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wvnews.com
West Virginians reported over $27 million in fraud losses in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission, as scams continue to rise across the state through phone calls, emails, and text messages. The article outlines common scam tactics including IRS/Social Security impersonation, romance scams, tech support scams, and phishing emails, and advises consumers to watch for red flags such as urgent language, requests for payment via gift cards or wire transfers, and unfamiliar contact information. Key protective measures include not answering unknown numbers, never clicking suspicious links, verifying charities before donating, and reporting suspected scams to authorities.
wcexaminer.com
**Summary:**
State Rep. Tina Pickett hosted a free senior scam awareness seminar on April 25 in Sayre, Pennsylvania, led by an investor education coordinator from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. The educational event focused on identifying popular scams targeting seniors, including cryptocurrency fraud, and teaching residents how to protect themselves from financial exploitation.
newscentermaine.com
A Cumberland, Maine woman lost $100,000 to a sophisticated scam that began with a phishing email giving scammers remote computer access, followed by an impersonator claiming to be a Microsoft employee who convinced her to convert her savings into gold bars that were later picked up by a fake courier. Police arrested 44-year-old Zhangqi Xie of New York and charged him with Theft by Deception, while warning the public never to exchange money for gold, bitcoin, or gift cards based on unsolicited communications and to avoid opening suspicious email attachments.
freepressjournal.in
A 58-year-old retired man in Mumbai lost Rs 12 lakh after being targeted through a YouTube video advertising share market investments; he was added to a WhatsApp group that promised 20% returns and instructed to download a fraudulent app, through which scammers funneled his money across multiple bank accounts. When he attempted withdrawal, the scammers demanded an additional Rs 5 lakh, prompting him to report the fraud to cyber police. The Western Cyber Region filed an FIR against unidentified individuals in March 2025 for cheating under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act.
newsbreak.com
An elderly woman lost over $400,000 to online scammers who contacted her via Facebook over seven years, manipulating her into sending money through Apple gift cards and cryptocurrency while operating under various aliases. Despite her son's efforts to seek help from law enforcement and lawyers, they reported being unable to intervene, and the woman continued sending money to the fraudsters even after moving in with her son, eventually taking out loans at their urging. The article includes expert warnings about cryptocurrency scam red flags, including unsolicited crypto solicitations on social media, promises of unusually high returns, and overly friendly strangers using deepfake technology to build trust.
lexology.com
A federal court in Arizona ordered the fraudulent digital asset platform Debiex to pay a penalty for operating an online romance scam network that targeted victims. The case involved cryptocurrency and digital assets used to facilitate the romance scam scheme. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission pursued enforcement action against the platform for its role in the financial fraud operation.
the-daily-record.com
This article is an entertainment events listing and is not relevant to elder fraud research. It announces five upcoming events in Wayne and Holmes counties, including an improv show, amusement rides, a Johnny Cash tribute, and a murder mystery party. While one event (#3) is titled "Financial Elder Fraud Workshop" featuring FBI agents discussing scams targeting seniors, the article provides no details about the workshop content, specific fraud schemes discussed, or any outcomes—only that it is free and scheduled for March 28, 2-4 p.m. at Greystone Event Center in Wooster.
lamilano.it
Operation "Fumo del Vesuvio" (Smoke from Vesuvius), conducted by Carabinieri in Trieste, dismantled an organized elder fraud ring operating across Northern Italy, resulting in 10 arrests and 29 additional suspects reported to authorities. The scam targeted elderly victims through phone calls impersonating lawyers or police officers threatening legal consequences for accidents allegedly caused by relatives, with specialized "tax collectors" sent to victims' homes to retrieve money; investigators recovered approximately €150,000 and identified 38 completed scams. The criminal operation employed a structured network of callers ("switchboard operators"), money collectors paid €150 daily, and information specialists who gathere
consumerfinance.gov
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Zelle's operator Early Warning Services for failing to implement adequate fraud prevention safeguards on the peer-to-peer payment network, resulting in over $870 million in losses to customers of the three banks over seven years. The banks rushed Zelle to market to compete with apps like Venmo and CashApp without proper protections, leaving hundreds of thousands of consumers vulnerable to fraud schemes and denying many victims legally required reimbursement when they filed complaints.
