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in Crypto Investment Scam
balkanweb.com
· 2025-12-07
A municipal employee in Divjakë invested $1,000 in the XUEX platform, an online pyramid scheme she discovered through Facebook ads, after being directed to administrators claiming to offer cryptocurrency investment guidance. The victim made multiple withdrawals totaling approximately €2,000 but struggled to account for exact amounts, while also recruiting her husband ($1,000), mother-in-law, and two friends to the platform. XUEX is under investigation by authorities for defrauding numerous citizens through false promises of quick cryptocurrency profits.
wlos.com
· 2025-12-07
A woman posing as a federal agent scammed a North Carolina resident out of $25,000 in a two-stage scheme that began with a phone call claiming the victim had committed a crime. When the scammers initially failed to convince the victim to transfer funds via cryptocurrency, they escalated by sending the woman to the victim's home to collect cash in person. The suspect was captured on camera and authorities released her image to the public seeking identification.
cumberland.crimewatchpa.com
· 2025-12-07
The Shippensburg Police Department warns of rising Bitcoin scams that use fear tactics—including threats involving money, family members, or Social Security—to pressure victims into fraudulent investments promising unrealistic returns. Scammers aim to steal money and personal information, and residents are advised to be skeptical of investment opportunities that seem too good to be true and to stay vigilant against potential scams.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-07
AARP has supported passage of gift card fraud laws in 11 states during 2025, addressing two main types of fraud: scammers impersonating government agents or IT specialists who trick victims into purchasing gift cards, and criminals who drain gift card values from store shelves before purchase. A 2022 AARP survey found that 34 percent of U.S. adults reported being targeted by gift card scams, while legislation creating legal frameworks to prosecute these crimes helps deter criminals and protects consumers from financial harm.
dlnews.com
· 2025-12-07
37-year-old Nigerian national Adetomiwa Seun Akindele was sentenced to 71 months in prison for a romance scam in which he posed as "Frank Labato," a wealthy Italian-American businessman, and defrauded a widowed Colorado woman of $1.7 million in cryptocurrency over 10 months in 2018. Akindele will be deported to Nigeria after serving his sentence; he exploited the speed and irretraceability of cryptocurrency to move the funds through multiple exchanges before converting them to dollars in his bank accounts.
rollingout.com
· 2025-12-07
Americans lose billions annually to sophisticated investment fraud schemes that have evolved to exploit digital platforms and psychological manipulation, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting substantial increases in complaints related to romance scams and fake investment opportunities. Common fraud tactics include romance-based investment schemes, Ponzi schemes promising unrealistic returns, cryptocurrency fraud exploiting digital confusion, and fake financial advisor services targeting seniors, all of which use advanced technology, fake websites, testimonials, and social pressure to build false credibility. Recognizing warning signs—such as guaranteed high returns, pressure to invest quickly, difficulty withdrawing funds, and reluctance to provide detailed information—is essential for protecting against these increasingly sophisticated threats across all demographics.
dailyfly.com
· 2025-12-07
A 34-year-old Nigerian man was extradited to the United States to face federal charges for operating cyber-enabled sextortion and romance scams that targeted victims across the country, including an Idaho college student. Shanu and his co-conspirators impersonated women on social media to coerce victims into sharing sexual images, then extorted money by threatening to distribute the images to family and friends, while also conducting romance scams and laundering at least $2 million in proceeds through payment platforms and cryptocurrency. If convicted on eight counts including wire fraud, identity theft, extortion, and money laundering, Shanu faces up to 20 years in federal prison and restitution to victims.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-07
Olamide Shanu, 34, a Nigerian national, was extradited to the United States and charged with eight counts including wire fraud, extortion, and cyberstalking for operating sextortion and romance scams that targeted victims across the United States. Shanu and his conspirators posed as women on social media to coerce male victims into sending explicit images, then threatened to distribute those images unless paid, defrauding victims of at least $2 million with proceeds laundered through peer-to-peer payment apps and cryptocurrency. If convicted, Shanu faces up to 20 years in federal prison and restitution to victims.
