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justice.gov
In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Month, the U.S. Department of Justice announced reinvigorated efforts to prosecute transnational elder fraud schemes that cost American seniors billions of dollars. Recent prosecutions in the District of Rhode Island include: a British national convicted in a multi-state construction fraud targeting seniors across four states for over $1 million; eight individuals indicted for orchestrating transnational tech support scams that defrauded approximately 300 seniors across 37 states of over $5 million; and two residents charged with grandparent scams that defrauded seniors in Rhode Island and Massachusetts of at least $230,000. The DOJ urged seniors an
foxnews.com
Pamela nearly fell victim to a tech support scam after receiving a pop-up warning claiming her computer was locked and her IP was being used on pornographic sites. The scammer impersonated both a Microsoft employee and an FTC official, using fake credentials and pressure tactics to try to extract her full credit card numbers, but Pamela avoided the fraud by verifying the FTC official's identity and refusing to share sensitive information. The article warns against pop-up scams impersonating legitimate companies or government agencies and recommends contacting organizations directly through official channels, using strong unique passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication to protect against such schemes.
americancraftbeer.com
In June 2023, a WhatsApp phishing scam targeted UK users with a fake Guinness Father's Day promotion promising a "fridge full of beer" to those who completed a quiz and shared the link with friends or groups. Diageo (Guinness's parent company) publicly debunked the scam, warning users not to click the link or provide personal details, while Meta advised victims to report the incident and update their security settings.
justice.gov
Five members of a transnational organized crime syndicate were sentenced to federal prison in the Eastern District of Texas for defrauding approximately 100 victims of roughly $17 million through multiple schemes including romance scams, business email compromise, investor fraud, and unemployment insurance fraud beginning in January 2017. The defendants, ranging from 32 to 51 years old, received sentences between 9 and 40 years, with sentences totaling nearly 160 years combined. The scheme specifically targeted elderly and vulnerable persons, and the defendants laundered stolen funds through bank accounts and businesses in Africa and Asia.
justice.gov
The U.S. Department of Justice announced a reinvigorated effort to combat transnational elder fraud schemes that cost billions of dollars annually, with several recent prosecutions targeting romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. Key cases included Troy Murray, who pleaded guilty to selling a database of over 7 million elderly Americans' personal information to Jamaican lottery scammers, and his son Cutter Murray, who pleaded guilty to money laundering $1.6 million in fraudulent proceeds; other defendants were charged for operating Jamaica-based lottery fraud schemes that defrauded seniors across the country, with one victim losing over $400,
bigcountrynewsconnection.com
The FBI released a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day reminder highlighting that elder fraud caused $4.885 billion in losses from 147,127 complaints in 2024, representing a 46% increase in complaints and 43% increase in losses from 2023. Seniors are frequently targeted through investment scams, technical support schemes, romance scams, and money mule schemes because they are often perceived as trusting, financially stable, and less likely to report fraud. The FBI advises seniors to verify unknown contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid unsolicited offers, never share personal information with unverified sources, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement, the FBI's tip line, or
nypost.com
The FBI warned approximately 150 million iPhone and Android users about a surge in text message scams impersonating state DMVs, which increased over 700% in a single month. The fraudulent messages falsely claim unpaid tolls or fines and direct recipients to click links that install malware or redirect to phishing sites designed to steal credit card and personal information. The FBI urged users to delete these messages immediately without clicking links and report them to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
irishexaminer.com
This educational article outlines common scams affecting Irish people and warning signs to watch for, including phishing scams (fake bank alerts and delivery notifications), fake competition wins, malicious pop-ups, counterfeit online shopping sites, emotional manipulation scams (including deepfakes and voice cloning), hacked social media accounts, and high-pressure tactics. The piece advises always verifying suspicious messages by contacting organizations directly, checking for personalization in legitimate communications, ignoring unsolicited alerts, and reporting confirmed scams to local authorities with documentation of emails and account details.
