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9news.com.au
Australia's financial crime watchdog (AUSTRAC) announced a crackdown on cryptocurrency ATM scams, which have cost victims an estimated $3.1 million in reported losses over 12 months, with the actual figure likely much higher. Criminals exploit the machines to pressure victims—predominantly women over 50—into sending cryptocurrency through investment swindles, extortion, and romance scams; once sent, the crypto is nearly impossible to recover. New industry-wide controls are being implemented, and authorities warn people to be suspicious of urgent requests to use crypto ATMs, promises of guaranteed high returns, or any unsolicited pressure to deposit cash.
nbcconnecticut.com
The Connecticut Department of Vehicles and multiple state police departments warned residents against clicking links in fraudulent text messages falsely claiming to be from the DMV regarding traffic violations or toll fees. The phishing scam attempts to trick recipients into clicking malicious links that could compromise personal data or lead to financial loss, and can be identified by red flags such as strange sender addresses, false urgency, and references to non-existent state codes.
fox11online.com
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is warning residents of a phishing scam where fraudsters send unsolicited text messages impersonating WisDOT/DMV officials, claiming unpaid traffic violations or issuing "final notices" to trick recipients into sharing personal information. The scam has surged in recent weeks, with the DMV experiencing an influx of customer inquiries; residents are advised to ignore unsolicited messages, avoid clicking links, and sign up for official eNotify alerts to monitor account activity. Victims should report incidents to local law enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission, or IC3.gov.
linncountyiowa.gov
The Linn County Treasurer's Office received multiple reports of phishing text messages impersonating the Iowa DMV, claiming recipients owe tolls or fees with threats of enforcement penalties. Recipients should not click links or share personal information, and should instead verify through official .gov websites, report the messages as spam, and delete them.
abc11.com
A multi-state text scam impersonating the North Carolina DMV claimed recipients had unpaid traffic tickets or toll charges and threatened vehicle registration suspension or required payment of $6.99 within hours. The fraudulent texts included links to fake websites mimicking official DMV sites, designed to steal personal information or payment card details from drivers across North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, New York, and Florida. The NC DMV advises recipients not to respond, to block the sender, and to report the messages to the FTC via text to 7726.
sandiegouniontribune.com
Digital thieves increasingly exploit phishing tactics through three emerging methods: HTML email attachments that trigger fake login pages designed to steal credentials, manipulation of multifactor authentication systems, and deceptive calendar invites. Experts recommend users avoid clicking links or opening unfamiliar HTML attachments, verify requests directly with organizations through official phone numbers or in-person visits, and remain cautious even when using security tools like multifactor authentication, which scammers are learning to circumvent.
justice.gov
Nirav B. Patel, a 44-year-old illegal immigrant from India, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in an imposter scam that defrauded elderly victims across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana of over $400,000. Patel served as a cash collector for the scheme, which involved fraudsters posing as federal agents and convincing elderly victims that their accounts were compromised, then pressuring them to withdraw life savings into fake government trust accounts; in one instance, he collected $177,000 in gold bars from an elderly woman using a walker at an assisted living facility. The scammers, based in India, use
whbc.com
Ohio officials report that elder fraud complaints among older residents increased 20% in 2024, with over 300 cases filed, as scammers continue to target seniors through emails, texts, and phone calls to obtain fraudulent payments or account information. The state's Division of Securities urges affected individuals to report suspected financial scams immediately to law enforcement or the Division at 614-644-7381, and provides multiple resources including an investor protection hotline, Adult Protective Services, and an Elder Justice Unit to assist victims.
fox5dc.com
A text message scam is targeting Maryland drivers by impersonating the State Department of Motor Vehicles and demanding immediate payment for alleged traffic violations, threatening suspension of vehicle registrations and driving privileges. Maryland DMV officials confirmed this is a scam and clarified they never demand payment via text or request suspicious links. Recipients are advised to avoid clicking links, delete the messages, and report them to the Maryland Attorney General's Office or FTC.gov.
