scott Kelley, 51, was arrested and indicted on 45 counts for allegedly stealing over $330,000 in cash from approximately 1,950 packages sent by elderly victims of a Jamaican telemarketing scam between 2019-2023. Kelley, who led the Mail Fraud Unit tasked with investigating scams targeting seniors, allegedly used his position to intercept victim mail, launder proceeds through money orders and multiple bank deposits, steal $7,000
asiaone.com
Singapore reported a 12.6% decrease in total scam losses ($456.4 million in H1 2025 vs. $522.4 million in H1 2024) and a 26% decline in overall scam cases (19,665 vs. 26,563), marking the first decline since 2021. However, the median loss per case increased to $1,500, and elderly victims (age 65+) who comprised 15% of cases suffered the highest per-victim losses at $33,672, with government impersonation scams nearly tripling to 1,762 cases and phishing scams seeing losses jump 134% to $
channelnewsasia.com
In the first half of 2025, Singapore reported 19,665 scam cases with S$456.4 million in losses—a 26% and 12.6% decrease respectively from the same period in 2024. The top scams include phishing (up 134% in losses), government official impersonation (cases tripled), investment scams (highest losses at S$145.4 million), and a newly identified insurance services scam (791 cases, S$21.3 million lost), where fraudsters impersonate insurance employees to extract personal details and payments.
cordcuttersnews.com
The Phantom Hacker Scam, enhanced by artificial intelligence, has defrauded seniors across the United States of over $1 billion since 2024 through a three-phase scheme: scammers posing as tech support gain remote computer access, then impersonate bank representatives to convince victims to transfer funds to fake "secure" accounts, and finally pose as government officials to move money into "alias" accounts. AI enables criminals to personalize attacks using social media information, making detection difficult and often resulting in complete loss of victims' retirement savings and life savings. Experts recommend family education, verification of unsolicited contacts, and avoiding remote access software as protective measures.
goldrushcam.com
The Amador County Sheriff's Office warned the public of an ongoing telephone scam in which callers impersonate the Sheriff and demand payment for alleged missed federal grand jury duty. The Sheriff's Office clarified that they do not request payments over the phone for jury duty or any other matter, and urged recipients of such calls to hang up and contact the Sheriff's Office at 209-223-6500 rather than providing personal information or making payments.
silive.com
Scam text messages originating from China have reached epidemic levels worldwide, using disguises like missed package alerts and unpaid tolls to steal passwords and money through five primary schemes: package delivery fraud, fake job offers, phony fraud alerts, toll payment scams, and romance/investment scams. Apple's new iOS 26 feature addresses the problem by filtering suspected spam messages into a separate folder that blocks links and prevents replies, while the FTC advises consumers to avoid clicking links, replying to unknown texts, and to verify requests through independently confirmed contact information.
ripplesnigeria.com
**Summary:**
Daniel Chima Inweregbu, a 40-year-old Nigerian national, pleaded guilty in August 2025 to operating a romance scam that defrauded multiple American women of over $405,000 between July 2017 and December 2018. Inweregbu and his co-conspirators created fake social media profiles under the alias "Larry Pham" to build romantic relationships with middle-aged female victims, then solicited money under false pretenses and laundered the proceeds through intermediary accounts. He faces up to 20 years in prison and substantial fines upon sentencing in December 2025.
komando.com
Scam operations in Southeast Asia have become a massive $19 billion underground industry where victims are trafficked into compounds and forced to perpetrate scams under threat of violence, with some dying during escape attempts. Scammers are now targeting children through AI-generated deepfake explicit content used in sextortion schemes, leading to youth suicides. Protection strategies include recognizing emotional manipulation tactics, avoiding clicking unknown links, and educating family members—particularly tweens and teens—about these threats, as reducing victim compliance reduces scam profitability.
escalontimes.com
This educational article reports that online scams caused a record $16.6 billion in losses in 2024, with 73% of U.S. adults experiencing some form of online scam or attack. The article outlines common scam tactics (unsolicited contact, promises of easy money, requests for personal information or upfront payments) and describes six prevalent scam types including counterfeit merchandise, charity fraud, cryptocurrency investment fraud, bogus debts, home repair scams, and emergency/grandparent scams that specifically target seniors. Awareness of these warning signs can help individuals avoid becoming victims.
