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express.co.uk
Cybercriminals are exploiting the summer holiday season in the UK through sophisticated scams including AI-generated fake travel websites, bogus delivery notifications (parcel scam searches up 400%), and fraudulent accommodation bookings, with victims losing hundreds to thousands of pounds and risking identity theft and account compromise. August is identified as a peak fraud month when people's guards are lowered by holiday distractions, and sharing travel details online—such as boarding passes on social media—further exposes victims to targeted attacks and personal data theft.
cutoday.info
Representatives Zach Nunn (R-IA) and Jim Himes (D-CN) introduced the bipartisan TRAPS Act to combat rising payment scams affecting Americans, particularly seniors, by establishing a coordinated federal task force involving law enforcement, regulators, and industry partners. Iowa residents lost over $52 million to scams in the past year across schemes including fake investments and romance cons, with the U.S. experiencing a 25% increase in fraud in 2024, prompting support from credit unions and military advocacy groups who note the scams disproportionately affect senior veterans and active-duty families.
theguardian.com
The Liberal Democrats called for urgent regulation of YouTube advertising after scams involving deepfakes, impersonated public figures, and fraudulent investment schemes proliferated on the platform with minimal oversight. Notable examples included AI-generated deepfake ads impersonating consumer champion Martin Lewis to promote cryptocurrency schemes, as well as ads for fake products, scam diet pills, and government grant impersonations that remained online for days before removal. The party is urging the UK government to bring YouTube under the same pre-approval and independent enforcement standards as traditional broadcasters, with Ofcom given powers to levy fines and redirect revenues to scam victims.
mwe.com
This article is not relevant to elder fraud research. It discusses recent changes to white-collar crime enforcement policies in the US Department of Justice and UK Serious Fraud Office, focusing on corporate self-disclosure incentives, FCPA enforcement, and anti-bribery measures—topics outside the scope of elder abuse, elder fraud, or scams targeting seniors.
bizzbuzz.news
BreadXPay is a fraudulent fintech platform orchestrated by Joshua Sneider that targets retirees worldwide with promises of cross-border payment solutions and high investment returns (up to 10% monthly). The scam operates through shell companies registered in jurisdictions like Canada and the UK with puppet directors, funneling victim deposits through offshore accounts where they disappear; one documented case involved a 72-year-old Florida teacher who lost her $25,000 life savings after receiving fabricated account statements and being blocked from withdrawals. Elder financial abuse through schemes like this costs seniors over $28.3 billion annually globally.
menafn.com
**Summary:**
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Bannu district, senior education officials face charges for a Rs50 million furniture scam involving the misappropriation of Rs80 million in government funds allocated for school furniture in fiscal year 2021-22, with the contractor who failed to deliver the furniture unpunished and his security deposit returned. Despite an inquiry report identifying alleged perpetrators—including former and current District Education Officers and a teacher—the National Accountability Bureau and Anti-Corruption Department have failed to prosecute any key figures over four years, with the Chief Secretary only issuing notices and charge sheets with no significant progress reported.
tradingview.com
A UPay analysis of 236 major crypto scam cases revealed losses exceeding $60 billion, with the largest single loss being $40 billion from the Luna Yield collapse. The most prevalent scams included fraudulent trading platforms (112 cases), romance scams (46 cases), pig butchering schemes (39 cases), rug pulls (29 cases), and Ponzi schemes (28 cases). Common tactics involved building fake relationships to lure victims into fraudulent platforms with inflated balances, fake profit displays, hidden withdrawal fees, brand impersonation, and rug pulls where developers disappear after raising funds—with individual victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in each
theportager.com
This educational article warns older adults to recognize signs of financial exploitation by family members or caregivers, noting that the FBI reported nearly $4.9 billion stolen from seniors last year with investment scams causing the largest losses at $1.8 billion. The piece outlines warning signs of exploitation—such as sudden asset transfers, forged signatures, and unexplained disappearances of funds—and directs Ohio residents to report suspected elder abuse to Adult Protective Services at 330-296-2273. The article also provides information about the Summer Crisis Cooling Program to help seniors aged 60 and older pay electric bills if they meet income requirements.
