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wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns that tech support fraud is the most commonly reported scam targeting seniors nationwide, where scammers pose as tech representatives to access sensitive information, though investment scams caused the greatest financial harm with over $50 million in reported losses last year. To protect themselves, seniors should avoid unsolicited contacts, never open attachments from unknown sources, resist pressure to act quickly, and never share personal information or money with unverified people.
thegardenisland.com
· 2025-12-08
Hawai'i seniors over 60 lost $27.96 million to fraud schemes in 2023, a dramatic increase from $10 million in 2021, with 453 complaints filed to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, ranking the state 37th nationally. The most common scams targeting older Americans include investment fraud, tech support schemes, romance cons, and extortion, with nationwide losses exceeding $3.4 billion in 2023. Law enforcement officials urge seniors and their families to report suspected fraud to the FBI and educate themselves about these schemes, noting that many cases go unreported.
ladailypost.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, 759 New Mexico residents over age 60 lost more than $17.7 million to online fraud, with the costliest scams being confidence/romance schemes ($4.9 million), investment fraud ($4.6 million), and tech support scams ($3.1 million). The FBI emphasizes that older adults are vulnerable targets due to financial stability, potential isolation, and lower awareness of online threats, and urges seniors and families to educate themselves about these scams and report incidents through ic3.gov or their local FBI office.
tampabay.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 50 elderly Americans in Broward County fell victim to lottery scams between 2020-2021, losing more than $6.6 million collectively after being told they won prizes and asked to pay upfront fees for shipping and taxes. Florida ranked second nationally for elder fraud in 2023 with residents over 60 losing nearly $300 million, reflecting a broader U.S. trend where elderly victims lost $3.4 billion that year to investment fraud, romance scams, tech-support scams, and government impersonation schemes. The crimes remain significantly underreported due to victim embarrassment and fear of losing independence, with experts estimating only one-
njbiz.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center released its 2023 Elder Fraud Report showing a 14% increase in complaints and 11% increase in losses targeting Americans over 60. New Jersey received 2,049 complaints from victims over 60, resulting in $104.1 million in losses (8th highest nationally), though the FBI notes actual fraud and losses likely exceed reported figures due to underreporting. FBI leadership emphasized that combatting elder financial exploitation remains a priority and urged the public to report all fraud incidents to help identify trends and support investigations.
infosecurity-magazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance investment scams have surged dramatically, with the FTC reporting increases from 11,000 victims in 2016 to 70,000 in 2022, resulting in $1.3 billion in cumulative losses, and the FBI documenting $652.5 million in romance scam losses in 2023 alone. Scammers create fake online profiles posing as wealthy professionals or socialites, build emotional connections with victims, and then manipulate them into investing in fake opportunities or trading platforms where funds are immediately lost. Key warning signs include requests for money or cryptocurrency, pressure to keep relationships secret, and persistent avoidance of in-person meetings or video calls.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FBI reported that Americans over 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud—an 11% increase from 2022—with tech support scams and investment schemes causing the most damage at $600 million and $1.2 billion respectively. Call center schemes were particularly devastating for seniors, accounting for nearly $770 million in losses and reportedly leading some victims to remortgage homes, drain retirement accounts, and in extreme cases, take their own lives. California reported the highest losses nationally at $620 million across over 11,000 complaints from elderly victims, and the FBI recommends seniors verify unsolicited contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, and report suspecte
wlos.com
· 2025-12-08
According to an FBI report, elder fraud complaints increased 14% in 2023, with victims aged 60 and over reporting over 101,000 incidents and suffering approximately $3.4 billion in total losses (averaging $33,915 per victim). Tech support scams were the most common type, while investment scams proved costliest at over $1.2 billion, with criminals increasingly using cryptocurrency to facilitate fraud. Local authorities emphasize that victims should verify payment requests directly with companies before sending money to prevent falling victim to these scams.
