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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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Phone scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with scammers using text messages and calls to target financial institutions and individuals directly by exploiting data breaches and personal information available online. Members of Wright-Patt Credit Union received fraudulent texts appearing to be from the credit union, prompting them to click malicious links; experts warn the problem will worsen as artificial intelligence enables more convincing, personalized attacks including deepfakes and QR code scams. Financial institutions and cybersecurity experts recommend remaining vigilant by verifying messages through official channels, enabling multi-factor authentication, changing passwords regularly, and educating vulnerable family members about these threats.

Two brothers, Zubair and Muzzammil Al Zubair, and Michael Leon Smedley, the chief of staff to the mayor of East Cleveland, were charged in a 32-count superseding indictment with fraud, money laundering, tax fraud, and public corruption spanning from June 2020 through August 2023. The Al Zubair brothers executed multiple schemes including investment fraud, SBA COVID-19 loan fraud, cryptocurrency mining scams, and international arms trafficking fraud while falsely claiming to be a member of the UAE royal family and a legitimate hedge fund manager. Smedley allegedly leveraged his city position to provide official letters, city business

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

An elderly resident in Ashtabula County, Ohio received a call from someone claiming her granddaughter was in jail and needed $17,000 for bail, with a voice in the background purporting to be the granddaughter pleading for help. The victim agreed to pay a reduced amount and was picked up by a Lyft driver to go to the bank, but a bank teller intervened and prevented the withdrawal. The Sheriff's Office urges residents to avoid sharing personal information over the phone and to report suspicious activity to law enforcement or their bank immediately.

The Better Business Bureau's 2024 scam tracker report found that crypto-investment scams remain the riskiest fraud type, with a median loss of $5,000, and that romance scams leading to crypto investments are increasingly common in Central Ohio. John Guthman lost $42,000 after meeting a woman on Facebook who convinced him to invest in her fake cryptocurrency business over three weeks, resulting in identity theft and ongoing fraudulent charges. The BBB reports that while overall susceptibility to scams decreased from 2023 to 2024, median dollar losses increased 30%, with people 65 and older experiencing the highest median losses at $160, and over

**SNAP Benefit Fraud Case:** A Columbus, Ohio mother of five lost her entire $950 monthly SNAP benefit when her EBT card was fraudulently used for three transactions at a Chicago grocery store hours after her benefits deposited. As of December, the federal government stopped reimbursing victims of SNAP benefit scams, leaving Johnson with no recourse to recover her funds and unable to feed her family for the month. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services recommends SNAP users protect themselves by using the secure ConnectEBT app with card lock features, creating unique PINs changed monthly, checking card readers for skimming devices, and covering keypads

Star Strategies is hosting a Financial Elder Fraud Workshop on March 28 in Wooster, Ohio, featuring FBI Cleveland Division special agents who will discuss current fraud schemes targeting older adults. The workshop will educate participants on how financial scams have evolved and provide practical strategies for protection, in response to older adults losing $538 million to investment scams in 2024.

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A retired IT professional in northeast Ohio, known as "Eastside Eddie," combats robocall and text scams by posing as a victim to waste scammers' time and expose their tactics on YouTube and in community educational classes. Cuyahoga County residents lost over $3.4 million to various scams last year, with two victims losing their homes, prompting both Eddie's vigilante efforts and an official county awareness campaign highlighting common schemes (romance, grandparent, company/government, and lottery scams) and warning signs like requests for gift cards, cryptocurrency, or remote computer access.

The city of Athens, Ohio fell victim to a $721,976 cyber scam when fraudsters impersonated a construction company accountant via spoofed email addresses and convinced city officials to redirect a fire station project payment to a fraudulent bank account. The scammers gained access to legitimate email exchanges between city staff and the actual contractor, created nearly identical fake email domains, and posed as the accountant to request electronic payment instead of checks. The fraud was discovered when the scammers attempted to redirect a second payment, and investigations are ongoing.

Ghiovanna Dennis, co-owner of Coterie Lounge & Cafe in West Chester, Ohio, lost nearly $1,000 to a utility scam when someone impersonating Duke Energy called her business and demanded immediate payment under threat of service disconnection. The scammers directed her to pay via money transfer at a local Walgreens, using account information similar to her actual Duke Energy account to appear legitimate. Dennis later discovered the fraud when the real Duke Energy shut off her electricity due to unpaid bills, and she advises others to hang up and call businesses directly to verify any payment demands.

