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The Federal Trade Commission warned about a surge in SMS phishing scams (smishing) impersonating toll road agencies like EZDriveMA, North Texas Toll Authority, and Sunpass, with texts containing fake toll charges and links designed to steal banking and credit card information. The scams, orchestrated by Chinese groups using newly available spoofing kits, represent a shift from package delivery fraud schemes and aim to extract personal financial data from victims. The FTC recommends verifying toll charges through official agency contact information, avoiding clicking suspicious links, and reporting fraudulent texts to prevent becoming a victim.

During tax season, scammers increase fraudulent activity through multiple methods including tax identity theft, IRS impersonation via phone/email/text, fake tax preparation services, and phishing links to counterfeit websites. The IRS will only contact taxpayers by mail, never through phone, email, or text, and experts recommend setting up an IRS PIN to prevent criminals from filing fraudulent returns on victims' behalf.

A scam in Corpus Christi, Texas involves sending unsolicited packages containing items like jewelry or speakers with QR codes that claim to identify the sender; scanning these codes can expose personal and financial information, download malware, or compromise bank accounts. Recipients should avoid scanning unknown QR codes, monitor their accounts for fraud, and report suspected identity theft to local authorities or IdentityTheft.gov.

Romance scams are on the rise in Texas, with the state ranking third nationally for losses from this type of fraud, totaling over $114.4 million from 2022 to 2023. According to FTC data, nearly 70,000 people reported romance scams in 2022, losing an average of $4,400 each across $1.3 billion in total losses. The article outlines common red flags—such as avoiding video calls, rushing romantic declarations, and requesting money—and recommends protective measures including reverse image searching, never sending money to unmet contacts, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities.

This article is not relevant to elder fraud research. It is a music entertainment piece about R&B podcast recommendations featuring tracks by artists like Camper, Melvin Riley, and Jus Epik. This does not contain information about scams, fraud, elder abuse, or related topics suitable for the Elderus database.

A Humboldt County family narrowly avoided losing money to an AI voice-cloning scam in which fraudsters used artificial intelligence to impersonate their son Izaak and demand $15,000 in bail for a fabricated car accident and DWI charge. The family verified the scam by contacting an attorney, bail bondsman, and ultimately reaching their son at home; however, a similar scam in Harris County, Texas resulted in a $5,000 loss when a couple believed the AI-cloned voice of their son requesting emergency bail money. The FTC advises using personal security questions or code words known only to family members to verify callers' identities, an

This is a humorous opinion piece rather than a report of actual fraud or elder abuse. The author warns against purchasing heart-shaped pizzas on Valentine's Day, claiming they represent poor value—offering less pizza for more money than standard large pizzas. The piece is written in jest, with the author acknowledging she fell victim to the "scam" twice and admitting she would likely do so again despite recognizing it as overpriced.

Scammers in Brown County and surrounding areas are impersonating sheriff's deputies in phone calls, claiming victims have missed court dates or arrest warrants and demanding immediate payment via cryptocurrency machines. The Brown County Sheriff's Office warns that legitimate law enforcement will never call demanding payment for fines or warrants, and victims should report such calls to local authorities. Similar scams have been reported across multiple Texas counties, with perpetrators instructing victims to withdraw bank funds and convert them to Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies.

Romance scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with cybersecurity experts warning of a rise in AI-deepfake-assisted schemes, particularly around Valentine's Day; McAfee blocked over 321,000 malicious romance-related URLs between December 2024 and January 2025, and one victim in France lost $850,000 to a scammer using deepfake images of Brad Pitt who posed as the actor over 18 months. Texas ranks third nationally for romance scam losses at over $114 million from 2022-2023, and experts advise being cautious of suspicious online profiles, overly quick declarations of love, requests for money, and fake Valentine's shopping ads with

Scam artists are sending fake E-Z Pass text messages from Philippine numbers (+63) claiming recipients have unpaid tolls and requesting sensitive personal information. The legitimate E-Z Pass and Tolls by Mail services confirm they never request personal information via text or email, and this scam has been reported across multiple states including New York, California, Florida, and Texas.

Dallas tops the list of U.S. cities targeted by scam text messages impersonating toll payment services, followed by Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Orlando, according to a McAfee report. Scammers send fraudulent texts claiming recipients owe unpaid tolls and include phishing links designed to steal personal and financial information such as driver's license numbers for identity theft purposes. The FBI has been warning about this scheme since last year, with over 10,000 fraudulent domains registered impersonating toll and package delivery services.

