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in General Elder Fraud
emarketer.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial scams targeting seniors have doubled in both victim numbers and financial losses over the past four years, with reported losses reaching $3.4 billion in 2023, though actual figures are likely significantly higher according to the FBI and American Banker. Many elder scams are particularly difficult to detect because victims willingly initiate the fraudulent transactions themselves.
abcactionnews.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old Florida widow lost approximately $6,000 in a lottery scam after receiving a call from someone claiming to represent Mega Millions promising her an $8 million prize. The scammer, using the name "Michael Baxter," convinced her to send cash advances to an address in Indianapolis by falsely claiming he would pay off her credit cards and send her a larger payment, but the initial payments were made with fraudulent checks that were later reversed. The FBI reports that elder fraud complaints increased 11% in 2023 to 101,000 cases involving $3.4 billion in losses, and the victim now faces nearly $40,000 in debt with significantly damaged credit
valleybreeze.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud complaints rose 14 percent nationally in 2023, resulting in $3.4 billion in losses, with Rhode Islanders over 60 losing $7.4 million to scams. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, AARP Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island State Police held an Elder Fraud Prevention Summit to educate older adults on detecting and reporting fraud, emphasizing that tech support, romance, and investment scams are among the most common schemes targeting seniors. Experts stressed that victims should report incidents immediately and stay informed about evolving scams, noting that sophisticated criminals use artificial intelligence and psychological manipulation rather than targeting inherent vulnerabilities in older adults.
helpnetsecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
A survey of 250 US and UK cybersecurity decision-makers found that AI-powered impersonation and deepfakes are now the most difficult attack vectors to defend against, with 52% of respondents identifying AI impersonation as their top concern. Criminals are using tools like WormGPT to create highly convincing phishing campaigns and deepfake-based social engineering attacks at near-zero cost, while 87% of respondents cited identity-based attacks as an increasingly serious threat, though 40% of companies still lack cryptographically authenticated identity systems. The research suggests that while 68% of organizations are deploying AI-based defenses, the most effective approach would be
local3news.com
· 2025-12-08
The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office will host a Senior Scam Awareness Seminar on Friday at the Whitfield County Senior Center to educate seniors on protecting themselves from fraud. Detective Brandon Fincher will lead the 45-minute session covering personal safety, crimes of opportunity, email scams, and fraud reporting resources. Interested seniors can reserve a spot by calling 706-278-3700.
emporiagazette.com
· 2025-12-08
The 22nd annual Senior Life Fair in Lyon County held an educational event focused on scam prevention, attracting hundreds of seniors to learn about fraud risks and community resources. Kansas Assistant Attorney General Melanie Jack delivered the keynote address emphasizing the prevalence of scams targeting seniors, including romance scams and internet-based fraud, while noting that fraud against Kansas residents over 60 is now treated as a criminal investigation. Nearly 40 vendors provided information on senior services, health screenings, and safety topics.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not relevant to the Elderus elder fraud research database. It is a local events listing for Orange County, CA entertainment and activities, containing no information about scams, fraud, elder abuse, or related topics.
hawaiinewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly victim in Honolulu was defrauded through a malware scam in which he received a fake Microsoft pop-up warning on August 29, then was instructed by a female caller to withdraw cash and place it in a cardboard box for a supposed courier pickup. Over two days, two suspects (one female, one male) used provided passcodes to collect the cash-filled boxes from the victim's home, with both captured on surveillance video. Police note that elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable to these digital scams and urge family members to warn their relatives about such threats.
financial-planning.com
· 2025-12-08
Charles Schwab is facing a federal lawsuit filed by an 84-year-old man and his 76-year-old wife who allege the financial firm failed to prevent scammers from stealing $18.5 million of their retirement savings. The fraud involved hackers posing as Schwab and law enforcement representatives who manipulated the couple into transferring nearly $30 million to a cryptocurrency exchange, with $18.5 million ultimately converted to crypto and sent to the scammers. This is the third similar lawsuit against Schwab in less than two months, highlighting a broader elder fraud crisis affecting seniors nationwide.
