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in General Elder Fraud
marketing-interactive.com
· 2025-12-08
Singapore reported 46,563 scam cases in 2023, a 50% increase from 31,728 cases in 2022, with job scams (9,914 cases) and eCommerce scams (9,783 cases) being the most common types. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp were the primary platforms used by scammers, accounting for the majority of social media-based fraud, while victims spanned all age groups with adults aged 30-49 comprising the largest proportion at 43.1%. Despite the surge in cases, the average loss per scam decreased 32.8% to SG$13,999 in 2023,
businesstimes.com.sg
· 2025-12-08
Singapore reported a record 46,563 scam cases in 2023, representing a 46.8% increase from 2022, with victims losing S$651.8 million. Job scams were the most prevalent (9,914 cases; S$135.7 million lost), primarily targeting those aged 30-49 through WhatsApp and Telegram offers of work-from-home tasks, while fake friend call scams surged to 6,859 cases (S$23 million lost), disproportionately affecting adults aged 50-64. Contrary to common assumptions, 73% of victims were under age 50, with malware scams
atlantanewsfirst.com
· 2025-12-08
A 62-year-old man in Haralson County, Georgia was charged with exploitation of an elder person, identity theft, and financial transaction card fraud after investigators discovered he had made unauthorized credit card purchases and transactions in the victim's name without consent. The investigation was initiated in September 2023 following a report from the victim's family, who provided financial records documenting a pattern of fraudulent activity.
waka.com
· 2025-12-08
Nicholas Houston Allen, a 36-year-old from Montgomery, Alabama, was sentenced to 76 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud targeting elderly victims. Allen defrauded at least five elderly people of approximately $370,000 between 2020 and 2021, including one victim of $250,000 whom he convinced to give money for a home remodel that he falsely claimed to have inherited. The court ordered Allen to pay $369,703.60 in restitution and characterized his conduct as "cruel," warranting a sentence above sentencing guidelines recommendations.
wsfa.com
· 2025-12-08
Nicholas Houston Allen, a 36-year-old Montgomery man, was sentenced to 76 months in prison and ordered to pay nearly $370,000 in restitution for defrauding elderly victims. Allen pleaded guilty to wire fraud after scamming at least five elderly people out of approximately $250,000 between 2020 and 2021 by falsely claiming he needed money for home renovation and other purposes, then using the funds for personal benefit. The United States Secret Service and Alabama Securities Commission investigated the case.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Two older Pittsburgh women lost a combined $29,000 in a tech support scam where fraudsters impersonated Apple customer service representatives and convincing them their devices were hacked, pressuring them to purchase Bitcoin at local convenience stores. A 70-year-old victim withdrew $22,000 and a 72-year-old victim purchased $7,000 in Bitcoin after being transferred between scammers posing as Apple and bank fraud specialists. Pittsburgh police are investigating and warn the public that legitimate tech companies never contact customers about device problems or ask them to call numbers or click links, recommending victims report incidents to local police or the FTC.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
On February 1, a federal grand jury indicted Monique C. Clarke, 28, a Jamaican national, and Jon-Michael Hudson, 33, for conspiracy to commit money laundering as part of a lottery scam targeting 51 elderly victims across the United States, resulting in losses exceeding $6.6 million. From October 2020 through January 2021, the defendants allegedly called elderly victims claiming they had won lottery prizes and solicited fees for taxes, shipping, and processing; the funds were then deposited by money mules into accounts controlled by Clarke and Hudson, with Clarke receiving over $500,000 from five victims' losses before allegedly wiring $150
baltictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Approximately 350 romance scam cases were recorded in Lithuania in 2023, with victims attempting to transfer over 1 million euros to fraudsters, though banks were able to stop some transactions. Vulnerable victims included lonely individuals and those with poor digital hygiene skills, particularly elderly women seeking relationships online who were targeted by scammers impersonating military personnel. Banks report that recovery is difficult because victims often delay reporting due to shame and embarrassment, and experts recommend vigilance against money transfer requests from online contacts as a key prevention measure.
