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nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-07
An elderly couple in New Zealand lost tens of thousands of dollars after being contacted by phone and tricked into providing their PIN and placing their bank card in their mailbox for collection. Law enforcement and online safety experts described the scam as increasingly sophisticated, noting that scammers use psychological manipulation tactics and that anyone—not just older adults—can fall victim, though only about 17% of scam victims successfully recover their money. The incident highlighted the importance of technology education and warned against allowing family members to assist with online banking, as they may access sensitive information.
chainalysis.com
· 2025-12-07
This Q&A features Lieutenant Colonel Chitsanupong Waidee from Thailand's Central Investigation Bureau discussing how blockchain analysis tools help law enforcement investigate cryptocurrency crimes. He highlights a significant cross-border scam case involving TRON and Ethereum wallets used to launder funds from Thai victims through Myanmar scam compounds, connected to human trafficking networks. Waidee emphasizes that while blockchain is pseudonymous rather than anonymous, proper investigative tools and collaboration between law enforcement and financial institutions make crypto transactions traceable and have helped dismantle scam operations affecting ordinary people.
tribuneindia.com
· 2025-12-07
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime warned that East Timor, specifically the digital free trade zone of Oecusse Ambeno, has become a target for transnational scam centre operations linked to organized crime networks, including China's 14K Triad group and entities in Cambodia. An August law enforcement raid uncovered SIM cards and satellite communication devices used in scam operations generating billions through offshore gambling, romance scams, and investment fraud, while also exposing human trafficking risks and the use of shell companies and multiple passports to evade detection.
aviationa2z.com
· 2025-12-07
Two flight attendants at Biman Bangladesh Airlines orchestrated romance scams targeting affluent business class passengers, using their positions to build trust, manipulate travel schedules, and extract gifts, cash, and intimate media totaling nearly $18,000 before ghosting or blackmailing victims. Complaints filed with the airline and Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh involved at least two confirmed victims—a Doha-based businessman and a Dhaka resident—who experienced emotional manipulation, threats, and demands for valuables including an iPhone 16, diamond rings, and wedding funds. The case highlights how scammers exploit professional roles and travel contexts to gain victim confidence, with investigators examining whether victims from other
businessworld.in
· 2025-12-07
Cybercrimes against India's elderly surged 86% between 2020 and 2022, with criminals exploiting vulnerabilities including loneliness, cognitive decline, and digital illiteracy through impersonation scams, investment fraud, romance scams, and technical deception. Notable cases include a retired colonel losing Rs 3.4 crore after fraudsters impersonated law enforcement and a 75-year-old losing Rs 13 crore through a WhatsApp investment scam, with digital payment fraud projected to exceed Rs 1.2 lakh crore by 2025. Experts emphasize that protection requires a blend of technological safeguards (AI
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-07
Eight individuals were sentenced to federal prison for operating an international "phantom hacker" scam that defrauded victims across Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana of tens of millions of dollars between May and November 2023. The conspirators posed as company officials and law enforcement agents to convince victims their financial accounts were compromised, then persuaded them to withdraw cash or gold bars for alleged safekeeping, which was then distributed among the scammers. The defendants were ordered to pay nearly $4 million in restitution, with sentences ranging from 24 to 72 months in prison.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-07
Yveler Marcellus was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering and mail/wire fraud for his role in a transnational "tech support" scam operating between January 2022 and December 2023. The scheme, orchestrated with co-conspirators based in India and the U.S., targeted vulnerable victims by convincing them to send money via checks and money orders, which Marcellus and his associates then laundered through bank accounts before sending proceeds to India, defrauding victims across the United States of over $12 million. Marcellus faces up to 40 years in prison, and seven co-conspirators have already pleaded guilty.
aljazeera.com
· 2025-12-07
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) warned that East Timor's Oecusse enclave has become a new hub for transnational scam operations, following an August law enforcement raid that uncovered SIM cards, Starlink devices, and links to China's 14K Triad and Cambodian scam networks. The raid arrested 30 workers from Indonesia, Malaysia, and China, with authorities finding evidence of online romance scams, illegal gambling, investment fraud, and potential human trafficking schemes that generate billions in criminal revenue. Criminal groups are exploiting East Timor's newly established digital free trade zone and shell companies to evade detection as law
citationneeded.news
· 2025-12-07
**Type:** Cryptocurrency/Financial Fraud Alert
The Trump family's World Liberty Financial (WLFI) cryptocurrency project has raised significant concerns about conflicts of interest and market manipulation, with the project team blocklisting major investor Justin Sun from selling his tokens shortly after trading commenced, potentially to prevent price decline. The Trumps have profited approximately $412.5 million from early token sales and indirect payments, though media reports claiming $5 billion in gains are misleading since these represent unrealized "paper" profits and insider selling would likely cause market collapse. Congressional Democrats are pushing for stronger oversight language in proposed crypto legislation to prevent similar presidential conflicts of interest in financial ventures.
