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in Crypto Investment Scam
markets.financialcontent.com
· 2025-12-07
A Colorado man lost his entire life savings of approximately $1.4 million to a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency romance scam after being lured by a woman on Ashley Madison who posed as a successful crypto trader on WhatsApp. Over six weeks, the victim was manipulated into transferring funds to a fraudulent investment app displaying fake profits, and the scam was only exposed when he was asked to pay an additional $400,000 in "fees" to withdraw his earnings. The case, under investigation by the Colorado Bureau of Investigations, highlights the vulnerability of individuals facing personal difficulties and the difficulty in recovering cryptocurrency funds once they enter anonymous wallets.
cointribune.com
· 2025-12-07
A Colorado retiree lost $1.4 million in retirement savings through a sophisticated romance scam where a fraudster posing as "Erin" on a dating platform built trust over several months before gradually directing him to invest in cryptocurrency on a fake platform controlled by criminals. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation confirmed this as the largest individual crypto scam loss in the state, highlighting how romance scams exploit emotional vulnerability and lack of crypto knowledge to steal funds. The case exemplifies the broader problem of unregulated cryptocurrency markets that lack consumer protections and enable cross-border criminal networks to operate with near impunity.
aol.com
· 2025-12-07
A Colorado man lost $1.4 million in retirement savings to a romance scam after meeting a woman on Ashley Madison who convinced him to invest in cryptocurrency over a six-week period. The scammer posed as an attractive woman with business expertise and exploited the man's unhappiness in his marriage, eventually transferring his funds to a fake crypto account; investigators traced the money to a digital wallet but recovery is unlikely without cooperation from crypto exchanges. The victim emphasized the importance of meeting people in person and verifying identities before engaging in financial decisions with online contacts.
bostonherald.com
· 2025-12-07
The Boston Police Department warns that older residents are being targeted by multiple scam types, including cryptocurrency investment schemes (which caused Boston residents over $9 million in losses in 2024 alone), home improvement fraud by door-to-door contractors, imposter scams, and unwitting money mule schemes. Police advise seniors to research investments thoroughly, verify contractor credentials, be skeptical of unsolicited offers on social media and dating apps, and hang up on suspicious callers to independently verify identities before transferring money or cryptocurrency.
mitrade.com
· 2025-12-07
The Colorado Bureau of Investigations investigated a crypto-linked romance scam in which a Colorado man lost $1.4 million from his retirement savings after being deceived by someone posing as "Erin" on a dating website who convinced him to invest in cryptocurrency. The scammer initially built romantic trust before transitioning conversations to financial investment, directing the victim to send funds first to legitimate crypto apps and then to a fake application controlled by the scammer. CBI Special Agent Zeb Semester noted this was the largest crypto scam loss he had witnessed, and authorities emphasized that romance scams combined with cryptocurrency investment schemes are increasingly common and difficult to recover from due to the unregulated nature of
news18.com
· 2025-12-07
A Colorado man lost $1.4 million in life savings to a romance scam after meeting a woman on Ashley Madison who posed as a cryptocurrency investor and convinced him to transfer funds across four transactions over six weeks. The woman, using the name "Erin," built trust through photos, videos, and false claims of investment returns before disappearing with the money into untraceable cold storage cryptocurrency wallets. The case was referred to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation's Economic Crimes Unit, which reports a significant increase in cryptocurrency-related romance scams targeting individuals.
cnbctv18.com
· 2025-12-07
A Colorado man lost $1.4 million in a romance scam after meeting a woman on the dating site Ashley Madison who gained his trust and convinced him to invest in cryptocurrency, claiming she could help protect his finances in case of divorce. Over six weeks, he made four separate cryptocurrency transfers that depleted his retirement and savings accounts before realizing the money was gone. Colorado Bureau of Investigation officials warn that romance scammers exploit emotional vulnerabilities to build trust before introducing investment pitches, and advise people to be cautious of requests for money, promises of high returns, and conversations shifted to encrypted messaging apps.