wftv.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A central Florida woman's elderly mother lost approximately $600,000 in a romance scam that began on social media, where a scammer impersonated Elon Musk and convinced her she was engaged and investing money with him. The victim made large wire transfers exceeding $100,000 and daily $3,000 ATM withdrawals for gift cards before her daughter discovered the fraud in early 2023. The FTC reported $1.3 billion in romance scam losses nationally in 2022, with experts noting such scams disproportionately target older, divorced women seeking companionship.
stories.td.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Canadian victims over $50 million in 2023, with fraudsters building trust over weeks to years before requesting money for emergencies, business ventures, or cryptocurrency investments. While seniors are frequently targeted, anyone—particularly those who are lonely or vulnerable—can fall victim to these scams that occur across dating apps and social media platforms. Key prevention strategies include being cautious of quick professions of love, avoiding in-person meetings, refusing personal information requests, and understanding that sent money is often irretrievable.
949whom.com
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses prevalent scams affecting New Hampshire residents, with the author highlighting how scam artists exploit older adults who lack technological training. The piece opens with a personal anecdote about the author's father nearly falling victim to a phishing scam impersonating the post office that attempted to steal banking information, noting that such fraud costs people millions of dollars annually across the state.
messagemedia.co
· 2025-12-08
The Senior LinkAge Line offered two educational classes on March 13 covering healthcare fraud, waste, and abuse prevention, teaching participants how to detect and report fraud, protect their Medicare information, and identify scams targeting older adults. The free online classes, based on the Senior Medicare Patrol federal program, were available to Minnesota seniors and caregivers through pre-registration and offered continuing education credits.
fox61.com
· 2025-12-08
Connecticut State Police are investigating multiple "bail scams" in which victims received phone calls falsely claiming a family member was arrested and needed bail money, with a person posing as a bail bondsman collecting cash in person. At least three incidents have been reported in East Haddam and Somers, with police seeking a Black male in his late 20s, approximately 6'3", described as the person of interest. State police warn that bail scams often target seniors but can affect anyone, and advise never providing personal or financial information without verifying the request's legitimacy.
thefederalist.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers have targeted Medicare's catheter benefit program in a massive fraud scheme, with beneficiary accounts billed for catheters rising ninefold from 50,000 to 450,000 in a single year, resulting in billions of dollars in fraudulent claims. Seniors reported being billed for catheters they never received or needed, yet despite complaints to Medicare from private entities, physicians, and state insurance offices dating back to July, the federal government failed to investigate or stop the fraud in a timely manner. The incident highlights systemic weaknesses in Medicare's fraud detection capabilities, particularly the program's reliance on private organizations to identify suspicious spending patterns rather than proactive government oversight.
candgnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel will host a free educational presentation on February 26 at the Madison Heights Active Adult Center to address common scams targeting senior citizens. The discussion covers imposter scams where con artists pose as relatives, utility workers, government officials, or romantic interests, often using artificial intelligence and creating false urgency to pressure victims into sending money via untraceable methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Authorities recommend seniors verify caller identities through independent contact information, never share personal financial details without confirmation, and report suspected scams to local police or the Federal Trade Commission.
cbapd.org
· 2025-12-08
This was an educational webinar hosted by the Canadian Bar Association's Elder Law Section on April 16, 2024, addressing scams and frauds targeting older adults across Canada, including grandparent schemes, mortgage lending fraud, and door-to-door HVAC scams. The session featured presentations from police, advocacy organizations, and estate litigation lawyers on criminal justice responses, legal support for victims, and the increasing use of equitable relief and unconscionability doctrines in predatory lending cases.
