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carscoops.com
Revolve CEO Michael Mente lost $5.4 million in 2021 after falling victim to a fake Mercedes-AMG One luxury car sale scam perpetrated by Texas resident Traveon Rogers, who posed as French dealer Jean-Pierre M.R. Clement. Mente discovered the fraud in 2022 when U.S. Department of Homeland Security informed him the payment had been stolen and the dealer didn't exist. Rogers has since faced multiple lawsuits for similar schemes, allegedly defrauding another buyer of $3.19 million in a separate nonexistent AMG One deal, and has been charged with forging contracts and impersonating car deal
newsday.com
In 2023, New Yorkers over 60 lost more than $203 million to scams including sweepstakes, tech support fraud, and government impersonation schemes, with Long Islanders accounting for $38 million of those losses. Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed legislation that would train bank employees, brokers, and financial advisers to recognize elder exploitation and legally empower them to place temporary holds (up to 55 days) on suspicious transactions while law enforcement investigates. The bill, supported by 43 consumer protection groups including AARP, aims to prevent funds from being permanently lost to scammers before fraud can be detected and stopped.
michigan.gov
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reissued a consumer alert on "pig butchering" scams during National Consumer Protection Week, describing a sophisticated fraud that combines romance scams with cryptocurrency investment schemes targeting seniors. The scam typically begins with fraudsters creating fake profiles on dating apps or social media to build trust with victims before gradually introducing fake investment opportunities in cryptocurrency, often promising unrealistic returns. Nessel and AARP experts recommend consumers avoid sending money to online-only contacts, never share financial information with strangers, and be suspicious of unsolicited investment opportunities, with AARP's ElderWatch program available to help at 800-222-4444.
investmentnews.com
The North American Securities Administrators Association identified cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence-based scams as major threats to retail investors in 2025, with fraudsters increasingly using social media platforms (31.7% on Facebook and X, 31.3% on Telegram and WhatsApp) and AI-generated content to deceive victims with promises of unrealistic returns. Nearly 39% of state regulators expect scammers to use AI-generated videos and graphics for false credibility, while affinity and romance scams remain significant risks, with seniors losing $357 million to such schemes in 2023 alone. NASAA advised investors to verify the legitimacy of investment promoters and their registration status before investing
cnbc.com
Cybercrime marketplaces are dramatically lowering the barriers to entry for fraud, enabling less-skilled individuals to conduct sophisticated scams through "cybercrime-as-a-service" platforms that sell malicious tools, stolen data, and hacking expertise. These organized underground markets—including darknet sites and public platforms like Huione Guarantee—operate with corporate-like structures and cryptocurrency payments to facilitate illicit activities, with vendors on major platforms processing billions in transactions. Experts warn this professionalization and accessibility of cybercrime resources poses unprecedented global cybersecurity and fraud threats.
globenewswire.com
A TransUnion survey found that 85% of women and 87% of men want dating platforms to verify user information such as age, photos, and location to combat misrepresentation. The report revealed that over 28% of dating app users experienced catfishing and 21% were victimized by romance scammers demanding money or attempting phishing schemes, with at least 70% of all users expressing concern about dating app fraud. The study indicates consumers are willing to undergo background checks and potentially pay for verification features to increase trust and safety on dating platforms.
ksltv.com
Romance scammers increasingly target lonely individuals on dating apps and social media using stolen photos and AI-generated deepfakes to establish fake identities. A Utah woman lost $187,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam, another became an unwitting money mule, and innocent West Haven resident Justin Yoder faced harassment after his photos were stolen and used to defraud victims. Reverse image searches and awareness of common tactics—such as targeting vulnerable individuals and gradually building trust before requesting money—can help people identify catfishing attempts before falling victim.
