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en.cryptonomist.ch
· 2026-09-04
FinCEN analysis reveals $12.7 billion in suspicious financial activity linked to crypto investment scams operated from Southeast Asian compounds targeting Americans across all states, based on 33,904 suspicious activity reports filed between September 2023 and December 2025. Crypto money services businesses filed 55% of reports flagging $5.5 billion, while banks filed 41% of reports but flagged larger sums of $6.4 billion, indicating scammers convert victim funds into stablecoins like USDT before moving money through offshore exchanges. Contrary to assumptions, elderly Americans represent about 25% of victims—roughly proportional to their share of the U.S. population—
tanea.com.au
· 2026-09-04
Greece is strengthening criminal penalties and establishing a specialized police unit to combat phone scams targeting elderly citizens, which authorities describe as an "epidemic." Scammers impersonate relatives, police, or utility company employees to pressure victims into sending money, with recent cases involving losses of €76,500 from a single victim and €1.6 million stolen by one organized group in three months.
dailydodge.com
· 2026-09-04
Wisconsin's Department of Revenue is warning senior homeowners about an AI-generated video promoting a fake federal property tax relief program that claims to offer tax freezes or reductions through a nonexistent "IRS Form 1098-SR." The scam directs victims to contact fraudsters posing as county assessors to obtain sensitive information like Social Security numbers and banking details or pay fees for services that don't exist. Officials advise seniors to verify information independently and avoid providing personal data through unsolicited contacts or unverified online links.
legit.ng
· 2026-09-04
The FBI has placed four Nigerian men—Richard Izuchukwu Uzuh, Felix Osilama Okpoh, Nnamdi Orson Benson, and Micheal Olorunyomi—on its cybercrime wanted list for operating a Business Email Compromise (BEC) scheme that defrauded over 70 U.S. businesses of more than $6 million. The suspects, believed to be residing in Nigeria, sent spoofed emails requesting fraudulent wire transfers, operated romance scams targeting elderly individuals, and supplied fraudulent bank accounts to receive stolen funds. All four face federal charges including wire fraud, conspiracy, identity theft, and access device fraud
aol.com
· 2026-09-04
Adults aged 60 and over reported $2.4 billion in fraud losses in 2024, nearly quadrupling from $600 million in 2020, with investment scams causing the most damage at $744 million. The article identifies five common retirement scams targeting older adults, including impersonation scams (where reports of losses over $10,000 increased more than fourfold since 2020), tech support scams (which disproportionately affect seniors), and schemes that use social engineering and false urgency to manipulate victims. The FTC estimates actual fraud losses against older adults could be substantially higher at $10.1 billion to $81.5 billion when accounting for
hutchpost.com
· 2026-09-04
Financial scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated using artificial intelligence, caller ID spoofing, and impersonation tactics targeting people of all ages in Hutchinson, Kansas. Common schemes include impersonation of law enforcement, courts, and government agencies claiming warrants or injuries to create urgency and pressure victims into sending money or sharing personal information. Hutchinson Police Detective Pearson Schrag advises residents to slow down, verify caller information independently, and avoid providing personal details to unsolicited callers, with victims encouraged to contact their financial institutions and law enforcement immediately if money is stolen.
wbko.com
· 2026-09-04
The Bowling Green Police Department hosted a scam prevention seminar after residents lost approximately $800,000 to scams in 2026. Law enforcement, FBI agents, and financial representatives educated attendees on common fraud tactics, including romance scams, tech scams, and impersonation schemes that often involve cryptocurrency or gift cards. Adults aged 60 and older are disproportionately targeted, though scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated with new technology like AI.
blackenterprise.com
· 2026-09-04
Artificial intelligence is enabling scammers to create more sophisticated and convincing fraud schemes targeting older adults nearing or in retirement, including romance scams and fake investment claims. One case involved a 63-year-old woman deceived by someone posing as a high-ranking U.S. Army official on a dating platform, illustrating how AI helps fraudsters identify victims and generate fake content at scale. The SEC has taken enforcement action against investment firms making misleading AI claims, as experts warn that AI has become "an industrial revolution for fraud criminals."
