Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
5,340 results
in Financial Crime
latimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 66-year-old San José man lost $170,000 in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam, where scammers posed as investment advisors over Facebook and attempted to extract an additional $348,000 for fraudulent overseas taxes. Two Southern California residents, Liu Hong and Yalin Li, were arrested after law enforcement set up a sting operation at a bank parking lot; the case is notable because the victim realized the fraud while still in contact with the scammers, allowing authorities to intervene. Pig butchering scams cost Americans approximately $1 billion annually and typically involve multiple perpetrators, often including human trafficking victims forced to participate from Southeast Asia.
cyberscoop.com
· 2025-12-08
Abiola Kayode, a 37-year-old Nigerian cybercriminal on the FBI's Most Wanted list, was extradited from Ghana to face wire fraud charges for his role in business email compromise (BEC) and romance fraud schemes that defrauded businesses of over $6 million between 2015 and 2016. The scheme involved impersonating executives to trick employees into making fraudulent wire transfers, with stolen funds diverted to accounts controlled by Kayode and co-conspirators. Several of Kayode's accomplices have already been convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 45 to 96 months.
wmur.com
· 2025-12-08
Two New Hampshire-based suspects, Naxin Wu and Mingdong Chen, reached a plea deal to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud as part of a sophisticated international gift card scheme. The criminal ring obtained gift cards through illegal means including theft, romance scams, and elder fraud, then used them to purchase Apple products for resale overseas, while also returning counterfeit Apple goods to stores for additional cards; a warehouse search uncovered nearly $2 million in fake iPhones and iPads. Wu and Chen each face up to 20 years in prison.
klkntv.com
· 2025-12-08
Abiola Kayode, a 37-year-old Nigerian man, was extradited to Nebraska to face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a $6 million email spoofing scam that operated from 2015 to 2016. Kayode and his accomplices impersonated company executives to trick employees into wiring transfers to accounts controlled by the fraud ring, with some funds laundered through victims of romance scams. Several co-conspirators have already been convicted and sentenced to prison with restitution orders, while Kayode remains in custody pending trial.
2gb.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers exploit emotional connections to manipulate victims into becoming unwitting drug mules, as exemplified by former Greens candidate Donna Nelson, who received a six-year jail sentence in Japan after being duped into transporting 2kg of methamphetamine by an online romance scammer. Over $201 million was reported lost to romance scams last year, with scammers building trust with vulnerable people over time before requesting money or package transport. To protect against such schemes, individuals should insist on video verification, meet in person in neutral locations, trust their instincts, never send money, and refuse to carry items for others.
shu.edu
· 2025-12-08
Smishing—a phishing scam conducted via SMS text messages—is surging among Android and iOS users, with cybercriminals impersonating banks, government agencies, and retailers to steal personal information, trigger identity theft, or install malware. The FBI urges users to avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unknown numbers and recommends enabling multi-factor authentication, accessing official websites directly, and reporting suspicious texts to carriers. Common smishing tactics include fake bank alerts, false tax refunds, account suspension warnings, fraudulent delivery notices, and unrealistic prize offers.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Chinese-backed organized crime networks are operating a nationwide gift card scam where "mules" shoplift cards from retailers, which are then tampered with and reshelved for unsuspecting consumers to purchase; the proceeds fund illegal activities including fentanyl production, human trafficking, and smuggling. Law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations' Project Red Hook, have arrested multiple perpetrators across Texas and beyond, discovering thousands of stolen gift cards worth millions of dollars in single operations.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Alec Tahir Baker, 60, of Corona, California, was indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft for his role in a scheme that defrauded businesses, individuals, and the Town of Bristol, Rhode Island, of approximately $8.9 million. The conspiracy employed business email compromise tactics, including phishing emails to gain network access and vendor impersonation emails to redirect payments to accounts Baker controlled across over 40 bank accounts he created. Baker subsequently concealed the fraudulent proceeds through cash withdrawals, cryptocurrency transfers, and transfers to other accounts and individuals, including a $310,500 theft from Bristol municipal funds
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Kolkata Police launched a cybercrime awareness initiative targeting senior citizens in response to a surge in digital arrest scams, where criminals impersonate law enforcement via video calls using fake police stations and uniformed officers to intimidate victims into transferring money. Senior citizens account for approximately 52% of digital arrest fraud victims, with 320 complaints recorded since June and two Mumbai residents arrested for defrauding a 65-year-old of Rs 66.3 lakh using this scheme. Police advise citizens to identify red flags such as random numbers and multiple "officers," avoid engaging with callers, verify identities through official channels, and report incidents immediately while contacting financial helplines to freeze transfers
deccanherald.com
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old senior citizen in Bengaluru lost Rs 1.94 crore to cyber fraudsters who conducted a "digital arrest" scam between November 30 and December 7. The scammers impersonated Mumbai crime branch officers via WhatsApp video call, falsely claiming the victim was involved in money laundering linked to businessman Naresh Goyal, then pressured him to transfer his entire fixed deposit in multiple installments while restricting his communication with others. The victim discovered the fraud only after discussing it with his daughter, who helped him file a police complaint.
