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in Romance Scams
suncommunitynews.com
· 2025-12-08
This does not appear to be an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. The content consists of generic system messages (email verification notifications, session renewal prompts) and an unrelated brief mention of a charitable donation. There is no fraud, scam, or elder abuse incident to summarize for the Elderus database.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Julie-Anne Kearns, a 47-year-old NHS worker from Dorset who runs a TikTok scam awareness account with over 10,000 followers, fell victim to identity theft in December 2024 when fraudsters attempted to take out loans in her name through three different lenders (Lendable, Moneybarn No 1, and Billing Finance Limited), likely using cloned copies of her passport and driving licence. Despite her extreme vigilance and efforts to prevent fraud, she discovered the identity theft through a credit report and subsequently locked her credit file, though she remains uncertain how the criminals obtained her personal information.
lifestyle.thecable.ng
· 2025-12-08
**Romance Scam - Bobrisky Case**
Social media personality Bobrisky fell victim to an online romance scam and lost $990 after chatting with a scammer for several months who claimed to be living in Canada. The scammer gained access to her cash transfer by offering his CashApp account to receive a deposit from an advertising client, then blocked her immediately after the money arrived. Bobrisky publicly shared evidence of the scam on Instagram seeking help to identify the perpetrator.
dailystar.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Julie-Anne Kearns, a 47-year-old NHS worker and anti-scam TikTok creator, was targeted by a dating scam in November 2022 when a fraudster posing as a military surgeon attempted to trick her into buying an iTunes gift card; she avoided the scam through image verification but later discovered her identity had been stolen. In December 2024, Kearns learned that identity thieves had used her personal information to apply for loans with three different lenders (Lendable, Moneybarn No 1, and Billing Finance Limited), prompting her to lock her credit file to prevent further fraud attempts.
thenationonlineng.net
· 2025-12-08
Popular crossdresser Bobrisky lost $990 to a romance scammer who had been communicating with him for several months, claiming to be based in the U.S. and Canada. The scammer gained his trust through frequent calls and regular contact, then convinced Bobrisky to receive a payment via CashApp on his behalf before blocking him once the money was transferred. Bobrisky publicly shared details of the incident on Instagram, warning his followers to be cautious of similar romance scams.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Twelve suspected members of the Nigerian mafia gang Black Axe went on trial in Munich in connection with romance scams targeting dozens of victims, with one woman defrauded of €235,000. The defendants, aged 33 to 54, are accused of forming a criminal organization and using fake romantic relationships to manipulate victims into sending money, in what is Germany's first major prosecution of the group. The trial, expected to last months with a verdict possibly in December, follows April raids by Bavarian police that revealed the mafia's previously unknown significant presence in Germany.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A trial began in Munich in April 2025 against 12 suspected members of the Black Axe Nigerian mafia organization, accused of operating romance scams that defrauded victims by feigning romantic relationships to extract money. One victim alone lost approximately €235,000 ($257,400), with dozens of romance scam cases involved in the proceedings—the first major trial in Germany targeting this criminal organization, which is also known for money laundering and human trafficking. The defendants, aged 33-54, face charges of forming a criminal organization, with the trial expected to conclude by December 2025.
asic.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
ASIC successfully obtained Federal Court orders to wind up 95 companies incorporated with false information that were suspected of facilitating "pig butchering" scams (romance baiting scams) involving fake investment platforms for forex, digital assets, and commodities trading. The scammers used professional-looking websites and apps to trick victims into depositing money into accounts controlled by fraudsters, with some companies potentially incorporated using stolen identities. ASIC warns consumers remain highly vigilant against these sophisticated scams, noting it removes approximately 130 scam websites weekly as part of its ongoing enforcement efforts.
