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cryptobriefing.com
· 2026-02-28
The task force achieves major seizure of illegal crypto assets from transnational fraud groups.
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The US Department of Justice’s Scam Center Strike Force has recovered $580 million in digital as...
yellow.com
· 2026-02-28
The U.S. Justice Department's Scam Center Strike Force froze and seized more than $578 million in cryptocurrency over its first three months of operation, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced ...
jezebel.com
· 2026-02-28
Of all the online locales where I could have met the scammer I recently spent more than a week chatting with, Nextdoor probably would have been near the bottom of my suspect list. It is, after all, a ...
yahoo.com
· 2026-02-27
Romance scams targeting seniors generate over $1B in annual losses according to the FTC.
Retirees are primary targets due to available funds and lower technological proficiency.
The analyst who call...
rstreet.org
· 2026-02-27
On a normal summer day in June, Manny Guerrero, a soft-spoken Vietnam War veteran living in Las Vegas, picked up the phone and was told he had beaten the odds and won. The voice on the other end claim...
fox26houston.com
· 2026-02-27
The U.S. Department of Justice seal. (Samuel Corum/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
HOUSTON - A man who was in Houston illegally has been sentenced to nearly 20 years in federal prison for his role in a r...
yahoo.com
· 2026-02-27
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) 2024 Annual Report, romance scams resulted in at least $672 million in reported losses, with over 17,000 complaints....
cedarville.edu
· 2026-02-27
Sextortion. Nonconsensual image sharing. Catfishing.
College students are at significant risk for online sexual exploitation — and this includes students at Christian universities. In recent years, r...
globaldatinginsights.com
· 2026-02-27
Romance scams continue to escalate, with reported losses reaching alarming levels in recent quarters. According to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Consumer Sentinel Network data, the median loss per ro...
thenational.com.pg
· 2026-02-27
LOVE is a universal human desire.
It connects people, builds families, and strengthens communities.
Yet in today’s digital age, even the most intimate feelings can be exploited.
Across Papua New Gu...
crowdfundinsider.com
· 2026-02-27
In a victory against digital fraud, federal authorities in North Carolina have confiscated more than $61 million in USDT, the stablecoin issued by digital assets firm Tether. The U.S. Attorney’s Offic...
ua.news
· 2026-02-27
Federal agents in the United States confiscated over $61 million in USDT tied to a so-called "pig butchering" scheme — a scam where perpetrators establish romantic relationships with victims to steal ...
livebitcoinnews.com
· 2026-02-27
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US agents seize $61M USDT tied to crypto romance scam, highlighting enforcement efforts, asset forfeiture actions, and blockchain tracking success.
US federal agents seized more than $61M worth of...
thesun.co.uk
· 2026-02-27
BETH Hyland was instantly smitten with Richard Daub’s Tinder profile – their interests were eerily aligned and he looked drop dead gorgeous. She swiped right and was thrilled to see a match.
But rath...
thecoinrepublic.com
· 2026-02-27
Federal agents in North Carolina seized more than $61 million in USDT tied to a major pig butchering crypto scam. Investigators said the scheme worked by gaining victims’ trust through fake online rel...
mexc.com
· 2026-02-27
Federal agents in North Carolina seized more than $61 million in USDT tied to a major pig butchering crypto scam. Investigators said the scheme worked by gaining victims’ trust through fake online rel...
mexc.com
· 2026-02-27
US Federal agents in North Carolina seized more than $61 million worth of USDt (USDT) tied to a large‑scale “pig butchering” crypto investment scam that preyed on victims through fake online relations...
mexc.com
· 2026-02-27
US federal agents from North Carolina have captured over $61 million worth of USDt associated with a large-scale “pig butchering” crypto investment scam that hunted victims via fake online relationshi...
granttribune.com
· 2026-02-27
Ryan Sothan, outreach coordinator with the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, speaks to a group at the Perkins County Senior Center on Feb. 10 about increasing fraud risks and how to avoid them.
Wit...
aol.com
· 2026-02-27
Romance scams targeting seniors generate over $1B in annual losses according to the FTC.
Retirees are primary targets due to available funds and lower technological proficiency.
The analyst who call...
trmlabs.com
· 2026-02-26
Romance and “investment” scams are not random. They are engineered — built on trust, pressure, and highly scripted manipulation. And while crypto is often the payment rail, the underlying crime is fam...
aldianews.com
· 2026-02-26
Americans lose savings, retirement funds, and financial stability in schemes that exploit trust built online.
