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Cristine Petitfrere, a 30-year-old from Miramar, Florida, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for laundering over $2.7 million in proceeds from romance scams that defrauded American victims. She pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and was ordered to forfeit $203,815.59 in personal profits after funneling victim funds to overseas co-conspirators through schemes involving fake online personas used to solicit money for false emergencies and investment opportunities.

Cristine Petitfrere, a Florida resident, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for laundering over $2.7 million from romance scams, earning hundreds of thousands in fees while working with a co-conspirator. Romance scams caused Americans $1.14 billion in losses in 2023, with elderly and vulnerable individuals disproportionately affected by both the financial losses and emotional harm.

Cristine Petitfrere, a 30-year-old South Florida woman, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for laundering over $2.7 million from romance scam victims, keeping a portion for herself while transferring the remainder to overseas conspirators. Romance scams involve fraudsters establishing fake online relationships to manipulate victims into sending money under false pretenses such as emergencies or investment opportunities. Petitfrere was ordered to forfeit $203,815.59 in personal proceeds.

Cristine Petitfrere, a 30-year-old from Miramar, Florida, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for conspiring to launder over $2.7 million stolen from romance scam victims. She helped funnel money from these schemes to international criminals and kept $203,815.59 for herself, which she was ordered to forfeit as part of her sentence. Romance scams—where fraudsters create fake online personas to deceive victims into sending money—disproportionately affect vulnerable populations including the elderly who lose savings and retirement funds.

A young couple in Lehigh Acres, Florida was scammed out of $2,650 after finding a rental listing on Craigslist and sending payment to a fake landlord who posed as the property owner, provided a lock box code remotely, and sent them a forged lease. The couple moved into the home only to discover a week later they were squatting illegally when the real property manager, Adam Bartomeo, arrived for a showing. Bartomeo's company ultimately waived a month's rent and fees to help the victims, and implemented new security measures including requiring agents to attend all showings and verify tenants' identification rather than distributing lock box codes.

A young couple in Lehigh Acres, Florida was scammed out of $2,650 after finding a rental property listing on Craigslist and sending payment to a fraudulent landlord who provided fake lease documents and remote access to a home via lockbox code. After moving in for a week, the couple was confronted by the legitimate property management company and technically accused of squatting, though the real estate firm ultimately waived their first month's rent and fees after learning they were victims of the scam. The incident highlights the risks of renting through third-party websites and sending money via digital payment apps without proper verification.

Gift card scams remain a prevalent fraud method in which scammers impersonate authority figures (like bosses) via spoofed emails using social engineering tactics, requesting victims purchase gift cards and share the codes. The article highlights that while gift card schemes typically involve smaller amounts (hundreds of dollars), related scams like wire transfer fraud and fake vendor invoices can result in losses reaching hundreds of thousands or millions, with recent examples including a University of Central Florida incident and U.S. Treasury hacking allegedly by Chinese government actors. Protection strategies include verifying requests through independent phone numbers, using two-factor authentication, strong passwords, and advanced threat protection tools.

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.

Lincare Inc., an oxygen equipment provider, overbilled Washington state's Medicaid program more than 15,000 times between January 2017 and March 2023 by charging rental fees beyond the legally allowed three-year period, in some cases billing for up to six years. The fraudulent billing affected 565 Washington patients and resulted in over $500,000 in overbilling, for which Lincare paid the state $1.15 million in restitution. The company has agreed to implement billing reforms and retain independent experts to ensure compliance with Washington's oxygen leasing laws.

Lincare Inc., an oxygen equipment rental provider, paid Washington state $1.15 million to settle Medicaid fraud charges after overbilling the state's Medicaid program more than 15,000 times between January 2017 and March 2023. The company illegally charged rental fees beyond the three-year legal limit allowed under Washington law, in some cases billing for up to six years, affecting 565 patients and causing over $500,000 in fraudulent charges. As part of the settlement, Lincare must implement billing reforms and comply with Washington's oxygen leasing laws.

This article is an educational piece examining disadvantages of retiring to Florida, rather than an elder fraud or abuse case. It advises prospective retirees to consider practical challenges before relocating, including high housing costs and insurance premiums, hurricane risks, extreme heat and humidity that can worsen health conditions, high summer utility bills, overburdened healthcare systems in popular areas, and limited public transportation options.

