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A June 2024 Washington Post investigation revealed a massive scam operation centered in Myanmar's Kokang region, controlled by Chinese crime families, that employed approximately 120,000 coerced workers across over 300 call centers to perpetrate cryptocurrency investment scams and romance scams targeting US victims. Workers from 35 countries were lured under false pretenses and subjected to beatings, torture, and killings for attempting to escape or failing to meet quotas, demonstrating why legal consequences remain minimal for scammers operating from overseas jurisdictions.

Since April 2022, Washington State's DSHS has tracked a surge in EBT card scams affecting 9,000 SNAP recipients, resulting in $5.5 million in total losses with an average loss of nearly $600 per household. To address this fraud, DSHS has processed over 8,000 claims and replaced $3 million in stolen benefits, while launching a multilingual education campaign translated into 15 languages to help immigrant and refugee communities recognize scam warning signs and protect their EBT card information.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington seized over $1 million in collectible stamps purchased with stolen money from a fraud scheme targeting seniors and vulnerable populations. The scheme involved two phases: victims were first defrauded by scammers impersonating government agents (FBI, SEC, DOJ) who claimed their accounts were breached and demanded they transfer funds for safekeeping, and some of those stolen funds were then funneled through romance scam victims via cashier's checks to purchase the stamps. The government has identified 28 victims defrauded of hundreds of thousands of dollars collectively, and seized stamps will be liquidated with proceeds returned to victims

The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors, in which fraudsters pose as government officials from the IRS, Social Security Administration, and Medicare to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use tactics such as spoofed caller IDs, fabricated urgent scenarios (false tax debts or prize claims), and demands for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to pressure victims into quick compliance. The IRS recommends that anyone receiving unexpected calls from alleged IRS representatives should hang up immediately and verify any claims by calling the official IRS customer service line at 800-829-1040.

The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens, in which fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers use tactics including caller ID spoofing, false claims of tax debt or prize winnings, threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The IRS advises seniors to hang up on unexpected calls claiming to be from the IRS, verify communications through official channels at 800-829-1040, and report suspicious activity.

FinCEN released an analysis of elder financial exploitation (EFE) showing approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity reported by financial institutions between June 2022 and June 2023, based on 155,415 filings. The agency reminds financial institutions to remain vigilant in identifying and reporting EFE, which damages victims' savings, retirement accounts, and overall financial security, and directs victims and reporters to resources including the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-FRAUD-11), the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, and the FTC.

The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors, in which fraudsters pose as IRS or other government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers pressure victims into immediate payments via gift cards or wire transfers by threatening arrest or promising false refunds, often using spoofed caller IDs and creating false urgency. The IRS recommends hanging up on unexpected calls, contacting IRS customer service at 800-829-1040 to verify communications, and remembering that the IRS initiates contact primarily through mail and never demands payment via gift cards or wire transfers.

Washington residents lost approximately $250 million to fraud in 2023, with 53,269 complaints filed to the Federal Trade Commission—roughly $3.2 million per 100,000 residents. Imposter scams (22% of cases) and identity theft (14% of cases) were the most common fraud types, followed by online shopping fraud, bank and lender scams, and prize/sweepstakes schemes. Victims are advised to report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and avoid providing personal information to unknown callers, even those claiming to be legitimate authorities.

Libertyville Savings Bank is hosting a free educational open house on June 13 to raise awareness about elder financial exploitation, coinciding with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15. According to FinCEN, over 155,000 suspicious activity reports related to elder abuse were filed in the past year, totaling $27 billion in suspicious activity, though many cases go unreported. The event will inform attendees about recognizing fraudulent communications and scams targeting seniors of all ages.

U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Kyrsten Sinema introduced a bipartisan resolution that unanimously passed the Senate to designate May 15, 2024, as "National Senior Fraud Awareness Day." According to FBI data, seniors lost over $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023—an 11% increase from 2022—through various schemes including tech support, romance, and cryptocurrency scams. The resolution aims to raise awareness and help protect seniors' savings from increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.

