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in General Elder Fraud
wmtw.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for Maine launched the Maine Rx Elder Fraud Program, distributing informational brochures through prescription bags at Hannaford's 60 in-state pharmacies to educate seniors about common scams and the National Elder Fraud Hotline. The initiative leverages pharmacists' trusted position and regular contact with older customers—approximately nine of ten people over 65 have regular prescriptions—to reach vulnerable populations and reduce fraud incidents in Maine, where residents lost over $7.1 million to fraud last year.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for Maine, in partnership with AARP Maine and the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention, launched the Maine Rx Elder Fraud Program, an educational initiative that will distribute anti-fraud informational brochures through Hannaford Supermarkets' 60 in-state pharmacies to reach older customers and caregivers. The program addresses a significant problem: in the prior year, 397 Mainers aged 60+ filed fraud complaints totaling $7.1 million in losses, reflecting a national trend in which over 101,000 Americans over 60 were defrauded of $3.4 billion. The materials
news4jax.com
· 2025-12-08
A Clay County, Florida sheriff's deputy intervened to stop a Bitcoin ATM fraud targeting an elderly woman who had been contacted by scammers posing as her bank after she mistakenly reached a fraudulent number while searching for Xfinity customer service. The scammers convinced her that fraudulent transactions required her to withdraw funds and deposit them via Bitcoin ATM to "protect" her money, a scheme that is irreversible and untraceable due to the scammers' use of virtual private networks and offshore locations. The Sheriff's Office has investigated 15-20 similar Bitcoin ATM fraud cases in recent months and is warning residents to be alert, as victims lose money immediately upon deposit with no
wtov9.com
· 2025-12-08
Hancock County Savings Bank held an educational event for seniors to raise awareness about fraud and scam prevention, citing FBI data showing over 100,000 Americans aged 60+ become fraud victims annually. The bank highlighted emerging threats including charity scams, family emergency schemes, and AI-based voice cloning scams used for kidnapping hoaxes, and recommended protective measures such as not answering unknown numbers, avoiding suspicious links, hesitating before sending money, and consulting family members before responding to unexpected requests.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
An "alarming" number of senior citizens in Gloucester Township, New Jersey have fallen victim to cryptocurrency scams in which perpetrators lure victims into purchasing cryptocurrency at Bitcoin ATMs or similar machines. Police emphasize that no legitimate business or government entity will demand payment via cryptocurrency, and warn seniors never to click unexpected links or pay fees requested by unsolicited contacts, particularly those claiming to represent Medicare, tech support companies, or financial institutions.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Police in southern Alberta arrested two men involved in an AI-enabled grandparent scam targeting seniors, where fraudsters used artificial intelligence to mimic victims' grandchildren's voices in emergency situations and convinced elderly residents to courier money to them. The scammers obtained voice samples from social media profiles, created AI mimics to call grandparents claiming urgent financial needs, and hired couriers (including the two arrested men) to collect cash. Authorities recommend seniors verify emergency calls with other family members before sending money.
bbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A 69-year-old widower in Suffolk lost his entire life savings of £85,000 to a romance scam in which a woman he met through social media claimed to be "Anita," a Kenyan businesswoman he agreed to marry. The victim was persuaded to send money under the pretense of a dowry and home renovations, receiving fake photos in return, only to discover upon arriving in Kenya that the scammer was actually his friend who had introduced them, and "Anita" never existed. The incident left Mr. Lodge homeless, sleeping rough at Heathrow Airport before moving to a homeless shelter, highlighting the emotional and financial devastation of romance frau
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Rodrick Lodge, a 69-year-old widower from Suffolk, lost his entire life savings of £85,000 in a romance scam orchestrated by a Kenyan acquaintance who posed as a woman named "Anita" on social media. After building an emotional relationship and agreeing to marry, Lodge discovered the scam only when he arrived in Nairobi for the wedding and found no one to meet him, leaving him homeless and living in a shelter. The case highlights the vulnerability of lonely individuals to romance scams and emphasizes the importance of never sending money to online contacts, regardless of relationship duration.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
North Texas police detective John Haecker reports a surge in elder fraud targeting seniors through romance scams and fake bank alerts that trick victims into converting cash to bitcoin. Notable cases include a 72-year-old woman who sold her house and sent $250,000 in bitcoin to a fake petroleum engineer, and an 84-year-old who lost $24,000 at a bitcoin ATM after being convinced by a scammer impersonating Chase Bank. According to the FBI, elder fraud in Texas increased 14% in 2023, with over 7,000 complaints and $278 million in combined losses, prompting experts to recommend verifying requests in person and discussing potential scams with
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Gloria Mooney, a 73-year-old New Jersey widow, lost over $50,000 in a romance scam after being targeted by a scammer posing as "Henry," an oil rig worker on Facebook. The scammer, traced to Nigeria, used a stolen celebrity photo and exploited Mooney's loneliness and emotional vulnerability following a 2023 car accident, convincing her to send money via gift cards, Bitcoin, wire transfers, and by withdrawing her 401k and personal savings with promises of repayment. Despite efforts by her family and authorities including the FBI, the funds could not be recovered.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency investment scams, particularly "pig butchering" schemes where fraudsters pose as attractive, wealthy traders on social media and dating apps, continue to defraud victims of substantial sums. Two North Carolina victims—Jim Wilkerson of Cary and Pamela Magnum of Durham—lost approximately $790,000 and $70,000 respectively after being lured with fake platforms showing false returns that eventually disappeared when they attempted withdrawals. According to the FBI, crypto-investment scam losses increased from $3 billion in 2022 to $4.5 billion in 2023, with over $1.9 billion in losses reported in the first six
cracked.com
· 2025-12-08
This article outlines five common tourist scams: the free bracelet/trinket scheme where vendors forcibly give items then demand payment; the broken taxi meter scam where drivers quote inflated fares without meter verification; the spill-and-stain distraction where accomplices create chaos while pickpockets steal; the elderly person fall scam that diverts attention from theft; and implied additional schemes. The article advises tourists to verify prices in advance, avoid accepting unsolicited items, and remain vigilant about personal belongings in crowded areas.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two Irish brothers, Patrick and Matthew McDonagh, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for stealing over $400,000 from elderly homeowners across the Northwest and Illinois by posing as home repair contractors. Using high-pressure tactics and false claims of necessary repairs (roof holes, foundation cracks), they defrauded victims in Washington, Oregon, and Illinois of hundreds of thousands of dollars, with one Shoreline, Washington homeowner losing $435,000. The brothers have agreed to make restitution totaling over $1 million to their victims and face sentencing in November 2024, with prosecutors recommending 26 months in prison for each defendant.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Louisiana hosted an "Unmasking Fraud" educational event on October 15 featuring keynote speaker Paul Greenwood, a retired San Diego Deputy District Attorney who prosecuted over 750 elder abuse and fraud cases during his 22-year career. The free public event included a resource fair, stakeholder roundtable, and presentation of the AARP Fraud Fighter of the Year Award to recognize organizations dedicated to combating fraud in Louisiana.
thecourierexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
State Rep. Mike Armanini hosted two Senior Scam Jam educational events in Pennsylvania's 75th District in September, partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities to teach older adults how to recognize and avoid common scams related to identity theft and financial fraud. The interactive seminars, held in DuBois and Ridgway, covered red flags to spot fraud and how to report suspected cases, with support from local district attorneys' offices.
