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in Robocalls / Phone Scams
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services offers a free educational workshop on recognizing and avoiding scams, covering phone, text, email, and online fraud prevention. The workshop teaches participants how to protect themselves online and provides guidance on what to do if they become scam victims.
coppercourier.com
· 2025-12-08
Online romance scams in Arizona resulted in over $47 million in losses during 2022-2023, with victims ranging from elderly individuals to people in their 30s, making the state the fifth-highest in the nation for such fraud. Key warning signs include scammers professing "instant love," quickly moving communication off dating platforms, refusing to share photos, and requesting money, sometimes stringing victims along for extended periods. Law enforcement and AARP Arizona warn that scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence and new technology to impersonate people, and encourage vigilance especially around Valentine's Day when people are most vulnerable to romance-based fraud.
chainstoreage.com
· 2025-12-08
A December 2024 survey of 1,001 U.S. consumers found that Americans across all age groups are falling victim to evolving scams tailored to their demographics: Gen Z faces fake job offers, verification code scams, and account cloning, while baby boomers (ages 60-78) are particularly vulnerable to delivery scams, romance scams, and prize/gift card fraud. Of those who encountered scams in the past two years, one-fifth lost money, with 76% losing up to $1,000 and 6% losing more than $5,000, with business owners and self-employed workers experiencing the highest loss rates (40-43%).
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams using AI-generated deepfake videos impersonating celebrities became the most reported scams in 2024, with criminals creating hyper-realistic videos and audio to trick victims into fraudulent relationships or investment schemes. A recent investigation by London's Proactive Economic Crime Team led to two arrests after victims handed over approximately £200,000, including one individual who lost £60,000, while a similar case involving a deepfake of Martin Lewis and Elon Musk defrauded a tradesman of £76,000. The technology has evolved faster than regulatory measures, making it increasingly difficult for the public to distinguish real from fabricated content, with deepfake attempts occurring every five
en.vietnamplus.vn
· 2025-12-08
Thai police launched a "Senior's Community Cyber Police Club" to combat rising online fraud targeting older citizens, who lost 4.4 billion THB (125 million USD) in nearly 14,000 reported cases during 2024. The program provides weekly educational Zoom sessions teaching seniors about common scams such as fake product sales, fraudulent job offers, and extortion calls impersonating officials, with early results showing declining victimization rates and increasing membership. The initiative complements other awareness efforts including weekly Facebook programs and daily scam alerts as part of Thailand's broader cybercrime prevention strategy.
thefiscaltimes.com
· 2025-12-08
This article reports on the Trump administration's DOGE project gaining access to sensitive Social Security Administration data following the resignation of Acting Commissioner Michelle King, who reportedly objected to the request. Experts warn that if such detailed personal information—including bank details, earnings records, and family information for virtually all Americans—is mishandled, it could facilitate widespread elder fraud and scams targeting seniors, or be weaponized for political purposes. The administration claims to be investigating massive fraud in Social Security, but researchers who study the system say the data cited represents minor, well-known issues rather than evidence of significant fraud.
dailymail.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Criminals are impersonating bailiffs and court officials to defraud victims by claiming they owe thousands of pounds in fictitious debts and threatening imminent home visits to seize possessions. The scammers create urgency and fear by claiming bailiffs will arrive within minutes, use duplicated court phone systems and forged court documents to appear legitimate, and direct victims to transfer money to personal bank accounts. The Civil Enforcement Association has reported an increase in these sophisticated scams, with victims targeted with alleged debts ranging from £2,950 to over £3,500.
newindianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A 45-year-old man from Kerala lost Rs 4.05 crore to a WhatsApp-based share trading scam in late 2024, part of a broader fraud epidemic in the state where 23,753 people lost Rs 201 crore to online financial frauds in 2023 alone. Additional major scams include a Rs 4.08 crore scheme targeting a Kozhikode doctor and an estimated Rs 1,000 crore CSR-based scam promising discounted scooters and laptops. Experts attribute Kerala's vulnerability to fraud to cultural factors including competitive mentality, herd behavior in financial decisions, and susceptibility
makeuseof.com
· 2025-12-08
Online job offer scams use deceptive tactics including fake email domains, vague job descriptions with buzzwords, requests for upfront fees, and pressure to hire immediately without proper vetting. The author shares personal experience falling victim to a pyramid scheme disguised as a job offer and recommends verifying company domains, checking for professional job descriptions, never paying hiring fees, and using trusted job boards like Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn to avoid fraudulent postings.
