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michigan.gov
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert warning residents about Bitcoin ATM scams targeting older adults, in which fraudsters pose as representatives from companies like Apple, Google, or law enforcement to convince victims their accounts are compromised and demand immediate payment. Victims are instructed to withdraw cash from banks and deposit it into Bitcoin ATMs, where it is converted to cryptocurrency and sent to scammers; once transferred, the money cannot be recovered because Bitcoin ATMs lack oversight, regulation, and fraud prevention measures unlike traditional financial institutions. The alert advises consumers never to deposit money into Bitcoin ATMs at anyone's request, to be wary of urgent calls, to verify requests with their banks, and to report suspecte
johnsoncitytn.org
The Johnson City Police Department reported a rise in phone scams where callers impersonate law enforcement, government agents, or company representatives to pressure victims into purchasing gift cards, sending cryptocurrency, or sharing financial information by claiming urgent issues like pending arrests or compromised bank accounts. Victims have been contacted via phone, social media, text, and other platforms, with scammers requesting gift card numbers after purchase to access funds immediately. The JCPD emphasizes that legitimate law enforcement never demands payment to avoid arrest and advises the public to hang up on suspicious callers and report them to Crime Stoppers, noting that older adults are particularly targeted in these scams.
tradingview.com
Australia's financial regulator (ASIC) obtained a court order to shut down 95 companies linked to "pig butchering" scams—sophisticated investment and romance fraud schemes where criminals build trust with victims over weeks before directing them to fake trading platforms for forex, crypto, and commodities. These organized criminal networks, often operating from countries like Myanmar and Eastern Europe, target high-income individuals globally by using fake websites, stolen identities, and complex deception tactics to create false legitimacy. Despite regulatory efforts to remove scam websites and shut down fraudulent companies, Australians lost AU$2.74 billion to financial fraud in the most recent reporting period, though losses declined 13.1
justice.gov
A 56-year-old former financial advisor in Fox Island, Washington was indicted for stealing over $920,000 from a widow in her 70s by exploiting her trust and moving funds from her brokerage and bank accounts into his own accounts through multiple transactions. Winslow used the stolen money to purchase personal assets including an island home, hot tub, car, and jewelry, and attempted to conceal the fraud by funneling funds through gold coin purchases and layered transactions while falsifying his tax returns. He faces charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, and tax fraud, with trial scheduled for June 2025.
investopedia.com
Scammers are increasingly targeting 401(k) retirement accounts through multiple methods including phishing emails, fake investment platforms, impersonation phone calls and text messages, robocalls with AI voice impersonations, and fraudulent rollover schemes. To protect retirement savings, individuals should use two-factor authentication, create strong unique passwords, monitor account notifications, and only conduct rollovers with trusted financial institutions while remaining vigilant against suspicious communications and fake investment opportunities.
cnbc.com
A 2024 survey of over two million FTC and FCC complaints found Ohio leading the nation with 859 scam call and text complaints per 100,000 residents, followed by Illinois and Delaware. The study identified the top 10 states most targeted by phone scams, with common schemes including IRS fraud, Medicare scams, debt relief, and toll violations, possibly due to large population centers, favorable regulations, and high concentrations of seniors. The article advises screening calls, avoiding suspicious links, and considering identity theft protection services with credit monitoring and insurance coverage.
irishmirror.ie
Police across at least five European countries (France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and Luxembourg) have issued warnings about roving Irish criminal gangs operating organized scams targeting homeowners, businesspeople, and tourists since early 2025. The gangs operate three primary schemes: posing as construction workers offering cheap driveway repairs that deteriorate quickly, claiming to spot home defects and charging exorbitant prices for repairs, and executing street-based "stranded traveler" scams where they use fake banking apps to trick victims into withdrawing cash for supposed transfers. Notable cases include a €1,500 theft in Nuremberg in March 2025, with the FBI designating
classicrock961.com
An international fraud scheme originating from India targeted Texas seniors and 20 other victims across the country, with scammers impersonating U.S. Government officials to steal nearly $6 million total, including $300,000 from a Georgetown woman whose case resulted in an eight-year prison sentence. Money losses among people over 60 increased 11% in 2023, prompting fraud prevention efforts and advice from AARP to help seniors recognize and report scams rather than remaining silent due to embarrassment.
