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greekreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
Virgin Media O2 launched Daisy, an AI-powered virtual grandmother, to combat rising phone and online scams targeting older adults by engaging fraudsters in lengthy, complex conversations that waste their time and prevent them from victimizing real customers. The initiative addresses a critical problem: Americans over 60 lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023 (an 11% increase from 2022), with the average victim losing $33,915, while 22% of Britons report facing fraud attempts weekly. Daisy uses advanced natural language processing and realistic voice synthesis to convincingly pose as a vulnerable elderly person, gathering intelligence on scam tactics while raising public awareness about digital
kenyan-post.com
· 2025-12-08
A South African businesswoman, Mmkgomo Doris Ngcobo, and two Ugandan nationals, Derrick Nsubuga and Nassazi Joan, were arrested for orchestrating romance scams that defrauded victims of approximately R2 million. The scheme involved posing as romantic interests on dating apps, then employing accomplices posing as traditional healers to convince victims they needed "cleansing rituals" and business investments, ultimately extracting money through loans and transfers. The Hawks arrested the trio during a raid in Roodepoort while they were actively scamming another victim, with further arrests anticipated.
mysuncoast.com
· 2025-12-08
A 56-year-old man in Bradenton, Florida was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of over $600,000 after convincing her to invest in fake business opportunities with promised returns of $55 million. Elder fraud is rising across Florida's Suncoast region through various scams including romance and phishing schemes, with authorities recommending residents pause to verify requests, question urgency, and recognize too-good-to-be-true offers.
globenewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
This article announces The Assembly Caribbean 2024, a virtual anti-financial crime conference hosted by ACAMS on December 5-6, 2024, featuring over 40 experts and regulatory officials addressing compliance challenges in the Caribbean region. The conference will cover fraud risks including elder fraud, romance scams, and "pig butchering" schemes, alongside discussions of money laundering, sanctions enforcement, virtual assets regulation, and the fentanyl crisis. The event aims to provide compliance professionals with practical strategies to detect financial crimes and implement effective anti-money laundering measures tailored to the Caribbean's unique AFC landscape.
federalwaymirror.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal Way Police Department community engagement coordinator Tiffany Clemmings presented crime prevention education to local seniors at a November 13 meeting, covering situational awareness, vehicle theft prevention, home safety, and common scams. The presentation emphasized that while criminals need desire, ability, and opportunity to commit crimes, individuals can reduce criminal opportunities through crime prevention awareness and situational awareness. Key information included that tech support scams, government imposter scams, grandparent scams, and romance scams are the top threats to seniors, and that Federal Way experienced a 50% decline in auto thefts in 2024 compared to 2023.
gvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses pig butchering, a evolving romance scam variation that originated in China where fraudsters build fake romantic relationships with victims (called "pigs") to eventually swindle them out of money. The piece, written by a Community Outreach Specialist with R.O.S.E. (Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly), alerts readers—particularly older adults—to this emerging fraud threat and directs them to roseadvocacy.org for information on the latest scams targeting seniors.
pulse.ng
· 2025-12-08
An American woman over 50 revealed in a viral video how she was victimized by two Nigerian romance scammers ("Yahoo boys") between 2020 and an unspecified later date, losing unspecified amounts of money to both perpetrators. The first scammer posed as a romantic interest for ten months before she discovered his true identity and Nigerian girlfriend when he accidentally called using his real phone number; the second scammer admitted to using her money for his mother's medical bills. Despite significant financial losses, the victim expressed no animosity toward her scammers and remained optimistic about recovery.
punchng.com
· 2025-12-08
Anthony Ibekie and Samuel Aniukwu, two Nigerian nationals living in the Chicago suburbs, were sentenced to a combined 30 years in federal prison for defrauding US citizens of at least $3.5 million through inheritance scams, romance scams, and business email compromise schemes. Ibekie received 20 years and Aniukwu received 10 years after being convicted on multiple counts including wire fraud, money laundering, and passport fraud. A third accomplice, US citizen Jennifer Gosha, pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges and is scheduled for sentencing on December 18, 2024.