kbtx.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece outlines how to detect utility scams that surge during weather emergencies. Scammers impersonate power companies using spoofed caller IDs and stolen personal information to pressure victims into immediate payments via untraceable methods like gift cards, wire transfers, and cryptocurrency. The key defense is to hang up and independently verify claims by calling the company directly, avoiding payment methods without buyer protection, and resisting urgency tactics.
local3news.com
· 2025-12-08
Elderly people aged 60 and older lost approximately $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year, with seniors targeted because they hold significant wealth and are susceptible to increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics. The most common scams affecting seniors include romance scams (averaging $2,000 per victim), investment/cryptocurrency scams, gift card scams, texting scams, home improvement scams, and imposter scams, which often involve refined variations of traditional schemes rather than entirely new tactics. Experts recommend staying connected with elderly loved ones and remaining vigilant about suspicious offers that create artificial time pressure or build false relationships, as scammers exploit lon
sowetanlive.co.za
· 2025-12-08
A 66-year-old pensioner from South Africa was robbed of R2,000 (her and her mother's old age grants) by a man she met on the dating app Badoo; he gained her trust through online dating, accompanied her to withdraw the money, then stole her purse during their first in-person date and disappeared. Romance scams are rising in South Africa, particularly targeting older single women and widows through fake online relationships built to exploit emotional vulnerability and extract money or personal information, with international reports indicating up to 3% of Europe's population has fallen victim to such schemes.
shelterislandreporter.timesreview.com
· 2025-12-08
On February 13, the Shelter Island Public Library hosted an educational Zoom presentation on senior scams led by Tom McCann of Senior Services of North America, covering common fraud schemes including phone scams, sweepstakes/lottery fraud, home improvement cons, and reverse mortgage scams. McCann emphasized that seniors are particularly vulnerable due to loneliness, increased home time, unfamiliarity with technology, and potential disabilities, and recommended protective measures such as recognizing red flags (urgency, requests for money, and offers that seem too good to be true), using the do-not-call list, monitoring credit reports, and enabling two-factor authentication.
wlen.com
· 2025-12-08
Lenawee County TRIAD is hosting a free educational workshop called "Shield Against Scams" on March 12th in Onsted, Michigan, designed to teach older adults how to recognize and prevent fraud targeting seniors. The event will feature Cory Reindel, a certified fraud examiner and senior fraud investigator, who will discuss common scams, warning signs, and protection strategies, followed by a Q&A session for personalized advice.
irishmirror.ie
· 2025-12-08
Gmail users are being warned about a sophisticated AI-powered scam targeting Irish and international accounts, where scammers use convincing phone calls and fake Google emails to trick victims into revealing their Gmail recovery codes, potentially leading to account takeover, identity theft, and financial losses. The FBI first warned of these AI-driven scams in May 2024, and the problem has since escalated with attackers using increasingly realistic voice, video, and email impersonations. Security experts recommend users verify alerts directly through official Google accounts, enable multi-factor authentication, avoid clicking suspicious links, and use password managers to protect themselves from these threats.
pbs.org
· 2025-12-08
Online romance scams cost Americans billions of dollars annually, targeting victims across all ages, genders, nationalities, and educational backgrounds through fake profiles and psychological manipulation. Investigative reporter Cezary Podkul notes that victims have lost anywhere from hundreds of thousands to over a million dollars each, with red flags including unsolicited contact, pushy investment offers, and requests for repeated deposits. Victims are advised to seek a second opinion from trusted contacts, report crimes to local police, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, and the U.S. Secret Service, as clustering reports can help law enforcement recover funds and identify other victims of the same fraudulent operations.
monroenews.com
· 2025-12-08
Monroe Community Credit Union reports that fraud cases in Monroe County are doubling year-over-year, with criminals increasingly using artificial intelligence and spoofing tactics to target victims of all ages. The latest scams include AI-generated voice clones of loved ones, fake fraud alerts impersonating financial institutions, local number spoofing, and tech support scams, alongside traditional schemes like phishing, romance scams, and grandparent scams. The credit union advises residents to never share full Social Security numbers or online banking credentials with callers, verify unexpected calls by hanging up and calling back using verified numbers, and scrutinize email addresses, URLs, and website security features before providing personal information.
