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voi.id
· 2025-12-08
Hackers commonly exploit Telegram and other messaging apps to steal personal information and bank account details through various scams, including technical support fraud, phishing, fake investment schemes, counterfeit job postings, malicious links, lottery scams, and copycat accounts impersonating legitimate companies or individuals. Users are vulnerable even on secure platforms like Telegram if they fail to verify the authenticity of message sources. Key prevention measures include avoiding clicking suspicious links, not providing personal information to unverified contacts, and being skeptical of unsolicited offers promising easy money or employment.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered phishing emails are becoming increasingly effective and scalable threats, achieving 54% click-through rates while costing scammers as little as four cents per email and increasing profitability by up to 50 times. Canada reported $531 million in cybercrime losses in 2022, with phishing being a major vector that allows attackers to harvest personal information from social media and craft highly personalized fraudulent messages targeting login credentials, bank accounts, and identity theft. The article recommends protective measures including verifying sender authenticity, scrutinizing links, limiting social media exposure, enabling multifactor authentication, and consulting the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for guidance.
desertsun.com
· 2025-12-08
Los Angeles officials are warning residents affected by recent wildfires that scammers are actively targeting vulnerable victims through false job postings, impersonation of government employees and FEMA agents, phone/text phishing attempts, unsolicited in-person solicitations, and fraudulent donation schemes. Law enforcement recommends verifying credentials through official channels, avoiding sharing personal information via social media or unsolicited contacts, never paying through gift cards or cryptocurrency, and trusting your instincts if something feels suspicious. County Sheriff Robert Luna pledged that perpetrators—including those impersonating firefighters to commit burglaries—will face prosecution.
wpbf.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in South Florida are targeting elderly residents with fake McAfee security alerts that appear on computers, instructing victims to call a number and authorize "transfer tests" into their bank accounts, then manipulate them into withdrawing cash to be picked up by couriers. Two victims lost a combined $57,000 ($40,000 and $17,000), and while one courier was arrested in Martin County, no money was recovered; authorities encourage reporting through the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311, as many cases go unreported due to victim embarrassment or fear.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
Authorities warn that scammers use multiple tactics year-round to defraud victims, including "pig butchering" investment scams where perpetrators gain trust before stealing money (with one recent case involving a 66-year-old who lost $170,000 to a fake Facebook investment banker), AI-generated travel scams that have increased 500-900% and use fake websites and phishing, and utility scams where fraudsters impersonate companies like PG&E to demand immediate payment, causing customers over $334,000 in losses in 2024 alone. Experts recommend verifying suspicious offers directly with companies, avoiding clicking unknown links, paying attention to detail inconsistencies
techradar.com
· 2025-12-08
McAfee has launched an AI-powered Scam Detector tool designed to identify and block fraudulent emails, text messages, and deepfake videos before users engage with them. According to a McAfee survey, nearly two-thirds of Americans have fallen victim to scams or know someone who has, with average losses reaching approximately $1,500 per victim. The tool will be included at no additional cost in McAfee+ and Total Protection plans beginning spring, and will integrate with Gmail, Outlook, Android, and iOS platforms.
indeonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax scams proliferate each season, with scammers impersonating the IRS through phone calls, emails, mail, and fake websites to steal money or personal information—tactics include demanding payment for back taxes with threats of arrest, filing fraudulent tax returns using victims' Social Security numbers, and phishing emails directing people to bogus IRS sites. To protect themselves, taxpayers should file early, use IRS Identity Protection PINs, verify caller identity independently with the IRS, watch for poor grammar in suspicious communications, use trusted tax preparers, and remember that the IRS never initiates contact via email, text, or social media requesting personal or financial information.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax scams resurface each season with scammers impersonating the IRS through phone calls, emails, and mail to pressure victims into paying taxes owed or stealing personal information via tax identity theft and phishing schemes. Key prevention strategies include filing taxes early, obtaining an Identity Protection PIN, verifying IRS communications through official channels, and using trusted tax professionals, as the IRS never initiates contact via email, text, or social media requesting personal or financial information.