On January 15, 2025, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody held a Senior Scam Seminar attended by over 500 seniors in Marion County and released a new educational resource called "Scams at a Glance: Grandparent Grifts" to help seniors identify and report grandparent scams. Grandparent scams involve imposters posing as family members claiming to be in emergency situations to solicit money, with victims often unable to recover funds; the resource provides tips including verifying claims directly with family, avoiding wire transfers and gift cards, and contacting law enforcement if an in-person payment meeting is requested. Since 2019, Attorney General

A South Florida woman received a fraudulent letter claiming she inherited millions from a late relative and was instructed to pay taxes and delivery fees to claim it; approximately 400 victims lost roughly $6 million in this transnational inheritance scam. Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, identified as a member of the crime ring operating across the United Kingdom, Spain, Nigeria, and Portugal, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing on April 14. Six other co-conspirators have already been convicted and sentenced in connection with the scheme.

This is a retrospective statement from Florida's Attorney General highlighting departmental accomplishments rather than reporting on a specific fraud case or scam. Key elder fraud prevention efforts mentioned include: strengthening consumer and elder protection laws, creating a Senior Protection Team, hosting training seminars on common scams, launching a Consumer Alert program, and distributing educational materials about fraud recognition. The statement also notes the creation of Florida's first Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit, which froze scammers' cryptocurrency accounts and secured millions in restitution for cybercrime victims.

A Florida woman was convicted and pleaded guilty to laundering over $2.7 million in an online romance scam ring, exemplifying a growing problem where the FTC reported consumers lost $8.8 billion to scams in 2022—a 30 percent increase from 2021. Scammers employ sophisticated social engineering tactics including romance cons, fake investments, deepfake videos, and manufactured crises, with adults 60 and older being 73 percent more likely to fall victim to such schemes. Research reveals scammers exploit psychological principles like reciprocity (building trust through small gifts) and crisis manipulation (creating urgent financial emergencies) to manipulate victims into sending money

Florida drivers are being targeted by a phishing scam via text message impersonating SunPass, the state's electronic toll collection system, which falsely claims unpaid tolls are due by January 21, 2025, and threatens late fees and legal action to pressure recipients into clicking a malicious link. The scam is designed to steal personal information or money, and SunPass does not typically send unsolicited text payment demands; recipients should ignore the link and instead verify account information directly through the official SunPass website or customer service. Those who receive the fraudulent message should report it to their mobile carrier, the FTC, or Florida's Attorney General.

A 32-year-old home health aide in Collier County, Florida was arrested for stealing bank and credit card information from an 82-year-old surgery patient she was hired to care for through a senior-caregiver app, then used the compromised accounts to make unauthorized purchases including Amazon orders and car insurance payments. The victim discovered the fraud when her bank statements stopped arriving and she found her accounts had been compromised. Experts note that such in-home caregiver scams are increasingly common, particularly targeting isolated seniors who may lack technological literacy, and recommend education and vigilance to recognize fraudulent tactics.

South Florida residents received phishing text messages claiming unpaid toll deadlines and threatening late fees or legal action, with fake links mimicking SunPass (a toll agency) to steal banking information and personal data. The scam targets toll customers nationwide and uses urgency tactics to prevent victims from verifying legitimacy. Authorities advise recipients to avoid clicking links, verify messages through official SunPass channels (786727 number or official email addresses), check accounts directly on sunpass.com, and report suspected scams to their messaging app or by forwarding to 7726.

This article does not involve elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It describes a road rage incident in DeLand, Florida, where a 22-year-old man fired multiple gunshots at another vehicle during a traffic dispute, narrowly missing the passenger. The suspect was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and weapons-related offenses. This content falls outside the scope of the Elderus elder fraud research database.

A 77-year-old Walton County, Florida woman lost $129,500 in a Bitcoin scam after receiving unsolicited calls from someone claiming to represent her bank, who instructed her to withdraw cash and deposit it into a Bitcoin ATM. Once the transaction was completed, the funds were irreversible and unrecoverable, making this the largest fraud case the Walton County Sheriff's Office has encountered. Investigators believe the suspect is likely overseas, making the case difficult to pursue at the local level.

A 77-year-old woman in Walton County, Florida lost $129,500 in a cryptocurrency fraud scheme after scammers impersonating a bank representative instructed her to withdraw cash and deposit it into a Bitcoin ATM machine. The Walton County Sheriff's Office deemed this the largest fraud case in their county, with investigators believing the suspect is likely operating from overseas and noting that Bitcoin transactions are irreversible, making recovery unlikely. The Sheriff's Office emphasizes that seniors are frequently targeted by these scams and recommends education and awareness programs as the best defense.