yahoo.com
This article outlines common scams targeting seniors, including "pig-butchering" schemes that build trust over time before convincing victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms, as well as tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams using voice cloning, and sweepstakes frauds. Older adults are particularly vulnerable due to larger savings, higher trust levels, and potential unfamiliarity with technology, compounded by factors like cognitive decline and social isolation. Key prevention strategies include teaching seniors to recognize red flags such as urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), poor grammar, and soliciting personal information—and encouraging them to verify
hindustantimes.com
Jammu and Kashmir cyber police uncovered 7,200 mule bank accounts used in cyber fraud schemes in Kashmir since January 2025, with 21 people arrested so far. These accounts, opened by individuals for commissions and controlled from abroad, were used to launder money from victims of fake investment sites, online gaming, and betting scams through cryptocurrency and layering techniques. Police warned that account holders and money recipients face strict legal consequences with minimum 10-year sentences, and plan to interrogate all 7,200 account holders.
businessinsider.com
Cryptocurrency fraud losses reached $3.96 billion in 2023, up 335% from 2021, with scam activity growing an average of 24% annually since 2020. Crypto scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, particularly "pig butchering" schemes where scammers build online relationships before soliciting investments or money, with this fraud type growing 40% in 2024. Investigators recommend maintaining skepticism in online interactions, verifying investment details independently, and being alert to requests for fees or repeated payments, as scammers often exploit victims over months or years before detection.
dailyhodl.com
A scammer impersonating JPMorgan Chase and PayPal defrauded two Florida victims of $30,000 total through a multi-stage scheme involving fake security alerts about unauthorized Bitcoin purchases, threats of arrest for money laundering, and impersonation of a Chase fraud officer and FBI agent. The victims were instructed to withdraw cash ($18,000 from the first victim and $12,000 from the second) and hand it to a courier who visited their homes; suspect Wilkens Eugene was arrested when the second victim became suspicious after being contacted again for an additional $60,000.
ktar.com
This educational article identifies five major scams targeting seniors: "pig butchering" (long-term cryptocurrency investment schemes), tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams (sometimes using voice-cloning AI), and sweepstakes/lottery scams. The article explains that older adults are targeted due to larger savings, higher trust levels, and potential unfamiliarity with technology, and recommends seniors watch for red flags including urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, crypto), poor grammar, and suspicious requests—while seeking a second opinion before sharing personal information or money.
fernandinaobserver.org
**Financial Scams on the Rise; Community Education Efforts Expand**
U.S. consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2023—a 25% increase from the previous year—with email and phone calls being the most common scam methods and imposter scams most frequently reported. Pineland Bank, the Nassau County Sheriff's Office, and the Nassau County Council on Aging are partnering to offer free fraud awareness seminars to educate the public on recognizing and avoiding financial scams, noting that fewer than half of victims report incidents due to embarrassment and fear of losing independence. Experts advise consumers to become informed about evolving scam
northjersey.com
The IRS released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams, warning taxpayers and professionals about 12 common fraud schemes including phishing emails, social media misinformation about tax credits, fake charities, and fraudulent claims for nonexistent credits. These scams peak during tax season but occur year-round and can result in identity theft, inflated refunds, and significant penalties. The IRS advises taxpayers to verify information through official channels and report suspected fraud immediately.
wpbf.com
A South Palm Beach woman lost $18,000 in a fraud scheme where scammers impersonated FBI and bank officials, convincing her she was under investigation for money laundering and instructing her to withdraw cash for "protection." Suspect Wilkens Eugene was arrested on April 3 after arriving at a second victim's home to collect $90,000, and he now faces multiple fraud and theft charges.