themainewire.com
· 2025-12-08
The Maine U.S. Attorney's Office launched the Maine Rx Elder Fraud Program, a collaboration with AARP Maine and the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention, which distributes educational brochures about scam prevention through prescription bags at 60 Hannaford pharmacies across the state. The initiative targets elderly Mainers because nearly 9 in 10 people over 65 have regular prescriptions, making pharmacies an ideal venue for fraud awareness; in 2023 alone, 397 elderly Mainers reported fraud losses totaling over $7.1 million, part of a national trend where seniors lost $3.4 billion to scams.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
On September 5, 2024, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maine, AARP Maine, and the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention launched the Maine Rx Elder Fraud Program, which will distribute educational brochures about common scams through Hannaford Supermarkets' 60 in-store pharmacies across the state. The initiative responds to a growing national problem: in 2023, over 101,000 Americans aged 60+ lost $3.4 billion to fraud, including 397 Mainers who reported losses exceeding $7.1 million, with many cases going unreported due to embarrassment and reluctance
fox23maine.com
· 2025-12-08
A new brochure created by the U.S. Attorney's Office and non-profit partners will be distributed at Maine pharmacies to help prevent elder fraud, following reports that 397 Maine residents aged 60+ lost over $7.1 million to scams in the previous year. The brochure educates seniors about common fraud tactics—including gift card/wire transfer demands, urgency pressure, and fake computer infection pop-ups—and provides victim support resources. Officials note that the reported losses likely represent only a fraction of actual fraud cases, as many incidents go unreported.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong will visit the Berlin Senior Center on September 10 to discuss elder justice issues with local seniors, including scams, fraud, elder abuse, neglect, and workplace discrimination. The free program runs from 1-2 p.m. and requires advance registration by calling 860-628-7006 or signing up at the senior center's front desk.
paymentsjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
In August, crypto phishing attacks affected approximately 9,145 victims who collectively lost $66 million, a 215% increase from the previous month, though one victim's $55 million loss significantly inflated the total. Criminals use phishing tactics and "address poisoning" scams to trick victims into revealing private wallet keys or sending funds to fraudulent addresses, exploiting the anonymous nature of cryptocurrency which makes fraud investigation difficult. The article notes this is part of a broader trend of social engineering attacks where cybercriminals impersonate legitimate companies and brands to manipulate users into compromising their financial information.
shorenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
On September 3, Middletown Police arrested 24-year-old Canadian Alan Labranche-Bolic for operating a bail bond scam in which he posed as a bail bonds agent and stole $20,000 from a local resident by falsely claiming their daughter had been arrested. Police set up a sting operation to apprehend Labranche-Bolic when he returned to collect a second $30,000 payment, and he now faces felony theft, attempted theft from a senior, and conspiracy charges.
newstalkkzrg.com
· 2025-12-08
Bait-and-switch scams on Facebook manipulate users into sharing emotional posts about lost pets, missing children, or people in need, which scammers then edit to promote fake sales, job opportunities, investments, or donation requests designed to steal money or personal information. Reports of social media scams increased 63.8% from 2022 to 2023, with social media becoming the top scam contact method resulting in monetary losses. Users can protect themselves by verifying posts through official sources, performing reverse image searches, checking for red flags like disabled comments and newly created profiles, and reporting suspicious content to both BBB and Facebook.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of West Virginia launched an educational outreach campaign to inform older residents about financial fraud and elder abuse risks. U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld conducted the first event at a Morgantown senior living community, highlighting how seniors' trustworthiness and accumulated savings make them vulnerable to both stranger scams and fraud by loved ones or caretakers. Additional awareness events are planned across the region as part of the Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative.
bentonspiritnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece outlines four emerging fraud schemes targeting seniors: check cooking (digitally altering stolen checks), voiceprinting (using deepfake voice technology to impersonate victims and access financial accounts), celebrity impersonation (scammers posing as celebrities or their agents on social media to solicit loans), and multistage grandparent scams (organized call centers with young operatives posing as grandchildren in distress). The article provides protective measures for each scam type, including using electronic bill payments, avoiding phone conversations with non-family members, being skeptical of celebrity direct messages, and verifying caller information through independent contact methods.
wbay.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau reports that investment scams are at a three-year high, with over 4,000 reported cases and median losses rising from $1,000 in 2021 to nearly $6,000 in 2023. Scammers use social media invitations, promises of guaranteed high returns with low risk, and pressure tactics to lure victims into schemes that blend investments, cryptocurrency, and romance fraud, often targeting people with retirement accounts. Victims discover the scam only when attempting withdrawals and encountering unexpected fees or taxes.