consumerfinancemonitor.com
· 2025-12-08
FinCEN's 2023 Financial Trend Analysis examined 155,415 Bank Secrecy Act filings reporting approximately $27 billion in elder financial exploitation (EFE) between June 2022 and June 2023, with scams accounting for 80% of reports and theft for 20%, where family members—particularly children—perpetrated 40% of theft cases. The analysis found that perpetrators primarily use unsophisticated methods avoiding direct contact with financial institutions, such as account takeover (22% of scams), tech support scams (10%), and romance scams (9%), with funds typically transferred via checks, wires, and online transfers, averaging
waff.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reports that seniors over 60 are prime targets for fraud, with Alabama residents in this age group losing over $33 million to scams. Elder fraud complaints increased 14% in 2023, with tech scams, personal data breaches, and romance scams—particularly the "grandparent scam"—leading the way, as scammers increasingly use urgency and fear tactics to pressure victims into sending money or revealing sensitive information. Experts recommend that seniors and their family members hang up immediately when pressured for banking information, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, as these are hallmarks of fraud.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, elder fraud complaints increased 14% with losses rising 11%, as individuals age 60+ reported 101,068 scams totaling $3.4 billion, averaging $33,915 per victim, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Tech support scams were the most frequently reported fraud type (17,696 victims), while investment scams proved costliest at $1.2 billion in losses, followed by tech support scams ($590 million) and business email compromise scams ($382 million). The actual numbers are believed to be significantly higher due to underreporting and incomplete victim age data in crime reports.
ualrpublicradio.org
· 2025-12-08
A 37-year-old Chinese man was trafficked to a compound in Myanmar under the guise of a theater job, where he was forced to conduct "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams targeting Chinese and European victims by posing as romantic interests and soliciting increasingly large amounts of crypto currency in exchange for promised investment returns. The forced scam operations emerged from Chinese-run illegal economic zones that originated as money laundering and gambling operations in Southeast Asia, and according to a University of Texas study, such scams have stolen approximately $75 billion worldwide. The scammer himself became a victim of human trafficking after COVID-19 disrupted traditional gambling operations and led criminal syndicates to resort to
abc13.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are operating a sophisticated cryptocurrency investment scheme that has seen exponential growth in Houston, using fake websites and apps that appear legitimate to trick victims into investing in non-existent cryptocurrencies. The perpetrators contact victims via email, phone, social media, or personal connections, starting with small requests (e.g., $5,000) and progressively requesting larger amounts while showing fake investment returns, ultimately draining victims' entire savings before disappearing. In 2023, this scam cost victims billions of dollars nationally and $300 million in Texas.
winchesterstar.com
· 2025-12-08
An FBI report revealed that scammers stole over $94 million from Virginia residents over age 60 in 2023, representing a 56% increase from the prior year and moving the state into the top 10 nationally for elder fraud losses. Tech support fraud was the most commonly reported scam type, with victims over 60 losing more than all other age groups combined, some resorting to remortgaging homes and emptying retirement accounts to cover losses. The significant increase has been partially attributed to increased virtual activities and isolation following the COVID-19 pandemic, with experts noting that many cases go unreported to law enforcement.
nbcphiladelphia.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers stole $1.1 billion from consumers in 2023, targeting people across all backgrounds through classic manipulation tactics. NBC10 reporter Tracy Davidson documented her interaction with a scammer posing as "James Williams," a military surgeon supposedly working for the United Nations in Syria, who built trust over two weeks before requesting $14,000 in bitcoin to fund a fake vacation certificate—a scheme involving fake UN emails, money mules, and grammatical red flags that Secret Service investigators confirmed followed standard romance scam protocols. The article illustrates how scammers operate as organized operations using multiple identities and aliases, targeting lonely individuals through relationship-building techniques before requesting money.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency investment scams—often initiated through dating apps, LinkedIn, or text messages—have caused over $82.7 million in losses across the Houston area in the last 16 months, with the FBI receiving new reports approximately weekly. Scammers build romantic relationships with victims over weeks or months, then convince them to invest in fake cryptocurrency schemes that show fraudulent gains; one Harris County man lost over $800,000 after being lured through a dating app. Once funds are transferred, most money moves overseas within minutes to southeast Asia and west Africa, making recovery extremely difficult, though one victim was ordered restitution of less than 20 percent of his losses.
timberjay.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reported a 14% increase in elder fraud complaints in 2023, with financial losses exceeding $3.4 billion and an average victim loss of $33,915. Over 101,000 seniors aged 60+ reported fraud to IC3, with investment scams, tech support scams, and romance scams being among the most common schemes, while cryptocurrency scams affected over 12,000 seniors. The report notes that actual fraud rates are likely higher due to underreporting, and scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to create convincing deepfakes and chatbots to target elderly victims.