wtae.com
· 2025-12-08
Pittsburgh police warned the public about bitcoin scams targeting older adults, with at least two victims losing thousands of dollars after being tricked by fake Apple support and bank fraud specialists into purchasing cryptocurrency at convenience stores—a 70-year-old woman lost $22,000 and a 72-year-old lost $7,000. Similar scams in surrounding areas resulted in larger losses, though North Huntingdon police successfully recovered approximately $41,000 of a $50,000 bitcoin ATM theft through rapid police intervention. Scammers exploit these platforms because cryptocurrency transactions are difficult to trace and reverse, making quick reporting to local police essential for any chance of recovery.
wqow.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Chippewa County experienced a dramatic increase in fraud, with 212 residents losing over $1.19 million—nearly double the 111 victims and $791,000 lost in 2022. Contrary to past assumptions, victims now span all age groups, with younger people (18-24) falling victim more frequently than seniors. One case involved Lisa Stalson, who lost over $3,000 to a rental scam on Facebook after paying fees to a fraudulent property agent named "Tanya's Property."
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 44-year-old former Wells Fargo branch manager in Battle Ground, Washington, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for stealing over $1.2 million from eight elderly and vulnerable customers through unauthorized withdrawals, transfers, and cashier's checks between 2014 and 2019. Davie deliberately targeted seniors with dementia or limited English skills who were less likely to monitor their accounts, with one victim losing more than $566,000 from her retirement accounts. Wells Fargo partially reimbursed victims for their losses, and the court will determine final restitution amounts in March 2024.
tampafp.com
· 2025-12-08
Monique C. Clarke, 28, and Jon-Michael Hudson, 33, were charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering for their involvement in a lottery scam that targeted 51 elderly victims across the United States, resulting in total losses exceeding $6.6 million from October 2020 through January 2021. The scheme involved calling victims claiming they had won lottery prizes and requesting upfront fees; funds were then funneled through money mules who deposited checks and forwarded cash to Clarke and Hudson, with Clarke personally receiving over $500,000 and using approximately $150,000 to purchase a luxury Mercedes-Benz in Jamaica. Both defendants
nbc16.com
· 2025-12-08
A couple, Monique C. Clarke and Jon-Michael Hudson, were indicted on federal charges for an elder fraud conspiracy that defrauded dozens of victims of millions of dollars. Clarke, who used multiple aliases including Monique Clark-Mootoo, Rebecca White, and Mark Hilton, and Hudson each face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted. The case was reported as of February 13, 2024.
fox5atlanta.com
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old business manager at Countryside Healthcare in Buchanan, Georgia, Johnna Hannah, was arrested and charged with 78 counts of fraud and elder abuse after stealing over $53,000 from at least 39 patients' accounts between June 2023 and February 2024. Hannah used fraudulent invoices, company checks, debit cards, and mobile banking to drain patient accounts, including those of eight deceased residents; police discovered the scheme after a questionable $880 withdrawal was reported, prompting a forensic audit. She was released on a $50,000 bond, and authorities indicate additional charges are likely pending a second audit.
mynbc15.com
· 2025-12-08
A federal grand jury indicted two Jamaica-based individuals, Monique C. Clarke (28) and Jon-Michael Hudson (33), for conspiracy to commit money laundering in a lottery scam that defrauded 51 elderly victims of more than $6.6 million between October 2020 and January 2021. The scheme involved callers falsely claiming victims had won lottery prizes and requesting upfront payments for fees; funds were then funneled through "money mules" who deposited checks and sent cash to the defendants, with Clarke personally receiving over $500,000 and using proceeds to purchase a luxury Mercedes-Benz. Both defendants face up to
columbian.com
· 2025-12-08
Brian Davie, a former Wells Fargo branch manager in Battle Ground, was sentenced to 3½ years in federal prison for stealing $1,279,840 from eight customers' accounts between 2014 and 2019 through unauthorized withdrawals, forged cashier's checks, and forged signatures. Davie specifically targeted elderly customers, including those with dementia or limited English proficiency, deliberately avoiding detection by preventing relatives from monitoring the accounts. Wells Fargo reimbursed all victims for their losses, and Davie faces additional restitution to be determined at a future hearing.
kqradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Iowa's Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, and AARP State Director are conducting statewide educational stops to raise awareness about AI-enabled scams targeting elderly residents. The latest fraud scheme involves criminals using artificial intelligence to impersonate grandchildren, replicating their voices and phone numbers to deceive seniors in "grandparent scams."
markets.businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Rosca Scarlato LLC, a senior investor advocacy law firm, released an educational guide titled "Recognizing and Preventing Elder Financial Abuse" to address the growing problem of financial exploitation targeting elderly Americans, particularly Baby Boomers in retirement. The guide identifies vulnerabilities that make seniors susceptible to fraud—including substantial savings, cognitive decline, and limited investment knowledge—and provides actionable advice for seniors, caregivers, professionals, and local governments to identify red flags and implement protective safeguards.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In summer 2022, 80-year-old Alice Lin lost over $700,000 of her life savings to a "pig butchering" scam after a fraudster on WeChat convinced her to download a fake cryptocurrency trading app and wire money over a three-week period. Lin sued Chase Bank in January 2024, claiming the bank failed to flag suspicious transaction patterns (seven large wire transfers totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars) and protect vulnerable elderly customers, citing California law that holds institutions liable for assisting fraudulent transactions against seniors. Chase disputes the claim, stating employees asked probing questions and warned Lin of fraud risks before completing the transfers.
postindependent.com
· 2025-12-08
The Rifle Police Department held an educational session at the Rifle Senior Center on February 16, where Lt. Mike Kuper provided seniors with guidance on recognizing and avoiding common scams targeting elderly individuals. Key red flags Kuper highlighted include unsolicited calls from unknown numbers, high-pressure tactics creating urgency, requests for personal information, unrealistic offers, and unannounced visitors claiming to represent service providers or government agencies.
kold.com
· 2025-12-08
This appears to be a news headlines summary page rather than a single article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. The headlines cover topics including trade policy, aviation jobs, a sobering facility, a house fire, hiking safety concerns, and domestic violence services—none of which relate to elder fraud or elder abuse. No summary relevant to the Elderus database can be provided from this content.
asaaseradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian Instagram influencer Mona Faiz Montrage (Hajia4Real) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money for her role in laundering proceeds from romance scams targeting vulnerable older Americans between 2013 and 2019. She was extradited from the UK and admitted to receiving over $2.1 million stolen from victims through fake romantic relationships, and has agreed to forfeit and pay restitution of $2,164,758.41, facing up to five years in prison.
lrt.lt
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers in Lithuania defrauded hundreds of people of over 1 million euros in a coordinated scheme targeting lonely individuals, particularly elderly women, who believed they were communicating with military officers or sailors online. Banks recorded 350 confirmed cases last year, with victims losing significant amounts across multiple financial institutions (Swedbank: 300,000 euros from 148 customers; Luminor: 380,000 euros; SEB: 154,000 euros from 45 customers). Many victims delay reporting due to shame and embarrassment, allowing fraudsters to retain stolen funds, and banks emphasize that money requests from online romantic contacts should be treated as a major warning sign.
myheraldreview.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams targeting elders are at an all-time high, with the FTC reporting that older adults are increasingly targeted because they often have retirement savings and may be isolated or less tech-savvy. In 2022 alone, romance scams resulted in $1.3 billion in losses, more than double the previous year, as scammers manipulate emotions by creating fake profiles, building trust over time, and eventually requesting money or financial information that victims rarely recover. The article provides protective measures including consulting trusted friends before sending money, verifying identities through video chat, being wary of love-bombing tactics, and reporting suspected fraud to the FTC and FBI.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian social media influencer Mona Faiz Montrage pleaded guilty to conspiring to receive proceeds from romance scams targeting vulnerable older Americans between 2013 and 2019. Montrage, who operated the Instagram account "Hajia4Reall" with 3.4 million followers, received over $2 million in fraudulent funds through bank accounts used by a West African criminal enterprise that deceived victims into believing they were in romantic relationships and sending money under false pretenses. She agreed to forfeit and pay restitution of approximately $2.16 million and faces up to five years in prison at sentencing.
