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english.factcrescendo.com
· 2025-12-08
Tina fell victim to a romance scam on the social app MEEFF when a man posing as "Kelvin Luca," a UK-based ship engineer, built an emotional connection with her using a fabricated story about visiting India. After establishing trust through fake travel documents and stolen photos, an accomplice impersonating a customs official demanded ₹15,000 from Tina to release the scammer from detention for carrying illegal cash, claiming Kelvin had provided her contact information. Tina avoided financial loss by consulting a friend and investigating before transferring money, but the case illustrates how romance scammers use emotional manipulation and forged documents on dating platforms to exploit victims
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
Bashiru Ganiyu, 39, of the Bronx, was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for operating romance scams targeting primarily elderly victims from 2020 to 2022 as part of a Ghana-based criminal enterprise; he defrauded over 40 victims of nearly $12 million and was ordered to forfeit $11.7 million and pay $7.6 million in restitution. Ganiyu used fraudulent online personas to gain victims' trust before convincing them to wire money to bank accounts he controlled, then funneled the stolen funds to co-conspirators domestically and abroad.
livemint.com
· 2025-12-08
A McAfee study found that nearly 40% of Indians' online dating contacts are scammers, with 77% encountering AI-generated fake profiles on dating platforms. Cybercriminals exploit vulnerable daters by using AI tools to create realistic profile pictures and craft messages, while a 25-300% surge in Valentine's Day-related malware, phishing URLs, and romance scams was reported. To protect themselves, users are advised to scrutinize messages for generic content, perform reverse image searches on profile pictures, avoid clicking suspicious links, never send money to online contacts, and seek friends' opinions on new romantic interests.
tnsi.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams increased 118% in 2023, exploiting the rise of remote work opportunities by targeting job seekers through unsolicited texts and calls offering unrealistic positions. Key red flags include missing company names, generic free email addresses (Gmail/Outlook), promises of high pay with no restrictions, requests to purchase equipment or provide bank information, and offers that sound too good to be true. Job seekers should research companies and recruiters independently, verify email domains, trust their instincts, and report suspected scams to local police, state Attorney General offices, or the FTC.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Unsolicited text messages offering job positions are a common scam targeting job seekers, wherein fraudsters impersonate recruiters and request personal or financial information or prompt recipients to click malicious links to steal money or identity. To protect yourself, use legitimate job search sources like Career OneStop, avoid clicking links or responding to unexpected texts, research companies online before engaging, and report suspicious messages to the FTC and your phone carrier.
hawaiinewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article provides seven tips for protecting against holiday season scams and identity theft, including practicing caution with online shopping, avoiding phony delivery scams (particularly those impersonating the USPS), using strong password security practices, checking for card-skimming devices at ATMs and payment terminals, verifying charity legitimacy, being skeptical of unsolicited contacts, and monitoring financial accounts. The article notes that online shopping scams affected 82% of victims with financial losses in 2023, and that card skimming costs consumers and financial institutions over $1 billion annually.
wsaw.com
· 2025-12-08
The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau warns consumers of increased holiday scams targeting shoppers, including fake free gift card offers, fraudulent charities, and illegitimate online retailers. The BBB advises verifying website security (HTTPS), checking retailer legitimacy through BBB.org, and watching for red flags like misspelled words and unrealistic prices. Holiday fraud is particularly damaging as consumers often have limited budgets during peak spending season.
carleton.edu
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday season, scammers target shoppers and donors through fraudulent shipping notifications, fake charities, bogus order confirmations, and counterfeit online stores. Common tactics include phishing emails and texts impersonating delivery services (UPS, FedEx, USDA) to steal personal information, fake charity websites that exploit generosity, and fraudulent retailers offering steep discounts that deliver counterfeit goods or nothing at all. To protect yourself, verify communications directly with organizations, avoid clicking unexpected links, use two-factor authentication, monitor financial accounts, and report suspicious activity to ic3.gov or relevant authorities.
