Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
4,783 results
in Romance Scam
wkyt.com
· 2025-12-08
A 74-year-old Kentucky woman lost her entire life savings of $180,000 in a gold coin scam after receiving a phone call from someone impersonating a Social Security Administration employee who claimed she was under fraud investigation. The scammer convinced her to drain her savings, purchase gold coins, and hand them off to a courier in a bank parking lot; after realizing the fraud, the emotional trauma led her to attempt suicide, and she remains hospitalized in critical condition. The FBI confirms a rising trend of government impersonation and precious metals scams targeting seniors, with Kentucky alone reporting 908 elder fraud complaints totaling over $12 million in 2023.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
Darlington Akporugo, 47, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy for operating a nationwide romance scam targeting elderly victims through fake social media profiles. The scheme defrauded more than 25 victims of approximately $3 million and included convincing victims to open credit lines and purchase luxury items in his name. Akporugo faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine upon sentencing.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A man in Shanghai lost approximately £22,000 in a romance scam involving an AI-generated fictional "girlfriend" named Ms Jiao, who scammers claimed needed money for medical bills and business funding. The scammer team used generative AI to create fake photos, videos, and medical documents to manipulate the victim, who never met the woman in person. This case exemplifies the growing threat of AI-enabled fraud, with similar scams targeting victims worldwide using deepfakes and AI-generated personas to impersonate celebrities or create fictional romantic interests.
abc7news.com
· 2025-12-08
A 57-year-old North Bay woman lost $300,000 to a romance scam after meeting a man named "Harry Burter" on a dating app who posed as a Los Altos resident traveling for work. The scammer used romantic language and fake identification documents to build trust before gradually requesting money for various work-related expenses, exploiting the victim's loneliness following her recent divorce. Experts note that dating app platforms need stronger safety measures and cross-platform information sharing to prevent fraudsters from using the same fake identities across multiple platforms.
nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Multiple women worldwide have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in romance scams impersonating actor Martin Henderson, with victims including an American woman who lost $375,000 over two years and another who transferred over $120,000 through payment apps after believing she was in a relationship with the actor. The scammers, operating on platforms like Telegram with doctored verification badges, used various pretexts (hospital stays, surgery, injuries) to prevent in-person meetings and extract money from emotionally vulnerable victims, some of whom continue to believe they are communicating with the real Henderson despite his public warning. The scam represents a broader pattern of identity-based romance fraud targeting fans of celebrities, resulting in significant financial
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
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.
tribtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Organized scam operations, particularly from Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, are increasingly targeting older adults and professionals through sophisticated "pig butchering" schemes that involve months of psychological grooming before stealing victims' money via cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or money transfer apps. Victims—including financial advisers, bank presidents, attorneys, and even FBI agents—lose funds that are rarely recovered, with artificial intelligence making scams more effective and harder to detect. The article recommends older adults protect themselves by verifying all communications, avoiding online dating sites, limiting social media activity, refusing cryptocurrency offers, and consulting trusted contacts before sending any money.
digit.in
· 2025-12-08
A man in Shanghai lost approximately $28,000 (200,000 yuan) in a romance scam where scammers used AI-generated images, videos, and fake identification documents to convince him he was in a long-distance relationship with a woman named Ms. Jiao who never existed. The victim was manipulated into sending money to support the supposed girlfriend's business and family healthcare expenses over an extended period without ever meeting in person. Shanghai police are investigating the case, which highlights growing concerns about the misuse of generative AI and deepfake technology in online romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals.
