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deccanchronicle.com
A retired government official in Hyderabad lost Rs 3.57 lakh after his Upstox trading account email was fraudulently changed and stocks were transferred without authorization, while a private employee lost Rs 17.48 lakh to an investment scam involving fake high-return schemes promoted via WhatsApp and Telegram between November 2024. The Rachakonda cybercrime police are investigating both cases to identify the perpetrators, with the second victim realizing the fraud only after being asked to pay additional taxes when requesting a refund.
nypost.com
The FBI warns that phishing emails using urgent language like "act fast" are increasingly common red flags for scams, particularly those impersonating disaster relief charities or celebrities to solicit donations—with over 4,500 complaints reporting $96 million in losses to fraudulent charities and relief campaigns in 2024. The agency advises recipients to avoid clicking links or opening attachments from unknown senders, verify URLs and email addresses for errors, and never provide usernames or passwords to unsolicited messages. AI-powered scams are making fraud more sophisticated and believable, including romance schemes and impersonation scams that have cost victims thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
secretservice.gov
Pig butchering is a billion-dollar cryptocurrency investment fraud scheme where scammers build trust with victims—often through fake romantic relationships on dating apps or unsolicited social media contact—and convince them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency projects that promise high returns. Victims are gradually encouraged to transfer increasing amounts of money until they suffer financial ruin, with the scammer disappearing once substantial funds have been obtained. To protect yourself, avoid unsolicited investment advice from online contacts, verify investment legitimacy through regulatory authorities, never share personal financial information with people you haven't met in person, and be suspicious of projects with guaranteed high returns or romantic interests who refuse to meet in person or appear on video calls.
cxtoday.com
A CloudSek study found that Zendesk's free trial offering is vulnerable to abuse by scammers who create fake brand-impersonating subdomains to conduct phishing attacks and "pig butchering" investment scams. The research identified several cases over six months where Zendesk clients were targeted by fraudulent domains, demonstrating how attackers could exploit the platform's lack of email verification to deceive employees into clicking malicious links or revealing sensitive data. The report recommends blacklisting unverified Zendesk instances, using detection tools to identify suspicious subdomains, and implementing employee phishing awareness training to mitigate the risk.
citybeat.com
Pamela Moore, a 66-year-old grandmother with no prior criminal record, was sentenced to 24 months in prison in August 2024 for money laundering related to online romance scams. Between 2020 and 2023, Moore's bank accounts received over $8 million in criminally derived funds from romance scammers nationwide, and she personally converted approximately $1.7 million to Bitcoin at the scammers' direction. Moore herself had initially lost six figures to the same scammers after becoming emotionally vulnerable following her husband's death in 2015, eventually being manipulated into laundering their illicit proceeds through a fraudulent shell company.
newportdispatch.com
Jessica Russell, a 42-year-old from Barre, pleaded guilty to wire fraud after defrauding an elderly victim of over $84,000 by gaining her trust through emotional manipulation—falsely claiming she had lost a child like the victim—then obtaining power of attorney to steal funds from the victim's home sale. Russell used the stolen money to purchase a home in Barton and a 2017 Mitsubishi SUV, falsely claiming both purchases were her own, while the victim's health and mental state declined. She faces sentencing on June 12.
aba.com
The American Bankers Association Foundation and U.S. Postal Inspection Service released educational infographics on money mule scams and check fraud, which have been rising in recent years. Money mule scams involve criminals using others' bank accounts to launder illegal funds, often recruited through fake job postings and online platforms, while check fraud targets businesses through stolen, altered, or counterfeit checks. Both organizations provided consumer and business protection recommendations, including monitoring accounts, avoiding unofficial money transfers, limiting access to sensitive information, and using bank fraud prevention services.
hoodline.com
Kaua'i County's Agency on Elderly Affairs organized an educational event on February 12 featuring Kupuna Alert Partners to teach seniors about fraud and scam prevention, including Medicare fraud, identity theft, securities fraud, and prescription drug misuse. The free community event included presentations and resource tables from multiple government agencies, with pre-registration encouraged and accessibility accommodations available upon request.
