Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 22,013 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
6,244 results
in Financial Crime
mondaq.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this article because the content is not available. The page indicates that the original article has been removed and only shows a placeholder message with navigation options for criminal law topics. To create an accurate summary for the Elderus database, please provide the actual article text or a different source material.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Austin Michael Taylor, founder of the cryptocurrency project CluCoin based in Miami, was sentenced to 27 months in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud for misappropriating approximately $1.14 million in investor funds raised through an initial coin offering. Taylor used his social media following to promote the CluCoin token and its promised charitable focus, but subsequently diverted investor funds to his personal account and lost them gambling at online casinos between May and December 2022. He was ordered to pay full restitution and forfeit assets totaling $1.14 million, with three years of supervised release to follow his prison term.
shorenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
Craig Callaway, a 64-year-old former Atlantic City council president, pleaded guilty to orchestrating a mail-in ballot fraud scheme during the 2022 general election in which he and associates recruited messengers to collect fraudulent ballots and cast them in voters' names without their knowledge. Callaway paid individuals $30-$50 to submit Vote-By-Mail Applications as "authorized messengers," then diverted the ballots instead of delivering them to actual voters, resulting in many fraudulent ballots being counted. The scheme deprived New Jersey residents of a fair election and violated federal law regarding electoral integrity.
nwasianweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial fraud aided by generative AI is rising sharply, with experts projecting losses could reach $40 billion in the U.S. by 2027, and deepfake incidents in the fintech sector increased 700% in 2023. Seniors, non-native English speakers, and Asian immigrants are particularly targeted by scammers who exploit loneliness and build relationships before striking. JP Morgan Chase and Seattle police shared prevention advice including verifying identities, being skeptical of sob stories and urgent payment requests, avoiding sending money to online contacts, and protecting personal information.
enews.wvu.edu
· 2025-12-08
During tax season, identity theft and tax fraud increase when criminals file fraudulent returns using stolen Social Security numbers to claim refunds. To protect against these scams, individuals should file taxes early, obtain an IRS Identity Protection PIN, watch for phishing emails and calls impersonating the IRS or tax preparers, securely exchange tax documents through encrypted services, and maintain encrypted backups of tax records. The IRS never contacts taxpayers by email or phone, and scammers often use threats of arrest or penalties to pressure victims into providing personal information.
fox10tv.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's "Operation Level Up" initiative has identified over 4,300 victims of "pig butchering" cryptocurrency investment scams across all 50 states, with the majority of victims aged 30-60 who were lured through unsolicited messages and online ads with promises of high returns. Victims are shown fake accounts displaying investment growth, but their money is lost immediately upon investment, resulting in an estimated $5 billion in losses in 2024; however, the FBI's intervention efforts have prevented approximately $285 million in additional fraud losses. The FBI advises potential victims to remain skeptical of unsolicited investment pitches, verify communications claiming to be from the FBI, and report
seattlemedium.com
· 2025-12-08
Chase and the Seattle Police Department partnered with Kin On Seattle Community Center to hold a senior financial health workshop aimed at protecting seniors from online fraud and scams, with particular attention to romance scams that increase around Valentine's Day. The workshop emphasized that seniors are highly targeted due to their vulnerability and financial resources, and outlined key prevention strategies including being cautious with strangers online, verifying identities, avoiding emotional manipulation, never sending money to people met only online, protecting personal information, and trusting instincts when something feels suspicious.
romesentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified new Medicare card scams as its February fraud alert, warning seniors that Medicare does not issue replacement cards and cautioning against calls requesting personal medical information or offers for upgraded card formats. Scammers use tactics like impersonating Medicare representatives and falsely claiming cards need replacement to trick beneficiaries into divulging sensitive data; seniors should verify callers independently and report suspected fraud to the NY Senior Medicare Patrol Helpline at 800-333-4374. Medicare fraud nationally costs taxpayers over $60 billion annually, making awareness and prevention critical for protecting seniors' personal information and benefits.
