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in Robocall / Phone Scam
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Federal Reserve research paper warns that even vigilant consumers face increasing risk from authorized push payment (APP) scams, as criminals use advanced technology to create increasingly realistic fraud schemes on platforms like Zelle. In 2023, Zelle customers disputed over $206 million in fraudulent transactions, with consumers bearing 80% of the costs and having little recourse once payments are executed. The Fed recommends that instant payment networks adopt more sophisticated fraud-fighting strategies, while scammers continue to evolve their tactics through methods such as fake accounts, mule schemes, and potentially AI-generated personas.
paymentsdive.com
· 2025-12-08
As scammers increasingly use advanced technology to create realistic fraud schemes, authorized push payment scams—where criminals persuade consumers to voluntarily send money through instant payment networks like Zelle—pose a significant threat even to vigilant consumers. In 2023, Zelle customers disputed over $206 million in fraudulent transactions, with consumers bearing the costs of 80% of those disputes, and the paper notes that once payment is authorized, victims have little to no recourse since transactions are often irrevocable. The Federal Reserve recommends that financial institutions adopt artificial intelligence and machine learning to assess scam risk and alert customers before high-risk transactions are executed.
25newsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Black Friday online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with 41% of all scams reported to the Better Business Bureau in 2023 originating from online purchases, affecting people of all ages through fake websites, deepfake influencer endorsements, and phishing tactics on social media. To protect themselves, consumers should verify website addresses, read reviews, avoid clicking suspicious links, never share private information via email or text, use credit cards instead of gift cards or cryptocurrency, enable multifactor authentication, and be cautious with peer-to-peer payment apps that lack consumer protections.
entergynewsroom.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece identifies ten common impostor utility scams, including disconnection threats demanding prepaid card payments, fake billing routing numbers, bogus equipment fees, overpayment refund requests, and post-disaster power restoration charges. The article notes that the Better Business Bureau reported a median loss of $463 per victim in 2023 and advises customers that legitimate utilities send written disconnection notices, offer multiple payment methods, handle equipment upgrades proactively, process refunds via mail or account credits, and do not charge for disaster-related power restoration.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old retired engineer in Delhi lost over Rs 10.3 crore in a "digital arrest" scam that spanned 19 days, beginning in late September 2024. Scammers posing as courier company staff and a Mumbai Police officer manipulated him by claiming a banned substance parcel contained his Aadhaar details, then convinced him to transfer money to "safe accounts" under threat of arrest. Police managed to freeze Rs 60 lakh of the stolen funds, with recovery efforts ongoing.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
Dipika Maurya, a woman from Lucknow, lost Rs 1.75 lakh in a work-from-home scam that began in September when she received an unsolicited call offering easy money for liking and commenting on social media posts. After initially seeing returns, she was persuaded to invest Rs 1.75 lakh with promises of significant profits, but the scammers refused to allow withdrawals and demanded additional deposits. The case highlights common red flags: legitimate employers do not require upfront investments, offer jobs via cold calls, or promise high returns for minimal effort.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A Panchkula resident named Kiran lost Rs 4.9 lakh to a fraudulent Amazon application scam after responding to a part-time job advertisement on Instagram, downloading a fake Amazon app, and sharing her banking details with scammers who then added her to a Telegram group for fake tasks. The article also documents similar scams affecting victims across India, including a woman in Karnataka who lost Rs 1.94 lakh to a fake Amazon job scheme and actress Karuna Pandey who transferred Rs 2.75 lakh after being targeted by impersonators posing as Mumbai Police officers.
mosselbayadvertiser.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with scammers using AI and fake social media giveaways to deceive victims who may lose thousands of dollars with little chance of recovery. The article outlines three key protective measures: avoiding unsolicited links and phishing attempts, recognizing "too good to be true" offers that exploit emotions, and strengthening online accounts through strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Keletso Mpisane, head of Blink by MiWay, emphasizes that pausing before responding to suspicious messages and contacting companies directly can help people avoid falling victim to these increasingly common scams.