theriverbanknews.com
This educational article reports that scams cost Americans $16.6 billion in 2024, with 73 percent of U.S. adults experiencing online scams or attacks. The piece outlines common red flags—unsolicited contact, promises of easy money, requests for personal information or upfront payments—and describes prominent scam types including counterfeit merchandise, charity fraud, cryptocurrency investment schemes, bogus debts, home repair scams, and emergency/grandparent scams that particularly target elderly individuals.
channelstv.com
Daniel Chima Inweregbu, a 40-year-old Nigerian national, pled guilty on August 21, 2025, to orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded American victims of over $405,000 between July 2017 and December 2018. Inweregbu and his co-conspirators created fake online dating profiles under the alias "Larry Pham" to build romantic relationships with middle-aged women, then requested money under various pretexts and laundered the proceeds through intermediaries. He faces up to 20 years in prison on each of two counts, plus fines and mandatory fees, with sentencing scheduled for December 4,
niagarafallsreview.ca
Sandy Simoncic of Grimsby, Ontario, was placed on probation for her role in an elaborate online romance scam that defrauded a Georgetown woman of $312,000 in early 2023. Simoncic herself was a victim of the same scam ring, losing $50,000 of her own money while transferring over $350,000 in fraudulent funds at the request of a man posing as "Dave Brunner"; she became "wilfully blind" to the suspicious nature of transactions despite bank warnings, eventually losing her home and vehicle. The actual perpetrator who profited from the scheme remains at large and was not charged.
saharareporters.com
Daniel Chima Inweregbu, a 40-year-old Nigerian citizen, pleaded guilty on August 21, 2025, to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering for operating a romance scam that defrauded American women of over $405,000 between July 2017 and December 2018. Using the fake persona "Larry Pham," Inweregbu and his co-conspirators targeted middle-aged female victims on dating sites and social media, cultivating fake romantic relationships to extract money through various pretexts before laundering the proceeds through intermediaries. He faces up to twenty years in prison and a fine of up to $
arise.tv
Daniel Chima Inweregbu, a 40-year-old Nigerian man, pleaded guilty to romance scam fraud charges for his role in a scheme that defrauded American citizens of over $405,000 between July 2017 and December 2018. He and his co-conspirators used online platforms to pose as "Larry Pham," building fake romantic relationships with victims before requesting money under false pretenses and laundering the proceeds through intermediaries. Inweregbu faces up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $750,000 total upon sentencing scheduled for December 4, 2025, and this is his second conviction for romance fraud.
newsbreak.com
Florida ranks second nationally in romance scam losses, with victims losing over $70 million annually to catfishing schemes where scammers build emotional trust before requesting money for emergencies or investments. The state's large retiree population, social isolation, and prevalence of online dating platforms create ideal conditions for predators who often pose as military personnel or overseas businesspeople and are frequently based internationally, particularly in Nigeria. While Florida lacks a specific anti-catfishing statute, perpetrators can be prosecuted under existing fraud, identity theft, and cyberstalking laws, and victims are advised to report incidents to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center and verify online identities before sending money.
ainvest.com
Between January 2020 and December 2024, the U.S. Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network reported approximately $312 billion in suspicious transactions linked to Chinese money laundering networks, which facilitate illicit financial flows for drug cartels, human trafficking, and fraud schemes. Among the suspicious activity, 108 Bank Secrecy Act filings involved elder abuse, and 43 reports identified $766 million in transactions tied to adult and senior day care centers in New York. These networks operate through multiple channels including real estate transactions ($53.7 billion across 17,389 filings), trade-based money laundering, money mule schemes, and the recruitment of compl
ainvest.com
Between January 2020 and December 2024, the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) identified 137,153 Bank Secrecy Act reports involving Chinese money laundering networks (CMLNs) that moved approximately $312 billion in suspicious transactions, including $766 million linked to adult and senior day care centers suggesting potential elder abuse and fraud. CMLNs exploit financial loopholes to launder drug cartel proceeds while helping Chinese entities bypass currency restrictions, and increasingly use real estate, trade-based schemes, money mules, and infiltration of financial institutions to obscure illicit funds. The Treasury Department has prioritized dism
virginmedia.com
This article outlines common social media scams including fake friend requests and impersonation accounts, malicious app downloads, data-harvesting quizzes, romance fraud, and investment/crypto schemes. Key warning signs include unrealistic offers, pressure to act quickly, suspicious requests for money or personal information, suspicious links, poor grammar, and low-quality profile photos. Users are advised to verify unfamiliar accounts, download apps only from official sources, avoid sharing financial information with online-only contacts, and be skeptical of guaranteed investment returns.
