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starofmysore.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Mysuru residents lost a combined Rs. 40,42,779 to sophisticated fraud schemes between May and June 2024. The victims included an engineer duped by a fake HDFC Securities investment scam on Instagram/WhatsApp (Rs. 22,58,779 lost), a man impersonated by fake Mumbai Crime Branch officials posing as FedEx and ICICI Bank representatives (Rs. 7,00,561 lost), and another victim defrauded by a fraudulent stock trading website (Rs. 10,84,460 lost). Police have registered cases and advise residents to verify identities before sharing personal information or making financial transactions.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
British Columbia authorities warned 10 suspected "money mules" in Metro Vancouver in late May after the BCSC identified them transferring funds obtained from investment fraud victims, with an estimated hundreds of thousands of dollars involved. Money mules—who may knowingly or unknowingly facilitate money laundering for criminal networks—are recruited through false job offers, romance scams, or false identities, and face potential criminal charges for possession or laundering proceeds of crime. The investigation revealed that organized crime groups behind these investment fraud schemes have shifted from Nigeria and Eastern Europe to primarily southeast Asia since the BCSC began investigating in 2020.
vancouversun.com
· 2025-12-08
The RCMP and B.C. Securities Commission delivered warning letters to 10 suspected "money mules" on May 29 who were allegedly laundering proceeds from offshore investment scams involving hundreds of thousands of dollars through cash and cryptocurrency transfers. The operation targets individuals who may be unwittingly assisting criminals, willfully ignoring the illegal activity, or knowingly participating in money laundering schemes that originate from Eastern Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia. British Columbians reported $46.4 million in investment scam losses in 2023, though authorities estimate actual losses are significantly higher, with the true figure likely in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
moneymarketing.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Fraud affects one in 17 people in the UK and comprises 38% of all crime, according to an Anti-Money Laundering Professionals Forum. The article outlines seven increasingly sophisticated fraud types targeting victims: impersonation fraud (posing as banks or authorities), social media fraud (fake websites and phishing), cryptocurrency investment scams (promising false high returns), courier fraud (impersonating officials to extract money), romance fraud (building fake relationships to steal assets), investment fraud (promoting worthless overseas properties or shares), and payment diversion (using nearly-identical email addresses to redirect payments). Pension providers and authorities must work together to combat these scams through reporting and vigilance.
mageenews.com
· 2025-12-08
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15, 2024) was recognized by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi to promote awareness of elder fraud and abuse. The Justice Department highlighted common scams targeting seniors—including Social Security impostor schemes, tech support fraud, and lottery scams—and emphasized that information and vigilance, along with partnerships between law enforcement and the public, are key to prevention. Resources like the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force and Senior Scam Alerts are available to help older individuals and families identify and avoid fraudulent activity.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
On June 15, 2024, U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and highlighted that financial exploitation is the most common form of elder abuse, costing older adults an estimated $23 billion annually. The U.S. Attorney's Office has expanded efforts to combat elder fraud through initiatives including the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force, which targets foreign-based schemes, the Money Mule Initiative to disrupt fraud networks, and Senior Scam Alerts educating the public about common schemes such as Social Security impostor scams, tech support fraud, and lottery scams.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) by partnering with law enforcement agencies, AARP, Meals on Wheels, and the FBI to combat elder fraud through community education. The office hosted three public outreach events in Raleigh, Wake Forest, and Supply to help seniors recognize signs of financial scams and connect them with resources and support services. U.S. Attorney Michael Easley emphasized that seniors are frequently targeted by fraudsters and prioritized prosecuting cases involving elderly victims as part of broader efforts to protect vulnerable populations.
