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in Romance Scam
leadertelegram.com
· 2025-12-08
Charlotte Siverling of Cadott and Nancy Wheeler of Ladysmith both nearly fell victim to tech support scams involving fake Microsoft alerts and fraudulent bank representatives who gained remote computer access and demanded thousands of dollars in wire transfers or gift cards. While Siverling avoided loss by calling her son and hanging up, Wheeler nearly transferred money before recognizing the manipulation, though she had to compromise her bank account security. Both women's cases highlight how scammers use fear tactics—including false claims of hacking, child pornography charges, and unauthorized withdrawals—combined with pressure to act quickly to manipulate victims regardless of education level or technical literacy.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
New South Wales has the highest reported rates of dating and romance scams in Australia, with victims—predominantly aged 50-80—losing hundreds of thousands of dollars to fraudsters posing as romantic interests. One victim lost $400,000 over years of repeated scams, while a private investigator's clients have collectively lost $2.9 million, though cyber fraud remains significantly under-reported with victims often reluctant to come forward due to embarrassment and denial. Families frequently intervene on behalf of affected loved ones, and support from trusted people is crucial in encouraging victims to report scams to authorities.
hawaiinewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers are targeting elderly victims, particularly those recently divorced or widowed, by creating fake identities on social media and dating platforms to establish emotional bonds before requesting money under false pretenses. After gaining trust, scammers typically claim they need funds to visit the victim in person, then disappear with the money—sometimes in large amounts. Police advise families to have open conversations with elderly relatives about online safety and to regularly check in with them to help prevent victimization.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
A reformed Nigerian romance scammer named Chris Maxwell, who defrauded dozens of women of $70,000 between 2016 and 2021 primarily using fake military profiles, now works as a consultant educating the public on how to avoid such schemes. He advises people to be wary of social media profiles with few photos, reluctance to video call or meet in person, and to never send money or gifts to unverified online contacts. The FTC reported 42,399 romance scam complaints in 2024 with a median loss of $1,901 per victim, and Americans collectively lost $823 million to such fraudsters that year.
guardian.ng
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old American woman, Diana Nelson, was victimized by a romance scam orchestrated by Nigerian fraudster Emmanuel Adeboye, who impersonated Hollywood actor Mark Hammon on Facebook and convinced her to travel to Ghana in November, where she was held captive and robbed of her phones, cash, and valuables. Adeboye also manipulated Nelson into obtaining a $15,000 reverse mortgage on her California home and attempted to have her house sold while she was detained; he later contacted her son demanding he sell the property and claiming Nelson had been arrested with undeclared gold and diamonds. The FBI and Ghana Police coordinated a sting operation using her credit
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Katherine Goodson, a 67-year-old California woman, lost tens of thousands of dollars over two years to a romance scammer impersonating actor Keanu Reeves, sending money via bitcoin, gift cards, and wire transfers, and is now living in her car. Romance scams are prevalent online, with Americans losing over $650 million to such scams in 2023, with adults over 60 suffering the largest losses at $3.4 billion collectively. Red flags include refusal to meet in person, requests for money, and pressure to use unconventional payment methods like gift cards or wire transfers.
paymentsjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Pig butchering scams—where criminals gradually manipulate victims into investing in fake cryptocurrency schemes—resulted in $3.6 billion in stolen assets from crypto investors in 2024, with ethereum being the primary target due to its irreversible smart contracts. The scams, often initiated through social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, affected victims across all financial literacy levels, including a Kansas bank CEO who lost $47 million and "Shark Tank" star Mark Cuban who lost $870,000.
belfasttelegraph.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between November 2023 and October 2024, the PSNI received over 5,200 fraud reports totaling £19 million in losses across Northern Ireland, including a £50,000 romance scam where a victim was deceived into transferring money for a fake business opportunity and a £100,000+ bank impersonation scam. Common fraud methods involved investment scams, ticket scams, and impersonation schemes conducted via phone, social media, email, and text, with criminals targeting individuals through sophisticated tactics to steal personal and financial information.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Over a 12-month period ending October 2024, scammers defrauded Northern Ireland victims of approximately £19 million across more than 5,200 reported fraud cases, with notable incidents including a victim losing over £100,000 to an impersonation scam and another losing over £50,000 to a romance scam. The Police Service of Northern Ireland warned the public that fraud causes both financial and severe emotional distress to victims and urged reporting of all scams to prevent further losses.
hanfordsentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
A 55-year-old man named Will is a victim of a romance/catfishing scam in which he has been sending money to a woman who doesn't exist and repeatedly cancels meetings. Social engineer Chris Hadnagy explains that confrontational approaches—calling the victim stupid, threatening the scammer, or showing articles—backfire by triggering shame, defensiveness, and psychological commitment to the false relationship. More effective strategies include gently encouraging video calls or in-person meetings to verify the person's existence, asking what the victim would advise a child in the same situation, and preventatively educating elderly family members about romance scams.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
A 67-year-old California woman lost tens of thousands of dollars to a romance scammer impersonating actor Keanu Reeves, sending money via bitcoin, gift cards, and wire transfers over two years and eventually becoming homeless. Romance scams are among the most common online frauds, with Americans losing over $650 million to such scams in 2023, and adults over 60 experiencing the largest financial losses at $3.4 billion collectively. Red flags for romance scams include refusal to meet in person, requests for money, and pressure to use unconventional payment methods like gift cards or wire transfers.
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A 30-year-old IT professional and a civil services candidate in India fell victim to romance scams on dating apps, losing Rs 55,000 and over one lakh rupees respectively. The first victim was lured to an expensive restaurant where his date disappeared after a inflated bill, while the second was manipulated by a fake suitor who promised government job assistance before requesting money under false pretexts. According to a McAfee study, 39% of Indians surveyed reported experiencing online dating scams, which exploit emotional vulnerability through fake personas and social engineering tactics targeting younger people, professionals, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
Young Cambodian women from underprivileged backgrounds are being targeted by online romance scammers posing as foreign men seeking marriage partners, resulting in significant financial and emotional harm. The scam typically begins with romantic messaging and promises of inheritance or gifts, escalating to demands for shipping fees or customs payments that victims must pay upfront. One victim, Sreyrath, lost over $900 in savings and borrowed funds after being manipulated into paying multiple "shipping fees" for gifts that never arrived.
syvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 55-year-old single man named "Will" fell victim to a romance/catfishing scam in which he sent money to a woman who doesn't exist and repeatedly cancels meetings. Social engineer Chris Hadnagy advises that shaming the victim, threatening the scammer, or showing articles typically backfire by triggering defensive psychological responses; instead, families should gently encourage video verification and ask the victim to plan in-person meetings to confirm the person is real. Hadnagy recommends that families proactively discuss romance scam risks with vulnerable relatives and encourage them to report suspicious online contacts immediately.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
A 67-year-old widow in San Diego lost over $60,000 in savings to a romance scam involving an impersonator claiming to be actor Keanu Reeves over a two-year period, ultimately leaving her homeless and living in her car. The scammer gained her trust by claiming to be the "real" Reeves after she initially blocked a fake account, then repeatedly made excuses to avoid meeting in person while soliciting money, gift cards, and Bitcoin. Romance scams like this cost Americans $1.1 billion in 2023, and the victim is now speaking publicly to raise awareness about the targeting of elderly and lonely individuals.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Wisconsin residents shared their experiences with tech support scams. Charlotte Siverling of Cadott received a fake warning claiming her computer was hacked and was pressured to withdraw $8,300 from Walmart after being falsely accused of possessing child pornography, but avoided losing money by calling her son who confirmed it was a scam. Nancy Wheeler of Ladysmith nearly fell victim to a similar scheme where a scammer gained remote access to her computer, manipulated her bank balance to appear as $3,000 owed, and pressured her to buy gift cards, though she ultimately hung up and avoided financial loss but had to replace her compromised bank account.