nationalseniors.com.au
· 2025-12-08
National Seniors Australia's "Keep Scam SAFE" campaign, in partnership with CommBank, provides educational resources and workshops to help older Australians protect themselves from rising scams and fraud online. The campaign highlights common scam tactics including fake emails with urgent language, parcel delivery text messages (affecting 75% of scam targets), and voice cloning calls, while recommending protective strategies such as the "Stop, Check, Reject" approach, using Confirmation of Payee technology, regularly changing passwords, and accessing free digital literacy training through the Be Connected initiative.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Identity theft and fraud affect Americans at alarming rates, with the FTC estimating true losses at $137 billion in 2022 despite only $9 billion being officially reported, prompting AARP to urge stronger consumer protections before Capitol Hill lawmakers. Veterans face particular vulnerability, with one in three targeted by scammers who impersonated the VA or pitched fraudulent investments, resulting in $477 million in reported losses in 2023. The article provides practical prevention advice for common scams including holiday shopping fraud, solar panel schemes, and veteran-targeted impersonation scams, recommending consumers type website addresses directly, verify offers through trusted sources, and research companies before providing personal information or
fox13memphis.com
· 2025-12-08
An educational meeting was held in Memphis where the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs taught seniors about common scams targeting older adults. Key advice included being skeptical of unsolicited calls, never sharing personal or financial information with unknown callers, and hanging up on suspicious contacts. The top scams affecting seniors include government imposter calls (especially during Medicare enrollment), fake tech support, sweepstakes scams, and grandchild-in-distress schemes, with scammers exploiting emotional manipulation and targeting older adults for their typically greater assets.
gmtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams remain the highest risk for adults over 55, followed by online purchase scams and romance scams, according to the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker Risk Report. The article provides consumer protection guidance including: avoiding unsolicited calls (especially from spoofed numbers), recognizing red flags like pressure to act quickly or requests for unusual payment methods, hiring only licensed contractors after thorough vetting, being alert to emergency scams targeting grandchildren, and avoiding Medicare fraud schemes involving "free" medical equipment.
thereflector.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors are increasingly targeted by phone scams, particularly those using artificial intelligence to mimic loved ones and request money or personal information. In 2023, the FBI reported over 101,000 elder fraud victims aged 60+ lost an average of $33,915 each, with Battle Ground police documenting an 85.3% surge in fraud cases between October 2023 and October 2024. Experts advise seniors to hang up on any unsolicited caller requesting money or sensitive data, verify requests independently through official phone numbers, and avoid untraceable payment methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency.
wsbt.com
· 2025-12-08
As online shopping increases during the holiday season, experts warn of a surge in phishing scams and fraudulent offers targeting shoppers through emails, texts, and fake shipping notifications designed to steal personal information and money. The Better Business Bureau reports that online scams now comprise 41% of all scams, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics including AI-generated communications to exploit product shortages and consumer urgency. Consumers are advised to verify offers directly on company websites, use credit cards instead of debit cards for better fraud protection, and avoid clicking suspicious links or providing personal information to unsolicited messages.
ksat.com
· 2025-12-08
San Antonio police warn residents that holiday season scams spike during the giving season, with common schemes including fake package delivery texts with malware links, fraudulent social media ads and phishing websites, fake charities, "secret shopper" job scams involving bounced checks, and impersonation scams from criminals posing as banks or law enforcement. Authorities recommend shopping from reputable sources only, researching organizations before donating, verifying suspicious communications by calling companies directly, and remaining vigilant across all communication channels including texts, emails, and social media.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
During Medicare's Open Enrollment Period (October 15 - December 7), scammers impersonate Medicare representatives to steal personal information and money by falsely claiming beneficiaries need to provide Medicare, Social Security, or bank account numbers for new cards or medical equipment claims. Medicare never unexpectedly contacts beneficiaries by phone, email, text, or social media to request personal information, sell coverage, or collect payment for cards. Beneficiaries should hang up on suspicious calls, verify directly with Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE, and report scams to the same number or their local Senior Medicare Patrol.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
An AARP Fraud Watch Network survey of 1,869 U.S. consumers found that 82 percent experienced or were targeted by holiday-related scams in the past year, with similar rates among adults 65 and older (80 percent), including delivery fraud notifications (up to 56 percent from 29 percent in 2022), online shopping scams, fake charity requests, and gift cards with no balance (29 percent). Only 28 percent of survey respondents answered seven or more of ten fraud-prevention knowledge questions correctly, indicating that while fraud remains rampant, consumer awareness and protective knowledge are not improving.