ptbotoday.ca
· 2025-12-08
The Peterborough Police Service issued a warning about a phishing scam circulating in the community, wherein victims received threatening emails falsely claiming their online activity was being monitored and demanding cryptocurrency payment to prevent disclosure to contacts. Police advise residents to avoid opening suspicious emails from unknown sources, refrain from clicking links, and report such messages to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or local police.
paymentsjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Criminals have discovered a method to bypass Apple's iOS phishing protections by instructing text message recipients to reply with simple responses like "yes" or "no," which reactivates disabled malicious links. iPhone users have received fraudulent texts impersonating USPS and toll agencies using this technique, and even replying to such messages identifies the user as active to scammers for further attacks. Security experts emphasize that technology companies, telecommunications providers, and financial institutions must collaborate to prevent these increasingly sophisticated phishing schemes, which often employ AI and impersonate legitimate companies at scale.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned Detroit Lions fans in January 2025 to be cautious when purchasing playoff game tickets online, as scammers exploit excitement around the team's playoff run. Common ticket scams include payment app fraud (using P2P services like Venmo, Cash App, and Zelle) and fake check schemes where buyers send counterfeit checks for more than the ticket price and request refunds. Nessel recommends only purchasing tickets through official sources and remaining vigilant about sharing personal information or accepting suspicious payment methods.
reformer.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are emotionally destructive fraud schemes where criminals build fake relationships over months or years to exploit victims financially and psychologically, with the FTC reporting 64,000 cases in 2023 resulting in over $1 billion in losses. Warning signs include unmet in-person meetings, distant locations, picture-perfect photos, quick moves to private communication, and delayed money requests designed to build false trust. Family and friends concerned about a victim should avoid shaming language, approach conversations with patience and sincerity, and seek help from trusted third parties rather than using aggressive confrontation.
fox5dc.com
· 2025-12-08
A smishing scam targeting drivers across the DMV region (Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia) uses text messages impersonating toll agencies to trick recipients into sharing personal information through fraudulent links. The FBI recommends recipients report the scam to IC3.gov, verify accounts through official toll service websites, contact legitimate customer service, and secure their financial accounts if they clicked any links or shared information.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
A West Delhi man lost Rs 9 lakh after fraudsters posing as electricity department officials called him, initially requesting a small payment of Rs 13, then tricked him into downloading a malicious app that gave them remote access to his smartphone and bank account. Between December 29-31, the scammers conducted multiple unauthorized transactions, which the victim discovered and reported to police. The scam employed a common tactic of building trust through small initial payments and personal details before deploying malware to gain device access.
bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Bengaluru is experiencing a sharp surge in APK (Android Package Kit) scams, with 225 cases registered by November 2024 compared to none in the same period in 2023. Scammers impersonate legitimate service providers (such as gas companies) via WhatsApp and calls, tricking victims into downloading malicious APK files that install malware to steal banking credentials and execute unauthorized transactions; two recent victims lost 3.2 lakh and 4.4 lakh rupees respectively. Experts advise users to avoid downloading unverified APK files, never share personal or financial details via calls or messages, and verify service authenticity before making payments
timesofmalta.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple Bank of Valletta customers lost thousands of euros after falling victim to scammers impersonating the Malta Finance Ministry through fraudulent phone calls, messages, and emails requesting personal banking information. The Finance Ministry issued a public warning clarifying that it never requests personal or banking details via these communication channels and advised recipients of suspicious communications to avoid sharing information, clicking links, or attachments, and to report incidents to authorities. Law enforcement and the ministry are collaborating to address the scam, which prompted multiple police reports when the bank identified the fraudulent activity.
