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An 80-year-old Medina County woman was scammed out of over $100,000 after being contacted by someone claiming she had won $8 million from Publisher's Clearing House and instructed to send money for taxes. Thanks to coordinated efforts by the Medina County Scam Squad, FBI, U.S. Postal Service, and local police, the package containing two cashier's checks was intercepted en route to New York City and the victim's money was recovered; defendant Raldane A. Cunningham was charged with two counts of telecommunication fraud and ordered to post a $50,000 bond. The Medina County Scam Squad adv

In 2023, real estate scams cost Americans $12.5 billion, with over 521,000 complaints filed; New York had 537 victims losing an average of $10,579 each ($5.68 million total), while a Dominican Republic businessman scammed 24 New Yorkers by listing non-existent homes or selling the same properties to multiple buyers. Cybercriminals are also targeting real estate agents through phishing and hacking to steal client information and identify potential victims. Authorities advise extreme caution when purchasing property sight unseen, especially internationally, and recommend working only with verified legitimate brokers.

This is an educational article about fraud vulnerability and evolving scam tactics. The author recounts her personal experience being scammed out of a $2,000 apartment deposit on Craigslist in New York City, which she eventually recovered, and notes that the perpetrator later escalated to defrauding multiple victims of thousands of dollars before being imprisoned. The piece emphasizes that anyone—including young people, journalists, and financial experts—can fall victim to scams, and warns that artificial intelligence is enabling increasingly sophisticated fraud methods, including voice cloning and deepfake video technology, citing examples such as a finance worker being defrauded of $25 million through AI-manipulated video conferencing

Older Americans are increasingly falling victim to elaborate, multi-faceted scams designed to drain retirement savings, with perpetrators impersonating government officials, tech support, or romantic interests while using psychological manipulation to keep victims engaged. One 76-year-old retired lawyer lost $740,000 in just three months, believing he was helping federal authorities protect his funds. Americans over 60 suffered losses exceeding $3.4 billion in 2023, with stolen funds typically moved to overseas accounts or cryptocurrency wallets, making recovery nearly impossible and often compounded by tax penalties on large retirement account withdrawals.

A 25-year-old New York man was charged with larceny after allegedly stealing $100,000 from an Osterville resident through a business email compromise scam in November. Khaseem Allah of Albany redirected a $100,000 payment intended for a legitimate business transaction to an unauthorized account after the victim received a fraudulent email from a compromised business account. The theft was traced to a New York bank account through a joint investigation by Barnstable Police and the U.S. Secret Service, leading to Allah's arrest and arraignment with $50,000 bail.

**Police Impersonation Scam - Central New York** Scammers are impersonating Oneida County Sheriff's deputies and calling residents claiming they have outstanding court proceedings and demanding payment, threatening arrest if victims don't comply. The Oneida County Sheriff's Office warns residents never to provide personal information (SSN, birthday, bank details, etc.) over the phone to unidentified callers and advises hanging up and calling the Sheriff's Office directly to verify any such claims.

A Cape Cod resident fell victim to a business email compromise scam in November 2023 that resulted in a $100,000 fraudulent payment redirect. Khaseem Allah, 25, from Albany, New York, was arrested in July 2024 and charged with larceny over $1,200 after investigators traced the unauthorized transaction to a New York bank account under his control. Allah was arraigned and held on $50,000 bail with GPS monitoring conditions.

Three Dominican Republic nationals were extradited to the U.S. and charged in a multi-state "grandparent scam" that defrauded hundreds of elderly victims across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts out of millions of dollars. The defendants operated call centers that impersonated family members claiming relatives needed bail money for vehicle accidents, with scammers posing as attorneys and police to pressure victims into sending thousands of dollars via courier or mail. The three men face charges including mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering as part of an 11-person indictment involving a long-running operation targeting vulnerable seniors.

Hector Claveria, 51, of Queens, New York, pleaded guilty to international money laundering after acting as a money mule for elder fraud and computer fraud schemes in 2020. He collected cash proceeds from these schemes and wired $20,000 to a foreign bank account in June 2020, knowing the funds originated from fraudulent activities that deceived elderly victims into sending payments based on false claims of debt to government agencies or computer service companies. Claveria faces up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine, with sentencing scheduled for December 19, 2024.

This article is not relevant to the Elderus database. It describes a novelty Airbnb accommodation in Buffalo, New York with 2D artwork, and contains no information about scams, fraud, elder abuse, or financial exploitation. This appears to be travel/lifestyle content that does not match the database's focus on elder fraud research.

