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cryptobriefing.com
· 2026-08-17
The White House has authorized vetted private companies to conduct offensive cyber operations against transnational criminal networks operating pig butchering scams, which cost American victims billions of dollars annually. Under federal DOJ and DHS supervision, these firms—which must post at least $1 million bonds—can now actively surveil and disrupt criminal infrastructure rather than passively monitor it, marking a shift from traditional defensive enforcement to preemptive disruption. Pig butchering scams typically originate from Southeast Asian criminal enterprises that use romance and fake investment schemes to defraud victims, often laundering proceeds through cryptocurrency platforms.
middevonadvertiser.co.uk
· 2026-08-17
Devon and Cornwall Police have warned residents about fraudsters creating fake social media profiles impersonating celebrities like Martin Lewis, Richard Branson, and Holly Willoughby to promote cryptocurrency scams, investment schemes, fake health products, and romance fraud. The scammers use copied photographs and AI-generated content to make fake accounts appear legitimate, with common warning signs including unsolicited messages requesting money or personal information and promises of guaranteed profits. Police advise residents to verify celebrity endorsements through official sources, report suspicious accounts to social media platforms, and use caution with unexpected messages asking for financial information or investments.
wrcbtv.com
· 2026-08-17
The Better Business Bureau reports that employment scams top the list for ages 18-34, while investment and cryptocurrency scams lead for those 35 and older, with romance and online shopping scams also prevalent among seniors. Social media and unsolicited text messages are common vectors for these scams, with cryptocurrency elements increasingly appearing in employment fraud schemes. Additionally, the BBB warns of test-prep material scams targeting families back-to-school shopping, with one local resident reporting being charged $250 upfront by a company that refused to cancel the unauthorized transaction.
azfamily.com
· 2026-08-17
A Yavapai County woman in her 50s lost $4.3 million to sophisticated scammers who impersonated FBI agents and NYPD officers through spoofed phone numbers, fake emails, and forged documents claiming she was under investigation for money laundering. The criminals used psychological manipulation, fake Microsoft Teams meetings, and threats of legal consequences to pressure her into transferring cryptocurrency over two months. Authorities warn that the funds were moved through untraceable accounts and emphasize that legitimate law enforcement never requests money or cryptocurrency over the phone.
fox10phoenix.com
· 2026-08-17
An Arizona woman lost $4.3 million in a sophisticated cryptocurrency scam where fraudsters impersonated FBI agents and NYPD officers, claiming she was involved in a federal money-laundering investigation and threatening digital surveillance. The scammers used fake documents mimicking official FBI records, fake video calls with cameras off, and isolation tactics to pressure her into transferring Bitcoin, which could not be recovered due to the use of multiple cryptocurrency accounts. Authorities warn that legitimate law enforcement never requests money by phone and advise victims to hang up and independently verify caller identity through official agency numbers.
cnet.com
· 2026-08-16
Scammers are increasingly using AI-generated emails to target authors and other professionals with personalized phishing messages that impersonate legitimate book clubs, services, and authority figures, exploiting natural language processing to bypass spam filters by personalizing content and delaying suspicious requests until victims are invested. AI-powered scams have made fraud more efficient and convincing through deepfakes, multi-step attacks using legitimate platforms, and social engineering tactics that exploit trust and urgency, potentially leading to financial loss, identity theft, and extortion. Experts recommend pausing before clicking links or sharing information and confirming the legitimacy of senders, as these AI scams are harder to detect than traditional fraud attempts.
fool.com
· 2026-08-15
In 2025, online scams cost older Americans $7.748 billion, with investment fraud accounting for at least $3.5 billion in losses, alongside $1 billion in tech support scams and $584 million in romance scams. The House passed the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act in June 2026 to allow financial companies to temporarily halt securities redemptions for up to 15 days when financial abuse of seniors or vulnerable adults is suspected. Currently, 33 states have laws protecting seniors from banking-related fraud, but the federal bill would extend similar protections to investment accounts.
northshoredailypost.com
· 2026-08-15
The Vancouver Police Department is warning the public about sophisticated phone scams in which fraudsters impersonate senior VPD officers to trick victims into transferring money. Recent victims lost $10,000 and $100,000 respectively after being contacted by scammers posing as Deputy Chief Constable Alison Laurin and Chief Constable Steve Rai. Police emphasize they will never ask for money during investigations and advise people to hang up and verify caller identity using publicly listed phone numbers.