longisland.news12.com
· 2026-09-03
A 70-year-old Hicksville woman wired $919,200 to a scammer claiming to be with the Delhi Police Department who said she was involved in a crime in India requiring financial restitution. The fraudster, Fnu Tierigeli, 32, of Woodside, Queens, attempted to extort an additional $300,000 by claiming CIA agents needed to examine gold bars as part of an investigation. Nassau County police arrested Tierigeli during a sting operation in which she attempted to collect a bag of counterfeit gold bars valued at approximately $284,650, and charged her with second-degree attempted grand larceny.
starofmysore.com
· 2026-09-03
A chartered accountant in Mysuru warned senior citizens about escalating cyber fraud and financial scams targeting them with promises of high returns through fake websites and fraudulent platforms. He advised elders never to answer unknown calls or click unverified links, and to consult professional financial advisors before investing, emphasizing that falling victim to fraud can devastate retirement savings and financial security. The presentation also covered income tax compliance guidelines, including tax exemption thresholds for senior and super senior citizens in India.
globenewswire.com
· 2026-09-03
Trust Onion, a free app launched in September 2026, helps families combat AI voice-cloning scams by providing three automatically rotating private codewords that real family members can verify but scammers cannot replicate. Older Americans lost $7.7 billion to fraud in 2025 (up 59% from the prior year), with the FTC estimating true losses could reach $81.5 billion annually as AI-enabled impersonation scams increasingly target seniors and other groups. The app requires no account setup and includes additional verification features like timestamped selfies for added security during high-stakes situations.
kesq.com
· 2026-09-03
Seniors aged 60 and older in the United States reported nearly 50,000 scams totaling approximately $80 million in losses during 2025, with California ranking as the fourth-riskiest state for senior fraud. Business impersonation scams, where criminals pose as legitimate companies, represent a major threat in California, which has the second-highest rate of elder fraud losses at about $160,000 per 1,000 seniors. Experts advise seniors to be cautious of unfamiliar contacts and to verify requests before sharing personal or financial information.
gandernewsroom.com
· 2026-09-03
AI-generated deepfake videos impersonating celebrities like Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Steve Martin, and Bill Gates are being used in scams targeting seniors, with Michigan seniors reporting nearly $170 million in cybercrime losses in 2024. The scams proliferate on Meta platforms (Facebook and Instagram) through fraudulent ads directing victims to fake websites or connecting them with scammers posing as legitimate service representatives, with internal Meta documents indicating that approximately 10% of the company's advertising revenue comes from such scams. Experts attribute seniors' vulnerability to lower digital literacy and their tendency to trust phone interactions over online transactions, while state protections and platform safeguards have proven insufficient to prevent these
yahoo.com
· 2026-09-03
A Fremont man was arrested and charged with stealing $20,000 from an elderly Ventura County resident through a fake "Microsoft" pop-up scam that falsely claimed a $25,000 fraudulent charge had been made on the victim's account. Ze Li, 35, was charged with grand theft, theft from an elder or dependent adult, attempted grand theft, conspiracy, and related counts after authorities arrested him during an undercover operation on August 27 when he arrived to collect an additional $20,000 payment. Investigators believe Li acted as a courier for perpetrators outside Ventura County who systematically target elderly residents through computer scams.
iefimerida.gr
· 2026-09-03
Greece is implementing a legislative crackdown on phone scams targeting elderly citizens by reclassifying elder fraud as a felony offense with enhanced penalties. Scammers are conducting dozens of deceptive calls daily across the country, impersonating utility company technicians and bank officials to manipulate seniors into transferring cash and valuables under false pretenses of emergencies. The government has established a specialized task force within its organized crime directorate to dismantle fraud syndicates systematically targeting vulnerable populations.
abc7ny.com
· 2026-09-03
A 70-year-old Hicksville woman lost $919,200 after receiving calls claiming she was involved in a crime in India and needed to withdraw money to resolve the matter; she was then asked to purchase an additional $300,000 in gold bars before realizing the scam. A 32-year-old Queens woman, Fnu Tierigeli, was arrested and charged with attempted grand larceny in connection with the elder fraud scheme that occurred between June and September.
amac.us
· 2026-09-03
A senior lost significant money to a tech support scam after a caller claiming to represent a well-known tech company convinced her to grant remote computer access and wire payment for repairs. The article emphasizes that seniors are frequently targeted by scammers seeking money or personal information, and recommends learning red flags (unexpected urgency, requests for wire transfers or gift cards), staying informed about current scams, reporting fraud to the FTC or relevant authorities, and sharing scam warnings with friends and family to build community awareness and protection.
