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interpol.int
· 2025-12-08
INTERPOL launched the "Think Twice" awareness campaign to combat five rising cyber and financial threats: ransomware attacks (up 70%), malware attacks (up 30%), phishing, generative AI scams, and romance baiting scams. The two-week campaign running December 3-19 emphasizes vigilance through social media, urging individuals to verify identities, pause before clicking suspicious links, and avoid online relationships involving money requests. The campaign is supported by funding from the UK and Japan to strengthen cybersecurity awareness globally.
localnews8.com
· 2025-12-08
Adults over 60 lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, with over 101,000 elderly individuals compromised through romance, tax, and emergency impersonation scams, according to the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Financial experts warn that scammers increasingly exploit elderly people through online methods by establishing false relationships, impersonating the IRS or law enforcement, and pressuring victims into sending money or personal information. Key protective measures include verifying online contacts through photo searches, moving slowly in new relationships, never sending money to online-only contacts, and remaining skeptical of individuals who avoid in-person meetings or request financial information.
westsidespirit.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal, state, and local authorities warn that scams targeting seniors are rising, particularly during the holiday season, with common schemes including charity fraud, grandparent scams, romance scams, tech support scams, and government impersonation scams. Authorities advise seniors to avoid phishing emails, use secure networks for online purchases, verify websites and charities before donating, and be cautious of unsolicited offers. Victims can report suspected fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov), their state attorney general, or local law enforcement.
blog.ssa.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational episode of SSA Talks features Kate Kleinert, a widow who lost $39,000 in a romance scam, serving as a cautionary example for others. The Social Security Office of the Inspector General identifies four warning signs of scams—impersonation of trusted agencies, presentation of problems or prizes, pressure for immediate action, and requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency—along with tips for protecting personal information and reporting scams.
dhs.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two Nigerian nationals operating from the Chicago suburbs, Anthony Emeka Ibekie and Samuel Anukwu, were convicted and sentenced to 20 and 10 years in federal prison respectively for conducting inheritance scams, romance scams, and business email compromise fraud that defrauded victims of at least $3.5 million. The pair used aliases to communicate with victims across the United States, convincing them of inheritances or building false romantic relationships to manipulate them into sending money to predetermined recipients. A third co-defendant, U.S. citizen Jennifer Gosha, pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges in connection with the scheme and awaited sentencing.
seehafernews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Brown County Sheriff's Office warned residents about two rising scams: pig butchering schemes, where criminals build trust online before directing victims to fake cryptocurrency platforms and stealing their investments, and romance scams, where scammers pose as romantic partners to emotionally manipulate victims into sending money before disappearing. Both scams exploit trust-building tactics and result in financial and emotional harm to victims.
wbur.org
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday shopping season, scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics including AI-generated deepfakes and social engineering to target online shoppers of all ages and education levels. The article advises consumers to be cautious of fake retailer messages requesting personal financial information, verify suspicious communications with trusted contacts, and report scams to police to help law enforcement aggregate data and identify perpetrators.
me.pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
A five-month international law enforcement operation led by Interpol arrested over 5,500 people and seized more than $400 million across 40 countries for cybercrimes including investment fraud, romance scams, and sextortion. Notable cases included a China-based voice phishing syndicate that defrauded at least 1,900 victims of $1.1 billion using fake law enforcement personas, and a business email compromise scheme that stole $42.3 million from a Singapore firm (of which $39.3 million was recovered). The operation, called Haechi V, achieved record results with nearly 8,309 cases solved.