Fraudsters are impersonating U.S. Marshals and federal officials by spoofing their phone numbers to target Maine residents, claiming they must pay fines to avoid arrest or promising payments that require upfront fees. The scammers use convincing tactics such as publicly available personal information, fake badges, and case numbers to appear credible. Victims are urged to report suspected scams to the FBI or FTC, and to avoid taking immediate action on unsolicited calls demanding payment or personal information.

A 63-year-old Pennsylvania woman lost her $1,225 Social Security check after falling victim to an impersonation scam in April 2024. The victim provided her Social Security information to an unknown female caller claiming to represent the Social Security Administration, and her check was subsequently rerouted to an address in Washington D.C. State Police in DuBois launched an investigation into the fraud.

A national initiative is training doctors across 22 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico to identify elderly patients vulnerable to investment fraud and refer them to securities regulators and social workers. The program, expanding from a successful Texas pilot, represents a collaborative approach between investor protection groups, medical associations, and adult protection services to address senior investment scams as a public health issue.

The Marietta Police Department and Washington County Sheriff's Office warned residents of impostor scams in which callers falsely claimed to be officers from these agencies, using spoofed phone numbers and real officers' names. The scammers told victims they had warrants or legal matters (such as identity theft or drug-related charges) and requested financial information or money over the phone. Law enforcement officials emphasized that legitimate agencies never request money, financial details, or conduct official business by phone, and advised residents to hang up and call their local department directly to verify any caller's authenticity.

An FBI report found that over 100,000 Americans aged 60 and older lost an average of $34,000 each to computer money scams in 2023, totaling more than $3.4 billion—an 11% increase from the previous year. Tech support scams were the most common fraud type, followed by data breaches, romance scams, non-payment schemes, and investment fraud, with over 12,000 victims reporting cryptocurrency was used to facilitate their scams.

Scammers stole over $3.4 billion from Americans over age 60 last year, an 11% increase from the previous year, with the FBI receiving more than 100,000 complaints and nearly 6,000 victims losing over $100,000 each. Tech support scams remain the most common fraud, with criminals impersonating officials to convince victims their accounts are compromised and directing them to transfer funds or withdraw cash/gold for in-person courier pickup. The FBI warns that these increasingly sophisticated schemes represent organized, transnational criminal enterprises using romance scams, investment fraud, and other tactics that can leave vulnerable seniors financially destitute.

Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from Americans over 60 last year, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, according to an FBI report. The FBI received over 100,000 complaints from older victims, with common schemes including tech support scams, romance fraud, investment fraud, and increasingly sophisticated courier-based schemes where criminals trick victims into withdrawing cash or precious metals for pickup. The rise in losses reflects organized criminal enterprises exploiting vulnerable populations through multiple tactics, with the FBI warning that actual losses are likely higher than reported.

Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from Americans over age 60 last year, representing an 11% increase from the prior year, according to an FBI report. The FBI received over 100,000 complaints from older victims, with nearly 6,000 losing more than $100,000 each, and investigators warn of rising sophistication in schemes including tech support scams, romance fraud, investment fraud, and in-person courier pickups of cash and precious metals. The losses may be significantly underreported, and experts caution that these crimes can leave elderly victims financially devastated and destitute.

Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from Americans over 60 last year, an 11% increase from the previous year, according to an FBI report that documents increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics. The FBI received over 100,000 complaints from older victims, with tech support scams being the most common fraud type, followed by rising schemes involving in-person couriers collecting cash or gold from victims deceived into believing their accounts were compromised. Investigators warn that organized criminal enterprises are using romance scams, investment fraud, and impersonation tactics, with losses potentially underreported as many victims never report their victimization.

Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from Americans over age 60 last year, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, according to an FBI report. The FBI received over 100,000 complaints from older victims, with increasingly sophisticated schemes including tech support scams, romance frauds, investment schemes, and in-person courier pickups to collect cash or precious metals. The report highlights the devastating impact on vulnerable seniors, including one case where an 81-year-old Ohio man fatally shot an Uber driver after being targeted by a court impersonation scam.

FBI Washington Field Office officials warn of "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams, where perpetrators develop long-term virtual relationships with victims to manipulate them into sending money. The scam is prevalent in the D.C. area and can affect individuals and families of various backgrounds.