moco360.media
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old Rockville man was sentenced to five years in prison (10 years with suspension) for his role in a gold bar scam targeting a 94-year-old Silver Spring resident who nearly lost approximately $230,000. Mathon posed as a federal agent, convincing the elderly victim that his identity had been stolen and he needed to purchase gold bars for safekeeping, but law enforcement interrupted the scheme with a sting operation that caught Mathon attempting to collect the package. This marks Montgomery County's first conviction in a local gold bar scam case, which prosecutors note involves organized, international criminal networks that specifically target vulnerable elderly victims.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
The "digital arrest" scam, which has cost Indians ₹120 crore in the first four months of 2024, involves fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officials via phone calls to falsely accuse victims of crimes like money laundering and extort money by threatening immediate "digital arrest"—a term that does not exist in Indian law. The scam targets individuals across all sectors, including professionals, by creating psychological pressure through urgency, threats of isolation, and demands for confidentiality, and can be identified by suspicious unofficial contact numbers, pressure tactics, and threats against disclosure to family members.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Prasad Margabandhu of Pittsburgh was sentenced to 36 months in prison and ordered to pay a $100,000 fine for bankruptcy and mail fraud spanning March 2019 to June 2022. Margabandhu filed multiple fraudulent bankruptcy petitions under company names to delay creditor actions on an East Carson Street property, and later submitted false insurance claims after a June 2022 fire destroyed the property. He will begin serving his sentence on January 8, 2025.
ivoox.com
· 2025-12-08
A former Australian politician, Donna Nelson, was sentenced to six years in jail in Japan after being manipulated by a romance scammer into transporting 2kg of methamphetamine. Over $201 million was reported lost to romance scams last year, with scammers building relationships with vulnerable people before exploiting them into sending money or carrying packages across borders. To protect against such scams, experts recommend verifying identity through video chat, meeting in neutral locations, trusting your instincts, never sending money, and refusing to transport items for others.
mobile.ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
Abiola Kayode, a 37-year-old Nigerian cybercriminal on the FBI's Most Wanted list, was extradited from Ghana to face charges for orchestrating a business email compromise (BEC) scheme that defrauded multiple companies of over $6 million between 2015 and 2016. Kayode and his associates impersonated corporate executives using forged email accounts to manipulate employees into making unauthorized wire transfers to accounts he controlled, some linked to romance scams. Several of his co-conspirators have already been convicted and imprisoned, with sentences ranging from 45 to 96 months, and U.S. authorities continue pursuing the remaining four fugit
wowt.com
· 2025-12-08
Abiola Kayode, a 37-year-old Nigerian national on the FBI's Most Wanted Cyber Criminal List, was extradited to Nebraska to face wire fraud charges for his role in a scheme that defrauded Nebraska businesses and individuals of over $6 million between 2015 and 2016. Kayode provided bank account information to co-conspirators who conducted romance scams and business email compromise fraud, directing victims to wire money to accounts under his control. He is the second of six identified Nigerian nationals to be extradited for the scheme; three co-conspirators have already been convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 45 to 96 months
wmar2news.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using cryptocurrency across multiple fraud schemes including investment scams, tech support fraud, romance scams, and employment schemes, exploiting victims' fear of missing out and unfamiliarity with the technology. In Maryland, reported losses from cryptocurrency-related employment scams surged dramatically from $32,033 in 2023 to $3.8 million between January and October 2024, with victims losing an average of $15,000–$20,000 each; scammers use fake cryptocurrency exchanges and work-from-home schemes requiring deposits to "unlock" higher-paying work that victims cannot ultimately access. While cryptocurrency transactions are instant and irreversible, the FBI
theverge.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC warned Americans about "game-like task scams" that lured victims with promises of online income but actually defrauded them of money, often in cryptocurrency. In the first six months of 2024, these scams generated over $220 million in losses from 20,000 reported incidents—a dramatic increase from 5,000 reports during 2020-2023—and accounted for 40 percent of all scam reports that year. The FTC advised avoiding unexpected job offers via text or WhatsApp, never paying upfront to receive earnings, and rejecting requests to be paid for rating or liking content online.