villagelivingonline.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau identified twelve holiday season scams consumers should avoid, including misleading social media ads, social media gift exchanges (pyramid schemes), fraudulent holiday apps, phishing emails offering free gift cards, fake job postings, and impostor scams. The BBB advises exercising caution with unsolicited messages and payment requests via wire transfer, third parties, or prepaid cards, and recommends verifying business legitimacy through BBB.org before making purchases or sharing personal information.
zdnet.com
· 2025-12-08
"Scam yourself" attacks, where fraudsters use social engineering to trick people into downloading malware themselves, have increased 614% between the second and third quarters of this year, affecting millions globally. Common tactics include fake software updates, misleading tutorials, fake CAPTCHAs (with over 2 million targeted last quarter), and "click fix" schemes that prompt users to run malicious commands. To protect themselves, users should verify update sources directly through settings menus, avoid following online instructions to run command prompt text, check website URLs carefully, and take time to verify suspicious requests before acting.
oregonlive.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman has become deeply engaged in messaging four purported musicians through Telegram, with two promising to visit her, and she is suspected of sending them money. The advice columnist and FTC data indicate this is likely a romance scam, which accounted for over 64,000 reported cases and $1.14 billion in losses in 2023. Friends and family should educate her about common scam tactics, express concern for her financial safety, and establish clear boundaries such as requiring video verification from the supposed celebrities before any money changes hands.
adn.com
· 2025-12-08
The article addresses concerns about a friend who is messaging individuals posing as celebrities on Telegram and may be sending them money—a pattern consistent with romance scams, which the FTC reported numbered over 64,000 cases in 2023 with losses totaling $1.14 billion. The advice recommends warning the friend about these common scam tactics while emphasizing concern for her financial and personal safety, and suggests implementing verification methods like video calls before any money changes hands.
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is investigating a crypto romance scam that defrauded at least 71 victims of nearly $5 million, with federal prosecutors in North Carolina seeking to seize $4.99 million in recovered Tether cryptocurrency. Scammers posed as romantic interests on social media platforms using fake identities to lure victims into fake investments on a fraudulent exchange called Bitkanant, then froze accounts and demanded additional fees; two victims alone lost $2.75 million. The operation targeted seniors, particularly those over 60, reflecting a broader trend of crypto scams that exceeded $5.6 billion in losses during 2023.
africa.businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI targeted a romance scam operation linked to $5 million in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes affecting approximately 71 victims, including a 60-year-old from North Carolina and an 83-year-old from Minnesota. Scammers used fake identities on social media to build romantic relationships with victims before directing them to invest in a counterfeit cryptocurrency platform called Bitkanant, after which they cut off contact and disappeared with the funds. The U.S. Attorney's office seized nearly $5 million in Tether cryptocurrency in August, with one victim losing an entire retirement account, and the FBI is working to identify perpetrators and return assets to victims.
bxtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Bashiru Ganiyu, a 39-year-old Bronx man, was sentenced to 13 years in prison and ordered to pay $11.7 million in forfeiture plus nearly $8 million in restitution for operating an international romance fraud scheme based in Ghana that defrauded over 40 victims—primarily vulnerable, elderly adults—out of nearly $12 million between 2020 and 2022. Co-conspirators assumed false identities and contacted victims via email, text, and dating apps, convincing them to send money that Ganiyu funneled through 10 bank accounts he controlled in the Bronx.
nairametrics.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is investigating a crypto romance scam ring responsible for up to $5 million in fraud, with federal prosecutors in North Carolina seizing approximately $4.99 million from suspicious Tether wallets linked to the operation. The scammers, known as "pig butchering" schemes, built trust with at least 71 victims (including a 60-year-old from North Carolina and an 83-year-old from Minnesota) before luring them into fraudulent investments on a fake exchange called Bitkanant, where victims were then blocked from withdrawing funds unless they paid additional taxes and fees. Two victims lost over $2.75 million combined, and the scam rings
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 31-year-old woman in Bengaluru lost ₹1.1 lakh after being falsely accused of uploading child pornography in a "digital arrest" scam. Scammers impersonated a mobile service provider and then a Mumbai cybercrime officer, threatening her with arrest and demanding money for a fake "virtual investigation." Police registered a case under the Information Technology Act and warned the public about similar scams, with authorities noting that legitimate investigative agencies never conduct inquiries via phone or video calls.