ca.news.yahoo.com
Investment scams remain the most prevalent fraud scheme in Canada, with over $310 million in reported losses in 2024 and more than $1 billion since 2021, often employing artificial intelligence and deepfake videos featuring public figures to appear legitimate. Scammers typically lure victims through social media ads, fraudulent Google search results, and fake endorsements, initially providing small returns to build trust before preventing withdrawals once larger sums are invested. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and Royal Newfoundland Constabulary advise victims to avoid pressure tactics, conduct due diligence before investing, and report incidents to authorities, noting that fraud networks operate as sophisticated criminal enterprises targeting vulnerable
cbc.ca
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported over $310 million in investment fraud losses in 2024, with more than $1 billion lost since 2021, as scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence and deepfakes to create convincing fraudulent investment platforms and cryptocurrency schemes. Victims are typically lured through social media ads, fake search results, or impersonated contacts, receive small returns on initial investments to build trust, but lose their money when attempting larger withdrawals. Law enforcement warns that fraudsters use urgency tactics and target vulnerable populations, with romance scams also prevalent; Canada's fraud industry is estimated at $100 million annually.
goldrushcam.com
On March 21, 2025, the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office arrested suspects in an ongoing phone scam targeting an elderly male customer who was instructed to withdraw $50,000 from Wells Fargo in Oakdale. A vigilant bank teller alerted law enforcement after the victim attempted a second large withdrawal, prompting detectives to coordinate an undercover operation that successfully apprehended the scammers at a pre-arranged collection point. The case highlights the importance of reporting suspicious requests for large cash withdrawals to authorities immediately.
floridapolitics.com
Florida courts ordered moving brokerage companies operated by Charles Abrams, Rudolph Rice, and Daniel Metz to pay $4.139 million in settlements and imposed lifetime bans from operating in the state after they defrauded Florida residents by providing low initial quotes, demanding excessive additional payments, and failing to honor promised refunds. The companies operated under multiple aliases including Gold Standard Moving Storage, Executive Van Lines, Imperial Moving Group, and others, deliberately changing names to evade negative reviews and complaints. The settlement includes $1.12 million designated for consumer relief to be distributed to affected customers.
malaysia.news.yahoo.com
Singapore police arrested 25 individuals and placed 65 others under investigation during an island-wide anti-scam operation from mid-February to early March, seizing approximately S$1.9 million in suspected scam proceeds. The crackdown targeted government official impersonation, investment, and job scams, resulting in the freezing of over 300 bank accounts used for money laundering and the deactivation of more than 1,700 phone lines associated with scam activities. Singapore recorded record scam losses of S$1.1 billion in 2024, with these three scam types accounting for more than half of total losses.
mondovisione.com
The U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona issued a default judgment against Debiex, a fraudulent digital asset trading platform, finding it liable for defrauding customers and misappropriating over $2 million in funds. The scheme involved coordinated "solicitors" who used romance scams on social media to recruit victims, fake "customer service" representatives, and money mules who received misappropriated funds through digital asset wallets. The court ordered Debiex to pay $221,466 in civil penalties and over $2.2 million in restitution, while approximately $120,000 in digital assets were recovered from a relief defendant's
fxnewsgroup.com
Debiex, a fraudulent cryptocurrency platform, was ordered by a U.S. District Court in Arizona to pay $2.4 million in restitution and penalties after misappropriating over $2 million from customers through a sophisticated romance scam involving "solicitors" who befriended victims on social media, fake trading accounts, and money mules to launder funds. The scheme targeted U.S. citizens by posing as a legitimate digital asset trading platform while never actually conducting any trades, instead stealing customer deposits.
pattayamail.com
A 31-year-old Chinese man was arrested at Chiang Mai Airport for using dating apps to lure male tourists to hotels, where he robbed them of cash, credit cards, and valuables; he had committed similar crimes across Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China. Thai authorities reported that between March 2022 and March 2025, dating app fraud cases totaled 1,415 incidents with losses exceeding 350 million baht, and warned the public to avoid sharing personal information with strangers online and to be suspicious of overly attractive profiles requesting money.