fedweek.com
· 2025-12-07
According to the Senate Aging Committee's latest report, scams targeting older adults are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and person-to-person payment transfers to defraud victims who are targeted for their accumulated assets and trusting nature. Reported losses to those age 60 and over surged by over 40% in 2024, with cryptocurrency-related losses jumping by two-thirds, while scammers employ AI-enabled tools like voice cloning and deepfake videos to make imposter scams more convincing and easier to deploy at scale. Common fraud types include imposter scams, online shopping fraud, lottery scams, and investment fraud, with cryptocurrency and P2
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-07
This article covers an FTC Commissioner's keynote address at a National Advertising Division conference highlighting the agency's enforcement priorities to protect consumers from fraud and misleading practices. Key areas of focus include cracking down on false earning opportunity scams that harm family budgets, protecting children from exploitative digital platforms and data misuse, and enforcing subscription cancellation rules. The Commissioner emphasized that trust is essential to advertising and warned that the FTC will continue enforcement actions against deceptive practices, despite recent legal setbacks that have limited the agency's ability to obtain monetary redress for victims.
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers in 2025 exploit AI, cryptocurrencies, and stolen data to target vulnerable individuals through deepfakes, impersonation, and emotional manipulation. AI-generated audio and video impersonations cost over $200 million in losses in early 2025, while cryptocurrency scams like "pig butchering" (romance fraud hybrid) and pump-and-dump schemes manipulate victims into investing in fake platforms. Traditional fraud methods—phishing, tech support scams, and fake job listings—have evolved with AI to become more convincing, with scammers leveraging emotions like duty, fear, and hope to exploit targets across all demographics, particularly elderly victims.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers in 2025 exploit AI, cryptocurrencies, and stolen data to target vulnerable individuals through deepfakes, emotional manipulation, and evolving traditional fraud methods. AI-generated audio and video impersonations caused over 105,000 deepfake attacks in the U.S. in 2024, costing more than $200 million in Q1 2025 alone, with elderly victims particularly vulnerable to fake emergency calls from supposed relatives. Cryptocurrency scams include pump-and-dump schemes and "pig butchering" (romance fraud leading to fake crypto investments), while phishing, tech support scams, and fake websites continue to exploit victims by impersonating legitimate
consumerfinanceandfintechblog.com
· 2025-12-07
On September 8, the D.C. Attorney General filed a lawsuit against a crypto ATM operator for violations of consumer protection and elder financial exploitation laws, alleging undisclosed markups up to 26 percent, ineffective fraud safeguards, and arbitrary refund denials that disproportionately harmed elderly residents. Early data showed that most deposits were connected to scams, with victims averaging 71 years old and median losses of $8,000 per transaction. The suit seeks injunctive relief, restitution, damages, and civil penalties, reflecting increased regulatory scrutiny on crypto kiosk fee transparency, fraud controls, and licensing requirements.
legit.ng
· 2025-12-07
A US federal court sentenced Nigerian national Adetomiwa Seun Akindele to nearly six years in prison for defrauding an elderly American woman of $1.6 million in a romance scam, in which he posed as a wealthy Italian-American businessman and convinced her to transfer funds through cryptocurrency accounts between January and October 2018. Akindele was ordered to repay $1,692,945 in restitution and will be deported to Nigeria after completing his sentence following guilty pleas to wire fraud and money laundering charges.
