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aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole over $3.4 billion from Americans aged 60 and older in the past year, representing an 11 percent increase from the previous year, according to an FBI report. The FBI received more than 100,000 complaints from older victims, with nearly 6,000 losing over $100,000 each, as organized criminal enterprises increasingly use sophisticated tactics including tech support scams, romance scams, investment frauds, and in-person courier schemes to drain bank accounts. Investigators warn that these scams have a devastating impact on older Americans who may lack the ability to replace lost funds.
consumerfinancemonitor.com
· 2025-12-08
FinCEN's 2023 Financial Trend Analysis examined 155,415 Bank Secrecy Act filings reporting approximately $27 billion in elder financial exploitation (EFE) between June 2022 and June 2023, with scams accounting for 80% of reports and theft for 20%, where family members—particularly children—perpetrated 40% of theft cases. The analysis found that perpetrators primarily use unsophisticated methods avoiding direct contact with financial institutions, such as account takeover (22% of scams), tech support scams (10%), and romance scams (9%), with funds typically transferred via checks, wires, and online transfers, averaging
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is an educational overview of online fraud tactics, particularly on social media platforms. In 2024, 70% of authorized push payment (APP) fraud originated online, with criminals impersonating legitimate businesses, charities, or loved ones to manipulate victims into sending money through fake profiles and targeted ads. The UK introduced new consumer protections in October 2024, including up to £85,000 reimbursement coverage and a five-day claims process, as social media's anonymity, ease of account creation, and access to personal information make it an ideal environment for fraudsters to operate at scale.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP's Fraud Watch Network Helpline director Amy Nofziger discusses six fast-growing scams identified through thousands of annual helpline calls, including celebrity impersonation, check fraud, sweepstakes and grandparent scams, voice printing fraud, and Olympics-related schemes. The Fraud Watch Network offers free resources to consumers of any age, including a helpline staffed by 150 trained fraud specialists who provide support and guidance to scam victims and those seeking fraud prevention advice.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
BBC presenter Peter Levy, 68, recovered nearly half his life savings after falling victim to a phone scam in February in which a fraudster impersonated his bank and persuaded him to log into his account under the pretense of checking suspicious activity. After immediately reporting the scam to his bank, both financial institutions involved worked together to return his money. Levy publicly shared his experience to warn others to always verify callers by hanging up and calling their bank directly using the number on their bank card rather than trusting unsolicited calls.
tampabay.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 50 elderly Americans in Broward County fell victim to lottery scams between 2020-2021, losing more than $6.6 million collectively after being told they won prizes and asked to pay upfront fees for shipping and taxes. Florida ranked second nationally for elder fraud in 2023 with residents over 60 losing nearly $300 million, reflecting a broader U.S. trend where elderly victims lost $3.4 billion that year to investment fraud, romance scams, tech-support scams, and government impersonation schemes. The crimes remain significantly underreported due to victim embarrassment and fear of losing independence, with experts estimating only one-
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
BBC Look North presenter Peter Levy, 68, was scammed out of half his life savings in February after receiving an evening phone call from someone impersonating his bank's fraud department requesting he log into his online banking account for "security checks." The experienced presenter acknowledged falling victim despite his familiarity with scam awareness and highlighted common vulnerabilities including using identical passwords across accounts and scanning unfamiliar payment app codes in public spaces.
columbian.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from Americans over 60 last year, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, according to an FBI report. The FBI received over 100,000 complaints from older victims, with common schemes including tech support scams, romance fraud, investment fraud, and increasingly sophisticated courier-based schemes where criminals trick victims into withdrawing cash or precious metals for pickup. The rise in losses reflects organized criminal enterprises exploiting vulnerable populations through multiple tactics, with the FBI warning that actual losses are likely higher than reported.