**Summary:** John Sposato, a 73-year-old Mississippi resident, was sentenced to 10 months in prison plus an additional 6 months for violating supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. While on supervised release from a prior conviction, Sposato attempted to deposit a counterfeit $10,000 check drawn on a Florida nonprofit organization's account into a credit union account under his shell company name, Pegasus Consulting, and falsely claimed to probation officers that the check was legitimate consulting compensation.

A Bay Area woman lost over $400,000 in life savings after receiving a fraudulent text claiming unauthorized pornography purchases on her accounts, which prompted her to call scammers who used fear tactics to gain access to her finances. The incident highlights a gap in California consumer protection laws, as Governor Newsom previously rejected a bill that would have allowed banks to delay transactions and notify account holders, similar to protections already in place in Florida.

A 76-year-old Morgan Stanley client in Florida was defrauded of $1.75 million in a "gold bar" scam where fraudsters impersonated federal agents and convinced her to liquidate assets and purchase gold bullion for transfer to a supposed government escrow account. Morgan Stanley was ordered to pay $843,000 in damages after a Finra arbitration panel found the firm violated industry rules designed to protect senior investors, specifically the "trusted contact" standard and the financial exploitation of senior citizens rule, by failing to alert her son (who was involved in her financial decisions) about suspicious large withdrawals.

Scam artists are sending fake E-Z Pass text messages from Philippine numbers (+63) claiming recipients have unpaid tolls and requesting sensitive personal information. The legitimate E-Z Pass and Tolls by Mail services confirm they never request personal information via text or email, and this scam has been reported across multiple states including New York, California, Florida, and Texas.

Marjorie Kessler, a senior investor in Tampa, Florida, lost nearly $1.75 million to scammers impersonating government officials who convinced her to withdraw funds for safekeeping in a U.S. Treasury account. Morgan Stanley was ordered to pay $843,000 in compensatory damages for failing to investigate her unusual withdrawal requests and neglecting to establish a trusted contact on her account as required by regulations, though the arbitration panel deducted the first transfer amount due to insufficient evidence of negligence.

Arizona experienced over $47 million in losses from online romance scams during 2022-2023, ranking fifth nationally, with elderly residents particularly targeted by scammers who build false relationships to extract money. Common tactics include professing instant love, moving conversations off dating platforms to private channels, refusing to share photos, and requesting money—sometimes stringing victims along for extended periods. Authorities warn that scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to create convincing false identities, and many victims remain unreported due to embarrassment.

Romance scams cost Americans over $1 billion in 2023, with organized networks of overseas scammers targeting vulnerable people on dating apps and social media. A central Florida woman lost her entire life savings of over $600,000 to a scammer impersonating Elon Musk using AI voice technology, transferring large sums through wire transfers and ATM withdrawals to purchase gift cards. Red flags include relationships that move quickly, no in-person meetings, claims of celebrity or military status, and requests for money or investment participation; victims should report incidents to the FBI's IC3 website and the FTC.

Akiel Doman, 34, of North Miami Beach, Florida, was sentenced to 44 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $234,995 in restitution for operating a nationwide lottery fraud scheme targeting seniors between May 2020 and July 2022. Doman and associates called victims across the United States falsely claiming they had won lottery prizes, then instructed them to pay upfront fees or taxes to claim their winnings, directing the money to Doman's bank accounts. The conviction also included criminal contempt charges for violating a 2019 court order that had previously prohibited him from participating in lottery fraud schemes.

A 65-year-old Fort Myers woman was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for wire fraud involving a 19-year scheme to fraudulently obtain $338,364.66 in Department of Veterans Affairs survivor's benefits intended for her deceased mother. Laurie Ann Roszell forged her mother's signature on documents, impersonated her mother's voice during calls with the VA, and made false statements to federal agents claiming her mother was alive and living with her. The court ordered her to forfeit the full amount of stolen benefits.

