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wtvr.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are spoofing the Richmond SPCA's phone number to target owners of missing pets, claiming they've found an injured pet and demanding immediate wire payment via Zelle or Venmo. The scammers obtain victims' contact information from social media posts about lost pets and exploit their emotional vulnerability, though the Richmond SPCA reported four targeted calls with no actual money lost. The SPCA advises victims to hang up and call the organization directly to verify claims, and to file police reports if targeted.
welivesecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Docusign, a widely-used digital document signing platform with over 1 billion users, has become a target for cybercriminals who send phishing emails impersonating the service to steal login credentials and financial information. These scams typically trick victims into clicking on fake "review document" buttons or scanning QR codes that lead to spoofed login pages, with recent incidents including fake invoice schemes, refund scams, and impersonation of suppliers and government agencies. To protect against Docusign phishing, users should verify destination URLs, look for security codes in legitimate emails, avoid clicking attachments in initial emails, and watch for spelling errors and mismatched sender information.
wtap.com
· 2025-12-08
The Parkersburg Police Department reported a significant rise in bitcoin scams using tactics such as phishing, romance scams, and fake law enforcement threats claiming outstanding warrants. Once victims send money to bitcoin machines, the funds are transferred overseas to criminals with no possibility of recovery. The department advises against sharing financial information with unknown contacts, investing based on online advice, and emphasizes that legitimate law enforcement will never request bitcoin payments for fines.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
The Fremont Police Department reported a rise in medical impersonation scams where callers pretend to be healthcare providers and demand immediate payment or sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers and insurance details from residents. Scammers use tactics like spoofed phone numbers, medical terminology, threats of arrest or coverage termination, and requests for payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers to appear legitimate. Residents are advised to be cautious of unexpected medical calls and recognize red flags such as pressure to act quickly or demands for personal data.
wgauradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Social engineering and AI-powered fraud are recognized as major cybersecurity threats in 2025, with scammers increasingly using deepfakes, hyper-personalized phishing, and automation to deceive victims at scale. Adults 60 and older reported the highest losses in 2024 at over $4.8 billion (up 43% from 2023), particularly falling victim to phishing/spoofing and tech support scams, while investment fraud caused $6.57 billion and cryptocurrency fraud reached $9.3 billion in total losses. The article emphasizes that while classic scam methods like phishing and business email compromise remain dominant, AI technology is making
wsoctv.com
· 2025-12-08
Social engineering and AI-powered fraud are among the top cybersecurity threats of 2025, with scammers now using deepfakes, hyper-personalized phishing, and AI automation to make deception more convincing and targeted than ever. Adults aged 60 and older reported the highest losses in 2024 at over $4.8 billion (up 43% from 2023), with phishing/spoofing and tech support scams hitting this demographic hardest, while investment fraud alone caused $6.57 billion in losses and cryptocurrency fraud reached $9.3 billion. To protect against these evolving threats, individuals and organizations should employ straightforward defense strategies including
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The Chinese embassy in Dhaka warned citizens against "buying foreign wives" through marriage scams and trafficking networks, noting that social media matchmaking offers often lead to financial losses and human trafficking. A surplus of 35 million unmarried men in China—caused by the legacy of the one-child policy—has driven demand for foreign brides, particularly from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Russia, fueling criminal networks that traffic women under the guise of arranged marriages. Both Bangladesh and Pakistan have issued their own warnings, with authorities threatening arrests for involvement in cross-border marriage trafficking, while Human Rights Watch has documented risks of sexual slavery for Pakistani women and girls trafficked to China.
pennwatch.org
· 2025-12-08
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is conducting educational outreach events throughout June 2024 to help seniors, service providers, and the general public recognize and avoid scams, fraud, and identity theft. The programs include interactive presentations such as "Fraud BINGO," "$camJam" (featuring law enforcement and state agency experts), senior expos, and sessions on common scam tactics, offered at various locations across Pennsylvania at no cost to attendees.
yourvalley.net
· 2025-12-08
Benevilla hosted a free "Fraud Prevention for Seniors" workshop led by Dan Pressler of NeighborCare on June 5 in Sun City, designed to help older adults recognize and avoid common scams targeting them. The session provided practical guidance on spotting red flags in financial and phone scams, protecting personal and financial information, and taking steps if fraudulent activity is suspected.