hotelnewsresource.com
· 2025-12-08
At least 532 travelers booking through Booking.com were defrauded of £370,000 in a phishing scam where criminals hacked into hotel accounts and impersonated the platform to request payment and credit card details via email and messages. The scammers targeted individual hotel providers rather than Booking.com's main system, leaving victims vulnerable to financial loss and identity theft. Booking.com advises customers to never share payment information via email or messaging apps and to report suspicious communications through their customer service channels.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
iPhone users are receiving phishing text messages impersonating delivery services like USPS, DHL, and FedEx that trick recipients into replying with "Y" to disable iMessage's built-in link protection, allowing scammers to activate malicious URLs that may lead to pages requesting credit card information. To avoid the scam, users should verify sender details for spelling errors or suspicious numbers, check the official company website directly for delivery updates, and use iMessage's "Report Junk" feature before replying to suspicious messages.
siouxfallslive.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
This is a personal essay by an 81-year-old former reporter reflecting on the vulnerability of older adults to financial scams. The author discusses why seniors are targeted—they tend to have accumulated savings, grew up in an era of greater trust, and often lack confidence with technology—while noting that many fall victim through confusion, desire to help others, or emotional manipulation rather than greed. The piece emphasizes that scams undermine societal trust and suggests that older adults should be slower to trust and quicker to question, particularly in the digital realm.
patriotledger.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns about "smishing" scams—fraudulent text messages that trick recipients into clicking malicious links or providing personal information. Digital coach Grace Buscher recommends that targets question unexpected messages, verify requests through official channels, delete suspicious texts, and report them to authorities and their service providers. The article provides guidance for seniors and the general public to protect themselves from this growing scam threat.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French woman lost $850,000 to a romance scam involving AI-generated images of actor Brad Pitt, beginning in 2023 when a scammer posed as Pitt and his mother on Facebook and eventually convinced her to divorce her wealthy husband and send funds for alleged medical treatment and customs fees. The victim only realized the deception when she saw Pitt with his actual girlfriend; she subsequently filed a complaint in 2024 and sought treatment for severe depression, while the scammer remains at large. The case exemplifies the growing threat of AI-enabled fraud, with Americans losing over $108 million to AI scams annually and an average loss of $14,600
thetimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters posing as Brad Pitt, his mother, and his family members scammed a French woman in her fifties out of approximately €830,000 through a romance scam that lasted two years. The scammers used AI-generated videos, fake declarations of love, and accomplices playing various roles to build trust, eventually exploiting her vulnerability after learning about her €775,000 divorce settlement by claiming Pitt needed money for cancer treatment and a loan. The victim has since experienced severe psychological trauma, including three suicide attempts and hospitalization for depression, highlighting the devastating impact of sophisticated romance fraud schemes.
sportskeeda.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French woman was defrauded of over $1 million by a scammer impersonating actor Brad Pitt through AI-generated images and fake text messages between February 2023 and 2024. The victim divorced her millionaire husband after the scammer proposed marriage, then sent $9,000 for customs fees and $800,000 from her divorce settlement after being told the actor needed money for kidney cancer treatment. She discovered the scam after seeing Brad Pitt with his actual girlfriend and filed a complaint in 2024; the scammer remains at large and the victim is undergoing treatment for severe depression.
tmz.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French woman lost €830,000 (approximately $850,000) in a romance scam between 2023 and 2024 after being deceived by fake images and messages from someone posing as actor Brad Pitt. The scammer, who initially contacted her on Facebook as "Brad Pitt's mother," manipulated her into believing they were in a romantic relationship and convinced her to send money by claiming it was needed for cancer treatment and due to legal ties from his divorce with Angelina Jolie. The victim realized the deception after seeing photos of the real Brad Pitt with his actual girlfriend, filed a complaint in 2024, an
nbcconnecticut.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple Connecticut residents, including Deb Paulson, received scam text messages falsely claiming they owed money for EZ Pass tolling violations to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection advises recipients to verify suspicious messages by independently looking up legitimate phone numbers and websites, confirm whether they actually used tolls recently, and report the texts rather than responding to them; those who provided credit card information should contact their credit card companies and freeze their credit with major credit reporting agencies.