wbir.com
· 2025-12-07
The Better Business Bureau of Chattanooga reported a significant increase in investment scams, with the Federal Trade Commission documenting a 12.5% jump in fraud reports to $12.5 billion last year. A Gatlinburg man lost over $200,000 to a romance investment scam after being contacted by someone claiming to be a woman on social media who promised investment returns; when he requested to cash out, scammers demanded an additional $280,000 in taxes, leading to the arrest of 31-year-old Yinn Cheng from Canada at a arranged meeting. Police believe Cheng targeted multiple victims and warn residents that unsolicited contacts from strangers on
hometownstations.com
· 2025-12-07
Eight defendants, all Indian nationals except one Ohio resident, were prosecuted for operating a transnational money laundering conspiracy that defrauded victims across Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana of their life savings between May and November 2023. The scheme involved "phantom hacker" scams where fraudsters falsely claimed victims' accounts were compromised, then impersonated law enforcement to pressure victims into transferring funds for supposed "protection," resulting in nearly $4 million in restitution ordered and prison sentences ranging from 2 to 6 years. The last defendant, Kishan Vinayak Patel, 26, received a 46-month sentence after conviction on money
gobankingrates.com
· 2025-12-07
Americans lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, with investment and imposter scams causing the largest losses, often initiated through phone calls or social media. Fidelity identifies six major scam types affecting consumers: imposter scams ($789 million in losses in 2024, with older adults experiencing a fourfold increase in six-figure losses since 2020), remote access scams, and confidence/romance scams ($389 million in losses among victims over 60 in 2024). Protection strategies include ignoring unsolicited contact requests, never granting remote access or sharing security codes, avoiding suspicious links and downloads, and refusing to send money to people met
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A Boise, Idaho gas station clerk named Avalon Hardy intervened to stop at least seven cryptocurrency scams targeting elderly customers by questioning suspicious Bitcoin ATM transactions and unplugging the machine to prevent a 79-year-old from losing $15,000 and a 75-year-old from losing $19,000. Crypto fraud has become increasingly prevalent, with scammers using tactics like impersonation, fake government agencies, and AI-powered deepfakes to target older adults, who reported losses exceeding $1.6 billion in 2023 alone and are the most vulnerable demographic to these schemes.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Americans lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in the past year, with investment and imposter scams causing the largest losses, often initiated via phone calls or social media. Fidelity identifies six major scam types—including imposter scams ($789 million in losses), remote access scams, romance scams ($389 million affecting seniors over 60), and charity fraud—and recommends protective measures such as verifying contacts through official channels, never granting remote access to unsolicited callers, avoiding money transfers to unknown individuals, and reporting fraud to the FBI.
nasdaq.com
· 2025-12-07
Americans lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in the last year, with investment and imposter scams causing the greatest losses, according to the FTC. Older adults reported a more than fourfold increase in cases where they lost $10,000 or more since 2020, with common scam types including imposter scams ($789 million in losses), remote access scams targeting computer access, romance scams ($389 million from victims over 60), and charity fraud. Protection strategies include ignoring unsolicited contact requests, verifying organizations directly through official channels, never granting remote access to unknown parties, and being cautious of romance solicitations that progress quickly or
webpronews.com
· 2025-12-07
The Bank of Thailand froze over 3 million bank accounts and imposed daily transfer limits of 50,000-200,000 baht in September 2025 to combat online scams that have cost victims an estimated 6 billion baht. While targeting fraudulent "mule accounts," the measures have inadvertently affected innocent users including small businesses, vendors, elderly citizens, and foreign residents, causing widespread economic disruption and panic. Critics argue the automated detection system casts too wide a net, and the BOT has promised expedited account reviews but faces skepticism over implementation delays and insufficient victim support mechanisms.
