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in Financial Crime
qns.com
· 2025-12-08
Lisa Rossopoulos, 59, of Kew Gardens Hills, was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property for operating a nationwide elder fraud scheme targeting senior citizens through impersonation of government officials and companies. Between February and July 2023, she fraudulently obtained approximately $548,000 from a 92-year-old Hawaii resident and an 83-year-old Kentucky man through coordinated phone scams claiming their identities were stolen, with the victims wiring money to bank accounts under Rossopoulos' name that she promptly emptied. If convicted, she faces up to 15 years in prison.
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
Vermont officials charged 25 Canadians operating call centers near Montreal for conducting a "Grandparent Scam" that defrauded elderly Americans of $21 million between summer 2021 and June 2024. The scammers used personal information to impersonate grandchildren in distress, then posed as attorneys and bail bondsmen to convince victims to send money, which was transferred to Canada via cash pickups and cryptocurrency. Law enforcement dismantled the operation on June 4, 2024, when they executed search warrants and caught defendants actively calling victims, with the alleged ring leaders facing up to 40 years imprisonment if convicted.
localnewsmatters.org
· 2025-12-08
Marin County deputies arrested Uber driver Zhuowen Yu, 43, on suspicion of defrauding seniors of at least $64,000 through scams claiming their Apple ID or Adobe Acrobat accounts were compromised, then instructing victims to withdraw cash for a "courier" to collect. Yu was identified through automated license plate readers connecting him to at least two cases in San Rafael and Point Reyes, and was booked on felony charges including grand theft, financial elder abuse, and criminal conspiracy.
atlantanewsfirst.com
· 2025-12-08
The FCC warned of increasingly sophisticated "grandparent scams" conducted via robocalls, following the indictment of 25 Canadians accused of running call centers near Montreal that stole tens of millions of dollars from elderly victims across 40+ U.S. states. Scammers impersonated grandchildren in legal trouble, used voice cloning and AI technology, and pressured victims to send bail money—ultimately transmitting $21 million to Canada through cash deliveries and cryptocurrency. The FCC advises recipients to hang up and call their grandchild back using a saved number, consult trusted contacts despite pressure to stay silent, and report suspicious calls to the National Elder Frau
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Frank Lassen Garay, 45, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for bank fraud after he created fraudulent checks based on banking information from a legitimate $15,066.95 settlement check and used them to purchase over $400,000 worth of vehicles, jewelry, and services between November and December 2022. Over a span of just two weeks, Garay passed fifteen fraudulent checks to dealerships and businesses, making no attempt to conceal his identity and often leaving with the purchased items before the checks were discovered to be fake. Garay has a lengthy criminal history spanning over 15 years with prior convictions for theft, fraud, forgery, and receiving
wsmv.com
· 2025-12-08
Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the bipartisan Romance Scam Prevention Act with Senator John Hickenlooper, which would require dating apps to alert users about potential scammers and provide fraud prevention guidance. The legislation addresses a growing problem where romance scams cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022, with seniors particularly vulnerable to losing their life savings to con artists on dating platforms.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies six Social Security scams targeting Baby Boomers in 2025, including cost-of-living adjustment schemes, fake benefits applications, malicious security update tools, benefit suspension threats, and phony information update requests. According to the Office of the Inspector General, government impostors scammed Americans out of $577 million in the previous year, with approximately 61% of Social Security scams involving claims about SSN or benefits issues. The article advises recipients to verify communications directly through official SSA channels, avoid clicking suspicious links, and remember that the SSA will not demand money or threaten legal action via unsolicited contact.
