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kbsi23.com
The Marion Police Department reported a scam targeting seniors that resulted in a $40,000 loss in a single day, wherein victims received a fake McAfee Security pop-up warning of viruses and were instructed to call a number where a scammer impersonated a federal agent claiming their computer and phone were compromised. The victims were then coerced into withdrawing $40,000 from their bank accounts and depositing the funds into Bitcoin kiosks and purchasing gift cards. Marion police advise residents to never provide personal information, money, or computer access to unsolicited contacts, and to verify company authenticity by contacting the company directly using official account information rather than responding to pop-ups
wmar2news.com
A WMAR-2 News reporter received text messages from someone impersonating her HR director and news director, requesting she purchase "google certificates" from a store; she avoided the scam by verifying the sender's identity directly with the HR department. This type of social engineering fraud targets new employees at vulnerable moments by researching victims and their organizations, beginning with small requests (gift cards, certificates) that escalate to larger financial or credential demands, with scammers often using job networking sites to identify recent hires. Experts recommend verifying unexpected requests through official company directories or in-person contact, never sharing credentials or clicking links, and reporting suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) or the
fairmontsentinel.com
Fairmont Police report that seniors in their community face consistent threats from online scams, with tech support scams and romance/friendship scams being the most common types targeting the local older population. Scammers use various payment methods including gift cards and cryptocurrency to extract money, often directing victims to crypto ATMs or banks, and many cases originate outside the United States making recovery unlikely. Police Sergeant Beletti advises recognizing four warning signs: impersonation of trusted sources, claims of immediate danger or reward, pressure to decide quickly, and requests for specific payment methods.
nbcbayarea.com
Meta has alerted Facebook users to a widespread scam in which fraudsters send fake messages claiming account violations of trademark rules and directing users to click a link to file complaints. The scam aims to trick users into clicking malicious links that could compromise their accounts. Meta advises users who receive such messages to block and report the sender rather than clicking any links.
housebeautiful.com
**Title Piracy Fraud** - Real estate scammers are increasingly hijacking property titles by forging deeds, forging signatures, and exploiting public records to fraudulently sell homes and vacant land, particularly targeting absent owners, out-of-town buyers, and investors. The FBI received over 9,500 title fraud complaints in 2023, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated techniques including AI-generated fake documents that can deceive banks, title officers, and real estate agents. Real estate professionals recommend in-person verification and working with vigilant title insurers to detect and prevent these fast-growing scams.
haveagonews.com.au
CyberWest Hub, supported by Edith Cowan University, launched "Scams and Scones," an educational program designed to help seniors understand and protect themselves from scams through accessible, jargon-free presentations and one-on-one support from cyber students. The program addresses seniors' unique vulnerabilities to scams by combining expert-led presentations on scam identification with informal conversations and practical tips, with pilot sessions showing positive outcomes including attendees gaining confidence in recognizing and preventing fraud.
americanbar.org
This article is an educational piece for estate planning practitioners on protecting vulnerable clients from elder financial exploitation. The article advises practitioners to first ensure their own cybersecurity and document security measures are adequate, then implement firm-wide policies to recognize and prevent elder exploitation, including staff training to identify "procurement" schemes where beneficiaries control client access and educating aging clients about securing sensitive documents through digitization and secure storage. Key recommendations include developing protocols for suspected exploitation, obtaining trusted contact information, and incorporating security discussions into estate planning conversations to address risks from identity theft, document loss, and abuse.
nbcboston.com
Tax season scams are surging, with phishing attempts via text messages up 77%, as criminals impersonate the IRS to steal personal information and refunds through fake tax avoidance schemes, fraudulent charities, and spearphishing attacks. Experts recommend taxpayers protect themselves by obtaining an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS, avoiding "ghost preparers" who charge percentage-based fees, and verifying all IRS communications directly through IRS.gov rather than responding to unsolicited phone or email contact.