Romance scams are no longer a fringe crime tied to fake social media profiles. Today, the...
chattanoogapulse.com
· 2026-02-26
It’s important to be vigilant against identity theft, frauds, and scams. Today’s technology has made it easier for hackers to gather your personal information, leaving you susceptible to theft.
So wh...
washingtonexec.com
· 2026-02-26
The message popped up on Tiziana Barrow’s phone like any other dating app intro. The photos showed a handsome blond with glasses — a Washington, D.C.-based architect from Sweden finishing a project ov...
techflowpost.com
· 2026-02-26
In fraud parks, a single ChatGPT account handles over half of the work.
Author: Kuli, TechFlow
OpenAI recently released a report detailing how individuals have misused ChatGPT for malicious purposes...
mexc.com
· 2026-02-26
U.S. authorities have seized more than $61 million worth of cryptocurrency tied to an investment fraud scheme known as the pig-butchering scam. Federal agents worked with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to...
cryptorank.io
· 2026-02-26
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US federal agents from North Carolina have captured over $61 million worth of USDt associated with a large-scale “pig butchering” crypto investment scam that hunted victims via fake online rel...
en.cryptonomist.ch
· 2026-02-26
U.S. authorities in North Carolina have executed a major tether seizure targeting funds linked to crypto investment scams built on fake relationships.
Summary
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the East...
asiaone.com
· 2026-02-26
In 2022, Nurul Shifa found a focus group discussion on Telegram that promised rewards for simply sharing her thoughts.
However, she soon found herself embroiled in an investment scam that saw her nea...
usatoday.com
· 2026-02-25
# Romance Scams Summary
Romance scams are surging, with victims losing thousands to thousands of dollars to scammers who pose as love interests or impersonate celebrities on dating apps and social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Telegram. Victims—ranging from individuals to vulnerable populations like the elderly and those dealing with mental health issues—are being manipulated into sending money via gift cards, wire transfers, and cash, with some losing entire retirement savings or monthly mortgage payments. To stay safe, be cautious of online romantic connections who quickly ask for money, verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a celebrity, and never send gift cards or wire money to someone you haven't met in person.
dailymail.co.uk
· 2026-02-25
# Romance Scam Summary
A woman identified as Caroline lost thousands of pounds to romance scammer Ray McDonald, who posed as a successful chef named "Mark Swift" on a dating app and convinced her to send money for fake wedding plans and medical treatment for his nonexistent sick daughter, ultimately forcing her to sell her home. McDonald is a prolific criminal with 58 convictions spanning two decades who targeted multiple women by impersonating professionals like police officers and paramedics. Caroline has since shared her story as a warning, noting that she ignored early red flags like when "Mark" asked for money for petrol, advising others to be cautious of quick relationship escalations and requests for money from new online contacts.
womansworld.com
· 2026-02-25
# Romance Scams Target Midlife Women Seeking Connection
Romance scams prey on emotionally vulnerable people—particularly midlife women seeking companionship—who are targeted online through dating apps, social media, LinkedIn, and text messages by criminals looking to exploit their empathy and access their money. According to AARP's Fraud Watch Network, these scams have nothing to do with intelligence but rather exploit emotional vulnerability, with criminals using flattery and manipulation to build trust before asking for money. To protect yourself, watch for red flags like requests for money, meetings that never happen, and overly quick declarations of love, and if you or a loved one becomes a victim, report it to the AARP Fraud Watch Network for support and guidance.
cleveland19.com
· 2026-02-25
# AI-Powered Scams Target Northeast Ohio Residents
The FBI is warning Northeast Ohio residents about increasingly sophisticated scams using artificial intelligence to impersonate family members, bank representatives, and romantic partners through fake phone calls, cloned voices, and manipulated images and videos. Victims are being targeted with urgent requests for money transfers or personal information, with scammers using AI to create convincing fake documents and deepfakes that appear authentic. To protect yourself, pause before responding to suspicious calls or messages, establish a family code word to verify identity, scrutinize details in videos or images for inconsistencies, and report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
liphookherald.com
· 2026-02-25
Romance scams have surged with criminals now using AI-generated images and deepfake technology to create convincing fake identities and build trust before stealing money—one victim lost £35,000 after being deceived by a fake suitor over months. The scams are particularly effective because they exploit emotions and can imitate trusted individuals, making them increasingly difficult to detect. To protect yourself, be cautious of messages designed to trigger strong emotions, verify identities before responding, keep devices updated, and be wary of unusual payment requests involving cash, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
phemex.com
· 2026-02-25
U.S. authorities seized $61 million in cryptocurrency from a "pig butchering" romance scam, where fraudsters pose as romantic partners to trick victims into investing in fake cryptocurrency platforms with fabricated profits. Victims of these scams are typically prevented from withdrawing their money or pressured to pay additional "taxes." The seizure demonstrates law enforcement's growing ability to track and recover stolen cryptocurrency, and people should be wary of unsolicited investment offers from online romantic contacts.