baytoday.ca
· 2025-12-08
Grandparent or emergency scams exploit seniors' emotions by having fraudsters impersonate distressed family members, police officers, or acquaintances claiming a loved one needs immediate financial help due to accidents, jail, or other emergencies. The scammers gather personal information, demand secrecy, and pressure victims into sending cash or cryptocurrency. The Ontario Provincial Police recommend hanging up and independently verifying stories, questioning callers for details, being truthful with bank tellers about large withdrawals, and reporting suspected scams to local police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
**Catfishing and Romance Scams Overview**
Catfishing—creating fake online dating profiles to deceive others—has become increasingly prevalent and sophisticated with AI technology, costing victims $1.45 billion according to the Federal Trade Commission, with approximately 83% of incidents occurring on Facebook. A dating expert identifies five red flags to detect catfishers: unrealistic or repetitive photos, avoidance of video calls or in-person meetings, inconsistent backstory details, lack of natural everyday context, and resistance to identity verification—noting that victims often experience profound emotional impacts affecting their ability to trust others.
theregister.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Interpol's Operation HAECHI V (July-November) arrested over 5,500 suspected cybercriminals across 40 countries and seized more than $400 million in digital and fiat currencies. The operation targeted seven crime types including romance scams, investment fraud, voice phishing, and business email compromise, with a joint Korea-China effort dismantling a voice phishing syndicate responsible for $1.1 billion in losses from over 1,900 victims. Interpol identified an emerging trend involving romance scams that trick users into purchasing Tether stablecoins and surrendering wallet information through phishing links.
headtopics.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly man was defrauded through an AI-enabled romance scam involving impersonation of actress Jennifer Aniston, demonstrating how artificial intelligence has made scams increasingly difficult for older adults to detect. The case illustrates the growing sophistication of elder fraud and underscores the importance of family vigilance, including enabling spam filters, registering on the National Do Not Call Registry, and having regular conversations about recognizing scam red flags such as urgency, requests for secrecy, and demands for immediate payment transfers.
techstory.in
· 2025-12-08
AI-generated deepfakes—hyper-realistic fabrications of videos, audio, and images—are driving an estimated $12 billion in annual global fraud losses, with projections to reach $40 billion by 2027. Criminals use voice cloning and facial manipulation to impersonate business executives and loved ones in financial scams, with documented cases including a $243,000 CEO impersonation fraud. Detection tools currently offer 75-92% accuracy, and experts emphasize the need for heightened vigilance and authentication protocols as deepfake technology becomes increasingly accessible to malicious actors.
worldofbuzz.com
· 2025-12-08
A 45-year-old Malaysian woman fell victim to an online romance scam in which a fraudster posing as a London-based businessman promised marriage, gifts, and a major investment opportunity, convincing her to transfer over RM1 million (including her cancer insurance payout and high-interest loans) to the scammer. Her husband discovered the deception in January and filed for divorce in June after she refused to accept the truth and became emotionally volatile; loan sharks subsequently began threatening the family and demanding repayment of debts whose full amount remains unknown.
davidsonlocal.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is an educational resource warning North Carolinians about common holiday scams targeting vulnerable populations, particularly older adults. It covers four main fraud categories: holiday mail scams (phishing emails and porch theft), holiday shopping scams (fraudulent retailers and gift card schemes), and charity/investment scams, providing practical prevention tips such as verifying sender information, using secure networks for purchases, and researching charities before donating. The article emphasizes that consumers should be cautious during the high-spending season and recommends using resources like the BBB Scam Tracker and AARP Fraud Watch Network for protection and verification.
amp.scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
A 45-year-old Malaysian woman, who had fallen victim to an online romance scam involving a scammer posing as a man from London with promises of marriage and gifts, accumulated substantial debt and became emotionally unstable when her husband revealed the deception. The woman's aggravated emotional state led her to assault her husband, prompting him to file for divorce in June after discovering the affair. The incident highlights how romance scams can destabilize families, particularly when victims already struggle with mental health issues and refuse treatment.
nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
This article is an entertainment interview about the TV series "Fake," in which actress Asher Keddie plays Birdie Bell, a woman deceived by a charming man she meets online who is not who he claims to be. The piece discusses how intelligent, capable people can fall victim to liars and catfishers, with Keddie explaining that most people want to trust others and see the best in them, making them vulnerable to manipulation and self-deception.
