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latfusa.com
· 2025-12-08
California experienced over $624 million in losses to elderly fraud in 2022, affecting 11,517 victims aged 60 and over with an average loss of $54,225 per victim. Investment scams, business imposters, and romance scams were the most costly fraud types nationally, while seniors were particularly vulnerable to online fraud ($564 million in losses) and tech support scams (517% higher likelihood compared to the general population). Bank transfers and cryptocurrency were the primary payment methods exploited, accounting for $570 million and $288 million in losses respectively.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Ariell Dix, age 37, was convicted of two felonies related to illegal control of an enterprise and sentenced to three and a half years in prison for her role in an Arizona Medicaid (AHCCCS) fraud scheme. Dix helped establish fraudulent clinics, obtained patient lists for illegal billing, and falsified records to enable the scheme, which defrauded the state of tens of millions of dollars between January 2019 and September 2021.
mlive.com
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Jackson, Michigan woman was barred by federal court order in May 2024 from participating in romance scams after repeatedly serving as a "money transmitter" for fraudsters while also being victimized herself. Holly Locke received packages of money from scam victims and forwarded them to fraudsters she met online, beginning with someone in Ghana in 2022 who claimed to need funds for an orphanage; despite being warned by postal inspectors and signing a cease-and-desist order, she resumed the activity in May 2023 with new scammers met on Facebook. The consent decree, approved by U.S. District Judge Paul D.
therogersvillereview.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns university students about common scams targeting their demographic, including scholarship/financial aid fraud, student loan debt relief schemes, fake rental listings, employment scams, misleading credit card offers, and social media phishing. The key advice is to verify the legitimacy of any organization before providing personal or financial information, never pay upfront fees for legitimate services (scholarships, loan forgiveness, jobs), and be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true. While not specific to elder fraud, the article emphasizes vigilance and verification as essential protections against financial exploitation.
wlos.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article addresses the rising trend of financial scams targeting elderly people and emphasizes that knowledge and community vigilance are key defenses. It recommends that seniors protect themselves by exercising caution with unsolicited communications, utilizing security software, maintaining strong passwords, monitoring financial statements regularly, and reporting suspected fraud to the FTC and local authorities. The article also encourages families and communities to stay informed about common scams through trusted resources like the FBI and National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-FRAUD-11).
actionnews5.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC reported over 330,000 impersonation scam complaints in 2023, with consumers losing $1.1 billion to fraudsters pretending to be businesses or government agencies. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to scrutinize email addresses for suspicious characteristics, verify suspicious communications directly with companies, and avoid providing payment information to unfamiliar entities, while encouraging reporting of suspicious emails and texts to the BBB Scam Tracker.
cgsentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud complaints to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center increased 14 percent in 2023, with victims aged 60 and over losing $3.4 billion total and an average of $33,915 per victim. Tech support scams were the most commonly reported type of elder fraud, while investment scams proved the costliest, exceeding $1.2 billion in losses, with over 12,000 victims also targeted through cryptocurrency schemes. Oregon specifically saw elderly residents lose $44 million in 2023, with scammers exploiting older Americans' relative lack of technological proficiency.
goldendalesentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
From 2022 to 2023, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network reported approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity related to elder financial exploitation, with 80% of all suspicious activity reported by banks involving elder scams. Common scams targeting seniors include government impersonator scams, fake prizes/sweepstakes, computer tech support scams, and grandparent scams, perpetrated by strangers, family members, friends, or caregivers. Prevention strategies include protecting sensitive documents, monitoring financial accounts, avoiding unsolicited requests for personal information, consulting financial advisors before making decisions, and building relationships with trusted financial institutions.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Jackson resident agreed to a civil court order permanently prohibiting her from participating in romance scams after acting as a money transmitter for an international fraud ring. Holly Locke received packages of money from multiple victims and forwarded the funds to her online romantic partner, unknowingly facilitating fraud against people who believed they were helping their own romantic partners. This civil consent decree marks the first of its kind in the Eastern District of Michigan and is part of a broader Department of Justice effort to disrupt international romance scam operations targeting U.S. citizens.