fosters.com
Hampton residents lost nearly $1 million to phone, email, text, and social media scams over 13 months, with many involving cryptocurrency, according to Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno—though he notes this represents only reported cases. One particularly devastating case involved a "pig butchering scheme" where a resident lost $480,000 after a scammer built trust through social media before introducing a fraudulent investment opportunity. The Hampton Police Department has become New Hampshire's first law enforcement agency to open a Coinbase account to potentially freeze and recover stolen cryptocurrency, and the chief urges residents to contact police before sending money rather than after they've been victimized.
states.aarp.org
Cryptocurrency ATM scams are rising, with criminals exploiting poorly regulated "crypto kiosks" to steal hundreds of millions of dollars annually by tricking victims into depositing cash via fraudulent QR codes. In 2023, the FBI recorded over 5,500 crypto kiosk complaints totaling $189 million in losses, with North Dakota alone losing more than $6 million. North Dakota House Bill 1447, which passed both chambers and awaits the governor's signature, would establish consumer protections including operator licensing, daily transaction limits, fraud warnings, fee disclosures, and transaction receipts to help prevent these crimes and aid law enforcement investigations.
pembinavalleyonline.com
The Winkler Police Report documented three fraud incidents during the holiday season: a male resident lost money to an online investment scam after downloading a fraudulent app and providing sensitive personal information; an elderly woman was targeted in a grandparent scam where a caller claimed to be her grandson needing bail money and fraudulently accessed her bank account; and another male victim sent multiple payments to a scammer posing as a lawyer who promised to recover funds from a fraudulently opened Bitcoin account. Police advised victims to report incidents to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, contact their banks, and protect their personal information to prevent further losses.
ricemedia.co
A 24-year-old Singaporean student and part-time videographer named Leo lost approximately $1,000 to a job scam that promised quick cash for watching and liking TikTok videos. The scam began with small legitimate-seeming payments of $30-$50, but escalated into repeated demands for "admin fees" ranging from $20 to $350, ultimately leaving Leo unable to recover owed payments when he questioned the scheme. The incident exemplifies a broader pattern of job scams targeting financially struggling Singaporeans seeking side income, exploiting their vulnerability during economic hardship and leaving victims dealing with financial loss, shame, and psychological distress.
straitstimes.com
Singapore actor Laurence Pang, 78, lost approximately S$35,000 (1.5 million pesos) to an online romance scam operated from the Philippines. He met a woman named "Mika" on the dating site PinaLove in late 2024, and was persuaded to invest in what he believed was a legitimate e-commerce reseller business on a fake Rakuten platform; however, the system prevented him from withdrawing profits while generating fake orders. Philippine National Police confirmed Pang was victimized by cyber criminals operating a scam hub, with the scammers using heavily edited photos and romance tactics to target wealthy, lonely
metro.co.uk
Wayne Westhead, a 65-year-old British Army veteran, lost £152,000 to a fraudulent Bitcoin investment scheme advertised on Facebook using Sir Rod Stewart's image, which targeted him while he was caring for his wife with breast cancer and later grieving her death. The scammers used fake investment returns and pressure tactics to convince him to invest over four years, with funds going to a "ghost account" rather than actual Bitcoin holdings. Westhead eventually recovered his £152,000 plus £45,000 in interest after his lawyers successfully argued that Nationwide building society had failed to protect him from financial exploitation during his vulnerable circumstances.
wcpo.com
Following California wildfires, the Better Business Bureau warns of donation scams targeting well-meaning donors who want to help disaster victims. To protect themselves, donors should research charities for specific details about their aid efforts, verify organizations through official websites, and watch for red flags such as vague language and AI-generated images on charity sites.
deccanherald.com
Fraudulent deposit scams operate when unregistered individuals establish fake finance companies that circumvent regulatory requirements and target investors within close-knit communities. These schemes attract victims by promising unrealistically high returns on their deposits, exploiting trust and lack of regulatory oversight to conduct their operations discreetly.