wham1180.iheart.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York State DMV issued an alert about phishing scams using fraudulent text messages falsely claiming recipients have outstanding traffic tickets and threatening license suspension, with over 170 cases reported across upstate New York regions in 2024. These scams attempt to steal personal information or install malicious software by impersonating the DMV, which does not send unsolicited text messages requesting personal data. Residents are advised to delete suspicious messages immediately and report incidents to the DMV or the Federal Trade Commission.
firststateupdate.com
· 2025-12-08
A New York man pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud conspiracy charges for his role in a nationwide elder fraud scheme that defrauded victims of over $2.1 million between May 2023 and May 2024. The scheme involved posing as federal agents to convince elderly victims that their identities were compromised, then instructing them to liquidate savings and convert funds into cash or gold bars, which the conspirators collected in person. Rakeshkumar Patel, 36, was arrested near Millsboro, Delaware in May 2024 and faces more than five years in federal prison upon sentencing.
cslea.com
· 2025-12-08
A San Diego dermatologist was charged with 22 felony counts of healthcare insurance fraud and Medi-Cal fraud totaling $1,386,995 for billing Medi-Cal for services never rendered, including false claims for light therapy treatments on up to 233 patients daily. The investigation revealed the dermatologist falsely billed for identical or comparable services, with most patients receiving non-medical lamp treatments rather than legitimate medical care. The case was prosecuted by the California Attorney General's office with assistance from the FBI, California Department of Healthcare Services, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The digital arrest scam is a sophisticated fraud tactic where scammers impersonate police officers via spoofed phone numbers to accuse victims of crimes and demand immediate payment or banking information under threat of arrest. The scam exploits psychological manipulation through fear, urgency, and perceived authority, and has successfully targeted thousands of people including tech-savvy and educated individuals who fall victim due to panic and confusion created by high-pressure tactics and fake police station backdrops. Authorities recommend victims verify caller identity independently and never share personal or financial information over unsolicited calls.
thegazette.com
· 2025-12-08
An Iowa AARP Fraud Watch Network educator warns that artificial intelligence has made scams significantly easier and cheaper to execute, with seniors disproportionately targeted due to perceived lower technology skills, social isolation, and accumulated wealth. In 2024, over $12.5 billion was lost to scams and fraudulent activities across the nation, with people aged 70 and older reporting the largest dollar losses per incident. Key prevention strategies include never trusting unsolicited messages, verifying information through independent trusted sources, avoiding opening attachments or links from unknown senders, and recognizing that scams typically follow a three-part pattern designed to manipulate emotions before requesting personal information.
htxt.co.za
· 2025-12-08
Scammers used a fake Spotify renewal email to trick victims into revealing their login credentials, employing familiar brand names and false urgency claims (account deletion threat on May 26, 2025) as bait. The phishing email contained multiple red flags including incorrect company locations, non-functional links, and a malicious URL disguised as a legitimate renewal button, which could compromise financial information stored in accounts and signal to criminals that the target is susceptible to further fraud. Victims who click such links risk password theft, malware infection, and compromise of other online accounts if passwords are reused.
dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-08
A college student lost $5,050 in life savings to scammers who impersonated Bank of America employees via text and phone call, convincing her to authorize a wire transfer. Bank of America refused to reimburse the victim, citing federal law that limits reimbursement to unauthorized transactions, though the victim had authorized the payment under false pretenses. The bank stated that recovery attempts from the receiving bank were unsuccessful as the funds had already been moved.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 60-year-old retired man from Hyderabad lost 1.6 lakh rupees in a sextortion scam after being tricked into a nude video call with a fraudster posing as an acquaintance on WhatsApp. The scammer then threatened to post the intimate footage on social media and extorted multiple payments from the victim between May 17-22. Hyderabad Cyber Crime police have registered a case and are tracing the money trail to the accused's bank account.
