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in Robocall / Phone Scam
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
During election season, scammers exploit voters' emotional investment by creating fake candidate websites and social media accounts, using robocalls with candidates' voices, and sending deceptive donation text messages—all designed to redirect funds from legitimate campaigns to fraudsters. Red flags include poor grammar, pressure for immediate donations, requests for unusual payment methods (wire transfers or prepaid cards), unsolicited personal information requests, and offers of prizes for poll participation. Voters should verify donation authenticity directly through official campaign channels and remain cautious when emotions run high.
smh.com.au
· 2025-12-08
This article is an educational guide identifying 25 travel scams that target tourists worldwide. It explains common schemes such as the "pigeon strike" distraction theft, commission-based shop scams involving tour guides, and fake found-item plots where con artists demand rewards for "returning" worthless items. The article advises travelers to be alert but not alarmed, recommends obtaining police reports for expensive losses and filing insurance claims, and suggests that guided tours may offer some protection against scams.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Travel fraud is a significant threat to vacationers, with the FTC receiving over 55,000 travel-related fraud reports in 2023, and a 2023 McAfee survey finding that 30% of Americans have been scammed while booking or taking trips, with 34% losing $1,000 or more. Common travel scams include overly friendly locals using distraction tactics, suspiciously discounted deals on accommodations and services, and exchange-rate manipulation by those exploiting travelers' unfamiliarity with foreign currencies. Experts recommend avoiding emotionally-driven financial decisions, being skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true, and carefully verifying currency convers
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
From 2018 to 2023, nearly 70,000 real estate and home rental-related cybercrimes were reported to the FBI, resulting in approximately $1.4 billion in consumer losses, as scammers increasingly target homebuyers and renters through fake listings, impersonation fraud, and phony government housing program applications. Common tactics include posting unrealistically low prices with doctored images, impersonating property owners to solicit upfront payments, and creating fraudulent social media pages posing as legitimate housing assistance programs to steal personal information. To protect themselves, consumers should verify listings against official documentation, avoid upfront payments before signed agreements, tour properties in person, research local
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
The article outlines five common travel scams targeting tourists, including overly friendly locals who pickpocket or manipulate travelers, deals advertised below market rates, exchange-rate deception, and other fraud schemes. According to the FTC, over 55,000 travel-related fraud reports were filed in 2023, with 30% of Americans reporting being scammed while booking or taking trips, and 34% losing $1,000 or more. Experts advise travelers to avoid mixing emotions with financial decisions, be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true, and learn exchange rates to protect themselves from hustlers.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
A March 2024 Interac survey found that nine in 10 Canadians experienced at least one fraud attempt in the past year, with experts warning that AI-enabled scams and upcoming real-time payment systems will increase risks. The most common digital scams targeting Canadians are investment fraud (particularly cryptocurrency schemes responsible for over half of the $309 million in investment fraud losses), imposter fraud targeting financial institutions, and job fraud—often using sophisticated tactics including AI voice mimicry and fake social media profiles. Experts recommend prevention through Interac's "3-S" approach: stop, scrutinize, and speak up.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Pennsylvania hosted a Telephone Town Hall featuring experts from the U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI to educate residents about scams targeting older adults, including impostor, romance, lottery, and tech support fraud. The session provided warning signs, protective strategies, and resources for reporting fraudulent activities, emphasizing that individuals should question unsolicited contacts and never share money or personal information with unknown parties. Listeners can report scams to local law enforcement or contact AARP at 1-877-908-3360 for assistance.
ag.state.mn.us
· 2025-12-08
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison issued a warning about growing mortgage assistance scams targeting homeowners in financial distress. Scammers pose as counseling agencies or foreclosure consultants, charging upfront fees for promised loan modifications or foreclosure prevention services that are never delivered, then disappear with the payment. The Attorney General advises homeowners to contact their lenders directly, seek free assistance from legitimate nonprofit organizations like HUD or Minnesota Housing, and report scams immediately to his Consumer Action Division.