wtkr.com
· 2025-12-08
A scam targeting Navy Federal customers in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area involves criminals asking to borrow victims' phones in public locations, then using their Navy Federal app to take out loans and cash advances in their names before transferring the funds elsewhere. One 19-year-old victim, Angel Taylor, lost $4,000 in March 2023 when a man she lent her phone to in a Walmart parking lot obtained a personal loan and cash advance; despite reporting it to Navy Federal within minutes, she was held liable for repayment. Dozens of similar cases have been reported across the region, with police citing insufficient evidence to pursue charges despite having the recipient's account information.
drippingspringsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A panel of Hays County experts presented on fraud tactics to the Wimberley Chamber of Commerce, covering telephone scams (including fake sheriff's office calls and "grandma scams" using AI voice cloning), financial fraud schemes (fake bank employee calls, cryptocurrency conversion scams, and romance scams targeting elderly people on social media), and phishing/computer threats. The experts advised listeners to hang up and verify directly with legitimate institutions, use strong unique passwords and two-factor authentication, avoid clicking suspicious links or popups, and be wary of requests for immediate payment or sensitive information.
cw34.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old Stuart, Florida retiree nearly lost $10,000 in a phone scam where a caller impersonating a customer service representative instructed him to withdraw cash and mail it via UPS; his caregiver alerted police who intercepted the package in Louisville, Kentucky, and recovered all the money. A bank security expert emphasized that tellers should question elderly customers about large cash withdrawals and that banks should implement verification procedures with family members before releasing substantial sums. The victim warns other seniors to remain vigilant, and recommends setting up checks and balances with banks to prevent similar fraud.
southeastiowaunion.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article:** "Senior Citizens Targeted by Technology Scams: How to Identify and Protect Against Fraud" by Beth Swift, Washington Evening Journal
Senior citizens are increasingly targeted by technology scams including impersonation fraud, prize/sweepstakes schemes, tech support scams, charity fraud, and IRS threats, with older adults disproportionately victimized because they typically have savings and good credit. The article identifies key warning signs—unsolicited contact, artificial urgency, requests for money or personal information, unrealistic offers, and poor communication quality—and advises seniors to verify caller identity independently, never share sensitive information, consult trusted contacts before responding to requests
tech.co
· 2025-12-08
Venmo, while convenient for peer-to-peer money transfers, poses significant fraud risks through scams such as fake payment links (phishing), online purchase fraud where sellers never deliver items, and duplicate profile scams where fraudsters create accounts mimicking legitimate users. Users can protect themselves by enabling two-factor authentication, verifying recipient information before sending money, using the app's native payment features for purchases, and never clicking suspicious links or sharing login credentials.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee launched the "Scam Free HC" initiative to combat a surge in holiday-season fraud, warning that thousands of Houston residents fall victim annually to scams including gift card schemes, spam calls, and contractor fraud. A notable case involved former police officer Julia Marino, who lost $16,200 in a deposit to A & L Sheds, a company accused of defrauding over 100 victims totaling $1.1 million; the company postponed her shed project 27 times without delivering services or refunds. The initiative provides educational resources and a reporting platform as Texas ranks as the 4th most scammed state in the country with $
morningstar.com
· 2025-12-08
A reader was invited to join a VIP online investment club that initially showed profits through manipulated small-cap stocks to build trust, then pressured members to invest in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, ether, and dogecoin—causing most participants to lose all their money. The scam, known as "pig butchering," uses confidence tricks to gradually compromise victims' judgment through promises of returns before disappearing with funds, and commonly exploits psychological vulnerabilities through social media solicitations and fake cryptocurrency exchange websites.
rfa.org
· 2025-12-08
South Korean police arrested members of a scam syndicate that operated in Cambodia after relocating from Laos's Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone to escape intensified crackdowns. The group deceived approximately 66 South Korean victims through "pig butchering" romance scams and fake investment schemes promoted via manipulated YouTube videos, stealing 11.16 billion South Korean won (US$8 million). The operation lured victims to Laos with promises of short-term profits, then forced them into fraudulent activities before relocating to Cambodia as authorities shut down illegal scam centers in the region.
