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A scam targeting car shoppers involves imposters impersonating local car dealers, with such virtual vehicle vendor frauds rising in frequency both locally and nationally in the Roanoke, Virginia area. The Better Business Bureau advises potential victims to watch for red flags and report suspicious activity to the BBB by phone or online.

Virginia experienced 491 tax scam victims in 2023 who lost over $12 million to government impersonation schemes, ranking the state 11th nationally. Scammers primarily target older adults by impersonating the IRS through fake websites (using .com or .net instead of .gov) to steal login credentials and redirect tax refunds within minutes, with potential access to accounts lasting years. The article features a reformed scammer who warns that verifying URLs and protecting IRS account information are critical defenses against these schemes.

Shannon and Kit Abell are retired professionals in Roanoke County, Virginia who volunteer as fraud prevention educators through the Triad program, a partnership between AARP, law enforcement, and community groups designed to reduce crime against older adults. Shannon delivered 52 fraud prevention presentations in 2023 covering scams such as romance fraud, identity theft, and grandparent scams, while the Triad program has expanded from over 200 Virginia locations at its peak to 59 chapters, with AARP and state officials working to revitalize participation. The program emphasizes peer-to-peer education and local law enforcement involvement to build community trust and help victims connect with appropriate resources.

In 2023, Virginia residents lost over $200 million to scams according to the Federal Trade Commission. The Better Business Bureau warns that AI-generated content is making scams increasingly sophisticated and harder to detect, with scammers using AI to create fake celebrity endorsements in shopping and investment schemes. The BBB recommends verifying legitimacy through reverse image searches, checking for audio/visual irregularities, and conducting thorough research before engaging with unfamiliar offers.

A couple in West Virginia nearly fell victim to a debt consolidation scam after receiving an unsolicited call promising to negotiate with creditors and consolidate payments, but their son's investigation using the Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker revealed numerous complaints against the company. The article also warns consumers against online shopping scams that steal financial information or send counterfeit goods, and advises shopping only at trusted retailers to ensure legitimate products and returns policies.

Virginians lost $205 million to scammers in 2023, with 54,602 fraud reports filed to the FTC, making Virginia the 12th most defrauded state. Identity theft and imposter scams are the most common fraud types, often involving criminals stealing personal information from social media profiles to create fake accounts, impersonate victims, or execute romance scams requesting money and gifts. Law enforcement recommends making social media accounts private, avoiding profile pictures, monitoring credit scores regularly, and reporting suspected scams to local police immediately.

The Huntington Police Department warned residents of an ongoing phone scam in which fraudsters impersonate police officers and claim victims have outstanding warrants to extort money and personal information. One scammer posed as "Sergeant Michael DeVito," leaving voicemails about urgent legal matters to pressure victims into calling back, with similar reports emerging across West Virginia since the beginning of the year. Police emphasized that legitimate law enforcement never solicits money for warrants or requests gift cards or money orders, and urged residents to report such calls to the department.

U.S. prosecutors in Virginia are investigating whether Meta's social media platforms facilitated and profited from illegal drug sales, with subpoenas issued last year and the FDA assisting in the criminal grand jury probe. Meta stated that illicit drug sales violate its policies and that it actively works to remove such content and cooperates with law enforcement, while also announcing partnerships with the State Department and UN to combat synthetic drug sales online. --- **Note:** This article is not related to elder fraud or elder abuse. It concerns general drug trafficking investigations and would not typically be included in an Elderus elder fraud database unless there was a specific connection to elder victims or elder-targeted scams.

Virginia's House Bill 692, which awaits Governor Youngkin's signature, aims to combat elder financial fraud that costs seniors $3 billion annually by incentivizing banks and credit unions to train employees to identify and report financial exploitation of seniors. The bill was inspired by the case of Navy veteran Commander Larry Cook, who was scammed out of $3.6 million, and would allow at-risk seniors to maintain lists of trusted contacts at their banks while offering financial institutions liability protection if they disclose red flags of exploitation. If signed, the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions must establish bank training guidelines by January 2026.

Joseph Beach, 54, of Inwood, West Virginia pleaded guilty to wire fraud for misappropriating $253,867.12 in veteran's disability, retirement, and social security benefits from his elderly father while serving as his fiduciary. Beach, who was responsible for managing his father's finances while the father received care at a veterans' facility, instead used the funds for his own personal benefit. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office with assistance from the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, and Social Security Administration.