longisland.com
· 2026-09-03
A Hicksville senior was defrauded of $919,000 through a scam in which criminals posed as family members and law enforcement, then demanded an additional $300,000 in gold after the initial wire transfer. A 32-year-old Queens woman, Fnu Tierigeli, was arrested in connection with the alleged fraud scheme. The case highlights how scammers escalate demands after gaining victims' trust through initial fraudulent transfers.
ibtimes.co.uk
· 2026-09-03
A 72-year-old woman was allegedly defrauded of $220,000 in cash by a scammer posing as a Christian missionary affiliated with Doctors Without Borders, who claimed to need financial assistance while awaiting a $1 million UN payment. The victim was instructed to withdraw cash, divide it into packages, and mail them through UPS to multiple addresses via encrypted messaging apps, with the scammer later deleting conversations and disappearing. Over 12 months, the woman lost approximately $300,000 total across multiple scams by withdrawing from her retirement savings, a scheme that mirrors common romance scam tactics identified by the FBI.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2026-09-03
A retired nurse, Susan Bivins, lost over $200,000 to a scammer posing as a federal agent and subsequently received an $80,000 tax bill from the IRS for the withdrawn retirement funds, forcing her to sell her home. The case illustrates a broader problem where scam victims face compounding financial hardships including tax bills, bank fees, and loan repayments long after losing money to fraud. US consumers reported a record $15.9 billion in scam losses in 2025, a 25% increase from the previous year, with actual losses estimated much higher due to underreporting.
cbsnews.com
· 2026-09-03
Internet scams are increasing in the Pennsylvania region, targeting victims across all age groups through mass messages and personalized-seeming communications that exploit emotions like fear, insecurity, and loneliness. Scammers can deceive even tech-savvy individuals, with some victims losing over $100,000 as criminals repeatedly target the same person. To avoid scams, experts recommend verifying requests by contacting banks, credit card companies, or relatives before sharing any information or money, and reporting incidents to police despite potential embarrassment.
yahoo.com
· 2026-09-03
A 70-year-old Hicksville woman lost $919,200 in an elder scam after a Queens woman posing as a Delhi Police officer convinced her that she was involved in a crime in India requiring payment. The suspect, identified as Tierigeli, 32, was arrested after attempting to collect an additional $300,000 in gold bars through a police sting operation and was charged with attempted grand larceny in the second degree.
m.riverbender.com
· 2026-09-03
Former Woodland Towers Apartments manager Tiffani D. Hobson, 41, of East St. Louis, was charged with theft by deception, wire fraud, and unlawful use of a debit card after an investigation revealed she made over $20,000 in unauthorized CashApp transactions and an Airbnb purchase on an elderly resident's account. Hobson turned herself in on September 2, 2026, and was released pending court proceedings. Police believe additional victims may exist and are urging current and former residents of Woodland Towers and other complexes managed by Hobson to review their financial statements for suspicious activity.
ualrpublicradio.org
· 2026-09-03
Dr. Jacquelyn McCray, an Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame inductee, had a bank account at Simmons Bank drained and closed by an unknown person who exploited her dementia. Her son Michael McCray reported difficulties getting police and state authorities to investigate adequately, leading the Pine Bluff NAACP branch to file a resolution adopted nationwide as "Designated Economic Development Resolution Number 12," which calls for identification and documentation of elder financial abuse cases. The McCrays are now working with state representatives to reform Arkansas law to better detect and investigate elder fraud cases.
riverbender.com
· 2026-09-03
Tiffani D. Hobson, a former manager of Woodland Towers Apartments in Collinsville, was charged with theft by deception, wire fraud, and unlawful use of a debit card after an investigation revealed she made over $20,000 in unauthorized CashApp transactions and an Airbnb purchase on an elderly resident's account. Hobson turned herself in on September 2, 2026, and was released pending court proceedings. Police believe there may be additional victims and are urging anyone who stayed at properties managed by Hobson to contact detectives if they discovered suspicious transactions on their accounts.
mynbc15.com
· 2026-09-03
Three people—Melissa Lynn Hobden, Nora Powe Hobden, and Michael Lewis Crouch—are accused of exploiting an 88-year-old Mobile County man out of approximately $800,000 over several years through fraudulent checks, property transfers, and unauthorized purchases, with investigators alleging the scheme involved coercion and threats. The exploitation came to light only when the victim fell and was hospitalized, prompting his out-of-state daughter to investigate his finances and discover the alleged fraud. All three suspects will have their cases presented to a Mobile County grand jury following preliminary hearings.
