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in General Elder Fraud
civilsociety.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A new authorised push payment (APP) fraud reimbursement scheme introduced by the Payments Systems Regulator on October 7 requires banks and payment service providers to reimburse small charities (income under £1m) for fraud losses up to £85,000, though the Financial Ombudsman Service can order additional reimbursement up to £430,000. Despite covering over 95% of UK charities, solicitors report that very few charities are aware of this mandatory scheme and urge banks to better publicize it, as all organizations remain vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.
adelaidenow.com.au
· 2025-12-08
The South Australian government issued a warning to seniors about a fraudulent website impersonating the SA Seniors Card scheme designed to trick older residents into sending money. The scam was characterized as "heartless" targeting a vulnerable population, though specific details about victim numbers or financial losses were not accessible in the provided excerpt.
thedailystar.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified Medicare Prescription Drug Cap Scams as January 2025's fraud alert, warning seniors about potential exploitation of the new $2,000 annual out-of-pocket drug cost cap that took effect January 1, 2025. Scammers may use unsolicited calls, fake upfront fees, or requests for personal information to defraud beneficiaries, and the council advises seniors not to share personal data, verify Medicare statements carefully, and report suspected fraud to the NYS Medicare Helpline at 800-333-4114.
gvwire.com
· 2025-12-08
A 24-year-old Los Angeles man was arrested after defrauding a 79-year-old Tulare woman of $9,600 in a grandparent scam, where he impersonated a bail bondsman claiming her grandson had been arrested. Detectives followed a courier to a restaurant in Castaic where the suspect, Manuel Rivera Cueto, was apprehended attempting to flee with money from a second extortion attempt; he admitted to acting as a "mule" in approximately 10 similar schemes and revealed the operation's main orchestrators were based in the Dominican Republic.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
Three defendants were charged by federal grand jury for operating PageTurner, a fake book publishing scheme that defrauded over 800 elderly authors of approximately $44 million between September 2017 and December 2024. The scammers, including Gemma Traya Austin of Chula Vista and two Philippine-based executives, contacted victims unsolicited and falsely promised that their books would be published or turned into films if they paid upfront fees for taxes and transaction costs. All three defendants were arrested in December 2024 and face charges including mail and wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS Criminal Investigation unit uncovered over $9.1 billion in tax fraud and financial crimes in 2024, with scams expected to peak during the 2025 tax-filing season. Common tactics include scammers impersonating IRS agents or tax preparers to claim taxpayers owe additional taxes or are due larger refunds, with threats of arrest or requests for bank details to steal information. Retired taxpayers and those nearing retirement are frequent targets, and experts recommend taking time to verify communications and avoiding pressure from scammers rather than responding immediately.
govtech.com
· 2025-12-08
State Rep. Chris Pielli and the Housing Authority of Chester County hosted an educational "Scam Jam" program featuring experts from law enforcement and banking agencies to inform residents about common fraud schemes targeting seniors. The program highlighted various scams including grandparent scams using emotional manipulation and AI voice mimicry, elder financial abuse by caregivers, romance scams, and phishing schemes like fake EZ Pass notifications, emphasizing that scammers exploit social media information and that even intelligent people can be deceived.
edmondlifeandleisure.com
· 2025-12-08
**Title:** Get Ready for Scams in the Digital Age
Adults aged 60 and older reported over 100,000 complaints to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center in 2023, resulting in losses exceeding $3.4 billion—an 11% increase from 2022. Common scams targeting seniors include phishing, Medicare and health insurance fraud, and tech support scams. Protection strategies include staying skeptical of unexpected communications, avoiding sharing personal information online, monitoring finances for unauthorized activity, and reporting suspected fraud immediately to relevant authorities including the FTC, Medicare, or financial institutions.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Chicago-area residents involved in a romance scam network that bilked victims of over $3.5 million were sentenced, with one receiving probation and two receiving 10 and 20-year prison sentences respectively. The case centered on 57-year-old Laura Kowal from Illinois, who sent nearly $2 million to a fraudulent online persona called "Frank Borg" over almost two years before her death; the scammers, based in West Africa, used the defendants as "money mules" to launder the stolen funds. The sentencing highlighted the growing use of accomplices to facilitate romance scams and the devastating impact on victims and their families.