A federal grand jury indicted two people from Jamaica—Monique Clarke, 28, and Jon-Michael Hudson, 33—for operating a lottery scam conspiracy that defrauded at least 51 elderly victims of more than $6.6 million between October 2020 and January 2021. The scheme involved calling victims claiming they'd won lottery prizes, then demanding upfront payments for taxes and fees, with money mules depositing victim checks into accounts and funneling cash to the defendants; Clarke alone received over $500,000 and used part of it to purchase a Mercedes-Benz in Jamaica. Both defendants face up to 20 years in prison if convicted, and authorities

This article announces the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office's eighth annual fraud awareness forum scheduled for March 4 in Sun City Center, Florida, designed to educate seniors about evolving scams and fraud prevention. The free event will feature presentations on AI fraud, nonprofit fraud, and the emotional impact of scams, with expert panelists available for questions and community resources on-site. The forum emphasizes that education is the primary defense against victimization, as scammers continually adapt their tactics using advancing technology.

An 84-year-old woman in Volusia County, Florida was defrauded out of approximately $32,500 in a fake Publisher's Clearing House sweepstakes scam in June 2023, after being told she won $1 million and needed to pay upfront taxes. Two suspects were arrested, including 25-year-old Shania Baptiste, who was extradited from New York and faces felony charges of fraud and grand theft; the victim had sent two checks ($20,000 and $12,500) despite warnings from bank and store employees that she was being scammed. The case highlights the ongoing threat of PCH impersonation scams targeting

A 30-year-old Florida man was ordered to pay over $1.1 million for operating EmpiresX, a $100 million cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors across 50+ countries from 2020-2021. The article explains common crypto scams including Ponzi schemes, pig-butchering scams (which combine romance fraud with fake investment schemes), and advises protection strategies such as verifying investment legitimacy, being cautious of unsolicited financial offers, and understanding that cryptocurrency transactions are difficult to reverse or recover.

Five defendants were convicted in a conspiracy to steal $1.1 million in retirement funds from 25 different 401(k) accounts belonging to elderly retired Florida school district employees between January and March 2022, with insider Vargas, who worked for the retirement fund company, orchestrating fraudulent withdrawal forms faxed to the company. The conspirators face up to 20 years in prison, with four defendants facing a mandatory minimum of two years, and sentencing is scheduled for April 28, 2025.

An 85-year-old woman from Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, was defrauded of over $35,000 by Shania Baptiste, 25, from Brooklyn, and accomplices who convinced her she had won $1 million in the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes and needed to pay taxes and fees upfront. Bank tellers initially warned the victim about the scam, but the suspects instructed her to visit a different bank by falsely claiming the funds were for family home repairs in New York. Baptiste was extradited to Florida and charged with Organized Scheme to Defraud and Grand Theft over $20,000, with $20

Five Florida defendants were convicted in a 401(k) fraud scheme that targeted retired school district employees, stealing $1.1 million in retirement funds between January and March 2022. Ronald Vargas, an employee of the retirement fund company, worked with co-conspirators to submit fraudulent withdrawal forms and transfer victims' funds to accounts they controlled. All five defendants face sentencing on April 28, 2025, with potential sentences up to 20 years imprisonment and mandatory minimum sentences of two years for conspiracy charges.

Five Florida residents, including Ronald Vargas who worked for a 401(k) management company, orchestrated a fraud scheme that stole over $1 million from the retirement accounts of 25 older, retired school district employees between January and March 2022. Vargas exploited his access to employees' personal information and authority to approve withdrawals, while his co-conspirators laundered the stolen funds through cash withdrawals and luxury purchases; the group successfully stole $1,007,563 of the $1.4 million they attempted to take. All five defendants have been convicted or pleaded guilty to charges including wire fraud, identity theft, and money laundering, with sentencing schedule

Five Florida residents, including Ronald Vargas of Osteen who worked for the retirement fund company, were convicted or pleaded guilty to stealing over $1.1 million from 401(k) retirement accounts belonging to 25 elderly retired school district employees between January and March 2022. The scheme involved submitting fraudulent withdrawal forms to transfer victims' funds to accounts controlled by the conspirators, with charges including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. All five defendants face sentencing on April 28, 2024, with potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison.

Fraudsters are sending phishing text messages to drivers claiming they owe unpaid toll fees, impersonating legitimate services like SunPass and E-ZPass to trick recipients into clicking malicious links that install malware or steal personal information. Multiple Jacksonville residents reported receiving the scam texts, which contain red flags such as misspellings and references to out-of-state toll services, though one potential victim (Rhonda Caseletto) avoided the scam by verifying through the official app. Experts warn that legitimate toll companies never demand payment via text and recommend deleting suspicious messages, changing financial passwords, and monitoring accounts if clicked, with reports able to be filed with the FBI or Florida

Michael P. Garcia, 36, of Miami was arrested in Florida and indicted on conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for his role in a scam that defrauded at least four victims of over $550,000. Garcia allegedly recruited couriers to collect cash, gold bars, and other valuables from victims after conspirators falsely claimed to represent financial institutions and told victims their accounts had been compromised. Specific victims included individuals in Brooklyn and North Carolina, and a 76-year-old Fenton, Missouri resident who lost $20,000 in cryptocurrency and approximately $200,000 in gold bars.