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
An anonymous victim lost approximately $1.1 million to two pig-butchering romance scams between January 2021 and December 2022, where scammers posed as a romantic interest and investment advisor on Facebook to manipulate the victim into transferring funds for false business opportunities and cryptocurrency investments. The US government has filed a forfeiture complaint to seize nearly $200,000 in Tether (USDT) held on Binance that was traced to the scam and converted by suspect Izuchukwu Henry Okolo, with the funds now in FBI custody. Pig-butchering scams use romantic relationships and false investment promises to gain victims' trust
wtov9.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorneys' offices for West Virginia's Northern and Southern districts hosted a Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering Conference in Wheeling to educate banking officials, compliance officers, and other financial professionals on identifying and preventing money laundering, elder financial exploitation, and romance scams. The conference featured panels with FBI agents, IRS agents, and federal prosecutors discussing strategies to better protect older West Virginians, with particular focus on the challenge of preventing victims from sending additional money to their exploiters. Officials noted an uptick in elder financial exploitation cases across the region and committed to improving protective measures.
theintelligencer.net
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of West Virginia hosted a financial crimes conference in Wheeling to educate bank officials, credit union staff, and other financial professionals on identifying and preventing fraud targeting vulnerable populations. The conference covered multiple fraud types affecting West Virginians, including elder financial abuse (subdivided into "elder thefts" by known individuals and "elder scams" by strangers), romance scams, and money laundering, with federal law enforcement and prosecutors sharing current trends and investigation insights. The training emphasized helping financial professionals recognize suspicious activity, properly file reports, and understand why victims—particularly elderly and trusting West Virginians—often resist warnings about ongoing scams.
wuky.org
· 2025-12-08
Elder Kentuckians lost $12.8 million to scams in the previous year, with projections to double to $12.7 million by May of the current year, according to FBI officials who warn the problem is not declining. The three most common scams targeting Kentucky elders are investment fraud (including cryptocurrency and precious metals schemes), tech support fraud (phishing and fake security alerts), and romance fraud, with a detailed case study showing a 72-year-old woman losing nearly $200,000 to a military officer imposter who cultivated a romantic relationship with her over months before requesting money for military contract payouts and travel expenses. The investigation resulted in the indictment of three U
sebastopoltimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial exploitation of elderly residents in Sonoma County increased significantly, with Adult Protective Services reporting a 9% rise in abuse reports and 14% increase in investigations from 2022 to 2023, with 19% of over 7,800 allegations involving financial exploitation. Common scams targeting seniors include investment fraud, tech support scams, phishing schemes, and romance scams, which collectively cost victims $3.4 billion nationally in 2023, with romance scams proving particularly damaging due to the emotional manipulation involved. Experts advised seniors to avoid clicking links in suspicious emails or calls, contact companies directly to verify account issues, and be wary of requests for money from online dating
federalnewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating federal agencies caused Americans to lose approximately $1.3 billion in the past year, with financial losses surging over sevenfold since 2019. Generative AI technology, particularly voice cloning, has made these impersonation scams more convincing and successful, with criminals posing as Medicare, IRS, law enforcement, and other federal officials to pressure victims into disclosing sensitive information or paying fraudulent fees. The article emphasizes that federal agencies need enhanced tools and tactics to combat these evolving threats, as these scams exploit public trust in government institutions.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
In observation of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts emphasized its commitment to prosecuting elder fraud and financial exploitation, noting that nearly one in 10 adults aged 60 and older experience some form of elder abuse annually. The office highlighted a recent case where Chukwunonso Umegbo was sentenced to over three years in prison for operating a romance scam that defrauded at least 45 victims of more than $568,000 between 2018 and 2019, including a senior who lost her home, car, and retirement savings. The District of Massachusetts has launched an Elder Justice Out
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis highlighted the Justice Department's multi-faceted approach to combating elder fraud, including the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force and Money Mule Initiative that target foreign-based schemes and fraud networks. The office detailed common scams affecting older Americans—including Social Security impostor schemes, tech support fraud, and lottery scams—and cited a 2023 federal conviction where a defendant defrauded an elderly widow of approximately $1.2 million by posing as her personal representative and spending her money on luxury items and lottery tickets.
postandcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
In observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the IRS Criminal Investigation's Charlotte Field Office is promoting fraud awareness to combat the rising tide of financial crimes against seniors. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals aged 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses from scams including tech support fraud, government impersonation, phishing, and romance schemes. The IRS employs education, criminal investigations, and public-private partnerships to combat elder fraud, with recent prosecutions including a home health care operator sentenced to 45 months for stealing over $1 million from elderly clients and an investment fraudster sentenced to
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
On June 15, 2024, the U.S. District of South Dakota joined national leaders in recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, emphasizing that one in ten older Americans are victims of elder abuse annually. The District highlighted ongoing efforts through initiatives like the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force and Money Mule Initiative to combat common schemes targeting seniors, including romance scams, tech support fraud, Social Security impostor scams, lottery scams, and IRS impersonation scams.
newstalkkzrg.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, highlighting that one in ten people over 60 experience elder abuse and an estimated $28.3 billion is lost annually to elder fraud scams. The Justice Department is committed to prosecuting elder abusers through various initiatives, including the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force and Money Mule Initiative, while providing public awareness resources on common schemes such as romance fraud, tech support scams, and Social Security impostor scams. Recent cases include the sentencing of Henry Asomani to 10 years in federal prison for a romance fraud conspiracy that stole over $3 million from more than a dozen victims.
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
This cryptocurrency market recap covers multiple topics, but is primarily relevant to elder fraud awareness for two scam types: The Federal Trade Commission warned of a surge in romance scams where fraudsters build romantic relationships to defraud victims of cryptocurrency holdings. Additionally, crypto exchange scams affected users through SIM swap attacks (OKX), impersonation fraud targeting $210,000 in losses (fake Binance co-founder), and major exchange breaches ($22 million stolen from Lykke).
sciotopost.com
· 2025-12-08
De-love Kofi Amuzu, 25, of Ohio, was sentenced to 78 months in prison for laundering money from a romance fraud conspiracy targeting elderly victims seeking companionship online. The scheme involved creating fake dating profiles to deceive victims into sending substantial cash, items, and wire transfers totaling over $1.1 million, which Amuzu then transferred to Ghana accounts. Several victims lost so much money they were forced into bankruptcy, and Amuzu has been ordered to pay $835,487.65 in restitution.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by announcing a partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to combat fraud targeting older citizens. The agencies will hold a public town hall on June 20, 2024, to educate seniors about recognizing and preventing fraud schemes, including tech support scams, romance scams, and Social Security impostor fraud. The Justice Department emphasizes that awareness and information are key to protecting vulnerable populations from financial, physical, and psychological harm.
mustsharenews.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Malaysian men, aged 26 and 47, were arrested in Malaysia and extradited to Singapore after an international investigation revealed they operated servers that infected Android phones with malware, enabling a syndicate called "Trojan Spymax" to steal banking credentials and conduct fraudulent transactions. At least 1,899 Singaporeans fell victim to these malware-enabled scams in 2023, resulting in total losses of S$34.1 million, with the investigation also leading to arrests of 14 money mules in Hong Kong and four suspects in Taiwan, plus seizure of approximately S$1.8 million in assets.
taipeitimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams targeting people seeking relationships online are prevalent in Taiwan, with scammers using fake profiles and trust-building tactics to convince victims to send money. Two documented cases involved a 35-year-old woman who lent NT$1 million (US$30,912) to a man posing as a National Security Bureau employee, and a female teacher who nearly sent NT$5 million to someone claiming to be a businessman—the latter prevented by an alert bank clerk. Authorities advise victims to verify suspicious activity by contacting the 165 anti-fraud hotline or police, and to seek guidance from trusted friends and family before sending money to online romantic interests.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old retired chemical engineer from Pune lost Rs 81 lakh in a sophisticated online scam involving impersonators posing as police and CBI officials who falsely accused him of illegal advertising and money laundering. The fraudsters used fake police credentials, video calls with official logos, and threats of asset freezing to manipulate the victim into transferring the funds as alleged "security deposits." The article advises citizens to verify caller identities through official channels, never share financial information with unknown callers, and report suspicious calls to authorities.