northfortynews.com
The Larimer County Sheriff's Office highlighted nine trending scams affecting Northern Colorado residents in March 2025, including "neighbor in trouble" calls requesting bail money, stolen/altered checks, fake PayPal fraud alerts, door-to-door sales schemes, tech support scams impersonating Microsoft and Apple, and cryptocurrency investment frauds. Seniors are frequently targeted and often listed on "sucker lists" shared among scammers, making compassionate reporting and victim support critical. The advisory recommends verifying requests independently, using secure payment methods, and reporting suspicious activity to local law enforcement or the FTC.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
A 46-year-old schoolteacher from Sullia lost Rs 5 lakh in a Facebook investment scam promising high returns through a fake trading platform called GMZ Global, while a 26-year-old computer operator from Kadaba lost Rs 9.97 lakh in a Telegram task-based scam that lured her with small initial payments before demanding larger investments for withdrawals. Both victims were unable to access their funds or withdraw their investments and filed complaints at CEN Crime Police Station in Mangaluru.
goldrushcam.com
**Summary:**
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office warned of an auto scam perpetrated by Romanian nationals targeting vehicle sellers on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. The scammers pose as buyers, bring accomplices who secretly pour oil on the engine during inspections to simulate mechanical problems, then pressure sellers into accepting drastically reduced offers; victims in Atascadero (January 18, 2025) and Los Osos (March 10, 2025) accepted below-market prices. The Sheriff's Office recommends meeting buyers in public places, never leaving the vehicle unattended, having a trusted mechanic inspect any suspected issues, and being cautious of unusually low offers.
cftc.gov
A federal court ordered the digital asset platform Debiex to pay over $2.2 million in restitution plus $221,466 in penalties for defrauding customers through a sophisticated online romance scam. The scheme involved "solicitors" who posed as romantic interests on social media to lure victims into opening fake trading accounts, while "money mules" like relief defendant Zhāng Chéng Yáng transferred misappropriated funds through digital asset wallets. The court also ordered approximately $120,000 in digital assets recovered from Zhang's wallet be returned to one victim, though the CFTC cautioned that full fund recovery may not materialize depending on
forbes.com
This educational article highlights two prevalent scams and prevention strategies: a deepfake video impersonating Warren Buffett offering investment tips through a fake "assistant" (exploiting AI technology to create convincing but false endorsements), and phishing emails falsely claiming to be from Social Security. The article advises readers to verify links by hovering over them to check their actual destinations, use link expansion services for shortened URLs, and independently log into official websites rather than clicking embedded links in suspicious emails.
abc11.com
In 2024, scammers stole a record $12.5 billion from Americans, a 25% increase from the previous year, with investment scams and imposter scams causing the largest losses according to FTC data. A Raleigh woman lost nearly $3,000 to a Microsoft imposter scam after being tricked into purchasing gift cards, a common tactic where fraudsters impersonate legitimate companies or government agencies. Red flags include requests to buy gift cards, cryptocurrency, or send money through payment apps to unknown individuals.
justice.gov
A 52-year-old Federal Way, Washington woman was indicted on wire and bank fraud charges for operating a fake investment scheme targeting elderly members of the Korean community, defrauding at least 28 victims of over $3 million by falsely claiming to be an investment advisor while funneling funds into personal accounts and shell companies. Lee allegedly spent nearly $1 million of investor funds at casinos and operated the scheme in a Ponzi-style fashion, with approximately $2.2 million in net losses after some payments were returned to victims. The case carries potential sentences of up to 30 years in prison and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for
wvnews.com
The Pleasant Community Education Outreach Service (CEOS) in Point Pleasant, West Virginia held a meeting on March 13 where member Elaine Matheny presented an educational lesson on scams targeting senior citizens, covering ten types of fraud including telephone scams, IRS scams, romance scams, tech support scams, and lottery scams, along with prevention tips. The lesson, written by Gina Taylor and Carter Taylor, was designed to educate the community on how to recognize and avoid common elder fraud schemes.