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Katherine Goodson, a 67-year-old California woman, lost tens of thousands of dollars over two years to a romance scam in which a fraudster impersonated actor Keanu Reeves, resulting in her becoming homeless. In 2023, romance scams caused over $650 million in losses nationwide, with adults over 60 suffering $3.4 billion in total losses. The FTC advises recognizing red flags such as refusal to meet in person or requests for unconventional payments like gift cards, and recommends ceasing communication immediately if a scam is suspected.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A 67-year-old San Diego widow lost over $60,000 in savings to a romance scam involving an impersonator claiming to be actor Keanu Reeves, who convinced her to send money and cryptocurrency over two years by promising marriage despite never meeting in person. After the money ran out in August, the scammer became hostile, leaving Goodson homeless and living in her car; she went public to raise awareness about celebrity romance scams targeting seniors, as romance fraud cost Americans $1.1 billion in 2023.
orissapost.com
· 2025-12-08
Rourkela police arrested a suspect from Uttar Pradesh as part of a major investigation into an international cybercrime syndicate operating from Southeast Asia, with 14 arrests made between January and August 2024. The investigation began after a senior Central government official reported a Rs67.7 lakh fraud involving a fake trading app impersonating SEBI-registered INDIRA Securities, and uncovered a network encompassing stock market fraud, dating app scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and human trafficking. Authorities identified over 1,000 Indian nationals trafficked to Cambodia and trapped there with seized passports, prompting involvement from India's Home Ministry and other Central security agencies.
mediaindia.eu
· 2025-12-08
Online dating and matrimonial scams in India resulted in over INR 2 billion in financial losses in 2023, with 1,556,218 complaints registered that year, representing a 24% surge from 2022. Scammers use fake profiles and emotional manipulation to build trust with victims before requesting money for fabricated emergencies; one victim, a 29-year-old IT professional, lost INR 540,000 to a man posing as an army officer abroad. These scams cause both severe financial devastation and lasting emotional trauma to victims who feel betrayed by the manufactured relationships.
toronto.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday season, common scams include fake merchandise, phishing emails and texts, charity fraud, romance scams, and gift card scams where fraudsters place stolen barcodes on unpurchased cards. As of October 2024, Canada reported over 40,000 fraud incidents totaling $500 million in losses, with experts recommending shoppers verify merchants, check gift card barcodes, and avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources. Recovery of fraudulent funds is difficult, particularly when cryptocurrency is involved, and authorities estimate only 5-10% of fraud victims report incidents.
kktv.com
· 2025-12-08
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser warned residents about emerging AI-enabled fraud schemes that use voice recordings to create convincing fake calls claiming victims or loved ones need money, often impersonating law enforcement or creating "grandparent scam" scenarios. Common red flags include requests for gift cards or wire transfers, and Weiser advised victims to verify calls by contacting official numbers from organizations' websites rather than using numbers provided by callers. Coloradans who suspect they've been targeted by these scams can file complaints with the attorney general's office.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 67-year-old California woman lost tens of thousands of dollars over two years to a romance scammer who impersonated actor Keanu Reeves, ultimately becoming homeless and living in her car. In 2023, the FBI reported that victims lost over $650 million to romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals, with the majority of victims being over 60 years old, though many cases go unreported due to shame and emotional trauma.
ksdk.com
· 2025-12-08
Two men in St. Louis were lured to remote locations through online dating connections and robbed at gunpoint in December, with one carjacking and another robbery of keys and belongings. The incidents reflect a growing pattern of romance scams and predatory crimes, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting Americans lost nearly $1.2 billion to romance scams in 2023. Experts recommend meeting in public places, driving yourself, and trusting your instincts to avoid becoming victims of online dating crimes.