amp.scmp.com
· 2025-12-07
A 77-year-old Hong Kong man lost HK$21.8 million (US$2.8 million) after a scammer impersonating a mainland Chinese official called him claiming he was involved in a criminal case and demanded payment to prove his innocence; the victim made 24 transfers to three bank accounts between June and August before the scammer became unreachable. A second elderly victim lost an additional HK$26.2 million in a cryptocurrency scam, bringing the total losses to HK$48 million across the two cases, with police investigating both incidents as obtaining property by deception with no arrests made yet.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-07
Elderly individuals are increasingly targeted by sophisticated cryptocurrency scams, with Beaufort County, South Carolina reporting $3.1 million in crypto-related losses in 2024 and Minnesota experiencing over $189 million in losses from crypto kiosk fraud in 2023, using tactics such as voice cloning, fake websites, QR codes, and emotional manipulation. A prominent councilman was released without charge during an investigation into one such scam, highlighting authorities' challenges in tracing funds through irreversible cryptocurrency transactions. Experts recommend seniors protect themselves through education, using trusted platforms with two-factor authentication, discussing large transactions with family members, and promptly reporting incidents to law enforcement and the FTC
cowboystatedaily.com
· 2025-12-07
A 76-year-old man in Gillette, Wyoming was nearly victimized in a cryptocurrency ATM scam when he attempted to deposit $16,000 after being manipulated by a scammer who kept him on the phone; a bystander alerted police, preventing the loss. Cheyenne police have identified 50 BTM fraud cases totaling over $645,000 in unrecovered losses, part of a nationwide pattern where seniors lose retirement funds to overseas criminals who use emotional manipulation to direct victims to crypto kiosks. AARP is proposing new regulations for cryptocurrency machines as the FBI estimates $9.3 billion was stolen through various crypto frauds in
cheknews.ca
· 2025-12-07
Medical fraud targeting seniors is rapidly growing, with scammers increasingly using deepfake technology and artificial intelligence to create convincing fake advertisements featuring real public figures and medical professionals. One example involved a fraudulent ad claiming Type 2 diabetes could be cured in 14 days using a supplement, featuring fabricated footage of CBC journalist Adrienne Arsenault and a real doctor. Authorities recommend seniors protect themselves by slowing down before making purchases, verifying claims through independent research, using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, and resisting pressure tactics that create artificial urgency.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-07
A 75-year-old man in Hong Kong lost HK$26.2 million (US$3.35 million) to a cryptocurrency investment scam involving a fake "National Hong Kong Coin" promoted through a fraudulent social media account impersonating the Chief Executive. The incident is part of a broader surge in crypto fraud in the region, where scammers use impersonation tactics, deepfake technology, and compromised accounts to deceive investors, with Hong Kong authorities urging residents to verify information through official government channels and warning of severe legal consequences for perpetrators.
cryptorank.io
· 2025-12-07
The District of Columbia attorney general sued Athena Bitcoin Global, a Bitcoin ATM operator that sponsored a UK political event, alleging the company knowingly profited from scams targeting elderly victims, with approximately 93% of deposits in DC being fraud proceeds. One elderly victim lost $98,000 in three days, and the average age of victims was 71; Athena allegedly collected hundreds of thousands in fees while doing little to prevent fraud or aid recovery. UK officials are pushing to ban cryptocurrency donations to political parties over concerns about foreign interference and money laundering.
cantonrep.com
· 2025-12-07
Since 2020, the BBB has received over 4,000 reports of cryptocurrency investment scams, with increasingly sophisticated schemes now targeting users on TikTok through direct messages offering unrealistic returns. Scammers create fake investment opportunities, request initial deposits via digital wallets, then demand escalating "service fees" while promising multiplied returns that never materialize. To protect yourself, verify investment opportunities through the SEC and BBB, avoid guaranteed get-rich-quick schemes, resist pressure tactics, and only use digital wallet services with trusted contacts.
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
· 2025-12-07
Police arrested 25 members of a fraud ring called "Lungo Company" operating from a Thailand resort who stole approximately $15.1 million from nearly 900 Korean victims between July 2024 and July 2025. The organized group specialized in multiple scam methods including romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, fake reservation schemes, and impersonation of government institutions, with members divided into specialized teams and subjected to strict control including passport confiscation and movement restrictions. The ringleader and additional members remain in Thai custody while Korea pursues extradition, with investigators examining potential connections to other fraud operations and the group's money laundering methods.
bu.edu
· 2025-12-07
Boston University students lost $624,300 to scammers between January and September, with 90 percent of losses occurring in four cases involving impostors posing as Chinese police or officials. The BUPD reports 29 total larceny scams occurred through multiple channels, with job/employment scams being most common among students, while authorities also warned of nationwide fraud schemes involving fake apartment rentals, fraudulent identity theft reports, and immigration-related extortion targeting international students. Key prevention advice includes not answering calls from unknown numbers, verifying direct contact with authorities through official channels, and never providing payment or personal information before viewing rental properties in person.
shorenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-07
A 79-year-old Wilkes-Barre woman lost $25,000 after receiving a fake computer warning about a compromised bank account and being directed to transfer funds to a Bitcoin account controlled by an unidentified scammer. The victim called the provided phone number, followed the suspect's instructions to withdraw cash and use a Bitcoin ATM, and completed the transfer before realizing the fraud. The case remains under investigation, with law enforcement noting the difficulty in tracing cryptocurrency transactions.