messengernews.net
· 2025-12-08
Iowans lost nearly $30 million to fraud in 2022, with older adults disproportionately targeted because they tend to have more assets, may be less tech-savvy, and are more trusting. People ages 70-79 lost an average of $43,000 per scam incident, though many cases go unreported due to victim embarrassment and fear. Common red flags include promises of something free, pressure to act quickly, requests for personal information or money transfers, vague details, and unsolicited contact.
tryondailybulletin.com
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old woman named Donna lost $34,000 in a romance scam after seven months of communication with someone she met on a dating site who promised to buy a house with her but disappeared after receiving her money. The article highlights that the FTC reported over $10 billion in losses from scams last year, with elderly individuals particularly vulnerable to sweetheart scams, fake prize winnings, grandparent scams, contractor fraud, and phishing emails. The article recommends protective measures including frequent password changes, two-factor authentication, monthly credit monitoring, antivirus software, limiting personal information on social media, and recognizing red flags like pressure to send money immediately.
atlantanewsfirst.com
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old woman named Johnna Hannah was accused of stealing over $50,000 from elderly patients at Countryside Health Center in Buchanan, Georgia, where she managed patient accounts. Hannah faced more than 70 counts of fraud and elder abuse for exploiting her position of trust to commit the theft.
caribbeannationalweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
On February 1st, a federal grand jury indicted Jamaican nationals Monique C. Clarke and Jon-Michael Hudson for money laundering conspiracy related to a lottery scam that defrauded 51 elderly U.S. victims of over $6.6 million between October 2020 and January 2021. The defendants allegedly posed as lottery winners and coerced victims to pay various fees through money mules, with Clarke receiving over $500,000 in proceeds, which she partially used to purchase a $150,000 Mercedes Benz. Both defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted, as part of the Biden administration's broader crackdown on
fox28savannah.com
· 2025-12-08
A Florida couple, Monique C. Clarke and Jon-Michael Hudson, were indicted for operating a lottery scam that defrauded 51 elderly victims of over $6.6 million between October 2020 and January 2021. The scheme involved calling victims claiming they won lottery prizes, then pressuring them to pay upfront fees for taxes and shipping, with money mules depositing the victims' checks and forwarding cash to the conspirators; Clarke allegedly received over $500,000 and used part of it to purchase a Mercedes-Benz in Jamaica. Both defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted.
africanews.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian socialite Mona Faiz Montrage (Hajia4Reall) pleaded guilty to conspiring to receive stolen money in a $2 million romance scam targeting older Americans, and agreed to forfeit and make restitution of $2,164,758.41. She was extradited from the United Kingdom in May 2023 and faced charges for her role in an operation that used fake identities and various pretenses—including false gold transport and fake FBI investigation claims—to defraud vulnerable elderly victims.
citinewsroom.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian socialite Mona Faiz Montrage (known as Hajia4Real) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money from romance scams targeting older Americans and agreed to pay over $4.3 million in total restitution and forfeiture ($2.16 million to victims and $2.16 million to U.S. authorities). Montrage was arrested abroad and knowingly laundered proceeds stolen from vulnerable elderly victims through fake romantic relationships, with sentencing to follow before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty.
whio.com
· 2025-12-08
A Central Florida woman lost approximately $600,000 of her life savings to a romance scam in which a scammer impersonated Elon Musk, convincing her she was in a relationship and investing money with him through wire transfers, ATM withdrawals, and gift card purchases. The victim's daughter brought the story to light to raise awareness, noting that romance scams targeting older, divorced women are underreported; the FTC documented $1.3 billion in romance scam losses nationally in 2022, though experts believe actual losses are significantly higher. Victims are advised to report such scams immediately to the FBI, FTC, and the relevant social media platform.
