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localprofile.com
· 2025-12-08
Plano Police Detective Vidmar was honored for his role in recovering over $8 million in stolen funds from victims of sweetheart scams, business email compromises, and other fraudulent crimes through his work with the U.S. Secret Service North Texas Financial Crimes Task Force. Working with Judge Ben Smith, Vidmar secured nearly 70 expedited search and seizure warrants targeting fraudulent bank accounts in Plano, Texas, which allowed authorities to freeze assets before criminals could withdraw stolen money. The collaborative effort successfully returned 99.8% of the recovered funds to victims across the United States and Canada over a 3.5-year period.
todayonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Police in the Philippines rescued 875 people from a human trafficking and online scam operation during a raid on March 14, with eight suspects arrested. The compound north of Manila, posing as an internet gaming company, forced victims into love scams, romance scams, and cryptocurrency schemes under threat of physical harm and by confiscating their passports, affecting Chinese nationals, Filipinos, Vietnamese, and citizens from other Southeast Asian countries. This operation reflects a broader problem across Southeast Asia where crime syndicates generate billions of dollars annually by coercing workers into predatory online scams.
financemagnates.com
· 2025-12-08
A joint survey by Finance Magnates and FXStreet of 631 traders found that over 60 percent of victims targeted by scammers on Telegram lost money, making it the platform where traders face the highest financial loss rates compared to Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and other social media. Telegram's features—including privacy, anonymity, ease of impersonation, lax content moderation, and planned payment system integration—make it particularly attractive to scammers targeting active trader communities, while experts recommend traders verify broker credentials through regulatory websites rather than relying solely on social media claims.
churchleaders.com
· 2025-12-08
**Fake Clergy Scams: Overview and Prevention**
Fake clergy scams involve individuals impersonating religious leaders to exploit victims' trust through solicited donations, requests for personal information, and fraudulent spiritual services, often targeting vulnerable people during moments of grief or spiritual seeking. Scammers use psychological manipulation tactics—including authority bias and in-group favoritism—to establish credibility through mimicked religious language, attire, and social media profiles, causing victims financial losses alongside profound emotional and spiritual trauma. Awareness of warning signs such as aggressive donation solicitation, reluctance to provide verifiable credentials, and inconsistent stories can help communities protect themselves from these deceptive practices that damage
goldcountrymedia.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this content as it does not contain information about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. The text appears to be a website error message and notification about a news website's 70th season opener, which falls outside the scope of Elderus database content.
nbcmiami.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season attracts scammers seeking to steal refunds through three common schemes: fraudulent tax returns using stolen personal information, phishing emails impersonating IRS agents (particularly targeting recent immigrants with deportation threats), and illegitimate tax relief companies charging high fees without delivering results. The IRS received 294,138 identity theft complaints last year, the second-highest on record, and taxpayers can protect themselves by filing early, never providing personal information to unsolicited IRS contacts, researching companies before hiring them, and monitoring their credit and tax records.
citizen.co.za
· 2025-12-08
Financial predators exploit vulnerable individuals by gaining their trust, then isolating them from friends and family before extracting money through romance scams, predatory lending, or identity theft. The three most common types are romantic predators who establish fake relationships to manipulate victims, predatory lenders who trap borrowers in debt cycles, and identity predators who steal personal information for fraud. To protect yourself, maintain strong relationships with trusted friends and family who can spot suspicious behavior, and immediately cut all communication if you suspect someone is a financial predator.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Princo Oduro, a 34-year-old former Chase bank employee from Ohio, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for operating multiple fraud schemes that defrauded victims of $1.8 million. Using stolen personal information from at least five Chase customers, Oduro ran romance scams—posing as a soldier, medical patient, or precious metals dealer—and laundered stolen funds through PayPal accounts, including targeting a widow by falsely claiming her deceased husband had stored valuable artwork. He has been ordered to pay $1.8 million in restitution.
lokmattimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 48-year-old man in Navi Mumbai lost Rs 1.36 crore to a share trading scam between January and March 2024, after fraudsters lured him via WhatsApp with promises of high returns and instructed him to transfer money to various bank accounts. The Mumbai Police Cyber Cell registered a complaint under cheating and IT Act sections against two individuals and the organization "Angel One," though the investigation remains ongoing with no arrests made as of the report date.
thetimes.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Maria Woodhouse, a 34-year-old job seeker, lost £2,655 to a recruitment scam after being contacted via WhatsApp by a fake recruiter offering remote work for £13 per hour. The scammer created a false job using a cryptocurrency platform (OKX) as a payment method, tricking Woodhouse into depositing money for each "task" while the scammer redirected her funds out of the wallet. Recruitment scams are the third most commonly reported fraud type, with cases rising 156% year-over-year and averaging £3,000 in losses per victim.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Bethany Olmsted, a 43-year-old controller in Kokomo, Indiana, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud for stealing $413,531 from her employer and five investment companies between November 2018 and September 2021. Olmsted wrote approximately 520 fraudulent checks to herself and falsely categorized them as payments to legitimate vendors while transferring funds between accounts to conceal the thefts; she used the stolen money for personal expenses including spa treatments, jewelry, and high-end dining. The court ordered her to pay full restitution of $413,531.98 and serve 2 years of supervised release
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Justice Department and law enforcement officials attended the United Kingdom's first Global Fraud Summit in March, joining over 200 leaders from 11 countries and international organizations to address global fraud threats. The U.S. delegation participated in discussions on law enforcement collaboration, coordinated with international partners to enhance intelligence sharing and disrupt fraud networks at the source, and held bilateral meetings with Singapore and UK officials to strengthen transnational fraud-fighting efforts.
billingsmix.com
· 2025-12-08
Montana's Commissioner of Securities and Insurance warned of a precious metals scam in which fraudsters cold-call elderly victims, offering uncirculated gold coins at artificially low prices with promises of quick profits once the coins arrive from overseas. The scam uses high-pressure sales tactics and requests wire transfers to unknown accounts, while legitimate dealers offer verifiable credentials, physical addresses, and ample time for decision-making rather than urgent cold calls. Consumers should verify company registration and licensing, be wary of unsolicited calls, and understand that commissions on precious metals sales can consume 35% or more of investment value.
stories.td.com
· 2025-12-08
New Canadians face heightened vulnerability to financial fraud, with 90% of surveyed newcomers worried about becoming victims and 73% feeling particularly susceptible. Common scams targeting this population include phishing (stealing personal/financial information via fake emails or texts), job scams (fraudsters posing as employers to extract money for fake training or supplies), and romance scams, with 28% of affected new Canadians unsure how to respond if victimized. The best defense is awareness of warning signs, understanding common fraud tactics, and knowing how to report fraudulent activity.
goldsborodailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational piece from the North Carolina Department of Justice providing prevention tips for spring break travel scams. The article advises travelers to research companies through the Better Business Bureau, read contracts carefully, obtain written details before paying, use credit cards instead of cash, and contact authorities if victimized. No specific fraud cases or dollar amounts are mentioned.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission reported that fraud losses exceeded $10 billion for the first time, a 14% increase from 2022, with investment scams accounting for $4.6 billion and cryptocurrency fraud totaling $1.4 billion. Impostor scams were the most frequently reported fraud type, with victims losing an average of $7,000 each, and email became the primary method criminals used to contact victims, surpassing text and phone calls. The report notes that actual fraud losses likely far exceed reported figures, as most fraud goes unreported.
