Explore the Archive

A Florida woman was convicted and pleaded guilty to laundering over $2.7 million in an online romance scam ring, exemplifying a growing problem where the FTC reported consumers lost $8.8 billion to scams in 2022—a 30 percent increase from 2021. Scammers employ sophisticated social engineering tactics including romance cons, fake investments, deepfake videos, and manufactured crises, with adults 60 and older being 73 percent more likely to fall victim to such schemes. Research reveals scammers exploit psychological principles like reciprocity (building trust through small gifts) and crisis manipulation (creating urgent financial emergencies) to manipulate victims into sending money

This is a retrospective statement from Florida's Attorney General highlighting departmental accomplishments rather than reporting on a specific fraud case or scam. Key elder fraud prevention efforts mentioned include: strengthening consumer and elder protection laws, creating a Senior Protection Team, hosting training seminars on common scams, launching a Consumer Alert program, and distributing educational materials about fraud recognition. The statement also notes the creation of Florida's first Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit, which froze scammers' cryptocurrency accounts and secured millions in restitution for cybercrime victims.

A South Florida woman received a fraudulent letter claiming she inherited millions from a late relative and was instructed to pay taxes and delivery fees to claim it; approximately 400 victims lost roughly $6 million in this transnational inheritance scam. Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, identified as a member of the crime ring operating across the United Kingdom, Spain, Nigeria, and Portugal, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing on April 14. Six other co-conspirators have already been convicted and sentenced in connection with the scheme.

On January 15, 2025, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody held a Senior Scam Seminar attended by over 500 seniors in Marion County and released a new educational resource called "Scams at a Glance: Grandparent Grifts" to help seniors identify and report grandparent scams. Grandparent scams involve imposters posing as family members claiming to be in emergency situations to solicit money, with victims often unable to recover funds; the resource provides tips including verifying claims directly with family, avoiding wire transfers and gift cards, and contacting law enforcement if an in-person payment meeting is requested. Since 2019, Attorney General

This article is an educational piece examining disadvantages of retiring to Florida, rather than an elder fraud or abuse case. It advises prospective retirees to consider practical challenges before relocating, including high housing costs and insurance premiums, hurricane risks, extreme heat and humidity that can worsen health conditions, high summer utility bills, overburdened healthcare systems in popular areas, and limited public transportation options.

Scammers in South Florida are targeting elderly residents with fake McAfee security alerts that appear on computers, instructing victims to call a number and authorize "transfer tests" into their bank accounts, then manipulate them into withdrawing cash to be picked up by couriers. Two victims lost a combined $57,000 ($40,000 and $17,000), and while one courier was arrested in Martin County, no money was recovered; authorities encourage reporting through the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311, as many cases go unreported due to victim embarrassment or fear.

Gift card scams remain a prevalent fraud method in which scammers impersonate authority figures (like bosses) via spoofed emails using social engineering tactics, requesting victims purchase gift cards and share the codes. The article highlights that while gift card schemes typically involve smaller amounts (hundreds of dollars), related scams like wire transfer fraud and fake vendor invoices can result in losses reaching hundreds of thousands or millions, with recent examples including a University of Central Florida incident and U.S. Treasury hacking allegedly by Chinese government actors. Protection strategies include verifying requests through independent phone numbers, using two-factor authentication, strong passwords, and advanced threat protection tools.

A young couple in Lehigh Acres, Florida was scammed out of $2,650 after finding a rental property listing on Craigslist and sending payment to a fraudulent landlord who provided fake lease documents and remote access to a home via lockbox code. After moving in for a week, the couple was confronted by the legitimate property management company and technically accused of squatting, though the real estate firm ultimately waived their first month's rent and fees after learning they were victims of the scam. The incident highlights the risks of renting through third-party websites and sending money via digital payment apps without proper verification.

A young couple in Lehigh Acres, Florida was scammed out of $2,650 after finding a rental listing on Craigslist and sending payment to a fake landlord who posed as the property owner, provided a lock box code remotely, and sent them a forged lease. The couple moved into the home only to discover a week later they were squatting illegally when the real property manager, Adam Bartomeo, arrived for a showing. Bartomeo's company ultimately waived a month's rent and fees to help the victims, and implemented new security measures including requiring agents to attend all showings and verify tenants' identification rather than distributing lock box codes.

