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fox5atlanta.com
Audrey Michelle Townsend, 26, from Texas, was sentenced to 5 years in prison for defrauding a Buford couple, Gloria and Gary Moss, out of $49,000 in February 2024 through a phishing scheme where she posed as Chase Bank via text message to trick them into authorizing fraudulent transfers. Townsend pleaded guilty to theft over $25,000 and four counts of elder abuse and exploitation; the Mosses' full amount was recovered by Chase Bank in July 2024 following media coverage and police investigation. The District Attorney's Office advised the public to hang up and call their bank directly when receiving unsolic
news.vocofm.com
Two Romanian nationals were arrested in Vacaville, California on August 8 for operating a "cash drop scam" targeting elderly victims, with investigations linking them to over 40 fraudulent cases across six states. The scam involved criminals observing victims withdraw cash at ATMs, obtaining their PIN and card information through distraction techniques (such as dropping bills on the ground), then stealing or switching their cards. The suspects faced multiple felony charges including fraud, identity theft, conspiracy, and elder abuse, and are being held in Solano County Jail pending further investigation with FBI assistance.
canyon-news.com
Jonathan Tudor, a West Hollywood resident, was arrested on July 29 for running a luxury vehicle discount scam in which he posed as a BMW executive and defrauded victims of approximately $16,000 by convincing them to wire money for discounts he never delivered. Detectives recovered over $250,000 in luxury goods (Fendi, Gucci, Hermès, Louis Vuitton) believed stolen from victims at his residence. Tudor was charged with 44 counts including fraud, money laundering, theft from an elder, and grand theft, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for August 26.
aol.com
Kenneth G. Akpieyi, a Georgia man, was convicted on federal charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering for orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded eight victims of over $3 million. Operating across social media platforms, Akpieyi and his co-conspirators posed as military officers and entrepreneurs to build emotional relationships with victims—predominantly women—before fabricating financial emergencies to extract money, which was then routed through his business accounts to avoid detection. The case underscores the serious threat romance scams pose to older adults and highlights key warning signs including rapid declarations of love, requests for money via untraceable methods, and pressure to move conversations to
newsbreak.com
This article does not contain content relevant to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. The featured stories involve criminal charges against a Seattle woman in a Border Patrol agent's death, a California lobbyist's fraud conspiracy plea, and a resolved 1984 murder case—none of which pertain to elder-targeted fraud or exploitation.
legit.ng
Ghanaian football club owner Kofi Boat and two associates were extradited to the United States to face trial for operating a $100 million wire fraud scheme called "The Enterprise" between 2016 and 2023. The criminal network targeted U.S. victims through romance scams and business email compromise schemes, laundering stolen funds through West Africa, with the defendants facing multiple charges that carry maximum sentences of up to 75 years in prison.
investmentexecutive.com
The SEC charged Ryan Wear and his companies with operating two Ponzi schemes that raised over $275 million from retail and institutional investors between 2016 and 2023 by falsely claiming funds would be invested in water vending machines that either did not exist or were sold to other investors. Fund manager Jordan Chirico was separately charged for violating his fiduciary duty by investing his fund's assets in the scheme while concealing his personal $7 million stake and knowledge that the venture was fraudulent, ultimately increasing the fund's investment to over $90 million by early 2024. Both men face criminal charges including securities fraud and wire fraud, and the operator filed for bankruptcy in August 2024.
thestandard.com.hk
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nebraskapublicmedia.org
Nebraska residents lost a reported $42.5 million to scams in 2024—tripling over four years—with experts attributing the increase to more accessible and affordable artificial intelligence technology that enables scammers to operate at scale and create increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes, including voice cloning and realistic chatbot-generated scams. Peter Hines, a 76-year-old Fremont insurance business owner, lost $936 to a Facebook ad lead scam and was unable to recover the money due to the company's out-of-state location and legal protections in his agreement, highlighting the difficulty of prosecution when scammers operate overseas or across state lines. Authorities recommend limiting online presence,
clinton.crimewatchpa.com
An elderly Chapman Township resident lost nearly $8,000 in an August 2025 tech support scam after a fraudster posing as a customer service representative gained remote access to his computer and bank account, then convinced him to withdraw cash and ship it via UPS to an out-of-state address. The Renovo Police Department is investigating the case and advises residents that legitimate companies never request large cash payments be mailed, and common scam indicators include threats of arrest, demands for secrecy, pressure to act immediately, and instructions that seem improper or suspicious.