noozhawk.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article examines how financial fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated through advanced tools like AI, with seniors (ages 60+) being particularly vulnerable targets due to larger savings and lower tech awareness. The piece details common fraud methods including phishing scams, tech support/customer service impersonations, social media investment schemes, and romance scams, noting that the FTC reported $8.8 billion in fraud losses in 2022, with seniors accounting for over $3 billion despite filing fewer reports than younger victims. The article emphasizes that anyone—regardless of age or financial literacy—can fall victim to these schemes and advises vigilance against unsolicited communications, suspicious links, and impersonations of
crosstimbersgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
Bank of America outlines six common types of elder fraud targeting older Americans—including investment scams, unscrupulous billing practices, internet/phone fraud, high-pressure sales tactics, and fraudulent friendships—and notes that elder fraud remains vastly underreported due to victims' reluctance to admit they've been deceived. The article provides protective strategies for family members, such as verifying references, requiring written documentation, avoiding unsolicited financial transactions, and monitoring accounts for suspicious activity like unusual checks or ATM withdrawals. Bank of America recommends establishing open communication about finances and utilizing tools like designated trusted contact persons to help detect fraud early.
post-journal.com
· 2025-12-08
This is a brief notices section announcing local community events. Relevant to elder fraud awareness: The Ellington Farman Library and Center for Elder Law and Justice will host a free educational program titled "Top Senior Scams and How to Avoid Them" on Tuesday at 11 a.m., featuring presentations by a paralegal and social worker covering common scams targeting seniors and identification strategies.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A USC Dornsife study published in Cerebral Cortex found a correlation between vulnerability to financial scams and early-stage Alzheimer's disease, specifically linking poor financial decision-making to thinning of the entorhinal cortex—a brain region that shows early signs of Alzheimer's. Researchers examined adults aged 70 and older with no clinical cognitive impairments using MRI scans and financial vulnerability assessments, finding that those susceptible to financial exploitation had measurably thinner entorhinal cortexes. The study suggests that assessing financial decision-making skills in older adults may help identify early cognitive decline, though financial vulnerability alone should not be considered a definitive indicator
positivelynaperville.com
· 2025-12-08
Scams targeting people over 60 caused losses exceeding $3.4 billion nationwide in 2023, representing an 11% increase from the previous year according to the FBI's Elder Fraud Report. Common scams include imposter schemes, online shopping fraud, sweepstakes, lotteries, and fake investment/job opportunities, which often feature warning signs such as pressure to act quickly, requests for sensitive information, scare tactics, and demands for hard-to-recover payments like wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Older adults and their families should remain vigilant by learning to recognize these red flags, particularly that legitimate businesses and government agencies never demand payment in cryptocurrency.
newpittsburghcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud losses reached $3.4 billion in 2023 (a 14% increase from 2022), with January-May 2024 showing $1.6 billion in losses—a double-digit increase—according to FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center data. In Houston, Keith Jones was indicted for allegedly defrauding a 92-year-old dementia patient out of his home by falsely claiming property tax obligations and coercing him to sign deed documents worth approximately $30,000. Experts emphasize that reporting fraud, community awareness, and education are critical to protecting vulnerable seniors from increasingly sophisticated scams targeting the elderly, particularly in communities of color
franklinobserver.town.news
· 2025-12-08
This educational article provides guidance for older Americans to protect themselves from scams, which cost Americans $10 billion in 2023. Key protective strategies include slowing down before responding to emotional appeals, verifying contact information independently, carefully controlling access to sensitive documents and accounts, and seeking assistance from certified financial planners who can help monitor accounts and detect suspicious activity.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Penny Mashburn signed up for magazine subscriptions thinking she was supporting a school fundraiser, but the scam led to years of telemarketer harassment and charges that escalated from $39 to $199 per subscription across multiple companies, ultimately costing her much of her savings. Penny and her sister Nancy's investigation into the fraud helped expose a 20-year conspiracy that defrauded over 150,000 victims nationwide of millions of dollars, ultimately leading them to testify in federal court to help shut down the operation.