prweb.com
· 2025-12-08
According to an FBI report, Americans over 60 experienced elder fraud crimes at record levels, with victims losing an estimated $3.4 billion in reported losses. Common scams targeting seniors include the grandparent scam (impersonating grandchildren claiming arrest), sweepstakes fraud requiring upfront payment, gift card serial number schemes, and government imposter fraud. Elderwerks, a Palatine, Illinois nonprofit, is hosting free educational presentations on scam prevention and identity theft protection to help seniors and caregivers recognize and avoid these crimes.
webcenterfairbanks.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC reported over 330,000 impersonation scam complaints in 2023, with consumers losing $1.1 billion as fraudsters impersonated businesses and government agencies to steal money and personal information. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to scrutinize email addresses for suspicious characteristics, verify questionable emails directly with companies, avoid providing payment information to unknown entities, and report suspicious communications to the BBB Scam Tracker.
home.barclays
· 2025-12-08
Barclays research found that ticket scams cost victims an average of £243, with men losing more than twice as much as women (£325 vs £156), primarily because men pay higher prices for fraudulent tickets. Football matches accounted for half of sports-related ticket scam reports, with tennis and cricket also commonly targeted, and scam reports peaked in July 2023. The bank warns that 82% of Britons fail to verify website authenticity before purchasing tickets and recommends checking seller legitimacy and using trusted platforms to avoid these scams, which tend to spike during summer event season.
techxplore.com
· 2025-12-08
Researchers analyzed 67,991 SMS phishing messages collected over 396 days and identified 600 distinct phishing operations using 35,128 unique campaigns. The study found that SMS phishers operate using mainstream infrastructure and services rather than hidden networks, with bulk messaging services openly advertising on platforms like LinkedIn. The research provides law enforcement with new techniques to identify and track phishing operations, addressing a significant gap in data since telecommunications companies have been reluctant to share private message information.
wbko.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns residents affected by severe storms to be cautious of storm-chasing scammers who exploit disaster victims for repair work. Key fraud tactics include unlicensed contractors demanding upfront payments, roof inspectors creating damage to justify work, FEMA imposters, and utility company impersonators. The BBB recommends verifying contractor licenses, obtaining multiple quotes, paying by credit card, getting written contracts with insurance documentation, and reporting suspected price gouging or fraud to authorities.
kfvs12.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC reported over 330,000 impersonation scam complaints in 2023, with consumers losing more than $1.1 billion. Fraudsters impersonate legitimate businesses and government agencies to trick victims into providing money and personal information through fake emails and forms. The BBB recommends verifying suspicious emails by examining sender addresses carefully, contacting companies directly to confirm requests, avoiding payment to unknown entities, and reporting suspicious communications to the BBB Scam Tracker.
richmondmagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Teens are the fastest-growing victims of online scams, with losses to those 20 and younger increasing from $8.2 million in 2017 to $210 million by 2022, according to the FBI. Common scams targeting teens include phishing emails, deceptive pop-up ads, direct message offers, and catfishing schemes on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. Parents and educators can reduce risk by teaching teens to verify sources, recognize red flags like poor grammar and suspicious links, adjust privacy settings, and maintain open communication about online dangers.
herald-review.com
· 2025-12-08
A Mount Zion woman was charged with stealing over $100,000 in cash and property from an elderly female victim between May 2022 and July 2023. Ali L. Fisher, 31, faces two counts including financial exploitation of an elderly person and obtaining control of property through deception, with the alleged theft totaling more than $40,000 in additional cash. Fisher was arrested on May 14 and released on pretrial release pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 24 in Macon County Circuit Court.
choice.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A CHOICE survey of 280 scam victims in Australia found that four out of five victims reported their banks failed to flag suspicious transactions before money was transferred to scammers, and about half received inadequate support afterward. Australians lost $2.7 billion to scams last year, with over half of initial contact occurring on websites or social media platforms, yet banks and tech companies face minimal consequences while victims often suffer shame and financial loss with little recourse for recovery.
