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Ohio residents have been targeted by a nationwide texting scam impersonating the Ohio Turnpike to solicit payment for alleged unpaid tolls. The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission clarified that it does not send text messages for toll collection and instead mails invoices, advising recipients to verify any collection agency contact through official channels before making payments.

Star Strategies is hosting a free Financial Elder Fraud Workshop on March 28, 2025, in Wooster, Ohio, featuring FBI Cleveland Division special agents who will educate seniors and their families about current investment scams targeting older adults. The workshop will cover the evolution of sophisticated fraud schemes (which resulted in $538 million in losses to older adults in 2024 according to the FTC) and provide practical protection strategies.

A Mentor, Ohio woman lost her entire life savings of over $663,000 to a cryptocurrency romance scam after being contacted via text in November 2023, becoming one of at least 33 victims who collectively lost approximately $4.9 million. The scammer built trust by bonding over shared interests, then convinced the victim to open a cryptocurrency account and transfer funds to a fake investment platform that promised high returns but was controlled entirely by the fraudster. U.S. attorneys have seized over 8.2 million USDT in cryptocurrency and filed a civil complaint to recover and return the stolen funds to victims.

A 12-year-old boy in Mayfield Heights, Ohio was scammed out of $185 when he responded to a fraudulent email impersonating someone he knew, offering free musical instruments but requiring shipping payment for an Eric Clapton Martin guitar that never arrived. Officer Mark Sember took the fraud report and, moved by the story, coordinated with fellow officers to pool $280 for a replacement guitar; their generosity was amplified when a Guitar Center customer donated an additional $45 and the store provided a discount, allowing them to purchase a quality instrument valued at $325 for the boy.

A 73-year-old retired couple in Mentor, Ohio lost their entire life savings of $45,000 to an elaborate online scam involving a fake pop-up alert, impersonated bank and federal officials, and instructions to withdraw cash and hand it over in a parking lot. The scammers convinced the victim his accounts were compromised and used social engineering and authority manipulation to overcome his initial skepticism. The article includes expert advice on fraud prevention, including verifying communications directly with your bank, protecting personal information, and placing credit freezes to prevent unauthorized accounts.

Angela Frase, a 60-year-old from Sterling, Ohio, was sentenced to 24 months in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of mail fraud for submitting false insurance claims totaling $327,072. Between July and August 2019, Frase fabricated multiple incidents including a house fire she intentionally set, a staged natural gas leak, and false hate crimes at her own property to deceive her homeowner's insurance company into paying out claims, which she then accepted.

An FBI field office in Cleveland, Ohio canceled a free educational presentation on scams targeting seniors scheduled for February 17th at a Geauga County YMCA, with an agent initially citing a new executive order prohibiting FBI community outreach. The FBI later clarified the cancellation resulted from miscommunication rather than any official policy change, and stated it remains committed to its community outreach programs and fraud prevention education for seniors.

A rumor circulated in February 2025 claiming that a Trump executive order ended FBI community outreach efforts, stemming from a photo of a cancellation notice for an FBI presentation on senior scams at an Ohio YMCA facility. While the FBI confirmed the February 17 event was canceled, the agency explicitly stated it was not due to any executive order, and no public evidence supports claims that Trump administration actions specifically dismantled FBI community outreach programs. The rumor spread widely on social media, accumulating thousands of upvotes on Reddit before being removed.

Romance scams resulted in $823 million in losses nationally in 2024, with the FBI recording over 17,800 complaints in 2023 alone; Ohio authorities have investigated eight cases since early 2023. Scammers create fake dating profiles to build trust with victims over weeks or months before introducing fraudulent investment schemes, often targeting older individuals and draining their savings. The Ohio Department of Commerce advises protection measures including avoiding offshore money transfers, verifying identities through reverse image searches, meeting in person when possible, and consulting only licensed investment professionals to confirm credentials.

