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in Crypto Investment Scam
ny1.com
· 2025-12-08
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez warned New Yorkers about "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams, in which fraudsters lure victims through dating apps and group chat platforms into fake crypto investments, with documented losses ranging from $118,000 to $420,000 per victim and an estimated $3 billion stolen nationally in the past year. The DA's office has seized over 20 fraudulent crypto websites and domains that collectively defrauded victims of nearly $3 million, though law enforcement faces challenges in tracking perpetrators and recovering funds due to rapid cryptocurrency transfers and non-compliant exchanges. Officials urge victims to report crimes immediately, noting that actual case numbers are
abc7ny.com
· 2025-12-08
The Brooklyn district attorney's office seized nearly two dozen web domains used in "pig butchering" scams, which lure victims through random messages and dating apps into fake cryptocurrency investments that show false returns but prevent withdrawals. Brooklyn-based victims lost at least $5 million to the scheme, which is facilitated by human trafficking victims in Southeast Asia, with one victim losing $23,000 after being tricked into deposits totaling nearly $400,000. Authorities recovered three virtual servers and advised the public to verify cryptocurrency exchanges through the New York State Department of Financial Services before investing.
foxreno.com
· 2025-12-08
A Reno resident lost $17,000 in a phone scam that began with a fake Amazon Prime support call and escalated when scammers impersonating the FTC and Wells Fargo threatened legal action and convinced the victim to withdraw cash and convert it to cryptocurrency. Washoe County residents lost over $500,000 to bitcoin scams in 2023, and authorities warn that legitimate businesses and government agencies never request cryptocurrency payments, while scammers increasingly use personal information and threatening tactics to pressure victims.
foxreno.com
· 2025-12-08
A Reno resident lost $17,000 in an elaborate phone scam after searching online for Amazon Prime support and being redirected to scammers impersonating the FTC and Wells Fargo, who threatened legal action and demanded cryptocurrency deposits. Washoe County residents lost over $500,000 to bitcoin scams in 2023, prompting the sheriff's office to warn the public that legitimate businesses and government agencies never request payment in cryptocurrency and that scammers increasingly use personal information and threatening tactics to manipulate victims.
postandcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
This opinion piece highlights multiple types of elder and consumer fraud affecting South Carolina residents, including gift card scams, cryptocurrency schemes, the "grandparent" impersonation scam, and account takeovers, with documented losses ranging from $30,000 to $39,000. The author provides red flags to recognize scams (requests for gift cards or cryptocurrency, unsolicited requests for personal information, phishing emails) and recommends protective measures such as using strong passwords, utilizing password managers, and paying with credit cards rather than debit cards to limit liability. The piece emphasizes that while individuals have limited recourse, large institutions continue to suffer major data breaches that put personal information into criminals' hands.
cryptotimes.io
· 2025-12-08
Millions of dollars in fraudulent funds were seized at Evolve Bank and Trust after the bank discovered that entities including Parallel Design Limited, Gatcha Pictures Limited, and Bytechip LLC were facilitating crypto scams and pig-butchering schemes operated by a network of 26 Chinese nationals. Evolve froze over $15 million in virtual accounts linked to these fraudulent activities and subsequently severed relationships with the implicated firms due to unsatisfactory banking practices.
hamlethub.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
This educational piece outlines key strategies for protecting against hacking and scams. It advises securing internet-connected devices against malware, recognizing common scam tactics (phishing, romance scams, fake tech support, and demands for wire transfers or cryptocurrency), and reporting suspected fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
silicon.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Google filed a lawsuit against two alleged cryptocurrency scammers based in mainland China and Hong Kong who uploaded 87 fraudulent apps that were downloaded by over 100,000 people, defrauding victims of tens of thousands of dollars each through "pig-butchering" romance scams. The developers used fake cryptocurrency investment apps that promised high returns but prevented withdrawals and demanded additional fees of 10-30 percent, ultimately severing contact once victims' funds were exhausted. Google seeks to block the defendants from accessing its services and claims $75,000 in damages from the investigation.