atlanticsun.co.za
· 2025-12-08
Camps Bay police have reported an increase in fraud cases targeting residents, particularly seniors, including impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as bank employees or government officials to steal money, fake payment schemes on social media marketplaces, and fraudulent holiday rental listings. The police station commander provided guidance on protective measures including verifying bank communications directly with financial institutions, never sharing personal details with callers, ensuring payment clears before releasing items in sales, and researching holiday accommodations through reputable platforms before booking.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Jane received a suspicious text claiming to be from her bank Kinecta notifying her of a $950.44 transfer approval to an unfamiliar person, with a link to cancel the transaction—a classic smishing scam designed to steal login credentials or install malware. The message exhibited multiple red flags including artificial urgency, suspicious links, brand impersonation, and unsolicited contact. The article provides guidance on recognizing such scams and protecting oneself through verification practices, strong antivirus software, and never clicking suspicious links.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
iPhone users are receiving phishing text messages claiming suspicious purchases or unauthorized account activity, directing them to call fake Apple support numbers where scammers attempt to steal personal information, install spyware, or gain remote device access. To protect themselves, users should avoid clicking links in suspicious messages, verify any account issues directly through official Apple channels or their bank, and remember that Apple never initiates unsolicited contact via text, email, or phone.
hyannisnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article reports on federal law enforcement arrests of undocumented immigrants with criminal records in Massachusetts during early 2025, including individuals charged with sexual assault, drug trafficking, and weapons offenses. The cases involved coordination between DEA, ICE, and local police, with one suspect remaining in ICE custody pending removal proceedings and another wanted for felony drug trafficking in Brazil. The article does not contain information related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse and is therefore outside the scope of the Elderus database.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
NTT Communications Corporation disclosed a February 2025 cyberattack affecting nearly 18,000 corporate customers, with hackers accessing sensitive contract and personal information including names, phone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses through the company's Order Information Distribution System. The breach was contained by February 6, though a secondary intrusion was discovered on February 15, and NTT notified affected customers through a public website announcement rather than individual alerts. This incident marks the third major cybersecurity event for NTT in recent years, following a DDoS attack in January 2025 and a data theft in May 2020.
irishmirror.ie
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old retired care worker lost €25,000 to a romance scammer who posed as "Daniel Peeters," a widowed businessman, after they met on Match.com in May. Over four months, the fraudster used romantic gestures, fabricated emergencies (frozen bank accounts, business deals, a taxi accident), and fake documents to manipulate her into sending multiple wire transfers. Fortunately, solicitors from the National Fraud Helpline recovered all of her lost funds through a fraud reclaim scheme.
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
A 20-year-old scrap dealer, Tahiru Issah, was convicted and sentenced to 12 months hard labor by the Ashaiman Circuit Court for stealing water infrastructure components valued at GHS 3,250 from Ghana Water Limited on February 26, 2025. Police discovered him with six stopcocks, six safety valves, and one return valve, and upon interrogation, he admitted to stealing the items from residents in the area. Ghana Water Limited's regional manager noted the company has faced numerous meter-stealing cases that have damaged operations and urged the public to report suspicious activity.
san.com
· 2025-12-08
The FCC issued a consumer alert warning about AI-powered voice cloning scams that impersonate loved ones, often using social media videos to create convincing deepfakes requesting urgent money transfers. These scams exploit fear and pressure tactics—such as fake arrest scenarios and "don't tell anyone" instructions—to bypass victim skepticism, with elder fraud complaints rising 14% in 2023 and 25 Canadian nationals recently charged with using similar schemes across 45 states.
