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in Romance Scam
oregonlive.com
· 2025-12-08
This advice column addresses a parent's concerns about their 22-year-old son's relationship with a 36-year-old woman he met online in Brazil, who he is planning to visit for three months and to whom he has already sent money. The response identifies several warning signs consistent with romance scams, citing FTC data showing over 64,000 reported romance scams in 2023 totaling $1.14 billion, and recommends the parents consult FBI.gov and ic3.gov resources to help their son think critically about the situation and potential predatory motives.
tribuneonlineng.com
· 2025-12-08
Crossdresser Bobrisky lost $990 to a romance scammer who posed as a potential romantic partner over several months, gaining his trust through frequent calls before ultimately blocking him when given access to a CashApp deposit. The scammer, who initially claimed to be in the United States before saying he relocated to Canada, was exposed when Bobrisky asked to use the man's CashApp account to receive payment for an advertisement. Bobrisky publicly shared screenshots and photos of the alleged scammer on Instagram to warn followers about similar deceptive tactics.
thenationonlineng.net
· 2025-12-08
Socialite and crossdresser Bobrisky lost $990 to a romance scammer who built trust over several months by claiming to live in the United States and calling him regularly. The scammer disappeared immediately after receiving money that Bobrisky had facilitated for what was presented as an advertising deposit payment. Bobrisky shared details of the incident and the scammer's photos on Instagram to warn his followers.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly targeting 401(k) retirement accounts through multiple methods including phishing emails, fake investment platforms, impersonation phone calls and text messages, robocalls with AI voice impersonations, and fraudulent rollover schemes. To protect retirement savings, individuals should use two-factor authentication, create strong unique passwords, monitor account notifications, and only conduct rollovers with trusted financial institutions while remaining vigilant against suspicious communications and fake investment opportunities.
news18.com
· 2025-12-08
A 59-year-old retired Army colonel from Gurgaon was lured to Mathura by a woman he met on the matrimonial website Jeevansathi, where he was ambushed by her associates, brutally assaulted, robbed of his phone and wallet, and filmed without consent with threats of blackmail if he contacted police. The gang forced him to call acquaintances for money before abandoning him in a forested area; he subsequently filed a police complaint under sections covering assault, extortion, and criminal intimidation. The incident highlights serious security vulnerabilities in online matrimonial platforms and the risks of meeting unknown individuals from dating websites without safety precautions.
tradingview.com
· 2025-12-08
Australia's financial regulator (ASIC) obtained a court order to shut down 95 companies linked to "pig butchering" scams—sophisticated investment and romance fraud schemes where criminals build trust with victims over weeks before directing them to fake trading platforms for forex, crypto, and commodities. These organized criminal networks, often operating from countries like Myanmar and Eastern Europe, target high-income individuals globally by using fake websites, stolen identities, and complex deception tactics to create false legitimacy. Despite regulatory efforts to remove scam websites and shut down fraudulent companies, Australians lost AU$2.74 billion to financial fraud in the most recent reporting period, though losses declined 13.1
asic.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
ASIC successfully obtained Federal Court orders to wind up 95 companies incorporated with false information that were suspected of facilitating "pig butchering" scams (romance baiting scams) involving fake investment platforms for forex, digital assets, and commodities trading. The scammers used professional-looking websites and apps to trick victims into depositing money into accounts controlled by fraudsters, with some companies potentially incorporated using stolen identities. ASIC warns consumers remain highly vigilant against these sophisticated scams, noting it removes approximately 130 scam websites weekly as part of its ongoing enforcement efforts.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A trial began in Munich in April 2025 against 12 suspected members of the Black Axe Nigerian mafia organization, accused of operating romance scams that defrauded victims by feigning romantic relationships to extract money. One victim alone lost approximately €235,000 ($257,400), with dozens of romance scam cases involved in the proceedings—the first major trial in Germany targeting this criminal organization, which is also known for money laundering and human trafficking. The defendants, aged 33-54, face charges of forming a criminal organization, with the trial expected to conclude by December 2025.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Twelve suspected members of the Nigerian mafia gang Black Axe went on trial in Munich in connection with romance scams targeting dozens of victims, with one woman defrauded of €235,000. The defendants, aged 33 to 54, are accused of forming a criminal organization and using fake romantic relationships to manipulate victims into sending money, in what is Germany's first major prosecution of the group. The trial, expected to last months with a verdict possibly in December, follows April raids by Bavarian police that revealed the mafia's previously unknown significant presence in Germany.