Cristine Petitfrere, a 30-year-old from Miramar, Florida, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for conspiring to launder over $2.7 million stolen from romance scam victims. She helped funnel money from these schemes to international criminals and kept $203,815.59 for herself, which she was ordered to forfeit as part of her sentence. Romance scams—where fraudsters create fake online personas to deceive victims into sending money—disproportionately affect vulnerable populations including the elderly who lose savings and retirement funds.

Cristine Petitfrere, a 30-year-old South Florida woman, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for laundering over $2.7 million from romance scam victims, keeping a portion for herself while transferring the remainder to overseas conspirators. Romance scams involve fraudsters establishing fake online relationships to manipulate victims into sending money under false pretenses such as emergencies or investment opportunities. Petitfrere was ordered to forfeit $203,815.59 in personal proceeds.

Cristine Petitfrere, a Florida resident, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for laundering over $2.7 million from romance scams, earning hundreds of thousands in fees while working with a co-conspirator. Romance scams caused Americans $1.14 billion in losses in 2023, with elderly and vulnerable individuals disproportionately affected by both the financial losses and emotional harm.

Cristine Petitfrere, a 30-year-old from Miramar, Florida, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for laundering over $2.7 million in proceeds from romance scams that defrauded American victims. She pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and was ordered to forfeit $203,815.59 in personal profits after funneling victim funds to overseas co-conspirators through schemes involving fake online personas used to solicit money for false emergencies and investment opportunities.

Florida's Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit dismantled six major cybercrime schemes in three months, seizing nearly $2.4 million in stolen cryptocurrency with over $100,000 returned to victims and $2.2 million pending restitution. Three schemes specifically targeted seniors, including a bank employee stealing from 13 elderly victims, a grandparent scam, and a fraudulent cryptocurrency trading website. Additional cases involved identity theft operations and mail interception schemes, with perpetrators prosecuted for stealing from individuals and businesses across the state.

This article is primarily an opinion piece about the movie Good Will Hunting and community engagement, with a brief mention of elder fraud awareness. The author notes that Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood will discuss senior scams at an upcoming Better Life and Health Business Expo, citing that Florida experienced $654.5 million in fraud losses in 2023 according to the Federal Trade Commission. The article emphasizes community engagement as essential to addressing various health and safety issues, including elder fraud prevention.

Drew Mitchell Schreiber, owner of Central Florida Automotive Group, pleaded guilty in November to rolling back odometers on over 140 vehicles and pocketing more than $600,000 in illegal profits, facing up to nine years in prison. Odometer rollback fraud costs Americans approximately $1 billion annually, with Florida experiencing an estimated 85,000 cases yearly, and currently around 2.1 million vehicles on the road have fraudulent odometers. Experts recommend consumers request vehicle history reports from CarFax and have used vehicles inspected by mechanics before purchase, as odometer fraud can result in buyers overpaying by an average of $4,000.

Southwest Florida lawmakers are sponsoring legislation that would allow vulnerable seniors or their representatives to obtain court injunctions against unknown scammers without requiring an attorney or filing fees, enabling them to freeze bank transactions initiated through untraceable technology like WhatsApp or dating apps. The proposed bill builds on Florida's 2018 Exploitation Injunction law by using substitute service methods to target unidentifiable scammers, addressing the challenge that victims under a scammer's influence may authorize transfers faster than emergency guardianship or other legal interventions can be obtained.

A 2024 study by NumberBarn found that Americans lost over $1 billion to robocalls and scam texts, with Jacksonville ranking 4th nationally for complaints (6,305 cases) and Florida 12th overall (160,000 cases). Seniors aged 60 and older were disproportionately affected, losing $405 million to phone scams and $130 million to text scams. Experts recommend avoiding unsolicited calls and texts requesting sensitive information, staying silent if answering suspicious calls, and reporting incidents to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Scams targeting adults aged 60 and older caused over $3.4 billion in losses during 2023, with fraud incidents typically increasing during the holiday season when older adults engage in more online shopping and charitable giving. The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida launched the "Home for the Holidays" campaign to educate seniors, caregivers, and families about common scams and prevention strategies, particularly targeting isolated or lonely seniors who face heightened vulnerability.

A Florida real estate agent, Jason Valiant, was arrested for allegedly defrauding an elderly Ormond Beach couple of $1.6 million in properties and depleted bank accounts by forging power of attorney and healthcare surrogate documents while they were hospitalized. Valiant used the fraudulent authority to transfer the couple's home and two other properties to himself, drain their accounts, and use their credit cards for personal expenses; authorities also allege he signed a Do Not Resuscitate order for one victim, resulting in their removal from life support. Valiant faces charges including organized scheme to defraud, exploitation of an elderly adult, and identity theft.