crypto.news
· 2025-12-07
A 71-year-old retiree in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia lost RM525,000 (approximately $100,000) after responding to a Facebook advertisement for a cryptocurrency investment scheme that promised $500,000 in returns. The victim made seven transactions between August 20-27 using retirement savings, and police suspect an organized syndicate orchestrated the scam; no arrests had been made at the time of reporting. Malaysian authorities have noted a rising trend of crypto fraud targeting senior citizens, with scammers using sophisticated tactics including fake celebrity endorsements, deepfakes, and impersonation of financial institutions.
thenewsstar.com
· 2025-12-07
On June 3, the Terrebonne Parish Government was defrauded of $129,745.16 by a scammer impersonating a Louisiana Department of Transportation Development employee through a targeted phishing email campaign. The attack used social engineering tactics, including forged government documents, a spoofed email address, and fabricated urgency rather than technical exploits, to manipulate employees into authorizing a wire transfer. Authorities arrested one suspect and recovered partial funds, with experts noting this case exemplifies the rising trend of cybercrimes targeting the "human element" rather than system vulnerabilities.
noozhawk.com
· 2025-12-07
Impersonation and romance scams are increasing in sophistication, targeting both individuals and businesses through spoofed emails, fake profiles, and emotional manipulation. Impersonation scams mimic legitimate businesses (Amazon, Microsoft, banks) with nearly identical domain names and compromised vendor emails to pressure victims into updating banking information, while romance scams exploit individuals seeking connection, sometimes lasting years before victims realize they've lost significant money. Community banks like American Riviera Bank offer advantages in fraud prevention through direct access to fraud investigators who can help identify red flags such as minor domain misspellings, free email services used by established vendors, and pressure tactics requiring immediate action.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-07
Joyce from Utah lost over $1 million in savings to a coordinated tech support and bank impersonation scam that occurred between March and May. The scammers used a fake computer warning to gain her trust, then posed as bank employees and Federal Reserve officials to convince her to liquidate her retirement accounts and purchase cryptocurrency and gold bars, which were then collected by accomplices. The article advises protecting against such scams by shutting down frozen computers rather than calling provided numbers, ignoring unsolicited tech support calls, and recognizing that legitimate companies never ask customers to call numbers displayed in pop-ups.
news.virginia.edu
· 2025-12-07
AI is enhancing both traditional scams and creating new fraud methods by automating mass attacks and making previously elite techniques accessible to ordinary fraudsters. Common AI-assisted scams include voice-cloned "grandparent scams," months-long fake relationship "pig butchering" schemes with cryptocurrency investments, synthetic identity fraud, sextortion with AI-generated images, and fake product reviews and job postings. To protect themselves, people should remain skeptical of urgent money requests especially via phone calls from claimed family members, verify identities through independent channels, and slow down decision-making during high-pressure situations.
dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-07
Massachusetts psychologist Eric Brown, 76, allegedly defrauded a patient out of $600,000 by draining a trust fund established from a drunk driving accident settlement after falling victim to an online romance investment scam himself. Brown, who served as trustee for the patient's trust, was convinced by a con artist posing as a romantic interest to invest the funds overseas, and separately defrauded a family member of $310,000 through false claims about office building improvements. Brown has agreed to plead guilty to two counts of wire fraud and one count of engaging in an unlawful money transaction, and faces potentially decades in prison.
bitdefender.com
· 2025-12-07
This educational piece observes International Day of Older Persons to highlight the vulnerability of seniors to online scams, including tech support fraud, phishing, investment schemes, and romance/grandparent scams that exploit their trust and relative unfamiliarity with digital threats. The article provides practical cybersecurity advice for older adults—such as pausing before clicking links, verifying urgent money requests, using strong passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication—and describes how comprehensive security solutions with multi-layered protections can help families safeguard seniors' digital lives.