cleburnetimesreview.com
· 2025-12-08
A BSA Scout writes about the rising threat of scams targeting elderly residents in Johnson County, highlighting common schemes including romance, tech support, refund, emergency, and Medicare scams. The author describes a personal experience with a Medicare scam in which fraudsters using spoofed phone numbers impersonated Medicare or doctors' offices to pressure victims into changing their Medicare plans or face cancellation. The piece emphasizes that scammers continuously develop new tactics to exploit vulnerable seniors.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Pennsylvania hosted a Telephone Town Hall featuring law enforcement and volunteer experts who discussed sophisticated scams targeting older adults, including impostor, romance, lottery, and tech support fraud. The session provided guidance on recognizing warning signs, protecting personal information, and reporting fraudulent activities to local authorities. Listeners learned the importance of questioning unexpected contact and never sending money or personal details to unknown sources.
liherald.com
· 2025-12-08
The Town of Oyster Bay partnered with the Nassau County District Attorney's office to combat scams targeting seniors, offering two educational seminars in September 2024 to teach residents about online threats and reporting procedures. According to the Federal Trade Commission, over $230 million was stolen from New Yorkers by scammers in 2024 alone, with seniors being particularly vulnerable to phone and email scams impersonating government agents, banks, or family members, as well as physical theft and technologically sophisticated attacks. The seminars address growing concerns about increasingly complex fraud schemes, including those using artificial intelligence to mimic voices, with some victims losing their entire life savings.
newsmobile.in
· 2025-12-08
An entrepreneur in Delhi lost Rs 15,000 to a scammer selling fake tickets for Diljit Dosanjh's "Dil-Luminati Tour" concert on X, despite the artist and Delhi Police having previously shared warnings about such scams. The fraudster, operating under the account name Dharmendra Singh (Crigyan07), used forged ID proof and screenshots to appear legitimate, and reportedly scammed multiple victims including the woman's friend who lost Rs 6,000. The victim filed a complaint with the Online Cyber Cell and reported that the scammer continued operating under different usernames even after being exposed.
denver7.com
· 2025-12-08
The Wheat Ridge Police Department warned of a cryptocurrency extortion scam circulating through the community in which victims receive emails containing personal information (addresses, photos from Google Maps) and threats of blackmail involving fabricated malware and compromising videos, demanding cryptocurrency payment via Bitcoin QR code. None of the Wheat Ridge residents who received these emails fell victim to the scam, though police emphasized the importance of reporting such attempts to raise community awareness. The scam exploits urgency and fear through false claims, reflecting a broader national problem—Americans lost over $5.5 billion to cryptocurrency scams in 2023, with Colorado reporting more than 1,300 fraud cases costing residents $81 million
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Roger, a 40-year-old Costa Rican man, was convicted of orchestrating a multi-million dollar international telemarketing sweepstakes scam that defrauded victims in the United States, many of them elderly, by posing as government officials and convincing them to pay upfront fees for supposed prize winnings. Operating from a call center in Costa Rica and using VoIP technology to mask his location, Roger and his co-conspirators stole over $4 million from victims before being extradited and prosecuted. He was convicted on multiple counts including conspiracy and wire fraud, facing up to 25 years in prison per count.
courierpostonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Martins Inalegwu and Steincy Mathieu, a Burlington County couple, were sentenced to prison (80 months and 16 months respectively) for operating a romance scam that defrauded over 100 victims of approximately $4.5 million between 2016 and 2020. The scammers posed as romantic interests on dating websites, targeting vulnerable older adults and others, with one victim—a tourism board finance director—embezzling $2.8 million from her employer to send to the couple. Both defendants were ordered to pay millions in restitution and unpaid taxes.
reporternews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Taylor County impersonated law enforcement by spoofing the Sheriff's Office phone number and used scare tactics to convince victims they had arrest warrants, instructing them to pay fines via cash withdrawal and cryptocurrency. The scheme successfully defrauded residents of at least $31,000 before being reported. The Taylor County Sheriff's Office clarified they never solicit payment by phone for warrants or court orders and advised residents to hang up on such calls and report them immediately.