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
At least 101,000 Americans ages 60 and older lost an average of $33,915 each to digital fraud in 2023, totaling approximately $3.4 billion in losses, according to FBI data. Cryptocurrency scams accounted for nearly 40% of total losses ($1.33 billion), often preceded by romance or confidence schemes, while call center and tech support scams remained the most common complaint type. Some victims reported devastating consequences including selling homes, depleting retirement accounts, and in severe cases, suicide due to financial losses and shame.
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans over 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to fraud schemes, with 101,068 complaints filed—an 11% increase from 2022—according to an FBI report compiled by the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Tech support scams were the most common fraud type targeting this age group, followed by personal data breaches, romance scams, and investment fraud, with investment crimes alone costing victims over $1.2 billion. Cryptocurrency was involved in $1.1 billion of losses, while the FBI noted these figures likely underestimate actual fraud against seniors since only about half of all complaints included age data.
wsbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
Georgia seniors lost $92.4 million to online fraud in 2023, representing an 18% increase in cyber crimes and fraud, with investment fraud ($32 million), tech support scams ($12 million), and romance scams ($10 million) being the top offenses affecting more than 2,100 victims. The FBI advises seniors to avoid sending money to unknown individuals, verify requests through legitimate vendors, and report incidents to their banks and trusted contacts, as these scams can cause severe emotional and financial damage.
fox17online.com
· 2025-12-08
An FBI report found that Americans over 60 lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, with fraud complaints against seniors rising 14% year-over-year. Tech support scams generated the most complaints, while investment scams proved costliest, with 6,000 victims each losing over $100,000. Experts recommend seniors verify payment methods, seek second opinions before transactions, and recognize that many scams are technology-based despite myths that older adults don't use digital platforms.
news.wjct.org
· 2025-12-08
A 37-year-old Chinese man named Xu Bochun was trafficked to a compound in Myanmar operated by a Chinese conglomerate, where he was forced to conduct "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams targeting Chinese and European victims via fake social media accounts. Xu and approximately 90 other captives were coerced to solicit victims to send increasing amounts of cryptocurrency (USDT/Tether) under false promises of investment returns, with threats of sale to violent cartels for failure to meet quotas. This scam operation emerged from Chinese-run illegal casinos and gambling zones in Southeast Asia that, facing labor shortages during COVID-19, shifted to
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Real estate scams are surging, with the FBI's IC3 receiving 9,521 complaints in 2023 resulting in $145.2 million in losses, primarily through business email compromise (BEC) schemes targeting homebuyers and sellers. Notable cases include a Connecticut homebuyer who nearly lost $426,000 after receiving a spoofed email posing as their attorney, and a Texas realtor who identified a fraudulent property listing scheme. Common tactics include fake closing/wire fraud emails, rental listing scams, and home warranty schemes, with scammers exploiting the busy March-June real estate season by impersonating attorneys, lenders, and property owners to steal money
journal-topics.com
· 2025-12-08
The Prospect Heights Police Department hosted a community education event where officers shared crime statistics and fraud prevention advice with residents. Police highlighted that over 2.6 million seniors are victims of identity theft annually and more than 13% of older Americans experience financial fraud each year, with the top scams being cryptocurrency, family emergency, and romance schemes. Residents were advised to never share banking information, verify URLs, avoid unsolicited contacts, and report suspected scams to ftc.gov or reportfraud.ftc.gov.
uk.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, people over 60 lost $3.4 billion to scams, an 11% increase from 2022, with 101,068 complaints filed—a 14% rise in reporting. Tech support fraud was the most common scam type targeting seniors, while investment scams caused the greatest financial losses at over $1.2 billion; the FBI urged financial institutions to take greater responsibility in protecting elderly customers and victims to report losses promptly for faster recovery.