consumerreports.org
· 2025-12-07
Texting and messaging scam attempts increased by 50 percent in the past year, with young adults experiencing the highest rise, according to Consumer Reports' 2025 Cyber Readiness Report. The report revealed significant disparities in scam vulnerability: low-income households were three times more likely to lose money from scams than high-income households (29% vs. 10%), and Black Americans who encountered scams lost money at more than twice the rate of white Americans (37% vs. 15%), partly due to lower credit card usage and reliance on less-protected payment methods. Consumers can protect themselves by not replying to suspicious texts, blocking senders, reporting to their mobile provider
aarp.org
· 2025-12-07
In 2023, scammers stole approximately $158.3 billion from Americans ($434 million daily), making fraud prevention a critical concern for older adults. AARP's Fraud Watch Network combats this epidemic through community education, a free helpline (877-908-3360), podcasts, and legislative advocacy including the cofounding of the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center and passage of state laws targeting cryptocurrency ATM and gift-card scams. The organization emphasizes that victimization is not the victim's fault and encourages public participation in fraud prevention awareness campaigns.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A Colorado man lost $1.4 million in a cryptocurrency romance scam after meeting a woman on a dating website who posed as a successful businesswoman and crypto investor, convincing him to transfer his savings and retirement funds for cryptocurrency investments over six weeks. When he attempted to withdraw his purported earnings, he was denied access and asked for an additional $400,000, a red flag that prompted his sister to alert authorities; a Colorado Bureau of Investigation agent confirmed this was the largest such loss he had encountered, with recovery prospects described as "likely slim" due to the funds being traced to an offline cryptocurrency wallet.
gizmodo.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are impersonating Elon Musk to defraud victims through cryptocurrency investment schemes, using tactics including fake livestreams during SpaceX/Tesla events, AI-generated videos, and fake endorsements from family members or political figures. FTC complaints reveal multiple victims, primarily elderly individuals, losing substantial sums ranging from $10,000 to $225,000, with some victims remaining confused about whether they interacted with the real Musk or impersonators. The scams exploit vulnerable populations, including those with serious illnesses or cognitive impairment, and often target victims through YouTube, Facebook, and fake cryptocurrency matching schemes.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Two men, Danny Piao, 29, of New York City and Chul Paik, 44, of New Jersey, were charged with felony theft for targeting at least 10 elderly residents in Lake County, Illinois through elaborate scams involving fake PayPal and antivirus company emails that tricked victims into withdrawing cash. In one case, an 80-year-old woman lost $17,000, and in another, a Lake Forest resident lost $25,000; investigators used license plate reader technology to identify the suspects' rental vehicle and apprehend them with over $16,000 in cash found in their car. Both suspects were denied pretrial release.
markets.financialcontent.com
· 2025-12-07
Indian youth are being trafficked to Southeast Asia and forced to conduct cryptocurrency scams—including fake investment schemes, romance scams, and phishing attacks—while stripped of passports and subjected to brutal conditions. The criminals launder illicit proceeds through cryptocurrencies like USDT and ETH via platforms such as Binance, exploiting the speed and relative anonymity of digital assets for international transfers. This ongoing crisis, active since early 2023, has prompted increased regulatory scrutiny globally and eroded trust in the crypto ecosystem, potentially deterring institutional investors and spurring stricter AML and KYC requirements.
thesun.co.uk
· 2025-12-07
A documentary investigation in Lagos, Nigeria reveals organized "Hustle Kingdoms"—training centers where young men are systematically taught to conduct sextortion and romance scams targeting British teenagers, with operators like "Ghost" claiming over £1 million in crypto earnings and taking 70% of victims' payments. Scammers use fake female social media profiles to solicit explicit images from minors, then extort thousands of pounds by threatening to share the photos with schools and employers, with some victims subjected to repeated demands. The scammers, including those as young as 14, display little remorse despite awareness that victims have committed suicide as a result of the blackmail.