fox2detroit.com
· 2025-12-08
Facebook scams for mobile car detailing services are proliferating, typically posted by new group members offering discounts with promises of payment after service and vague contact information to avoid. Red flags include new or backdated profiles, identical wording across multiple posts, no pricing listed, and requests to message directly; similar scams also target consumers through air duct cleaning and false missing person posts that later redirect to phishing links. Users should verify legitimate businesses independently, report suspicious posts to Facebook and the BBB, and check local law enforcement sources before sharing missing person alerts.
livingsnoqualmie.com
· 2025-12-08
The Snoqualmie Police Department is warning residents about a "Pegasus" sextortion scam variation where attackers send threatening emails claiming to possess explicit photos or videos and include personal details like Google Maps photos of victims' homes, demanding ransom payment within 24 hours. Law enforcement advises residents not to respond to or pay these scams and to delete the emails immediately, as the threats are false and information often comes from public sources or past data breaches. The FBI recommends avoiding compromising photos, suspicious email attachments, and leaving webcams exposed to prevent victimization.
seehafernews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating law enforcement officers from multiple Wisconsin agencies, including the Fond du Lac Police Department, Manitowoc Police Department, and Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, using spoofed phone numbers and posing as specific officers. The scams involve false claims of arrest warrants and requests for DNA samples or large cash payments via Bitcoin, with perpetrators demonstrating detailed knowledge of DNA procedures to increase credibility. Law enforcement agencies warn that legitimate police will never request DNA samples or cryptocurrency payments and urge citizens to report such calls.
miltontimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment fraud losses exceeded $4.5 billion in 2023, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Report. Common scams include cryptocurrency schemes promoted via social media, dubious investment programs claiming "proven" get-rich strategies, fraudulent real estate development offerings, and precious metals sales using pressure tactics and false guarantees. Protection measures include verifying that investment professionals are registered with FINRA, avoiding pressure to make quick decisions, being skeptical of "risk-free" claims, and researching companies online before investing.
kttc.com
· 2025-12-08
A Rochester, Minnesota woman lost $2,000 in a virtual kidnapping scam after a Spanish-speaking caller claimed to have abducted her daughter and demanded ransom money transferred to a Mexico account. The scammer used personal information about the victim and her daughter to make the threat credible and kept the woman on the phone while directing her to a local market to complete the transfer. The daughter was unharmed and returned home from school; the Rochester Police Department is investigating the case.
knews.kathimerini.com.cy
· 2025-12-08
A criminal network of Roma individuals is defrauding elderly Greeks by impersonating utility company employees from DEI and OTE, often combining these scams with false claims that a family member has been in an accident to gain trust and steal money. A notable case involved a decorated police officer from Patras who stole €40,000 from an elderly victim, prompting Greek Police to launch a public awareness campaign warning seniors that utility workers do not enter homes beyond the meter and that unsolicited callers asking about household composition are likely scammers.
mcknightsseniorliving.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FTC reported $10 billion in total consumer fraud losses (up $1 billion from 2022), with older adults losing $3.4 billion according to FBI data, driven primarily by imposter scams, investment fraud (up 400% since 2021), and tech support scams despite scam types remaining largely consistent with previous years. The Senate Special Committee on Aging released its ninth annual fraud book highlighting that common scams targeting seniors include imposter, sweepstakes, lottery, cryptocurrency, and AI-enabled schemes, with tech support scams causing nearly $590 million in losses and investment scams topping $1.2 billion. Between June
kttc.com
· 2025-12-08
The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office warned of a "grandparent scam" targeting senior citizens in north Iowa, where scammers called victims claiming a relative had been arrested and needed cash for bail, then sent a courier to collect money from victims' homes. Authorities identified a suspect—a well-dressed Black man driving a black or dark-colored 4-door SUV with possible Minnesota plates, potentially accompanied by a woman—and urged seniors never to give cash or personal information to unknown persons and to report such contacts to law enforcement.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Bengaluru man named KJ Rao lost Rs 59 lakh in an elaborate online scam involving fraudsters who impersonated police, CBI officials, and a judge to convince him he was under "digital arrest" for money laundering and misuse of Aadhaar details. Using multiple deceptive tactics including fake video calls, fabricated courtroom proceedings, and continuous surveillance via Skype, the scammers pressured Rao to transfer Rs 50 lakh and Rs 9 lakh to separate bank accounts under the pretense of court orders. Rao reported the scam to local police after the scammers abruptly ended contact
wpbf.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office warned residents of a phone scam in which callers impersonate deputies and threaten arrest to extort money from victims. Scammers request payment through various methods including Bitcoin, PayPal, Zelle, and gift cards; law enforcement advises that no legitimate government official will call demanding payment. Residents with information about the scam are urged to contact the sheriff's office or call Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A Bengaluru man lost Rs 59 lakh in a sophisticated online scam involving fluent English-speaking fraudsters who impersonated police officers, CBI officials, and a judge to convince him he was under "digital arrest" for money laundering and Aadhaar misuse. The scammers used automated calls, WhatsApp video calls, fake courtroom theatrics, and round-the-clock surveillance via Skype to psychologically manipulate the victim into transferring funds across multiple bank accounts before abruptly disconnecting. The victim reported the incident to police after realizing the deception.