mynews4.com
· 2025-12-08
Two suspects, Mohjid Singh and Habri Harmal, were arrested on February 12 in South Reno after defrauding victims of $49,000 through impersonation of Amazon and FTC officials, with the perpetrators continuing to pressure victims for additional payments after the initial theft. The arrests resulted from a joint operation by multiple law enforcement agencies including Washoe County Patrol, Property Detectives, and the Human Exploitation and Recovery Operations Unit, with both suspects charged with felony theft, exploiting an elderly or vulnerable person, and conspiracy. The Sheriff's Office cautions the public that legitimate law enforcement will never demand payment by phone and advises residents to verify claims
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Akiel Doman, 34, of North Miami Beach, Florida, was sentenced to 44 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $234,995 in restitution for operating a nationwide lottery fraud scheme targeting seniors between May 2020 and July 2022. Doman and associates called victims across the United States falsely claiming they had won lottery prizes, then instructed them to pay upfront fees or taxes to claim their winnings, directing the money to Doman's bank accounts. The conviction also included criminal contempt charges for violating a 2019 court order that had previously prohibited him from participating in lottery fraud schemes.
wealthmanagement.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece identifies the ten states with the strongest elder-care protections based on metrics including elder fraud rates, prevention expenditures, and care organizations. Massachusetts ranked first in the WalletHub analysis, and the article highlights that federal protections have expanded, such as the Senior Safe Act (signed May 24, 2018) which provides liability immunity for reporting senior exploitation. The article advises financial advisors to understand their states' elder-abuse laws, fraud prevention services, and long-term care resources as their clients age.
kbtx.com
· 2025-12-08
Two individuals were arrested in Texas for check fraud crimes: Stephanie Seabolt was caught attempting to cash a fraudulent $4,250 check at Prosperity Bank using someone else's identification, and Neva Cravens, a nurse's aide, was arrested for exploiting an elderly person by forging checks totaling over $900 and making unauthorized credit card purchases. Bryan Police Department reports handling 10-12 check fraud cases monthly, with criminals increasingly stealing checks from the mail system, and recommend protective measures such as using black gel ink, avoiding mailing checks, and monitoring bank statements for suspicious activity.
aba.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this content. This appears to be a navigation menu or sitemap from a banking association website (likely the American Bankers Association), listing various topics, training programs, conferences, and committees. It does not contain an article about a scam, fraud incident, or elder abuse case.
To use Elderus effectively, please provide an actual news article, transcript, or case description about elder fraud or abuse.
blog.ssa.gov
· 2025-12-08
The PACT Act expanded VA benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances, but scammers have exploited this by impersonating VA employees and offering to help veterans access benefits for illegal fees. The article provides seven protective strategies, including verifying company credentials, avoiding pressure tactics and unrealistic promises, being cautious of phishing attempts and unsecured websites, limiting social media sharing, and recognizing red flags in communications such as non-.gov email addresses and spelling errors.
news.illinoisstate.edu
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence to launch sophisticated phishing and romance scams targeting university students, faculty, and staff, particularly around Valentine's Day. AI-generated deepfake videos, voice cloning, and realistic fake profiles make these scams harder to detect than traditional fraud, as attackers can now personalize messages by mimicking authentic university communications and creating convincing long-term online relationships. Universities face significant challenges in defending against these evolving threats, with particular vulnerability among international students, new students, and those with access to financial systems or sensitive data.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
In November, a 66-year-old retired health care worker in Hilton Head, South Carolina, lost $7,500 in a crypto scam after someone impersonating a sheriff's deputy claimed she had missed jury duty and threatened jail time, directing her to deposit cash into a Coinstar ATM that converted it to cryptocurrency. The scam represents a growing trend targeting seniors through crypto kiosks, with Beaufort County reporting $3.1 million in crypto scam losses to law enforcement in the past year alone, prompting calls for stronger fraud prevention measures by cryptocurrency ATM operators and legislators.