Florida authorities shut down hundreds of fraudulent SunPass toll websites used in phishing scams targeting users' personal and financial information, but reports indicate scammers continue sending fake toll notice text messages. Consumers are advised to verify toll notices directly through official SunPass/E-ZPass channels, avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages, and recognize that threats of immediate penalties are typical scam indicators.

Makayla Crumedy of Huntsville, Alabama, fell victim to a text message scam claiming she owed unpaid toll fees after visiting Florida; after entering her banking information through a suspicious link, she was charged over $1,000 to her account but successfully recovered the funds through fraud claims. The scam, which also targeted her grandmother, involved a text from an email address with random letters—a red flag that legitimate toll offices never use text messages with links to demand payment and may threaten license suspension. The Better Business Bureau advises recipients to delete and block such messages, as reputable agencies will never text toll payment demands.

A Florida Senate bill seeks to expand protections for elderly scam victims by allowing legal service of injunctions to anonymous online fraudsters through the platforms where they made contact, rather than requiring traditional certified mail. The measure was prompted by cases like a widow who lost $2.5 million to a romance scammer on a dating app despite family intervention and court orders to freeze assets. In 2023, Americans over 60 lost $3.4 billion to financial exploitation, with such crimes rising 11 percent from 2022.

This article is a community recognition column highlighting local philanthropists and public servants in Manatee County, Florida, not an article about fraud or elder abuse. However, it does mention that Detective Jim Curulla and Officer Deana McNeal from the Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit received the Tiger Bay Club's Pat Glass First Responders Leadership Award, acknowledging their work in combating elder fraud.

A Central Florida man lost $47,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam that began with a fraudulent "accidental" text message. The scammer used "financial grooming" tactics—building rapport over weeks through personal conversations—before convincing him to invest in crypto, showing fake profits of $196,000 before claiming his account was frozen for "insider trading" and denying withdrawal requests. The U.S. Secret Service and FTC warn that such investment scams are prevalent, with Floridians losing $624 million to investment fraud in 2023, and advise ignoring unsolicited text messages from unknown contacts.

This article summarizes predictions about DOJ enforcement priorities under the second Trump Administration discussed at the ABA's 40th White Collar Crime Institute in March 2025, notably in the absence of DOJ representatives due to travel restrictions. Panelists predicted the DOJ would continue pursuing elder fraud, opioid diversion, and healthcare fraud while likely decreasing efforts on public corruption, securities fraud, and corporate misconduct cases. The future of voluntary disclosure programs was also debated, with speakers theorizing these initiatives would likely survive and potentially be amended to provide greater incentives for self-reporting.

Dozens of elderly people across the United States lost more than $6.6 million in a lottery scam conspiracy between October 2020 and January 2021, with two Jamaican nationals, Monique C. Clarke and Jon-Michael Hudson, indicted on money laundering charges. The scammers called victims claiming they had won lottery prizes, then convinced them to pay upfront fees for shipping, taxes, and processing by sending checks to money mules who deposited and transferred the funds to the defendants; Clarke personally received over $500,000 and used $150,000 to purchase a luxury Mercedes in Jamaica. Both defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicte

**Summary:** Oleg Beretsky was arrested and indicted in Brooklyn federal court for operating a healthcare fraud scheme from January 2017 to April 2024, in which he exploited elderly Medicare patients—particularly immigrants from the former Soviet Union—by referring them to doctors in exchange for kickbacks and bribes totaling over $12 million. Beretsky, owner of Obest, Inc., conspired with healthcare providers to bill Medicare for unnecessary or non-performed services while pocketing the proceeds through his fraudulent referral operation. He faces charges including healthcare fraud conspiracy, Anti-Kickback Statute violations, and money laundering conspiracy.

A 28-year-old woman named Sarah Work was arrested in St. Lucie County, Florida following a SWAT team raid as part of an elder fraud investigation conducted by the Sheriff's Office. The article does not provide specific details about the fraud scheme, dollar amounts, or victims affected in the excerpt provided.