Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 26,669 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
7,723 results
in Romance Scams
koco.com
Oklahoma seniors lost approximately $50 million to scams in 2024, more than doubling the $22 million lost in 2023, according to FBI data. The most common scams targeting seniors include tech support, investment, romance, and phishing schemes, often delivered via cellphone. The FBI advises seniors to stop and walk away from any situation involving pressure for financial transactions, and to contact trusted loved ones or institutions through independently verified channels.
aol.com
A Cambodia-based gang with North Korean ties operating under the Huione Group has stolen billions of dollars from Americans through "pig butchering" romance scams and investment fraud since August 2021, according to federal officials. Between August 2021 and January 2025, Huione raked in at least $4 billion in proceeds, with the operation facilitating payments and cryptocurrency exchanges that enabled the scams targeting US retirees and others through dating apps and social media. The US Treasury Department has proposed a federal rule to sever Huione Group's access to the US financial system, with one victim, Beth Hyland, losing $26,000 to a Tinder sc
mylloydminsternow.com
Lloydminster residents attended a fraud prevention awareness event featuring experts who highlighted two major scam types: grandparent scams and romance scams. Key recommendations included establishing a family safe word to verify callers' identities (which has saved three Alberta families), performing reverse image searches on potential contacts, and avoiding sending money to unknown individuals, particularly those with red flags like new social media accounts or out-of-country connections. The presenters emphasized that romance scam victims—who may lose hundreds of thousands of dollars—should not be shamed for falling victim to emotionally manipulative predators, and encouraged all victims to report fraud to police and family despite embarrassment.
gistmania.com
A 28-year-old Toronto man, Chimezie Nwabueze, was charged after defrauding two victims of over $610,000 between June 2021 and July 2023 through an elaborate romance scam in which he posed as a wealthy oil rig owner and gained their trust via dating platforms before fabricating financial emergencies. Nwabueze allegedly cut off contact once victims grew suspicious, and police believe he may be part of an organized group targeting older adults; he faces multiple charges including fraud over $5,000, uttering forged documents, and money laundering, and had previously been arrested in November 2023 for a similar $250
nujournal.com
Six New Ulm financial institutions have formed a collaboration to combat the growing problem of financial fraud and scams in their area, which local law enforcement reports receive daily. The banks plan to share information about detected scams and educate the public through initiatives like a free "Let's Talk About Fraud" seminar scheduled for May 28, designed to help victims understand common schemes and encourage them to report fraud without shame or fear of judgment.
unionleader.com
Elder fraud has become a significant threat to adults age 60 and older in the digital age, with the U.S. Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative working to educate seniors about common scams. The article outlines five major fraud schemes targeting seniors: Social Security impostor scams (falsely claiming account suspension and requesting funds via gift cards), tech support scams (claiming virus detection and requesting remote device access), lottery scams (falsely informing victims of foreign lottery winnings and demanding fees), and romance scams (exploiting victims through dating platforms to solicit money).
newsbreak.com
Wesley Pines Retirement Community is hosting its second annual Scam Jam event on May 7 to educate seniors aged 60+ about common fraud schemes, including crypto, romance, and Medicare card scams. According to a 2025 National Council on Aging report, seniors lost over $3 billion to fraud in 2023, affecting more than 100,000 people. The free event will feature speakers from financial institutions and law enforcement, plus a document shredding service to help attendees safely dispose of personal information.
robesonian.com
Wesley Pines Retirement Community is hosting its second annual Scam Jam awareness event on May 7, targeting seniors 60+ who are particularly vulnerable to fraud schemes including cryptocurrency, romance, and Medicare card scams. According to the National Council on Aging, individuals over 60 lost over $3 billion to fraud in 2023, affecting more than 100,000 people. The free event will feature educational speakers from financial institutions, Social Security, and law enforcement, along with a document shredding service to help attendees safely dispose of personal information.