news.ssbcrack.com
· 2025-12-07
In September 2025, Thailand's Bank of Thailand froze over 3 million bank accounts and imposed daily transfer limits of 50,000-200,000 baht to combat online scams that had stolen approximately 6 billion baht from victims. While the freeze targeted "mule accounts" used for money laundering, it inadvertently froze accounts of innocent users including small business owners and elderly individuals, causing widespread panic and economic disruption. The BOT committed to expedited account reviews but faced criticism over insufficient victim support systems, bureaucratic delays, and broader impacts on Thailand's digital economy and expatriate communities.
royalexaminer.com
· 2025-12-07
This educational article identifies six major cryptocurrency scam tactics targeting consumers: demands for crypto payment, fake investment managers showing false account growth, romance scams involving crypto solicitation, AI-generated celebrity endorsement videos, corporate impersonation schemes, and pressure tactics promising unrealistic returns. The article advises cryptocurrency investors and curious consumers to recognize these red flags, verify sources independently, and avoid sending crypto payments to anyone applying pressure or making unrealistic promises, noting that legitimate businesses and government agencies never demand cryptocurrency payment.
soapcentral.com
· 2025-12-07
Netflix's September 2025 documentary series "Love Con Revenge" examines romance fraud on dating apps like Tinder, following victim Cecilie Fjellhøy and investigator Brianne Joseph as they expose how scammers use fabricated emotional intimacy, manufactured crises, and personal information exploitation to defraud unsuspecting users. The series highlights that victims suffer both significant financial losses and severe psychological trauma including betrayal and shame, while many perpetrators escape prosecution due to jurisdictional issues, insufficient evidence, and legal systems that do not treat romance fraud with appropriate seriousness. The documentary underscores how even cautious individuals are vulnerable to these schemes and advocates for stronger platform safeguards
cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com
· 2025-12-07
Reshma Vasu, a senior product manager at Singapore's Open Government Products, led an AI-powered upgrade of the ScamShield app after her aunt lost her entire S$500,000 retirement savings to a sophisticated 2021 OCBC phishing scam. The upgraded ScamShield app, launched in August 2024 and downloaded 1.35 million times, helps Singaporeans combat the growing sophistication of tech-driven scams including investment schemes, AI voice-cloning, and phishing attacks across SMS, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Singapore saw reported scam cases fall 26% in the first half of 2025, though total losses
wcvb.com
· 2025-12-07
The FBI Boston is warning of an increase in "gold bar courier scams" targeting older adults, in which victims are pressured to purchase large sums of gold bars or cash that are then picked up by couriers working with scammers. From 2023 to May 2025, the FBI documented 103 cases in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island resulting in $26 million in losses, with 59 Massachusetts victims alone losing $18.6 million. The scams typically involve three methods: grandparent scams, government impersonation, and tech support scams, all designed to pressure victims into quickly liquidating assets before they can contact family members.
sg.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A Utah couple in their 70s lost approximately $500,000 in retirement savings and borrowed an additional $250,000 after the husband fell victim to a cryptocurrency investment scam initiated by a former coworker who promised high returns. The scammers convinced him to send additional funds to cover supposed fees, leaving the family with no recovery options since cryptocurrency transfers are irreversible; they now work multiple part-time jobs and have taken a reverse mortgage on their home to repay debts. This case reflects a broader trend: Americans 60 and older lost $2.8 billion to cryptocurrency fraud in 2024, making them the hardest-hit age group, as scamm
balkanweb.com
· 2025-12-07
A municipal employee in Divjakë invested $1,000 in the XUEX platform, an online pyramid scheme she discovered through Facebook ads, after being directed to administrators claiming to offer cryptocurrency investment guidance. The victim made multiple withdrawals totaling approximately €2,000 but struggled to account for exact amounts, while also recruiting her husband ($1,000), mother-in-law, and two friends to the platform. XUEX is under investigation by authorities for defrauding numerous citizens through false promises of quick cryptocurrency profits.
arkansasbusiness.com
· 2025-12-07
This opinion piece describes how an intelligent person fell victim to a sheriff's office impersonation scam demanding over $1,000 via PayPal, illustrating that scam susceptibility depends on human psychology rather than intelligence. The scammer used known personal details and created artificial urgency and fear to manipulate the victim into making an emotional rather than logical decision. The author argues that scammers employ deliberate psychological tactics—including creating panic, exploiting trust, and inducing urgency—and recommends pausing to evaluate information rationally when stakes are high as a protective measure.
cumberland.crimewatchpa.com
· 2025-12-07
The Shippensburg Police Department warns of rising Bitcoin scams that use fear tactics—including threats involving money, family members, or Social Security—to pressure victims into fraudulent investments promising unrealistic returns. Scammers aim to steal money and personal information, and residents are advised to be skeptical of investment opportunities that seem too good to be true and to stay vigilant against potential scams.