ktnv.com
A 72-year-old Las Vegas woman, "Cozy" Giles, lost over $12,000 from her Citibank account after falling victim to a scam in January 2024, one of three fraudulent incidents targeting her savings. Despite reporting the theft to Citibank multiple times and contacting numerous agencies including the FBI, Metro Police, and the Nevada Attorney General's Office, she received minimal assistance and was told by the bank that she needed a subpoena to access her own transaction records. The case illustrates a broader problem: more than 369,000 financial abuse incidents targeting older adults are reported annually in the United States, resulting in estimated losses of $
kutv.com
Affinity fraud, where trusted community members exploit personal relationships to promote fraudulent investments, poses a particular risk in Utah's tight-knit communities, with seniors targeted due to their retirement savings. Red flags include unlicensed sellers, pressure for quick investment decisions, unrealistic return promises, and lack of written documentation. The Utah Division of Securities is combating this through enhanced penalties and educational programs like "Knights of Scamalot," which now emphasizes senior fraud awareness.
forbes.com
Trump-themed memorabilia scams, particularly the Trump Rebate Banking (TRB) scheme, have defrauded supporters who were promised their coins and merchandise would appreciate in value or generate cash payouts. An Alabama woman lost over $152,000 in cryptocurrency after being promised a $13 million rebate for her Trump items, though the FBI later froze the stolen funds in federal custody. These scams exploit supporters' emotional investment in Trump's brand and remain prevalent across platforms like Telegram and X, with victims typically losing thousands of dollars to fraudsters posing as legitimate investment facilitators.
cbc.ca
A massive data leak exposed an international crypto scam operation with call centers in Georgia, Israel, Spain, Cyprus, Ukraine, and Bulgaria that defrauded at least 32,000 victims of over $275 million USD. The scammers used fake news articles on social media featuring celebrities like Kevin O'Leary and Elon Musk to lure victims into fraudulent cryptocurrency investments, then deployed "recovery scammers" (using stolen identities) to extract additional payments from desperate victims—including a Canadian factory foreman who lost $200,000 and was later targeted for an additional $3,500. The leaked internal records, including over one million call recordings and 20,
richlandsource.com
Star Strategies is hosting a free Financial Elder Fraud Workshop on March 28, 2025, in Wooster, Ohio, featuring FBI Cleveland Division special agents who will educate seniors and their families about current investment scams targeting older adults. The workshop will cover the evolution of sophisticated fraud schemes (which resulted in $538 million in losses to older adults in 2024 according to the FTC) and provide practical protection strategies.
thomsonreuters.com
In 2024, U.S. financial institutions filed slightly fewer Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) than in 2023, marking the first decline in SARs filings in a decade, though the decrease was minimal. The preliminary count of 3.8 million original SARs filings in 2024 is expected to reach approximately 4.5-4.6 million when amended, corrected, and continuing activity SARs are included, roughly matching the record 4.6 million filings from 2023. The top reasons for SARs filings in 2024 included suspicion of fund sources, transactions without lawful purpose, check fraud,
nottinghammd.com
**Summary:**
A Baltimore County man, Ambrose A. Obinna Warrior, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for operating as an unlicensed money transmitter in romance, business email compromise, and investment scams from March 2018 through August 2021. Warrior transferred or attempted to transfer over $700,000 in victims' funds, with confirmed losses of at least $467,912, receiving a percentage of each transaction.
cbsnews.com
A North Texas man lost approximately $500,000 in a crypto-romance scam after being contacted by a woman named "Gianna" on the dating site Silver Singles. Over several months, the scammer built an emotional relationship with him, then convinced him to invest in cryptocurrency on a fake platform showing false profits, eventually pressuring him to withdraw his 401(k) to invest more money. The victim is now selling his home and returning to work to pay off his debts, while the Better Business Bureau warns that such hybrid romance-investment scams are increasingly common, with nearly half of all investment scams involving cryptocurrency and scammers often targeting victims who keep the schemes secret from family and friends.
rdnewsnow.com
**Summary:**
During Fraud Prevention Month, Julie Matthews, a Fraud Prevention Educator with the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association, emphasizes that anyone is vulnerable to scams regardless of age or background. She highlights that scammers deploy multiple fraud tactics—including shipping scams, grandparent scams, and investment scams—and recommends awareness and prevention strategies to protect against these threats.
pymnts.com
Financial institutions are increasingly using behavioral analytics and "smart friction" to combat escalating fraud, which costs the industry an estimated trillion dollars annually. Investment scams average $1,104 in losses while romance scams result in median losses of $1,996 and involve nearly twice as many transactions as other fraud types. Banks are adopting real-time data analysis, AI-powered pattern recognition, and inter-bank information sharing to identify suspicious transactions and strategically introduce authentication challenges that balance security with customer convenience.
