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thepress.net
Fraudsters stole over $12.5 billion from Americans over 55 in 2024, a 25% increase from $10 billion in 2023, according to the FTC's Consumer Sentinel Network report. Seniors are targeted due to limited online experience, accumulated wealth, and social isolation, with common scams including grandparent schemes, romance scams, impersonation of government agencies or utilities, tech support fraud, home repair scams, and cryptocurrency schemes. Experts advise that pressure to act quickly is a hallmark of scams, and legitimate government agencies and corporations typically do not contact people via unsolicited text messages or calls demanding immediate payment.
yahoo.com
Three Texas men were arrested for defrauding approximately 75 elderly victims of $1.5 million through a loan scheme in which they posed as business representatives offering to reduce utility bills, then fraudulently applied seniors' electronic signatures to 20-year loans ($13,000-$32,500 per victim) without consent. The article notes that elder fraud has become increasingly sophisticated, with 2023 losses exceeding $3.4 billion nationally among seniors aged 60+, now involving investment schemes, cryptocurrency fraud, and AI-enhanced techniques like voice cloning and deepfakes.
mondaq.com
Romance scams have evolved to exploit cryptocurrency investments rather than traditional forex trading, using dating apps as the initial contact point where scammers build emotional trust with victims before directing them to fake investment platforms. The scam operates by showing fabricated profits on fraudulent websites, then requesting additional "fees" or "taxes" to withdraw funds, with victims often investing money they cannot afford to lose and accumulating debt. The article advises protecting yourself by recognizing that emotional manipulation combined with promises of easy investment returns are classic warning signs, and following the principle of never investing more than you can afford to lose.
sg.finance.yahoo.com
A 2025 Payments Canada study found that 13% of Canadians experienced payment fraud over six months, with disproportionately higher rates among newcomers (25%) and younger adults aged 18-34. Cash fraud incidents were nearly three times more common than credit card fraud, driven by counterfeiting, pickpocketing, and scams such as romance schemes and advance fee frauds, though 65% of reported losses under $500 were fully reimbursed by financial institutions.
boredpanda.com
This article discusses various scams and questionable spending habits that millennials fall victim to, including multilevel marketing schemes, online sports betting, rage bait engagement, fake detox products, and premium food delivery services. The piece compiles Reddit comments from millennials admitting to these scams, though commenters debate whether some items (like detox products and food delivery) are actual scams or simply poor financial decisions and that similar issues affected previous generations.
toronto.citynews.ca
A Toronto man lost nearly $200,000 in life savings to a romance scam that began on a dating app in March 2025, after months of communication with someone claiming to be named "Pierre" who convinced him to invest in a fraudulent cryptocurrency platform. The scam exploited the victim's desire for a romantic relationship and his charitable nature, with the scammer building trust through video calls and shared values before requesting the investment. According to Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre statistics, over 1,000 Canadians fell victim to similar romance scams in 2024, with combined losses exceeding $58 million, highlighting how scammers use psychology and manipulation as their "full-time job
alreporter.com
Senators Katie Britt (R-Alabama) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York) introduced the bipartisan GUARD Act to combat financial scams targeting older Americans, particularly those using cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies. The legislation would allow state and local law enforcement to use existing federal grant funding to hire personnel and deploy advanced tracing tools, addressing gaps that enable scammers to escape prosecution. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans aged 60 and older lost over $2.3 billion to fraud in 2024—a 21% increase from 2023—with experts estimating total unreported fraud at $61.5 billion, including growing "
cityandstateny.com
In 2024, payment scams cost Americans over $12.5 billion, with New York reporting nearly 280,000 fraud cases to the FTC—a 25% increase year-over-year. Seniors are particularly targeted through scams involving impersonation of grandchildren, family members, and government agencies (like fake DMV and toll road warnings), sometimes using AI to replicate voices, resulting in victims losing tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. A bipartisan group of senators is proposing the TRAPS Act to establish a federal task force coordinating the Treasury, Justice, FTC, and other agencies to investigate and combat these rapidly escalating payment scams.
