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justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Four Nigerian citizens were sentenced to federal prison for operating international romance scams targeting U.S. victims from 2017 to 2021, with sentences ranging from 30 to 60 months. The defendants created fake identities on dating sites and social media to build romantic relationships with victims, then solicited money for emergencies, with losses ranging from thousands to over $400,000 per victim. The defendants functioned as "money mules," laundering proceeds through multiple bank accounts and shell companies to conceal the scheme's origins.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Ideal Credit Union and the Minnesota Department of Commerce are hosting a free "Safe Seniors" workshop on December 12th in Woodbury to educate seniors about financial fraud prevention. The in-person or virtual session will be led by Senior Financial Fraud Investigator Boima Freeman and will cover identity theft, credit card fraud, phishing, invoice fraud, and payroll fraud, with guidance on recognizing and reporting financial exploitation of seniors and vulnerable adults.
jocoreport.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly Benson man was defrauded by scammers impersonating Geek Squad over a two-year period (2022-2024), losing a total of $40,000. The scam began when the victim responded to a fake text claiming he owed $400 for prior repairs; once he paid, the scammers repeatedly contacted him with fraudulent bills for various services, which he paid believing them to be legitimate. The fraud was discovered by a family member who reported it to law enforcement.
hudsoncountyview.com
· 2025-12-08
Assemblyman John Allen (D-32) and New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs hosted an educational event in Hoboken on November 18th to inform seniors about common scams, including IRS phone scams, lottery frauds, and grandparent scams that increasingly target older residents. The session provided practical advice on recognizing scam tactics and protecting against fraud through phone calls, emails, and other methods.
windsorstar.com
· 2025-12-08
LaSalle police warned of a phishing text message scam targeting seniors that impersonates Service Canada, falsely claiming CPP and OAS benefits have been suspended and requesting immediate response. The scam uses a legitimate-looking CRA phone number and directs victims to click a fraudulent hyperlink that mimics official CRA and banking websites to steal personal and financial information. Police advised recipients not to reply, click links, or provide any information, and recommended verifying sender identity before sharing sensitive data.
thehindu.com
· 2025-12-08
A 74-year-old woman in Hyderabad lost ₹37.9 lakh in retirement savings to a fake money laundering account scam, while a 63-year-old man lost ₹50 lakh to a WhatsApp stock trading fraud—part of a rising trend of sophisticated cyber crimes targeting India's elderly population. Research and expert analysis reveal that older adults are particularly vulnerable because they often underestimate their cognitive decline, experience reduced cognitive flexibility and increased impulsivity, and may be unaware of these changes, while scammers deliberately target lonely seniors and exploit emotional manipulation and false profit promises. India's estimated 3.8 million people living with dem
themarketperiodical.com
· 2025-12-08
Three cryptocurrency investors fell victim to sophisticated phishing scams in 2024, losing a combined $114 million. Attackers impersonated legitimate crypto platforms and exchanges via fake emails and websites, tricking investors into revealing private keys and login credentials—including a $24 million theft in September 2024 involving liquid staking derivatives, a $55 million DAI stablecoin loss, and a $36 million fwDETH token theft in October 2024. These attacks employed advanced social engineering tactics, with scammers typically creating urgency by claiming account compromises and directing victims to malicious links where they unknowingly disclosed sensitive wallet information.
munsifdaily.com
· 2025-12-08
A victim in Hyderabad lost Rs 2,91,726 in a credit card fraud scheme where a scammer impersonated an HDFC Bank representative, convinced the victim to install a malicious APK file via WhatsApp, and used the compromised phone to make unauthorized purchases on Amazon. The National Cybercrime Reporting Portal's Cyber Crime Unit in Hyderabad quickly identified the malware, coordinated with authorities to block the funds, and secured a full refund from the merchant without requiring court intervention.
