Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
3,874 results
in Investment Fraud
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes a cybersecurity researcher's discovery of leaked data from North Korean IT worker operations that generate an estimated $250-600 million annually for the regime through remote job fraud schemes. The leaked emails, spreadsheets, and documents reveal how North Korean workers use fake identities and meticulous tracking systems to infiltrate companies globally and funnel earnings back to support weapons development programs. The operation involves dozens of workers organized into groups who systematically apply for tech positions at major companies and freelance platforms while coordinators help cover their digital tracks.
ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
FTC reports document a surge in imposter scams targeting retirees, with scammers posing as trusted government agencies and businesses to drain bank accounts and retirement funds through fake security alerts and false criminal accusations. From 2020 to 2024, reports of older adults losing $10,000 or more increased fourfold, while reports of losses exceeding $100,000 increased nearly sevenfold. These scams exploit older adults' vigilance about financial security by creating false urgency through phone calls and fabricated crises, instructing victims to transfer funds, use Bitcoin ATMs, or hand cash to couriers—tactics the real FTC and legitimate companies never use.
floridapolitics.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Senator Rick Scott held a roundtable in Florida to address the escalating threat of scams and fraud targeting seniors, highlighting common schemes including grandparent scams, fraudulent investments, and government imposter emails. Speakers emphasized that seniors lose significant sums—including one case where a victim lost over $400,000—and that many large-scale operations originate from foreign call centers, constituting a national security concern; they also noted that Medicare fraud alone costs tens of billions of dollars annually through false billing and manipulation of member numbers. The roundtable stressed that awareness, prevention, and stronger legal penalties are essential to combat this crisis, while acknowledging that embarrassment often prevents victims from reporting
wlrn.org
· 2025-12-08
Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz testified before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging that scammers are using increasingly sophisticated schemes—including AI-generated scams, cryptocurrency theft, and robocalls—to target senior citizens, with losses exceeding $4.8 billion for Americans over 60 in the past year alone. The sheriff emphasized that victims often don't report scams due to shame and fear, and highlighted emerging threats including HOA fraud targeting elderly homeowners in South Florida. Law enforcement officials stressed the importance of rapid reporting to increase chances of recovering stolen funds and prosecuting criminals before they disappear and reinvent their schemes.
wlrn.org
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting senior citizens with increasingly sophisticated schemes including AI-generated scams, cryptocurrency theft, and robocalls, resulting in losses exceeding $4.8 billion for Americans over 60 in the past year alone, according to Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz. Common tactics include impersonation of grandchildren, government officials, and businesses, with victims often too ashamed or fearful to report the crimes. Law enforcement officials are calling for enhanced tools and resources to track scammers, rapid reporting by victims, and heightened awareness of emerging threats like HOA and condo fraud targeting elderly homeowners.
wmnf.org
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Senate Aging Committee report found that seniors lost over $4.8 billion to fraud and scams last year, with Senator Rick Scott warning the actual figure may be higher due to underreporting. Miami-Dade County leaders highlighted rising scams including condo/HOA fraud and cybercrime, with one case involving a man in his 60s losing $400,000 to cybercrime, and cautioned that artificial intelligence is increasing scam sophistication. Authorities urged seniors to avoid sharing personal information over the phone and report suspected fraud to law enforcement immediately.
wisn.com
· 2025-12-08
A nationwide gold coin scam victimized more than 50 people in Wisconsin, resulting in over $15 million in losses. A New Berlin couple lost $526,095 after scammers posing as U.S. Treasury officials convinced them to convert their cash to gold coins for protection; however, they stopped a fourth transfer after seeing a news report and contacted police, who arrested courier Roshan Shah during a sting operation when he attempted to pick up a decoy package filled with rocks instead of gold coins.
vovworld.vn
· 2025-12-08
Meta's Decode Scam campaign identifies seven prevalent online scams targeting internet users: messaging scams (smishing) using fake links, romance scams building fake relationships to extract money, investment scams promising unrealistic returns, impersonation scams stealing identities, online shopping scams with fake websites, job scams exploiting job seekers, and account hacking scams. The campaign highlights how scammers manipulate victims through trusted channels, emotional connections, or false promises of financial gain and employment opportunities.
