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cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
At least four Manitoba seniors fell victim to "grandparent scams" within one week in late October and early November 2024, in which fraudsters impersonated lawyers and claimed the victims' grandchildren were in jail and needed bail money. The scams escalated to include in-person contact, with perpetrators either coming to seniors' homes or driving them to banks to withdraw "significant amounts" of money. RCMP noted the scammers' increasing confidence and use of social media information, and urged the public to verify such claims by contacting family members directly before sending money.
unionnewsdaily.com
· 2025-12-08
The Kenilworth Police Department held a "Coffee with a Cop" event at the Kenilworth Senior Center with 45 attendees to discuss community safety issues. Police warned seniors about common scams including fraudulent IRS calls, identity theft schemes, and impersonators claiming to be law enforcement requesting money. The department also discussed traffic safety, a "No Knock Policy" for solicitors, and staffing challenges, while encouraging residents to report suspicious activity and attend town council meetings to advocate for increased police resources.
weirtondailytimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Utility scams targeting seniors use threatening calls about immediate service shutoffs to extort money through fear and intimidation. The article advises recipients to hang up immediately, call their utility using the legitimate number on their bill, and report the scam to both the utility company and the FTC, emphasizing that real utilities do not operate this way and that money sent to scammers is nearly impossible to recover. According to ABC News and FBI data, people over 65 lost nearly $1 billion to scams in 2020, with seniors representing most of the 23,000 victims, particularly in California, Florida, and Texas.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
At least four Manitoba seniors fell victim to "grandparent scams" within one week, where fraudsters impersonated lawyers claiming their grandchildren were in jail and needed bail money. In some cases, scammers made in-person contact, including driving one East St. Paul senior to a bank and collecting money from victims' homes, with police reporting "significant" amounts were lost in multiple incidents. RCMP noted the increasing sophistication and boldness of perpetrators who use social media information to target victims, and urged Manitobans to verify such claims by contacting family members directly rather than sending money to unknown callers.
journee-mondiale.com
· 2025-12-08
The United States observes National Slam the Scam Day on March 7th annually, an awareness campaign established by the Federal Trade Commission in 2020 to educate the public about fraud prevention. Common scams include phishing emails, fake charities, tech support schemes, romance scams, and grandparent scams targeting the elderly—such as the case of 78-year-old Martha, who lost $5,000 after receiving a fraudulent call claiming to be from her grandson. The FTC recommends protecting oneself by verifying information, never sharing personal details unsolicited, monitoring credit reports, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities.
clintonherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Clinton women lost a combined $2,500 to online romance scams in two weeks, with victims sending money via gift cards and Cashapp to fake boyfriends who claimed to be engineers or oil rig workers in remote locations requiring financial assistance. The scammers, who used fake photos and counterfeit identification documents, exploited emotional bonds to extract money through various payment methods. The article warns that romance scammers are persistent, create convincing false identities, and ask victims to move conversations off dating platforms to avoid detection.
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
"Digital arrest" scams have become a widespread fraud in India where perpetrators pose as law enforcement officials via video call, falsely accusing victims of crimes and ordering them to remain isolated at home while transferring money to avoid arrest. Victims reported losing approximately Rs 120.3 crore during the first quarter of 2024 alone, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently warning the public that digital arrests do not legally exist in India and legitimate agencies never request personal information via phone or video call. The scam exploits fear-based social engineering tactics, often initiated with calls about overseas parcels containing drugs, misused identification, or family members in legal trouble.
starofmysore.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old retired resident in Mysuru lost Rs. 1.06 crore after receiving calls from fraudsters impersonating Mumbai Police officials and a telecommunications authority representative, who claimed his phone number was involved in obscene advertisements and money laundering, then convinced him to transfer funds for "verification" purposes. In a separate incident, a Mysuru-based doctor was defrauded of Rs. 12.11 lakh in a job scam by someone posing as a recruitment company representative offering employment in Qatar. Police advise citizens never to share personal or financial information with unknown callers and to verify such claims directly with local authorities, as genuine officials never request fund transfers
deccanchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman in her 60s from Noida lost Rs 50,000 in a money transfer scam after a caller impersonating her husband's client convinced her to transfer funds. The scammer exploited her trust by using her husband's name and disappeared after deactivating his phone number, leaving the transaction irreversible. The incident highlights the growing threat of money transfer scams targeting senior citizens.
westerniowatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens in rural areas are prime targets for scams due to isolation, with scammers primarily seeking money or personal information. The "Grandparent Scam" is one of the most common schemes, where fraudsters impersonate grandchildren, medical professionals, or law enforcement to pressure seniors into sending money via wire transfers or gift cards. Experts recommend families establish code words to verify caller authenticity and prevent falling victim to these frauds.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman in her 60s from Noida lost Rs 50,000 in a money transfer scam when a caller impersonating her husband's client convinced her to transfer funds; the scammer deactivated their phone number before she realized the fraud. Money transfer scams exploit trust and urgency through impersonation, emotional manipulation, and complex schemes, with seniors increasingly targeted. Protection strategies include verifying caller identity through independent channels, avoiding urgent payment requests, using strong passwords with two-factor authentication, and reporting suspected fraud to authorities.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Bengaluru residents lost a combined Rs 1.06 crore to online trading scams involving deepfake videos of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy and Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani promoting fake trading platforms like "FX Road." One victim (Veena KG, 57) lost Rs 67.1 lakh between September-October to the trading scam and an additional work-from-home job fraud on Instagram/Telegram, while a retired man (Asok Kumar TS) lost Rs 19 lakh; both cases have been registered under IT Act and BNS sections for cheating and person
firstpost.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud is now the leading crime against seniors in Canada, with sophisticated scams exploiting technological vulnerabilities and seniors' social isolation. Common schemes include grandparent fraud ($9.4 million in losses from 2,494 victims), romance scams (Canadians lost $59 million in 2022), and phishing attacks ($58 million in losses in 2022), all enhanced by AI and voice simulation technology. Despite widespread awareness campaigns, seniors remain vulnerable due to lower digital confidence (only 26% feel very confident with technology) and emotional manipulation that overrides caution.
kfgo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans lost $12.5 billion to online scammers, with romance and confidence scams accounting for $652 million of that total according to the FBI. Older adults are particularly vulnerable targets, often losing hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars to sophisticated scammers, while their adult children face significant challenges in intervening or obtaining legal authority to stop the fraud.
news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens in Ashland are invited to attend a free SALT (Senior and Law Enforcement Together) meeting on Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Sheriff's Annex Building, where Monica Walker from the Ohio Attorney General's Office will discuss fraud scams. The monthly meetings provide seniors with opportunities to socialize with peers and law enforcement while learning about important safety topics.
portageonline.com
· 2025-12-08
On October 30, the RCMP received multiple reports of grandparent scams across Manitoba, with seniors in Portage la Prairie, MacGregor, Minnedosa, Kleefeld, and East St. Paul targeted by callers posing as lawyers claiming their grandchildren were in jail and needed bail money. Victims ranging from one to several individuals handed over cash to suspects who either picked it up at their homes, met them on the street, or drove them to banks to withdraw funds. The RCMP suspects scammers are obtaining personal information from social media and urges seniors to verify emergency calls by hanging up and calling family members directly, never to hand money to stran
abc6.com
· 2025-12-08
Roberto Munoz and Jason Rhodes were indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for operating as "couriers" in grandparent scams targeting seniors across multiple states including Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The scammers impersonated grandchildren in legal trouble, convincing victims to wire money for bail and legal fees, with one Rhode Island couple losing $18,000 before being asked for an additional $40,000; police arrested both men during a sting operation and recovered over $60,000 in cash, with evidence suggesting they targeted victims in at least 14 cities across nine states.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The Elmira Heights Police Department is hosting a free scam prevention educational class on November 11 at Village Hall, presented by the Upstate Elder Abuse Center at Lifespan of Greater Rochester. The presentation will teach seniors how to recognize and avoid common scams targeting older adults, including impersonation, romance, tech support, virtual kidnapping, military, charity, and check scams.