thecipherbrief.com
· 2025-12-08
Cyber-enabled scams originating primarily from criminal gangs in Southeast Asia, India, and Nigeria have become a global security emergency, with over 57,000 Americans scammed daily, resulting in $158 billion in annual losses and an average victim loss of $14,197 ($33,915 for seniors). These transnational fraud operations, often run by Chinese crime bosses using forced labor, fund additional criminal activities including human trafficking, drug manufacturing, and hostile nation weapons programs, while U.S. law enforcement capacity is severely overwhelmed and can only address a fraction of cases.
cronkitenews.azpbs.org
· 2025-12-08
Arizona experienced over $47 million in losses from online romance scams during 2022-2023, ranking fifth nationally, with elderly residents particularly targeted by scammers who build false relationships to extract money. Common tactics include professing instant love, moving conversations off dating platforms to private channels, refusing to share photos, and requesting money—sometimes stringing victims along for extended periods. Authorities warn that scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to create convincing false identities, and many victims remain unreported due to embarrassment.
wilmingtonbiz.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common financial scams targeting seniors and the general public, including phishing, investment fraud, imposter scams (grandparent and IRS varieties), computer scams, romance scams, lottery schemes, charity fraud, and fake debt relief services. The article provides red flags and warning signs for each scam type, such as urgent requests, unsolicited offers, promises of guaranteed returns, and requests for upfront payments. Key protective measures include awareness of common scam tactics, verification of organizations before sharing information, and skepticism toward unsolicited offers or high-pressure requests.
digit.in
· 2025-12-08
A family in Noida fell victim to a "digital arrest" scam in February when scammers posing as telecom regulators and police officers threatened them with fake arrest warrants and money laundering charges. Over five days, the family transferred Rs 1.10 crore (approximately $132,000 USD) to the fraudsters after receiving intimidating calls and video messages targeting multiple family members. The scam exemplifies the growing sophistication of cyber fraud and highlights the importance of remaining cautious about unsolicited calls claiming to be from government or law enforcement agencies.
advisorhub.com
· 2025-12-08
Marjorie Kessler, a senior investor in Tampa, Florida, lost nearly $1.75 million to scammers impersonating government officials who convinced her to withdraw funds for safekeeping in a U.S. Treasury account. Morgan Stanley was ordered to pay $843,000 in compensatory damages for failing to investigate her unusual withdrawal requests and neglecting to establish a trusted contact on her account as required by regulations, though the arbitration panel deducted the first transfer amount due to insufficient evidence of negligence.
businesswire.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Merck Employees Federal Credit Union has partnered with Carefull, a financial safety service, to provide members with proactive account monitoring, identity protection, and fraud resolution tools to combat rising elder fraud and scams. The partnership offers all MEFCU members, their parents, and caregivers 24/7 account monitoring and real-time alerts for unusual transactions, addressing the gap in protection for older adults who may not regularly check their accounts.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Merck Employees Federal Credit Union partnered with Carefull, a financial safety service, to provide members with fraud protection tools including real-time account monitoring, identity protection, and issue resolution services. The partnership addresses rising elder fraud and sophisticated scams by offering 24/7 alerts and expert support to help members detect unauthorized transactions quickly and recover funds, with education components to help members learn fraud prevention strategies.
edhat.com
· 2025-12-08
A Santa Barbara County fraud case involved Craig Case, a former private investigator and TV host, and Nancy Coglizer, who held power of attorney for elderly Montecito resident Constance McCormick Fearing, systematically embezzling over $600,000 from the deceased woman's funds through repeated "short-term" loans disguised as small withdrawals to avoid detection. Coglizer pleaded guilty to mismanaging Fearing's finances, claiming manipulation by Case and personal struggles with alcoholism influenced her actions, while Case faces conspiracy and financial elder abuse charges; Coglizer awaits sentencing in a case highlighting vulnerabilities of elderly individuals in financial matters.
