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mortgagebusiness.com.au
Between January and June 2024, Scamwatch received 143,113 reports and documented over $139 million in losses, with people aged 55 and over accounting for 48.7 percent of losses despite representing only a portion of reports. A key finding shows that 30 percent of people do not report serious scams, and social media scams cost Australians $80.2 million in the previous year, with common tactics including fake accounts, fraudulent investment opportunities, and requests for personal information. Banks emphasize the importance of reporting scams and sharing awareness to collectively prevent fraud, particularly targeting vulnerable populations including older adults, non-English speakers, and people with
aa.com.tr
Scammers are using AI-generated deepfake videos of celebrities like Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and Jeff Bezos to defraud people, particularly elderly individuals with limited cybersecurity knowledge, by luring them into fake investment schemes promising quick returns on non-existent companies. Victims have lost substantial sums, including an 82-year-old retiree who lost most of his investments in 2023, while the technology has also been misused to impersonate real professionals like doctors to steal account information. YouTube and Facebook have removed millions of fraudulent channels and videos, though experts warn that as deepfake technology improves and becomes more convincing, organized crime groups will
govtech.com
From January to May 2024, online fraud resulted in $1.6 billion in losses—nearly $300 million more than the same period in 2023, according to FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center data. Common scams include advance fee schemes, Nigerian letter schemes, Ponzi and pyramid schemes, telemarketing fraud, fake travel websites, and fraudulent debt collector calls using spoofed numbers and fake websites. The FBI advises victims and the public to be skeptical of unsolicited offers with artificial urgency, verify requests independently, and report suspected fraud.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Men in Mumbai have been targeted in a organized dating app scam where women lure victims to expensive nightclubs via platforms like Tinder and Bumble, resulting in bills ranging from ₹23,000 to ₹61,000; the women allegedly receive 15-20% commissions, suggesting involvement of nightclub management. At least 10 men reportedly fall victim daily at single venues like the Godfather Club in Andheri West, with similar incidents reported across Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and other major Indian cities, including one case involving a ₹1.2 lakh bill. Mumbai Police have launched an investigation into the suspecte
androidauthority.com
Phone scams are increasingly sophisticated and cost US consumers $2.7 billion in reported losses in 2023 alone, with numbers rising annually. The article identifies 12 common phone and text scams including the "loved one in need" (grandparent scam), government impersonation (FBI/IRS), and other fraudulent schemes that exploit emotional pressure and official-sounding tactics. Key prevention strategies include verifying caller identity through alternative contact methods, refusing to send money to unknown callers, and being skeptical of urgent payment demands, especially via wire transfers or gift cards.
techtimes.com
Shan Hanes, former CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank, fell victim to a pig-butchering cryptocurrency scam and subsequently embezzled $47 million from the bank to fund fraudulent "investments," resulting in the bank's collapse and his conviction on embezzlement charges. Before stealing from the bank, Hanes had already victimized a local church, investor club, his daughter's college fund, and a neighbor in attempts to feed the scam. He received a 24-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to embezzlement.
theverge.com
Shan Hanes, former CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank in Kansas, was sentenced to 24 years in prison after embezzling $47.1 million from the bank and routing it to cryptocurrency accounts controlled by pig butchering scammers. Between May and June 2023, Hanes made 11 wire transfers using stolen bank funds while also embezzling from a local church, investment club, and his daughter's college savings account, ultimately causing the bank to collapse. Pig butchering scams, which lure victims into fake cryptocurrency investments through relationship-building on messaging apps and social media, have cost victims over $75 billion globally in recent years
ibtimes.co.uk
Shan Hanes, CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank in Kansas, was sentenced to over 24 years in prison for embezzling $47 million after falling victim to a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam. Over eight weeks in 2022, Hanes transferred stolen funds from the bank, a local church, an investment club, and his daughter's college savings to cryptocurrency wallets controlled by scammers, ultimately losing all the money and causing the bank's collapse and FDIC takeover. The scheme devastated shareholders and community members, with victims losing 70-80 percent of their retirement savings and facing severe financial hardship.