9news.com
· 2025-12-08
A Colorado woman lost $158,162 in Ethereum cryptocurrency in a 2022 scam after being deceived by a fake Instagram account impersonating Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin, which promised to double any cryptocurrency sent to it. Federal Secret Service agents, assisted by a private cryptocurrency forensics firm, were able to freeze an account containing approximately $17,000 of the stolen funds, though the suspected scammer is believed to be located in Kazakhstan and the case is not prosecutable locally. Experts note that such scams typically target people unfamiliar with cryptocurrency and that cryptocurrency transactions cannot be reversed once completed.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reissued a cryptocurrency alert during Financial Literacy Month, warning consumers about investment fraud risks. According to the FTC, over 46,000 people reported losing more than $1 billion to cryptocurrency scams (60 times the 2018 figure), with $575 million involving fraudulent investment schemes that promise unrealistic returns and use fake tracking websites or demand additional "fees" to withdraw funds. The alert advises potential investors to research thoroughly, avoid high-pressure sales tactics, never invest more than they can afford to lose, and be wary of anyone demanding cryptocurrency payments or guaranteeing profits.
nevalleynews.org
· 2025-12-08
Scottsdale Community College hosted a cyber security awareness event featuring speakers from the U.S. Secret Service and Scottsdale Police Department who educated students and community members about online scams, including AI-voice impersonation schemes, cryptocurrency fraud, and romance scams targeting vulnerable populations. The presentation emphasized protective measures such as staying calm during suspicious calls, verifying caller identity through questions only loved ones would know, and strengthening passwords and security practices, noting that seniors and widows are particularly targeted by romance scammers who exploit loneliness and unfamiliarity with social media.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Brick Township police warn residents, particularly seniors, about active scams in their community, including gift card/cryptocurrency fraud, grandparent scams, email phishing, tech support fraud, and romance scams. The department urges residents to verify caller identities, avoid unsolicited payment requests, maintain strong cybersecurity practices, and report suspected fraud to local police immediately.
cpr.org
· 2025-12-08
While younger adults are statistically more likely to fall for fraud, people over 70 lose significantly more money overall. An 80-year-old man in Aurora lost $20,000 after scammers posed as his bank's fraud department over several weeks, convincing him to withdraw cash and convert it to Bitcoin at a gas station ATM. Deputy Ryan Falkner of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office identifies the most prevalent current scams targeting older adults as popup virus warnings and jury duty/arrest warrant phone scams, recommending that victims turn off their computers and never pay via gift cards or cryptocurrency.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
IRS impostor scams, which cost consumers $5.8 million in 2023, typically begin with robocalls using spoofed caller IDs and progress to demands for payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency under threats of arrest, or attempts to extract sensitive personal information by falsely claiming a refund is owed. The article advises that the IRS never initiates contact via unsolicited calls and recommends verifying any such claims by contacting the IRS directly using official contact information from trusted sources.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old MBA student in Nagpur lost Rs 23 lakh in a cryptocurrency investment scam after a fraudster posing as an investment advisor contacted him via Telegram in November 2023. The scammer initially provided fake returns on a small investment to build trust, then persuaded the student to deposit the full amount, which was never recovered. Police registered a case and launched an investigation under IPC and IT Act provisions.
money.com
· 2025-12-08
From 2019 to 2023, reported cases of employment fraud nearly tripled from 38,000 to 107,000, costing victims $490.7 million in 2023 alone. Scammers use fake job listings to steal personal information for identity theft or credit fraud, and increasingly request upfront payments via email and cryptocurrency for fake training, equipment, or background checks, with victims losing a median of $2,100. Job seekers should be cautious of suspiciously easy or highly-paid positions, research companies thoroughly, and verify job postings directly with employers to avoid these schemes.
northjersey.com
· 2025-12-08
Morris County authorities warned seniors that Americans lose over $10 billion annually to scams including fake bank notifications, phony job offers, and romance fraud, noting that many senior victims don't report losses due to embarrassment and fear of losing independence. The Prosecutor's Office Financial Crimes Unit provided protection tips including avoiding suspicious links and attachments, never sharing ID or passport information via webcam, and refusing requests for wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency payments. Authorities emphasized that victims should report fraud immediately to increase chances of financial recovery and aid law enforcement investigations.
nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Offshore scammers stole approximately $6.7 million from 25 New Zealand victims who shared their stories with the Herald, with only $700,000 recovered, representing part of hundreds of millions stolen annually from Kiwis. The scams involved sophisticated fraudsters posing as investment advisers from major banks (Citibank, HSBC, Macquarie) using fake prospectuses and call-routing software to appear legitimate, while directing victims to deposit money into local "holding accounts" controlled by money mules. Victims—including business owners, retirees, health workers, and a politician—experienced significant emotional trauma and shame, with most complaints to the Banking
irvingweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
On October 6, 2023, a Colleyville resident lost $5,800 to an impersonation scam when a caller falsely claiming to be a Brown County Sheriff's Deputy threatened her with outstanding citations and directed her to send money via cryptocurrency ATM. After the victim's son intervened to stop further losses, swift police reporting and collaboration between Colleyville detectives and a crypto ATM fraud investigator led to the freezing and eventual seizure of the scammer's accounts. On April 11, 2024, the full $5,800 was recovered and returned to the victim—a rare successful recovery in cryptocurrency fraud cases.
marinij.com
· 2025-12-08
Thirty-one Marin County residents lost $33 million to online investment scams in 2023, according to an FBI report, with the broader San Francisco territory reporting nearly $400 million in losses across multiple counties. The typical scam involves criminals promising unrealistic returns on investments (often cryptocurrency-related) and either failing to invest victim funds or pocketing most of the money, exploiting victims' lack of knowledge about complex financial products. Nationwide, online investment fraud losses reached $4.5 billion in 2023, a 38% increase from the prior year, and the FBI recommends victims file complaints immediately through its Internet Crime Complaint Center, as some funds may be recoverable
fox23.com
· 2025-12-08
The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office is warning the public about scammers impersonating the AG's Office and claiming victims have won money, then demanding fees to collect the supposed winnings. Callers have used 918 area codes, spoofed the official AG phone number, and displayed "unknown" caller IDs, though no financial losses have been reported yet. The AG advises Oklahomans to never wire money or share personal information with unsolicited callers claiming to be government officials, to verify caller identity independently, and to disregard caller ID information as it can be faked.
opb.org
· 2025-12-08
Kitboga, a Twitch streamer and "scam baiter," poses as vulnerable characters (like an elderly woman named Edna) to waste scammers' time and expose their tactics, preventing them from targeting real victims. With Americans losing a record $12.5 billion to internet crimes in the latest year—a 22% jump from the previous year—Kitboga uses his 1.2 million Twitch followers to educate viewers about common scams including tech support fraud, gift card scams, and "pig butchering" (romance-investment scams involving cryptocurrency). Inspired by his grandmother's vulnerability to scams and a chatbot
mercurynews.com
· 2025-12-08
Thirty-one Marin County residents lost $33 million to online investment scams in 2023, with the FBI's San Francisco territory reporting nearly $400 million in total losses across multiple counties, and nationwide losses reaching $4.5 billion (a 38% increase from the prior year). Scammers typically promise unrealistic returns on "innovative" investments or cryptocurrency schemes, either failing to invest victims' money or investing only a portion while pocketing the rest. The FBI advises victims to report schemes immediately to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, as those involving wire transfers may be recoverable with prompt reporting.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Ryan, a self-employed business owner, invested $750 in a Rebel Satoshi memecoin presale in early 2021, attracted by what appeared to be legitimate credentials including a Yahoo Finance press release and credit card payment option. After the token's March launch, the developers changed the terms of token distribution, the price collapsed 65%, and the project pivoted to promoting a different token—all indicators of an exit scam that technical analysis confirmed contained suspicious code designed to benefit the developers. This case exemplifies how scammers exploit FOMO (fear of missing out) in the memecoin market, where presale scams increased fivefold in March 2021 with approximately
welivesecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
This article examines cryptocurrency fraud threats, particularly as Bitcoin's value surges and a halving event approaches, attracting both legitimate interest and malicious actors. The main threats include malware like Lumma Stealer and crypto drainers (which stole $59 million and $47 million respectively), phishing scams using spoofed social media accounts and fake investment platforms, and social engineering attacks such as celebrity impersonation schemes. The article advises cryptocurrency users to protect themselves against these unregulated market threats through awareness and digital security practices.