cbs8.com
· 2025-12-08
Vista resident Jan Hoops lost approximately $24,000 in a gift card scam after a pop-up alert directed her to call a fake Microsoft number; the scammer convinced her that her accounts had been hacked, instructed her to withdraw cash from her credit union and purchase Lowes gift cards, then obtained the card numbers by having her read them aloud. Employees at both the credit union and store warned Hoops about the scam, but the fraudster kept her on the phone and instructed her not to trust them, ultimately deceiving her into providing the gift card information needed to cash them in. The recommended defense is to hang up on unsolicited calls about account breaches and independently verify concerns
kkco11news.com
· 2025-12-08
The Delta County Sheriff's Office reported receiving multiple scam calls from an individual impersonating law enforcement officers, specifically claiming to be Lt. Burris from the warrant division, who targets senior citizens by threatening arrest and demanding payment via phone. The scammer uses the phone number (970) 624-0293 or spoofs DCSO's number, employing a fake southern accent to appear credible. Law enforcement clarified that legitimate agencies will not call citizens about warrants or demand bond payments over the phone.
cadillacnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel met with over 70 senior citizens in Cadillac to educate them about emerging scams, including phishing, smishing, identity theft, grandparent scams, and "pig butchering" scams—a long-term fraud where perpetrators build false relationships with victims via social apps before stealing money or personal information. Nessel highlighted how artificial intelligence is increasingly being used by scammers to create personalized, convincing fraud schemes, including deepfake audio and video to impersonate family members, and directed residents to the Michigan Attorney General's Consumer Protection website for scam information and alerts.
cbs8.com
· 2025-12-08
According to a 2024 Truecaller/Harris Poll report, Americans lost $25.4 billion to communication fraud and robocalls annually, with Hispanic communities facing disproportionate targeting and twice the victimization rate compared to other groups. Fraudsters exploit Hispanic populations through immigration scams, identity theft, and jury duty schemes, highlighting the need for enhanced vigilance and protective measures like call-filtering apps to combat these threats.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Tennessee man's wife fell victim to a sophisticated scam where thieves posed as bank representatives following a legitimate fraud alert text, tricking her into revealing the answer to her account's security question. Using this information, the scammers disabled notifications, transferred funds between accounts, and set up an ACH withdrawal—though the victim's daily account monitoring allowed her to catch the fraud quickly and recover most funds through her bank and IC3 reporting. The incident illustrates how scammers exploit trust and use security question answers to bypass account protections, and highlights the importance of verifying caller identity and being cautious about sharing personal information even when requests seem legitimate.
