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cbsnews.com
Laura Kowal, a 57-year-old retired hospital executive from Illinois, was victimized by a romance scam perpetrated by someone posing as "Frank Borg," a Swedish investment adviser, beginning in October 2018; she eventually went missing in 2020 after losing significant money and being manipulated through sophisticated psychological tactics. Her daughter, Kelly Gowe, discovered her mother's disappearance and subsequently learned that over 64,000 Americans were defrauded of more than $1.14 billion through romance scams in a single year, with victims often too ashamed to report the crime. Gowe has since dedicated herself to raising awareness
jaxtoday.org
Impersonation scams in Florida have increased 84% per capita over the past five years, with scammers posing as IRS agents, FBI officials, court representatives, and other trusted entities to defraud victims. In 2023, impersonation scams were the third most frequent fraud in the U.S., resulting in over $1.3 billion in losses, often involving organized crime groups with international connections that pressure victims into sending money or personal information through urgent threats. To protect themselves, people should verify caller identities by hanging up and calling official numbers directly, avoid sharing personal information when pressured, and report suspected scams to law enforcement.
americanbanker.com
FinCen's analysis of elder financial exploitation found that approximately 80% of reported cases involve scams (fraudulent transfers to strangers) while 20% involve theft by trusted individuals, with account takeover being the most common exploitation method. Warning signs include sudden changes in banking practices, unexplained large withdrawals, and abrupt changes to wills or financial documents, with approximately 10% of people aged 65 and older experiencing some form of elder abuse annually. Financial institutions play a critical role in identifying and preventing elder financial exploitation through compliance reporting and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, while research indicates that susceptibility to scams correlates with lower income, reduced cognitive function, and limited financial literacy.
kxoradio.com
Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz is hosting a senior fraud awareness workshop on Wednesday in El Centro with representatives from the Federal Trade Commission, Social Security Administration, IRS, and Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program. The workshop will educate seniors on recognizing and avoiding common scams including identity theft and Medicare fraud, while providing guidance on steps to take if they suspect they are victims of fraud.
michigan.gov
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reissued a ticket purchasing alert ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, warning consumers about scams targeting ticket buyers. Scammers use fake websites, counterfeit tickets, and peer-to-peer payment apps to defraud fans purchasing VIP draft tickets (priced from hundreds to thousands of dollars), while general entry remains free through official registration. The AG recommends buying only from reputable vendors using credit cards, researching sellers through the Better Business Bureau, and avoiding P2P payment apps like Venmo and Cash App that offer no fraud protections.
news4jax.com
A recent study ranked Florida as the fourth most dangerous state for online dating, with the state ranking second for identity theft and fraud and seventh for romance scams. According to FBI data, nearly 1,500 Floridians lost over $53 million to romance scams, with 387 North Florida victims reporting losses exceeding $15 million. The FBI advises victims to report suspected scams immediately and lists warning signs including requests for money, avoidance of in-person meetings, elaborate sob stories, and pressure for secrecy.
thehindubusinessline.com
Sterling Holidays and Resorts, a vacation ownership company with over 100,000 members in India, warned members of a phone scam in which fraudsters impersonated company representatives and pressured members to sell their memberships at inflated prices. Members reported receiving calls with threats that their memberships would lapse, and became abusive when offers were refused; Sterling Holidays confirmed no data breach occurred and advised members to use only official contact channels and avoid sharing personal information over the phone.