huffpost.com
· 2025-12-08
During the Los Angeles wildfires, scammers exploited disaster victims and donors through fake relief fundraisers impersonating celebrities like Kim Kardashian, fraudulent crowdfunding campaigns using stolen photos, fake charity websites, phishing emails posing as FEMA and the Red Cross, fake contractor services, and animal rescue scams. Security experts note that disaster scams proliferate because they combine vulnerability, urgency, and the public's desire to help, with perpetrators ranging from local individuals to organized crime syndicates. Potential victims should verify charities through official channels, avoid clicking unsolicited donation links, and be wary of upfront payment requests or overly urgent appeals
washingtonpost.com
· 2025-12-08
Text message scams falsely claiming unpaid tolls have emerged as a new fraud tactic that employs techniques designed to bypass phone security measures. These scams use fake toll notices to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or revealing personal information. The fraudsters continue to evolve their methods to circumvent anti-scam technology on mobile devices.
patriotledger.com
· 2025-12-08
"Smishing" scams falsely claiming unpaid tolls on Massachusetts toll roads (E-ZPass/EZDriveMA) have increased since January, with scammers sending text messages to randomly selected phone numbers requesting payment via fraudulent links. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation warns that legitimate EZDriveMA communications never request payment by text and all authentic links include www.EZDriveMA.com; victims should not click links, verify accounts directly through official websites, and report fraudulent messages to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
fairfaxcounty.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly hiding malicious links in QR codes placed in unexpected locations to trick people into compromising their personal information or accounts. The article provides protective measures including verifying QR code sources before scanning, avoiding codes in unsolicited messages, using secure QR scanners, and maintaining strong security practices on devices. Victims of "quishing" (QR code phishing) scams should contact local police and file reports through the Financial Crimes Information and Online Reporting System (FiCOR).
identityweek.net
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article suitable for the Elderus fraud research database. The content is a conference announcement and promotional page for Identity Week Europe 2026, featuring keynote speakers and sponsor highlights rather than reporting on a specific scam, fraud incident, or elder abuse case. While the page includes links to various security and fraud-related topics, no detailed incident information is provided to summarize.
hk-now.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers posing as Eversource representatives are targeting customers with threats of power disconnection to demand immediate payment, exploiting winter urgency and panic. Eversource and Waterbury Police warn that legitimate utility representatives never demand instant payment via phone, require gift cards or prepaid cards, or solicit personal information unsolicited; customers should hang up and call Eversource directly at 800-286-2000 to verify any contact claiming to be from the company. To protect themselves, residents should remember that caller ID can be spoofed, verify requests independently using contact information from their bill rather than search engines, and report suspected scams to local police.
stalbertgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
A St. Albert senior nearly lost over $7,000 to a resurfacing "Grandparent scam" in which a caller impersonated their grandson and requested bail money, though RCMP intervention prevented the loss. The scam typically involves fraudsters contacting victims via phone, email, or social media, posing as a distressed family member needing urgent money for bail or medical expenses, and demanding payment through wire transfer, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or cash courier pickup. St. Albert RCMP warns that these sophisticated criminal operations are convincing and can target anyone, and recommends victims report incidents to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Three defendants—Gemma Traya Austin of Chula Vista and Michael Cris Traya Sordilla and Bryan Navales Tarosa of the Philippines—were charged with operating a book publishing scam that defrauded more than 800 elderly authors of approximately $44 million between September 2017 and December 2024. The scammers falsely represented that their company, PageTurner, could publish victims' books or sell them to major studios and streaming services, but demanded upfront payments for taxes and fees before any publication or optioning could occur. All three defendants face charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy, with
vanguardngr.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French interior designer was defrauded of €830,000 by scammers using AI-generated images and videos to impersonate Brad Pitt, after they convinced her they were in a romantic relationship and that he needed money for cancer treatment and legal fees related to his divorce. Over 18 months, the victim divorced her husband, transferred nearly her entire €775,000 settlement to the fraudsters, and only became suspicious when she saw photos of the real Brad Pitt with a new girlfriend. She has since filed a fraud complaint and launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover legal expenses.