clickorlando.com
· 2025-12-07
A 75-year-old Florida man lost approximately $15,000 over several months after responding to a text message offering a flexible work-from-home job with promises of $50-$3,000 daily wages. The scammers, posing as "business managers" for Warner Brothers, initially had him perform simple tasks and sent small checks to build trust, then convinced him to invest his own money in cryptocurrency trading with promises of substantial returns that never materialized. Law enforcement noted that such scammers are often located overseas, making prosecution difficult, and advised people to delete unsolicited job offer texts rather than responding.
nextgov.com
· 2025-12-07
A coalition of over 80 public, private, and nonprofit organizations released a strategy calling for the U.S. government to treat scams as a national security crisis, noting that transnational criminal organizations use fraud proceeds to fund human trafficking and other crimes. With Americans losing an estimated $158 billion annually to fraud and no single federal agency coordinating anti-scam efforts, the task force recommends modernizing law enforcement databases, strengthening identity verification systems, and establishing cross-sector collaboration to make scams less profitable. The report highlights cases like a Mexican cartel-run timeshare fraud scheme that defrauded 6,000 U.S. victims of nearly $300 million between 2019
fox5dc.com
· 2025-12-07
Chase Bank warns customers of escalating scams where fraudsters impersonate bank staff and law enforcement to pressure victims into withdrawing cash or transferring funds to fake "safe accounts" or couriers, with caller ID spoofing making these schemes increasingly convincing. Nearly half of Chase-reported scams originate on social media platforms through fake listings, phony job/rental offers, and romance schemes, with scammers exploiting irreversible payment methods like Zelle and wire transfers. Chase advises customers to verify callers independently, avoid sharing banking credentials, use secure payment channels, and report suspicious activity to the FTC and the bank immediately.
nbcmontana.com
· 2025-12-07
Shawn Cutting, an Idaho man, was charged with operating a Ponzi scheme through a company called "CryptoTraders Management" that defrauded dozens of elderly investors of over $1 million in cryptocurrency investment funds. Cutting faces multiple charges including securities fraud, operating without a license, elder exploitation, and conspiracy, with two unidentified co-conspirators also involved in the scheme. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities emphasizing their commitment to holding perpetrators accountable and protecting Montana's elderly population from financial exploitation.
nanaimonewsnow.com
· 2025-12-07
A Parksville senior lost approximately $200,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam that began in June after being referred by a friend. The scam used what appeared to be a legitimate trading platform and initially showed quick returns on a $2,500 investment, prompting the victim to increase their investment substantially over several months before reporting it to Oceanside RCMP in September.
bitdefender.com
· 2025-12-07
Bitdefender's October 2025 "They Wear Our Faces" campaign highlights a surge in AI-driven fraud targeting Americans, who reported over $12.5 billion in fraud losses in 2024. The campaign exposes how scammers use deepfake technology, voice cloning, and personalized impersonation across email, SMS, and social media, with the U.S. receiving 37% of global spam between March-September 2025. Top threats include phishing impersonating Microsoft, Amazon, and Costco, along with increasingly sophisticated SMS scams and AI-powered deepfake videos promoting fake cryptocurrency investments.
wmur.com
· 2025-12-07
This Consumer Reports advisory warns online shoppers about common scams during peak shopping seasons like Amazon Prime Days. Shoppers should avoid responding to suspicious texts or emails requesting personal information, avoid deals that sound too good to be true, and be cautious when purchasing through third-party platforms like Facebook Marketplace where prepayment requests and payment failures are common red flags. Consumers can protect themselves by verifying unexpected messages through alternative contact methods, using credit cards instead of payment apps for better fraud protection, and independently confirming any requests from authority figures (such as managers) asking them to purchase gift cards.
