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chinadailyhk.com
· 2025-12-08
Hong Kong authorities are implementing anti-fraud measures targeting mainland students after an 18-year-old University of Hong Kong student lost HK$9.2 million ($1.18 million) to phone scammers posing as government officials in a money laundering scheme. New requirements include mandatory fraud prevention questionnaires for mainland students applying to study in Hong Kong, anti-scam lectures, and educational kits, with over 60 HKU students having lost more than HK$60 million to various scams recently. Multiple Hong Kong universities have adopted mandatory anti-fraud quizzes and questionnaires, with early results showing reduced fraud victimization rates among students who
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This article outlines seven AI-powered scams that are becoming increasingly difficult to detect: voice cloning, deepfake impersonation, investment fraud, phishing, romance scams, and others. The article explains how scammers use AI technology to create convincing fake voices, videos, and messages to manipulate victims into sending money, revealing personal data, or clicking malicious links. It provides practical prevention tips for each scam type, including verifying caller identities with security questions, scrutinizing video quality and facial movements in deepfakes, verifying investment advisors, and avoiding suspicious links and downloads.
telegraph.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Wayne Westhead, 65, a former British Army soldier, was defrauded of over £100,000 through a cryptocurrency investment scam that falsely advertised Sir Rod Stewart's endorsement on Facebook. The scammers lured him in with small initial returns (£600 on his first investment) and gradually convinced him to invest larger sums, eventually promising him 50 Bitcoin through fake "hedge-funding" schemes worth approximately $400,000, though his money was never actually invested. The fraud exploited Westhead's financial vulnerability while caring for his wife during her cancer treatment.
androidpolice.com
· 2025-12-08
AI technology is making scams increasingly convincing and harder to detect, with fraudsters using voice cloning, deepfakes, fake investment schemes, phishing emails, and romance scams to target victims. The article outlines seven types of AI-powered scams and provides prevention strategies, including verifying caller identities with security questions, scrutinizing deepfake videos for unnatural movements or audio-visual mismatches, consulting registered investment advisors, and avoiding clicking suspicious links or sharing sensitive information with unverified sources.
rocklanddaily.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The Haverstraw and Stony Point Police Departments warn of increasing Instagram phishing scams targeting teens, in which scammers send fraudulent messages threatening account deletion to pressure victims into sharing personal information or paying ransom. Users should avoid clicking suspicious links, never share passwords or security codes, refrain from sending money to restore access, and report incidents immediately while updating security settings.
taipeitimes.com
· 2025-12-08
In the fourth quarter of last year, Taiwan reported NT$37.19 billion (US$1.23 billion) in fraud losses, with investment scams accounting for 56.9 percent of total losses and affecting 1,242 victims, predominantly women over 50 (516 cases). Criminals used social media advertisements and messaging apps to recruit victims into fake investment groups, while romance scams and impersonation schemes targeting bank/government officials also contributed significantly to losses, with victims taking 2 months to 2 years to discover they had been defrauded.
freepressjournal.in
· 2025-12-08
A 69-year-old retired merchant navy employee from Alibaug, India lost Rs7.16 crore (approximately $860,000 USD) in a shares investment fraud scheme between December 10-17. The victim was added to a WhatsApp group impersonating a known acquaintance that promoted share investment tips, and was directed to download a fraudulent trading app, through which he made eight online transfers to the scammer's accounts. The fraud was discovered when the victim contacted the actual person whose identity had been stolen, leading to a cyber crime case registered under identity theft and cheating charges.