expressvpn.com
The Nigerian prince scam (also called a 419 scam) is an advance-fee fraud where scammers pose as foreign royalty or wealthy individuals and convince victims to pay upfront "processing fees" or "taxes" for access to promised large sums of money. Originating from 19th-century Spanish prisoner schemes and proliferating via email in the 1990s, the scam continues to victimize people daily despite widespread awareness, sometimes escalating to using victims as money mules for stolen funds. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited contact from strangers claiming to need financial help, verify identities through official channels, never send money upfront, and avoi
wisbusiness.com
Investment and cryptocurrency scams remain the riskiest threat for adults 55+, followed by online purchase scams and romance scams for specific age groups, according to the BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report. The article provides practical prevention strategies including: avoiding unsolicited callers (especially those claiming to be government agents or bank employees), recognizing red flags like pressure to act or unusual payment requests, hiring only licensed contractors through verified sources, remaining alert to emergency/grandchild scams, and hanging up on calls about "free" medical equipment or government impersonations. Key advice emphasizes registering with the National Do-Not-Call Registry, verifying unexpected claims through official sources, and maintaining healthy
afp.gov.au
From January 2024 to January 2025, Australian authorities received 150 reports of cryptocurrency ATM scams resulting in $3.1 million in losses, with an average loss of $20,000 per victim; however, officials warn this likely represents significant under-reporting, as approximately $275 million moves through crypto ATMs annually in Australia. The victims were predominantly women (68%) and people over 51 years old (48%), who were targeted through investment scams, extortion emails, and romance scams that pressured them to deposit cash into crypto ATMs. Australian authorities are implementing educational campaigns near crypto ATMs to warn the public about common warning signs, including unsolicited deposit
foxnews.com
Cybercriminals have evolved phishing tactics to create sophisticated subscription scam campaigns, with over 200 convincing fake online stores promoting products via Facebook ads to trick users into recurring credit card charges. These scams use tactics like mystery boxes, hidden fine print subscription terms, and layered add-ons (loyalty programs, VIP memberships) to confuse victims, with many sites traced back to a single Cyprus address linked to offshore entities. The fraudsters continuously rotate brands and product types—from counterfeit goods to fake supplements and investment schemes—while employing evasion techniques like rotating ad versions and image swaps to avoid detection.
lycoming.crimewatchpa.com
Williamsport Police warned residents of a text message scam impersonating the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles, claiming enforcement penalties would begin on May 31 and directing victims to click a link to pay outstanding traffic tickets. The PA DMV does not contact individuals via text to request payment, and clicking such links can compromise personal and financial information. Residents are advised to independently verify the legitimacy of suspicious communications before providing information or clicking links.
news.blueshieldca.com
Blue Shield of California launched educational initiatives during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week to combat rising healthcare fraud targeting seniors, noting that the U.S. Department of Justice charged 193 individuals in 2024 for schemes involving over $2.75 billion in false claims. The health plan highlighted prevalent scams including unsolicited medical supplies, impersonation schemes, phantom billing, and AI-driven fraud, and encouraged members to review statements carefully, protect personal information, and report suspicious activity to their health plan's Special Investigations Unit.
northjersey.com
Police across multiple states including Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, and New Jersey are warning of a DMV text scam impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles and threatening to suspend vehicle registration unless victims click malicious links to pay alleged fines immediately. The scam is designed to steal personal and financial information by creating panic and urgency. Authorities recommend not clicking links or responding to such messages, instead reporting them to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, contacting your state DMV directly through official channels, and forwarding suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) to help wireless providers block similar messages.
wdbj7.com
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles warned customers about a text scam in which fraudsters impersonate the DMV and falsely claim money is owed for unpaid fines, directing recipients to click links that steal personal information. The DMV emphasized it never sends text messages demanding payment and advised customers to verify communications through official channels, avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts, and report suspicious messages to authorities or the FTC.
forbes.com
This article discusses how AI-enhanced social engineering attacks target human psychology rather than technical systems, with cybercriminals using deepfakes and personalized information to impersonate executives and manipulate employees into authorizing fraudulent payments. A notable example involved a finance employee at a multinational firm who transferred $25 million after a deepfake video conference call impersonating the CFO, and a 2024 survey found that 50% of companies experienced business payment fraud from human error in the past year. The article outlines five psychological tactics—authority exploitation, pressure and urgency, payment diversions, information gathering, and emotional manipulation—and recommends ongoing security training and process verification to counter these threats.
wtvr.com
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles warned residents of a text message scam in which fraudsters impersonating the DMV demand payment for fines and threaten license suspension, with links designed to steal personal information. The DMV emphasized it never sends unsolicited text messages requesting payment and advised residents to report and delete suspicious messages using their phone's junk reporting feature.
prnewswire.com
Blue Shield of California launched a Medicare Fraud Prevention Week campaign alerting seniors to common scams including unsolicited medical supplies, phantom billing, impersonation schemes, and AI-driven fraud, noting that the U.S. Department of Justice charged 193 individuals in 2024 for healthcare fraud involving over $2.75 billion in false claims. The health plan established a Special Investigations Unit and online reporting portal to detect fraud, and encourages members to review statements carefully, protect personal information, and report suspicious activity through their fraud hotline at (855) 331-4894.