webwire.com
· 2025-12-08
Tietoevry Banking's 2023 fraud prevention report analyzed 3.4 billion transactions and prevented NOK 2.7 billion in fraud, with a 90 percent detection rate stopping approximately 70 percent of fraud attempts without customer loss. The report reveals a significant surge in digital fraud methods, including a 70 percent increase in card/account fraud attempts, 300 percent rise in digital wallet fraud, and over 150 percent growth in social engineering attacks, with phishing attempts up 60 percent. Key emerging threats include AI-enabled fraud techniques such as deepfake voice calls, "secure account" fraud, romance scams, and extortion schemes, requiring
taipeitimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A man surnamed Hsiao was sentenced to five years in prison by the Miaoli County District Court for operating a romance scam ring that targeted victims in China, defrauding at least one male victim of 1,200 yuan (US$165.38) across 23 incidents. Hsiao recruited young men and women to pose as romantic interests on social media and dating apps, and was convicted of fraud and violating the Organized Crime Prevention Act, with the court emphasizing the serious damage caused to public trust and Taiwan's international reputation.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
On June 15, 2024, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Kentucky observed World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, highlighting that one in ten people over 60 experiences some form of elder abuse, with an estimated $28.3 billion lost annually to elder fraud scams. In 2023, Kentucky's FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center received 908 complaints from individuals over 60 reporting $12.8 million in losses, more than any other age group combined. The Justice Department brought nearly 300 criminal and civil actions against over 650 defendants in the past year who stole more than $1.5 billion from 2.4
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
A 52-year-old businessman in Noida lost Rs 5 lakh to a digital arrest scam in June when a fraudster posing as a Mumbai crime branch official threatened him with arrest for alleged drug smuggling and money laundering, keeping him on a video call while demanding he transfer funds as a temporary "Supreme Court audit" measure. The victim complied under fear of legal consequences but never received the promised return of funds. The case highlights how scammers impersonating law enforcement target even educated individuals, and authorities recommend verifying claims by independently contacting official agencies, never sharing financial information with unknown callers, and reporting suspicious calls to police.
vermontbiz.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2023 analysis of Vermont cybercrimes found that investment scams are the costliest, with victims averaging $162,265 in losses (22 victims, $3.6M total), followed by cryptocurrency wallet scams at $133,133 per victim (28 victims, $3.7M total). Vermont residents reported 708 cybercrimes statewide in 2023, resulting in total losses of approximately $13.6 million, with an average loss of $19,248 per victim across all crime types.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
Harriet Spring lost $1.6 million of her elderly mother's life savings to scammers impersonating ING bank over several months of phone calls and emails, with the funds eventually transferred through multiple Australian banks and becoming untraceable. Despite her mother's bank questioning the unusual transfer to a Westpac "holding account" and confirming ING was not offering the advertised rate, the bank did not warn her of potential fraud before processing the transaction. Spring is now advocating for government action and bank accountability, as Australians lost $2.7 billion to scams in the previous year.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Adedayo John, a 35-year-old from Texas, was sentenced to seven years in prison for leading a money laundering and bank fraud ring that stole over $19 million from more than 50 victims through business email compromise and romance fraud schemes targeting elderly individuals. John directed conspirators to open fraudulent bank accounts, approximately $4.5 million in proceeds passed through accounts he controlled, and he was ordered to forfeit over $4.5 million and pay nearly $1.6 million in restitution. In total, 11 defendants pleaded guilty in the scheme, which collectively resulted in over $25 million in forfeitures and $8
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two women—Rosanna Lisa Stanley (48, Florida) and Gina Guy (37, New York)—were arrested and charged with defrauding at least 16 elderly victims of over $7 million through romance scams spanning from 2009 to 2024. The defendants gained victims' trust through in-person meetings and online dating platforms, then convinced them to transfer money under false pretenses (fake businesses, organ transplants), which they laundered through shell company accounts and spent on luxury items including vehicles, jewelry, and a boat. Both face charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, each
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington seized over $1 million in collectible stamps purchased with stolen money from a fraud scheme targeting seniors and vulnerable populations. The scheme involved two phases: victims were first defrauded by scammers impersonating government agents (FBI, SEC, DOJ) who claimed their accounts were breached and demanded they transfer funds for safekeeping, and some of those stolen funds were then funneled through romance scam victims via cashier's checks to purchase the stamps. The government has identified 28 victims defrauded of hundreds of thousands of dollars collectively, and seized stamps will be liquidated with proceeds returned to victims
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
A fraud ring used stolen funds from FBI impersonation and romance scams to purchase approximately $1.4 million in collectible stamps through an auction house, with three Indian buyers acquiring 149 lots using criminal proceeds. The scammers employed a multi-layered scheme where fake government agents convinced victims to send money for "safekeeping," often routing payments through romance fraud victims to obscure the trail before purchasing stamps as a money-laundering vehicle to legitimize the stolen funds. The FBI seized the stamps, though no charges have been filed to date.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned that timeshare fraud targeting senior Americans operates in three phases—fraudsters impersonating brokers demanding upfront payments, then posing as lawyers promising fund recovery for additional fees, and finally impersonating government officials using threats of legal consequences to extort money, with proceeds flowing to Mexican cartels. Seniors are advised to avoid unfamiliar callers, refuse upfront payments for timeshare services, and refrain from emailing legal documents, while financial firms should discuss these scams with clients.