Joseph Beach, a 54-year-old West Virginia man, pleaded guilty to wire fraud after stealing $253,867.12 from his elderly father while serving as his fiduciary, misappropriating veteran's disability, retirement, and social security benefits for personal use. The victim, who resides in a veterans' care facility, was defrauded by his own son over an extended period. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office and investigated by the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, and the Social Security Administration.

**Summary:** Joseph Beach, a 54-year-old from Inwood, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to wire fraud for stealing $253,867.12 from his elderly father, a veteran in care facility, by misappropriating his father's disability, retirement, and Social Security benefits while serving as his fiduciary. The case was investigated by the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, and Social Security Administration, with prosecution by the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Fairfax County, Virginia police warned residents about ongoing scam calls impersonating bank fraud departments or police officers that pressure victims into purchasing gift cards or making Bitcoin ATM deposits, with reported losses ranging from $10,000 to $31,100 per victim. Police advise hanging up suspicious calls, independently contacting financial institutions through legitimate channels, and never sharing personal information with callers claiming to represent banks or authorities.

Fairfax County, Virginia police warned residents about seasonal driveway-paving scams that typically emerge in spring, where unlicensed contractors solicit door-to-door, collect deposits under false urgency, and either fail to complete work or abandon jobs, leaving homeowners out money and with damaged property. The department recommends verifying contractors have valid solicitor's licenses, obtaining multiple quotes, researching businesses online, and reporting unlicensed solicitors to police.

This article discusses Virginia legislation (House Bill 692) designed to protect elderly and vulnerable adults from financial exploitation. The bill would allow seniors to register trusted contacts at their banks who can be alerted during financial emergencies, and requires bank staff training on identifying financial abuse. According to 2022 data, over 88,000 people aged 60+ reported losses totaling $3.1 billion to elder financial scams, with dementia patients particularly vulnerable.

Virginia passed legislation ("Larry's Law") to establish uniform training guidelines for banks and credit unions to better identify and report financial exploitation of elderly and vulnerable adults, inspired by the case of Navy veteran Larry Cook who lost over $3 million in an alleged wire fraud scheme involving nearly 75 overseas transfers in 2022 despite his cognitive impairment from a stroke. The measure provides legal protection to financial institutions that undergo the training and report suspected exploitation to authorities or trusted contacts, with guidelines to be developed by January 2026. This action comes amid national concern, with over 88,000 seniors reporting combined losses of $3.1 billion to elder fraud in 2022 alone.

A Navy commander's niece is appealing the dismissal of a lawsuit seeking to hold banks responsible for transferring $3.68 million from her uncle's accounts in alleged scams, while simultaneously praising Virginia lawmakers for passing legislation to strengthen financial exploitation protections for seniors. The case highlights the need for greater bank accountability in preventing elder financial fraud.

Virginia's House Bill 692 passed unanimously in both chambers in February 2024, requiring financial institutions to train employees to identify and report elder financial exploitation, establish trusted contact procedures, and develop detection guidelines. The bill was championed by advocate Janine Williamson, whose uncle retired Navy Commander Larry Cook lost $3.6 million through international wire fraud scams that financial institution employees failed to detect or report, prompting her negligence lawsuit against Wells Fargo and Navy Federal Credit Union.

According to an AARP-West Virginia survey of over 700 residents aged 45 and older, nearly half of West Virginia adults know a family member or close friend who may have been a scam or fraud victim, with scammers increasingly using AI to manipulate vulnerable people into making quick financial decisions. The survey also found that 84 percent of state residents rely on or plan to rely on Social Security for retirement income, over 77 percent support repealing state income tax on Social Security, and one in three residents aged 45 and older have skipped prescriptions due to high drug costs. The findings are being used by AARP to inform advocacy efforts around financial security, healthcare access, and support for

Virginia Tech has experienced an influx of phishing scams targeting university email accounts, primarily using social engineering tactics rather than system vulnerabilities to trick recipients into sharing personal information, money, or clicking malicious links. While misinformation claims the scams are new or that Outlook's security is ineffective, officials report the scams have persisted for years and Outlook has strong protective tools; notably, most victims have been students rather than older individuals. University officials recommend marking suspicious emails as phishing, verifying sender addresses through official staff lists, and reporting compromised accounts immediately.