nbcnewyork.com
· 2025-12-08
New Jersey authorities warned residents about a phishing scam using text messages claiming unpaid E-ZPass tolls of $6-$7, with links that steal personal information like credit cards and dates of birth when clicked. The official E-ZPass and consumer affairs agencies clarified they never contact customers by text or phone about unpaid tolls, and advised consumers to watch for red flags like foreign phone numbers and grammatical errors, and to place fraud alerts on their credit with agencies if targeted.
cbs6albany.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating Medicare officials and calling New York seniors claiming they need to replace their Medicare cards with plastic or chip versions, then requesting personal and medical information. Medicare cards never expire and the agency never initiates calls to beneficiaries; victims who fall for the scam may find Medicare denies legitimate claims if fraudsters have already used their information. Seniors are advised to hang up on unsolicited calls requesting personal information and contact the official Medicare hotline or NYS Senior Action Council for legitimate inquiries.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans lost $10 billion to fraud, with scammers employing increasingly sophisticated tactics to steal money and personal information. The article outlines 10 common banking scams—including check fraud, phishing, fake websites, advance fee schemes, and government imposter scams—and provides protective measures such as verifying bank URLs, never clicking unsolicited links, and avoiding upfront payments for promised services.
wbay.com
· 2025-12-08
"Snowball" scams are multi-layered fraud schemes that start small and escalate through repeated contacts from scammers posing as legitimate agencies, lottery officials, or government representatives, with the goal of extracting money through fear tactics about stolen identities or unclaimed winnings. Wisconsin consumers have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in these schemes, including one victim who paid $155,000 in fake lottery taxes and another who lost nearly $500,000 after being tricked into converting savings to gold bars. The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection advises victims to stop contact immediately if transferred between callers, verify legitimacy with trusted contacts, and never pay money or provide personal information, regardless of pressure to
sentinelone.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals exploit Valentine's Day by launching romance baiting scams, phishing attacks, and fraudulent gift card promotions to manipulate victims through emotional appeals and false investment opportunities. Romance baiting schemes have caused significant financial damage, with investment fraud losses increasing from $3.31 billion in 2022 to $4.57 billion in 2023, often resulting in severe psychological trauma for victims beyond monetary losses. The article advises individuals to recognize common scams such as fake dating profiles, malicious e-cards, and spoofed promotions, and emphasizes that awareness, education, and timely reporting are essential to prevent victimization and aid law enforcement.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A French woman lost $850,000 to a scammer impersonating Brad Pitt using AI-generated images and videos in a year-long online romance scheme, with the fraudster claiming to need money for medical treatment. Multiple other women have been similarly victimized by fake celebrity dating scams involving impersonations of Brad Pitt, Keanu Reeves, and other stars, exploiting victims' vulnerability to flattery, loneliness, and difficulty detecting deepfakes and AI-generated content. Experts note that advances in AI technology, combined with victims' common traits of being trusting and susceptible to persuasion, make these scams increasingly effective and difficult to identify using
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Criminals exploit legitimate data breach notices by creating fraudulent scams that impersonate companies and ask victims to download malware, click phishing links, or divulge personal information. Red flags for fake data breach alerts include suspicious sender contact information, spelling errors, odd-looking URLs, and artificial urgency in the message. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links or replying to unsolicited breach notices; instead, contact the company directly, and report suspected scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
An 89-year-old Windber, Pennsylvania woman lost $8,400 in a "grandparent scam" after receiving a call from someone posing as her grandson claiming he needed bail money following a car crash. Windber Police Chief Andrew Frear warned that seniors are frequently targeted by sophisticated scammers impersonating relatives and legitimate organizations, and advised victims to hang up on callers using urgency tactics, verify requests with family members, and contact police rather than comply with demands.
wgnsradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Rutherford County, Tennessee residents reported scam attempts in which callers impersonated sheriff's deputies and threatened arrest via phone calls, text messages, and fake court documents to coerce victims into sending money via bitcoin or other payments. One senior victim nearly complied with a fake court document ordering bitcoin deposits after being threatened with 30-60 days jail time for missed jury duty, but stopped when she visited the Sheriff's Office in person; another senior recognized a toll road payment demand as fraudulent; and a third victim traced a caller's number to a China-linked company. The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office clarified that it does not call citizens threatening arrest or demanding money, and urged residents
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Americans $1.14 billion in 2023, with a median loss of $2,000 per victim, and $384 million in the first nine months of 2024 alone. Scammers create fake profiles on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, build emotional relationships with victims, and then request money or investment opportunities; one elderly widow lost an estimated $50,000-$60,000 to seven overlapping romance scams over seven years. To protect themselves, users should verify identities through video calls, be skeptical of requests for money or personal information, and report suspicious accounts to platforms.
livemint.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers posing as State Bank of India employees targeted Indian customers with a credit card fraud scheme, offering to increase credit limits and remove annual fees while directing victims to a fake e-KYC website built on WIX. A Reddit user prevented his father from falling victim after noticing red flags including the suspicious URL, spelling errors ("Expari date," "Intar OTP"), a fake employee ID with discrepancies, and inconsistent phone numbers used by the scammer. The incident highlights how deliberate spelling mistakes in scam materials may intentionally filter for less educated victims, with the Reserve Bank of India urging customers to remain vigilant against such credit card fraud schemes.
wfsb.com
· 2025-12-08
Connecticut State Police recovered $180,000 in cryptocurrency for a Willimantic resident who was defrauded through a "pig butchering" scam in July 2024, where a scammer impersonated an investment advisor and convinced the victim to transfer $225,000 to a fake platform called "XeggeX" before disappearing. The State Police Cryptocurrency Working Group intercepted approximately 1.77 Bitcoin from the fraudulent wallet and returned the funds on February 12, 2025, with the investigation highlighting that such scams are part of a larger transnational operation responsible for over $75 billion in global losses. Warning signs include unsolicited investment advice via text or social
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old Washington woman was targeted by a skincare spa scam in which the business owner, 27-year-old Hai Baranetz, built a relationship with her during treatments and then pressured her to withdraw $1 million (later reduced to $50,000) from her bank for a supposed "body sculpture" contest. Alert bank tellers recognized the manipulation and refused her withdrawal requests, with one calling police, leading to Baranetz's arrest; authorities also received multiple complaints of tens of thousands of dollars in overcharges and fraudulent practices at his BH28 Skincare Consultants business.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old Washington woman was targeted by a skincare scam operator who initially charged her $5,000 for spa treatments, then manipulated her through flattery and false promises of a spokesperson contest to attempt withdrawing $1 million (later reduced to $50,000) from her bank. Alert bank tellers recognized the scam and refused the withdrawals, leading to the arrest of 27-year-old spa owner Hai Baranetz, who faced investigations into multiple complaints of overcharges and fraud targeting vulnerable seniors.
moneywise.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old Vancouver, Washington woman was recruited at a mall kiosk to join a spa program at BH28 Skincare Consultants, where the 27-year-old owner charged her $5,000 and then attempted to manipulate her into withdrawing $1 million (later reduced to $50,000) from her bank for additional treatments. Alert bank tellers recognized the scam and refused the withdrawal, with one teller calling police; the owner was arrested and the business subsequently closed following multiple complaints of overcharges and financial exploitation of vulnerable seniors.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old Washington woman was nearly defrauded of $50,000 by a skincare spa operator who lured her in with complimentary eye cream samples and red light treatments, building rapport before pressuring her to withdraw cash for a fake "contestant" program. After the operator drove her to the bank and demanded she withdraw $1 million (later reduced to $50,000), alert bank tellers recognized the scam, refused her request, and alerted authorities, leading to the 27-year-old suspect's arrest. Police reported receiving multiple complaints from vulnerable seniors who had been overcharged at the skincare store, which was later abandoned.
nwasianweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial fraud aided by generative AI is rising sharply, with experts projecting losses could reach $40 billion in the U.S. by 2027, and deepfake incidents in the fintech sector increased 700% in 2023. Seniors, non-native English speakers, and Asian immigrants are particularly targeted by scammers who exploit loneliness and build relationships before striking. JP Morgan Chase and Seattle police shared prevention advice including verifying identities, being skeptical of sob stories and urgent payment requests, avoiding sending money to online contacts, and protecting personal information.