businesstoday.in
· 2025-12-08
The Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh issued an advisory warning citizens against cross-border marriage scams and trafficking, noting that illegal matchmaking services and "buying foreign wives" through deception are proliferating via social media platforms and can result in serious legal consequences including human trafficking charges. The warning stems from increasing cases where Chinese nationals enter exploitative marriages in Bangladesh and Bangladeshi women are trafficked to China under the guise of matrimony, driven by China's severe gender imbalance of approximately 30 million unmarried men. Bangladesh enforces strict anti-trafficking laws with penalties ranging from seven years to life imprisonment or death, and the embassy urged victims to report scams immediately to authorities.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The Chinese embassy in Bangladesh warned citizens against participating in cross-border marriage schemes after reports of widespread marriage scams and human trafficking targeting Chinese men seeking foreign brides. China's surplus of approximately 35 million unmarried men, driven by decades of gender-skewed policies and declining marriage rates, has fueled demand for international matchmaking services, leading criminal networks to traffic women and girls from South and Southeast Asia (particularly Bangladesh and Pakistan) under the false pretense of marriage. The embassy cautioned that those involved in illegal cross-border marriages could face trafficking charges, while experts highlighted the economic pressures on rural Chinese men who struggle to afford traditional marriage costs.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
The Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh warned its citizens against illegal cross-border marriage schemes and deceptive online dating content used to facilitate bride trafficking. Criminal networks have been orchestrating fraudulent marriages to sell Bangladeshi women to Chinese men, exploiting China's gender imbalance and shortage of marriage prospects, with violators facing serious legal consequences including human trafficking charges and imprisonment in both countries.
livemint.com
· 2025-12-08
The Chinese embassy in Bangladesh issued a warning to its nationals against participating in matchmaking scams and "buying foreign wives," cautioning them to avoid illegal matchmaking agents and online romance scams involving cross-border dating content on social media platforms. The advisory emphasized that under Chinese law, cross-border marriage matchmaking services are prohibited, and individuals engaging in such activities face legal consequences, while those arrested in Bangladesh for cross-border marriages may face human trafficking charges with severe penalties including imprisonment or death. The embassy urged citizens to report suspected online romance scams to Chinese public security authorities immediately.
leaderlive.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between April 2022 and March 2025, 386 romance scam cases in North Wales resulted in collective losses of £2.39 million, with an average loss of £8,457 per victim, as reported by Action Fraud. Across Wales, England, and Northern Ireland during this period, romance scammers stole £271.4 million from over 19,500 victims, with women and transgender individuals suffering disproportionately higher average losses despite reporting fewer cases. The data reflects a 17 percent increase in romance fraud reports in 2024/25, with scammers targeting victims through fake romantic relationships and manipulating them into sending money.
journee-mondiale.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors lost $3.4 billion to financial scams in 2023, with projections approaching $5 billion by 2025, as scammers increasingly employ AI-powered tactics including voice cloning and deepfakes to impersonate family members and financial advisors. Criminal schemes now commonly target vulnerable retirees through urgent money transfer requests, fake family emergencies, and cryptocurrency demands that are nearly impossible to recover. Protective measures include establishing trusted family financial guardians, recognizing red flags such as pressure for secrecy and unrealistic investment promises, and maintaining regular communication with seniors to prevent exploitation.
emerj.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial institutions face mounting operational costs and resource challenges in combating cybercrime, which surged to 859,532 complaints and $16.6 billion in losses in 2024 according to the FBI. Effective fraud prevention requires sophisticated technology and stronger public-private collaboration between banks and law enforcement, as current anti-money laundering efforts are hindered by poor information-sharing and unclear coordination frameworks. The article emphasizes that banks must adopt holistic, data-driven approaches to suspicious activity detection while governments and regulators improve alignment to reduce conflicting compliance expectations.
mondaq.com
· 2025-12-08
This article does not relate to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It discusses the U.S. Department of Justice's 2025 white-collar crime enforcement strategy, focusing on trade violations, tariff evasion, sanctions evasion, and export controls—primarily targeting Chinese imports and activities. This content is outside the scope of the Elderus elder fraud research database.