wsbtv.com
A Texas woman, Audrey Michelle Townsend, pleaded guilty to scamming a Buford senior couple, Gloria and Gary Moss, out of $49,000 through an elaborate phishing scheme in February 2024. Townsend received a 20-year sentence (5 years in prison, remainder on probation) after being convicted of theft over $25,000 and four counts of elder abuse and exploitation; she tricked the couple into providing banking information via a fake Chase Bank text message. Chase Bank eventually returned the full amount to the couple in July 2024 after initial refusal and media attention.
lowellsun.com
A transnational grandparent scam operation based in the Dominican Republic defrauded over 400 elderly victims (average age 84) of more than $5 million, with at least 50 victims from Massachusetts, using fake calls claiming grandchildren needed emergency money. Thirteen suspects, including alleged mastermind Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, faced charges after a two-year FBI investigation, with the scheme involving "opener" and "closer" call center employees who posed as family members and lawyers, directing victims to hand cash to rideshare drivers for delivery. The operation highlights the emotional and financial devastation of elder fraud and the importance of bank scrutiny for unusual senior withdrawals
justice.gov
Two Missouri men, James Johnson (77) and Darrell Niswonger (68), pleaded guilty to operating a nearly 20-year Ponzi scheme that defrauded over 90 victims of at least $3 million starting in 2006. Operating as Johnson & Niswonger Financial Resources LLC in Perryville, they falsely claimed to invest clients' money in municipal bonds while actually using the funds for personal expenses including country club memberships, home improvements, and biweekly salaries of $7,500, making selective payments to victims to maintain the illusion of legitimate returns. When the business closed in April 2025, the
jdsupra.com
This article examines how white-collar crime has evolved in the digital age, with global losses from business email compromise exceeding $2.9 billion annually and cryptocurrency money laundering surpassing $3 billion. The piece discusses emerging investigation techniques including digital forensics, blockchain analysis, and machine learning, while highlighting the human impact—including a tragic case where an elderly fraud victim shot a ride-share driver under scammer threat, and noting that elderly victims lose an average of $35,000 per incident with over 88,000 reported cases in 2022.
justice.gov
Mark Janbakhsh, CEO of auto dealership Auto Masters, was convicted of bank fraud, conspiracy, and related crimes after submitting false documentation to Capital One and First Tennessee Bank between 2013 and 2017 to fraudulently obtain approximately $26.4 million in credit. When auditors discovered discrepancies, Janbakhsh directed employees to destroy evidence and later lied under oath during bankruptcy proceedings, additionally attempting to bribe a co-conspirator with over $300,000 to flee and obstruct the federal investigation. He faces up to 30 years in federal prison and $1 million in fines at sentencing.
abc7.com
A West Hollywood man, Jonathan Tudor, allegedly defrauded more than 40 victims by posing as a BMW executive and selling them luxury cars at steep discounts that were never delivered, collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars. Victims included Gloria Schlesinger, who lost nearly $14,000, and his neighbor Scott S.; the stolen funds were spent on luxury goods from brands like Hermès and Gucci. Tudor was arrested in July and faces 44 criminal charges including theft from an elder, securities fraud, grand theft, money laundering, and forgery, and is being held without bail.
beverlyhillscourier.com
On July 1, an elderly Beverly Hills resident lost $59,000 to an organized crime group impersonating financial institution employees and federal agents who convinced him his bank accounts had been compromised and needed to collect his funds for "safekeeping." The suspects used caller ID spoofing and made two separate visits to collect the cash, but were identified through security cameras and license plate readers; one suspect was arrested and charged with grand theft, theft by false pretense, and financial elder abuse. Investigators believe there are additional victims and continue searching for a second suspect, while urging the public to verify suspicious calls directly with their financial institutions.