hongkongfp.com
· 2026-08-15
In the first half of 2026, Hong Kong police recorded over 2,100 investment scam cases resulting in HK$1.6 billion in losses, with the largest single case involving a 67-year-old merchant who lost nearly HK$85 million to a romance scammer posing as an investment expert on Facebook. Scammers used social media advertising, influencers, fake company registrations, and AI-generated content to promote fraudulent schemes involving cryptocurrencies, automated investment bots, and fake overseas entities, with some renting legitimate office space to appear credible. The Fun Coffee cryptocurrency scam separately defrauded 273 victims of HK$113 million
straitstimes.com
· 2026-08-15
A cryptocurrency scam involving a fake job offer resulted in US$11.8 million (S$15.1 million) in losses after a victim unknowingly downloaded malicious software during a fake technical assessment on a company-issued device. The scammer, posing as a recruiter on LinkedIn, used a fraudulent domain and disabled video during interviews to conduct the deception, ultimately gaining access to the victim's BitBucket account and the company's internal servers to execute unauthorized cryptocurrency transfers. Singapore's police and cybersecurity authorities warned the public to verify recruiter identities through official channels, avoid downloading files from unverified sources, and strengthen security measures like multi-factor authentication.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2026-08-15
In 2025, online scams cost older Americans $7.748 billion, with investment fraud accounting for at least $3.5 billion of losses, along with significant losses from tech support ($1 billion), romance ($584 million), and business email scams ($568 million). The House passed the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act on June 25, 2026, which would allow financial companies to temporarily halt securities redemptions for up to 15 days (plus a potential 10-day extension) when financial abuse of seniors or vulnerable adults is suspected. Currently, 33 states have laws protecting seniors from banking-related fraud, though the proposed federal bill would extend similar protections to investment accounts where such
b2b-cyber-security.de
· 2026-08-15
Cybercriminals are using the Chinese DCloud framework to operate over 236,000 fraudulent websites targeting both consumers and corporate employees across 25 industries, generating more than 5 million connection attempts. The fraud infrastructure facilitates various scams including fake cryptocurrency exchanges, "pig butchering" romance investment schemes, phishing networks, and crypto wallet drainers, with employees often compromised after clicking malicious links on WhatsApp, Telegram, or social media. Organizations now face significant risks including staff compromise, data leaks, and operational disruption as these workplace fraud attempts increasingly infiltrate corporate networks through personal devices.
dzrh.com.ph
· 2026-08-15
The National Bureau of Investigation arrested 20 people (18 Filipinos and 2 foreign nationals) in Pasay City on July 30 for operating an online fraud syndicate involving romance scams, cryptocurrency investment fraud, and "pig butchering" schemes. Investigators found scripts and fake identities used to manipulate victims into transferring money through cryptocurrency platforms, and seized computers, laptops, mobile phones, and other equipment from a call center-like setup. No specific dollar amounts of losses were reported.
vietnam.vn
· 2026-08-15
AI chatbots with emotional intelligence capabilities are increasingly being used for companionship, with over 10% of Singapore residents relying on them for emotional connection, raising concerns about exploitation vulnerabilities. The convergence of AI emotional manipulation and identity fraud in dating apps and social media creates new risks, particularly for vulnerable users, as advanced scam techniques increase 180% annually and dating platforms report identity fraud rates of 6.3%. Experts and regulators are calling for stronger safeguards including mandatory disclosure of AI interactions, informed consent for sensitive data use, and clearer protocols for human intervention in high-risk conversations to protect users' mental health and online safety.
dailyexcelsior.com
· 2026-08-15
The Jammu & Kashmir Cyber Police recovered Rs 2.35 lakh (approximately $2,800 USD) from an online investment fraud case and returned the funds to the victim, who had been deceived by promises of high returns on an investment scheme. Police coordinated with banks and financial institutions to freeze and recover the fraudulently transferred money. Authorities warned the public to avoid online investment scams, fake trading platforms, phishing schemes, and to never share sensitive financial information online.
channelnewsasia.com
· 2026-08-14
Scammers posing as recruiters targeted victims with fake job offers in the cryptocurrency sector, using spoofed company domains and malicious software hidden in technical assessments to compromise systems and steal credentials for unauthorized cryptocurrency transfers. The scheme resulted in losses of US$11.8 million across multiple cases in Singapore, with one victim unknowingly downloading malware through a fake coding assessment on their company device. Authorities advise businesses and individuals to verify recruiter identities, strengthen authentication measures, protect API keys and credentials, and immediately isolate compromised systems.