netflix.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance fraud, where scammers use fake online personas to gain trust and steal money, has risen significantly with dating app popularity and costs Americans over $1 billion annually. Cecilie Fjellhøy, a victim featured in the 2022 documentary "The Tinder Swindler," teams up with private investigator Brianne Joseph in the Netflix series "Love Con Revenge" to investigate real romance fraud cases and help victims reclaim their lives and expose perpetrators.
algona.com
· 2025-12-08
Iowa seniors, particularly those relying on landlines, face persistent scam calls with 85% of landline calls classified as spam or unwanted. According to the FBI's 2022 Elder Fraud Report, 557 seniors over 60 in Iowa lost an average of $500 or more to scams, totaling over $12 million in losses statewide, with common tactics including impersonation calls requesting bank details. The author advocates for increased state and local resources to educate and protect Iowa's approximately 500,000 seniors who still use landlines.
fontanaheraldnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Nathan Dawood, 54, of Burbank, was found guilty of embezzling approximately $2.2 million from an elderly victim's inherited estate and retirement savings by fraudulently transferring funds to his own accounts and convincing the victim to transfer property ownership to companies he controlled. Dawood was convicted on six counts of wire fraud and nine counts of money laundering, with sentencing scheduled for December 8, 2024, where he faces up to 20 years in federal prison per wire fraud count. The FBI investigated the case, which occurred during the second half of 2019 when Dawood initially offered to help the victim manage inherited real estate and retirement accounts.
southernmarylandchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal Trade Commission data reveals a more than four-fold increase since 2020 in reports from adults 60 and older losing $10,000 or more to impersonation scams, with combined losses exceeding $100,000 jumping from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024. Common tactics include fraudsters posing as government officials, banks, or tech companies to convince victims to transfer funds via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or courier delivery under false pretenses of account protection or legal issues. The FTC reported $12.5 billion in total scam losses nationally in 2024, with older adults accounting for $2.3 billion an
miamitimesonline.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Senator Rick Scott, who chairs the Committee on Aging, held a roundtable in Florida to address a "growing threat" of elder fraud targeting seniors through increasingly sophisticated schemes including grandparent scams, fraudulent investments, and government imposter emails, often originating from foreign call centers. Stakeholders reported that seniors lose significant sums—including one case where a victim lost over $400,000—and often fail to report crimes due to embarrassment, while Medicare fraud alone costs tens of billions through false billing. The roundtable emphasized that awareness, prevention, stronger penalties, and coordinated efforts among banks, government, and law enforcement are essential to combat what is described as a "national crisis" an
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
This investment newsletter discusses the financial vulnerability of aging populations, noting that 49.2% of seniors have low financial literacy and that the U.S. loses $28 billion annually to elder financial exploitation. The article highlights particular vulnerability among older women and marginalized communities, and recommends that investors address this demographic crisis through allocation to annuity products, AI-powered fraud detection systems, and financial literacy education programs as both a social and financial opportunity.
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Ghanaian nationals—Isaac Boateng, Inusah Ahmed, and Derrick Van Yeboah—were extradited to the United States to face charges for orchestrating an international fraud scheme that defrauded victims of over $100 million through romance scams and business email compromise (BEC) operations. The transnational criminal organization targeted both individuals and businesses by tricking them into sending money under false pretenses, with the FBI intensifying its crackdown on such cyber-enabled crimes through international law enforcement cooperation.
abc6onyourside.com
· 2025-12-08
The Ohio Department of Consumer Affairs warns residents to be vigilant against scams, as the Federal Trade Commission reports consumers lost over $5 billion to investment scams in 2024. The article provides advice on protecting personal finances and keeping money secure from fraudulent schemes.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Americans aged 60 and above lost a record $700 million to scams according to the FTC, representing a 30% increase from 2023 and a sixfold jump since 2020, with the most severe losses occurring among those defrauded of over $100,000 each. The predominant scams involved criminals impersonating government officials, law enforcement, and major corporations like Microsoft and Amazon, using urgency tactics to pressure victims into transferring funds via Bitcoin ATMs or handing over cash and valuables. The FTC recommends that seniors never send money or share financial information to unverified sources and instead independently verify claims through official contact information
webpronews.com
· 2025-12-08
WhatsApp dismantled 6.8 million accounts linked to scam operations, many originating from call centers in Southeast Asia, in response to phishing, investment fraud, and other deceptive schemes targeting the platform's 2 billion users. The crackdown, powered by AI collaboration with firms like OpenAI, targeted fraud ecosystems including fake job offers and romance scams, with India alone seeing nearly 100 lakh accounts banned in January 2025. WhatsApp is introducing new safety features like in-app reporting and a "Safety Overview" tool, though experts note that scammers continue to adapt quickly and that international cooperation remains essential for long-term prevention.