tradingview.com
· 2025-12-08
Australia's financial regulator (ASIC) obtained a court order to shut down 95 companies linked to "pig butchering" scams—sophisticated investment and romance fraud schemes where criminals build trust with victims over weeks before directing them to fake trading platforms for forex, crypto, and commodities. These organized criminal networks, often operating from countries like Myanmar and Eastern Europe, target high-income individuals globally by using fake websites, stolen identities, and complex deception tactics to create false legitimacy. Despite regulatory efforts to remove scam websites and shut down fraudulent companies, Australians lost AU$2.74 billion to financial fraud in the most recent reporting period, though losses declined 13.1
news18.com
· 2025-12-08
A 59-year-old retired Army colonel from Gurgaon was lured to Mathura by a woman he met on the matrimonial website Jeevansathi, where he was ambushed by her associates, brutally assaulted, robbed of his phone and wallet, and filmed without consent with threats of blackmail if he contacted police. The gang forced him to call acquaintances for money before abandoning him in a forested area; he subsequently filed a police complaint under sections covering assault, extortion, and criminal intimidation. The incident highlights serious security vulnerabilities in online matrimonial platforms and the risks of meeting unknown individuals from dating websites without safety precautions.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly targeting 401(k) retirement accounts through multiple methods including phishing emails, fake investment platforms, impersonation phone calls and text messages, robocalls with AI voice impersonations, and fraudulent rollover schemes. To protect retirement savings, individuals should use two-factor authentication, create strong unique passwords, monitor account notifications, and only conduct rollovers with trusted financial institutions while remaining vigilant against suspicious communications and fake investment opportunities.
thenationonlineng.net
· 2025-12-08
Socialite and crossdresser Bobrisky lost $990 to a romance scammer who built trust over several months by claiming to live in the United States and calling him regularly. The scammer disappeared immediately after receiving money that Bobrisky had facilitated for what was presented as an advertising deposit payment. Bobrisky shared details of the incident and the scammer's photos on Instagram to warn his followers.
tribuneonlineng.com
· 2025-12-08
Crossdresser Bobrisky lost $990 to a romance scammer who posed as a potential romantic partner over several months, gaining his trust through frequent calls before ultimately blocking him when given access to a CashApp deposit. The scammer, who initially claimed to be in the United States before saying he relocated to Canada, was exposed when Bobrisky asked to use the man's CashApp account to receive payment for an advertisement. Bobrisky publicly shared screenshots and photos of the alleged scammer on Instagram to warn followers about similar deceptive tactics.
oregonlive.com
· 2025-12-08
This advice column addresses a parent's concerns about their 22-year-old son's relationship with a 36-year-old woman he met online in Brazil, who he is planning to visit for three months and to whom he has already sent money. The response identifies several warning signs consistent with romance scams, citing FTC data showing over 64,000 reported romance scams in 2023 totaling $1.14 billion, and recommends the parents consult FBI.gov and ic3.gov resources to help their son think critically about the situation and potential predatory motives.
azcentral.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults are frequent targets of scams because they typically have substantial savings, higher trust levels, and lower technological literacy. Scammers exploit emotional triggers like fear, urgency, greed, and confusion to manipulate seniors into surrendering money or personal information, with schemes like "pig-butchering" and others specifically designed to target this vulnerable population.
makeuseof.com
· 2025-12-08
Hackers are increasingly using generative AI to conduct more effective and affordable scams by automating social engineering attacks, including cloning social media accounts to impersonate trusted contacts and deploying AI chatbots to conduct mass spear-phishing campaigns and romance scams. AI tools enable cybercriminals to personalize attacks at scale, create deepfake videos of high-profile individuals, and automate time-consuming fraud tactics like relationship-building for romance scams. Users should be aware that traditional security measures alone are insufficient, as people remain the primary vulnerability exploited by these AI-enhanced attack methods.
independent.ie
· 2025-12-08
Financial abuse differs from typical scams in that perpetrators are usually known to the victim—such as family members, caregivers, or spouses—making it more difficult to detect and harder for victims to report. Key red flags include unexplained financial transactions, sudden changes in banking access, isolation from financial decision-making, and unusual gifts or loans to family members. Recognizing these warning signs and acting quickly is essential to protect vulnerable individuals from this insidious form of exploitation.