Arizona experienced over $47 million in losses from online romance scams during 2022-2023, ranking fifth nationally, with elderly residents particularly targeted by scammers who build false relationships to extract money. Common tactics include professing instant love, moving conversations off dating platforms to private channels, refusing to share photos, and requesting money—sometimes stringing victims along for extended periods. Authorities warn that scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to create convincing false identities, and many victims remain unreported due to embarrassment.

The U.S. Postal Service and Postal Inspection Service issued a Valentine's Day warning about romance scams, in which fraudsters create fake identities to build trust with victims online before requesting money for fabricated emergencies. The agencies advise people to avoid sending money to online contacts they haven't met in person, watch for inconsistencies in profiles, be wary of relationships that escalate quickly, and report suspected scams immediately.

Two individuals were arrested in Texas for check fraud crimes: Stephanie Seabolt was caught attempting to cash a fraudulent $4,250 check at Prosperity Bank using someone else's identification, and Neva Cravens, a nurse's aide, was arrested for exploiting an elderly person by forging checks totaling over $900 and making unauthorized credit card purchases. Bryan Police Department reports handling 10-12 check fraud cases monthly, with criminals increasingly stealing checks from the mail system, and recommend protective measures such as using black gel ink, avoiding mailing checks, and monitoring bank statements for suspicious activity.

A Texas man, Rockey Kuykendall, was arrested and extradited to West Virginia for defrauding an elderly Marshall County woman of approximately $53,000 through a prize-winning scam, in which he posed as a local representative claiming to deliver a cash prize and vehicle. The victim's alert family member reported the scheme, enabling detectives to trace checks and identify the suspect, with assistance from Texas National Bank and Marshall Police. Authorities indicate the investigation is ongoing and warn of increasing elder fraud cases, urging victims and their families to report suspected scams immediately.

**Summary:** An Indian national, Moinuddin Mohammed, was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison for his role as a courier in an international money laundering conspiracy that defrauded elderly victims of nearly $6 million. The scheme involved fraudsters impersonating U.S. government officials to convince victims to surrender cash, gold, and savings; identified victims lost between $151,500 and $470,000 each, with 21 total victims nationwide. Mohammed was ordered to pay approximately $960,000 in restitution and forfeit an additional $36,000 in seized assets.

This article is an educational piece from a law firm outlining five criminal offenses that may occur around Valentine's Day: domestic violence (physical, sexual, emotional abuse), stalking (including cyberstalking and tracking), romance scams (online fraud to extract money or information), sex crimes (sexual assault, indecent exposure), and theft within relationships. The piece explains how each crime is classified and prosecuted in Texas, emphasizing that penalties vary based on severity, prior history, and victim circumstances.

Scammers are sending fraudulent text messages claiming recipients owe toll road fees, with malicious links designed to steal personal and financial information, targeting travelers in areas with toll roads like Dallas. The FBI warns recipients never to click these links and instead verify toll charges directly through official toll road websites, as clicking exposes victims to identity theft and additional scams. Anyone receiving such messages should take a screenshot and report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov, and those who have already provided information should contact their bank immediately.

Virenkumar Patel, 33, owner of VR Group Promotions, pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud for defrauding the Fort Worth Independent School District through his company's distribution of school promotional items. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas, with Patel's guilty plea entered in February.

Ten U.S. states experienced significant increases in elder fraud cases between 2022 and 2023, with Arizona leading at a 36% increase (212 to 289 cases per 100,000 seniors), followed by Utah (23% increase) and Rhode Island (22% increase). Other states with notable rises include Texas, Washington, Oregon, North Carolina, Kansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma, all ranging from 18-20% increases in fraud complaints per capita. The analysis highlights that popular retirement destinations are experiencing elevated fraud risk, prompting seniors in these states to increase financial vigilance.

A 2025 analysis of government elder fraud complaint data identified 10 states experiencing significant increases in fraud cases targeting retirees between 2022 and 2023. Arizona led with a 36% increase (212 to 289 cases per 100,000 seniors), followed by Utah (23% increase) and Rhode Island (22% increase), with Texas, North Carolina, Washington, Oregon, Kansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma also showing substantial growth ranging from 18-20%. The data underscores the need for vigilance among retirees in these high-risk states.