provincetownindependent.org
· 2025-12-07
In June, 73-year-old Karen Pagano from Truro nearly lost $40,000 to scammers who impersonated PayPal fraud specialists, gained remote access to her laptop, and attempted to transfer funds from her bank account while keeping her on the phone. Although police intervention prevented the full loss, Pagano experienced significant disruption including delayed retirement and Social Security payments, and has since received six to eight suspicious calls daily. According to local law enforcement, elder fraud is rampant in the Cape and Islands region, with 393 reports filed over 21 months (January 2023–October 2024) but only 15 resulting in charges, reflecting resource
the420.in
· 2025-12-07
A senior telecom executive in Pune lost ₹51.89 lakh in a Facebook-based cryptocurrency scam perpetrated by scammers posing as a fashion designer and agents of a Seychelles-based crypto exchange who promised high returns on Tether (USDT) investments. The victim made over 30 transactions in May 2025 after being deceived by fake credentials and professional documentation shared by the fraudsters. Cybercrime experts identified the case as classic social engineering and warned that cryptocurrency scams are rising due to their difficulty in tracing and immediate financial impact on victims.
koaa.com
· 2025-12-07
A Colorado Springs woman lost her entire $37,000 inheritance to a cryptocurrency investment scam after seeing a fraudulent post from a hacked friend's Facebook account. The scammers used a sophisticated multi-layered approach, including fake Bitcoin wallet instructions and a spoofed cryptocurrency website, to make the scheme appear legitimate and promise returns of $194,000. The victim, who was grieving her recently reconnected father, received nothing when she attempted to withdraw her funds, illustrating how investment fraud remains the top scam in Colorado with nearly 15,000 reports in 2024.
deloitte.com
· 2025-12-07
The FBI has highlighted "phantom hacker scams," where fraudsters impersonate tech support, banks, and government agents to manipulate victims—particularly seniors—into voluntarily transferring money directly to scammers' accounts. These scams are part of a broader category called authorized push payment (APP) fraud, which is rapidly growing; the Deloitte Center for Financial Services estimates APP fraud losses in the U.S. could reach $14.9 billion by 2028 (up from $8.3 billion in 2024), with investment scams like "pig butchering" driving the majority of growth, fueled by increasingly sophisticated AI-generated deepfakes and social engineering
bgindependentmedia.org
· 2025-12-07
In October 2024, the Ohio Department of Commerce warned Ohioans about rising cyber threats during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, noting that internet crime complaints reached nearly 860,000 nationwide with losses exceeding $16 billion in 2024—a 33% increase from the prior year, with Ohio ranking 7th in the nation with 25,000 complaints. Common scams include one-time passcode interception, cryptocurrency "pig butchering" schemes, financial institution impersonation, government imposter scams, and AI-fueled fraud, with the FTC reporting $12.5 billion in total consumer fraud losses in 2024, including $2
thesun.co.uk
· 2025-12-07
A woman identified as Adva Lavie is wanted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for a series of residential burglaries targeting elderly and lonely men across LA County; she allegedly used fake identities (including Mia Ventura and Shoshana) on dating apps to pose as a girlfriend, gain entry to victims' homes, and steal their valuables before disappearing. The case reflects a broader surge in online dating crimes in Los Angeles, including a separate case involving a man accused of using dating apps to lure, rob, and allegedly murder multiple victims.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-07
A woman using multiple aliases, including Adva Lavie and Mia Ventura, is wanted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for a series of residential burglaries targeting elderly and lonely men she met on dating apps; she posed as a romantic interest to gain access to their homes before stealing valuables. The case reflects a broader surge in online romance fraud, with the FBI reporting $1.3 billion in losses during 2024, with victims aged 60 and older accounting for nearly 40% of losses and an average loss of $12,000 per victim.
