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wkyt.com
In 2023, the FBI received 908 elder fraud complaints in Kentucky totaling over $12 million in losses, with gold and precious metals scams on the rise. Scammers impersonate government officials to pressure elderly victims into converting their savings to gold, often failing to deliver the promised metals; one Kentucky woman lost $113,000 in such a scheme. The FBI advises that legitimate government agencies would never call to pressure gold purchases and recommends researching dealers and reporting suspected fraud to the FBI's Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
patch.com
Three Southern California men were arrested in connection with a $10 million fraud scheme that targeted at least 100 elderly victims through phone calls, emails, and fake real estate offers between fall 2021 and the present. The defendants created fake identities, shell companies, and fraudulent bank accounts to impersonate law enforcement and company employees, convincing victims their accounts were compromised and tricking them into transferring funds or purchase fake property. If convicted of money laundering conspiracy, each defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
newsbreak.com
**Summary:**
Craig Case, a 76-year-old Santa Barbara security company owner and part-time TV host, was found guilty on 63 of 64 counts for embezzling approximately $690,000 from Constance McCormick Fearing, a Montecito arts patron who died in 2022. Between 2018 and April 2021, Case conspired with Nancy Coglizer (who held power of attorney over Fearing) to write checks to Case in small amounts disguised as security service payments, avoiding financial institution oversight. The jury determined multiple aggravating factors applied, including the victim's vulnerability, the significant financial loss, and Case's exploitation of
states.aarp.org
This AARP educational article provides consumer protection tips to help prevent fraud and scams. Key recommendations include using strong passwords with multi-factor authentication, avoiding suspicious links by visiting websites directly, freezing credit with major agencies, and being cautious of unsolicited offers like cruise scams and gold bar schemes where criminals impersonate authorities to steal savings. The article emphasizes that victims of repeated fraud should be supported with gentle questioning and regular family discussions about scams rather than blame.
abc11.com
The IRS released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list of top tax scams, warning that fraudsters use tax season to trick taxpayers into identity theft and fraudulent tax credit claims. The most prevalent scams include email phishing where criminals impersonate legitimate tax and financial organizations to steal personal information, and misleading tax advice on social media that leads victims toward bogus tax avoidance strategies. The IRS emphasizes avoiding unsolicited emails and texts requesting financial or personal information as part of broader taxpayer protection efforts.
cpapracticeadvisor.com
The IRS's annual Dirty Dozen campaign educates taxpayers about 12 prevalent tax scams and fraudulent schemes, with email phishing and smishing (text message fraud) being among the top threats. These scams, which peak during tax filing season but occur year-round, aim to steal personal information, financial data, and money through tactics like fake IRS communications, bogus refund promises, and false legal threats. The IRS has been running this awareness effort since 2002 and works with state agencies, tax software companies, and tax professionals to protect taxpayers from identity theft and refund fraud.
abc7news.com
A 57-year-old North Bay woman lost $300,000 to a romance scam after meeting a man named "Harry Burter" on a dating app who posed as a Los Altos resident traveling for work. The scammer used romantic language and fake identification documents to build trust before gradually requesting money for various work-related expenses, exploiting the victim's loneliness following her recent divorce. Experts note that dating app platforms need stronger safety measures and cross-platform information sharing to prevent fraudsters from using the same fake identities across multiple platforms.
click2houston.com
Darlington Akporugo, 47, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy for operating a nationwide romance scam targeting elderly victims through fake social media profiles. The scheme defrauded more than 25 victims of approximately $3 million and included convincing victims to open credit lines and purchase luxury items in his name. Akporugo faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine upon sentencing.