the420.in
This compilation covers six major elder fraud and scam cases: Nigerian "Yahoo Boys" used AI-generated deepfakes in romance scams causing $650 million in losses (2021), with recent cases totaling $25 million and a Salt Lake City jury indicting seven members for laundering $8 million; a Montreal woman lost $25,000 to a crypto scam featuring a fake Elon Musk deepfake; Greek police arrested nine individuals who defrauded victims of €305,789 through phone impersonation scams; a Myanmar trafficking operation forced victims into romance scams via torture and exploitation; and a UK survey found 22% of young adults
latimes.com
Scammers are impersonating Medicare and conducting a growing phone scam targeting Medicare beneficiaries, falsely claiming to issue new cards and requesting verification of Medicare numbers and personal information. Victims report receiving numerous unsolicited calls daily, with scammers using professional tactics and detailed personal information to build trust. Medicare clarifies that it does not call beneficiaries, already has their information, and completed distribution of new Medicare cards by January 2019; the public should report suspected fraud to the California Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-855-613-7080.
readthereporter.com
American Senior Communities partnered with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana to present free educational sessions on avoiding elder fraud, which costs seniors over $5.9 billion annually through scams involving impersonation, romance schemes, and fake investment opportunities. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Eakman will teach seniors how to identify common scams, recover from them, and report fraud to appropriate authorities. The series begins April 22 at The Commons on Meridian assisted living community in Indianapolis.
mirror.co.uk
The Metropolitan Police contacted 25,000 UK residents via text and email on April 18 after shutting down "Labhost," an online platform used by over 2,000 criminals since 2021 to create phishing websites impersonating banks, healthcare providers, and postal services. Around 70,000 people in the UK fell victim to the scams, having their card numbers, PINs, and passwords stolen before the operation was dismantled. Recipients of the police notification should verify its authenticity, change passwords on sensitive accounts, monitor for suspicious activity, and report any confirmed fraud to Action Fraud or their bank immediately.
housingwire.com
Between June 2022 and June 2023, FinCEN reported over $27 billion in suspicious activity across 155,000 filings related to elder financial exploitation (EFE), with account takeovers being the most common typology and adult children perpetrating nearly 40% of documented cases. Perpetrators primarily used unsophisticated methods like compromised passwords and phishing emails to avoid in-person detection, while financial institutions also reported increases in tech support and romance scams targeting seniors. FinCEN emphasized the critical role of financial institutions in identifying, preventing, and reporting suspected EFE to protect older adults' financial security and well-being.
thestatehousefile.com
This article is not related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It covers Indiana state political appointments, utility rate decisions, and reproductive health policy matters. It does not contain content relevant to the Elderus elder fraud research database.
taskandpurpose.com
Sanda G. Frimpong, an E-4 soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, orchestrated multiple online romance and fraud schemes between December 2019 and February 2022, defrauding victims of thousands of dollars by impersonating romantic interests, military personnel, and officials. One victim lost over $150,000 after being convinced by a fake soldier to send money for gold and diamond transfers, while another victim sent over $7,000 after being targeted with a romance scam involving fake inheritance claims. Frimpong was arrested in 2023, pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering, and was sentenced to 40 months in
vindy.com
AARP identifies four emerging scams to watch for in 2024: check cooking (using software to digitally alter stolen checks rather than chemical washing), voiceprint scams (using deepfake technology to impersonate victims' voices for financial fraud), delayed-action sweepstakes scams (collecting personal information for identity theft that may be exploited gradually), and virtual celebrity scams (exploiting fans' connection to online celebrity presence). Prevention strategies include using safer payment methods, avoiding phone calls from unknown numbers, never providing personal information to unsolicited callers, and remaining skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
thedesertreview.com
Congressman Raul Ruiz, in partnership with the Federal Trade Commission, Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, and Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, hosted a Senior Fraud Workshop on April 24, 2024, in El Centro, California to educate seniors about recognizing and avoiding scams. The workshop covered identity theft, Medicare fraud, and other schemes targeting seniors, with experts providing practical advice on warning signs and steps for reporting suspected fraud to law enforcement.