moneysense.ca
· 2025-12-08
Older adults in Canada are particularly vulnerable to fraud and identity theft due to their politeness and trust, making them targets for emergency scams, grandparent scams, and deepfake impersonations that create urgency and fear. Common tactics include fake bank calls claiming accounts will be closed, messages from supposed relatives in distress requesting money, fake obituaries with donation links, and attempts to harvest personal information like social insurance numbers. Experts recommend seniors understand they have the right to end conversations, verify requests independently through official channels, and recognize that fraudsters constantly evolve their tactics using new technologies.
app.com
· 2025-12-08
Since April 2025, the FBI has warned of an escalating scam where malicious actors use AI-generated voice messages and text messages (vishing and smishing) to impersonate senior U.S. officials and target government employees and their contacts. Once scammers establish trust, they attempt to gain access to personal accounts through malicious links, which they can then use to impersonate victims and target additional officials or solicit money from their contacts. The FBI recommends independently verifying caller identity through legitimate sources, scrutinizing communications for spelling errors and AI imperfections (distorted features, unnatural voices, lag), and never sharing sensitive information or money with unverified contacts
nbcboston.com
· 2025-12-08
Massachusetts' Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations is conducting community education events to alert residents about increasingly common scams, noting that older Americans lost nearly $5 billion to fraud last year. Common fraud tactics include tech support, romance, and cryptocurrency scams, with advice to residents including changing passwords frequently, using two-factor authentication, avoiding calls from unknown numbers, and never sharing personal information with unsolicited callers. The state emphasizes that fraud affects all demographics and encourages residents to report scams or seek guidance through their consumer hotline at 617-973-8787.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Bogus customer service scams are proliferating online, with scammers impersonating legitimate companies (airlines, banks, Amazon, etc.) by planting fake customer service numbers and accounts on social media to target frustrated consumers. Amazon reported a 33% increase in customer service impersonation scams between December 2024 and February 2025, with criminals monitoring public complaints, responding with fake accounts, and directing victims to fraudulent links or requesting personal information and payment. Consumer experts advise against posting complaints on social media and recommend using official company channels instead, as scammers exploit vulnerable moments—such as flight cancellations or lost packages—to manipulate victims into providing money or sensitive data.
wwlp.com
· 2025-12-08
Experts warn that tariff-related confusion is creating opportunities for cybercriminals, with cybersecurity firms identifying approximately 300 fraudulent tariff-related domain registrations and phishing sites mimicking government agencies. Scammers are using fake postal service messages, government emails, and bogus "tariff relief payment" schemes to trick consumers into paying money or divulging personal information, exploiting the public's uncertainty about how tariffs are implemented. To protect themselves, consumers should verify requests independently, avoid clicking suspicious links, never send money to unknown parties, and report suspected scams to the Better Business Bureau.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting summer travel season through fake booking websites (like Airbnb imitations), phony passport renewal sites, and fraudulent TSA PreCheck enrollment pages that mimic legitimate services to steal money and personal information. Travelers can protect themselves by verifying websites use "https" encryption and end in official domains (.gov for government sites), avoiding clicking links in unsolicited emails, and going directly to known websites rather than relying on search results. The FTC and Better Business Bureau warn that legitimate government services never charge fees for form completion—only for the actual renewal or service itself.
globaltimes.cn
· 2025-12-08
The Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh warned citizens against illegal cross-border marriage schemes, including "buying foreign wives" and using dating apps for matchmaking, which violate Chinese law and often constitute online romance scams or human trafficking. The embassy cautioned that those engaged in such activities in Bangladesh face severe penalties including 7 years to life imprisonment and fines up to 500,000 taka ($4,116), with lengthy judicial proceedings that can delay resolution for months or years. Citizens are advised to avoid commercial marriage agencies, remain vigilant against romance scams, and report victimization to Chinese authorities.
mb.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
Meta platforms (Instagram and Facebook) are experiencing a surge in scams operated by fraud rings in China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Philippines, with internal Meta analysis showing 70 percent of newly active advertisers promoting scams or low-quality products. Despite recognizing the problem, Meta has deprioritized scam enforcement, allowing repeat offenders to accumulate violations before facing consequences. Common scam tactics include phishing, fake giveaways, investment/crypto schemes, romance scams, fake job offers, and sextortion, which exploit urgency and emotional manipulation to deceive users.