newindianexpress.com
Bengaluru has experienced a surge in online dating scams where fraudsters build emotional relationships with victims on matrimonial and dating apps before exploiting them through sextortion or fake investment schemes. Recent cases include a 32-year-old software engineer who lost Rs 79.3 lakh investing in a fraudulent trading app and a 37-year-old businessman who lost Rs 5.5 lakh in a sextortion scam. Cybercrime police advise against sharing personal or financial information with online strangers and warn against promises of quick financial returns.
reddit.com
A Toronto man lost nearly $200,000 in a romance scam that began in March 2025 when he connected with someone posing as "Pierre" on a dating app. After months of building trust through daily communication and video calls, the scammer convinced Aning to invest in a cryptocurrency platform by claiming he could help fund Aning's $120,000 MBA goal, but the funds became inaccessible for withdrawal. This case exemplifies a broader trend affecting over 1,000 Canadians in 2024 alone, with combined losses exceeding $58 million, as scammers use psychological manipulation and organized tactics to exploit victims' basic human needs for connection an
financemagnates.com
This article is not relevant to the Elderus database. It is a promotional announcement for a fintech industry panel discussion about trading platform technology and risk management for brokers—not about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It contains no information about elder fraud cases, scams targeting seniors, or abuse of older adults.
tradingview.com
WhatsApp removed 6.8 million accounts linked to "pig butchering" scams, which combine romance-baiting with fake investment fraud schemes that often result in cryptocurrency losses. Scammers used AI tools like ChatGPT to generate initial contact messages, then moved victims to Telegram where they were shown fake profits before requesting real money deposits. A study of 236 major cryptocurrency scam cases found total losses exceeding $60 billion, with pig butchering schemes accounting for 39 cases and representing one of the most damaging forms of fraud due to extended manipulation periods lasting months or years.
bizzbuzz.news
BreadXPay is a fraudulent fintech platform orchestrated by Joshua Sneider that targets retirees worldwide with promises of cross-border payment solutions and high investment returns (up to 10% monthly). The scam operates through shell companies registered in jurisdictions like Canada and the UK with puppet directors, funneling victim deposits through offshore accounts where they disappear; one documented case involved a 72-year-old Florida teacher who lost her $25,000 life savings after receiving fabricated account statements and being blocked from withdrawals. Elder financial abuse through schemes like this costs seniors over $28.3 billion annually globally.
wftv.com
This article provides guidance on using background checks as a safety measure when online dating, explaining that they can verify basic information like real names, ages, addresses, criminal records, and past aliases to confirm that potential dates are being truthful. The piece notes that while approximately 7% of dating app messages contain dishonesty, running a quick background check using a name, phone number, or email is a discreet and increasingly common way to rule out red flags before investing time in someone new. The article emphasizes that while background checks cannot assess emotional compatibility or intentions, they serve as a practical vetting tool to help daters stay empowered and safe during the online dating process.
southtexasnews.com
Scammers are exploiting QR codes through various fraud schemes including fake parking meter payments, romance scams with cryptocurrency wallets, phishing attacks, and government impersonation, with codes typically shared via unsolicited messages or posted in public places. To protect themselves, consumers should confirm QR codes before scanning, avoid codes from strangers, be wary of shortened URLs that hide destination links, and check for signs of tampering on posted codes. Victims of QR scams should report incidents to BBB.org/ScamTracker.
financemagnates.com
This article is not relevant to the Elderus elder fraud research database. The content is a promotional announcement for a fintech industry panel discussion about trading technology, platform risk management, and AI in financial markets—topics unrelated to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. No summarization is needed.