fincen.gov
Between June 2022 and June 2023, FinCEN identified 155,415 suspicious activity filings involving elder financial exploitation totaling approximately $27 billion, with approximately 80% involving elder scams (where perpetrators pose as trusted entities to obtain money) and 20% involving elder theft by known individuals. FinCEN's analysis found that account takeover was the most common scam method, adult children were the most frequent theft perpetrators, and perpetrators typically used unsophisticated methods to minimize contact with financial institutions. Financial institutions are encouraged to refer suspected EFE victims to the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311) and recommend victims
bankingjournal.aba.com
Financial institutions reported approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity related to elder financial exploitation between 2022 and 2023, according to FinCEN's analysis of Bank Secrecy Act reports. The majority of cases involved elder scams with unknown perpetrators (80% of reported activity), particularly account takeovers using unsophisticated methods like password guessing, while elder theft by known perpetrators—most frequently adult children—comprised the remainder. Banks filed 72% of all elder exploitation-related reports, demonstrating their critical role in identifying and preventing such financial abuse.
cnet.com
Zelle, a peer-to-peer payment service owned by major U.S. banks and launched in 2017, has experienced hundreds of millions of dollars in consumer losses due to fraud since its inception. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed a lawsuit against Early Warning Services (Zelle's operator) in December alleging the platform failed to safeguard against fraud, with scammers exploiting the service's instant, irreversible transfers and minimal verification requirements through social engineering tactics like phishing and impersonation of banks and utilities. Protection strategies include avoiding responses to unsolicited messages and verifying requests independently by calling official bank numbers.
moco360.media
A Silver Spring woman lost nearly $800,000 in a gold bar scam after receiving a fraudulent call claiming to be from the FTC's Office of the Inspector General, instructing her to convert assets to gold for "safekeeping" by the FBI and Treasury Department. Montgomery County police report approximately a dozen similar victims in the past year losing over $5 million total, with only one arrest made—courier Wenhui Sun, 34, who allegedly picked up gold bars from victims; scammers target this method because gold is untraceable and has universal value across countries. The FBI warns that government agencies and legitimate businesses never request citizens purchase gold or precious metals, and urges
thesentinel.com
A 34-year-old California man was arrested for his role in a government-imposter gold bar scam that defrauded an elderly Leisure World resident of over $700,000 in Montgomery County, Maryland. The scammer impersonated FTC and FBI officials, falsely claiming the victim was an identity theft victim requiring protective measures, and instructed her to purchase gold bars from an online retailer; the victim wired approximately $788,000 in two transactions and handed over the gold bars to couriers in parking lots before realizing the theft. This represents one of a dozen similar incidents reported in Montgomery County over six months, targeting vulnerable seniors in the community.
justice.gov
Five individuals were charged in a coordinated elder fraud scheme spanning from 2020-2022, in which in-home caretakers Mykia Henderson and Cynthia Mixon (mother and daughter), along with accomplices Corey Webb, Whitney Wallace, and Shakira English, defrauded an elderly victim of over $173,000 through unauthorized credit card charges, fraudulent checks, and identity theft using Square and Stripe payment accounts. The defendants face charges including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, with potential sentences up to 20 years imprisonment.
wbrc.com
Five people were charged in a central Alabama elder fraud scheme involving multiple forms of financial exploitation. The defendants—including two caretakers, a house cleaner, a hairdresser, and the caretaker's husband—allegedly defrauded an elderly victim of approximately $213,000 between December 2020 and March 2022 through unauthorized credit card charges, forged checks, identity theft, and fraudulent Square account transactions. The defendants face charges including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, with maximum penalties of 20 years in prison.
aarp.org
The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline, a free service staffed by over 160 trained volunteers nationwide, responds to approximately 150 calls daily from fraud victims seeking support and guidance. A caller named Becky lost $16,000 in a PayPal impostor scam after clicking a malicious link in a phishing email, and volunteer Dan Smith helped her understand next steps including malware removal and account security measures. The helpline, which has operated for a decade, provides victims with crime reporting assistance, financial counseling referrals, and emotional support during what are often devastating financial losses.