doj.state.or.us
The Oregon Department of Justice warned of scammers impersonating lawyers to defraud victims, with two reported cases resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses. In one case, a victim met someone on the dating app Hinge who posed as an attorney offering investment services and transferred funds; in another, scammers gained unauthorized access to attorney and client email accounts to intercept a $700,000+ settlement payment using false wiring instructions. The advisory recommends verifying legal and financial communications through direct phone contact with known numbers and advises victims to report incidents to the FBI, local police, and financial regulatory agencies.
masslive.com
Ralph Damico and 14 other seniors attended a Comcast "Cyber Savvy" educational session in Longmeadow where they learned to avoid online scams through strategies like not clicking unknown links, avoiding unrecognized phone calls, and using strong passwords. The event highlighted that elder fraud complaints increased 14% in 2023, with seniors aged 60+ losing over $3.4 billion that year—an average of $33,915 per victim—and being scammed 500% more frequently than people under 20.
goldrushcam.com
The Placer County Sheriff's Office warns of increasing fake tech support scams targeting seniors, where scammers impersonate Microsoft, Apple, and other legitimate companies by calling with claims of computer problems and requesting remote access to demand payment for unnecessary repairs. The advisory emphasizes that legitimate companies never initiate unsolicited calls about viruses and advises residents to hang up on unexpected tech support calls, avoid clicking suspicious pop-ups, never grant remote access to unknown parties, and consult trusted family members or local police when uncertain.
mercurynews.com
YouTubers conducting "scambait" sting operations in 2020-2021 provided crucial evidence that helped federal prosecutors dismantle a Chinese organized crime group that defrauded more than 2,000 elderly victims of approximately $65 million across the United States. The scheme, operated primarily by Chinese nationals working with Indian call centers, targeted seniors (average age 70+) through phone calls, emails, and pop-up ads, using social engineering tactics to trick victims into wire transfers, cash shipments, and gift card payments by impersonating bank employees or government officials. Twenty-five of 28 indicted defendants were arrested and face federal charges including mail fraud, wire fraud,
indianexpress.com
A 78-year-old man in Noida was defrauded of Rs 3.14 crore in a "digital arrest" scam where fraudsters impersonated government officials (TRAI, police, CBI, Supreme Court) and convinced him he was involved in money laundering, keeping him and his wife under virtual surveillance for 15 days before the deception was discovered. Cybercrimes against seniors have surged 86% between 2020-2022, with common scams including digital arrest, investment fraud, deepfakes, government impersonation, and OTP theft, exploiting seniors' vulnerability to trust-based and fear-based tactics.
todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) reported nearly 5,000 fake FCA scams in the first half of 2025, with fraudsters primarily targeting people over 56 years old by impersonating the regulator to extract sensitive information and money. Common schemes include falsely claiming recovered crypto funds, offering to recover losses from previous loan scams, or claiming County Court Judgements have been issued, resulting in 480 victims sending money to scammers. The FCA also warned of "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters build personal relationships with victims before conducting investment fraud, then attempt a second fraud by posing as the FCA to "recover" the lost money
consumer.ftc.gov
This is an educational resource about investment scams, particularly "affinity fraud" where scammers exploit community connections to gain trust. Scammers typically promise unrealistic high returns with minimal risk through forex, stocks, or cryptocurrency schemes, then falsely report gains while victims actually lose their money. To protect yourself, verify company licenses and registrations through Investor.gov, research the reputation of investment promoters, and remember that all legitimate investments carry risk—anyone downplaying risk is likely a scammer.
militarytimes.com
Retired Navy Rear Admiral Brian E. Luther, president and CEO of Navy Mutual, nearly fell victim to a sophisticated phone scam in which fraudsters spoofed his credit union's number and claimed to be fraud prevention staff investigating a suspicious charge on his shared credit card. The scammers escalated urgency through multiple contacts and eventually requested his account password, but Luther recognized the illegitimacy when told no legitimate financial institution should ask for passwords; he immediately contacted his actual credit union, which confirmed no such call had occurred and proactively changed his account numbers. Luther's experience illustrates that military consumers reported losing $584 million to fraud in 2024, and he now advises service members to
nbcsandiego.com
Federal prosecutors charged more than two dozen members of a Chinese scam ring with defrauding thousands of victims of over $65 million through refund scams that involved unsolicited contact, psychological manipulation, and remote computer access. The investigation was aided by YouTube scam-baiters who conducted undercover operations in 2020-21, and recent raids across four states resulted in 25 arrests, $4.2 million in seized cash, and the impoundment of luxury vehicles. Notable victims included a 97-year-old Holocaust survivor's widow from San Diego who lost her life savings.