communitynewspapers.com
Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz testified before a U.S. Senate committee that scammers are using increasingly sophisticated schemes—including AI-generated scams, cryptocurrency theft, and robocalls—to target seniors, with those over 60 losing $4.8 billion in 2023 alone and individuals aged 50-59 losing an additional $2.5 billion. The sheriff noted that most victims do not report crimes due to shame and fear, and highlighted emerging threats including condo and homeowner association fraud that particularly affects elderly homeowners in South Florida. Sen. Rick Scott introduced legislation to provide law enforcement with advanced tools to combat financial exploitation
forbes.com
A BioCatch survey of 800 financial crime professionals across 17 countries found that 81% of Americans believe AI is enabling more sophisticated fraud, with social media and the dark web also facilitating crimes that cost the U.S. $485.6 billion annually in projected losses. Key challenges in combating fraud include poor information-sharing among competing banks, a disconnect between fraud losses (borne by consumers, not financial institutions) and bank priorities, and insufficient law enforcement follow-up on suspicious activity reports. The study reveals that while most financial institutions believe they are winning against fraud, criminal networks are actually outpacing banks' defenses.
sentinelone.com
The Department of Justice charged four Ghanaian nationals for operating a $100 million fraud ring from 2016 to 2023 that targeted U.S. companies and vulnerable senior citizens through romance scams and business email compromise attacks, with sentences potentially reaching 20 years per offense. Additionally, the DOJ seized $1,091,453 in cryptocurrency from the BlackSuit ransomware group as part of coordinated law enforcement action to disrupt their operations, which have generated $370 million in ransom payments across over 450 attacks on U.S. critical infrastructure sectors.
malwarebytes.com
The DOJ extradited and indicted four Ghanaian nationals for allegedly leading a criminal organization that stole over $100 million through romance scams and business email compromise schemes targeting Americans, primarily older men and women. In 2024 alone, nearly 59,000 Americans lost an estimated $697.3 million to romance scams, with the actual losses believed to be significantly higher due to underreporting. The article outlines how these scams operate—building trust through fake relationships before requesting money for fabricated emergencies or investment opportunities—and provides protective measures including verifying profiles, avoiding money transfers to strangers, and reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement.
khou.com
Thirteen people were charged in a sophisticated "grandparent scam" operation based in the Dominican Republic that targeted over 400 seniors across the United States, resulting in losses exceeding $5 million. The scheme, led by Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, involved English-speaking call center workers posing as distressed grandchildren or their attorneys to pressure elderly victims (average age 84) into sending cash via runners and mail, with the funds then laundered back to the Dominican Republic. Victims should report suspected fraud to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center, and experts advise verifying urgent requests directly with family members before sending
wral.com
A Durham County caregiver bonded out on charges of exploiting her client through check fraud, exemplifying a broader trend of financial abuse by caregivers targeting vulnerable adults. The article documents multiple cases including a nurse who stole a patient's identity, a caregiver who used an elderly woman's financial information to make thousands in unauthorized transactions, and a healthcare company operator sentenced to 17 years for a $500,000 Medicare fraud scheme. The AARP reports over 369,000 annual incidents of financial abuse against older adults in the U.S., with experts recommending background checks, financial monitoring, secure document storage, and requiring receipts to protect vulnerable individuals in care.
thebrunswicknews.com
The U.S. Justice Department charged 13 individuals involved in a transnational elder fraud scheme that defrauded approximately 400 seniors across the United States of more than $5 million. The defendants included operators of bogus call centers, money collectors, and money launderers who targeted elderly victims to steal their savings and Social Security benefits.
nbcphiladelphia.com
An 86-year-old grandmother from South Philadelphia fell victim to a grandparent scam in July in which a caller impersonated her granddaughter, claiming she had been in an accident and detained by police, and requested $6,000 in cash that was picked up from her home. The scam highlights the evolving threat of elder fraud, which affected over 147,000 victims in 2024 with losses totaling nearly $4.9 billion, with criminals increasingly using artificial intelligence to clone voices and make impersonations more convincing.