A 90-year-old Brooklyn homeowner, Ray Cortez, faced eviction after a 2006 deed theft scam in which a conman convinced him to sign over his home's deed, then took out a $700,000 line of credit against the property before it was sold at foreclosure for $2 million—fraud Cortez did not discover until a decade later. His eviction proceedings have been temporarily paused until September 9, with the New York Attorney General's office reviewing the case as part of investigating a pattern of real estate fraud targeting communities of color in Brooklyn and Queens. Cortez's $3 million home, purchased in 1969, remains at the

90-year-old Ray Cortez of Brooklyn fell victim to deed theft in 2006 when he was tricked into signing over his home's deed to a con man in exchange for renovation funds; the fraudster obtained a $700,000 line of credit against the property, which was subsequently foreclosed and sold for $2 million, leaving Cortez fighting eviction from his $3 million home that he purchased in 1969. His attorney notes this type of real estate fraud is widespread in gentrifying Brooklyn neighborhoods, particularly in communities of color, with the scam's complexity intentionally designed to confuse victims. The New York Attorney General's office is reviewing Cortez's case

The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified Medicare card scams as their "Fraud of the Month for August," highlighting that Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion nationally per year. The organization provided guidance for seniors to protect themselves, including: verifying unsolicited callers before sharing personal information, reporting lost or stolen Medicare cards immediately, treating Medicare cards like credit cards, and reviewing statements regularly for suspicious activity. Seniors can report suspected fraud or compromised information to the New York Senior Medicare Patrol Helpline at 800-333-4374.

Multiple victims in Westchester, New York lost substantial funds in investment scams, including cryptocurrency Ponzi schemes and stock market manipulation frauds that promised high returns. Natisa Securities LLC, a recovery firm based in Westchester, assists defrauded investors by employing financial advisors, legal experts, and investigators to recover lost funds and navigate complex fraud cases through legal procedures and international networks.

A father-daughter duo from Ulster County, New York—Frank Whittaker and Christine Ellsworth—were arrested for stealing over $250,000 from a 92-year-old elderly woman between 2021 and the time of their arrest. After gaining the victim's trust through help with household tasks, Whittaker obtained Power of Attorney and used it to drain the woman's accounts through checks and illegal bank transfers, spending the stolen money on vehicles, jewelry, restaurants, and casinos. Both face charges of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, with potential sentences of up to 15 years if convicted.

Anthony Strangis, ex-husband of restaurateur Sarma Melngailis, defrauded Sarma's mother Susan Jasse by convincing her he needed money to help Sarma with mental health issues, resulting in Susan withdrawing approximately $450,000 from a trust. Strangis told Susan the loan was a "test" that would be rewarded, leveraging his significant control over Sarma to facilitate the scheme. Susan, who now operates Alyson's Orchard in New Hampshire, declined to participate in Netflix's "Bad Vegan" documentary about the fraud.

Two men, Jayesh Panchal and Vijaya Shetty, were sentenced to federal prison (78 and 63 months respectively) for their roles in an international tech support scam that defrauded over 40 elderly victims of more than $11 million across multiple states, including a West Michigan victim who lost $398,000. The scam involved fake pop-up warnings and impersonation of tech companies and federal agents to convince seniors to withdraw cash, wire money, or purchase gift cards under false pretenses. Panchal and Shetty were ordered to pay millions in restitution and were among the defendants who traveled throughout the U.S. to collect fraud proceeds from

Two men were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in an international fraud conspiracy that stole over $11 million from elderly victims across multiple states, with one West Michigan victim losing $398,000. Jayesh Panchal received 78 months and was ordered to pay $7,930,287 in restitution, while Vijaya Shetty received 63 months and was ordered to pay $596,800 in restitution. The scam used fake tech support pop-up warnings and impersonation of Microsoft, Apple, and federal agents to convince seniors to withdraw cash, make wire transfers, or purchase gift cards, claiming their accounts were compromised or they were involved in

This article describes a firearms trafficking case, not elder fraud. A father and son from Niagara Falls, New York—Dustin McCarthy, Sr. (43) and Dayzon McCarthy (21)—were arrested for illegally selling firearms including pistols and a 3D-printed machine gun between June and August 2024. The arrests followed investigations by the ATF and Niagara County Sheriff's Office, with Dustin facing up to 15 years in prison and Dayzon facing up to 25 years if convicted. *Note: This content does not relate to elder fraud or abuse and would not be appropriate for the Elderus database.*

Two New York residents were sentenced to federal prison for orchestrating a large-scale tech support scam that defrauded elderly victims of over $11 million across multiple states. Jayesh J. Panchal (78 months) and Vijaya C. Shetty (63 months) worked with India-based scammers who used fake computer virus warnings to trick seniors into sending money via wire transfers, gift cards, and in-person meetings; one Michigan victim alone lost $398,000 after being deceived into believing she was protecting her accounts with federal agents. Both defendants were ordered to pay substantial restitution to their victims.