guardian.co.tt
· 2025-12-08
Shiva Bissessar, managing director of Pinaka Consulting Ltd., is advocating for public-private partnerships to combat online scams, which disproportionately affect elderly and youth populations. According to FBI data presented at international conferences in 2024, investment fraud caused over $6.5 billion in losses in the U.S., while phishing remains the most frequently reported crime type, with emerging threats including romance scams and AI-enabled deepfakes. Bissessar noted that Trinidad and Tobago lacks adequate data collection and classification systems to measure the true prevalence of these crimes locally, and calls for stronger coordination between authorities and social media platforms to address online harms.
cutoday.info
· 2025-12-08
Reports of high-value impersonation scams targeting adults 60 and over have surged dramatically since 2020, with losses exceeding $100,000 increasing eight-fold from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024, according to FTC analysis. Scammers impersonating government agencies, banks, or tech companies (including fake FTC agents) trick victims into transferring money by claiming urgent security threats or suspicious account activity, when the funds are actually stolen. The three primary deception tactics involve falsely claiming someone is using the victim's accounts, that their personal information is being used for crimes, or that their computer has security problems.
inkl.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors are increasingly targeted through crypto ATM scams using seven common tactics: fake tech support calls, grandparent emergency scams, romance fraud, government impersonation, fake investment schemes, utility bill threats, and QR code tricks. These scams exploit the irreversible nature of cryptocurrency transactions and the emotional vulnerability of older adults through urgency, authority, and personal relationships. The article advises seniors to verify requests independently through official channels, avoid sending cryptocurrency for emergencies or payments, and consult trusted contacts before transferring money.
govinfosecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Four Ghanaian nationals were extradited to the United States and charged with stealing over $100 million through romance scams and business email compromise (BEC) attacks targeting U.S. victims and organizations from 2016 to May 2023, with particular focus on vulnerable older men and women. The criminals, operating as part of a "sakawa" criminal organization, used fake identities and forged email accounts to trick victims into sending money or laundering stolen funds through shell company bank accounts in the U.S. before funneling proceeds to West Africa; three defendants have been extradited and face up to 75 years in prison, while one remains at large.
southbendtribune.com
· 2025-12-08
College students are frequently targeted by scammers offering fake credit cards, apartments, employment opportunities, and scholarships, often exploiting their inexperience with major financial decisions. To protect themselves, students should verify offers through reputable sources, research companies and landlords, avoid upfront fees for jobs or scholarships, and report suspicious activity to the Better Business Bureau. Common scams include rental fraud, phony employment offers requiring payment, tech support cons, fake online stores, and scholarship schemes disguised as legitimate financial aid opportunities.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Following the FCA's announcement of a forthcoming car finance compensation scheme, scammers have begun calling motorists and impersonating lenders to offer fake compensation in exchange for personal details. The FCA warned the public that no compensation scheme is currently in place and urged recipients of such calls to hang up immediately and not share any information, as the FCA never requests bank PINs or passwords.
latimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A Pew Research Center survey of over 9,000 U.S. adults found that approximately 73% have experienced at least one online scam or attack, with 32% reporting victimization within the past year and 24% tricked into sharing personal information. The most common scams include credit card fraud, online shopping fraud, and ransomware attacks, with newer tactics involving unsolicited calendar invites and multi-factor authentication exploits that direct users to phishing pages or malicious downloads. Cybersecurity experts recommend disabling automatic calendar updates, verifying suspicious invitations directly with trusted contacts, and remaining vigilant against phishing attempts.