kfyrtv.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article provides seven tips for protecting against holiday scams and identity theft during the busy shopping season. Key advice includes practicing caution with online marketplaces and using traceable payment methods, avoiding fake delivery notification scams (particularly impersonating USPS), safeguarding passwords with unique credentials and multifactor authentication, and checking for card-skimming devices at ATMs and payment terminals. The article emphasizes that online shopping scams affected 82% of targeted victims in 2023, and card skimming costs over $1 billion annually, making holiday vigilance essential.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday season, scammers deploy sophisticated phishing emails impersonating trusted companies like Apple, Target, Temu, and delivery services to trick recipients into revealing personal and financial information. Common tactics include fake giveaway offers, free product promotions, package delivery alerts with artificial urgency, and deceptive survey requests that use official logos, capital letters, and urgent language to appear legitimate. Users are advised to verify tracking numbers and sender addresses before clicking links, and to be skeptical of unsolicited prize notifications and requests for personal information.
digitalinformationworld.com
· 2025-12-08
"Malvertising" (malicious digital advertisements) is rapidly increasing as a scam vector, with a 42% month-over-month increase in US cases in 2023 and 41% growth from July-September 2024, primarily originating from Vietnam and Pakistan. Scammers use these deceptive ads in search results to distribute malware, conduct investment scams, credit card fraud, phishing attacks, and romance scams, with ads disguised as legitimate businesses that steal victim information when clicked. Internet users across all websites are at risk, as malvertising is difficult to detect and remove; Google blocked 5.5 billion ads in 2023 but sc
wvua23.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns holiday shoppers to watch for common scams including misleading ads, fake gift cards, phishing emails and texts, and fraudulent online marketplaces. The BBB recommends slowing down before purchases, price-checking items, using credit cards for fraud protection, verifying return policies, and enabling two-factor authentication on accounts. Victims of holiday fraud should dispute charges with their credit card company, cancel compromised cards, change passwords, and report incidents to local police and state attorneys general.
svalleynow.com
· 2025-12-08
A phishing scam targeting iPhone users in Marion County sends text messages with links claiming to "unlock your account," which if clicked compromises personal information. Scammers follow up with spoofed calls impersonating Apple representatives and reference stolen personal details to build trust. Users are advised never to click suspicious links or engage with unknown contacts, as legitimate businesses will follow up through official channels.
daily-tribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Chatsworth Police Chief Josh Etheridge warned residents of an uptick in international scams targeting elderly victims through robocalls and fraudulent emails, noting that once victims purchase gift cards and provide the card numbers, the money cannot be recovered. The scammers often impersonate government agencies or trusted organizations to pressure victims into immediate payment, exploiting the elderly population who are viewed as trusting and less aware of modern fraud tactics. Police urge residents to report suspected scams and provided warning signs including requests to pay via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, as well as pressure to act immediately without verification.
fintech.global
· 2025-12-08
Federal financial regulators and FinCEN issued guidance to combat elder financial exploitation, citing FinCEN analysis showing $27 billion in suspicious activities linked to financial abuse of older adults in the year ending June 2023. The statement recommends that banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions implement risk management strategies including employee training, transaction monitoring, trusted contact processes, and prompt reporting to authorities and law enforcement. These measures aim to protect elderly account holders from financial exploitation while helping institutions strengthen their defenses against this form of abuse.
blog.knowbe4.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS issued an advisory warning taxpayers of holiday-themed shopping scams, including phishing emails impersonating delivery services and the IRS itself that trick victims into disclosing personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank accounts, and passwords. These scams are expected to intensify during the holiday season and tax season, potentially leading to identity theft and fraud. The IRS recommends avoiding unsecured Wi-Fi, maintaining updated security software, using strong passwords, and enabling multi-factor authentication to protect against these threats.
telus.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article:** "I know where you live!": the latest sextortion scam exposed
The "Hello Pervert" sextortion scam emails intimidate victims to pay in cryptocurrency by threatening to expose compromising content and now include a new tactic—photos of recipients' homes obtained from Google Maps Street View. To protect themselves, victims should never pay or respond to such emails, report them to law enforcement and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and take preventive measures including blurring their homes on Google Maps, conducting dark web scans, maintaining strong passwords, and running regular security scans on all devices.