Two New York City women pleaded guilty to participating in a credit union fraud conspiracy that operated since at least December 2021, exploiting the shared branching network by using fake IDs to make fraudulent withdrawals totaling nearly $500,000 across the United States. Lesley Lucchese and Danielle Cappetti, who acted as runners conducting the fraudulent transactions in exchange for drugs or small cash payments, face up to 30 years in prison, with five defendants total having pleaded guilty and three others remaining charged in the scheme that resulted in over $1 million in total losses.

This educational article identifies area codes commonly associated with phone scams targeting New York State residents, noting that approximately 60 million Americans reported phone scams in 2021. The article explains that scammers often use VoIP technology and call spoofing to disguise their true location and identity, and provides a list of nine international area codes (primarily from Caribbean and African nations) and nine U.S. area codes to avoid answering. The article recommends screening unknown calls and performing quick Google searches on unfamiliar numbers to verify legitimacy.

Two New York men were sentenced to federal prison for orchestrating a multi-state tech support scam that defrauded elderly victims of over $11 million. Jayesh Panchal (78 months) and Vijaya Shetty (63 months) convinced seniors their bank accounts were compromised, then coerced them to withdraw cash and hand it over to fake federal agents; one Michigan victim alone lost $398,000. Both defendants were ordered to pay substantial restitution and the case underscores the widespread threat of elder fraud targeting vulnerable seniors.

This educational article reports that New England states rank among the safest for online dating based on rates of romance scams, identity theft, fraud, sex offenders, and STDs, with Vermont ranking #1 nationally and Massachusetts at #17. The article also notes that all six New England states rank in the top 20 most expensive states for dating, with New York leading at $297.27 for an average date compared to the national average of $120.90.

AARP New York is hosting a free educational webinar on September 18 featuring FTC consumer protection attorney Adam Hersh to help older adults identify common scams, prevent fraud, and report incidents. The session will cover tactics used by fraudsters targeting seniors and provide resources from the AARP Fraud Watch Network, including guidance on protecting personal and financial information.

An 83-year-old woman in Webster, New York lost $400,000 in four months when her computer was compromised and scammers made 76 fraudulent withdrawals from her bank account, none of which were flagged or stopped by ESL Bank despite many being five-figure amounts. Dan Lyon, a fraud expert at Lifespan, notes that banks typically release funds if customers request them and cites a proposed state budget provision that would have allowed tellers to place holds on suspicious withdrawals—a measure that was removed during spring negotiations but AARP is pushing to reinstate. Experts emphasize that seniors over 60 are deliberately targeted because they hold the nation's wealth

The New York State Department of Consumer Protection is warning seniors about financial scams ahead of National Senior Citizens Day, noting that older adults lost an estimated $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023. The department recommends vigilance and education to combat common scams targeting seniors, including investment fraud, reverse mortgage scams, and government imposter schemes. Officials advise seniors to verify unexpected requests for personal information or money before responding.

The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection is raising awareness about financial scams targeting older adults, noting that Americans aged 60 and older lose at least $3.4 billion annually to fraud—the highest amount of any age group. Investment scams represent the costliest fraud type, with losses jumping 38% from $3.31 billion in 2022 to $4.57 billion in 2023, with seniors losing over $1 billion to these schemes in 2023 alone.

The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection released consumer awareness tips for National Senior Citizens Day warning older adults about reverse mortgage scams, where fraudsters pose as lenders to pressure seniors into signing poorly explained contracts without allowing them to consult trusted advisors or review documentation. Legitimate reverse mortgage professionals encourage clients to seek second opinions and comply with mandatory HUD counseling requirements, whereas scammers discourage outside consultation and rush borrowers into decisions. The advisory recommends seniors research multiple lenders independently and consult resources from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau before pursuing any reverse mortgage.

The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection released fraud prevention guidance for older adults, noting that financial exploitation is the most prevalent form of elder abuse. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crime Report, adults aged 60 and older lost at least $3.4 billion annually to fraud, with investment scams accounting for over $1 billion of those losses—a 38% increase from 2022. The agency advises seniors to recognize red flags in investment and reverse mortgage scams, conduct independent research before committing funds, and avoid unsolicited financial contacts.

New York's Department of Consumer Protection issued guidance for National Senior Citizens Day warning older adults about reverse mortgage scams, advising that fraudsters may impersonate legitimate lenders, pressure clients to sign contracts without full disclosure, and discourage consultation with financial advisers or family members. The bulletin emphasizes that legitimate reverse mortgage professionals encourage borrowers to seek multiple opinions and conduct thorough research, and notes that federal law requires mandatory counseling for FHA-backed mortgages to protect consumers.