Romance and confidence scams are rising in Ohio and nationwide, with fraudsters creating fake profiles on dating sites and social media to build trust before requesting money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or valuable items under false pretenses such as medical emergencies or legal fees. Ohioans lost over $15.3 million to these scams in 2023, while nationwide losses exceeded $652 million in romance fraud complaints and $823 million in 2024, with scammers primarily targeting women over 40 who are divorced, widowed, elderly, or disabled. The FBI and Ohio Department of Commerce advise the public to remain vigilant online, avoid sending money to unknown contacts, and verify investment tips through

A federal jury in Ohio convicted two Indian nationals, Pranay Kumar Mamidi (27) and Kishan Vinayak Patel (26), of money laundering conspiracy for their role in distributing proceeds from phantom hacker scams that defrauded victims across four states of their life savings from May to November 2023. In these scams, victims are contacted by fraudsters posing as customer service representatives, FTC agents, and DEA officials who trick them into withdrawing cash or gold bars under false pretenses of account fraud investigations, with the laundered funds estimated in the tens of millions of dollars. Both defendants face up to 20 years in prison per count, an

Two Indian nationals were convicted in federal court for operating a massive money laundering scheme that defrauded victims across Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana through "phantom hacker" scams between May and November 2023. Pranay Kumar Mamidi and Kishan Vinayak Patel posed as customer service representatives and fake law enforcement agents (impersonating Amazon, FTC, and DEA) to trick elderly and unsuspecting victims into converting their life savings to cash or gold bars for purported "investigations," with tens of millions of dollars laundered through their U.S.-based operation connected to a criminal network in India. Both defendants face up to 20 years in prison for each money

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One in four North American households fall victim to scams annually, with Central Ohio consumers losing $6,218 to scams in June alone, including nine reports of Social Security Number fraud. The Better Business Bureau advises residents to never provide personal information to unsolicited callers and to remember that the Social Security Administration will never call requesting your SSN, requesting payment, or threatening benefits.

An Ohio woman lost nearly $5,000 in a "mule scam" after being hired by fraudulent company "Skyline Deliveries" to print shipping labels and return packages for promised monthly payments that were never deposited. The Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio warns job seekers applying for remote work to watch for red flags such as upfront payment requests and vague job responsibilities, as scammers use these employment schemes to recruit people to unknowingly transport stolen merchandise.

The Ohio Attorney General's Office provided guidance on recognizing common scams that disproportionately target seniors, who represent 15% of the population but account for more than 30% of reported fraud. Key red flags include requests for wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or immediate payment; unsolicited calls creating urgency or fear (such as impersonating the IRS or Social Security); phishing for personal information; and contractor scams requiring large upfront payments. The office recommends verifying caller identity independently, remembering that scammers can spoof phone numbers, and following the principle that if something sounds too good to be true, it likely is.

Senior citizens in Northeast Ohio are increasingly targeted by imposter scams, with scammers using fear tactics like false emergency claims to pressure victims into immediate payment. Many victims avoid reporting due to shame or fear of losing independence, but authorities urge reporting to prevent future scams and access support services. Resources like the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging and Cuyahoga County Scam Squad are available to help victims and educate seniors on recognizing and responding to fraud.

An Ohio woman lost over $600 in a rental car scam after finding a fake Hertz customer service number online and being convinced by a fraudster to purchase two Walmart gift cards to resolve a payment issue on her rental. The scammer claimed the first $320 gift card wasn't the exact amount needed, then requested a second $312 card before disconnecting the line and never reactivating her vehicle. The incident underscores that legitimate companies never request payment via gift cards, and victims should always verify phone numbers through official websites rather than online searches.

This article announces Sheryl Harris, Director of the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs in Ohio, as the recipient of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection Partner Award for her long-standing work combating scams and elder fraud. Harris leads the Scam Squad initiative, which coordinates multiple agencies to alert residents about scams, encourage reporting, and share information with appropriate law enforcement, while also championing the Consumer Sentinel Network database and using innovative communication methods like text alerts to reach communities. Her contributions include creating plain-language scam alerts, collaborating on the Stop Senior Scams Act working committees, and establishing herself as a trusted voice on consumer protection through her journalism and community engagement efforts.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio highlighted its 2024 elder fraud prosecutions as part of the Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiatives, noting that senior citizens lose billions annually to schemes exploiting their trust. Notable cases included a caregiver who forged power of attorney documents and stole $46,064 from a nursing home resident, a Ponzi scheme that defrauded 72 investors of $8.5 million, and various impersonation and money-mule schemes targeting elderly victims, with sentences ranging from 16 months to 37 months in prison and restitution orders totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio established the Supply Chain Oversight and Procurement Enforcement (SCOPE) Task Force in 2024 to investigate and prevent government contract fraud involving military, law enforcement, and public health supplies. The interagency task force will address schemes involving substandard medications supplied to veterans, counterfeit military equipment, faulty electronics for NASA, and other supply chain integrity breaches that pose national security risks. The task force held its inaugural meeting in February 2025 with participation from multiple federal agencies including the FBI, HSI, NCIS, and Veterans Affairs.