ice.gov
· 2025-12-08
In February 2024, an elderly woman lost approximately $550,000 to a computer support scam impersonating Microsoft customer support through two wire transfers. Following a quick report to local police, ICE Homeland Security Investigations traced and recovered $328,573 in seized funds, while the bank reversed an additional $221,000, ultimately returning nearly all the victim's money by February 2025. This case demonstrates the importance of reporting cyber scams immediately to law enforcement, as quick action enabled recovery of most of the stolen funds through coordinated federal and banking efforts.
ice.gov
· 2025-12-08
In February 2024, an elderly woman lost approximately $550,000 in a computer support scam where criminals impersonated Microsoft customer support; she promptly reported the crime to police, enabling ICE Homeland Security Investigations to trace and seize the remaining funds after one wire transfer was reversed by the bank. Through a civil asset forfeiture action coordinated with the U.S. Attorney's Office, $328,573 was recovered and returned to the victim in February 2025, representing a rare successful recovery of nearly all stolen funds.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Skimming scams, which involve criminals stealing credit card data through devices placed on ATMs, fuel pumps, and point-of-sale terminals, increased 96% in 2023 and cost U.S. consumers over $1 billion annually. Major enforcement actions include a three-year FBI investigation targeting Romanian organized crime that resulted in 48 arrests and recovery of 8,000 stolen card numbers and approximately $1 million in seized currency. Consumers can protect themselves by inspecting card readers for tampering, using chip or tap-to-pay technology, monitoring accounts for unauthorized transactions, and choosing well-lit fuel pumps near store attendants.
kingstonpolice.ca
· 2025-12-08
Kingston Police reported a significant increase in "grandparent" or "emergency" scams, with 15 reports received on February 11, 2025 alone. These scams target seniors by impersonating a grandchild in legal trouble and requesting $8,000-$9,000 in bail money via courier pickup, with scammers sometimes hiring legitimate courier companies unknowingly to transport the cash. Police emphasize that bail is never requested in cash and advise victims to verify caller identity through security questions, call back family members directly, and never send money to unknown persons.
wrdw.com
· 2025-12-08
Cody Lee Anderson, 37, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud for his role in manipulating an 88-year-old Aiken woman into signing a will during the pandemic that left her approximately $20 million estate to co-conspirator Thomas Allen Bateman Jr., despite evidence she lacked mental capacity to make informed decisions. Anderson, who was designated as personal representative and stood to receive a 5% fee, faces up to 30 years in federal prison, a $1 million fine, and five years of supervision; his co-conspirator Bateman also pleaded guilty and is scheduled for sentencing in March 2025.
fox61.com
· 2025-12-08
Shadia Melissa Aguilar Sarmiento, a 30-year-old Mexican woman, was sentenced to approximately 13 months in prison (time served) for conspiracy to commit wire fraud targeting timeshare owners in the U.S. and Canada. From December 2018 through January 2021, Aguilar Sarmiento and co-conspirators operated an advance fee scheme using fake company names and impersonated licensed attorneys to convince over 50 timeshare owners they could sell their properties, then requested escalating fees through wire transfers to Mexican accounts, ultimately defrauding victims of approximately $2 million. Aguilar Sarmiento
vernonmatters.ca
· 2025-12-08
Kelowna RCMP reported a surge in grandparent scams targeting local residents, with multiple victims losing over $20,000 combined. Scammers impersonated grandchildren or lawyers claiming the grandchild had been arrested and needed bail money, then arranged to pick up the cash at designated locations or victims' homes. Police urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited money requests.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Ryan DaCruz, a 28-year-old from Central Falls, Rhode Island, pleaded guilty to bank fraud conspiracy for depositing stolen and fraudulently altered checks totaling approximately $46,000 into multiple bank accounts he controlled between February 2022 and May 2023. Working with confederates who stole checks from the U.S. Mail, DaCruz had the checks "washed" to change payee names to his own, then rapidly depleted the accounts through cash withdrawals and transfers before opening new accounts at different banks when fraud was detected. He faces sentencing on March 11, 2025, and is currently incarcerated on a separate conviction for
mountaineagle.com
· 2025-12-08
The Walker County Community Action Agency offers free financial planning classes at multiple dates in February and March to help locals organize finances, plan major purchases, and budget for expenses. Additionally, a free elder fraud prevention workshop is scheduled for February 22 at Cordova First Baptist Church, sponsored by the Cordova Ministerial Association and Birmingham FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association, to educate seniors about common fraud schemes targeting elderly Americans.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, people lost $10 billion to fraud according to FTC data, but consumers can protect themselves by recognizing common banking scams. The article outlines ten prevalent scam tactics—including check-cashing schemes, phishing, fake websites, advance fee fraud, and government imposter scams—and provides specific protective strategies such as verifying bank URLs, never clicking unsolicited links, using secure checks, and contacting official customer service lines to confirm requests.