punchng.com
· 2025-12-08
An American woman over 50 fell victim to romance scams perpetrated by two Nigerian "Yahoo boys" (internet fraudsters) over separate incidents spanning roughly a decade, losing significant sums of money in both cases. In the first scam (2020), a man posed as an American on TikTok for ten months before she discovered his true identity and Nigerian girlfriend; in the second, a scammer claimed to need money for his sick mother's medical bills. Despite these experiences, the victim expressed continued affection for Nigerian men while authorities note that youth involvement in internet fraud remains a persistent problem despite Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission securing 3,175 convictions and recovering over N156 billion between 2
afp.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) partnered with Philippine authorities in October 2024 to dismantle a romance and cryptocurrency scam operation in Manila, resulting in the arrest of over 250 suspected cyber criminals and the seizure of hundreds of computers and thousands of mobile phones. The scammers targeted Australian men over 35 through dating apps and social media, building trust before directing victims to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms while operating shifts aligned with Australian time zones. The AFP gathered intelligence on victim targeting methodologies and financial structures to help identify Australian victims and disrupt similar scam centers globally under Operation Firestorm.
examiner.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Over 260 people were arrested in Manila, Philippines during a raid on a romance scam operation that targeted Australian men over 35 through dating apps and social media. The scammers, working in shifts aligned with Australian time zones, built trust with victims before directing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency trading platforms. Australian Federal Police worked with Philippine authorities to gather intelligence on the scam's structure and money laundering operations, with plans to identify victims and shut down similar operations globally.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Raymond McDonald, a 51-year-old serial romance fraudster from County Durham, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of fraud by deception and is now appealing his sentence through the Court of Appeal. Police believe McDonald has scammed over 100 people out of thousands of pounds through dating sites, causing victims to report lasting emotional trauma, and he has been repeatedly jailed for fraud and romance scams over the past two decades. McDonald's legal team filed an appeal application while he awaits Court of Appeal consideration of his case.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old woman from Staffordshire was targeted by a romance scammer posing as a widower named "John" who claimed to be a civil engineer in Dubai and eventually requested £100 in gift cards after fabricating a story about being shot and hospitalized. The victim became suspicious and did not send money, contacting authorities instead. This case exemplifies the surge in dating scams reported to Action Fraud, which received 4,109 dating fraud reports in the first six months of 2024—a 56% increase from the same period in 2019—as fraudsters emotionally manipulate vulnerable people online into sending money.
barbadostoday.bb
· 2025-12-08
This opinion piece discusses the vulnerability of elderly adults to digital scams and fraud, particularly in the Caribbean context. The author highlights that seniors aged 60 and older lost over US$3.4 billion to scams in 2023 according to FBI data, with the average victim losing US$33,915, and notes that older adults are targeted due to their trusting nature, substantial savings, technological inexperience, and emotional vulnerabilities exploited through tactics like grandparent scams and romance fraud. The article emphasizes that data breaches exposing personal information increase seniors' risk, and that most cannot recover financially from these losses due to their inability to re-enter the workforce.
newscop.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australian Federal Police conducted a significant raid on a scam compound in Manila, Philippines as part of Operation Firestorm, resulting in the arrest of over 250 individuals and seizure of hundreds of computers and thousands of mobile phones used to target Australian men over 35 through romance and cryptocurrency investment scams. The operation revealed how offshore scam centers operate in shifts aligned with Australian time zones to build rapport with victims before soliciting investments in fake trading platforms. The AFP and National Anti-Scam Centre will contact identified victims and advise Australians to remain vigilant against romance and investment scams by verifying identities, being skeptical of urgent requests, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities.
huntsvillebusinessjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau president identified five prevalent scams affecting consumers in 2023: investment/cryptocurrency schemes (averaging $3,800 in losses), employment fraud involving fake job postings and counterfeit checks, online purchase scams where goods don't arrive or misrepresent quality, and home improvement fraud targeting storm-damaged properties. The BBB recommends verifying secure websites (https), using credit cards for online purchases, researching businesses on bbb.org, and being skeptical of promises that seem too good to be true.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
Philippine police arrested 250 romance scammers operating from a criminal call center in a raid coordinated with Australian Federal Police intelligence. The operation is believed to have defrauded thousands of Australians and numerous victims from other countries through romance scams. The investigation involved collaboration between international law enforcement agencies and included input from scam victims and experts.