npr.org
· 2025-12-08
Kitboga, a software engineer-turned-Twitch streamer with 1.2 million followers, poses as elderly people and other characters to waste scammers' time and expose their tactics, inspired by his grandmother's vulnerability to tech support scams. By documenting his interactions with fraudsters on livestream, he educates viewers about common scams including romance schemes, pig butchering, and gift card fraud, while Americans lose a record $12.5 billion annually to internet crimes. His scam-baiting efforts aim to reduce the number of actual victims by keeping perpetrators occupied and helping people recognize fraud through his educational content.
cpr.org
· 2025-12-08
Internet scammers targeted over 10,000 Coloradans in the past year, stealing $187.6 million, with investment fraud, business email compromise, and tech support scams causing the largest losses statewide. People 60 and older were the most victimized group and suffered the greatest financial losses, while tech support scams and extortion schemes saw notable increases; nationally, phishing, personal data breaches, and cryptocurrency investment fraud (up 50% in losses) emerged as significant threats.
news.azpm.org
· 2025-12-08
Kitboga, a computer engineer-turned-Twitch streamer with 1.2 million followers, is a prominent "scam baiter" who poses as vulnerable individuals to waste scammers' time and expose their tactics through livestreamed videos. Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to internet crimes in the past year (a 22% increase from the previous year), yet law enforcement lacks resources to investigate most cases; Kitboga aims to reduce actual victims by keeping fraudsters occupied while educating viewers about common scams like tech support fraud, romance scams, and pig butchering schemes. He was inspired to start scam baiting in 2017 after
classaction.org
· 2025-12-08
A class action lawsuit filed in South Carolina in April 2024 alleges that Bitcoin Depot and Circle K Stores knowingly failed to implement adequate safeguards against cryptocurrency ATM scams targeting elderly consumers, despite awareness that their machines are commonly used to facilitate elder fraud and money laundering. The defendants allegedly maintained minimal anti-fraud measures because they profit substantially from charging inflated markups on Bitcoin transactions, with the FTC reporting over 46,000 cryptocurrency scam victims losing more than $1 billion between January 2021 and June 2022, primarily through Bitcoin.
moco360.media
· 2025-12-08
A Silver Spring woman lost nearly $800,000 in a gold bar scam after receiving a fraudulent call claiming to be from the FTC's Office of the Inspector General, instructing her to convert assets to gold for "safekeeping" by the FBI and Treasury Department. Montgomery County police report approximately a dozen similar victims in the past year losing over $5 million total, with only one arrest made—courier Wenhui Sun, 34, who allegedly picked up gold bars from victims; scammers target this method because gold is untraceable and has universal value across countries. The FBI warns that government agencies and legitimate businesses never request citizens purchase gold or precious metals, and urges
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers known as "Yahoo Boys," primarily based in Nigeria, are increasingly using deepfake and face-swapping technology in real-time video calls to impersonate fake romantic partners and defraud victims of thousands of dollars each. The FBI reports over $650 million was lost to romance fraud last year, with the scammers openly sharing their techniques and recruiting accomplices across Telegram and social media platforms. These experienced con artists, who have evolved their tactics as AI technology has improved, operate in loosely organized clusters without formal leadership structure and show little fear of consequences.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
In the past year, 2.5 million Americans lost $10 billion to scams—a $1 billion increase from 2022—with investment scams being the costliest at $4.6 billion despite ranking fourth in frequency, and imposter scams (claiming to be government, banks, or companies) being most common at $2.7 billion in losses. The FTC warns that scammers use increasingly aggressive tactics including promises of guaranteed investment returns, pressure to act quickly, and requests to move money via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, while legitimate businesses never unexpectedly contact people asking for money or personal information. Experts estimate these reported figures represent only a
nbcsandiego.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old retired naval architect lost over $40,000 to a scam in January 2023 when fraudsters impersonating Amazon convinced him to send nearly $29,500 in cryptocurrency via ATM, and later accessed his bank account to withdraw an additional $11,870 through fraudulent checks. His attorney is suing Chase Bank for failing to flag suspicious activity, and supports Senate Bill 278, which would require banks to implement stronger safeguards—such as transaction holds or mandatory review by trusted contacts—to protect seniors' accounts from scam-related losses that are particularly devastating given older adults' limited ability to recover financially.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