northernvirginiamag.com
Two Connecticut residents were arrested for a year-long prize scam that defrauded a Woodbridge elderly woman of $130,000, during which they convinced her she had won a car and money but needed to pay fees to claim the prizes. Local authorities are warning residents of rising phishing text scams falsely claiming toll debt and fraudulent document shredding events, advising people to avoid urgency-driven communications, verify unexpected contacts through established channels, and never provide financial information or click links from unidentified sources.
ccpc.ie
This Global Money Week awareness article outlines common scams targeting young people, including money mule schemes (where individuals are tricked into laundering illegal funds through their bank accounts), fake ticket sales for sold-out events, and risky cryptocurrency and forex investments that often operate as scams through romance schemes or phishing. The piece emphasizes protective measures such as never sharing bank details with untrusted parties, purchasing tickets only from official sources, and verifying investment legitimacy before committing funds.
billingsgazette.com
This article explains two types of online scams: catfishing and phishing. Catfishing involves creating fake online personas to deceive victims emotionally and financially, often starting as romance scams that lead to requests for money or gifts. Phishing attacks use fraudulent links, emails, and websites impersonating trusted organizations to steal personal information like passwords, bank details, and Social Security numbers for identity theft or financial exploitation.
justice.gov
Amy Elizabeth Curry, an office manager and bookkeeper at Silver Bluff senior living facility in North Carolina, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for embezzling at least $1.5 million from the facility between December 2022 and April 2023. Curry made over 154 unauthorized bank transfers to accounts she controlled, deleted wire transfer records to avoid detection, and used the stolen funds for personal expenses including a truck purchase and over $700,000 in casino gambling. She was ordered to pay $1,469,407.24 in restitution to the facility.
oag.ca.gov
California's Attorney General filed felony charges against the owner and facility manager of Granite Bay Residential Care Home for defrauding Medi-Cal of over $500,000 between January 2020 and September 2022. The defendants billed for services not provided, misappropriated funds for personal luxury purchases, and stole electronics purchased with program money. The charges include false claims, conspiracy, and grand theft by embezzlement.
buckscountyherald.com
Scammers target seniors of all financial means, exploiting their politeness and vulnerability through schemes like grandparent scams, credit card theft, investment fraud, and romance scams. National fraud losses reached $12.5 billion last year, with Pennsylvania ranking sixth in fraud reports; AARP's Consumer Issues Task Force, staffed by 15 volunteers including former postal inspector Tony Wolchasty, educates seniors about common scams and advises victims to report to local police and contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 1-877-908-3360.
finance.yahoo.com
A Texas retiree lost approximately $500,000 in a romance-investment scam after meeting a woman named "Gianna" on the dating site Silver Singles, who gradually persuaded him to invest in cryptocurrency over several months. The scammer used fabricated account statements showing investment gains to encourage him to withdraw his 401(k) and continue sending money, eventually disappearing with his funds. To recover his losses, Dalrymple plans to return to full-time work and sell his home; the scam exemplifies a growing trend combining romance and cryptocurrency fraud, with investment scams accounting for nearly half of all reported fraud cases involving cryptocurrency in 2024.
states.aarp.org
This AARP educational piece outlines multiple fraud schemes targeting older adults: gold bar scams where criminals impersonate bank officials to convince victims to withdraw savings for "safekeeping," fake cruise deal scams using fraudulent websites and ads, and romance scams involving cryptocurrency investments. The article provides prevention strategies including verifying legitimate sources, using credit cards for purchases, and recommends that family members support fraud victims through compassionate questioning and regular scam awareness discussions rather than blame.
fingerlakes1.com
Governor Hochul's budget proposal includes training for bank employees to detect and report financial scams targeting older New Yorkers, with State Police support citing $203 million in losses to seniors in 2023. The measure aims to enable early law enforcement intervention before scammers access victims' funds, though it was initially excluded from Senate and Assembly budgets, possibly due to financial industry concerns. Advocates stress the urgency given New York's growing senior population and increasing financial exploitation.