wmur.com
· 2025-12-08
A global gift card fraud ring with ties to New Hampshire resulted in millions of dollars in losses from October 2023 through January 2024, with victims targeted through romance scams, elder fraud, and store card tampering to purchase high-end electronics that were resold overseas. Three Chinese nationals pleaded guilty in federal court, with prosecutors linking them to $4.8 million in fraudulent gift card purchases; a Salem warehouse search uncovered approximately $8 million in goods. Homeland Security Investigations and the New Hampshire U.S. Attorney's Office have established a restitution program allowing victims to recover funds by submitting gift card numbers and purchase receipts by June 30, 2024.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Sam Miele, a 28-year-old former campaign fundraiser for U.S. Rep. George Santos, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for wire fraud after impersonating Kevin McCarthy's chief of staff to solicit campaign donations, a scheme that defrauded donors and involved approximately $100,000 in unauthorized credit card charges. Miele pleaded guilty and agreed to pay over $109,000 in restitution plus additional forfeitures and campaign contributor payments. This case was part of a broader federal investigation into Santos' 2022 campaign that led to Santos' own guilty plea for wire fraud, identity theft, and other crimes, ultimately resulting in his expulsion from
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are targeting Apple customers with phishing text messages that falsely claim suspicious purchases or unauthorized account activity, urging recipients to call a fraudulent support number or risk being charged. When victims call the fake support line, scammers impersonate Apple representatives to steal personal information or gain remote access to devices to install spyware and access bank accounts. Users should avoid clicking links or calling numbers in unsolicited messages and instead verify account security directly through official Apple channels or their bank.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams targeting older Americans are on the rise, with the FTC reporting nearly 70,000 victims in 2022, with people over 70 suffering median losses of $9,475. Bipartisan lawmakers introduced the Romance Scam Prevention Act, which would require dating apps to notify users who have interacted with accounts banned for fraudulent activity, enforced by the FTC and state attorneys general. The legislation was prompted by cases like that of 43-year-old Aurora Phelps, who met older men on dating sites, drugged them, and stole from their accounts, resulting in at least two deaths and 21 criminal charges against her.
wgnsradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams targeting seniors on dating apps have escalated significantly, prompting Senator Marsha Blackburn to introduce the Romance Scam Prevention Act, which would require dating platforms to notify users about fraudulent accounts they've interacted with. Seniors lost $1.3 billion nationally to romance scams in 2022, with Tennessee residents over 60 alone losing $43 million in 2023—an 18% increase year-over-year—as scammers exploit recently widowed or divorced individuals seeking meaningful connections.
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghana's Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has raised concerns about rising romance scams in the country, with 107 active cases under investigation since 2021. EOCO recovered approximately 2 million Ghana cedis in 2024 and is partnering with the UK's National Crime Agency and international law enforcement agencies to combat the fraud through improved intelligence sharing and whistleblowing strategies.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old retired care worker lost £22,000 to a romance scammer who posed as a widower named "Daniel Peeters" on Match.com over a four-month period from June to November. The fraudster used stolen photographs and fabricated increasingly elaborate stories—including a frozen bank account, a hospital accident, and marriage proposals—to manipulate the victim into making repeated wire transfers. Fortunately, solicitors from the National Fraud Helpline recovered all of the victim's lost funds through a fraud reclaim scheme.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece advises families on recognizing when aging parents need help managing finances and how to assist appropriately. Key warning signs include reduced engagement with financial habits, difficulty organizing tax documents, and vulnerability to online scams and fraud. The article recommends starting conversations early, balancing autonomy with necessary safeguards, and working with financial advisors to protect seniors' retirement savings while preserving their dignity.
denvergazette.com
· 2025-12-08
A 27-year-old man from New Jersey was sentenced to six years in prison for stealing over $120,000 from an 80-year-old Highlands Ranch woman through a fake federal agent gold bar scam in July 2023. Sagar Jayeshkuma Patel posed as law enforcement after she clicked a virus pop-up, convincing her to purchase gold bars and hand them over at a convenience store; he was caught through cellphone records, credit card records, and surveillance footage, and ordered to pay approximately $144,000 in restitution. Patel is also under investigation for similar crimes in New York and Delaware and faces an ICE hold for being an un
vvdailypress.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old Apple Valley man foiled a tech support scam when he recognized a fraudulent pop-up ad claiming his information was compromised and asking him to withdraw $35,000. After reporting the scheme to the sheriff's department, the victim arranged for the suspect to pick up the money at his home, where deputies arrested 29-year-old Alex Yu of San Francisco on suspicion of attempted fraud. The incident underscores the importance of recognizing that legitimate banks and government agencies never request cash withdrawals or in-person money transfers.