Two men from Florida and Virginia have been indicted for operating a major elder fraud scheme that stole approximately $26 million from seniors across Western Pennsylvania and beyond between January 2024 and August 2025, using deceptive emails to trick victims into sending cash or depositing funds into Bitcoin ATMs. The perpetrators, Amit Kumar Jain and Trevaughn J. Yearwood, allegedly laundered the stolen money through fake business entities and bank accounts in Virginia. Seniors should be cautious of unsolicited emails requesting money transfers, verify requests by contacting companies directly using official phone numbers, and report suspicious activity to local authorities or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

An 82-year-old in Northern Virginia nearly lost over $20,000 to a fake lawyer scam in October, where a caller claimed the victim's son needed legal representation and used emotional manipulation (including recorded crying) to pressure payment. Quick intervention by a family member and coordinated law enforcement stopped the fraud; investigators identified the scammer as Yordanys Rodriguez, 33, of New York, who used the name of a deceased attorney and was arrested in Pennsylvania on charges of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretenses, and was also found to be impersonating a law enforcement officer.

An 82-year-old in Northern Virginia was nearly scammed out of over $20,000 by a fraudster posing as a lawyer claiming to represent their son in a criminal case, complete with a crying man in the background for authenticity. The victim's family intervened before money was lost, and law enforcement coordinated a fake cash pickup that led to the arrest of Yordanys Rodriguez, 33, of the Bronx, who was found to be impersonating a law enforcement officer and is now facing charges of conspiracy to commit a felony and obtaining money by false pretenses.

Shawn Smith, Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol Director, warned seniors at the Front Royal/Warren County TRIAD Senior Expo about three major Medicare scams: government impostors, durable medical equipment fraud, and genetic testing scams, which collectively cost Medicare $60-$80 billion annually. Smith advised attendees to avoid unsolicited calls, never disclose Medicare numbers, scrutinize medical offers, and regularly review Medicare statements for fraudulent charges, noting that the Senior Medicare Patrol offers free assistance through 1-800-938-8885 to help seniors report suspicious activity and protect themselves from becoming unwitting accomplices to fraud.

The 3rd Annual Senior Legal Safety Conference in Roanoke, Virginia brought together experts to educate seniors on critical planning decisions including powers of attorney, medical directives, and end-of-life care. The conference highlighted major threats to seniors including fraud, scams, and Medicare fraud, which costs Virginia approximately $2 billion annually, with attendees learning how to recognize double billing, verify charges, and protect their personal information. The sponsoring organization also began offering Medicare Open Enrollment counseling sessions to help seniors navigate this complex process with fewer mistakes and financial losses.

A 10-person scam ring operating near Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia defrauded hundreds of Navy Federal Credit Union customers out of approximately $2 million between 2023 and 2025. The scammers, using aliases like "Wildboy," "Fatty," and "Jizzle," targeted military-age individuals in public spaces, convincing them to surrender their phones under false pretenses, then used the devices to illegally transfer funds, submit fraudulent loans, and steal personal information—sometimes using threats, physical force, or firearms. Within eastern Virginia alone, 500 victims reported the scheme, leading to federal indictments against all 10 defendants on charges including bank

West Virginia University's Information Technology Services warns faculty, staff, and students to be cautious of unsolicited job offers and credential-soliciting messages via email, phone, or text, noting that ITS will never contact users by text to verify information or request login details. Legitimate job opportunities are posted on jobs.wvu.edu (employees) and Handshake (students), and users should report suspicious communications to the ITS Service Desk or forward suspicious emails to [email protected], changing their password immediately if they have already disclosed personal information.

A Maryland man named James Smith, 30, of Gaithersburg was arrested after scamming a 90-year-old Culpeper, Virginia woman out of $26,000 in a sophisticated scheme involving impersonation of U.S. Treasury Department agents who threatened her with criminal charges unless she provided cash. Smith was charged with money laundering, conspiracy to commit felony, and obtaining money by false pretenses, and is being held without bond.

Virginia reported nearly 4,000 residents aged 60 and older lost over $106.6 million to fraud in 2024, ranking the state 11th nationally in elder fraud losses, though actual cases likely far exceed reported figures. Common scams targeting seniors exploit their fixed incomes and fears through impersonation schemes (like fake Microsoft or bank calls), with experts recommending victims never share personal information with unknown contacts and verify requests through official channels. Professionals emphasize that fraud can affect anyone regardless of experience, and encourage open communication and consultation with trusted individuals rather than hiding shame about becoming a victim.