**Summary:** Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, a 34-year-old Cleveland resident, was indicted on federal charges for participating in a grandparent fraud scheme that operated across Pennsylvania and Ohio between October 2024 and January 2025. The organized crime group defrauded at least five elderly victims in Western Pennsylvania of over $50,000 by impersonating grandchildren in crisis situations and requesting immediate money transfers; Rodriguez received the stolen funds via rideshare drivers and transferred much of it to the Dominican Republic through wire transfers. The FBI indicates there are likely additional victims across multiple states and requests that anyone with information report it through the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, a 34-year-old Cleveland resident, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for operating a grandparent fraud scheme targeting elderly victims across Pennsylvania and Ohio from October through January. The organized crime operation involved scammers calling seniors impersonating grandchildren in crisis situations to solicit emergency funds, with money collected in Pennsylvania transported via rideshare drivers to Rodriguez, who then wired over $50,000 to the Dominican Republic; at least five elderly individuals were victimized, though authorities believe the actual number is higher.

A 34-year-old man was indicted in a grandparent scam that targeted at least five Pittsburgh-area seniors, resulting in over $50,000 in losses between October and January, with investigators suspecting many more victims across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other states. The organized crime group operated by having callers impersonate grandchildren claiming to need emergency money for arrests or accidents, with money collected from victims delivered via ride-share drivers to northern Ohio where the defendant was captured on surveillance. The FBI estimates grandparent scams and similar elder fraud schemes cost seniors over $3 billion annually, targeting them because they are typically trusting, polite, and have significant financial resources.

Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, a 34-year-old Cleveland resident, was indicted by federal prosecutors in Pittsburgh on charges related to his role in an organized "grandparent scam" operating across Pennsylvania and Ohio. Rodriguez and his crime group defrauded at least five elderly victims out of more than $50,000 between October 2024 and January 2025 by impersonating grandchildren in crisis situations, collecting payments via Lyft and Uber drivers, and funneling proceeds to the Dominican Republic through wire transfers and bank deposits. Investigators believe there are additional victims across multiple states and are seeking information from the public through the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

A 73-year-old retired IT professional in Northeast Ohio, known as "Eastside Eddie," uses technology and social engineering to tie up organized crime scammers by posing as potential victims, preventing them from targeting actual people. Operating from his home, he handles dozens of calls daily by connecting scammers to fake computer systems and characters, while simultaneously cautioning the public that legitimate companies never call unsolicited and recommending people report scams rather than engage with scammers themselves. Eastside Eddie plans to expand his awareness mission by offering free educational workshops at senior centers and assisted living facilities to help people recognize and avoid scams.

On February 27, 2025, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Ohio filed a civil forfeiture complaint for $8.2 million in cryptocurrency linked to a "pig butchering" romance scam, in which fraudsters built false romantic and financial relationships with victims via anonymous messaging apps before exploiting them. One Cleveland victim liquidated over $650,000 in retirement savings; the FBI used blockchain intelligence to trace funds across multiple crypto platforms and networks, ultimately leading to the seizure and reissuance of the frozen Tether tokens for victim restitution. This case highlights the rapidly growing threat of pig butchering scams—often operated by human trafficking syndicates from

Westlake, Ohio residents have fallen victim to multiple cryptocurrency scams involving fraudsters posing as police officers, Microsoft support, and Social Security Administration officials, demanding victims withdraw cash and deposit it into Bitcoin ATMs. Losses ranged from $5,500 to $20,000, though one couple was saved by an alert bank manager who prevented a $17,000 loss by contacting police. Police advise residents never to wire money or use cryptocurrency based on unexpected calls, and to verify requests by contacting official company websites rather than phone numbers found through online searches.

The FBI seized $8.2 million in cryptocurrency from an international "pig butchering" romance scam investigated by its Cleveland Field Office, which identified over 30 victims whose funds were traced through three cryptocurrency wallets using advanced blockchain analytics. One Cleveland victim alone lost over $650,000 in retirement savings after being deceived into what she believed was a legitimate investment account. The scam—named for how perpetrators "fatten up" victims emotionally before draining their finances—originated in China and typically targets vulnerable individuals through dating apps; seized funds are expected to be used for restitution as the Department of Justice continues investigating additional victims and fraud networks.