**Article:** 10 States Where Retiree Fraud Is on the Rise According to analysis of government elder fraud complaint data, ten states experienced significant increases in elder fraud cases between 2022 and 2023, with Arizona leading at a 36% increase (212 to 289 cases per 100,000 seniors). Other notably affected states include Utah (23% increase), Rhode Island and North Carolina (22% and 20% increases respectively), and Texas, Washington, Oregon, Mississippi, Kansas, and Oklahoma (ranging from 18-20% increases). The data underscores the need for retirees in these high-risk states to heighten financial vigil

Ten U.S. states experienced significant increases in elder fraud cases between 2022 and 2023, with Arizona seeing the largest surge at 36% (from 212 to 289 cases per 100,000 seniors), followed by Utah at 23%. Popular retirement destinations like Arizona, Texas, and others in the study reported rises ranging from 18% to 36%, indicating growing fraud targeting seniors in these regions and signaling the need for increased financial vigilance among retirees.

Scammers impersonated Randall County Sheriff's Office employees in two separate schemes: one demanding money from potential victims to avoid jury duty, and another targeting families of jail inmates by falsely claiming overcrowding required ankle monitor placement fees. The Randall County Sheriff's Office clarified that it never conducts financial transactions over the phone and urged the public to hang up on suspicious calls and verify directly with the agency.

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Texas drivers are being targeted by fake text messages claiming unpaid toll fees, with scammers threatening fines to trick victims into clicking malicious links that either steal payment information or install malware on their devices. TxDOT and the Better Business Bureau warn that the legitimate agency never contacts customers via text and advises drivers to report scams to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. Texas has lost at least $10 million to such scams, though the actual figure is likely much higher since only 5-10% of victims report the fraud.

An 80-year-old Texas man lost $5,000 in a Bitcoin ATM scam after a fraudulent call claiming his son was in jail prompted him to send money through a cryptocurrency machine. U.S. Senators introduced the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act to combat these scams through federal regulations, including transaction limits for new users, live verbal confirmation for large transactions, and mandatory anti-fraud policies from operators. According to the FTC, reported losses from Bitcoin ATM scams surged tenfold to $114 million between 2020 and 2023, with the actual amount likely much higher.

A surge of fraudulent text messages ("smishing" scams) has targeted Texas toll tag owners, with scammers using publicly available phone numbers to claim unpaid fees and directing recipients to click malicious links. The Texas Department of Transportation and FBI warn that TxDOT will never contact drivers about unpaid toll fees via text message, and recipients should not reply "STOP" to suspicious texts, as this confirms their phone number is active and invites further scam attempts.

A 47-year-old Houston man pleaded guilty to operating a romance scam that defrauded over 25 victims, primarily elderly and retired individuals, of more than $3 million. The perpetrator used fake identities on social media to build relationships, then pressured victims to send money for fake business investments or personal emergencies, sometimes directing funds overseas and even obtaining credit lines in victims' names. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison at his June 6 sentencing.

Law firms are frequent targets of sophisticated scams despite their size, as scammers exploit limited security measures and access to valuable personal information. Common schemes include voice-cloning fraud, email impersonation of attorneys to solicit unauthorized payments, and phishing attacks that compromise email systems to redirect client funds—with firms facing disciplinary action and financial losses when wire transfer instructions are not independently verified. Attorneys and staff should be cautious about clicking links in emails and verify requests through direct contact, as cybersecurity breaches can expose sensitive client data and enable ransomware attacks.

Drivers nationwide have received fraudulent texts impersonating toll collection services (TxTag in Texas, EZDriveMA in Massachusetts, and FasTrak in California) claiming unpaid fees and urging immediate payment via suspicious links. Clicking these links directs victims to phishing sites designed to steal personal, financial, and identity information for identity theft and fraudulent purchases. State transportation agencies recommend drivers delete such messages immediately, report them as spam, and note that legitimate toll agencies do not send unsolicited payment demand texts.

A 47-year-old Houston man pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy in a romance scam that defrauded over 25 elderly and retired victims nationwide of more than $3 million. Darlington Akporugo used fake identities on social media to build trust with victims, then convinced them to invest in fake businesses or send money for fabricated personal emergencies, directing funds to accounts he controlled, often overseas. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine at sentencing scheduled for June 6.