news-journalonline.com
Florida ranks fourth among the most dangerous U.S. states for online dating according to a Privacy Journal study analyzing romance scams, identity theft, fraud, and other risk factors across 100 cities. The research identified common romance scam patterns including persistent money requests, excuses to avoid meeting, elaborate backstories, secrecy, and false urgency—tactics scammers use to exploit victims seeking romantic connections online.
cbc.ca
In 2023, nearly 37,000 Quebecers reported fraud, representing a 15 percent increase since 2021, according to the Association of Quebec Police Chiefs. The most prevalent scams involved credit cards, computers, identity theft, "grandparent" scams, and romance scams, with the Mauricie region experiencing a 64 percent surge in cases. Police acknowledged that reported fraud likely represents only a portion of actual cases and urged victims to report incidents to help combat the growing problem.
cbc.ca
Nearly 37,000 Quebecers reported fraud in 2023, representing a 15 percent increase since 2021, with credit card fraud, computer scams, identity theft, grandparent scams, and romance scams being the most common types. The Mauricie region experienced the steepest increase at 64 percent over two years, while Montreal had the highest total number of cases, though police emphasized that actual fraud rates are likely higher due to significant underreporting by victims.
ca.news.yahoo.com
In 2023, Quebec police reported that nearly 37,000 Quebecers fell victim to fraud schemes, representing a 15 percent increase since 2021, with credit card, computer, identity theft, grandparent, and romance scams being the most common types. The Mauricie region experienced the steepest rise at 64 percent over two years, while Montreal had the highest total number of cases, though police acknowledged the true figures are likely higher due to underreporting. Police chiefs emphasized the importance of public reporting and awareness to combat the growing fraud problem.
moneysense.ca
Young Canadians aged 18-34 are increasingly targeted by phishing scams, with nearly one-third falling victim despite being digitally native. Common schemes include fake boss emails requesting gift card purchases, fake delivery notifications from online shopping, employment scams offering unpaid gig work, and romance scams involving coerced intimate photos, with fraudsters contacting victims via email/text (74%), phone calls (64%), social media (43%), and online dating apps (10%). Cybersecurity experts recommend vigilance against authority figures requesting unusual favors and caution when sharing personal information in response to unsolicited messages.
ky3.com
The Department of Justice notified Medicare recipients in the Ozarks of a May 2023 data breach involving personally identifiable information compromised on systems of Greylock McKinnon & Associates (GMA), a DOJ contractor. While no confirmed cases of identity theft or fraud resulting from the breach have been reported, affected individuals were offered fraud resolution services and credit monitoring; experts recommend recipients verify letter authenticity by calling the DOJ directly at 1-844-979-6702 and consider freezing their credit as a proactive protective measure.
wimsradio.com
The U.S. Marshals Service and FBI are alerting the public to widespread imposter scams in which callers falsely claim to be law enforcement officials, telling victims their identities have been stolen and instructing them to withdraw cash and purchase gift cards—tactics that are entirely fraudulent. The Marshals Service has received daily inquiries from victims nationwide who have lost tens of thousands of dollars, and emphasizes that it never requests money, financial information, or monetary instruments by phone. Victims are urged to report suspected scams to the FBI and Federal Trade Commission, or contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
thechampionnewspaper.com
Antaviois Bailey, a 38-year-old from Conyers, pleaded guilty to robbing an 88-year-old woman at gunpoint in her Brookhaven home on August 2, 2022, stealing her purse, cash, debit and credit cards, cell phone, and identification before tying her up. Bailey was sentenced to 15 years in prison without parole after being convicted of home invasion, kidnapping, armed robbery, elder abuse, identity fraud, and firearm possession charges; he was identified through surveillance footage showing him following the victim home from the grocery store and using her stolen cards shortly after the robbery.
cpr.org
Internet scammers targeted over 10,000 Coloradans in the past year, stealing $187.6 million, with investment fraud, business email compromise, and tech support scams causing the largest losses statewide. People 60 and older were the most victimized group and suffered the greatest financial losses, while tech support scams and extortion schemes saw notable increases; nationally, phishing, personal data breaches, and cryptocurrency investment fraud (up 50% in losses) emerged as significant threats.