libn.com
A 78-year-old retired art teacher in Port Jefferson Station lost $15,000 to fraud after receiving a convincing fake Apple Pay notification followed by calls instructing her to withdraw cash for "safekeeping." This case exemplifies a broader wave of sophisticated scams targeting seniors across Long Island and the country, with Suffolk County alone reporting over $126 million in elder fraud losses in 2023, using tactics like AI-generated voices and fake emails that exploit family and financial networks. Elder law attorneys recommend prevention strategies including verifying identities through independent sources, using strong passwords with two-factor authentication, monitoring accounts regularly, and avoiding suspicious emails and links—emphasizing that fraud prevention is both a personal security
fox5dc.com
Shawn Steven Harris, a romance scammer operating under at least eight aliases from October 2019 to November 2021, defrauded multiple women out of tens of thousands of dollars by impersonating government operatives (CIA, FBI, DIA) on dating websites and social media. Harris convinced victims to use their credit cards for fake "missions," promising repayment by the government or personal reimbursement that never materialized, while also falsely offering benefits like debt elimination and property. Harris died by suicide in Alexandria, Virginia in 2024 while jumping from a 15th-floor building to evade FBI arrest on fraud charges.
womansworld.com
Scammers posing as grandchildren are targeting elderly individuals by claiming emergencies (car accidents, arrests, etc.) and requesting urgent money transfers; thirteen Dominican Republic nationals were recently charged with defrauding approximately 400 U.S. grandparents of nearly $5 million across Massachusetts, California, New York, Florida, and Maryland. To protect themselves, grandparents should verify callers' identities through personal questions or video calls, avoid sharing financial information over the phone, and refrain from sending money immediately even if the caller claims to be a distressed family member.
redhotcyber.com
Four Ghanaian nationals were indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice for operating an international fraud ring called the "Sakawa Boys" that stole over $100 million between 2016 and May 2023 through romance scams targeting elderly individuals and Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks on corporations. The defendants, extradited to the U.S. in August 2025, held leadership positions in the hierarchical organization and used fake identities to gain victims' trust online, then laundered proceeds through fictitious bank accounts and international transfers. Each faces charges including wire fraud (up to 20 years per count), money laundering conspiracy (up to 20
pulse.com.gh
Over 20 Ghanaians have been arrested and prosecuted by US authorities since 2021 for wire fraud, romance scams, and money laundering targeting American citizens, with several high-profile cases involving extradition. Notable cases include Hajia4Reall (Mona Faiz Montrage), who defrauded victims of over $2 million in romance scams and was sentenced to one year in prison with $1.4 million in restitution; Dada Joe Remix (Joseph Badu Boateng), extradited for orchestrating a $100 million romance and inheritance fraud scheme; and three other members of "The Enterprise
bobsullivan.net
Crypto ATMs (convertible virtual currency kiosks) have become a major tool for defrauding elderly Americans, with people aged 60+ being three times more likely than younger adults to lose money through these machines. In 2024, the FBI received over 10,956 complaints involving crypto ATMs with approximately $246.7 million in reported losses (a 99% increase in complaints from 2023), with criminals using various scams including tech support fraud, government impersonation, romance scams, and emergency scams to manipulate victims into depositing cash into these machines. The author argues that stronger regulation is needed, including lower daily transaction limits and removal of machines facilitating frau
wamc.org
A transnational grandparent scam operating from the Dominican Republic was dismantled following a two-year investigation, with suspects from New York, Massachusetts, and the Dominican Republic charged after defrauding at least 400 elderly victims of over $5 million. The sophisticated operation used call centers with "openers" posing as grandchildren in emergencies and "closers" impersonating lawyers demanding cash, with unwitting rideshare drivers recruited to transport victims to banks and deliver money; the scheme was uncovered when Uber flagged suspicious rides and alerted federal authorities. At least nine suspects were arrested facing wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering charges carrying up to 20
wgal.com
An elderly couple from Franklin County lost thousands of dollars in a grandparents scam, part of a larger FBI investigation that resulted in the arrest of 13 individuals accused of stealing over $5 million from more than 400 senior citizens using a call center based in the Dominican Republic. The sophisticated fraud ring employed runners in the United States to pick up cash from victims' homes after convincing them via phone calls that a grandchild needed emergency money. Authorities recommend that seniors establish a family code word to verify the identity of callers claiming to be grandchildren in distress.