tucson.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole over $3.4 billion from Americans over age 60 last year, an 11% increase from the previous year, with the FBI receiving more than 100,000 complaints and nearly 6,000 victims losing over $100,000 each. Tech support scams remain the most common fraud, with criminals impersonating officials to convince victims their accounts are compromised and directing them to transfer funds or withdraw cash/gold for in-person courier pickup. The FBI warns that these increasingly sophisticated schemes represent organized, transnational criminal enterprises using romance scams, investment fraud, and other tactics that can leave vulnerable seniors financially destitute.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is an educational piece about common banking scams in 2024, reporting that consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023. It describes seven prevalent scams—including fake bank websites, malicious apps, phishing communications, check washing, check overpayment schemes, money transfer fraud, and account takeover attacks—and provides protective measures for each, such as verifying bank legitimacy through official channels, downloading only reputable apps, and monitoring bank statements regularly.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
The FTC has issued an alert about a "growing wave" of government and business-impersonation scams targeting retirees' savings, with Amazon being among the most frequently impersonated companies due to its massive customer base. Common scams include fake refund offers with phishing links, fraudulent Prime subscription renewal notices with unusually high prices directing users to fake login pages, fake delivery/order problems requesting payment or personal information, and suspicious purchase confirmation calls designed to catch victims off guard. Consumers are advised to always verify account information directly through official apps or websites rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.
themonroetimes.com
· 2025-12-08
First National Bank and Trust is alerting the public to a growing Bank Imposter Scam in which fraudsters send fake text messages mimicking the bank, then call victims impersonating bank employees to trick them into revealing banking information or transferring money. The bank emphasizes that legitimate banks never request passwords, PINs, or ask customers to transfer money for "protection," and is hosting fraud prevention seminars at senior centers in Beloit and Janesville to educate the public on identifying and combating fraud.
thecyberwire.com
· 2025-12-08
This podcast episode discusses job board scams and social engineering tactics targeting job seekers. The hosts highlight techniques scammers use to impersonate legitimate companies and government agencies, including spoofed phone numbers and vague claims about background investigations, and emphasize the importance of verifying caller information independently rather than calling back suspicious numbers directly.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Dan Michalski from Hawaii lost over $30,000 from his bank account after receiving a spoofed call appearing to be from his bank; the scammer used knowledge of his recent transactions to establish credibility, then tricked him into providing a verification code that allowed unauthorized transfers to Zelle. Though Michalski recovered $10,000, he remains uncompensated for the remaining loss, highlighting how sophisticated caller-spoofing fraud can bypass even verification attempts like checking the phone number online.
ftadviser.com
· 2025-12-08
UK banks have invested heavily in fraud prevention systems that successfully reduced traditional unauthorized account fraud, but criminals have adapted by shifting to authorised push payment (APP) fraud, where they use social engineering and deepfakes to convince victims to voluntarily transfer funds. Since 2020, Britons have lost over £2.6 billion to investment fraud alone, with APP scams occurring across eight types including investment scams, romance scams, impersonation, and CEO fraud, making detection extremely difficult for financial institutions since these appear as legitimate customer-authorized transactions.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
A fraudster in Colchester, Essex posed as a police officer and called two pensioners in their 80s claiming arrests had been made regarding cloned cards. The victims were instructed to hand their debit cards to a fake "police courier" who collected them from their home on April 30, 2024, and subsequently used them at ATMs to withdraw cash. Essex Police warned the public never to provide financial details or cards to callers claiming to be police, advising people to hang up and verify through official channels.
marketplace.org
· 2025-12-08
This educational episode of "Marketplace Tech" examines how financial scams work and how to identify them, featuring the experience of Shannon from Minnesota who lost over $80,000 to an impersonation scam. A scammer posing as a sheriff's deputy falsely claimed Shannon missed a federal court appearance and threatened jail time, extracting multiple "bail bond" payments totaling $80,000 through threats and false legal information. The episode explains that scammers use phone number spoofing technology to impersonate legitimate officials and conduct research on targets to create convincing scripts that lend authenticity to their schemes.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Colorado homebuyer lost nearly $100,000 in down payment savings to a wire transfer scam after receiving a realistic-looking email that appeared to be from his bank requesting the transfer to complete his home purchase; the scammers had gained access to his emails and included accurate account information to make the request seem legitimate. The FBI received over 2,000 wire fraud complaints daily in 2023, with Americans losing $311 million total to wire transfer scams according to the FTC. To protect themselves, homebuyers should verify wire transfer requests by calling their bank directly using a number they find themselves, use secure portals through title companies, and never send funds without direct verbal confirmation from the intende
news18.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired engineer in Mangaluru, Karnataka lost Rs 1.6 crore between May 2-6 when scammers impersonating international courier service employees claimed his package contained incriminating documents and drugs, demanding "caution money" to avoid investigation. The article also highlights a separate case where a woman doctor in Noida lost Rs 45 lakh to fraudsters posing as Mumbai crime branch officers via video call, and notes that India experienced Rs 7,488.6 crore in cybercrime losses in the previous year.
