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paducahsun.com
· 2025-12-08
The Paducah McCracken County Senior Center held an emergency preparedness presentation led by Camp Graves, which included education on avoiding scams that target seniors after severe weather events. The program addressed multiple safety concerns for older adults, including financial protection and home security, as part of broader fraud prevention efforts.
ktvz.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, nearly 1,000 Oklahoma seniors fell victim to fraud schemes, losing over $22 million combined—representing a 15% increase in elder fraud cases in the state from 2022 to 2023, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Common scams targeting seniors include romance schemes conducted through social media and fake tech support pop-ups, with criminals exploiting seniors' accumulated wealth over their lifetimes. The FBI advises older adults and their families to recognize warning signs and immediately disengage from any interaction involving financial pressure by hanging up the phone or logging off.
heritagefl.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency scams targeting seniors have risen sharply, with fraudsters impersonating federal agents and falsely claiming victims' bank accounts are compromised, then pressuring them to deposit money into cryptocurrency ATMs for purported "government protection." The article provides four key preventative measures: verify communications through official government channels, educate yourself on common scammer tactics, use only reputable cryptocurrency exchanges with security features, and exercise caution with cryptocurrency ATMs. Resources like the Orlando Senior Help Desk (407-678-9363) are available to help seniors and families identify potential fraud.
businesstoday.in
· 2025-12-08
India's digital transformation has increased online scam targeting, with cybercriminals particularly exploiting elderly pensioners through impersonation schemes. The Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) warned that fraudsters are impersonating government officials and contacting pensioners via WhatsApp, email, and SMS, falsely claiming pension payments will be stopped unless they complete forms and share personal information like PPO numbers and bank details. Authorities advise pensioners to verify communications directly with relevant agencies, resist artificial urgency tactics, and report suspicious activity to prevent financial fraud.
theberkshireedge.com
· 2025-12-08
This article does not contain content related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It consists of announcements for regional arts and cultural events in the Berkshire area, including an art exhibition, a documentary screening, a folklore lecture, and a pottery tour. This material is outside the scope of the Elderus fraud research database and cannot be summarized according to the specified criteria.
newportdispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
Martha's Vineyard Bank reported a series of scams targeting elderly customers in which fraudsters impersonated bank representatives and pressured victims to withdraw large sums of money while instructing them not to discuss the transactions with anyone, including bank staff. The scammers created false urgency by claiming customers' funds were in jeopardy, exploiting seniors' vulnerability to financial fraud. The bank coordinated with the Dukes County Sheriff's Office to alert the community and urged residents to report suspicious activity.
timesofsandiego.com
· 2025-12-08
Bitcoin ATMs are increasingly exploited by fraudsters to steal money from victims, particularly seniors in San Diego County, where victims lost over $5 million in 2023. Scammers convince victims through tech support scams and other fraud schemes to withdraw cash and convert it to cryptocurrency at these machines, then transfer the funds to encrypted addresses; the stolen money can be moved globally within minutes, making recovery nearly impossible. Law enforcement and senators are calling for stronger safeguards at Bitcoin ATM operators to prevent victims from depositing funds in the first place, as the window for intervention is extremely narrow.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
**Pig-Butchering Scam - Alice Lin Case**
An 80-year-old California business owner lost $720,000 to a "pig-butchering" scam in August 2022, where a stranger built trust with her on WeChat before convincing her to invest in cryptocurrency through seven wire transfers over three weeks. Lin realized the fraud when the scammer pressured her sister for additional funds, leading to suicidal ideation for several months afterward. She is now suing JP Morgan Chase for failing to flag the atypical transactions and notify her daughter (listed as a trusted contact), and her case is proceeding to trial after surviving the bank
ourvalleyvoice.com
· 2025-12-08
The House unanimously passed H.R. 6125, the Online Dating Safety Act on September 23, a bipartisan bill requiring dating apps to notify users if they have interacted with someone removed for fraudulent activity. Romance scams cost victims $1.3 billion in 2022, with seniors being the most vulnerable group, and the legislation aims to address the gap that occurs when scammers continue contact through other platforms after being banned from dating apps.
verywellmind.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide explains romance scams, a type of fraud where criminals build fake romantic relationships to extract money from victims. The article outlines common tactics (including catfishing), warning signs, and vulnerable populations targeted by scammers, while noting that the FTC reported $304 million in losses from romance scams in 2020—a 50% increase from 2019. The guide provides advice on protecting oneself and recovering from romance fraud, emphasizing that victims should not be blamed for falling for such schemes.
