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in Grandparent Scam
chicago.suntimes.com
· 2025-12-08
This is a personal essay by columnist Mary Mitchell about retirement planning and lifestyle, not a news article about fraud or elder abuse. While the piece briefly mentions that scammers target seniors and that elder fraud resulted in $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 (an 11% increase), the main focus is Mitchell's advice on avoiding depression, staying active, protecting finances from scams, decluttering thoughtfully, and appreciating retirement privileges. The fraud reference serves as one of five general retirement tips rather than detailing a specific scam incident.
wfmj.com
· 2025-12-08
An 85-year-old Boardman man was targeted in a grandparent scam where a caller impersonating his grandson claimed to be in jail, and a second caller posing as an attorney requested $9,500 to resolve the situation. The victim withdrew cash and attempted to ship it via UPS to Connecticut before his daughter discovered the fraud and contacted UPS to stop the delivery. This scam is part of a broader pattern tracked by the FBI, which received over 195 grandparent scam complaints from January through September 2023, resulting in at least $1.9 million in losses.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont, partnering with federal law enforcement agencies, conducted outreach events at senior centers in advance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15, 2024) to educate older adults about financial fraud and elder abuse. The outreach highlighted prevalent scams targeting seniors including government imposter schemes, tech support fraud, romance scams, grandparent scams, and lottery schemes, while emphasizing that elder abuse remains often overlooked and underreported.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
A scam-baiter named Jim Browning exposed a cryptocurrency investment scam operation based in Georgia, Eastern Europe, that targets victims worldwide by posing as financial advisors and recovery services. The scammers use fake celebrity endorsements and fraudulent websites to lure victims, then display fake cryptocurrency portfolios to convince them their money is growing, with some victims—including an Australian man Browning monitored in real-time—losing thousands of dollars. Australians reported losing over $2.74 billion to scams in the previous year, with attackers particularly targeting older adults with retirement savings.
insideedition.com
· 2025-12-08
This article highlights three cases where seniors successfully defended themselves against fraud and crime. A New York grandmother helped police catch a scammer in 2022, Joyce Kennedy used perfume to thwart a kidnapping attempt in 2016, and another grandmother turned the tables on a grandparent scam caller in May by ultimately outwitting the perpetrator.
eyeonannapolis.net
· 2025-12-08
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown warns of increasingly sophisticated imposter scams that use AI-generated voices to mimic trusted figures such as government officials, banks, law enforcement, and family members in order to steal money or personal information. Common scam types include government imposters threatening legal action, family/friend imposters claiming emergencies, and tech support scams, which typically involve unsolicited contact, urgency tactics, requests for sensitive data, or payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Consumers can protect themselves by hanging up on suspicious calls, independently verifying caller identity through official contact numbers, never sharing personal information, and reporting suspected scams to the Attorney General, FTC, AARP Fraud Watch Network,
publicnewsservice.org
· 2025-12-08
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and AARP Maryland's PROTECT Week highlight the rising threat of elder financial abuse, with FBI data showing Americans age 60+ lost over $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, an 11% increase from the prior year. Common fraud schemes targeting seniors include tech support scams, phishing via email and text, and the "grandparents scam"—increasingly sophisticated with AI-generated voice mimicry and caller ID spoofing—with Maryland seniors alone reporting nearly $72 million in losses from nearly 2,000 complaints in 2023. Advocates stress that fraudsters often pose as trusted individuals like caretakers or neighbors
newportnewstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Social media scams are currently the most prevalent fraud type, surpassing phone and text fraud. The article identifies four common tactics: giveaway scams requiring personal information or suspicious link clicks, investment scams promising unrealistic returns, fake shopping deals with pressure tactics and unusual payment requests, and impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as trusted contacts requesting urgent financial assistance. Protection strategies include verifying account authenticity, avoiding unsolicited offers, using secure payment methods, enabling two-factor authentication, and confirming unexpected requests through independent contact channels.