wealthmanagement.com
· 2025-12-08
Elderly individuals are increasingly targeted by sophisticated internet scams, with the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report documenting over 880,000 complaints from those over 60 totaling $3.4 billion in losses—an 11% increase from 2022. Notable cases include a 76-year-old retired lawyer (Barry Heitin) who lost approximately $740,000 after being manipulated into thinking he was assisting a government investigation, and a 79-year-old man (Alfred Mancinelli) who lost nearly $1 million in a romance scam. Tech support fraud generates the most complaints, followed by romance, cryptocurrency, and investment sc
westfaironline.com
· 2025-12-08
A 24-year-old Bengali student in New York on a student visa, Mazharul Islam, was arrested and charged with operating a Geek Squad auto-renewal scam that defrauded elderly victims of significant sums. Islam posed as a Best Buy employee, sending phishing emails to trick victims into believing they needed to renew service contracts, then directed them to fake refund links and convinced them they had overpaid, coercing them to withdraw cash; he personally served as the courier in at least two cases, collecting $35,000 from a 73-year-old Warwick man and $20,000 from an Ohio victim before being caught by police. Islam pleade
whio.com
· 2025-12-08
Butler Township Police issued a warning about increasing phone scams during the holiday season, reporting one incident where a scammer impersonated AES and demanded $900 in Target gift cards from a resident who recognized it as fraud and avoided losing money. The department cautioned that legitimate companies never request payment via gift cards or Bitcoin, and advised residents to hang up suspicious calls and contact the company or police directly.
wmar2news.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting Baltimore residents by impersonating utility company BGE, using threats of service shutoffs and requesting payment via phone calls, texts with QR codes, emails, or payment apps like Cash App and Zelle. BGE clarified they never call customers demanding money or requesting personal information like Social Security numbers or driver's licenses. Maryland's deregulated energy market also allows bad actors to pose as third-party energy providers offering lower rates that later increase, though new regulations taking effect January 1st will cap charges to prevent predatory pricing.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Foreign scammers are using AI-generated images and fabricated military identities to conduct romance scams targeting vulnerable U.S. widows, with perpetrators primarily operating from Ghana and Nigeria. These "Artificial Patriot" scammers build emotional connections through social media and dating platforms, then request money for fabricated emergencies (medical bills, travel expenses), with victims losing substantial sums including their life savings through untraceable wire transfers and gift cards. The scam exploits widows' emotional vulnerability and difficulty distinguishing AI-generated fake military profiles from authentic ones, even using stolen identities of real military officers like General Matthew W. McFarlane.
winnipegfreepress.com
· 2025-12-08
A Winnipeg woman nearly fell victim to an elaborate impersonation scam in which fraudsters posed as Manitoba Hydro workers, claiming she had unpaid bills and threatening to disconnect her power within the hour. The scammers obtained her personal information including her name, address, and billing amount ($116), and directed her to pay at a convenience store kiosk equipped with a bitcoin machine that would have transferred her money to an unknown account. The victim reported the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre after discovering the deception when she attempted to verify the claim at Manitoba Hydro's actual headquarters.
voz.us
· 2025-12-08
According to an AARP survey, 82% of consumers have been victims of shopping fraud, with online scams being a primary vector. Common scams include fraudulent websites and social media (35% of victims), false shipment notifications (which increased from 29% of victims in 2022 to 56% in 2024), and doorstep package theft affecting over 30% of respondents. The survey also found that consumers show low awareness of fraud risks in charitable donations and travel giveaways, and many do not utilize credit cards—which offer stronger fraud protections—for holiday shopping.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
During Medicare's open enrollment period, seniors become vulnerable to scammers who exploit the need for personal information by impersonating Medicare officials, offering fraudulent card replacements, and promoting fake supplemental coverage plans. A 2023 data breach of 900,000+ Medicare beneficiaries' information from contractor Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation highlighted the risks, though Medicare has since implemented protective measures like the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier to replace Social Security numbers on cards. To protect themselves, seniors should shield government ID numbers, access Medicare.gov directly rather than through suspicious links, and be wary of unsolicited calls or visits claiming to represent Medicare.