A man was sentenced to over eight years in prison for his role in an international fraud scheme originating from India that targeted older Americans, including a Georgetown woman who lost $300,000, with 21 identified victims losing nearly $6 million total. The scheme involved impersonating U.S. government officials to convince victims to transfer money from retirement and savings accounts, part of a growing problem highlighted by FBI data showing an 11% increase in financial losses for people over 60 in 2023. AARP Texas is advocating for increased law enforcement funding and expansion of the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center to combat online fraud schemes that disproportionately impact older adults who have accumulated significant lifetime savings

A North Texas man lost approximately $500,000 in a crypto-romance scam after being contacted by a woman named "Gianna" on the dating site Silver Singles. Over several months, the scammer built an emotional relationship with him, then convinced him to invest in cryptocurrency on a fake platform showing false profits, eventually pressuring him to withdraw his 401(k) to invest more money. The victim is now selling his home and returning to work to pay off his debts, while the Better Business Bureau warns that such hybrid romance-investment scams are increasingly common, with nearly half of all investment scams involving cryptocurrency and scammers often targeting victims who keep the schemes secret from family and friends.

Revolve CEO Michael Mente lost $5.4 million in 2021 after falling victim to a fake Mercedes-AMG One luxury car sale scam perpetrated by Texas resident Traveon Rogers, who posed as French dealer Jean-Pierre M.R. Clement. Mente discovered the fraud in 2022 when U.S. Department of Homeland Security informed him the payment had been stolen and the dealer didn't exist. Rogers has since faced multiple lawsuits for similar schemes, allegedly defrauding another buyer of $3.19 million in a separate nonexistent AMG One deal, and has been charged with forging contracts and impersonating car deal

A rental scam in Belton, Texas claimed at least one victim who responded to a fraudulent listing with authentic-looking photos and descriptions from a legitimate property management company. Belton Police Department recommends renters verify property management companies directly, avoid third-party payment apps, and report suspicious listings to law enforcement to prevent falling victim to this scheme, which is also occurring in neighboring cities.

A 2024 Better Business Bureau report identifies the top scams encountered last year, with cryptocurrency investment scams ranking as the riskiest, followed by employment scams and romance/friendship scams. Romance and friendship scams, which involve financial grooming over weeks or months to build trust before soliciting investments, reported the highest median loss at $6,099 per victim, while cryptocurrency investment scams affected over 80% of targets with median losses of $5,000.

An 82-year-old woman named Julie from Fayette County was scammed out of approximately $270,000 after receiving calls from people impersonating her bank who claimed there was an insider threat and convinced her to secretly withdraw funds via cashier's checks sent to multiple domestic addresses. Unlike many fraud cases where money is quickly converted to cryptocurrency and lost overseas, this case had a rare positive outcome: a UPS worker recognized one of the destination addresses in Waco, Texas as flagged by law enforcement, leading to the interception of the checks and recovery of all stolen funds. The article introduces an ongoing series about local scams and emphasizes that financial fraud is the most common and financially devastating crime affecting

Four members of Dallas-based Gateway Church filed a lawsuit alleging that the megachurch and its leadership, including founder Robert Morris and former executive global pastor Kevin Grove, committed financial fraud by misallocating members' tithes and making false promises about refunds. A federal court granted a motion to dismiss Grove from the suit (without prejudice), while the church and Morris continue to challenge the claims, arguing the court lacks jurisdiction and that no binding contract existed between the church and its members; the court has yet to rule on those motions.

Gateway Church, one of Texas' largest megachurches, experienced a major crisis when founder Robert Morris resigned in June 2024 after being publicly accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in the 1980s and another woman from ages 12-17; Morris was subsequently indicted on five counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child. Six former staff members revealed that the church had operated under a "narcissistic" culture that silenced criticism and caused lasting trauma, leading to approximately 25% of the church's 19,000 weekly attendees departing since Morris' exit. The church's board chair acknowledged a "failure of culture" and stated the

Former Gateway Church members sued pastor Robert Morris and church leaders in October, alleging fraud and breach of contract over misrepresentations about how tithes would be used, including claims of a "money back guarantee." Morris's attorneys filed a motion to dismiss in February, arguing the lawsuit infringes on religious exemption protections and lacks sufficient evidence of fraud or enforceable contracts. The case also alleged financial irregularities in the church's global missions fund, which an accountant observed never distributed more than $3 million annually despite the church's $100-120 million annual revenue.