the420.in
A 79-year-old woman in Mumbai lost ₹21 lakh (approximately $25,000 USD) between April and July after being lured by a social media puzzle game advertisement that promised a ₹10 crore prize, with scammers repeatedly demanding various fees under false pretenses before ultimately disappearing. The victim made multiple transfers after receiving fake documents and government clearances, only to be informed the game was discontinued and the prize would not be transferred. Mumbai Police's cyber cell has registered a case under the Information Technology Act and are investigating the digital trail of bank accounts and communications.
ainvest.com
Steven Ware of Yonkers, New York pleaded guilty to bank fraud and identity theft for submitting false IRS tax refund claims under a Connecticut investment executive's identity, obtaining $810,337 in unauthorized refunds through fraudulently opened bank accounts. The article also references a separate elder fraud case in which scammers collected over $200,000 from elderly victims through identity theft and wire fraud. These cases illustrate broader vulnerabilities in identity verification systems and the increasing use of stolen identities to defraud government agencies and vulnerable populations.
manchesterjournal.com
This educational piece explains why intelligent people fall victim to scams, attributing victimization not to lack of intelligence but to social engineering tactics that exploit basic human emotions like fear, love, greed, and trust. The author emphasizes that criminals are skilled professionals who succeed by targeting the right person at the right time and that self-defense requires self-awareness, emotional control, and a team approach rather than going it alone. The piece concludes by urging readers not to shame victims and notes that fraud awareness presentations are available through AARP Vermont.
malaysia.news.yahoo.com
Malaysian authorities reported a significant wave of AI-powered scams in 2024, including voice-cloning fraud and deepfake video investment schemes. Voice-cloning scams used AI to impersonate employers, family members, and friends via phone and WhatsApp, with documented victims losing between RM3,000 to RM49,800; police investigated 454 deepfake fraud cases totaling RM2.72 million in losses. Deepfake videos falsely featured prominent figures including the Prime Minister, business leaders, and celebrities endorsing fraudulent investment schemes, with Malaysians losing RM2.11 billion to such scams across 13,956 reporte
malaysia.news.yahoo.com
Malaysian authorities have warned of a rising trend of AI-generated deepfake voice scams targeting victims by impersonating family members and public figures. Since early 2024, police investigated over 454 cases involving cloned voices requesting urgent money transfers, resulting in approximately RM2.72 million in losses, with scammers also using altered videos of celebrities and political figures to promote fake investment schemes. The scams exploit emotional trust and create false urgency, posing threats to individual safety, media credibility, and national security.
freepressjournal.in
A 73-year-old businessman from Thane lost Rs 5.77 crore (approximately $690,000 USD) over three months in an investment scam involving fake stock trading and IPO apps. Scammers contacted him via WhatsApp promising 40% returns, induced him to download bogus trading applications showing false earnings of Rs 22.87 crore, and then blocked him and deactivated the apps when he attempted to withdraw funds. Police registered an FIR under cheating and cybercrime sections after the victim reported the fraud to the cyber crime helpline.
thevibes.com
A 54-year-old senior university lecturer in Malaysia lost RM172,170 across two separate scams: RM162,170 to a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment platform called "cryptoproe" he was lured into via a fake Hong Kong woman on social media, and RM10,000 (partially) to a parcel delivery scam orchestrated through an online romance. In a separate incident, a 67-year-old engineer lost RM230,000 to a fake stock market investment scheme called "Elite Group" promoted via WhatsApp, which promised unusually high returns but repeatedly requested additional payments. All cases are being investigated under Malaysia's Penal Code Section
newskarnataka.com
A Mangaluru resident lost ₹22,59,613 to an online trading scam that began in October 2024 after he clicked a link from a Facebook video featuring a deepfake of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Multiple fraudsters posing as traders and bank officials contacted him over several months, convincing him to make repeated transfers under false pretenses including taxes, penalties, and money laundering threats. The victim filed a police complaint in March 2025 when he realized no profits or withdrawals would materialize, and investigations are ongoing at Kankanady Town Police Station.
inkl.com
"Quishing" scams exploit QR codes by directing unsuspecting users to malicious websites or phishing pages, with 73% of Americans scanning codes without verifying authenticity and over 26 million people directed to malicious sites. Scammers favor this tactic because QR code generators are freely available and codes can be easily placed on stickers, letters, and signage, making execution simple and low-risk. Only 36% of quishing scams are accurately identified and reported, as security experts note QR codes were designed for convenience rather than security, making them an attractive target as traditional phishing defenses improve.