An undercover operation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and partner agencies in Whatcom County, Washington on April 20 resulted in the rescue of seven adult trafficking victims and the arrest of Kody Allan Schwiger, 31, after officers posed as sex-trafficking customers and responded to online advertisements. A concurrent HSI operation led to the arrest of Noone Danger Marshall, 43, of Ferndale, who attempted to arrange commercial sex with what he believed was a 16-year-old (actually an undercover agent). The rescued victims, all U.S. citizens, received support services from non-governmental organizations, and the investigations remain ongoing.

A couple aged 71 and 68 in Lancaster County, Nebraska lost $115,000 to scammers who used fear tactics after the couple's computer shut down, falsely claiming the FBI had connected them to child pornography and theft. The scammers convinced the couple to withdraw $115,000 from their bank, purchase gold bars, and hand them over to a man in a silver Ford Explorer who promised to deliver them to Washington D.C. for safekeeping; police believe the gold bars have likely left the country. This represents the largest fraud case Lancaster County Police Department handled in 2024, highlighting how sophisticated scams now involve in-person collection of funds rather than traditional wire transfers

A 71-year-old woman and 68-year-old man in Lancaster County lost $115,000 in gold bars after receiving a call from someone posing as an FBI agent who falsely claimed they were under investigation for child pornography. The scammers instructed the couple to purchase gold bars and hand them over to an unknown person, claiming the bars would be taken to Washington D.C. as part of the investigation. The Sheriff's Office reported this as the largest fraud case by dollar amount in their jurisdiction for 2024.

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

Senator Bob Casey released a report documenting how the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act negatively impacted fraud victims by eliminating the casualty and theft loss tax deduction, a century-old provision that had allowed scam victims to deduct stolen funds from their taxable income. The report highlighted cases of seniors who lost life savings to scams and then faced substantial tax bills—including one victim facing hundreds of thousands in taxes and another hit with a $60,000 bill—and proposed reinstating the deduction through the Tax Relief for Victims of Crime, Scams, and Disasters Act. Republicans countered that the report was politically motivated and that the broader economic benefits of the tax cuts outweighe

This is a police incident report from Beaufort County Sheriff's Office covering March 11-17, 2024, listing routine calls for service including vandalism, drug offenses, burglaries, and assaults across the county. One incident of particular relevance to elder fraud was reported on March 12 at 7:10 p.m. in the 900 block of Magnolia School Rd., Washington, involving both elder abuse and fraud, though no specific details regarding the victim, perpetrator, or dollar amount are provided in this report.

The Sequim Police Department warned residents about IRS impersonation scams, where fraudsters contact people by phone, mail, or email demanding tax payments and personal information. Thousands of people have lost millions of dollars to these scams, and residents are advised to hang up on suspicious calls, avoid sharing personal information, and report suspected scams through the Washington State Attorney General's Office website.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office issued a warning about a scam involving individuals selling counterfeit jewelry on freeway onramps and highways in the Hillsboro, WA area. The scammers claim to need gas money to return home and attempt to sell the fake jewelry, sometimes becoming aggressive in their demands for cash. Victims are encouraged to report incidents to the sheriff's office.

This educational article from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division provides guidance on identity protection and outlines common scams targeting soldiers, veterans, and their families. Key recommendations include using strong passwords, password managers, two-factor authentication, and separating work and personal accounts, while growing threats include impersonation scams (where scammers pose as military officials), romance scams targeting those over 50, credit repair fraud, cryptocurrency schemes, social media account takeovers, and two-factor authentication exploitation. Supervisory Special Agent Deric Palmer emphasizes that data brokers sell personal information for as little as $20, enabling social engineering attacks, and warns that impersonation scams cause reputational

Scammers impersonating "The Tax Group" are using voicemail messages before Tax Day to target taxpayers with offers to enroll them in a fake "Zero Tax Initiative" program, claiming past tax debts can be made non-collectible. The Better Business Bureau and IRS website confirm no such program exists, and the legitimate Tax Group business has reported being spoofed; experts note that tax preparers cannot access filing history without explicit permission, and the IRS never initiates contact by phone, text, or email.