aboutlawsuits.com
· 2025-12-08
This content is a compilation of legal case summaries and does not contain a single article suitable for Elderus summarization. However, the relevant elder abuse item is: The DOJ released its sixth Annual Report to Congress detailing federal progress in combating elder fraud, abuse, and nursing home neglect from July 2023 to June 2024, noting that multiple new and ongoing federal programs have been implemented in partnership with law enforcement agencies to address financial fraud and caregiver abuse affecting elderly Americans.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
North Korean state-sponsored actors have infiltrated over 300 U.S. companies by posing as remote IT workers, with thousands believed involved in the operation directed at the highest levels of the North Korean regime. These fraudsters create fake identities using forged documents and stolen information, use VPNs to mask their locations, and once hired, redirect company laptops to offshore "laptop farms" where handlers provide remote access to North Korean hackers for theft, surveillance, and ransomware deployment. Organizations can mitigate risks through updated hiring policies, face-to-face verification when possible, and enhanced security protocols for remote workers.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission reported $1.4 billion in social media scams last year, with online shopping fraud ranking as the second most popular fraud type. The Better Business Bureau recommends verifying website URLs, using credit cards for purchases, checking reviews before buying from unfamiliar stores, avoiding clicking links in unsolicited shipping update texts, and being skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true, particularly for high-ticket items like electronics.
syracuse.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
New York State Attorney General Letitia James issued a warning about health insurance scams targeting residents during open enrollment periods, which spike as New Yorkers seek coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace (open through January 31, 2025). Scammers use fear tactics threatening cancellation of Medicaid or other coverage unless payment is provided, phishing schemes offering gift cards to update accounts, and false claims that fees are required to enroll in state health programs—tactics that legitimate government agencies never employ. New Yorkers are advised to use only official channels like NY State of Health website or 1-855-355-5777 to enroll and to report suspected fraud to the Attorney
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains the rising threat of phishing scams that impersonate legitimate help desk and support teams, often creating false urgency (such as claiming account expiration) to trick victims into clicking malicious links or revealing personal information. The article provides guidance on identifying phishing emails by checking sender domain addresses for inconsistencies, and recommends protective steps including avoiding clicks on links or attachments, not engaging with scammers, reporting suspicious emails, and using antivirus software to detect threats.
wimberleyview.com
· 2025-12-08
A panel of experts presented common scams to the Wimberley Chamber of Commerce, including telephone schemes where scammers impersonated sheriff's office staff demanding bail money, and "grandma scams" using AI-cloned voices to convince relatives to send funds for fake emergencies. Financial fraud schemes included fraudulent bank employee calls redirecting transfers, online loan scams requesting upfront cash, romance scams targeting elderly people on social media, and cryptocurrency conversion schemes, with experts advising recipients to hang up and independently verify requests with their bank or sheriff's office.
wgnsradio.com
· 2025-12-08
During Medicare open enrollment season (October 15 – December 7, 2025), scammers pose as Medicare representatives to target seniors in Rutherford County, Tennessee, using fake calls, phishing attempts, and impersonation schemes to steal personal information and financial details. Common tactics include requesting Medicare numbers or credit cards under the guise of "updating" information, falsely claiming Part D coverage is mandatory, and using scare tactics about benefit cancellation. Seniors should never provide personal information to unsolicited callers and instead verify directly with Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or use legitimate resources like Medicare.gov or Tennessee's SHIP program for enrollment assistance.
oklahoman.com
· 2025-12-08
Oklahoma City is warning residents about a resurging scam where callers impersonate municipal court employees or law enforcement, demanding immediate payment of fake fines over the phone under threat of jail. The city advises residents to hang up, independently verify any debts by calling OKC Municipal Court at (405) 297-3898 or checking okc.gov/court, and notes that scammers increasingly use spoofed numbers, actual deputy names, and payment methods like gift cards and cryptocurrency to steal money.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania SNAP recipients received fraudulent text messages claiming their EBT cards were deactivated and requesting they call a provided number to reactivate them, according to a warning from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. The scam aimed to steal personal and financial information through identity theft, as the DHS confirmed it never requests such information via text message. Residents who receive suspicious texts about benefits should report them to the DHS fraud tip line at 1-844-347-8477.