yahoo.com
A 24-year-old Tampa woman was arrested for operating a "tap-in" ATM fraud scheme via social media, in which she recruited people to allow access to their bank accounts, deposited counterfeit checks, and withdrew cash before the checks bounced. During a July 2025 search warrant, authorities recovered 117 fraudulent credit cards, card-making equipment, $6,292 in cash, and stolen financial documents from her home. The case highlights a growing social media scam trend where fraudsters lure victims with promises of quick money by offering a percentage cut, putting participants at risk of bank fraud charges and identity theft.
yahoo.com
Jamal Nathan Dawood of Burbank was convicted of embezzling over $2.2 million from an elderly victim by offering to manage his inherited assets, then fraudulently transferring funds and real estate properties to accounts and companies he controlled without the victim's knowledge. Dawood was found guilty of six counts of wire fraud and nine counts of money laundering, with sentencing scheduled for December 8, 2025, where he faces up to 20 years per wire fraud count and up to 10 years per money laundering count. The case illustrates the risk of financial exploitation targeting elderly individuals with inherited assets.
edhat.com
Johnathan Edward Tudor, 64, of West Hollywood was arrested and charged with 44 felony counts including theft from an elder, securities fraud, and money laundering after posing as a BMW executive to defraud victims of approximately $16,000 each for luxury vehicles that were never delivered. Investigators identified at least four victims in Santa Barbara County during a scheme that began in November 2024, and seized over $250,000 in luxury goods from Tudor's residence believed purchased with victim funds; authorities believe additional victims may exist in Los Angeles and beyond.
thesun.my
I cannot summarize the requested article because the provided text does not contain the full article about the missing man found in Tatau pond. The title is given, but only the opening sentence appears before the content switches to an unrelated news feed containing various Malaysian news stories about politics, sports, crime, and infrastructure. To provide an accurate summary for the Elderus database, I would need the complete article text about this incident.
inyourarea.co.uk
A June 2024 survey by Censuswide commissioned by TSB Bank found that 31% of social media users acted on financial tips from "finfluencers," with 55% of those losing money as a result. Young people aged 16-34 were particularly vulnerable, with two-thirds of 18-29-year-olds following financial influencers and 74% trusting their advice, while these scams often use Ponzi schemes or fake investments promising guaranteed returns through flashy lifestyle imagery. The FCA warns consumers to watch for unrealistic promises, pressure to act quickly, and complicated jargon, and recommends checking the FCA Warning List before investing an
goldrushcam.com
A San Fernando Valley man, Jamal Nathan Dawood, 54, was found guilty of embezzling approximately $2.2 million from an elderly victim's inherited estate through wire fraud and money laundering schemes conducted in 2019. Dawood fraudulently transferred funds from the victim's trust account to his own accounts, convinced the victim to transfer ownership of his home and inherited real estate properties to companies he controlled, and misrepresented that the victim would retain ownership interests. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud counts and up to 10 years for money laundering counts at his December 8 sentencing hearing.
noozhawk.com
Jonathan Tudor, a 64-year-old West Hollywood man, was arrested for allegedly posing as a BMW luxury car executive and scamming at least four Santa Barbara County victims out of approximately $16,000 each by promising discounted high-end vehicles that were never delivered. Tudor faces 44 felony counts including elder theft, securities fraud, grand theft, and money laundering, with authorities discovering over $250,000 in luxury goods at his home but no evidence the promised vehicles existed. Detectives believe additional victims exist in Los Angeles and beyond and are seeking them to come forward.
ainvest.com
This article discusses demographic and investment trends related to aging populations rather than fraud or elder abuse. It presents the "silver tsunami" as a $600 billion investment opportunity, noting that declining financial literacy among seniors (dropping 1% annually after age 65) creates vulnerability, while AI-powered fintech platforms are emerging as solutions to help older adults manage retirement savings and combat fraud. The piece recommends investment allocations across healthcare, senior housing, annuities, and fintech sectors to capitalize on aging populations' growing financial needs.