mondaq.com
· 2025-12-08
On August 4, 2025, FinCEN issued a warning about escalating criminal misuse of convertible virtual currency (CVC) kiosks, noting that over two-thirds of kiosk-related fraud losses in 2024 affected seniors who were targeted through tech support and government impersonation scams directing them to transfer funds via the kiosks. The notice also identified widespread operator noncompliance with Bank Secrecy Act requirements and documented use of CVC kiosks by drug cartels for money laundering through structuring transactions below reporting thresholds and using multiple machines across jurisdictions.
algona.com
· 2025-12-08
Iowa seniors face a significant threat from scam calls, with 85% of landline calls now classified as spam or unwanted, targeting the approximately 500,000 seniors in the state who rely on landlines. According to the FBI's 2022 Elder Fraud Report, 557 seniors over 60 in Iowa lost an average of $500 or more to scams, totaling over $12 million in losses statewide. The author calls for state and local authorities to develop comprehensive educational programs and anti-fraud resources to protect vulnerable seniors from increasingly sophisticated schemes.
nature.com
· 2025-12-08
This research study compared video-based versus text-based anti-fraud educational materials for older adults aged 60 and above, finding that video interventions significantly outperformed text-only materials in improving comprehension, emotional engagement, and fraud prevention intentions. Text-based materials provided more detailed information but generated lower emotional engagement, while the study validated a combined multimodal approach integrating both formats to better address older adults' cognitive and emotional needs in protecting themselves against sophisticated fraud schemes.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Pew Research Center survey found that approximately 73% of U.S. adults have experienced at least one online scam or attack, with credit card fraud, online shopping scams, and ransomware being the most common. Cybersecurity experts warn of evolving threats including phishing attacks via unsolicited calendar invites, multi-factor authentication scams, and malicious HTML attachments, and recommend protective measures such as adjusting calendar settings, verifying suspicious invites through trusted contacts, and remaining vigilant against social engineering tactics.
nature.com
· 2025-12-08
Vietnamese victims, particularly educated professionals, were lured to Cambodia through fraudulent job postings by Chinese-led criminal syndicates operating "pig-butchering" scams between 2018-2023, where they were trafficked, confined, and coerced into committing cyber fraud against others. This mixed-methods study of 10 cases and interviews with 12 Vietnamese police officers reveals complex multi-layered networks targeting skilled workers with promises of IT, programming, and customer service positions, creating "victim-offender overlaps" where trafficked individuals are simultaneously victimized and forced to victimize others. The research highlights the need for greater focus on the intersection of human trafficking, cyber
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner lost $240,000 in an imposter scam when a caller falsely claiming to be from JP Morgan Chase convinced him to wire funds to protect his account from fraudulent activity. Imposter scams are the second-highest fraud category, accounting for $2.95 billion in losses in 2024, and commonly originate via spoofed text messages that mimic legitimate banks; consumers should independently verify suspicious communications and never wire funds to "protect" accounts, as legitimate banks never request such actions.
americascreditunions.org
· 2025-12-08
FinCEN issued guidance alerting financial institutions to a rising trend of scam payments involving cryptocurrency ATMs (CVC kiosks), where scammers contact victims—particularly elderly individuals—via unsolicited calls impersonating banks, government agencies, or tech support to direct them to deposit cash into crypto ATMs. According to FTC data, older adults account for more than two-thirds of all losses from CVC kiosk scams, with criminals often instructing victims to structure transactions across multiple deposits or kiosks to evade reporting thresholds. The advisory identifies red flags for credit unions and CVC operators to detect suspicious activity, including unusual high-value withdrawals, elderly members with no
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Thirteen individuals, led by Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, were charged for operating a transnational "grandparent scam" call center in the Dominican Republic that defrauded over 400 elderly victims (average age 84) across the United States, resulting in more than $5 million in losses, including at least 50 victims in Massachusetts. The scheme involved callers posing as grandchildren in distress or their attorneys, instructing victims to send cash via rideshare drivers or mail, and often requesting additional payments through fabricated stories. The defendants allegedly laundered the illicit proceeds back to the Dominican Republic through money launderers and bank accounts in the United States.
paymentsjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC has documented a more than four-fold increase in older adults losing $10,000 or more to impersonation scams over the past four years, with combined losses for seniors losing over $100,000 rising eight-fold from $55 million to $445 million. These scams typically involve criminals posing as representatives from known organizations, government officials, or tech companies to manipulate victims into financial transfers, and they are increasingly sophisticated—using tactics like spoofed emails and phone calls that exploit seniors' tendency to trust callers and respond to urgency and threats. Cybercriminals tailor their approaches by medium (phone calls for seniors, social media for younger users) an
intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Australians lost A$2.03 billion to scams, a decline from A$3.1 billion in 2022, though actual losses are likely higher due to underreporting caused by victim shame and embarrassment. Investment scams were the costliest category at A$945 million, often featuring fake trading platforms and impersonated businesses, while remote access scams and other common schemes like romance and phishing scams continue to evolve. Scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence, data from breaches, and organized criminal syndicates to create convincing impersonations, making it essential for consumers to verify investment opportunities independently rather than clicking on
rosen.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) co-introduced the Stop the Scammers Act, which aims to restore Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) funding that was cut in a Republican budget bill and establish whistleblower rewards for reporting financial wrongdoing. The bill seeks to reinstate consumer protections against fraud and abusive practices by financial institutions, particularly to protect Nevada residents who are frequently targeted by online scams.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Thirteen individuals were charged with operating grandparent scam call centers based in the Dominican Republic that defrauded approximately 400 older adults (average age 84) of over $5 million across the United States by posing as family members in legal trouble needing bail money. Nine of the defendants are in custody, including ringleader Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, while four remain at large; the perpetrators used dark web data to target victims, employed scripted calls, and laundered proceeds toward luxury purchases and home upgrades.
home.treasury.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned four Mexican individuals and 13 companies linked to CJNG's timeshare fraud operation in Puerto Vallarta, which has been targeting elderly American timeshare owners since approximately 2012. CJNG, a designated terrorist organization, uses call centers staffed with English-speaking telemarketers to perpetrate complex scams that can last years and result in victims losing their life savings, while generating significant alternative revenue for the cartel's violent operations. Treasury officials warned current and prospective timeshare owners in Mexico to be cautious of unsolicited offers and conduct due diligence before engaging in purchases.
pulse.com.gh
· 2025-12-08
Over 20 Ghanaians have been arrested and prosecuted by US authorities since 2021 for wire fraud, romance scams, and money laundering targeting American citizens, with several high-profile cases involving extradition. Notable cases include Hajia4Reall (Mona Faiz Montrage), who defrauded victims of over $2 million in romance scams and was sentenced to one year in prison with $1.4 million in restitution; Dada Joe Remix (Joseph Badu Boateng), extradited for orchestrating a $100 million romance and inheritance fraud scheme; and three other members of "The Enterprise
witn.com
· 2025-12-08
Five people in Craven County, North Carolina were formally charged with a total of 139 felonies in connection with a financial exploitation scheme targeting an elderly couple that began in November 2023, with two of the suspects serving as in-home caregivers to the victims. The charges include identity theft, forgery, larceny, fraud, and elder exploitation, with lead suspect Ashley Berry facing 90 felony counts. Police urge family members and caregivers to monitor for financial exploitation involving in-home caregivers and contact Adult Protective Services with any suspicious activity.
khou.com
· 2025-12-08
Thirteen people were charged in a sophisticated "grandparent scam" operation based in the Dominican Republic that targeted over 400 seniors across the United States, resulting in losses exceeding $5 million. The scheme, led by Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, involved English-speaking call center workers posing as distressed grandchildren or their attorneys to pressure elderly victims (average age 84) into sending cash via runners and mail, with the funds then laundered back to the Dominican Republic. Victims should report suspected fraud to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center, and experts advise verifying urgent requests directly with family members before sending
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A man in Mangaluru lost approximately Rs 4.8 lakh in an online investment scam after being lured through a WhatsApp group called "A24 Premium VIP Stock Sharing Club" that promised returns on gold trading and stock investments. The scammer, posing as a woman named Ella, used fake testimonials from group members showing profits to build credibility, then demanded increasingly larger transfers, ultimately directing the victim to send Rs 3.4 lakh to an account belonging to Prizm Infratel Pvt Ltd. When the victim attempted to withdraw his funds in July, he was asked for additional payments, revealing the fraudulent scheme, and a case was registered with
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
The DOJ extradited and indicted four Ghanaian nationals for allegedly leading a criminal organization that stole over $100 million through romance scams and business email compromise schemes targeting Americans, primarily older men and women. In 2024 alone, nearly 59,000 Americans lost an estimated $697.3 million to romance scams, with the actual losses believed to be significantly higher due to underreporting. The article outlines how these scams operate—building trust through fake relationships before requesting money for fabricated emergencies or investment opportunities—and provides protective measures including verifying profiles, avoiding money transfers to strangers, and reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement.