An 80-year-old Gaithersburg resident lost over $26,000 in a government impersonation scam where fraudsters falsely claimed to be U.S. Treasury Department agents demanding payment to avoid criminal charges. James Smith, 30, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, was arrested in Culpeper County when he arrived to collect an additional $10,000 that authorities had arranged as part of an undercover operation, and he was charged with money laundering, conspiracy to commit a felony, and obtaining money by false pretenses. Authorities indicate the scheme was part of a larger operation intended to send collected funds overseas and warn residents to report suspicious demands for money

Two women—Kimberly VanKline of Maryland and Rhonda Brown-Moore of New York—pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for creating and submitting falsified documents to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 relief funds, including Paycheck Protection Program loans for a West Virginia resident, with both defendants profiting from the scheme. They each face up to 20 years in federal prison, with sentencing to be determined by a federal judge.

The Washington County Virginia Sheriff's Office warned of a property listing scam in which fraudsters use accurate owner information (name, address, tax ID) to contact realtors and illegally list real properties, particularly farmland, for sale. Local realtors have successfully prevented many attempts by verifying details with actual property owners, and authorities recommend that individuals verify all transaction details and report suspected scams to law enforcement.

A 70-year-old Virginia man lost thousands of dollars in a year-long romance scam in which he believed he was communicating with Canadian actress Amber Marshall on Facebook and messaging app Zangi, ultimately losing money meant for rent. According to Virginia Tech elder mistreatment expert Pam Teaster, seniors are disproportionately targeted by romance scams that exploit loneliness; the FBI reported 17,910 romance scam complaints in 2024 resulting in over $672 million in total losses. The victim is sharing his story to educate others, emphasizing that combating these scams requires both education and addressing societal loneliness among elderly individuals.

Linda Kay Simmons, a 71-year-old Virginia woman, lost approximately $10,000 in a "jury duty" scam in which callers spoofed sheriff's office numbers and falsely claimed she had missed grand jury duty and owed $14,000 in fines to avoid jail. The scammers kept her on the phone for five hours while directing her to withdraw cash and deposit it into a bitcoin machine at a gas station, using psychological manipulation and tracking her location to maintain control. Simmons is now publicly sharing her experience to warn others about the sophistication and psychological tactics used by these scammers.

Brian Alexander Taulton, 57, was arrested in Wake County, North Carolina, and charged with exploiting elderly residents through a driveway repair scam that defrauded victims of approximately $100,000. Taulton allegedly posed as a city worker or offered unsolicited asphalt repair services, collecting upfront payments (including nearly $16,000 from one victim and $18,000 from a 95-year-old) before performing substandard or no work; he is also facing fugitive charges in Virginia for similar crimes. Authorities advise residents to verify credentials, request references, and avoid pressure tactics emphasizing urgency, as elder fraud costs an estimate

Brian Taulton, a West Virginia man, was arrested for defrauding Wake County seniors by approaching their homes and draining their bank accounts, exploiting victims out of tens of thousands of dollars. The case highlights a door-to-door fraud scheme targeting elderly residents in the area.

Brian Taulton, a 56-year-old from West Virginia, was arrested on charges of defrauding North Carolina residents between February 2024 and June 2025 by posing as a Duke Energy employee and driveway repair contractor, stealing approximately $90,000 and attempting to steal an additional $38,600 from elderly and disabled victims. Taulton would knock on doors claiming to have leftover asphalt from nearby jobs, then either perform substandard work or not complete repairs at all, with individual victims losing amounts ranging from $7,000 to $20,000. He faces 22 felony charges related to exploitation and fraud, an

Virginia ranks 11th nationally for elder fraud losses, with nearly 4,000 complaints from residents 60 and older in 2024 resulting in over $16.6 million in losses. Scammers target seniors on fixed incomes through online schemes, including convincing phishing attempts like fake tech support calls. Experts emphasize the importance of online safety awareness to protect vulnerable older adults from fraud.