**Note:** This content is investment-focused analysis, not a case study of actual elder fraud or abuse events.
ktvz.com
Two women in Florida lost a combined $210,000 in a romance scam involving AI-generated voice and video impersonating actor Keanu Reeves; the scammers made initial contact through word games like Scrabble, built romantic connections with the victims, then requested money for fabricated reasons such as divorce or cancer research, with funds ultimately sent to Bitcoin accounts in Nigeria. Authorities indicated the victims have virtually no chance of recovering their money.
goldrushcam.com
**Military Consumer Fraud Alert** - California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer protection alert warning service members, veterans, and their families about targeted scams, noting that military consumers nationwide reported over 99,400 fraud complaints last year, including 44,587 imposter scams costing victims and families over $199 million. The alert identifies common threats including charity scams (fake veteran organizations), predatory schools using high-pressure tactics to exploit GI Bill benefits, and home loan scams impersonating government agencies, advising consumers to pause on seemingly too-good-to-be-true offers and verify legitimacy before engaging.
legaltalknetwork.com
This is an educational podcast episode featuring cybersecurity expert Steve Weisman discussing scam prevention and identification strategies. The episode covers various scam types (including VA imposter and "free piano" scams), the role of AI in modern fraud schemes, and protective measures such as a "zero trust" verification approach where all transactions—particularly checks—must be independently confirmed before trusting them.
foxnews.com
A sophisticated malvertising campaign on Facebook has been deceiving users with fake ads impersonating popular cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance and MetaMask, using celebrity faces such as Elon Musk to appear legitimate. When users click these ads, they are directed to counterfeit websites that trick them into downloading malware disguised as desktop applications, which then installs a silent server capable of receiving malicious instructions while evading detection. The campaign, which has been running for several months and involves hundreds of fake Facebook accounts posting thousands of ads daily, primarily targets men interested in technology and finance, particularly in Bulgaria and Slovakia.
patch.com
Jamal Nathan Dawood, 54, of Burbank, California was found guilty of embezzling approximately $2.2 million from an elderly man by fraudulently offering to help manage an inheritance, then stealing funds through unauthorized wire transfers and convincing the victim to transfer ownership of his home and inherited real estate to shell companies he controlled. Dawood was convicted on six counts of wire fraud and nine counts of money laundering and faces a maximum sentence of 210 years in prison.
patch.com
A San Fernando Valley man, Jamal Nathan Dawood, was found guilty of embezzling approximately $2.2 million from an elderly victim by posing as a financial advisor, fraudulently transferring the victim's inherited retirement savings and real estate properties to accounts and companies under his control. Dawood was convicted on six counts of wire fraud and nine counts of money laundering and faces a maximum sentence of 210 years in prison.
newsbreak.com
Jamal "Jimmy" Dawood, a 54-year-old Burbank man, was convicted of embezzling $2.2 million from an elderly victim by fraudulently managing the victim's inherited real estate and savings, secretly transferring funds to his own accounts and those of associates, and falsely transferring properties to companies he controlled. Dawood was found guilty of six counts of wire fraud and nine counts of money laundering, with sentencing set for December 8 where he faces up to 20 years per wire fraud count. The DOJ highlighted that elder fraud victims aged 60 and older can report scams to the National Elder Fraud Hotline at
islandfm.com
Scammers created AI-generated videos and fake press reports featuring Guernsey Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez endorsing a non-existent government investment scheme to defraud investors. De Sausmarez issued a public warning on social media alerting islanders to the fraud, which contained a telling error referring to her as "Mr." This scam is part of a broader pattern of frauds exploiting recognizable local figures and media to target vulnerable individuals.
soycarmin.com
This educational article identifies 11 common "silent scam" billing schemes targeting seniors, including deceptive free trials, fake magazine renewals, hidden medical alert fees, identity protection upsells, and difficult-to-cancel gym memberships. These subtle, recurring charges exploit seniors' trust and digital literacy gaps, accumulating significant financial losses over time despite individual charges being small. The article recommends protective measures such as carefully reading fine print, using virtual credit cards with spending limits, verifying billing sources directly, and scrutinizing contracts before purchase.