irishmirror.ie
· 2025-12-08
Over the past five years, €7 million has been stolen from romance fraud victims in Ireland, with 70 cases reported in the last year alone and an average loss of €28,500 per victim. The vast majority of victims were women, with the highest individual loss reaching €450,000, as criminals use fake profiles on dating apps and social media to build trust before requesting money for supposed medical bills, investments, or travel expenses. Gardaí warn the public to verify profiles using reverse image search, avoid sharing personal details, and be suspicious of individuals who refuse video calls or request money.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This article outlines common scams targeting seniors, including "pig-butchering" schemes that build trust over time before convincing victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms, as well as tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams using voice cloning, and sweepstakes frauds. Older adults are particularly vulnerable due to larger savings, higher trust levels, and potential unfamiliarity with technology, compounded by factors like cognitive decline and social isolation. Key prevention strategies include teaching seniors to recognize red flags such as urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), poor grammar, and soliciting personal information—and encouraging them to verify
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency fraud losses reached $3.96 billion in 2023, up 335% from 2021, with scam activity growing an average of 24% annually since 2020. Crypto scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, particularly "pig butchering" schemes where scammers build online relationships before soliciting investments or money, with this fraud type growing 40% in 2024. Investigators recommend maintaining skepticism in online interactions, verifying investment details independently, and being alert to requests for fees or repeated payments, as scammers often exploit victims over months or years before detection.
mlive.com
· 2025-12-08
A 22-year-old man plans to travel to Brazil to meet a 36-year-old woman he connected with online, raising concerns about a potential romance scam—he has already sent her money and friends suspect she may be seeking a U.S. visa through marriage. According to the FTC, romance scams affected over 64,000 people in 2023, resulting in $1.14 billion in losses, and this case exhibits several warning signs including financial requests and pressure to meet in person from an online acquaintance.
ktar.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies five major scams targeting seniors: "pig butchering" (long-term cryptocurrency investment schemes), tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams (sometimes using voice-cloning AI), and sweepstakes/lottery scams. The article explains that older adults are targeted due to larger savings, higher trust levels, and potential unfamiliarity with technology, and recommends seniors watch for red flags including urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, crypto), poor grammar, and suspicious requests—while seeking a second opinion before sharing personal information or money.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly couple in Karnataka's Belagavi district died by suicide after losing Rs 50 lakh to a digital arrest scam that targeted them from January onward, with fraudsters claiming illegal activity on a SIM card registered in their names and continually demanding money despite repeated payments. The article highlights that seniors are increasingly targeted by scammers due to their larger savings and limited digital literacy, with many scams—including romance and impersonation schemes—going unreported due to victims' fear and embarrassment.
koco.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not relevant to elder fraud research. It discusses "microcheating" in romantic relationships, primarily focusing on social media interactions and communication boundaries between partners. The content addresses relationship dynamics, communication advice, and psychological perspectives on modern infidelity—topics outside the scope of Elderus, which tracks scams, fraud, and elder abuse.
theleader.info
· 2025-12-08
Spanish Civil Guard arrested 21 individuals and investigated 4 others connected to an organized romance scam network that defrauded over 70 victims of approximately €1.5 million. The criminal group, operating across Spain, Europe, and Africa, used fake profiles and emotional manipulation to convince victims they were in genuine relationships, then solicited large money transfers; one victim lost €94,000. The organization employed document forgers, money launderers, and "money mules" to conceal funds through fraudulent bank accounts, export schemes, and international transfers.
irishnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A middle-aged TV chef lost £300,000 to a romance scam perpetrated by his biological mother, whom he had not seen in 40 years and reconnected with after she contacted him claiming to be terminally ill and needing financial assistance. The scammer exploited his emotional vulnerability and desire for maternal connection, convincing him to provide loans for travel, luxury accommodations, and inheritance arrangement fees, with promises of repayment from a supposed multi-million pound inheritance. A DNA test ultimately confirmed the woman's true identity, revealing that his own birth mother had deliberately defrauded him after abandoning him in childhood.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Debbie Crisp's mother, Donna, died suddenly in North Carolina, and while sorting through her belongings, Debbie's daughter discovered evidence that Donna had been the victim of a romance scam that stole over $400,000 from her. Donna had hidden this painful secret, leaving behind correspondence with the US Postal Inspection Service and a victim's advocate. A US Postal Inspector is now investigating the elaborate romance scam operation responsible for stealing millions from dozens of victims, with hopes of catching the ringleader and achieving justice for Donna and others affected.
theregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Five romance scammers were convicted in the UK for operating a multimillion-pound fraud scheme that defrauded at least 99 victims out of an estimated £3.25 million ($4.22 million). The criminals posed as romantic interests on dating websites to build trust with vulnerable individuals—often recently divorced or widowed—and repeatedly scammed them until they had no money left, with proceeds laundered through the perpetrators' bank accounts. The case highlights the sophistication of romance fraud operations and emphasizes that victims should report incidents without shame, as such schemes exploit even intelligent individuals through well-honed manipulative tactics.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines major scams targeting older adults, including "pig butchering" (cryptocurrency investment fraud built through relationship manipulation), tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams (sometimes using AI voice cloning), and sweepstakes/lottery scams. The article advises seniors and their families to watch for red flags such as urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), poor grammar, and to have trusted individuals review any communication requesting personal information or payment before responding.
bigcountrynewsconnection.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams have evolved to use AI-generated profiles and sophisticated emotional manipulation, resulting in over $2.95 billion in losses in 2024—a 30% increase from 2023, according to FTC data. Scammers typically establish fake identities on social media, build trust with victims, and then solicit money through fabricated stories or fake investment opportunities. To protect themselves, consumers should guard personal information, conduct reverse image searches, insist on video/in-person meetings, avoid pressure to send money quickly, and report suspected scams to their financial institution, local law enforcement, the FBI's IC3, or the FTC.
cps.gov.uk
· 2025-12-08
Five money launderers were convicted at Guildford Crown Court for operating a romance fraud scheme that defrauded 40 confirmed victims (with 99 suspected victims) of approximately £3.25 million. The criminals created fake dating profiles with fictional biographies to manipulate victims into believing they were in genuine relationships, then requested money for fabricated emergencies such as business trip expenses, fines, or stolen wallets. The stolen funds were laundered through the defendants' bank accounts, with victims often unable to recover their money and suffering significant emotional distress.
newtondailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost victims $547 million in 2021, an 80% increase from 2019, with scammers using fake online dating profiles to build trust before requesting money under false pretenses like medical emergencies or visa issues. The scams target vulnerable individuals seeking companionship by establishing emotional connections before exploiting their sympathy. Key protection strategies include being skeptical of rapid affection, resisting requests for money, conducting reverse image searches on profile photos, and reporting suspected scams to the FTC and dating platforms.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
A Coventry, Rhode Island resident lost over $100,000 in a romance scam after being contacted by someone posing as "John William" on the dating site Plenty of Fish, who convinced the victim to send money via gift cards, wire transfers, and Bitcoin over several months. Coventry police warned the public to avoid sending money to people met online and to be suspicious of requests involving gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
independent.ie
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams occur when fraudsters create fake profiles on dating apps to build emotional connections with victims before requesting money. This educational guide from Irish fraud experts outlines warning signs including requests for money, inconsistent personal details, reluctance to video chat, and pressure to move conversations off dating platforms. Recognizing these red flags helps protect people from financial and emotional exploitation in online dating.