tradingview.com
A UPay analysis of 236 major crypto scam cases revealed losses exceeding $60 billion, with the largest single loss being $40 billion from the Luna Yield collapse. The most prevalent scams included fraudulent trading platforms (112 cases), romance scams (46 cases), pig butchering schemes (39 cases), rug pulls (29 cases), and Ponzi schemes (28 cases). Common tactics involved building fake relationships to lure victims into fraudulent platforms with inflated balances, fake profit displays, hidden withdrawal fees, brand impersonation, and rug pulls where developers disappear after raising funds—with individual victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in each
manchesterjournal.com
This educational piece explains why intelligent people fall victim to scams, attributing victimization not to lack of intelligence but to social engineering tactics that exploit basic human emotions like fear, love, greed, and trust. The author emphasizes that criminals are skilled professionals who succeed by targeting the right person at the right time and that self-defense requires self-awareness, emotional control, and a team approach rather than going it alone. The piece concludes by urging readers not to shame victims and notes that fraud awareness presentations are available through AARP Vermont.
stacker.com
This editorial piece highlights rising scam trends identified in July news coverage, including romance scams (which affected over 70,000 people in 2022 with $1.3 billion in losses), AI-powered impersonation scams (which increased 148% between April 2024 and March 2025), and counterfeit drug schemes. The author emphasizes the value of scam awareness journalism in helping readers protect themselves and vulnerable populations like elderly relatives from evolving fraud threats across technology and dating platforms.
witnessngr.com
Two Nigerian nationals, Osakpamwan Henry Omoruyi (37) and Osaretin Godspower Omoruyi (36), were convicted by federal jury in Boston of bank fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and money laundering conspiracy for operating romance scams and pandemic unemployment assistance fraud schemes. Between 2019 and 2021, the defendants used fraudulent passports to open fake bank accounts that collected over $1.7 million in proceeds from romance scams, which they then transferred overseas. Both face sentencing in September 2023, with potential sentences up to 30 years in prison for the fraud charges.
cbc.ca
A 63-year-old Calgary woman lost approximately $380,000 over several years in a romance scam after being contacted by a man claiming to work for the U.S. government who promised a future together but repeatedly requested money and never met her in person. The scam left Nelson homeless and living in an elder abuse shelter, unable to recover her life savings that would have allowed her to purchase a home. According to Canada's Anti-Fraud Centre, romance scams affected 1,030 Canadians who collectively lost $58 million last year, with such frauds becoming increasingly common among seniors.
the420.in
Sprawling scam compounds in Myanmar (including Shwe Kokko and KK Park) have become major fraud factories where over 120,000 trafficking victims since 2023 are coerced into operating romance scams, crypto fraud, and pig-butchering schemes targeting foreign victims, with Americans losing an estimated $5 billion in 2024. Victims are lured with false job promises, then trapped under threat of violence and forced to commit crimes; while efforts by Thailand, Myanmar, and China have repatriated over 7,000 people, thousands remain stranded and the operations persist due to protection by ethnic armed groups despite U.S. sanctions and international crack
inyourarea.co.uk
A June 2024 survey by Censuswide commissioned by TSB Bank found that 31% of social media users acted on financial tips from "finfluencers," with 55% of those losing money as a result. Young people aged 16-34 were particularly vulnerable, with two-thirds of 18-29-year-olds following financial influencers and 74% trusting their advice, while these scams often use Ponzi schemes or fake investments promising guaranteed returns through flashy lifestyle imagery. The FCA warns consumers to watch for unrealistic promises, pressure to act quickly, and complicated jargon, and recommends checking the FCA Warning List before investing an
ca.style.yahoo.com
This article compiles millennials' self-reported vulnerabilities to various scams and deceptive practices, including crypto/Bitcoin schemes where victims lose life savings, romance scams, MLM schemes, blackmail emails, fake government websites, and online shopping platforms like Temu and Shein that deliver counterfeit or substandard products. The piece highlights that while millennials believe themselves resistant to traditional scams, they fall victim to rage bait, online gambling, subscription traps, fake investment gurus, QR code scams, and identity theft schemes at notable rates.
buzzfeed.com
Millennials are vulnerable to a distinct set of scams despite believing themselves resistant to fraud, including crypto/bitcoin schemes promising quick wealth, multilevel marketing companies, romance scams, fake government websites, sham investment gurus, and algorithmic manipulation through rage bait and influencer culture. Other common vulnerabilities include online sports betting, QR code scams, fake job postings, buy-now-pay-later debt traps, and deceptive fast-fashion shopping platforms like Temu and Shein that misrepresent products or deliver hazardous items.