communitynewspapers.com
· 2025-12-08
Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz testified before a U.S. Senate committee that scammers are using increasingly sophisticated schemes—including AI-generated scams, cryptocurrency theft, and robocalls—to target seniors, with those over 60 losing $4.8 billion in 2023 alone and individuals aged 50-59 losing an additional $2.5 billion. The sheriff noted that most victims do not report crimes due to shame and fear, and highlighted emerging threats including condo and homeowner association fraud that particularly affects elderly homeowners in South Florida. Sen. Rick Scott introduced legislation to provide law enforcement with advanced tools to combat financial exploitation
beverlyhillscourier.com
· 2025-12-08
On July 1, an elderly Beverly Hills resident lost $59,000 to an organized crime group impersonating financial institution employees and federal agents who convinced him his bank accounts had been compromised and needed to collect his funds for "safekeeping." The suspects used caller ID spoofing and made two separate visits to collect the cash, but were identified through security cameras and license plate readers; one suspect was arrested and charged with grand theft, theft by false pretense, and financial elder abuse. Investigators believe there are additional victims and continue searching for a second suspect, while urging the public to verify suspicious calls directly with their financial institutions.
abc7.com
· 2025-12-08
A West Hollywood man, Jonathan Tudor, allegedly defrauded more than 40 victims by posing as a BMW executive and selling them luxury cars at steep discounts that were never delivered, collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars. Victims included Gloria Schlesinger, who lost nearly $14,000, and his neighbor Scott S.; the stolen funds were spent on luxury goods from brands like Hermès and Gucci. Tudor was arrested in July and faces 44 criminal charges including theft from an elder, securities fraud, grand theft, money laundering, and forgery, and is being held without bail.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
This article examines how white-collar crime has evolved in the digital age, with global losses from business email compromise exceeding $2.9 billion annually and cryptocurrency money laundering surpassing $3 billion. The piece discusses emerging investigation techniques including digital forensics, blockchain analysis, and machine learning, while highlighting the human impact—including a tragic case where an elderly fraud victim shot a ride-share driver under scammer threat, and noting that elderly victims lose an average of $35,000 per incident with over 88,000 reported cases in 2022.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two Missouri men, James Johnson (77) and Darrell Niswonger (68), pleaded guilty to operating a nearly 20-year Ponzi scheme that defrauded over 90 victims of at least $3 million starting in 2006. Operating as Johnson & Niswonger Financial Resources LLC in Perryville, they falsely claimed to invest clients' money in municipal bonds while actually using the funds for personal expenses including country club memberships, home improvements, and biweekly salaries of $7,500, making selective payments to victims to maintain the illusion of legitimate returns. When the business closed in April 2025, the
nbcsandiego.com
· 2025-12-08
The "Sandwich Generation" refers to middle-aged adults caring for both young adult children and aging parents, each with distinct online safety vulnerabilities. A Cox Mobile survey found that 86% of people in this group experience stress managing cybersecurity for both generations, with younger adults targeted by fake job offers, investment scams, and rental fraud, while seniors face grandparent schemes, impostor scams, and romance fraud. Experts recommend open, non-judgmental conversations about scams with both groups, setting boundaries, and prioritizing self-care to manage the stress of this dual responsibility.
governor.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using fake text messages and spoofed websites impersonating the New York DMV and toll collection agencies to pressure victims into providing personal information by claiming traffic fines or E-ZPass fees are due with urgent deadlines. These phishing schemes particularly target older adults and vulnerable New Yorkers, with the stolen data used for identity theft and fraud. Governor Hochul advised residents to verify suspicious communications directly with official agencies, monitor credit reports, and avoid clicking links or sharing personal information via unsolicited messages.