news.outsourceaccelerator.com
· 2025-12-08
Three individuals—two executives from a Cebu-based BPO company (Innocentrix Philippines) and their U.S. associate—were arrested in December 2024 for operating a $44 million book publishing scam that defrauded over 800 elderly authors between 2017 and 2024. The scheme used PageTurner Press and Media LLC as a front company, falsely promising to adapt victims' books into Hollywood films or television series while collecting upfront fees for nonexistent services. The defendants face charges of mail and wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy, each carrying potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $
olathereporter.com
· 2025-12-08
Russell Rahm, 54, of Olathe, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his central role in what prosecutors describe as the largest elder fraud conspiracy in U.S. history, involving over 60 defendants and 100,000 victims who were defrauded of more than $300 million over 24 years through telemarketing scams. As owner and CEO of Kansas-based companies including Subscription Ink Co. and Millennium Marketing, Rahm orchestrated fraudulent magazine sales schemes using deceptive scripts targeting vulnerable and elderly consumers, personally collecting approximately $103 million from victims; he has been ordered to pay $110 million in restitution. The
tcpalm.com
· 2025-12-08
Two individuals were arrested as "couriers" in gold bar scams that defrauded at least three Indian River Shores residents of nearly $2 million in early 2024. The scams involved fake government officials calling victims and instructing them to purchase gold bars, which couriers then collected in person; one 77-year-old woman lost $156,000 across two separate meetings, handing over gold bars worth approximately $72,904 and $83,000. Rakeshbhai Harshadbhai Patel, 35, was arrested in January 2025, and Syed Makki, 36, was arrested in Colorado and awaits ext
newsbug.info
· 2025-12-08
Oak Grove Christian Retirement Village hosted an educational presentation by DeMotte police on January 8 covering elder financial abuse, which costs seniors over $3 billion annually with more than 13% of American elders victimized yearly. The presentation outlined eleven common scam types targeting seniors (including grandparent scams, charity fraud, identity theft, and tech support scams), noting that victims aged 80-89, particularly women living alone, face the highest risk and that underreporting remains severe due to embarrassment and fear of losing independence. Key protective measures include monthly financial monitoring, verifying requests by calling contacts directly, reporting fraud to the FTC, and consulting trusted advisors before financial decisions.
mainlinemedianews.com
· 2025-12-08
State Rep. Chris Pielli and the Housing Authority of Chester County hosted a "Scam Jam" educational program featuring experts from state and local law enforcement to help residents identify and avoid fraud targeting vulnerable populations, particularly seniors. The program covered multiple scam types including grandparent scams using emotional triggers, caregiver fraud involving isolated victims, romance scams, and impersonation schemes that exploit technology and social media information.
pembinavalleyonline.com
· 2025-12-08
The Winkler Police Report documented three fraud incidents during the holiday season: a male resident lost money to an online investment scam after downloading a fraudulent app and providing sensitive personal information; an elderly woman was targeted in a grandparent scam where a caller claimed to be her grandson needing bail money and fraudulently accessed her bank account; and another male victim sent multiple payments to a scammer posing as a lawyer who promised to recover funds from a fraudulently opened Bitcoin account. Police advised victims to report incidents to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, contact their banks, and protect their personal information to prevent further losses.
fosters.com
· 2025-12-08
Hampton residents lost nearly $1 million to phone, email, text, and social media scams over 13 months, with many involving cryptocurrency, according to Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno—though he notes this represents only reported cases. One particularly devastating case involved a "pig butchering scheme" where a resident lost $480,000 after a scammer built trust through social media before introducing a fraudulent investment opportunity. The Hampton Police Department has become New Hampshire's first law enforcement agency to open a Coinbase account to potentially freeze and recover stolen cryptocurrency, and the chief urges residents to contact police before sending money rather than after they've been victimized.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
hoodline.com
· 2025-12-08
Kaua'i County's Agency on Elderly Affairs organized an educational event on February 12 featuring Kupuna Alert Partners to teach seniors about fraud and scam prevention, including Medicare fraud, identity theft, securities fraud, and prescription drug misuse. The free community event included presentations and resource tables from multiple government agencies, with pre-registration encouraged and accessibility accommodations available upon request.