larimer.gov
· 2025-12-08
An 85-year-old man and 83-year-old woman in California fell victim to a tech support scam after clicking a popup that directed them to call "Microsoft Support Services"; the suspect collected $30,000 from them in person and later attempted to extort an additional $70,000 in gold bars. Arashdeep Dhaliwal was arrested in April 2024 when he returned to collect the gold and subsequently pleaded guilty to felony theft, receiving 30 days jail time at work release, 3 years supervised probation, and ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution to the victims.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
In summer 2020, a 28-year-old woman lost £18,000 to a bank impersonation scam where fraudsters posed as her bank's fraud team and instructed her to move funds to a "safe" account. Though she was eventually reimbursed by her bank, the experience caused severe psychological distress including suicidal ideation. The article highlights growing evidence that fraud victims experience significant mental health impacts—with research showing 60-69% of UK fraud victims report negative effects on mental health including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem—and notes that psychological harm from scams is not simply proportional to financial loss but depends on factors like social support, existing
thefamuanonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Spam calls and communication fraud have become widespread globally, with scammers frequently targeting older adults aged 65 and up, who lose an average of $35,000 per victim according to Elder Affairs Florida. In response, Florida enacted House Bill 1171 effective October 1, which reclassifies fraud charges targeting seniors, minors, and people with disabilities to more severe felony levels—elevating misdemeanors to third-degree felonies and increasing penalties for higher-level offenses. The law also allows victims whose images or likenesses were used fraudulently to pursue legal action, while the Federal Trade Commission recommends protective measures such as avoiding unknown emails, securing personal information,
coosavalleynews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 27-year-old Rome woman was arrested for fraudulently using a 75-year-old man's debit card without permission to make ten purchases totaling $600.68 at local restaurants and online retailers between September 16-30. Allie Nicole Mull faces ten counts of financial transaction card fraud, identity fraud, and exploitation of an elderly person.
wthr.com
· 2025-12-08
A 90-year-old in Noblesville, Indiana, received a threatening letter claiming to be a "Final demand for payment" from a fake "Tax Processing Unit" demanding $8,000 for unpaid taxes, which her family identified as a scam by noting the urgency, lack of online payment option, and absence of verifiable contact information. The FBI reports that scams targeting people 60 and older resulted in over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, with victims averaging $33,915 in losses, as scammers exploit seniors' politeness, savings, and reluctance to report fraud.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
A married senior couple lost $30 million in a coordinated fraud scheme involving impersonation, cryptocurrency transfers, and alleged negligence by Charles Schwab, Bank of America, and Unchained Trading. Scammers used confidential information from Schwab's 2023 data breach to convince the victims their investment accounts were compromised, then directed them to liquidate assets and convert funds to cryptocurrency. The lawsuit alleges that all three institutions failed to implement proper Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) protocols despite clear red flags of elder financial abuse and identity theft, and instead attempted to upsell additional services rather than halt the fraudulent transactions
timesherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Norristown Councilwoman Tiffani Hendley pleaded guilty to elder fraud and received a sentence of two years probation with $15,000 in restitution ordered by a Montgomery County judge in October 2024. The charges stemmed from a fraud case involving an elder victim in 2023.
wktn.com
· 2025-12-08
The Auglaize County Sheriff's Office issued a public awareness alert about elder fraud targeting seniors through phone calls, emails, pop-ups, text messages, and letters to steal money and personal information. The advisory recommends residents avoid sharing personal information with unknown callers, never send money or gift cards to strangers, verify emergency claims and prize winnings with trusted sources, and report suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission.