longisland.news12.com
· 2026-09-03
A 70-year-old Hicksville woman wired nearly $919,200 to a scammer over one month after receiving calls claiming she was involved in a crime in India and needed to send money to a fake Delhi Police Department official. The fraud continued when the scammer requested an additional $300,000 in gold bars, but the victim contacted police, who set up a sting operation and arrested a 32-year-old Woodside, Queens woman attempting to collect counterfeit gold. Nassau County police charged the suspect with second-degree attempted grand larceny and are urging the community to alert vulnerable relatives about similar scams.
hoodline.com
· 2026-09-03
A 35-year-old Fremont man was arrested in a Ventura County tech-support scam after collecting $20,000 in cash from an elderly victim and returning for a police sting to pick up an additional $20,000. The victim was deceived by a pop-up message claiming to be from Microsoft, telling him $25,000 had been fraudulently charged to his account, and he was instructed to withdraw cash to protect his money. Investigators believe the defendant was acting as a courier for scammers targeting elderly residents, and the case reflects a nationwide pattern of fraudsters using physical cash pickups to avoid bank fraud detection systems.
hoodline.com
· 2026-09-03
Four Petaluma seniors lost over $315,000 combined in a 24-hour period through cryptocurrency transfers, gift card purchases, and timeshare schemes, prompting police warnings about the city's vulnerability to organized fraud targeting its aging population of over 22%. The scams highlight a national trend where adults 60 and older filed 42,271 cryptocurrency-related fraud complaints in 2025, losing $4.35 billion combined, with California seniors losing $1.4 billion to financial fraud that year. Police advised residents to verify financial requests directly with companies, consult family members before making payments, and regularly check on elderly neighbors to prevent victimization.
patch.com
· 2026-09-03
An elderly Ventura County man lost $20,000 in a "package-drop" scam after receiving a fake Microsoft pop-up warning that his credit union account had been used for illegal purchases in China. A Fremont man, Ze Li, was arrested after meeting with the victim to collect the cash, which authorities used to set up a sting operation that led to his capture. Li is believed to have acted as a courier for international fraudsters targeting older adults through computer scams.
cbsnews.com
· 2026-09-03
Ze Li, 35, of Fremont was charged with stealing $20,000 from an elderly Ventura County man through a computer fraud scam involving a fake Microsoft notification and fraudulent claims of unauthorized charges. The scam involved Li posing as an FTC representative to collect cash that the victim was coerced into withdrawing, and he was arrested during a sting operation when attempting to collect a second payment. Li faces multiple felony charges including grand theft from an elder or dependent adult and conspiracy to commit a crime.
patch.com
· 2026-09-03
A 32-year-old Queens woman was arrested for scamming a 70-year-old Hicksville resident out of $919,000 through a phone fraud scheme claiming the victim was involved in a crime in India. Between June 29 and July 27, the perpetrator convinced the victim to withdraw and wire nearly $1 million, then attempted to coerce an additional $300,000 in gold purchases before the victim contacted police. Fnu Tierigeli was charged with second-degree attempted grand larceny.
yahoo.com
· 2026-09-03
An elderly California man lost $20,000 after responding to a fraudulent "Microsoft" computer pop-up that directed him to call scammers posing as tech support and federal officials. The perpetrators falsely claimed an attempted $25,000 fraudulent transaction involving child pornography had occurred on his credit union account and convinced him to withdraw cash and purchase gift cards to "protect" his funds. Ze Li, 35, has been charged as a courier who collected the $20,000 package on August 5 and was arrested on August 27 when attempting to collect an additional $20,000 in a law enforcement operation.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-09-02
A caregaker named Sarah Smalls exploited a 75-year-old South Carolina man with Parkinson's and a brain injury by obtaining power of attorney, transferring his home deed to herself for $5, and moving into his house after his death, leaving the victim's daughter Nora to discover the scheme and pursue a civil lawsuit to recover assets. According to AARP, elder financial exploitation affects victims over 60 to the tune of $28.3 billion annually in the U.S., with 72% of cases perpetrated by someone known to the victim, though such abuse remains severely underreported and victims face significant difficulty obtaining restitution.
