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cryptopolitan.com
· 2025-12-08
Dennis Nguyen, an Australian banker, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment after stealing AUD 489,000 from customers across multiple banks between 2021 and 2022. After losing AUD 20,000 to a crypto scam himself, Nguyen used his banking knowledge to execute sophisticated fraud schemes, including stealing customer data to create fake accounts, impersonating a bank manager online, and deliberately targeting vulnerable customers including one with multiple sclerosis. He pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud and three counts of theft, with banks reimbursing most victims during investigation.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters in India are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics—including AI-powered targeting—to deceive people across all age groups, with scams ranging from fake job offers and digital arrest threats to fraudulent investment schemes and fake KYC updates. Between January and May 2024, approximately 9.5 lakh cybercrime complaints were registered in India, with citizens losing approximately Rs 1,750 crore during this period. The article outlines 10 common scam methods including TRAI impersonation, fake digital arrests, false family member arrest schemes, fraudulent stock trading, customs scams, and fake credit card transactions, emphasizing the importance of verification and caution before sharing
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost an estimated $47 billion to scams in 2024, with investment fraud accounting for at least $5.7 billion of those losses. Contrary to common assumptions, younger adults are 34% more likely than older adults to fall victim to fraud, which takes multiple forms including impostor scams using AI voice cloning, lottery/prize schemes, and phishing attempts. To protect yourself, watch for red flags such as unsolicited contact, pressure to act quickly, promises of guaranteed returns, unusual payment requests, and demands for login credentials—and always independently verify investment opportunities through official resources like the SEC's EDGAR database before committing funds.
techbullion.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency losses totaling millions of dollars annually occur through investment scams, romance scams, phishing attacks, exchange hacks, and accidental transfers, with blockchain's immutable nature making recovery extremely difficult. Tawny Swift Ltd has positioned itself as a specialized cryptocurrency recovery service in the United States, utilizing advanced blockchain analytics, forensic techniques, and data-driven investigations to trace and potentially recover lost digital assets. The firm's focus exclusively on crypto recovery and commitment to modernizing its tools and strategies distinguishes it in addressing a growing crisis that exceeds conventional law enforcement capabilities.
journalnews.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
Meta platforms Instagram and Facebook are experiencing a surge in scams operated by international fraud rings from China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Philippines, with an internal Meta analysis revealing that 70% of newly active advertisers promote scams or low-quality products. Common scam tactics include phishing, fake giveaways, investment schemes, romance scams, fraudulent job offers, and sextortion, which exploit urgency and emotional manipulation to deceive users. Despite recognizing the problem, Meta has deprioritized scam enforcement, allowing repeat offenders to accumulate multiple violations before facing consequences.
mb.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
Meta platforms (Instagram and Facebook) are experiencing a surge in scams operated by fraud rings in China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Philippines, with internal Meta analysis showing 70 percent of newly active advertisers promoting scams or low-quality products. Despite recognizing the problem, Meta has deprioritized scam enforcement, allowing repeat offenders to accumulate violations before facing consequences. Common scam tactics include phishing, fake giveaways, investment/crypto schemes, romance scams, fake job offers, and sextortion, which exploit urgency and emotional manipulation to deceive users.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
An 81-year-old resident of Surat was defrauded of Rs 16.65 lakh in a "digital arrest" scam in which imposters posing as Delhi Police and senior government officials claimed he was involved in money laundering through a fraudulent bank account. The scammers used video calls, forged government documents with fake Supreme Court warrants and multiple agency seals, and fabricated detainee names to pressure the victim into liquidating a fixed deposit, promising a 15-minute refund that never occurred. The fraud was discovered when his daughter intervened, leading to a police complaint filed in May with the Surat Cyber Crime Police, who are investigating
mondaq.com
· 2025-12-08
This article does not relate to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It discusses the U.S. Department of Justice's 2025 white-collar crime enforcement strategy, focusing on trade violations, tariff evasion, sanctions evasion, and export controls—primarily targeting Chinese imports and activities. This content is outside the scope of the Elderus elder fraud research database.