sbs.com.au
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Australians reported 249,448 scams totaling $318.7 million in losses to the ACCC's Scamwatch, with investment scams being the most damaging at $192.3 million (median loss $9,500), followed by romance and phishing scams. People over 65 were worst affected financially with a median loss of $1,000, while men overall lost more money than women, with email being the most common contact method used by scammers. Key warning signs include promises of easy money, requests from unknown contacts, links in messages, and pressure to act quickly.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This AARP educational article outlines five common scams targeting consumers and provides prevention strategies: credit repair scams exploit financial stress with upfront fees and false promises; social media ad scams deceive over one-third of U.S. adults who shop online by directing them to counterfeit retailer websites; utility scams use urgent threats of service shutoff to panic victims into immediate payment; concert ticket scams involve counterfeit digital tickets sold through unverified resellers; and unsolicited calls from unknown numbers may initiate fraud schemes. The article recommends verifying claims through official channels, researching company legitimacy with the Better Business Bureau, using secure payment methods, and avoiding clickable links in
kulr8.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau identified the top scams affecting consumers in 2024, with online shopping fraud leading for the fifth consecutive year, followed by phishing scams and fake job opportunities, along with debt collection schemes, counterfeit products, travel scams, social media impersonation, and investment scams. To protect yourself, avoid disclosing personal information like social security numbers, take time before making online decisions, be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, and never click links from unknown sources.
discovermagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
A Florida woman was convicted and pleaded guilty to laundering over $2.7 million in an online romance scam ring, exemplifying a growing problem where the FTC reported consumers lost $8.8 billion to scams in 2022—a 30 percent increase from 2021. Scammers employ sophisticated social engineering tactics including romance cons, fake investments, deepfake videos, and manufactured crises, with adults 60 and older being 73 percent more likely to fall victim to such schemes. Research reveals scammers exploit psychological principles like reciprocity (building trust through small gifts) and crisis manipulation (creating urgent financial emergencies) to manipulate victims into sending money
au.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting Facebook Marketplace sellers with fake Australia Post links and QR codes, claiming payment has been made while actually attempting to steal payment card details and personal information through phishing. Australia Post warned customers in January 2024 that the company never provides prepayment services for marketplace listings or sends links/QR codes related to online sales. This scam reflects a broader trend where Australians lost over $58 million to social media scams in the first 10 months of 2024, making social media the leading contact method used by fraudsters.
news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters are targeting Facebook Marketplace sellers with a scam involving fake Australia Post QR code links that appear to confirm payment for items, but actually direct victims to phishing sites designed to steal payment card details and personal information for identity theft. Australia Post reissued warnings about this scheme in January after it was first discovered in September, emphasizing that they never provide prepayment services or send payment-related links for marketplace listings. This scam is part of a broader trend in which over 6,000 Australians lost $58.3 million to social media scams in the first 10 months of 2024.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
Two senior citizens in Johor Baru lost approximately RM960,888 (nearly one million) to investment scams in late 2024 using identical methods: fraudulent mobile apps promising extraordinarily high returns. An 84-year-old businessman lost RM500,000 through the "DIGZAXXCE" app after joining a WhatsApp investment group offering 100% share returns, while a 61-year-old accountant lost RM460,888 through a fake Bitcoin platform called "PFOU" and app "UVKXE" that displayed phantom profits. Both victims discovered the fraud when attempting to withdraw funds or upon financial review, and authorities
bangkokpost.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers created fake websites impersonating the Bangkok Post and CP Group's senior chairman Dhanin Chearavanont to perpetrate investment fraud schemes, using doctored news articles and social media posts to lure victims with promises of high returns. Both organizations filed formal complaints with Thai police and reported the fraudulent accounts to Facebook, warning the public to avoid unverified advertisements and financial offers. Victims are urged to contact the Cyber Police Hotline at 1441 or file reports with local police.
bangkokpost.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers created fake websites impersonating the Bangkok Post and CP Group senior chairman Dhanin Chearavanont to lure victims into investment fraud schemes, using doctored news content and social media posts promising high returns. Both organizations filed formal complaints with Thai police and reported the fraudulent accounts to Facebook, warning the public to avoid unverified financial advertisements and offering reporting hotlines for suspicious activity. The investigation is ongoing with evidence submitted to authorities demonstrating the scams were conducted by criminal groups unaffiliated with either organization.
iomtoday.co.im
· 2025-12-08
An Isle of Man Bank customer lost nearly £200,000 after fraudsters impersonated the bank's fraud team and convinced the victim to purchase gold and send it via mail to London; the scam succeeded because it coincided with the customer's genuine card problems, making the call seem legitimate. The Cyber Security Centre's report for late 2024 also documented additional fraud cases including a £200,000 cryptocurrency scam, sextortion attempts, smishing schemes, and fake Facebook travel offers, with 2,721 suspicious emails reported to authorities and recommendations emphasizing independent verification and family communication about financial matters.
bostonglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
The Boston Globe is seeking stories from Massachusetts residents aged 65 and older who have been victims of financial fraud, particularly schemes involving fake online romances or cryptocurrency ATM deposits. The publication is collecting accounts directly from victims and their families to understand the impact of these scams and has established confidential reporting channels through data reporter Scooty Nickerson and journalist Adria Watson.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Former Rhode Island attorney Peter P.D. Leach was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for operating a Ponzi scheme in which he forged client signatures, misappropriated settlement funds for personal expenses, and deceived clients about case status and payment of their bills between 2014-2019. Leach was also convicted of tax evasion for concealing over $540,000 in cash withdrawals from his client trust account and making false statements to the IRS. He was ordered to pay $299,774.41 in restitution to defrauded clients and an additional $320,622.76 in back taxes to the IRS.
ein.az.gov
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned that scammers exploit disasters and mass casualty events—such as the New Orleans terrorist attack and Los Angeles wildfires—by impersonating charitable organizations and celebrities to solicit fraudulent donations, sometimes using AI to increase legitimacy. In 2024, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 4,500 complaints reporting approximately $96 million in losses to fraudulent charities, crowdfunding accounts, and disaster relief campaigns. The FBI advises verifying charity legitimacy through official registries, being suspicious of urgent payment requests from unknown individuals, and avoiding unsolicited communications claiming to represent disaster victims.
infosecurity-magazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Truth Social has become a hub for online scams including phishing, advance fee fraud, romance scams, and cryptocurrency investment fraud, with security researchers receiving over 30 scam messages within hours of creating a test account. A Central European threat actor alone distributed over 500 phishing messages impersonating brands like Netflix and Spotify to steal login credentials since March 2024, while the platform's large interest-based groups (some with 100,000+ members) enable scammers to target victims at scale with upfront payment requests ranging from $250 to $1,000. Social media scams broadly have generated $2.7 billion in reported losses since 2021, according to the
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Mark Steven Diamond, a Chicago businessman, was sentenced to over 17 years in federal prison for defrauding more than 100 elderly homeowners through a reverse mortgage and home repair scheme in which he tricked them into obtaining reverse mortgage loans and pocketed the proceeds without performing promised repairs. Diamond was ordered to pay $2.7 million in restitution, and four co-conspirators involved in originating loans and facilitating the fraud also pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme.
saga.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams cost UK victims over £612 million in 2023, with people aged 55-64 being disproportionately targeted and losing more than £133 million collectively; the average loss per victim was £25,000, though some lost significantly more. Scammers exploit older adults by targeting those with disposable income and leveraging fears about retirement, inheritance tax, and social care, often attempting multiple frauds against the same victims. Red flags include unsolicited contact, promises of unrealistic returns, and pressure to make quick decisions, with experts advising victims to seek independent financial advice before investing.
wrhi.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The IRS warns taxpayers to guard against evolving tax season scams including phishing emails, impersonation phone calls, identity theft, fake tax preparers, social media fraud, charity scams, and cryptocurrency schemes. Protection strategies include verifying IRS communications through official channels, protecting personal information, using legitimate tax professionals, and reporting suspicious activity to the IRS.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Miranda Rachel Briggs, 34, of Georgia pleaded guilty to wire fraud after falsely claiming to be the surviving spouse of a deceased U.S. Army veteran to fraudulently obtain approximately $129,000 in VA benefits and medical care. Briggs had divorced the veteran before his death in 2018 but subsequently filed false claims with the VA and Civilian Health and Medical Program, and even had herself named administrator of his estate by misrepresenting her marital status. She faces up to 20 years in prison plus restitution and financial penalties upon sentencing.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Three defendants—Gemma Traya Austin of Chula Vista and Michael Cris Traya Sordilla and Bryan Navales Tarosa of the Philippines—were charged with operating a book publishing scam that defrauded more than 800 elderly authors of approximately $44 million between September 2017 and December 2024. The scammers falsely represented that their company, PageTurner, could publish victims' books or sell them to major studios and streaming services, but demanded upfront payments for taxes and fees before any publication or optioning could occur. All three defendants face charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy, with
patriotledger.com
· 2025-12-08
"Smishing" scams falsely claiming unpaid tolls on Massachusetts toll roads (E-ZPass/EZDriveMA) have increased since January, with scammers sending text messages to randomly selected phone numbers requesting payment via fraudulent links. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation warns that legitimate EZDriveMA communications never request payment by text and all authentic links include www.EZDriveMA.com; victims should not click links, verify accounts directly through official websites, and report fraudulent messages to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
This press release announces the resignation of U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers from the Southern District of Indiana, effective January 18, 2025. The release summarizes his office's accomplishments during his tenure, including prosecutions focused on gun violence, domestic abuser cases, and drug trafficking, but contains no information about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse.
bethesdamagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old Rockville man, Ravinklejeet Mathon, was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a gold bar scam targeting a 94-year-old Silver Spring resident who nearly lost $230,000. Mathon posed as a federal agent, convincing the victim his identity had been stolen and directing him to purchase gold bars for safekeeping; detectives disrupted the scheme by substituting metal tools for the gold bars during a sting operation and arrested Mathon when he attempted to pick up the package. This was Montgomery County's first conviction in a local gold bar scam, and the case reflects a broader pattern of organized international fraud targeting elderly victims.
arynews.tv
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old software engineer in Bengaluru, India, lost Rs 1.2 crore (approximately $144,000 USD) in a "digital arrest" courier scam that began in December 2024 when she received a fraudulent call claiming she was involved in money laundering and had illegal items in a package. The scammer pressured her to transfer funds from her investments, borrowed money, and savings to verify her financial assets, promising a refund once her case was resolved, before disappearing with the funds. Police have opened an investigation into the case.
scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
Scam factories operating in Myanmar's Myawaddy region, run primarily by Chinese crime gangs, have expanded operations along the Thai border despite rescue efforts and international pressure. These compounds use trafficked workers to perpetrate tens of billions of dollars in annual fraud globally through romance scams, investment schemes, and fake job offers via phone and social media, operating with impunity under protection of the Myanmar military and Karen Border Guard Force. The issue was highlighted by the recent rescue of Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was lured to the area through a fraudulent casting call.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
On January 9, 2025, Tulare Police arrested 28-year-old Hailong He in connection with an investment scam that defrauded an elderly victim of $130,000. The suspects posed as a trading company and used a fictitious phone application to convince the victim to invest money, arranging in-person cash pickups at his home and pressuring him for an additional $90,000 under false pretenses of account closure fees. Police conducted surveillance and apprehended the suspect during a planned third transaction, charging him with Financial Elder Abuse, Theft Under False Pretenses, and Grand Theft.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
Authorities warn that scammers use multiple tactics year-round to defraud victims, including "pig butchering" investment scams where perpetrators gain trust before stealing money (with one recent case involving a 66-year-old who lost $170,000 to a fake Facebook investment banker), AI-generated travel scams that have increased 500-900% and use fake websites and phishing, and utility scams where fraudsters impersonate companies like PG&E to demand immediate payment, causing customers over $334,000 in losses in 2024 alone. Experts recommend verifying suspicious offers directly with companies, avoiding clicking unknown links, paying attention to detail inconsistencies
voi.id
· 2025-12-08
Hackers commonly exploit Telegram and other messaging apps to steal personal information and bank account details through various scams, including technical support fraud, phishing, fake investment schemes, counterfeit job postings, malicious links, lottery scams, and copycat accounts impersonating legitimate companies or individuals. Users are vulnerable even on secure platforms like Telegram if they fail to verify the authenticity of message sources. Key prevention measures include avoiding clicking suspicious links, not providing personal information to unverified contacts, and being skeptical of unsolicited offers promising easy money or employment.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
A senior citizen in Ipoh lost approximately RM974,000 in an investment scam after being recruited through Facebook and added to a WhatsApp group promoting a fake "Nasional Malaysian Finance Management Association." The victim was deceived into downloading a fraudulent app (PGLO.PRO) that promised 20% returns and made 16 transactions before discovering the scheme's non-existence. Police advise the public to verify investment opportunities through official regulatory bodies like the Securities Commission, Bank Negara, and Companies Commission before investing.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
The Kern County Sheriff's Office warned residents of a phone scam in which callers impersonate law enforcement (claiming to be "Sergeant Youngblood") and demand electronic payments via gift cards or bitcoin to resolve alleged warrants, missed court appearances, or jury duty violations, threatening arrest if payment is not made. The scammers use spoofing technology to display the Sheriff's Office callback number and may pressure victims to visit the Sheriff's Office afterward. The Sheriff's Office clarified that legitimate law enforcement never requests payment over the phone and that warrant arrests are made in person, not via phone calls.