coincentral.com
· 2025-12-07
Thai police dismantled the "Lungo Company" scam ring that defrauded over 870 South Koreans of $15 million using cryptocurrency, romance, and fake lottery schemes, resulting in the arrest of 25 suspects in South Korea and 9 core members in Thailand. The sophisticated operation employed multiple fraud tactics combined with complex money laundering methods including prepaid cards, casino cash-outs, and encrypted messaging apps like Telegram and WeChat to conceal stolen funds through OTC brokers in Southeast Asia.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Thai and South Korean authorities arrested 33 members of the "Lungo Company" scam ring that defrauded over 870 South Koreans of approximately $15 million through a multi-layered scheme combining cryptocurrency fraud, romance scams, and fake lottery schemes. The group laundered proceeds through prepaid cards, over-the-counter brokers, and micro-transactions coordinated via encrypted messaging apps, with nine core members currently in Thai custody awaiting extradition to South Korea.
rstreet.org
· 2025-12-07
A House Financial Services Committee hearing highlighted that fraud and scams cost Americans over $2 billion weekly, with the FTC reporting $12.5 billion in annual losses for 2024, though experts believe the true figure is significantly higher due to lack of unified tracking mechanisms. The testimony and accompanying research emphasize that combating this fragmented, internationally-organized problem requires a comprehensive national strategy with coordinated buy-in from social media companies, telecommunications firms, financial institutions, law enforcement, and government agencies, along with legal protections allowing institutions to share fraud data. Key scams affecting Americans include romance, sextortion, "pig butchering," AI-generated voice calls impersonating family members
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-07
This educational article explains how fraudsters exploit social media platforms through fake accounts and purchased verification badges to deceive users. The piece outlines why social media is vulnerable to scams—including speed of information sharing, weakened verification systems, and users' tendency to lower their guard—and provides practical protective steps such as scrutinizing profiles before engagement, avoiding suspicious links, and using reverse image searches to verify authenticity.
valuethemarkets.com
· 2025-12-07
A cryptocurrency hacker who illegally minted $48 million in UXLINK tokens fell victim to a phishing scam that tricked them into revealing sensitive wallet information, resulting in the loss of their stolen assets. The incident demonstrates how phishing attacks exploit human error rather than technical vulnerabilities, and highlights that even experienced cybercriminals are susceptible to sophisticated social engineering tactics. The case underscores the persistent threat of phishing schemes in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, where stolen funds often become targets for subsequent attacks.
coinfomania.com
· 2025-12-07
A hacker who stole over 542 million UXLink tokens (worth tens of millions of dollars) from the platform's multi-signature wallet subsequently fell victim to a phishing scam themselves, losing all stolen funds to a group called Inferno Drainer after unknowingly approving a malicious contract. The incident demonstrates that phishing attacks in cryptocurrency remain a widespread threat, affecting even experienced attackers who exploit similar vulnerabilities, and highlights the irony that sophisticated hackers are not immune to common Web3 security exploits.
dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-07
An Ohio nursing home resident lost between $40,000-$55,000 to a romance scam conducted on TikTok by someone posing as "Sydney," who made excuses to avoid meeting in person while requesting escalating cash transfers and eventually asking him to open joint accounts under false pretenses. The victim, who died in summer, is one of numerous seniors targeted by similar schemes, as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned of increasing romance scams targeting widowed and divorced seniors; nationally, romance scams resulted in nearly 70,000 reported victims and $1.3 billion in losses in 2022.
10tv.com
· 2025-12-07
I appreciate you providing this text, but this appears to be a technical instruction or advertisement snippet about downloading a TV streaming app rather than content about fraud, scams, or elder abuse.
To provide a proper summary for the Elderus database, I would need an article or transcript that contains information about:
- A scam or fraud incident
- Elder abuse or exploitation
- Fraud awareness/educational content
- Related criminal activity
Could you provide the actual article or transcript you'd like summarized?