gosanangelo.com
An elderly San Angelo resident lost $900,000 in a sophisticated computer scam where suspects impersonating a government agency convinced him his computer was locked and instructed him to withdraw cash to purchase gold bars, which they collected over four separate meetings. The suspect, Muthukrishnan Palraj, was identified through surveillance footage and vehicle registration and arrested in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on August 11; investigations across multiple jurisdictions uncovered approximately $51 million in losses attributed to his activities, with both state and federal cases pending and potential deportation upon conviction.
pymnts.com
The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warned residents in August 2025 about fraudsters impersonating the agency, reporting nearly 4,500 such scams in the first half of the year, with two-thirds of reports coming from people aged 56 and older. While the number of reports has declined over two years, the number of victims who actually lost money increased to 480 in the first half of 2025, up from 275 in early 2023, with common tactics including fake claims about illegally opened crypto wallets and "pig butchering" romance scams followed by fake recovery offers. The FCA advises people never to share sensitive banking information
justice.gov
**Summary:**
Dr. Gary Grajales-Reyes, an assistant professor at Washington University School of Medicine, pleaded guilty to embezzling $412,000 by submitting false requisition requests for computer equipment that he then sold on eBay and Amazon for personal use. Over his scheme, Grajales-Reyes submitted 73 fraudulent requisitions for approximately 761 computer parts, which the university purchased and paid for before the equipment was diverted. He faces sentencing on December 4 with potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines for the three counts of wire fraud.
mondaq.com
The U.S. Supreme Court in Kousilis v. United States unanimously ruled that defendants can be convicted of wire fraud for materially false misrepresentations that induce a victim to enter a transaction, even if the victim suffers no net economic loss. The case involved Stamatios Kousilis and his company, who fraudulently represented they would use a disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) supplier for government construction contracts in Philadelphia worth over $20 million, when the DBE only acted as a pass-through with no actual involvement. This Supreme Court decision strengthens federal wire fraud prosecutions and aligns with the Department of Justice's 2025 priorities targeting investment fraud,
justice.gov
A Nigerian citizen, Daniel Chima Inweregbu, pleaded guilty to operating a romance scam between 2017 and 2018 that defrauded multiple American women of over $405,000 using a fake online persona called "Larry Pham." Inweregbu and his co-conspirators created fake dating profiles to build romantic relationships with middle-aged female victims, then manipulated them into sending money and laundered the proceeds through various financial transactions. He faces up to 20 years in prison on each of two counts plus fines totaling up to $750,000, with sentencing scheduled for December 4, 2025.
ajc.com
Buster Skrine, a former NFL cornerback, was arrested in Roswell, Georgia on Wednesday and faces 18 counts of financial fraud related to a romance scam in which he allegedly defrauded women he met on dating platforms of hundreds of thousands of dollars by leveraging his professional reputation and fabricating false promises of relationships and financial assistance. Skrine, who had been a fugitive from Canadian authorities for over a year on check fraud charges, typically used fake stories about needing money for travel, business ventures, or personal emergencies to solicit funds from victims through dating apps like Bumble and Hinge. Police identified at least three victims who lost a combined $300,000
infosecurity-magazine.com
Chainalysis, Binance, OKX, and Tether collaborated to seize approximately $46.9 million in stolen cryptocurrency from a Southeast Asia-based "pig butchering" (romance baiting) scam operation that defrauded hundreds of victims between November 2022 and July 2023, with some individual victims losing over $1 million. Tether froze the funds in June 2024 at the direction of APAC law enforcement. Romance baiting losses surged 40% year-over-year in 2024, representing one-third of total crypto fraud revenue, with deposit volumes increasing 210% annually, indicating the scam
electrek.co
Lightning Shared Scooter Company (LSSC) perpetrated an investment scam targeting Western investors with promises of high daily returns from leasing e-scooters in Asian cities, collecting between $1,000 to $55,000 per victim across at least 17 U.S. states. The scheme operated as a pyramid structure relying on victims recruiting friends and family, displaying fake revenue in an app that couldn't be withdrawn, and using a fraudulent SEC certificate with obvious errors to appear legitimate. The Better Business Bureau has issued warnings about LSSC and similar schemes that exploit the credibility of the legitimate micromobility industry.