news.harvard.edu
· 2025-12-08
Online scams cost American consumers $12.5 billion last year, a 22 percent increase, with cybercriminals using sophisticated psychological tactics that can affect anyone regardless of age, intelligence, or education. According to cybersecurity expert Bruce Schneier, scammers' methods are fundamentally unchanged from historical cons, but technology has dramatically increased the scale and speed of attacks through fake social media ads, phishing emails, and AI-generated content. Cryptocurrency has made scams more profitable and harder to prevent because transactions cannot be reversed or monitored by traditional banking safeguards.
gantnews.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman in Henderson Township, Jefferson County, lost $5,000 in a phone scam on September 23. Pennsylvania State Police are seeking information about the incident, which occurred at a residence along Route 410 around 3:56 p.m.
sbs.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A young mother of Indian origin lost $225,000 to a work-from-home job scam after being recruited through a Facebook messenger group to review hotels online; she was instructed to book hotels with her own money using a fake platform and make cryptocurrency payments that were never reimbursed despite promises of commission. Victoria police report dozens of similar victims have lost over $1 million in 2023, with people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities accounting for 12.7 percent of targeted scam losses, and authorities warn against any online arrangement requiring upfront payments in digital currency or via bank transfer.
thestar.com
· 2025-12-08
A Toronto resident fell victim to a fake taxi scam where a driver with a taxi-style dome light used a rigged payment machine to steal the victim's debit card information and PIN, resulting in $1,471 in fraudulent charges. Toronto police report 493 similar taxi scam incidents in the year with total losses of $914,000, and the scam typically targets young people rather than seniors; detection methods include verifying taxi license plates and never relinquishing control of payment cards. Key prevention tips include checking that cabs have proper taxi identification and remaining vigilant about card security throughout transactions.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A 39-year-old UK resident, Robert Westbrook, was charged with fraud after allegedly using genealogy websites to answer security questions and hack the email accounts of senior executives at five U.S. companies, then trading on nonpublic earnings information to make millions in illicit profits. Westbrook employed multiple concealment tactics including VPNs, Bitcoin payments, and fake email aliases to access the executives' Microsoft Outlook accounts and read confidential financial data before company announcements. The SEC successfully traced his activities through advanced data analytics and cryptocurrency tracking, with his insider trades generating hundreds of thousands to over $1 million in illegal gains.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old retiree in Petaling Jaya lost over RM670,000 in cash, jewelry, and gold bars after being deceived by scammers posing as police officers in a Macau scam; the victim was falsely told her phone number was used in cyber crimes and that she needed to consolidate her savings and surrender valuables for a supposed investigation. According to Malaysian authorities, senior citizens aged 61 and older accounted for 6.4% of the 86,266 online scam victims from 2021-2023, collectively losing over RM552 million, with the trend continuing in 2024.
thevalleyledger.com
· 2025-12-08
Rep. Ryan Mackenzie partnered with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General to host a free educational seminar on identity theft targeting older residents in the 187th Legislative District. The October 10 event, led by senior protection director Dave Shallcross, covered how to recognize scams, protect personal information, and respond to identity theft.
fhtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Fountain View Village Senior Living Community in Fountain Hills hosted a fraud prevention seminar on October 3 as part of National Cybersecurity Month, featuring Tiffany Lam from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. The seminar educated seniors on recognizing and avoiding scams, highlighting five red flags including unexpected results, unrealistic promises, scare tactics, urgent demands, untraceable payments, and suspicious communication. Arizona ranks sixth nationally for fraud losses, with seniors losing approximately $128 million in 2023.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Rancho Cordova woman lost $9,000 to a scam after being deceived by a fake bank alert on her computer directing her to call a fraudulent number; the scammers kept her on the phone while she withdrew cash and deposited it into a Bitcoin machine. A Call Kurtis volunteer discovered the woman's bank failed to follow its own fraud-prevention protocol of questioning customers before allowing such transactions, and the bank issued a full refund after this oversight was identified.
mobile.ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
CBS News conducted an undercover investigation into Ghanaian "Yahoo Boys," organized online dating scammers who target wealthy elderly men and widowers through dating sites. After underlings build emotional connections with victims, senior operators take over to convince them to invest in fake gold mining schemes, using forged documents and promises of shared wealth; the scammers steal millions of dollars from their victims, who often don't report the fraud due to shame. The scheme exploits victims' vulnerability to emotional manipulation and targets men specifically because they fall in love quickly and are less likely to involve police.