silive.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple residents at NYC Housing Authority's New Lane complex in Staten Island have fallen victim to scams targeting electronic benefit transfer (EBT) accounts, with scammers exploiting seniors' difficulty navigating smartphone EBT apps. Local officials held a press conference to raise awareness and call for stronger law enforcement action, noting that underreporting is common because victims can recoup funds through a lengthy process, and state legislators indicated they would pursue harsher penalties for crimes targeting seniors. Victims are urged to file police reports and contact the relevant scam hotline for assistance.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A senior citizen in Bengaluru lost Rs 1.94 crore from his fixed deposit after falling victim to a "digital arrest" scam that began with a WhatsApp video call on November 30th. Fraudsters impersonating a Mumbai Crime Branch officer falsely accused him of money laundering involvement, threatened legal action, and isolated him from help while manipulating him into transferring funds in multiple installments over a week. The victim's daughter discovered the fraud on December 7th when he confided in her, leading to a police complaint.
dailyexcelsior.com
· 2025-12-08
Digital arrest scams are a sophisticated cyber fraud where perpetrators impersonate law enforcement officials to extort money or personal information from victims through false accusations of crimes like money laundering or identity theft. Multiple victims in India lost significant sums—ranging from 46 lakhs to 5.9 crore—after being intimidated by scammers using phone spoofing, deepfake technology, and legal jargon to create urgency and fear. These scams leverage psychological manipulation, phishing portals, and demands for untraceable payments via cryptocurrency or gift cards to exploit victims who are prevented from verifying the legitimacy of communications.
ktvq.com
· 2025-12-08
A Billings man nearly fell victim to a jury duty scam where fraudsters impersonating Yellowstone County Sheriff's deputies claimed he owed $3,000 in fines for missed jury duty and threatened immediate arrest. The victim, a cybersecurity professional, grew suspicious when details didn't align and verified with the actual sheriff's office that no such deputies existed. County officials warn that these scams occur several times monthly with varying tactics, and emphasize that legitimate law enforcement never demands payment by phone for jury duty violations.
newskarnataka.com
· 2025-12-08
A Bengaluru senior citizen lost Rs 1.94 crore from his fixed deposit in a sophisticated cyber scam that began on November 30 when scammers impersonated a Mumbai Crime Branch officer via WhatsApp video call and falsely accused him of money laundering involvement. Using psychological manipulation tactics including fake "digital arrest" and threats of legal consequences, the fraudsters coerced the victim into transferring funds in multiple installments over several days while keeping him isolated. The scam was uncovered on December 7 when the victim disclosed the situation to his daughter, who recognized it as fraud and helped him file a police complaint.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Stephanie Mobley, owner of ComfortZone Home Health Care in Pennsylvania, her daughter Naya Campbell, and 18 others were charged in a $12 million Medicaid fraud scheme that operated from 2020 to 2023. The defendants allegedly filed false reimbursement claims for services never provided, diverting millions in funds intended for vulnerable Medicaid recipients. All 20 defendants face charges including Medicaid fraud, theft by deception, and conspiracy, with the case uncovered following a two-year investigation by the Pennsylvania Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, FBI, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A Florida real estate agent, Jason Valiant, was arrested for allegedly defrauding an elderly Ormond Beach couple of $1.6 million in properties and depleted bank accounts by forging power of attorney and healthcare surrogate documents while they were hospitalized. Valiant used the fraudulent authority to transfer the couple's home and two other properties to himself, drain their accounts, and use their credit cards for personal expenses; authorities also allege he signed a Do Not Resuscitate order for one victim, resulting in their removal from life support. Valiant faces charges including organized scheme to defraud, exploitation of an elderly adult, and identity theft.