abc7ny.com
A widespread scam is targeting victims across the U.S., with scammers posing as tech support or federal agents and convincing victims to convert their savings into gold bars, claiming their accounts have been compromised, then having courier accomplices collect the gold. Notable victims include an Indiana widower who lost $80,000 and a New York City woman who lost $700,000, while the FBI has traced the scheme to call centers in India and is investigating both the masterminds and the couriers used to transport the stolen assets.
cbc.ca
Naomi Mitchell, an 84-year-old Surrey, B.C. resident, lost $20,000 of her life savings in a tech support scam on January 30 when scammers convinced her via a fake pop-up and phone call that her computer and bank accounts were hacked, instructing her to withdraw funds and drop them off in a parking lot. After a neighbor recognized the fraud following her second drop-off, Mitchell's son launched a fundraiser that raised over $20,000, helping her recover financially and restore her faith in community support. Police are investigating the case and advise residents to hang up on unsolicited calls and consult family members or bank staff before
kalingatv.com
Berhampur University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Geetanjali Dash lost Rs 14 lakh to a digital arrest scam in which a fraudster impersonated an Enforcement Directorate official over four days of contact. The scammer claimed she was linked to a Supreme Court case and convinced her to transfer the money to resolve the alleged legal issue. Police have filed an FIR and advised the public to avoid sharing personal information with unknown callers and to report suspicious contact to authorities immediately.
abcnews.go.com
A growing "gold bar courier scam" defrauded Americans of $126 million in 2024, with scammers posing as federal agents convincing victims to purchase gold bars and hand them over to couriers in public locations. Kris Owen, a 79-year-old Indiana resident, lost $80,000 after being told his personal information was compromised and instructed to buy gold for safekeeping; he later worked with the FBI in a sting operation to catch one of the couriers. The scheme, which exploits rising gold prices and targets vulnerable individuals nationwide, has become increasingly sophisticated and widespread.
nbcnews.com
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin introduced the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act to regulate cryptocurrency ATMs, which have been used in scams targeting seniors and other vulnerable adults. The bill would limit new users to $2,000 daily or $10,000 over 14 days, require verbal customer service interaction for transactions over $500, and mandate refunds within 30 days of police reports; this legislation follows reports of at least $114 million in crypto ATM scam losses to the FTC in 2023, including a case where a 67-year-old man lost $7,000 to a jury duty scam.
localnewsmatters.org
The Marin County Sheriff's Office issued a warning about a surge in phone and internet scams targeting elderly residents, with scammers impersonating bank employees or law enforcement through fake pop-ups and bail scam calls. Common tactics include convincing victims to withdraw cash or purchase gold for collection, or claiming a loved one needs bail money. Authorities advise residents to contact financial institutions directly and verify suspicious claims with official sources rather than calling provided numbers.
springfieldnewssun.com
CTC cybersecurity instructor Angela Yake and 32 students visited Oakwood Village to provide technology safety training to 15 seniors, helping them identify potential scams and resolve computer issues. The initiative allowed students to apply classroom learning while addressing real-world cybersecurity concerns among elderly residents, with instructor Yake emphasizing the importance of proactive education to help seniors stay safe online before scams occur.
cbsnews.com
An elderly woman was defrauded of $6,000 in a pop-up auction scam where she purchased what was advertised as a Picasso painting that turned out to be a fake. Pop-up auction schemes have been appearing across the U.S., luring customers with promises of luxury items like cars and fine jewelry at discounted prices, but the merchandise often does not match the advertised descriptions.
swlexledger.com
The FBI is warning of a widespread fraud scheme targeting elderly residents where scammers impersonate cybersecurity representatives, bank officials, and government officers to trick victims into converting their assets into physical gold and surrendering it to couriers. During 2024, 11 South Carolina elderly victims lost approximately $4.2 million to this scam, which typically begins with fake device compromise warnings and involves creating false urgency to move assets out of financial accounts. The FBI advises victims to verify identities independently, avoid using provided contact numbers, and report suspicious activity to the FBI IC3 website, with elder victims able to seek assistance through the DOJ Elder Justice Hotline.