whig.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers use emotional bait-and-switch posts about lost pets, missing children, or seniors in need on Facebook to manipulate users into sharing them, then edit the posts to solicit money or personal information. Reports of social media scams increased 63.8% from 2022 to 2023, making social media the top contact method for scams resulting in monetary loss. Users can protect themselves by verifying posts through official sources, performing reverse image searches, checking for red flags like urgency and disabled comments, and reporting suspected scams to the Better Business Bureau and Facebook.
ketv.com
· 2025-12-08
**Type:** Publishers Clearing House Scam / Elder Fraud
**Victim:** Monty Thompson, Iowa resident
**Outcome:** Monty lost over $8,000 in two months and died by suicide on July 24th after being scammed.
Monty Thompson was targeted by offshore scammers claiming he had won millions of dollars and a Ford F-150 from Publishers Clearing House, but was required to pay taxes and fees upfront before receiving his prize. After losing over $8,000 and facing continued contact from the scammers (who called over 20 times), Monty took his own life. The Iowa Attorney
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
A 20-year-old Thai man recruited into a Chinese-led scam syndicate in Myanmar described how he was trained to create fake social media profiles and identify victims for romance and investment fraud schemes. Thailand has reported 78.8 million scam incidents since last year with $2 billion in losses, while U.S. authorities have warned of Americans being trafficked into these operations, with the DOJ indicting four individuals in 2023 for laundering over $80 million in scam profits. Elderly victims like a 60-year-old woman who lost $163,642 over an 18-month romance scam face particularly devastating financial consequences compared to younger victims.
flaglerlive.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to tech support fraud when she clicked on a fake Safari warning, which led scammers to manipulate her into purchasing gift cards worth thousands of dollars over 10 hours. The case illustrates a broader problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through stranger fraud, with gift cards becoming an increasingly common payment method for criminals because they lack consumer protections similar to credit and debit cards. The article reveals systemic failures in federal regulation, inadequate retailer safeguards, and the profitable role that technology companies and retailers play in the gift card fraud ecosystem, where "everybody but the victim makes money."
nbcdfw.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC warns that Bitcoin ATM fraud is soaring, with scam incidents rising 1,000% since 2020 and losses exceeding $120 million in the U.S. in 2023. Bitcoin ATMs are vulnerable to both physical and cyber attacks—including malware installation, wallet address manipulation, and data interception—and lack the transaction reversal protections of traditional banking, making stolen funds irretrievable. The decentralized nature of Bitcoin and lack of regulatory oversight governing ATM operators compound these security risks.
wxow.com
· 2025-12-08
The Holmen Public Library hosted a free educational program on September 12 titled "Common Scams Targeting Seniors," featuring Jeff Kersten from Wisconsin's Division of Trade and Consumer Protection. Attendees learned about warning signs of fraud targeting seniors, strategies for protecting personal information, and steps to take if victimized by a scam.
yubanet.com
· 2025-12-08
A 14-year-old Girl Scout created an awareness campaign for her Silver Award project after observing family members, friends, and community members fall victim to scams. She developed the SAVE tool (STOP, ASK, VERIFY, EXIT) to help people recognize and respond to scam attempts, along with educational materials like magnets, stickers, and a video demonstrating the technique.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
Stephen, a retired former solicitor, lost £70,000 to fraudsters posing as bank representatives who convinced him to invest in a fake high-interest savings bond offering 11% returns; Andrew White lost £240,000 in a similar scam when criminals intercepted his house purchase email communications and redirected his deposit to a fraudulent account. Both victims experienced significant emotional trauma, though they were eventually refunded—raising concerns after the UK regulator announced it would cut maximum fraud victim compensation by 80% (from £415,000 to approximately £85,000), potentially leaving high-value fraud victims without adequate protection. These cases highlight the sophistication of authorised push payment (APP) sc
grocerydive.com
· 2025-12-08
Hannaford Supermarkets launched the Maine Rx Elder Fraud Program across 60 Maine pharmacies in partnership with the U.S. Attorney's Office, AARP Maine, and the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention, distributing informational brochures on prescription bags to help seniors recognize and report fraud. The initiative addresses a growing problem: in 2023, over 101,000 Americans age 60+ lost $3.4 billion to fraud, with 397 Maine residents alone filing complaints for $7.1 million in losses. The brochures include common scam warning signs and information about the National Elder Fraud Hotline, leveraging pharmacists' trusted relationships
financial-planning.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman lost over $278,000 between February and April to scammers posing as government agents who convinced her they were protecting her from fraud, including handing over nearly $80,000 in gold bars to a "runner." Her daughter repeatedly asked Schwab to permanently freeze her account, but Schwab temporarily blocked and then repeatedly unblocked it five separate times, allowing the fraudulent transactions to proceed; Schwab is now being sued for negligence and materially contributing to the scheme by failing to adequately investigate suspicious activity and refusing to permanently lock the account without the victim's own request.