travelandtourworld.com
· 2025-12-08
During Carnival 2025, Brazilian authorities warned of an increasingly sophisticated romance scam targeting foreign travelers, particularly young male tourists and LGBTQ+ visitors, in which criminals use dating apps to lure victims, drug them, and steal their money, passports, and valuables, leaving them stranded. According to U.S. Consulate officials, American tourists have been particularly vulnerable during high-tourism periods, with similar schemes also reported in Colombia, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Mexico. Security experts recommend travelers use buddy systems, avoid drinks from strangers, secure valuables in hotel safes, and employ digital safety measures like location sharing to mitigate risks in unfamiliar nightlife environments.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Maine operates a Fraud Watch Network Speakers Bureau that provides free 45-minute presentations to community groups on fraud prevention topics including identity theft and romance scams, available in person or virtually. Interested organizations can submit presentation requests through the AARP Maine website or contact AARP for more information.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
**Human Trafficking and Cyber Scams:** Vulnerable individuals from Vietnam and other regions are being trafficked to Myanmar and forced to operate cryptocurrency and romance scams that have cost Australians over $1 billion in investment losses and $190 million in romance scams over five years. Victims like Duong are deceived with false job offers, enslaved in remote compounds, subjected to physical abuse and starvation, and forced to create fake online profiles to defraud unsuspecting targets globally, with families often required to pay ransoms of $5,000-$10,000 to secure their release—amounts prohibitively expensive in countries where average monthly salaries are
southtahoenow.com
· 2025-12-08
El Dorado County Senior Services hosted a free educational presentation on March 3 featuring local law enforcement discussing current scams affecting the area, including romance, gift card, pig butchering, arrest warrant, check fraud, and cryptocurrency schemes. The presentation highlighted that the Federal Trade Commission reported $10 billion stolen in 2023, with actual losses likely much higher due to underreporting, and encouraged seniors to protect themselves and their loved ones from these fraud types.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Fraud targeting older adults in Arizona and nationwide represents a significant crisis, with those 60 and over reporting $3.4 billion in losses nationally in 2023, including $128 million in Arizona, according to FBI data. AARP volunteer Jerry Watterworth and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes are leading prevention efforts by educating seniors about evolving scams including romance frauds, Bitcoin schemes, identity theft, and tech-support scams, emphasizing that fraudsters continuously adapt their methods and prevention through awareness of red flags is key. The article stresses that because scammers exploit human nature—the desire to trust and connect—older residents must remain vigilant across all communication
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers exploit digital payment apps like Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal to steal money from users, with customers at three banks losing over $870 million to Zelle scams since 2017. Common schemes include cash flipping, phishing, fake item sales, fake tickets, software glitches, and security deposit scams, all leveraging the difficulty of reversing digital payments once sent. Users should verify requests through official app channels, never pay sight unseen, and manually update apps through legitimate app stores rather than clicking suspicious links.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This article highlights AARP Arizona's fraud prevention efforts in response to a significant crisis: people over 60 reported $3.4 billion in fraud losses nationwide in 2023, with $128 million in Arizona alone. The article details common scams targeting older Arizonans—including romance scams, Bitcoin/cryptocurrency schemes, identity theft, and tech-support fraud—and emphasizes that prevention through awareness of red flags (unsolicited contact, high-pressure tactics, requests for personal information) is essential, as scam methods continually evolve with changing technology.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
When 13-year-old Lola clicked on a phishing email promising a free clothing voucher, she was redirected to enter her mother's debit card details for a claimed 99p verification charge, resulting in a £200 unauthorized transaction. Research from Vodafone found that nearly 840,000 British children aged 11-16 have been scammed online in the past year, with spoof ads and quizzes being the most common type of fraud, and 81% of parents reporting long-term psychological consequences including anxiety and depression in their children. The bank eventually refunded the money after a lengthy month-long process, but Lola advocates for greater online safety education
mytexasdaily.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
iomtoday.co.im
· 2025-12-08
Isle of Man residents lost £2.2 million to scams and fraud in 2024, with suspicious email reports surging 50.7% to 9,372 cases, according to the Cyber Security Centre's Annual Threat Update. Investment scams caused the most damage at £1,278,920 across 35 cases, while account compromise, bank fraud, gift card fraud, and fraudulent websites also affected residents through phishing attacks, credential theft, and impersonation schemes. The report highlights the need for stronger cybersecurity awareness, including password protection and verification of requests for personal information or financial transactions.
kfiz.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence technology—including AI-generated images, deepfakes, and chatbots—to create convincing fake profiles on dating platforms and social media, making traditional detection methods like reverse image searches less effective. These scammers use AI to optimize targeting of vulnerable users and engage with multiple victims simultaneously, often without human interaction, to steal money and personal information. Consumers can protect themselves by verifying potential romantic interests' online histories, avoiding sharing money or personal details until identity is confirmed, and being cautious of "love bombing" and quick requests for money or personal information.
wnegradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns consumers about four types of imposter scams during National Consumer Protection Week (March 2–8, 2025): investment scams using "get rich quick" schemes, grandparent scams requesting urgent bail or medical fees, romance scams exploiting isolated individuals, and other fraudulent schemes that manipulate victims into sending money or revealing personal information. The agency recommends verifying information independently, being suspicious of high-pressure sales tactics and urgent requests, and contacting relatives directly before sending funds.