news.yahoo.com
Cybercrime scams cost Americans $12.5 billion last year, with sophisticated criminal networks operating from Southeast Asia using psychological manipulation tactics across romance scams, investment fraud, and payment platforms to target vulnerable victims. The article argues that current U.S. law enforcement strategies are inadequate and proposes three solutions: increased investment in specialized cyber crime units, streamlined coordination between federal agencies like the FBI's IC3, and diplomatic pressure against criminal networks operating internationally.
stories.td.com
**Smishing Scams Surge as Mobile Fraud Rises**
Online scams generated $16 billion in 2024, a 33% increase from 2023, with smishing (fraudulent text messages impersonating banks, government agencies, and delivery services) emerging as a prevalent threat. To protect against smishing, individuals should verify sender IDs, never share personal information via text, avoid clicking unsolicited links, enable spam filtering, and take time to pause before responding to urgent requests. Victims should immediately stop communicating with scammers, report the message to their bank and carrier, monitor accounts for unauthorized activity, change passwords, and watch their credit reports for
concordmonitor.com
This educational column advises readers to assume all unsolicited emails, texts, and phone calls from organizations are scams, as fraudsters have become highly skilled at impersonating legitimate entities and fabricating personal details. The author highlights common scam tactics including fake DMV/Medicare/bank requests, charity donation schemes, and "grandchild in danger" extortion, while warning that artificial intelligence now enables criminals to create convincing audio and video impersonations of known contacts. The recommended defense is to never transfer money or share sensitive information unless you initiated contact, and instead verify requests by independently looking up official contact information or using a pre-arranged "safe word" with loved ones.
privatebank.jpmorgan.com
Cybercriminals use social engineering tactics to target elderly individuals who are less familiar with technology and may trust official-looking communications, often isolating victims and creating pressure to share personal information or money. The article illustrates two common scams: a phishing email impersonating a charity that stole Jane's financial details when she donated to a fake disaster relief campaign, and a phone scam where "Amazon" and "FBI" impersonators convinced Gerald to withdraw cash before he recognized the fraud when asked to convert funds to Bitcoin. The best defense against these scams is community support from trusted friends, family, and financial advisors rather than acting alone.
jacksonville.com
The U.S. Postal Service and Postal Inspection Service warned of rising phishing, smishing, and brushing scams, noting that USPS will never text customers requesting addresses for package delivery. Florida residents lost over $1 billion to internet scams in 2024, and the agencies advise against clicking links in unsolicited messages and recommend reporting suspicious communications to combat mail-related fraud.
wbhm.org
On World Elder Abuse Day, officials warned that seniors lost $4.8 billion to financial scams in 2024, with common schemes including romance scams, sweepstakes fraud, impersonation of government agencies and tech support, and family emergency requests. The FBI and IRS recommend seniors avoid sending money to strangers, sharing personal financial information online, and responding to pressure to act quickly or sign unfamiliar documents. Suspected fraud can be reported to the IRS Atlanta Field Office at 470-639-2228 or via email.
irishexaminer.com
This educational article identifies common scams affecting Irish people and provides warning signs to recognize them. Key scam types include phishing through fake bank alerts, fake competition wins, malicious pop-ups, counterfeit online shopping sites, emotional manipulation scams (including voice cloning and deepfakes), hacked social media accounts, and pressure tactics using urgency. The article advises verifying suspicious messages by contacting organizations directly, checking for personalization in communications, avoiding clicking unfamiliar links, and reporting confirmed scams to local gardaí with supporting documentation.
indeonline.com
Scammers are impersonating process servers in phishing calls, claiming victims have non-existent court cases, liens on their homes, or unpaid debts, and threatening immediate legal consequences or arrest. The callers use intimidation tactics and secrecy about details to pressure victims into quick action, often to unknown or blocked numbers. To protect yourself, verify any legal claims directly with courts or official agencies rather than responding to unsolicited calls.