newsbug.info
Oak Grove Christian Retirement Village hosted an educational presentation by DeMotte police on January 8 covering elder financial abuse, which costs seniors over $3 billion annually with more than 13% of American elders victimized yearly. The presentation outlined eleven common scam types targeting seniors (including grandparent scams, charity fraud, identity theft, and tech support scams), noting that victims aged 80-89, particularly women living alone, face the highest risk and that underreporting remains severe due to embarrassment and fear of losing independence. Key protective measures include monthly financial monitoring, verifying requests by calling contacts directly, reporting fraud to the FTC, and consulting trusted advisors before financial decisions.
tcpalm.com
Two individuals were arrested as "couriers" in gold bar scams that defrauded at least three Indian River Shores residents of nearly $2 million in early 2024. The scams involved fake government officials calling victims and instructing them to purchase gold bars, which couriers then collected in person; one 77-year-old woman lost $156,000 across two separate meetings, handing over gold bars worth approximately $72,904 and $83,000. Rakeshbhai Harshadbhai Patel, 35, was arrested in January 2025, and Syed Makki, 36, was arrested in Colorado and awaits ext
mondaq.com
Romance fraud—where scammers impersonate celebrities or create fake identities to build trust with victims before demanding money—is a rapidly growing crime, with the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau reporting 8,792 cases and losses exceeding £94.7 million in the past year. A notable case involved a 53-year-old French woman defrauded of £700,000 over 18 months by someone posing as Brad Pitt, with fraudsters typically spending about a year building trust before requesting funds through pretexts like medical emergencies or investment opportunities. Authorities note that romance fraud is heavily under-reported due to victim shame, though early reporting without alert
investopedia.com
The IRS Criminal Investigation unit uncovered over $9.1 billion in tax fraud and financial crimes in 2024, with scams expected to peak during the 2025 tax-filing season. Common tactics include scammers impersonating IRS agents or tax preparers to claim taxpayers owe additional taxes or are due larger refunds, with threats of arrest or requests for bank details to steal information. Retired taxpayers and those nearing retirement are frequent targets, and experts recommend taking time to verify communications and avoiding pressure from scammers rather than responding immediately.
goldrushcam.com
Three defendants were charged by federal grand jury for operating PageTurner, a fake book publishing scheme that defrauded over 800 elderly authors of approximately $44 million between September 2017 and December 2024. The scammers, including Gemma Traya Austin of Chula Vista and two Philippine-based executives, contacted victims unsolicited and falsely promised that their books would be published or turned into films if they paid upfront fees for taxes and transaction costs. All three defendants were arrested in December 2024 and face charges including mail and wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.
koamnewsnow.com
**Online Romance Scams Warning (January 20, 2025)**
The Better Business Bureau issued a warning to consumers about online romance scams. The alert advises awareness of this fraud scheme, though the article excerpt provided does not contain specific details about affected victims, dollar amounts, or particular incidents.
chinadailyhk.com
Hong Kong authorities are implementing anti-fraud measures targeting mainland students after an 18-year-old University of Hong Kong student lost HK$9.2 million ($1.18 million) to phone scammers posing as government officials in a money laundering scheme. New requirements include mandatory fraud prevention questionnaires for mainland students applying to study in Hong Kong, anti-scam lectures, and educational kits, with over 60 HKU students having lost more than HK$60 million to various scams recently. Multiple Hong Kong universities have adopted mandatory anti-fraud quizzes and questionnaires, with early results showing reduced fraud victimization rates among students who
yahoo.com
This article outlines seven AI-powered scams that are becoming increasingly difficult to detect: voice cloning, deepfake impersonation, investment fraud, phishing, romance scams, and others. The article explains how scammers use AI technology to create convincing fake voices, videos, and messages to manipulate victims into sending money, revealing personal data, or clicking malicious links. It provides practical prevention tips for each scam type, including verifying caller identities with security questions, scrutinizing video quality and facial movements in deepfakes, verifying investment advisors, and avoiding suspicious links and downloads.