globalnews.ca
Aurora Phelps, a 43-year-old Las Vegas woman, is accused of using online dating apps to lure at least four older men, then drugging them with sedatives and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars through a sophisticated romance scam that resulted in at least three deaths. Phelps, currently in custody in Mexico, faces 21 federal charges including wire fraud, identity theft, kidnapping, and one count of kidnapping resulting in death, with potential life sentences; she is believed to have targeted victims between 2019 and 2022, stealing their vehicles, bank accounts, credit cards, and attempting to access retirement accounts while victims were incapacitated.
wsbtv.com
A metro Atlanta senior citizen lost approximately $280,000 from his Vanguard retirement accounts after falling victim to a sophisticated scam involving multiple fraudsters: the first posed as a software vendor collecting a supposed debt of $6,000, and when the victim later received a call from someone claiming to be from U.S. Cybercrime offering to reverse the theft, that imposter gained remote access to his computer and Vanguard login credentials. Despite filing complaints with regulatory agencies and Vanguard, the victim was unable to recover the funds, as Vanguard stated it could not assist due to the transactions being made with his valid login credentials.
richlandsource.com
A 71-year-old widow named Linda Talbott was scammed out of nearly $12,000 by a man posing as "James" in an online romance scheme that lasted almost two years. The scammer manipulated Talbott into providing her Social Security number (redirecting her checks to Alabama), cashing fraudulent checks, and isolating her from support systems, ultimately leaving her homeless and living in her car in a Walmart parking lot. Between 2019 and 2023, the FTC received over 269,000 romance scam reports with total losses exceeding $4.5 billion, with scammers typically building trust through fake profiles and promises of
mirror.co.uk
A 57-year-old woman named Kirsty was targeted by a romance scammer on a dating app in 2019 who posed as a successful businessman but exhibited multiple red flags including poor English, inconsistent location details, and requests to move conversations off-platform; though she did not lose money, she felt "robbed and violated" and has not used dating apps since. The case illustrates how romance fraud targeting older adults—who may be lonely, financially secure, and less tech-savvy—is a real threat beyond documentaries like "The Tinder Swindler," with experts recommending users verify identities, avoid sharing personal details early, and remain skeptical of profiles that
boredpanda.com
Evaldas Rimašauskas and co-conspirators defrauded Facebook and Google of over $120 million by impersonating Quanta Computer, a legitimate Taiwan-based hardware manufacturer both companies worked with, through a fake company established in Latvia with forged emails and invoices. Rimašauskas served as the formal director of the fraudulent operation while allegedly delegating actual account control to unnamed accomplices, and was extradited to the United States to face charges for the scheme.
aol.com
Evaldas Rimašauskas and co-conspirators impersonated Quanta Computer, a Taiwan-based hardware manufacturer trusted by Google and Facebook, by creating a fake company in Latvia and sending forged emails with fake invoices to employees at both tech companies. The scheme defrauded Google and Facebook of over $120 million in wire transfers to accounts controlled by the scammers before Rimašauskas was arrested and faced extradition to the United States.
cnn.com
Aurora Phelps, a 43-year-old Las Vegas woman, has been charged in a 21-count indictment for an elaborate romance scam in which she allegedly used online dating apps to lure elderly men, drug them, and steal from their bank and investment accounts, resulting in at least three deaths and over $3 million in losses. One victim was allegedly drugged, pushed across the US-Mexico border in a wheelchair, and found dead in a Mexico City hotel room hours later; another victim died on his bathroom floor after a date in Guadalajara. Phelps, currently in Mexican custody, faces charges including wire fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, kidnapping, and kidnapping
vcstar.com
Two Los Angeles men were charged with felony elder abuse, conspiracy, and grand theft after defrauding an elderly Ventura couple in their early 70s through a "Norton virus" scam on February 13; the victims had withdrawn approximately $17,000 before police intervened and recovered the money. An Oxnard smoke shop's tobacco retailer permit faces revocation after a clerk allegedly sold nitrous oxide to a minor during a decoy operation conducted by the Oxnard Police Department.