nbclosangeles.com
Jeff Drobman lost $21,000 from his Bank of America account after scammers used SIM swapping—convincing his wireless carrier Spectrum to transfer his phone number to their device, then using intercepted text-based two-factor authentication codes to access his bank account. According to FBI data, victims lost over $68 million to SIM swapping in 2021, and cybersecurity experts say the scam is preventable if wireless carriers require PINs for number transfers and banks use stronger authentication methods like facial recognition instead of text codes. Bank of America reimbursed Drobman after the investigation brought attention to his case.
mirror.co.uk
In 2023, over 374,000 fraud cases were reported to the UK's Cifas National Fraud Database, with identity theft comprising 64% of incidents (237,000+ cases) and criminals increasingly using AI, deepfakes, and social engineering tactics to steal consumer details and compromise bank accounts. Cifas members prevented £1.8 billion in fraud losses, but warned that economic pressures and account takeover attempts—including sophisticated voice spoofing for security questions—represent growing threats to consumers across banking, finance, insurance, and retail sectors.
chicagotribune.com
Fraudsters are impersonating U.S. Marshals, judges, and police officers in phone scams targeting the elderly and others, claiming their identities have been stolen and bank accounts hacked, then convincing victims to withdraw money and place it on gift cards. The scammers use fake badge numbers and caller ID spoofing to appear legitimate, with some victims losing tens of thousands of dollars; the U.S. Marshals Service urges recipients to report such calls to the FBI and FTC, noting that legitimate agencies never request money over the phone.
wibc.com
Scammers impersonating U.S. Marshals Service officials and law enforcement are making phone calls claiming victims' identities have been stolen and bank accounts hacked, then instructing them to withdraw money and purchase gift cards under the false promise of opening new bank accounts and providing new social security numbers. The FBI and USMS warn that these fraudulent calls have been reported nationally and in northern Indiana, often targeting elderly victims who lose thousands of dollars; authorities urge recipients to hang up, report the calls to the FTC, and contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311 if victimized.
michigan.gov
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel re-issued an alert in April 2024 warning small and midsized business owners about tax scams targeting entrepreneurs during tax season, including W-2 phishing schemes, fraudulent Employer Identification Number websites, and IRS imposter calls demanding immediate payment. Scammers use threats of legal action, fake tax bills, and refund promises to deceive business owners and employees, putting company data and finances at serious risk. The AG recommends businesses implement security protocols, train employees to recognize scams, and report suspected fraud to the IRS, FTC, or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
woai.iheart.com
**Summary:**
A PrivacyJournal study ranking states by online dating safety—based on romance scams, ID theft, fraud, sex offender presence, and STD reports per 100,000 population—found Texas ranks 43rd out of 50 states. Nevada ranked last (most dangerous) while Vermont ranked first (safest).
keyt.com
Experts at a Goleta Community Center session identified common scams targeting residents, including fraudulent contacts impersonating utility companies, government agencies, and tech support firms that request payment via wire transfers, Venmo, or bank accounts. The presentation covered various fraud schemes including identity theft, telemarketing, home improvement, and mail fraud, with recommendations to use locked mailboxes and avoid sending gift cards or checks through the mail to prevent financial losses.