news.ncsu.edu
· 2025-12-08
Researchers analyzed 67,991 SMS phishing messages collected over 396 days and identified 600 distinct phishing operations using 35,128 unique campaigns. The study found that scammers impersonate trusted entities like banks to trick people into sharing sensitive information via text, and surprisingly, many operations use mainstream infrastructure and openly advertise services on platforms like LinkedIn rather than hiding on the dark web. The findings highlight the scale of SMS phishing threats to consumer privacy and security, while identifying avenues for law enforcement to combat these operations.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Leslie Smith, a 63-year-old licensed attorney and office manager at an Indianapolis podiatry practice, was sentenced to five and a half years in federal prison and ordered to pay $2,341,655.08 in restitution after pleading guilty to healthcare fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion. Over several years, Smith submitted approximately 288 fraudulent Medicaid claims for oxygen monitoring devices totaling $1.75 million, fraudulently obtained COVID-19 mortgage assistance funds using a deceased relative's property, sold a jointly-owned home without consent by forging her co-owner's signature, and failed to file federal income tax returns from 2018-2
fronterasdesk.org
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is hosting an educational seminar in Tucson to help seniors recognize phone and internet scams, following reports that fraud targeting people 60 and older caused over $3 billion in losses nationwide last year—a 10% increase from 2022. Local church members prompted the event after experiencing spam calls and falling victim to increasingly sophisticated scams, including AI-generated voice impersonation and phishing emails. The free public seminar covers scam identification and prevention techniques.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between April 2023 and March 2024, British courier fraud scams targeting elderly people resulted in £28.7 million in losses, with victims averaging £20,000 each. People in their 80s were most vulnerable, accounting for 43% of victims, with approximately 85% of all victims aged 60-90; fraudsters posed as police officers or bank officials to trick targets into handing over money, valuables, or bank cards by claiming to investigate account issues or fraudulent business activity. City of London Police conducted a joint operation across England and Wales in May, making five arrests and receiving over 100 referrals from 26 forces, while recommending call-
thesuntimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a consumer alert warning about tax scams involving inflated refund claims for three specialized credits: the Fuel Tax Credit, Sick and Family Leave Credit, and household employment taxes. Thousands of taxpayers were misled by social media posts and scam artists into filing false claims for credits they didn't qualify for, resulting in frozen refunds and potential penalties, audits, or criminal action. The IRS urged affected taxpayers to verify their eligibility, consult legitimate tax preparers, and file amended returns if necessary to avoid severe financial consequences.
heraldscotland.com
· 2025-12-08
Between April 2023 and March 2024, over £28.7 million was lost to courier fraud in the UK, with victims averaging £20,032 each; scammers impersonated police officers and bank officials to trick householders—particularly pensioners in their 80s (43% of victims)—into handing over money, valuables, or bank cards. People aged 60-90 accounted for 85% of victims (63% female), with the oldest victim aged 94, and police reported five arrests following a coordinated operation across England and Wales. Key prevention advice includes using call-blocking devices, verifying that legitimate police and banks never
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are making unsolicited calls claiming victims owe back taxes and offering enrollment in a fake "2024 zero tax owed program" through a fraudulent entity called "Tax Relief Advocate." The IRS communicates tax debt through official letters, not phone calls, and legitimate tax relief companies do not collect payments on behalf of the IRS, making these calls an attempt to extract personal information from victims.
kjzz.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers target veterans and their widows—particularly around Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and the holidays—by offering fraudulent military discounts on loans, housing, cars, and rental properties, as well as charging illegal fees to file VA benefits. Common schemes include fake real estate deals where scammers pose as landlords or property owners, vehicle sales with hidden fees, and loans with undisclosed charges that inflate costs. The Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs urges veterans to report scams and use legitimate free resources like the American Legion, DAV, and VFW for benefits assistance rather than paying third-party fees.