abc7news.com
· 2025-12-08
A Walnut Creek senior was targeted in a "grandson scam" where a caller impersonating her grandson said he was in jail and needed $7,500 in bail money; she withdrew the cash and gave it to a courier at her gated community, then was asked for an additional $5,000. This was the second such incident at Rossmoor in four months, and bank employees attempted to intervene both times by questioning the large cash withdrawals. Walnut Creek police recommend verifying emergency calls with other family members and establishing a family password to prevent such fraud.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Seniors in Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia are being targeted by a fake Seniors Card scam operating through the fraudulent website www.theseniorsassistant.com, which illegally charges fees for free government services. The article also highlights other concurrent scams, including a letterbox cash collection scheme and a romance scam where an 81-year-old woman lost over $50,000 to an online fraudster after taking out a loan against her home.
newportdispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
Jessica Russell, a 42-year-old from Barre, pleaded guilty to wire fraud after defrauding an elderly victim of over $84,000 by gaining her trust through emotional manipulation—falsely claiming she had lost a child like the victim—then obtaining power of attorney to steal funds from the victim's home sale. Russell used the stolen money to purchase a home in Barton and a 2017 Mitsubishi SUV, falsely claiming both purchases were her own, while the victim's health and mental state declined. She faces sentencing on June 12.
citybeat.com
· 2025-12-08
Pamela Moore, a 66-year-old grandmother with no prior criminal record, was sentenced to 24 months in prison in August 2024 for money laundering related to online romance scams. Between 2020 and 2023, Moore's bank accounts received over $8 million in criminally derived funds from romance scammers nationwide, and she personally converted approximately $1.7 million to Bitcoin at the scammers' direction. Moore herself had initially lost six figures to the same scammers after becoming emotionally vulnerable following her husband's death in 2015, eventually being manipulated into laundering their illicit proceeds through a fraudulent shell company.
deccanchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired government official in Hyderabad lost Rs 3.57 lakh after his Upstox trading account email was fraudulently changed and stocks were transferred without authorization, while a private employee lost Rs 17.48 lakh to an investment scam involving fake high-return schemes promoted via WhatsApp and Telegram between November 2024. The Rachakonda cybercrime police are investigating both cases to identify the perpetrators, with the second victim realizing the fraud only after being asked to pay additional taxes when requesting a refund.
himachalheadlines.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired government officer from Hamirpur lost ₹82 lakh (his life's savings) in an online investment scam after being lured through a Facebook link to a WhatsApp group promoting a fake app called "Stock Jio" that promised 1200% returns on stock and IPO investments. After transferring funds across eight transactions, the victim discovered the fraud when withdrawal requests were ignored; cyber police froze ₹16 lakh but recovery of the remaining amount is ongoing. Similar scams have targeted over a dozen victims in Himachal Pradesh recently, with authorities warning the public to avoid unverified investment links and verify legitimacy before transferring funds.
aba.com
· 2025-12-08
The American Bankers Association Foundation launched its 2025 financial education campaigns as part of a three-year commitment to reach five million Americans, celebrating the organization's 100th anniversary. The Foundation's four national initiatives—Teach Children to Save, Get Smart About Credit, Safe Banking for Seniors, and Lights, Camera, Save!—provide free resources to banks and their employees, with new content for 2025 including updated materials on fraud prevention, cryptocurrency investment scams, money mule scams, and check fraud. Since 2023, nearly 40,000 bank volunteers from 1,115 banks have reached 1.7 million people through these programs.