kmbc.com
· 2025-12-07
A 61-year-old Clay County man lost $120,000 in a romance scam conducted over several months on TikTok, where a scammer posing as a 34-year-old woman named "Lisa" built an emotional relationship with him before requesting money for various emergencies and finally claiming she needed help paying back taxes on her mother's house. The scammer used common tactics including moving the conversation to an encrypted messaging app (Telegram), gradually increasing requests starting with small amounts, having the victim's CashApp account shutdown, and ultimately directing him to send Bitcoin through ATMs in Excelsior Springs and Kearney, making the money nearly impossible to recover. The Clay
abcnews.go.com
· 2025-12-07
Americans lost nearly $250 million to scams using Bitcoin ATMs in 2024, with the FBI reporting this figure more than doubled from the previous year. An 85-year-old Texas woman, Fran Bates, was defrauded of over $40,000 after a scammer posing as her bank convinced her to withdraw cash and deposit it into a Bitcoin ATM kiosk, with the criminal directing her actions remotely. Experts warn that Bitcoin ATMs have become scammers' preferred method due to the speed and irreversibility of transactions, prompting calls for stricter regulations and leading to lawsuits against major ATM operators like Athena Bitcoin.
6abc.com
· 2025-12-07
A Bucks County woman lost $7,000 to a Bitcoin ATM scam after receiving a call from someone impersonating a law enforcement officer who claimed she had unpaid warrants and needed to pay a bond immediately. The scammer directed her to deposit cash into a Bitcoin ATM using a QR code linked to a crypto wallet, with no way to trace or recover the funds. According to AARP's fraud director, Bitcoin ATM scams are a growing threat nationwide, with an estimated 45,000 machines operating in retail locations that experts say "overwhelmingly serve criminals and scammers."
abcnews.go.com
· 2025-12-07
In 2024, Americans lost nearly $250 million to scams involving Bitcoin ATMs, more than double the previous year, with victims including 85-year-old Fran Bates who lost over $40,000 after being manipulated by scammers impersonating her bank. Bitcoin ATMs have become scammers' preferred method because transactions are irreversible and funds can be transferred worldwide within minutes, making recovery nearly impossible. The FBI and AARP have warned of the growing threat, and authorities have begun taking action, including a lawsuit against major Bitcoin ATM operator Athena Bitcoin, though the company denies responsibility and argues it maintains fraud safeguards.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-07
**Bitcoin ATM Scams Target Elderly Americans**
Elderly victims are losing substantial sums to scams involving Bitcoin ATMs, with Americans losing nearly $250 million to such schemes in 2024—double the previous year. Scammers impersonate bank officials and direct victims to deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs, where funds are transferred to untraceable digital wallets; 85-year-old Fran Bates lost over $40,000 in this manner before a bystander intervened. Federal authorities and state attorneys general are taking action through lawsuits against major operators and new regulations including deposit limits and stricter verification requirements, though most victims never
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-07
**Scam Jam Educational Event - October 16, 2025**
AARP Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Elder Justice Coalition hosted a Scam Jam awareness event at UW-Green Bay to educate attendees about current scams and connect them with fraud-fighting professionals. The event featured a resource fair with multiple Wisconsin organizations including AARP's Fraud Watch Network, the Better Business Bureau, state consumer protection agencies, and local support services, all offering free fraud prevention information, complaint filing assistance, and community presentations.
abc7news.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers operating from overseas, many in Southeast Asian compounds, are exploiting Bitcoin ATM machines to steal from victims through classic fraud schemes—including impersonation scams, computer hacking claims, and fake legal emergencies—directing them to convert cash into cryptocurrency. Victims like San Jose resident Jim Meduri and an 82-year-old Minnesota woman lost thousands of dollars this way, though some funds have been recovered through blockchain tracking and law enforcement intervention. The DC attorney general has sued Bitcoin ATM provider Athena Bitcoin over inadequate fraud protections, as cryptocurrency theft through these machines has become a major scam tool with victims often unaware their money goes directly to criminals.
wired.com
· 2025-12-07
North Korean operatives have been posing as freelance architects and structural engineers to infiltrate Western companies and gain access to sensitive U.S. infrastructure projects and architectural designs. The scammers, operating through fake identities on platforms like GitHub and freelance websites, created forged credentials, architectural stamps, and CAD files for U.S. properties while claiming to offer legitimate architectural services. The UN estimates that thousands of North Korean IT workers generate $250-600 million annually for the regime to support nuclear weapons programs and sanctions evasion.