emerj.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial institutions face mounting operational costs and resource challenges in combating cybercrime, which surged to 859,532 complaints and $16.6 billion in losses in 2024 according to the FBI. Effective fraud prevention requires sophisticated technology and stronger public-private collaboration between banks and law enforcement, as current anti-money laundering efforts are hindered by poor information-sharing and unclear coordination frameworks. The article emphasizes that banks must adopt holistic, data-driven approaches to suspicious activity detection while governments and regulators improve alignment to reduce conflicting compliance expectations.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Eight individuals with ties to China, including 24-year-old Fangzheng Wang of Massachusetts, were indicted in a transnational elder fraud scheme that victimized approximately 300 people across at least 37 U.S. and Canadian states. The conspiracy used pop-up messages impersonating technology companies and government agencies (FTC, Federal Reserve) to convince seniors their financial accounts were compromised, then persuaded victims to transfer funds via wire, cryptocurrency, or cash to accounts controlled by the scammers, resulting in confirmed losses exceeding $5 million with an additional $16 million in suspected laundered funds identified. All eight defendants have been arrested and remain in federal custody
journee-mondiale.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors lost $3.4 billion to financial scams in 2023, with projections approaching $5 billion by 2025, as scammers increasingly employ AI-powered tactics including voice cloning and deepfakes to impersonate family members and financial advisors. Criminal schemes now commonly target vulnerable retirees through urgent money transfer requests, fake family emergencies, and cryptocurrency demands that are nearly impossible to recover. Protective measures include establishing trusted family financial guardians, recognizing red flags such as pressure for secrecy and unrealistic investment promises, and maintaining regular communication with seniors to prevent exploitation.
boston25news.com
· 2025-12-08
Eight individuals with ties to China have been indicted for operating a transnational elder fraud scheme that victimized approximately 300 seniors across at least 37 states and Canada, with confirmed losses exceeding $5 million and suspected laundered funds totaling around $16 million. The scammers used fake pop-up messages impersonating technology companies and government agencies to trick elderly victims into transferring funds via wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or cash purchases of gold bars to accounts controlled by the fraudsters. Fangzheng Wang, a 24-year-old Chinese national in Massachusetts, was among the eight defendants arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and related offenses.
abc3340.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Chinese nationals were sentenced to federal prison (24-60 months) in April for operating a sophisticated gift card fraud scheme that targeted both elderly individuals through fake online romance scams and unsuspecting shoppers. The criminals stole gift card codes by removing security covers, purchased high-value electronics (primarily Apple products), and shipped them to China for resale, generating hundreds of millions in profits across multiple locations. Consumers are advised to inspect gift cards for tampering before purchase and avoid sending money or gift cards to unknown online contacts.
kalingatv.com
· 2025-12-08
A man from Bhubaneswar, Odisha lost Rs 20 lakh after a fraudster promised to help him set up an IndianOil fuel station and then disappeared with his cheque. Satish Kumar from Bihar was arrested by Bhubaneswar's Cyber Crime Police following a coordinated raid, and authorities recovered mobile phones, laptops, and banking documents from his possession. The investigation is ongoing.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The digital arrest scam is a sophisticated fraud tactic where scammers impersonate police officers via spoofed phone numbers to accuse victims of crimes and demand immediate payment or banking information under threat of arrest. The scam exploits psychological manipulation through fear, urgency, and perceived authority, and has successfully targeted thousands of people including tech-savvy and educated individuals who fall victim due to panic and confusion created by high-pressure tactics and fake police station backdrops. Authorities recommend victims verify caller identity independently and never share personal or financial information over unsolicited calls.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Marin County Sheriff's deputies arrested Zian Hu and Balraj Singh in connection with FBI impersonation scams in which criminals posed as federal agents over the phone, convincing victims their bank accounts were under investigation and instructing them to withdraw cash for deposit in a "safe Federal bank account" via courier. One Marin County elder victim lost $25,000 in February 2024 when Hu, acting as a courier, picked up the withdrawn cash from their home; Singh was arrested attempting a similar scheme to collect $50,000 from another resident. Hu was charged with grand theft, elder abuse, and conspiracy, while Singh faced charges of attempted grand theft, attempted elder