wtae.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Pittsburgh field office and Highmark are warning of a surge in scams targeting people over 60, which represents a $3 billion annual problem nationally affecting thousands of victims. Common schemes include romance scams, tech support scams, and grandparent scams, all designed to exploit vulnerable populations. The agencies recommend never sharing personal or financial information with unknown callers, resisting pressure to act quickly, verifying caller identity through independent contact with authorities, and reporting incidents to law enforcement and financial institutions.
headtopics.com
· 2025-12-08
A joint FBI and Highmark Health initiative reports that elder fraud targeting people 60 and older is rising, with over 88,000 complaints involving romance scams, tech support fraud, and grandparent schemes, though most cases go unreported due to shame and uncertainty about reporting. The report emphasizes that seniors are vulnerable targets because they tend to be trusting, and scammers use emotional manipulation—invoking joy, hope, or fear—to extract money and personal information, often victimizing the same person repeatedly. Key prevention advice includes hanging up on unsolicited calls, never providing financial information to unknown callers, and reporting suspected fraud to law enforcement and financial institutions.
wjla.com
· 2025-12-08
FBI Washington Field Office officials warn of "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams, where perpetrators develop long-term virtual relationships with victims to manipulate them into sending money. The scam is prevalent in the D.C. area and can affect individuals and families of various backgrounds.
popsci.com
· 2025-12-08
Online romance scams resulted in over $1.1 billion in losses during 2023, with victims losing an average of $2,000 each across all age groups and demographics, though experts believe actual scam incidents are significantly underreported due to victim embarrassment. Match Group, which operates popular dating platforms including Tinder, Match.com, and OkCupid, faces ongoing regulatory scrutiny for inadequate fraud prevention despite claims of $125 million invested in safety measures and removal of 96% of scam accounts daily. The FTC advises users to avoid sending money to online contacts they haven't met in person, conduct reverse image searches on photos, and report suspected scams to
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses Indian political parties' election manifestos regarding senior citizens' welfare. While BJP and Congress have included some provisions—such as railway concessions, pension increases, healthcare expansion, digital literacy training, and age-friendly infrastructure—NGO representatives argue that neither party has fully committed to implementing the National Policy on Senior Citizens, which encompasses financial security, protection against abuse, and comprehensive support services. The article notes that digital scams targeting seniors are a particular concern, with some elderly voters considering NOTA votes if their demands for complete policy implementation are not assured.
muskoka411.com
· 2025-12-08
Kaspersky's 2024 survey of 2,000 North American adults found that scams are widespread across online platforms, with 42% encountering fraud on dating apps, 38% on Facebook, and 29% overall falling victim to scams. Phishing attacks increased 40% in 2023, with scammers using AI tools and social engineering across social media, gaming, banking, and cryptocurrency platforms. The survey also revealed that 75% of consumers want new privacy regulations and 77% are concerned about AI-generated deepfakes, while experts recommend users employ multi-factor authentication, strong passwords, and skepticism when clicking links.
13newsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
FBI forensic accountant Daniel Booth warns that cryptocurrency scams are increasingly prevalent in the Hampton Roads, Virginia region, representing traditional fraud schemes updated to use digital currency. Three common types include ransomware attacks on businesses (demanding crypto payments for system access), fake tech support scams targeting individuals (gaining remote access to steal financial data), and "pig butchering" schemes (fake investment websites encouraging victims to deposit money with false promises of trading gains, sometimes resulting in loss of life savings). Victims of cryptocurrency fraud are encouraged to report cases to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A South Korean woman lost $50,000 to a romance scam in which a fraudster impersonated Elon Musk using deepfake technology in video calls, gradually building an emotional connection before convincing her to "invest" the money in a fake Tesla opportunity. The scammer used fabricated details about Musk's life, official-looking ID photos, and a convincing deepfake video declaring "I love you" to manipulate the victim into transferring funds to a bank account. This case reflects a broader pattern of romance scammers exploiting emotions and celebrity identities, with romance fraud alone costing victims $1.3 billion in the U.S. in 2022.