nme.com
Priscilla Presley won a preliminary ruling in her elder abuse lawsuit against former business associates Brigitte Kruse, Kevin Fialko, Vahe Sislyan, and Lynn Walker Wright, with a Los Angeles County judge determining California is the proper venue to hear the case. Presley alleges the defendants fraudulently convinced her to grant them control over her affairs and subsequently stole over $1 million, including earnings from the film *Priscilla* ($500,000) and her cosmetics deal ($349,900), while forcing her to sign contracts giving them 80 percent of her income. The judge rejected the defendants' motion to move the
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
An elderly couple in Karnataka's Belagavi district died by suicide after losing Rs 50 lakh to a digital arrest scam that targeted them from January onward, with fraudsters claiming illegal activity on a SIM card registered in their names and continually demanding money despite repeated payments. The article highlights that seniors are increasingly targeted by scammers due to their larger savings and limited digital literacy, with many scams—including romance and impersonation schemes—going unreported due to victims' fear and embarrassment.
globalnews.ca
Hundreds of Canadians, including dozens in Edmonton, lost over $1 million combined to a sophisticated Amazon job scam operated by a Chinese organized crime group based in British Columbia. Victims were recruited via social media for a fake remote "order-grabbing" job on a fraudulent platform called Sharegain, where they were required to invest money to complete tasks and receive guaranteed returns; the scam operated as a Ponzi/pyramid scheme, using money from new victims to pay earlier ones while continuously demanding additional investments with false excuses for delayed payouts. The Edmonton Police Service began investigating in 2022 after receiving multiple complaints from victims who were deceived by initial small withdrawals that made the
aarp.org
Debbie Crisp's mother, Donna, died suddenly in North Carolina, and while sorting through her belongings, Debbie's daughter discovered evidence that Donna had been the victim of a romance scam that stole over $400,000 from her. Donna had hidden this painful secret, leaving behind correspondence with the US Postal Inspection Service and a victim's advocate. A US Postal Inspector is now investigating the elaborate romance scam operation responsible for stealing millions from dozens of victims, with hopes of catching the ringleader and achieving justice for Donna and others affected.
theregister.com
Five romance scammers were convicted in the UK for operating a multimillion-pound fraud scheme that defrauded at least 99 victims out of an estimated £3.25 million ($4.22 million). The criminals posed as romantic interests on dating websites to build trust with vulnerable individuals—often recently divorced or widowed—and repeatedly scammed them until they had no money left, with proceeds laundered through the perpetrators' bank accounts. The case highlights the sophistication of romance fraud operations and emphasizes that victims should report incidents without shame, as such schemes exploit even intelligent individuals through well-honed manipulative tactics.
wtop.com
This educational article outlines major scams targeting older adults, including "pig butchering" (cryptocurrency investment fraud built through relationship manipulation), tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams (sometimes using AI voice cloning), and sweepstakes/lottery scams. The article advises seniors and their families to watch for red flags such as urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), poor grammar, and to have trusted individuals review any communication requesting personal information or payment before responding.
syracuse.com
In 2023, seniors in Onondaga County lost over $4.1 million to financial scams, with an average loss of $50,000 per person affecting at least 81 reported cases, according to FBI data. Common schemes include grandparent scams using voice-cloning and deepfake technology, fake tax/toll warnings, and gift card purchase requests. Governor Hochul has proposed legislation to empower bank employees to place temporary holds on suspected fraudulent transactions and create better coordination between banks, adult protective services, and law enforcement to prevent these crimes.
newportdispatch.com
Two Albany residents, Melissa D. Christie-Cameron, 30, and Naphtorley T. Wilson, 29, were arrested following a months-long investigation into a fraud scheme that resulted in significant financial losses to a local senior citizen, with the case first reported in October 2024. Both suspects were released on their own recognizance after arraignment in Menands Village Court, and police indicated that additional arrests may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.
justice.gov
Charles W. Lantzman, a 51-year-old Pittsburgh snow removal business owner, was found guilty of 5 counts of wire fraud and 3 counts of money laundering after defrauding customers by billing them for services never performed. Lantzman used over $10,000 in fraud proceeds to make mortgage payments, and faces sentencing on August 11, 2025, with potential penalties including up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $250,000 per wire fraud count.