e.vnexpress.net
An 80-year-old woman named Ngoc in Phan Thiet, Vietnam lost her entire life savings of VND3 billion (approximately US$117,000) to an elaborate prize-drawing scam between June 2023 and January 2024. Scammers posing as employees of a non-existent "Perfect Southeast Asia Joint Venture Shopping Center" convinced her to purchase hundreds of items at inflated prices (4-10 times their actual value) by promising high-value prizes and lucky draw codes, instructing her not to open packages; when she requested pickup of the goods in January 2024, the scammers took 36 items an
yahoo.com
Scammers exploit psychological vulnerabilities and human behavior to deceive victims, using tactics like "spray and pray" messaging to catch people when distracted, tired, or stressed. The FTC received 2.6 million fraud reports in 2024 resulting in $12.5 billion in losses, with research showing that nine in ten Americans have been targeted by fraud attempts, and cognitive impairment—whether temporary or chronic—significantly increases susceptibility to scams. Key protective insights include recognizing that truth bias makes people inherently inclined to believe what others tell them, and that remaining alert and verifying requests independently are essential defenses against fraud.
cnbc.com
The FTC filed a lawsuit against Click Profit and its co-founders for operating a deceptive "passive income" scheme that charged consumers between $45,000-$75,000 to set up and manage Amazon storefronts, promising substantial returns that never materialized. The company made false claims about AI technology, brand partnerships, and earnings potential, but Amazon suspended or terminated 95% of their stores; over one-fifth earned zero revenue and another third earned less than $2,500 in lifetime sales, leaving most consumers unable to recover their investments. Many victims faced credit card debt, unsold inventory, and refusal of refunds, with one consumer losing his life savings.
fox7austin.com
Scammers are increasingly using fake online dating profiles on apps and social media to defraud people seeking romance, often investing months or years building trust before requesting money for fabricated emergencies or investment opportunities. One Austin resident lost $60,000 after being lured into cryptocurrency investments by a scammer posing as someone named Anna, while others face extortion threats if intimate photos are shared. The Better Business Bureau recommends avoiding sending intimate images, being suspicious of vague answers about personal details, insisting on in-person meetings, and never sending money to people you haven't met.
miamitimesonline.com
This educational article outlines major scam trends for 2025, including AI-enhanced scams (phishing, deepfakes, voice cloning), imposter scams where fraudsters pose as trusted contacts or companies with a median loss of $800 per victim, sextortion schemes involving explicit content extortion, romance scams using fake profiles and deepfake video calls, and phone-based scams using robocalls and malware. The article emphasizes that scammers primarily seek personal information or money, and recommends skepticism when contacted unexpectedly, especially regarding urgent requests or investment opportunities.
justice.gov
**Summary:**
Oleg Beretsky was arrested and indicted in Brooklyn federal court for operating a healthcare fraud scheme from January 2017 to April 2024, in which he exploited elderly Medicare patients—particularly immigrants from the former Soviet Union—by referring them to doctors in exchange for kickbacks and bribes totaling over $12 million. Beretsky, owner of Obest, Inc., conspired with healthcare providers to bill Medicare for unnecessary or non-performed services while pocketing the proceeds through his fraudulent referral operation. He faces charges including healthcare fraud conspiracy, Anti-Kickback Statute violations, and money laundering conspiracy.
justice.gov
Marcie Jean Doty, an Operations Manager in Evansville, Indiana, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for stealing approximately $1.8 million from her employer between May 2017 and June 2022 through 99 unauthorized ACH transfers ($503,151.59) and 279 unauthorized checks ($1,300,314.79), while falsifying accounting records to conceal the theft. She also willfully failed to report approximately $1.79 million in fraudulent income on her tax returns for 2018-2022, and was ordered to pay $2,517,343.05 in restitution.
businesstoday.com.my
Standard Chartered Bank launched a revamped savings account for customers aged 55 and above that includes complimentary digital scam insurance (covering up to S$50,000 from phishing and malware scams) for the first year and higher tiered interest rates. The insurance, underwritten by MSIG, does not cover authorized payment scams such as love scams, investment scams, or impersonation scams, but will cover legal costs if account holders pursue action against scammers. The bank also increased interest rates on the account, with the maximum effective rate rising to 2.37 percent annually for balances of S$5 million.