**Summary:** Xiao Kun Cheung, a 58-year-old deported Chinese national, was indicted in September for his role in a multi-state elder fraud conspiracy targeting seniors in Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. The scheme involved fraudsters contacting elderly victims via phone or pop-up messages claiming their accounts were compromised, then convincing them to withdraw cash, purchase gift cards, or buy gold bars for "safekeeping"; Cheung was arrested in March attempting to collect $132,000 in gold bars from a victim in Pooler, Georgia. According to the FBI, seniors lost over $3.5 billion to fraud in 2023, with Georgia victims alone losing

A 58-year-old man, Xiao Kun Cheung, was indicted for his role in a multi-state scheme that defrauded elderly victims out of more than $1 million, targeting seniors in Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee through phone calls and pop-up messages falsely claiming their computers or financial accounts were compromised. Cheung convinced victims to withdraw cash, purchase gift cards, or buy gold bars for "safekeeping," and was arrested in March attempting to collect $132,000 in gold bars from a victim in Pooler, Georgia. He faces up to 20 years in prison and financial penalties upon conviction, reflecting a broader crisis where seniors lost over $3

Tech support scammers are targeting users with unsolicited calls and pop-up warnings claiming their computers have been hacked, exploiting fears by impersonating legitimate companies like Microsoft and demanding immediate payment via non-reversible methods. A Florida resident named Tammy contacted authorities after receiving a fraudulent Microsoft call warning her not to touch her computer. To protect yourself, immediately disengage from suspicious contacts, disconnect from the internet, avoid granting remote access, run antivirus scans, change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and monitor your accounts for unauthorized activity.

Xiao Kun Cheung, a 58-year-old Chinese national, was indicted for his role in a multi-state elder fraud conspiracy that defrauded senior citizens (up to age 92) of over $1 million across Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. The scheme involved contacting victims by phone or pop-up messages claiming their computers or accounts were compromised, then convincing them to withdraw cash, purchase gift cards, or buy gold bars; Cheung was arrested in March while attempting to collect approximately $132,000 in gold bars from a victim in Pooler, Georgia. He faces charges including wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud, carrying up to 20 years in federal

Xiao Kun Cheung, 58, a Chinese national, was indicted for his role in a multi-state elder fraud conspiracy that targeted seniors up to age 92 across Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee, swindling over $1 million through phone calls and pop-up messages falsely claiming compromised accounts, then persuading victims to withdraw cash, purchase gift cards, or buy gold bars. Cheung was arrested in March 2024 while attempting to collect approximately $132,000 in gold bars from a victim in Pooler, Georgia, and faces charges including wire fraud and extortion with potential penalties up to 20 years in prison. The case

A Chinese national, Xiao Kun Cheung, was arrested and charged for his role in a scam that defrauded elderly people across the U.S. of $1.2 million through fake pop-ups and phone calls claiming computer or financial account compromises. Cheung and his co-conspirators convinced victims to withdraw money to purchase gift cards and gold bars, which were then collected by conspirators posing as government agents; victims in Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee were affected. Cheung faces up to 20 years in prison and was charged with wire fraud, extortion conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, and drug possession charges.

A Florida couple, Phil and Nicole Scolaro, defrauded two elderly Colorado women out of over $4 million over three years by claiming they were partial owners of an African gold mine and persuading the victims to send money for supposed mine ownership stakes. The couple was arrested in late October and faces five felony charges including fraud and theft, with bail set at $1 million combined. The article also highlights that seniors are particularly vulnerable to scams due to being more trusting and having accumulated savings, and emphasizes the importance of reporting fraud quickly to law enforcement and financial institutions.

Phil and Nicole Scolaro were arrested in Florida and charged with five felonies for defrauding two elderly Colorado women of over $4 million through a fake African goldmine investment scheme spanning three years. A Douglas County Sheriff's Senior Resource Deputy emphasized that seniors are frequent targets due to greater trust, lower tech-savvy, and accumulated wealth, and recommended using the "SCAM" and "STOP" acronyms to identify red flags, while encouraging families to establish trust so victims will report incidents to authorities and banks promptly.