theguardian.com
An organized Georgian call center network scammed approximately 6,000 people across the UK, Europe, and Canada out of $35 million (£27 million) between May 2022 and 2023 using deepfake videos and fake celebrity endorsements featuring Martin Lewis, Zoe Ball, and Ben Fogle to promote fraudulent cryptocurrency and investment schemes. UK victims were disproportionately affected, accounting for about £9 million in losses, with some individuals defrauded of over £160,000 after spending hundreds of hours on calls with scammers. The fraud was exposed through a leaked dataset of over 1 million call recordings that revealed how the approximately
cbia.com
The IRS released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list of top tax scams on February 27, identifying 12 prevalent threats including email phishing, misleading social media tax advice, fake charities, and fraudulent tax credit claims such as the Fuel Tax Credit and pandemic-era sick leave credits. These scams target taxpayers, tax professionals, and businesses year-round, seeking to steal personal information, enable identity theft, and generate fraudulent refunds. The IRS advises taxpayers to verify communications directly with official agencies and only claim tax credits for which they are genuinely eligible.
theguardian.com
A leak of 1 million audio files from Georgian scam call centers exposed sophisticated cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes that defrauded victims of £9 million combined through "authorised push payment" (APP) fraud, which tricks people into voluntarily sending money from their bank accounts. In the first half of 2024, investment scammers cheated Britons out of at least £56 million, accounting for a quarter of the £214 million lost to APP fraud despite representing only 4% of cases. As of October 7, 2024, new UK regulatory rules now mandate banks refund victims up to £85,000 within five days for domestic transfers, significantly improving reimburs
business-standard.com
A 26-year-old man named Priyesh Giri was arrested by Delhi Police for defrauding multiple senior citizens by posing as a health insurance agent and collecting renewal fees under false pretenses. A 74-year-old victim lost Rs 95,000 after receiving a fake insurance policy, prompting her complaint that led to Giri's arrest through online tracking; he confessed to cheating more than five seniors over the past year and reportedly had an accomplice still being sought. The case reflects India's broader surge in fraud, with cybercrime cases increasing by over 100% in early 2024, including investment and trading scams affecting thousands of victims.
thelogicalindian.com
Meenu Rani from Greater Noida lost ₹51.5 lakh in a stock trading scam that began with a ₹1,000 Amazon gift voucher used to build trust before scammers lured her into investments through a fake trading app displaying fabricated profits. When she demanded her money back, the scammers stopped responding; police have registered a case under the IT Act and recovered ₹4.8 lakh so far. The incident exemplifies the growing threat of cyber scams in India targeting individuals through social media and messaging platforms, with authorities advising victims to verify investment opportunities through regulatory bodies like SEBI and avoid sharing financial details online.
digit.in
A 33-year-old man in Bengaluru lost Rs 1.7 lakh after clicking a malicious link in a fake traffic challan WhatsApp message that downloaded an APK file and compromised his phone, leading to unauthorized transactions on e-commerce platforms and his credit cards. By acting quickly to contact Flipkart, Amazon, and his banks before orders were dispatched, he recovered Rs 80,000 of the stolen amount. The article advises avoiding unknown links, refusing APK downloads, verifying messages through official channels, enabling transaction alerts, and reporting fraud immediately to banks and platforms.
justice.gov
Julie Anne Darrah, a Santa Maria investment advisor and president of Vivid Financial Management Inc., pleaded guilty to wire fraud for stealing approximately $2.25 million from elderly clients between November 2016 and July 2023 by obtaining unauthorized control of their assets and liquidating their holdings without consent. Darrah exploited her clients' trust by convincing them to grant her power of attorney and trustee status, then used the stolen funds for personal expenses, property purchases, and luxury vehicles, leaving some victims unable to afford end-of-life care; she also defrauded an acquiring investment firm of $5.4 million through misrepresentation. She faces up to
presstelegram.com
Two Southern California men were arrested for operating a $10 million fraud and money laundering scheme targeting over 100 victims, predominantly elderly individuals. Using fake identification documents and shell companies, the defendants posed as law enforcement and company employees via phone and email to convince victims their accounts were compromised, then redirected them to fraudulent accounts controlled by the perpetrators; they also posed as real estate sellers to solicit wire transfers and checks. Each defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted of money laundering conspiracy.