Rebecca C. Lutzko announced her resignation as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, effective January 3, 2025, with First Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik assuming the role. During her tenure leading approximately 175 prosecutors and staff, Lutzko's office oversaw prosecutions involving violent crime, organized gang activity, financial crime, public corruption, drug trafficking, child exploitation, and cybercrime, while also recovering tens of millions of dollars in healthcare fraud and civil cases across Ohio's 40 northern counties.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio forfeited $7.7 million in criminal assets during fiscal year 2024, with over $50 million in additional assets pending forfeiture orders from 214 cases involving cash, cryptocurrency, vehicles, real estate, and jewelry. In FY24, $11.1 million of forfeited funds were returned to crime victims as restitution, and $10.5 million was shared with 83 local law enforcement agency partners who assisted federal investigations. Asset forfeiture serves as a tool to punish criminals, deter criminal activity, and compensate victims harmed by fraud and other crimes.

This article describes a holiday meal event held by the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio at a senior center in Toledo that provided free hot meals and fellowship to over 20 seniors who might otherwise spend the holidays alone. The event, made possible by a recently passed levy, offered companionship, entertainment, and assistance with transportation to help combat isolation during the holiday season. The article highlights attendees' appreciation for the opportunity to gather with others and enjoy community rather than spending the holidays in isolation.

The FBI and Ohio Department of Commerce warn consumers about five prevalent holiday scams: fake charity schemes targeting the $550 billion in annual donations, tollway phishing texts, online shopping fraud via phishing emails and fake websites, employment scams targeting younger adults, and gift card scams requesting personal information. In 2023, consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud nationally, with Ohio victims losing over $5 million to non-delivery and non-payment scams alone, plus over $6 million to credit card and check fraud.

FBI Special Agent Edgar Koby highlighted the escalating threat of international scams targeting elderly Americans, particularly from West African and Indian call centers using law enforcement impersonation, romance, and tech fraud schemes. From January to October 2024, victims over 60 in Ohio lost more than $43 million, with some elderly victims losing homes, life savings, and taking their own lives due to shame. Koby urged victims to contact law enforcement immediately, as recovering funds becomes nearly impossible once money is transferred overseas.

The Ohio Department of Financial Institutions warns consumers about gift card scams, which cost Americans nearly $217 million last year according to FTC data. Scammers impersonate legitimate businesses and government agencies to pressure victims into making payments via gift cards, particularly during the holiday season when gift card purchases are popular. The advisory provides protective measures including purchasing cards only from reputable sources, inspecting cards before purchase, and remembering that legitimate businesses and government agencies never demand gift card payments.

Ohio and West Virginia rank 4th and 9th respectively on WalletHub's list of states with the best elder-abuse protections, with Ohio particularly strong in legal protections and low fraud prevalence. However, both states face opportunities for improvement, including West Virginia's need for more certified volunteer ombudsmen and better nursing home quality standards, especially as their elderly populations are projected to grow significantly by 2030. Experts emphasize that continued legislative efforts, public awareness, and family vigilance are essential to safeguard these vulnerable populations from physical, financial, and mental abuse.

This article reviews WalletHub's rankings of elder-abuse protections, finding that Ohio ranks 4th nationally and West Virginia ranks 9th, with both states performing well on legal safeguards and resources despite some areas needing improvement. As Ohio's elderly population is projected to reach 25.1% by 2030 and West Virginia's to reach approximately 30%, the article emphasizes that lawmakers, officials, and families must prioritize continued efforts to prevent elder abuse through accessible quality care facilities, volunteer ombudsmen programs, and public education.