the-daily-record.com
· 2025-12-08
birminghammail.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A woman identified as Lisa lost £40,000 after falling victim to a cryptocurrency investment scam on social media that impersonated money-saving expert Martin Lewis, a case featured on ITV This Morning. Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley warned viewers that any endorsements of cryptocurrency or get-rich-quick schemes appearing to come from television personalities or financial experts are fraudulent, as cryptocurrency fraud rose 23 percent the previous year. Lisa worked with Trading Standards to address the scam and appeared on the show alongside a scams officer to help raise awareness about protecting against such schemes.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Jeremy Clay Guthrie, a 45-year-old Alabama man, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for wire fraud and preparing false tax returns after stealing over $550,000 from his employer and customers while managing an aviary supply business in Kentucky. His scheme involved charging customer credit cards while diverting payments to his personal company, altering checks, offering unauthorized discounts for cash, and concealing fraudulent sales; he also underreported $325,543 in income to the IRS for 2016-2017. The court determined total criminal losses between $550,000 and $1.5 million, with restitution to victims pending.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Truong My Lan, chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat Holdings Group, faces trial in Ho Chi Minh City for masterminding Vietnam's largest financial fraud, with Vietnamese prosecutors calling for the death penalty on embezzlement charges. Lan allegedly siphoned over $12.46 billion from Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (which she controlled through proxies) and caused an additional $7.54 billion in damages through unlawful loans to shell companies between 2018 and 2022, bringing total losses to approximately $20 billion (4.9% of Vietnam's GDP). Prosecutors argue for strict punishment due to the extremely serious and irreparable
fox5atlanta.com
· 2025-12-08
Johnna Hannah, a 28-year-old former business manager at Countryside Health Center in Buchanan, Georgia, faces 86 total felony charges (78 initial plus 8 additional) for embezzling over $60,000 from nearly 40 elderly patients over 18 months, including forging signatures and closing out bank accounts. The investigation, prompted by a forensic audit and subpoena of her personal bank records, revealed a pattern of financial exploitation of vulnerable residents, some of whom were deceased. The nursing home is working to repay victims' families as police indicate more charges are likely.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman discovered her husband of six years had spent approximately £7,000 over four months on an AI sexting service, specifically communicating with an AI chatbot named Sofia and sending her virtual gifts for lingerie and shoes. The wife confronted her husband after spotting a suspicious bank payment, and he initially denied wrongdoing before admitting he had become emotionally invested in the interaction, comparing it to a video game. The incident has raised concerns about financial infidelity and the potential impact of AI companionship services on human relationships.
electronicpaymentsinternational.com
· 2025-12-08
According to global verification platform Sumsub's 2023 research, approximately 1 in 100 digital platform users belonged to organized fraud networks that collectively engaged in multi-accounting, money laundering, and account takeovers. Fraud ring activity varied significantly by region, with Bangladesh (10.2%), Thailand (6.6%), and Vietnam (3.7%) showing elevated rates, while the US and UK reported only 0.2% each; detected networks ranged from 3 to over 750 coordinated members, including a case of Estonian cryptocurrency exchange applicants using identical fraudulent documents. Sumsub warns that fraud rings cause significantly greater damage than individual sc
theregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment fraud, predominantly cryptocurrency scams, cost Americans $4.57 billion in reported losses—a 38 percent increase from the previous year and significantly more than ransomware losses. The FBI found that these scams often begin with social engineering tactics like romance or confidence cons that evolve into investment fraud, with vulnerable victims subsequently targeted by recovery scams. Victims over 60 were disproportionately affected, accounting for 40 percent of complaints and 58 percent of the $1.3 billion in losses from customer support and impersonation scams.
biometricupdate.com
· 2025-12-08
Sumsub's research found that approximately 1 in 100 users on digital platforms are involved in fraud networks, with significant variation by region (Bangladesh at 10.2 percent, U.S. and UK at 0.2 percent each). The company updated its KYC verification platform to better detect and prevent fraud rings, which range from 3 to over 750 members and pose greater risks than individual scammers, with a notable case involving dozens of crypto exchange applicants in Estonia attempting to issue multiple cards to the same address using identical fake documents.
ktul.com
· 2025-12-08
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond warned of rising Bitcoin ATM scams targeting elderly residents, where fraudsters convince victims their banks are failing and persuade them to withdraw cash and deposit it into cryptocurrency kiosks at retail locations, with funds then sent irreversibly to scammers' wallets. The advisory also outlined related crypto scams including romance scams, pig butchering, fake investment platforms, computer virus alerts, and impersonation of government agencies, urging Oklahomans never to pay anyone demanding cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers as advance payments.
thewesternnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams cost U.S. consumers nearly $5 billion in 2023, prompting Montana's Commissioner of Securities and Insurance to host 16 educational events across western Montana in March to help seniors and adults recognize and prevent financial exploitation. The Montana Department of Revenue also warned of tax season scams, including fraudsters using fake 1-800 numbers mimicking the department's call center to solicit Social Security numbers and payments, along with common schemes involving fake refund fees, property seizure threats, and phishing emails.
ca.movies.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults in Modesto lost thousands of dollars to fraud in 2022, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting a 30% increase in fraud losses nationwide and 3,500 reported incidents in the county. Three prevalent scams targeting seniors locally are romance scams (exploiting social isolation), banking scams (where fraudsters pose as bank IT to gain phone access), and solar scams (linked to the unregulated PACE program). The average loss for victims age 80 and over is $1,500, more than six times the average loss for younger victims, with scammers specifically targeting vulnerable populations including the recently widowed, lonely, or isolated.
oilcity.news
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Wyoming residents and companies lost $13.7 million to scams, with investment fraud being the costliest at $5.7 million, followed by business email compromise ($2.3 million) and data breaches ($1.5 million), according to the CyberWyoming Alliance's annual report. Extortion, tech support, and non-payment scams affected the most victims, while impersonation of companies like PayPal, Geek Squad, and Kohl's and spoofing of individuals were common tactics. The report recommends that business leaders educate employees to verify unusual requests through alternative channels before acting on them.
ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission is warning consumers about scammers impersonating FTC employees to steal money, with median losses increasing from $3,000 in 2019 to $7,000 in 2024. The scammers falsely demand consumers move money to Bitcoin ATMs, purchase gold bars, withdraw cash, or threaten arrest and deportation—tactics the real FTC never uses. Consumers can report suspected FTC impersonation scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Terrence L. Pounds, 47, of Ohio, was sentenced to 94 months in prison for leading a COVID-19 relief fraud scheme that defrauded the Small Business Administration of over $4.2 million between March and December 2020. Pounds used stolen personal information to fraudulently apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans by falsely claiming applicants operated faith-based organizations with $1 million in revenue, and he used the proceeds to purchase luxury vehicles. He was ordered to pay $4,239,940.43 in restitution and forfeit the seized vehicles.
kpbs.org
· 2025-12-08
On March 20, 2024, the U.S. Attorney's Office presented an educational program at San Diego State University featuring Assistant U.S. Attorney Oleksandra Johnson, an elder fraud coordinator, who discussed various methods of elder financial abuse including mail, phone, computer, and in-person schemes. The presentation covered trending fraud types in Southern California such as grandparent scams, romance scams, and investment fraud, while providing information on recognizing signs of financial abuse and prevention strategies.
observerlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 19-year-old Palm Coast man was indicted in January 2025 for federal wire fraud involving over $800,000, following a separate incident in October 2024 where Flagler Schools lost $719,000 to fraudulent transfer. Elderly residents are increasingly targeted by sophisticated fraud schemes including tech support scams, investment fraud, and impersonation of government officials, with FBI data showing that victims over 60 reported $3.1 billion in losses in 2022—an 84% increase—and cryptocurrency-related losses among seniors jumping 350%. Law enforcement officials note that most cases go unsolved due to funds being transferred overseas or through multiple accounts
nij.ojp.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. population of adults age 60 and older grew 33% from 2010 to 2020, yet research on fraud victimization in this demographic remains limited despite older adults losing over $36 billion annually to financial fraud. Older adults face heightened vulnerability to fraud due to cognitive decline, reduced financial literacy, social isolation, and greater trustfulness, with 34.8% of those age 50+ targeted by scams in a five-year period and 2.7-6.6% experiencing fraud annually, though actual numbers are likely higher due to significant underreporting.
securitymagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
A Visa report analyzing payment fraud from June to December 2023 found that 15% of U.S. adults have been targeted by inheritance scams, where victims are deceived by fraudsters posing as law firms notifying them of inheritances from relatives and requesting upfront payments. The report also highlighted other major scam trends including "pig butchering" scams (targeting 10% of adults through fake cryptocurrency investments), humanitarian relief scams, and triangulation fraud, while noting that fraudsters increasingly use AI to enhance their attacks and that ransomware cases surged 300% compared to the previous year.
theatlantic.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost a collective $10 billion to fraud in the past year—a first-time benchmark—as scammers exploit social isolation and emotional vulnerabilities using increasingly sophisticated methods targeting romance, finances, immigration, and family emergencies. Risk factors include loneliness and secrecy rather than age alone, with research showing that 10 percent of people aged 18-29 reported being scam victims compared to 9 percent of those 65 and older, though older adults tend to lose higher dollar amounts per incident. Scammers deliberately trigger heightened emotional states to impair rational decision-making and create confidential relationships where victims feel pressured to keep conversations secret.
techradar.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating FTC and U.S. government workers to defraud victims, particularly elderly people, by claiming accounts are compromised and directing them to purchase gold bars or withdraw cash to send to couriers. The FTC has issued a warning clarifying it never demands money, threatens arrest/deportation, or directs consumers to Bitcoin ATMs or gold purchases; the FBI received over 14,000 government impersonation reports in the past year, with median losses increasing from $3,000 in 2019 to $7,000 in 2024.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Regina Smith, a 34-year-old experienced real estate investor, fell victim to wire fraud in January 2023 when she sent a $60,000 down payment to a scammer who had spoofed emails from her title company for a Memphis property purchase. The fraudster had hacked into the title company's system to access transaction details and create a convincing fake email, causing Smith's home purchase to fall through and resulting in a total loss of her down payment. This case illustrates how real-estate wire fraud is increasing significantly, with the FBI reporting that one in 20 homebuyers and sellers experienced such scams in recent years, with median losses exceeding $70
hermoney.com
· 2025-12-08
Contrary to common stereotypes, younger adults (ages 18-59) are 34% more likely than older adults to report losing money to fraud, with particular vulnerability to online shopping and investment scams. Financial columnist Charlotte Cowles fell victim to an elaborate scam involving fake Amazon and FTC calls that threatened arrest and her child's safety, ultimately resulting in her handing over $50,000 in cash from her emergency fund. The key takeaway is that victims should speak with a trusted person before transferring money, as interruption by someone else is often what prevents financial loss rather than recognizing red flags.
amac.us
· 2025-12-08
Scams are widespread dishonest schemes used by bad actors to defraud victims through various channels including text, phone, email, and in-person contact, with the goal of stealing money or personal information for identity theft. According to 2023 Gallup data, 15% of Americans reported being scam victims in the past year, with nationwide fraud losses exceeding $10 billion, including $4.6 billion from investment scams and $2.7 billion from imposter scams. The FTC monitors scam trends and urges consumers to protect themselves by safeguarding sensitive information, remaining vigilant against impersonators, and reporting fraud at reportfraud.ftc
alaskapublic.org
· 2025-12-08
Alaska experienced a 91% surge in internet scam losses from 2022 to 2023, jumping from $16.5 million to $31.5 million—nearly double the national average increase of 21%—with seniors over 60 representing about 300 victims but accounting for over $8.7 million (more than a quarter of total losses). The FBI identified the three main fraud types affecting Alaskans as compromised business emails, investment fraud, and romance scams, while emphasizing that actual losses are likely underreported. Authorities stress prevention through strong passwords, anti-virus software, caution with virtual relationships, and reporting incidents to the FBI's Internet Crime
nbcwashington.com
· 2025-12-08
A 64-year-old woman in Leisure World, Maryland was defrauded of nearly $800,000 after a caller posing as a federal investigator convinced her to convert her savings into gold bars under the guise of protecting her from identity thieves. The suspect, Wenhui Sun, collected the gold bars in multiple parking lot exchanges before fleeing with the stolen assets. This cash-to-gold scam has affected at least a dozen seniors in Montgomery County, though police arrested Sun after setting up a sting operation with a decoy victim and $376,000 in gold bars.