newsbreak.com
A retired caregiver in Fresno, California discovered her identity had been stolen in a cryptocurrency investment scam when friends congratulated her on launching a crypto business; the fraudulent Facebook post falsely claimed she was a certified "Expert Crypto Trader" and garnered 160+ responses, though the actual number of victims who sent money remains unknown. California's Department of Social Services received over 190,000 reports of financial abuse against seniors between January 2022 and February 2025, with experts noting that older adults are particularly vulnerable to sophisticated scams involving cryptocurrency, phishing, impersonation, and romance fraud, especially as AI technology makes these schemes more convincing.
abcactionnews.com
A 37-year-old convicted felon, Otiz Swinton Jr., was arrested in Orlando for defrauding a 92-year-old Sun City Center man of over $800,000 through a romantic deception scheme involving bank fraud. The perpetrator drained the victim's accounts through multiple methods including cryptocurrency transfers, ATM withdrawals, and counterfeit checks totaling $14.3 million, and was apprehended after being caught on camera using the victim's Wells Fargo card at a Publix store. Swinton Jr. was charged with multiple counts including fraudulent use of personal information of an elderly person, credit card fraud, and ut
mississauga.com
A 28-year-old Toronto man was charged with defrauding two victims of over $610,000 through a romance scam conducted between June 2021 and July 2023, in which he posed as an oil rig owner seeking urgent financial assistance while communicating only electronically and never meeting the victims in person. The suspect, who faces multiple fraud and money laundering charges, was previously accused of using the same method to steal over $250,000 from another victim in November 2023, and police believe he is part of a larger criminal network targeting vulnerable users on dating websites.
dubawa.org
A Facebook romance scam used an unauthorized image of Liberian Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe to solicit women across Africa for fake long-term relationships, with the fraudulent page accumulating over 17,000 followers and generating thousands of engagements since its creation in May 2023. The scam employed classic grooming and trafficking tactics including false identity, promises of financial stability, and redirection to WhatsApp for private contact, exposing vulnerable women to potential exploitation. Despite Facebook rebranding the page after complaints, the fraudulent content remained active, highlighting broader vulnerabilities in digital safety as romance scams caused victims an estimated $1.3 billion in losses in
punchng.com
Two Ghanaian women, Anastasia Arthur (48) and Amaseerwaa Konadu, were rescued on May 1, 2025, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, after being abducted by a cross-border kidnapping syndicate that lured them through a Facebook romance scam. The victims were held in deplorable conditions while the criminals demanded ransom; suspect Emeka Christian received GH₵10,000 (approximately $600 USD) which was converted and transferred to ringleader Peter Okoye's Nigerian bank account. Nigerian police arrested four suspects—Okoye, Chidokwe, Okafor, an
wtsp.com
A 92-year-old Tampa Bay-area man lost over $800,000 in a romance and financial fraud scam perpetrated by Otiz Swinton Jr., 37, a repeat offender arrested in Orlando who posed as a woman online to gain access to the victim's investment accounts, subsequently draining funds through forged checks, unauthorized card use, cryptocurrency transactions, and identity theft between June 2022 and his arrest. Swinton had been released from prison just months prior after serving seven years for defrauding over 50 people of $1 million in a similar scheme, and authorities warn that isolated seniors are particularly vulnerable to such scams and should never grant financial access to
theregister.com
Generative AI has significantly enhanced phishing and fraud schemes by producing grammatically correct, localized content in regional languages and dialects that previously escaped scammers' reach, making traditional red flags like poor spelling obsolete. AI chatbots now effectively initiate romance scams and impersonation fraud, while AI-generated audio deepfakes are already being used in real-time to target company employees, though video deepfakes remain less convincing despite high-profile cases like the $25 million Hong Kong fraud.