9to5mac.com
Scammers increasingly use AI tools and deepfakes to impersonate trusted contacts and commit identity theft, potentially resulting in thousands of dollars in fraudulent loans or credit card debt opened in victims' names. The article advises protecting yourself through multiple security measures: use a password manager to create unique passwords for each account, replace old weak passwords (especially for financial services), adopt passkeys where available, and enable two-factor authentication via authenticator apps rather than text messages.
rdrnews.com
The City of Roswell issued a warning after water customers received fraudulent phone calls and text messages from an unknown individual impersonating city officials and demanding payment while attempting to obtain financial information. The scam is part of a broader pattern of impersonation fraud targeting residents, including fake calls about arrest warrants, jury duty, and utility shutoffs, with scammers using caller ID spoofing to appear legitimate and creating urgency to prevent victims from verifying their identity. Authorities recommend hanging up, independently verifying the caller's identity through official websites or phone numbers, and advise seniors to consult trusted relatives before sharing personal information.
au.news.yahoo.com
Americans over 60 lost nearly $5 billion to online scams in 2024, a 43% increase from 2023, with over 147,000 victims averaging $83,000 in losses each according to FBI data. Major scam types include investment fraud ($1.8 billion), tech support scams ($1 billion), and government impersonation schemes ($200 million), increasingly leveraging AI and deepfakes. The article recommends family members and communities take preventive action through regular personal check-ins, education about common scam tactics, and directing seniors to trusted resources like the FTC and FBI rather than relying solely on technology.
actionnewsnow.com
The FBI is urging elderly Americans and their families to be vigilant about elder fraud, particularly ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, highlighting that investment scams, technical support schemes, and romance scams target seniors by exploiting their vulnerability and trust. The Internet Crime Complaint Center reported $4.8 billion in losses from 147,127 complaints in 2024, with California alone accounting for over $832 million in elder fraud losses. The FBI recommends scrutinizing unsolicited communications, verifying unknown sources, resisting pressure to act quickly, and reporting suspected fraud to local law enforcement or through the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
the420.in
This article is a compilation of ten cyber crime news summaries curated by the Future Crime Research Foundation. Key cases include: a ₹3.34 crore fraud call center bust in Lucknow where 15 individuals lured youth via fake job ads on WhatsApp and Facebook to run scams targeting 1,000+ people; a Pune woman defrauded of ₹8.4 lakh in a matrimonial scam; a Mumbai man who lost ₹32 lakh in a cryptocurrency romance scam; and a multi-state investment and digital arrest scam network spanning Odisha, Gujarat, and West Bengal. The compilation also covers international
govtech.com
Scammers are using fraudulent text messages to trick victims into paying fake fees, with popular schemes including the E-ZPass scam (claiming unpaid tolls and threatening license revocation) and DMV scams (impersonating state driver licensing offices). Additional common scams involve fake job offers via text from sites like Indeed with malicious links, and Facebook ads for fake Joann Fabric sales exploiting the retailer's closure.
chicago.suntimes.com
A Chicago resident was targeted by scammers posing as AT&T who used social engineering to obtain two-factor authentication codes, gaining access to his account and compromising his sister's phone line within 24 hours. Two-factor authentication scams are increasingly common nationwide, with criminals obtaining victim information through data breaches and phishing, then manipulating the security codes to control accounts and devices. The key defense is to hang up on unsolicited calls claiming account problems and instead contact your bank, carrier, or company directly using known phone numbers, as legitimate companies won't pressure you to provide security codes over the phone.