journalnews.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
Meta platforms Instagram and Facebook are experiencing a surge in scams operated by international fraud rings from China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Philippines, with an internal Meta analysis revealing that 70% of newly active advertisers promote scams or low-quality products. Common scam tactics include phishing, fake giveaways, investment schemes, romance scams, fraudulent job offers, and sextortion, which exploit urgency and emotional manipulation to deceive users. Despite recognizing the problem, Meta has deprioritized scam enforcement, allowing repeat offenders to accumulate multiple violations before facing consequences.
macombdaily.com
· 2025-12-08
Adult Protective Services in Macomb and Michigan released an annual report on efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation among the growing senior population. The article highlights a significant barrier to assistance: many seniors lack knowledge of available support systems, as illustrated by the case of Shirley Cook from Clinton Township, who relocated multiple times to escape abuse but struggled to navigate available resources.
hometownsource.com
· 2025-12-08
The Senior LinkAge Line is offering a free virtual presentation on June 4 covering health care fraud, waste, and abuse prevention, noting that scams targeting older adults are on the rise. The presentation, developed with the Senior Medicare Patrol program, provides information on fraud prevention, detection, and reporting to help seniors protect themselves and their personal information.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost an estimated $47 billion to scams in 2024, with investment fraud accounting for at least $5.7 billion of those losses. Contrary to common assumptions, younger adults are 34% more likely than older adults to fall victim to fraud, which takes multiple forms including impostor scams using AI voice cloning, lottery/prize schemes, and phishing attempts. To protect yourself, watch for red flags such as unsolicited contact, pressure to act quickly, promises of guaranteed returns, unusual payment requests, and demands for login credentials—and always independently verify investment opportunities through official resources like the SEC's EDGAR database before committing funds.
wifr.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers target veterans and donors around Memorial Day with fraudulent charities, fake military discounts, and phishing schemes, exploiting patriotic generosity and trust. Veterans reported losses exceeding $419 million in 2024 from such scams, according to the Federal Trade Commission. To protect themselves, donors should verify charities through BBB.org and give.org, avoid wire transfers, use credit cards for easier dispute resolution, and be cautious of unsolicited emails and unfamiliar websites.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters in India are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics—including AI-powered targeting—to deceive people across all age groups, with scams ranging from fake job offers and digital arrest threats to fraudulent investment schemes and fake KYC updates. Between January and May 2024, approximately 9.5 lakh cybercrime complaints were registered in India, with citizens losing approximately Rs 1,750 crore during this period. The article outlines 10 common scam methods including TRAI impersonation, fake digital arrests, false family member arrest schemes, fraudulent stock trading, customs scams, and fake credit card transactions, emphasizing the importance of verification and caution before sharing
slguardian.org
· 2025-12-08
A 2025 report by the Humanity Research Consultancy identifies Cambodia as the global epicentre of transnational cyber fraud, with senior Cambodian politicians allegedly supporting and profiting from scam operations that generate approximately $19 billion annually through forced labour and human trafficking. The industry primarily targets vulnerable individuals—particularly elderly men in the West—through "pig butchering" scams on dating apps, where scammers pose as women to extract large sums in cryptocurrency before disappearing. The Southeast Asian scam industry employs over 350,000 people worth an estimated $75 billion annually, with thousands of trafficked workers subjected to violence and abuse if they fail to meet fraud quotas
opb.org
· 2025-12-08
DMVs in multiple states are warning drivers of phishing text messages ("smishing") falsely claiming unpaid traffic violations and threatening penalties to trick recipients into revealing personal and financial information. This scam is part of a larger trend of SMS phishing attacks, with Americans receiving 19.2 billion spam texts in April alone, and fraud losses exceeding $12 billion in 2024. Experts recommend registering with the National Do Not Call Registry, avoiding links from unknown numbers, and remaining skeptical of requests for personal information.