**Note:** This is an entertainment/awareness article rather than a news report of an actual elder fraud case, so it does not contain specific victim information or financial losses related to a real scam incident.
indy100.com
· 2025-12-08
Catfishing and romance scams have cost victims $1.45 billion according to the Federal Trade Commission, with approximately 83% of incidents occurring on Facebook, and artificial intelligence has made these scams easier to perpetrate despite technological advances. The article identifies five warning signs of catfishing: unrealistic or repetitive photos, avoidance of video calls or in-person meetings, inconsistent backstory details, rapid relationship escalation, and requests for money or personal information. Experts recommend using platforms with ID verification and reverse image searches to protect against these scams, which affect people across all demographics seeking genuine online connections.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
A 45-year-old Malaysian woman fell victim to an online romance scam in which a fraudster posing as a London-based businessman promised marriage, a private jet, and a 50 billion ringgit theme park investment, leading her to transfer over 1 million ringgit (US$225,000) from her insurance payout and high-interest loans. When her husband discovered the deception and refused to fund further transfers, she became violent, assaulting him and damaging property, while loan sharks began threatening the family and demanding repayment. The couple filed for divorce in June, with their four children remaining with the mother while the husband moved out to escape the
zikoko.com
· 2025-12-08
Adeoti recounts falling victim to multiple scams throughout her life, including a recharge card scheme in secondary school, a rigged ring-toss game that cost her ₦2,000, a fake currency exchange scam that drained ₦20,000 from her account, and a romance scam where she paid ₦35,000 for non-existent goods. She also invested in Ponzi schemes after hearing success stories from others and was deceived by a fabricated sob story about hospital bills, reflecting on her tendency to see good in people as a vulnerability that scammers exploit.
scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
A 45-year-old Malaysian woman fell victim to an online romance scam perpetrated by someone claiming to be from London, who made promises including marriage and gifting a private jet, causing her to accumulate substantial debt. When her husband discovered the deception and revealed it to her, she became emotionally unstable and assaulted him, leading to his filing for divorce in June; the woman had a history of refusing mental health treatment for 15 years of emotional instability.
bbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammer duped a 42-year-old single mother out of £80,000 by posing as a businessman in an accident who needed hospital bills paid; he used stolen photos and emotional manipulation to isolate her and convince her to transfer funds repeatedly with false promises of repayment from a fake $600,000 account. A separate investment scam targeting a woman through a hijacked Instagram account claiming her friend had made £5,000 from a £500 investment resulted in her losing £1,200 and compromising her Apple ID credentials, which the fraudsters then used to hijack her account and recruit additional victims. Both cases demonstrate how scammers exploit emotional connections and trust to
dvidshub.net
· 2025-12-08
Soldiers, veterans, and their family members face multiple growing scams including romance, confidence, and online impersonation fraud, according to Army Criminal Investigation Division officials. Data brokers sell personal information for as low as $20, which scammers use for targeted attacks such as impersonating military officials requesting gift cards, romance schemes targeting those over 50, and social media account takeovers. To protect themselves, individuals should use strong passwords with two-factor authentication, password managers, and separate work and personal accounts.
sapeople.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams in South Africa increased by 18.5% between July and September, with criminals using increasingly sophisticated tactics to target vulnerable individuals, particularly women who are often breadwinners. Victims have suffered devastating losses ranging from R2.8 million to R3 million, with some experiencing severe emotional trauma and financial ruin for their families. Authorities are urging victims to report scams to police and calling for stronger prosecution and bail restrictions for suspects, while recent arrests including one case totaling R2 million demonstrate ongoing law enforcement efforts.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Dale Lake of Hanford, California, agreed to a consent decree resolving federal allegations that he operated as a "money mule" in a mail and wire fraud scheme targeting senior citizens. Victims were deceived into believing they had won lotteries or sweepstakes and sent money to Lake, who then transmitted the funds to accomplices in Jamaica; the decree permanently prohibits Lake from participating in prize promotion fraud or money transmitting businesses and authorizes postal inspection monitoring of his mail.
knoxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Estate attorney Lisa Gammeltoft emphasizes that financial scams are prevalent year-round, particularly during holidays, and target people of all intelligence levels by exploiting vulnerable emotions and neurochemistry through schemes like "pig butchering" (fake cryptocurrency investments), catfishing (romance scams that cost Americans $740 million in 2022), and grandparent scams enhanced by voice cloning technology. Key defensive measures include keeping devices updated, never allowing remote access to computers, avoiding sharing financial information with online contacts, and seeking a second opinion from trusted sources before sending money, since scammers are sophisticated professionals who make fraud their full-time job.
thesouthafrican.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams in South Africa surged by 18.5% during July-September, with criminals using increasingly sophisticated methods to target vulnerable individuals, particularly women. Victims have lost millions of rands—including cases where a Gauteng mother lost R2.8 million and a SAPS captain lost nearly R3 million—leaving families financially devastated and causing severe emotional trauma. Authorities are urging victims to report scams to police and specialized commercial crime units, while recent arrests including that of businesswoman Mmakgomo Doris Ngcobo and two Ugandan nationals for a R2 million fraud demonstrate increased enforcement efforts.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Black Friday shopping presents heightened fraud risks, with approximately 30% of annual online scams occurring on this day according to Norton's Scam Research Labs. The article identifies common scams including fake e-shops (which use unrealistically steep discounts and inconsistent payment options) and "smishing" attacks, and provides detection tips such as verifying secure connections (https/lock icons), checking URLs for brand consistency, reviewing third-party seller ratings, and confirming physical business addresses.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
As Bitcoin approaches $100,000, cybercriminals are exploiting FOMO and market excitement through increasingly sophisticated cryptocurrency scams, including fake celebrity endorsements (particularly deepfakes of Elon Musk), phishing emails, Ponzi schemes, and "pig butchering" romance scams. The FBI received over 69,000 cryptocurrency fraud complaints last year resulting in losses exceeding $5.6 billion—nearly half of all reported fraud losses. Consumers should verify communications directly with providers, avoid one-time promotional offers, and never respond to unsolicited messages claiming account compromises.
bizzbuzz.news
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Australians $201 million annually and involve scammers creating fake identities to build trust through love bombing and manipulation before requesting money for investments, travel, or emergencies. People with acquired brain injuries are particularly vulnerable to these scams, with over half of surveyed clinicians reporting clients affected, because they struggle to recognize red flags and assess complex social situations. While romance scams cause significant financial loss, the emotional trauma—including shame and difficulty accepting the relationship was fake—can be equally or more damaging, though sharing survivor experiences can reduce stigma and help prevent future victimization.
independent.ie
· 2025-12-08
Irish law enforcement (Gardaí) recovered approximately €3.5 million from bank accounts as part of an international operation targeting organized fraud networks that employed sextortion, romance scams, and phishing tactics. Irish nationals were identified as victims across multiple types of cyber-enabled fraud schemes. The operation demonstrates coordinated global efforts to combat sophisticated organized fraud affecting vulnerable populations.
postcourier.com.pg
· 2025-12-08
ANZ bank introduced a new scams education module within its MoneyMinded financial literacy program in Papua New Guinea to combat rising fraud threats. The module educates participants about phishing, remote access scams, and romance scams as part of standard financial training.
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Australians A$201 million last year, with scammers using fake identities and emotional manipulation through dating platforms and social media to exploit victims. People with acquired brain injuries are particularly vulnerable, with over half of surveyed clinicians reporting clients affected by romance scams, as cognitive difficulties make it harder to recognize red flags and complex manipulation tactics. Sharing experiences from survivors with brain injuries can raise awareness, reduce stigma, and help prevent future scams.
ia.acs.org.au
· 2025-12-08
Australian and Philippine authorities raided a Manila scam centre in October, arresting over 250 people (190 foreign nationals and 68 Filipino nationals) involved in a transnational romance scam operation targeting Australian men over 35. Australians lost $34.3 million to romance scams in 2023, with the operation using over 300 computer systems and 1,000 mobile phones to conduct "pig-butchering" scams where victims were gradually convinced to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms. The raid, part of Operation Firestorm, yielded valuable intelligence on scam centre structures and money laundering methods to help identify and assist Australian victims.
scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
A Korean-Chinese crime syndicate was arrested for orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded 84 victims of US$92 million over eight months. The gang impersonated Korean-heritage foreign women on social media to build trust with victims before convincing them to invest in fake cryptocurrency and gold trading platforms, with individual losses ranging from 1 million to 20 billion won. Police arrested 12 members, including recruiters and managers, who had trained South Korean operatives in Cambodia and Laos to execute the scheme.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Nigerian nationals and a U.S. citizen were sentenced to federal prison for conducting inheritance scams, romance scams, and business email compromise schemes that defrauded victims of at least $3.5 million. Anthony Emeka Ibekie, 59, of Oswego, received 20 years in prison after conviction on 14 counts including wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering, while his co-conspirator Samuel Aniukwu, 50, was sentenced to 10 years after pleading guilty to wire fraud charges. The schemes involved using aliases to convince victims they had inheritances or build romantic relationships through social media before soliciting money transfers.
devdiscourse.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Australians AUD 201 million annually, with victims experiencing significant emotional distress including shame and embarrassment alongside financial losses. Individuals with acquired brain injuries are particularly vulnerable due to cognitive challenges that impair their ability to identify scam red flags. Collaborative initiatives like the CyberAbility project address this vulnerability by creating tailored prevention resources and support to increase awareness and reduce stigma among affected communities.
interpol.int
· 2025-12-08
A five-month global law enforcement operation (July-November 2024) involving 40 countries arrested over 5,500 financial crime suspects and seized more than USD 400 million in assets across seven types of cyber-enabled frauds including voice phishing, romance scams, investment fraud, and cryptocurrency scams. Notable outcomes included Korean and Chinese authorities dismantling a voice phishing syndicate that defrauded 1,900 victims of USD 1.1 billion, and the recovery of USD 39.3 million in a Singapore business email compromise case affecting a commodity firm that lost USD 42.3 million.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday shopping season, online scams proliferate through fake websites, social media ads, and AI-generated deepfakes impersonating major brands, with non-delivery scams being particularly prevalent. Gift card fraud is a major concern, with 30% of Americans having received worthless gift cards in the past year, as criminals tamper with cards in retail stores or use ghost bots to drain balances. Experts recommend shopping only on trusted platforms, using credit cards for payment protection, and immediately registering and checking the balance of gift cards upon receipt.
lockhaven.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common holiday scams targeting seniors, including fake online stores, gift card fraud, phishing emails, government impersonation, grandparent scams, lottery schemes, and romance scams (which caused $652 million in losses to Americans in 2023). The article provides practical prevention advice such as verifying legitimate websites, not clicking suspicious links, and remembering that the IRS never calls by phone. It also lists warning signs of financial exploitation, including unusual bank visits, large cash withdrawals, unpaid bills, and sudden changes in financial habits or relationships.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 35-year-old Oakland man, Zhongqiang Chen, was arrested on November 14 after scamming an elderly Stanislaus County woman out of $30,000 through a fake McAfee antivirus email that gave him remote access to her computer. Chen transferred $60,000 from her money market account, convinced her she owed him that amount, and collected an initial $30,000 payment before being arrested in an undercover operation when he arrived to collect the remaining $30,000. The case remains under investigation to determine if there are additional victims.