boredpanda.com
· 2025-12-08
Katherine Goodson, a 67-year-old from San Diego, lost her entire life savings of over $60,000 to scammers impersonating Keanu Reeves over a two-year romance scam, leaving her homeless. The fraudsters groomed her with promises of love and marriage through daily messages, using tactics like love-bombing and isolation, and accepting payments via direct deposit, gift cards, and cryptocurrency before becoming hostile once funds dried up. Experts note that isolated older adults with emotional vulnerabilities are particularly susceptible to romance scams that exploit human need for connection rather than just financial theft.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A yearlong CBS News investigation revealed that romance scams defrauded over 64,000 Americans of more than $1 billion in the past year, doubling from $500 million four years earlier. Congress is pursuing a bipartisan bill to address the growing problem of online dating scams.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Katherine Goodson, a 67-year-old widow from San Diego, lost her entire life savings of over $60,000 to a romance scam involving scammers impersonating Keanu Reeves, sending money through direct deposits, gift cards, and cryptocurrency over a two-year period. After falling victim to a similar scam in 2022, a second impersonator exploited her vulnerability through "love-bombing" tactics, convincing her the actor wanted to marry her before becoming abusive once her funds were depleted, leaving her homeless. The case illustrates how romance scammers use psychological manipulation and emotional grooming to target lonely, vulnerable individuals.
financial-planning.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman named Mathis was financially exploited by her two nieces who convinced her to transfer over 70,000 Aflac shares to them under the pretense of reducing estate taxes, a form of affinity fraud that exploited the family trust and her known tax aversion. A FINRA arbitration panel awarded Mathis's estate approximately $3.3 million in compensatory damages in February 2023, though she was only able to recover about 26,000 of the transferred shares, leaving roughly 28,800 shares still with the nieces. The case illustrates the dangers of affinity fraud and highlights the importance of designating trusted contact persons at financial institutions to
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 66-year-old woman lost her entire $2 million retirement savings to a romance scammer who posed as a British private equity investor on Match.com, part of a larger trend where over 64,000 Americans lost $1 billion to romance scams in the previous year—double the losses from four years prior. Bipartisan lawmakers introduced the Online Dating Safety Act, which would require dating apps to notify users about contact with known scam accounts, though the bill did not pass the Senate in its first attempt. The victim indicated she would not have lost her money if she had been warned about the scammer, highlighting the need for greater platform accountability in combating dating app fraud.
siasat.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, India experienced a surge in digital scams targeting individual citizens, with reported losses of approximately Rs 1,750 crore (about $210 million USD) across over 740,000 complaints, according to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre. Major scam types included digital arrest fraud (affecting 92,323 victims who were threatened by impersonators claiming to be law enforcement), TRAI fraud calls, online investment scams, and dating fraud schemes that exploited victims through social media and dating apps. The Indian government predicts losses could reach Rs 1.2 lakh crore ($14.4 billion USD) in 2025
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
Vietnamese police dismantled a $1.17 million cryptocurrency scam operated by a company called "Million Smiles" that defrauded over 400 individuals and 100 businesses through a fake Quantum Financial System (QFS) coin claiming to be backed by ancient family treasures and promising exclusive financial benefits. The scammers, led by the company's general director and seven associates, were arrested after police seized evidence and prevented a planned conference that would have attracted 300 additional victims. The fraudulent scheme used luxurious office spaces to create legitimacy and collected investments ranging from approximately $190 to $1,350 per person or business.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
On December 21, 2024, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed six bills to strengthen online safety and consumer data protection, with particular focus on health information identity theft protections and data breach notification requirements. Key provisions include expanding identity theft laws to cover medical and health insurance information, requiring businesses to notify consumers of data breaches within 30 days (down from "expedient time possible"), and adding the Department of Financial Services to breach notification requirements. These measures aim to address increased fraud risks during the holiday season and provide broader protections across multiple industries and state agencies.
lexology.com
· 2025-12-08
On December 21, 2024, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed six pieces of legislation to enhance online safety and consumer data protection, strategically timed during the holiday season when fraudulent activities typically increase. The bills include expanded protections for medical and health information against identity theft, stricter data breach notification requirements (30-day mandate and notification to the Department of Financial Services), enhanced cybersecurity standards for state government devices, and restrictions on debt collection via social media. Most provisions take effect immediately or within 90 days, establishing new requirements across multiple industries and expanding oversight by state agencies.