koat.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams targeting recent graduates aged 18-34 have dramatically increased, with scammers using emails, texts, and fake profiles on legitimate job sites like Indeed and LinkedIn to request personal information, upfront payments for equipment, or to cash fraudulent checks. The Better Business Bureau warns that legitimate job offers involve resume submissions, reference checks, and formal interviews—not quick messages or requests for money—and recommends reporting suspected scams to BBB.org/scamtracker and the FTC.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
A "quishing" scam involves fraudsters placing fake QR codes on parking machines and signs that direct victims to phishing websites where their payment and personal details are stolen. UK Action Fraud reported 1,386 QR code scams in 2024 and 502 in the first three months of 2025, with one victim losing £13,000 after scammers impersonated her bank; the true scale is likely higher as many victims remain unaware their details were compromised until receiving unwarranted parking fines. To protect yourself, verify QR codes haven't been placed over legitimate ones, use existing parking apps, check URLs for HTTPS and suspicious formatting, and report any frau
the-independent.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity experts are recommending that people establish secret codes or passwords with family and close contacts to verify their identity and combat increasingly sophisticated AI deepfake impersonation scams. The advice comes as AI technology makes it easier for fraudsters to create convincing fake videos and messages impersonating loved ones to request money, with particular concern for vulnerable elderly and young users who lack strong digital literacy skills. This recommendation follows recent major data breaches at UK retailers like Marks and Spencer and the Co-op, which have compromised personal information that criminals can exploit to target victims with realistic-looking scams.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Smishing scams—fraudulent text messages designed to impersonate trusted organizations like banks and delivery services—are rising in prevalence as criminals exploit smartphone reliance and people's trust in text communications. These scams create false urgency (account warnings, prize notifications, legal threats) to pressure recipients into clicking malicious links or sharing sensitive data like passwords and banking details. To protect yourself, watch for red flags including urgent language, requests for personal information, suspicious links, poor spelling, and unrealistic offers; verify messages by contacting organizations directly through official channels rather than responding to the text, and report suspicious messages to your network provider.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Australians lost $13.7 million to work-from-home job scams—more than all other scam types combined—with an average loss of $14,470 per victim. The scams, which often impersonate legitimate recruitment platforms like Seek and LinkedIn to lure job seekers with high-income remote work offers, disproportionately affected people with low incomes, those from culturally diverse backgrounds, people with disabilities, and international students, with many victims reporting loss of life savings and borrowed money. A six-month task force response led to blocking 836 cryptocurrency wallets, removing 29,000 fraudulent Facebook accounts, and identifying
wnegradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns of scams targeting military members and veterans, particularly around Memorial Day, including a case where a veteran small business owner lost $166,515 to a fraudster impersonating a Minority Business Development Agency procurement director. Common scams include high-interest military loans, fake rental properties, PCS moving fraud, phishing emails, misleading vehicle sales, and fake military discounts. The BBB recommends researching businesses before payment, avoiding wire transfers, protecting computers from phishing, and verifying military discounts directly with official sources.
financialfortunemedia.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2025 survey of 608 job seekers found that 41% had applied to fraudulent job postings, with women reporting higher incidence (42%) than men (34.6%), particularly those seeking in-office roles. Unemployed candidates and those targeting mid-range salaries were more vulnerable to job scams, with victims reporting significant emotional exhaustion and stress. The report recommends verifying postings through trusted platforms and notes that experienced professionals seeking higher salaries appear better equipped to identify and avoid scam red flags.
echo-news.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Over the past three years, 549 Essex residents lost more than £5.5 million to dating scams, averaging £10,142 per victim, as part of a larger UK trend affecting 21,976 people and costing over £250 million between 2022 and 2025. Dating fraud scammers manipulate victims by pretending to pursue romantic relationships, causing not only financial loss but also significant psychological and emotional harm. Reports of dating scams increased 17 percent in 2024/25, making it a growing concern across the UK.
npr.org
· 2025-12-08
This NPR Planet Money episode explores "pig-butchering" romance scams, where scammers use fake text messages and romantic engagement to gradually manipulate victims into cryptocurrency investments before stealing their money. Journalist Zeke Faux deliberately engaged with a scammer named Vicky Ho to investigate connections between these scams and the cryptocurrency Tether, discovering how criminals use the platform to launder money and defraud victims of potentially millions of dollars.