Two organized fraud rings—one suspected to be operating from Gambia and another from the Dominican Republic—defrauded three local Ohio building supply companies of approximately $79,000 combined by using stolen identities and credit cards to order materials. The Gambia-based group used fraudulent business identities to establish trade accounts and fraudulent shipping accounts, while the Dominican group purchased materials with stolen credit cards; the Geauga County Sheriff's Office is investigating, though no federal agencies have formally adopted the case despite DHS involvement.

The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions issued a December 2024 alert warning Ohioans about the rising prevalence of gift card scams during the holiday season, noting that Americans lost nearly $217 million to such scams in the previous year. Common scam tactics include government impostors demanding payment for taxes, tech support fraudsters, romance scams, and fake prize claims, with scammers pressuring victims to purchase gift cards and insisting on immediate payment. The DFI recommends purchasing gift cards only from reputable sources, inspecting cards before purchase, avoiding third-party sellers, and remembering that legitimate businesses and government agencies never demand payment via gift cards.

Since 2021, consumers have reported losing $2.7 billion to social media scams, with online shopping scams being the most commonly reported type. The Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio warns consumers to watch for red flags including misspelled website URLs, suspicious social media ads offering deals that seem too good to be true, and tampered gift cards with altered barcodes or scratched PINs. Experts recommend researching purchases and verifying website legitimacy before making online transactions, especially during the holiday season.

An Ohio man lost his entire life savings of $425,000 in a cryptocurrency fraud scam that began in October 2023 when scammers posing as tech support convinced him to grant remote access to his computer after falsely claiming his retirement account was compromised. Federal investigators used blockchain analysis to track and recover 947,883 USDT cryptocurrency tokens (valued at approximately $947,883) in July 2024, and filed a civil forfeiture complaint in November 2024 seeking to return the funds to the victim.

An Ohio man lost his entire $425,000 life savings to a cryptocurrency scam that began in October 2023 after clicking on a pop-up claiming a technical issue and granting remote computer access to a scammer posing as a bank representative. Law enforcement successfully recovered the stolen funds (947,883 USDT tokens valued at approximately $947,883) through blockchain analysis and executed a seizure warrant in July 2024, with the U.S. Attorney's Office filing for civil forfeiture in November 2024 to compensate the victim. The article provides FTC guidance on avoiding similar schemes, including being skeptical of unsolicited pop-ups, verifying claims directly

An Ohio man lost his $425,000 life savings to a cryptocurrency scam that began with a fake pop-up warning about a "technical issue" in October 2023; after granting remote access to his computer, scammers transferred the funds into crypto wallets and converted them to approximately 947,883 Tether tokens. Federal authorities used blockchain analysis to trace and recover the stolen cryptocurrency on July 31, 2024, with the US Attorney's Office filing a civil forfeiture complaint to return the funds to the victim. This case illustrates how malicious actors exploit inexperienced investors in the cryptocurrency market through social engineering and remote access tactics.

This appears to be informational content from the Ohio Attorney General's office about website security and charitable organization resources, rather than an article about a specific scam or fraud incident. The text emphasizes the importance of using secure .gov websites for sensitive information and introduces Charitable Ohio, a program providing resources for charitable leaders and donors to ensure responsible fund management.

An Ohio man lost his entire life savings of $425,000 in a cryptocurrency fraud scam that began in October 2023 when he was contacted via a pop-up claiming a tech issue and told his retirement account had been compromised. The scammer convinced the victim to grant remote computer access and wire money to stop fraudulent transactions, then stole and converted the funds to Tether (USDT) cryptocurrency. Federal authorities seized approximately $947,883 in USDT tokens in July 2024 and filed a forfeiture complaint in November 2024, seeking to return recovered funds to the victim as compensation.

A Las Vegas woman was targeted by scammers impersonating a debt collector who claimed she owed $960.10 for lab tests from National Diagnostic Imaging, threatening legal action to pressure payment. The victim initially resisted but paid $100 out of fear before discovering red flags: the company operates only via teleradiology with no physical offices, the check address was in Florida (not Ohio where the company is based), and the phone number didn't match. The article advises verifying debts directly with medical providers, demanding written confirmation from collectors, and placing fraud alerts with credit reporting agencies to protect against similar scams.