McDonald's official Instagram account was hacked, and scammers used it to promote a fake cryptocurrency giveaway that directed thousands of victims to a phishing website, stealing personal information and cryptocurrency wallet credentials and netting $700,000 in Solana tokens in what became known as a "rug pull" scam. McDonald's confirmed the incident, apologized for offensive language posted during the hack, and stated the issue had been resolved. The scam demonstrates how compromised high-profile social media accounts can be weaponized to conduct large-scale fraud by exploiting users' trust in official brand accounts.

Ray Cortez, a 90-year-old Brooklyn resident, is facing eviction from his Park Slope home of over 50 years after he unknowingly signed over the deed in 2006 when seeking funds for home renovations; a nearly $700,000 line of credit was taken out against the property without his knowledge, and when it went unpaid, the bank foreclosed and sold the home for $2 million, leaving Cortez's name off the current deed despite having purchased the house in 1969. Deed theft and real estate fraud are common scams in up-and-coming neighborhoods, particularly in communities of color in Brooklyn and Queens, according to his attorney

Mavani Coleman, 44, of Brooklyn, was sentenced to three months in prison for his role in defrauding a retired New Haven woman of $479,569 through a scheme involving forged checks and unauthorized electronic funds transfers. Coleman and co-conspirators Gregory Ivy and Lamont Bethea stole checks from the victim's home, forged her signature, and used her banking information to transfer funds; Coleman personally stole $33,869 and was ordered to pay $248,423.09 in restitution. The group attempted to steal a total of $624,818.28 from the victim's account before the scheme was discovered.

New York Attorney General Letitia James warned New Yorkers about deepfake investment scams using AI-manipulated videos of celebrities like Elon Musk and Warren Buffett to promote fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes on social media and messaging apps. Scammers move victims to private encrypted platforms, encourage initial investments on fake websites showing gains, then demand additional fees or taxes before cutting contact, with victims sometimes losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. The alert provides red flags including guaranteed return promises, urgency tactics, celebrity endorsements, and requests to move conversations to encrypted messaging, and recommends victims verify investment professional credentials through FINRA's BrokerCheck and report suspected scams to law enforcement.

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued an alert warning about deepfake investment scams using AI-manipulated videos of celebrities like Elon Musk and Warren Buffett to promote fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes on social media platforms. Scammers use these convincing fake videos to lure victims into sending money to fraudulent platforms, often moving conversations to encrypted apps and progressively requesting larger investments before cutting off contact and preventing withdrawals. The AG recommends verifying investment opportunities independently, watching for red flags like guaranteed returns and urgency tactics, and reporting suspicious content to law enforcement and social media platforms.

**Olusegun Samson Adejorin, a Nigerian national, was extradited from Ghana in August 2024 to face federal charges for a $7.5 million business email compromise scheme targeting two charitable organizations—one in Maryland and one in New York. Between June and August 2020, Adejorin gained unauthorized access to employee email accounts, impersonated staff members, and fraudulently requested fund withdrawals, successfully diverting over $7.5 million from Victim 2's investment funds. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison on wire fraud charges, plus additional penalties for identity theft and unauthorized computer access.**

Madison Carrig, a 30-year-old office manager and controller at three car dealerships in Vermont, pleaded guilty to two counts of access device fraud for embezzling customer cash receipts and misusing company credit cards for personal purchases between September 2022 and November 2023. She faces up to ten years in prison and $250,000 in fines, with sentencing scheduled for January 3, 2025. The Vermont State Police investigated the case.

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a warning about deepfake investment scams using AI-manipulated videos of celebrities like Elon Musk and Warren Buffet to fraudulently solicit investments, often in cryptocurrency. Scammers use these convincing fake videos on social media to lure victims into making initial investments on fraudulent platforms, then pressure them for additional funds or prevent withdrawals, sometimes extracting hundreds of thousands of dollars before disappearing. The AG recommends New Yorkers verify investment opportunities independently, be cautious of video solicitations, avoid sending money to unverified platforms, and report suspected scams to law enforcement.

This article is about legal proceedings in Donald Trump's election interference case and is not relevant to elder fraud research. It concerns presidential immunity, special counsel procedures, and criminal charges related to the 2020 election—topics outside the scope of Elderus, which focuses on scams, fraud, and abuse targeting seniors.