miningjournal.net
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
An elder law attorney from Marquette argues against the Credit Card Competition Act (S. 1838), stating that while the bill claims to promote competition, it would actually reduce fraud protections and jeopardize rewards programs that seniors and working families rely on for essential expenses. The author warns that the legislation would benefit large retailers while leaving consumers more vulnerable to fraud and urges Michigan's senators to oppose the bill.
newsbug.info
· 2025-12-08
Oak Grove Christian Retirement Village hosted an educational program featuring DeMotte police officials who presented information on elder financial abuse, which affects over 13% of American seniors annually and costs victims more than $3 billion yearly. The presentation covered eleven common scam types targeting seniors—including grandparent scams, charity fraud, phishing, and tax scams—while noting that victims aged 80-89, particularly women and those living alone, are most vulnerable, and that only 1 in 44 incidents are reported due to embarrassment and fear of losing independence. Attendees learned protective strategies such as verifying requests before sending money, monitoring financial statements, and reporting scams to the FTC or calling
wktn.com
· 2025-12-08
The Auglaize County Sheriff's Office issued a public awareness alert urging residents to recognize elder fraud threats, which include phone calls, emails, pop-ups, text messages, and letters targeting seniors. The advisory recommends not sharing personal information with unverified callers, avoiding sending money or gift cards to strangers, verifying emergency claims and prize winnings through trusted sources, and reporting suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission.
normantranscript.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, over 100,000 adults aged 60 and older reported fraud and scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, resulting in losses exceeding $3.4 billion—an 11% increase from 2022. Common scams targeting seniors include phishing emails and texts, Medicare and health insurance fraud (which resulted in $3.3 billion in recovered false claims in 2022), and tech support scams impersonating legitimate support representatives. The article provides protective measures including staying alert and skeptical of unsolicited communications, avoiding sharing personal information online, monitoring finances for suspicious activity, and reporting suspected fraud immediately to appropriate authorities.
kxxv.com
· 2025-12-08
McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara warned the public about a surge in cryptocurrency scams where scammers contact victims via email or text with threats (such as bail money needed or arrest warrants) to pressure them into depositing money into crypto kiosks. Reported losses from these scams jumped dramatically from $32,033 in 2023 to $3.84 million in the following year, with victims losing entire life savings; one New Braunfels woman lost $111,000, though another victim recovered $15,000 after police obtained a search warrant. Authorities advise victims to contact law enforcement immediately and warn that elderly individuals are frequently targeted by these
lamilano.it
· 2025-12-08
The Municipality of Bari approved the "Prevention of Fraud against the Elderly 2025" project, funded by the Ministry of the Interior with €60,532, to protect the over-65 population (approximately 75,000 residents) from scams via phone, in-person, and online. The initiative includes the "I won't fall for it" awareness campaign, a network of "Security Sentinels" for listening and support, and information distribution through community centers, banks, and other local organizations.
deccanchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
An International Day of Older Persons event in Hyderabad brought together over 600 senior citizens to address key challenges including social isolation, loneliness, depression, and the emerging threat of digital scams targeting elderly individuals. Speakers emphasized that younger generations should play a crucial role in teaching older adults to use technology safely, while government initiatives like RTC fare discounts and planned multidisciplinary centers aim to combat isolation and improve quality of life through peer support networks and social engagement.
stomp.straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Two elderly victims lost a combined $5.9 million ($1 million and $4.9 million) in December 2024 to scammers who impersonated overseas police officers in a multi-step scheme involving fake telecom officials, forged documents, and local cash mules. The scammers convinced victims their phone numbers were involved in criminal activity abroad, then posed as foreign law enforcement to pressure them into withdrawing cash for "safekeeping." Singapore police clarified that foreign law enforcement cannot conduct investigations in Singapore and that local police never request cash withdrawals or send identification card images for verification.
weare.sa.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
A scam website called "The Seniors Assistant" fraudulently charges South Australian seniors a fee to apply for the legitimate SA Seniors Card, which is always provided free by the government. Victims should immediately contact their bank and report the fraud to Scamwatch and the Australian Cyber Security Centre, while seniors are advised to verify they are using the official website (www.seniorscard.sa.gov.au) before applying.
columbusjewishnews.com
· 2025-12-08
I appreciate you providing this text, but this content is not relevant to the Elderus fraud research database. The article excerpt contains a legal dismissal, nonprofit fundraising advice, and an obituary—none of which involve scams, fraud, elder abuse, or elder exploitation.