wlbt.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The Jackson Medical Mall Foundation held its fifth annual Senior Gratitude Day in Jackson, Mississippi, celebrating seniors while introducing an expanded transportation program called the Central Mississippi Support and Outreach Program. The collaboration between public and private organizations provides over 40 vehicles to transport elderly and disabled residents to medical appointments, shopping, and recreational activities, with more than 350 seniors over 65 participating in the event. The day also featured educational sessions on elderly scams, artificial intelligence, and healthy cooking demonstrations.
thealpenanews.com
· 2025-12-08
A caller impersonating "Jack Jones" from Dish Network convinced the author's wife to provide her debit card information by claiming a mandatory $149.99 software update fee was required within 24 hours to maintain service, with a promised $15/month credit over 36 months. The author discovered the scam after returning home, confirmed it with Dish Network customer service, and took immediate protective measures including moving funds and canceling the debit card, noting that the scam's sophisticated nature—mimicking legitimate service procedures—would be particularly dangerous for elderly or cognitively declining seniors.
thehindu.com
· 2025-12-08
The Cyber Crime Wing of Tamil Nadu Police warned of an impersonation scam targeting pensioners, in which fraudsters pose as government officials to extract bank details and personal information through phone calls, QR codes, and WhatsApp screen-sharing requests. Between January and October 2024, approximately 28 complaints were reported to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, with victims experiencing unauthorized debits from their accounts after providing sensitive financial information. Senior citizens relying on pensions are particularly vulnerable to this scam, facing both significant financial losses and emotional distress.
huroncountyview.mihomepaper.com
· 2025-12-08
The Huron County Sheriff's Office warned seniors of a political scam where fraudsters impersonated officials from Lansing and Detroit, claiming political memberships had expired and pressuring victims to renew them. Two elderly residents were targeted, with one losing significant money after providing personal information; authorities stated recovery chances are slim. The sheriff's office advised seniors to hang up on suspicious callers, discuss potential scams with family members, and verify caller identities before sharing information or money.
kktv.com
· 2025-12-08
Text message phishing scams are among the most common fraud tactics targeting potential victims, with scammers impersonating shipping companies like USPS, UPS, or FedEx to claim packages are undeliverable and trick recipients into clicking links or calling numbers to provide payment or device access. Experts advise recipients to avoid clicking links or calling numbers in unsolicited texts, delete messages from unknown senders, and expect an increase in such scams during the holiday season. Those who encounter fraud can report it to AARP ElderWatch at 1-800-222-4444 (option 2).
ccxmedia.org
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Dodzi Kordorwu, a 38-year-old from Brooklyn Park, was sentenced to over five years in prison for operating a nationwide romance fraud scheme that defrauded dozens of victims, primarily seniors, of $2.2 million between May 2018 and June 2022. The scheme involved impersonating military officials or diplomats through social media to build false relationships before requesting money, with Kordorwu receiving over 90 victim packages containing the fraudulent proceeds. In addition to his prison sentence, Kordorwu was ordered to make full restitution and remain under court supervision for three years after release.
mypunepulse.com
· 2025-12-08
A 62-year-old woman from Pune lost ₹25.5 lakh in a sophisticated parcel scam where fraudsters impersonated courier and cybercrime officials, falsely claiming her Aadhaar was used to send illegal items to Thailand and threatening her with jail time. The victim liquidated mutual funds and transferred the money via RTGS after being promised an RBI investigation and reimbursement, after which the scammers ceased contact. Parvati police have launched an investigation into the incident.
uniindia.com
· 2025-12-08
Tamil Nadu police issued a warning about a pension scam targeting senior citizens, in which fraudsters impersonate government officials and trick pensioners into sharing bank details or scanning QR codes under the pretense of facilitating pension benefits like old age or widow pensions. Between January and October 2024, approximately 28 complaints were filed regarding this scam, resulting in financial losses when money is debited from victims' accounts instead of pension payments being received. Police advised pensioners to verify caller identities, avoid sharing personal information over the phone, never scan QR codes from unknown sources, and report suspicious activity to the Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930.