aol.com
· 2026-08-14
Since Arizona's Cryptocurrency Kiosk License Fraud Prevention law took effect in September 2025, 35 victims of crypto ATM scams have received full refunds totaling $171,332. The law, enacted in May 2025 as House Bill 2387, requires crypto ATM operators to issue full refunds including all fees to scam victims who report fraudulent transactions to the Attorney General's Office or local law enforcement within 30 days. The law also mandates strict fraud warnings, transaction limits, and blockchain tracing tools to protect vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly, from crypto ATM fraud schemes.
irishexaminer.com
· 2026-08-14
An Irish author nearly fell victim to an AI-assisted scam posing as an invitation to discuss his book in a large online book club, which initially promised exposure but later requested a $123.07 participation fee and a PDF copy of his work. The scam, attributed to someone claiming to be "Felix," exemplifies how AI has made it easier and faster for fraudsters to target creative professionals by harvesting their digitally available work and sending personalized mass emails. According to an AI consultant, such scams operate on volume—sending millions of emails knowing a small percentage will respond and pay, making them profitable despite low individual payouts.
aol.com
· 2026-08-14
A crypto trader lost approximately $550,000 in USDC after clicking on a fraudulent Google advertisement that impersonated the Hyperliquid decentralized exchange platform. The phishing scam directed the victim to a fake website, with three cryptocurrency wallet addresses identified as belonging to the alleged hacker. Google suspended the advertiser's account and stated it blocks 99% of policy-violating ads before they run, though this scam was not caught prior to the victim's loss.
northeasttimes.com
· 2026-08-14
President Trump signed an order authorizing vetted private companies to conduct offensive cyberattacks against foreign criminal networks under strict government supervision, responding to Americans' $20.8 billion in cyber-enabled crime losses in 2025 and $80.7 billion in crypto scams. Participating firms must post at least $1 million bonds and obtain written approval from both the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security before launching operations targeting ransomware, phishing, financial fraud, and sextortion schemes. The program represents an unprecedented private-sector role in federal cybercrime enforcement, though participating companies bear full legal responsibility for their operations.
realnewsmagazine.net
· 2026-08-14
The EFCC chairman warned Nigerian youth against internet fraud during a church conference in Port Harcourt, explaining that such crimes include romance scams, fake investments, identity theft, and cryptocurrency fraud. He cautioned that perpetrators face arrest, prosecution, imprisonment, and asset forfeiture, attributing youth involvement to peer pressure and desire for quick wealth. The EFCC official urged young people to develop marketable skills, seek mentors with integrity, and use technology to create value rather than deceive others.
wtop.com
· 2026-08-14
Fraud losses reached a record $15.9 billion in 2025, a 27% increase from the previous year, with criminals increasingly using AI to create sophisticated scams via fake websites, emails, texts, and deepfake audio and video. Investment, romance, crypto, and impostor scams are driving the surge in losses reported to the Federal Trade Commission. Experts recommend being skeptical of all communications, avoiding clicking suspicious links, using credit cards instead of debit cards for purchases, and never paying via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers.
m.economictimes.com
· 2026-08-13
Scammers have exploited Malaysia's struggling Forest City development—a half-empty $100 billion project near Singapore—by operating cryptocurrency and romance fraud schemes from abandoned apartments to target international victims. Malaysian police recently dismantled two major fraud rings operating from the vacant development, which has earned the nickname "ghost town" due to its lack of residents since its inception.
yahoo.com
· 2026-08-13
A Sun City Hilton Head man lost over $800,000 in a romance scam that began in July 2025 when he was contacted by a woman on OnlyFans who posed as a romantic interest and convinced him to invest in cryptocurrency. The scammer guided him through crypto transfers while showing fake account screenshots with gains, then requested he pay "taxes" to access the funds. His son eventually discovered the scheme and reported it to the FBI and Secret Service, who indicated the cryptocurrency transfers made recovery unlikely.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-08-13
Scammers are offering AI tokens at 70-90% discounts through fraudulent reseller sites like "Poison Claude," which route user prompts through unauthorized channels using stolen payment methods, free-trial abuse, and chargebacks to illegally access AI services from companies like Anthropic. These schemes affect both price-conscious users and those in countries with restricted access to U.S. AI models, with fraud losses reportedly doubling every two months and costing some companies over $1 million daily. Users who purchase discounted tokens receive API keys that send their queries through scammer-controlled sites, exposing them to serious legal and security risks while enabling the fraudsters' illegal activity.