poconorecord.com
· 2025-12-08
Skimming scams—where criminals install devices on ATMs, point-of-sale terminals, and fuel pumps to steal card data—increased 96% in 2023 and cost U.S. consumers over $1 billion annually. Recent law enforcement operations have targeted organized crime groups, including a three-year FBI investigation resulting in 48 arrests and recovery of over 8,000 stolen credit card numbers. The FBI advises consumers to inspect card readers for tampering, use chip/tap-to-pay technology, pull at keypads for overlays, monitor accounts regularly, and choose fuel pumps visible to attendants.
fox10tv.com
· 2025-12-08
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission launched the "Dating or Defrauding" awareness campaign to warn Americans about relationship investment scams, in which fraudsters use fake dating profiles and text messages to trick victims into converting money to cryptocurrency under the false promise of investment returns. These scams caused reported losses exceeding $4 billion to the FBI in 2023 and target people of all ages, particularly those who live alone or spend significant time on social media. The campaign advises never sending money to people you haven't met in person and recommends reporting suspected fraud through the CFTC or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
New York's StateWide Senior Action Council identified Medicare card scams as their February fraud alert, warning seniors that Medicare does not issue new cards annually and scammers exploit this by calling to collect personal medical information or promoting fraudulent "upgraded" cards. Seniors should verify suspicious calls directly with Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE) and protect their Medicare and Social Security numbers like credit cards, reporting suspected fraud to the NY Senior Medicare Patrol Helpline at 800-333-4374.
wktv.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Service warns consumers about romance scams that intensify around Valentine's Day, in which fraudsters create fake online identities to build trust with victims over weeks or months before fabricating financial emergencies and requesting money, gift cards, or checks sent through the mail. These scams cause both financial and emotional harm, with victims often unable to recover their funds once the fraud is discovered. USPS recommends avoiding rapid online relationships without in-person or video contact, never sending money to people you haven't met, and reporting suspicious behavior immediately.
cbs6albany.com
· 2025-12-08
Harmish Patel, 26, of Illinois was indicted for his role in a multi-state gold bullion scam targeting an elderly couple in Brunswick, New York, between December 2023 and March 2024. Patel allegedly conspired with others to transport fraudulently obtained gold bullion across state lines from New York to New Jersey on multiple occasions. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Harmish Patel, 26, of Illinois was indicted for his role in a gold bullion scam targeting an elderly couple in Rensselaer County, New York. Between December 2023 and March 2024, Patel conspired with others to transport gold bullion obtained through fraud across state lines from New York to New Jersey on three separate occasions. Patel faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The Grandparent Scam is a fraud scheme where criminals pose as a relative—typically a grandchild—claiming to need immediate financial assistance to exploit seniors' emotional attachments and trust. Seniors are targeted because they tend to be trusting, have financial resources, and may be reluctant to report fraud due to shame or fear of losing family confidence. To protect themselves, seniors should resist pressure to act quickly, verify caller information with family members, never wire money based on phone or email requests, and report suspicious calls to local police or the FBI.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
Fabrisio Arias was sentenced to 41 months in prison and ordered to pay $395,536 in restitution to 22 victims for his role in an international sweepstakes scam that operated from November 2020 to September 2022. Scammers in Costa Rica used spoofed phone numbers to impersonate IRS and FTC officials, convincing elderly victims (many in their 70s-90s) that they'd won prizes and needed to pay fees; Arias received the victims' checks and money orders at his California home, laundered the funds through his bank accounts, and transferred over $237,000 to co-conspi
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned of rising romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day, with victims losing $1.14 billion in 2023 according to the FTC. Scammers create fake profiles on dating apps and social media, build trust quickly, and manipulate victims—sometimes impersonating celebrities or military personnel—to send money or invest in cryptocurrency, with one victim losing $850,000 to a scammer posing as Brad Pitt. Red flags include requests for money, reluctance to meet in person or video chat, and inconsistent stories; prevention through identity verification and caution about rapidly escalating relationships is the best defense.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Houston issued a Valentine's Day safety guide warning about romance scams, in which fraudsters quickly build fake online relationships and eventually request money by claiming emergencies or business expenses abroad. The guide advises potential victims to be cautious about what they share online, verify profiles through reverse image searches, watch for excuses to avoid in-person meetings, and never send money to people they've only met online. Victims are encouraged to cease contact with scammers and report incidents to the FBI immediately.