cslea.com
· 2025-12-08
A San Diego dermatologist was charged with 22 felony counts of healthcare insurance fraud and Medi-Cal fraud totaling $1,386,995 for billing Medi-Cal for services never rendered, including false claims for light therapy treatments on up to 233 patients daily. The investigation revealed the dermatologist falsely billed for identical or comparable services, with most patients receiving non-medical lamp treatments rather than legitimate medical care. The case was prosecuted by the California Attorney General's office with assistance from the FBI, California Department of Healthcare Services, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
illinoisanswers.org
· 2025-12-08
LaShon Minter Williams faces losing her family's Chicago home after her grandmother, Louise Minter, was defrauded into a reverse mortgage in 2012 by convicted scammer Mark Diamond, who promised home repairs that never materialized. Diamond, sentenced to over 17 years in prison in January, specifically targeted vulnerable senior homeowners on Chicago's South and West sides; the scheme depleted the home's equity, and now Williams must either pay off the loan or vacate the property she has lived in since age 2. Reverse mortgages, while potentially helpful for seniors needing income for repairs, can prevent wealth transfer to heirs and are difficult to pay off, particularly impacting
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Allen Brown, 41, of Augusta, Georgia, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for operating a "ghost" tax preparation business in 2022-2023 that falsified 63 federal income tax returns, resulting in $1,003,631 in fraudulent refunds to clients. Brown and his associates fabricated income and deductions without clients' knowledge, offered tiered fraud schemes ("Standard" and "I'm Not Scared" options yielding $2,000-$30,000 in false refunds), and charged clients 10% fees while withholding copies of filed returns. Brown faces up to 20 years in prison, supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties upon
mayerbrown.com
· 2025-12-08
On May 22, 2025, the US Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Kousisis v. United States that defendants can be convicted of wire fraud for making material misrepresentations to induce a victim into a transaction, even if the victim suffers no actual economic loss. The case involved contractors who fraudulently misrepresented their use of a disadvantaged business enterprise to secure over $20 million in government contracts for bridge and train station restoration in Philadelphia, despite completing the work satisfactorily. The decision clarifies that wire fraud prosecutions require proof of deception and material misrepresentation but not financial loss, and aligns with the DOJ's recent enforcement priorities including elder frau
firststateupdate.com
· 2025-12-08
A New York man pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud conspiracy charges for his role in a nationwide elder fraud scheme that defrauded victims of over $2.1 million between May 2023 and May 2024. The scheme involved posing as federal agents to convince elderly victims that their identities were compromised, then instructing them to liquidate savings and convert funds into cash or gold bars, which the conspirators collected in person. Rakeshkumar Patel, 36, was arrested near Millsboro, Delaware in May 2024 and faces more than five years in federal prison upon sentencing.
kcbx.org
· 2025-12-08
Investment advisor Julie Anne Darrah of Santa Maria was sentenced to over 10 years in federal prison for embezzling approximately $2.25 million from elderly clients between 2016 and 2023. Darrah secretly transferred client assets into accounts she controlled and spent the funds on properties, luxury cars, and personal expenses, leaving some victims unable to afford end-of-life care and causing significant financial crisis. She pleaded guilty to wire fraud in March 2023 after the SEC filed a civil complaint, and her employer also suffered losses exceeding $5 million.
yourvalley.net
· 2025-12-08
Benevilla hosted a free "Fraud Prevention for Seniors" workshop led by Dan Pressler of NeighborCare on June 5 in Sun City, designed to help older adults recognize and avoid common scams targeting them. The session provided practical guidance on spotting red flags in financial and phone scams, protecting personal and financial information, and taking steps if fraudulent activity is suspected.
pennwatch.org
· 2025-12-08
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is conducting educational outreach events throughout June 2024 to help seniors, service providers, and the general public recognize and avoid scams, fraud, and identity theft. The programs include interactive presentations such as "Fraud BINGO," "$camJam" (featuring law enforcement and state agency experts), senior expos, and sessions on common scam tactics, offered at various locations across Pennsylvania at no cost to attendees.
dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers targeting senior citizens on Long Island impersonated banks to convince victims their accounts were compromised, then fraudulently obtained their debit and credit cards and PINs before stealing money from ATMs. Suffolk County police advised seniors to avoid answering unknown calls, never provide personal information or PINs to callers, and to independently verify any account security claims by calling the number on the back of their card.
wsoctv.com
· 2025-12-08
Social engineering and AI-powered fraud are among the top cybersecurity threats of 2025, with scammers now using deepfakes, hyper-personalized phishing, and AI automation to make deception more convincing and targeted than ever. Adults aged 60 and older reported the highest losses in 2024 at over $4.8 billion (up 43% from 2023), with phishing/spoofing and tech support scams hitting this demographic hardest, while investment fraud alone caused $6.57 billion in losses and cryptocurrency fraud reached $9.3 billion. To protect against these evolving threats, individuals and organizations should employ straightforward defense strategies including
wgauradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Social engineering and AI-powered fraud are recognized as major cybersecurity threats in 2025, with scammers increasingly using deepfakes, hyper-personalized phishing, and automation to deceive victims at scale. Adults 60 and older reported the highest losses in 2024 at over $4.8 billion (up 43% from 2023), particularly falling victim to phishing/spoofing and tech support scams, while investment fraud caused $6.57 billion and cryptocurrency fraud reached $9.3 billion in total losses. The article emphasizes that while classic scam methods like phishing and business email compromise remain dominant, AI technology is making
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
The Fremont Police Department reported a rise in medical impersonation scams where callers pretend to be healthcare providers and demand immediate payment or sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers and insurance details from residents. Scammers use tactics like spoofed phone numbers, medical terminology, threats of arrest or coverage termination, and requests for payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers to appear legitimate. Residents are advised to be cautious of unexpected medical calls and recognize red flags such as pressure to act quickly or demands for personal data.
wtap.com
· 2025-12-08
The Parkersburg Police Department reported a significant rise in bitcoin scams using tactics such as phishing, romance scams, and fake law enforcement threats claiming outstanding warrants. Once victims send money to bitcoin machines, the funds are transferred overseas to criminals with no possibility of recovery. The department advises against sharing financial information with unknown contacts, investing based on online advice, and emphasizes that legitimate law enforcement will never request bitcoin payments for fines.
moneyweek.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, fraudsters stole £144.4 million through investment fraud in the UK—a 34% increase from 2023—despite a 24% reduction in the number of cases, indicating victims are losing larger amounts per scam. Investment fraud involves criminals convincing victims to invest in fictitious funds or fake opportunities (cryptocurrencies, property, commodities, etc.), often amplified through AI deepfaking on social media. Overall UK fraud losses reached £1.17 billion across 3.31 million confirmed cases in 2024, with unauthorised fraud (particularly card fraud and remote purchase fraud) being the most prevalent type.
bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A senior citizen in Bengaluru lost Rs 4.7 crore to scammers who impersonated bank officials, government agencies, and judiciary members in a "digital arrest" fraud scheme spanning two months. The fraudsters used psychological manipulation, fear tactics, and fake WhatsApp video calls to convince the victim they were under investigation for money laundering and could not contact family or leave home. This marks the third similar case reported in the city within one week, highlighting gaps in awareness initiatives despite efforts by police and banks to educate the public about such scams.
pa.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is hosting multiple free educational events throughout June 2024 aimed at seniors, service providers, and the general public to help them avoid scams, detect fraud, and prevent identity theft. Events include interactive presentations such as "Fraud BINGO" and "$camJam" held at senior centers and community locations across Pennsylvania, with Pennsylvanians encouraged to report scams via 1-866-PACOMPLAINT or pa.gov/consumer.
atmorenews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Atmore Police Department issued a reminder that financial fraud occurs every 15 seconds in the United States, with scammers using personal information obtained through phishing, mail, and social connections to deceive victims of all ages. The department is offering a Senior Citizen Financial Fraud PowerPoint presentation to community groups, civic organizations, and churches that provides prevention tools, best practices, and guidance for fraud victims. Interested organizations can contact Sgt. Darrell McMann to schedule the presentation.