panewslab.com
· 2026-02-25
Federal law enforcement seized over $61 million in cryptocurrency linked to "pig butchering" scams, where criminals pose as romantic partners to convince victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency trading platforms and then refuse withdrawal requests. Victims across the country lost money when scammers claimed taxes were owed and quickly moved the funds through multiple wallets to launder the money. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited romantic connections who encourage cryptocurrency investments, verify trading platforms independently, and never send money to accounts you cannot verify.
therecord.media
· 2026-02-25
Criminal networks operating in Southeast Asian compounds are running sophisticated "pig-butchering" cryptocurrency scams that target victims worldwide, stealing billions of dollars annually through fake investment schemes and complex money laundering operations. The U.S. FBI and international law enforcement agencies are intensifying efforts to disrupt these operations, with recent major actions including the execution of Myanmar crime leaders by China, the indictment and extradition of a Cambodian businessman who ran a massive scamming empire, and raids across Cambodia that have freed trafficked workers. To protect yourself, be extremely skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities—especially cryptocurrency schemes—verify the legitimacy of investment platforms independently, and never send money to people you've only met online.
yahoo.com
· 2026-02-25
U.S. authorities in North Carolina seized $61 million in cryptocurrency (Tether/USDT) connected to "pig butchering" scams, a fraud scheme where criminals build fake romantic relationships with victims online and direct them to fraudulent investment platforms that show fake returns before demanding "taxes" or "fees" to withdraw funds. These scams have cost victims billions globally, with criminals repeatedly extracting money through a cycle of fake promises and hidden charges. To protect yourself, be suspicious of online romantic connections that quickly push cryptocurrency investments, verify investment platforms independently, and remember that legitimate investments never demand upfront fees to access your returns.
tradingview.com
· 2026-02-25
U.S. Federal agents seized $61 million in cryptocurrency (USDT) from a "pig butchering" scam ring that used fake romantic relationships and fraudulent trading platforms to defraud victims. The scammers posed as romantic partners with trading expertise, directed victims to fake crypto websites showing fake high returns, then blocked withdrawals and demanded extra fees. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic partners who quickly pivot to investment opportunities, verify trading platforms independently, and never invest money you can't afford to lose—especially if pressured by someone you've only met online.
bpi.com
· 2026-02-25
American households lost an estimated $12.5 billion to scams in 2024—a 25% increase from the previous year—with sophisticated technology-driven fraud becoming increasingly common, particularly through phones and apps. Most Americans now receive scam calls or texts weekly, often using AI deepfakes and voice cloning that make fraudulent communications difficult to distinguish from legitimate ones, with many scams originating from organized international crime groups. To protect themselves, consumers should be suspicious of unsolicited calls and texts (especially from unknown numbers or international sources), verify requests independently through official channels, and report suspected scams to the FCC, while regulators need to mandate call authentication standards and deploy better anti-spoofing filters.
almanac.upenn.edu
· 2026-02-24
Romance scams have surged in 2026, particularly around Valentine's Day, as scammers increasingly use AI-generated photos, videos, and messages to create fake dating profiles and websites that convincingly mimic real people and relationships. These scams primarily target people seeking connections on dating sites and social media, tricking them into sharing personal information and making payments for fake memberships. To protect yourself, be cautious of new online contacts who quickly build emotional connections, verify profiles independently, never share personal or financial information early on, and report suspicious activity to the platform or authorities.
insurancebusinessmag.com
· 2026-02-24
Fraudsters are using dating apps to manipulate people into unwittingly participating in fake motor insurance claims, rather than stealing their money directly. The scammers recruit accomplices to pose as accident witnesses or injured parties in staged crashes, using the victim's identity to legitimize fraudulent claims—a tactic that often goes unreported because victims don't realize they've been exploited and feel ashamed. The UK's Insurance Fraud Bureau warns that people should be cautious about requests from dating matches to participate in accident claims or insurance matters, and report any suspicious activity to authorities.