10tv.com
· 2025-12-07
A Knox County, Ohio man lost over $807,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam after being befriended online by a scammer who pressured him to keep investing or lose everything. Federal authorities located the frozen funds, but they remain inaccessible due to complications involving foreign-based cryptocurrency exchanges that may not comply with U.S. legal processes, leaving the 70-year-old victim waiting months for potential recovery while continuing to work full-time.
wral.com
· 2025-12-07
An elderly woman near Wake Forest, North Carolina was scammed out of $200 by a man claiming to represent the NC Department of Transportation who offered to pour leftover concrete on her driveway for $500 total. The scammer took the $200 cash she had available, roped off the driveway with caution tape, and promised to return the next morning with workers to complete the job, but never returned. The Wake County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident, and NCDOT confirmed no legitimate work was occurring in the area and advised residents to verify any such offers through official NCDOT offices.
timesofmalta.com
· 2025-12-07
A 24-year-old Ukrainian woman was arrested in Malta for defrauding multiple victims through AI-generated videos of Prime Minister Robert Abela promoting fake cryptocurrency investments; at least one victim lost €52,000 across multiple transactions before police conducted a controlled delivery operation using marked cash, resulting in the suspect's arrest at Żurrieq square. The court froze €63,000 in assets and remanded the accused in custody, with prosecutors citing concerns about evidence tampering, potential ties to organized crime, and flight risk due to her lack of local connections.
clickorlando.com
· 2025-12-07
An Orange County couple lost their entire life savings of $12,300 after being defrauded in a vehicle purchase scam on Facebook Marketplace, where scammers impersonating a legitimate business (Driveline Motorcars as "Driveline Motor") disappeared after receiving a wire transfer. The Better Business Bureau warns that social media marketplaces do not vet listings and recommends buyers inspect high-ticket items in person, use credit cards instead of wire transfers, and only send money they can afford to lose.
washingtontimes.com
· 2025-12-07
Two U.S. senators requested detailed information from Match Group about its fraud-prevention measures following reports that romance scams have become a leading form of financial fraud in the U.S., costing Americans $1.14 billion in 2024. The FTC previously found that up to 30% of new Match.com members were scammers between 2013 and 2018, resulting in a $14 million settlement last month. Match Group, which owns Tinder, OkCupid, Hinge, and other dating platforms, has committed to fraud detection investments and requested a constructive dialogue with the senators, who set an October 15 deadline for the company's response
clickorlando.com
· 2025-12-07
An Orange County couple lost their entire life savings of $12,300 after being defrauded in a vehicle purchase scam on Facebook Marketplace; the scammer posed as "Driveline Motor" (mimicking the legitimate business "Driveline Motorcars"), provided fraudulent documents including a fake Carfax report, and disappeared after the wire transfer was sent. The incident highlights the broader problem of unvetted online marketplaces, with the FTC reporting Americans lost $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from the previous year. Experts advise consumers to inspect high-ticket items in person before payment, avoid wire transfers, use
bbc.com
· 2025-12-07
Women are now being targeted by online investment scammers at rates equal to men, with fraudsters moving away from traditional investments toward cryptocurrency and social media-based platforms targeting ages 30-80. Surrey Police report that victims have lost an average of £49,000 to investment fraud in 2024, with one woman losing £350,000 after being groomed over a year on a fake crypto trading platform; scammers use tactics including fake celebrity endorsements and AI-generated videos to build false trust. Police advise victims to seek independent financial advice and verify companies through the Financial Conduct Authority before investing.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-07
Arizona's new Cryptocurrency Kiosk License Fraud Prevention law took effect to combat Bitcoin ATM scams that cost Arizonans $177 million in 2024, with seniors over 60 representing two-thirds of victims. The law implements daily transaction limits ($2,000 for new customers, $10,500 for existing), mandatory warning displays, required transaction receipts, and operator refund obligations for fraud victims within 30 days. Attorney General Mayes also issued consumer protection tips emphasizing verification of caller identity, skepticism toward unsolicited requests for cryptocurrency payments, and consultation with trusted individuals before financial decisions.
microsoft.com
· 2025-12-07
Researchers at University College London studied the "hi mum and dad" SMS scam, where fraudsters impersonate children to convince parents to send money urgently. Through collaboration with a UK mobile operator and undercover interactions with 711 scammers, the study identified 582 mule accounts and found scammers requested over £577,000 in a three-month period, primarily exploiting psychological principles of kindness, distraction, and time pressure. The research provides the first empirical analysis of this technique and recommends mitigations involving mobile operators and financial institutions.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-07
A Colorado man lost $1.4 million in a romance scam after meeting a woman online who posed as a business owner and cryptocurrency investor, convincing him to make four transactions for supposed crypto investments that he could not access. When he attempted to withdraw funds, he was told he needed to pay an additional $400,000 to access his money, prompting his sister to encourage him to contact authorities and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Though investigators tracked the funds to cold storage wallets, they were unable to identify the perpetrator, and authorities warn that romance scammers use grooming tactics and red flags like requesting money and refusing in-person meetings.