wtop.com
Vipul Thakkar, 53, of Owings Mills, Maryland, pleaded guilty to theft and conspiracy after orchestrating a gold bar scam targeting elderly residents in Montgomery County that defrauded victims of over $1.1 million between March and June 2024. Thakkar convinced victims, including a 74-year-old Bethesda man and an 82-year-old woman, to convert their bank deposits into gold bars under the false pretense of protecting their assets, then arranged pickups by accomplices; he was arrested in July 2024 during an undercover operation and faces up to 60 years in prison at sentencing schedule
lex18.com
A 74-year-old Kentucky woman lost $179,000 to a federal impersonation and gold coin scam in January 2024 after receiving fraudulent emails from scammers posing as the Social Security Administration and Inspector General's Office, threatening her with prison unless she paid money for investigation purposes. The scammer convinced her to purchase gold coins in person at a Lexington bank parking lot, after which he disappeared with her life savings; the traumatized victim attempted suicide but is now recovering, and her grandson is sharing their story to raise awareness and help prevent similar crimes.
wkyt.com
A 74-year-old Kentucky woman lost her entire life savings of $180,000 in a gold coin scam after receiving a phone call from someone impersonating a Social Security Administration employee who claimed she was under fraud investigation. The scammer convinced her to drain her savings, purchase gold coins, and hand them off to a courier in a bank parking lot; after realizing the fraud, the emotional trauma led her to attempt suicide, and she remains hospitalized in critical condition. The FBI confirms a rising trend of government impersonation and precious metals scams targeting seniors, with Kentucky alone reporting 908 elder fraud complaints totaling over $12 million in 2023.
wevv.com
A 74-year-old woman in Danville, Kentucky lost her life savings of $179,000 to a combined federal impersonation and gold coin scam in January-February 2024. The scammer posed as the Social Security Administration and Inspector General's Office, threatening her with prison and fraud charges, then convinced her to meet in person at a Lexington bank where she exchanged cash for gold coins that were never returned. The victim became so distraught that she attempted suicide; her grandson is sharing the story to raise awareness and help the FBI investigation.
irs.gov
The IRS released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list of common tax scams on February 27, 2025, warning taxpayers, businesses, and tax professionals about fraudulent schemes that peak during filing season but occur year-round. The list includes email phishing scams, text message scams (smishing), and misleading tax credit claims that can lead to identity theft and financial loss. The IRS has conducted this annual awareness campaign since 2002, working with state agencies and tax professionals to educate the public about evolving fraud threats.
bbc.com
Thousands of workers have been freed from scam compounds along the Thai-Myanmar border after Thailand cut power and telecommunications to the facilities, but many are now stranded in makeshift camps in Myanmar awaiting repatriation. An estimated 100,000 people have been lured to these compounds run primarily by Chinese operatives, where they were forced to commit online fraud targeting victims worldwide, subjected to beatings, electric shocks, and brutal working conditions while earning quotas of thousands of dollars weekly. The freed workers face delayed processing and poor camp conditions with insufficient food and sanitation, leaving them in physical and psychological distress as authorities slowly arrange flights home.
nbcnews.com
Over 7,000 people from around the world were detained in Myanmar border towns following a coordinated crackdown on online scam centers by Thailand, Myanmar, and China. These individuals had been lured under false pretenses to work in scam operations that defrauded people globally through romance schemes, fake investments, and illegal gambling, with many trapped in conditions amounting to virtual slavery. Thailand, Myanmar, and China are coordinating repatriation efforts, though the unprecedented scale is straining resources and creating logistical challenges including identity verification delays, with humanitarian concerns growing about potential overflow if processing cannot keep pace.
theblock.co
A 73-year-old Montana man, Randall V. Rule, was found guilty of cryptocurrency money laundering conspiracy tied to romance scams, fake real estate schemes, and business email compromises. Rule and his co-conspirators laundered over $2.4 million by converting scam proceeds into cryptocurrency and sending it to domestic and foreign associates while misrepresenting transactions to financial institutions. Romance scams, also known as "pig butchering," involve fraudsters faking romantic interest to exploit victims' trust for financial gain.