tampafp.com
· 2025-12-08
Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the bipartisan Romance Scam Prevention Act to protect dating app users, particularly seniors, from romance scams that cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022 and $43 million to Tennessee seniors over 60 in 2023 alone. The bill requires dating platforms to notify users when they have interacted with someone banned for fraud, addressing a gap where scammers shift conversations to private platforms like WhatsApp to avoid detection. Romance scam losses increased 70% between 2020 and 2022, with median individual losses of $4,400, prompting support from advocacy groups like AARP, though tech companies have raise
thefinancialbrand.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2023 MIT and AARP study found that household wealth declines by more than half—from $217,000 to $104,000—in the eight years before a dementia diagnosis, as individuals make poor financial decisions and become vulnerable to exploitation while cognitive decline goes undetected. Nearly one in ten adults over 65 have diagnosable dementia, with financial red flags like missed payments and declining credit scores appearing up to six years before diagnosis, yet most financial institutions lack adequate proactive measures to protect at-risk clients during this critical pre-diagnosis window.
syvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Santa Maria financial advisor Julie Darrah pleaded guilty to wire fraud for stealing $2.25 million from at least nine elderly female clients between 2016 and 2023 through an investment scheme where she misappropriated funds from their brokerage and bank accounts, funneling money into her personal accounts and businesses. The scheme affected victims including an 85-year-old retired elementary school teacher, and Darrah faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, with sentencing scheduled for May 19 and restitution estimated at $7.7 million.
queensda.org
· 2025-12-08
Lise Rossopoulos, 59, of Kew Gardens Hills, Queens, was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property for orchestrating a nationwide elder fraud scheme that defrauded senior citizens of over $500,000. The scam involved co-conspirators impersonating government officials (FTC and Amazon representatives) who convinced victims to wire money to bank accounts in Queens and upstate New York that Rossopoulos controlled, with funds withdrawn immediately after each transfer. Two identified victims—a 92-year-old from Hawaii and an 83-year-old from Kentucky—lost $446,000 and $101,980 respectively between February and July
audacy.com
· 2025-12-08
Twenty-five Canadian nationals, mostly from Québec, were indicted for operating a "grandparent scam" that defrauded U.S. seniors in 41 states of approximately $21 million starting in summer 2021. The defendants made fraudulent phone calls from Montreal call centers posing as grandchildren or attorneys, claiming relatives needed bail money for arrests, and collected payments from victims' homes before transferring funds to Canada via cash deliveries and cryptocurrency transactions. Twenty-three suspects were arrested in Canada while two remained at large, with organizers facing up to 40 years in prison and other participants facing up to 20 years.
shorenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
Lise Rossopoulos, 59, of Queens, New York, was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property for her role in a nationwide scam that defrauded elderly victims of over $500,000. Working with a co-conspirator posing as a government official, Rossopoulos received wire transfers into bank accounts in her name from victims who were falsely told their identities had been stolen, including a 92-year-old Hawaii woman who lost $446,000 and an 83-year-old Kentucky man who lost nearly $102,000. She faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
mychesco.com
· 2025-12-08
REGO Payment Architectures unveiled a senior financial management platform launching March 31, 2025, designed to help adult children and caretakers monitor elderly relatives' finances across multiple institutions and detect fraudulent activity. The product addresses a critical need, as Americans aged 60 and older lost over $38 billion to fraud in 2023, with the FBI reporting average losses of $33,915 per victim. The white-labeled solution includes features such as spending alerts, transaction monitoring, fraud detection via a proprietary Protection Score, and bill payment reminders, positioning it to capture an estimated $1 billion annual revenue opportunity for participating financial institutions.