pressdemocrat.com
· 2025-12-08
A 93-year-old Napa man lost $20,000 to a phishing scam that began with a fraudulent PayPal email; he was instructed to withdraw cash and hand it to a courier. Police arrested courier Zhi Deng, 28, a New York resident who traveled to California to collect money from elderly victims on behalf of scam operations across the Bay Area. The victim's funds were not recovered, and Deng was booked on charges of obtaining money by false pretenses, elder abuse, and grand theft.
mcknights.com
· 2025-12-08
The Department of Justice's Annual Report to Congress details its intensified efforts to combat elder fraud and abuse, particularly through the National Nursing Home Initiative targeting poorly-performing facilities. The DOJ pursued nearly 300 civil and criminal cases against alleged elder abuse offenders during the reporting period and prosecuted cases such as two Pittsburgh providers who submitted false staffing information to Medicare/Medicaid authorities, while also holding a New Jersey facility accountable for inadequate infection control that resulted in excessive resident deaths. The report emphasizes that over 10% of U.S. adults aged 65 and older annually experience some form of abuse, including physical abuse and financial exploitation.
communityjournal.net
· 2025-12-08
The Department of Justice released its annual report detailing over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants targeting older adults, recovering nearly $700 million and disrupting major transnational schemes. High-profile cases included convictions of two Pittsburgh nursing homes for falsifying records to hide inadequate care, and investigations into New Jersey veterans' facilities for constitutional rights violations and unsafe conditions. The DOJ also addressed fraud affecting over 225,000 seniors through cases ranging from romance scams to government impersonation schemes, stopped $27 million in fraudulent transfers, and expanded prevention efforts through nearly 1,000 elder justice events and a National Elder Fraud Hotline that received over
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two men were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for operating as couriers in grandparent scams targeting elderly victims across multiple states in early 2024. Roberto Munoz and Jason Rhodes collected approximately $230,000 from victims in Rhode Island and Massachusetts by posing as lawyers or law enforcement officials claiming grandchildren needed bail money, with evidence suggesting victims in at least nine additional states were also targeted. The defendants were apprehended after police set up surveillance at a victim's home where one defendant allegedly came to collect money, and investigators seized over $60,000 in cash from their vehicle and hotel room.
thehindu.com
· 2025-12-08
A 63-year-old man from Hyderabad lost ₹50 lakh (approximately $60,000 USD) to a stock trading scam that began when he joined a WhatsApp "Stock Discussion Group" promoted by a fraudster claiming to be financial expert Kunal Singh. The scammer lured the victim through fake online classes promising high returns, then directed him to invest through a fraudulent platform called Skyrim Capital, using multiple bank accounts and beneficiary names for each transaction. The victim filed a complaint with Hyderabad cyber crimes police after realizing the fraud.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
**Scammer Payback Answers Scam Questions** (11/05/2024)
YouTube scambaiter Pierogi from Scammer Payback identifies key red flags of scams, including pressure to make quick decisions, requests for remote computer access, and demands for payment via gift cards, Cash App, wire transfers, or Bitcoin. The video addresses common scam types including tech support pop-ups, romance scams (citing a case where a 90+ year old woman was defrauded of tens of thousands of dollars by someone posing as a celebrity), and explains why scammers prefer gift cards for money laundering and anonymity, while demonstrating
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence—including deepfakes, convincing emails, and fake trading bots—to perpetrate investment fraud, with a Canadian study showing people invested 22% more in AI-enhanced scams compared to traditional ones. Vulnerable populations include elderly investors, recent immigrants, and younger self-directed investors, with documented cases including a man from Barrie, Ontario who lost $11,000 to a deepfake video of Justin Trudeau in September 2023. The Ontario Securities Commission found that investor education about warning signs reduced AI scam investments by 10%, while technology-based detection tools proved most effective, reducing fraudulent investments by nearly one-
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Three individuals were sentenced for their roles in a Ghana-based romance scam targeting elderly Americans between March 2019 and March 2022. Sadia Alhassan (18 months prison), Shawn William Smith (1 day prison), and Mohammed Saaminu Zuberu (5½ months prison) served as money launderers and intermediaries, receiving funds that victims sent via mail and commercial carriers after being deceived into believing they had romantic relationships with scammers in Ghana. The defendants were ordered to pay $581,261.67 in restitution to their victims.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Jason Rhodes and Robert Munoz were charged with federal wire fraud and identity theft conspiracy for operating grandparent scams in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, collecting approximately $230,000 from elderly victims. The scammers posed as attorneys or family members calling seniors to claim a relative needed bail money, with Rhodes and Munoz acting as couriers to collect cash; they were arrested in March after police set up an operation at a victim's residence and seized $60,000 in cash and evidence from a hotel room. Victims are urged to contact local police or the National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-372-8311) if they believe they've been targeted.