kcur.org
A 31-year-old St. Louis-area man, Chaman Silverio Balbuena, was indicted as part of a "grandparent scam" network that defrauded over 400 elderly victims of more than $5 million between November 2022 and February 2023. Balbuena and 12 others orchestrated the scheme by having callers in the Dominican Republic impersonate grandchildren claiming to need emergency bail money, then used rideshare drivers to collect at least $350,000 from at least 25 victims. Balbuena faces federal charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering, an
home.treasury.gov
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned four Mexican individuals and 13 companies linked to CJNG's timeshare fraud operation in Puerto Vallarta, which has been targeting elderly American timeshare owners since approximately 2012. CJNG, a designated terrorist organization, uses call centers staffed with English-speaking telemarketers to perpetrate complex scams that can last years and result in victims losing their life savings, while generating significant alternative revenue for the cartel's violent operations. Treasury officials warned current and prospective timeshare owners in Mexico to be cautious of unsolicited offers and conduct due diligence before engaging in purchases.
ca.news.yahoo.com
Thirteen individuals were charged with operating grandparent scam call centers based in the Dominican Republic that defrauded approximately 400 older adults (average age 84) of over $5 million across the United States by posing as family members in legal trouble needing bail money. Nine of the defendants are in custody, including ringleader Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, while four remain at large; the perpetrators used dark web data to target victims, employed scripted calls, and laundered proceeds toward luxury purchases and home upgrades.
nbcboston.com
Federal authorities dismantled a transnational elder fraud ring based in the Dominican Republic, charging 13 individuals led by Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia with defrauding over 400 elderly Americans of more than $5 million. The sophisticated scheme employed "openers" who posed as grandchildren in emergencies, "closers" who impersonated lawyers demanding fees, and "runners" in the U.S. who collected cash from victims' homes, with money laundered back to the Dominican Republic. Many victims experienced repeated calls threatening escalating emergencies and suffered emotional trauma, with some too ashamed to report the fraud to their families.
hawaiinewsnow.com
The Hawaii Police Department is warning the public about a phone scam where callers impersonate police officers using real department personnel names, falsely claiming victims owe money for missed court appearances or warrants and pressuring them to pay via untraceable methods like gift cards. Scammers use caller ID spoofing and fraudulent documents to appear legitimate, but the department emphasizes it never requests phone payments or gift cards. Residents should verify caller identity independently, avoid sharing personal information, be suspicious of urgent threats, and report suspected scams to police or the Federal Trade Commission.
cbsnews.com
Federal prosecutors charged more than a dozen individuals in "grandparent scams" where con artists impersonated grandchildren to solicit emergency money from elderly victims. The scheme defrauded hundreds of grandparents out of over $5 million.
wwnytv.com
Federal investigators charged 13 people operating from Dominican Republic call centers in a grandparents scam that defrauded approximately 400 elderly victims (average age 84) of over $5 million. The scammers impersonated grandchildren requesting emergency funds, then used Uber drivers to transport cash from victims' homes to middlemen and eventually to the Dominican Republic, with ringleader Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia allegedly using stolen money to fund a lavish lifestyle including purchasing a boat. Uber flagged the scheme to the FBI and subsequently implemented driver training changes to prevent similar fraud.
thisisthewestcountry.co.uk
Ben Millin, a 32-year-old fraudster from Yeovil, was sentenced to 34 months in prison for romance scams targeting four women, from whom he stole an estimated £30,000-40,000 by fabricating stories about dying relatives, financial crises, and health conditions. The money was primarily used to fund his gambling habit, and victims including Fiona and Charlotte experienced severe psychological trauma, with one developing post-traumatic stress disorder; Millin also fraudulently obtained credit cards in victims' names and was issued restraining orders and a five-year serious crime prevention order.
thevibes.com
A romance scam syndicate operated by three Nigerian men and one Indonesian woman was dismantled in Melaka following early morning raids, with the group having targeted victims across Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines over a six-month period by creating fake Facebook profiles posing as foreign suitors and manipulating victims into transferring money via e-wallets. Police seized laptops, phones, passports, and a USB drive valued at RM15,000, and all four suspects were remanded for investigation under cheating and immigration violation charges. Authorities advised the public to verify suspicious contacts through official channels and report suspected scams to the National Scam Response Centre at 997.