au.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Australian Federal Police raided a scam operation in Manila, Philippines, arresting 250 alleged cyber criminals and seizing over 300 computers and 1,000 mobile phones. The scammers targeted Australian men over 35 through dating apps and social media, building trust before directing victims to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms, with perpetrators working shifts to align with Australian time zones. Authorities are now working to identify victims and dismantle the financial structures supporting these offshore romance and investment scams.
9news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australian federal police are working with Philippine authorities to identify Australian victims of romance scams following the arrest of 250 cybercriminals (190 foreign nationals and 68 Filipino nationals) at a scam compound in Manila in October. The scammers targeted Australian men over 35 on social media and dating apps, building trust before directing victims to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency trading platforms while working in shifts to match Australian time zones. The operation, conducted under Operation Firestorm, resulted in seizures of over 300 computer towers, 1,000 mobile phones, and thousands of SIM cards, providing law enforcement with intelligence on the structure and targeting methods of offshore romance and investment scam call
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
In early October, Filipino authorities raided a romance scam operation in Manila that arrested over 250 people and seized more than 1,000 mobile phones, with the Australian Federal Police identifying possible Australian victims among those targeted. The scammers allegedly targeted Australian men over 35 through social media and dating platforms to lure them into cryptocurrency investment schemes, operating on shifts aligned with Australian time zones. The AFP is working with Philippine authorities to identify affected Australians and has gathered intelligence on the scam network's structure and methods.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
Australian federal police shut down an alleged scam call centre in the Philippines that targeted Australian men over 35 through dating apps and social media, resulting in the arrest of over 250 people (190 foreign nationals and 68 Filipino nationals). The scammers built trust with victims before directing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency trading platforms, with at least 50 Australians confirmed as targets, though authorities believe thousands may have been affected. The operation seized over 300 computer towers, 1,000+ mobile phones, and thousands of SIM cards, and provided law enforcement with critical intelligence on romance and investment scam operations.
wtsp.com
· 2025-12-08
Local law enforcement agencies across the Tampa Bay area are warning that elderly fraud has reached epidemic levels, particularly during the holiday season when seniors are vulnerable to scams involving romance, fake investments, and impersonation schemes. The Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit has investigated cases resulting in nearly $3 million in losses this year, including a case where a 56-year-old man scammed a Texas woman of approximately $600,000 by impersonating billionaire Elon Musk via Facebook over several months. Authorities advise seniors to verify identities by calling contacts directly, hang up on suspicious calls, and recommend family members stay involved in elderly relatives' financial and digital activities.
barbadostoday.bb
· 2025-12-08
This opinion piece examines the escalating problem of elder fraud in the digital age, highlighting how seniors are disproportionately targeted by scammers who exploit their trusting nature, financial assets, and technological vulnerabilities. The 2023 FBI report revealed that seniors aged 60 and older lost over $3.4 billion to fraud, with individuals losing an average of $33,915, while data breaches exposing personal information make them prime targets for sophisticated, personalized attacks. The article emphasizes that common scams include tech support fraud, romance scams, and emergency/grandparent scams, and stresses the urgent need for awareness and protective measures given seniors' limited ability to recover
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 35-year-old Oakland man, Zhongqiang Chen, was arrested on November 14 after scamming an elderly Stanislaus County woman out of $30,000 through a fake McAfee antivirus email that gave him remote access to her computer. Chen transferred $60,000 from her money market account, convinced her she owed him that amount, and collected an initial $30,000 payment before being arrested in an undercover operation when he arrived to collect the remaining $30,000. The case remains under investigation to determine if there are additional victims.