Reyna Hernandez, a 54-year-old hair salon owner from Washington State, disappeared on February 26 and was found tortured and killed in a Mexicali, Mexico cemetery on March 8; authorities are investigating her death as a domestic violence crime. Her sister reported that Hernandez had shown up to work with a black eye before disappearing and was planning to speak with her boyfriend of 30 years when she vanished. A 61-year-old Renton resident has been named as a suspect and detained in Mexico on unrelated charges, with investigators pursuing kidnapping charges and potential extradition depending on where the crime occurred.

Scammers are impersonating Amazon through spoofed phone calls and text messages claiming suspicious account activity, then using fabricated identity theft threats to pressure victims into transferring money from their bank and retirement accounts. The scam relies on psychological manipulation—creating urgency through false arrest threats and claims that someone opened fraudulent accounts using the victim's Social Security number. Victims should verify account issues directly through Amazon's website or app, never call back suspicious numbers, check their credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com, and remember that legitimate organizations will never demand secrecy or immediate money transfers.

A 74-year-old woman in Pierce County, Washington was targeted in a staged car accident scam where a man falsely claimed she hit his vehicle, showed her a fake mark on her bumper, and convinced her to let him inside her home. While the victim was distracted, the suspect stole $100 cash and her credit card from her purse, then attempted fraudulent purchases totaling at least $424. The Pierce County Sheriff's Office warns that this scam is becoming increasingly common and is deliberately targeting elderly victims.

Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen conducted a statewide "Stop the Scammers" educational tour in Mt. Pleasant to inform older residents about common fraud schemes including romance scams, grandparent scams, investment scams, and pig butchering scams. Ommen emphasized that scammers exploit emotional vulnerabilities and target older Iowans by conducting personal research and creating deceptive relationships to extract thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars. The campaign aimed to educate residents so they could share protective information with family and friends to help prevent fraud victimization.

Dr. Thomas Andrew Webster pled guilty to conspiring to accept kickbacks in a telemarketing and medical supply fraud scheme operating between May 2021 and September 2023 across Washington and other states. The scheme involved obtaining Medicare and TRICARE beneficiary information through telemarketers, creating fraudulent medical records and durable medical equipment orders that Webster signed, resulting in over $13.7 million in fraudulent billings and Webster personally receiving at least $839,565 for fake doctor visits that never occurred. Webster agreed to forfeit assets and faces sentencing on June 26, 2024.

Dr. Thomas Andrew Webster of Ohio pleaded guilty to conspiring to accept kickbacks in a fraudulent telemarketing and medical supply scheme that victimized Medicare and TRICARE beneficiaries in Eastern Washington and other states between May 2021 and September 2023. Webster signed fake medical records and durable medical equipment orders created by telemarketers who obtained patient information through cold calls, resulting in over $13.7 million in fraudulent billings to Medicare and TRICARE, with Webster personally receiving at least $839,565 for fictitious doctor visits that never occurred. As part of his guilty plea, Webster agreed to forfeit assets representing his criminal proceeds, with sent

Brian Davie, a former Wells Fargo branch manager in Battle Ground, Washington, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison after stealing $1,279,840 from elderly and vulnerable customers between March 2014 and June 2019 through unauthorized withdrawals, transfers, and checks. One victim lost $566,000 from her retirement accounts, and Wells Fargo partially reimbursed victims while a federal judge will determine additional restitution amounts. Law enforcement and fraud prevention experts urge victims to report incidents immediately to banks and law enforcement, and recommend seniors use online banking, set up account alerts, and monitor transactions to prevent similar exploitation.

Military personnel, veterans, and their families can protect themselves from scams by using strong passwords, password managers, two-factor authentication, and separating work and personal accounts. The most rapidly growing scams targeting this population are confidence and romance scams, along with online impersonation accounts (often impersonating high-ranking officials), credit repair schemes, cryptocurrency fraud, social media account takeovers, and extortion attempts involving compromised photos. Awareness of common tactics—such as requests for gift cards or money from supposed military officials via text, fake investment opportunities posted from hacked accounts, and suspicious website URLs—can help individuals avoid becoming victims.