For Elderus summaries, please provide articles or transcripts related to elder fraud schemes (such as romance scams, tech support fraud, investment fraud), financial exploitation, abuse, or scam awareness/prevention advice targeting older adults.
today.westlaw.com
· 2025-12-08
A 74-year-old New Jersey woman filed a lawsuit against Athena Bitcoin Inc., a bitcoin ATM operator, alleging the company failed to implement adequate safeguards against impersonation scams targeting seniors. In September 2024, Karen Carew was defrauded by a scammer posing as a Microsoft employee and deposited $39,300 across four Athena ATMs using QR codes; Athena retained $10,060 (over 25%) in fees from the fraudulent transactions. The lawsuit seeks to represent a class of scam victims and alleges the company knowingly facilitated "immediate, untraceable and irreversible" transactions while prof
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Halifax police issued warnings about two suspects involved in multiple "grandparent scams" targeting seniors in the area, where callers impersonated arrested family members and demanded bail money, arranging to collect cash in person or via mail. Police emphasize that law enforcement and court officials never collect bail money at residences and urge seniors to hang up on such calls, avoid providing personal information, and verify caller identity before responding to money requests.
lawsociety.ie
· 2025-12-08
A webinar on financial crime in Ireland's banking sector revealed that fraud sophistication is increasing, particularly psychological scams like romance fraud where criminals create fake identities to exploit victims. Experts highlighted that fraudsters increasingly target consumers directly rather than banks, making money recovery difficult once funds are transferred, and recommended that financial institutions implement better detection systems, educate the public, and foster organizational cultures prioritizing financial crime awareness. The webinar also discussed regulatory challenges, noting that while some funds may be recoverable through card transactions, recovery options are limited for authorized payments made through apps or online banking.
nwmissourinews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating Evergy electric utility have targeted Nodaway County residents since January, calling from cloned numbers and threatening immediate service disconnection unless customers purchase prepaid cards from Walmart to pay bills. Evergy warns that legitimate utility companies never demand immediate payment through gift cards, prepaid cards, or other untraceable methods, and advises customers to verify calls by contacting the company directly and avoiding suspicious links and emails. The scams particularly target vulnerable populations including elderly customers, and victims should report fraud to their bank and the utility company immediately.
kcentv.com
· 2025-12-08
The Temple Police Department is hosting a free Senior Scam Awareness Session on February 5 to educate community members about common scams targeting seniors, including Microsoft scams, IRS tax scams, Social Security/Medicare scams, and phishing schemes that typically request payment via prepaid cards, Bitcoin, or wire transfers. The session provides practical advice such as never sharing financial information with unverified callers, verifying contacts directly with banks, and checking official government websites for scam alerts. The event is open to all community members and aims to increase awareness of prevalent online and phone fraud tactics in Central Texas.
