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in General Elder Fraud
jacksonvillefreepress.com
· 2025-12-08
The Department of Justice released its annual report detailing enforcement actions against elder fraud and abuse, resulting in over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants that recovered nearly $700 million and protected over 225,000 seniors. Cases included romance scams and government impersonation schemes, with the DOJ blocking $27 million in fraudulent transfers and the National Elder Fraud Hotline fielding over 50,000 calls from seniors seeking assistance. Notable prosecutions included two Pittsburgh nursing homes convicted of falsifying records to conceal inadequate care, and investigations into New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes that found constitutional rights violations due to inadequate infection control and medical care.
en.themooknayak.com
· 2025-12-08
Tamil Nadu Police reported a surge in cybercrimes across the state in 2024, with Chennai registering 1,679 cases (1,589 involving financial fraud) resulting in approximately Rs 189 crore in losses, and Coimbatore experiencing Rs 93 crore in cybercrime losses. Common scams include online share trading fraud, "Digital Arrest" scams, job and matrimonial frauds, and authorities have frozen Rs 49.25 crore of Rs 98 crore in reported losses. Police urge victims to report cases immediately to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (1930 helpline) within 24 hours, as
publicnewsservice.org
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania experienced over 3,000 scam victims in the past year with losses exceeding $118 million, according to FBI data. Fraudsters employed various tactics including fake charities exploiting weather disasters, AI-generated voice cloning to impersonate trusted individuals, and impostor schemes where criminals pose as bank employees to trick victims into moving their money. Older Americans reported losses exceeding $1.9 billion to fraud, though actual losses may reach $62 billion when accounting for unreported cases, and the Federal Trade Commission has implemented new impersonation rules to combat these crimes.
columbusjewishnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Congregation Beth Tikvah's Shishim group hosted an educational event on November 14 featuring consumer educator Ryan Lippe from the Ohio Attorney General's office, who provided information on current scams targeting seniors and protective measures. The event also included a catered lunch and a concert performance, with virtual attendance available.
wesa.fm
· 2025-12-08
As Medicare's December 7 enrollment deadline approaches, scammers pose as Medicare officials or insurance company representatives via phone calls, texts, and emails to trick older adults into disclosing Social Security numbers and sensitive information. Medicare and most private insurers will not initiate unsolicited phone contact; instead, beneficiaries should expect written letters and can verify communications by calling official toll-free numbers directly. Older adults and caregivers should avoid providing personal information to unexpected callers, be wary of robocalls, start enrollment early to reduce deadline pressure, and consult reputable sources like Medicare.gov or state health insurance assistance programs.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Family caregivers play a crucial role in protecting older adults from fraud, as seniors lose billions annually to scams including tech support, lottery, grandparent, investment, imposter, and romance schemes. AARP recommends caregivers maintain open communication with loved ones, educate them about common fraud tactics, establish protective financial measures, and monitor for signs of social isolation that increase scam vulnerability. Resources and guidance are available at www.aarp.org/fraud to help families prevent and respond to fraud targeting older adults.
mcknightsseniorliving.com
· 2025-12-08
From July 2023 to June 2024, the Department of Justice pursued over 300 enforcement actions against 700+ defendants who stole nearly $700 million from 225,000 elder fraud victims, while recovering $31 million and providing services to 230,000+ older adults. Investment scams caused the highest losses at $1.2 billion, followed by tech support scams ($590 million), business email compromise ($382 million), romance scams ($357 million), and government impersonation scams ($180 million), with the DOJ's National Elder Fraud Hotline receiving over 50,000 calls in the past year.