the-independent.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French woman was defrauded of €830,000 (£700,000) over 18 months by scammers using AI-generated deepfakes of Brad Pitt, who posed as a romantic interest and later claimed to have kidney cancer requiring immediate payment. The elaborate romance scam began with a fake message from "Brad Pitt's mother," escalated through love declarations and fake money requests (initially for luxury goods customs fees), and culminated in the victim transferring approximately €800,000 to a Turkish account after receiving fraudulent emails from a fake doctor claiming Pitt was dying. The woman, who was going through a divorce at the time
firstpost.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French interior designer named Anne lost €800,000 over approximately one year in a romance scam involving a fake Brad Pitt persona. The scammer, posing as Brad Pitt and his mother, built an emotional relationship with Anne through daily messages, poems, and AI-generated videos before claiming to need funds for medical treatment (kidney cancer) and customs duties, exploiting her vulnerability following her divorce and receipt of a €775,000 settlement.
wrdw.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season scams are prevalent, with fraudsters impersonating the IRS through unsolicited calls, texts, emails, and social media to demand immediate payment or threaten arrest. The IRS only contacts taxpayers by mail, never by phone or electronic messages, and warns against fake tax advice on social media and demands for immediate payment. Filing taxes early, verifying tax preparers with the Better Business Bureau, and filing documents promptly can help prevent identity theft and refund fraud.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Massachusetts drivers are receiving fraudulent text messages impersonating the state's E-ZPass toll system, claiming unpaid tolls of $6.99 and directing recipients to malicious links that steal personal and financial information. The real E-ZPass never sends text messages, so recipients should delete such messages immediately and verify toll balances through official E-ZPass accounts. Anyone who clicked the fraudulent links should contact their bank and credit card company to freeze accounts and change all passwords.
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies major online scams targeting people in 2025, including romance baiting (formerly called "pig butchering"), immigration fraud, and AI-generated scams that exploit vulnerable populations. The author advises vigilance against scammers who use social engineering tactics, noting that law enforcement offers limited recourse for victims and recommending awareness of common warning signs to avoid becoming a target.
wrhi.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The IRS warns taxpayers to guard against evolving tax season scams including phishing emails, impersonation phone calls, identity theft, fake tax preparers, social media fraud, charity scams, and cryptocurrency schemes. Protection strategies include verifying IRS communications through official channels, protecting personal information, using legitimate tax professionals, and reporting suspicious activity to the IRS.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French interior decorator lost €850,000 ($850,000) to scammers who impersonated actor Brad Pitt using fake social media accounts, AI-generated images, and fabricated stories about kidney treatment and frozen bank accounts due to divorce proceedings. After the victim appeared on French television to share her story, she faced severe online harassment and mockery, prompting the network to remove the interview from its platforms to protect her wellbeing. The case illustrates how romance scams, increasingly sophisticated through AI technology, continue to target vulnerable individuals, with romance fraud losses in the U.S. exceeding $1 billion in 2023.
wng.org
· 2025-12-08
Connie Grundmann lost her entire life savings of $98,400 to a government impersonation scam that began with a fake Microsoft security alert on her computer in spring 2023. A scammer posing as an FTC agent named "Alvaro Bedoya" convinced her through fear and fake verification methods to purchase gift cards, withdraw cash from ATMs, and deposit funds into Bitcoin over three days. The FTC reported that consumers lost $76 million to government impersonation scams in 2023, while the FBI documented that tech support scam victims lost nearly $1 billion that same year, with actual losses likely much higher due to underreporting.