justice.gov
Ambrose A. Obinna Warrior, 44, of Maryland, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business that facilitated romance, business email compromise, and investment scams from March 2018 through August 2021. Warrior transmitted or attempted to transfer over $700,000 in fraudulent proceeds by depositing victims' funds into bank accounts and shell companies, retaining approximately 20% in fees while distributing the remainder to other scheme participants, with documented victim losses of at least $467,912.
wifr.com
The Better Business Bureau's 2024 Scam Tracker Report ranks investment and cryptocurrency scams as the riskiest fraud type, followed by employment scams (averaging $1,500 in losses) and romance/friendship scams (with a median loss of $6,099—the highest among all scam types). Both investment and romance scams involve "financial grooming," where fraudsters build trust over weeks or months before encouraging victims to invest money, often in cryptocurrency, with experts warning that online investment offers are major red flags.
wral.com
Michon Griffin, 46, of Wake County was sentenced to two years in prison for her role as a money mule in a $2 million international romance scam, where she received and laundered fraudulent funds through 16 financial institutions before wiring them to coconspirators in Nigeria. Griffin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and making false statements on her tax returns, earning $300,000 in commissions that she failed to report, and was ordered to pay $109,119 in restitution to the IRS.
bostonglobe.com
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mulletwrapper.net
The Baldwin County Extension office is hosting a free educational class on March 7 designed to help seniors recognize and avoid common scams. The session covers "The Dirty Dozen"—the top 12 scams frequently targeting older adults, including fraudulent calls, phishing emails, investment schemes, and fake lotteries.
ia.acs.org.au
Sarah's father lost over $1 million to a sophisticated impersonation scam involving a fake Standard Chartered bank website and fraudsters posing as legitimate employees, only realizing the fraud a month after the transfer when he could no longer contact them. The case is one of an estimated 600,000 scams affecting Australians annually, resulting in $2.74 billion in reported losses in 2023. Sarah has joined other victims in lobbying for scam reform, including mandatory victim reimbursement and stronger regulatory powers, expressing frustration that the recently passed Scams Prevention Framework lacks mandatory compensation provisions unlike similar legislation in the UK.
states.aarp.org
According to the FBI's 2024 Elder Fraud Report, elder fraud complaints increased 46% with losses rising 43%, while New York ranked fourth nationally in complaints and monetary losses among seniors over 60. The median loss for victims aged 60+ exceeded $83,000, with investment scams causing the highest losses at $6.6 billion overall and New York seniors losing $257.7 million in 2024. AARP warns that holiday season scams are escalating, particularly gift card fraud, phishing, and delivery scams, and recommends shopping directly from official websites, purchasing gift cards only from authorized locations, and being wary of urgent requests for payment via gift cards or
finance.yahoo.com
**Summary:**
A Bankrate Financial Fraud Survey found that 34% of U.S. adults experienced financial fraud or scams in the past 12 months, with 37% of victims losing money to schemes ranging from fake prize claims to job recruitment and investment scams. Of Americans scammed in the past year, 90% had their personal financial information accessed or targeted, though 57% of those attempts were unsuccessful; baby boomers and Generation X experienced the highest lifetime fraud rates at 73% and 71% respectively, and experts warn that economic stress and the pending wealth transfer of baby boomers may embolden scammers.
edmontonjournal.com
Edmonton lost approximately $48.1 million to fraud in 2024, with investment scams being the largest category at $14.1 million, followed by romance, employment, and identity fraud scams. Edmonton Police Service launched Fraud Prevention Month to educate the public on common tactics used by increasingly sophisticated scammers, including phone spoofing, phishing, social engineering, grandparent scams, and person-in-authority scams that exploit psychological manipulation and urgency to steal money and personal information.