wlrn.org
Senator Rick Scott led a bipartisan effort to introduce the GUARD Act, legislation designed to equip local and state law enforcement with advanced tools—including blockchain tracing technology—to investigate and combat financial scams targeting older Americans. The bill addresses a growing crisis: Americans over 60 lost $4.8 billion to scams in 2024, while those aged 50-59 lost an additional $2.5 billion, with estimates suggesting total fraud losses affecting seniors range from $28.3 billion to $137 billion annually. The legislation aims to expand federal grant programs for specialized training and improve coordination between federal and local agencies to prosecute scammers and recover stolen funds.
ca.news.yahoo.com
A Calgary woman lost approximately $380,000 in a romance scam that spanned five years, after selling her deceased father's house and moving into a motel while waiting to relocate to the United States to be with a man named "Gilbert" who claimed to work for the U.S. government. Nelson eventually realized the scam when the man continuously requested money and sent her a photo of their supposed future home that appeared fake, leaving her homeless and dependent only on her pension while seeking affordable housing. Romance scams are an increasingly common form of fraud in Canada, with organizations like Unison at Kerby Centre regularly assisting seniors who have experienced similar financial abuse.
cbsnews.com
Mount Lebanon police report a rise in romance scams targeting minors through social media, where scammers pose as teenagers of the opposite sex and pressure victims to send nude images before blackmailing them for money. While adults are also targeted this way, police note a concerning increase in younger victims falling prey to this scheme.
cbsnews.com
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cbc.ca
A 63-year-old Calgary woman lost approximately $380,000 of her life savings to a romance scam conducted over five years by a man who claimed to work for the U.S. government and promised to relocate to Canada to be with her. She discovered the fraud when she questioned repeated requests for money and became suspicious of a fake photo of a house they were supposedly going to share, ultimately seeking help from an elder support organization. Romance scams affected over 1,030 Canadians who lost $58 million collectively last year, making it an increasingly common form of fraud targeting seniors.
ktvz.com
Two women in Florida lost a combined $210,000 in a romance scam involving AI-generated voice and video impersonating actor Keanu Reeves; the scammers made initial contact through word games like Scrabble, built romantic connections with the victims, then requested money for fabricated reasons such as divorce or cancer research, with funds ultimately sent to Bitcoin accounts in Nigeria. Authorities indicated the victims have virtually no chance of recovering their money.
dayakdaily.com
A 64-year-old woman in Kuching lost RM1,213,742 (over RM1.2 million) to a romance scam between December 2024 and July 2025, after being contacted by a man posing as "Zhao Yong" on WhatsApp who promised a cash gift and enlisted fake accomplices (a lawyer and bank manager) to convince her to make 25 payments into 18 different bank accounts. The victim, desperate to recover the promised funds, borrowed money from relatives, sold her car, and took loans from moneylenders before realizing the deception. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Pe
thetimes.com
Simon Leviev, known as the "Tinder Swindler," defrauded victims worldwide of over $10 million by posing as a diamond heir and manipulating women into financial and emotional devastation. The 2022 Netflix documentary about his crimes became the platform's most-watched film, exposing his schemes and inadvertently protecting potential victims by making him recognizable. Two of his victims, Cecilie Fjellhoy and Pernilla Sjoholm, have since transformed their trauma into advocacy, traveling globally to educate about romance fraud and launching initiatives to combat online scams, while calling for stronger legal protections for victims of romance fraud.
wxyz.com
Beth Hyland of Michigan lost $26,000 to a romance scammer who posed as a construction project manager on Tinder, claiming he needed funds for legal fees related to a $10 million job payout in Qatar; when he requested an additional $50,000 a month later, her financial advisor identified the scheme. The scammer used stolen photos from a real man in Germany, and Hyland never met him in person despite their plans to marry and build a life together. She found healing through FightCybercrime.org's peer support group, which has served over 600 romance scam survivors in five years, and now emphasizes that victims experience not only financial loss but
legaltalknetwork.com
This is an educational podcast episode featuring cybersecurity expert Steve Weisman discussing scam prevention and identification strategies. The episode covers various scam types (including VA imposter and "free piano" scams), the role of AI in modern fraud schemes, and protective measures such as a "zero trust" verification approach where all transactions—particularly checks—must be independently confirmed before trusting them.