futurism.com
Scammers are increasingly using AI-powered "realtime deepfakes" to commit fraud against elderly and younger users alike, altering their appearance and voices in live videos to impersonate trusted individuals or create convincing false identities. Common schemes include romance scams, Medicare fraud, and the "grandparent scam," in which criminals impersonate a loved one's voice to coerce money or sensitive information; one Canadian grandmother lost $9,000 CAD to such a scam. While elderly users are traditionally vulnerable, research shows younger generations (Gen Z, millennials, Gen X) are 34 percent more likely to lose money to fraud overall, though the growing sophist
koaa.com
In 2024, scammers stole $243.5 million from Colorado victims and over $16 billion nationwide, according to FBI data—a $56 million increase in Colorado compared to 2023. Seniors aged 60 and older reported 3,125 complaints involving $74.5 million in losses, with the most costly schemes being investment fraud ($90 million), business email compromise ($48 million), and personal data breaches ($23 million). The FBI warns that scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using social media, dating sites, and text messages to build trust before pitching fraudulent cryptocurrency and other investment schemes, with recovery of stolen funds typically
keyt.com
A retired caregiver in Fresno, California discovered her identity had been stolen for a cryptocurrency investment scam on Facebook, where scammers posed as her offering "Expert Crypto Trader" services with falsified certificates. California has reported over 190,000 cases of alleged financial abuse against seniors from January 2022 to February 2025, with cryptocurrency, phishing, romance, and government impersonation scams being prevalent, particularly in Fresno and Madera counties. Experts recommend seniors avoid sending money to unknown individuals, verify claims through official sources, and report suspected fraud to the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.
justice.gov
The U.S. Attorney's Office for Southern Illinois partnered with the Du Quoin Public Library to host a fraud prevention seminar educating seniors on common scams targeting them via phone, text, email, and online platforms, including schemes where fraudsters impersonate federal agents to extort money. Prosecutors from the Southern District of Illinois presented information on fraud schemes, federal cases, and tips for detecting scams, noting that local scammers have previously defrauded seniors in the region of substantial portions of their life savings.
fhtimes.com
Scammers tailor their fraud tactics by age group, targeting Gen Z with employment and crypto scams on social media, millennials with investment fraud via text and email, Gen X with retirement-focused investment schemes, and seniors with romance, home improvement, and crypto scams that often result in losses of $10,000 to $100,000 or more. Seven key warning signs of scams include unsolicited contact from strangers, requests for money or wire transfers, artificial urgency, coaching about what to tell financial institutions, and discouragement from trusting banks. The article advises verifying suspicious offers through Google searches, consulting trusted contacts and financial institutions, and recognizing that fraudsters use
clickorlando.com
A 92-year-old from Sun City Center, Florida was defrauded of over $800,000 through a combined bank and romance scam that began in June 2022, with the victim's funds transferred through cryptocurrency platforms, peer-to-peer transactions, and ATM withdrawals. Otiz Swinton, 37, was arrested in March 2025 after being spotted using the victim's Wells Fargo card at a store; he also orchestrated five counterfeit checks totaling $14,300 and unauthorized credit card charges exceeding $5,000, with evidence showing accomplices continued the fraud while Swinton was incarcerated. S
wowt.com
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers warned of a surge in romance and cryptocurrency investment scams targeting Nebraskans, with victims losing up to six-figure amounts. Scammers use fake trading platforms and fabricated bank statements to lure victims into making initial investments, then pressure them to increase investments for higher returns, sometimes building fake romantic relationships to gain trust. Officials advise Nebraskans to avoid sending money to unknown online contacts, be wary of investment offers on messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram, and report suspected scams to their bank, cryptocurrency exchange provider, or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
nypost.com
A Cambodia-based gang with North Korean ties operated the Huione Group, which facilitated "pig butchering" romance scams and other cyber fraud against Americans, stealing at least $4 billion between August 2021 and January 2025. The scammers used dating apps, social media, and professional networking sites to pose as romantic interests or business contacts, convincing victims to invest in cryptocurrency or transfer funds for fake business ventures. The U.S. Treasury Department announced a proposed rule to sever Huione's access to the American financial system, with one victim, Beth Hyland, losing $26,000 after being manipulated into sending bitcoin payments through ATMs to a Nigeria
northplattebulletin.com
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers reported a surge in romance scams and cryptocurrency-based frauds affecting state residents, with the office receiving reports of six-figure losses. Scammers typically start by encouraging victims to make small investments through fake trading platforms and apps, then use fabricated bank statements and documents to convince victims their money is growing, prompting larger investments.