securelist.com
· 2025-12-08
Online marketplace scammers increasingly operate under a "Fraud-as-a-Service" model, targeting message board users through two main schemes: impersonating sellers to deceive buyers, or impersonating buyers to trick sellers into entering payment card details on phishing sites. Scammers strategically target sellers with promoted ads and mobile payment preferences, using convincing conversations to build trust before sending fake payment links that harvest financial information and drain bank accounts.
greaterkashmir.com
· 2025-12-08
The Indian Embassy in Laos rescued and repatriated 13 Indian workers who were deceived by false employment promises and trapped in illegal work arrangements, bringing the total rescued from Laos to 428; the workers were found in a wood factory and a special economic zone. Indian authorities warn citizens against fraudulent overseas job offers, particularly those involving human trafficking networks that lure victims into cyber scams, money laundering, and cryptocurrency fraud, and advise using only authorized employment channels and conducting background checks on prospective employers in Southeast Asia.
theworldlink.com
· 2025-12-08
Elderly Oregonians lost $44 million to internet scams in 2023, with FBI data showing a 14% increase in elder fraud complaints and an 11% rise in associated losses that year. The average victim aged 60 and older lost $33,915, with over $3.4 billion in total losses nationwide, with tech support scams being the most commonly reported type and investment scams causing the greatest financial damage at over $1.2 billion.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 52-year-old newspaper employee in Chennai lost Rs 1.4 lakh to a courier scam on May 20 when a fraudster posing as an international courier company representative claimed a package sent in his name had been seized by customs for containing drugs and contraband, threatening police action and arrest warrants unless he paid bail money. After the scammers continued demanding additional funds, the victim became suspicious, realized the fraud, and filed a police complaint.
theworldlink.com
· 2025-12-08
**Elder fraud targeting Oregonians increased significantly in 2023, with individuals aged 60 and older losing $44 million in that state alone and $3.4 billion nationally—a 14 percent increase in complaints and 11 percent increase in losses compared to 2022.** Tech support scams were the most commonly reported type of elder fraud, while investment scams caused the highest losses at over $1.2 billion; other prevalent schemes included romance scams, government impersonation, and cryptocurrency fraud. The average elderly victim lost $33,915, with over 101,000 Americans aged 60+ reporting elder fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime
currypilot.com
· 2025-12-08
Internet scams targeting elderly Oregonians increased significantly in 2023, with individuals aged 60 and over losing $3.4 billion nationally and $44 million in Oregon alone, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center report. Over 101,000 victims aged 60+ reported fraud to the IC3, with tech support scams being most common and investment scams causing the largest losses (over $1.2 billion). Local law enforcement in Oregon has also documented cases involving seniors being defrauded of homes and retirement savings through online scams and identity theft.
onlineathens.com
· 2025-12-08
A 32-year-old Athens woman lost $30,000 to a scammer impersonating a Clarke County Sheriff's Office officer who threatened her with jail time for a missed court appearance and instructed her to send money via bitcoin ATM. The victim made three cash withdrawals totaling $29,000 and followed instructions to claim the withdrawals were for a car purchase at her bank. The FTC reports that government impersonation scams remain among the top frauds reported, with nearly 160,000 such cases in 2023, and advises victims never to trust demands for gift cards, bitcoin transfers, or money moves from anyone claiming to be a government agency or business.
bhamnow.com
· 2025-12-08
A Birmingham FBI agent specializing in financial crimes identified six common scams targeting seniors in Alabama—including lottery/sweepstakes, tech support, romance, grandparent, home improvement, and government impersonation scams—noting that elder fraud is rising in the state and that scammers create artificial urgency to pressure victims into quick decisions. The article advises seniors and their families to secure social media accounts, seek second opinions before acting on urgent requests, and contact law enforcement if targeted, while noting that many victims don't report scams due to shame, embarrassment, or fear of retaliation.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
Reports of job-related scams to the Better Business Bureau more than doubled in 2023, with the FTC logging over 107,000 fraudulent job opportunities resulting in approximately $491 million in losses. Scammers use artificial intelligence and social media to target job seekers with "work from home" schemes, extracting personal information for identity theft or requesting up-front payments. Key warning signs include recruiters asking for Social Security numbers or bank account information before discussing the position, and victims should verify job offers through legitimate company contact information rather than recruiter-provided links.
ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers frequently impersonate well-known companies like Best Buy's Geek Squad, Amazon, PayPal, Microsoft, and Publishers Clearing House to deceive victims, with Microsoft and Publishers Clearing House impersonation scams resulting in the highest reported losses in 2023. While email and phone calls are the most common contact methods, scammers achieve the largest financial losses through social media-initiated investment scams paid via cryptocurrency or bank transfers, along with romance and tech support scams demanding payment through gift cards (particularly Apple gift cards). The FTC advises consumers to verify unexpected communications through official channels, avoid clicking links from unknown sources, and refuse payment methods that scammers insist
atlantanewsfirst.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers exploit Memorial Day by impersonating military and veteran charities, using high-pressure donation solicitation tactics to target Georgia's large military population. According to the 2024 BBB Risk Report, active-duty military members are 29% more susceptible to scams than the general population, with median losses of $491 per victim in 2022—more than double the general population's median loss of $163. To protect themselves, potential donors should avoid high-pressure calls, ask charities for their mission statement and fund allocation details, and verify organizations through resources like Charity Navigator before donating.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
Jiaci Liu, 34, was arrested in San Diego for his role in a multinational fraud conspiracy targeting seniors using a layered scam involving fake tech support, bank impersonation, and government impersonation. A 63-year-old Poway victim was tricked into withdrawing $28,000 after being told his computer had viruses and his bank account had unauthorized transfers; investigators found evidence Liu had collected over $348,000 from multiple victims across Southern California and Phoenix in just one week in June 2023. Liu faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud with a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and $1 million fine.
refinery29.com
· 2025-12-08
This article presents four real scam experiences and lessons learned. The cases include: fake concert ticket fraud ($amount unspecified, victim recovered funds), a camera sale scam ($3,000 loss via fake verification email), a money-flipping scheme involving a former roommate ($350 dispute), and a fake tattoo deposit scam ($200 loss). Common tactics across these incidents include creating artificial urgency, using trusted platforms and social media, impersonation, and exploiting personal relationships—with victims learning to verify legitimacy, act quickly on disputes, and question unusual requests even from seemingly credible sources.
monroenews.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel presented consumer protection information to seniors at the Frenchtown Center for Active Adults, covering common scam tactics including urgent requests, fake personal connections, financial demands, and unusual payment methods like gift cards. Nessel highlighted emerging threats such as spoofing technology that uses AI to impersonate friends and family, and rising check fraud, while recommending protective measures including strong privacy settings, password changes, two-factor authentication, credit card use, and reporting suspicious communications. The presentation emphasized that seniors are vulnerable targets and encouraged attendees to stay informed rather than fearful by asking verification questions and remembering that legitimate government agencies contact citizens by mail, not phone.
wcyb.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial scams targeting seniors are rising, with the FBI reporting that scams cost 80,000 seniors $3.1 billion in 2022. The Smyth County Chamber of Commerce hosted an Older Americans Day event where Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and local law enforcement warned residents about common scams—including phone calls impersonating banks or loved ones—and emphasized never sharing personal financial information unsolicited. Officials advised victims to contact the Attorney General's Office or call 911, and encouraged a "trust, but verify" approach to any requests for sensitive data, particularly given emerging threats from artificial intelligence that can mimic voices.
applevalleynewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors in the Yakima Valley are increasingly targeted by scammers, with those over 60 reporting over $3.4 billion in losses to the FBI's IC3 in 2023, an 11% increase from the prior year. Common scams include romance schemes (such as a 75-year-old woman who lost $25,000-$30,000 in gift cards to an imposter), grandparent scams, and fake investment schemes promising quick returns in cryptocurrency. Scammers exploit seniors' vulnerabilities including loneliness, cognitive decline, and free time online, with artificial intelligence expected to make future scams more sophisticated and believable.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Nottinghamshire Police warned online daters about romance fraudsters impersonating celebrities on dating apps and social media platforms. A woman lost approximately £5,000 to a scammer posing as TV chef James Martin, while other victims were deceived by impersonators of Il Divo singer Urs Buhler and Take That frontman Gary Barlow, with perpetrators obtaining money, gift cards, and explicit images through manipulation and coercion. Police advised victims to be vigilant about requests for money, avoid sending funds to people they haven't met in person, and consult trusted friends or family members when online relationships take financial turns.