dailygazette.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly Montgomery County resident lost $40,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam where the suspect posed as customer service and falsely claimed the victim's activity was being monitored. When the suspect, Zixiong Wang, 27, of Flushing, attempted to collect additional funds at a predetermined location in Amsterdam, New York State Police arrested him on charges of third-degree attempted grand larceny and criminal possession of cocaine; investigators also discovered he was wanted in Delaware for similar crimes against an elderly victim.
cbs6albany.com
· 2025-12-08
A 27-year-old man from Flushing, NY was arrested after defrauding a Montgomery County senior of over $40,000 through a fake cryptocurrency scam involving fraudulent emails and threatening phone calls. The suspect, Zixiong Wang, was apprehended during an arranged money exchange in Amsterdam and was also found to be wanted in Delaware for similar crimes against an elderly victim. Wang was remanded to jail without bail, with authorities noting additional suspects may be involved in the ongoing investigation.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
A woman from Mumbai's Gorai area lost Rs 6.37 lakh after clicking on an Instagram reel advertising a part-time job that promised quick earnings for simple tasks like liking videos. The scammers used a classic bait-and-switch scheme, initially providing small payments for basic tasks to build trust, then convincing her to invest larger amounts in "higher-paying" opportunities before demanding additional "tax" payments to release non-existent profits. The case was reported to Borivali Police and authorities are urging the public to verify job offers and avoid clicking suspicious social media links.
patriotnewsmn.com
· 2025-12-08
A concerned citizen nearly fell for an impersonation scam where a caller claiming to be law enforcement demanded $15,000 bail to release the victim's daughter from jail after a purported car accident; the parents avoided loss by verifying the claim at the actual jail and discovering their daughter was safe. The article documents multiple similar law enforcement impersonation scams in Wright County, Minnesota, where scammers pose as sheriffs or court officials demanding payment or personal information, and provides guidance that legitimate law enforcement never calls demanding cash payments and advises victims to hang up and contact the actual agency directly.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
A mother from Coventry nearly fell victim to a WhatsApp scam when a man posing as someone from her son's school called her and sent a code claiming to invite her to a parents' Christmas party group; the code would have actually granted the scammer access to all her WhatsApp data and personal information, but she recognized the threat and hung up. Consumer rights experts warn that such scams are increasingly common and can have devastating consequences, as scammers only need an email and password to attempt accessing bank accounts, shopping platforms, and payment services.
unit42.paloaltonetworks.com
· 2025-12-08
Threat actors exploit trending global events like sporting championships by registering deceptive domains for phishing, malware distribution, and fraud schemes that can reach millions of people searching for event-related information. Security teams should proactively monitor network abuse metrics—including suspicious domain registrations, DNS traffic patterns, and textual indicators—to identify malicious campaigns that surge around high-profile events. Palo Alto Networks recommends using cloud-delivered security services such as Advanced DNS Security and URL Filtering to protect against event-themed cyberattacks.
wbrc.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau identified twelve common holiday scams affecting consumers, including misleading social media ads, fake shipping text messages, gift card fraud, and counterfeit product listings that steal credit card information. The BBB advised consumers to remain vigilant during the holiday season by verifying retailer legitimacy, checking gift card packaging for tampering, and avoiding suspicious discounts on popular items, as scammers typically disappear after collecting payment or personal data.