goldcountrymedia.com
· 2025-12-07
I cannot provide a meaningful summary of this content. The text appears to be a series of system error messages and website notifications rather than an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. To help with Elderus database summarization, please provide an actual news article or transcript related to fraud, scams, or elder abuse.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-07
Eight people from across the U.S. were arrested and charged with defrauding 139 seniors of over $11 million through romance scams, counterfeit checks, gold bar schemes, account hacking, and identity theft. The defendants, operating in New Jersey, Georgia, Florida, Ohio, and New York, face charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft, with sentences carrying up to 15-30 years in prison. The arrests were facilitated by Save Our Seniors, a working group of federal, state, and local authorities formed to collaborate on elder fraud investigations.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-07
An operation called "Save our Seniors" resulted in the arrest of eight defendants across seven criminal complaints for defrauding over 139 senior citizens out of more than $11 million through various schemes including customer support scams, romance fraud, check fraud, and account hacking. Key defendants include Dhruv Patel, accused of orchestrating customer support scams that defrauded at least 12 victims of over $9.1 million; Stephen Odiboh, who received $70,000 from a romance scam victim who lost $175,000; and Renee Thompson, charged with creating counterfeit checks totaling over $193,000. The defendants
wellsvillesun.com
· 2025-12-07
Eight defendants were arrested in "Operation Save our Seniors," a federal enforcement effort targeting fraud schemes against senior citizens, resulting in over $11 million in actual and attempted losses across 139 victims primarily in Western New York. The defendants engaged in various scams including customer support fraud, romance scams, check fraud, and identity theft, with ringleader Dhruv Patel alone accused of defrauding at least 12 elderly victims out of more than $9.1 million. Charges carry penalties ranging up to 30 years in prison, and several defendants had prior fraud-related convictions.
firstcoastnews.com
· 2025-12-07
Scams are increasing in frequency and complexity, with consumers losing over $12.5 billion to fraud last year—a 25% increase from the previous year. Common scams include fake investment opportunities promising unrealistic returns, government impersonation schemes (particularly jury duty scams), and toll violation text messages; victims should watch for red flags like requests for secrecy, pressure to act quickly, and payment through peer-to-peer apps. The Better Business Bureau recommends reporting suspected scams to BBB.org and law enforcement, researching businesses before hiring them, and verifying legitimacy through official channels rather than unsolicited contact.
rollingout.com
· 2025-12-07
Americans lose billions annually to sophisticated investment fraud schemes that have evolved to exploit digital platforms and psychological manipulation, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting substantial increases in complaints related to romance scams and fake investment opportunities. Common fraud tactics include romance-based investment schemes, Ponzi schemes promising unrealistic returns, cryptocurrency fraud exploiting digital confusion, and fake financial advisor services targeting seniors, all of which use advanced technology, fake websites, testimonials, and social pressure to build false credibility. Recognizing warning signs—such as guaranteed high returns, pressure to invest quickly, difficulty withdrawing funds, and reluctance to provide detailed information—is essential for protecting against these increasingly sophisticated threats across all demographics.
thebeacon.net
· 2025-12-07
The Ottawa County Task Force on Aging held a 2025 summit to educate seniors about common scams including grandkid scams, tech support fraud, IRS impersonation, lottery/sweepstakes schemes, and identity theft. Financial experts from local credit unions and banks emphasized that victims should verify suspicious calls by hanging up and calling back on known numbers, never pay upfront fees for winnings, and report suspected fraud to their banks and local law enforcement without shame. The presentation highlighted that while scammers are persistent, seniors have access to community resources and protection through banks, nonprofits, and law enforcement agencies.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-07
Eight individuals from New Jersey, Georgia, Florida, Ohio, and New York were arrested and charged with defrauding 139 seniors of over $11 million through romance scams, counterfeit checks, gold bar schemes, account hacking, and identity theft. The defendants, including Dhruv Patel who defrauded at least 12 victims of over $9.1 million, face charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft carrying sentences of up to 15-30 years in prison. The arrests were coordinated through Save Our Seniors, a working group formed in April to combat elder fraud across state lines.