blockonomi.com
On August 22, 2024, Philippine authorities arrested 99 people (67 foreign nationals and 32 Filipinos) in a raid on AIA Company, an unregistered cryptocurrency scam hub in Parañaque City that operated romance scams and fake investment schemes. Customer service representatives were coerced into posing as wealthy models to lure victims into investing in manipulated cryptocurrency platforms, with some employees forced into additional exploitative activities. Authorities seized electronic devices and are preparing charges under cybercrime and securities regulations laws.
news5cleveland.com
Two Akron senior citizens—a 75-year-old and a 74-year-old—were defrauded of a combined $156,000 in an online scam that escalated to in-person theft. Scammers used fake pop-up warnings claiming hacked accounts and impersonated Microsoft and federal agencies to convince the victims to withdraw cash and hand it over to couriers who appeared at their homes. The cases have been referred to the FBI and Cyber Task Force, with police urging residents to be cautious of unsolicited demands for large cash payments and to report suspected fraud immediately.
liherald.com
Nassau County police arrested two Bronx men in July 2024 after they attempted to scam a 73-year-old East Meadow resident by falsely claiming his bank account was compromised; the investigation revealed they were responsible for numerous additional scams. The county is warning residents about prevalent scams including home improvement fraud, fake relative arrest schemes, Social Security and IRS impersonation scams, lottery fraud, and computer remote access scams, which collectively cost victims thousands of dollars. Officials urge residents, particularly seniors, to remain vigilant, verify caller identities, avoid unsolicited services, and report suspected scams to authorities immediately.
americanbanker.com
A neobank called Charlie is intentionally slowing payment processing speeds to combat the rising tide of financial fraud, implementing "Speed Bumps"—strategic pauses combined with real-time alerts and education—at vulnerable transaction moments. The company highlights that while most financial institutions prioritize faster payments, fraud has significantly increased with AI-enabled scams targeting all demographics, with elderly customers particularly vulnerable to long-con schemes like impersonation fraud and romance scams. Charlie's approach also allows customers to set custom transaction rules and designate family members as "fraud alert co-pilots" to monitor accounts, recognizing that even small frauds under $1,000 can have material consequences for those living pay
timesnownews.com
McDonald's official Instagram account was hacked in August 2024, resulting in a cryptocurrency scam that defrauded users of approximately $700,000 (Rs 5.8 crore). Hackers posted a fake giveaway promoting free cryptocurrency and directed users to a phishing website designed to steal personal information and wallet credentials; the scammers later bragged about the "rug pull" before McDonald's deleted the post and resolved the breach. The incident highlights the risks of cryptocurrency giveaway scams and underscores the importance of verifying the authenticity of digital currency offers before sharing financial information.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
McDonald's official Instagram account was hacked, and scammers used it to promote a fake cryptocurrency giveaway that directed thousands of victims to a phishing website, stealing personal information and cryptocurrency wallet credentials and netting $700,000 in Solana tokens in what became known as a "rug pull" scam. McDonald's confirmed the incident, apologized for offensive language posted during the hack, and stated the issue had been resolved. The scam demonstrates how compromised high-profile social media accounts can be weaponized to conduct large-scale fraud by exploiting users' trust in official brand accounts.
columbuscountynews.com
Federal investigators in North Carolina seized approximately $5 million in cryptocurrency tied to a "pig butchering" scam, in which criminals pose as romantic partners to build trust with victims before directing them to fake cryptocurrency trading platforms. The scammers promised high investment returns on these fraudulent platforms, then prevented victims from withdrawing funds and demanded additional payments for supposed taxes and penalties. The FBI traced victim funds through multiple cryptocurrency wallets used to launder the proceeds, with one victim losing an entire individual retirement account to the scheme.
freep.com
Metro Detroit police report a surge in scam schemes targeting residents, in which perpetrators impersonate government agencies, tech support, or financial institutions to convince victims to withdraw large sums of cash or cryptocurrency. Victims are instructed to either hand cash to "couriers" or deposit funds into bitcoin ATMs, with one Northville Township woman in her 70s losing $300,000 through a combination of cash, bitcoin, and gold bars in summer 2024. Scammers keep victims on the phone to prevent them from seeking help and often direct them to multiple banks to avoid suspicion.