mitrade.com
Malaysian authorities warned of a surge in cryptocurrency investment scams targeting professionals and seniors, with one 74-year-old victim's family losing tens of millions of ringgit to a fraudulent syndicate. Phone scams impersonating tax officers, banks, and law enforcement remain prevalent, often using AI and deepfake technology to appear legitimate and pressure victims into transferring funds to fake "safe accounts." Malaysian police arrested over 23,000 suspects in financial scams last year and are using AI and blockchain technology to combat these evolving threats.
channelnewsasia.com
Standard Chartered Bank launched an updated MyWay savings account for seniors aged 55 and above, featuring complimentary digital scam insurance for the first year that covers up to S$50,000 in losses from phishing and malware attacks, along with higher tiered interest rates on account balances. The insurance, underwritten by MSIG, excludes authorized payment scams such as love scams and investment scams where customers willingly transfer funds, and requires customers to maintain device security and report incidents to the bank within 7 days to be eligible for claims.
livebitcoinnews.com
Cryptocurrency scams targeting seniors in Malaysia have resulted in millions of ringgit in losses, with fraudsters impersonating government officials via fake phone calls to convince victims to transfer crypto funds and investments. A 74-year-old investor lost millions after falling victim to these schemes, which promise excessive profits but result in complete loss of deposited funds. Malaysian authorities warn that seniors aged 60 and above should exercise extreme caution with digital asset investments, as scammers increasingly use sophisticated phone tactics and impersonation to target older investors and professional workers.
fandomwire.com
Stan Lee, the legendary comic book author, allegedly experienced elder abuse during his final years, with business partner Keya Morgan accused of exploiting Lee's deteriorating mental state by pocketing approximately $222,000 through forced autograph-signing sessions. Morgan was charged with theft, embezzlement, forgery, and false imprisonment of an elder adult, but a judge dropped the charges in 2022 after a jury vote split 11:1 in favor of acquittal. A new documentary is being crowdfunded to expose the exploitation Lee allegedly suffered, with filmmaker Jon Bolerjack claiming Lee gave him permission to unveil the truth.
mychesco.com
The FTC reported $12.5 billion in consumer fraud losses in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, with investment scams ($5.7 billion) and imposter scams ($2.95 billion) leading the categories. The percentage of fraud reporters who lost money jumped from 27% to 38%, indicating scammers are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics, particularly through bank transfers and cryptocurrency payments that are difficult to reverse. Job and employment scams saw explosive growth, tripling in reports and skyrocketing from $90 million to $501 million in losses between 2020 and 2024.
cbc.ca
Losses from scams in Canada reached $638 million in 2024, with New Brunswickers reporting $6 million in investment scam losses alone—a fivefold increase from 2023. Scammers are using artificial intelligence and sophisticated tactics, including fake news articles impersonating trusted media outlets and politicians, to deceive victims; recent examples include a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme using Premier Susan Holt's image and AI-generated retail scams designed to exploit emotional responses. Industry experts warn that these evolving tactics make scams increasingly difficult to detect, requiring heightened digital literacy and skepticism when encountering content with recognizable names, logos, or timely headlines.
echopress.com
According to the 2024 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report, investment and cryptocurrency scams remain the riskiest scam type, with romance and friendship scams rising to number three for the first time. These scams employ "financial grooming"—where perpetrators build trust over weeks or months before encouraging victims to invest, often in fake platforms—resulting in romance/friendship scams having the highest median loss of $6,099 and investment scams at $5,000, with people ages 65 and older reporting the highest median dollar loss. The report found that overall median losses rose 30% from 2023 to 2024, with victims experiencing significant
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
A 67-year-old lawyer from Mumbai lost Rs 35.6 lakh in a share market investment scam between October 2024 and January 2025. The scammer, posing as "Manish Gupta," lured the victim through a Telegram group that provided fake investment tips, convincing him to make 19 investments before refusing withdrawal requests and demanding 30% of alleged earnings. The lawyer filed a complaint with cyber police in March 2025 after verifying the investment website was fraudulent.