cantonrep.com
Moving scams are on the rise, with consumers reporting a median loss of $754 to the Better Business Bureau in 2024, with common schemes including no-shows, unexpected price increases, stolen items, and belongings held hostage for additional fees. The BBB recommends protecting yourself by thoroughly researching moving companies, verifying their registration and insurance, getting all agreements in writing, and maintaining an inventory of belongings before hiring movers.
hccommunityjournal.com
A Kerrville Police Department sergeant conducted an internet safety presentation outlining major threats including identity theft, phishing, and romance/grandchild scams, which criminals use to steal sensitive information and money from victims. Key safety recommendations include verifying secure websites (https and lock icons), using strong passwords, enabling stricter social media settings, installing malware protection, and never responding to unsolicited requests for personal information from official agencies.
crowdfundinsider.com
In 2024, cryptocurrency scams generated a record $12.4 billion in fraudulent revenue, with "pig butchering" romance and investment scams accounting for 33% of that total. Artificial intelligence has enabled scammers to operate at unprecedented scale through deepfakes, voice cloning, and automated phishing, with AI service vendors on illicit marketplaces earning $18 million alone. The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Philippines-based Funnull Technology Inc. in May 2025 for facilitating scams that defrauded American victims of over $200 million by providing infrastructure to cybercriminals.
techradar.com
Threat group Hazy Hawk is hijacking subdomains of major organizations (including Bose, Panasonic, and the CDC) by exploiting abandoned cloud infrastructure and misconfigured DNS records, then redirecting victims to malware and scam sites including fake antivirus warnings and tech support cons. Users can protect themselves by rejecting push notification requests from unfamiliar websites, while organizations must implement DNS hygiene practices and automated monitoring to detect and prevent these subdomain takeovers.
hometownstations.com
In 2024, Ohio's Division of Securities received 302 scam and fraud complaints from older residents, a 22% increase from 2023, with potential losses exceeding $60 million statewide. Most scams involved unknown individuals contacting seniors via email or text about cryptocurrency or compromised bank accounts, with warning signs including unexplained financial changes, new account additions, and uncharacteristic money transfers. Authorities recommend having conversations with seniors about red flags like urgency and secrecy, researching suspicious contacts independently, and reporting suspected exploitation to local law enforcement, the Division of Securities, or Adult Protective Services.
vieravoice.com
Millions of older adults encounter harmful scams annually through phone calls, emails, and in-person interactions, with research showing approximately one in ten older Americans falls victim to abuse, neglect, or exploitation each year—though cases are vastly underreported. The Brevard Commission on Aging and local organizations are hosting a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day event on June 13 in Viera featuring speakers who will provide information on protecting against internet and telephone scams, legal safeguards, and benefits for seniors over 65. The event emphasizes that enhanced community support services and awareness are essential to preventing elder mistreatment and ensuring all older adults can feel safe and secure.
e.vnexpress.net
Sixteen foreign nationals (eleven Filipinos, two Chinese, one Malaysian, and one Indonesian) were sentenced in Lagos to one year in prison and fines of one million naira (US$629.50) each after pleading guilty to recruiting young Nigerians for identity theft and impersonation schemes. The international cybercrime syndicate used Nigerian accomplices to conduct phishing scams targeting victims in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, with confiscated devices forfeited to the Nigerian government.
cowboystatedaily.com
Eloy Martinez nearly fell victim to a sponsorship scam by Elite Sports Promotions, which falsely claimed to represent East High School in Cheyenne and solicited $300 for advertising space on T-shirts. Martinez avoided the fraud by verifying directly with the school principal, who confirmed no affiliation with the company; police and the Better Business Bureau have received multiple complaints about Elite Sports Promotions, which holds an "F" rating with 38 complaints over three years and losses ranging from $300 to over $10,000, with victims reporting merchandise and promised items never materializing.
patch.com
Newtown Township residents were scammed out of approximately $7,000 over a three-day period in late May through two separate gift card fraud schemes: one victim lost $3,500 after receiving a fraudulent call claiming their YouTube TV account would be canceled, and another victim lost $3,500 after receiving a phishing email about a Netflix billing increase. Police also warned residents of a circulating text message scam impersonating the Pennsylvania Court system demanding payment for alleged traffic violations, and reminded the public that legitimate businesses and government agencies never request payment via gift cards or electronic transfers.