bankingjournal.aba.com
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) targeted Cambodian firm Huione Group as a primary money laundering concern, proposing to cut off its access to U.S. correspondent accounts. Huione Group allegedly served as a key conduit for laundering billions of dollars stolen from Americans through romance scams, investment fraud, cyber heists linked to North Korea, and other cybercrimes perpetrated by Southeast Asian criminal organizations.
norfolkneradio.com
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers issued a consumer alert regarding a surge in romance scams and cryptocurrency investment fraud, with victims losing six-figure sums after being lured by fake investment returns or romantic relationships. Scammers employ tactics including fake bank statements and requests to increase investments, often directing victims to encrypted messaging apps to discuss transactions. The alert advises never sending money to online contacts you haven't met in person and to report suspected scams to your bank, cryptocurrency exchange, or the Nebraska Attorney General's Consumer Affairs Response Team.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
A North Korea-linked Cambodian organization called Huione Group fraudulently obtained over $4 billion from US citizens between August 2021 and January 2025 through romance scams and "pig butchering" investment schemes on dating and professional networking platforms, with $37 million supporting North Korean cyber operations. The organization facilitated criminals in targeting US pensioners and other victims by posing as romantic interests or investment professionals on social media, convincing them to invest in cryptocurrency before stealing their funds. Federal authorities announced enforcement measures including proposed Treasury regulations to block Huione's access to US financial systems, citing the company's failure to maintain proper anti-money laundering protocols.
hawaiibusiness.com
Hawai'i residents lost $61.6 million to fraud in 2024, with scams ranging from romance and cryptocurrency schemes to employment and ticket fraud. While younger people now fall victim to scams as frequently as older adults due to increased online activity and confidence with technology, older adults typically lose larger amounts of money per incident, with romance scams having the highest median loss at $6,099. Experts advise victims and potential targets to pause and step away from high-pressure situations to recognize scams, as fraudsters rely on creating urgency and emotional manipulation to bypass critical thinking.
techtimes.com
Pernilla Sjöholm, a victim of the "Tinder Swindler" romance scam documented in a Netflix film, co-founded IDfier, a mobile identity verification platform designed to prevent online fraud and identity impersonation. IDfier uses biometric scanning and official document verification to authenticate users with 99.9% accuracy and allows selective sharing of personal information across dating apps, social media, and other platforms. With backing from Swedish investors and pricing starting at $2/month, the platform aims to combat the estimated $1 trillion in annual consumer losses to scams globally.
klin.com
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers issued a consumer alert warning of a sharp rise in cryptocurrency investment scams, many beginning with online romance schemes that lure victims—particularly seniors—into fake crypto platforms where they invest six-figure sums based on fabricated documents showing high returns. Scammers typically start with small investments and emotional connections before pressuring victims to deposit more money, sometimes depleting entire retirement savings. The Attorney General advises avoiding crypto investments promising high returns with little risk, never sending money to people you haven't met in person, and reporting suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
A criminal ring operating from Cambodia used deepfake technology to create fake personas of attractive women and men to conduct romance and investment scams, defrauding over 100 victims of approximately $8.39 million since March 2024. Police arrested 10 suspects and booked 35 others involved in the operation, which targeted vulnerable populations including people with disabilities, the elderly, and homemakers, with individual losses ranging from approximately $1,400 to $560,000. The scammers built elaborate fake identities with detailed backstories and video call capabilities to gain trust before requesting money for living expenses or directing victims to fraudulent investment platforms.
kgfw.com
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers issued a consumer alert regarding a surge in romance scams and cryptocurrency investment fraud, with multiple victims losing six-figure sums after scammers used fake trading platforms and fabricated documents to convince them their investments were growing. Seniors have been particularly targeted, though victims span all age groups, with scammers often establishing fake romantic relationships before soliciting cryptocurrency investments. The alert advises avoiding unsolicited crypto investment offers, especially those promising high returns with minimal risk, and recommends reporting suspected scams to the FBI's IC3 or the Nebraska Attorney General's office.
local.aarp.org
This article describes an educational event held by AARP Virginia that presented information about six types of scams targeting older adults, paired with wine tastings. The scams covered included cryptocurrency fraud (where victims are tricked into depositing cash at crypto ATMs), jury duty scams (imposter calls claiming arrest is imminent unless fines are paid), and romance scams, with volunteers providing recognition strategies and prevention advice for each.