insidebitcoins.com
· 2025-12-08
Shizuku Ida, a 27-year-old woman, defrauded approximately 100 men of roughly 100 million yen ($656,000) through an elaborate romance scam conducted on social media and dating apps. Using the alias "Yuu," Ida posed as a hostess and fabricated emotionally compelling stories—including claims of lost money, unpaid debts, and suicidal ideation—to manipulate victims into sending money, which she spent on internet casinos and entertainment. She was arrested after defrauding a Yamagata man of 346,000 yen in October, with experts noting that the lack of face-to-
wrtv.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old Florida woman lost over $40,000 in a lottery scam where a caller claiming to represent Mega Millions told her she had won $8 million and instructed her to send cash to an Indianapolis address to cover taxes. The scammer used fake check deposits and promises of prize money to convince the victim to wire multiple shipments of cash via UPS, though authorities have not recovered the funds or identified the actual perpetrator. This case exemplifies the rising tide of elder fraud, with the FBI reporting $3.4 billion in losses to people age 60 and older in 2023—an 11 percent increase from the previous year.
highlandcountypress.com
· 2025-12-08
Tanya Alahmad, 46, of Cleveland, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay $46,064.30 in restitution after pleading guilty to mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. From November 2019 through February 2022, Alahmad befriended an elderly victim, forged their power of attorney signature, and used fraudulently obtained credit and debit cards along with unauthorized checks to steal over $46,000 from the victim's bank account, including while the victim was hospitalized. The case was prosecuted under the Elder Justice Initiative Program as part of the Department of Justice's efforts to combat financial frau
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington announced multiple healthcare fraud prosecutions protecting patients and consumers. The largest case involved Lincare Holdings, Inc., which agreed to pay $29 million in August 2023 for fraudulently overbilling Medicare for oxygen equipment; as part of the settlement, Lincare refunded $976,137 in overcharged co-pays to 4,917 patients. Additional cases included convictions and settlements involving kickback schemes, unnecessary medical equipment billing, and insurance fraud totaling millions of dollars in penalties and restitution.
farmweeknow.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns that online shopping scams are prevalent during the holiday season, accounting for 41% of all tracked scams in 2023, with fraudsters targeting busy shoppers. The BBB advises consumers to verify website URLs for spelling errors and watch for poor grammar as red flags when shopping on unfamiliar websites.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Ideal Credit Union and the Minnesota Department of Commerce are hosting a free "Safe Seniors" workshop on December 12th in Woodbury to educate seniors about financial fraud prevention. The in-person or virtual session will be led by Senior Financial Fraud Investigator Boima Freeman and will cover identity theft, credit card fraud, phishing, invoice fraud, and payroll fraud, with guidance on recognizing and reporting financial exploitation of seniors and vulnerable adults.
jocoreport.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly Benson man was defrauded by scammers impersonating Geek Squad over a two-year period (2022-2024), losing a total of $40,000. The scam began when the victim responded to a fake text claiming he owed $400 for prior repairs; once he paid, the scammers repeatedly contacted him with fraudulent bills for various services, which he paid believing them to be legitimate. The fraud was discovered by a family member who reported it to law enforcement.
hudsoncountyview.com
· 2025-12-08
Assemblyman John Allen (D-32) and New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs hosted an educational event in Hoboken on November 18th to inform seniors about common scams, including IRS phone scams, lottery frauds, and grandparent scams that increasingly target older residents. The session provided practical advice on recognizing scam tactics and protecting against fraud through phone calls, emails, and other methods.
windsorstar.com
· 2025-12-08
LaSalle police warned of a phishing text message scam targeting seniors that impersonates Service Canada, falsely claiming CPP and OAS benefits have been suspended and requesting immediate response. The scam uses a legitimate-looking CRA phone number and directs victims to click a fraudulent hyperlink that mimics official CRA and banking websites to steal personal and financial information. Police advised recipients not to reply, click links, or provide any information, and recommended verifying sender identity before sharing sensitive data.