fox5dc.com
· 2025-12-08
A California man was arrested in Montgomery County, Maryland for defrauding a 64-year-old woman out of $800,000 by posing as a federal investigator and convincing her to convert her assets into gold bars for supposed identity theft protection, then stealing the gold from a parking lot. The FBI reports this cash-to-gold scam resulted in over $55 million in losses nationwide from May to December of the previous year, with at least 12 victims identified in Montgomery County alone, as scammers exploit the lack of transaction scrutiny from gold bullion websites compared to traditional banking institutions.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Albertans reported losing over $156 million to fraud since 2020, with losses reaching $62.5 million in 2023 alone—a fivefold increase from 2020—though experts estimate only 5-10% of incidents are reported due to victim reluctance and embarrassment. Investment scams, particularly cryptocurrency fraud, accounted for nearly 58% of 2023 losses ($35.9 million), followed by spear-phishing attacks that took $8.5 million, with technological advancements and the unregulated nature of cryptocurrency enabling fraudsters to operate across borders with relative anonymity.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
**Death-Hoax Scam Using AI-Generated Obituaries**
Scammers are creating fake AI-generated obituaries of real, living people and posting them on low-quality content sites to generate ad revenue through clicks and search traffic, a scheme recently discovered when Los Angeles Times reporter Deborah Vankin found a false obituary about herself online. The scam targets high-traffic names and fills obituaries with keywords to rank in Google searches; while not directly targeting victims for money, the scheme exploits ad networks and has the potential to significantly impact public figures and celebrities. Users should verify the legitimacy of online obituaries, as personal information is readily available on the
koamnewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond warned consumers about a rising wave of cryptocurrency ATM scams targeting elderly victims, where scammers convince people their banks are failing and convince them to withdraw funds and deposit them into virtual currency kiosks, with the crypto then sent irreversibly to the scammer's wallet. The advisory also detailed other related scams including romance scams, pig butchering schemes, fake investment platforms, computer antivirus scams, and impersonation of government agencies, all designed to trick victims into making cryptocurrency payments. Drummond advised Oklahomans to never pay anyone demanding advance cryptocurrency payments and to contact relatives or the Oklahoma Attorney General's office if victimized.
kyuk.org
· 2025-12-08
Alaska's internet fraud losses nearly doubled from $16.5 million in 2022 to $31.5 million in 2023—a 91% increase that far outpaced the national 21% rise—with the FBI noting actual losses are likely underreported. While older adults (60+) represented only about 13% of Alaska's 2,338 fraud victims that year, they accounted for over $8.7 million in losses (more than 25% of the total), with the top fraud types being compromised business emails, investment scams, and romance scams. The FBI emphasizes prevention through strong passwords, caution with virtual relationships and suspicious links,
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
Multiple victims across Australia, the US, and Canada were allegedly scammed out of approximately $120,000-$126,000 by Putry Thornhill in a fake Bali villa and furniture investment scheme. Thornhill promised high returns on property investments (earning $1,300 monthly on $66,000 investments) but provided only photos instead of contracts, avoided signing agreements, and became uncontactable after receiving funds. Most victims have recovered little to no money, though some received partial reimbursements; NSW police have an outstanding arrest warrant for Thornhill if she returns to Australia.
sundayworld.com
· 2025-12-08
The Black Axe gang, a West African organized crime network with approximately 1,100 members in Ireland, has amassed a fortune primarily through cyber fraud rather than drug trafficking. The gang specializes in investment scams, romance fraud, and Business Email Compromise (BEC) schemes, with 226 Irish victims of investment fraud losing an average of €40,000-€50,000 each in the past year, while €7 million has been stolen through romance fraud targeting vulnerable women over the past five years. Irish law enforcement has made over 377 arrests as of last June and continues weekly operations under Operation Skein, which contributes to Interpol's international Operation