dailydot.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman lost $25,000 from her small business account in a Wells Fargo impersonation scam where a fraudster posing as a bank employee convinced her she was canceling unauthorized wire transfers while actually authorizing them to be sent. Despite contacting Wells Fargo's fraud department within five minutes of discovering the scam, the bank provided minimal assistance and the woman reported receiving only vague updates about an ongoing investigation with no resolution. The incident has drawn over 574,000 views on TikTok and sparked reports of similar scams affecting other Wells Fargo customers.
kttc.com
· 2025-12-08
A Stewartville, Minnesota woman lost $9,300 after a scammer impersonated an Associated Bank employee, using the bank's legitimate phone number and email to convince her that her mobile banking app had been breached. The fraudster, claiming to be bank staff member Noah Collins, followed authentic bank procedures including sending security codes and instructing her to delay changing her password, before unauthorized withdrawals were discovered on her account on May 10. The victim advises others to independently call their bank directly to verify any suspicious account activity rather than relying on contact information provided during unsolicited communications.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Google announced upcoming AI-powered scam-detection tools for Android phones that use its Gemini AI to alert users in real-time when a phone conversation contains suspicious wording commonly used by scammers, with alerts displaying on-screen and an audio notification to warn users. The feature, still in testing with no official release date, processes audio analysis locally on the device to maintain privacy, and comes as Microsoft announced a similar competing feature, while scammers increasingly use AI-generated voice impersonations of celebrities and public figures to deceive victims. On average, phone users receive approximately 14 spam calls per month, prompting regulators like the FCC to declare AI-generated impersonation calls illegal in an effort to
newlinesmag.com
· 2025-12-08
A 36-year-old Indian woman named Jhumpa Biswas was targeted by a romance scammer posing as "Mark Anthony," a Scottish cosmetic surgeon who initiated contact via Instagram with flattering messages. Over weeks of increasingly intimate communication across social media and WhatsApp, the scammer built emotional trust through romantic gestures, personal attention, and carefully crafted backstory, exploiting Biswas's limited romantic experience and emotional vulnerability. The article details how the scammer's grooming tactics—including flattery, validation, and demonstrations of care—set the stage for financial exploitation that would follow.
bgindependentmedia.org
· 2025-12-08
Bowling Green Police reported eight scams in a single week, increasingly targeting young people alongside traditional elderly victims. Common schemes included fake vehicle sales on Facebook Marketplace requiring deposit payments via gift cards or Bitcoin, impersonation of federal agents, sextortion involving nude photos, and fake bond payment requests. Police advise residents to trust their instincts, verify purchases in person, consult trusted contacts before acting, and resist pressure for immediate payment or photo sharing, noting that alert business employees have helped prevent some losses by identifying suspicious large purchases of gift cards and cryptocurrency.
cbs12.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal law enforcement agencies in Florida are prosecuting money mules—individuals who transfer stolen funds from fraud victims to international scam operators—as part of a multi-agency initiative involving the FBI, U.S. Attorney's Office, Secret Service, and FDIC. Three Florida residents laundered between $1.5 million and $9.5 million by impersonating bank representatives to steal small business owner information and move funds, with one defendant sentenced to 46 months in prison and another awaiting sentencing; a separate case involved a man who recruited others to open bank accounts and withdraw money from victims defrauded on eBay, Booking.com, and Airbnb. The DOJ emphas
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Google announced it is testing a real-time phone call scanning feature using AI to detect financial scams and alert Android users, demonstrated at its I/O developer conference. While Google claims the processing stays on-device for privacy protection, privacy advocates express serious concerns that the technology could be exploited for surveillance of vulnerable populations, including political dissidents and those seeking sensitive services. The feature's implementation timeline and security controls remain unclear, though Google indicated more details would be shared in summer.