vancouver.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Investment/cryptocurrency scams topped the list of fraud affecting Canadians and Americans in 2024, with over 80% of targeted victims losing money at a median loss of $5,000, according to a Better Business Bureau report. Employment scams ranked second, primarily targeting 18-34-year-olds with fake job offers requiring upfront equipment purchases that employers never reimburse. Romance and online purchasing scams also remained prevalent, with victims over 65 most susceptible, and nearly 30% of scam victims reporting negative mental health impacts.
viconsortium.com
· 2025-12-08
During National Consumer Protection Week (March 2-8, 2025), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service warned of rising imposter scams in which fraudsters pose as trusted entities like family members, banks, or government agencies to manipulate victims into revealing personal information or sending money. The USPIS advises consumers to avoid responding to pressure tactics, verify contacts independently before sharing information, be cautious of grandparent and romance scams, ignore unsolicited USPS messages, and register with the National Do Not Call Registry. Suspected fraud can be reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or online at www.uspis
tampafp.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2024 Better Business Bureau report reveals that investment and romance scams are increasingly sophisticated, employing "financial grooming" tactics where scammers build trust over weeks or months before defrauding victims. Investment/cryptocurrency scams ranked as the riskiest scam type with an $5,000 median loss, while romance scams had the highest median loss at $6,099; people ages 65+ reported the highest median dollar loss ($160), and overall median losses rose 30% from 2023 to 2024. The report warns that victims often experience significant emotional impacts, with 60% reporting anger, 54% loss of trust, and 53.5%
edmonton.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Edmonton residents lost over $48 million to fraud, with investment scams leading at $14.1 million, followed by romance scams at $1.7 million and employment fraud at $1.3 million. Police highlighted the emotional toll of these crimes, featuring the case of Heather Robicheau, who lost money to a year-long romance scam involving a fake cheque and false emergencies. During fraud prevention month, Edmonton Police and community partners urged residents to avoid sharing personal or financial information and to be skeptical of unsolicited requests for money, particularly those involving emotional manipulation or crisis scenarios.
edmontonjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Edmonton lost approximately $48.1 million to fraud in 2024, with investment scams being the largest category at $14.1 million, followed by romance, employment, and identity fraud scams. Edmonton Police Service launched Fraud Prevention Month to educate the public on common tactics used by increasingly sophisticated scammers, including phone spoofing, phishing, social engineering, grandparent scams, and person-in-authority scams that exploit psychological manipulation and urgency to steal money and personal information.
myjoyonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Aurora Phelps, 43, used online dating apps to meet at least four older men in 2021-2022, then drugged them with sedatives and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars through a scheme that resulted in at least three deaths. Phelps, currently in custody in Mexico, faces 21 federal charges including wire fraud, identity theft, and one count of kidnapping resulting in death, with prosecutors alleging she stole vehicles, drained bank accounts, sold stock worth $3.3 million, and purchased luxury items using her victims' accounts.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
"Floodlighting" is a deceptive dating tactic where individuals overshare personal trauma and intimate details early in a relationship to establish false trust and manipulate potential partners into feeling empathy and emotional connection. Dating experts warn that this emotionally manipulative strategy can exploit vulnerable singles by creating imbalanced relationship dynamics where one partner becomes an "emotional caretaker," potentially leading to burnout and emotional exhaustion for the person targeted by the oversharing.
nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Multiple women, including an American who lost $375,000, fell victim to romance scams using the likeness and identity of actor Martin Henderson over an extended period, with victims spanning the United States, Britain, and Ireland. After one victim's story was publicized, four additional women came forward, and scammers subsequently attempted secondary extortion by posing as private investigators offering money recovery services. Henderson has issued public warnings that he does not initiate contact through messaging apps and expressed concern that advancing deepfake technology could make such scams increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect.
pasadenanow.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service issued a National Consumer Protection Week warning about imposter scams where fraudsters pose as friends, relatives, or organizations using urgent messages ("I'm in trouble," "You've won!") to steal personal information and money. The advisory recommends verifying unexpected financial requests through direct contact, avoiding clicking suspicious links, ignoring unsolicited postal service communications, and registering with the National Do Not Call Registry, with victims able to report scams at (877) 876-2455.