wcpo.com
**Summary:**
College students frequently fall victim to financial scams targeting their personal information, including fake scholarships, bogus apartment listings, fraudulent credit card offers, and online shopping scams. To protect themselves, students should avoid filling out unsolicited forms, guard sensitive information like Social Security numbers and phone numbers, use strong and unique passwords, enable anti-virus software, and direct important documents to their permanent home rather than dorms.
sonomasun.com
An 88-year-old woman lost $4,600 to a sophisticated scam that began with a fraudulent Norton AntiVirus email. After calling the number in the email, she was socially engineered into sharing a two-factor authentication code, which gave scammers access to her bank account; they transferred $4,000 to her checking account, then intimidated her into sending back $3,600 via Bitcoin and cash to an Uber driver. The article emphasizes the importance of verifying sources, never sharing sensitive information or authentication codes, consulting trusted individuals, and reporting scams to authorities.
tampabay.com
A cybersecurity firm KnowBe4 discovered that a newly hired remote software engineer was a North Korean scammer operating through a U.S. laptop farm, exposed when the company laptop immediately began downloading password-stealing malware. The scheme involved multiple actors including a compromised American citizen whose identity was stolen, fake references with Gmail addresses, and inconsistencies in the hiring process that the FBI has linked to a known North Korean data-stealing operation targeting I.T. positions at American and British companies. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in remote hiring processes and the need for companies to implement stronger verification procedures, in-person interviews, and cross-referenced background checks to prevent foreign threat actors from infilt
aarp.org
Journalist April Helm watched her widowed mother, Sherri Tyson, lose $350,000 to a romance scammer between 2018 and 2020, despite Helm's extensive intervention efforts including presenting evidence, involving family, and arranging federal law enforcement involvement. The article explains that chronic fraud victims like Tyson often cannot reject scammers' lies due to psychological manipulation, isolation, emotional investment, and rationalization traps that make admitting the fraud feel more shameful than continuing to deny reality. Risk factors for chronic victimization include isolation, depression, cognitive decline, and lack of purpose, and scammers deliberately create immersive false realities that prevent rational thinking
whec.com
An 83-year-old woman in Webster, New York lost $400,000 in four months when her computer was compromised and scammers made 76 fraudulent withdrawals from her bank account, none of which were flagged or stopped by ESL Bank despite many being five-figure amounts. Dan Lyon, a fraud expert at Lifespan, notes that banks typically release funds if customers request them and cites a proposed state budget provision that would have allowed tellers to place holds on suspicious withdrawals—a measure that was removed during spring negotiations but AARP is pushing to reinstate. Experts emphasize that seniors over 60 are deliberately targeted because they hold the nation's wealth
asic.gov.au
ASIC released a report examining anti-scam practices at 15 banks outside Australia's four major banks and found significant gaps in fraud prevention and victim support. The review identified inconsistent scam strategies, narrow liability approaches, poor customer service responses, and inadequate staff training, with customers bearing 96% of scam losses during 2022-2023. While overall scam losses decreased 13% to $2.74 billion in 2023, reported scams increased 18.5%, highlighting the need for coordinated industry and regulatory action to improve protections for vulnerable customers.
wcpo.com
The article discusses how the average US household has 17 internet-connected devices, making tech support needs common and creating opportunities for scams when consumers search online for help. Legitimate tech support options include Best Buy's Geek Squad and subscription services like Asurion ($24.99/month) and HelloTech ($16.50/month), though consumers should verify company legitimacy through reviews, understand coverage and security protocols, and avoid sharing unnecessary personal information. The article emphasizes caution when searching for tech support online, as scammers often pose as customer service representatives to steal money or access devices.
deadline.com
Apple is launching an 11-part podcast series called Scamtown, featuring stories about various scams including telemarketing fraud targeting senior citizens, heists, and other criminal schemes told by the creators and those who experienced them. The show, produced by the directors of HBO's McMillion$ and Apple's The Big Conn, premieres August 26 and may be adapted into a docuseries.
countryherald.com
Two New York men were sentenced to federal prison for orchestrating a multi-state tech support scam that defrauded elderly victims of over $11 million. Jayesh Panchal (78 months) and Vijaya Shetty (63 months) convinced seniors their bank accounts were compromised, then coerced them to withdraw cash and hand it over to fake federal agents; one Michigan victim alone lost $398,000. Both defendants were ordered to pay substantial restitution and the case underscores the widespread threat of elder fraud targeting vulnerable seniors.