The Texas Attorney General's Office Consumer Protection Division assists victims of nonviolent financial crimes including identity theft, scams, fraud, and elder financial abuse by accepting complaints, providing guidance, and monitoring trends to inform enforcement priorities. While the division cannot pursue individual cases on behalf of victims, it offers resources on filing complaints, protecting identity, understanding consumer rights, and learning about fraud prevention tactics. Victims can contact the division via their website or helpline at (800) 621-0508.

Following a hailstorm in Bryan, Texas, scammers targeted residents with roofing repair schemes, including calls falsely claiming roof evaluations were already scheduled. Local realtor Raylene Lewis warned that victims have been defrauded through incomplete or substandard work, or by paying scammers who then disappear, and advised residents to hire only local, reputable roofers who work directly with insurance companies.

A Texas woman in her 30s was catfished by a Morgan Wallen impersonator who posed as the country singer on Instagram, eventually convincing her to apply for a fake job with his charity where she provided sensitive personal information including her social security number and bank account details. The scammer then used her credentials to have her purchase high-dollar gift cards, resulting in over $18,000 in debt and fears of bankruptcy. The scam involved deepfake video technology and a fake staffing agency, demonstrating that romance scams targeting celebrities can affect people of all ages and technical backgrounds.

Scammers are increasingly using fake online dating profiles on apps and social media to defraud people seeking romance, often investing months or years building trust before requesting money for fabricated emergencies or investment opportunities. One Austin resident lost $60,000 after being lured into cryptocurrency investments by a scammer posing as someone named Anna, while others face extortion threats if intimate photos are shared. The Better Business Bureau recommends avoiding sending intimate images, being suspicious of vague answers about personal details, insisting on in-person meetings, and never sending money to people you haven't met.

Google filed a lawsuit against alleged scammers after uncovering over 10,000 fake business listings on Google Maps, many impersonating urgent-service providers like locksmiths and towing companies. The scam network used tactics including bait-and-switch listings, intercepted phone calls routed to fraudsters, inflated pricing targeting vulnerable customers, and sale of fake reviews to suppress legitimate complaints. Google advises consumers to verify business URLs and phone numbers, avoid unconventional payment methods, and pause before engaging with suspicious listings.

A Texas retiree lost approximately $500,000 in a romance-investment scam after meeting a woman named "Gianna" on the dating site Silver Singles, who gradually persuaded him to invest in cryptocurrency over several months. The scammer used fabricated account statements showing investment gains to encourage him to withdraw his 401(k) and continue sending money, eventually disappearing with his funds. To recover his losses, Dalrymple plans to return to full-time work and sell his home; the scam exemplifies a growing trend combining romance and cryptocurrency fraud, with investment scams accounting for nearly half of all reported fraud cases involving cryptocurrency in 2024.

An 18-year-old from New Braunfels, Texas, was killed by a driver using a fraudulent temporary paper license tag, and the Texas House committee unanimously approved a bill to rename the 2023 anti-fraud law as the "Terrin Solbrig Act" in his honor. The driver who hit Terrin was never ticketed despite the accident, and the dealer who issued the fake tag had distributed over 30,000 fraudulent tags in six weeks. Texas plans to phase out paper tags entirely by mid-2025, replacing them with metal plates to prevent future fraud-related incidents.

Google filed a lawsuit against a scam network and removed 10,000 fake business listings from Google Maps that were being sold for profit, after a Texas locksmith reported being impersonated on the platform. Scammers use fake listings to deceive victims through phony services, upcharging, or routing callers to fraud call centers, sometimes padding listings with artificial reviews and engagement to appear legitimate. Google blocked 12 million fraudulent business profiles in 2023 and continues implementing restrictions against deceptive practices globally.

An 80-year-old Texas man lost $5,000 to a bitcoin ATM scam after receiving a false call claiming his son was in jail; according to FTC data, bitcoin ATM scams targeting seniors over 60 increased nearly tenfold from $12 million in 2020 to $114 million in 2023, with victims three times more likely to be older adults. Scammers exploit the speed and irreversibility of cryptocurrency transactions by directing victims to deposit cash at bitcoin ATMs using QR codes that transfer funds directly to criminal accounts. Most states lack regulations on bitcoin ATMs, making recovery difficult, though some jurisdictions have successfully returned funds when caught quickly