kenyans.co.ke
· 2025-12-08
On January 10, Kenyan detectives arrested 14 suspects involved in a Ksh174 million (approximately $1.34 million USD) gold scam targeting a US businessman. The arrests followed weeks of surveillance and a raid in Nairobi's Lavington area, where authorities seized documents, stamps, and seals used in the fraud scheme, along with evidence of 2,820 kg of gold that had been smelted between March and May of the previous year. The investigation also implicated two US citizens and a Congolese accomplice who were separately arrested and charged with conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretenses.
newindianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Hyderabad police arrested 23 persons, including a 60-year-old woman operating an NGO, for involvement in 359 cybercrime cases across India. The primary case involved Kamlesh Kumari, who siphoned Rs 1.90 crore from a 70-year-old victim through unauthorized transactions and used her NGO's bank account for illegal financial activities; authorities froze the stolen funds after the victim reported the fraud. Additional arrests included individuals involved in a Rs 2.95 crore trading fraud targeting investors in fake schemes.
newslj.com
· 2025-12-08
This article compiles multiple elder fraud alerts and prevention tips: A Wyoming resident received an extortion email falsely claiming malware access (a common scare tactic), while another fell victim to a phishing email impersonating Microsoft to steal account credentials. The Identity Theft Resource Center predicts cybercrime will surge in 2025 due to reduced government resources and increased AI exploitation, while identity fraud cost Americans $43 billion in 2023—with veterans particularly vulnerable, losing $477 million that year to service-focused scams. Key prevention measures include verifying sender identities, avoiding suspicious attachments and links, using strong passwords with multi-factor authentication, and monitoring credit reports regularly.
tuko.co.ke
· 2025-12-08
Kenya's Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act of 2018 addresses five types of online scams: investment scams (fake high-return schemes), phishing emails (impersonating legitimate entities), online romance scams (fraudsters building trust to solicit money), fake e-commerce deals, and SIM swap fraud (unauthorized mobile number takeovers). Authorities emphasize that while legal protections exist, vigilance through verification of legitimacy, strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and immediate reporting to the DCI Cybercrime Unit remain essential defenses against increasingly sophisticated cybercriminals targeting Kenyans.
floridapolitics.com
· 2025-12-08
Gift card scams remain a prevalent fraud method in which scammers impersonate authority figures (like bosses) via spoofed emails using social engineering tactics, requesting victims purchase gift cards and share the codes. The article highlights that while gift card schemes typically involve smaller amounts (hundreds of dollars), related scams like wire transfer fraud and fake vendor invoices can result in losses reaching hundreds of thousands or millions, with recent examples including a University of Central Florida incident and U.S. Treasury hacking allegedly by Chinese government actors. Protection strategies include verifying requests through independent phone numbers, using two-factor authentication, strong passwords, and advanced threat protection tools.