ny1.com
· 2025-12-07
Eight individuals across the U.S. were arrested and charged with defrauding 139 seniors of over $11 million through romance scams, counterfeit checks, gold bar schemes, account hacking, and identity theft. The defendants, operating from New Jersey, Georgia, Florida, Ohio, and Rochester, face charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft, carrying sentences of up to 15-30 years in prison. The arrests were facilitated by Save Our Seniors, a collaborative task force of federal, state, and local authorities formed to investigate elder fraud cases.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-07
Olamide Shanu, 34, a Nigerian national, was extradited to the United States and charged with eight counts including wire fraud, extortion, and cyberstalking for operating sextortion and romance scams that targeted victims across the United States. Shanu and his conspirators posed as women on social media to coerce male victims into sending explicit images, then threatened to distribute those images unless paid, defrauding victims of at least $2 million with proceeds laundered through peer-to-peer payment apps and cryptocurrency. If convicted, Shanu faces up to 20 years in federal prison and restitution to victims.
financialservices.house.gov
· 2025-12-07
A congressional Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing examined the escalating threat of financial fraud to American consumers, with particular concern for seniors and vulnerable populations. In 2024, there were 2.6 million reported fraud cases resulting in $12.5 billion in losses, involving schemes such as check fraud, romance scams, voice cloning, and AI-driven impersonation targeting grandparents. Federal lawmakers and banking industry representatives discussed the sophistication of criminal operations, many operating overseas, and called for improved federal agency coordination and consumer outreach to combat these growing threats.
financialservices.house.gov
· 2025-12-07
Subcommittee Chairman Dan Meuser announced a House Financial Services Committee hearing focused on examining financial fraud affecting American consumers, noting that the FTC reported 2.6 million fraud cases in 2024 with over $12 billion in losses—a 25% increase from 2023. Meuser highlighted that seniors experience the most devastating financial losses from scams while young adults are especially vulnerable, and emphasized the need for coordinated efforts across government, financial institutions, technology platforms, and telecom companies to combat various fraud schemes including romance scams, identity theft, and check fraud. The hearing aimed to strengthen consumer education, promote best practices, and improve fraud prevention while the Trump Administration pursued related efforts
startribune.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers posing as the Minnesota Department of Revenue sent fraudulent text messages to residents claiming tax refunds were approved and requesting bank information by September 17, 2025, with threats of permanent forfeiture. The Department of Revenue received approximately 500 calls about the scam starting September 15, though the total amount lost remains unknown, and officials confirmed taxpayer data was not compromised. The agency advised residents to verify official websites before sharing personal information and to report suspicious messages to their banks if any information was disclosed.
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers in 2025 exploit AI, cryptocurrencies, and stolen data to target vulnerable individuals through deepfakes, impersonation, and emotional manipulation. AI-generated audio and video impersonations cost over $200 million in losses in early 2025, while cryptocurrency scams like "pig butchering" (romance fraud hybrid) and pump-and-dump schemes manipulate victims into investing in fake platforms. Traditional fraud methods—phishing, tech support scams, and fake job listings—have evolved with AI to become more convincing, with scammers leveraging emotions like duty, fear, and hope to exploit targets across all demographics, particularly elderly victims.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers in 2025 exploit AI, cryptocurrencies, and stolen data to target vulnerable individuals through deepfakes, emotional manipulation, and evolving traditional fraud methods. AI-generated audio and video impersonations caused over 105,000 deepfake attacks in the U.S. in 2024, costing more than $200 million in Q1 2025 alone, with elderly victims particularly vulnerable to fake emergency calls from supposed relatives. Cryptocurrency scams include pump-and-dump schemes and "pig butchering" (romance fraud leading to fake crypto investments), while phishing, tech support scams, and fake websites continue to exploit victims by impersonating legitimate
mocoshow.com
· 2025-12-07
An 80-year-old Gaithersburg resident lost over $26,000 in a government impersonation scam where fraudsters falsely claimed to be U.S. Treasury Department agents demanding payment to avoid criminal charges. James Smith, 30, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, was arrested in Culpeper County when he arrived to collect an additional $10,000 that authorities had arranged as part of an undercover operation, and he was charged with money laundering, conspiracy to commit a felony, and obtaining money by false pretenses. Authorities indicate the scheme was part of a larger operation intended to send collected funds overseas and warn residents to report suspicious demands for money
english.mathrubhumi.com
· 2025-12-07
A Kochi resident was defrauded of ₹25 crore between March 2023 and 2025 through a fake online trading platform operated by an international cyber fraud syndicate with suspected Malayali masterminds. The scammers, who posed as legitimate traders and used a call center in Cyprus to contact victims, transferred stolen funds across multiple bank accounts to obscure the money trail, with one Malayali woman already arrested for receiving a share of the proceeds. Investigators believe the fraud operation was planned in California and involved purchasing bank accounts to facilitate transfers while evading detection.