An 80-year-old Kettering woman lost over $50,000 in an imposter scam after calling what she believed was Google's support line; scammers posing as Google and bank employees convinced her that her account was hacked and persuaded her to withdraw cash from multiple bank branches and transfer it to their control. The Dayton metro area saw a 15% increase in consumer fraud complaints to the FTC, reaching an all-time high of 8,820, with imposter scams being among Ohio's top fraud types as consumers reported $12.5 billion in losses nationally in 2024. Authorities recommend never allowing remote device access to strangers and verifying

Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, a 34-year-old Dominican Republic citizen living in Cleveland, was indicted in Pennsylvania for operating a grandparent fraud scheme that defrauded at least five elderly victims (ages up to 91) of approximately $50,000 between June 2024 and January 2025. The scammers posed as victims' relatives and authority figures, convincing seniors to withdraw cash and hand it to unsuspecting rideshare drivers, who transported the envelopes to Ohio where Rodriguez collected and wired the funds to the Dominican Republic. This case reflects a growing trend in which elderly Americans lose an estimated $3.4 billion annually to grandparent sc

In November, the city of Athens fell victim to a sophisticated phishing and email compromise scam that cost over $700,000 in public funds. Scammers accessed Pepper Construction's email system, created nearly identical fake email addresses, and intercepted communications about a fire station construction invoice, convincing city employees to switch payment to a fraudulent bank account controlled by the criminals. Between April 2023 and 2024, at least 23 Ohio local government offices lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to similar cyber crimes, with the state auditor's office now recommending employees verify payment method changes independently and warning of future investigations into agencies that fail to follow security protocols.

A 2024 survey of over two million FTC and FCC complaints found Ohio leading the nation with 859 scam call and text complaints per 100,000 residents, followed by Illinois and Delaware. The study identified the top 10 states most targeted by phone scams, with common schemes including IRS fraud, Medicare scams, debt relief, and toll violations, possibly due to large population centers, favorable regulations, and high concentrations of seniors. The article advises screening calls, avoiding suspicious links, and considering identity theft protection services with credit monitoring and insurance coverage.

An organized crime network operating across Pennsylvania and Ohio perpetrated "grandparent scams" against at least five elderly Pittsburgh residents between October 2024 and January 2025, stealing approximately $50,000 by impersonating grandchildren in crisis and requesting urgent cash payments for bail or medical expenses. Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, 34, was indicted for coordinating the collection and interstate transport of stolen funds via couriers and ride-share services, depositing the money under false names into bank accounts; he faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. The FBI warns that seniors remain vulnerable targets due to their trustworthiness and financial resources, and urges anyone who received suspicious calls

An Ohio woman who lost nearly $42,000 to an online scam in August was able to recover $35,600 with help from law enforcement. The victim was tricked into sending Bitcoin to a scammer posing as Microsoft support after receiving a fake hacking warning on her computer. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation's Electronic Financial Investigations Unit traced and froze the funds, returning the majority of her money.

Scammers are targeting E-ZPass users with text message phishing scams that impersonate toll authorities and threaten license suspension or vehicle seizure to trick victims into providing credit card numbers. Additionally, criminals use wireless skimmers to steal E-ZPass transponder codes from vehicles and sell cloned passes on the dark web, detectable when unauthorized toll charges appear on statements. The Ohio Turnpike never initiates contact via text or email about unpaid tolls—legitimate notices arrive by mail—and victims should delete suspicious messages, cancel compromised cards immediately, and store transponders in foil-lined bags to prevent code theft.

A 73-year-old Greater Cincinnati woman recovered over $35,000 after falling victim to a tech support scam involving a fake Microsoft pop-up that convinced her to convert nearly $42,000 into Bitcoin to repair her compromised computer. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation's Electronic Financial Investigations Unit was able to trace and recover most of the funds because the case was reported promptly, highlighting the importance of contacting law enforcement immediately upon suspecting fraud. Investigators could not identify the scammer but cautioned the public against responding to unsolicited calls demanding money and reminded people that law enforcement will not call about warrants or missed court dates.

The Department of Justice recovered $8.2 million in Tether cryptocurrency stolen through romance baiting scams, including $663,352 from an Ohio woman who fell victim after responding to a wrong-number text in 2023. Romance baiting is a psychological manipulation scheme that builds false intimacy through casual conversation before introducing cryptocurrency investment opportunities with fake trading dashboards and fabricated returns, ultimately trapping victims unable to withdraw their funds. The article also references an 80-year-old Maryland retiree, Judith Boivin, who was targeted by scammers impersonating FBI agents using spoofed caller IDs and forged government communications to extract money under false pretenses of a

As artificial intelligence advances, scams targeting seniors have become increasingly sophisticated, with Americans aged 60 and older losing $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023. Attorney Carlos Crawford led a free cybersecurity training at a Columbus community center to educate seniors on recognizing common scams including phishing, tech support fraud, fake charities, and romance scams, advising them to watch for red flags like misspelled emails, suspicious sender addresses, and unusual payment requests (cash, cryptocurrency, gift cards). Experts recommend trusting instincts when something feels off and consulting trusted contacts before responding to suspicious communications.