guardian.ng
· 2025-12-08
Four Nigerian citizens residing in the U.S. and Canada were sentenced to federal prison (ranging from 2.5 to 5 years) for operating romance and investment scams between 2017 and 2021, using fake identities on dating sites and social media to deceive victims into sending money via wire transfers and mail. The conspiracy involved dozens of victims who lost between thousands to over $400,000 each, with the defendants functioning as "money mules" to launder proceeds through shell companies and multiple bank accounts. The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case, which was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee
khaleejtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 45-year-old Abu Dhabi resident lost nearly $200,000 (AED 734,000) in a fake online trading investment scam that began in June 2019 when she responded to a Facebook advertisement for ufx.com. The scammers used sophisticated social engineering tactics—including professional-sounding agents, fake documentation processes, and promises of profitable deals—to convince her to make multiple deposits and take out a loan; even after she stopped sending money, bogus agents continued contacting her for years, eventually directing her to fake successor websites under different names. The case illustrates how investment scam operators persistently target victims across multiple platforms and employ evol
saharareporters.com
· 2025-12-08
Four Nigerian nationals—Patrick Edah, Efe Egbowawa, Igocha Mac-Okor, and Kay Ozegbe—were sentenced to federal prison (30 to 60 months) for operating a romance and investment scam that defrauded victims across the U.S., including Western Tennessee, from 2017 to 2021. The defendants used fake identities and dating site profiles to establish romantic relationships and solicit emergency financial assistance, with victims losing thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, including one Tennessee resident who lost over $400,000. They were convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering after laundering scam proceeds through
communityimpact.com
· 2025-12-08
The Elder Financial Safety Center (EFSC), formed in 2014 by Dallas County Probate Courts, the District Attorney's Office, and The Senior Source nonprofit, addresses financial exploitation of seniors through prevention, protection, and prosecution. The article details prevalent scams targeting seniors aged 50+, including romance scams, government impersonation, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams, and recommends protective measures such as not answering unknown calls and avoiding clicking on unsolicited texts and links. Services are free to eligible seniors in Dallas and surrounding counties, with one case cited involving a victim who lost $545,000 after being groomed through a fake Geek Squad text message scam
blog.google
· 2025-12-08
This policy white paper from Google addresses the rising threat of online scams, which affected over 21 million Americans last year and 78% of mobile users. Google recommends that governments, tech companies, and financial institutions strengthen collaboration through information sharing, cross-border cooperation, and international initiatives like the Global Anti-Scams Alliance to combat increasingly sophisticated transnational fraud networks. The recommendations also call for legal frameworks that incentivize companies to invest in AI-powered scam detection and prevention tools while protecting them from liability for good-faith protective actions.
koco.com
· 2025-12-08
**Holiday Scam Prevention Guide**: The Better Business Bureau warns consumers to watch for three trending seasonal scams—imposter websites with misspelled URLs lacking HTTPS encryption, fake shipping notifications with malicious links sent via email or text, and fraudulent charities soliciting donations around Giving Tuesday. Protection strategies include verifying website URLs carefully, avoiding unsolicited links and instead using original confirmation emails to track packages, and researching charities through legitimate databases like the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and Charity Navigator before donating.
blog.google
· 2025-12-08
Google's Trust & Safety team is launching a regular advisory to track and combat increasingly sophisticated online fraud schemes, which are often orchestrated by transnational crime organizations using combined online and offline tactics. The advisory highlights five current scam trends: deepfake-enabled public figure impersonation campaigns promoting fraudulent investments and apps, crypto investment schemes promising unrealistic returns, app and landing page cloning that deceives users into sharing personal information or downloading malware, tech support scams using fake customer service pages, and credential theft through spoofed employee login portals. Google is implementing countermeasures including updated policies against impersonation in ads, enforcement against crypto fraud, and tools like SynthID to identify AI-
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are actively targeting online shoppers ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday (Nov. 27) through brand impersonation scams, including fraudulent ads for PlayStation 5 consoles on Temu, fake Amazon branding, counterfeit Walmart gift cards, and fake delivery notifications. Amazon combats these threats year-round using investigator teams and machine learning, removing over 40,000 phishing websites and 10,000 scam phone numbers in 2023 while referring hundreds of bad actors to law enforcement. Consumers should report suspected scams to Amazon's ReportAScam service and contact their bank immediately if compromised, as the Amazon A-
dailydot.com
· 2025-12-08
A TikTok user was scammed out of $40 by Boomira, a fraudulent online retailer, after purchasing an advertised seven-foot pre-lit Christmas tree through a TikTok Shop ad. The company provided a fake tracking number and disappeared with customers' money and payment information instead of delivering the product. The victim's viral videos warning others prompted thousands of people to avoid the scam, and authorities recommend verifying tracking numbers through official shipper portals, reporting suspicious charges to banks immediately, and being cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, especially for seasonal items with extended shipping times.