newindianexpress.com
The call merging scam is a phishing method where fraudsters pose as acquaintances or professionals and trick victims into merging phone calls, then exploit the merged line to capture one-time passwords (OTPs) from banking apps and complete unauthorized transactions. The scam works by timing the call merge with a victim's bank OTP verification, causing the victim to unwittingly share sensitive authentication codes that enable account theft. The National Payments Corporation of India warns users to avoid merging calls with unknown numbers, never share OTPs over the phone, and immediately report suspicious OTP receipts to prevent financial loss.
kkco11news.com
The Mesa County Sheriff's Office warns residents of common online scams, including fraudulent calls from individuals impersonating government agencies, financial institutions, or tech support claiming computer viruses. Law enforcement advises people to trust their instincts, disengage immediately if something seems suspicious, and contact police right away, while noting that prevention through awareness is the most effective deterrent since stolen money is difficult to recover due to evolving technology.
kkco11news.com
The Mesa County Sheriff's Office warns residents about common cyber scams targeting hundreds of victims daily, including fraudulent calls impersonating government agencies or financial institutions, computer virus scams, and money-demanding calls. Law enforcement officials emphasize that evolving technology makes these scams difficult to investigate and recovery unlikely, and advise people to trust their instincts, disengage from suspicious communications, and report incidents immediately. The department offers a monthly fraud prevention community class series to increase awareness and prevention in the area.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) warned users about the "call merging scam," in which fraudsters trick victims into revealing one-time passwords (OTPs) by calling them about an opportunity, then merging the call with a fake "friend" who is actually another scammer posing as the victim's bank. Once the victim unknowingly connects to a bank verification call and shares their OTP, the scammers complete unauthorized financial transactions. To protect themselves, users should avoid merging calls with unknown numbers, verify caller identities before sharing information, remember that banks never request OTPs over phone calls, and report suspicious activity to authorities immediately.
chicagotribune.com
Naperville residents reported losing nearly $5.5 million to scams in 2024, representing a dramatic increase from previous years, according to police authorities. The most common fraud schemes included arrest warrant extortion, "pig butchering" (romance/investment scams), phishing, and online marketplace fraud, with victims ranging from age 15 to 91. Police note that actual losses likely exceed reported figures, as many victims don't report due to shame, and funds paid via gift cards or cryptocurrency are rarely recoverable.
willmarradio.com
Two individuals were arrested in Olivia, Minnesota after attempting to collect cash from a resident through a computer and phone scam that compromised the victim's computer. The victim had already handed over an unspecified sum of cash to a courier on February 11, 2025, and the scammers subsequently demanded an additional $40,000; officers arrested both suspects at the victim's residence when the courier arrived to collect the second payment. One suspect has been flagged with an immigration hold by ICE, and the case remains under investigation by the Olivia Police Department and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
digit.in
A 40-year-old software engineer in India lost Rs 33.75 lakh in a share trading scam after being added to a messaging group where a fraudster posing as a stockbroker lured him with promises of high returns through fake trading software and IPO investments. After the victim transferred money to multiple bank accounts, the scammer prevented him from withdrawing or selling his shares. To avoid such scams, verify trading platforms through official channels, avoid unsolicited investment groups, be skeptical of unusually high returns, watch for red flags like restricted withdrawals, and report suspected fraud to authorities immediately.
ingstadmedia.com
Olivia Police arrested two men in connection with a phone and computer scam targeting a resident whose computer was compromised. The victim was deceived into handing over cash to a courier on February 11, and was then contacted again with a demand for an additional $40,000. Police arrested the two suspects when the courier arrived at the victim's residence on Monday, and one suspect was also flagged with an immigration hold by ICE.
cardrates.com
The Federal Trade Commission estimates that financial scams against older Americans in 2023 resulted in losses as high as $61.5 billion, with individuals over 60 reporting fraud more frequently than any other age group. Tech support fraud, where criminals impersonate legitimate tech employees to gain access to victims' accounts, is the leading fraud type targeting seniors. Huntington Bank launched a Caregiver Banking program in December 2024 that allows older adults and those needing financial assistance to securely share account access with trusted caregivers or family members to help prevent fraud exploitation.