fox26houston.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Service warns that romance scammers target individuals seeking companionship by creating fake online identities and building trust over weeks or months before requesting money for fabricated emergencies like medical bills or travel expenses. The article provides red flags (such as avoiding video calls, pledging love quickly, and requesting urgent financial help), protective measures (verifying identities through video or reverse image searches, never sending money to strangers), and common scammer tactics to help people avoid losing money through wire transfers, checks, or gift cards that are difficult to recover.
wisbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax scams reappear seasonally with scammers impersonating the IRS through phone calls, emails, and mail to pressure victims into paying fake debts or divulging personal information for identity theft. Common schemes include threatening arrest for unpaid taxes, claiming refunds are owed, using fake IRS logos and spoofed caller IDs, and sending phishing emails directing victims to bogus websites. To protect yourself, file taxes early, remember that the IRS initiates contact by mail only, never accepts prepaid debit cards or wire transfers for payment, and verify any IRS communication directly with the agency.
cftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
The CFTC and multiple federal, state, and nonprofit organizations launched the "Dating or Defrauding?" awareness campaign to alert Americans to relationship investment scams, which caused nearly $4 billion in reported losses to the FBI in 2023. These scams, also called "pig butchering," use fake profiles on dating apps, social media, and messaging platforms to build false relationships and convince victims to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency or trading platforms. The campaign identifies red flags including requests for payment, inability to meet in person, and pressure to move conversations to encrypted apps, urging the public to be skeptical and share warnings with friends and family.
wcnc.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams have surged significantly, with BBB reporting a 13% increase in 2021 and more than double the cases in early 2022 compared to the prior year. Scammers create fake dating profiles using stolen photos and fabricate elaborate backstories (often claiming military or overseas work) to build fake relationships, eventually requesting money with increasingly persistent demands. The BBB advises potential dating app users to watch for red flags such as reluctance to meet in person, rapid declarations of love, requests to move off dating platforms, suspicious language patterns, and hard luck stories before money requests are made.
cullmantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns about romance scams, which exploit people seeking companionship by building trust online before requesting money through mail, wire transfers, or gift cards. The article outlines how scammers create fake identities and fabricate emergencies to solicit funds, and provides protective measures including avoiding rapid online relationships, verifying identities through in-person meetings, and never sending money to strangers. Victims are advised to report scams to USPIS, local law enforcement, and the Federal Trade Commission.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Seattle senior was defrauded of $435,000 by two brothers, Patrick and Matthew McDonagh, who convinced him his roof and foundation needed urgent repairs and then pressured him into ongoing payments for work that was never completed or unnecessary. The victim paid through checks and wire transfers over several weeks; he was able to recover $200,000 through a wire transfer reversal, but the outcome of recovering additional funds remains unclear. The McDonagh brothers pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges and were sentenced to 18 months in prison, and the case highlights how door-to-door home repair scams disproportionately target seniors, who reported $3.4 billion in frau