A 24-year-old Sri Lankan man named Ravi was trafficked to a scam center in Myanmar under false pretenses of a data entry job, where he and approximately 40 other migrant workers were forced to conduct romance scams targeting wealthy Western men, working up to 22 hours daily and facing torture and sexual violence when they resisted. According to UN estimates from August 2023, over 120,000 people—predominantly Asian men—have been enslaved in Myanmar scam centers that generate billions of dollars for Chinese crime syndicates and armed groups, with romance scams alone accounting for $652 million in losses across 17,000+ US complaints in
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
This compilation covers six major elder fraud and scam cases: Nigerian "Yahoo Boys" used AI-generated deepfakes in romance scams causing $650 million in losses (2021), with recent cases totaling $25 million and a Salt Lake City jury indicting seven members for laundering $8 million; a Montreal woman lost $25,000 to a crypto scam featuring a fake Elon Musk deepfake; Greek police arrested nine individuals who defrauded victims of €305,789 through phone impersonation scams; a Myanmar trafficking operation forced victims into romance scams via torture and exploitation; and a UK survey found 22% of young adults
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Laura Kowal, a widowed healthcare executive, lost her $1.5 million nest egg to a romance scammer operating under the name "Frank Borg" on Match.com, who manipulated her through months of calls and emails before pressuring her into fraudulent investments and coercing her to help defraud other victims; she was found dead in the Mississippi River. The FBI and Justice Department reported over 64,000 American romance scam victims in 2023 (with experts believing the true number is significantly higher due to underreporting), with financial losses ballooning from $500 million in 2019 to $1.14 billion in
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
On April 16, the FTC proposed extending the Telemarketing Sales Rule to cover inbound calls for technical support services in response to advertisements, allowing the agency to pursue civil penalties and consumer redress against tech support scammers. Consumer complaints about tech support scams rose from 40,000 in 2017 to nearly 115,000 in 2021, with reported losses exceeding $55 million in 2018, disproportionately affecting seniors over 60 years old. The proposed rule defines technical support services broadly to address evolving scam tactics and seeks public comment by June 17.
techtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency scams targeting elderly individuals have surged dramatically, with investment fraud losses among Americans aged 60+ rising 38% to $4.57 billion in 2023, and crypto-specific investment fraud increasing 53% to $3.96 billion. Scammers exploit social media platforms to establish trust with seniors through fake investment opportunities featuring artificially high returns, gradually escalating requests for larger amounts. Recovery solutions exist through specialized blockchain forensics and asset recovery services, while protection measures include verifying contacts through face-to-face communication and avoiding suspicious links or unsolicited requests.
sandhillsexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A widow named Laura Kowal lost her $1.5 million nest egg to a romance scam perpetrator using the alias "Frank Borg" on Match.com, who manipulated her through emotional connection before coercing her into fraudulent investments and wire transfers; she subsequently died in the Mississippi River. The case exemplifies a growing epidemic of romance scams combined with investment fraud targeting dating app users, with over 64,000 reported American victims in 2023 and losses totaling $1.14 billion in 2022, though experts believe actual figures are significantly higher due to underreporting and shame among victims. Law enforcement officials acknowledge the response has been inadequate, with sc
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
A 71-year-old digital artist in India lost approximately $1,895 to scammers posing as an NFT art dealer on a fraudulent platform (nfttradeplace.com) between October 2023 and March 2024. The scammers promised to purchase his artwork for a substantial amount but then repeatedly demanded bogus "gas fees" and "delay fees" for platform transactions and withdrawals, with the victim making four payments before realizing the fraud. The victim filed a police complaint in April 2024, though authorities noted that tracing cryptocurrency transactions and identifying the perpetrators remains challenging.
prunderground.com
· 2025-12-08
"Senior Savvy: A Comprehensive Guide to Avoiding Scams," authored by retired investment advisor Andy LaPointe, is an educational resource designed to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud targeting them both online and offline. The guide covers scam types ranging from door-to-door schemes to cryptocurrency fraud, and provides practical advice on internet safety, password creation, phishing recognition, and steps for reporting fraud and recovery. Bulk purchase discounts are available for organizations seeking to use the book as an educational tool for community workshops and seminars.