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
CBS News's undercover investigation exposed Ghanaian "Yahoo Boys" who operate a sophisticated romance scam targeting wealthy foreigners, particularly elderly men and widowers, through dating sites. The scammers build emotional connections with victims before introducing fake investment schemes, typically claiming to offer stakes in Ghanaian gold mines with forged documentation, and extract millions of dollars from their targets. The victims are reluctant to report the crimes due to shame, allowing the perpetrators to maintain their fraudulent operations and lavish lifestyles.
sandhillsexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. man lost $700,000 in an elaborate romance scam orchestrated from Ghana. CBS News investigation revealed that sophisticated overseas romance scams—which have evolved from simple "Nigerian Prince" emails—are costing Americans over $10 billion annually, with scammers operating from "boiler rooms" in Ghana where young men pose as attractive women on dating apps to target lonely, older American victims, with criminal syndicates taking large cuts of the money extracted.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old woman in Petaling Jaya lost approximately RM670,994 in cash, jewelry, and gold bars after scammers convinced her that her identity was involved in cybercrime and money laundering, then visited her home posing as police to collect her valuables. The scam occurred between September 20-27, 2024, and highlights a broader trend showing that senior citizens aged 61 and older accounted for 8.9% of online scam victims from January-August 2024, but suffered 27.9% of total losses (RM255,367,680). Police urge families to warn elderly relatives to be vigilant and avoid surren
bernama.com
· 2025-12-08
During the first eight months of 2024, 1,916 elderly individuals aged 61 and above in Malaysia fell victim to online scams, losing RM255.37 million (27.9% of total online fraud losses that year). Although elderly victims represent only 8.9% of online fraud cases, they suffer disproportionately large financial losses, making them prime targets for scammers using tactics such as impersonation of police officers and false claims of cybercrime involvement. Malaysian police officials emphasized the importance of awareness and vigilance, urging families to advise elderly relatives to verify suspicious calls through official channels rather than following unsolicited instructions.
siliconeer.com
· 2025-12-08
Imposter scams—where criminals impersonate trusted businesses or government agencies—are the most common type of fraud reported to the FTC, with 360,000 cases in the first half of 2024 alone resulting in $1.3 billion in losses (median $800 per victim). Losses from government and business impersonation scams have surged dramatically, from $370 million combined in 2020 to over $1.3 billion by 2023, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics including fake urgency, unusual payment methods like Bitcoin ATMs, and threats of arrest or deportation. The FTC's new Impersonation Rule
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old woman from Chennai lost ₹1 crore in a FedEx scam involving impersonation by fraudsters posing as police/CBI officers who falsely accused her of illegal activities and instructed her to transfer funds for verification. Between January and August, Chennai's cybercrime unit registered over 250 cases including 45 FedEx scams and 80 online trading frauds, predominantly affecting high net-worth elderly individuals, prompting authorities to launch awareness campaigns through SMS, awareness camps, and partnerships with pensioners' and residents' associations.
wgem.com
· 2025-12-08
First Baptist Church in Quincy held an educational seminar to help senior citizens recognize and avoid phone scams, particularly impersonation scams involving fake IRS calls. Guest speaker Don O'Brien from the Better Business Bureau advised attendees to question callers about details only legitimate government employees would know and to never share payment information or money with suspicious callers. Pastor Orville Jones emphasized that technology education is essential for seniors to protect themselves while remaining connected in modern society.
kchanews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Floyd County Sheriff's Office issued a scam alert regarding fraudulent calls targeting senior citizens, where scammers claim a family member has been arrested and demand cash bail to be picked up by a courier. The Sheriff's Office clarified that legitimate bail payments are only accepted in person at their office or jail, and urged victims or those receiving such calls to report them to local law enforcement and never provide personal information or money over the phone.
semissourian.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece from the Missouri Secretary of State identifies five common investment fraud schemes targeting seniors: unlicensed online brokerage management, unregistered traders/brokers, Ponzi schemes, fake real estate investments, and fraudulent investment "fads." The article was prompted by recent local cases involving hundreds of thousands of dollars allegedly stolen from seniors and serves as a cautionary reminder for the aging population to verify credentials and be skeptical of unsolicited investment offers.
technologyforyou.org
· 2025-12-08
Malwarebytes research found that over 66% of survey respondents were targeted by romance scams, with 10% of victims losing more than $10,000 and 3% losing $100,000 or more, while 94% were unable to recover their losses. The scams predominantly target individuals over 55 (74%) and males (56%), though younger demographics are also affected, with 26% of victims engaging with scammers for extended periods—some relationships lasting a year or longer. Key protective measures include verifying identities, keeping personal information private, consulting trusted third parties before financial transactions, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities.
newstopicnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens are frequently targeted by scammers using untraceable payment methods like prepaid cards and wire transfers, with law enforcement noting these scams are largely preventable through awareness. Documented cases in Sanford included a 77-year-old man defrauded of $3,000 in iTunes cards by someone impersonating his granddaughter claiming to need bail money, and various lottery and inheritance scams sent to residents. Law enforcement agencies advise that any unsolicited request to pay money to receive money is a scam, recommend never sharing personal information over the phone, and note that legitimate government agencies would never demand payment via gift cards or money orders.
youarecurrent.com
· 2025-12-08
Abdul Mohammed, 31, of Des Plaines, Illinois, was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud for his role in a scheme targeting elderly victims. The conspiracy involved posing as government agents ("Agent Roy" and FBI officials) who convinced seniors their accounts were compromised, instructing them to withdraw funds and convert them to cash or gold bars for "protection"—with documented losses including $80,000 and an attempted collection of $45,000. Mohammed faces up to 60 years in federal prison if convicted.
fallriverreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
Two individuals were arrested and ordered detained for their roles in online scams targeting Rhode Island seniors. Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada, was charged in a scheme that defrauded a 79-year-old Narragansett man of approximately $165,000 (cash and gold bars) after a pop-up falsely claimed he was under investigation for child pornography and money laundering; Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut, was charged in a separate scheme where a 72-year-old Tiverton man was defrauded of nearly $200,000 through similar tactics involving a fake FTC agent. Both perpetrators
iberkshires.com
· 2025-12-08
The Berkshire District Attorney's Office hosted an educational workshop on October 3rd in Massachusetts to inform senior citizens about fraud prevention, featuring representatives from the US Department of Justice, FBI, Postal Inspection Service, and other federal agencies. The free event, held at two locations, addressed rising senior fraud crimes in Berkshire County and provided information on common scams and protective measures seniors can take to avoid becoming victims.
newportdispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
Two young adults—Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada and Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut—were arrested on federal charges for operating separate online fraud schemes targeting elderly Rhode Island residents. Liu defrauded a 79-year-old victim of $35,000 in cash and $130,000 in gold bars through a fake child pornography investigation pop-up, while Patel scammed a 72-year-old victim of nearly $200,000 using false claims about computer viruses and identity theft; both cases involved impersonation of federal agents and prompted law enforcement intervention to recover assets. Authorities encourage elder fraud reporting via the
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Senate's Special Committee On Aging held a hearing on elder financial fraud, featuring testimony from AARP's Kathy Stokes revealing that organized transnational crime rings operate like corporations, using emotional manipulation to bypass victims' logical thinking, and that identity fraud alone cost Americans $43 billion in 2023. Scammers are increasingly using AI to create convincing fake communications, emails, and deepfakes, making tech support scams and bank impostor scams harder to detect, though awareness of common tactics and red flags can help protect vulnerable adults.
courant.com
· 2025-12-08
Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut and Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada face federal charges for orchestrating online scams targeting Rhode Island senior citizens, defrauding victims of approximately $200,000 and $165,000 respectively through fake pop-up messages and impersonation of federal agents. The scammers falsely claimed the victims' identities were compromised and directed them to purchase gold bullion as a means to "secure" their assets, with law enforcement ultimately arresting both suspects during undercover delivery operations.
seehafernews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Manitowoc County Public Safety Committee successfully conducted a four-session educational series on common scams and frauds targeting seniors, drawing nearly 70 attendees who received preventative strategies and insights. The program, organized through the DATCP with support from local law enforcement agencies, was praised for its timeliness given rising fraud incidents in the community. Organizations interested in hosting similar fraud prevention educational sessions are encouraged to contact the Public Safety Committee Chairman.
khqa.com
· 2025-12-08
First Baptist Church in Quincy, Illinois hosted a senior awareness seminar featuring a presentation by the Better Business Bureau on common phone and mail scams targeting older adults. Key advice emphasized thinking before acting, avoiding sharing personal information, and maintaining vigilance about suspicious communications—described as maintaining "eagle eyes" when answering calls and protecting sensitive data.