nationalseniors.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A fraudulent website called "The Seniors Assistant" has been scamming seniors in South Australia, Queensland, and Victoria by charging fees for assistance with obtaining a free Seniors Card application, which legitimate government services never request. Authorities warn seniors that official Seniors Card applications are always free and legitimate government websites end in .gov.au, and advise anyone who has paid a scammer to contact their bank and report the incident to Scamwatch immediately.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
KBWB Operations LLC (doing business as Atrium Health and Senior Living) and its former CEO Kevin Breslin pleaded guilty to health care fraud and tax conspiracy for operating 23 skilled nursing facilities in Wisconsin, New Jersey, and Michigan from 2015-2018. The defendants unlawfully diverted Medicare and Medicaid funds intended for resident care to personal expenses and owner distributions, failed to pay vendors and employee insurance premiums, and directed withheld employee taxes not to be paid to the IRS. Breslin faces up to 10 years in prison for health care fraud and five years for tax conspiracy, with both defendants subject to restitution and sentencing scheduled for May 7
lakeexpo.com
· 2025-12-08
Russell Jason "Rusty" Rahm, a Lake of the Ozarks powerboater, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison in January 2025 for his role as a scheme leader in what federal prosecutors call the largest elder fraud incident in U.S. history. The 20-year magazine subscription fraud targeted 183,000 elderly victims who lost an estimated $335 million, with Rahm ordered to pay over $103 million in restitution. Rahm was one of 61 conspirators and must report to prison by March 11, 2025, despite his legal team's arguments that he suffers
nbc-2.com
· 2025-12-08
A 32-year-old home health aide in Collier County, Florida was arrested for stealing bank and credit card information from an 82-year-old surgery patient she was hired to care for through a senior-caregiver app, then used the compromised accounts to make unauthorized purchases including Amazon orders and car insurance payments. The victim discovered the fraud when her bank statements stopped arriving and she found her accounts had been compromised. Experts note that such in-home caregiver scams are increasingly common, particularly targeting isolated seniors who may lack technological literacy, and recommend education and vigilance to recognize fraudulent tactics.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Fei Liang and Ziguang Li were sentenced to seven years and three months in prison for laundering over $6 million in proceeds from a nationwide "tech support" elder fraud scheme. The conspirators opened fictitious business bank accounts used to receive victim wire transfers after scammers falsely convinced elderly targets that they had criminal or technical account issues requiring immediate payment. Law enforcement recovered evidence from Li's residence including lists of fictitious businesses, victims' personal information, and bank account details for at least 25 entities involved in the money laundering operation.
ladailypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Los Alamos is launching the S.A.F.E. (Scam Awareness For Elders) initiative, a community-wide effort to combat the rising prevalence of scams targeting elderly residents. The program, supported by a $9,000 grant from the Non-Metro New Mexico Agency on Aging, will provide educational programs, training workshops, and outreach activities, including a kickoff event on January 29 featuring an FBI presentation on scam prevention. Planned activities include a February workshop on romance scams and a monthly book club beginning in March to help older adults recognize and avoid fraudulent schemes.
startsat60.com
· 2025-12-08
A fraudulent website (www.theseniorsassistant.com) is scamming older Australians by charging fees for applications to the South Australian Seniors Card, which is always free and never requires financial or banking details. South Australian officials urged seniors to use only the official government website (www.seniorscard.sa.gov.au) and report any suspicious sites to Scamwatch, while those who have already paid are advised to contact their banks immediately.
vocm.com
· 2025-12-08
A west coast senior was defrauded of over $11,000 through unauthorized credit card use; Deer Lake RCMP identified and arrested a suspect who now faces charges. RCMP advise victims to collect documentation, contact their financial institution and local police, and recommends preventative measures including securing financial information, protecting credit cards and passwords, and avoiding prepayment for online marketplace purchases or gift card fraud schemes.
malaysia.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Two elderly Singaporeans lost a combined S$5.9 million in December to scammers impersonating overseas police officers who initially posed as telecommunications company officials claiming the victims' phone numbers were linked to criminal activities abroad. The scammers used fake police identification cards and forged documents delivered to victims' homes, then tricked them into withdrawing cash and handing it over to "cash mules" for safekeeping. Singapore police warned that foreign law enforcement cannot direct local residents in investigations and legitimate officers would never request cash withdrawals.
fox13seattle.com
· 2025-12-08
A 74-year-old Washington woman lost $624,711 in life savings to a scammer who impersonated a federal agent after a fraudulent pop-up alert on her computer convinced her account had been hacked. The victim liquidated her stocks and IRA contributions, initially intended to be wired via Bitcoin, but when that failed, she purchased gold bars and handed them to 42-year-old Zhichao Huang in a Lynnwood parking lot. Huang was extradited from Los Angeles and police believe this scam is part of a larger operation targeting seniors using similar tactics.