rollingstone.com
· 2025-12-08
In July 2023, Priscilla Presley, then 77, filed a lawsuit claiming she was defrauded of over $1 million by Florida memorabilia dealer Brigitte Kruse through a "meticulously planned" elder-abuse scheme involving unconscionable contracts that gave Kruse control of her finances and publicity rights. A newly surfaced video from a January 2023 document-signing session shows Presley stating she had not read the contracts and appeared to trust Kruse, though she also confirmed signing of her own free will—evidence that complicates both sides' legal arguments in this ongoing contentious dispute.
plansponsor.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, U.S. financial fraud losses reached $10 billion (up 14% from 2022), with investment scams accounting for $4.6 billion of that total and representing the fastest-growing fraud category at 21% year-over-year growth. The article provides plan sponsors and participants with resources and tools to identify vulnerable individuals, detect cognitive decline, and report financial fraud to protect retirement plan assets.
patriotledger.com
· 2025-12-08
Tom Clasby, former head of Quincy's Elder Services Department, is expected to reach a plea deal in September for embezzling over $120,000 in cash and goods from the department he oversaw from 1997 to 2024. Clasby used various schemes to steal the money, including funneling city funds through a friend's consulting company and stealing cash receipts from the senior center, spending embezzled funds on personal items such as steak tips, a self-portrait, and music recordings. He was arrested in January and fired by Mayor Tom Koch in May 2024 after decades of friendship.
lsj.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Transnational organized crime groups operating "scam factories" in Southeast Asian countries (Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia) force trafficked workers into sophisticated multilingual fraud operations targeting international victims. Between January 2024 and February 2025, Australia lost $384.2 million to scams, with investment scams causing the largest losses ($225.7 million), while over 300,000 people are estimated to be forced laborers in scam operations across the Mekong region, generating approximately $43.8 billion annually for criminal enterprises. These operations employ advanced technologies including deepfakes and AI language models to impersonate authority figures and craft convincing fraud scripts.
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors are increasingly targeted in cryptocurrency scams because scammers view them as wealthy, trusting, and less technologically savvy, exploiting the irreversible nature of crypto transactions and victims' reluctance to report fraud. The FTC reports growing losses from crypto investment fraud, romance scams, and government impersonation, with seniors in Beaufort County, South Carolina alone losing over $3.1 million in 2024, while sophisticated schemes using AI voice cloning and fake websites are becoming more prevalent. Examples include British pensioners losing hundreds of thousands to romance fraud operations in Cambodia, Minnesota crypto ATM scams that cost over $189 million in 2023, and government impersonation
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Nadine Jazimne Wade, a 30-year-old Bronx resident, was sentenced to 63 months in prison for laundering over $2 million in proceeds from romance scams targeting elderly victims across the United States between 2016 and 2021. Scammers based in Nigeria and South Africa used fake identities to build romantic relationships with victims online, then convinced them to send money to bank accounts controlled by Wade, who rapidly moved the funds through cash withdrawals, vehicle purchases, and transfers to other scheme members. Wade was ordered to pay $1,772,618 in restitution and forfeit $2,261,791.
plansponsor.com
· 2025-12-08
This article presents resources and statistics on financial fraud affecting retirement plan participants. In 2023, nationwide financial fraud losses exceeded $10 billion (up 14% from 2022), with investment scams accounting for over $4.6 billion of those losses—the largest category. The piece curates tools and educational resources from government agencies and medical institutions to help plan sponsors and participants identify fraud vulnerabilities, recognize signs of cognitive decline, and report fraudulent activity.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Nearly 7,500 AARP members and New Yorkers delivered letters to state legislative leaders urging support for bills (S.6379 and A.7019) to protect older adults from financial exploitation, following an FBI report showing scams targeting New Yorkers age 60+ resulted in over $257 million in losses from more than 6,200 victims in 2024—a significant increase from $203 million in 2023. The proposed legislation would require bank employees to identify signs of financial exploitation, place holds on suspicious transactions, and refer cases to law enforcement. AARP is calling on lawmakers to pass this measure before the 2025 legislative session ends in June
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
A Ghanaian man identified as Dada Joe (Nana Kojo Boateng) was arrested by Ghana's Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) in collaboration with the FBI on allegations of romance fraud and cybercrime. The suspect faces potential extradition to the United States for prosecution in what represents part of an international effort to combat transnational romance scams that target vulnerable individuals for financial exploitation.