abc6.com
· 2025-12-08
Two men—22-year-old Jirui Liu of Ontario and 22-year-old Kush J. Patel of Connecticut—have been charged with wire fraud and money laundering for running online scams targeting Rhode Island seniors. Liu's scheme defrauded a 79-year-old man of $35,000 in cash and $130,000 in gold bars, while Patel's scam victimized another Rhode Islander of approximately $200,000. Both defendants have been detained and appeared in court.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two individuals were charged in federal court for operating online scams targeting Rhode Island seniors. Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada, defrauded a 79-year-old man of $35,000 in cash and $130,000 in gold bars through a scheme involving fake pop-up warnings and impersonation of federal authorities; Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut, defrauded a 72-year-old victim of approximately $363,000 in gold bullion using similar tactics. Both perpetrators were ordered detained and face charges including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering
latintimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 79-year-old Narragansett man lost $35,000 in cash and $135,000 in gold bars to an online scam in which fraudsters falsely claimed he was under investigation for child pornography and money laundering, then physically collected the assets from his home. Two men—Jirui Liu of Canada and Kush J. Patel of Connecticut—were arrested and charged with wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy; Liu was caught attempting to collect a final $160,000 payment when police intervened, while Patel separately defrauded a 72-year-old victim of nearly $300,000 in gold bars
parisstaronline.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Sarnia seniors lost over $1 million in separate online scams, including a 67-year-old woman defrauded of $350,000 by a man posing as a physician who claimed to need money to evacuate a war zone, a 63-year-old man scammed of $52,500 through a romance and extortion scheme involving fake intimate photos, and a 70-year-old man who lost $710,000 to both a lottery prize scam and a romance fraud by the same perpetrator. Police emphasized that such large losses are common among vulnerable seniors and warned residents to avoid risky online behavior and educate elderly relatives about these schemes.
premier.sa.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
South Australia reported 13,183 scams totaling over $15 million in 2023, with romance, investment, classified, and selling scams being most prevalent. A fraudulent Seniors Card website (www.seniorscardportal.au) was also identified, charging $29 for a service that should be free. Authorities urged residents to watch for red flags including pressure to act quickly, requests for unusual payment methods, and suspicious links or attachments.
good.is
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Australian woman nearly fell victim to a romance scam when she attempted to withdraw funds from her Westpac Bank account to pay for her online "boyfriend's" overseas prison release. Alert bank teller Mariana Karbowski became suspicious during the transaction, conducted a reverse image search that revealed the man's photos were stolen identities, and guided the woman to report the fraud to police before any money was lost. The incident highlights the importance of bank employee training in recognizing and preventing elder financial exploitation.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Abilash Kurien, Vice President of International Cargo Airline Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, was sentenced to 32 months in prison for his role in a decade-long fraud scheme that defrauded the company of more than $32 million in revenue. Kurien personally received over $7 million in kickbacks from vendors in exchange for ensuring they received favorable business arrangements, and was ordered to forfeit $7.2 million and pay $23 million in restitution. The scheme involved at least 10 senior executives and employees at Polar and its vendors and operated from 2009 through July 2021.
futurescot.com
· 2025-12-08
Research in Scotland revealed that 400,000 older people have been targeted by online scams, prompting the Cyber and Fraud Centre to relaunch a safety guide addressing cryptocurrency scams, fake calls/emails, and text message fraud. The Cyber and Fraud Hub has handled approximately £250,000 in cryptocurrency fraud cases across all age groups while preventing around £60,000 from reaching scammers, with older adults identified as particularly vulnerable due to lower technology familiarity and greater trust in unsolicited contacts. The guide recommends that seniors remain cautious of unexpected communications, protect personal information, be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, and discuss finances with trusted individuals.
insidenova.com
· 2025-12-08
Dumfries town officials signed a TRIAD charter with Virginia's Attorney General on September 26 to protect seniors from online scams and fraud. TRIAD is a collaborative program involving law enforcement, community members, and seniors that aims to reduce crime victimization through awareness campaigns, education, and resource-sharing about local scams and available support services. Virginia has over 200 signed TRIAD agreements and is recognized nationally for having the highest number of active local TRIAD groups.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old woman in Malaysia lost over RM670,000 in a Macau scam after criminals deceived her into believing her identity had been used for criminal activities, then visited her home to steal her savings and jewelry. The incident highlights how scammers deliberately target elderly individuals with limited cybercrime awareness, as younger generations are more resistant to such deception.
observerlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Palm Coast woman discovered her 79-year-old friend had been duped by fake warranty scam mailings, paying approximately $300 per month to two home warranty companies and one car warranty company for coverage she never purchased. The official-looking letters with urgent language like "Final Notice" and "Past Due" convinced the senior she had existing warranties, and when she tried to cancel, one company refused a refund and suggested only a temporary hold. Law enforcement officials report that over 60% of fraud complaints in their jurisdiction involve seniors, with median individual losses ranging from $800 for ages 70-79 to $1,500 for those 80 and older, and they advise seniors