realestate.com.au
· 2026-09-02
A 67-year-old Miami handyman was sentenced to 20 years in prison for financially exploiting a 94-year-old woman by stealing approximately $20,000 in cash and redirecting her Social Security benefits, while fraudulently altering her home's title to make himself a joint tenant with survivorship rights. The victim, who lived independently in her El Portal home valued at over $888,000, was declared legally incompetent in 2021, which Diaz Torriente exploited by posing as her son and eventually moving into her home after changing the locks. The case was prosecuted by Miami-Dade County's Elder and Vulnerable Adult Exploitation Task Force following a
vineyardgazette.com
· 2026-09-02
This article covers a district attorney primary election and does not contain information about elder fraud, scams, or fraud incidents. It is not appropriate for summarization in an elder fraud research database.
yahoo.com
· 2026-09-02
Utah Attorney General Derek Brown launched a new Financial Crimes Intelligence Center to combat fraud in the state, where Utahns have lost approximately $450 million since 2020, with $60 million lost in 2025 alone. The center will investigate identity theft, bank fraud, elder fraud, romance scams, money laundering, and cryptocurrency scams by tracing funds, connecting cases, and helping authorities hold perpetrators accountable. The center aims to address increasingly sophisticated and organized financial crimes by providing investigators a centralized hub and training resources to police and financial institutions statewide.
aarp.org
· 2026-09-02
I cannot provide a summary of this content because the article text provided is not an article about scams or fraud. Instead, it appears to be a navigation menu and header structure from the AARP website showing various sections and links (such as Games, Money, Health, Travel, etc.). There is no actual article content describing a specific scam, fraud case, or incident to summarize.
To complete this task, please provide the actual article text about a specific scam or fraud incident.
techdigest.tv
· 2026-09-02
Young British adults aged 18-34 are falling victim to online scams at three times the rate of seniors over 65, with 59-61% targeted compared to just 20%, primarily through social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. One in five young adult victims lost an average of £414 to fake investment and cryptocurrency scams, while 42% of 18-24-year-olds have been approached for money muling schemes. Despite being the actual targets, over a quarter of under-25s still mistakenly believe their grandparents are most at risk online.
thestar.com
· 2026-09-02
A widower named Simon lost $800,000 to a romance scammer posing as a woman named Emily after his wife's death, and subsequently faced additional financial losses including $185,000 in loan repayment obligations and taxes on withdrawn funds. Despite reporting the crime to local police and the FBI, Simon received no assistance and was later targeted by another scammer offering recovery services, illustrating a broader pattern where American victims of scams—which reached a record $15.9 billion in reported losses in 2024—receive little institutional support and often face ridicule, financial penalties, and dismissive law enforcement responses. An AP and FRONTLINE investigation found that scam operations, including the Myanmar compound responsible for Simon
apnews.com
· 2026-09-02
An AP/FRONTLINE investigation reveals that scams have reached record levels in the U.S., with Americans reporting $15.9 billion in losses to the FTC in 2024 (a 25% increase from 2023), though actual losses are estimated near $200 billion annually. The investigation interviewed 58 victims aged 32 to 90 who lost amounts ranging from several thousand dollars to $4 million in various scams including romance scams and cryptocurrency fraud, yet found that victims have little recourse and often face additional hardships such as tax penalties and bank account closures. Unlike the U.K., EU, and Australia, the U.S. provides minimal consumer protections,
messenger-inquirer.com
· 2026-09-02
An AP/FRONTLINE investigation found that scam victims in the U.S. have little legal recourse despite record losses of $15.9 billion reported to the FTC in 2024, with actual losses estimated near $200 billion annually. The 58 victims interviewed, ranging from ages 32 to 90 and losing thousands to $4 million each, faced additional hardships including tax penalties, frozen bank accounts, and denied liability claims, while the U.S. lags significantly behind countries like the UK, EU, Australia, and Singapore in consumer protections and mandatory bank reimbursements. Key barriers to victim recovery include provisions eliminating personal fraud loss tax deductions, limited bank accountability
nvdaily.com
· 2026-09-02