secretservice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, in partnership with the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, and FDIC Office of Inspector General, launched the Money Mule Initiative to identify and prosecute individuals who transfer stolen funds from fraud victims to international criminals. The initiative targets money mule networks that facilitate various scams affecting older Americans, including lottery fraud, romance scams, and grandparent scams, with some money mules unknowingly recruited as victims themselves or through fake work-at-home job offers. Law enforcement has brought criminal charges against multiple defendants, including cases involving multi-continent money laundering schemes and bank impersonation plots targeting small business owners.
cachevalleydaily.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole over $3.4 billion from Americans over 60 last year, with the FBI receiving more than 100,000 complaints and nearly 6,000 victims losing over $100,000 each. The most common schemes include tech support scams, romance fraud, investment fraud, and account-compromise scams where criminals impersonate officials and either pressure victims to transfer funds electronically or arrange in-person courier pickups of cash and precious metals. The FBI warns that families should conduct "tech check-ins" with elderly parents and implement preventive measures, as scammers increasingly use sophisticated and brazen tactics that can leave victims financially devastated.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scam victim Carolyn Woods lost approximately £850,000 to conman Mark Acklom between 2012 and 2019, who was convicted and imprisoned for two years; however, her civil case to recover the funds remains ongoing with little prospect of success as Acklom likely holds no assets in his name. New UK regulations taking effect October 7, 2024, will require banks to repay fraud victims up to £415,000 within five days for authorized push payment scams, though this protection is not retroactive and does not cover overseas transfers. Fraud experts advise victims to contact their banks immediately and appeal through the Financial Ombudsman if necessary, as
wbay.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP declared a "fraud crisis in America," noting that while the Federal Trade Commission reported record losses exceeding $10 billion last year, actual losses may be ten times higher due to significant underreporting. Bank impersonation scams are currently the most concerning threat, where criminals pose as fraud investigators to convince victims to move money to fake "safe accounts." AARP emphasizes that fraud victims should not feel ashamed, encourages reporting to authorities and one's bank, and urges the public to discuss scams openly to reduce vulnerability.
kvnutalk.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, scammers stole over $3.4 billion from older Americans through increasingly sophisticated schemes, with the FBI receiving more than 100,000 complaints from victims over 60, nearly 6,000 of whom lost over $100,000 each. Common tactics include tech support scams, romance fraud, investment schemes, and impersonation of officials who convince victims their accounts are compromised and direct them to move funds to secret accounts or arrange in-person courier pickups of cash or gold. The FBI warns that losses have risen sharply since the pandemic as organized criminal enterprises target vulnerable older adults, and recommends grown children conduct "tech check-ins" with aging parents to
bibbvoice.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines six major types of financial fraud—check fraud, romance scams, job scams, utility bill scams, investment scams, and QR code scams—that target vulnerable individuals through increasingly sophisticated methods. First US Bank recommends protective measures including account monitoring, positive pay enrollment, social media caution, caller verification, and consulting with financial professionals to combat these threats. The bank emphasizes that victims should never send money to strangers online, verify job offers and investment opportunities, and always use official channels for payments.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, UK consumers lost a record £85.9 million to purchase scams, with 156,000 cases recorded where victims paid for goods or services that never materialized, according to UK Finance. Purchase scams accounted for approximately two-thirds of the 232,429 authorized push payment (APP) fraud cases reported, with total APP losses reaching £459.7 million; romance scams also hit a record high at £36.5 million lost. UK Finance warned that scammers would likely target consumers seeking tickets to major 2023 events like the Olympics and Taylor Swift concerts, with Lloyds Bank estimating over £1 million already lost to frau
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-08
Banking industry associations testified before the Senate that combating fraud requires a coordinated, multi-sector approach beyond banks' technology and consumer education efforts alone. The associations emphasized that successful fraud prevention requires cooperation from law enforcement, telecommunications regulators, and social media companies to address all stages of scams, from target identification to fund processing. They highlighted the industry's existing anti-phishing campaigns and technology investments while calling for regulators to prevent phone number spoofing and social media platforms to remove fraudulent accounts impersonating financial professionals.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
Online scams are rapidly increasing in India, with common types including phishing, fake investment schemes, social media fraud, and UPI payment fraud that trick victims into revealing personal information or transferring money. The article provides guidance for victims: immediately stop communicating with scammers, notify your bank or payment provider to block accounts, change passwords and enable two-factor authentication, and file a complaint with the Cyber Crime Cell or National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal to maximize chances of money recovery.