A Florida couple, Phil and Nicole Scolaro, were indicted on five felony charges including fraud and theft after deceiving two elderly Colorado women into sending over $4 million by posing as owners of a working gold mine in Africa and promising them partial ownership. Law enforcement emphasized that seniors are particularly vulnerable to scams due to their trusting nature, accumulated savings, and perceived lower tech-savviness, and recommended victims report fraud quickly to authorities and banks to prevent further financial loss.

A 56-year-old Florida man, Jeffrey Moynihan Jr., allegedly impersonated tech billionaire Elon Musk on Facebook beginning in 2023 and defrauded a 74-year-old Texas woman of approximately $600,000 by convincing her that investing in Musk's business ventures would yield returns up to $55 million. The victim transferred funds to accounts actually owned by Moynihan and his businesses, and police arrested him on grand theft charges in November 2023, though none of the victim's money has been recovered. The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals to investment scams involving celebrity impersonation on social media.

A 56-year-old Florida man was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook to defraud a 74-year-old Texas woman of approximately $600,000 through a fake investment scheme promising returns of $55 million on a $500,000 investment. The perpetrator, Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr., built trust over months by synchronizing messages with public events and news, and used his painting company as a front to conceal the stolen funds. He was arrested in November by the Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit and faces charges of grand theft and identity theft.

A 56-year-old Florida man was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of approximately $600,000 by posing as the billionaire and promising massive returns on fake investments. Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr. befriended the victim over several months, using real posts from Musk's social media accounts to appear authentic, and directed the money to bank accounts he controlled. The case highlights a broader epidemic of celebrity impersonation scams targeting elderly victims across the United States.

A 56-year-old Florida man, Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr., was arrested and charged with grand theft for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook to scam a 74-year-old Texas woman out of $250,000 (with her husband reporting the actual total may reach $600,000) by convincing her to invest in fake business opportunities. Moynihan established rapport with the victim over several months in 2023 by referencing real Musk social media posts, eventually persuading her that she had legitimately invested with the tech billionaire; police also discovered evidence he used false identities of actors Johnny Depp and Lionel Richie, an

In Florida, a 56-year-old man named Jeffrey Moynihan Jr. was arrested for posing as billionaire Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of approximately $600,000 between 2023 and April 2024. Moynihan befriended the victim, convinced her to "invest" in fake companies with promised returns up to $55 million, and directed her to send funds to accounts linked to his painting businesses. He now faces charges including grand theft, identity theft, wire fraud, and money laundering, with authorities still investigating the full extent of the scheme.

A 56-year-old man in Bradenton, Florida was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of over $600,000 after convincing her to invest in fake business opportunities with promised returns of $55 million. Elder fraud is rising across Florida's Suncoast region through various scams including romance and phishing schemes, with authorities recommending residents pause to verify requests, question urgency, and recognize too-good-to-be-true offers.

A Las Vegas woman was targeted by scammers impersonating a debt collector who claimed she owed $960.10 for lab tests from National Diagnostic Imaging, threatening legal action to pressure payment. The victim initially resisted but paid $100 out of fear before discovering red flags: the company operates only via teleradiology with no physical offices, the check address was in Florida (not Ohio where the company is based), and the phone number didn't match. The article advises verifying debts directly with medical providers, demanding written confirmation from collectors, and placing fraud alerts with credit reporting agencies to protect against similar scams.

A 56-year-old Florida man, Jeffrey Moynihan Jr., was arrested for defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of approximately $250,000–$600,000 through a fake Facebook account impersonating Elon Musk that promised high investment returns. The victim befriended the fake account in 2023 and sent money over several months, which went directly into Moynihan's personal bank accounts and his painting business rather than generating the promised $55 million return. This case highlights a broader pattern in which scammers frequently exploit Musk's identity through various schemes, including deepfake videos promoting fraudulent crypto investments.

A 56-year-old Florida business owner was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of at least $250,000 over several months in 2023. The victim was lured into investing in fake business opportunities and promised a $55 million return, with funds transferred to bank accounts belonging to the suspect and his painting business. The victim's husband reported she may have sent approximately $600,000 total to the scammer.

A 56-year-old Florida man named Jeffrey Moynihan, Jr. was arrested for grand theft after scamming a 74-year-old Texas woman out of approximately $250,000 to $600,000 using a fake Facebook account impersonating Elon Musk. The victim befriended the fraudulent account in 2023 and was promised a $55 million investment return, but the funds were deposited into Moynihan's personal accounts and his painting business instead. This incident reflects a broader pattern of identity theft schemes exploiting Musk's name, including deepfake cryptocurrency scams that have defrauded victims worldwide of substantial sums.