thenationonlineng.net
· 2025-12-08
Popular crossdresser Bobrisky lost $990 to a romance scammer who had been communicating with him for several months, claiming to be based in the U.S. and Canada. The scammer gained his trust through frequent calls and regular contact, then convinced Bobrisky to receive a payment via CashApp on his behalf before blocking him once the money was transferred. Bobrisky publicly shared details of the incident on Instagram, warning his followers to be cautious of similar romance scams.
dailystar.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Julie-Anne Kearns, a 47-year-old NHS worker and anti-scam TikTok creator, was targeted by a dating scam in November 2022 when a fraudster posing as a military surgeon attempted to trick her into buying an iTunes gift card; she avoided the scam through image verification but later discovered her identity had been stolen. In December 2024, Kearns learned that identity thieves had used her personal information to apply for loans with three different lenders (Lendable, Moneybarn No 1, and Billing Finance Limited), prompting her to lock her credit file to prevent further fraud attempts.
lifestyle.thecable.ng
· 2025-12-08
**Romance Scam - Bobrisky Case**
Social media personality Bobrisky fell victim to an online romance scam and lost $990 after chatting with a scammer for several months who claimed to be living in Canada. The scammer gained access to her cash transfer by offering his CashApp account to receive a deposit from an advertising client, then blocked her immediately after the money arrived. Bobrisky publicly shared evidence of the scam on Instagram seeking help to identify the perpetrator.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Julie-Anne Kearns, a 47-year-old NHS worker from Dorset who runs a TikTok scam awareness account with over 10,000 followers, fell victim to identity theft in December 2024 when fraudsters attempted to take out loans in her name through three different lenders (Lendable, Moneybarn No 1, and Billing Finance Limited), likely using cloned copies of her passport and driving licence. Despite her extreme vigilance and efforts to prevent fraud, she discovered the identity theft through a credit report and subsequently locked her credit file, though she remains uncertain how the criminals obtained her personal information.
suncommunitynews.com
· 2025-12-08
This does not appear to be an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. The content consists of generic system messages (email verification notifications, session renewal prompts) and an unrelated brief mention of a charitable donation. There is no fraud, scam, or elder abuse incident to summarize for the Elderus database.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Secret Service seized the web domain NFT-UNI.com, which was used in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam that defrauded a Warren County victim of approximately $172,405.61 between November 2023 and March 2024, with total losses across all victims reaching approximately $4,564,936.47. In pig butchering schemes, scammers build trust with victims through dating apps, social media, or text messages before convincing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms, then disappearing with their funds. This is the second domain seizure by the Secret Service in Warren County related to this type of scheme, as part
mitrade.com
· 2025-12-08
Australia's Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) shut down 95 companies operating as fronts for crypto romance scams following Federal Court approval, with liquidators appointed to manage the wind-down. Over 1,500 victims from 14 countries have filed claims totaling more than $35 million, with scammers using fake company registrations, stolen identities, and AI-generated content to perpetrate "pig butchering" schemes that increased 40% between 2023-2024. Despite ASIC taking down over 10,000 fraudulent websites, regulators warn that scams remain persistent and evolving, though Australia saw a 26% decline in total sc
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
Australia's corporate watchdog (ASIC) secured court approval to shut down 95 "hydra" companies suspected of operating "pig butchering" scams—romance and cryptocurrency investment frauds where scammers build fake relationships to manipulate victims into investing in fraudulent schemes. Nearly 1,500 investors across 14 countries filed claims totaling over $35.8 million in losses, with the scam activity believed to originate largely from Southeast Asia. ASIC has removed over 10,000 scam websites in recent efforts, though the regulator warns that new fraudulent sites continue to emerge rapidly.