edmonton.citynews.ca
In 2024, Edmonton residents lost over $48 million to fraud, with investment scams leading at $14.1 million, followed by romance scams at $1.7 million and employment fraud at $1.3 million. Police highlighted the emotional toll of these crimes, featuring the case of Heather Robicheau, who lost money to a year-long romance scam involving a fake cheque and false emergencies. During fraud prevention month, Edmonton Police and community partners urged residents to avoid sharing personal or financial information and to be skeptical of unsolicited requests for money, particularly those involving emotional manipulation or crisis scenarios.
tampafp.com
A 2024 Better Business Bureau report reveals that investment and romance scams are increasingly sophisticated, employing "financial grooming" tactics where scammers build trust over weeks or months before defrauding victims. Investment/cryptocurrency scams ranked as the riskiest scam type with an $5,000 median loss, while romance scams had the highest median loss at $6,099; people ages 65+ reported the highest median dollar loss ($160), and overall median losses rose 30% from 2023 to 2024. The report warns that victims often experience significant emotional impacts, with 60% reporting anger, 54% loss of trust, and 53.5%
vancouver.citynews.ca
Investment/cryptocurrency scams topped the list of fraud affecting Canadians and Americans in 2024, with over 80% of targeted victims losing money at a median loss of $5,000, according to a Better Business Bureau report. Employment scams ranked second, primarily targeting 18-34-year-olds with fake job offers requiring upfront equipment purchases that employers never reimburse. Romance and online purchasing scams also remained prevalent, with victims over 65 most susceptible, and nearly 30% of scam victims reporting negative mental health impacts.
wnegradio.com
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns consumers about four types of imposter scams during National Consumer Protection Week (March 2–8, 2025): investment scams using "get rich quick" schemes, grandparent scams requesting urgent bail or medical fees, romance scams exploiting isolated individuals, and other fraudulent schemes that manipulate victims into sending money or revealing personal information. The agency recommends verifying information independently, being suspicious of high-pressure sales tactics and urgent requests, and contacting relatives directly before sending funds.
yahoo.com
A man was sentenced to over eight years in prison for his role in an international fraud scheme originating from India that targeted older Americans, including a Georgetown woman who lost $300,000, with 21 identified victims losing nearly $6 million total. The scheme involved impersonating U.S. government officials to convince victims to transfer money from retirement and savings accounts, part of a growing problem highlighted by FBI data showing an 11% increase in financial losses for people over 60 in 2023. AARP Texas is advocating for increased law enforcement funding and expansion of the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center to combat online fraud schemes that disproportionately impact older adults who have accumulated significant lifetime savings
eastidahonews.com
An elderly couple in Rexburg was scammed out of $35,000 after receiving a fraudulent email impersonating PayPal's fraud department, which directed them to withdraw cash from multiple bank branches under the pretense of investigating unauthorized Bitcoin purchases. The scammers instructed the victims to lie to bank employees about the withdrawal reason and later sent two men to the home to physically collect the cash in an envelope. The Rexburg Police Department is investigating and warns that scammers often keep victims on the phone for extended periods to exploit their emotional vulnerability and lack of technological knowledge.
localnews8.com
An elderly couple in Rexburg, Idaho lost $35,000 after being targeted by scammers who impersonated PayPal's fraud department and their local bank, convincing them to make large cash withdrawals under the false pretense of investigating fraudulent Bitcoin purchases. The victims were instructed to lie to bank tellers about the withdrawals and later deposit the cash into a Bitcoin ATM, after which two men arrived at their home to collect the money in person. Rexburg Police warn seniors to verify requests directly with their financial institutions and note that legitimate banks never conduct fraud investigations through individual customers.
bctv.org
The IRS released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list of common tax scams to warn taxpayers, businesses, and tax professionals about prevalent fraud schemes that peak during filing season but occur year-round. The list highlights 12 pervasive threats including email phishing scams, text message scams (smishing), and misleading social media tax advice, which can lead to identity theft, unauthorized tax credit claims, and financial loss. The IRS has maintained this educational awareness campaign since 2002 and works with state agencies, tax software companies, and financial institutions to protect taxpayers from evolving scams and refund fraud.