wbay.com
· 2025-12-07
The FBI reports that cryptocurrency ATM scams resulted in nearly $250 million in losses in 2024, more than double the previous year, with scammers primarily using romance, impostor, and financial scams to trick victims into depositing money. An 85-year-old woman in Wisconsin was approached by police while being manipulated into depositing tens of thousands of dollars into a Bitcoin ATM after being told her bank account was hacked. Iowa's investigation found that 97% of crypto ATM transactions were scams, with victims losing over $20 million in less than three years, while companies operating these machines profit by taking up to 23% per transaction.
bnnbloomberg.ca
· 2025-12-07
Canada's Ontario Securities Commission has identified seven prevalent investment scams targeting victims in autumn, including romance scams (fraudsters gaining trust online before pitching fake investments), cryptocurrency scams (requesting additional funds before allowing withdrawals), affinity fraud (targeting social groups with Ponzi schemes), pump-and-dump schemes (artificially inflating stock prices before selling), boiler room operations (fake trading platforms), AI voice scams (deepfakes impersonating relatives or celebrities), and exempt securities fraud (misrepresenting fraudulent investments as legitimate exclusive opportunities). The advisory emphasizes that common red flags include unsolicited contact about investment tips, requests for money from online contacts never met in person, an
gazettenet.com
· 2025-12-07
Multiple South Hadley residents lost thousands of dollars to cryptocurrency ATM scams, including one business employee who was tricked into depositing $11,000 and another resident who lost $48,000, with authorities unable to recover the funds due to the irreversible and untraceable nature of cryptocurrency transactions. The scams have surged nationally, with the FBI receiving approximately 11,000 complaints in 2024 involving crypto kiosks, resulting in $247 million in combined losses—a 99% increase in complaints from 2023. South Hadley Police Chief Jennifer Gundersen is proposing a town ordinance banning cryptocurrency ATMs, similar to measures in W
aol.com
· 2025-12-07
Internet scams have evolved from crude 1990s email cons like Nigerian prince schemes to sophisticated AI-powered deepfakes that can convincingly impersonate voices and faces, with phishing attacks emerging in the early 2000s as online banking adoption grew. Despite technological advances making fraud more convincing and difficult to detect, successful scams continue to rely on exploiting fundamental human emotions—greed, fear, compassion, and loneliness—through predictable psychological manipulation patterns that create urgency and isolate victims from support systems. Understanding how scam tactics have evolved reveals that technological complexity often masks simple psychological manipulation, and recognizing consistent underlying patterns can help potential victims identify manipulation attempts regardless of delivery method.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-07
On October 16, 2025, AARP Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Elder Justice Coalition hosted a Scam Jam educational event at UW-Green Bay to inform attendees about current fraud schemes and connect them with anti-fraud professionals. The event featured a resource fair with multiple Wisconsin organizations dedicated to combating elder fraud, including AARP's Fraud Watch Network, the Better Business Bureau, state consumer protection agencies, and victim support services, all providing free educational materials, complaint filing assistance, and community presentations.
cnhi.com
· 2025-12-07
Older adults aged 60-plus lost $3.4 billion globally to financial scammers in 2023, with fraudsters targeting this population because they believe older adults have substantial savings and are less likely to report crimes. The article describes five common scams targeting seniors: grandparent scams (emotional manipulation using impersonation), financial services scams (impersonating banks or debt collectors), tech support scams (the most frequently reported type), government impersonation scams (IRS/Social Security threats), and romance scams, all of which exploit trust, fear, or emotion to extract money or personal information.
happycoin.club
· 2025-12-07
Cryptocurrency ATM fraud cases have surged in Massachusetts, with scammers impersonating business owners and employees to trick victims into depositing funds that cannot be recovered. Reported losses in the state include $11,000, $48,000, and $4,900, with authorities noting the irreversible and untraceable nature of these crimes; nationally, the FBI received over 11,000 complaints in 2024 with victims losing $247 million total, representing a 99% increase from the previous year.