yle.fi
· 2025-12-08
In August 2021, an OP bank customer under age 20 lost nearly 44,000 euros to a text message phishing scam that directed them to a fake banking website and captured their credentials. The Eastern Finland Court of Appeal upheld a lower court's ruling requiring OP's Järvi-Häme branch to refund the victim, rejecting the bank's claim that the customer was careless and citing the victim's youth, limited banking experience, and distress during the incident. The ruling remains subject to further appeal.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Virgin Media O2 launched "Daisy," an AI-powered chatbot designed to impersonate an elderly woman and engage scammers in lengthy, unproductive conversations to waste their time and resources. Developed with scambaiter Jim Browning, Daisy uses voice recognition and custom language models to keep fraudsters on the phone with meandering discussions about knitting and cats while refusing to provide the personal or financial information they seek. The company reports Daisy has already wasted hundreds of hours of scammers' time, potentially preventing them from targeting real vulnerable individuals.
news.trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
This week saw a surge in phishing and smishing scams targeting personal and financial data, including fake Xbox console purchase offers using the phishing site xblgo[.]com, fraudulent X (Twitter) login alerts directing users to fake login pages, and 1,127 fake Lowe's text messages with bogus order updates and delivery notifications. All three scam types aim to steal credentials, account access, or financial information by tricking users into clicking malicious links or entering personal details on fake websites. Protection strategies include verifying sender information, avoiding clicking unknown links, and checking legitimacy directly through official websites and apps rather than through provided links.
wwd.com
· 2025-12-08
McAfee's consumer survey found that approximately one-third of Americans fell victim to online scams during the holiday season, with 60 percent of victims losing money and 10 percent losing over $1,000. AI-powered tools are enabling scammers to create increasingly realistic fake emails, texts, social media messages, and deepfakes that impersonate trusted brands and celebrities, with 88 percent of consumers reporting that AI is making holiday scams more sophisticated and difficult to distinguish from legitimate communications.
abc7chicago.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are creating fake login pages impersonating major brands like Microsoft, Google, Meta, USPS, and Netflix to steal user passwords and personal information through phishing emails, texts, and online search results. Once hackers gain access to accounts, they can steal financial data, credit card information, and other personal details stored in those accounts. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages, navigate directly to official websites, inspect URLs for suspicious characters, and use multi-layered security with strong authentication measures.