pressdemocrat.com
· 2025-12-08
A 93-year-old Napa man lost $20,000 to a romance/overpayment scam that began with a fraudulent PayPal email; he was instructed to withdraw cash and give it to a courier. Police conducted a sting operation and arrested Zhi Deng, 28, a courier from New York who was part of a larger fraud ring targeting elderly victims across the Bay Area. The victim's money was not recovered, and Deng was charged with obtaining money by false pretenses, elder abuse, and grand theft.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Andy R. Miqui-Castillo, a 35-year-old from Newark, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud after serving as a courier for a scheme targeting elderly victims. Between October and November 2023, he collected over $550,000 in cash and gold bars from four victims by delivering items to co-conspirators who had falsely claimed to be from financial institutions or government agencies; Miqui-Castillo was arrested while attempting to pick up $196,000 in gold bars from a St. Louis victim and faces up to 20 years in prison at his February 2025 sentencing.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 21-year-old South Boston man was indicted for his role in an elder fraud conspiracy that defrauded a 75-year-old Berkshire County victim of approximately $500,000 between February and October 2024. The scheme involved a co-conspirator impersonating a U.S. Treasury Department official who convinced the victim to withdraw cash and hand it to couriers using prearranged passpins; the defendant was arrested while attempting to collect one of the cash boxes. The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
spotlightpa.org
· 2025-12-08
As Medicare's December 7 enrollment deadline approaches, scammers impersonate Medicare officials and insurance company employees via phone calls and text messages to trick older adults into disclosing Social Security numbers and other sensitive information. Medicare and its private insurance partners (like Blue Cross Blue Shield or Aetna) will not initiate contact by phone, and recipients should hang up on unsolicited callers asking for personal information and instead call back directly through official toll-free numbers. Caregivers should help seniors start their coverage selection early to avoid deadline pressure, verify information through reputable sources like medicare.gov, and remain cautious of phishing emails, texts, and robocalls.
mcall.com
· 2025-12-08
As Medicare's December 7 enrollment deadline approaches, scammers pose as Medicare officials or insurance company representatives via phone calls and text messages to trick older adults into disclosing Social Security numbers and other sensitive information. Experts advise that legitimate Medicare and private insurance companies rarely contact beneficiaries by phone unsolicited, and recommend hanging up on suspicious callers, avoiding automated calls, and verifying contacts directly through official toll-free numbers. Caregivers should help seniors enroll early to avoid deadline pressure that makes them vulnerable to fraud.
seattlemedium.com
· 2025-12-08
The Department of Justice released its annual report detailing over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants targeting older adults, resulting in nearly $700 million in recoveries. Notable cases included convictions of two Pittsburgh nursing homes for falsifying Medicare/Medicaid records to hide inadequate care, and findings that New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes violated residents' constitutional rights through poor infection control and medical care. The DOJ also addressed broader elder fraud schemes affecting over 225,000 seniors through romance scams and government impersonation, halting $27 million in fraudulent transfers and handling over 50,000 calls through its National Elder Fraud Hotline, while promoting prevention through nearly
pennlive.com
· 2025-12-08
As Medicare's December 7 enrollment deadline approaches, scammers impersonate Medicare officials and insurance company employees via phone calls and text messages to steal Social Security numbers and sensitive information from older adults. According to the National Council on Aging, legitimate Medicare and private insurance companies rarely contact beneficiaries by phone unsolicited—communications typically come by mail—so recipients should hang up on unexpected callers asking for personal information and instead call back through official toll-free numbers. Caregivers and older adults can protect themselves by starting enrollment early to avoid deadline pressure, verifying contacts through Medicare.gov or state health insurance assistance programs, and trusting their instincts when interactions seem suspicious.
indiatvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 63-year-old man in Hyderabad lost ₹50 lakh after joining a fraudulent "Stock Discussion Group" on WhatsApp where a scammer posed as financial advisor "Kunal Singh," promised unrealistic returns, and funneled him to a fake platform called "Skyrim Capital." Simultaneously, scammers in Bengaluru used deepfake videos of prominent business figures Narayana Murthy and Mukesh Ambani to defraud elderly investors, with victims like Ashok Kumar losing ₹19 lakh. Authorities warn senior citizens to avoid unverified financial groups on social media, verify investment advisors
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
A 63-year-old man from Hyderabad lost Rs 50 lakh after joining a WhatsApp group called "Stock Discussion Group" where a scammer posing as financial advisor Kunal Singh promised returns as high as 500 percent and directed victims to invest through a fraudulent platform called Skyrim Capital. The victim was initially shown small profits to build confidence, then pressured to make increasingly larger investments across multiple accounts before discovering the scam when withdrawal requests were denied. The article advises elderly individuals to avoid investment groups on messaging platforms unless verified, to be wary of guaranteed high returns, and to consult certified financial advisors before investing.
livemint.com
· 2025-12-08
A 63-year-old man from Hyderabad lost ₹50 lakh after being recruited into a fraudulent stock market scheme via WhatsApp, where a scammer posing as financial advisor "Kunal Singh" promised exceptional returns and directed victims to invest through a fake platform called "Skyrim Capital." The article also documents two separate cases in Bengaluru where victims lost money (including ₹19 lakh) after being deceived by deepfake videos featuring prominent business figures promoting fraudulent trading platforms. Authorities advise elderly citizens to avoid joining unverified investment groups on messaging apps and recognize guaranteed high returns as a major red flag.
wpxi.com
· 2025-12-08
Allegheny County police are warning older adults about an increasing "check washing" scam, in which criminals use chemicals to remove ink from checks and alter them for fraudulent purposes. To prevent victimization, authorities recommend using black gel ink pens, mailing checks from nearby collection boxes close to pickup times, and switching to online or electronic bill payment methods.
newsbytesapp.com
· 2025-12-08
India is experiencing a surge in online scams targeting elderly citizens, with a 63-year-old Hyderabad man losing ₹50 lakh after being deceived by a fake stock market scheme on WhatsApp that promised unrealistic returns through fabricated profits and false endorsements from a fraudulent platform called "Skyrim Capital." Scammers are also increasingly using deepfake videos of prominent business leaders to lure victims into trading platform scams, with two Bengaluru residents losing significant amounts after being convinced by manipulated videos purporting to show endorsements from Narayana Murthy and Mukesh Ambani. Authorities recommend that elderly individuals avoid unver
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Police in Telangana's various districts conducted awareness programs alerting senior citizens to rising cybercrime threats, with particular focus on "digital arrest" scams where fraudsters pose as police officers and use video calls to intimidate victims into surrendering money by claiming they or their relatives are in legal trouble. Senior citizens were advised against clicking suspicious links, sharing OTPs, accepting video calls from strangers, and engaging with offers of quick money through jobs, stock trading tips, or fake health/insurance schemes. Authorities emphasized that legitimate police will never conduct "digital arrests" or make unsolicited video calls to residents.
riverreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York StateWide Senior Action Council warned seniors about Medicare scams during the open enrollment period ending December 7, advising people to avoid sharing personal information with unsolicited callers claiming to represent Medicare, as the agency never cold-calls and Part D enrollment is voluntary, not mandatory. Seniors who suspect their Medicare or Social Security numbers have been compromised or were enrolled in plans without permission can contact the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol at 800/333-4374.