bangkokpost.com
· 2025-12-08
True Corporation is partnering with the Royal Thai Police to establish a joint "War Room" at police headquarters to combat call centre scams targeting Thai citizens. The initiative will integrate data from both organizations to identify and dismantle criminal networks using Simbox devices, irregular call patterns, and fraudulent SMS schemes through AI technology and advanced analytics. True Corporation has also implemented stricter SIM registration procedures, deployed the "True CyberSafe" alert system, and established a specialized fraud prevention team, while police launched the Cyber Check app to help the public verify suspicious phone numbers and bank accounts.
saga.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams cost UK victims over £612 million in 2023, with people aged 55-64 being disproportionately targeted and losing more than £133 million collectively; the average loss per victim was £25,000, though some lost significantly more. Scammers exploit older adults by targeting those with disposable income and leveraging fears about retirement, inheritance tax, and social care, often attempting multiple frauds against the same victims. Red flags include unsolicited contact, promises of unrealistic returns, and pressure to make quick decisions, with experts advising victims to seek independent financial advice before investing.
kxxv.com
· 2025-12-08
IRS tax debt scam calls are circulating in Central Texas, with scammers posing as IRS agents and requesting personal information, bank details, and payments via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Temple Police reported 142 scams since 2021 (62 in 2024 alone), and authorities warn residents to never provide personal information to callers, hang up suspicious calls, and contact agencies directly using official website contact information rather than numbers provided by callers. The legitimate IRS does not collect payments over the phone.
chulavistatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Three individuals—Gemma Traya Austin (Chula Vista), Michael Cris Traya Sordilla, and Bryan Navales Tarosa (Philippines)—were arrested and federally charged for orchestrating a publishing fraud scheme that defrauded over 800 senior authors of nearly $44 million between 2017 and 2024. Operating through PageTurner Press and Media LLC and Innocentrix Philippines, the defendants solicited victims with false promises of publishing deals and Hollywood film adaptations, then convinced them to pay upfront fees for taxes and processing that were never legitimate. All three face charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French woman was scammed out of approximately $850,000 by someone impersonating Brad Pitt in a romance scam that began in 2023 through Facebook and continued over several years. The scammer used AI-generated images, love poems, and false claims about needing money for cancer treatment and bank access issues to manipulate the victim into sending increasingly large sums, leading her to eventually divorce her husband. The case highlights the growing threat of AI-enabled fraud, with Brad Pitt's representatives warning the public not to respond to unsolicited celebrity contact, as the actor maintains no verified social media accounts.
wltx.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French woman lost her life savings of $850,000 to scammers posing as Brad Pitt through fake social media accounts, AI-generated images, and WhatsApp messages, who claimed the actor needed money for medical treatment. After revealing her story on French television, she faced severe online harassment and mockery, prompting the network to withdraw the interview to protect the vulnerable victim. The case illustrates how artificial intelligence has increased the sophistication of romance scams, with the FTC reporting over $1 billion in romance scam losses affecting 64,000 Americans in 2023 alone.
dailysabah.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French woman lost her life savings of 830,000 euros ($850,000) to scammers impersonating Brad Pitt through fake social media accounts, WhatsApp, and AI-generated images, who convinced her they were in a romantic relationship and needed money for medical treatment. Brad Pitt's representative warned fans against responding to unsolicited online contact and noted that the actor has no official social media presence, while experts highlight that AI technology has increased the risk of identity theft and romantic fraud schemes. Similar scams targeting other women using Pitt's identity have been reported in Spain, with five suspects arrested in September 2024.
abc7chicago.com
· 2025-12-08
A Chicago hair stylist lost $20,000 in the "phantom hacker" scam, in which fraudsters impersonated a Bank of America representative, warned her of suspicious account activity, and convinced her to wire money to a "protected" account for safekeeping. The FBI reports this scam is growing rapidly and notes that scammers use phone number spoofing to appear as legitimate banks, with victims unlikely to recover funds once they authorize transfers. Legitimate financial institutions never ask customers to move money elsewhere, and consumers should remain skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming fraudulent activity.