thehindu.com
· 2025-12-08
A 74-year-old woman in Hyderabad lost ₹37.9 lakh in retirement savings to a fake money laundering account scam, while a 63-year-old man lost ₹50 lakh to a WhatsApp stock trading fraud—part of a rising trend of sophisticated cyber crimes targeting India's elderly population. Research and expert analysis reveal that older adults are particularly vulnerable because they often underestimate their cognitive decline, experience reduced cognitive flexibility and increased impulsivity, and may be unaware of these changes, while scammers deliberately target lonely seniors and exploit emotional manipulation and false profit promises. India's estimated 3.8 million people living with dem
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York StateWide Senior Action Council highlighted misleading marketing practices during Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15-December 7) as its November Fraud of the Month, warning seniors to avoid scammers who request personal information, falsely claim Medicare endorsement, or use high-pressure enrollment tactics. The organization advises beneficiaries to request written information, verify doctor networks, and report suspected fraud to the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374, noting that Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion annually nationwide.
einpresswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Retired FBI agent John Schwartz, president of The Center for Combating Elder Financial Abuse, launched a comprehensive initiative to protect seniors from financial scams through educational seminars, resources, and partnerships with local organizations. According to a 2023 AARP study, elder financial abuse costs approximately $28.3 billion annually, a figure expected to rise as the senior population grows from 60 million to 70 million between 2025 and 2030. Schwartz, drawing on over 24 years of federal investigative experience, aims to empower seniors, families, and caregivers by educating them on warning signs, prevention strategies, and available resources.
cityofmentor.com
· 2025-12-08
The Mentor Police Department is offering a free educational presentation on preventing senior scams on November 13, 2024, at the Mentor Senior Center, covering common scam types, red flags, and protection strategies. The presentation is open to the public and designed to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud targeting their age group.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong held a forum at Union Baptist Church in Stamford to educate seniors about elder justice issues, highlighting that financial fraud and abuse cost seniors in America over $38 billion annually. The Office of the Attorney General and the Coalition for Elder Justice in Connecticut promoted the Elder Justice Hotline (1-860-808-5555), launched in 2021, to help older adults seek information, assistance, and justice against scams and abuse.
aboutlawsuits.com
· 2025-12-08
This content is a compilation of legal case summaries and does not contain a single article suitable for Elderus summarization. However, the relevant elder abuse item is: The DOJ released its sixth Annual Report to Congress detailing federal progress in combating elder fraud, abuse, and nursing home neglect from July 2023 to June 2024, noting that multiple new and ongoing federal programs have been implemented in partnership with law enforcement agencies to address financial fraud and caregiver abuse affecting elderly Americans.
americanbanker.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired Navy commander in Virginia had his estate drained of $3.6 million through 74 wire transfers to Thailand while suffering from diminished mental capacity due to a stroke, with his bank failing to prevent the fraud despite an address as suspicious as "165 alley behind the old Phraya Karai Temple Wat." In a separate case, an 84-year-old Los Angeles man and his 76-year-old wife lost $18.5 million of $29.5 million moved from their accounts after scammers convinced them of a data breach, with Bank of America failing to flag the highly anomalous transactions. These cases highlight systemic vulnerabilities in bank oversight
fox4beaumont.com
· 2025-12-08
Cyber scams in the U.S. are becoming increasingly sophisticated; Texas reported about $1 billion in cybercrimes losses in 2023, with common tactics including law enforcement impersonation that uses urgency and personal information obtained from data collection sites to intimidate victims into immediate payment. The FBI recommends protecting yourself by opting out of data collection sites, limiting social media sharing, and verifying requests by hanging up and calling back using independently confirmed numbers—particularly important for elderly people who are frequent targets of grandparent scams using voice-mimicking technology.
king5.com
· 2025-12-08
The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office launched a new Economic Crimes and Wage Theft division and held a public presentation on fraud prevention, highlighting warning signs and protection strategies. Key advice included avoiding clicking links from unknown senders, being cautious of AI-altered caller IDs, never sharing personal or financial information unsolicited, and recognizing gift card payment requests as scam indicators, particularly during high-risk periods like the holiday season. Prosecutors emphasized that while identity theft protection can help victims recover losses, fraud has broader economic consequences affecting banks and consumers through increased fees.