accountancyage.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, UK Finance members reported over £1 billion in fraud losses, with unauthorized transaction fraud declining 3% to £708.7 million, while Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud losses reached £459.7 million despite a 5% year-on-year decrease. Purchase scams emerged as the most damaging fraud type, with cases rising 34% to over 156,000 and losses reaching £85.9 million—the highest on record—alongside significant increases in romance scams and card identity theft. Overall, 62% of APP fraud losses were returned to victims in 2023, and £1.25 billion in unauthorized fraud was prevented through
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Southeast Asian cybercrime operations have replaced traditional Indian fraud hotspots, with organized gangs in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos operating "corporate-style" compounds that defrauded Indian victims of Rs 1,775 crore between January-April 2024 through investment scams (Rs 1,420 crore), trading scams (Rs 222 crore), digital arrest scams (Rs 120 crore), and romance scams (Rs 13 crore). Indian nationals are recruited through illegal agents with false job promises, then coerced into perpetrating fraud against fellow citizens via social media and messaging apps, with authorities intervening to save
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Jiaci Liu, 34, was arrested and charged in federal court for his role in a multinational fraud conspiracy targeting seniors, including a 63-year-old Poway man who lost $28,000 in a layered tech support, bank impersonation, and government impersonation scam. Evidence from Liu's seized cellphone revealed he had collected over $348,000 from multiple victims across Southern California and Phoenix, Arizona in just one week in June 2023. Liu faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud with a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
pressherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Senators Collins and Sinema introduced a bipartisan resolution designating May 15 as "National Senior Fraud Awareness Day," which passed unanimously, highlighting that seniors lost over $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023—an 11% increase from 2022. A new phone scam targeting Maine residents involves fraudsters impersonating U.S. Marshals through spoofed phone numbers, demanding immediate payment of fines or promising money transfers, using publicly available personal information to appear credible. Federal officials advise seniors never to provide financial information to unknown callers and to report suspected scams to the FBI and FTC.
columbiacommunityconnection.com
· 2025-12-08
From 2022 to 2023, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network reported approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity related to elder financial exploitation, with 80% of all suspicious activity reported by banks involving elder scams. Elder financial exploitation—the unauthorized or improper use of an older person's funds, property, or assets—can be perpetrated by strangers, family members, friends, neighbors, or caregivers using tactics such as government impersonation, fake prizes, tech support scams, and the grandparent scam. The article emphasizes preventive measures including protecting sensitive documents, reviewing credit reports, verifying credentials, and trusting instincts when suspicious activity occurs.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Malachi Mullings was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for laundering over $4.5 million obtained through romance fraud scams and business email compromise schemes that targeted elderly victims and companies from 2019 to July 2021. Operating under the fake company name "The Mullings Group LLC," Mullings opened 20 bank accounts to conceal fraud proceeds, including $310,000 diverted from a state Medicaid program and $260,000 obtained from an elderly romance scam victim, which he used to purchase luxury items including a Ferrari. The case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice's Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force and involved investigation by
freep.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams targeting college students and recent graduates are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with scammers impersonating professors and university staff through spoofed emails to pitch fake internships or remote work opportunities. A common tactic involves sending counterfeit checks to cover supposed home office setup costs, which the victim deposits but don't bounce until after they've spent or transferred money to scammers, leaving them financially responsible for losses. Universities including University of Michigan and Oakland University have reported rising incidents of these highly customized scams, particularly at the beginning and end of academic years, with scammers conducting detailed online research to make their pitches appear credible and realistic.