lexology.com
· 2025-12-08
DeepFake technology—AI-generated audio, video, and images that convincingly impersonate real people—has already caused an estimated $12 billion in fraud losses and can be created for under $15 in less than 10 minutes. Scammers use DeepFakes to impersonate executives for financial fraud (one employee transferred $25.6 million after a fake CFO video call), manipulate employees via fake voice calls to access company data, and spread political misinformation. Users should verify online connections before sharing personal or financial information, as the technology makes traditional visual and audio verification unreliable.
mayerbrown.com
· 2025-12-08
On December 21, 2024, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed six consumer data protection laws designed to enhance online safety and combat fraud, with particular emphasis on protecting against increased fraudulent activity during the holiday season. The legislation includes measures to strengthen protections for medical and health information against identity theft, require businesses to notify consumers of data breaches within 30 days, impose cybersecurity standards on state government devices, and restrict debt collection practices on social media platforms. These laws create expanded requirements across multiple industries and increase oversight by state agencies including the Department of Financial Services and the Attorney General.
etvbharat.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Cyber Police Kashmir recovered Rs 4.72 crore from victims of various online frauds and dismantled criminal networks by cracking down on 1,833 fake SIM cards and recovering 150 stolen phones. The unit resolved 577 complaints through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, registered 30 FIRs, and charge-sheeted 10 cases, while also conducting public awareness workshops across schools, universities, and government offices. Officials highlighted that investment scams (pig butchering schemes) remain prevalent, targeting vulnerable groups through social media platforms, and emphasized that public education is critical to preventing cybercrime.
asaaseradio.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not relevant to the Elderus elder fraud database. It is an entertainment news roundup covering 2024 celebrity stories, including musician feuds, legal cases, and scandals. None of the content involves scams, fraud, elder abuse, or crimes targeting older adults. This should not be summarized for the Elderus database.
dvidshub.net
· 2025-12-08
An estimated $10 billion was lost to online fraud in the United States last year, with scammers targeting seniors through romance scams, government imposter schemes, tech support fraud, and investment scams that exploit emotions and fear rather than technical sophistication. Common tactics include posing as romantic interests to solicit travel costs, impersonating government agencies demanding immediate payment via gift cards or cash, displaying fake virus alerts on computers, and offering unrealistic investment returns before disappearing with victims' funds. Experts recommend verifying unexpected contacts independently, keeping emotions in check during high-pressure situations, and confirming urgent requests from family members by hanging up and calling them back directly.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams remained a significant threat in 2024, ranking as the third most common scam, with victims losing tens of thousands of dollars each. Scammers typically target vulnerable individuals—particularly widows and widowers—through social media, building emotional connections before pivoting conversations toward cryptocurrency investments or requests for money due to fabricated emergencies. Key warning signs include claims of foreign residence, quick declarations of love, minimal online presence, reluctance to video call, requests for money via cryptocurrency or gift cards, and inconsistent stories.
indepthnh.org
· 2025-12-08
This article is an editor's note and press release announcing the resignation of US Attorney Jane E. Young, effective January 17, 2025, after serving since May 2022. The piece details her office's prosecutorial achievements, including cases involving financial fraud (such as romance scams and pandemic relief fraud), elder and child exploitation, and violent crime, with notable cases resulting in significant prison sentences and restitution orders totaling millions of dollars to victims. While the article mentions Young's work on fraud and elder exploitation cases, it is not itself about a specific scam or fraud incident, but rather a personnel announcement highlighting her office's law enforcement accomplishments.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
A Perth County senior lost $320,000 in a computer pop-up scam that began in November 2024 when she clicked a malicious pop-up claiming to be Microsoft and was convinced her finances were compromised. The scammer directed her to withdraw cash and purchase gold bars, which suspects then picked up from her home under the pretense of depositing them at the "Bank of Canada" for safekeeping. Police are seeking to identify the suspects described as men aged 25-35 years old driving a white Lexus sedan and dark-colored sedan.
rotary.org
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost a record $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with impostor scams and email impersonations being increasingly common threats to individuals and organizations like Rotary clubs. Scammers are leveraging artificial intelligence tools and multiple communication channels (text, email, social media) to impersonate trusted contacts and request money, making fraud harder to detect and investigate. To protect yourself and your network, verify suspicious requests through alternative contact methods, report fraud promptly, and share alerts with your community, as most fraud goes unpunished and victims rarely recover their money.
maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
This educational article from Citizens Advice East Berkshire identifies common New Year scams and prevention strategies, including romance/personal scams (where fraudsters build relationships to request money), sales scams (fake discounts and disreputable websites), and delivery/official message scams (fraudulent package delivery notifications). The advice emphasizes that scams affect approximately one in three adults, cause significant emotional impact, and can often be prevented by verifying requests through known contact numbers, being skeptical of unrealistic discounts, and never sending money to people you haven't met in person.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
A senior from Perth County lost $320,000 in a computer pop-up scam that began in November 2024 when she clicked on a malicious pop-up claiming to be Microsoft and was instructed to withdraw cash and purchase gold bars for "safekeeping." Suspects later picked up $80,000 in cash and over $240,000 worth of gold bars from her home, claiming they would deposit the items at the "Bank of Canada" for her protection. Ontario Provincial Police are seeking help identifying the male suspects, described as men aged 25-35 with short dark hair driving white and dark sedans.
einpresswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Author Nayla Sidani released a humorous self-help book titled "A Widow's Journey Through Online Scammers," which documents her experiences encountering romance scams while online dating after losing her husband and son. The book blends real anecdotes with practical advice on identifying red flags in online romance schemes, such as scammers posing as military officers or claiming frozen bank accounts, while emphasizing humor and resilience as tools for overcoming adversity.
komando.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 64,000 Americans lost $1 billion to romance scams, double the amount from four years prior. The proposed Online Dating Safety Act would require dating apps to notify users who contacted scam accounts, though critics question why platforms cannot simply remove fraudulent accounts entirely.
cnbctv18.com
· 2025-12-08
Bitcoin has been plagued by a series of major scams and security breaches costing billions globally, including the BitConnect Ponzi scheme ($2.4 billion), the FTX exchange collapse (billions lost), and over $3.7 billion in crypto-related scams in 2022 alone through phishing attacks and romance scams. The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia have been prime targets for Bitcoin fraud, particularly fake investment opportunities exploiting the cryptocurrency's pseudonymous nature. Beyond fraud, Bitcoin's decentralized structure has facilitated illicit activities on the dark web, while its extreme price volatility and energy-intensive operations present additional risks to investors and the environment.
glassalmanac.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes a cyber espionage campaign targeting Android users through 12 malicious apps, six of which were initially distributed on Google Play Store with over 1,400 downloads each before removal. The apps, including disguised messaging platforms and a fake news app, use tactics like romance scams to trick users into installation, then secretly record conversations, steal contacts and SMS messages, monitor locations, and intercept communications on secure platforms like WhatsApp and Signal using the VajraSpy Trojan. The article advises users to immediately uninstall suspicious apps, change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, run security scans, and stay informed about emerging threats.
nbcconnecticut.com
· 2025-12-08
Dating Sunday, the first Sunday of January, marks the year's busiest day for online dating apps, with Tinder expecting a 22% increase in messages as millions of singles pursue New Year's relationship goals. However, this surge in users also attracts romance scammers and catfishers, with $1.14 billion lost to romance scams in recent years and a typical 40% increase in scam activity during this period. Users should protect themselves by verifying authentic profiles, avoiding sending money to anyone, and being wary of individuals reluctant to meet in person or move conversations offline.
lovellchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
Scams are becoming increasingly frequent, sophisticated, and successful, with law enforcement reporting a notable uptick in impersonation schemes where scammers pose as government officials or law enforcement to threaten arrest and extort money. Phishing—the collection of personal information through unsolicited communications—is being used as an initial phase to make scams appear legitimate, with one recent Big Horn County victim losing over $20,000 after being convinced by a scammer posing as a government agent that they owed money. The FBI reported that online fraud complaints doubled from 2019 to 2023, with financial losses exceeding $12.5 billion, and law enforcement advises citizens to verify suspicious