yahoo.com
· 2026-08-13
A Georgia man lost over $164,000 in a "pig butchering" scam after meeting a woman on Facebook who cultivated a romantic relationship with him before convincing him to invest in a fake cryptocurrency scheme. The FBI recovered approximately 0.28 Bitcoin (valued at $18,200) and won a civil forfeiture case, though victim reimbursement remains separate from government asset seizure.
techtimes.com
· 2026-08-13
WhatsApp launched Scam Alert, an optional beta feature that uses on-device machine learning to detect and flag suspected scam messages without sending content to Meta's servers, marking the first major encrypted messaging platform to combine anti-fraud AI with end-to-end encryption. The feature analyzes incoming messages from non-contacts for common scam patterns like urgency cues and financial solicitations, displaying warnings only to recipients who can then block, report, or trust the contact. WhatsApp's privacy-preserving design uses Trusted Execution Environments and differential privacy to collect only aggregate usage analytics, demonstrating that platforms can combat fraud without compromising encryption or user privacy.
aol.com
· 2026-08-13
A South Carolina man in Sun City Hilton Head lost over $800,000 in a romance scam that evolved into a cryptocurrency investment fraud scheme spanning approximately one year. The scammers built trust through an online romantic relationship before introducing fake cryptocurrency investment opportunities on fraudulent platforms designed to display fabricated account balances and profits. The scheme employed common tactics including permitting small early withdrawals to establish credibility, then encouraging larger deposits with promises of increasingly lucrative returns before preventing victims from accessing their funds.
newsbreak.com
· 2026-08-12
Grandparent scams exploit emotional urgency and family details mined from social media to manipulate retirees into sending tens of thousands of dollars via untraceable methods like wire transfers and gift cards. Scammers now use AI voice-cloning technology to impersonate grandchildren convincingly, and the FBI reported $352 million in AI-related scam losses to victims over 60 in a recent year, with grandparent scams alone accounting for over $5 million in 2025 losses. The most effective defense is to hang up and verify the emergency by contacting the family member directly through a saved phone number before sending any money.
thepaypers.com
· 2026-08-12
Cryptocurrency fraud has evolved from a niche problem into a mainstream threat affecting banks, payment providers, and ecommerce platforms, with organized operations running "pig butchering" romance and investment scams from industrial compounds in Southeast Asia targeting victims globally for an estimated USD 18–37 billion in losses in 2023 alone. Common crypto scam types include romance/investment schemes, phishing attacks that steal wallet credentials, fake investment platforms using Ponzi structures, and insider threats from employees with privileged access to digital assets. Financial institutions and regulators must understand how these professionally-run, script-based fraud operations work to identify them earlier in the transaction chain rather than after funds are lost.
united24media.com
· 2026-08-12
Telegram's over one billion users and limited moderation make it an increasingly popular platform for scammers who create fake channels impersonating legitimate companies and public figures, send phishing messages designed to steal login credentials and personal information, and promote cryptocurrency investment scams promising guaranteed returns or orchestrating "pump-and-dump" schemes. The article outlines how fraudsters exploit the platform's accessibility and lack of account verification to target millions of potential victims globally, and provides guidance on recognizing these common scams to protect users from financial loss and account compromise.
asialink.unimelb.edu.au
· 2026-08-12
Online scam compounds operating across Cambodia and the broader Southeast Asian region generate an estimated $12.5 billion to $40 billion annually, with victims targeted globally from fortified facilities resembling prisons. The proliferation of these operations has been enabled by Cambodia's erosion of democratic checks and balances since 2013, with evidence suggesting high-level government officials and their relatives have financial stakes in or direct ties to cybercrime syndicates. In 2024 alone, Cambodians lost $40 million to online scams, while foreign workers trapped in these compounds have endured slave-like conditions including rape and torture.
vancouver.citynews.ca
· 2026-08-12
A Sechelt resident lost over $100,000 in a scam where fraudsters impersonated Vancouver Police and bank employees using caller ID spoofing technology. The victim was convinced to transfer $70,000 and then $38,000 to a specified account under the false pretense of assisting with a fraud investigation and testing bank systems. RCMP warn that police never request money transfers for investigations and advise residents to hang up and verify caller identity through official phone numbers before providing any financial information.