pymnts.com
A PYMNTS Intelligence report reveals that approximately 30% of U.S. consumers (77 million people) lost money to scams in the past five years, with most losses exceeding $500. The research shows that scammers personalize their tactics by targeting different demographics through preferred communication channels—using social media for Gen Z, email and phone calls for older adults—and tailoring messaging to exploit specific vulnerabilities such as investment fears for high-income individuals and benefits fraud for lower-income groups. Key manipulation tactics include posing as trusted figures like employers (86% of job scam victims) or debt collectors (83% of victims), as well as using coercion through threats or financial incent
clickondetroit.com
Matthew Mencarelli, a 39-year-old from Kent County, Michigan, was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison for defrauding 15 investors of $1.6 million through a Ponzi-like scheme that began in 2018. He solicited funds from family and social acquaintances by falsely claiming to have lucrative infrastructure contracts in Traverse City, guaranteed high returns, and used the money for personal expenses including a $400,000 home while using new investor funds to pay earlier investors. When unable to repay investors, he allegedly threatened them and forged documents to perpetuate the fraud.
justice.gov
Two Southern California men were arrested on federal charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering as part of a sophisticated scheme that targeted over 100 elderly victims, resulting in more than $10 million in losses from November 2021 to present. The defendants created fake identities and shell companies to open numerous fraudulent bank accounts and mailboxes, then impersonated law enforcement and company employees via phone and email to convince victims their accounts were compromised and persuade them to transfer funds into accounts controlled by the criminals. The stolen money was then laundered through cash withdrawals and used for personal expenses.
keyt.com
Craig Case, a 76-year-old Santa Barbara security company owner and TV host, was found guilty on 63 of 64 counts for embezzling nearly $690,000 from Constance McCormick Fearing, a Montecito arts patron who died in 2022, between 2018 and April 2021. Working with Nancy Coglizer (who held power of attorney over Fearing), Case orchestrated the theft through small checks allegedly for security services, structured to avoid financial institution oversight, until trustees discovered the scheme in July 2021. The jury determined aggravating factors including victim vulnerability, significant financial loss, and Case's exploitation of a position of trust
keyt.com
Craig Case, a 76-year-old Santa Barbara security company owner and TV host, was convicted on 63 of 64 counts for embezzling approximately $690,000 from elderly arts patron Constance McCormick Fearing between 2018 and 2021, with the help of co-conspirator Nancy Coglizer who had power of attorney over the victim. Case was found guilty of multiple felonies including theft from an elder, money laundering, identity theft, and forgery, with the jury determining aggravating factors such as exploitation of trust and the victim's vulnerability. Sentencing is scheduled for April 8, 2025.
mynewsla.com
Two Southern California men were arrested for operating a $10 million fraud and money laundering scheme targeting over 100 victims, primarily elderly individuals, using fake identities, shell companies, and bank accounts. The defendants impersonated law enforcement and company representatives via phone and email to convince victims their accounts were compromised, then redirected them to transfer funds into fraudulent accounts; they also posed as real estate sellers to solicit wire transfers and checks. Each defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted of money laundering conspiracy.
fincen.gov
FinCEN is alerting financial institutions to monitor for relationship investment scams as part of the multiagency #DatingOrDefrauding campaign, noting that romance and confidence scams resulted in over $650 million in losses reported to the FBI in 2023. The agency highlights that scammers use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build fake relationships and deceive victims into cryptocurrency and investment schemes, with particular vulnerability among older adults. FinCEN provides guidance on identifying "pig butchering" scams and other romance fraud patterns so financial institutions can file Suspicious Activity Reports to aid law enforcement investigations.
bankingjournal.aba.com
FinCEN issued a statement urging financial institutions to monitor for suspicious activity related to relationship investment scams, coordinating with the CFTC's #DatingOrDefrauding awareness campaign. The advisory highlights that Suspicious Activity Reports and Bank Secrecy Act compliance are essential tools for law enforcement to detect and prosecute relationship scams, including those targeting elderly individuals and involving check fraud.
amlintelligence.com
FinCEN issued a formal warning to financial institutions to combat rising romance scam fraud, which caused losses exceeding $650 million in 2023 and frequently targets older adults. The alert highlights how scammers use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build false relationships, then exploit victims through investment schemes, virtual currency fraud, and by recruiting them as money mules for stolen funds. FinCEN urges institutions to file Suspicious Activity Reports using specific protocols to help law enforcement dismantle these organized crime operations.