ibtimes.co.uk
An 18-year-old aspiring mechanic from North Yorkshire, Kieron Mullins Bunn, died by suicide in February 2024 after falling victim to a financial scam; an inquest concluded that the emotional shock and financial panic from the scam directly contributed to his decision. The tragedy underscores the UK's escalating scam crisis, with one in five Britons (9 million people) victimized by financial scams in 2024, resulting in over £11.4 billion in total losses, with common schemes including investment fraud, fake debt assistance, and impersonation scams targeting people via social media.
cps.gov.uk
Five money launderers were convicted at Guildford Crown Court for operating a romance fraud scheme that defrauded 40 confirmed victims (with 99 suspected victims) of approximately £3.25 million. The criminals created fake dating profiles with fictional biographies to manipulate victims into believing they were in genuine relationships, then requested money for fabricated emergencies such as business trip expenses, fines, or stolen wallets. The stolen funds were laundered through the defendants' bank accounts, with victims often unable to recover their money and suffering significant emotional distress.
chroniclejournal.com
In February 2024, Melanie McGovern from Montreal's Better Business Bureau received a suspicious message from what appeared to be her 16-year-old niece's hacked Instagram account requesting money, alerting her to a rising tide of investment fraud in Canada. Investment scams—including impersonations via social media, deepfake voice calls, and fake cryptocurrency schemes—cost Canadians $310 million in 2024 (compared to $33.5 million in 2020), with victims losing a median of $5,000 per incident, though experts estimate 90-95% of cases go unreported. To protect themselves, Canadians should pause before responding to
english.kyodonews.net
Japan's yakuza membership fell to a record low of 18,800 in 2024, but authorities are increasingly confronting a new threat from anonymous criminal groups called "tokuryu" that conducted 10,105 profit-motivated crimes including fraud, robbery, and theft. These loosely-organized groups recruited over 3,900 members through social media with promises of illegal part-time work and orchestrated investment and romance scams that resulted in approximately 200 billion yen ($1.4 billion) in losses in 2024. While police have apprehended mid-level operatives, the highest-ranking leaders remain elusive, and some evidence suggests traditional yakuza organizations are profiting
news4sanantonio.com
William Richard Holliday was sentenced to 10 years in prison for elder fraud after being convicted of stealing an elderly man's identity and fraudulently opening multiple financial accounts in his name, including purchasing a Mercedes-Benz, leasing two apartments, and attempting to sell the victim's home. The maximum sentence was imposed to send a message that those who prey on seniors will face serious consequences.
caller.com
Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, a 34-year-old Dominican Republic citizen living in Cleveland, was indicted in Pennsylvania for operating a grandparent fraud scheme that defrauded at least five elderly victims (ages up to 91) of approximately $50,000 between June 2024 and January 2025. The scammers posed as victims' relatives and authority figures, convincing seniors to withdraw cash and hand it to unsuspecting rideshare drivers, who transported the envelopes to Ohio where Rodriguez collected and wired the funds to the Dominican Republic. This case reflects a growing trend in which elderly Americans lose an estimated $3.4 billion annually to grandparent sc
news.yahoo.com
On March 19, Simi Valley police arrested 21-year-old Ruishan Liu for his alleged role in a "large-scale" financial scam that defrauded an elderly resident of $200,000 by posing as bank representatives and convincing the victim to withdraw and hand over cash under the guise of a bank security measure. Liu was caught during a sting operation when he arrived to collect a decoy package of cash at an undisclosed location. The arrest highlights a growing trend of financial scams targeting vulnerable elderly victims through various methods including cryptocurrency and gift cards.
fox4now.com
Lee County Sheriff's Office reports a sharp rise in scams, with reported cases increasing from 1,588 in 2022 to 2,401 in 2024, with 60% of victims losing over $10,000. Common scams include impersonation of law enforcement demanding payment via untraceable methods like Bitcoin or gift cards, and wire fraud targeting title companies, with recent cases involving losses of $158,000 to $475,000. The department advises victims to check credit annually, verify caller information, and report suspected fraud, though recovery is difficult when funds are transferred overseas by predominantly non-U.S.-based scammers.