ajc.com
· 2025-12-08
The article discusses the upcoming film "Thelma," which dramatizes elder fraud through a story in which two elderly characters seek revenge against a scammer who defrauded the main character of $10,000 through a grandchild impersonation scheme. The film was inspired by writer/director Josh Margolin's real-life experience when his grandmother nearly fell victim to a similar scam but avoided losing money by contacting family members first. The piece highlights how elder fraud schemes have become increasingly sophisticated and prevalent, with FBI complaints rising 14% in 2023, and emphasizes the importance of family engagement in protecting vulnerable older adults from these crimes.
carolinajournal.com
· 2025-12-08
North Carolina's Senior Consumer Fraud Task Force held a press conference highlighting the rising epidemic of elder fraud, with statistics showing that approximately 1 in 10 seniors becomes a victim, resulting in $3.1 billion in losses nationwide in 2022 (an 84% increase from 2021), with individual victims losing an average of $40,000. The task force identified five major scam types targeting seniors: sweetheart scams, sweepstakes scams, impostor scams, tech support scams, and grandparent scams, while warning that scammers increasingly use AI to replicate voices. Victims can report fraud to local authorities, the FBI's Internet Crime
sf.gov
· 2025-12-08
San Francisco's Mayor London Breed joined city, state, and federal leaders on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to announce that over 1,200 seniors were reached through a multi-agency fraud prevention campaign, with presentations delivered in six languages across 37 locations. The coalition educated seniors on identifying red flags for scams including blessing scams, AI-based impersonation, grandparent schemes, and "pig butchering" cryptocurrency fraud, while highlighting that elder fraud caused over $3.4 billion in losses nationally in 2023, with the average victim losing $33,915. The effort aimed to help seniors and families recognize fraudulent schemes and report crimes to prevent victimization.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud cases are rising nationally, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics including fake caller IDs and AI voice mimicry to target older adults through lottery scams, tech support fraud, IRS impersonation, and grandparent scams. Prosecution faces significant challenges including overseas perpetrators, underreporting (only 1 in 41 victims report), victim incapacity due to dementia or death, and lack of documentation, with conservative estimates placing annual losses at $3 billion nationally. Authorities recommend victims keep detailed records of financial arrangements, verify callers independently before providing information or money, and report fraud promptly rather than delaying due to embarrassment.
adirondackdailyenterprise.com
· 2025-12-08
Saranac Lake Police Chief Darin Perrotte provided guidance on protecting oneself from financial scams, emphasizing the importance of skepticism toward unverifiable communications and resisting artificial urgency tactics. He outlined why seniors are vulnerable targets—including accumulated assets, trusting nature, and isolation—and recommended verification strategies such as calling organizations back using independently verified numbers and questioning requests for information companies should already have on file. Perrotte stressed protecting Social Security numbers, avoiding text-based financial requests, and remaining aware that exploitation often comes from trusted individuals like family members and caregivers rather than strangers.
shoredailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) prompted Virginia State Police to highlight common scams targeting older adults, including a software update scam that defrauded one Virginia senior of $36,000 and the "Grandparent scam" using AI voices to impersonate grandchildren in distress. The advisory recommends independent verification of requests, avoiding gift card or cryptocurrency payments, establishing trusted "buddy systems," and regular financial audits to help vulnerable adults protect themselves from fraud and identity theft.
postandcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
In observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the IRS Criminal Investigation's Charlotte Field Office is promoting fraud awareness to combat the rising tide of financial crimes against seniors. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals aged 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses from scams including tech support fraud, government impersonation, phishing, and romance schemes. The IRS employs education, criminal investigations, and public-private partnerships to combat elder fraud, with recent prosecutions including a home health care operator sentenced to 45 months for stealing over $1 million from elderly clients and an investment fraudster sentenced to
abc7news.com
· 2025-12-08
California and San Francisco law enforcement issued warnings about financial fraud targeting seniors, which costs older adults nearly $3 billion annually. Scams include call center fraud, romance schemes, grandparent scams, and AI-enabled impersonations, with particular targeting of ethnic communities like Chinatown through language-based trust exploitation, including a notable $39 million Ponzi scheme. Authorities urge reporting of suspected elder fraud to police, adult protective services, and the California Attorney General's office to help catch perpetrators and prevent future victimization.