lockhaven.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common holiday scams targeting seniors, including fake online stores, gift card fraud, phishing emails, government impersonation, grandparent scams, lottery schemes, and romance scams (which caused $652 million in losses to Americans in 2023). The article provides practical prevention advice such as verifying legitimate websites, not clicking suspicious links, and remembering that the IRS never calls by phone. It also lists warning signs of financial exploitation, including unusual bank visits, large cash withdrawals, unpaid bills, and sudden changes in financial habits or relationships.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday shopping season, online scams proliferate through fake websites, social media ads, and AI-generated deepfakes impersonating major brands, with non-delivery scams being particularly prevalent. Gift card fraud is a major concern, with 30% of Americans having received worthless gift cards in the past year, as criminals tamper with cards in retail stores or use ghost bots to drain balances. Experts recommend shopping only on trusted platforms, using credit cards for payment protection, and immediately registering and checking the balance of gift cards upon receipt.
interpol.int
· 2025-12-08
A five-month global law enforcement operation (July-November 2024) involving 40 countries arrested over 5,500 financial crime suspects and seized more than USD 400 million in assets across seven types of cyber-enabled frauds including voice phishing, romance scams, investment fraud, and cryptocurrency scams. Notable outcomes included Korean and Chinese authorities dismantling a voice phishing syndicate that defrauded 1,900 victims of USD 1.1 billion, and the recovery of USD 39.3 million in a Singapore business email compromise case affecting a commodity firm that lost USD 42.3 million.
devdiscourse.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Australians AUD 201 million annually, with victims experiencing significant emotional distress including shame and embarrassment alongside financial losses. Individuals with acquired brain injuries are particularly vulnerable due to cognitive challenges that impair their ability to identify scam red flags. Collaborative initiatives like the CyberAbility project address this vulnerability by creating tailored prevention resources and support to increase awareness and reduce stigma among affected communities.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Nigerian nationals and a U.S. citizen were sentenced to federal prison for conducting inheritance scams, romance scams, and business email compromise schemes that defrauded victims of at least $3.5 million. Anthony Emeka Ibekie, 59, of Oswego, received 20 years in prison after conviction on 14 counts including wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering, while his co-conspirator Samuel Aniukwu, 50, was sentenced to 10 years after pleading guilty to wire fraud charges. The schemes involved using aliases to convince victims they had inheritances or build romantic relationships through social media before soliciting money transfers.
scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
A Korean-Chinese crime syndicate was arrested for orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded 84 victims of US$92 million over eight months. The gang impersonated Korean-heritage foreign women on social media to build trust with victims before convincing them to invest in fake cryptocurrency and gold trading platforms, with individual losses ranging from 1 million to 20 billion won. Police arrested 12 members, including recruiters and managers, who had trained South Korean operatives in Cambodia and Laos to execute the scheme.
ia.acs.org.au
· 2025-12-08
Australian and Philippine authorities raided a Manila scam centre in October, arresting over 250 people (190 foreign nationals and 68 Filipino nationals) involved in a transnational romance scam operation targeting Australian men over 35. Australians lost $34.3 million to romance scams in 2023, with the operation using over 300 computer systems and 1,000 mobile phones to conduct "pig-butchering" scams where victims were gradually convinced to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms. The raid, part of Operation Firestorm, yielded valuable intelligence on scam centre structures and money laundering methods to help identify and assist Australian victims.
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Australians A$201 million last year, with scammers using fake identities and emotional manipulation through dating platforms and social media to exploit victims. People with acquired brain injuries are particularly vulnerable, with over half of surveyed clinicians reporting clients affected by romance scams, as cognitive difficulties make it harder to recognize red flags and complex manipulation tactics. Sharing experiences from survivors with brain injuries can raise awareness, reduce stigma, and help prevent future scams.
postcourier.com.pg
· 2025-12-08
ANZ bank introduced a new scams education module within its MoneyMinded financial literacy program in Papua New Guinea to combat rising fraud threats. The module educates participants about phishing, remote access scams, and romance scams as part of standard financial training.
independent.ie
· 2025-12-08
Irish law enforcement (Gardaí) recovered approximately €3.5 million from bank accounts as part of an international operation targeting organized fraud networks that employed sextortion, romance scams, and phishing tactics. Irish nationals were identified as victims across multiple types of cyber-enabled fraud schemes. The operation demonstrates coordinated global efforts to combat sophisticated organized fraud affecting vulnerable populations.