ckom.com
A 44-year-old Montreal woman was charged with three counts of fraud over $5,000 for her role in the "grandparent scam," in which she contacted seniors with fabricated emergencies involving family members and collected money from three Saskatoon victims between March 17-20. Additionally, a 54-year-old Saskatoon man was arrested for defrauding three victims of $30,000 total by selling fake tickets to sporting events and travel packages that were never booked or arranged.
bluewin.ch
Over a dozen senior citizens in Aargau, Switzerland were defrauded of CHF 272,000 through an elaborate telephone scam in which perpetrators impersonated police officers or prosecutors, claiming to investigate bank fraud and instructing victims to withdraw cash for a courier. A courier driver and an Aargau guardian who assisted in collecting the money were convicted; the man received three years' partial imprisonment and the woman received 14 months plus a fine of CHF 300 and damages of approximately CHF 50,000, though she was allowed to retain her guardianship position.
salon.com
American consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, the highest amount ever recorded, with fraudsters increasingly using AI to create convincing deepfakes and impersonation scams. Key fraud types include AI-driven impersonation, phishing emails, investment/cryptocurrency scams (which rose to $3.96 billion in losses), tech support scams, and romance scams (which caused $1.14 billion in losses with a median loss of $2,000 per victim). Consumers should watch for red flags such as rushed messages, inconsistencies, and suspicious email addresses to protect themselves from these evolving schemes.
jdsupra.com
The FCC has issued alerts about multiple common scams targeting consumers, including port-out fraud (where scammers use personal information to hijack mobile phone numbers and access financial accounts), grandparent scams (fraudsters impersonating relatives in crisis situations to solicit money), and spoofed mortgage relief calls (criminals posing as lenders to extract fraudulent payments). These scams leverage personal data from social media and cyber theft, use caller ID spoofing, and often request payment through hard-to-trace methods like wire transfers or gift cards.
newstalk.com
A bill is being introduced to make catfishing—the creation of fake online identities using stolen photographs to deceive others—illegal in Ireland. Currently, while catfishing is often used in romance scams that cause significant financial and emotional harm to victims, it is not itself a criminal offense, though it may be difficult to prosecute as identity fraud. Senator Fiona O'Loughlin is pushing for specific legislation to give law enforcement the tools needed to protect victims from this deceptive practice.
chicagotribune.com
Scammers are using fake text messages claiming unpaid tollway balances to steal personal and financial information through "smishing" (SMS phishing), with Illinois residents particularly targeted at rates higher than the national average. The fraudulent messages impersonate E-ZPass accounts and direct victims to fake websites; authorities warn consumers never to click links or reply to such messages, as the Illinois Tollway uses the I-PASS system instead. Americans lost 25% more money to fraud in the past year compared to 2023, with complaints in Illinois reaching 1,470 per 100,000 residents versus the national average of 1,215 per 100,000.
prnewswire.com
AARP Pennsylvania is warning residents aged 50 and older about rising IRS imposter scams during tax season, where criminals pose as IRS agents via phone, email, mail, or in-person contact to steal money and personal information. Government impersonation scams cost Americans over $394 million in 2023, a 63% increase from 2022, with scammers using threats, fake refund claims, and demands for untraceable payments like gift cards or cryptocurrency. To stay safe, residents should verify IRS contact through official channels (irs.gov), remember that the real IRS initiates contact by mail and rarely makes in-person visits, and report suspicious activity to
english.gujaratsamachar.com
A 67-year-old retired senior bank manager in Surat was kept under "digital arrest" for 48 days by fraudsters impersonating Delhi Crime Branch and CBI officials who convinced him he was involved in a ₹6.89 crore money laundering case. The scammers extorted ₹1.05 crore from the victim through multiple bank transfers by threatening legal action and sending fake official documents via WhatsApp. The victim discovered the fraud only after receiving an RBI awareness message about digital arrest scams and reported it to cybercrime authorities, who have registered an investigation.