whio.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple Chicago residents fell victim to a street-based charity donation scam between June 2024 and November 2024, where con artists used emotional stories (such as raising funeral funds or awareness for causes) to gain trust, then charged victims thousands of dollars through Apple Pay and other digital payment methods when they believed they were donating only small amounts. The Illinois attorney general's office received approximately 10 complaints about this scheme, though one victim, Eliazar Rodriguez, was charged $3,000 for a carpet purchase after believing he donated $15, and he eventually recovered his funds after disputing the charge with his bank.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
As romance scams targeting seniors surge, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced the Romance Scam Prevention Act, which would require dating apps to notify users if they've communicated with someone banned for fraud. According to the FTC, nearly 70,000 Americans reported romance scam victimization in 2022, with people aged 70 and older experiencing median losses of $9,475, and Tennessee seniors over 60 losing $43 million in 2023. The legislation would be enforced by the FTC and allow state attorneys general to bring civil actions, addressing a growing threat exemplified by cases like Aurora Phelps, who was charged with using dating
blackburn.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the bipartisan Romance Scam Prevention Act to require dating apps to notify users who have interacted with individuals removed for fraudulent activity, addressing a growing threat to senior citizens. Romance scams cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022, with Tennesseans over 60 losing $43 million in 2023 alone, as scammers target recently widowed or divorced seniors through fake identities and move conversations to private platforms after account deactivation.
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) announced a significant rise in romance scams, with 107 active cases currently under investigation. EOCO is collaborating with international partners including the FBI and the Financial Intelligence Center to combat the fraud, and recovered approximately GH¢2 million in 2024 as part of these efforts.
citinewsroom.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghana's Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) has been investigating at least 107 romance scam cases since 2021, with scammers increasingly using artificial intelligence to deceive victims, and recovered approximately 2 million Ghana cedis in 2024 alone. EOCO launched a fraud reporting campaign in partnership with the UK's National Crime Agency to combat romance fraud through whistleblower mechanisms and international cooperation, emphasizing the need for cross-border collaboration among law enforcement agencies. The campaign encourages public reporting of suspicious activities to help protect victims from the devastating financial and emotional effects of romance scams.
newsday.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, New Yorkers over 60 lost more than $203 million to scams including sweepstakes, tech support fraud, and government impersonation schemes, with Long Islanders accounting for $38 million of those losses. Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed legislation that would train bank employees, brokers, and financial advisers to recognize elder exploitation and legally empower them to place temporary holds (up to 55 days) on suspicious transactions while law enforcement investigates. The bill, supported by 43 consumer protection groups including AARP, aims to prevent funds from being permanently lost to scammers before fraud can be detected and stopped.
stocktitan.net
· 2025-12-08
Rego Payment Architectures announced a new white-label senior financial management product launching March 31, 2025, designed to help banks and credit unions protect elderly customers from financial fraud through monitoring tools for caretakers. The product addresses a critical need, as Americans over 60 lost over $38 billion to financial fraud in 2023, with victims averaging $33,915 in losses. The platform offers features including cross-account visibility, spending alerts, transaction monitoring, and fraud detection to help families oversee seniors' finances across multiple institutions.
globenewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
This is not a news report about elder fraud, but rather a press release announcing a new financial management product by Rego Payment Architectures designed to help banks and credit unions protect seniors from fraud. The product, launching March 31, 2025, enables adult children and caretakers to monitor aging relatives' accounts across multiple institutions through features like spending alerts, transaction monitoring, and fraud detection. The announcement notes that Americans over 60 lost over $38 billion to financial fraud in 2023, with elderly victims averaging $33,915 in losses according to FBI data.
investmentnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The North American Securities Administrators Association identified cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence-based scams as major threats to retail investors in 2025, with fraudsters increasingly using social media platforms (31.7% on Facebook and X, 31.3% on Telegram and WhatsApp) and AI-generated content to deceive victims with promises of unrealistic returns. Nearly 39% of state regulators expect scammers to use AI-generated videos and graphics for false credibility, while affinity and romance scams remain significant risks, with seniors losing $357 million to such schemes in 2023 alone. NASAA advised investors to verify the legitimacy of investment promoters and their registration status before investing
blueprint.ng
· 2025-12-08
Jude Okoye, former manager of the music duo P-Square, was granted bail of N50 million after being charged by Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with stealing $1 million and £34,537 from the group. Okoye pleaded not guilty to the four-count theft charges filed against him and his company, Northside Music Ltd., with the trial set to begin in May. The court imposed strict conditions including submission of citizenship documents, passport withholding, and requirement that his sureties provide proof of employment and three years of tax payments.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercrime marketplaces are dramatically lowering the barriers to entry for fraud, enabling less-skilled individuals to conduct sophisticated scams through "cybercrime-as-a-service" platforms that sell malicious tools, stolen data, and hacking expertise. These organized underground markets—including darknet sites and public platforms like Huione Guarantee—operate with corporate-like structures and cryptocurrency payments to facilitate illicit activities, with vendors on major platforms processing billions in transactions. Experts warn this professionalization and accessibility of cybercrime resources poses unprecedented global cybersecurity and fraud threats.
blog.ssa.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration and its Office of Inspector General launched the sixth annual "Slam the Scam" Day on March 6 to combat Social Security imposter scams, where fraudsters pressure victims into sharing personal information or making payments by claiming to fix alleged Social Security number problems. These scams affect all age groups and remain among the most commonly reported government imposter frauds to the FTC, with victims tricked through sophisticated tactics including caller ID spoofing, fake documents, and fraudulent letterhead. The agencies emphasized that Social Security will never suspend numbers, demand immediate payments, threaten arrest, or request gift cards or wire transfers, and urged citizens to report attempts to oig.ssa.gov
ksltv.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers increasingly target lonely individuals on dating apps and social media using stolen photos and AI-generated deepfakes to establish fake identities. A Utah woman lost $187,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam, another became an unwitting money mule, and innocent West Haven resident Justin Yoder faced harassment after his photos were stolen and used to defraud victims. Reverse image searches and awareness of common tactics—such as targeting vulnerable individuals and gradually building trust before requesting money—can help people identify catfishing attempts before falling victim.
abc7ny.com
· 2025-12-08
At least two dozen elderly and vulnerable people across multiple states lost over $1 million to a construction fraud scheme perpetrated by James Dinnigan, Martin Maughan, and recruited foreign nationals posing as legitimate home repair contractors. The scammers lured victims through false advertisements, then deliberately damaged their properties and coerced them into paying tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars for unnecessary repairs through intimidation and threats. Most victims were located in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
A massive data leak exposed an international crypto scam operation with call centers in Georgia, Israel, Spain, Cyprus, Ukraine, and Bulgaria that defrauded at least 32,000 victims of over $275 million USD. The scammers used fake news articles on social media featuring celebrities like Kevin O'Leary and Elon Musk to lure victims into fraudulent cryptocurrency investments, then deployed "recovery scammers" (using stolen identities) to extract additional payments from desperate victims—including a Canadian factory foreman who lost $200,000 and was later targeted for an additional $3,500. The leaked internal records, including over one million call recordings and 20,
theweeklyjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
A Chinese man lost approximately $27,000 in a romance scam orchestrated using artificial intelligence, where criminals created a completely virtual girlfriend with AI-generated photos and videos convincing enough to deceive him into believing she was real. The scammers used the fabricated relationship to convince the victim that his fake girlfriend was an entrepreneur needing investment capital for a business and medical expenses, leading him to transfer funds to a provided bank account. The scam was executed with meticulous detail, including forged documents and sustained technological deception, with the victim never meeting his girlfriend in person.
npr.org
· 2025-12-08
Twenty-five Canadians, mostly based in Quebec, were charged with defrauding hundreds of American seniors out of more than $21 million through a "grandparent scam" that operated from call centers in the Montreal area beginning in summer 2021. The scammers used spoofed phone numbers and fake identities (posing as grandchildren in legal trouble and attorneys) to convince elderly victims across 46 states to send money via in-person pickups, mail, or cryptocurrency, with some victims targeted multiple times and referred to as "whales." The scheme continued until June 2024 when Canadian law enforcement executed search warrants at the call centers, leading to the arrests of