cbs19news.com
Senior citizens and vulnerable adults across the United States are being targeted at increasing rates by scammers using phone calls, emails, text messages, and artificial intelligence; in 2024, seniors lost nearly $4.9 billion across 147,000 complaints nationally, with Virginia seniors (age 60+) losing over $106.5 million in more than 3,800 reported incidents. Common scams targeting elders include the "Grandparent scam" using AI voice impersonation, text message schemes regarding undelivered packages and unpaid tolls, and cryptocurrency investment fraud. Officials recommend verifying contact information independently, resisting pressure to act quickly, and avoiding payment methods like gift cards
deccanherald.com
A 72-year-old Ohio surgeon lost $1 billion to a romance scam involving a fake Ukrainian model within one month of his wife's death, while in New Delhi, a woman lost Rs 5 lakh ($6,000) when scammers impersonated her phone service provider during a family medical crisis. Globally, seniors lost $4.8 billion to cyber fraud in 2024 (US), with India projected to lose Rs 1.2 lakh crore ($14.4 billion) in 2025, driven by psychological manipulation that exploits neurobiological changes in aging brains, cultural conditioning toward authority and politeness, and widesprea
jamaica-gleaner.com
Matthew Ejike Nwachukwu, a Nigerian man in Guyana, was sentenced to six years in prison for his role in orchestrating romance and package delivery scams that defrauded multiple Guyanese victims of millions of dollars in 2022. Working as a local accomplice to a German-based mastermind, Nwachukwu coordinated agents to collect money from victims who were lured into fake romantic relationships and told to pay fees to claim valuable packages containing items like diamonds. Authorities continue investigating to apprehend the overseas ringleader and other accomplices involved in the broader scam network.
menafn.com
A 53-year-old Michigan administrative assistant lost $26,000 to a romance scam involving a man posing as a French project manager named "Richard" who used deepfake videos during Skype calls to appear authentic. Over several months, the scammer emotionally manipulated the victim into taking out loans under the pretense of needing legal and translation help in Qatar, then disappeared when confronted. The case highlights the growing threat of AI-generated deepfakes in romance scams, with projections estimating eight million deepfakes will be shared worldwide in 2025, approximately one-fifth of which involve romantic fraud schemes.
forbes.com
Investment scams cost Americans over $6.5 billion in 2024, with phishing emails and tech support scams adding another $4.1 billion in losses, according to FBI data. This article provides ten expert strategies for protecting investments, including verifying platform legitimacy, recognizing phishing and impersonation tactics, avoiding Ponzi schemes, being cautious of social media/romance scams, conducting thorough research, and identifying fake tech support and recovery scams. The advice emphasizes that as digital fraud becomes increasingly sophisticated, investors must stay vigilant by checking security certifications, verifying credentials directly, and remaining skeptical of unsolicited investment offers promising guaranteed high returns.
cbsnews.com
A woman named Brittany received a spoofed call appearing to be from her sister, in which a man claimed to be holding her hostage and demanded $750 via digital payment apps, threatening violence while playing audio of screaming in the background. When Brittany attempted to send $200 through Cash App, the app's fraud detection flagged the transaction as a scam and automatically refunded it, prompting her to verify her sister's safety and confirm the call was fraudulent. Authorities recommend using code words with family members, avoiding clicking suspicious links that enable account hacking and call spoofing, and reporting such scams to law enforcement.
startribune.com
A Maple Grove woman lost over $450,000 in bitcoin, gift cards, wire transfers, and cash to scammers posing as U.S. government agents between March and April. The suspects initiated contact via unsolicited email in early March, then used WhatsApp to communicate with the victim and falsely claim they needed funds for a federal investigation, promising reimbursement. The case represents at least the second major cryptocurrency theft in Minnesota involving email-based fraud, with suspects remaining at large.
landline.media
Jefferson County, Tennessee authorities warned of two recent scams: truck drivers were targeted at a Love's Travel Stop on Interstate 40 on June 11, where suspects lured victims into betting games and stole money and jewelry; additionally, a phishing scam involving text messages falsely claiming to be from the Tennessee Department of Vehicles threatened recipients with fines and legal action for unpaid traffic tickets and included malicious links. The scam is part of a multi-state pattern targeting residents in at least 10 states with fraudulent DMV messages demanding payment for unpaid tolls or traffic violations.
kunr.org
Text message scams impersonating government agencies, particularly DMVs claiming unpaid traffic tickets or tolls, are surging across the Mountain West. Scammers use threatening language and urgency to pressure victims into clicking malicious links, with the FTC reporting $470 million in losses from these scams last year. Consumers are advised to recognize that government agencies don't typically communicate via text, to watch for suspicious website addresses and threatening language, and to avoid clicking links or providing payment information.