telegraph.co.uk
Wayne Westhead, 65, a former British Army soldier, was defrauded of over £100,000 through a cryptocurrency investment scam that falsely advertised Sir Rod Stewart's endorsement on Facebook. The scammers lured him in with small initial returns (£600 on his first investment) and gradually convinced him to invest larger sums, eventually promising him 50 Bitcoin through fake "hedge-funding" schemes worth approximately $400,000, though his money was never actually invested. The fraud exploited Westhead's financial vulnerability while caring for his wife during her cancer treatment.
androidpolice.com
AI technology is making scams increasingly convincing and harder to detect, with fraudsters using voice cloning, deepfakes, fake investment schemes, phishing emails, and romance scams to target victims. The article outlines seven types of AI-powered scams and provides prevention strategies, including verifying caller identities with security questions, scrutinizing deepfake videos for unnatural movements or audio-visual mismatches, consulting registered investment advisors, and avoiding clicking suspicious links or sharing sensitive information with unverified sources.
rocklanddaily.com
**Summary:**
The Haverstraw and Stony Point Police Departments warn of increasing Instagram phishing scams targeting teens, in which scammers send fraudulent messages threatening account deletion to pressure victims into sharing personal information or paying ransom. Users should avoid clicking suspicious links, never share passwords or security codes, refrain from sending money to restore access, and report incidents immediately while updating security settings.
taipeitimes.com
In the fourth quarter of last year, Taiwan reported NT$37.19 billion (US$1.23 billion) in fraud losses, with investment scams accounting for 56.9 percent of total losses and affecting 1,242 victims, predominantly women over 50 (516 cases). Criminals used social media advertisements and messaging apps to recruit victims into fake investment groups, while romance scams and impersonation schemes targeting bank/government officials also contributed significantly to losses, with victims taking 2 months to 2 years to discover they had been defrauded.
freepressjournal.in
A 69-year-old retired merchant navy employee from Alibaug, India lost Rs7.16 crore (approximately $860,000 USD) in a shares investment fraud scheme between December 10-17. The victim was added to a WhatsApp group impersonating a known acquaintance that promoted share investment tips, and was directed to download a fraudulent trading app, through which he made eight online transfers to the scammer's accounts. The fraud was discovered when the victim contacted the actual person whose identity had been stolen, leading to a cyber crime case registered under identity theft and cheating charges.
sbs.com.au
In 2024, Australians reported 249,448 scams totaling $318.7 million in losses to the ACCC's Scamwatch, with investment scams being the most damaging at $192.3 million (median loss $9,500), followed by romance and phishing scams. People over 65 were worst affected financially with a median loss of $1,000, while men overall lost more money than women, with email being the most common contact method used by scammers. Key warning signs include promises of easy money, requests from unknown contacts, links in messages, and pressure to act quickly.
states.aarp.org
This AARP educational article outlines five common scams targeting consumers and provides prevention strategies: credit repair scams exploit financial stress with upfront fees and false promises; social media ad scams deceive over one-third of U.S. adults who shop online by directing them to counterfeit retailer websites; utility scams use urgent threats of service shutoff to panic victims into immediate payment; concert ticket scams involve counterfeit digital tickets sold through unverified resellers; and unsolicited calls from unknown numbers may initiate fraud schemes. The article recommends verifying claims through official channels, researching company legitimacy with the Better Business Bureau, using secure payment methods, and avoiding clickable links in
kulr8.com
The Better Business Bureau identified the top scams affecting consumers in 2024, with online shopping fraud leading for the fifth consecutive year, followed by phishing scams and fake job opportunities, along with debt collection schemes, counterfeit products, travel scams, social media impersonation, and investment scams. To protect yourself, avoid disclosing personal information like social security numbers, take time before making online decisions, be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, and never click links from unknown sources.