cslea.com
Nitun "Nate" Dayalghai Ahir, 43, was arraigned in March 2025 on felony charges including unlicensed practice of medicine, fraudulent use of medical credentials, theft from an elder, and identity theft after operating at a Ventura spine clinic while falsely claiming to be a physician with specialties in neurology and neuropathy. The defendant allegedly used an elderly victim's personal information to fraudulently obtain a line of credit without consent and exploited a position of trust with the vulnerable adult. Ahir pleaded not guilty and remains free on $10,000 bail pending trial.
boston.com
Regina Henaku, a 33-year-old from Leominster, Massachusetts, was indicted on nine counts including larceny from elders and identity fraud for stealing approximately $28,000 from elderly patients between August and November 2024. She posed as a health care professional using stolen identities at five different facilities across Worcester and Middlesex counties, fraudulently using credit and debit cards from at least 11 patients over age 60 without their knowledge.
justice.gov
A 36-year-old Florida woman pleaded guilty to wire fraud for embezzling approximately $535,751 in customer cash down payments and deposits from a New Orleans car dealership where she worked as a senior accountant between November 2018 and May 2023. She concealed the theft by creating fake journal entries in the dealership's records and agreed to pay full restitution as part of her plea agreement. She faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing scheduled for June 25, 2025.
tech.yahoo.com
This educational article presents six tips to help seniors avoid scams, emphasizing the importance of listening without judgment, encouraging delays in responding to urgent requests, and leveraging anti-fraud resources like the FBI, AARP, and local senior centers. The piece notes that 90% of US adults aged 65 and older use the internet, making them targets for scammers who exploit their varying levels of technological comfort and social isolation.
pcmag.com
According to a 2024 Statista study, 90% of US adults aged 65 and older use the internet, making them frequent targets for online scams, particularly in states with older populations like Florida and Texas. The National Council on Aging recommends six protective strategies including listening without judgment, encouraging delayed responses to urgent-sounding messages, and involving anti-fraud organizations and peer networks to help vulnerable seniors recognize and avoid romance scams, crypto schemes, and other fraud.
spectrumlocalnews.com
Betty and Phil Runkle were defrauded by contractor Jeffrey Wackwitz, who took thousands of dollars for home renovation work that was never completed, leaving them in severe debt with a foreclosed home and repossessed vehicle. With assistance from the Center for Elder Law and Justice's multidisciplinary team, the couple pursued legal action; Wackwitz was convicted, sentenced to up to three years in prison, ordered to pay $60,000 in restitution (of which $8,000 was repaid), and issued a stay-away order. The case illustrates the importance of verifying contractor credentials and seeking help from elder fraud resources when exploited.
newsbreak.com
A man pleaded guilty in San Diego federal court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after targeting senior citizens in California and Arizona through a tech support scam scheme. Between June 2022 and June 2023, Jiaci Liu and his co-conspirators defrauded six victims—ranging from their mid-70s to 83 years old—of over $202,500 by using fake pop-up alerts claiming computer viruses, then posing as bank representatives to convince victims to withdraw cash. Liu was arrested in June 2023 outside a Poway resident's home after attempting to collect $28,000; he is scheduled for sentencing in June 2025.
justice.gov
Bradley Morgan Holts, a 54-year-old former financial advisor and stockbroker in Orange, Texas, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in March 2025 for deceiving investors. Holts created a fraudulent bank account posing as "Invesco Investment Texas" to solicit client funds intended for legitimate Invesco investments, which he then misappropriated for personal use. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison at sentencing.
states.aarp.org
Candice Trees, a 71-year-old Illinois retiree, lost $12,000 in a romance scam after developing an online relationship with a man claiming to work abroad who eventually asked to borrow money. In 2024, over 71,000 Illinois consumers reported fraud cases totaling $318.1 million, prompting AARP Illinois to expand prevention efforts through monthly educational programs and advocacy for stricter cryptocurrency ATM regulations, as losses from crypto-related scams topped $65 million nationally in the first half of 2024 with seniors disproportionately affected.