taipeitimes.com
· 2025-12-08
**Type:** Educational/Prevention Advice
An expert psychiatrist in Taiwan recommends three preventive measures to protect elderly people from fraud: regular cognitive function assessments to detect early impairment, reducing alone time through social engagement and community activities, and holding major assets in trusts or guardianship arrangements. The advice comes amid rising elderly fraud cases in Taiwan, including a retired physician who lost over NT$10 million and actress Tan Ai-chen who lost over NT$1 million, with scammers typically targeting seniors during daytime hours when family members are at work.
fox43.com
· 2025-12-08
Secret gift exchange schemes circulating on social media—including "secret sister" and "book exchange" variations—are pyramid schemes that the U.S. Postal Inspection Service considers a form of gambling, with participants potentially facing jail time, fines, or mail fraud lawsuits. While participants are promised receiving 6 to 36 gifts in return for buying one, there is no guarantee of receiving any gifts at all, and the scheme requires sharing personal information with strangers.
myjoyonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Ghanaian nationals, 34-year-old Wigbert Bandie and 30-year-old Adam Khadijah, were sentenced in November 2024 to 63 and 30 months in prison, respectively, by a U.S. federal judge in Tennessee for internet fraud and money laundering. From June through December 2019, the defendants conducted romance and advance-fee scams via social media, impersonating overseas individuals and fake gold shippers to defraud at least 11 victims, including one victim (Richard Coleman) who lost $73,550; Bandie was ordered to pay $2.18 million in restitution.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Between January and September 2024, merchandise scams on platforms like Facebook Marketplace cost Canadians $7.1 million, with Ontario accounting for $2.6 million of losses. A Ontario woman lost $50 after a seller on Facebook Marketplace took her e-transfer payment for cast iron planters that were never delivered, and police note common red flags include sellers being overly eager, offering full price without negotiation, or requesting payment through third-party links. Authorities advise online buyers and sellers to question suspicious offers, verify addresses, and report fraud to help combat these scams that often involve money laundering schemes.
thelivenagpur.com
· 2025-12-08
A 65-year-old man in Nagpur lost Rs 5.08 lakh in a "digital arrest" scam between December 4-6, when fraudsters called claiming his mobile number was linked to money laundering and threatened immediate arrest. The victim was manipulated into transferring the funds online before realizing the deception. Ajni Police registered a case under BNS Section 318(4) and IT Act provisions, with the investigation ongoing.