federalwaymirror.com
· 2025-12-08
Dave Reynolds, a member of the Federal Way Senior Commission, is working to help seniors stay active and engaged by encouraging technology use, connecting them to community groups, and promoting lifelong learning through initiatives like a senior-led children's reading program. Reynolds emphasizes teaching seniors how to safely use the internet to find activities and avoid scams, while personally modeling active aging by attending electronic dance music concerts and raves.
theprint.in
· 2025-12-08
**Tech Support Scams Targeting Canadian Seniors Surge Amid India-Canada Diplomatic Rift**
Cyber scammers operating from call centers in India and Cambodia are exploiting a breakdown in cooperation between Indian and Canadian authorities to intensify tech support fraud targeting Canadian senior citizens. The scams, worth millions of dollars monthly, involve fraudsters impersonating Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple to convince elderly victims to pay for unnecessary technical support services, with funds being laundered through cryptocurrencies to Hong Kong; a recent CBI operation busted one call center in New Delhi that had defrauded victims across multiple countries for two years.
semissourian.com
· 2025-12-08
Spring weather increases scam activity targeting elderly residents, according to a warning from Seniors and Lawmen Together (SALT) in Cape Girardeau County. Common spring scams involve unsolicited home repair offers—such as roof repairs, driveway paving, and painting—where con artists either use inferior materials and demand higher fees or accept down payments without performing work. Police recommend seniors avoid unsolicited service offers and instead use well-known local companies with verifiable references.
meadvilletribune.com
· 2025-12-08
A man who obtained legal power of attorney for an elderly Pennsylvania woman stole more than $60,000 from her and remains at large, prompting fraud analyst Lauren Greenaway to testify before state lawmakers about the case during legislative discussions on financial exploitation of seniors. The testimony highlighted the need for stronger protections, including proposals to require financial institutions to report suspected elder financial exploitation and to clarify laws around power of attorney oversight to prevent similar abuses.
swarajyamag.com
· 2025-12-08
Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned citizens about the rise of "digital arrest" scams in which fraudsters impersonate government officials (police, CBI, narcotics departments, RBI) via phone or video calls to deceive people into believing they are under investigation. Modi clarified that no legal "digital arrest" system exists and urged the public to stay calm, document interactions, and report such incidents to the national cyber helpline (1930) and police, while also calling on schools and educational institutions to conduct awareness campaigns.
newsbytesapp.com
· 2025-12-08
A 62-year-old woman from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala lost ₹87 lakh in an online trading scam between September and October after fraudsters impressed her with market knowledge, showed fake profits on a fraudulent website, and repeatedly coerced her to invest more money. The scammers transferred funds across four different bank accounts and fully withdrew the money before the victim filed a complaint, prompting a cyber police investigation under charges of criminal breach of trust, cheating by personation, and IT Act violations.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old man in Delhi's Dwarka lost Rs 16.64 lakh across three bank accounts after scammers initiated contact about a SIM upgrade to 5G, then conducted unauthorized transactions over three days. The article also documented similar fraud cases targeting senior citizens, including a "digital arrest" scam that defrauded a 72-year-old woman of Rs 83 lakh and sextortion schemes extracting tens of thousands of rupees through threats.