dailyexcelsior.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article:** Rahul Dogra - 2025 Cyber Scams in India
This article outlines emerging sophisticated scams in India driven by AI and deepfake technology, including KYC/bank scams where fraudsters impersonate officials to steal sensitive information, job fraud schemes demanding upfront fees for non-existent positions, and digital arrest scams using intimidation tactics to extort settlement payments. Additional scams target elderly individuals through medical emergencies and fake insurance, electricity bill scams threatening service disconnection, and romance scams, with prevention advice emphasizing direct verification with official sources, avoidance of unsolicited links, and independent research before sharing personal
witf.org
· 2025-12-08
The Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers and credit union representatives are advocating for new legislation to protect seniors from elder financial abuse, citing tech support scams, romance scams, and investment frauds as prevalent threats. They are urging updates to Pennsylvania's Older Adults Protective Services Act to mandate reporting of suspected elder financial abuse and allow banks to place temporary holds on suspicious transactions while notifying law enforcement and aging agencies. The groups emphasize that trained bank employees can serve as critical safeguards against financial exploitation of older adults.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Jennifer Lynn Horton, 49, of Kentucky, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for wire fraud after stealing over $1.1 million from her employer, a family-owned contracting company in Indiana, between 2016 and 2022. Using her position as office manager, Horton inflated her salary by $515,000, fraudulently added her husband to payroll for $107,000, redirected customer credit card payments totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars to her personal account, and misused company credit cards for personal purchases including vehicles and a house. She concealed the theft by manipulating payroll data and accounting records, and was ordered to forfeit four vehicles an
substack.com
· 2025-12-08
Thomas F. Clasby, Jr., former Director of Quincy's Department of Elder Services, was indicted for embezzlement, mail and wire fraud, and interstate transportation of stolen property after allegedly misappropriating city funds for personal expenses from 2019 through April 2024. Clasby billed the city for numerous personal purchases totaling tens of thousands of dollars, including $8,950 for music studio recording, $2,236 for steak tips, $4,800 for a Toyota Prius, and $1,658 for a self-portrait, falsely categorized as departmental expenses. The case represents a significant breach of trust within the city's elder services department
wbur.org
· 2025-12-08
Judith Boivin, an 80-year-old Maryland retiree, lost $600,000 of her life savings in an elaborate government impersonation scam in September 2023. Scammers posing as FBI and local police officers convinced her that her Social Security number was being used for drug trafficking and money laundering, then persuaded her to withdraw her retirement funds in cash under the guise of assisting a federal investigation. This case exemplifies a broader trend of sophisticated scams targeting well-meaning Americans, particularly those with caregiving backgrounds and strong civic values.
koaa.com
· 2025-12-08
A Pueblo man encountered a fake job scam on Facebook advertising remote work for major retailers like Costco and Best Buy, where he earned $96 in a virtual wallet for reviewing products before being told he needed to invest $60-$80 to withdraw his earnings. The incident exemplifies "task scams" identified by the Federal Trade Commission, where fraudsters build trust with small initial payouts before demanding upfront fees with promises of larger returns. Key warning signs of employment scams include unrealistic salaries, vague job descriptions, lack of video interviews, requests for personal information, and demands for upfront fees or unusual payment methods.
whec.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York State Attorney General's Office is pursuing legal action against scammers who sent text messages to job seekers offering fake remote work positions as a front to steal cryptocurrency. The scheme defrauded New Yorkers into purchasing Stablecoins under the false promise of compensation for reviewing products on fake websites, with one victim losing over $100,000; authorities have frozen $2.2 million in cryptocurrency and are seeking to recover funds and impose penalties on the perpetrators.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
In June 2021, a Toronto woman lost approximately $355,000 in a romance fraud scheme after being befriended on Facebook by a man posing as "Moshe Theodor McNigh" who convinced her to invest in bitcoin through a fraudulent website; the scammer was later identified as Nigerian national Omonkhoa Precious Afure and arrested by Nigerian authorities, resulting in the recovery of $225,000 in December 2021. Romance fraud represents the second-highest-grossing scam type in Canada with $37.2 million in reported losses as of September 2024, characterized by perpetrators grooming vulnerable victims over weeks or months, building trust, an
newsregister.com
· 2025-12-08
This opinion column discusses the widespread problem of consumer fraud in America and globally, noting that the FTC estimated over $10 billion in U.S. consumer fraud in 2024 while worldwide losses exceeded $1.03 trillion. The piece highlights that elderly people are particularly vulnerable due to their trust, but cautions that even cautious individuals can fall victim to increasingly sophisticated scams involving AI deepfakes, impostor schemes, romance fraud, and investment fraud. The author emphasizes that people should be vigilant about sharing personal information, clicking suspicious links, and falling for phishing emails, as scams can cause life-altering financial damage within hours.