12news.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Phoenix detailed a sophisticated "Phantom Hacker" scam targeting elderly Arizonans that has resulted in multiple victims losing their life savings. The scam typically begins with a fake pop-up warning of computer compromise, followed by scammers posing as representatives from legitimate companies and banks who gain remote access to victims' computers, monitor their banking activity, and then direct them to transfer funds to cryptocurrency ATMs. FBI officials indicate the scammers, often operating from overseas locations like Russia and China, are successful in returning victims' funds approximately two-thirds to three-quarters of the time when reports are made within one to two days of the transaction.
inews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A 61-year-old man from Kent lost nearly £80,000 in cryptocurrency tokens after being deceived by a fraudster impersonating a Ledger wallet support representative on X (Twitter). The scammer used a verified blue tick account to gain credibility and tricked him into sharing his "seed phrase," which granted access to his digital wallet containing IoTeX tokens that represented his planned retirement savings. The incident highlights the vulnerability of crypto holders to social engineering scams and the diminished trustworthiness of X's blue tick verification system since its monetization in 2022.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
A Kaspersky survey of 2,000 North American adults found that scams are widespread across online platforms, with 42% encountering fraud on dating apps, 38% on Facebook, and 29% falling victim to scams overall. Phishing attacks grew 40% in 2023, with scammers using AI tools and social engineering to impersonate customer service representatives, daters, and celebrities across dating apps, social media, gaming platforms, and banking sites. The survey also revealed that 75% of consumers want stronger privacy regulations and that users recognize gaps in their own security habits, with 65% wanting to be more cautious about clicking links and 57
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
A Lancaster County man lost $165,000 in a "pig butchering" romance scam after being contacted on Facebook by a woman claiming to be "Libby Collins," who persuaded him to invest in cryptocurrency. Despite warnings from his bank, Mark Heath sent three wire transfers; investigators have traced $80,000 of the funds to cryptocurrency, with recovery uncertain. The FBI reports romance scams increased 183% last year and often originate from Southeast Asia and China, typically targeting vulnerable individuals living alone.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Niselio Barros Garcia Jr., a 50-year-old Florida man, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for his role in laundering romance scam proceeds, having scammed $2.3 million in funds that he sent to criminal associates in Nigeria using cryptocurrency exchanges. Garcia worked with four other suspects to defraud multiple victims and was ordered to return $464,923.91 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. Romance scams have grown significantly, with American victims losing over $1 billion to overseas criminals in 2023, though actual figures are likely much higher due to underreporting and the difficulty law enforcement faces in prosecuting transn
wcnc.com
· 2025-12-08
Angela Sloan, a York County resident battling cancer, lost nearly $2 million in a cryptocurrency scam after being recruited through Facebook conversations to invest in a fake digital trading platform that returned counterfeit coins. The case highlights the growing sophistication of cryptocurrency scams, which experts and law enforcement struggle to combat due to limited partnerships and coordination, though recovery firms are working to track stolen funds and collaborate with federal agencies.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A South Korean woman lost $50,000 to a romance scam in which a fraudster impersonated Elon Musk using deepfake technology in video calls, gradually building an emotional connection before convincing her to "invest" the money in a fake Tesla opportunity. The scammer used fabricated details about Musk's life, official-looking ID photos, and a convincing deepfake video declaring "I love you" to manipulate the victim into transferring funds to a bank account. This case reflects a broader pattern of romance scammers exploiting emotions and celebrity identities, with romance fraud alone costing victims $1.3 billion in the U.S. in 2022.
13newsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
FBI forensic accountant Daniel Booth warns that cryptocurrency scams are increasingly prevalent in the Hampton Roads, Virginia region, representing traditional fraud schemes updated to use digital currency. Three common types include ransomware attacks on businesses (demanding crypto payments for system access), fake tech support scams targeting individuals (gaining remote access to steal financial data), and "pig butchering" schemes (fake investment websites encouraging victims to deposit money with false promises of trading gains, sometimes resulting in loss of life savings). Victims of cryptocurrency fraud are encouraged to report cases to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
muskoka411.com
· 2025-12-08
Kaspersky's 2024 survey of 2,000 North American adults found that scams are widespread across online platforms, with 42% encountering fraud on dating apps, 38% on Facebook, and 29% overall falling victim to scams. Phishing attacks increased 40% in 2023, with scammers using AI tools and social engineering across social media, gaming, banking, and cryptocurrency platforms. The survey also revealed that 75% of consumers want new privacy regulations and 77% are concerned about AI-generated deepfakes, while experts recommend users employ multi-factor authentication, strong passwords, and skepticism when clicking links.