New York State's Attorney General has issued a warning about AI-deepfake scams targeting investors, where sophisticated criminals use artificial intelligence to manipulate videos of wealthy business leaders like Elon Musk, Warren Buffett, and Jeff Bezos to falsely endorse fraudulent investment products. These deceptive social media ads trick victims into sending money to scammers under the pretense of legitimate investments. The scams specifically target vulnerable New Yorkers seeking investment opportunities.

Scammers target students and parents during back-to-school season through fake websites selling discounted textbooks, fraudulent scholarship and job offers requiring upfront fees or check deposits, and fake apartment rental listings copied from legitimate sites. Young adults aged 18-24 are particularly vulnerable to text and internet messaging scams, and consumers should verify websites directly, confirm job offers by calling employers, and avoid wire transfers or upfront payments for rentals or scholarships.

Back-to-school season scammers target students and parents through fake websites selling discounted textbooks and supplies, fraudulent scholarship and job offers requiring upfront fees or check deposits, and fake apartment rental listings copied from legitimate sites. Young people aged 18-24 are particularly vulnerable to text and internet messaging scams, and victims lose money through phishing emails, fake social media ads, and wire transfer requests. Consumers should verify website URLs directly, ignore unsolicited offers, research companies and job postings for complaints, and avoid sending money upfront or depositing checks for employment.

The Google Voice verification scam targets online sellers on platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace by posing as potential buyers and requesting Google Voice verification codes, which scammers then use to create a virtual number linked to the seller's phone number. Once obtained, scammers can intercept bank verification codes, commit identity theft, open fraudulent accounts in the victim's name, and conduct additional scams while appearing to use a legitimate U.S. number. Sellers should be wary of buyers requesting codes before discussing items and verify unusual requests, as one New York seller, Allen C., avoided falling victim by recognizing suspicious behavior such as spelling errors and pressure tactics.

The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified AI-driven healthcare scams as their Medicare Fraud of the Month for September 2024, highlighting how artificial intelligence enables fraudsters to generate fake medical claims, steal identities, and create deepfake audio/video to commit healthcare fraud. The organization recommends seniors verify caller identity through trusted numbers, limit personal information shared online, and exercise caution with financial data, noting that Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion annually. Seniors can report suspected fraud by calling 800-333-4374 or visiting nysenior.org.

A retired Brooklyn accountant lost $100,000 in a fake Microsoft tech support scam in which a caller claimed her computer had a virus and said he accidentally deposited a $100,000 refund, convincing her to withdraw and hand the cash to a courier using a code word. The scammers had gained unauthorized access to her bank accounts and transferred her own money from a trust fund to her checking account to make the false deposit appear legitimate. Authorities advise that legitimate tech companies do not call unsolicited, and victims should turn off their devices, avoid calling numbers on pop-ups, and reset passwords if compromised.

This article contains multiple unrelated police reports from Nassau County, New York. The fraud-relevant case involves Elizabeth Stern, 52, of Hicksville, who was arrested for stealing approximately $339,958 from her former employer, Superior Air Condition & Heating Systems Inc., over 18 months by forging and cashing company checks to pay personal credit card bills; she faces multiple charges including grand larceny, identity theft, and forgery. The remaining reports detail arrests for illegal massage and prostitution operations, a bomb threat at Family Court, and a burglary with assault incident.

Tavoy Farquharson, a 32-year-old Jamaican national, was charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud for operating a lottery scam that defrauded victims of at least $9.5 million between March and July 2023. Farquharson and his co-conspirators contacted victims by mail and phone, falsely claiming they had won lottery prizes and requesting advance payment for taxes and fees via wire transfer, gift cards, cash, checks, and other methods. If convicted, Farquharson faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

A Vietnam veteran and cancer patient from Everett lost $20,000 in a sophisticated scam in which fraudsters impersonated Amazon and trade commission officials, pressuring him to withdraw cash under the pretense of unauthorized purchases made in his name. When the scammers returned demanding an additional $32,000, the victim contacted police instead, leading to the arrest of Hongfei Huang of New York on charges including larceny from an elderly person; authorities are continuing to pursue his accomplices. The victim's cooperation with law enforcement and willingness to speak publicly about the incident helped prevent further victims and served as a cautionary warning about email-based scams targeting older adults.

Herkimer police are warning residents about multiple scams circulating in the area, including blackmail schemes where fraudsters claim to have installed spyware and threaten to release compromising information unless victims pay (such as $2,000 in bitcoin), and police impersonation scams where criminals falsely claim that Herkimer Police are searching for the victim. The article also highlights emerging AI-enabled threats including romance scams ("pig butchering") and virtual kidnapping ransom schemes where criminals use cloned voices to impersonate loved ones, urging residents to verify requests directly with police rather than through third parties.