vox.com
Text message scams have become a sophisticated and growing threat, with complaints increasing 500 percent from 2015 to 2022 as scammers use AI and personal data to craft convincing, targeted messages about unpaid fines, packages, and other common scenarios. In 2024 alone, phone scammers stole over $25 billion, averaging $450 per victim, with risks increasing when messages include personal details like names or addresses. The article advises consumers to verify suspicious texts independently, avoid clicking links from unknown senders, and recognize red flags like unusual domain extensions, as human vigilance remains the most effective defense against increasingly sophisticated text fraud.
cbsnews.com
A Queens woman lost nearly $700,000 to scammers who posed as FTC officials and claimed her Social Security number was compromised, convincing her to drain her bank accounts and purchase gold bars and coins as "asset protection." The scammers maintained contact for over a month, threatened her with surveillance and jail time to prevent disclosure, and disappeared after collecting the gold and cash via courier; her family discovered the fraud only when she posted a GoFundMe page on Facebook. This elaborate scheme involving spoofed phone numbers, fake government emails, and precious metals represents a variation of investment scams targeting seniors that the FBI has previously warned about.
usatoday.com
A 30-year-old Florida man was ordered to pay over $1.1 million for operating EmpiresX, a $100 million cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors across 50+ countries from 2020-2021. The article explains common crypto scams including Ponzi schemes, pig-butchering scams (which combine romance fraud with fake investment schemes), and advises protection strategies such as verifying investment legitimacy, being cautious of unsolicited financial offers, and understanding that cryptocurrency transactions are difficult to reverse or recover.
moonstone.co.za
"Pig butchering" is a rapidly growing romance scam that combines fake romantic connections with cryptocurrency fraud schemes, primarily targeting victims on dating platforms and social media. South Africans lost over R125 million to online dating scammers in 2022, with scammers now using AI and deepfake technology to create increasingly convincing fake profiles and lure victims into fraudulent investment schemes. These operations, run by international crime syndicates that often exploit trafficked workers, build long-term emotional trust before pressuring victims to send cryptocurrency, which is then laundered through shell companies and criminal networks.
states.aarp.org
Thirty New York organizations, including AARP, have signed a letter supporting Governor Hochul's proposal to allow banks to place holds on transactions suspected of involving elder financial exploitation. According to FBI data, elder fraud complaints increased 14% nationally in 2023 with associated losses up 11%, and New York ranks among the top five states for elder fraud complaints and monetary losses. An AARP survey found 88% of New Yorkers age 45 and older support the proposed measure to protect vulnerable seniors from scammers using sophisticated methods to target older adults.
ukiahdailyjournal.com
An elderly woman lost money to a romance scam in which an online suitor fabricated emergencies (car accident, medical bills) to request loans totaling over $1,000. The executive director of the Ukiah Senior Center describes this as part of a widespread trend of financial fraud targeting seniors, including romance scams, impersonation schemes (government officials, grandchildren), and lottery scams. The article advises victims to verify requests before sending money, watch for red flags in online relationships, and report suspected fraud to law enforcement or the Federal Trade Commission without shame.
securityinfowatch.com
A 2025 Tech.co survey of 1,036 US business leaders found that 98% cannot identify all signs of phishing emails, with 47% failing to recognize urgency or threatening tone and 33% unable to spot unknown senders as red flags. Phishing attacks accounted for 40% of business data breaches in 2024 (up 23% from 2023), with the average data breach costing $4.88 million, highlighting a critical need for cybersecurity education across all organizational levels.
thestar.co.uk
A Vodafone study found that nearly one million UK children aged 11-16 fell victim to online scams in the past year, with 13-year-olds most affected and average losses around £100, though 69% reported increased anxiety. An online harm specialist identifies key warning signs including secretive behavior, emotional changes, and urgent requests for in-game purchases, and recommends parents maintain open dialogue, avoid frustration, and educate children about scam tactics to prevent victimization.