enews.wvu.edu
· 2025-12-08
During tax season, identity theft and tax fraud increase when criminals file fraudulent returns using stolen Social Security numbers to claim refunds. To protect against these scams, individuals should file taxes early, obtain an IRS Identity Protection PIN, watch for phishing emails and calls impersonating the IRS or tax preparers, securely exchange tax documents through encrypted services, and maintain encrypted backups of tax records. The IRS never contacts taxpayers by email or phone, and scammers often use threats of arrest or penalties to pressure victims into providing personal information.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Dennis Jones, 82, lost his life savings and subsequently took his own life after being victimized by a "financial grooming" scam (also called "pig butchering"), in which a person posing as "Jessie" built an online relationship with him over months before pressuring him to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. Financial grooming scams—where criminals establish trust with victims before luring them into fake investments—caused losses rising from $3.31 billion in 2022 to $4.57 billion in 2023, with individual victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars; the scams originate from criminal operations primarily in Myanmar, Cambodia, and the Philippines, where
fox10tv.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's "Operation Level Up" initiative has identified over 4,300 victims of "pig butchering" cryptocurrency investment scams across all 50 states, with the majority of victims aged 30-60 who were lured through unsolicited messages and online ads with promises of high returns. Victims are shown fake accounts displaying investment growth, but their money is lost immediately upon investment, resulting in an estimated $5 billion in losses in 2024; however, the FBI's intervention efforts have prevented approximately $285 million in additional fraud losses. The FBI advises potential victims to remain skeptical of unsolicited investment pitches, verify communications claiming to be from the FBI, and report
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers exploit Valentine's Day by creating false identities on dating apps and social media to establish emotional connections with victims, then manipulate them into sending money or investing in fraudulent schemes. Red flags include rapid declarations of love, excuses to avoid video calls, requests for money due to emergencies, and overly perfect profile photos (often AI-generated or stolen). A 26-year-old Australian woman lost over $46,000 to a romance scammer in 2024 after connecting on Tinder, highlighting how emotional manipulation and "love bombing" can lead to both financial loss and deep psychological trauma.
ncdoj.gov
· 2025-12-08
Sweetheart scammers build fake online relationships on dating and social media platforms to steal money or personal information from victims, often targeting lonely or grieving individuals. In North Carolina during 2024, sweetheart and friend-in-need scams resulted in 25 victims losing $1,833,047 (average $73,322 per victim), while cryptocurrency scams—often an evolution of romance scams—caused 25 victims to lose $3,334,408 (average $133,376 per victim). Attorney General Jeff Jackson advises verifying who you communicate with online and watching for warning signs such as requests to move conversations off dating apps, claims of being a U
theweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers operating primarily from overseas (notably Nigeria and Ghana) use fake dating profiles with stolen photos to build false romantic relationships with Americans, then manipulate victims into sending money. The FBI and FTC report that romance scams caused over $1 billion in losses in 2023, with more than 64,000 victims, and scammers employ sophisticated tactics including impersonating celebrities and military members. To protect themselves, people should avoid sending money to online-only contacts, verify profile photos through reverse image searches, and be cautious about sharing personal information on social media and dating platforms.
lewistownnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Central Montana seniors face increasingly sophisticated scams at a rate of 5-10 reports weekly to the Council on Aging, with Montana experiencing disproportionately high fraud rates due to its elderly population (sixth-highest percentage age 65+ nationally) and rural vulnerabilities. Common scams include healthcare-related fraud, Medicare enrollment threats, grandparent impersonations using AI technology, fake donation solicitations, and mail-based schemes involving insurance lapses and fraudulent medical equipment billing to Medicare. The Council on Aging recommends seniors speak up about suspicious communications, verify caller identity through independent contact, and avoid providing personal information unsolicited.
kjzz.com
· 2025-12-08
Lehi Police Department officers interrupted an active Bitcoin ATM scam targeting senior citizens when they discovered a woman who had already deposited several thousand dollars with $15,000 remaining, and a second senior man preparing to deposit cash while both were on phone calls with fraudsters. Criminals typically convince elderly victims their bank accounts have been hacked or that family members have been arrested, instructing them to transfer funds via Bitcoin ATMs; the officers were able to seize the ATM through a search warrant and attempt recovery of the deposited cash.