vertikal.net
A fraudulent email scam impersonating UK contractor Balfour Beatty circulated within the lifting and access industry, requesting suppliers register as vendors and submit profiles to a fake email address (balfourbeatty-procurements[.]com). This incident follows a similar March 2025 fraud targeting Haulotte UK involving fake company impersonation, fraudulent documentation, and equipment theft, prompting industry suppliers to implement stronger verification procedures for vendor inquiries.
wgal.com
Scammers sent fraudulent text messages to Pennsylvania drivers impersonating the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), claiming recipients had outstanding traffic tickets and threatening vehicle registration suspension and driving privilege revocation for 30 days, with an added threat of a 35% service fee if charges were transferred to toll booths. The messages contained a malicious link (since disabled and flagged) designed to collect payment for fines that do not exist, and multiple recipients reported the scam to local news outlets.
timesfreepress.com
A phishing scam uses intimidating phone calls impersonating process servers, debt collectors, or police officers to pressure victims into immediate payment or provide personal information. The scam exploits common fears about legal consequences and debts to manipulate targets into compliance.
fox5vegas.com
Scammers are sending phishing text messages to Nevada residents (and victims as far as Oklahoma) impersonating Las Vegas Courts with fake .gov addresses, demanding immediate payment for outstanding traffic tickets to avoid fines or legal action. Clark County and Las Vegas officials warn that legitimate court entities do not solicit payments via text, and advise residents to delete suspicious messages and verify tickets directly through official channels rather than clicking links.
thetimes.com
This article describes a common tax authority impersonation scam via unsolicited phone calls and discusses the broader UK scam landscape, where fraudsters stole £11.4 billion in the previous year. The author explains various scam tactics (fake tax demands, computer virus threats, romance scams, taxi fare requests) and humorously suggests that victims can waste scammers' time through delay tactics—keeping them on the line with endless holds, feigned technological incompetence, and false information—as a strategy to disrupt their operations and prevent them from targeting more vulnerable people.
limerickleader.ie
AIB has issued a warning to Irish customers about an ongoing threat of text message and phone call fraud, with reports of people being scammed through impersonation of legitimate institutions. The bank's Financial Crime Prevention team advised customers to avoid clicking suspicious links, never share login details or PINs, and to hang up and call back on trusted numbers if receiving unexpected calls. AIB encourages victims to report fraud through their website security center or contact their 24/7 fraud support line.
the420.in
A 46-year-old MBA graduate in India lost ₹11 crore (approximately $1.3 million USD) over three months in a sophisticated online job scam, reported as one of India's largest cyber frauds. Fraudsters created a fake website impersonating an international consultancy firm and convinced the victim he was hired for an executive position, then extracted money through fake onboarding fees, documentation charges, and purported investment plans before disappearing with funds transferred to crypto wallets and offshore accounts. Authorities suspect this may be part of a larger fraud operation and are urging the public to verify online job offers and avoid upfront payments.
news.yahoo.com
Pennsylvania residents are receiving scam text messages impersonating state agencies including the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, Department of Motor Vehicles, and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, claiming outstanding traffic tickets or toll fees require immediate payment via links or gift cards. The scammers threaten fictitious penalties such as license suspension, criminal prosecution, and credit damage to pressure victims into sending money through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. State authorities advise recipients to ignore suspicious links, never provide personal information, and report such messages to local police or the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office, emphasizing that legitimate state agencies never solicit payment via text message.
6abc.com
Officials in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are warning about a text message scam claiming recipients have unpaid traffic tickets and threatening license suspension or prosecution to pressure victims into clicking malicious links or providing personal information. Both PennDOT and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission clarified they do not send unsolicited texts about driver status. Victims should report suspected scam messages to the FTC or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
cbsnews.com
Scammers are sending text messages falsely claiming to be from PennDOT, threatening license suspension and vehicle registration revocation unless recipients pay outstanding fines immediately. PennDOT officials clarified that the agency does not send text messages about traffic violations or fines, and advised recipients to delete the messages, avoid clicking links, and report them as spam. A key indicator of the scam is that the message falsely references the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles," a non-existent department in Pennsylvania.
investopedia.com
This article outlines six common scams targeting users of peer-to-peer payment platforms like Venmo, Cash App, and Zelle, including impersonation of trusted contacts, fake "accidental" payments designed to exploit goodwill, fraudulent sellers and buyers using stolen payment methods, fake contest winnings, and impersonation of customer support teams. According to Pew Research, 13% of P2P payment app users have sent money to scammers, affecting millions of users across platforms with 92 million active users on Venmo alone. The key prevention strategies are to verify recipient identity before sending money, report unexpected payments from strangers immediately without cashing out
whio.com
This article explores the legal landscape of scams and fraud, explaining that while scamming is generally illegal, some deceptive practices exist in legal gray areas by technically offering a service or relying on consumer awareness. The article discusses how scammers exploit loopholes—such as with carnival games and deceptive solicitations (like fake domain renewal notices)—by staying vague about their offerings and not explicitly making false promises, allowing them to operate despite feeling fraudulent to consumers. The key takeaway is that scamming tactics are increasingly sophisticated and difficult to distinguish from legitimate services, making consumer vigilance essential.