ingstadmedia.com
Two men were arrested in Olivia on suspicion of operating a phone and computer scam in which victims were convinced their computers were compromised and instructed to hand cash to couriers. The victim lost money on February 11 and was contacted again for an additional $40,000 before police intercepted the courier and made arrests; one suspect also has an ICE immigration hold.
miamioh.edu
This educational resource outlines three prevalent scam types in 2025: SMS scams impersonating the IRS, toll agencies, and shipping companies to solicit urgent payments; AI-powered scams using sophisticated phishing emails, fake images, and deepfake videos to enhance convincingness; and fraudulent scholarship offers that request upfront fees with little return. Key prevention strategies include avoiding suspicious links, ignoring requests for personal information, recognizing urgency tactics and grammatical errors, never responding to suspicious messages, and reporting suspected phishing attempts to security authorities.
alliancetimes.com
Financial Advisor Dalsey Lambley presented a scam awareness workshop at the Alliance Public Library, highlighting common fraud types including internet scams, romance scams, collection fraud, and computer intrusion schemes that typically begin with unsolicited contact. Lambley advised attendees to recognize red flags, avoid sharing personal information with unverified online contacts, verify contact numbers independently, and consult trusted friends before responding to urgent requests. The presentation emphasized that scammers exploit emotions like loneliness and fear to pressure victims into quick decisions without careful consideration.
womenlovetech.com
Romance scams cost Australians $201.1 million in 2023 and over $585 million in 2024, with scammers using psychological manipulation and AI-generated fake profiles to deceive online daters. Tinder released a Romance Scam Awareness Guide identifying red flags such as love-bombing, requests to move conversations off-app, sudden financial requests, and zero digital footprints, while recommending users verify profiles, conduct reverse image searches, keep personal details private, and never send money to online-only contacts. The guide, developed with fraud survivors and cyberpsychologists, complements Tinder's 20+ safety features including AI-powered scam
e.vnexpress.net
Between 2023 and 2024, Kaspersky researchers identified over 5,260 email scams originating from Nigerian groups targeting victims in Vietnam, using increasingly sophisticated tactics that impersonate wealthy individuals, entrepreneurs, and lottery directors to extract money through romance scams, fake investment opportunities, and requests for travel or shipping costs. In a related case, Vietnamese police arrested 50 conspirators operating romance scams through fake Facebook accounts posing as successful entrepreneurs, targeting middle-aged single women and convincing them to invest in Bitcoin under the guise of romantic relationships. Experts warn these scams employ social engineering and emotional manipulation to build trust, and recommend victims verify information carefully, avoid sharing personal an
mad-daily.com
ANZ Bank and TBWA\New Zealand launched an awareness campaign called "Scammers Bloom" on Valentine's Day, featuring deliberately foul-smelling roses at an Auckland pop-up to highlight the growing problem of online romance scams. The campaign used clever messaging and Valentine's cards to educate the public about romance scam tactics and warning signs, generating significant social media buzz and directing visitors to ANZ's scam prevention resources. The initiative aimed to raise awareness that romance scams often involve deceptive online relationships that appear genuine but are fraudulent schemes targeting vulnerable people.
king5.com
A Washington State House hearing examined a bill to protect vulnerable adults after an Olympia senior citizen lost $300,000 in a coercion scam where fraudsters convinced her to liquidate investments and wire funds to purchase gold coins. The proposed House Bill 1900 would require banks to flag suspected fraudulent activity on vulnerable adults' accounts and immediately notify state authorities, addressing a gap in federal law that leaves victims of coerced wire transfers without reimbursement protection. The bill's sponsor cited the victim's case as motivation to prevent others from losing their life savings to financial exploitation.
tech.co
A Tech.co study of 1,036 senior executives found that 98% of US business leaders cannot correctly identify all indicators of phishing emails, with only 1.6% able to spot clear warning signs—a critical gap given that phishing attacks account for 40% of data breaches surveyed. The research also revealed significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities, including 19% of senior leaders unable to define multi-factor authentication and 35% of businesses lacking any security policy for AI chatbot use, leaving organizations increasingly exposed to evolving threats powered by new technology.