discovermagazine.com
A Florida woman was convicted and pleaded guilty to laundering over $2.7 million in an online romance scam ring, exemplifying a growing problem where the FTC reported consumers lost $8.8 billion to scams in 2022—a 30 percent increase from 2021. Scammers employ sophisticated social engineering tactics including romance cons, fake investments, deepfake videos, and manufactured crises, with adults 60 and older being 73 percent more likely to fall victim to such schemes. Research reveals scammers exploit psychological principles like reciprocity (building trust through small gifts) and crisis manipulation (creating urgent financial emergencies) to manipulate victims into sending money
au.news.yahoo.com
Scammers are targeting Facebook Marketplace sellers with fake Australia Post links and QR codes, claiming payment has been made while actually attempting to steal payment card details and personal information through phishing. Australia Post warned customers in January 2024 that the company never provides prepayment services for marketplace listings or sends links/QR codes related to online sales. This scam reflects a broader trend where Australians lost over $58 million to social media scams in the first 10 months of 2024, making social media the leading contact method used by fraudsters.
news.com.au
Fraudsters are targeting Facebook Marketplace sellers with a scam involving fake Australia Post QR code links that appear to confirm payment for items, but actually direct victims to phishing sites designed to steal payment card details and personal information for identity theft. Australia Post reissued warnings about this scheme in January after it was first discovered in September, emphasizing that they never provide prepayment services or send payment-related links for marketplace listings. This scam is part of a broader trend in which over 6,000 Australians lost $58.3 million to social media scams in the first 10 months of 2024.
thestar.com.my
Two senior citizens in Johor Baru lost approximately RM960,888 (nearly one million) to investment scams in late 2024 using identical methods: fraudulent mobile apps promising extraordinarily high returns. An 84-year-old businessman lost RM500,000 through the "DIGZAXXCE" app after joining a WhatsApp investment group offering 100% share returns, while a 61-year-old accountant lost RM460,888 through a fake Bitcoin platform called "PFOU" and app "UVKXE" that displayed phantom profits. Both victims discovered the fraud when attempting to withdraw funds or upon financial review, and authorities
bangkokpost.com
Scammers created fake websites impersonating the Bangkok Post and CP Group's senior chairman Dhanin Chearavanont to perpetrate investment fraud schemes, using doctored news articles and social media posts to lure victims with promises of high returns. Both organizations filed formal complaints with Thai police and reported the fraudulent accounts to Facebook, warning the public to avoid unverified advertisements and financial offers. Victims are urged to contact the Cyber Police Hotline at 1441 or file reports with local police.
bangkokpost.com
Scammers created fake websites impersonating the Bangkok Post and CP Group senior chairman Dhanin Chearavanont to lure victims into investment fraud schemes, using doctored news content and social media posts promising high returns. Both organizations filed formal complaints with Thai police and reported the fraudulent accounts to Facebook, warning the public to avoid unverified financial advertisements and offering reporting hotlines for suspicious activity. The investigation is ongoing with evidence submitted to authorities demonstrating the scams were conducted by criminal groups unaffiliated with either organization.
iomtoday.co.im
An Isle of Man Bank customer lost nearly £200,000 after fraudsters impersonated the bank's fraud team and convinced the victim to purchase gold and send it via mail to London; the scam succeeded because it coincided with the customer's genuine card problems, making the call seem legitimate. The Cyber Security Centre's report for late 2024 also documented additional fraud cases including a £200,000 cryptocurrency scam, sextortion attempts, smishing schemes, and fake Facebook travel offers, with 2,721 suspicious emails reported to authorities and recommendations emphasizing independent verification and family communication about financial matters.
bostonglobe.com
The Boston Globe is seeking stories from Massachusetts residents aged 65 and older who have been victims of financial fraud, particularly schemes involving fake online romances or cryptocurrency ATM deposits. The publication is collecting accounts directly from victims and their families to understand the impact of these scams and has established confidential reporting channels through data reporter Scooty Nickerson and journalist Adria Watson.
justice.gov
Former Rhode Island attorney Peter P.D. Leach was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for operating a Ponzi scheme in which he forged client signatures, misappropriated settlement funds for personal expenses, and deceived clients about case status and payment of their bills between 2014-2019. Leach was also convicted of tax evasion for concealing over $540,000 in cash withdrawals from his client trust account and making false statements to the IRS. He was ordered to pay $299,774.41 in restitution to defrauded clients and an additional $320,622.76 in back taxes to the IRS.