techradar.com
Orion S.A., a global carbon black supplier, lost $60 million in a Business Email Compromise (BEC) attack in August 2024 when an employee was deceived into making multiple fraudulent wire transfers to scammer-controlled accounts. The company reported the incident to the SEC and confirmed it notified law enforcement and is pursuing fund recovery through insurance coverage, with no additional data breaches or fraudulent activity detected.
info.gov.hk
From January to June 2024, Hong Kong Police recorded 19,897 scam cases resulting in $4.48 billion in losses, a 66.5% increase from the prior year, with "Impersonating Customer Service" scams being particularly prevalent and causing $379 million in losses. Mainland students in Hong Kong face heightened vulnerability to "Pretend Officials" scams, especially during September and October, with 481 cases reported in the first half of 2024. Police, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, and the banking sector launched an "Anti-Scam Month" campaign featuring educational initiatives, including a "Survival Guide" for Mainland students an
wccsradio.com
The Federal Communications Commission warns that college students face increased scam risks at the start of the academic year, particularly through scholarship fraud, fake tech support, and bogus rental/roommate schemes delivered via calls, texts, and emails impersonating legitimate sources. The FCC recommends students protect personal information including Social Security numbers and bank details, monitor financial accounts, and exercise caution with student loan information, as scammers specifically target borrowers.
levittownnow.com
This educational alert from Bucks County Department of Consumer Protection outlines evolving scam tactics targeting seniors, including sweepstakes scams, check fraud, and voice deepfake manipulation schemes where fraudsters use prolonged phone calls to generate fake voice recordings for unauthorized account access. The advisory recommends protecting yourself by not answering unknown numbers, avoiding contest entries, mailing checks only from post offices, using credit cards for payments instead, monitoring accounts for suspicious activity, and immediately reporting fraud to financial institutions.
concordmonitor.com
New Hampshire's Consumer Protection hotline, staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers since 1992, helps residents report fraud and resolve consumer disputes. The article highlights four long-serving volunteers who field calls about scams, faulty purchases, and business problems, noting that crypto scams have become increasingly prevalent—with victims often transferring tens of thousands of dollars after being deceived by impersonators claiming to be from the IRS, PayPal, or Microsoft.
thesheridanpress.com
Sheridan County law enforcement reports an increase in scam cases over the past five years, with phone call scams being the most common, particularly targeting grandparents with false claims of grandchildren needing emergency money. Scammers are also employing warrant scams (posing as law enforcement threatening arrest) and social media schemes advertising deals requiring down payments. The Federal Trade Commission reported approximately $10 billion lost to email, social media, and phone call scams in 2022, with investment scams causing the most financial harm, and authorities recommend contacting local law enforcement if anyone suspects they are being scammed.
kiplinger.com
Venmo users face multiple fraud schemes including spoofed calls impersonating Venmo requesting authentication codes, phishing texts and emails with fake login links, fake payment demands from companies, and scammers posing as friends or family members to request money. To protect yourself, never share confidential information with unsolicited contacts, independently verify requests by contacting Venmo directly through official channels, carefully examine email addresses and website URLs, and be suspicious of urgent payment demands.