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
A Ghanaian man known as Dada Joe (Nana Kojo Boateng) was arrested by Ghana's Economic and Organized Crime Office in collaboration with the FBI for alleged involvement in romance fraud and cybercrime. The suspect may face extradition to the U.S. for prosecution, marking part of an international effort to combat transnational romance scams that target vulnerable individuals by building fake online relationships to extract money from victims.
freep.com
· 2025-12-08
Beginning in June, the federal government will resume aggressive collection of defaulted student loans, offsetting up to 15% of Social Security benefits (with $750 monthly protected) and garnishing up to 15% of wages for approximately 5.3 million borrowers. This financial crackdown is expected to trigger a surge in student loan scams, with fraudsters using unsolicited calls, texts, and emails to target vulnerable borrowers with offers of fake debt relief in exchange for upfront fees or to charge them for free services like income-driven repayment plans available directly through StudentAid.gov.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common cryptocurrency scams and protection strategies. According to the FBI, crypto fraud losses surged 45% year-over-year to $5.6 billion in 2023 based on 69,000 complaints, with scams ranging from phishing attacks to fake ICOs and rug pulls. The article advises crypto investors to verify website URLs, enable two-factor authentication, and remain vigilant about suspicious links and messages to protect their digital assets.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-08
According to a Federal Reserve survey on U.S. household economic well-being, more than one in five adults experienced financial fraud or scams in 2024, with older adults (ages 45+) significantly more vulnerable than younger individuals. Credit card fraud was the most common type of fraud at 17% of respondents, while non-credit-card fraud affected 8% of adults and resulted in an estimated $84 billion in losses, with roughly one-third of victims unable to recover their money.
wxii12.com
· 2025-12-08
Government impersonation scams stole $789 million in 2024, with scammers now using fake FTC agent credentials and badges to target victims through urgent alerts about viruses, compromised accounts, or identity theft, then pressuring them to transfer money. The FTC warns it has no agents and never requests money transfers, advising victims to verify claims by contacting their banks directly using official numbers and to report suspected scams at ReportFraud.FTC.gov.
home.treasury.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned Funnull Technology Inc., a Philippines-based company that provided computer infrastructure supporting hundreds of thousands of "pig butchering" virtual currency investment scam websites, resulting in over $200 million in reported U.S. losses. These sophisticated scams, often perpetrated by Southeast Asian criminal organizations using trafficked workers, deceive victims into fake investment platforms through elaborate romantic or trust-based schemes, with average individual losses exceeding $150,000. The FBI is publishing a cybersecurity advisory with technical details to help the private sector identify and dismantle Funnull-associated websites.
waff.com
· 2025-12-08
A Morgan County woman lost $813,000 to a phone scam between January and May in which a caller impersonated law enforcement and claimed she had an arrest warrant, demanding payment to resolve the matter. The scammer continued calling and extracting money after the victim's initial payment, making this the largest fraud case Morgan County Sheriff's Office has ever documented. Officials advise that legitimate law enforcement never calls about warrants or missed jury duty and recommend treating all unsolicited calls with suspicion and hanging up if fraud is suspected.
theledger.com
· 2025-12-08
A Palm Beach County couple based in Westlake was arrested in May for operating a "SIM swap" scam that targeted at least 50+ victims across the United States. The scheme involved tricking victims into transferring their phone numbers to different carriers, which allowed the scammers to bypass two-factor authentication and gain unauthorized access to bank accounts and email—in the documented case, they stole $1,500 in cash and attempted to wire transfer over $200,000 from a single victim. SIM swapping complaints have decreased from a peak of 2,026 cases in 2022 (with $72.6 million in losses) to 982