A 24-year-old Bengali national living in New York on a student visa, Mazharul Islam, was arrested and charged with conspiracy and wire fraud for operating a Geek Squad auto-renewal scam targeting elderly victims in Orange County and Ohio. In the first case, Islam posed as a courier and collected $35,000 in cash from a 73-year-old Warwick man who was tricked into believing he had accidentally authorized a $41,999 charge; police arrested Islam during a subsequent sting operation involving a decoy $22,000 payment. Islam admitted to working as a courier for an operation based in India, earning $2,000 per

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A 24-year-old Bengali student in New York on a student visa, Mazharul Islam, was arrested and charged with operating a Geek Squad auto-renewal scam that defrauded elderly victims of significant sums. Islam posed as a Best Buy employee, sending phishing emails to trick victims into believing they needed to renew service contracts, then directed them to fake refund links and convinced them they had overpaid, coercing them to withdraw cash; he personally served as the courier in at least two cases, collecting $35,000 from a 73-year-old Warwick man and $20,000 from an Ohio victim before being caught by police. Islam pleade

The Washington County Sheriff's office warned senior citizens about a sweepstakes scam in which fraudsters contact victims claiming they won the "American Senior Citizen Association Sweepstakes" and demand payment via cashier's check to claim their prize. The sheriff's office urged seniors not to provide money or personal information to the scammers and provided resources for reporting the fraud to the Ohio Attorney General's Fraud Division or the sheriff's office directly.

**Summary:** This educational piece presents financial fraud prevention advice from Jeff Sandy, a former West Virginia law enforcement official, highlighting common scams targeting the Mid-Ohio Valley including impersonation of loved ones (such as the "grandparent scam") and too-good-to-be-true offers. Sandy recommends critical thinking (asking "who, what, when, where, why"), maintaining open communication with elderly family members, limiting personal information shared online and in obituaries, and reporting fraud immediately to law enforcement or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov) without shame.

Congregation Beth Tikvah's Shishim group hosted an educational event on November 14 featuring consumer educator Ryan Lippe from the Ohio Attorney General's office, who provided information on current scams targeting seniors and protective measures. The event also included a catered lunch and a concert performance, with virtual attendance available.

Scam losses in Cuyahoga County, Ohio more than doubled in the first 10 months of 2024, with 890 reported scams totaling $2.9 million (averaging $25,610 per victim), up from 774 scams and $1.2 million the previous year. The majority of scams (53%) now involve criminals posing as trusted companies or government employees, with particularly sophisticated schemes including fake tech support pop-ups leading to remote computer access and unauthorized fund transfers, fake sheriff impersonations threatening arrest for missed jury duty, and targeted email/pop-up alerts that convince victims to move all their savings to bitcoin accounts—some victims lost

I don't have an article to summarize. The text you provided only contains copyright information and footer details from WFMJ.com, not actual news content about a scam, fraud, or elder abuse incident. Please share the full article text, and I'll be happy to create a 2-3 sentence summary following the Elderus database format.

Senior citizens in Ashland are invited to attend a free SALT (Senior and Law Enforcement Together) meeting on Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Sheriff's Annex Building, where Monica Walker from the Ohio Attorney General's Office will discuss fraud scams. The monthly meetings provide seniors with opportunities to socialize with peers and law enforcement while learning about important safety topics.

This article does not involve elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It is a standard crime report about a residential burglary in Toledo, Ohio, where suspect Keith Goucher, 49, was arrested after breaking into a home on Dexter Street on October 22. Goucher was charged with criminal trespassing and a warrant violation, with no indication that the homeowners were elderly or that this involved fraudulent activity.

Leroy Artemus Tolbert, III, a 35-year-old from Michigan, pleaded guilty to wire fraud after fraudulently applying for Lowe's credit cards using another person's identity and purchasing approximately $100,000 in merchandise across multiple states including West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Tolbert has agreed to pay $100,000 in restitution and faces up to 20 years in prison, with sentencing to be determined by a federal judge.

A senior citizen from Berea, Ohio lost nearly $20,000 to a tech support scam after clicking on a fake Microsoft popup warning. The scammer gained remote access to her computer, then convinced her to withdraw cash from two PNC Bank locations and convert it to Bitcoin at a gas station ATM while staying on the phone with her throughout the process. The Federal Trade Commission advises never calling numbers on popups, shutting down your computer immediately, and reporting such scams to help investigate these widespread criminal networks.