anz.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Investment and online shopping scams caused Australian losses of $3.4 million and $125 million respectively from January to September 2024, with fraudsters using professionally-designed websites and promises of quick returns or unbeatable deals to lure victims. One customer nearly lost $50,000 to an unregistered broker operating a crypto scam before intervention. Protection strategies include verifying website legitimacy, checking broker registration with ASIC, avoiding rushed decisions, using secure payment methods, and monitoring accounts regularly.
wimberleyview.com
· 2025-12-08
A panel of experts presented common scams to the Wimberley Chamber of Commerce, including telephone schemes where scammers impersonated sheriff's office staff demanding bail money, and "grandma scams" using AI-cloned voices to convince relatives to send funds for fake emergencies. Financial fraud schemes included fraudulent bank employee calls redirecting transfers, online loan scams requesting upfront cash, romance scams targeting elderly people on social media, and cryptocurrency conversion schemes, with experts advising recipients to hang up and independently verify requests with their bank or sheriff's office.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
The San Diego Seniors Community Foundation and FBI San Diego Citizens Academy are hosting free Elder Fraud Prevention seminars on November 13 and 19 in honor of International Fraud Week, designed to educate seniors and families about recognizing and avoiding scams. The seminars come as elder fraud losses continue to rise, with Americans over 60 reporting $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 (an 11% increase from 2022), with tech support fraud and investment scams being the most prevalent schemes targeting seniors.
wgnsradio.com
· 2025-12-08
During Medicare open enrollment season (October 15 – December 7, 2025), scammers pose as Medicare representatives to target seniors in Rutherford County, Tennessee, using fake calls, phishing attempts, and impersonation schemes to steal personal information and financial details. Common tactics include requesting Medicare numbers or credit cards under the guise of "updating" information, falsely claiming Part D coverage is mandatory, and using scare tactics about benefit cancellation. Seniors should never provide personal information to unsolicited callers and instead verify directly with Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or use legitimate resources like Medicare.gov or Tennessee's SHIP program for enrollment assistance.
breakingac.com
· 2025-12-08
A Pennsylvania man, Dipen Patel, was arrested after attempting to impersonate a federal agent to scam an elderly couple out of over $60,000 in cash in Galloway Township. The victim's daughter recognized the scam and contacted police, who coordinated surveillance and arrested Patel when he arrived to collect the cash. Patel was charged with third-degree theft by unlawful taking and released on a summons pending investigation.
wsbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
Peachtree City police report a sharp rise in scams targeting seniors, with one 78-year-old victim losing nearly $500,000 to multiple schemes including fake investment programs (using hacked Facebook accounts), gift card fraud totaling $32,000, and check cashing scams. In 2023, the FBI reported elder fraud caused over $3.4 billion in losses nationally, with the average victim losing $33,915, and Peachtree City alone has seen individual cases reaching as high as $800,000 to millions of dollars. Police and federal investigators recommend family members monitor elderly relatives' finances and educate seniors about current fraud tactics.
wtsp.com
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old man named Benjamin Yakah was arrested in Minnesota for operating an internet romance scam in which he posed as a woman named "Julia" on Facebook and defrauded a 77-year-old widower in Bradenton, Florida of over $100,000 across eight months. Yakah used stolen photos of a West Virginia woman without her knowledge and convinced the victim that he needed money to pay off a debt before relocating from the United Kingdom to Florida to start a relationship. The victim's children reported the scam to the Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit in June, leading investigators to trace the fraudulent bank account to Yakah, and further investigation reveale
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old Minnesota man, Benjamin Yakah, was arrested and faces grand theft charges after defrauding a 77-year-old Bradenton widower of over $100,000 in an eight-month internet romance scam. The victim was deceived by a fake Facebook profile using stolen photos of a West Virginia woman, who posed as "Julia" and convinced him to send cash and checks to Minnesota accounts under the pretense of relocating to Florida to be with him. The victim's children alerted authorities in June, leading to a five-month investigation and Yakah's arrest; evidence suggests he victimized additional people in other states.
bbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Police are investigating an increasing number of fraud cases targeting elderly island residents, where scammers convinced victims they were helping people in financial trouble, resulting in some victims transferring five-figure sums of money. Authorities urge relatives to check on elderly family members and warn residents not to be pressured into giving or loaning money in unusual circumstances.
catcountry1073.com
· 2025-12-08
A Galloway Township Police Department stopped an attempted elder fraud scheme when officers arrested Dipen Patel, 51, who arrived at a senior couple's home to collect $60,000 in cash. The couple had been deceived by a phone scammer posing as a federal agent who falsely claimed unauthorized bank accounts were opened in their names and instructed them to withdraw and hand over the money for "protection." Police prevented the handover after being alerted by the couple's daughter and have issued search warrants as the investigation continues.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 30-year-old San Leandro woman, Qingyun Chen, was arrested for allegedly running a large-scale tech support scam that targeted elderly victims throughout the Bay Area by convincing them their computers were infected with viruses, then directing them to withdraw cash that couriers collected from their homes. Chen was identified during a September investigation into the scheme and charged with grand theft and theft/embezzlement of an elder adult, with bail set at $2.5 million; investigators recovered significant cash and evidence from two of her homes.
fox13news.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old widower in Bradenton, Florida lost $100,000 to a romance scammer who posed as a British woman named "Julia" on Facebook and claimed she needed money to pay off a debt before relocating to be with him. The investigation, launched in June 2024 by the victim's children, revealed that suspect Benjamin Yakah used stolen photos from a West Virginia woman's Facebook account and had the victim send cash and checks to accounts in Minneapolis over an eight-month period. Yakah was arrested in Minnesota and is awaiting extradition to Manatee County; police suspect he scammed multiple victims across different states.
mysuncoast.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old widower from Bradenton, Florida lost over $100,000 in a romance scam after meeting someone claiming to be "Julia" on Facebook Messenger who posed as a woman from the United Kingdom seeking to relocate to America. Benjamin Yakah from Minnesota was arrested after investigation revealed he operated the scam, using stolen photos and convincing the victim to send cash and checks to pay off fabricated debts; evidence suggests there are additional victims. Yakah is awaiting extradition to Manatee County as the investigation continues.
paymentsjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Cross-border payments, which represent only 11% of card transactions but account for 63% of card-related fraud, pose significant risks to consumers and financial institutions globally. In the UK alone, authorized push payment (APP) scams—where victims are tricked into sending money to criminals—caused £239 million in losses in the first half of 2023, with one in three UK cross-border payment users reporting victimization. To combat this growing threat, experts recommend implementing collaborative information-sharing frameworks between financial institutions, adopting tokenization technology, and establishing universal standards like ISO 20022 to improve fraud detection and reduce the physical distance advantage that enables criminals to evade capture.
gizmodo.com
· 2025-12-08
O2, the UK's largest mobile network operator, deployed an AI voice chatbot called "Daisy" that mimics an elderly person to waste phone scammers' time and divert them from real targets. The chatbot engages scammers in lengthy conversations (40+ minutes) using social engineering tactics and provides fake information when asked for personal details, preventing actual fraud. While this "scambaiting" approach helps protect vulnerable elderly people who are commonly targeted with tax and arrest-related scams, concerns remain that similar voice-cloning technology could be misused for grandparent scams and other elder fraud schemes.
hispanicprwire.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York StateWide Senior Action Council highlighted misleading marketing practices during Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15–December 7) as its November 2024 Fraud of the Month, warning seniors to avoid scammers who request personal information, falsely claim Medicare affiliation, or use high-pressure enrollment tactics. The council advises seniors to verify that plan representatives explain coverage changes in writing, confirm doctors are in-network, and opt out of unsolicited communications, with resources available through the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374.