onlineathens.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Athens residents fell victim to different fraud schemes in late March: a 31-year-old man was extorted after sharing nude photos on Grindr and had images sent to family members; a 76-year-old woman was scammed out of $1,400+ by a romance fraudster posing as an Irish boyfriend requesting medical funds; and a 71-year-man nearly lost personal information after granting remote computer access to a tech support scammer. Police advise residents to avoid sharing personal information online, be cautious with unsolicited messages and calls, and immediately contact banks and credit bureaus if compromised.
kaynewscow.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, of Pawnee was arrested for laundering approximately $1.5 million obtained through online romance scams targeting four elderly women (ages 64-79) between September and December 2024. One victim sold her house and sent $600,000 after believing she was in a romantic relationship with a scammer; Echohawk converted the illicitly obtained funds through bank accounts and cryptocurrency before sending payments to an unidentified suspect. She faces five counts carrying 24 to 62 years in prison and up to $260,000 in fines.
wesh.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, with the Better Business Bureau identifying investment/cryptocurrency schemes, employment scams, and romance/friendship scams as the year's most dangerous, often involving financial grooming tactics where scammers build trust over time. Victims of investment and cryptocurrency scams lost money at rates exceeding 80%, while young adults aged 18-34 were primary targets for employment fraud, and imposter scams frequently involved fraudulent claims from PayPal, Publishers Clearing House, and the U.S. Postal Service. Experts recommend verifying credentials, asking questions about unsolicited offers, and confirming communications to avoid falling victim
ktul.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, was arrested in Pawnee County on charges of money laundering and computer crimes for allegedly facilitating approximately $1.5 million in funds stolen from four elderly women (ages 64-79) through online romance scams between September and December 2024. Echohawk received the victims' payments via gift cards, cash, wire transfers, and bank accounts, then converted the funds to cryptocurrency and sent them to an unidentified suspect; one victim sold her home to send $600,000. Echohawk faces five counts carrying potential sentences of 24 to 64 years in prison and up to $260,000 in fines.
koco.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk, a 53-year-old from Pawnee, Oklahoma, was arrested and charged with laundering approximately $1.5 million obtained through online romance scams targeting senior women between September and December 2024. The victims, all between ages 64 and 79, believed they were sending money to men they were in online relationships with before the funds were diverted through Echohawk's accounts.
koco.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission and a new Better Business Bureau report analyzing the year's most dangerous schemes. The top scams involved investment and cryptocurrency schemes (80% loss rate), employment scams targeting young adults 18-34, romance and friendship scams on dating platforms, and imposter scams impersonating major companies. Experts advise consumers to verify credentials, ask questions about investment claims, and verify unsolicited communications to protect against scammers using financial grooming tactics to build trust before exploitation.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Research identifies loneliness and financial fragility as the two most significant risk factors for elder financial fraud victimization. Socially isolated individuals are more vulnerable to relationship-based scams (romance, pig-butchering, affinity fraud) because they lack trusted contacts to validate suspicious offers, while financial stress impairs rational decision-making and increases willingness to take risky financial gambles that fraudsters exploit.
scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old Indian retiree and his wife were defrauded of approximately $395,000 by cybercriminals impersonating federal law enforcement officials who convinced them to transfer funds over a 10-day period. The scam employed fabricated Supreme Court letters and isolation tactics to maintain control over the victims. These incidents reflect a broader pattern of rising cybercrimes in India targeting elderly individuals through impersonation, blackmail, and romance scams, driven partly by limited digital safety awareness among seniors.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, scammers targeted elderly residents and visitors in Beaufort County, South Carolina, stealing over $3.1 million across 62 cases by impersonating law enforcement and demanding cryptocurrency transfers via Bitcoin ATMs. The scams exploited urgency and fabricated threats of arrest or legal consequences, with victims directed to convert cash to cryptocurrency at predatory ATMs with high transaction fees. Officials across South Carolina are calling for government oversight of cryptocurrency ATMs, as these machines have become primary tools for targeting aging communities, with the FTC noting that cryptocurrency scam losses in the U.S. increased tenfold between 2020 and 2023.
sjvsun.com
· 2025-12-08
Rep. David Valadao's Romance Scam Prevention Act advanced through the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, requiring dating apps to notify users who have interacted with accounts banned for fraudulent activity. The Federal Trade Commission reported romance scam victims lost over $1.1 billion in 2023, with fraudsters exploiting the 60 million users of online dating services by using fake identities to manipulate people for financial gain. The bill addresses a gap in current protections where scammers move conversations off dating platforms to avoid detection, though similar notification requirements already exist in Vermont, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New York.
upi.com
· 2025-12-08
Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded elderly victims across Missouri, New Jersey, and Minnesota between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi and co-conspirators used social media to build fake relationships with victims and convince them to send money for various pretexts, with one victim losing over $27,400; he was ordered to pay $311,500 in restitution. The investigation involved multiple federal agencies and resulted in charges for money laundering conspiracy.
koco.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Echohawk, 53, of Pawnee, Oklahoma, was arrested and charged with laundering approximately $1.5 million obtained through online romance scams targeting four elderly women (ages 64-79) across Utah, Texas, and Florida. One victim sent over $600,000 between April 2023 and March 2025 to a man using the alias "Edward Lotts," who claimed he needed to pay off a debt to access $2 million, and she sold her house to fund the payments. Echohawk facilitated the fraud by opening multiple bank accounts to receive the funds, converting them to cryptocurrency, and transferring them to wallets controlled by
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded elderly victims in Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey of approximately $311,520 between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi received wire transfers from victims who were deceived by scammers posing as individuals like "Kevin Condon," who fabricated stories about business expenses, medical issues, and legal problems to solicit money. The court ordered Obafemi to pay full restitution and serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a 34-year-old Nigerian national, was arrested in April 2025 and charged with mail fraud and money laundering for orchestrating romance scams that defrauded six victims of over $2.5 million between 2016 and 2019. Nwadavid created fake dating profiles to build trust with victims, then manipulated them into sending money under false pretenses, using a Massachusetts victim as an intermediary to funnel funds to cryptocurrency accounts he controlled. He faces up to 20 years in prison and will be subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence.
bucks.crimewatchpa.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common scams targeting seniors—including phone scams, phishing, romance fraud, investment schemes, charity scams, home repair fraud, identity theft, and grandparent scams—and provides practical prevention strategies. Key protective measures include being skeptical of unsolicited contact, safeguarding personal information, avoiding rushed decisions, recognizing communication red flags, verifying identities before trusting, staying informed about technology, and building a support network. The article emphasizes that seniors can protect themselves and their finances through knowledge and vigilance, offering resources like the AARP Fraud Watch Network and National Elder Fraud Hotline for additional support.
cheshire-live.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A survey of 2,000 scam victims found that over a quarter feel too ashamed to discuss their experience, with nearly half having lost an average of £481 in the past year, primarily through marketplace and impersonation scams, though romance scams generated the most shame. Only 22 percent reported incidents to police or fraud services, citing lack of faith in assistance and self-blame. To combat this silence, money transfer app Wise and We Fight Fraud launched "Scam Safe Space," an initiative encouraging victims to share experiences, as research shows hearing others' stories helps people identify and avoid similar scams.
devonlive.com
· 2025-12-08
A survey of 2,000 scam victims found that nearly half lost money in the past year, averaging £481, with marketplace and impersonation scams being most common, though romance scams carried the greatest stigma. Over 26 percent of victims felt too embarrassed to share their experiences, and only 22 percent reported incidents to authorities, yet research shows hearing from victims helps others recognize warning signs. In response, money transfer app Wise and We Fight Fraud launched the "Scam Safe Space," a judgment-free platform encouraging victims to speak openly, as experts emphasize that education and breaking the silence around scams are critical to prevention.
skynews.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, of Oklahoma was arrested and charged with laundering approximately $2.4 million obtained through online romance scams targeting elderly women ages 64-79 between September and December 2024. The victims, believing they were in relationships with men, sent money, gift cards, and checks to accounts owned by Echohawk, who converted the funds into cryptocurrency and sent them to unknown suspects; one victim sold her house to send $600,000. Echohawk faces five counts of unlawful use of criminal proceeds and computer fraud, carrying potential sentences of 24-62 years and up to $260,000 in fines.
ky3.com
· 2025-12-08
Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for his role in an online romance scam targeting elderly victims in Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi conspired to receive fraudulent wire transfers totaling $311,520 by coordinating bank accounts and fund transfers, with one victim in Missouri alone losing $27,460 after being deceived by someone claiming to be "Kevin Condon" seeking money for overseas business and medical expenses. He was ordered to pay full restitution to his victims and serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration.
elderjustice.usc.edu
· 2025-12-08
This article collection presents educational resources on elder abuse prevention and protection across multiple topics: nutrition services as a preventive touchpoint for vulnerable seniors, a new Bill of Rights model for guardianship, practical scam prevention strategies, technology's role in reducing isolation (a risk factor for abuse), community-coordinated elder justice responses, faith community engagement on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and awareness about relationship investment scams using digital platforms. The materials emphasize that elder abuse prevention requires multi-sector approaches involving healthcare providers, legal advocates, community organizations, and faith leaders working together to protect older adults' rights and wellbeing.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk, 54, of Pawnee, Oklahoma, was arrested and charged with laundering approximately $1.5 million from online romance scams targeting elderly women aged 64-79 in Florida, Texas, and Utah between September and December 2023. The victims, believing they were in relationships with men, sent money through various methods including Apple gift cards, cash, and wire transfers, which Echohawk deposited into her bank accounts, converted to cryptocurrency, and transferred to an unidentified male subject. Echohawk faces five felony counts carrying potential sentences of 24 to 62 years in prison and fines up to $260,000, with notable individual
oklahoman.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk, 54, of Pawnee was charged with laundering approximately $1.5 million from elderly women (ages 64-79) in Oklahoma, Florida, Texas, and Utah who believed they were sending money to romantic interests between September and December. Echohawk received funds through various methods, converted most to cryptocurrency, and transferred the funds to an unidentified male subject while using some proceeds personally and lying to banks about the money's source. She faces multiple felony charges including unlawful use of criminal proceeds and violations of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act, with charges filed by the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office.
people.com
· 2025-12-08
An Oklahoma woman, Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, was arrested in April 2025 for laundering approximately $1.5 million from four elderly victims (ages 64-79) in an online romance scam between September and December 2024. One victim sold her house to send $600,000 to the scammer, while others sent gift cards, cash, and cashier's checks; Echohawk allegedly converted the funds through cryptocurrency accounts and sent payments to an unidentified suspect. She faces charges carrying 24 to 62 years in prison and up to $260,000 in fines.
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk of Oklahoma orchestrated multiple online romance scams targeting four elderly women (ages 64-79) from September to December, defrauding them of $1.5 million total using fake male personas like "Jason Morris," "Edward Lotts," and "Glenn Goadard" with elaborate stories requiring urgent cash payments. One victim sold her paid-off home to send over $600,000 after being promised debt relief, while another sent $250,000 for a supposed financial portfolio from Syria; Echohawk deposited all funds into a bank account under her name and converted the money into cryptocurrency for money laundering. The scam was uncovered when a
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, was arrested in Oklahoma for allegedly laundering approximately $1.5 million obtained through online romance scams targeting elderly women ages 64-79 between September and December 2024. Victims believed they were sending money to male romantic interests via wire transfers, gift cards, and checks to accounts owned by Echohawk, who then converted the funds to cryptocurrency; one victim sold her house to send $600,000 to the scammer. Echohawk faces charges of unlawful use of criminal proceeds and computer crimes carrying potential sentences of 24 to 62 years in prison.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for his role in romance scams that defrauded elderly victims across Missouri, New Jersey, and Minnesota between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi used social media to establish fake romantic relationships with victims, convincing them to send money for various expenses, and coordinated the receipt and transfer of stolen funds through multiple bank accounts; he was ordered to pay over $311,500 in restitution to his victims. The scheme targeted at least one victim in Missouri who lost more than $27,400 to a scammer posing as "Kevin Condon
legends1063.fm
· 2025-12-08
A Georgia man, Badetito O. Obafemi, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded elderly victims across multiple states, including a Taney County, Missouri resident who lost $27,460. Obafemi conspired with scammers who posed as romantic interests online, requesting money for various expenses, and received the stolen funds through personal and business bank accounts he controlled. He was ordered to pay $311,520 in total restitution to all victims across Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, from Oklahoma, was charged with money laundering and computer crimes after stealing approximately $1.5 million from four elderly women (ages 64-79) through romance scams that operated from April 2023 through October 2024. Echohawk used multiple fake male identities to convince victims they were in romantic relationships and needed money for various schemes, including debt payoff, business investments, and ship fuel, with one victim selling her home to send $600,000. After receiving payments via cash, gift cards, and wire transfers, Echohawk converted the funds to cryptocurrency and sent them to an unknown accomplice; she faces 24 to 62
spokanejournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Washington Trust Bank employees launched a Senior Fraud Awareness workshop series in April 2023 to combat rising scams targeting older adults, after branch staff witnessed seniors being pressured to withdraw cash while on phone calls with scammers. The trio of bank managers has conducted five workshops in Spokane senior living communities and plans to expand regionally, providing FTC data, practical fraud prevention tips, and resources for reporting elder fraud. According to federal data, older adults lost over $1.9 billion to fraud in 2023 alone, with estimates suggesting actual losses could reach $61.5 billion.
chestnuthilllocal.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud targeting adults 60 and older has become increasingly sophisticated in the digital age, with government impersonation scams alone costing Americans over $394 million in 2023—a 63% increase from the previous year. Common schemes include government agency impersonation (using caller ID spoofing to demand payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency), tech support scams (fraudsters claiming to fix nonexistent device problems to gain remote access), and foreign lottery scams (requiring victims to pay escalating fees). Protection requires understanding that legitimate government agencies typically contact via official mail, not phone calls or emails, and being aware of scammers' use of fear and urgency to bypass victim verification
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, was arrested in Oklahoma for laundering approximately $1.5 million obtained through online romance scams targeting elderly women ages 64-79, who believed they were sending money to male romantic interests. Between September and December 2024, victims transferred funds, gift cards, and cashiers' checks through Echohawk's bank accounts, with one victim selling her house to send $600,000; Echohawk allegedly converted the proceeds to cryptocurrency and sent them to an unidentified suspect. She faces five felony charges carrying 24 to 62 years in prison and up to $260,000 in fines.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers operating from Cambodia use sophisticated money laundering networks to quickly move billions of dollars stolen through various schemes, including online romance scams and fake cryptocurrency exchanges. By the time victims realize they've lost their life savings to these frauds, the money has already disappeared into complex financial channels designed to obscure its origins. The article examines how these criminal networks operate with apparent impunity, moving stolen funds at high speed to prevent recovery.
punchng.com
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old fraudster from Edo State, Nigeria voluntarily surrendered to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, confessing to operating a romance scam in which he impersonated Chinese nationals and foreign medical doctors to deceive foreign victims into fake online relationships. The suspect, who used mobile app translators to communicate and solicited money from victims under false pretenses, stated his surrender was motivated by a desire to abandon cybercrime and reform. The EFCC praised his voluntary submission as rare and commendable, noting it reflects growing awareness of cybercrime consequences, and he is now in custody cooperating with investigators.