theguardian.com
Since 2018, tarot practitioner Rebecca Scolnick has been impersonated over 50 times on Instagram, with scammers creating nearly identical accounts and charging her followers for fraudulent readings. The impersonation problem is widespread among tarot practitioners, exacerbated by tech platforms' institutional disregard—including payment processors banning spiritual services and Instagram's refusal to verify tarot readers—which forces practitioners to use less secure payment methods like Venmo and CashApp that scammers prefer. To address these issues, tarot reader Danielle Baskin created Moonlight, a tarot-specific online marketplace launched in 2023 that verifies practitioners
m.economictimes.com
**UPI Collect Money Fraud**
In this educational piece on UPI (Unified Payments Interface) fraud, scammers exploit the ease of duplicating UPI IDs—which are typically phone numbers with provider extensions—to send fraudulent autopay and collect money requests to victims. Users may inadvertently approve these requests thinking they are legitimate service subscriptions (such as Netflix or Google Pay), resulting in unauthorized payments from their accounts to the fraudster's account. Senior citizens are identified as particularly vulnerable to this scam and are advised to verify UPI addresses with service providers, avoid direct bank-account linkage to their UPI ID, use wallets with limited balances, an
ynetnews.com
This educational article explains how online scams have evolved to exploit vulnerable targets through voice phishing (vishing), SMS phishing (smishing), and AI-generated voice technology, with real examples including a $250,000 CEO impersonation fraud and a $25 million company theft via deepfake video calls. The article identifies key vulnerabilities including the widespread sale of personal data by brokers and the increasing sophistication of scam tactics like "pig butchering," romance scams, and tech support hoaxes that require minimal technical skills to execute at scale. Protective measures recommended include avoiding unexpected calls from unknown numbers, enabling two-factor authentication with security keys rather than SMS, verifying
mirror.co.uk
This educational article by consumer rights expert Martyn James outlines the growing landscape of fraud in 2024, explaining why scammers are increasingly successful through digital innovation, mass messaging, and sophisticated social engineering tactics. The article cites that 252,626 people lost nearly £341 million to "push payment" fraud in the UK, with some victims losing life savings exceeding £100,000, though £1.2 billion in fraud was prevented last year. James provides practical advice for fraud victims, including immediately contacting their bank via the official number or the 159 stop scams line, and emphasizes the importance of identifying the type of fraud to determine the appropriate response.
forbes.com
A Pennsylvania woman nearly fell victim to a romance scam involving a fake foreign inheritance scheme, where an online acquaintance convinced her to front money for supposed legal fees and escrow to unlock a British estate. Red flags included fake legal documents with spelling errors, an implausible timeline, and a fabricated London law firm address, which legal experts confirmed were fraudulent. The article highlights how elder fraud is increasingly difficult to recover due to modern money transfer methods and cryptocurrency, and emphasizes the importance of verifying credentials and seeking professional legal advice before sending money in estate-related matters.
lincolnparishjournal.com
This educational piece by law enforcement examines modern phone-based scams targeting Americans, highlighting how technology has enabled criminals to defraud victims without in-person contact. The article details six prevalent scams: impersonation of law enforcement demanding payment for fines, fake charity solicitations, fraudulent debt collectors, fake prize offers, and IRS impersonation schemes—emphasizing that government agencies never demand immediate payment via phone, gift cards, or wire transfers, and advising victims to hang up and verify claims directly with legitimate organizations.
justice.gov
Two men were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in an international fraud conspiracy that stole over $11 million from elderly victims across multiple states, with one West Michigan victim losing $398,000. Jayesh Panchal received 78 months and was ordered to pay $7,930,287 in restitution, while Vijaya Shetty received 63 months and was ordered to pay $596,800 in restitution. The scam used fake tech support pop-up warnings and impersonation of Microsoft, Apple, and federal agents to convince seniors to withdraw cash, make wire transfers, or purchase gift cards, claiming their accounts were compromised or they were involved in
marketech-apac.com
StarHub and Singapore's Police Force launched a public education campaign featuring a Scam Masterclass Series to help residents recognize and prevent cyber threats. The campaign exposes common scam tactics including impersonation, job fraud, authority scams, and advanced AI voice-changer technology, offering practical tools to combat increasingly sophisticated schemes. The educational content is available across StarHub's website, retail stores, and multiple social media and television channels to reach a broad audience.
gmanetwork.com
Six Chinese nationals were arrested in Angeles City, Pampanga by the NBI for operating online scam and cybercrime operations, including romance scams and fraudulent cryptocurrency investment schemes targeting victims globally. Operatives seized computers, phones, SIM cards, scripts, and customer ledgers that indicated organized fraudulent activities, and the suspects were referred to the Department of Justice for inquest under the Cybercrime Prevention Act and Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act.
ministers.treasury.gov.au
Australia has seen a modest decrease in scam losses over the past 12 months, with Queensland reporting losses dropping from $54 million (January-June 2023) to $21 million in the same period this year, down significantly from $37-38 million in 2022. Investment scams account for over half of losses nationwide, typically originating through emails or social media messages promoting cryptocurrency investments, fake bonds, or fake celebrity endorsements. Key prevention advice includes: never clicking links in unsolicited text messages or emails, avoiding investments that offer returns above market rates, and consulting professional financial advisors rather than relying on social media recommendations.