973espn.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly couple in Galloway Township, New Jersey, nearly lost $60,000 to an imposter posing as a federal agent who convinced them their bank accounts had been compromised and instructed them to withdraw cash for deposit into a "secure account." Police intervened after the couple's daughter alerted authorities, and arrested Dipen Patel, 51, of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, when he arrived at the home to collect the money. The case highlights the prevalence of elder fraud schemes targeting seniors through phone impersonation.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
A Pennsylvania man, Dipen Patel, 51, was arrested after attempting to scam an elderly Galloway couple out of more than $60,000 by posing as a federal agent and claiming their Social Security numbers had been compromised. Police were alerted by the couple's daughter while the scam was in progress and apprehended Patel when he arrived at the home to collect the cash. The case highlights common elder fraud tactics, and police remind seniors that legitimate law enforcement will never demand cash payments over the phone.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Peachtree City police are reporting a sharp rise in elder fraud cases, with a 78-year-old victim losing nearly $500,000 through multiple scams including fake investment schemes requiring gift card purchases and counterfeit check fraud. The FBI reports that scams targeting seniors aged 60+ caused over $3.4 billion in losses nationally in 2023, with individual victims averaging $33,915 in losses, prompting local authorities to increase awareness efforts at senior living facilities.
communityimpact.com
· 2025-12-08
The Elder Financial Safety Center (EFSC), formed in 2014 by Dallas County Probate Courts, the District Attorney's Office, and The Senior Source nonprofit, addresses financial exploitation of seniors through prevention, protection, and prosecution. The article details prevalent scams targeting seniors aged 50+, including romance scams, government impersonation, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams, and recommends protective measures such as not answering unknown calls and avoiding clicking on unsolicited texts and links. Services are free to eligible seniors in Dallas and surrounding counties, with one case cited involving a victim who lost $545,000 after being groomed through a fake Geek Squad text message scam
wtap.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
This educational piece presents financial fraud prevention advice from Jeff Sandy, a former West Virginia law enforcement official, highlighting common scams targeting the Mid-Ohio Valley including impersonation of loved ones (such as the "grandparent scam") and too-good-to-be-true offers. Sandy recommends critical thinking (asking "who, what, when, where, why"), maintaining open communication with elderly family members, limiting personal information shared online and in obituaries, and reporting fraud immediately to law enforcement or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov) without shame.
devdiscourse.com
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old retired engineer in Delhi lost Rs 10.3 crore in a "digital arrest" scam where fraudsters called claiming an illegal package was intercepted in his name, then coerced him via video call on Skype to transfer funds while he was held virtually hostage for eight hours. Delhi Police's Cyber Cell has frozen Rs 60 lakh and is investigating with suspected international involvement, while attempting to recover the remaining funds.
kbia.org
· 2025-12-08
Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion annually to fraud, errors, and abuse—approximately $7 million per hour—according to Rona McNally, director of the Missouri Senior Medicare Patrol. Common scams targeting seniors include fraudulent genetic testing claims, calls impersonating Medicare requesting personal information under the guise of new card replacements, and unnecessary durable medical equipment sales. McNally recommends seniors protect themselves by guarding their Medicare cards, refusing to provide information over unsolicited calls, carefully reviewing statements to verify ordered services, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities, which helps investigators identify patterns of fraud.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old Minnesota man, Benjamin Yakah, was arrested and charged with grand theft after stealing over $100,000 from a 77-year-old Bradenton widower through an eight-month romance scam on Facebook. The scammer posed as a woman named "Julia" from the United Kingdom, using stolen photos and claiming to need money to pay debts before relocating to Florida, while all funds were directed to Yakah's bank account in Minneapolis. The investigation, initiated by the victim's family in June 2024, revealed additional victims in other states, and Yakah is being extradited to Manatee County to face charges.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Virgin Media O2 launched "Daisy," an AI-powered chatbot designed to impersonate an elderly woman and engage scammers in lengthy, unproductive conversations to waste their time and resources. Developed with scambaiter Jim Browning, Daisy uses voice recognition and custom language models to keep fraudsters on the phone with meandering discussions about knitting and cats while refusing to provide the personal or financial information they seek. The company reports Daisy has already wasted hundreds of hours of scammers' time, potentially preventing them from targeting real vulnerable individuals.