wftv.com
· 2025-12-08
Instant transfer apps like Zelle, Venmo, and CashApp are expected to see scam incidents jump over 50% by 2027, prompting Congressional scrutiny. One Kissimmee woman lost $2,500 in a rental scam where fraudsters spoofed a legitimate website, highlighting a widespread problem in Central Florida. Congress is demanding that Zelle implement stronger safeguards, clarify reimbursement policies, and streamline fraud reporting, while banks argue that preventing criminal "spoofing" of legitimate entities requires Congressional action.
theregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Georgia resident Malachi Mullings received a 10-year prison sentence for laundering $4.5 million in proceeds from business email compromise (BEC) attacks targeting healthcare providers and romance scams targeting individuals, including numerous elderly victims, between 2019 and July 2021. Mullings used multiple bank accounts under his company name to conceal the fraud, purchasing luxury items including a Ferrari with stolen funds; one romance scam victim alone lost $260,000. He pleaded guilty to eight charges including money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering as part of a larger scheme involving nine other suspects across Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia that defrauded state Medicaid programs
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
UK Finance warned that fake Taylor Swift and Olympics tickets are the top online scams consumers face in 2024, with purchase scams overall increasing 28% to £86 million and affecting over 156,000 victims in 2023. Romance fraud hit record levels with losses jumping 17% to £36 million, while overall fraud theft declined 4% to £1.17 billion across 2.97 million cases. The report highlights how criminals exploit urgency around high-demand events and urges tech companies to strengthen platform security ahead of new October 2024 payment fraud reimbursement regulations.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains that modern scams are sophisticated operations run by international fraud gangs targeting victims across all ages and education levels, with common types including investment, romance, banking, cryptocurrency, and identity theft scams. The Australian Financial Complaints Authority recommends the "Stop, Think, Check" approach to protect yourself, advising people to question suspicious messages, think critically, and act quickly if something feels wrong. AFCA, along with other organizations, offers resources and free webinars to help consumers understand scams and learn protective measures.
m.independent.ie
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters are impersonating Neil Whoriskey, a senior official at Ireland's Central Bank, in an email phishing scam requesting money under the pretense of releasing an inheritance, using spoofed email addresses resembling the bank's official domain. This marks the second impersonation of a Central Bank staff member in recent months, following a similar scam in March using the name of the bank's chief information officer. The Central Bank warned the public via social media that the scam is in circulation, though it did not disclose the number of victims or confirm whether authorities have been notified.