azag.gov
· 2026-08-12
Since Arizona's Cryptocurrency Kiosk License Fraud Prevention law took effect in September 2025, the state Attorney General's office has helped 35 victims of cryptocurrency ATM scams recover full refunds totaling $171,332. Under the law, victims must report fraudulent transactions to the Attorney General's office or local law enforcement within 30 days to qualify for refunds that include all associated fees. The law also implemented additional protections including lowered daily transaction limits, mandatory on-screen warnings, and required transaction receipts.
smh.com.au
· 2026-08-12
AI-generated scam emails impersonating prestigious publishers, editors, and media figures are targeting authors internationally with fake publishing deals and promotional opportunities. Scammers use AI to create convincing, detailed emails that reference authors' work and professional credentials before eventually requesting payment for services. The Australian Society of Authors has reported a significant surge in these "pig butchering" style scams, with some writers receiving multiple fraudulent emails daily.
yahoo.com
· 2026-08-12
A Dooly County man lost $164,000 in a "Pig Butchering" romance scam, where he was deceived through Facebook into investing in fake cryptocurrency by someone posing as a woman. After the victim reported the crime to the FBI, federal prosecutors successfully seized approximately $18,000 worth of Bitcoin that had been stolen from him, with the suspected scammers operating out of Malaysia. The case highlights a growing trend of cryptocurrency investment fraud, with Georgia residents reporting over $152 million in investment fraud losses in 2024, with crypto accounting for $132 million of that total.
risingsunnewspapers.co.za
· 2026-08-12
On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (July 30), South African activist Romita Hanuman-Pillay highlighted how traffickers use scams to exploit victims, particularly through fake job advertisements, online fraud operations, and romance scams that target people globally. She warned that transnational organized crime groups force thousands into financial fraud schemes and industrial-scale cybercrime operations, with major trafficking hotspots in South Africa including Durban, Johannesburg, and Bloemfontein. Victims are typically lured through false employment promises or kidnapped directly, with traffickers increasingly using social media to identify and exploit targets by monitoring their personal information and online patterns.
aol.com
· 2026-08-12
A Southern California renter lost over $2,500 to a fake rental listing scam after a fraudster copied photos and video from a real property listing, posed as the landlord, and collected a deposit via Zelle before disappearing. Fake rental scams have surged significantly, with the FBI receiving 12,368 real estate fraud complaints in 2025 (up from 9,359 in 2024) resulting in losses exceeding $275 million, with scammers exploiting renters' urgency by stealing existing listings and using professional photos, videos, and AI-generated documents to appear legitimate.
punchng.com
· 2026-08-11
An Interpol report warns that artificial intelligence is being used in 55% of cybercrimes across Africa, with Nigeria, South Africa, South Sudan, and Namibia being the most affected countries between January 2024 and September 2025. AI-enabled crimes include deepfakes, romance scams, ransomware attacks targeting healthcare and utilities, and Business Email Compromise (BEC) schemes, with Nigerian cybercriminals routing illicit proceeds through crypto exchanges and money-laundering operations. Nigeria accounted for $92 billion of the $205 billion in cryptocurrency transactions during this period, with attackers using generative AI, machine learning, and voice cloning to scale attacks and evade detection
newsbreak.com
· 2026-08-11
Once elder fraud money is wired overseas or converted to cryptocurrency, it is virtually impossible to recover because these transfers are designed to be fast and irreversible, making prevention the only realistic strategy. The key to stopping fraud is recognizing the artificial urgency built into scam scripts—whether involving a fake grandchild, phony government agent, or tech support—since legitimate agencies never demand immediate payment through untraceable channels like wire transfers, gift cards, or crypto. The most effective defense is introducing a delay by consulting a trusted family member or verifying the request through an official number, which dissolves the pressure that makes these scams work.
newsbreak.com
· 2026-08-11
Scammers are targeting retirees with an "overpayment" scheme where they deposit fake checks or funds that initially appear in victims' accounts, then request the "excess" be returned via untraceable methods like wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. The fake deposits bounce days later after victims have already sent real money back, leaving them with depleted savings accounts. The Federal Trade Commission warns this scam is particularly effective because it disarms suspicion by framing the request as an honest mistake requiring a small favor rather than a threatening demand.