An AP/FRONTLINE investigation found that despite record scam losses of $15.9 billion reported to the FTC in 2024 (with estimates suggesting actual losses near $200 billion), victims have little legal recourse and often face additional hardships including tax penalties, frozen bank accounts, and limited reimbursement protections compared to other developed nations. The 58 victims interviewed ranged from ages 32 to 90, lost thousands to $4 million each, and some experienced severe psychological trauma; notably, only one victim recovered funds from her bank. The U.S. lags significantly behind countries like the United Kingdom, European Union, Australia, and Singapore in consumer protections, as American
gazettextra.com
· 2026-09-02
A widower named Simon lost $800,000 to a romance scam perpetrated by a fake profile called "Emily" and subsequently faced additional financial hardship including loan repayment obligations and taxes, with little help from law enforcement or government agencies. The investigation found that scams in the U.S. have reached record highs with reported losses of $15.9 billion in 2024 and estimated real losses near $200 billion, driven by advances in AI and cryptocurrency, while victims often face stigma, dismissal from authorities, and additional financial consequences. Despite the crimes being traceable—with the stolen funds in this case linked to a scam compound in Myanmar—most victims receive no recourse, and
wvnews.com
· 2026-09-02
A widower named Simon lost $800,000 to a romance scam perpetrated by a fake profile called "Emily," then faced additional financial burdens including $185,000 in loan repayments and taxes, with little help from law enforcement or authorities. Americans reported a record $15.9 billion in scam losses to the FTC in the past year (with estimates suggesting actual losses near $200 billion), driven by advances in AI and cryptocurrency, yet victims often face ridicule, dismissal from authorities, and additional financial consequences rather than meaningful support or recovery assistance.
dailygazette.com
· 2026-09-02
An AP/FRONTLINE investigation reveals that despite record fraud losses of $15.9 billion reported to the FTC in 2024 (with actual losses estimated near $200 billion), American scam victims have little recourse and often face additional hardships including tax penalties, frozen bank accounts, and bank liability denials. The 58 victims interviewed lost between several thousand to $4 million each, with ages ranging from 32 to 90, and only one recovered funds; the U.S. lags significantly behind countries like the UK, EU, Australia, and Singapore, which have implemented stronger consumer protections and financial institution liability for scam-related losses.
hamiltonnews.com
· 2026-09-02
Americans lost a record $15.9 billion to scams in 2024, a 25% increase from the previous year, with the FTC estimating actual losses could reach $200 billion, affecting nearly all demographics from IT professionals to retirees. An AP/FRONTLINE investigation of 58 victims found that scam survivors face additional hardships including tax penalties on stolen funds, bank account freezes, and limited legal recourse, while the U.S. lags significantly behind countries like the UK, EU, Australia, and Singapore in consumer protections and financial institution accountability. Romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and phishing schemes have proliferated due to weak regulations and minimal bank liability for authorized transactions,
wral.com
· 2026-09-02
An AP/FRONTLINE investigation found that Americans lost a record $15.9 billion to scams in 2024 (with FTC estimates of actual losses near $200 billion), affecting people across all demographics from ages 32 to 90, yet victims have little legal recourse and often face additional hardships including tax penalties, frozen bank accounts, and denied reimbursements. Unlike the United Kingdom, European Union, Australia, and Singapore, the U.S. provides minimal consumer protections, leaves financial institutions largely unaccountable, and lacks safeguards around cryptocurrency transfers that enable scammers to hide stolen funds.
ktnv.com
· 2026-09-02
Nevada ranks near the top of the country for AI-related scams, with victims losing an average of $36,000 per case as scammers use voice cloning and other sophisticated tactics. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reports that Clark County has also warned residents about phishing scams, including a fraudulent email claiming to be from the Comprehensive Planning Department. Experts recommend verifying requests by contacting companies directly, creating safe words with family members, and remaining skeptical of urgent requests, particularly those claiming to be from government entities or supervisors.
apnews.com
· 2026-09-02
A widower named Simon lost $800,000 to a romance scam perpetrated by a fake online profile named "Emily," only to face additional financial hardship including loan repayments and taxes, with little help from authorities. An AP and FRONTLINE investigation found that the U.S. lags behind other countries in combating scams and holding tech and financial companies accountable, leaving victims with minimal recourse despite record losses exceeding $15.9 billion reported to the FTC in 2024, with actual losses estimated near $200 billion. The scam operations, often originating from compounds in Myanmar, continue to proliferate and relocate despite efforts by law enforcement and government agencies to shut them down