kfiz.com
· 2025-12-08
June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, highlighting that while consumers over 60 lose money to scams less frequently than younger people, they lose significantly larger amounts when victimized—averaging nearly $1,000 compared to under $500 for those under 60. Common scams targeting seniors include grandparent scams (using impersonation and AI voice cloning), Medicare scams during enrollment periods, and tech support scams falsely claiming to be from Apple or Microsoft. The article provides prevention strategies for each scam type and guidance on how to supportively help victims by responding with empathy, listening to their experience, validating their story, and assisting with reporting and recovery steps.
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
Madeline Sprints fell victim to a parking lot distraction theft scam in Los Angeles where criminals stole three credit cards from her purse and attempted $10,000 in fraudulent charges, prompting her to join the Stop Senior Scams Acting Program to educate other seniors. According to the FBI, adults over 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023 (an 11% increase from 2022), with common scams including grandparent scams, romance scams through dating apps, and tech support scams. The FBI recommends never responding to unsolicited contact and reporting scams to local FBI offices or the Internet Crime Complaint Center
cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
Dennis Jones, a widowed grandfather, withdrew his life savings after being romantically scammed by a woman named "Jessie" on Facebook and subsequently died by suicide. The scam is part of a massive multibillion-dollar global criminal operation predominantly run by Chinese gangs operating from Southeast Asia, where scammers—many held against their will in compounds—target victims worldwide to steal their life savings.
mb.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
Scammers increasingly target older adults through deceptive text messages and calls impersonating government agencies, family members, and romantic interests, exploiting the belief that seniors have substantial savings and are less tech-savvy. The article identifies three main fraud types—government impersonation, family-related, and romance scams—and advises seniors to avoid clicking links, sharing personal information, or taking immediate action; instead, they should verify claims directly with banks or family members using known contact numbers. With 9.22 million Filipinos aged 60 and above, educating elders about these scams is critical, as even unreported fraud can be devastating and leave victims in vulnerable financial positions.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
A Kansas grandparent received a phone call from a scammer impersonating their grandson in Hope, Kansas, claiming he needed $10,000 due to an accident, but the grandparent avoided the scam by verifying the grandson's actual location. The Better Business Bureau warns that "grandparent" scams use high-pressure tactics to manipulate seniors into sending money quickly without consulting others, and recommends taking time to verify requests before responding, regardless of the claimed urgency.
azbigmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC reported $10 billion in fraud losses in 2023, with AARP estimates suggesting adults over 60 lose more than $28 billion annually to fraud. Older adults are targeted for their access to substantial savings, available time, and sometimes limited online safety knowledge, with common scams including gift card/refund schemes, romance scams, and cryptocurrency investment frauds. Protective measures include verifying communications, guarding personal information, remaining skeptical of unsolicited money requests, and maintaining open communication with trusted networks and caretakers.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran from West Virginia lost nearly $2 million when Sam Bunner, a caretaker who befriended him at a local American Legion, obtained power of attorney and systematically emptied his bank and investment accounts and sold his real estate, exploiting the victim's declining cognitive abilities; Bunner was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. The article notes that West Virginia seniors are particularly vulnerable to both caretaker/family fraud and stranger scams (including tech support, romance, investment, and government impersonation schemes), and recommends protective measures such as resisting urgency, avoiding online money transfers, carefully granting power of attorney, using trusts with restrictions
theintelligencer.net
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran from West Virginia lost nearly $2 million when his caretaker, Sam Bunner, used a power of attorney to drain his bank and investment accounts and sell his real estate; Bunner was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. The article highlights that seniors in West Virginia face significant vulnerability to both caregiver fraud and stranger scams (tech support, romance, and government impersonation schemes), with recent AI advances making these scams harder to detect. The U.S. Attorney's Office recommends resisting urgency, avoiding unsolicited money transfers, securing valuables, and carefully limiting power of attorney authority to protect vulnerable adults.
weirtondailytimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran in West Virginia lost nearly $2 million when Sam Bunner, a caretaker who befriended him at a local American Legion, obtained power of attorney and emptied his bank and investment accounts and sold his real estate. The article outlines common elder fraud threats in West Virginia—including caretaker theft, romance and tech support scams from strangers, and family member exploitation—and provides protective measures such as resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding unsolicited online money transfers, and securing valuables and documents when in-home care is needed.
timesleaderonline.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran in West Virginia lost nearly $2 million when his caretaker, Sam Bunner, obtained power of attorney and emptied his bank and investment accounts; Bunner was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. Senior citizens in West Virginia are frequently targeted by both strangers (tech support scams, romance scams, government impersonation) and trusted individuals (family members, caregivers) who exploit their longevity, savings, and trusting nature. To protect against such fraud, individuals should resist pressure to act quickly, avoid sending money to online contacts, carefully consider power of attorney arrangements, and secure valuables and financial documents from in-home caregi
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
The film *Thelma* stars 94-year-old June Squibb in her first leading role as a grandmother who is scammed out of $10,000 by a con artist posing as someone claiming her grandson needs help—a common scheme known as the "grandparent scam." Inspired by writer-director Josh Margolin's grandmother's actual experience, the action comedy follows Thelma as she pursues the scammer across Los Angeles. The filmmakers note the scam is becoming increasingly prevalent and sophisticated, with audiences frequently reporting personal or family experiences with such schemes.
newsbytesapp.com
· 2025-12-08
Billionaire Mark Cuban's Gmail account was compromised after he received a fraudulent call from someone posing as a Google representative who claimed to detect unauthorized access and then exploited Google's account recovery methods to gain entry. Cuban publicly warned his followers via X (Twitter) to disregard any emails sent from his account after 3:30pm PST on Saturday, June 22, 2024, and called out Google for the security vulnerability. Social media users attributed the breach to social engineering and phone number spoofing rather than a direct Google failure.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran from Charles Town lost nearly $2 million to Sam Bunner, a caretaker who befriended him at the American Legion, obtained power of attorney, and systematically emptied his bank and investment accounts while selling his real estate; Bunner was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. The article highlights that West Virginia seniors face significant risks from both caretakers and strangers perpetrating scams including tech support schemes, romance scams, government impersonation, and family member theft, with artificial intelligence making these schemes increasingly difficult to detect. Protective measures include resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding sending money to online contacts, limiting power of attorney authority,
newportdispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
The Milford Police Department reported a surge in scam complaints involving multiple fraud tactics, including impersonation of law enforcement demanding payment for arrest warrants or court fines, online romance scams, remote computer access schemes, and fake family bail requests—with scammers typically requesting payment via cryptocurrency ATMs, gift cards, or prepaid cards. Police emphasized that legitimate agencies never request money online or by phone and urged residents to contact authorities before sending any funds.
tampafp.com
· 2025-12-08
Six individuals were arrested by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody's office for operating a grandparent scam that defrauded Florida seniors of nearly $250,000 across multiple counties. The perpetrators impersonated lawyers and claimed grandchildren had been arrested, demanding bail money in cash from victims—in one case, a Palm Bay victim lost over $54,000 after being told of escalating legal fees and medical expenses. The coordinated arrest involved law enforcement agencies from Miami-Dade, Brevard, Lee, Broward, and Orange counties, with the defendants facing multiple felonies including organized scheme to defraud and grand theft.
heraldmailmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran in West Virginia lost nearly $2 million after his caregaker, Sam Bunner, obtained power of attorney and emptied his bank, investment, and real estate accounts; Bunner was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. West Virginia experiences high rates of elder fraud involving both strangers (tech support scams, romance scams, government impersonation) and known individuals (caregivers, family members), targeting the state's large senior population. The U.S. Attorney's Office recommends resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding unsolicited money transfers, limiting power of attorney authority, securing valuables during in-home care, and reporting suspected sc
cbs12.com
· 2025-12-08
Six fraudsters were accused of stealing nearly $250,000 from Florida seniors across multiple counties through grandparent scams, where they impersonated lawyers claiming victims' grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money. The defendants directed victims to withdraw cash and place it in boxes for pickup by ride-share drivers (unknowingly recruited couriers), with some victims being contacted repeatedly and pressured to send additional funds based on escalating false charges, resulting in individual losses exceeding $50,000. All six defendants faced multiple first-degree felonies including organized fraud and grand theft.