9news.com
Colorado residents lost more than $187 million to cybercriminals in 2023, an increase of nearly $9 million from 2022, with investment fraud ($60 million), business email compromise ($57 million), and tech support scams ($23 million) being the top three fraud types reported in the state. Nationally, seniors were the most victimized age group with over 100,000 complaints totaling more than $3 billion in losses, while those over 60 accounted for more than half of tech support scam losses. The FBI received over 880,000 cybercrime complaints nationwide in 2023 with potential losses exceeding $12.5
click2houston.com
Researchers ranked U.S. states by online dating safety based on romance scams, fraud, identity theft, and violent crime rates, finding Texas among the top 10 most dangerous states for online dating, while Nevada ranked as the most dangerous due to prevalence of scams. Vermont was identified as the safest state, though researchers note this may reflect its smaller, older population rather than actual safety measures. The study did not specify dollar amounts or particular victim cases but highlighted romance scams as a significant concern in high-risk states.
wgal.com
The Better Business Bureau identifies the top 10 scams targeting small businesses, which are attractive to scammers because business owners are often distracted and lack robust cybersecurity support. Common schemes include phony invoices for unordered supplies, stolen identity/brand hijacking through fake websites, directory listing scams, phishing emails, office supply fraud, and vanity award scams (which charge fees for worthless honors). Small business owners should be aware of these tactics to protect themselves from financial losses.
yahoo.com
A senior in Oceanside, California, was defrauded of $50,000 through a pop-up scam falsely claiming their bank account was compromised; when scammers attempted to collect an additional $40,000, police and the FBI Elder Justice Task Force coordinated with the victim to apprehend 44-year-old Chi Hung Duong, who was arrested and charged with bail set at $200,000. The case highlights the dangers of pop-up scams and courier-based fraud schemes targeting seniors.
wsbtv.com
During tax season, cybersecurity experts warn that tax-related scams are spiking, including identity theft, phone scams, tax preparer fraud, and "helper" scams where fraudsters pose as IRS assistants to steal personal information. Experts advise being suspicious of urgent requests for clicks, links, or personal information, and to only enter sensitive data on the official IRS.gov website, avoiding so-called "ghost preparers" who disappear after obtaining information.
newjersey.news12.com
The IRS is warning the public about fraudulent letters circulating around Tax Day (April 15) that impersonate the agency with fake IRS letterhead to solicit personal information and promise refunds. Experts note these scams are particularly effective because they exploit public trust in government agencies, and consumers should verify any IRS communication by checking the phone number against IRS.gov.
uk.news.yahoo.com
A 37-year-old civil engineer discovered that fraudsters had stolen his identity and opened two unauthorized HSBC accounts in his name—a credit card with £12,000+ in charges and a current account with a £5,000 overdraft—despite never banking with HSBC. He suspects the thieves accessed his personal information by breaking into his letterbox to intercept account opening documents and cards, resulting in his credit score dropping over 300 points; after 14 weeks of poor resolution efforts from HSBC, he remained liable for approximately £17,000 in fraudulent debt.
azfamily.com
California resident Donald Franklin Huegel was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in romance scams targeting two elderly Arizona victims, stealing nearly $400,000. Huegel posed as a romantic interest online (using aliases like "Chad Callahan" and "Michael Williams") and funneled victims' money to co-conspirators in Africa, with one victim sending over $90,000 and another sending over $367,000. He was convicted of fraudulent schemes, money laundering, and theft, with a restitution hearing to be scheduled for the victims.
longisland.news12.com
The IRS is warning the public about scam letters mimicking official IRS correspondence that request personal information under the guise of tax refunds, particularly as the April 15 tax deadline approaches. These fraudulent letters often include fake IRS letterhead to appear legitimate and exploit public trust in government agencies. The IRS recommends verifying any suspicious correspondence by checking phone numbers against the official IRS.gov website.
10news.com
San Diego small business owner Tara Cornett fell victim to an elaborate bank scam in which fraudsters, posing as her bank via phone call, obtained her personal information (likely from a previous data breach) and took out a $6,000 loan in her name by tricking her into accepting push alerts they initiated. After recognizing suspicious email notifications, Cornett called her bank directly and discovered the fraud; her bank's fraud department refunded the money within days. Cybersecurity experts advise hanging up on unexpected calls and calling your bank directly using the number on your card, as phone numbers can be spoofed, and recommend using physical password managers and credit freezes for additional security.