becu.org
· 2025-12-07
This educational article identifies the six most common financial scams in 2025, including imposter scams, online shopping scams, investment scams, job opportunity scams, carrier scams, and debt/credit scams, which are perpetrated through phone calls, texts, emails, social media, websites, and pop-ups. According to the Federal Trade Commission, scams resulted in $12.5 billion in losses in 2024, with people aged 70 and older losing significantly more money than any other age group, sometimes losing their entire life savings. The article advises consumers to avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages, verify the legitimacy of contacts before sharing personal information, and remain vigil
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-07
Cryptocurrency ATMs, which lack traditional banking regulations, have become a major fraud vector in Arizona and nationwide, with the FBI reporting 10,956 complaints totaling $246.7 million in losses in 2024—a 99 percent increase from 2023. Older adults over 60 are disproportionately targeted through common scams (government impersonation, investment, and romance schemes) that trick victims into withdrawing cash and converting it to cryptocurrency, which is nearly impossible to recover. In response, Arizona passed HB 2387 in 2025, which implements daily transaction caps ($2,000 for new customers, $10,500 for existing customers),
thesun.ie
· 2025-12-07
A 53-year-old French interior designer lost nearly £700,000 to a romance scammer who impersonated Brad Pitt over a year-long online affair, using AI-generated photos and videos along with romantic messages. After three suicide attempts and hospitalization for depression, she became homeless and penniless, though she later stated the experience indirectly benefited her by forcing a divorce from her controlling husband. The scammer initially requested money for fake customs fees and cancer treatment, and even attempted a secondary scam by posing as an FBI agent offering to help her for an additional fee.
mitrade.com
· 2025-12-07
The Colorado Bureau of Investigations began investigating a crypto-linked romance scam in which a Colorado man lost $1.4 million from his retirement savings after meeting someone on a dating website who convinced him to invest in cryptocurrency through fraudulent apps. The scammer, posing as a woman named "Erin," built romantic trust before transitioning conversations to investments, eventually directing the victim to send funds to a fake cryptocurrency application controlled by the perpetrator. CBI officials note that crypto romance scams are rising, particularly targeting elderly individuals, and that the unregulated nature of cryptocurrency makes these investments especially vulnerable to fraud with limited recovery options.
police.boston.gov
· 2025-12-07
Imposter scams targeting older adults have surged 400% since 2020, with victims losing $10,000 or more by being tricked into transferring money to scammers posing as banks, government agencies, or tech companies. Common schemes involve criminals claiming suspicious account activity, linking victims to criminal activity with threats of arrest, or reporting hacked computers, often using spoofed phone numbers and fake credentials to appear legitimate. Protection strategies include never transferring money to "protect" accounts, hanging up to verify contact through official channels, and using call-blocking tools, with victims encouraged to report incidents to local police, the FTC, or FBI's IC3.
dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-07
An 82-year-old California woman lost $35,000 to a scam after receiving a text message about a suspicious charge; when she called the number provided, a fraudster impersonated a U.S. Treasury official and threatened her with arrest for money laundering, convincing her to send cash hidden in packages. She made two payments totaling $35,000 before family members alerted her to the scam after a third payment was requested. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office is investigating the case, with authorities noting that such scams commonly use fear tactics and impersonation.
denver7.com
· 2025-12-07
A Colorado man lost approximately $1.4 million in a crypto-romance scam after connecting with someone on a dating website who posed as a woman named Erin and convinced him to invest in cryptocurrencies. The scammer initially directed the victim to legitimate crypto apps but later funneled money into a fake app under their control, exploiting his emotional vulnerability during marital troubles. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case, which represents the largest crypto scam loss the agency has encountered, and authorities note that perpetrators are typically overseas, making recovery efforts the primary focus.
bostonherald.com
· 2025-12-07
The Boston Police Department warns that older residents face multiple evolving scams, including cryptocurrency fraud (with Boston residents losing over $9 million in 2024), home improvement schemes, imposter scams (up 400% since 2020 among victims losing $10,000+), and unwitting money mule recruitment. Police advise seniors to research investments, verify contractor credentials, hang up on suspicious callers and independently confirm with known numbers, keep digital wallet keys private, and avoid transferring money for unknown parties.