hongkongbuzz.hk
· 2025-12-08
A middle-aged woman in Sai Kung lost $150,000 to a romance scammer who convinced her he needed money to travel to meet her. According to HSBC, romance scams are widespread in Hong Kong, with 30% of residents targeted by such scams and an average loss of $4,000, though victims aged 25-39 are most vulnerable due to oversharing personal information online. The bank advises protecting personal details, avoiding money transfers to unknown online contacts, and reporting suspected fraud immediately to authorities and financial institutions.
bostonglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary for this content. The text provided appears to be only a navigation menu and section headers from a news website, not an actual article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse.
To help you, please provide the full article text or content that discusses a specific incident or topic related to elder fraud, scams, or abuse.
thenationonlineng.net
· 2025-12-08
A 47-year-old Nigerian national, Darlington Akporugo, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy charges for orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded over 25 elderly and retired Americans of more than $3 million across multiple states. Akporugo used fake identities on social media to manipulate victims into sending money, opening lines of credit in his name, and purchasing luxury items, and now faces up to 20 years in federal prison with sentencing scheduled for June 6, 2025.
audacy.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, 53% of men and 47% of women experienced romance scams in online dating environments, with scammers impersonating military personnel or celebrities to build trust before requesting money or personal information from victims. The FBI reported that over 64,000 romance scams were reported in 2023 alone, resulting in $1.14 billion in losses. Veterans are advised to verify identities of new online contacts, protect sensitive information, be cautious of financial requests, trust their instincts, and report suspicious activity to relevant authorities including the FTC or VA benefits hotline.
punchng.com
· 2025-12-08
A 47-year-old Nigerian national, Darlington Akporugo, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy for operating a nationwide romance scam from Houston that defrauded more than 25 elderly and retired victims of over $3 million. Operating over seven years, Akporugo and co-conspirators used fake identities on social media to build trust with victims, then manipulated them into sending money for fictitious business ventures and emergencies, with much of the stolen funds funneled overseas. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine at sentencing scheduled for June 6.
wral.com
· 2025-12-08
Michon Griffin, 46, of Wake County was sentenced to two years in prison for her role as a money mule in a $2 million international romance scam, where she received and laundered fraudulent funds through 16 financial institutions before wiring them to coconspirators in Nigeria. Griffin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and making false statements on her tax returns, earning $300,000 in commissions that she failed to report, and was ordered to pay $109,119 in restitution to the IRS.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Ambrose A. Obinna Warrior, 44, of Maryland, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business that facilitated romance, business email compromise, and investment scams from March 2018 through August 2021. Warrior transmitted or attempted to transfer over $700,000 in fraudulent proceeds by depositing victims' funds into bank accounts and shell companies, retaining approximately 20% in fees while distributing the remainder to other scheme participants, with documented victim losses of at least $467,912.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau's 2024 Risk Report identifies investment and cryptocurrency scams as the highest-risk fraud type with a median loss of $5,000, followed by employment scams ($1,500 median loss) and romance scams ($6,099 median loss—the highest per-victim cost and ranked third for the first time). Scammers typically invest significant time building relationships with victims, with online and home improvement scams also among the top five reported fraud categories.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Toronto residents are experiencing rising rates of cryptocurrency and romance scams, according to Toronto police. The article examines why these fraud schemes are becoming increasingly prevalent in the city, with vulnerable residents being targeted through digital platforms and deceptive relationships.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial institutions are increasingly using behavioral analytics and "smart friction" to combat escalating fraud, which costs the industry an estimated trillion dollars annually. Investment scams average $1,104 in losses while romance scams result in median losses of $1,996 and involve nearly twice as many transactions as other fraud types. Banks are adopting real-time data analysis, AI-powered pattern recognition, and inter-bank information sharing to identify suspicious transactions and strategically introduce authentication challenges that balance security with customer convenience.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
naplesnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers create fake profiles on dating apps and social media to build trust with victims before requesting money or personal information; the FTC has reported over 64,000 cases since 2023, with people ages 70 and older experiencing the highest median losses at $9,475 per incident. Warning signs include rapid relationship development, requests to move communications off-platform, isolation tactics, and never meeting in person. To protect yourself, verify photos through reverse image searches, confide in trusted friends, avoid sending money to online-only contacts, and report suspected scams to the FTC, the platform, or AARP's fraud helpline.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC has reported over 64,000 romance scams in the U.S. since 2023, with people ages 40-69 most likely to report losses and those 70+ experiencing median losses of $9,475. Scammers create fake profiles on dating apps and social media to build trust with victims before requesting money or cryptocurrency investments, and the FBI, FTC, and AARP recommend verifying photos through image search, consulting trusted contacts, and never sending money to online-only connections. Victims should immediately contact their bank or payment service, report to ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and call AARP's fraud helpline at 1-
nottinghammd.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A Baltimore County man, Ambrose A. Obinna Warrior, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for operating as an unlicensed money transmitter in romance, business email compromise, and investment scams from March 2018 through August 2021. Warrior transferred or attempted to transfer over $700,000 in victims' funds, with confirmed losses of at least $467,912, receiving a percentage of each transaction.
substack.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly targeting Substack writers and readers through impersonation of public figures like Keanu Reeves and the author themselves, using engagement patterns and trust-building tactics to gather information before attempting to defraud victims. The author, who lost one-third of her retirement funds to a scam in 2022, warns that sophisticated scammers profile users by age, hobbies, and interactions, and notes that recent romance scams alone exceeded half a billion dollars. She urges the community to be vigilant about fake celebrity accounts and impersonators, as even highly educated individuals and tech professionals have fallen victim to these schemes.
ksltv.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers increasingly target lonely individuals on dating apps and social media using stolen photos and AI-generated deepfakes to establish fake identities. A Utah woman lost $187,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam, another became an unwitting money mule, and innocent West Haven resident Justin Yoder faced harassment after his photos were stolen and used to defraud victims. Reverse image searches and awareness of common tactics—such as targeting vulnerable individuals and gradually building trust before requesting money—can help people identify catfishing attempts before falling victim.
globenewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
A TransUnion survey found that 85% of women and 87% of men want dating platforms to verify user information such as age, photos, and location to combat misrepresentation. The report revealed that over 28% of dating app users experienced catfishing and 21% were victimized by romance scammers demanding money or attempting phishing schemes, with at least 70% of all users expressing concern about dating app fraud. The study indicates consumers are willing to undergo background checks and potentially pay for verification features to increase trust and safety on dating platforms.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau's 2024 Scam Tracker Risk Report identified investment/cryptocurrency scams, employment scams, and romance scams as the three riskiest fraud types, with romance scams causing the highest median loss at $6,099 and investment scams affecting over 80% of targets. While the overall number of scam reports with losses decreased 14.6%, the median loss amount increased 30% year-over-year to $130, with adults 65 and older experiencing the highest median losses at $160, followed by ages 18–24 at $150. Publishers Clearing House was the most impersonated organization, and scams conducte
iol.co.za
· 2025-12-08
A 46-year-old nurse from North West province, South Africa, lost R520,000 from her FNB account in November 2022 after being romantically scammed by a man claiming to be "Ivan Tusiime" from Kenya. The funds were withdrawn from an FNB branch in Johannesburg that the victim had never visited, and a funeral policy was fraudulently opened in her name during the same transaction. Despite reporting the matter to police and FNB multiple times, the investigation was closed in November 2023 with no leads pursued, leaving the victim without resolution or recovery of her pension money.
lethbridgepolice.ca
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are confidence schemes where criminals build fake online relationships through dating sites and social media to eventually solicit money from victims. Key warning signs include rapid declarations of love, reluctance to meet in person, requests for money or crypto investments, and discouragement of telling others about the relationship. Victims are advised to avoid sharing personal information, never send money to strangers, enable multi-factor authentication, and report incidents to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (if no loss occurred) or local police and financial institutions (if money was lost).
kgw.com
· 2025-12-08
A Portland woman lost over $40,000 in a romance scam after matching with a man on Tinder who posed as a civil engineer in Turkey and used fake hospital photos and fabricated documentation to build trust over several months before requesting money. The scammer used altered images of former MLB pitcher Phil Hughes and eventually moved $750,000 into her Vanguard retirement account before the funds disappeared when red flags prompted the company to freeze the account. According to experts, romance scams are increasingly common and sophisticated, with the FTC reporting $547 million in consumer losses to such scams in 2021, aided by AI technology that allows scammers to manipulate photos and deepfakes.