whas11.com
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday season, scammers in Indiana are impersonating USPS representatives and sending text messages claiming packages are held due to invalid zip codes, with links designed to trick recipients into clicking. The Floyd County Sheriff's Office warns recipients to delete these messages and verified with the post office that this is a scam. Authorities advise checking package status directly through tracking apps or contacting the postal service directly rather than responding to unsolicited messages.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI has issued a public service announcement warning of increasing AI-generated scams targeting smartphone users, including deepfake audio and video calls impersonating loved ones, celebrities, and authority figures to commit fraud at scale. The agency advises users to hang up and independently verify caller identity, establish a secret word with family members for emergency verification, and avoid sharing sensitive information with online or phone-only contacts, as AI tools are becoming sophisticated enough that experts may struggle to distinguish authentic from fabricated content.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Research from Which? revealed that parcel delivery scams impersonating major couriers (USPS, Amazon, DHL, Royal Mail, InPost) are spiking ahead of the 2024 holiday season, with scammers using fake delivery notifications to pressure victims into clicking malicious links that steal credentials and enable fraud. Gmail's smart summary card feature, powered by AI defenses that block 99.9% of phishing attempts, offers additional protection against these scams when combined with user awareness and existing platform security measures.
dailydodge.com
· 2025-12-08
Wisconsin's Division of Trade and Consumer Protection reported an increase in sextortion scams conducted via email and text, where scammers falsely claim to possess compromising videos or information and threaten to share it with the victim's contacts unless paid in cryptocurrency. The scammers use publicly available information like Google Maps photos and false claims about unsafe website visits to appear credible. Officials recommend victims not respond to messages, avoid sending money, change passwords on all accounts, and report incidents to the state's consumer protection hotline.
cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI has warned of increased cyber scams during the holiday season, and CNET senior cybersecurity reporter Bree Fowler provides guidance on protecting oneself from these threats. The video segment offers cybersecurity advice and protective measures specifically tailored to the holiday shopping and online activity period.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Model Shivankita Dixit lost Rs 99,000 in a "digital arrest" scam where fraudsters impersonating CBI officials contacted her via WhatsApp, falsely accusing her of involvement in human trafficking and drug smuggling, then coerced her into paying money to avoid arrest. Digital arrest scams are a sophisticated cybercrime tactic where scammers impersonate law enforcement, use video calls and fake documents to establish credibility, and exploit victims' fear through false allegations and threats of legal action. Key prevention measures include verifying caller identity through official sources, avoiding disclosure of sensitive information, staying calm under pressure, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities immediately.
dimsumdaily.hk
· 2025-12-08
A phishing scam in Hong Kong impersonated the Water Supplies Department with fake overdue payment notifications containing malicious links; one victim lost HK$15,000 (approximately USD $1,923) after entering her credit card and verification code on a fraudulent website designed to mimic official communications. Multiple reports emerged of similar scams claiming small overdue fees of HK$28.26 to appear legitimate, with the fraudulent messages sent under sender names like "HKSW." The Water Supplies Department issued an alert confirming they do not send hyperlinked messages and advised the public that authentic communications begin with a "#" symbol, while urging victims to contact police and report suspicious
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A WhatsApp scam targeting parents circulated widely during the Christmas season, in which a scammer posed as a school parent and sent victims a code claiming to add them to a group chat for organizing a Christmas party—the code would actually grant the scammer access to all of the victim's WhatsApp data and personal information. A mother from Coventry nearly fell victim but recognized the suspicious code before clicking it, and WhatsApp has since rolled out protective measures including alert notifications that show who created a group, when it was created, and who added you, allowing users to verify legitimacy before joining.
ktar.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article:** "Beware of 'quishing' emails! These scary scams can hurt your computer"
Phishing scams exploit human emotions through social engineering and malware-laden links or attachments, with cybercriminals increasingly using "quishing" (QR code phishing) to bypass email security filters. If you fall for a phishing scam, immediate steps include scanning for malware if you clicked a link, changing your password from a secure device using a 12+ character unique password, enabling two-factor authentication on all accounts, and monitoring for credential stuffing attacks where hackers use stolen login information across multiple websites.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A convincing phishing scam impersonates Spotify by sending fraudulent emails claiming payment failures and threatening account cancellation, using official branding and logos to appear legitimate. The scam directs victims to a fake login page that harvests personal information including names, addresses, dates of birth, and credit card details, which could be used for unauthorized payments and identity theft. Spotify advises users never to share payment information via email and to verify account issues directly through the official platform.