Charleston Police and Chase Bank hosted a workshop to educate seniors on avoiding scams, as phone, text, and email fraud targeting this population is on the rise both nationally and locally. According to the Federal Trade Commission, West Virginians lost more than $27 million to fraud and scams in the past year, primarily from impostor schemes including EasyPass, jury duty, and romance scams. The workshop emphasized the importance of verifying communications directly with companies or agencies rather than responding to urgent-seeming messages.

Chase Bank and the Charleston Police Department partnered to educate seniors about fraud and scam risks, citing that West Virginia lost over $27 million to fraud in the previous year according to the Federal Trade Commission. The initiative aims to help vulnerable populations, particularly those living paycheck-to-paycheck, avoid financial devastation that could result from having their bank accounts emptied by scammers.

According to the FTC, scammers stole over $150 billion from Americans two years ago, with increasing numbers of older Virginians targeted online. AARP Virginia is hosting a series of webinars to educate seniors on protecting their personal information, noting that AI tools are making scam communications more convincing by eliminating typical red flags like grammatical errors. Upcoming sessions will cover cybersecurity awareness, recognizing online scams, and current scams targeting families, with participation from the Virginia Attorney General's Office.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is warning drivers about a scam involving fraudulent text messages claiming overdue toll charges. The DMV advises recipients never to send personal information via text, avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages, and instead contact the tolling agency directly using verified phone numbers or websites to report suspicious texts.

Following the deaths of two Virginia Beach police officers, the Virginia Beach Police Department is warning the public against donating to potentially fraudulent fundraisers and is urging donors to hold off on financial contributions until an official fund is established. The department is accepting food and household goods through legitimate local community advisory channels to mitigate the risk of scams during this period of community support.

A Virginia woman nearly lost $22,000 in a holiday-season scam, though the amount was ultimately not transferred after a bank questioned the suspicious withdrawal. The Central Virginia Better Business Bureau warns of prevalent phishing scams during the holidays, including fraudulent messages impersonating delivery services and the IRS that attempt to steal personal information or download malware through malicious links. The BBB advises consumers not to click suspicious links, never pay with Bitcoin or gift cards, and remember that legitimate offers that seem too good to be true probably are.

Elder fraud complaints increased 14% in 2023, with Americans losing $1.6 billion to scams nationally and Virginia residents losing $265 million, according to FBI data. Virginia reported approximately 2,700 elder fraud complaints in 2023, with investment scams being the most common type targeting seniors with regular income by exploiting their loneliness or desire to earn additional money. The FBI emphasizes that scammers are skilled manipulators who deliberately identify and exploit vulnerable elderly individuals.

In May 2023, a 72-year-old Lynchburg, Virginia woman named Marsha Burks had over $8,000 stolen from her credit card by her in-home caregiver. The incident highlights a broader problem: Virginia reported over 2,000 complaints of elder financial fraud in 2023 with victims losing over $90 million. The case prompted the family to advocate for "Larry's Law," which took effect in the state to prevent elder financial abuse by allowing financial institutions to contact emergency contacts when fraudulent charges are suspected.

According to the FBI, financial scams targeting senior citizens are rising, with 80,000 seniors losing $3.1 billion in 2022. The Smyth County Chamber of Commerce hosted an educational event where Virginia's Attorney General and local law enforcement warned seniors about common scams (phone, computer, and mail-based) and emphasized the importance of never sharing personal or financial information unsolicited, as legitimate institutions like banks and the Social Security Administration will never request such details over the phone.

This article is not relevant to elder fraud research. It is an educational piece about the FBI Police force—a few hundred sworn law enforcement officers established in the late 1980s who protect FBI personnel, facilities, and information across the Eastern seaboard, particularly in Washington D.C., New York, and West Virginia. The article, published in honor of National Police Week 2024, profiles FBI Police Chief David Sutton and Officer Briana Chapman, describing their training, authority, duties, and community engagement role.

At least four American tourists are facing lengthy prison sentences in Turks and Caicos after ammunition was discovered in their luggage, with one Virginia man potentially facing up to 12 years imprisonment. The Caribbean territory has strict firearms laws that impose mandatory minimum sentences of 12 years for possessing even a single bullet, and a recent court ruling requires tourists to serve prison time if convicted, eliminating the previous option of paying fines and leaving the country. Families of the detained Americans claim the ammunition was brought accidentally, but travelers are now vulnerable to severe penalties for what they describe as unintentional violations.