cbs12.com
· 2025-12-08
Despite government efforts to reduce robocalls, phone calls remain scammers' preferred method for targeting victims, with older adults being disproportionately targeted because "criminals go where the money is," according to AARP's Director of Fraud Victim Support. In one Florida case, an elderly man with dementia lost $10,000 after receiving a scam call with an 833-area code and withdrawing cash to mail to scammers in New Jersey—though this victim was fortunate when law enforcement recovered the money before delivery, a rare outcome. Experts recommend not answering calls from unknown numbers, silencing unknown callers on smartphones, and blocking suspicious area codes commonly used by scamm
clickondetroit.com
· 2025-12-08
Monroe County authorities are warning residents about a rising wave of cryptocurrency scams delivered via email, text, and phone calls that impersonate government agencies, lottery services, tech support, and romance schemes to trick victims into sending money or personal information. Michiganders lost nearly $80 million to cryptocurrency scams in 2023, with one Northville Township resident defrauded of approximately $300,000. Authorities emphasize that legitimate government agencies never demand payment in cryptocurrency or gift cards and always offer cash payment options in person.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are actively targeting online shoppers ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday (Nov. 27, 2024) through brand-impersonation scams, including fraudulent ads for PlayStation 5 consoles on Temu, fake Amazon branding used to sell counterfeit products, counterfeit Walmart gift cards, and fake delivery notifications designed to steal credit card data. Amazon removed over 40,000 phishing websites and 10,000 scam phone numbers in 2023 and recommends victims contact their bank immediately and report scams through Amazon's ReportAScam service, which customers should use to help improve fraud detection tools.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
**Phone Scams: AI-Powered Defense**
UK telecom company O2 launched "Daisy," an AI-powered scambaiter designed to impersonate an elderly grandmother and waste scammers' time by engaging them in lengthy, meaningless conversations about fictional activities. Developed in collaboration with experienced scambaiters, Daisy has successfully kept fraudsters occupied for up to 40 minutes while providing fake information, disrupting their operations and preventing them from targeting real victims. The initiative is part of O2's broader "Swerve the Scammers" campaign, which aims to educate the public about scam tactics and encourage reporting of suspicious
metro.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Actor Alan Davies revealed he has been scammed "relentlessly" online, including losing £400 on a fake PlayStation 5 listing in 2022 and nearly losing £457 on a fraudulent website selling Christmas gifts. He also had his X (Twitter) account hacked by a Bitcoin scammer, resulting in the loss of 800,000 followers, and reported difficulty contacting human representatives to resolve the issue. The article additionally notes similar incidents involving other celebrities, including actor Tony Maudsley who was targeted in a Facebook ticket scam but whose bank stopped the fraudulent £600 payment.
in.mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
A 25-year-old woman from Udupi, Karnataka lost Rs 1.94 lakh in a job scam after clicking on a suspicious Instagram link advertising an Amazon job position. Scammers convinced her to invest money through WhatsApp by promising high returns on simple online tasks and showing initial small returns, but disappeared when she attempted to withdraw her profits. The article advises verifying job offers through official company channels and websites, avoiding unverified links, and never sharing bank details with unknown online recruiters.
rocktownnow.com
· 2025-12-08
The Harrisonburg Police Department warned residents of a scam where impersonators posing as HPD officers call victims claiming they have missed jury duty or outstanding citations and demand payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency to avoid jail time. The scammers use caller IDs and fake phone menus designed to appear legitimate, and employ threats of criminal charges to pressure victims into sending money quickly. HPD emphasized that legitimate law enforcement never requests payment for dropping charges or resolving citations, and residents should hang up on such calls and report them to police.
dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-08
A J.D. Power study found that 29% of US bank customers and 22% of credit card users experienced fraudulent activity on their accounts within the past 12 months, with only 46% and 40% respectively reporting they were asked to take fraud prevention measures in the last 90 days. The study indicates that financial institutions have an opportunity to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty by better handling fraud cases and educating customers on protection measures. Additionally, regulators and major banks issued warnings about "quishing"—a QR code phishing scam where criminals embed malicious codes in emails and PDFs to steal passwords, financial details, and personal information.
cleveland19.com
· 2025-12-08
A 76-year-old South Euclid woman lost $23,000 in an elaborate scam that began with a fraudulent email claiming to be from Discover and involved impersonators posing as a LifeLock customer service representative, bank fraud expert, and FBI agent. Within 90 minutes, the scammers convinced the victim to withdraw the entire amount from her checking account across three bank locations and hand over the cash to a man in a Starbucks parking lot. Police emphasize that legitimate federal agents never ask victims to provide their own money during investigations, and recommend contacting authorities, family, or an attorney before responding to unsolicited requests for funds.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
The Rocklin Police Department warned of increasing financial scams targeting seniors that use computers and phones to deceive victims. The department advised seniors to avoid responding to urgent emails, pop-ups, or phone calls requesting immediate action; never provide login credentials via email; enable two-factor authentication; and recognize red flags such as requests to withdraw money, lie about transactions, or pay via gift cards or cryptocurrency.