manhattanda.org
Alan Burak, 40, was indicted for operating Never Alone Capital, LLC, a fraudulent investment scheme that stole over $4 million from dozens of investors, primarily targeting friends and family in Mexico and Latino community members between April 2018 and May 2023. Burak falsely claimed the firm had been profitable since 2006 with $157 million in assets under management, sent fake account statements showing false growth, guaranteed high returns (up to 50%), and diverted investor funds to his personal use while blocking withdrawal requests. He faces 26 charges including grand larceny in the first degree and securities fraud.
straitstimes.com
In 2024, cryptocurrency scams accounted for 24.3% of Singapore's $1.1 billion in total scam losses, a dramatic increase from 6.8% the previous year, with victims aged 30-49 most affected. Notable cases included a 36-year-old who lost $125 million after clicking a fake job interview link containing malicious code, a victim who lost $33.8 million to a phishing scam on a fake cryptocurrency wallet site, and another who lost $21 million to social media impersonation. Police identified three vulnerable groups: digital natives unfamiliar with cryptocurrency despite technical knowledge, investors whose funds disappear after opening exchange accounts, and cryptocurrency
channelnewsasia.com
Singapore reported at least S$1.1 billion in scam losses in 2024, a 70.6% increase from 2023, with one victim losing S$125 million in cryptocurrency through a malware-enabled scam involving fake interview links. E-commerce scams were the most common type, followed by job and phishing scams, with 51,501 total cases reported; however, the police's Anti-Scam Command recovered over S$182 million and averted S$483 million in potential losses through proactive interventions.
asiaone.com
Singapore experienced a significant surge in scam losses, reaching at least $1.1 billion in 2024, a 70.6% increase from 2023, with 51,501 reported cases (up 10.6% year-on-year). E-commerce scams were the most common type at 22.7% of cases, while investment scams caused the largest financial losses at $320.7 million, with cryptocurrency scams also spiking dramatically to 24.3% of total losses. Youths and young adults under 50 comprised nearly 71% of victims and were primarily targeted via messaging platforms and social media, while those aged 65 an
abcnews.go.com
A growing "gold bar courier scam" defrauded Americans of $126 million in 2024, with scammers posing as federal agents convincing victims to purchase gold bars and hand them over to couriers in public locations. Kris Owen, a 79-year-old Indiana resident, lost $80,000 after being told his personal information was compromised and instructed to buy gold for safekeeping; he later worked with the FBI in a sting operation to catch one of the couriers. The scheme, which exploits rising gold prices and targets vulnerable individuals nationwide, has become increasingly sophisticated and widespread.
theguardian.com
Hundreds of human trafficking victims, including nationals from over a dozen countries, were rescued from illegal scam compounds operating along the Thai-Myanmar border in February, with survivors reporting systematic torture including electric shocks, beatings, and forced labor working 15+ hours daily without pay. The victims, many of whom were lured with false job promises, were trapped in operations estimated to generate $63.9 billion annually globally, with at least 120,000 people enslaved in Myanmar and 100,000 in Cambodia forced to conduct online scams including romance schemes, gambling fraud, and bogus investment operations. Thailand and China have recently intensified crackdowns on these transnational criminal networks, with Thailan
bbc.com
In 2024, scammers stole over £2.2 million from Isle of Man residents, with investment scams accounting for £1.2 million, voice call cons for £391,674, and romance fraud for £45,000, according to the Cyber Security Centre report. The number of suspicious emails and cyber concerns reported increased 50% compared to 2023, though officials believe this represents only a fraction of actual scams as many go unreported. Additional fraud methods included phishing attacks, account compromises, and impersonation schemes using celebrity names.