local10.com
South Florida FBI agents are warning seniors about rising elder fraud trends, with impersonation scams (including AI-generated voice calls mimicking grandchildren and tax/immigration-related schemes) and "pig butchering" cryptocurrency investment fraud among the most prevalent tactics. According to FBI Florida data, tech support scams affect the most victims (235 cases), while investment scams cause the highest financial losses at $13.3 million across 105 cases, with agents advising potential victims to stay calm, verify requests through third parties, and recognize urgency tactics as red flags.
mercercountyoutlook.net
Ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the FBI issued a public reminder about elder fraud, which caused $4.885 billion in losses across 147,127 complaints in 2024—a 46% increase from 2023. In Ohio specifically, seniors over 60 lost more than $95 million in 2024, with significant losses in investment scams ($31 million), romance scams ($11 million), and tech support scams ($10 million). The FBI emphasizes that scammers target elderly Americans because they are perceived as trusting and financially stable, and advises seniors to verify unknown contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, and report suspecte
nwahomepage.com
**Elder Fraud on Rise in Arkansas and Nationally**
The FBI reported that seniors over 60 lost $4.885 billion nationally in 2024 across 147,127 fraud complaints—a 46% increase from 2023—with Arkansas seniors alone losing $27.3 million to investment scams, technical support scams, money mule schemes, and romance fraud. Seniors are targeted because they tend to be trusting and may be unfamiliar with reporting channels like IC3.gov. The FBI recommends verifying unknown contacts through legitimate sources, resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding unsolicited communications, never sharing personal information with unverified parties
yahoo.com
Arkansas seniors suffered $27.25 million in fraud losses during 2024, part of a national epidemic where those over 60 lost $4.885 billion to scams—a 46% increase from 2023. Common schemes targeting older adults include investment fraud, tech support scams, romance scams, and money mule schemes, which succeed because seniors tend to be trusting and may be unfamiliar with reporting mechanisms. The FBI recommends seniors verify unknown contacts through reputable sources, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid unsolicited contact, never share personal information with unverified parties, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement or IC3.gov.
am1100theflag.com
Senator Tina Smith is urging the Trump Administration to address a widespread text message scam targeting Minnesotans, in which fake DMV messages claim recipients have unpaid traffic tickets and threaten arrest to coerce online payments. The scam has been reported across multiple states including Georgia, New York, Indiana, Florida, New Jersey, and Colorado, and Smith has requested intervention from the Department of Justice to combat the scheme's scale and sophistication.
albertleatribune.com
Thousands of Minnesotans received fraudulent text messages impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles, threatening legal consequences and demanding payment for fictitious traffic violations. This scam, which has also affected residents in Georgia, New York, Indiana, Florida, New Jersey, and Colorado, puts victims at financial risk and creates anxiety about message authenticity. Senator Tina Smith is urging the Trump Administration to take action against the widespread scheme.
wbrc.com
In observance of World Elder Abuse Day, the IRS Criminal Investigation Field Office in Atlanta highlighted that millions of seniors are victimized annually by financial scammers who exploit their trust, with the FBI reporting that seniors lost $8.4 billion to scams in 2024. The IRS provided information on common schemes targeting older adults, including romance scams, lottery scams, government imposter scams, grandparent scams, and tech support scams, and encouraged oversight of seniors' finances by multiple trusted individuals. Resources for fraud prevention and reporting include the National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-372-8311), the FBI's Internet Crime Center, the Pass It On
helpnetsecurity.com
Nearly half of mobile users encounter scams daily, with younger generations (Gen Z and Millennials) disproportionately targeted across calls, texts, emails, and apps. Social engineering scams are prevalent, affecting one in three users, while 74% have encountered phishing, smishing, or vishing attempts, with extortion scams rising due to AI sophistication. Despite these risks, fewer than one in five users employ protective measures like antivirus software or VPNs, and 75% of victims report serious emotional consequences including anxiety, depression, and lost trust.