columbiacommunityconnection.com
· 2025-12-08
From 2022 to 2023, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network reported approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity related to elder financial exploitation, with 80% of all suspicious activity reported by banks involving elder scams. Elder financial exploitation—the unauthorized or improper use of an older person's funds, property, or assets—can be perpetrated by strangers, family members, friends, neighbors, or caregivers using tactics such as government impersonation, fake prizes, tech support scams, and the grandparent scam. The article emphasizes preventive measures including protecting sensitive documents, reviewing credit reports, verifying credentials, and trusting instincts when suspicious activity occurs.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Jiaci Liu, 34, was arrested and charged in federal court for his role in a multinational fraud conspiracy targeting seniors, including a 63-year-old Poway man who lost $28,000 in a layered tech support, bank impersonation, and government impersonation scam. Evidence from Liu's seized cellphone revealed he had collected over $348,000 from multiple victims across Southern California and Phoenix, Arizona in just one week in June 2023. Liu faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud with a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
support.shaw.ca
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common fraud and scam tactics targeting consumers, including stolen devices, malware, SIM swaps, identity theft, phishing emails, and spoofed caller ID scams. Key advice includes contacting your provider immediately if your device or SIM card is compromised, being cautious of fake job postings and unsolicited calls claiming to represent legitimate companies, and understanding social engineering techniques like phishing and vishing. The article emphasizes the importance of protecting personal information and account details to prevent criminals from accessing banking and other sensitive accounts.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Google is testing new AI-powered security features for Android devices that warn users about common scams, such as fraudulent calls from people impersonating banks asking users to transfer money to secure accounts. The initiative addresses a global problem where people lost over $1 trillion to fraud last year, with U.S. consumers reporting $10 billion in scam losses in 2023; older adults are frequently targeted by phishing and impersonation scams. The new features will roll out through Google Play services updates and Android 15, though iPhones remain more popular among seniors despite Android's lower cost.
accountancyage.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, UK Finance members reported over £1 billion in fraud losses, with unauthorized transaction fraud declining 3% to £708.7 million, while Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud losses reached £459.7 million despite a 5% year-on-year decrease. Purchase scams emerged as the most damaging fraud type, with cases rising 34% to over 156,000 and losses reaching £85.9 million—the highest on record—alongside significant increases in romance scams and card identity theft. Overall, 62% of APP fraud losses were returned to victims in 2023, and £1.25 billion in unauthorized fraud was prevented through
ca.movies.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2017, Ontario police documented 250 romance scam victims who lost $6.2 million to scammers posing as romantic interests to gain access to bank accounts and credit cards; seniors were identified as particularly vulnerable. The OPP notes that most romance scams go unreported due to victims' embarrassment and emotional distress, and recommends protective measures including avoiding sharing personal information online, verifying identities, never sending money to unknown contacts, and scrutinizing website addresses for counterfeits.
applevalleynewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors in the Yakima Valley are increasingly targeted by scammers, with those over 60 reporting over $3.4 billion in losses to the FBI's IC3 in 2023, an 11% increase from the prior year. Common scams include romance schemes (such as a 75-year-old woman who lost $25,000-$30,000 in gift cards to an imposter), grandparent scams, and fake investment schemes promising quick returns in cryptocurrency. Scammers exploit seniors' vulnerabilities including loneliness, cognitive decline, and free time online, with artificial intelligence expected to make future scams more sophisticated and believable.
wcyb.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial scams targeting seniors are rising, with the FBI reporting that scams cost 80,000 seniors $3.1 billion in 2022. The Smyth County Chamber of Commerce hosted an Older Americans Day event where Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and local law enforcement warned residents about common scams—including phone calls impersonating banks or loved ones—and emphasized never sharing personal financial information unsolicited. Officials advised victims to contact the Attorney General's Office or call 911, and encouraged a "trust, but verify" approach to any requests for sensitive data, particularly given emerging threats from artificial intelligence that can mimic voices.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
Jiaci Liu, 34, was arrested in San Diego for his role in a multinational fraud conspiracy targeting seniors using a layered scam involving fake tech support, bank impersonation, and government impersonation. A 63-year-old Poway victim was tricked into withdrawing $28,000 after being told his computer had viruses and his bank account had unauthorized transfers; investigators found evidence Liu had collected over $348,000 from multiple victims across Southern California and Phoenix in just one week in June 2023. Liu faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud with a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and $1 million fine.
newstalkzb.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
A New Zealand woman lost over $580,000 to an international romance scam spanning 14 months between November 2019 and December 2020, after meeting a scammer posing as a US oil rig worker named "Scott Thomas" on Tinder. The perpetrator convinced her he needed funding for an oil project and claimed access to a $3 million UK bank account that had been hacked, promising to repay her once he regained the funds and traveled to New Zealand to marry her. The victim made 21 international transfers from her own and her elderly father's accounts before the scam was discovered by a family member who found an incriminating email; she