observernews.net
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, Americans lost nearly $9 billion to scams and fraud, with seniors being particularly vulnerable targets, according to FTC reports. The Community Foundation Tampa Bay, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and Men's Club of Sun City Center partnered to present a free educational seminar on March 5 featuring speakers who covered common scams including charity fraud, lottery schemes, romance scams, and grandparent scams, while providing prevention strategies and resources to protect older adults from financial exploitation.
tamaractalk.com
· 2025-12-08
The Broward Sheriff's Office is hosting a Senior Safety Summit on March 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Tamarac Community Center to educate seniors about scams targeting their community. The event will cover prevalent senior scams, recognition and prevention strategies, and steps for victims to take if they have been defrauded.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old Calgary senior lost over $3,200 in a rental scam after finding a property online and being approved via email on February 6. The scammer collected multiple payments under the guise of rent and deposits, with requests continuing until February 21, claiming the keys would be provided after the final payment—a classic red flag that Reid ultimately did not ignore. A land title search revealed the listed owners did not match the rental contacts, and the same property was posted on multiple sites at varying prices; the property was found to be vacant when investigators visited.
steinbachonline.com
· 2025-12-08
A senior in Steinbach, Manitoba lost a substantial amount of money in a Grandparent Scam on Wednesday, where a fraudster called pretending to be a relative in jail and requesting bail money, then arranged in-person cash pickup at the victim's home. Police received two complaints that day and report fraudsters have obtained victims' addresses in the area; if successful, scammers typically call back demanding additional money. Authorities recommend seniors hang up on suspicious calls, verify with family members, establish a family safety word, and report all suspected fraud to police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
okcfox.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old Piedmont, Oklahoma woman lost approximately $52,000 in a phone scam where callers impersonated Social Security Administration officials and a local police officer, claiming her accounts were compromised and convincing her to withdraw cash for a man who collected it in person. The victim is now facing financial hardship including potential inability to pay rent and nursing home expenses for her husband, and authorities are investigating the case while she seeks public assistance through a GoFundMe page.
cbs19.tv
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The Smith County Sheriff's Office is warning of telephone scams in which callers impersonate law enforcement officers, specifically claiming to be Sgt. Tim Jones or Sgt. Justin Hall from the civil processing division, to pressure victims into sending money. These scams prey on elderly and vulnerable people through scare tactics, though legitimate law enforcement will never call demanding payment; residents can verify suspicious calls by contacting the sheriff's office non-emergency line.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
A major telemarketing scam targeting American timeshare owners, operated by Mexico's Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), has defrauded thousands of victims—many elderly—of hundreds of millions of dollars over the past decade. The scheme, which began in Puerto Vallarta and expanded to Cancún and other resort areas, uses fake offers to buy timeshares at inflated prices, then extracts fees for taxes and other costs that are never refunded; one victim lost nearly $1.8 million across multiple transactions. U.S. government officials believe the cartel now profits more from timeshare fraud than drug trafficking, though the operation remains difficult to prosecut
coshoctontribune.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, consumers lost a record $10 billion to scams—$1 billion more than the previous year—with approximately 2.6 million reports filed to the FTC, including one in four people experiencing losses with a median of $500 each. The top three scam types were imposter scams ($2.7 billion in losses), investment scams (with median losses rising from $5,000 to $7,700), and social media scams ($1.4 billion total losses). Consumer protection agencies like the FTC and Ohio Attorney General's Office educate the public on recognizing scams targeting specific groups—such as older adults, college students, an
bocanewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
A South Palm Beach County woman shared her experience on social media about falling victim to a tech support scam where fake pop-up warnings claiming her account was hacked directed her to call a number, and scammers attempted to manipulate her into purchasing bitcoin. The woman avoided financial loss by hanging up and contacting her bank and trading accounts directly. The article warns that posting about scams publicly with personal information increases risk of being targeted repeatedly by fraudsters.