barbadostoday.bb
· 2025-12-08
This opinion piece examines the escalating problem of elder fraud in the digital age, highlighting how seniors are disproportionately targeted by scammers who exploit their trusting nature, financial assets, and technological vulnerabilities. The 2023 FBI report revealed that seniors aged 60 and older lost over $3.4 billion to fraud, with individuals losing an average of $33,915, while data breaches exposing personal information make them prime targets for sophisticated, personalized attacks. The article emphasizes that common scams include tech support fraud, romance scams, and emergency/grandparent scams, and stresses the urgent need for awareness and protective measures given seniors' limited ability to recover
wtsp.com
· 2025-12-08
Local law enforcement agencies across the Tampa Bay area are warning that elderly fraud has reached epidemic levels, particularly during the holiday season when seniors are vulnerable to scams involving romance, fake investments, and impersonation schemes. The Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit has investigated cases resulting in nearly $3 million in losses this year, including a case where a 56-year-old man scammed a Texas woman of approximately $600,000 by impersonating billionaire Elon Musk via Facebook over several months. Authorities advise seniors to verify identities by calling contacts directly, hang up on suspicious calls, and recommend family members stay involved in elderly relatives' financial and digital activities.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
Australian federal police shut down an alleged scam call centre in the Philippines that targeted Australian men over 35 through dating apps and social media, resulting in the arrest of over 250 people (190 foreign nationals and 68 Filipino nationals). The scammers built trust with victims before directing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency trading platforms, with at least 50 Australians confirmed as targets, though authorities believe thousands may have been affected. The operation seized over 300 computer towers, 1,000+ mobile phones, and thousands of SIM cards, and provided law enforcement with critical intelligence on romance and investment scam operations.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
In early October, Filipino authorities raided a romance scam operation in Manila that arrested over 250 people and seized more than 1,000 mobile phones, with the Australian Federal Police identifying possible Australian victims among those targeted. The scammers allegedly targeted Australian men over 35 through social media and dating platforms to lure them into cryptocurrency investment schemes, operating on shifts aligned with Australian time zones. The AFP is working with Philippine authorities to identify affected Australians and has gathered intelligence on the scam network's structure and methods.
9news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australian federal police are working with Philippine authorities to identify Australian victims of romance scams following the arrest of 250 cybercriminals (190 foreign nationals and 68 Filipino nationals) at a scam compound in Manila in October. The scammers targeted Australian men over 35 on social media and dating apps, building trust before directing victims to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency trading platforms while working in shifts to match Australian time zones. The operation, conducted under Operation Firestorm, resulted in seizures of over 300 computer towers, 1,000 mobile phones, and thousands of SIM cards, providing law enforcement with intelligence on the structure and targeting methods of offshore romance and investment scam call
au.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Australian Federal Police raided a scam operation in Manila, Philippines, arresting 250 alleged cyber criminals and seizing over 300 computers and 1,000 mobile phones. The scammers targeted Australian men over 35 through dating apps and social media, building trust before directing victims to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms, with perpetrators working shifts to align with Australian time zones. Authorities are now working to identify victims and dismantle the financial structures supporting these offshore romance and investment scams.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
Philippine police arrested 250 romance scammers operating from a criminal call center in a raid coordinated with Australian Federal Police intelligence. The operation is believed to have defrauded thousands of Australians and numerous victims from other countries through romance scams. The investigation involved collaboration between international law enforcement agencies and included input from scam victims and experts.
huntsvillebusinessjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau president identified five prevalent scams affecting consumers in 2023: investment/cryptocurrency schemes (averaging $3,800 in losses), employment fraud involving fake job postings and counterfeit checks, online purchase scams where goods don't arrive or misrepresent quality, and home improvement fraud targeting storm-damaged properties. The BBB recommends verifying secure websites (https), using credit cards for online purchases, researching businesses on bbb.org, and being skeptical of promises that seem too good to be true.
newscop.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australian Federal Police conducted a significant raid on a scam compound in Manila, Philippines as part of Operation Firestorm, resulting in the arrest of over 250 individuals and seizure of hundreds of computers and thousands of mobile phones used to target Australian men over 35 through romance and cryptocurrency investment scams. The operation revealed how offshore scam centers operate in shifts aligned with Australian time zones to build rapport with victims before soliciting investments in fake trading platforms. The AFP and National Anti-Scam Centre will contact identified victims and advise Australians to remain vigilant against romance and investment scams by verifying identities, being skeptical of urgent requests, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities.