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whas11.com
· 2025-12-07
A 2025 PrivacyJournal study ranked U.S. states by online dating safety based on reported romance scams, fraud, identity theft, violent crime, STD rates, and registered sex offenders per 100,000 residents. Vermont was found to be the safest state for online daters, while Nevada ranked as the most dangerous due to high rates of fraud, identity theft, and romance scams. Kentucky ranked fifth-safest overall, with notably low fraud and romance scam reports, though it had elevated identity theft cases and registered sex offenders among the top five states.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-07
**Title:** Elder abuse in the digital era
Senior citizens face increasing vulnerability to online fraud, identity theft, phishing scams, and digital arrest scams, where criminals impersonate law enforcement to manipulate victims through fear and confusion. The article emphasizes that protecting elders from cyber threats requires collective responsibility through family education, community digital literacy programs, and practical safety measures such as strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and awareness of suspicious communications. Resources like the Cybercrime Helpline (1930) and peer-to-peer support networks are recommended to help seniors stay safe online and report incidents promptly.
cubaheadlines.com
· 2025-12-07
Operation "False Haven," a coordinated ICE and Department of Justice initiative launched in 2019, identifies and revokes fraudulently obtained citizenships, particularly those concealing serious crimes during naturalization. The case of Orlando Chávez, a 43-year-old Cuban who was convicted of child abuse in 2019 but had concealed the crimes during his 2018 naturalization process, exemplifies the operation's reach—resulting in his citizenship revocation, 14-month prison sentence, and deportation proceedings. The operation has identified numerous cases involving sex offenders, human traffickers, and individuals involved in elder abuse and other serious crimes who obtained citizenship through false statements or material om
devdiscourse.com
· 2025-12-07
Jharkhand's Chief Electoral Officer ordered an investigation into allegations that JMM MLA Dashrath Gagrai used a false identity during elections, based on a complaint filed by Lalji Ram Tiu claiming the MLA is actually his elder brother, Ramkrishna Gagrai. The MLA denies the accusations and asserts he has complied with electoral verification procedures in past elections. The investigation has been assigned to the Seraikela-Kharsawan deputy commissioner.
pennwatch.org
· 2025-12-07
Pennsylvania's Department of Banking and Securities is conducting free public presentations throughout October to educate seniors and the general public about avoiding scams, recognizing fraud, and preventing identity theft. Programs include interactive "Fraud BINGO" sessions, senior expos with consumer protection resources, "$camJam" events featuring law enforcement experts, and financial planning presentations held at senior centers and community facilities across the state.
dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-07
An 82-year-old California woman lost $35,000 to a scam after receiving a text message about a suspicious charge; when she called the number provided, a fraudster impersonated a U.S. Treasury official and threatened her with arrest for money laundering, convincing her to send cash hidden in packages. She made two payments totaling $35,000 before family members alerted her to the scam after a third payment was requested. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office is investigating the case, with authorities noting that such scams commonly use fear tactics and impersonation.
vindy.com
· 2025-12-07
**Mail-Related Scams Targeting Older Adults**
This educational article outlines five primary mail-related scams affecting seniors: thieves stealing mail from unsecured mailboxes and altering checks, fake "Delivery Notification Failure" emails and texts containing malicious links, fraudulent messages from the "Postmaster General" requesting money orders for fake lottery winnings, malicious QR codes posing as USPS communications, and traditional mail scams involving employment offers and lottery schemes. The article advises depositing mail directly at post offices, ignoring unsolicited postal notifications, never clicking suspicious links or QR codes, and discarding letters offering unrealistic money
dailypress.net
· 2025-12-07
Romance scams, known as "catfishing," victimize gullible but well-meaning people across the United States, with Michigan ranking notably high among affected states. Americans lose hundreds of millions of dollars annually to these schemes, with losses expected to increase. To avoid becoming a victim, people should never give money or personal information to online contacts, avoid being rushed into relationships, and refuse to engage with anyone unwilling to video chat or meet in person.
tribtoday.com
· 2025-12-07
**Mail-Related Scams Targeting Older Adults**
This educational article identifies several mail and postal-related scams commonly targeting seniors, including physical mailbox theft of checks, phishing emails/texts impersonating the Postal Service, fake messages claiming millions in waiting parcels, malicious QR codes, and traditional letter-based schemes involving employment offers and sweepstakes. The article advises depositing mail directly at post offices, ignoring unsolicited postal communications and QR codes, never clicking suspicious links, and discarding letters with unrealistic offers, while noting that the Postal Service never notifies customers about delivery issues via email or text.
harris-sliwoski.com
· 2025-12-07
**Article Type:** Educational/Awareness Guide (Not a specific elder fraud case)
This guide outlines international business scams targeting companies, explaining how fraudsters use psychological tactics like urgency and false credibility to manipulate businesses into wiring upfront fees to phantom partners. The article provides prevention strategies including independent verification of counterparties, legal review of contracts, secure confirmation of banking details, team training on red flags, and rapid response protocols within 72 hours if fraud occurs, supported by real case examples ranging from fake subsidiaries to fabricated financial institutions.
mhobserver.com
· 2025-12-07
Two Alabama residents were arrested in an undercover operation targeting impersonation scams targeting elderly victims, after attempting to collect a package containing $250,000 in bait money that an elderly man had been instructed to send via FedEx to Mountain Home. Josiah Kamal Smith, 25, and Briana Brittany Norwood, 33, were charged with criminal attempt to commit theft of property, conspiracy to commit theft of property, and financial identity fraud; Smith had been recruited as a "money mule" for $500 to pose as a deputy and collect the package, while Norwood drove him for the same amount. The arrests are part of a larger investigation that began in July
nationalpost.com
· 2025-12-07
Over 880,000 Canadian phone numbers and 85,000 email addresses linked to federal government accounts (CRA, Service Canada, CBSA) were stolen from multi-factor authentication provider 2Keys in August 2024, following a vulnerability exploited during a software update. Criminals used the stolen contact information to send phishing text messages directing victims to fake government websites designed to steal login credentials, though no fraudulent account access or compromised personal data was detected at the time of disclosure. The breach affected users of government web portals but did not expose sensitive personal information, as only contact details were stolen.
ksltv.com
· 2025-12-07
Personal information purchased on the dark web enables scammers to target victims with convincing phishing and fraud attempts, as data brokers and legitimate companies routinely sell consumer details to criminals. Scammers can purchase comprehensive personal profiles for minimal cost, combining information from apps, loyalty programs, and data breaches to execute romance scams, investment fraud, and account takeovers with credibility-enhancing details like names, addresses, and family information. Consumers should limit app downloads and data sharing, monitor accounts after breaches, and utilize new privacy laws allowing them to demand deletion of personal information.
wjla.com
· 2025-12-07
A DC-area jet pilot's identity has been stolen and used in a decade-long romance scam affecting hundreds of victims across multiple states, with losses now estimated in the millions of dollars. Criminals created fake dating profiles using the real Pat Marsh's name, details, and photos to build trust with women and extract money through fabricated emergencies and requests, with individual losses ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. A South Carolina detective is now investigating over 60 cases using the "Patrick Marsh" persona, noting that victims over 60 lose an average of $83,000 compared to the overall romance scam average of $19,000.
wilx.com
· 2025-12-07
The Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office warned residents of a phone scam targeting seniors in which fraudsters impersonate Medicare, Social Security, or insurance providers and claim victims need to update records to receive new benefits or cards. The scammers request sensitive financial and banking information under false pretenses, which is then used for identity theft or unauthorized account withdrawals. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Social Security Administration do not call to request financial information for card issuance.
statepress.com
· 2025-12-07
Online scams increased 33% in 2024 with losses exceeding $16 billion, with students being particularly vulnerable targets—Gen Z members are more than twice as likely to fall for scams compared to baby boomers. Students are targeted through various schemes including fake job opportunities, concert tickets, gift cards, and loan scams, primarily via mass emails and text messages, with most scams originating from outside the country. To stay safe, students should verify sender legitimacy, watch for red flags like unsolicited job offers, and utilize resources like ASU's Get Protected service and CISA advisories to stay informed about trending scam tactics.
keysweekly.com
· 2025-12-07
Fake e-commerce websites use deceptively low prices and professional-looking designs to scam shoppers by failing to deliver products, sending counterfeit items, or stealing personal and financial information. Red flags include unbelievably low prices, suspicious URLs, lack of contact information, poor website design, and absence of legitimate reviews. Consumers can protect themselves by researching companies before purchasing, verifying website security features, using trusted retailers, paying with credit cards, and reporting scams to the FTC or IC3 if victimized.
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-07
Two U.S. senators, Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), demanded that Match Group detail its fraud prevention efforts across its dating platforms (Tinder, Hinge, OkCupid) by October 15, citing concerns that the company's algorithmic design enables romance scammers to exploit user trust. Romance scams, which typically involve fake profiles that lure victims into relationships before requesting money or gifts, cost victims globally over $16 billion in cybercrime losses last year, with hundreds of millions attributed to romance scams specifically. Match Group responded that it has invested significantly in fraud detection and safety features, including a "
wjla.com
· 2025-12-07
A DC-area jet pilot's identity has been stolen and used in a sophisticated romance scam that has victimized hundreds of women across multiple states since at least the mid-2010s. Criminals created fake dating profiles using the real Pat Marsh's name, details, and photos to gain victims' trust and manipulate them into sending money, with losses ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars per victim; a South Carolina detective is currently investigating over 60 cases using the "Patrick Marsh" persona with estimated damages in the millions. The FBI estimates romance scams overall have caused over $1 billion in losses, with victims over 60 averaging $83,000 in losses compared to the
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-07
A 26-year-old woman in Detroit lost $4,300 in a fake LinkedIn job scam in 2023 when fraudsters impersonating a legitimate Oklahoma school district contractor tricked her into purchasing a laptop with a fraudulent check, and subsequently used her identity to file false tax returns. The scam involved a sophisticated fake recruitment process that mimicked the real company's website and email domain, with the victim only discovering the fraud after her bank reversed the fraudulent deposit. The incident contributed to a broader trend where job scam losses tripled from $90 million to $501 million between 2020 and 2024.
winknews.com
· 2025-12-07
An 89-year-old Lee County woman, Eileen Brice, lost nearly $13,000 to a phone scam in which she was tricked into confirming her account information to someone posing as a Citibank representative. Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeier urged seniors to verify requests by contacting their banks directly rather than responding to unsolicited calls or texts, and emphasized that law enforcement is actively prosecuting scammers targeting seniors. Citibank has twice denied Brice's fraud claim but stated they are reopening her case for investigation.
berawangnews.com
· 2025-12-07
An 85-year-old woman from the South Shore lost over $10,000 in an "Apple Security" scam after receiving a phone call from someone impersonating an Apple representative who claimed suspicious activity on her account and pressured her to act quickly. The scam exploits elderly individuals' trust and unfamiliarity with technology through urgency tactics, requests for personal information, and follow-up calls. Police recommend preventive measures including education about common scams, verification techniques (such as hanging up and calling official company numbers), avoiding sharing personal information over the phone, and using only official channels to access accounts.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-07
This educational article explains how fraudsters exploit social media platforms through fake accounts and purchased verification badges to deceive users. The piece outlines why social media is vulnerable to scams—including speed of information sharing, weakened verification systems, and users' tendency to lower their guard—and provides practical protective steps such as scrutinizing profiles before engagement, avoiding suspicious links, and using reverse image searches to verify authenticity.
rstreet.org
· 2025-12-07
A House Financial Services Committee hearing highlighted that fraud and scams cost Americans over $2 billion weekly, with the FTC reporting $12.5 billion in annual losses for 2024, though experts believe the true figure is significantly higher due to lack of unified tracking mechanisms. The testimony and accompanying research emphasize that combating this fragmented, internationally-organized problem requires a comprehensive national strategy with coordinated buy-in from social media companies, telecommunications firms, financial institutions, law enforcement, and government agencies, along with legal protections allowing institutions to share fraud data. Key scams affecting Americans include romance, sextortion, "pig butchering," AI-generated voice calls impersonating family members
wgnsradio.com
· 2025-12-07
A Nashville caregiver, Eric Scott, was arrested in May following a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult under his care. Scott allegedly used the victim's bank card and personal information between May 26-27 to make fraudulent withdrawals and purchases. He was charged with theft over $1,000, fraudulent use of a credit card over $1,000, identity theft, and financial exploitation of a vulnerable person over $1,000, with bond set at $17,500.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Thai and South Korean authorities arrested 33 members of the "Lungo Company" scam ring that defrauded over 870 South Koreans of approximately $15 million through a multi-layered scheme combining cryptocurrency fraud, romance scams, and fake lottery schemes. The group laundered proceeds through prepaid cards, over-the-counter brokers, and micro-transactions coordinated via encrypted messaging apps, with nine core members currently in Thai custody awaiting extradition to South Korea.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-07
**Serial Scammer Sentenced in Graceland Fraud Scheme**
Lisa Jeanine Findley, 54, was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for attempting to defraud Elvis Presley's family of millions of dollars by posing as a bogus investor claiming rights to Graceland estate. Findley fabricated a false $3.8 million loan claim against the late Lisa Marie Presley and threatened to auction the iconic property unless the family paid $2.8 million, using forged documents and fake personas including a man named "Kurt Naussany." The scheme was stopped when Lisa Marie Presley's daughter Riley
coincentral.com
· 2025-12-07
Thai police dismantled the "Lungo Company" scam ring that defrauded over 870 South Koreans of $15 million using cryptocurrency, romance, and fake lottery schemes, resulting in the arrest of 25 suspects in South Korea and 9 core members in Thailand. The sophisticated operation employed multiple fraud tactics combined with complex money laundering methods including prepaid cards, casino cash-outs, and encrypted messaging apps like Telegram and WeChat to conceal stolen funds through OTC brokers in Southeast Asia.
allafrica.com
· 2025-12-07
Nigerian national Olamide Shanu was extradited from the UK and prosecuted in U.S. federal court for his role in cyber-enabled sextortion, romance scams, and wire fraud that defrauded victims of at least $2 million. Shanu and accomplices posed as women on social media to solicit sexually explicit images from male victims, then extorted money by threatening to release the images to their contacts, with proceeds laundered through cryptocurrency and peer-to-peer payment platforms. Shanu faces an eight-count indictment including wire fraud, extortion, and money laundering, with potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
bu.edu
· 2025-12-07
Boston University students lost $624,300 to scammers between January and September, with 90 percent of losses occurring in four cases involving impostors posing as Chinese police or officials. The BUPD reports 29 total larceny scams occurred through multiple channels, with job/employment scams being most common among students, while authorities also warned of nationwide fraud schemes involving fake apartment rentals, fraudulent identity theft reports, and immigration-related extortion targeting international students. Key prevention advice includes not answering calls from unknown numbers, verifying direct contact with authorities through official channels, and never providing payment or personal information before viewing rental properties in person.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-07
A Malwarebytes survey of 1,300 adults across five countries found that iPhone users are more susceptible to online scams than Android users, not due to device differences but rather behavioral choices—53% of iPhone users reported falling for scams compared to 48% of Android users, with iPhone owners less likely to use security software, set strong passwords, or avoid suspicious deals and sellers. The research demonstrates that overconfidence in Apple's security reputation leads many iPhone users to take riskier online behaviors, emphasizing that device safety depends on user habits rather than the phone's built-in protections.
irs.gov
· 2025-12-07
The U.S. Attorney's Office announced the "Save our Seniors" initiative resulting in the arrest of eight defendants across seven criminal complaints for defrauding over 139 senior citizens of more than $11 million total. The defendants engaged in various schemes including customer support scams, romance scams, counterfeit check fraud, and identity theft, with notable cases including Dhruv Patel (accused of defrauding at least 12 victims of over $9.1 million through pickups of stolen goods), Stephen Odiboh (received $70,000 from a romance scam victim who lost $175,000), and Christopher Hernandez (stole $
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A 78-year-old Rochester-area man lost $30,000 to a Publishers Clearing House prize scam that operated over six months, during which con artists repeatedly promised a $2.5 million prize while extracting fees under various pretenses. The article highlights that this case is representative of thousands of elder fraud crimes nationally, with federal authorities recently arresting eight people for defrauding 139 Western New York seniors of over $11 million through romance scams, imposter schemes, and identity theft. Common scams targeting seniors in the region include romance fraud, imposter scams impersonating government or businesses, and tech phishing, with scammers increasingly using AI and deep
inkl.com
· 2025-12-07
**Summary:**
This educational article identifies nine common email scams targeting retirees, including fake account lockouts, Social Security verification requests, Medicare renewal threats, suspicious activity alerts, unpaid invoices, delivery notifications, payment updates, prize offers, and tax return warnings. The article explains that scammers use urgency, official-looking logos, and authority figures to manipulate victims into clicking malicious links or providing sensitive data. The key defense strategies are to recognize panic-inducing language, verify communications through official channels rather than email links, and remember that legitimate institutions rarely request sensitive information via unsolicited emails.
miningjournal.net
· 2025-12-07
Romance scams, also known as "catfishing," cost Americans hundreds of millions of dollars annually, with Michigan ranking particularly high in victim numbers. The article provides four key prevention strategies: never send money to online contacts, avoid sharing personal information that could enable identity theft, be cautious of scammers who rush romantic relationships, and insist on video chat or in-person meetings before developing deeper connections.
ksl.com
· 2025-12-07
Olamide Shanu, a 34-year-old Nigerian man, was extradited to the U.S. and charged with operating sextortion and romance scams that defrauded numerous victims across the country of at least $2 million. Shanu and his conspirators posed as women on social media to coerce victims into sending explicit images, then extorted money by threatening to share the images, while also running parallel romance scams using fake identities to manipulate victims into sending money through payment apps, gift cards, and cryptocurrency. If convicted on charges including wire fraud conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, and cyberstalking, Shanu faces up to 20 years in
ktvb.com
· 2025-12-07
Olamide Shanu, a 34-year-old Nigerian man, was extradited from the United Kingdom and charged in federal court in Idaho with defrauding victims of at least $2 million through sextortion and romance scams. Shanu and co-conspirators allegedly posed as women on social media to trick male victims into sending explicit images, then threatened to distribute them unless payments were made, with proceeds laundered through cryptocurrency and peer-to-peer payment apps. He faces eight federal charges carrying up to 20 years in prison and potential restitution to victims.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-07
Dennis and Carole received a phishing email impersonating Sam's Club, offering a $100 reward for completing a survey; Carole clicked through and entered her email address but no credit card information. Although no immediate financial risk exists, scammers now have her active email address and may target her with more sophisticated phishing attempts or sell it to spam lists. The article recommends running antivirus scans, reporting the email as phishing, and considering data removal services to reduce future targeting.
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-07
Actor-director Upendra and his wife Priyanka fell victim to a WhatsApp account takeover scam involving a fake delivery call from Dubai; when Priyanka clicked a malicious link and shared a WhatsApp linking code with the scammers, they gained access to her account and sent fraudulent money requests to her contacts using AI-cloned voice technology. Cybersecurity experts explain these scams exploit human behavior rather than technical vulnerabilities, with fraudsters posing as delivery agents, merging calls to capture WhatsApp codes, and impersonating victims to their networks. To protect against such fraud, users should never merge calls with strangers, avoid clicking unknown links, enable
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-07
Mary May purchased counterfeit Neuriva brain supplements from a third-party seller on Walmart.com in March, discovering misspellings and different packaging after they arrived; CNBC's investigation revealed the seller had fraudulently assumed the identity of another business. Walmart's rapid expansion of its marketplace—prioritizing growth over vetting—has resulted in at least 43 vendors using false business identities and the sale of potentially dangerous counterfeit products, with the company deliberately making seller verification less rigorous than Amazon's to attract more vendors. May was refunded by Walmart, but the incident highlights consumer safety risks as the retailer's e-commerce marketplace has grown to near $100 billion
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A former NASA space toxicologist and her husband pleaded guilty to mortgage fraud after fabricating income documents and pay stubs to obtain an $850,000 home loan in Texas in 2017, then defaulting on multiple personal loans used for the down payment and falsely claiming identity theft, resulting in lenders charging off $276,709 in debt. The couple faces up to five years in federal prison, $250,000 in fines, and must pay $276,709 in restitution; additionally, they risk losing the Missouri City home. The case reflects a broader trend, with mortgage fraud detected in approximately 1 in 116 applications in early 2025, with increases
nj1015.com
· 2025-12-07
A Privacy Journal research study ranking states by online dating safety—measuring romance scams, fraud, identity theft, violent crime, STDs, and registered sex offenders per 100,000 residents—found that New Jersey ranks 16th safest overall, with particularly low rates of sex offenders, romance scams, and violent crime, though Vermont ranked safest and Nevada most dangerous.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-07