wdrb.com
· 2025-12-08
A spoofing scam targeting bank customers is costing Americans millions annually, with scammers using caller ID spoofing to impersonate banks and convince victims to transfer money to prepaid debit cards under the guise of fraudulent account activity. One Kentucky woman lost nearly $10,000 after transferring funds to a prepaid card based on a fraudulent call claiming to be from her bank. The Better Business Bureau advises recipients of suspicious messages to avoid clicking links or sharing account information, as transferred funds are typically irretrievable.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Meta disclosed its multiyear effort to combat pig butchering scams, having removed over 2 million accounts linked to scam compounds in Southeast Asia and the UAE in 2024 alone. These scams, which have defrauded victims of approximately $75 billion globally since 2020, involve organized crime syndicates operating forced-labor compounds where over 200,000 trafficked people are coerced into impersonating romantic interests or investment advisors to extract money from victims worldwide. Meta stated it is collaborating with law enforcement and other tech companies to disrupt these criminal operations, though researchers note the company has been slow to publicly acknowledge the problem and engage with the
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial scams affect millions of Americans annually, with one in five adults losing money to online fraud, including romance scams, investment schemes, and identity theft. Beyond financial losses, scam victims often experience significant emotional trauma including feelings of betrayal, powerlessness, and reduced self-esteem, with effects extending to mental health, physical health, and personal relationships. Mental health organizations and fraud protection technologies are increasingly working to support victims and detect fraudulent activity, though scams continue to evolve with tools like AI-generated videos making deception more convincing.
westfaironline.com
· 2025-12-08
A 24-year-old Bengali national living in New York on a student visa, Mazharul Islam, was arrested and charged with conspiracy and wire fraud for operating a Geek Squad auto-renewal scam targeting elderly victims in Orange County and Ohio. In the first case, Islam posed as a courier and collected $35,000 in cash from a 73-year-old Warwick man who was tricked into believing he had accidentally authorized a $41,999 charge; police arrested Islam during a subsequent sting operation involving a decoy $22,000 payment. Islam admitted to working as a courier for an operation based in India, earning $2,000 per
wtsp.com
· 2025-12-08
A 56-year-old Bradenton, Florida man was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of at least $250,000 (with the victim's husband reporting losses up to $600,000) between 2023 and 2024. Jeffrey Moynihan, Jr. befriended the victim online and convinced her to invest in fake business opportunities promising a $55 million return, transferring the funds to accounts associated with his painting and pressure washing business. Bradenton police's elder fraud unit reports nearly $3 million in fraud losses among victims over 60 in 2024
bankrate.com
· 2025-12-08
Holiday shoppers face multiple online scams including puppy scams (fake breeders requesting upfront deposits), toy scams (counterfeit or non-existent products at discounted prices), and marketplace frauds on platforms like Facebook Marketplace where scammers take payment and disappear. Protection strategies include being skeptical of prices that seem too good to be true, avoiding clicking links from ads or search results, purchasing directly from trusted retailers, and refusing to pay upfront to unverified sellers who won't communicate via phone or video.
about.fb.com
· 2025-12-08
Criminals operating forced-labor scam compounds primarily in Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and the UAE) systematically target people worldwide through text messaging, dating apps, and social media to perpetrate "pig butchering" and investment fraud schemes. These criminal organizations, estimated to control up to 300,000 forced workers, steal approximately $64 billion annually by building false trust with victims and manipulating them into depositing money into fake cryptocurrency and investment platforms. The article outlines how scam operators use deceptive personas, scripted social engineering tactics, and phased withdrawal schemes to exploit victims globally before disappearing with their funds.
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Pig butchering scams, which cost Americans billions of dollars annually, involve scammers building fake romantic or friendly relationships with victims over months before directing them to fraudulent cryptocurrency investments. Meta announced major countermeasures including taking down 2 million accounts in 2024, dedicating staff to identify scammer locations, sharing intelligence with law enforcement, and automatically flagging suspicious messages on Facebook Messenger, Instagram DMs, and WhatsApp. The FBI reported nearly $4 billion in crypto investment scam losses in September 2024, though actual losses are likely higher due to underreporting, and critics argue tech companies' responses remain insufficient given the scale of the problem.