ein.az.gov
The FBI warned that scammers exploit disasters and mass casualty events—such as the New Orleans terrorist attack and Los Angeles wildfires—by impersonating charitable organizations and celebrities to solicit fraudulent donations, sometimes using AI to increase legitimacy. In 2024, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 4,500 complaints reporting approximately $96 million in losses to fraudulent charities, crowdfunding accounts, and disaster relief campaigns. The FBI advises verifying charity legitimacy through official registries, being suspicious of urgent payment requests from unknown individuals, and avoiding unsolicited communications claiming to represent disaster victims.
infosecurity-magazine.com
Truth Social has become a hub for online scams including phishing, advance fee fraud, romance scams, and cryptocurrency investment fraud, with security researchers receiving over 30 scam messages within hours of creating a test account. A Central European threat actor alone distributed over 500 phishing messages impersonating brands like Netflix and Spotify to steal login credentials since March 2024, while the platform's large interest-based groups (some with 100,000+ members) enable scammers to target victims at scale with upfront payment requests ranging from $250 to $1,000. Social media scams broadly have generated $2.7 billion in reported losses since 2021, according to the
justice.gov
Mark Steven Diamond, a Chicago businessman, was sentenced to over 17 years in federal prison for defrauding more than 100 elderly homeowners through a reverse mortgage and home repair scheme in which he tricked them into obtaining reverse mortgage loans and pocketed the proceeds without performing promised repairs. Diamond was ordered to pay $2.7 million in restitution, and four co-conspirators involved in originating loans and facilitating the fraud also pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme.
saga.co.uk
Investment scams cost UK victims over £612 million in 2023, with people aged 55-64 being disproportionately targeted and losing more than £133 million collectively; the average loss per victim was £25,000, though some lost significantly more. Scammers exploit older adults by targeting those with disposable income and leveraging fears about retirement, inheritance tax, and social care, often attempting multiple frauds against the same victims. Red flags include unsolicited contact, promises of unrealistic returns, and pressure to make quick decisions, with experts advising victims to seek independent financial advice before investing.
wrhi.com
**Summary:**
The IRS warns taxpayers to guard against evolving tax season scams including phishing emails, impersonation phone calls, identity theft, fake tax preparers, social media fraud, charity scams, and cryptocurrency schemes. Protection strategies include verifying IRS communications through official channels, protecting personal information, using legitimate tax professionals, and reporting suspicious activity to the IRS.
justice.gov
Miranda Rachel Briggs, 34, of Georgia pleaded guilty to wire fraud after falsely claiming to be the surviving spouse of a deceased U.S. Army veteran to fraudulently obtain approximately $129,000 in VA benefits and medical care. Briggs had divorced the veteran before his death in 2018 but subsequently filed false claims with the VA and Civilian Health and Medical Program, and even had herself named administrator of his estate by misrepresenting her marital status. She faces up to 20 years in prison plus restitution and financial penalties upon sentencing.
justice.gov
Three defendants—Gemma Traya Austin of Chula Vista and Michael Cris Traya Sordilla and Bryan Navales Tarosa of the Philippines—were charged with operating a book publishing scam that defrauded more than 800 elderly authors of approximately $44 million between September 2017 and December 2024. The scammers falsely represented that their company, PageTurner, could publish victims' books or sell them to major studios and streaming services, but demanded upfront payments for taxes and fees before any publication or optioning could occur. All three defendants face charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy, with
patriotledger.com
"Smishing" scams falsely claiming unpaid tolls on Massachusetts toll roads (E-ZPass/EZDriveMA) have increased since January, with scammers sending text messages to randomly selected phone numbers requesting payment via fraudulent links. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation warns that legitimate EZDriveMA communications never request payment by text and all authentic links include www.EZDriveMA.com; victims should not click links, verify accounts directly through official websites, and report fraudulent messages to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.