floridapolitics.com
U.S. Senator Ashley Moody testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging about her efforts as Florida's former Attorney General to combat elder fraud, citing her establishment of the Senior Protection Team in 2019 to address civil, criminal, and health care fraud targeting seniors. Moody highlighted that while an estimated 1 in 10 seniors experience abuse, only 7% of cases reach law enforcement, and emphasized that financial scams targeting older Americans cost victims over $3.4 billion annually. She and other senators have called for coordinated federal efforts to dismantle international scam networks targeting the elderly, proposing her Florida model as a potential national approach to elder fraud prevention.
pewresearch.org
Online scams and internet crimes reached a record $16.6 billion in losses reported to the FBI in 2024, with 73% of U.S. adults reporting they have experienced at least one type of online scam or attack. The most common scams involve fraudulent credit card charges (48%), counterfeit or undelivered online purchases (36%), and hacked personal accounts (29%), with a majority of Americans receiving scam communications via phone calls, emails, and text messages at least weekly. While older adults are perceived as more vulnerable, significant portions of both younger and older adults have been victimized, with Black, Hispanic, and Asian adults reporting higher rates of experiencing multiple types of frau
finance.yahoo.com
Social Security scams employ three primary tactics: fake remote job offers that request personal information and upfront fees, phishing emails impersonating the Social Security Administration to direct victims to fraudulent websites, and in-person schemes where imposters posing as government officials convince victims to provide cash or valuables. Recent cases include a victim who gave $2 million in gold bars to someone claiming to be a CIA agent and an Ohio woman who liquidated $500,000 in retirement savings to purchase gold for phone scammers. Protect yourself by avoiding unsolicited job offers and payment requests, verifying emails end in ".gov," and reporting suspicious activity to the Social Security Administration or Office of the Inspector General.
abc10.com
Recent high school graduates and young adults are increasingly targeted by scammers offering fraudulent scholarships, fake jobs, loan forgiveness schemes, and bogus rental listings, with Americans losing over $16 billion to scams in 2024—a 33% increase from the previous year. To protect themselves, students should watch for red flags like unsolicited messages and unrealistic offers, verify sources before clicking links, and consult trusted adults before sharing personal or financial information. Victims should immediately report scams to their bank, police, and the FTC, then monitor their credit reports for fraudulent accounts.
justice.gov
Jamal Nathan Dawood, 54, of Burbank was found guilty of embezzling approximately $2.2 million from an elderly victim's estate inherited from the victim's deceased brother through wire fraud and money laundering schemes conducted in late 2019. Dawood gained the victim's trust by offering property management assistance, then fraudulently transferred funds from the victim's trust account to his own accounts and falsely convinced the victim to transfer ownership of his home and inherited real estate to companies Dawood controlled. Dawood faces up to 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud charges and up to 10 years for money laundering charges at his December 8 sentencing
irs.gov
Roger Roger, a Costa Rica resident, was sentenced to over 15 years in prison for leading a telemarketing fraud scheme that stole more than $4 million from hundreds of U.S. victims, many of them elderly, by posing as government officials and convincing them they had won sweepstakes prizes requiring upfront payments. He was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit international money laundering, and international money laundering, and was ordered to pay $3.3 million in restitution and forfeit $4.2 million.
ainvest.com
**AInvest Newsletter - Financial Exploitation of Elderly Investors**
Adults over 60 reported $4.885 billion in losses to financial exploitation in 2024, a 46% increase from 2023, with 147,127 complaints filed to the FBI's IC3, though actual cases are estimated to be 43 times higher than reported. Elderly investors face exploitation through two main vulnerabilities: undue influence (emotional manipulation by caregivers or advisors) and inadequate estate planning, with a 2024 NAPSA study finding 68% of exploited seniors had no prior cognitive decline but were compromised by dependency relationships. The article recomm
ic3.gov
The FBI warns of a scam variation where criminals send unsolicited packages with QR codes designed to trick recipients into revealing personal and financial information or downloading malicious software that steals phone data. This scheme evolved from traditional "brushing scams" used to boost product ratings online, and while not yet widespread, the public should avoid scanning QR codes from unknown origins and be wary of packages without sender information. Victims should monitor credit reports and report suspicious activity to the FBI's IC3 website, with seniors able to seek assistance through the DOJ Elder Justice Hotline.