Two individuals from Queens were arrested in a Binghamton police sting after attempting to steal $30,000 from an elderly woman in a financial exploitation scam that was flagged by bank employees. Tao Zeng, 51, and Zhilei Wu, 36, were charged with third-degree grand larceny and fifth-degree conspiracy after police conducted a wellness check and intercepted the suspect attempting to collect the cash at the victim's home. The arrest is part of a broader federal effort targeting elder fraud, as a U.S. Attorney's office simultaneously announced charges against eight individuals accused of defrauding dozens of seniors of over $11 million through romance scams, account hacking
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers in 2025 exploit AI, cryptocurrencies, and stolen data to target vulnerable individuals through deepfakes, emotional manipulation, and evolving traditional fraud methods. AI-generated audio and video impersonations caused over 105,000 deepfake attacks in the U.S. in 2024, costing more than $200 million in Q1 2025 alone, with elderly victims particularly vulnerable to fake emergency calls from supposed relatives. Cryptocurrency scams include pump-and-dump schemes and "pig butchering" (romance fraud leading to fake crypto investments), while phishing, tech support scams, and fake websites continue to exploit victims by impersonating legitimate
abc45.com
· 2025-12-07
Guilford County, North Carolina is experiencing a surge in "court scams" where criminals impersonate deputies, spoof official numbers, and demand immediate payment claiming victims have missed court or owe fines; residents have lost at least $100,000 to these schemes over the past two years. The Guilford County Sheriff's Office emphasizes that legitimate deputies will never demand immediate phone payment or request personal information via call or email, and is launching community education initiatives including a free senior fraud prevention academy starting September 25th to help residents recognize and avoid these scams.
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers in 2025 exploit AI, cryptocurrencies, and stolen data to target vulnerable individuals through deepfakes, impersonation, and emotional manipulation. AI-generated audio and video impersonations cost over $200 million in losses in early 2025, while cryptocurrency scams like "pig butchering" (romance fraud hybrid) and pump-and-dump schemes manipulate victims into investing in fake platforms. Traditional fraud methods—phishing, tech support scams, and fake job listings—have evolved with AI to become more convincing, with scammers leveraging emotions like duty, fear, and hope to exploit targets across all demographics, particularly elderly victims.
financialservices.house.gov
· 2025-12-07
Subcommittee Chairman Dan Meuser announced a House Financial Services Committee hearing focused on examining financial fraud affecting American consumers, noting that the FTC reported 2.6 million fraud cases in 2024 with over $12 billion in losses—a 25% increase from 2023. Meuser highlighted that seniors experience the most devastating financial losses from scams while young adults are especially vulnerable, and emphasized the need for coordinated efforts across government, financial institutions, technology platforms, and telecom companies to combat various fraud schemes including romance scams, identity theft, and check fraud. The hearing aimed to strengthen consumer education, promote best practices, and improve fraud prevention while the Trump Administration pursued related efforts
financialservices.house.gov
· 2025-12-07
A congressional Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing examined the escalating threat of financial fraud to American consumers, with particular concern for seniors and vulnerable populations. In 2024, there were 2.6 million reported fraud cases resulting in $12.5 billion in losses, involving schemes such as check fraud, romance scams, voice cloning, and AI-driven impersonation targeting grandparents. Federal lawmakers and banking industry representatives discussed the sophistication of criminal operations, many operating overseas, and called for improved federal agency coordination and consumer outreach to combat these growing threats.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-07
Olamide Shanu, 34, a Nigerian national, was extradited to the United States and charged with eight counts including wire fraud, extortion, and cyberstalking for operating sextortion and romance scams that targeted victims across the United States. Shanu and his conspirators posed as women on social media to coerce male victims into sending explicit images, then threatened to distribute those images unless paid, defrauding victims of at least $2 million with proceeds laundered through peer-to-peer payment apps and cryptocurrency. If convicted, Shanu faces up to 20 years in federal prison and restitution to victims.
dailyfly.com
· 2025-12-07
A 34-year-old Nigerian man was extradited to the United States to face federal charges for operating cyber-enabled sextortion and romance scams that targeted victims across the country, including an Idaho college student. Shanu and his co-conspirators impersonated women on social media to coerce victims into sharing sexual images, then extorted money by threatening to distribute the images to family and friends, while also conducting romance scams and laundering at least $2 million in proceeds through payment platforms and cryptocurrency. If convicted on eight counts including wire fraud, identity theft, extortion, and money laundering, Shanu faces up to 20 years in federal prison and restitution to victims.