verdenews.com
· 2026-02-24
Two families sued Meta in December 2025 after their teenage sons died by suicide following romance scams in which scammers extracted intimate photos and money through extortion threats. The cases highlight how romance scams affect people across all age groups, from teenagers to older adults using dating apps. To protect yourself, experts advise being cautious about sharing intimate photos online, verifying the identity of people you meet on dating apps, and reporting suspicious behavior to both the platform and authorities immediately.
straitstimes.com
· 2026-02-24
South Korea and Brazil have launched a police partnership to combat "Korea Wave scams," where criminals impersonate South Koreans or fake K-pop-related businesses to defraud victims. Brazilians of various ages and backgrounds have lost money to schemes involving fake travel packages, merchandise sales, romance scams, and fraudulent dating websites featuring supposed South Korean men. Authorities recommend that fans of Korean culture be cautious about online interactions with strangers claiming to be South Korean, verify the legitimacy of businesses before making purchases, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement.
euronews.com
· 2026-02-24
Deepfake scams cost people approximately $1.1 billion worldwide in 2025—triple the losses from 2024—with over 80% of fraud occurring on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Scammers use sophisticated deepfake videos and audio to impersonate celebrities, business leaders, and even politicians to promote fraudulent investments or build fake romantic relationships before requesting money from victims. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected investment opportunities or romantic advances on social media, verify celebrity endorsements through official channels, and never send money to people you've only met online.
nz.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-02-24
Deepfake scams have tripled in 2025, defrauding people of approximately $1.1 billion worldwide, with over 80% of losses occurring on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated deepfake videos and audio to impersonate celebrities, politicians, and financial leaders to promote fraudulent investments, as well as creating fake romantic relationships to extract money from victims. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities and romantic advances on social media, verify celebrity endorsements through official channels, and never send money to people you've only met online.
jdsupra.com
· 2026-02-24
The U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) launched a new website on February 13 to encourage whistleblowers to report fraud, money laundering, and sanctions violations confidentially, with potential monetary rewards for tips that lead to enforcement actions. The initiative targets serious financial crimes including bank compliance failures, customer due diligence gaps, structuring schemes, virtual currency scams like "pig butchering," and falsified trade documents. If you suspect financial misconduct at your workplace or financial institution, you can now submit detailed evidence to FinCEN's Office of the Whistleblower to help protect the financial system and potentially earn rewards for your information.
itweb.co.za
· 2026-02-24
The dark web has become a thriving marketplace for fraud tools and services, with criminal syndicates operating like legitimate businesses using specialized divisions—such as one group creating fake accounts while another manages victim contact—to execute large-scale scams like romance fraud. Both consumers and businesses are vulnerable, with examples including thousands of SIM cards seized in South Africa being used to set up fraudulent WhatsApp accounts targeting victims. To protect yourself, use strong identity verification systems, remain skeptical of online relationships and unsolicited contacts, and report suspicious accounts to platforms immediately.
igamingbusiness.com
· 2026-02-24
Cambodia revoked casino licenses for four establishments linked to Chen Zhi, a Chinese businessman allegedly running one of the world's largest online fraud operations from Cambodia that at its peak generated $30 million daily through "pig-butchering" scams targeting people globally. The crackdown, which shut down 190 scam operations across Cambodia in just two months, reflects the country's effort to combat cybercrime that often uses casinos as fronts for fraudulent activities. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment offers or romantic connections online, especially those promising quick wealth or involving cryptocurrency, as these are common tactics used in such schemes.
tradingview.com
· 2026-02-23
# Pig-Butchering Crypto Scams Summary
Pig-butchering scams are a growing threat in the cryptocurrency world where fraudsters build fake romantic or friendly relationships with victims over weeks or months before pressuring them to invest in fake crypto platforms, with reported losses reaching $370.3 million in January 2026 alone. Unlike quick phishing attacks, these scams use psychological manipulation—showing fake profits, requesting escalating deposits, and then blocking withdrawals—to exploit emotional trust and extract large sums of money. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious about unsolicited investment advice from people you've only met online, never share crypto wallet details with new contacts, and verify investment platforms through official regulatory databases before depositing any money.