newtondailynews.com
Jasper County RSVP is offering a free scam prevention presentation for seniors on June 24, delivered by Aging Resources, to help participants stay informed about evolving fraud tactics. The event is open to RSVP members and all seniors in Jasper County, with registration available by calling 641-792-6433 or emailing Sarah Patterson.
patch.com
**Event Type:** Educational Webinar
Melissa Negrin-Wiener and Ken Kern, Senior Partners at Cona Elder Law, are hosting a webinar for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to educate seniors, caregivers, and families about protecting older adults from scams and financial exploitation. The session covers common scams targeting seniors (phishing, fake charities, grandparent schemes), warning signs of fraud, strategies to protect identity and assets, and steps to take if scammed, including reporting and accessing legal support.
halifax.ca
Police responded to five reports in one week from seniors targeted by an advanced "grandparent scam" where fraudsters used artificial intelligence to clone family members' voices, claiming the victim's loved one was arrested and demanding bail payment via courier pickup. Authorities warn that law enforcement never collects bail money in person and advise victims to hang up immediately and not confirm personal or financial information when receiving such calls.
moneysense.ca
Relationship fraud and romance scams are increasing in Canada, typically beginning when scammers contact victims on social media, dating apps, or email, then gradually build trust over months before requesting money or promoting fraudulent investment schemes, often involving cryptocurrency. Victims suffer not only financial losses but also emotional trauma from the betrayal, and scammers may use harvested personal information for identity theft. Key warning signs include pressure and urgency in requests, and protection strategies include verifying requests with trusted individuals and being cautious of AI-generated personas.
thehackernews.com
The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Philippines-based Funnull Technology Inc. and its administrator Liu Lizhi for providing infrastructure to facilitate romance baiting and cryptocurrency investment scams that caused over $200 million in reported losses to American victims, with average individual losses exceeding $150,000. Funnull allegedly enabled thousands of fraudulent websites by bulk-purchasing IP addresses from major cloud providers (AWS, Microsoft Azure) and using domain generation algorithms to create scam websites impersonating legitimate brands, making it easy for criminals to quickly change domains when detected. The FBI linked Funnull infrastructure to over 332,000 unique domains since
whio.com
This educational article explains how to identify fake social media profiles used by scammers on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Tinder. Key warning signs include fake or AI-generated profile pictures (verify with reverse image search), brand-new accounts with unusual activity patterns, generic or automated posting behavior, and follower lists consisting of random unconnected accounts. The article advises online users to maintain skepticism about profiles they encounter and check for these indicators before engaging with unfamiliar accounts.
abc10.com
A Sacramento man received an unsolicited $1,700 check with instructions to deposit it, purchase gift cards, and email the card numbers to the sender in exchange for a bonus—a classic check scam he wisely rejected after recognizing the red flags. Law enforcement confirmed the scheme, warning that victims who deposit fraudulent checks face serious consequences including financial liability and potential account closure, even if unaware of the fraud; the FTC reported Americans lost over $217 million to gift card scams in 2023 alone. Authorities recommend investigating any unsolicited checks through the Better Business Bureau and reporting suspicious checks to police and banks immediately.
oprahdaily.com
Scams targeting consumers are rising dramatically, with phishing, deepfakes, tech-support scams, and spoofing becoming increasingly common. Readers shared varied experiences including fraudulent tax and loan collection calls, fake rental listings, phishing texts posing as delivery services and financial institutions, and sextortion emails with personal information. The advice emphasized by victims includes not answering unknown numbers, immediately deleting suspicious messages, verifying requests independently, and never providing personal information or upfront payments to unverified sources.
home.treasury.gov
The U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned Funnull Technology Inc., a Philippines-based company that provided computer infrastructure supporting hundreds of thousands of "pig butchering" virtual currency investment scam websites, resulting in over $200 million in reported U.S. losses. These sophisticated scams, often perpetrated by Southeast Asian criminal organizations using trafficked workers, deceive victims into fake investment platforms through elaborate romantic or trust-based schemes, with average individual losses exceeding $150,000. The FBI is publishing a cybersecurity advisory with technical details to help the private sector identify and dismantle Funnull-associated websites.