chroniclejournal.com
· 2025-12-08
In February 2024, Melanie McGovern from Montreal's Better Business Bureau received a suspicious message from what appeared to be her 16-year-old niece's hacked Instagram account requesting money, alerting her to a rising tide of investment fraud in Canada. Investment scams—including impersonations via social media, deepfake voice calls, and fake cryptocurrency schemes—cost Canadians $310 million in 2024 (compared to $33.5 million in 2020), with victims losing a median of $5,000 per incident, though experts estimate 90-95% of cases go unreported. To protect themselves, Canadians should pause before responding to
english.kyodonews.net
· 2025-12-08
Japan's yakuza membership fell to a record low of 18,800 in 2024, but authorities are increasingly confronting a new threat from anonymous criminal groups called "tokuryu" that conducted 10,105 profit-motivated crimes including fraud, robbery, and theft. These loosely-organized groups recruited over 3,900 members through social media with promises of illegal part-time work and orchestrated investment and romance scams that resulted in approximately 200 billion yen ($1.4 billion) in losses in 2024. While police have apprehended mid-level operatives, the highest-ranking leaders remain elusive, and some evidence suggests traditional yakuza organizations are profiting
actuarialpost.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A webinar session featured industry experts and Chris Bell from City of London Police discussing pension scam prevention efforts by PSAG and introducing a new fraud reporting service replacing Action Fraud. The session emphasized the importance of reporting suspected pension scams and fraud, and included a Q&A addressing common questions about these issues.
cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
Approximately 7,000 people were recently released from scam compounds operated by Chinese crime syndicates and warlords along the Myanmar-Thailand border, where they had been held captive and forced to conduct fraudulent investment schemes and romance scams targeting victims worldwide, including American citizens who lost their life savings. An estimated 100,000 people remain trapped in these facilities, which generate billions of dollars annually; experts warn the industry will quickly rebuild using advanced technologies including AI-generated scripts, deepfakes, cryptocurrency, and malware. A coordinated global response is needed to combat what analysts describe as an unprecedented and rapidly expanding cyber threat that is spreading to Africa, South Asia, the Gulf, and the Pacific
salon.com
· 2025-12-08
American consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, the highest amount ever recorded, with fraudsters increasingly using AI to create convincing deepfakes and impersonation scams. Key fraud types include AI-driven impersonation, phishing emails, investment/cryptocurrency scams (which rose to $3.96 billion in losses), tech support scams, and romance scams (which caused $1.14 billion in losses with a median loss of $2,000 per victim). Consumers should watch for red flags such as rushed messages, inconsistencies, and suspicious email addresses to protect themselves from these evolving schemes.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI seized $8.2 million in cryptocurrency from an international "pig butchering" romance scam investigated by its Cleveland Field Office, which identified over 30 victims whose funds were traced through three cryptocurrency wallets using advanced blockchain analytics. One Cleveland victim alone lost over $650,000 in retirement savings after being deceived into what she believed was a legitimate investment account. The scam—named for how perpetrators "fatten up" victims emotionally before draining their finances—originated in China and typically targets vulnerable individuals through dating apps; seized funds are expected to be used for restitution as the Department of Justice continues investigating additional victims and fraud networks.
amp.cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
Around 7,000 people were recently released from scam compounds operated by criminal syndicates along the Myanmar-Thailand border, where an estimated 100,000 people remain trapped and forced to conduct romance scams and fraudulent investment schemes targeting victims worldwide, including American citizens, generating billions of dollars in illicit proceeds. The scam operations, run largely by Chinese crime syndicates and ethnic militia groups, are rapidly evolving to use artificial intelligence, deepfakes, cryptocurrency, and other advanced technologies to expand their targeting capabilities and evade law enforcement. Experts warn that a coordinated global response is needed to combat what they describe as an unprecedented and growing cyber threat that shows no signs of slowing despite recent
newstalk.com
· 2025-12-08
A bill is being introduced to make catfishing—the creation of fake online identities using stolen photographs to deceive others—illegal in Ireland. Currently, while catfishing is often used in romance scams that cause significant financial and emotional harm to victims, it is not itself a criminal offense, though it may be difficult to prosecute as identity fraud. Senator Fiona O'Loughlin is pushing for specific legislation to give law enforcement the tools needed to protect victims from this deceptive practice.