prnewswire.com
As AI-driven scams surge during tax season 2025, taxpayers face three major threats: W-2 phishing scams using AI-generated emails and deepfakes to steal employee tax documents, disaster relief fund scams exploiting tax extensions for disaster victims, and fake Offer in Compromise scams promising debt relief through robocalls and deepfake videos. According to LifeLock research, 56% of individuals have encountered AI-powered tax scams with realistic voices, and the IRS Criminal Investigation unit uncovered over $9.1 billion in tax fraud in 2024, with 81% of scam victims reporting financial losses. Taxpayers are advised to verify
ossoff.senate.gov
Senator Jon Ossoff pressed the Trump Administration's FTC to strengthen protections for Georgia's 1.2 million seniors, citing alarming increases in financial scams affecting the state's senior population. According to FBI data, losses from scams targeting Georgia seniors surged from $25 million in 2020 to $92 million in 2023, placing Georgia among the top five states for senior financial fraud. The senator emphasized the substantial financial and emotional toll on seniors and their caregivers, demanding stronger FTC action to restore confidence in the financial system.
wpde.com
In 2024, 11 elderly South Carolinians lost an estimated $4.2 million in a fake hacking scam in which fraudsters used fake pop-up alerts claiming their financial accounts were compromised, then instructed victims to purchase physical gold and hand it over to couriers posing as security officials. The FBI warns that scammers use fake authority figures and manufactured urgency to convince victims to liquidate assets, with the scheme continuing until victims run out of funds or discover the fraud. This scam is part of a broader trend: scams targeting people aged 60 and older caused over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, an 11% increase from
swlexledger.com
The FBI is warning of a widespread fraud scheme targeting elderly residents where scammers impersonate cybersecurity representatives, bank officials, and government officers to trick victims into converting their assets into physical gold and surrendering it to couriers. During 2024, 11 South Carolina elderly victims lost approximately $4.2 million to this scam, which typically begins with fake device compromise warnings and involves creating false urgency to move assets out of financial accounts. The FBI advises victims to verify identities independently, avoid using provided contact numbers, and report suspicious activity to the FBI IC3 website, with elder victims able to seek assistance through the DOJ Elder Justice Hotline.
onlineathens.com
Multiple fraud cases were reported in Athens during February, ranging from $11,000 to nearly $2 million in losses. Victims included a man who lost $1.734 million in a fake investment scheme promising unrealistic returns (80-380% monthly profits), a woman whose identity was used to steal $184,693 through a fraudulent bank account, and an 83-year-old woman who lost $11,000 before bank employees intervened to prevent her from withdrawing an additional $60,000 for a gift card scam. Police recommend verifying communications through official channels, being suspicious of unsolicited contact, and not trusting caller ID.
langleyadvancetimes.com
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dailyhodl.com
**Summary:**
Shan Hanes, former CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank in Kansas, was sentenced to 24 years in prison in August 2023 for embezzling over $47 million through a cryptocurrency pig butchering scheme. The bank's collapse wiped out generational wealth for hundreds of residents, including the Tucker family ($1.4 million in lost shares) and the Houtz brothers (hundreds of thousands), while Hanes also stole from his church and investment club to fuel the scam.
abilene-rc.com
The Abilene Police Department investigated two cryptocurrency scams in 2024, with each victim losing over $1,000 after depositing currency into local crypto ATMs. Police are raising awareness about these scams through posters and senior center presentations, noting that scammers typically build online trust relationships before directing victims to deposit funds into untraceable digital wallets. The FBI recommends avoiding unsolicited investment offers, never sharing financial information with online acquaintances, and reporting suspected scams to local law enforcement or ic3.gov.
ossoff.senate.gov
Senator Jon Ossoff pressed the Trump Administration's FTC to strengthen protections for Georgia's 1.2 million seniors from financial scams, citing alarming increases in fraud losses from $25 million in 2020 to $92 million in 2023. Georgia ranked among the top five states most affected by senior financial fraud in 2023, creating substantial financial and emotional strain on seniors and their caregivers.