cbs8.com
**San Diego County elder fraud losses reached nearly $70 million in the first half of the year, with officials projecting the total will exceed last year's $98 million in losses.** The most prevalent scam type is "tech support fraud," where seniors receive fake pop-up messages instructing them to call a number for device repair. Local authorities have established the Elder Justice Task Force and encourage reporting suspected scams to the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311), though recovery remains difficult especially for international operations.
cbc.ca
Tea is a women-only dating app with over 4 million users that became viral in July 2024 for allowing women to mark men as "red flags" to warn other users, but it experienced a significant data breach in late July that exposed approximately 72,000 images including 13,000 selfies and photo IDs, as well as direct messages. Despite the security incident and associated controversy, the app's Canadian launch was delayed to February 2026 while the company works to identify affected users and offer identity protection services. The app's continued popularity reflects widespread concerns about women's safety on mainstream dating platforms, with studies showing that one in five Canadian women experience online harassment and many feel unsafe using
mb.com.ph
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) warned the public that oversharing personal information online, particularly about relationship status or romantic interests, makes individuals vulnerable to online love scams. Scammers typically use stolen photos and fake identities to target victims aged 35 and older, especially retirees and pensioners, employing psychological profiling and pretending to share the victim's interests to build trust. The PAOCC advised the public to watch for red flags such as profiles that appear "too good to be true" and to exercise caution when interacting with unfamiliar individuals online.
gillibrand.senate.gov
Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Katie Britt (R-AL) introduced the GUARD Act, legislation designed to enhance law enforcement's ability to investigate cryptocurrency-facilitated fraud against seniors by providing federal grants for blockchain investigation resources and tools. According to the FBI, seniors lost over $4.8 billion to scammers in 2024, with cryptocurrency involved in over 30,000 fraud reports resulting in $2.84 billion in losses, particularly through "pig butchering" schemes that exploit victims into fake crypto investments. The bipartisan bill aims to strengthen federal-local law enforcement cooperation in tracking and prosecuting scammers who
krebsonsecurity.com
Fraudsters are operating a network of over 1,200 fake online gambling and wagering websites advertised on Discord and social media, using fake endorsements from celebrities like MrBeast and offering $2,500 free credits to lure victims. Once users attempt to cash out winnings, the sites demand cryptocurrency "verification deposits" (typically $100+) that are never returned, with all displayed winnings being fabricated. The scam network uses identical technical infrastructure, unique Bitcoin wallets per domain, and AI-assisted support to prevent withdrawals and block victims.
finance.yahoo.com
Social Security scams employ three primary tactics: fake remote job offers that request personal information and upfront fees, phishing emails impersonating the Social Security Administration to direct victims to fraudulent websites, and in-person schemes where imposters posing as government officials convince victims to provide cash or valuables. Recent cases include a victim who gave $2 million in gold bars to someone claiming to be a CIA agent and an Ohio woman who liquidated $500,000 in retirement savings to purchase gold for phone scammers. Protect yourself by avoiding unsolicited job offers and payment requests, verifying emails end in ".gov," and reporting suspicious activity to the Social Security Administration or Office of the Inspector General.
atlantanewsfirst.com
Kenneth Akpieyi, a 44-year-old from Marietta, Georgia, was convicted of operating romance scams that defrauded at least eight women of over $3 million. The scheme involved posing as wealthy figures on social media, building romantic relationships with victims, and requesting money under false pretenses, with funds routed through his auto brokerage company and sent to accounts internationally. Akpieyi faces decades in prison and substantial fines upon sentencing in November 2025.