gantnews.com
· 2025-12-08
As Medicare's December 7 enrollment deadline approaches, scammers pose as Medicare officials or insurance company representatives via phone calls and texts to pressure older adults into disclosing sensitive information such as Social Security numbers. The National Council on Aging advises that legitimate Medicare programs do not make unsolicited calls and warns against providing personal information over the phone; instead, recipients should hang up and call back directly through official toll-free numbers, and caregivers should help seniors plan coverage early to avoid deadline pressure.
thesandpaper.net
· 2025-12-08
New Jersey's Senate unanimously passed legislation S-1887 in late [month], which establishes a new criminal offense of "financial exploitation of the elderly." The bipartisan bill, introduced by Senators Carmen Amato and Troy Singleton, creates legal provisions to prosecute individuals who unlawfully obtain property from elderly persons through exploitation.
cbs12.com
· 2025-12-08
Three defendants—Tallahassee couple Sadia Alhassan and Shawn Smith, and Ghanaian man Mohammed Zuberu—were sentenced to prison for operating a military romance scam that defrauded elderly U.S. victims of approximately $500,000. The scammers contacted elderly victims online to pose as romantic interests, then instructed them to send money via USPS or commercial carriers to addresses and accounts controlled by Alhassan and Smith, who served as money launderers while Zuberu acted as an intermediary. Alhassan received 18 months in prison, Smith received one day plus community service, and Zuberu received 5
boston25news.com
· 2025-12-08
Two men from New York and Florida were arrested in March for serving as couriers in grandparent scams targeting seniors across multiple states, collecting approximately $230,000 from victims in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Iowa, and beyond. Roberto Munoz and Jason Rhodes allegedly received victim names and addresses from scam organizers and traveled to collect bail payments that victims believed were needed for arrested grandchildren, with one victim pair paying $18,000 before recognizing the scheme. Both men were released on unsecured bond with GPS monitoring while the investigation continues, with authorities believing numerous additional families across Rhode Island and Massachusetts were victimized.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Two men from New York and Florida were arrested in March for their roles as couriers in grandparent scams targeting seniors across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and multiple other states. In early March, Roberto Munoz and Jason Rhodes allegedly collected approximately $230,000 from victims in over a dozen communities before police arrested them during a surveillance operation at a victim's home in Warwick, Rhode Island. The scams involved fraudsters posing as family members, attorneys, or law enforcement to convince elderly victims to send cash via couriers, with evidence suggesting the scheme targeted victims across at least nine additional states.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 71-year-old Huffman, Texas woman named Marcia Nickette Remedies pleaded guilty to wire fraud for stealing $24,887.75 from a 91-year-old hospice patient she was hired to care for, making unauthorized ATM withdrawals and debit card purchases at casinos and stores between November 2022 and April 2023. Remedies was sentenced to eight months in federal prison and ordered to pay full restitution. The case was investigated by the Hardin County Sheriff's Office and FBI after the victim discovered the unauthorized transactions.
northdallasgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
The Department of Justice released its annual elder fraud report detailing over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants that resulted in nearly $700 million in recoveries, including high-profile convictions of two Pittsburgh nursing homes for falsifying Medicare compliance records and investigations into New Jersey veterans' facilities for constitutional rights violations. The DOJ's broader anti-fraud initiative addressed over 225,000 seniors affected by romance scams and government impersonation schemes, preventing $27 million in fraudulent transfers and handling over 50,000 calls through its National Elder Fraud Hotline. The department emphasized prevention through nearly 1,000 elder justice events, including a national law enforcement summit bringing together
dhs.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two men, Roberto Munoz (29) of Florida and Jason Rhodes (34) of New York, were charged federally in November 2024 with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for operating as couriers in grandparent scams targeting elderly victims across multiple states. Operating in March 2024, Munoz and Rhodes collected approximately $230,000 from victims in over a dozen communities in Rhode Island and Massachusetts by posing as family members, attorneys, or law enforcement and directing seniors to pay fake bail or legal fees; they were arrested after police set up surveillance at a victim's home where one grandparent couple had already paid $18,000.