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old man from Pune was defrauded of Rs 45 lakh (approximately $54,000 USD) in a "digital arrest" scam in September, where cyber criminals posing as TRAI and Mumbai Crime Branch officers convinced him he was under investigation for drug trafficking and money laundering, forcing him to remain confined at home without contact with others for four days. The fraudsters used video calls with fake police credentials and Maharashtra police logos to build credibility, then instructed him to transfer his savings to fraudulent "RBI safe accounts," after which the scammers became unreachable. This case exemplifies organized cross-border cyber crimes where fraudsters use
viewfromthewing.com
· 2025-12-08
A passenger at Bangalore airport lost over $1,000 when lounge staff directed her to download a malicious "Lounge Pass" app and complete a facial scan, claiming these were required for entry. Scammers used the app to gain access to her phone, redirect calls, intercept one-time passwords, and fraudulently charge her credit card and transfer funds to a PhonePe account. The victim contacted her bank to report the fraud, and security experts recommend downloading apps only through official app stores, never sharing two-factor authentication codes, and being cautious of requests for biometric data at airport lounges.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
Research from USC found that thinning of the entorhinal cortex in the brain—an early sign of Alzheimer's disease—is associated with increased vulnerability to financial scams in older adults, particularly those aged 70 and older. The study of 97 participants used brain imaging and a standardized financial vulnerability assessment tool, suggesting that evaluating financial decision-making could help identify early cognitive decline, though the researchers note the study was limited to educated white women and further research on diverse populations is needed before this can be used as a clinical diagnostic tool.
news18.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old Delhi resident lost Rs 16.64 lakh from his bank account just three days after receiving a call from an unknown number asking him to upgrade his SIM to 5G, despite taking no action, sharing no personal information, or clicking any links. The Dwarka Cyber Police registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident, which highlights a growing pattern of sophisticated digital scams targeting elderly people in Delhi, including cases involving digital arrest threats and extortion via obscene video calls. Police have urged citizens to avoid trusting calls or messages from unknown numbers.
amac.us
· 2025-12-08
This is a survey/awareness piece soliciting feedback from seniors about their experiences with scams and fraud prevention strategies. The article compiles reader responses sharing practical anti-scam tactics—such as not answering unknown numbers, scrutinizing sender email addresses, and avoiding unsolicited calls—along with anecdotes including one commenter's experience helping an elderly mother recover from computer hacking incidents after she clicked on malicious notifications.
presidentialprayerteam.org
· 2025-12-08
The FTC reported that older adults lost over $1.9 billion to fraud in 2023, though actual losses may exceed $61.5 billion, with seniors over 80 particularly vulnerable to tech support, lottery, family impersonation, and investment scams. The FTC's Scams Against Older Adults Advisory Group, established under the 2022 Stop Senior Scams Act, is working through enforcement, rulemaking, and outreach to disrupt these scams and improve consumer education. Bank transfers and cryptocurrency were identified as the most common payment methods used by fraudsters targeting seniors.
senatenj.com
· 2025-12-08
The New Jersey Senate unanimously passed legislation (S-1887) creating a new criminal offense of "financial exploitation of the elderly" to protect seniors aged 60 and older from fraud, false promises, extortion, and intimidation by individuals in positions of trust, such as caregivers or fiduciaries. The law establishes graduated penalties ranging from fourth-degree crimes (under $200, up to 18 months imprisonment) to second-degree crimes (over $75,000, 5-10 years imprisonment), with the companion Assembly bill (A-4593) awaiting committee consideration.
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud is now the leading crime against Canadian seniors, with scammers increasingly exploiting technological tools to create more sophisticated schemes including grandparent fraud (2,494 victims, $9.4 million in losses), romance scams ($59 million in 2022), and phishing attacks ($58 million in 2022). Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to social isolation, limited digital literacy (only 26% feel confident with technology), accessible savings, and the emotional manipulation that can override caution despite public awareness campaigns.
ia.acs.org.au
· 2025-12-08
Former NSW Police detective Kylee Dennis launched Two Face Investigations in August 2023 after discovering her friend's 78-year-old mother was targeted by a romance scammer using stolen photos. Since inception, Dennis has investigated cases involving victims aged 50-86 who lost between $30 and over $500,000 to romance scammers, contributing to Australia's $34.3 million in romance scam losses during 2023.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
New Jersey legislation (S-1887) sponsored by Sen. Carmen Amato and co-sponsors would create a new criminal offense called "financial exploitation of the elderly" with enhanced penalties for those who defraud seniors aged 60 and older. The bill, which unanimously passed the New Jersey Senate, establishes tiered punishments ranging from up to 18 months imprisonment and $10,000 fines for amounts under $200, to five to 10 years imprisonment and $150,000 fines for amounts exceeding $75,000, and applies to persons in positions of trust such as caregivers or fiduciaries.