the420.in
Kenneth G. Akpieyi, a 44-year-old from Georgia, was convicted of operating a multi-million-dollar online romance scam targeting women globally through fake identities on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. He and his international fraud network defrauded victims of over $3 million by posing as military officers, businessmen, and philanthropists, then laundering the money through multiple U.S. bank accounts and overseas accounts in China and the UAE. Akpieyi faces up to 20 years in prison per count and financial penalties between $250,000 and $500,000.
mk.co.kr
A 21-year-old Malaysian woman disappeared in Thailand in April after traveling to meet her supposed Chinese boyfriend, and her family lost approximately 550,000 won after receiving an extortion call claiming the missing person needed money. Malaysian authorities suspect she was victim of a romance scam and subsequently trafficked to Myanmar, part of a pattern where missing persons last seen entering Thailand are believed to have been kidnapped and transported across borders to Myanmar or Cambodia for forced involvement in fraud schemes.
wsbtv.com
Kenneth G. Akpieyi, a 44-year-old Cobb County man, was found guilty of operating a years-long romance scam in which he posed as "Phillip Anderson" on social media platforms to build fake romantic relationships with victims and solicit money for fabricated reasons. Eight victims testified to losses exceeding $3 million, with Akpieyi using his business account and multiple banks to launder the stolen funds to accounts in foreign countries including China and the UAE. He faces up to 20 years in prison on each count of mail fraud and wire fraud conspiracy, with sentencing scheduled for November 5, 2025.
gmtoday.com
Vineyard Church in Grafton hosted a free community education event called Scam SINGO on August 8, designed to help older adults recognize and avoid common fraud schemes. The interactive bingo-style game combined music with learning about scam types including phishing, romance scams, and fake IRS calls, aiming to empower participants with fraud prevention knowledge.
theregister.com
A violent border clash between Thailand and Cambodia near an ancient temple was linked to cyber-scam slave camps operating in Cambodia, where an estimated 100,000+ people are forced to run romance and investment scams targeting primarily Chinese and other Asian citizens. Thailand's threat to cut off internet and electricity to disrupt these camps—which generate an estimated $12.5 billion annually and allegedly involve high-level Cambodian government officials—contributed to escalating tensions between the two nations. The camps are documented by Interpol and the UN as severe human rights violations, with workers enslaved and forced to perpetrate financial fraud.
financial-planning.com
Pig butchering scams—which begin with casual text messages and evolve into romantic relationships—are rising in prevalence and causing significant financial harm. Scammers establish trust, often through romance and cryptocurrency investment promises, then direct victims to fraudulent trading platforms where they see initial gains but cannot withdraw funds due to fabricated fees; victims experience both financial loss and emotional trauma from the manufactured relationship. Financial advisors can help by monitoring for unusual withdrawal patterns and having nonjudgmental conversations with clients, while recognizing that many scammers themselves are human trafficking victims forced to operate from compounds in Southeast Asia run by organized crime networks.
mustsharenews.com
A 59-year-old Singaporean man lost more than S$150,000 in a romance scam after meeting a woman claiming to be named "Huang Ping" on Facebook in mid-2023, who gradually convinced him to send money for supposed financial difficulties and eventually to sell his HDB flat to relocate to China. Despite warnings from his bank over a year ago, Mr. Chen continued transferring funds through various methods until his friend helped him recognize the scam pattern, prompting a police report in July; the scammer disappeared in April claiming a mourning period and deleted chat records. The victim is now rebuilding his life by seeking employment and housing after losing both his savings and property to the frau
ocalagazette.com
An 82-year-old Ocala woman lost $7,300 in cryptocurrency and nearly lost $160,000 in cash converted to gold in a multi-stage scam involving a fake computer hack, fraudulent bank officer call, and an accomplice attempting to pick up the gold at her home—the plot was foiled by law enforcement and a gold exchange company alert, resulting in the arrest of Jiann Cao. Local agencies report approximately $1 million stolen monthly from elder fraud victims in Marion County, with common scams including tech support fraud, romance scams, and investment schemes; officials recommend verifying the authenticity of unsolicited communications and emphasize education and reporting as key prevention strategies.