investmentexecutive.com
· 2025-12-08
FINRA's Securities Helpline for Seniors recovered over $9.3 million for investors approaching its 10th anniversary, with all funds returned voluntarily after helpline intervention without requiring enforcement action. The service has handled more than 32,000 calls and generated thousands of enforcement referrals and referrals to other authorities, addressing rising reports of crypto scams, impersonation schemes, and romance scams targeting seniors. Success depends on collaboration between the helpline, brokerage firms, and regulatory agencies, with many firms designating contacts to expedite resolution of investor concerns.
chicagotribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using fake text messages claiming unpaid tollway balances to steal personal and financial information through "smishing" (SMS phishing), with Illinois residents particularly targeted at rates higher than the national average. The fraudulent messages impersonate E-ZPass accounts and direct victims to fake websites; authorities warn consumers never to click links or reply to such messages, as the Illinois Tollway uses the I-PASS system instead. Americans lost 25% more money to fraud in the past year compared to 2023, with complaints in Illinois reaching 1,470 per 100,000 residents versus the national average of 1,215 per 100,000.
greenecountynewsonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird warned residents in 2024 about the state's top 10 complaint categories, with the Consumer Protection Division receiving over 3,900 complaints across 30+ scam types. Notable 2024 trends included significant increases in social media hacking/account locking and imposter scams, particularly schemes directing victims to cryptocurrency ATMs to send money to fraudsters. The top complaints involved auto fraud (623), internet/social media issues (593), imposter scams (376), home improvement fraud (332), and personal goods/services complaints, with the Attorney General's office urging Iowans to verify sellers, avoid prepayment and cryptocurrency
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Maryland woman lost over $3 million in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam, where scammers based in Southeast Asia built trust with her through a Korean messaging app before convincing her to invest in fake crypto platforms that appeared legitimate. The FBI's Baltimore field office warns that this scam is growing, typically targeting victims in their 50s and older, and that victims often lose their entire investments as scammers eventually disappear with all funds, sometimes returning to target the same victims with fake recovery schemes.
daytondailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes four common scams targeting seniors: Social Security Administration impostor scams that use caller ID spoofing to trick victims into moving money to gift cards; tech support scams where criminals pose as representatives from recognized companies to gain remote device access and obtain banking information; lottery scams where perpetrators impersonate officials and extract fees from supposed foreign lottery winners; and romance scams conducted through dating sites and social media where scammers build relationships to solicit money. These represent a small fraction of the scams seniors face, with detailed information available through the Department of Justice's elder justice resources.
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
According to a 2024 Statista study, 90% of US adults aged 65 and older use the internet, making them frequent targets for online scams, particularly in states with older populations like Florida and Texas. The National Council on Aging recommends six protective strategies including listening without judgment, encouraging delayed responses to urgent-sounding messages, and involving anti-fraud organizations and peer networks to help vulnerable seniors recognize and avoid romance scams, crypto schemes, and other fraud.
ospreyobserver.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece by an elder law attorney identifies three major scam types targeting seniors: confidence scams (where perpetrators build trust to gain financial access), tech support scams (unsolicited offers to fix computer problems in exchange for payment or personal information), and government impersonation scams (fraudsters posing as IRS, law enforcement, or Social Security officials). The article emphasizes that seniors, particularly isolated "elder orphans" without family support, are especially vulnerable and provides protective advice including verifying agency contacts independently and reporting suspected fraud to the National Elder Fraud Hotline or FTC.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Candice Trees, a 71-year-old Illinois retiree, lost $12,000 in a romance scam after developing an online relationship with a man claiming to work abroad who eventually asked to borrow money. In 2024, over 71,000 Illinois consumers reported fraud cases totaling $318.1 million, prompting AARP Illinois to expand prevention efforts through monthly educational programs and advocacy for stricter cryptocurrency ATM regulations, as losses from crypto-related scams topped $65 million nationally in the first half of 2024 with seniors disproportionately affected.