fingerlakes1.com
· 2025-12-07
Federal prosecutors charged eight individuals in the "Save Our Seniors" initiative for defrauding 139 elderly victims of over $11 million through schemes including fake government agent impersonation, romance scams, identity theft, and counterfeit checks. The charges involve defendants from multiple states accused of targeting seniors aged 60 and older, with individual losses ranging from $70,000 to $600,000. Authorities warn seniors never to send cash, gift cards, or make peer-to-peer payments to anyone claiming to be a government official, and advise reporting suspected scams to local police or the FBI.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-07
Elderly individuals are increasingly targeted by sophisticated cryptocurrency scams, with Beaufort County, South Carolina reporting $3.1 million in crypto-related losses in 2024 and Minnesota experiencing over $189 million in losses from crypto kiosk fraud in 2023, using tactics such as voice cloning, fake websites, QR codes, and emotional manipulation. A prominent councilman was released without charge during an investigation into one such scam, highlighting authorities' challenges in tracing funds through irreversible cryptocurrency transactions. Experts recommend seniors protect themselves through education, using trusted platforms with two-factor authentication, discussing large transactions with family members, and promptly reporting incidents to law enforcement and the FTC
ksl.com
· 2025-12-07
Olamide Shanu, a 34-year-old Nigerian man, was extradited to the U.S. and charged with operating sextortion and romance scams that defrauded numerous victims across the country of at least $2 million. Shanu and his conspirators posed as women on social media to coerce victims into sending explicit images, then extorted money by threatening to share the images, while also running parallel romance scams using fake identities to manipulate victims into sending money through payment apps, gift cards, and cryptocurrency. If convicted on charges including wire fraud conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, and cyberstalking, Shanu faces up to 20 years in
cbs12.com
· 2025-12-07
**Summary:**
Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, a 41-year-old Nigerian national, was sentenced to over eight years in federal prison for orchestrating an inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded more than 400 elderly U.S. victims of over $6 million. Akhimie and his co-conspirators sent personalized letters falsely claiming to represent a Spanish bank, telling recipients they were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances but needed to pay delivery fees and taxes upfront—funds that were never returned and no inheritance was ever delivered. The case involved international cooperation and Akhimie is the eighth defendant sentenced in connection with the scheme.
13abc.com
· 2025-12-07
Vatsal Pankajkumar Mistry was arrested and charged with money laundering conspiracy in connection with a "phantom hacker" scheme that defrauded multiple victims in Ohio and Michigan. A 76-year-old woman from Ann Arbor lost over $500,000 after being convinced to grant remote computer access for a fake refund, leading to multiple cash and gold bar drop-offs; Mistry admitted to participating in pickups for approximately $500 per package. Mistry waived his preliminary hearing and the case was bound over to a grand jury, with an ICE detainer preventing his release.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-07
A 75-year-old man in Hong Kong lost HK$26.2 million (US$3.35 million) to a cryptocurrency investment scam involving a fake "National Hong Kong Coin" promoted through a fraudulent social media account impersonating the Chief Executive. The incident is part of a broader surge in crypto fraud in the region, where scammers use impersonation tactics, deepfake technology, and compromised accounts to deceive investors, with Hong Kong authorities urging residents to verify information through official government channels and warning of severe legal consequences for perpetrators.
newser.com
· 2025-12-07
A Reuters investigation found that major AI chatbots (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, Meta AI, and DeepSeek) can be easily manipulated into generating convincing phishing emails targeting seniors, despite their stated safety guidelines. Using simple workarounds such as claiming research purposes or instructing the bots to disable safety filters, researchers generated phishing emails that successfully deceived 11% of a test group of 100 senior volunteers into clicking malicious links. The findings highlight that AI tools are becoming increasingly valuable to scammers as elder fraud continues to rise.
irs.gov
· 2025-12-07
The U.S. Attorney's Office announced the "Save our Seniors" initiative resulting in the arrest of eight defendants across seven criminal complaints for defrauding over 139 senior citizens of more than $11 million total. The defendants engaged in various schemes including customer support scams, romance scams, counterfeit check fraud, and identity theft, with notable cases including Dhruv Patel (accused of defrauding at least 12 victims of over $9.1 million through pickups of stolen goods), Stephen Odiboh (received $70,000 from a romance scam victim who lost $175,000), and Christopher Hernandez (stole $