odaily.news
· 2026-08-11
North Korea stole at least $2.8 billion in cryptocurrency between January 2024 and September 2025, laundering the funds through criminal networks including money mules in the Philippines, Indonesia, and China to support its weapons programs. The stolen tokens were frequently mixed with proceeds from investment scams like "pig butchering" schemes and converted to cash through peer-to-peer markets and organized crime syndicates, with recovery efforts recovering only $48.4 million from the Bybit exchange hack.
decrypt.co
· 2026-08-11
North Korea stole at least $2.8 billion in cryptocurrency between January 2024 and September 2025, which researchers believe funds its weapons program, and is increasingly laundering these stolen assets through criminal networks used by scam syndicates to obscure the money trail. The regime converts the stolen crypto into cash through decentralized services, over-the-counter desks, and peer-to-peer traders, often using recruited money mules in the Philippines, Indonesia, and China, while breaking conversions into small amounts under $7,000 to avoid triggering bank reviews. In one major case, the Bybit exchange recovered only $48.4 million of the $1.5 billion
thenextweb.com
· 2026-08-11
Impersonation scams using AI technology surged over 1,400% in 2025, with AI-enabled operations generating 4.5 times more revenue than non-AI operations while reaching significantly more victims through deepfake identity verification that costs as little as $20 and defeats liveness checks 58% of the time. Crypto accounts for 88% of all detected deepfake fraud globally, with North American losses exceeding $410 million in the first half of 2025, though enforcement efforts have resulted in $4.4 billion in frozen assets and nearly 5,800 arrests across 97 countries.
cbs2iowa.com
· 2026-08-11
The Iowa Attorney General's Office is partnering with Meta to combat online scams, particularly romance, investment, and tech support fraud targeting Iowans through social media. Americans lost nearly $16 billion to online fraud last year, with romance scams involving fake identities to solicit money or cryptocurrency, investment scams promoting fraudulent financial opportunities, and tech support scams impersonating legitimate companies. The partnership includes educational materials at the Iowa State Fair and joint training for law enforcement to help identify and investigate cybercriminals.
nbcnewyork.com
· 2026-08-11
Carmine Agnello, grandson of mob boss John Gotti, reported to federal prison to serve a 15-month sentence after pleading guilty to wire fraud for illegally obtaining $1.1 million in COVID-19 relief loans. He had attempted to delay his surrender by claiming he would donate a kidney to his mother Victoria Gotti, but a federal judge rejected the deferral request after finding no concrete evidence the transplant surgery was imminent. Agnello fraudulently obtained the loans through his company by lying about employee count, his criminal record, and how he would use the funds, ultimately spending the money on other ventures including a cryptocurrency investment.
singjupost.com
· 2026-08-10
This transcript from an August 2026 FBI interview does not contain information about elder fraud, scams targeting seniors, or fraud cases suitable for an elder fraud research database. The content focuses on FBI Director Kash Patel discussing World Cup security operations, counter-drone systems, and mentions Operation Blackout only in passing without substantive details about scam victims or fraud amounts.
stories.td.com
· 2026-08-10
Fraud losses reached $16 billion in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, with rising scams involving fake celebrity endorsements, cryptocurrency schemes, and QR code fraud. Criminals are increasingly using stolen celebrity images on social media to lure victims into bogus investment schemes and pressuring people, particularly seniors, to send money through cryptocurrency ATMs where funds are nearly impossible to recover. Experts recommend verifying information sources directly, remaining skeptical of social media claims, and openly discussing fraud experiences to help others recognize warning signs.
turnto23.com
· 2026-08-10
Bakersfield residents are experiencing multiple scams, with investment fraud being the costliest, involving scammers building trust via text or social media before directing victims to fake cryptocurrency or gold trading platforms. Online purchase scams featuring counterfeit products and home improvement upfront payment schemes are also prevalent and taking significant amounts of money. The Better Business Bureau advises checking businesses at bbb.org, avoiding urgent links, and being wary of high-pressure sales tactics demanding immediate payment.
ksl.com
· 2026-08-10
Internet scams cost Americans over $20 billion last year, with older adults particularly targeted through schemes like fake credit card breach calls and cryptocurrency fraud. Congress and Utah lawmakers are working to combat fraud by improving law enforcement information-sharing, implementing transaction limits on cryptocurrency kiosks, and requiring scam warnings to help people recognize and avoid schemes that prey on emotional reactions. The FBI reported Americans lost more than $11 billion to cryptocurrency scams and nearly $900 million to AI-based scams in 2025.