technology.inquirer.net
· 2025-12-08
Government agencies (CICC and DOJ) and online bank Maya discussed the eight most common online scams affecting Filipinos—including phishing, identity theft, ransomware, online shopping fraud, tech support scams, social media scams, investment/crypto scams, and romance scams—at the Protecta Pilipinas launch event. Panelists warned that scams have become increasingly sophisticated, with criminals using tower hijacking techniques to send spoofed messages from legitimate institutions and targeting online shoppers with losses ranging from ₱3,500 to ₱17,000. Authorities advised the public to avoid clicking suspicious links and carefully verify messages claiming to be from
gisuser.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost victims an average of $2,000, with total losses exceeding $1 billion in 2023 alone, and 50% of Americans using dating apps between 2018-2023 experienced catfishing. Scammers use stolen photos, love bombing tactics, and requests to move communication off-platform before eventually asking for money, cryptocurrency investments, or personal financial data. To protect yourself, avoid sending money to online contacts, decline investments in digital assets, request video chats to verify identity, and trust your instincts if communication seems inconsistent or suspicious.
thebuglenewspaper.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Twelve years ago, Lynne Strong's travel debit card was cloned, likely at a restaurant or taxi, resulting in systematic unauthorized ATM withdrawals and daily shopping charges that her bank failed to detect for nearly a month. Her bank eventually reimbursed the fraudulent transactions but processed them individually, creating a tedious reconciliation process, and offered only a $400 credit and apology. The article highlights five common scams targeting Australians—investment fraud, phishing attacks, romance scams, remote access scams, and lottery scams—providing protective strategies for each, and emphasizes that Australians lost over $2.74 billion to scams in 2023 alone
startsat60.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines twelve common scams that surge during the Christmas season in Australia, including online shopping fraud, parcel delivery scams, fake charities, counterfeit gift cards, holiday travel scams, romance scams, cryptocurrency schemes, and phishing attacks. HSBC warns that festive season distractions and increased spending make consumers more vulnerable to fraud, with Australians expected to spend $11.8 billion on gifts in 2024. The article advises consumers to verify websites and retailers, donate through established charity channels, and remain cautious of unsolicited offers and suspicious links.
levittownnow.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide from the Bucks County Department of Consumer Protection outlines common holiday shopping scams and prevention strategies. Key scams include fake retailer websites using phishing tactics, gift card theft where criminals harvest card numbers before activation, and fraudulent charities impersonating legitimate organizations. Consumers should verify URLs directly, use secure payment methods, purchase gift cards in-store, and donate only to verified charities to protect themselves during the holiday season.
actionnewsjax.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Jacksonville Division warns consumers about increasingly sophisticated online scams targeting shoppers through fake retail sites, social media frauds, and charity schemes. During the 2023 holiday season, the IC3 received 13,000 non-delivery complaints totaling $92 million in losses, and in 2024, puppy scams alone generated approximately 2,600 complaints with $5.6 million in losses. The FBI recommends using strong passwords, verifying charity legitimacy, avoiding unrealistic discounts, and checking financial statements regularly to prevent fraud.
enewscourier.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS launched its annual Tax Security Awareness Week to alert taxpayers about increasingly sophisticated scams during the holiday season and tax season, including phishing emails, fake delivery notifications, and impersonation calls from fraudulent IRS agents seeking personal and financial information. The agency recommends protective measures such as using secure websites (https), updating security software, enabling multi-factor authentication, and using strong passwords, while warning of specific threats like phishing, smishing, spear phishing, clone phishing, and whaling attacks. Consumers are advised to remain vigilant about sharing sensitive data and to visit the IRS website for additional resources and fraud prevention guidance.
cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
Cullen Brown and Ritu Tirthani each lost tens of thousands of dollars in down payment savings to a "business email compromise" scam in which criminals impersonated their title companies via hacked email accounts to redirect wire transfers. The FBI reported 21,489 BEC complaints totaling $2.9 billion in losses in 2023, making it the second-costliest crime type; advances in AI and instant payment systems like FedNow have made these schemes harder to detect and recover from. Both victims ultimately recovered their funds, but the scams highlight a growing vulnerability in real estate transactions where publicly available property data and large sums of money make homebuyers attractive targets
vaildaily.com
· 2025-12-08
This opinion letter describes the author's frustrations with scams received through phone calls, emails, and texts impersonating legitimate businesses and government agencies, including a Facebook marketplace fraud where ordered merchandise never arrived. The author argues that local law enforcement cannot adequately address the problem due to its interstate and international nature, and calls for greater federal government involvement and coordination, noting that attempts to report scams to state and federal agencies have yielded no follow-up or visible action.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Tech support scammers are targeting users with unsolicited calls and pop-up warnings claiming their computers have been hacked, exploiting fears by impersonating legitimate companies like Microsoft and demanding immediate payment via non-reversible methods. A Florida resident named Tammy contacted authorities after receiving a fraudulent Microsoft call warning her not to touch her computer. To protect yourself, immediately disengage from suspicious contacts, disconnect from the internet, avoid granting remote access, run antivirus scans, change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and monitor your accounts for unauthorized activity.
wdrb.com
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday season, scammers are impersonating U.S. Postal Service representatives via text messages, claiming packages are held and directing recipients to click links and enter credit card information to claim delivery. The USPS confirmed these texts are fraudulent and warns consumers never to click unfamiliar links or provide personal/financial information in response to unsolicited messages. Additionally, counterfeit stamps sold at significant discounts (20-50% off) on social media and e-commerce sites are circulating, and law enforcement recommends deleting suspicious texts and reporting them to local post offices.
dallasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday season, scammers exploit increased consumer spending through fake travel websites, bogus vacation rentals, mock online stores, donation scams, and phishing emails, with credit card fraud causing $173 million in losses and nonpayment/nondelivery scams resulting in over $309 million in damages in 2023. To protect themselves, consumers should practice strong cybersecurity habits (avoiding suspicious links and verifying company contacts directly), use credit cards for online purchases and monitor statements, obtain tracking numbers for shipments, create unique strong passwords, and verify sender email addresses before clicking links or downloading attachments.
outlooknewspapers.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines why seniors are targeted by financial scammers—they typically have substantial liquid assets, low credit card debt, and high credit scores that fraudsters exploit to open unauthorized accounts. The piece identifies common scam types (impersonation, grandparent scams, health fraud, disaster relief scams, and delivery scams) and warning signs (demands for untraceable payments via gift cards or wire transfers, urgent threats, and requests for personal information), then provides protective measures including never sharing login credentials, avoiding suspicious links, using strong passwords, and being cautious about unsolicited calls and messages.
mitrade.com
· 2025-12-08
A 33-year-old resident of Thane district, India lost over $25,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam after being contacted by someone posing as a representative of a crypto investment company who promised high-yield returns. The victim transferred funds between November 8 and December 3 before the scammer became unresponsive when he requested to withdraw his earnings. Police have registered a complaint under the Information Technology Act and are investigating to trace the international phone number used in the fraud.
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
An 85-year-old Brooklyn artist was defrauded of $135,000 after being contacted on LinkedIn by a scammer posing as an art dealer who directed him to a fake NFT marketplace resembling OpenSea, promising $300,000 in profits but then demanding a "fee" to access funds. The Brooklyn District Attorney's office shut down 40 fraudulent NFT websites connected to the scheme, which targeted artists and was traced to Nigeria, with investigators identifying at least two other victims in Georgia and California.
amp.cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
Cullen Brown and Ritu Tirthani fell victim to "business email compromise" (BEC) fraud, a sophisticated scam where criminals impersonate legitimate businesses via hacked email accounts to trick homebuyers into wiring down payments to fraudulent accounts—Brown lost nearly $60,000 and Tirthani lost tens of thousands of dollars before both recovered their funds. The FBI reported 21,489 BEC complaints with over $2.9 billion in losses in 2023, with real estate transactions particularly vulnerable due to publicly available property data and large sums involved. Advances in AI communication and instant payment systems like FedNow have made these sc