dailybulldog.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maine launched the Maine Rx Elder Fraud Program, a collaborative awareness initiative with AARP Maine and the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention that distributes educational brochures through Hannaford Supermarkets' 60 in-state pharmacies to educate seniors about recognizing scams and reporting fraud. In the prior year, 397 Mainers aged 60+ filed fraud complaints with reported losses exceeding $7.1 million, while nationally over 101,000 seniors were defrauded of $3.4 billion through increasingly sophisticated schemes.
wyff4.com
· 2025-12-08
Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride reports an uptick in scam reports while Bill Vicary works to educate senior citizens on fraud prevention. The piece features a scam victim sharing her experience to help others recognize and avoid becoming targets of similar schemes.
mybuckhannon.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for West Virginia launched an educational outreach campaign to protect seniors from financial fraud, with U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld conducting awareness events at senior living communities across the Northern District. The initiative addresses the prevalence of elder fraud in West Virginia, including scams by both strangers and trusted individuals like family members and caretakers, emphasizing that seniors' trustworthiness and accumulated savings make them vulnerable targets. Additional educational events are planned at assisted living facilities and senior communities as part of the Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative.
brantfordexpositor.ca
· 2025-12-08
A Brantford senior lost her home and approximately $374,000 through a renovation and mortgage fraud scheme involving four predatory mortgages between 2021 and 2022, resulting in mortgage enforcement in January 2024. Police charged four individuals—a 29-year-old from Oakville, a 34-year-old from Hamilton, a 60-year-old from Toronto, and a 39-year-old from Brampton—with fraud and related offenses following a joint investigation by Brantford and Waterloo Regional Police. Authorities advise seniors to be cautious of unsolicited door-to-door visitors and document signing, and encourage
gantnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Rep. Mike Armanini partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities to host two Senior Scam Jam educational events in the 75th District designed to teach older adults how to identify and avoid common scams that lead to identity theft and financial fraud. The interactive seminars took place on September 17-18 in DuBois and Ridgway, with support from local district attorneys' offices, and covered red flags for spotting scams and procedures for reporting suspected fraud.
decripto.org
· 2025-12-08
Thailand reported 78.8 million phone scam and phishing cases since 2023, with international criminal gangs—often Chinese-coordinated—operating call centres primarily targeting people over 30, young adults aged 20-25, and online shoppers through romance scams and fake e-commerce schemes. Thai and Cambodian authorities have launched operations to dismantle these networks, with 165 arrest warrants issued, though gangs are relocating to neighboring countries; notably, a 60-year-old Thai woman lost over $160,000 in a year-long scam involving a fake Malaysian pipeline investment. U.S. authorities indicted four people in 2023 for
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of Justice distributed $18.5 million from forfeited Western Union funds to approximately 3,000 fraud victims, representing the sixth distribution under the Western Union Remission Fund. Through two phases, the fund has now distributed over $420 million to more than 175,000 victims who received full compensation for losses caused by fraud schemes that Western Union aided and abetted, including grandparent scams and lottery/sweepstakes schemes targeting seniors. Western Union agreed to forfeit $586 million total following a 2017 deferred prosecution agreement for violations including the Bank Secrecy Act and wire fraud facilitation.