greatnews.life
This 2013 overview identifies the top scams affecting La Porte County and beyond, with phishing (stealing personal information for identity theft) ranked as the most prevalent fraud. The top ten scams include grandparent impersonation schemes targeting elderly relatives, doorstep contractor fraud using high-pressure sales tactics, work-from-home schemes, lottery scams, Nigerian advance-fee frauds, and account hijacking of email and social media platforms. The article emphasizes that internet growth and social networking have expanded scam delivery methods and increased victim numbers significantly, with many scams persisting or resurfacing over years despite awareness efforts.
fca.org.uk
Fraudsters impersonating the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) conducted nearly 5,000 scams in the first half of 2025, with 480 victims losing money through various schemes including fake crypto recovery claims, loan recovery promises, and "pig butchering" romantic investment scams. Older consumers aged 56+ accounted for almost two-thirds of reported cases, with scammers targeting vulnerable victims by requesting bank PINs, passwords, and additional funds under the pretense of regulatory assistance or debt recovery.
securitybrief.com.au
Australians lost AUD $119 million to cyber scams in the first four months of 2025, with citizens encountering an average of 10 scam attempts daily and suffering average individual losses of AUD $1,851 per victim. Cybercriminals are increasingly using AI-powered tactics including deepfakes, phishing emails, and personalized targeted scams to deceive Australians at scale. Experts recommend a dual approach combining AI-powered detection tools with public education, awareness, and basic cybersecurity practices such as software updates and strong passwords to combat the surge in fraud.
yahoo.com
According to AARP data, older Americans lost $12.5 billion to scams and fraud in 2024, representing a 25% increase from 2023, with imposter scams being the most common type. Scammers target seniors by posing as government officials, companies like Amazon and PayPal, or Medicare representatives, using phone calls, texts, and emails to request money or personal information. Experts advise seniors to verify all claims directly with organizations, avoid clicking links from unsolicited contacts, and remain cautious about sharing personal or financial information.
amac.us
The grandparent scam tricks seniors into sending money to scammers posing as distressed grandchildren or relatives in crisis. Scammers exploit grandparents' emotional vulnerability and willingness to help by researching personal information online, impersonating authority figures, and requesting untraceable payments via wire transfer or gift cards. Modern variants use sophisticated technology including caller ID spoofing and AI voice cloning to appear more convincing, making these scams increasingly difficult to distinguish from legitimate requests.
moneyweek.com
Fraudsters are impersonating the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to steal money from victims, with the FCA receiving 4,465 reports of such scams in a single year and 480 victims actually losing funds; nearly two-thirds of reports came from people aged 56 and older. Common tactics include falsely claiming recovered crypto funds, offering to help recover losses from previous scams ("double dip" scams), and using romantic "pig butchering" schemes, often employing call spoofing to appear legitimate. To protect themselves, people should never provide sensitive banking information to unsolicited contacts, verify FCA communications directly through official channels (0800 111 6
justice.gov
Twenty-eight alleged members of a Chinese organized crime ring operating since at least 2019 were charged in federal indictments for a $65 million fraud scheme targeting thousands of seniors across the United States, including a 97-year-old Holocaust survivor's widow who lost her entire life savings. The network, composed primarily of Chinese nationals working with India-based call centers, used impersonation and psychological manipulation to trick victims into wiring money, with scammers posing as technical support agents or government officials and often convincing victims they had received mistaken refunds. After a nationwide takedown operation, 25 defendants were arrested, $4.2 million was seized from financial accounts
prweb.com
RangersAI announced two new features in its ScamRanger app to combat elder fraud and scams: Guardian Mode, which allows vulnerable users to designate trusted contacts who receive scam alerts and can provide support, and a WhatsApp Agent that delivers real-time scam detection directly within WhatsApp. The app detects over 130 scam types across SMS, email, and chat platforms, addressing a global scam crisis exceeding $1 trillion in losses annually.
justice.gov
An elderly victim in Bristolville, Ohio, and his sister lost over $1.6 million in a cryptocurrency investment scam that began with a text from an unknown person claiming to be named "Zach." The scammer, operating under the username "Shaw Goddess" on Telegram, posed as a successful investor and convinced the victim to open accounts on Crypto.com and Strike.com, ultimately directing him to transfer over $1 million to a fake investment platform; when withdrawal attempts failed, the victim realized the fraud. Federal investigators used blockchain analysis to trace approximately $200,000 of the stolen funds to a Tether cryptocurrency address, which was frozen by Tether Limited in December