theregister.com
A violent border clash between Thailand and Cambodia near an ancient temple was linked to cyber-scam slave camps operating in Cambodia, where an estimated 100,000+ people are forced to run romance and investment scams targeting primarily Chinese and other Asian citizens. Thailand's threat to cut off internet and electricity to disrupt these camps—which generate an estimated $12.5 billion annually and allegedly involve high-level Cambodian government officials—contributed to escalating tensions between the two nations. The camps are documented by Interpol and the UN as severe human rights violations, with workers enslaved and forced to perpetrate financial fraud.
financial-planning.com
Pig butchering scams—which begin with casual text messages and evolve into romantic relationships—are rising in prevalence and causing significant financial harm. Scammers establish trust, often through romance and cryptocurrency investment promises, then direct victims to fraudulent trading platforms where they see initial gains but cannot withdraw funds due to fabricated fees; victims experience both financial loss and emotional trauma from the manufactured relationship. Financial advisors can help by monitoring for unusual withdrawal patterns and having nonjudgmental conversations with clients, while recognizing that many scammers themselves are human trafficking victims forced to operate from compounds in Southeast Asia run by organized crime networks.
ocalagazette.com
An 82-year-old Ocala woman lost $7,300 in cryptocurrency and nearly lost $160,000 in cash converted to gold in a multi-stage scam involving a fake computer hack, fraudulent bank officer call, and an accomplice attempting to pick up the gold at her home—the plot was foiled by law enforcement and a gold exchange company alert, resulting in the arrest of Jiann Cao. Local agencies report approximately $1 million stolen monthly from elder fraud victims in Marion County, with common scams including tech support fraud, romance scams, and investment schemes; officials recommend verifying the authenticity of unsolicited communications and emphasize education and reporting as key prevention strategies.
wealthsolutionsreport.com
Ultra-high net worth (UHNW) individuals face increasingly sophisticated scams that exploit publicly available data, AI technology, and deep social engineering to target them with highly personalized fraud schemes. The article identifies seven major scam types affecting wealthy Americans: whaling (executive phishing), deepfake-driven impersonation and family emergency scams, synthetic identity fraud, tax and authority impersonation scams, and romance scams—each using tailored personal details and urgent requests to extract sensitive information, authorize fraudulent transfers, or manipulate victims into fake investments. Wealth managers and advisors are advised to educate clients on red flags including unusual communication changes, urgent financial requests from trusted sources, and demands
whec.com
One in three Americans were scammed in the past year, with losses totaling $12.5 billion—a 25% increase from the prior year, according to the FTC. The most common scams are investment and imposter schemes, such as fraudsters impersonating trusted companies like Geek Squad to obtain banking information and personal data; key red flags include pressure to act urgently, requests for sensitive information like social security numbers, and directing victims to grant computer access. Consumers should never disclose personal information to unsolicited callers, utilize free credit monitoring services, and take advantage of free weekly credit reports from major bureaus to protect themselves.
moodys.com
Job scams emerged as one of the fastest-growing fraud threats in 2025, with reported losses skyrocketing from $90 million in 2020 to over $501 million in 2024, according to FTC data. These scams lure victims through fake job postings with promises of high pay and remote work, then harvest sensitive personal information for identity theft and synthetic identity fraud rather than seeking quick financial gains. The use of artificial intelligence to create convincing fake interviews and resumes, combined with AI-driven data manipulation and fraud detection bypass, is making job scams increasingly difficult to detect and enforce against.
kroc.com
The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin issued a warning about a prevalent romance scam targeting local residents. The scam typically begins with a fraudster contacting victims on Facebook or Instagram, then moving conversations to private messaging apps, building a rapid romantic relationship through love bombing, and eventually requesting money from the victim while claiming to have reasons (such as a distant job) to avoid meeting in person. Scammers use AI-generated photos and fake social media profiles to appear legitimate, making it crucial for people to avoid sending money to anyone they have not met in person.
fox5vegas.com
Investment scams, particularly those involving cryptocurrency, remained the top cybercrime reported to the Better Business Bureau, with over 80% of reported scams falling into this category and victims losing an average of $5,000. Scammers typically initiate contact via social media, ads, or email, then build trust over weeks or months before offering fake investment opportunities that show false returns until the scammer and funds disappear. The BBB recommends never investing with unknown individuals and verifying investment opportunities through the SEC or FINRA before committing money.