A 56-year-old Bradenton, Florida man was arrested for defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of at least $250,000 (possibly up to $600,000) by posing as Elon Musk on Facebook and promising a $55 million return on fake business investments. The article also highlights a related case where a 26-year-old Minnesota man was arrested for stealing over $100,000 from a 77-year-old widower through an online romance scam, reflecting a broader trend in which scammers stole at least $3.4 billion from Americans aged 60 and older in 2023.

A 56-year-old Florida man was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk online and defrauding a 74-year-old North Texas woman of approximately $600,000 over several months in 2023. Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr. promised the victim a $55 million return on her investment in fake Musk businesses and transferred at least $250,000 to accounts he controlled. The Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit made the arrest, noting that this case is part of a broader pattern of elder fraud involving nearly $3 million in losses to victims over 60 this year.

A 56-year-old Florida man was arrested for posing as Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of $600,000 after months of messages in which he promised her $55 million in investment returns. The scammer exploited the victim's financial fears to convince her to send money, and the arrest is part of a broader pattern of elder fraud cases totaling nearly $3 million in losses investigated by Bradenton police this year alone.

A 56-year-old Florida man was arrested for grand theft after impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of $600,000 over several months. The scammer gained her trust through social media friendship and convinced her to invest money in fake business opportunities, promising returns of $55 million. The Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit has investigated nearly $3 million in fraud losses so far that year.

A 56-year-old Florida man was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and scamming a 74-year-old Texas woman out of at least $250,000 over several months in 2023, though her husband reports she may have transferred approximately $600,000 total to the fake account. The perpetrator used the false identity to convince the victim to invest in his businesses with promises of a $55 million return and funneled the money through bank accounts associated with his painting and pressure washing company. This case is part of a broader fraud trend in the region, with fraud cases targeting victims over 60 resulting in nearly $3 million in losses

A 56-year-old Florida man, Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr., was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook to defraud a 74-year-old Texas woman out of approximately $250,000 to $600,000 through a fake investment scheme promising to turn $500,000 into $55 million. The victim was convinced by the perpetrator's use of Musk's real profile photos and references to his public activities over several months of conversation in 2023, though her husband eventually reported the fraud after their bank flagged the suspicious withdrawals. Investigators believe additional suspects are involved and note this type of celebrity impersonation scam

A 56-year-old Florida man was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk online and defrauding a 74-year-old North Texas woman of approximately $600,000 between 2023 and mid-2024. Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr. befriended the victim under the guise of Musk, encouraging her to invest in his businesses with promises of a $55 million return, with financial records confirming at least $250,000 in confirmed transfers to accounts he controlled. The case was investigated by both Frisco police and the Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit, which reported handling nearly $3 million in fraud losses involving victims

A 56-year-old Florida man was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of $600,000 by convincing her to invest in his purported businesses with promised returns of $55 million. The scam developed over several months of online messaging that exploited the victim's financial fears. This case is part of a broader pattern, with Bradenton Police's Elder Fraud Unit investigating nearly $3 million in elder fraud losses in 2024 alone.

A 56-year-old Bradenton, Florida man was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of at least $250,000 (with the victim's husband reporting losses up to $600,000) between 2023 and 2024. Jeffrey Moynihan, Jr. befriended the victim online and convinced her to invest in fake business opportunities promising a $55 million return, transferring the funds to accounts associated with his painting and pressure washing business. Bradenton police's elder fraud unit reports nearly $3 million in fraud losses among victims over 60 in 2024

A 56-year-old Florida business owner was arrested for defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of $250,000 by impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and convincing her to invest in his businesses with promises of a $55 million return. The victim may have actually lost as much as $600,000, and investigators suspect additional victims exist. The case is part of a broader pattern, with Florida's Elder Fraud Unit handling nearly $3 million in losses from seniors in 2024 alone.

A 56-year-old man in Florida was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of up to $600,000 over several months starting in 2023. Jeffrey Moynihan, Jr. posed as Musk, built a daily friendship with the victim, and convinced her to invest in fake business ventures by promising a $55 million return, with at least $250,000 confirmed transferred to accounts he controlled. Moynihan claimed his girlfriend was the mastermind behind the scheme.