mondaq.com
Online scams using remote access software (such as AnyDesk and TeamViewer) have become increasingly sophisticated, with fraudsters posing as financial advisers or IT technicians to trick victims into granting device access, allowing them to steal funds, personal data, and banking credentials. These scams cause significant financial losses and serious long-term psychological consequences, including damage to credit ratings and erosion of trust. Criminals typically initiate contact via phone, email, or social media, impersonate trusted institutions, and once granted access, transfer funds to untraceable accounts, purchase cryptocurrencies, or manipulate online banking systems.
etvbharat.com
Truecaller announced Scamfeed, a new in-app community feature that allows users to anonymously report and discuss scams in real-time, creating a crowdsourced early warning system against fraud. The platform enables users to share experiences with various scam types—including phishing, impersonation, dating scams, and financial fraud—and check if others have reported similar suspicious activity, helping users identify red flags and protect themselves and their networks.
finance.yahoo.com
In 2024, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reported $9.3 billion in losses from cryptocurrency-related scams across 149,686 complaints, a 66% increase from the previous year and the highest figure in IC3 history. Individuals aged 60 and older were the most affected demographic, accounting for over 33,000 complaints and $2.8 billion in losses—nearly one-third of total losses—with younger age groups also significantly impacted. Scammers employed tactics including investment fraud, social engineering, phishing, and impersonation of legitimate platforms, with victims often manipulated via social media and dating apps into transferring funds
therakyatpost.com
A 38-year-old Malaysian delivery driver lost RM150,000 over 70 days in a "pig butchering" scam that combined romance fraud with fake investment schemes, after becoming vulnerable following his father's death. Scammers love-bombed him with daily messages, posed as a romantic interest, and lured him into a fraudulent "backend data trading" scheme that promised guaranteed returns, eventually demanding an 18% "tax" to withdraw funds. The victim exhausted his savings, borrowed his late father's pension, maxed credit cards, and took loans from family and loan sharks before realizing the scam; police say recovery chances are minimal.
lifehacker.com
The "wrong number" text scam is increasingly prevalent, with approximately 25% of Americans receiving such messages, which criminals use to validate active phone numbers and build trust before conducting "pig butchering" schemes or stealing personal information. Text message scams caused consumers to lose $470 million in 2024, a five-fold increase from 2020, with scammers using AI to tailor believable messages and identify vulnerable targets through social media. To protect yourself, do not respond to unknown numbers, mark messages as spam using your phone's reporting features, and forward suspicious texts to 7726.
bitcoinke.io
Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs raised alarm over a surge in "cyber slavery" and organized scam operations targeting vulnerable Nigerian youth, particularly those lured abroad with false job promises in crypto-related fields. Perpetrators force victims into "419 cyber-scam factories" where they conduct mass fraudulent communications under coercive conditions targeting international victims. Recent enforcement actions include the EFCC's arrest of 792 individuals in December 2024 (including 148 Chinese nationals training Nigerian accomplices in romance and investment scams) and an ongoing investigation into the CBEX crypto platform collapse affecting users across multiple African countries.
coingeek.com
U.S. House lawmakers introduced the bipartisan GUARD Act on April 21 to combat "pig butchering" scams and financial fraud targeting older Americans, particularly through online and investment schemes. The legislation would equip federal, state, and local law enforcement with blockchain technology tools to trace and prosecute scammers, addressing a crisis in which Americans reported over $12.5 billion in fraud losses in 2024 (a 25% increase year-over-year), with older adults suffering disproportionately higher losses—including pig butchering schemes that accounted for 33.2% of digital asset scam revenue in 2024.