english.factcrescendo.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals exploit unsecured public Wi-Fi networks to conduct banking scams using techniques like rogue hotspots and Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks to intercept user credentials and sensitive data. In a documented case, a professional named Rohit connected to a fake airport Wi-Fi network and had his banking credentials stolen, resulting in ₹1.2 lakh (approximately $14,400 USD) in unauthorized transactions before a follow-up phishing email further compromised his account. The article explains that public Wi-Fi networks lack encryption, making them vulnerable to credential theft, session hijacking, and identity fraud, and advises users to avoi
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 65-year-old retired government employee in Panchkula lost Rs 4.36 lakh to a social media romance scam perpetrated by two women, Anita Pandey and Sweety Chandrakar, who posed as business associates online. The article also highlights two related elder fraud trends: a 60-year-old engineer losing Rs 68 lakh through a fraudulent share trading app, and a spike in "digital arrest" scams targeting seniors in Kolkata, with one victim losing over Rs 66 lakh.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
This curated cybercrime report documents multiple fraud cases across India and internationally. Notable incidents include an Indore resident losing Rs 2.45 lakh to an AnyDesk remote access scam, a Rs 71 lakh online stock market fraud in Pune involving a Russian national, and a Chennai shopkeeper arrested for defrauding over Rs 1 crore through fake goods and job offer scams on social media. The report also highlights international cases including the extradition of a Nigerian cybercriminal to the US for wire fraud and romance scams, cryptocurrency scams targeting Jersey residents, and emphasizes that global scams cost $1.026 trillion annually
lamilano.it
· 2025-12-08
A 35-year-old man named Bruno Abbruzzese was arrested in Terzigno, Naples, for attempted extortion and fraud involving a "mirror scam." The scheme involved damaging a victim's vehicle (using rocks or fake damage created with black wax), falsely claiming the victim caused the damage, and demanding cash compensation while threatening the victim with a jack as a deterrent. Carabinieri arrived during the incident and arrested Abbruzzese, who is awaiting trial.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Matthew Ramos-Soto, 27, from Connecticut, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for his role in a grandparent scheme wire fraud network that targeted elderly victims across the United States. Operating as a courier posing as a bail bondsman, Ramos-Soto collected over $250,000 from victims in Wisconsin alone between October 2022 and October 2023, with the broader scheme involving coconspirators who called elderly victims claiming their relatives needed bail money for serious accidents or crimes. Judge Peterson described the crime as "cruel and devastating" and emphasized the significant financial and emotional harm inflicted on victims.
wfiwradio.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly couple in Williamson County, Illinois lost $121,000 to an imposter scam in which criminals posing as PayPal and federal agents convinced them their accounts were compromised and directed them to withdraw cash for "secure" deposit. Three Chinese nationals were arrested in October and now face federal wire fraud charges after attempting to collect the cash from the victims' home using code words provided by the scammers. The U.S. Attorney's Office reports a rising trend of such imposter scams targeting seniors in southern Illinois, where fraudsters use scare tactics and pressure victims to keep withdrawals secret from their banks.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two Irish brothers, Patrick and Matthew McDonagh, were sentenced to 18 months in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud targeting elderly homeowners across the United States. The scheme involved falsely claiming homes needed urgent repairs (roof holes, foundation damage) and pressuring victims to write checks; one Shoreline, Washington homeowner lost $435,000, while victims in Oregon, Illinois, and Bellevue lost an additional $798,000 combined. The defendants have agreed to pay over $1 million in restitution to their victims.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-enabled voice cloning tools are increasingly used in "grandparent scams" to impersonate loved ones and pressure victims, particularly seniors, into sending money quickly; in 2023 alone, senior citizens lost approximately $3.4 billion to financial crimes according to FBI data. Cybersecurity experts recommend families establish a unique "safe word" or phrase (at least four words, not easily researched online) and require callers requesting money to verify their identity using this phrase before any funds are transferred. The strategy exploits fear-based emotional responses that impair judgment, but can be effectively countered through proper family communication about the safe word protocol.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using sophisticated emotional manipulation tactics—such as texts about sick puppies—to engage potential victims, with experts predicting this trend will accelerate in 2025 due to improved AI and deepfake technology. The article highlights that older Americans are frequent targets, losing over $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023 with an 11% year-over-year increase in reported losses among those over 60. Key scams to watch include employment fraud, cryptocurrency schemes, and impersonation scams that exploit emotional triggers and misuse of company names and hiring manager identities.