thenationonlineng.net
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old internet fraudster named Patrick Akpoguma was arrested in Lagos after defrauding multiple victims through romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and identity theft, earning over $500,000 in three years by impersonating prominent figures like a U.S. Army Colonel and cryptocurrency expert using fake social media accounts and masks. During his arrest on November 7, 2024, Akpoguma attempted to bribe police with $100,000 to secure his release, but officers rejected the bribe, documented it as evidence, and proceeded with prosecution.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP ElderWatch, a joint program between AARP and the Colorado Attorney General, surveyed 907 Colorado residents in June 2024 and found that fraud and scam concerns have reached crisis levels, with 75% of adults viewing these issues as a critical problem. Identity theft incidents among Coloradans increased from 15% in 2020 to 21% in 2024, with financial losses nearly doubling from 12% to 23%, though younger adults using online accounts and P2P payment platforms (89% usage) are less vigilant about account monitoring compared to older adults. The survey recommends continued education and awareness, noting that residents prefer phone contact with specialists
verifythis.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary for this request. The content provided is a corporate website for TEGNA (a media company) listing their broadcast stations, advertising services, and organizational structure. This does not contain any information about scams, fraud, elder abuse, or related incidents that would be relevant to the Elderus fraud research database. Please provide an article or transcript that discusses an actual fraud case or elder abuse incident.
techcrunch.com
· 2025-12-08
O2, the UK's largest mobile network operator, launched "dAIsy," an AI chatbot designed to waste scammers' time by mimicking an elderly woman who engages them in prolonged conversations about personal topics while refusing to provide bank details. The technology, developed with scambait expert Jim Browning, uses voice transcription and text-to-speech AI to respond naturally, addressing the growing threat of phone scams targeting seniors—a population that lost $3.4 billion to telephone fraud in 2023 alone.
kmyu.tv
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Experts warn that artificial intelligence is enabling a new wave of sophisticated cyber scams that are increasingly difficult to detect, with scammers now able to create convincing fraudulent emails, texts, and even voice recordings mimicking legitimate sources or loved ones. Utah residents are particularly vulnerable, with cybercrime losses in the state nearly quadrupling over the past five years and victims losing significantly more money than the national average. While some suggest AI-based security solutions could help combat the threat, cybersecurity experts emphasize that individual vigilance remains essential, as scammers' fundamental goals—extracting money or manipulating people—remain unchanged regardless of the technology used.
popsci.com
· 2025-12-08
US consumers lost a record $10 billion to fraud in the past year (a 14% increase), with scammers increasingly targeting older adults via phone—over two-thirds of UK residents over 75 surveyed reported experiencing at least one fraud attempt in six months. In response, UK mobile operator Virgin Media O2 created "Daisy," an AI-powered grandmother chatbot that wastes scammers' time by providing false information and engaging in lengthy, meandering conversations, with some interactions lasting over 40 minutes. While Daisy aims to reduce real victim targeting, scammers are simultaneously deploying AI voice-cloning technology to perpetrate new frauds including imp
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania's Attorney General Michelle Henry warned residents of phishing scams in which fraudsters contact people claiming fraudulent activity on their bank accounts, then request sensitive information such as login credentials, account numbers, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth via phone, email, or text. The advisory emphasizes that legitimate financial institutions never solicit account information through these channels and advises victims to contact their bank directly using the number on their card or visit their local branch to verify contact, and to report scams to the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
Greg Hancell, a fraud expert at Lynx Tech, warns that QR code scams are rapidly growing and now account for over 20% of online scams, making them harder to identify than traditional phishing because victims cannot see the destination link before scanning. Fraudsters typically replace legitimate QR codes with counterfeit ones in public spaces like parking lots and restaurants to trick people into sharing sensitive data and payment information. To protect themselves, consumers should look for physical tampering signs (like stickers or damage), verify QR code sources, check URLs before proceeding, and use verification tools, while banks can provide financial protection through AI-powered fraud detection systems.
techradar.com
· 2025-12-08
Google has identified "cloaking" and AI-enhanced scams as the most damaging threats to users. Cloaking uses tools to show different content to search engines versus real users, often redirecting victims to fake customer support sites mimicking legitimate businesses to steal sensitive information. Scammers are also leveraging AI to rapidly exploit major events (elections, disasters, sports) and create fake charity appeals designed to overwhelm users into clicking malicious links.