bilyonaryo.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud against seniors in Canada is rapidly increasing and now represents the leading crime against this population, driven by sophisticated technologies including voice simulation, AI-generated profiles, and automated phishing systems. Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to social isolation, limited digital literacy (only 26% feel confident with technology), and accessible savings, making them targets for scams like grandparent fraud ($9.4 million in losses), romance scams ($59 million in 2022), and phishing ($58 million in 2022). To protect themselves, seniors should never share personal information via unsolicited calls or messages, verify requests independently, and remain cautious of emotional appeals even when awareness campaigns exist.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
A 65-year-old woman in Johor Baru lost RM380,000 in a Macau scam after receiving calls from individuals posing as bank and Bank Negara Malaysia officials who claimed she had fraudulent credit card activity and instructed her to transfer funds to a "secure" account for investigation purposes. The victim made 49 transactions across six accounts on October 18-19 before the scammers blocked her number. Police are investigating under the Penal Code and advise the public to verify official contact through the Semak Mule application and report scams to the National Scam Response Centre at 997.
pahouse.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania House Democrats convened a hearing to discuss ways to strengthen state support for the commonwealth's 3.4 million older adults, the nation's fifth-oldest population. Testifiers identified key needs including affordable housing, transportation, community services, and protection from financial scams targeting seniors through phone calls, email, and social media, with recommendations to update the Older Adult Protection Services Act and implement stricter penalties for scammers.
interest.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Fraud is now the leading crime against seniors in Canada, with scammers increasingly exploiting advanced technology including voice simulation, AI, and fake identities to conduct grandparent scams, romance fraud, and phishing schemes. Notable losses include $9.4 million from grandparent fraud and $59 million from romance scams in 2022 alone. Seniors remain vulnerable due to social isolation, limited digital literacy (only 26% feel confident with technology despite 67% using the internet), and scammers' ability to create emotionally manipulative scenarios that override caution and awareness campaigns.
montanafreepress.org
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies common scam tactics targeting older adults—including urgent payment demands, voice impersonation using AI, and financial abuse by trusted individuals—and notes that Montana has a particularly high senior population per capita. The piece advises protection measures such as ignoring unknown calls, monitoring account activity, using digital payments instead of checks, and maintaining secure personal information, while emphasizing that neither banks nor government agencies demand money or threaten account holders.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting seniors during Medicare open enrollment (deadline December 7) by calling or texting them to help choose plans, then requesting personal information including Medicare ID numbers. The Better Business Bureau warns seniors to never share Medicare IDs, only work with trusted professionals, and remember that Medicare never initiates contact—seniors must reach out to Medicare themselves.
abc7.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults in Laguna Hills attended a fraud awareness seminar hosted by Age Well Senior Services where they learned to recognize common scams including tech support, lottery, romance, and sweepstakes schemes. The Federal Trade Commission reports seniors lost over $1.9 billion to fraud last year, though estimates suggest the actual figure may reach $62 billion when unreported cases are included. Experts emphasized that scams typically begin with unsolicited contact and advised seniors not to answer calls from unknown numbers and to report suspected fraud to Adult Protective Services or local law enforcement.
gvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, fraud losses in the United States reached $3.4 billion last year, with elder fraud cases rising 14%. The Green Valley Council hosted Fight Fraud Day to educate seniors about common scams including tech support, artificial intelligence, romance, investment, and government impersonation schemes. The Pima County Sheriff's Department provided resources and expert panels to help residents understand how scams are designed and executed, while also establishing a fraud hotline and webpage with tips for avoiding schemes and reporting incidents.