Scam text messages claiming unpaid Ohio Turnpike tolls have resurfaced, directing recipients to fake payment sites or fraudulent phone numbers to collect payment information. Official toll notices are sent by mail only, though the debt collector Reliant Capital Solutions may send legitimate texts on behalf of the Ohio Attorney General; the FTC advises recipients to verify claims directly with the Ohio Turnpike (440-971-2222 or ohioturnpike.org) and avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages. Victims who clicked links or provided payment should secure their financial accounts and report the scam to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center or the FTC.

A Newton Falls Township man reported to the Trumbull County Sheriff's Office that he was scammed via Instagram when someone offered him $500 to paint a profile photo, sent him money, then demanded repayment via Cash App before threatening him with images of violence. After the victim refused, the scammer emailed him graphic images including decapitated heads and armed individuals. Police advised the victim to close his social media accounts, delete his email, and contact his bank.

**Summary:** A Seven Hills resident fell victim to a romance/check scam when a scammer impersonated a friend via Instagram, claiming an art museum would pay $1,000 for use of the resident's photo. After the resident deposited a fraudulent $1,000 check, the scammer requested $225 back and later threatened the resident when she refused; the bank voided the $225 transaction and police are investigating. (A separate shoplifting incident at a Meijer store also occurred on March 23, involving a customer arrested for under-scanning items valued at $87 at self-checkout.)

In September 2024, an employee in Trumbull County Auditor Martha Yoder's office fell victim to an email phishing scam and transferred $80,857.18 from Bazetta Township to a fraudulent Green Dot Bank account in California after a scammer impersonated the township's fiscal officer. Auditor Yoder was ordered by Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge Sarah Thomas Kovoor to repay Bazetta Township after refusing to compensate them, despite having received advance warning from Ohio's Auditor of State about such scams targeting government offices and failing to share that information with her staff or implement adequate security measures like

Paul Spivak, 66, of Ohio, was sentenced to 17.5 years in prison for leading a conspiracy that defrauded investors of approximately $6.9 million between 2016 and 2019 through artificially inflating penny stock prices and using unlicensed brokers to sell worthless restricted shares to unsuspecting investors, including many elderly individuals who paid between $4,000 and $1 million each. Spivak, the CEO of U.S. Lighting Group, Inc., was convicted of securities fraud and wire fraud, and ordered to pay a $200,000 fine with restitution amounts to be determined. His co-defendant Charles

FBI data shows that scammers are becoming increasingly creative and aggressive in their tactics, with growing profits from their schemes. As criminals employ new methods to defraud victims, experts emphasize the importance of maintaining skepticism and vigilance when conducting online activities.

A veterinarian in Deer Park, Ohio lost $2,000 to an elaborate jury duty scam in which a caller impersonated a Hamilton County Sheriff's Office official, claiming she had missed jury duty and owed a fine. The scammer isolated his victim by instructing her to use her mobile phone, visit Walmart, and use provided barcodes to transfer money from her debit card through the store's money services. Legitimate court summons arrive by mail, not phone calls, and red flags include demands for payment via retail stores, pressure to keep calls secret, and requests to move to personal devices.

Ohio state agencies warned seniors of escalating financial fraud threats during Older Ohioans Month, noting that Securities Division complaints rose 22% in 2024 to 302 cases, while national elder fraud losses reached $1.6 billion in the first five months of 2024. Officials highlighted increasingly sophisticated scams including AI voice cloning and cryptocurrency schemes, urging seniors to verify identities, resist pressure tactics, and monitor accounts closely.

Ohio officials are raising awareness during Older Americans Month about the escalating threat of scams targeting seniors, noting that complaints in the state's Division of Securities increased 22% from 2023 to 2024 (247 to 302 complaints), while nationally seniors lost $1.6 billion to fraud between January and May 2024. Scammers are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics including AI-generated voice cloning and cryptocurrency schemes, with seniors targeted due to perceived vulnerability and financial assets. Officials recommend protective measures such as verifying identities, resisting pressure tactics, monitoring accounts, and utilizing available fraud resources and monitoring services.

Ohio seniors lost an average of $18,000 each to scammers in the past year, totaling $54 million statewide, with artificial intelligence making fraud increasingly sophisticated. Rising threats include fraudulent text messages mimicking legitimate banks and federal agencies, as well as data breaches at senior care facilities, such as a breach affecting over 50,000 people at HCF Management. Authorities recommend seniors monitor credit regularly, file fraud reports to help track criminal trends, and consider credit freezes or free credit monitoring to protect themselves.