wcvb.com
Thirteen people were charged in a sophisticated transnational elder fraud ring that operated from call centers in the Dominican Republic and defrauded over 400 Massachusetts senior citizens of approximately $5 million in combined losses. The defendants used a coordinated system of "openers" posing as distressed grandchildren, "closers" impersonating lawyers, and "runners" collecting cash, often making repeated calls to victims to extract additional payments for fabricated emergencies. Alleged mastermind Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia and other defendants used rideshare drivers as unwitting money couriers, with nine suspects arrested, two remaining at large in the U.S., and two at large in the Dominican Republic.
nbcnews.com
Thirteen Dominican Republic citizens have been charged with operating a sophisticated grandparent scam that defrauded approximately 400 U.S. seniors out of $5 million by posing as their grandchildren in distress and repeatedly extracting money from victims. The victims, averaging 84 years old and located across Massachusetts, California, New York, Florida, and Maryland, were targeted with calls claiming emergencies such as car accidents or arrests, with fraudsters sometimes contacting the same victims multiple times. Nine suspects are in custody while four remain at-large, each facing conspiracy charges for mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering with potential sentences up to 20 years in prison.
bostonherald.com
Federal authorities dismantled a transnational "grandparent scam" operation based in the Dominican Republic that defrauded over 400 victims nationwide, including at least 50 in Massachusetts with an average age of 84, stealing more than $5 million. The scheme involved call center employees posing as grandchildren in distress or their attorneys, instructing elderly victims to send cash via rideshare drivers or mail, with some victims targeted multiple times for additional funds. Thirteen individuals were charged, with eleven arrested on Tuesday, after a two-year joint investigation by the FBI and Dominican Republic authorities, and the stolen proceeds were laundered back to the Caribbean.
bostonglobe.com
Federal authorities charged 13 people operating a call center in the Dominican Republic with defrauding over 400 U.S. seniors (average age 84) of more than $5 million between May 2022 and April 2024 through a "grandparent scam" in which callers posed as grandchildren in legal or medical distress and accomplices impersonating lawyers extracted additional payments. The sophisticated scheme involved commercial telemarketing software, dark web victim lists, and ride-hail drivers to collect cash, and was dismantled after a two-year FBI investigation initiated when Uber alerted authorities to suspicious activity. Nine of the 13 defendants are in custody,
justice.gov
Thirteen individuals, led by Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, were charged for operating a transnational "grandparent scam" call center in the Dominican Republic that defrauded over 400 elderly victims (average age 84) across the United States, resulting in more than $5 million in losses, including at least 50 victims in Massachusetts. The scheme involved callers posing as grandchildren in distress or their attorneys, instructing victims to send cash via rideshare drivers or mail, and often requesting additional payments through fabricated stories. The defendants allegedly laundered the illicit proceeds back to the Dominican Republic through money launderers and bank accounts in the United States.
troopers.ny.gov
On July 31, 2025, State Police in Clifton Park and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations arrested Chuncheng Lin, 26, and Hui Lin, 40, for grand larceny and conspiracy related to a computer scam targeting an elderly Saratoga County resident. The victim lost over $80,000 in cash and gift cards after being contacted via computer and phone by someone falsely claiming to be from Citizens Bank Fraud Department who threatened legal prosecution and demanded payment. The suspects were apprehended during a supervised meeting when they attempted to collect an additional $30,000, and both were released on appearance tickets pending court dates in August 2025.
boston.com
A transnational elder fraud ring based in the Dominican Republic was disrupted after a two-year investigation resulting in nine arrests and four additional charges, with 13 suspects identified in total. The scheme defrauded over 400 victims (average age 84) of more than $5 million across Massachusetts, Florida, California, Maryland, and New York by using bilingual callers posing as distressed grandchildren in accidents or legal trouble, followed by a "closer" impersonating an attorney, then a "runner" collecting cash via rideshare services. Alleged ringleader Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia and associates face charges including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering,
boston25news.com
A transnational elder fraud ring operating a call center in Santiago, Dominican Republic, defrauded over 400 elderly victims (average age 84) out of more than $5 million through "grandparent scams," with at least 50 victims in Massachusetts. Thirteen individuals have been charged in connection with the scheme, which involved callers posing as grandchildren in distress and then as attorneys requesting emergency funds; four suspects remain at large while nine are in custody. Federal authorities shut down the operation following a two-year investigation and are urging victims to come forward without shame, noting that such schemes are increasingly sophisticated, sometimes aided by AI.