bizzbuzz.news
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Australians $201 million annually and involve scammers creating fake identities to build trust through love bombing and manipulation before requesting money for investments, travel, or emergencies. People with acquired brain injuries are particularly vulnerable to these scams, with over half of surveyed clinicians reporting clients affected, because they struggle to recognize red flags and assess complex social situations. While romance scams cause significant financial loss, the emotional trauma—including shame and difficulty accepting the relationship was fake—can be equally or more damaging, though sharing survivor experiences can reduce stigma and help prevent future victimization.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
As Bitcoin approaches $100,000, cybercriminals are exploiting FOMO and market excitement through increasingly sophisticated cryptocurrency scams, including fake celebrity endorsements (particularly deepfakes of Elon Musk), phishing emails, Ponzi schemes, and "pig butchering" romance scams. The FBI received over 69,000 cryptocurrency fraud complaints last year resulting in losses exceeding $5.6 billion—nearly half of all reported fraud losses. Consumers should verify communications directly with providers, avoid one-time promotional offers, and never respond to unsolicited messages claiming account compromises.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Black Friday shopping presents heightened fraud risks, with approximately 30% of annual online scams occurring on this day according to Norton's Scam Research Labs. The article identifies common scams including fake e-shops (which use unrealistically steep discounts and inconsistent payment options) and "smishing" attacks, and provides detection tips such as verifying secure connections (https/lock icons), checking URLs for brand consistency, reviewing third-party seller ratings, and confirming physical business addresses.
thesouthafrican.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams in South Africa surged by 18.5% during July-September, with criminals using increasingly sophisticated methods to target vulnerable individuals, particularly women. Victims have lost millions of rands—including cases where a Gauteng mother lost R2.8 million and a SAPS captain lost nearly R3 million—leaving families financially devastated and causing severe emotional trauma. Authorities are urging victims to report scams to police and specialized commercial crime units, while recent arrests including that of businesswoman Mmakgomo Doris Ngcobo and two Ugandan nationals for a R2 million fraud demonstrate increased enforcement efforts.
knoxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Estate attorney Lisa Gammeltoft emphasizes that financial scams are prevalent year-round, particularly during holidays, and target people of all intelligence levels by exploiting vulnerable emotions and neurochemistry through schemes like "pig butchering" (fake cryptocurrency investments), catfishing (romance scams that cost Americans $740 million in 2022), and grandparent scams enhanced by voice cloning technology. Key defensive measures include keeping devices updated, never allowing remote access to computers, avoiding sharing financial information with online contacts, and seeking a second opinion from trusted sources before sending money, since scammers are sophisticated professionals who make fraud their full-time job.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Dale Lake of Hanford, California, agreed to a consent decree resolving federal allegations that he operated as a "money mule" in a mail and wire fraud scheme targeting senior citizens. Victims were deceived into believing they had won lotteries or sweepstakes and sent money to Lake, who then transmitted the funds to accomplices in Jamaica; the decree permanently prohibits Lake from participating in prize promotion fraud or money transmitting businesses and authorizes postal inspection monitoring of his mail.
sapeople.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams in South Africa increased by 18.5% between July and September, with criminals using increasingly sophisticated tactics to target vulnerable individuals, particularly women who are often breadwinners. Victims have suffered devastating losses ranging from R2.8 million to R3 million, with some experiencing severe emotional trauma and financial ruin for their families. Authorities are urging victims to report scams to police and calling for stronger prosecution and bail restrictions for suspects, while recent arrests including one case totaling R2 million demonstrate ongoing law enforcement efforts.
dvidshub.net
· 2025-12-08
Soldiers, veterans, and their family members face multiple growing scams including romance, confidence, and online impersonation fraud, according to Army Criminal Investigation Division officials. Data brokers sell personal information for as low as $20, which scammers use for targeted attacks such as impersonating military officials requesting gift cards, romance schemes targeting those over 50, and social media account takeovers. To protect themselves, individuals should use strong passwords with two-factor authentication, password managers, and separate work and personal accounts.
bbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammer duped a 42-year-old single mother out of £80,000 by posing as a businessman in an accident who needed hospital bills paid; he used stolen photos and emotional manipulation to isolate her and convince her to transfer funds repeatedly with false promises of repayment from a fake $600,000 account. A separate investment scam targeting a woman through a hijacked Instagram account claiming her friend had made £5,000 from a £500 investment resulted in her losing £1,200 and compromising her Apple ID credentials, which the fraudsters then used to hijack her account and recruit additional victims. Both cases demonstrate how scammers exploit emotional connections and trust to
scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
A 45-year-old Malaysian woman fell victim to an online romance scam perpetrated by someone claiming to be from London, who made promises including marriage and gifting a private jet, causing her to accumulate substantial debt. When her husband discovered the deception and revealed it to her, she became emotionally unstable and assaulted him, leading to his filing for divorce in June; the woman had a history of refusing mental health treatment for 15 years of emotional instability.
zikoko.com
· 2025-12-08
Adeoti recounts falling victim to multiple scams throughout her life, including a recharge card scheme in secondary school, a rigged ring-toss game that cost her ₦2,000, a fake currency exchange scam that drained ₦20,000 from her account, and a romance scam where she paid ₦35,000 for non-existent goods. She also invested in Ponzi schemes after hearing success stories from others and was deceived by a fabricated sob story about hospital bills, reflecting on her tendency to see good in people as a vulnerability that scammers exploit.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
A 45-year-old Malaysian woman fell victim to an online romance scam in which a fraudster posing as a London-based businessman promised marriage, a private jet, and a 50 billion ringgit theme park investment, leading her to transfer over 1 million ringgit (US$225,000) from her insurance payout and high-interest loans. When her husband discovered the deception and refused to fund further transfers, she became violent, assaulting him and damaging property, while loan sharks began threatening the family and demanding repayment. The couple filed for divorce in June, with their four children remaining with the mother while the husband moved out to escape the
indy100.com
· 2025-12-08
Catfishing and romance scams have cost victims $1.45 billion according to the Federal Trade Commission, with approximately 83% of incidents occurring on Facebook, and artificial intelligence has made these scams easier to perpetrate despite technological advances. The article identifies five warning signs of catfishing: unrealistic or repetitive photos, avoidance of video calls or in-person meetings, inconsistent backstory details, rapid relationship escalation, and requests for money or personal information. Experts recommend using platforms with ID verification and reverse image searches to protect against these scams, which affect people across all demographics seeking genuine online connections.
nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
This article is an entertainment interview about the TV series "Fake," in which actress Asher Keddie plays Birdie Bell, a woman deceived by a charming man she meets online who is not who he claims to be. The piece discusses how intelligent, capable people can fall victim to liars and catfishers, with Keddie explaining that most people want to trust others and see the best in them, making them vulnerable to manipulation and self-deception.
**Note:** This is an entertainment/awareness article rather than a news report of an actual elder fraud case, so it does not contain specific victim information or financial losses related to a real scam incident.
amp.scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
A 45-year-old Malaysian woman, who had fallen victim to an online romance scam involving a scammer posing as a man from London with promises of marriage and gifts, accumulated substantial debt and became emotionally unstable when her husband revealed the deception. The woman's aggravated emotional state led her to assault her husband, prompting him to file for divorce in June after discovering the affair. The incident highlights how romance scams can destabilize families, particularly when victims already struggle with mental health issues and refuse treatment.
davidsonlocal.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is an educational resource warning North Carolinians about common holiday scams targeting vulnerable populations, particularly older adults. It covers four main fraud categories: holiday mail scams (phishing emails and porch theft), holiday shopping scams (fraudulent retailers and gift card schemes), and charity/investment scams, providing practical prevention tips such as verifying sender information, using secure networks for purchases, and researching charities before donating. The article emphasizes that consumers should be cautious during the high-spending season and recommends using resources like the BBB Scam Tracker and AARP Fraud Watch Network for protection and verification.