This article discusses proposed Washington state legislation that would allow civil lawsuits against sexual partners who remove or tamper with condoms or other protective devices without consent—a practice known as "stealthing." The bill, which passed the Senate Law and Justice Committee, defines stealthing as reproductive coercion and would permit plaintiffs to use pseudonyms in court while potentially recovering up to $5,000 per violation in damages if enacted. This is not an elder fraud matter.

A 44-year-old former Wells Fargo branch manager in Battle Ground, Washington, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for stealing over $1.2 million from eight elderly and vulnerable customers through unauthorized withdrawals, transfers, and cashier's checks between 2014 and 2019. Davie deliberately targeted seniors with dementia or limited English skills who were less likely to monitor their accounts, with one victim losing more than $566,000 from her retirement accounts. Wells Fargo partially reimbursed victims for their losses, and the court will determine final restitution amounts in March 2024.

Scammers have targeted Medicare's catheter benefit program in a massive fraud scheme, with beneficiary accounts billed for catheters rising ninefold from 50,000 to 450,000 in a single year, resulting in billions of dollars in fraudulent claims. Seniors reported being billed for catheters they never received or needed, yet despite complaints to Medicare from private entities, physicians, and state insurance offices dating back to July, the federal government failed to investigate or stop the fraud in a timely manner. The incident highlights systemic weaknesses in Medicare's fraud detection capabilities, particularly the program's reliance on private organizations to identify suspicious spending patterns rather than proactive government oversight.

Jervis Public Library in Rome hosted a free educational presentation by John H. Hobika, Jr. of Berkshire Bank on October 21 to inform seniors about financial fraud and scams. The presentation covered common fraud schemes, victim resources, and included a question-and-answer session.

Southeast Asia faces a rapidly escalating scam epidemic, with 79% of adults exposed to scams in the past year and global scam losses exceeding $1 trillion annually, threatening the region's digital economy projected to reach $1 trillion in five years. Scammers are leveraging advanced technologies like AI, instant payments, and encrypted messaging to conduct sophisticated cross-border fraud schemes including fake job offers, romance scams, and investment fraud. The article recommends that governments, companies, and civil society organizations collaborate through strengthened institutions, cross-border data-sharing, regional working groups, and partnerships to combat this transnational criminal activity.

Employment scams have surged over 1,000% from May through July, with fraudsters using sophisticated tactics including fake job listings, impersonated recruiters, and AI-generated content to deceive job seekers. Nicole Becker, a 37-year-old from Oregon, fell victim to an elaborate two-week scam involving a fake sportswear company that requested she purchase equipment for reimbursement—a common tactic that cost victims an average of $1,471 per scam, totaling $12 billion in losses last year. The FTC warns that a tight labor market combined with generative AI has made these schemes harder to detect, particularly targeting vulnerable first-time

Consumers lose $158 billion annually to fraud affecting approximately 57,000 new victims daily, according to a National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention report. The report recommends that financial institutions, telecom companies, social media platforms, and tech companies implement stronger protections and accountability measures, while advocating for Congress to close consumer protection gaps, strengthen the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and hold VoIP providers accountable for facilitating scam calls and texts on their networks.

Scam callers in Skagit County, Washington were impersonating sheriff's deputies and falsely claiming targets had bench warrants for missing jury duty to extract personal information. The Skagit County Sheriff's Office advised residents to hang up on such calls and contact the Sheriff's Office directly rather than providing any personal information to callers.

**Summary:** Scam callers in Skagit County, Washington falsely claimed to be sheriff's deputies, telling residents they had bench warrants for missing jury duty in attempts to extract personal information. Authorities advised recipients to hang up, provide no information, and contact the Sheriff's Office directly to verify such claims.

This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It reports on the death of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University during a Turning Point USA event. A 22-year-old suspect was arrested and faces seven counts in connection with the shooting. This is a news story about a violent crime and memorial service, not an elder fraud case.

Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) introduced the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act to provide financial institutions with tools to combat fraud targeting seniors and vulnerable populations. The legislation would require the SEC to report recommendations for combating senior exploitation and permit investment companies and mutual funds to delay redemption requests suspected to result from financial exploitation. Approximately one in five senior investors currently fall victim to financial fraud, losing an estimated $2.9 billion annually in reported cases.