wilx.com
Jayesh Panchal and Vijaya Shetty were sentenced to 78 and 63 months in prison respectively for their roles in an international fraud conspiracy that stole over $11 million from senior citizens across multiple states. The scheme used fake virus warnings and fake tech support calls to trick elderly victims into withdrawing cash or transferring funds through various methods, with Panchal and Shetty traveling throughout the U.S. to collect proceeds and launder money on behalf of conspiracy leaders based in India. Panchal was ordered to pay $7.93 million in restitution to 40 victims, while Shetty was ordered to pay $596,800.
9and10news.com
Two men, Jayesh Panchal and Vijaya Shetty, were sentenced to federal prison (78 and 63 months respectively) for their roles in an international tech support scam that defrauded over 40 elderly victims of more than $11 million across multiple states, including a West Michigan victim who lost $398,000. The scam involved fake pop-up warnings and impersonation of tech companies and federal agents to convince seniors to withdraw cash, wire money, or purchase gift cards under false pretenses. Panchal and Shetty were ordered to pay millions in restitution and were among the defendants who traveled throughout the U.S. to collect fraud proceeds from
straitstimes.com
Android users in Singapore attempted to install approximately 900,000 high-risk malware apps since February 2024, though Google's enhanced fraud protection blocked these installations on over 200,000 devices. Despite the high number of installation attempts, reported malware scam cases dropped significantly from 1,899 in 2023 to 95 in the first half of 2024, indicating that security measures implemented by tech companies, banks, and authorities are proving effective, though victims lost over $34 million in 2023.
tech.einnews.com
Private Digital Investigations announced new measures to combat rising cybercrimes including Nigerian romance scams and sextortion schemes, which exploit victims emotionally and financially through fake profiles and blackmail threats. The agency employs AI-driven profile analysis, digital forensics, and law enforcement collaborations to identify scammers, and offers public education through workshops, support hotlines, and online resources. The article advises victims to cease communication with suspected scammers, report profiles to platforms, avoid sharing explicit content, and seek help from professional investigators or authorities rather than paying ransom demands.
fox26houston.com
The Better Business Bureau warns parents and students to watch out for several back-to-school scams, including fake social media ads and websites offering discounted school supplies and clothing at unrealistically low prices. Additional scams to avoid include tech support scams via suspicious emails or alerts, scholarship and financial aid scams, and phishing emails impersonating school officials. Experts recommend using credit cards with fraud protection, shopping only on secure websites with SSL certificates, and verifying legitimacy before providing personal information or clicking links.
siliconvalley.com
A woman was scammed through a Facebook ad advertising Bombas socks at an unrealistically low price and never received her order. The article discusses various online shopping scams involving fake ads on Facebook and third-party sellers on Amazon, and provides protective measures including: verifying seller legitimacy and reviews, checking for secure website connections (HTTPS), using credit cards or reputable payment services, purchasing only returnable items, and comparing prices across platforms before buying from unfamiliar merchants.
siliconvalley.com
A woman was scammed after responding to a Facebook ad offering Bombas socks at an unrealistically low price and never received her order, illustrating how illegitimate sellers exploit social media platforms to advertise name-brand products they cannot deliver at those prices. The article provides guidance on avoiding online shopping fraud, including verifying seller legitimacy through research and reviews, checking for secure websites (HTTPS), using protected payment methods like credit cards or PayPal, and taking advantage of return policies during trial periods. Consumers should be cautious of third-party sellers on platforms like Amazon and compare prices across retailers, as prices that seem too good to be true typically are.
news.trendmicro.com
Deepfake technology powered by AI is fueling a rising tide of scams in 2024, with deepfake content increasing 900% between 2019 and 2020. Cybercriminals use deepfakes to impersonate celebrities, recruiters, and romantic partners through fake video calls, job interviews, and investment schemes to steal money and personal information from victims. Key scams include romance fraud (where scammers conduct convincing video calls using face-swapping), recruiting scams (impersonating employers on LinkedIn to extract payment and data), and investment scams (using fake celebrity endorsements to promote cryptocurrency schemes).