mauinow.com
The IRS's 2025 Dirty Dozen list warns taxpayers, businesses, and tax professionals about 12 prevalent tax scams including phishing emails, fraudulent social media tax advice, fake IRS account setup services, and false claims for tax credits (fuel, sick leave, self-employment). Scammers also target victims through misleading charity solicitations, bogus tax preparation services, and spear-phishing attacks on tax professionals, with schemes often designed to inflate refunds or exploit disaster relief periods. Taxpayers should verify information only through official IRS channels (IRS.gov) and licensed tax professionals with valid credentials, and immediately delete unsolicited IRS communications.
iomtoday.co.im
Isle of Man residents lost £2.2 million to scams and fraud in 2024, with suspicious email reports surging 50.7% to 9,372 cases, according to the Cyber Security Centre's Annual Threat Update. Investment scams caused the most damage at £1,278,920 across 35 cases, while account compromise, bank fraud, gift card fraud, and fraudulent websites also affected residents through phishing attacks, credential theft, and impersonation schemes. The report highlights the need for stronger cybersecurity awareness, including password protection and verification of requests for personal information or financial transactions.
wkbn.com
A Mentor, Ohio woman lost her entire life savings of over $663,000 to a cryptocurrency romance scam after being contacted via text in November 2023, becoming one of at least 33 victims who collectively lost approximately $4.9 million. The scammer built trust by bonding over shared interests, then convinced the victim to open a cryptocurrency account and transfer funds to a fake investment platform that promised high returns but was controlled entirely by the fraudster. U.S. attorneys have seized over 8.2 million USDT in cryptocurrency and filed a civil complaint to recover and return the stolen funds to victims.
nbcbayarea.com
Bay Area police are warning elderly residents about an ongoing jewelry theft scam in which perpetrators approach victims claiming to offer or upgrade their jewelry, then quickly steal their genuine gold and valuables using distraction tactics and sleight of hand. The scam has affected multiple seniors across the South Bay, including incidents in San Jose, Palo Alto, San Ramon, and Milpitas, with at least one documented victim losing a genuine gold necklace. Police advise residents to avoid accepting gifts from strangers, maintain distance from unfamiliar people, and report any incidents to local law enforcement.
newsweek.com
The IRS released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" annual warning list identifying twelve common tax scams, including phishing/smishing attacks impersonating the IRS, misleading tax advice on social media, fake charity donations, ghost tax preparers, and schemes involving false fuel tax credits and inflated withholding claims. The IRS urges taxpayers to verify information through official channels, avoid unsolicited communications, use registered tax professionals, and report suspected fraud to protect against identity theft, financial losses, and legal penalties during tax season.
states.aarp.org
This article highlights AARP Arizona's fraud prevention efforts in response to a significant crisis: people over 60 reported $3.4 billion in fraud losses nationwide in 2023, with $128 million in Arizona alone. The article details common scams targeting older Arizonans—including romance scams, Bitcoin/cryptocurrency schemes, identity theft, and tech-support fraud—and emphasizes that prevention through awareness of red flags (unsolicited contact, high-pressure tactics, requests for personal information) is essential, as scam methods continually evolve with changing technology.
local.aarp.org
Fraud targeting older adults in Arizona and nationwide represents a significant crisis, with those 60 and over reporting $3.4 billion in losses nationally in 2023, including $128 million in Arizona, according to FBI data. AARP volunteer Jerry Watterworth and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes are leading prevention efforts by educating seniors about evolving scams including romance frauds, Bitcoin schemes, identity theft, and tech-support scams, emphasizing that fraudsters continuously adapt their methods and prevention through awareness of red flags is key. The article stresses that because scammers exploit human nature—the desire to trust and connect—older residents must remain vigilant across all communication
abc.net.au
**Human Trafficking and Cyber Scams:** Vulnerable individuals from Vietnam and other regions are being trafficked to Myanmar and forced to operate cryptocurrency and romance scams that have cost Australians over $1 billion in investment losses and $190 million in romance scams over five years. Victims like Duong are deceived with false job offers, enslaved in remote compounds, subjected to physical abuse and starvation, and forced to create fake online profiles to defraud unsuspecting targets globally, with families often required to pay ransoms of $5,000-$10,000 to secure their release—amounts prohibitively expensive in countries where average monthly salaries are