wbbjtv.com
West Tennessee women lost nearly $50,000 to online romance scams over three weeks, with two victims each losing approximately $24,000 to men claiming to be military personnel who needed money due to financial hardship or restricted bank access abroad. The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers use fabricated "hard luck stories" and stolen social media photos to build trust before requesting money, and advises victims to use reverse image lookups to verify photos and report incidents to the BBB Scam Tracker or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
yahoo.com
A 67-year-old retired man in Northern Ireland was scammed by someone impersonating a London-based glamour model on Facebook, sending approximately $2,700 in Apple gift cards over three months while believing he was in a romantic relationship with the scammer. After his wife discovered unusual credit card payments and even created a fake profile to expose the con (which immediately requested money), the couple separated after 16 years of marriage, as the wife viewed his emotional investment in the fake relationship as infidelity. The husband only accepted the scam was real after watching a television segment about similar cons that matched his experience.
marieclaire.com.au
**Online Romance Scam Leading to Drug Smuggling Conviction**
In January 2023, 58-year-old Donna Nelson, an Aboriginal community leader from Western Australia, was arrested at Tokyo customs after carrying two kilograms of methamphetamine in a suitcase she believed belonged to "Kelly," a man she had been in an online romantic relationship with for two years via a dating website. Nelson claims she fell victim to a calculated romance scam designed to lure her to Japan under false pretenses, but her legal defense was unsuccessful and she was sentenced to six years in prison in December 2024. Her five daughters are now fighting for her release, maintaining her innoc
404media.co
A romance scam involving a deepfake technology was documented, in which a fraudster used real-time facial manipulation software to impersonate an older white man during a video call with an elderly woman, building rapport through compliments and offers of protection in an apparent attempt to manipulate her into sending money. The scam demonstrates how artificial intelligence can enhance traditional romance fraud tactics by creating convincing fake video identities that are difficult for victims to detect during live interactions.
globenewswire.com
This article is a promotional piece for SecretBenefits.com, a sugar dating website, claiming it offers a secure platform with verified profiles, transparent pricing, and fraud prevention measures to protect users from common sugar dating scams. The platform advertises features including identity verification protocols, a flexible credit-based payment system, and enhanced security to distinguish itself from fraudulent dating websites in the sugar dating niche.
finance.yahoo.com
A Wisconsin woman lost $80,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam after discovering it on Facebook and being lured by promises of rapid returns; she initially invested $30,000, saw her balance apparently double, invested additional funds, and ultimately paid an extra $30,000 in fraudulent "taxes and fees" before realizing the investment dashboard was fake. The scam exemplifies the growing sophistication of crypto fraud in the U.S., where Americans lost $1.4 billion to cryptocurrency-related scams in 2024, with police indicating recovery of the funds is unlikely.
nypost.com
A 67-year-old retired man was scammed out of approximately $2,700 over three months by a fraudster impersonating a London-based glamour model on Facebook and messaging apps. The scammer, posing as "Sophie" from Washington DC, built an emotional relationship with the victim, claiming to need money for family medical expenses, and the victim sent gift card codes totaling $2,700. The victim's wife discovered the fraud through unusual credit card payments, and after the husband acknowledged the scam (triggered by watching a TV segment about similar cons), the couple separated after 16 years of marriage due to the emotional infidelity involved.
caughtindot.com
This article is primarily a Boston community events bulletin that includes a brief mention of a Boston Police Department warning about online romance scams. The BPD alert warns residents of recent romance scam activity but provides no specific details about victims, amounts lost, or how the scams operate—readers are directed elsewhere for full details.
abc.net.au
Donna Nelson, a 59-year-old Perth grandmother and former Aboriginal health executive, was imprisoned in Japan for six years after being duped by a romance scammer known as "Kelly" who convinced her to smuggle two kilograms of methamphetamine into the country in January 2023. Although a Japanese court acknowledged in late 2023 that Nelson was a victim of a romance scam, it still found her guilty of drug importation; meanwhile, the scammer remains at large with no law enforcement agency in Japan, Australia, or internationally pursuing him. Nelson's five daughters are now fighting for her release and raising funds for her legal appeal while questioning why no authorities are investigating the
expressandstar.com
A Barclays report found that romance scams increased 20% year-over-year, with victims losing an average of £8,000, rising to £19,000 for those aged 61 and over. In these scams, perpetrators pose as romantic interests to build trust and solicit money from victims. The article discusses both the benefits and risks of online dating apps in 2025, highlighting romance fraud as a significant threat to users, particularly older adults.