ghanamusic.com
· 2025-12-08
Mona Faiz Montrage, known as Hajia4real, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for her role in romance scams that defrauded over 40 victims, significantly less than the government's requested 37-46 months. Montrage, arrested in the UK in November 2022 and extradited to the US, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money and operated five foreign bank accounts to launder proceeds from the scams through fictitious business entities.
myjoyonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian influencer Mona Faiz Montrage (Hajia 4reall) was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for her role in romance scams targeting senior citizens, which defrauded 32 victims of approximately $1.4 million over six years. She was arrested in the United Kingdom in November 2022, extradited to the United States in May 2023, and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money in February 2024. As part of her sentence, Montrage was ordered to pay $2,164,758.41 in forfeiture and restitution to victims.
asaaseradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian social media influencer Mona Faiz Montrage (Hajia4Reall) was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for her role in a romance scam that defrauded over $2 million from older, single American victims. Montrage controlled bank accounts that received fraudulent funds through schemes involving false pretenses such as gold transportation payments, fake FBI investigations, and fake military officer assistance. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money and was extradited from the United Kingdom to face charges in US court.
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian actor Big Akwes warned that he would publicly name prominent musicians involved in romance scams if provoked, claiming they use their spouses to defraud foreigners. The warning came amid discussion of socialite Hajia4Real, who pleaded guilty in February 2024 to her role in a $2 million romance scam targeting older Americans and was extradited from the UK to the US; court documents suggest her ex-partner exploited her involvement in the scheme while she feared for her safety and her daughter's.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian social media influencer Mona Montrage ("Mona 4 Real") was sentenced to 12 months and one day in U.S. federal prison for receiving proceeds from romance scams targeting elderly Americans between 2013 and 2019. Montrage, a member of a West African criminal syndicate, received money from approximately 40 romance fraud victims through her bank accounts, totaling over $2 million in fraudulent funds, and was ordered to forfeit $216,475 and pay $1,387,458 in restitution. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money and money laundering in February.
dailyguidenetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
Kumawood actor Big Akwes claimed on a Ghanaian television show that prominent musicians use their spouses to conduct romance scams against foreigners, threatening to publicly name them if provoked. He contextualized his warning while discussing the recent sentencing of socialite Hajia4Real for romance fraud, noting that such scams involve Ghanaians both domestically and abroad collaborating with swindlers, and some overseas Ghanaians unwittingly facilitate money laundering by lending their bank accounts to fraudsters.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Robert Louis Sanchez of New Mexico was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison as the fifth defendant in a grandparent scam that defrauded hundreds of victims across the United States, including Kentucky, of over $3 million between August 2020 and May 2021. The scheme involved callers convincing seniors that a grandchild needed emergency money, with co-conspirators posing as couriers to collect cash and launder proceeds through banks and cryptocurrency exchanges. Sanchez served as both a courier and "safehouse" keeper for stolen funds, with four other co-conspirators previously sentenced to terms ranging from 6 months to 6 years in prison.