seattlemedium.com
· 2025-12-08
Chase and the Seattle Police Department partnered with Kin On Seattle Community Center to hold a senior financial health workshop aimed at protecting seniors from online fraud and scams, with particular attention to romance scams that increase around Valentine's Day. The workshop emphasized that seniors are highly targeted due to their vulnerability and financial resources, and outlined key prevention strategies including being cautious with strangers online, verifying identities, avoiding emotional manipulation, never sending money to people met only online, protecting personal information, and trusting instincts when something feels suspicious.
mynews4.com
· 2025-12-08
Two suspects, Mohjid Singh and Habri Harmal, were arrested on February 12 in South Reno after defrauding victims of $49,000 through impersonation of Amazon and FTC officials, with the perpetrators continuing to pressure victims for additional payments after the initial theft. The arrests resulted from a joint operation by multiple law enforcement agencies including Washoe County Patrol, Property Detectives, and the Human Exploitation and Recovery Operations Unit, with both suspects charged with felony theft, exploiting an elderly or vulnerable person, and conspiracy. The Sheriff's Office cautions the public that legitimate law enforcement will never demand payment by phone and advises residents to verify claims
kbtx.com
· 2025-12-08
Two individuals were arrested in Texas for check fraud crimes: Stephanie Seabolt was caught attempting to cash a fraudulent $4,250 check at Prosperity Bank using someone else's identification, and Neva Cravens, a nurse's aide, was arrested for exploiting an elderly person by forging checks totaling over $900 and making unauthorized credit card purchases. Bryan Police Department reports handling 10-12 check fraud cases monthly, with criminals increasingly stealing checks from the mail system, and recommend protective measures such as using black gel ink, avoiding mailing checks, and monitoring bank statements for suspicious activity.
socialmediatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Meta released Valentine's Day safety reminders about romance scams, which cost Americans $1.14 billion in 2023. Romance scammers typically pose as attractive, successful individuals (often claiming military or business backgrounds) on dating apps and social media, building trust before requesting money or promoting fraudulent investments. Meta is expanding in-app warnings and partnering with third-party organizations to detect and disrupt romance scam operations, including those impersonating U.S. military members and fake dating agencies.
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending smishing texts claiming victims owe unpaid toll charges, often impersonating E-ZPass or state tolling agencies, and directing recipients to click malicious links to steal personal information and money. The FBI received over 2,000 complaints about this scam in April 2024 alone across multiple states. Consumers should verify toll charges directly with legitimate state tolling agencies using recognized phone numbers or websites rather than clicking links in unsolicited texts.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency fraud reached record levels in 2024, with scam wallets receiving an estimated $9.9-$12.4 billion, driven largely by a 40% surge in "pig butchering" romance scams where criminals build fake relationships to lure victims into fraudulent investment schemes. Scammers are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence and organized platforms like Huione Guarantee (which received $375.9 million in crypto in 2024) while expanding geographically from Southeast Asian compounds to locations like Nigeria, often employing human trafficking victims to conduct the fraud. The report warns that the scam ecosystem is becoming more professionalized, with criminal groups creating specialize
fbi.gov
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Los Angeles Field Office warned the public about romance scams, in which criminals create fake online identities to build trust with victims on dating sites and social media before requesting money under false pretenses. In 2023, approximately 18,000 victims nationwide reported nearly $700 million in losses to romance scams, with over 2,000 California victims alone losing more than $100 million, and scammers particularly targeting women over 40 who are widowed, divorced, elderly, or disabled. The FBI recommends verifying online contacts through photo searches, being cautious of quick declarations of love or requests to go offline, and never sending money to people met only online.
news.illinoisstate.edu
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence to launch sophisticated phishing and romance scams targeting university students, faculty, and staff, particularly around Valentine's Day. AI-generated deepfake videos, voice cloning, and realistic fake profiles make these scams harder to detect than traditional fraud, as attackers can now personalize messages by mimicking authentic university communications and creating convincing long-term online relationships. Universities face significant challenges in defending against these evolving threats, with particular vulnerability among international students, new students, and those with access to financial systems or sensitive data.