conduitstreet.mdcounties.org
Government imposter scams resulted in over $400 million in losses last year, with reported victims jumping 50 percent from 2022 to 2024, according to FBI and FTC data. Scammers pose as DMVs, tax offices, and court systems via email, phone, and text, demanding payments for fake tolls, jury duty, or taxes, increasingly using generative AI and spoofed ".gov" addresses to appear legitimate. To combat these scams, state and local agencies are urged to implement public awareness campaigns, stronger email authentication, and secure digital portals to protect residents and maintain trust in government services.
ksl.com
Scam text messages are increasingly prevalent, with the FTC reporting $470 billion stolen via text scams in the past year, up significantly from $372 million in 2023. Common scams include fake fraud alerts (like Apple Pay warnings), bogus toll notices, and phony job offers, which scammers distribute at scale using AI-powered automation and personal information harvested from the dark web. To protect yourself, avoid replying to or clicking links in unexpected texts, verify requests directly with companies using known contact information, and report spam texts by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM).
statesmanjournal.com
The Oregon DMV warned residents of a phishing scam involving unsolicited text and email messages falsely claiming outstanding traffic violations and threatening vehicle registration suspension or credit damage unless payment is made via a provided link. The DMV emphasized it never requests personal information or payment through unsolicited communications and advises recipients to delete suspicious messages, avoid clicking links, and report scams to the Federal Trade Commission.
kgun9.com
Arizona residents are receiving fraudulent text messages falsely claiming to be from ADOT, threatening suspended licenses and vehicle registration cancellations unless unpaid traffic tickets are paid immediately. This "smishing" scam uses fear-based tactics to pressure recipients into clicking malicious links; ADOT clarifies it does not collect tickets or send payment demands via text, and advises recipients to delete messages and avoid clicking links or replying.
kjzz.org
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes held town halls to educate seniors about increasingly sophisticated scams, including grandparent scams using AI-generated voice clones that impersonate relatives and demand thousands of dollars, as well as text scams impersonating government agencies. According to a 2024 Federal Trade Commission report, older adults lost over $1.9 billion to fraud in 2023. Mayes advised seniors to establish code words with loved ones and to recognize red flags such as requests for wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, warning that legitimate government agencies never contact people unsolicited for money or personal information.
madriverunion.com
**Title:** Online Fraud Protection for Seniors
Seniors face increasing risk from online fraud due to their trust and limited tech experience, with common scams including phishing, grandparent scams, and tech support fraud. The article recommends protective measures such as verifying sender identity, confirming requests through known contacts, never granting device access to unsolicited callers, using strong passwords with two-factor authentication, and reporting suspected scams to banks, the FTC, or local authorities. The McKinleyville Senior Center offers free computer assistance and is hosting a fraud prevention seminar with Coast Central Credit Union on June 27.
states.aarp.org
AARP Illinois is offering a free two-part virtual educational series called "Fraud Watch 101" scheduled for June 23rd and 27th to help older adults recognize and avoid scams. The program covers common fraud tactics, emerging threats like cryptocurrency scams, red flags in suspicious communications, and psychological manipulation techniques used by fraudsters. This is an awareness and educational initiative designed to equip seniors and their families with knowledge to protect themselves from fraud.
ksltv.com
This educational piece highlights common scams targeting older adults, including phishing texts (such as fake toll fee notices), grandparent scams, and email fraud. Key protective measures include not clicking links from unknown senders, avoiding payment via gift cards or digital transfer apps, verifying suspicious requests with trusted contacts, and reporting scams to banks, local authorities, and the FTC. Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to social isolation and the scammers' use of urgent language and emotional manipulation to bypass critical thinking.
clickondetroit.com
A 78-year-old Troy woman lost $8,400 in a grandparent scam where a caller impersonated her son and claimed he was in jail, then sent someone to her house to collect cash as a fake bail bond. The victim realized the scam when she was later asked for an additional $9,200, at which point she contacted police. This incident is part of a broader wave of scams targeting Metro Detroit residents.