headtopics.com
· 2025-12-08
David Checkley, a romance fraudster, was jailed again after previously defrauding Sharon Shearer, 70, of over £200,000 during a three-year relationship that left her bankrupt and homeless. The article also reports a significant rise in various fraud schemes in the UK, including an 43% increase in banking complaints about denied refunds (8,700 cases between April-June), a 34% surge in purchase scams totaling £85.9 million in 2023, and a 31% increase in romance scam payments reaching £36.5 million—the highest ever recorded. Common scams highlighted include marketplace fraud, fake ticketing schemes,
citynewsokc.com
· 2025-12-08
Tech support scams involve fraudsters posing as representatives from Microsoft, Dell, or other legitimate companies, calling consumers unsolicited and claiming their computers have been hacked or infected with viruses. The scammers use remote access to take control of victims' computers and pressure them to provide credit card information, resulting in losses of $50-500 per victim plus potential data theft and computer lockouts. These operations, primarily based in India, use telemarketing boiler rooms and deceptive advertising to target English-speaking consumers in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and other countries, though the FTC has pursued enforcement action against multiple scam operations.
thetimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A buyer lost £615 to a Facebook Marketplace scam when purchasing a second-hand bicycle; the seller requested payment via PayPal's friends and family option (which lacks buyer protection) and never delivered the item or responded to messages. After intervention, PayPal refunded the full amount, and the article warns that scammers increasingly exploit the friends and family payment method to avoid refunds, with Facebook scam losses rising 366% from £7 million in 2020 to £32.6 million in 2022. The advice recommends paying by cash in person when possible, or using protected payment methods like PayPal's standard goods and services option rather than bank
pulse.com.gh
· 2025-12-08
A student attempting to upgrade his iPhone 7 to an iPhone XR at Circle, a known marketplace, was scammed and received a tile instead after handing over his phone and 300 Ghanaian cedis. The incident highlights Circle's reputation as a hotspot for phone swap scams where fraudsters pose attractive deals but deliver counterfeit or non-functional items, leaving victims without functional devices and out of pocket.
couriernews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Russellville Police Department warns that elderly individuals are increasingly targeted for financial crimes, with an estimated 37 percent of telemarketing fraud victims being seniors. The article attributes this trend to the growing aging population and seniors' accumulated resources, while advising elders to report crimes, remember that "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is," and contact local police before committing to suspicious offers.
kaaltv.com
· 2025-12-08
The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office reported an increase in "grandparent scams" targeting senior citizens in North Iowa, where callers falsely claim a relative has been arrested and demand cash payment delivered by a courier to the victim's home. Law enforcement identified a suspect as a well-dressed Black male driving a dark four-door SUV with possible Minnesota plates, and advised seniors to hang up, verify information independently, and report suspicious calls to local police. The FTC recommends protecting yourself by remembering that legitimate businesses don't demand immediate payment via wire transfer or gift cards, law enforcement won't threaten arrest over the phone, and government agencies won't solicit sensitive information through unsolicite
fox7austin.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating a Hays County Sheriff's Office lieutenant using the phone number 512-877-1299, claiming callers have outstanding warrants and demanding payment to resolve them over the phone. The Hays County Sheriff's Office advises residents not to answer calls from this number, not to call back, and not to provide any personal information to the callers.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
A phishing scam text message circulated in York, Pennsylvania, claiming recipients owed parking violation fees (ranging from $4.15 to $35) and directing them to click a malicious link. York City officials warned residents via Facebook that the text was fraudulent and advised anyone receiving suspicious parking-related communications to contact the York City Parking Bureau directly at 717-849-2230 rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.
lawrencekstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister conducted a community presentation warning residents about common scams after a local family lost $90,000, noting that scammers typically operate outside U.S. jurisdiction making fund recovery nearly impossible. Scammers use emails, phone calls, social media, and mail to target victims by spoofing phone numbers, impersonating government agencies or financial institutions, and creating emotional urgency through threats or too-good-to-be-true offers. Armbrister recommends verifying suspicious calls by hanging up and calling trusted numbers, watching for red flags like immediate threats and AI-enhanced voice spoofing, and never providing personal or banking information to unsolicited callers
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans received over 4.4 billion robocalls in April, with scam calls surging 73% to 710 million, primarily featuring fraudulent tax relief schemes promising to eliminate or make tax debt "non-collectible." These scams target people with tax obligations by requesting upfront fees and personal information while delivering nothing in return. The article recommends protecting oneself through data removal services, screening unknown calls, verifying caller identity, and reporting suspicious calls to authorities.
royalgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
Three senior citizens in Bermuda were defrauded of approximately $685,000 in separate incidents involving Facebook impersonation, fake bank calls, and gift card scams. The scams employed tactics including requests to purchase Apple gift cards and provide remote computer access or bank information. Police urged seniors and their relatives to remain vigilant, verify caller identities independently, and report suspected fraud immediately.
bernews.com
· 2025-12-08
Three senior citizens in Bermuda were defrauded of approximately $685,000 through a combination of social media impersonation and phone scams. One victim received a Facebook message appearing to be from someone they knew, instructing them to purchase Apple gift cards and share redemption codes, while two others received unsolicited calls from scammers posing as bank employees requesting account information or computer remote access. Police advised seniors to avoid responding to unsolicited requests for gift cards or personal information, verify caller identity by contacting their bank directly, and report suspected fraud immediately.
milwaukeeindependent.com
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated overseas criminals steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone scams, with the problem projected to worsen as the aging population and AI technology make fraud easier to perpetrate and harder to prosecute. Law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed and under-resourced, with perpetrators rarely caught or convicted, and victims—particularly older adults—often unable to recover stolen funds from romance scams, grandparent scams, and technical support fraud. The article illustrates the crisis through cases including an 81-year-old Ohio man who fatally shot an Uber driver after being manipulated by a scammer, while the perpetrator remained at large, highlighting how inadequate law enforcement
wdbj7.com
· 2025-12-08
Foreign scammers operating from countries like Morocco create thousands of AI-generated fake photos of wounded soldiers and military families, posting them on fraudulent patriotic Facebook pages to lure comments from unsuspecting Americans. Once victims engage with the posts, imposters posing as U.S. military generals initiate private messages and requests for money, exploiting patriotic sentiment to defraud widows and elderly women. The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division reports hundreds of fake military accounts monthly, while Meta describes the scheme as "engagement bait" that spreads faster than the company can remove it.
medicalnewstoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Medicare scam calls are fraudulent attempts to steal seniors' Medicare numbers, Social Security numbers, bank account information, and other personal data by impersonating government agencies or Medicare representatives. Scammers use pressure tactics such as threatening benefit cancellation, promising free services, or offering plan upgrades to manipulate victims into disclosing sensitive information. Medicare and Social Security never make unsolicited calls requesting personal information; recipients should hang up immediately and contact Medicare directly at 800-633-4227 to report suspicious calls.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Houston and nationwide are increasingly using cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin, to defraud victims through fake law enforcement calls claiming warrant arrests related to missed jury duty. Lt. Abraham Alanis of the Harris County Sheriff's Office reports receiving daily complaints about these calls, where criminals use spoofed phone numbers and real officer names to pressure victims into sending untraceable Bitcoin payments. According to the FBI, cryptocurrency scams resulted in 69,468 complaints nationwide in 2023 with $5.6 billion in losses, with Texas accounting for 4,770 complaints and approximately $411.9 million in losses.
milwaukeeindependent.com
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated overseas criminals steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone scams, a crisis-level problem projected to worsen as the aging population and AI technology increase vulnerability and perpetrator access. Law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed and underfunded, with relatively few scammers caught or convicted, stolen funds rarely recovered, and many victims reluctant to report crimes—illustrated by an Ohio case where an 81-year-old man fatally shot an Uber driver after being manipulated by a scammer threatening to extract $12,000 in supposed bond money, while the actual perpetrator remained at large. Key challenges include difficulty investigating overseas fraud, rapid conversion of funds to cryptocurrency, some police dismiss
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Bedford County resident received multiple calls claiming he had won a $2.5 million Publisher's Clearing House sweepstakes and was asked to pay $4,850 upfront in taxes before receiving the prize. The victim's contact with the actual Publisher's Clearing House company confirmed he was not a winner, as the legitimate company never calls winners and instead delivers prizes in person. This scam is part of a broader fraud epidemic in Pennsylvania, where the FTC reported over 14,800 fraud complaints in the first half of 2024, with sweepstakes and lottery scams accounting for 618 of those reports.