freepressjournal.in
· 2025-12-08
A 49-year-old businessman from Palghar lost Rs 34.47 lakh in a fake police scam where fraudsters impersonated officials from multiple agencies (telecom department, Lucknow police, ED, CBI) and claimed his Aadhaar and SIM had been misused for illegal purposes. The scammers presented forged documents and convinced him that unaccounted money in his accounts needed to be transferred for scrutiny by the Reserve Bank of India, leading him to transfer over Rs 30 lakh between May 28-30 before realizing the fraud when they demanded additional money.
organiser.org
· 2025-12-08
The Enforcement Directorate arrested two individuals, Arvind Singh and Trilok Singh Dhillon, in connection with an alleged Rs 2,100 crore liquor scam that operated in Chhattisgarh under the previous government regime. Dhillon is accused of money laundering through bank accounts and firms used to layer proceeds from the scam, while Singh allegedly played an active role collecting cash and supplying illegal liquor and duplicate holograms. The case involves approximately 70 accused including bureaucrats, liquor suppliers, government officials, and political figures, with multiple arrests and a 9,000-page chargesheet filed by the Economic Offence Wing.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Rosanna Lisa Stanley and Gina Guy were charged with running romance scams that defrauded at least 16 elderly men out of more than $7 million between 2009 and 2024. The women built trust with victims through personal relationships and online dating platforms, then manipulated them into sending money under false pretenses such as fake business ventures, medical procedures, and financial schemes, with one victim losing approximately $1 million. Both face charges of money laundering, wire fraud, and conspiracy, each carrying a maximum 20-year prison sentence.
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Rosanna Lisa Stanley and Gina Guy were charged with operating romance scams that defrauded at least 16 elderly men out of more than $7 million between 2009 and 2024. The women built trust through romantic relationships and then convinced victims to send money under false pretenses, such as fake medical procedures, businesses, and financial schemes, while using the proceeds for luxury purchases and personal expenses. Both face charges of money laundering, wire fraud, and conspiracy, each carrying up to 20 years in prison.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
This Forbes Tax Breaks newsletter covers multiple tax-related topics, including rising gas prices in Illinois due to a new motor fuel tax, and warnings from the IRS about increasingly sophisticated AI-enabled scams targeting taxpayers and professionals. The article also discusses international tax cases, including the acquittal of 28 Panama Papers defendants and a $350 million tax evasion scheme involving offshore accounts, along with new IRS guidance on corporate stock buyback reporting and proposed regulations allowing direct credit card payments for taxes.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Two women, Rosanna Lisa Stanley (48) and Gina Guy (37), were charged with running a romance scam from 2009 to 2024 that defrauded at least 16 elderly men of over $7 million through fake romantic relationships, false medical emergencies, and bogus investment schemes. Stanley allegedly scammed victims out of at least $555,000 by posing as a fortune teller and astrologer, while Guy targeted at least four men claiming to need money for kidney transplants; both women used the proceeds to fund luxury purchases including a boat and car. Both were arrested in June 2024 and charged with money laundering, wire fraud, and conspiracy
audacy.com
· 2025-12-08
Rosanna Lisa Stanley and Gina Guy were charged with money laundering, wire fraud, and conspiracy for operating a romance scam that defrauded at least 16 elderly men out of more than $7 million between 2009 and June 2024. The women built romantic relationships with their victims through in-person meetings and online platforms, then convinced them to send money under false pretenses such as business needs, medical emergencies, and spiritual protection, with one victim losing $555,000 and another $1 million. Both defendants face maximum sentences of 20 years for using the stolen funds to purchase luxury goods and vehicles.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated overseas scammers steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone fraud, with the vast majority of perpetrators escaping prosecution as law enforcement agencies become overwhelmed by the exponential growth in cases. Victims, particularly older adults targeted by romance, grandparent, and technical support scams, rarely recover their losses, and some cases result in tragic secondary consequences when victims become desperate or violent. The combination of low investigation priority at local police departments, difficulty tracking funds moved to cryptocurrency or foreign accounts, and federal prosecution thresholds means that scammers operate with minimal risk of being caught or held accountable.