prunderground.com
· 2025-12-08
"Senior Savvy: A Comprehensive Guide to Avoiding Scams" is an educational resource released by financial expert Andy LaPointe that teaches seniors to recognize and prevent fraud across multiple platforms, including phishing emails, social media scams, cryptocurrency schemes, romance scams, and door-to-door deception. The guide provides step-by-step explanations, real-world examples, and actionable strategies for responding to scams, with particular emphasis on protecting seniors during high-risk periods like the holiday season when scammer activity increases.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-enabled scams are projected to cause $40 billion in losses by 2027, up from $12.3 billion in 2023, as fraudsters increasingly adopt deepfake technology, voice cloning, and AI chatbots for romance scams and business email compromise attacks. Criminal activity on fraud-focused channels surged 644% between 2023 and 2024, with scammers now offering "fraud-as-a-service" tools and recruiting workers to create deepfake content. The FBI and fraud experts warn that 2025 will see AI scams become mainstream, particularly in targeted business fraud (like the $30 million Hong Kong Zoom imperson
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Nigeria's anti-graft agency arrested 792 suspects, including 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino nationals, in a December 10 raid on a Lagos call center that orchestrated romance scams and fake cryptocurrency investment schemes targeting victims in the Americas and Europe. The operation involved Nigerian accomplices recruiting victims online through social media platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram, then handing them off to foreign scammers who pressured them to transfer money for nonexistent investments. Authorities seized computers, phones, and vehicles, and indicated they are investigating potential links to organized crime networks.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old Bengaluru resident lost ₹1.94 crore from his fixed deposit after falling victim to a "digital arrest" scam in which fraudsters impersonating Mumbai crime branch officers accused him of money laundering and held him under fake digital arrest for seven days. The scammers contacted him via WhatsApp video call on November 30, claimed his ATM card was seized in connection with Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal, and coerced him into transferring funds in multiple installments while threatening him to remain silent. He discovered the fraud only when he confided in his daughter on December 7, who helped him file a police complaint with the southeast
wbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
The Burke County Sheriff's Office warned of two recent phone scams in which callers impersonated law enforcement officers demanding immediate payment via prepaid debit cards—one claiming the victim missed federal court with an arrest warrant, and another claiming compromising content existed on the victim's device. The sheriff's office emphasized that legitimate law enforcement will never request money, gift cards, or unusual payment methods, and advised people to hang up on suspicious callers and contact local law enforcement directly to verify claims.
mynorthwest.com
· 2025-12-08
Irish brothers Patrick and Matthew McDonagh were sentenced to 18 months in prison for defrauding elderly homeowners across the country of over $400,000 through a roofing and foundation repair scam. The pair traveled nationally approaching elderly homeowners, falsely claiming urgent repairs were needed, then pressured victims into writing multiple checks for unnecessary or fake work; in one Shoreline case, they stole $435,000 from a single homeowner before the scheme was uncovered. The defendants pleaded guilty and agreed to pay over $1 million in restitution to victims in Washington, Oregon, and Illinois.
dfpi.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains that financial abuse is the most prevalent form of domestic abuse, affecting nearly 99 percent of domestic abuse cases and also occurring as elder abuse, with at least 1 in 10 adults over 65 experiencing it annually. The article outlines protective measures financial institutions can implement, including securing accounts with fraud alerts, setting up automatic bill pay, maintaining separate emergency funds, utilizing teller services to verify suspicious communications, and offering financial counseling to identify patterns of abuse. It provides resources for victims including the National Domestic Abuse Hotline and Adult Protective Services.
inforum.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Maryland men were sentenced for operating a romance fraud scheme targeting elderly women on social media, where they posed as U.S. military members deployed overseas and convinced victims to send money for fake emergencies. Chinedu Ikenna Nwafor received 25 months in prison and ordered to pay $180,000 in restitution, while Vitus Uzoma Uzowuru received 10 months time served and ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution; one North Dakota victim alone lost $200,000 ($150,000 and $50,000 in separate incidents), and another victim from Tioga lost $800,000. A third defendant
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Nigerian authorities arrested 792 suspects, including 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino nationals, in a raid on a Lagos call center that orchestrated romance scams and cryptocurrency fraud targeting victims in the Americas and Europe. The operation lured victims through social media platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram with romantic overtures or fake investment opportunities, then pressured them to transfer money for phoney cryptocurrency schemes and non-existent projects. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission seized computers, phones, and vehicles, and stated it would investigate potential links to organized crime and collaborate with international partners.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Nigerian authorities arrested 792 individuals, including foreign nationals, in a raid on a Lagos fraud operation that targeted victims in North America and Europe through romance scams and fake cryptocurrency investment schemes conducted via WhatsApp and Instagram. The fraudsters, many recruited by international crime syndicates, would establish fake relationships or investment opportunities to pressure victims into sending money before handing off communication to foreign counterparts to complete the schemes. The EFCC seized evidence including phones, computers, and vehicles, and stated they are collaborating with international partners to dismantle the broader criminal networks involved.