wcnc.com
· 2025-12-08
Angela Sloan, a York County resident battling cancer, lost nearly $2 million in a cryptocurrency scam after being recruited through Facebook conversations to invest in a fake digital trading platform that returned counterfeit coins. The case highlights the growing sophistication of cryptocurrency scams, which experts and law enforcement struggle to combat due to limited partnerships and coordination, though recovery firms are working to track stolen funds and collaborate with federal agencies.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Niselio Barros Garcia Jr., a 50-year-old Florida man, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for his role in laundering romance scam proceeds, having scammed $2.3 million in funds that he sent to criminal associates in Nigeria using cryptocurrency exchanges. Garcia worked with four other suspects to defraud multiple victims and was ordered to return $464,923.91 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. Romance scams have grown significantly, with American victims losing over $1 billion to overseas criminals in 2023, though actual figures are likely much higher due to underreporting and the difficulty law enforcement faces in prosecuting transn
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
A Lancaster County man lost $165,000 in a "pig butchering" romance scam after being contacted on Facebook by a woman claiming to be "Libby Collins," who persuaded him to invest in cryptocurrency. Despite warnings from his bank, Mark Heath sent three wire transfers; investigators have traced $80,000 of the funds to cryptocurrency, with recovery uncertain. The FBI reports romance scams increased 183% last year and often originate from Southeast Asia and China, typically targeting vulnerable individuals living alone.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
A Kaspersky survey of 2,000 North American adults found that scams are widespread across online platforms, with 42% encountering fraud on dating apps, 38% on Facebook, and 29% falling victim to scams overall. Phishing attacks grew 40% in 2023, with scammers using AI tools and social engineering to impersonate customer service representatives, daters, and celebrities across dating apps, social media, gaming platforms, and banking sites. The survey also revealed that 75% of consumers want stronger privacy regulations and that users recognize gaps in their own security habits, with 65% wanting to be more cautious about clicking links and 57
inews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A 61-year-old man from Kent lost nearly £80,000 in cryptocurrency tokens after being deceived by a fraudster impersonating a Ledger wallet support representative on X (Twitter). The scammer used a verified blue tick account to gain credibility and tricked him into sharing his "seed phrase," which granted access to his digital wallet containing IoTeX tokens that represented his planned retirement savings. The incident highlights the vulnerability of crypto holders to social engineering scams and the diminished trustworthiness of X's blue tick verification system since its monetization in 2022.
12news.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Phoenix detailed a sophisticated "Phantom Hacker" scam targeting elderly Arizonans that has resulted in multiple victims losing their life savings. The scam typically begins with a fake pop-up warning of computer compromise, followed by scammers posing as representatives from legitimate companies and banks who gain remote access to victims' computers, monitor their banking activity, and then direct them to transfer funds to cryptocurrency ATMs. FBI officials indicate the scammers, often operating from overseas locations like Russia and China, are successful in returning victims' funds approximately two-thirds to three-quarters of the time when reports are made within one to two days of the transaction.
prunderground.com
· 2025-12-08
"Senior Savvy: A Comprehensive Guide to Avoiding Scams," authored by retired investment advisor Andy LaPointe, is an educational resource designed to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud targeting them both online and offline. The guide covers scam types ranging from door-to-door schemes to cryptocurrency fraud, and provides practical advice on internet safety, password creation, phishing recognition, and steps for reporting fraud and recovery. Bulk purchase discounts are available for organizations seeking to use the book as an educational tool for community workshops and seminars.
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
A 71-year-old digital artist in India lost approximately $1,895 to scammers posing as an NFT art dealer on a fraudulent platform (nfttradeplace.com) between October 2023 and March 2024. The scammers promised to purchase his artwork for a substantial amount but then repeatedly demanded bogus "gas fees" and "delay fees" for platform transactions and withdrawals, with the victim making four payments before realizing the fraud. The victim filed a police complaint in April 2024, though authorities noted that tracing cryptocurrency transactions and identifying the perpetrators remains challenging.
sandhillsexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A widow named Laura Kowal lost her $1.5 million nest egg to a romance scam perpetrator using the alias "Frank Borg" on Match.com, who manipulated her through emotional connection before coercing her into fraudulent investments and wire transfers; she subsequently died in the Mississippi River. The case exemplifies a growing epidemic of romance scams combined with investment fraud targeting dating app users, with over 64,000 reported American victims in 2023 and losses totaling $1.14 billion in 2022, though experts believe actual figures are significantly higher due to underreporting and shame among victims. Law enforcement officials acknowledge the response has been inadequate, with sc
techtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency scams targeting elderly individuals have surged dramatically, with investment fraud losses among Americans aged 60+ rising 38% to $4.57 billion in 2023, and crypto-specific investment fraud increasing 53% to $3.96 billion. Scammers exploit social media platforms to establish trust with seniors through fake investment opportunities featuring artificially high returns, gradually escalating requests for larger amounts. Recovery solutions exist through specialized blockchain forensics and asset recovery services, while protection measures include verifying contacts through face-to-face communication and avoiding suspicious links or unsolicited requests.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
On April 16, the FTC proposed extending the Telemarketing Sales Rule to cover inbound calls for technical support services in response to advertisements, allowing the agency to pursue civil penalties and consumer redress against tech support scammers. Consumer complaints about tech support scams rose from 40,000 in 2017 to nearly 115,000 in 2021, with reported losses exceeding $55 million in 2018, disproportionately affecting seniors over 60 years old. The proposed rule defines technical support services broadly to address evolving scam tactics and seeks public comment by June 17.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Laura Kowal, a widowed healthcare executive, lost her $1.5 million nest egg to a romance scammer operating under the name "Frank Borg" on Match.com, who manipulated her through months of calls and emails before pressuring her into fraudulent investments and coercing her to help defraud other victims; she was found dead in the Mississippi River. The FBI and Justice Department reported over 64,000 American romance scam victims in 2023 (with experts believing the true number is significantly higher due to underreporting), with financial losses ballooning from $500 million in 2019 to $1.14 billion in
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
This compilation covers six major elder fraud and scam cases: Nigerian "Yahoo Boys" used AI-generated deepfakes in romance scams causing $650 million in losses (2021), with recent cases totaling $25 million and a Salt Lake City jury indicting seven members for laundering $8 million; a Montreal woman lost $25,000 to a crypto scam featuring a fake Elon Musk deepfake; Greek police arrested nine individuals who defrauded victims of €305,789 through phone impersonation scams; a Myanmar trafficking operation forced victims into romance scams via torture and exploitation; and a UK survey found 22% of young adults
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
A 24-year-old Sri Lankan man named Ravi was trafficked to a scam center in Myanmar under false pretenses of a data entry job, where he and approximately 40 other migrant workers were forced to conduct romance scams targeting wealthy Western men, working up to 22 hours daily and facing torture and sexual violence when they resisted. According to UN estimates from August 2023, over 120,000 people—predominantly Asian men—have been enslaved in Myanmar scam centers that generate billions of dollars for Chinese crime syndicates and armed groups, with romance scams alone accounting for $652 million in losses across 17,000+ US complaints in
nbcsandiego.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old retired naval architect lost over $40,000 to a scam in January 2023 when fraudsters impersonating Amazon convinced him to send nearly $29,500 in cryptocurrency via ATM, and later accessed his bank account to withdraw an additional $11,870 through fraudulent checks. His attorney is suing Chase Bank for failing to flag suspicious activity, and supports Senate Bill 278, which would require banks to implement stronger safeguards—such as transaction holds or mandatory review by trusted contacts—to protect seniors' accounts from scam-related losses that are particularly devastating given older adults' limited ability to recover financially.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
In the past year, 2.5 million Americans lost $10 billion to scams—a $1 billion increase from 2022—with investment scams being the costliest at $4.6 billion despite ranking fourth in frequency, and imposter scams (claiming to be government, banks, or companies) being most common at $2.7 billion in losses. The FTC warns that scammers use increasingly aggressive tactics including promises of guaranteed investment returns, pressure to act quickly, and requests to move money via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, while legitimate businesses never unexpectedly contact people asking for money or personal information. Experts estimate these reported figures represent only a
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers known as "Yahoo Boys," primarily based in Nigeria, are increasingly using deepfake and face-swapping technology in real-time video calls to impersonate fake romantic partners and defraud victims of thousands of dollars each. The FBI reports over $650 million was lost to romance fraud last year, with the scammers openly sharing their techniques and recruiting accomplices across Telegram and social media platforms. These experienced con artists, who have evolved their tactics as AI technology has improved, operate in loosely organized clusters without formal leadership structure and show little fear of consequences.