thestar.com.my
A 73-year-old senior citizen in Selangor lost RM4 million after falling victim to a social media investment scam that promised daily returns of up to 10%. The victim transferred funds across 10 different bank accounts after being recruited through a Facebook advertisement and added to a chat group, only discovering the fraud when asked to make additional payments to withdraw profits. Police advise caution against investment offers on social media with unrealistic returns and recommend contacting the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC 997 hotline) for suspected fraud.
thestar.com.my
A 73-year-old senior citizen in Petaling Jaya lost RM4 million after being lured into a fraudulent investment scheme advertised on social media, which promised unrealistic daily returns of up to 10% and directed her to transfer funds to multiple bank accounts. The victim discovered the scam only when scammers demanded additional payments to withdraw profits. Police warn the public to avoid suspicious investment offers on social media, particularly those promising unusually high returns.
wvnews.com
**Financial Exploitation via Unauthorized ACH Transfers**
Steven and Ashley Simpson of Charmco, West Virginia were arrested and charged with financial exploitation and computer fraud after allegedly stealing approximately $36,000 from an 82-year-old victim's bank account between August 2023 and December 2024. The couple obtained the victim's banking information from a payment check issued for construction work they performed, then used it to conduct unauthorized ACH transfers until the victim discovered her account was overdrawn. Both defendants face 103 counts of computer fraud and related charges, with bonds set at $50,000 and $100,000 respectively.
prnewswire.com
Janine Williamson, administrator of the Larry W. Cook Estate, is advocating for stronger protections against elder financial fraud following her uncle's loss of millions of dollars in a phishing scam. Williamson has met with banking industry leaders and is lobbying federal lawmakers to support legislation like Virginia's "Larry's Law," which would require financial institutions to train employees to identify and report senior exploitation, while also pursuing a $3.6 million negligence lawsuit against Wells Fargo and Navy Federal Credit Union. She is calling for a government-appointed Fraud Task Force to disrupt fraud schemes and help victims.
richlandsource.com
A 71-year-old widow named Linda Talbott was scammed out of nearly $12,000 by a man posing as "James" in an online romance scheme that lasted almost two years. The scammer manipulated Talbott into providing her Social Security number (redirecting her checks to Alabama), cashing fraudulent checks, and isolating her from support systems, ultimately leaving her homeless and living in her car in a Walmart parking lot. Between 2019 and 2023, the FTC received over 269,000 romance scam reports with total losses exceeding $4.5 billion, with scammers typically building trust through fake profiles and promises of
thephuketnews.com
Scam calls and online fraud in Phuket, Thailand have dramatically escalated, with victims jumping from 1,365 in 2022 (B10.9 million in losses) to 5,510 in 2024 (B413 million in losses). In January 2025 alone, Thailand recorded 31,165 technology-related fraud cases averaging 1,005 per day, with fraudulent online sales, job offer scams, and investment schemes causing over B2 billion in damages. Authorities recommend verifying suspicious calls by hanging up and blocking the number, using caller ID apps, and remembering that legitimate government notifications arrive as physical letters, not
astroawani.com
Deepfake technology poses a growing fraud threat in Malaysia, with cybercriminals using AI-generated voices, faces, and digital identities to conduct romance scams, investment fraud, and phishing attacks. In 2023, authorities reported 454 deepfake fraud cases resulting in RM2.272 million in losses, with criminals impersonating prominent figures and creating fake social media accounts. While Malaysia lacks specific deepfake legislation, CyberSecurity Malaysia is implementing detection technologies and awareness programs, though experts warn the public must remain vigilant as technology advances faster than regulatory and protective measures.
thetimes.com
Scams in the UK have become increasingly sophisticated and target all demographics, not just the elderly—16–34 year olds actually account for half of online fraud victims due to their frequent use of quick payment methods and distracted smartphone habits. Fraud is the UK's most common crime with an estimated nine million victims last year, yet only one in 1,000 reported cases results in conviction, with scammers employing tailored techniques ranging from AI deepfakes in video calls to romance baiting on dating apps. The article emphasizes that no online platform is safe and that even highly educated, tech-savvy individuals are vulnerable to sophisticated social engineering tactics.