fox13news.com
· 2025-12-08
Six individuals were charged in a "grandparent scam" that defrauded Florida seniors of more than $250,000, where scammers impersonated attorneys and claimed victims' grandchildren had been arrested in accidents and needed bail money urgently, with victims instructed not to tell anyone due to fake "gag orders." Two victims each lost over $50,000 after being contacted multiple times with escalating stories, and the criminals used unknowing ride-share drivers as couriers to collect cash placed in boxes by the victims. Arrested suspects include Gennesis Castro and Ada Tido, who face charges including organized fraud and criminal use of personal identification.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for acting as a courier in a Dominican Republic-based "grandparent scam" that targeted elderly Americans between August 2020 and August 2021. Scammers from call centers in the Dominican Republic impersonated victims' grandchildren or legal representatives, claiming the grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money, then sent Valdez and other couriers to collect tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
floridadaily.com
· 2025-12-08
Six individuals were arrested in Florida for operating a grandparent scam that defrauded senior citizens of nearly $250,000 across multiple counties. The defendants posed as lawyers or legal representatives claiming victims' grandchildren were arrested and needed bail money, then used couriers (unknowing ride-share drivers) to collect cash from the victims. In some cases, the scammers contacted the same victim multiple times with escalating stories—such as a pregnant woman miscarrying or dying—to extract additional payments, with individual victims losing between $8,000 and $54,000.
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
Six individuals were arrested in Florida for operating a "grandparent scam" that defrauded seniors of nearly $250,000. The suspects impersonated lawyers and contacted elderly victims claiming their grandchildren needed bail money for hitting a pregnant woman, then pressured them to send cash via couriers; in some cases, the same victims were contacted multiple times with escalating demands, with individual losses ranging from $8,000 to $54,000. All six suspects face multiple first-degree felonies including organized fraud, grand theft, and criminal identity theft.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Six fraudsters were arrested in Florida for stealing nearly $250,000 from seniors through "grandparent scams," where they impersonated lawyers claiming grandchildren needed bail money after hitting a pregnant woman with a vehicle. The suspects used emotional manipulation and escalating demands—sometimes contacting victims multiple times with new fee claims—to pressure seniors into sending cash via ride-share couriers, with individual losses ranging from $8,000 to over $54,000. All six suspects face multiple first-degree felony charges including organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, and criminal use of personal identification.
nj.com
· 2025-12-08
Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for his role in an international "grandparent scam" that operated from Dominican Republic call centers and targeted elderly residents in New Jersey and New York between August 2020 and August 2021. Scammers impersonated grandchildren, their attorneys, or court officials to convince victims that their grandchildren needed bail money and legal fees, with Valdez serving as a courier to collect tens of thousands of dollars from the victims. The case highlights the ongoing threat of grandparent scams targeting elderly Americans, with the public encouraged to report suspected elder fraud to the FTC.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for acting as a courier in a transnational "grandparent scam" operated from call centers in the Dominican Republic between August 2020 and August 2021. The scheme involved scammers posing as grandchildren, attorneys, or court personnel to convince elderly American victims that their relatives had been arrested and needed bail money, with Valdez collecting tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. If convicted, Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
newjersey.news12.com
· 2025-12-08
Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud for acting as a courier in a "grandparent scam" operation based in the Dominican Republic that targeted elderly Americans between 2020 and 2021. Scammers called elderly victims impersonating grandchildren requesting emergency cash for bail or expenses, and Valdez collected tens of thousands of dollars from victims in New Jersey and New York. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
rlsmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was indicted on wire fraud conspiracy charges for serving as a courier in a Dominican Republic-based "grandparent scam" targeting elderly Americans. Between August 2020 and August 2021, Valdez allegedly collected tens of thousands of dollars from victims in New York and New Jersey after call center operatives convinced seniors that their grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money. If convicted, Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
hampshirereview.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran and federal employee from Charles Town lost nearly $2 million after befriending Sam Bunner at a local American Legion; Bunner, recognizing the veteran's cognitive decline, obtained power of attorney and systematically emptied his bank and investment accounts and sold his real estate, resulting in Bunner's 10-year federal prison sentence. The article highlights common elder fraud schemes in West Virginia, including caretaker theft, romance and tech support scams, government impersonation, and family member exploitation, while recommending protective measures such as resisting urgency, avoiding online money transfers, limiting power of attorney authority, and securing valuables for in-home care situations.
oig.ssa.gov
· 2025-12-08
Victor Anthony Valdez, 39, of the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for acting as a courier in a transnational "grandparent scam" operated from Dominican Republic call centers between August 2020 and August 2021. The scheme targeted elderly Americans by impersonating their grandchildren, attorneys, or court officials to convince victims their grandchild had been arrested and needed bail money, with Valdez collecting tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. If convicted, Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
homenewshere.com
· 2025-12-08
The Middlesex Sheriff's Office and Winchester Housing Authority partnered on June 20 to present a scam awareness and prevention program as part of the L.E.A.R.N. initiative, educating local residents—particularly seniors—on recognizing common and emerging frauds. The presentations covered government imposter scams, grandparent scams, check washing, and romance scams, emphasizing red flags such as requests for pre-paid gift cards and encouraging residents to seek help without shame if they suspect they've been targeted.
rbcroyalbank.com
· 2025-12-08
**Grandparent/Emergency Scam**
In 2023, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported the grandparent scam caused $11.3 million in losses, making it one of the top 10 frauds by dollar loss, though actual losses are likely higher due to underreporting. The scam involves fraudsters impersonating a grandchild (often using voice-altering technology or spoofing caller IDs) claiming to be in an emergency—injured, arrested, or in trouble abroad—and urgently requesting money while instructing the senior not to tell anyone. To protect against this highly effective scam that exploits seniors' emotional vulnerability,
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
A 39-year-old Bronx man, Victor Anthony Valdez, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for his role as a courier in an international "grandparent scam" that defrauded elderly residents of New York and New Jersey of tens of thousands of dollars between August 2020 and 2021. Scammers operating from call centers in the Dominican Republic posed as grandchildren or legal officials, convincing elderly victims their grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money, then sent Valdez to collect cash from victims' homes. Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
english.jagran.com
· 2025-12-08
A civil service aspirant in New Delhi was defrauded of Rs 1,21,917.70 (approximately $1,465 USD) through an elaborate dating app scam orchestrated by Black Mirror Cafe owners and employees. The victim was lured to the cafe via a fake Tinder profile, abandoned by his date, and then threatened and coerced into paying a drastically inflated bill. Police arrested cafe owner Akshay Pahwa and accomplice Afsan Parveen after investigating the scheme, which involved fake female profiles created by "table managers" to lure men to the establishment, with profits divided among the conspirators; similar scams have been reporte
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 37-year-old woman named Rashmi Kar was arrested in Navi Mumbai for defrauding her 34-year-old widow neighbor of approximately Rs 7 lakh (approximately $8,400 USD) using an AI voice-changing app to impersonate a male named "Abhimanyu Mehra." Kar, working with her husband Dipanjal Biswas, posed as a job recruiter, developed a romantic relationship with the victim over seven months, and convinced her to transfer money without ever meeting in person. The victim became suspicious when the impersonator avoided in-person meetings and reported the scam to police, leading to
heraldguide.com
· 2025-12-08
The Sheriff's Office reports a surge in scams and identity theft cases involving cryptocurrency, romance schemes, impersonation of law enforcement and government agencies, and grandparent extortion. The office provided guidance on common red flags including unsolicited requests for gift cards, wire transfers, remote computer access, and personal financial information, emphasizing verification of caller identity and avoidance of pressure tactics promising prizes or threatening legal action.