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justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Tracie L. Mixon of Hammond, Louisiana was sentenced to two years in prison on May 27, 2025, for making false statements to obtain a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan under the CARES Act. Mixon falsely claimed on an SBA form in February 2021 that she had no prior federal fraud convictions, despite having previously pleaded guilty to student loan fraud and mail fraud involving stolen identities. She was ordered to pay $31,000 in restitution and faces three years of supervised release.
wltx.com
· 2025-12-08
A South Carolina couple, Larry Darnell Broadnax Jr. and Charmaine D. Broadnax, were arrested for stealing over $10,000 from a vulnerable adult through unauthorized Cash App transfers and checks; Broadnax Jr., acting as power of attorney, misappropriated funds for personal use while his co-defendant linked her account to the victim's bank account to withdraw an additional $10,000. Both face exploitation of vulnerable adult charges carrying up to five years in prison, with additional charges against each defendant potentially resulting in sentences up to 10 years.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Gavin Butters, 27, was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison for courier fraud targeting elderly people across eight UK areas, stealing over £50,000. Butters impersonated police officers and bank investigators in phone calls, convincing victims to hand over cash, bank cards, and jewellery, then collected the items in person; in one case, he used a victim's three bank cards to purchase £5,896 worth of iPhones.
tucson.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial scams targeting seniors (age 60+) have increased significantly in the digital age, leading the U.S. Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative to educate older adults about common fraud schemes. The article describes four prevalent scams targeting seniors: Social Security Administration impostor scams (using caller ID spoofing to demand money be moved to gift cards), tech support scams (falsely claiming viruses exist and requesting remote device access to steal information), lottery scams (claiming winners owe fees until funds are depleted), and romance scams (using dating sites to manipulate victims into sending money).
massretirees.com
· 2025-12-08
law.georgia.gov
· 2025-12-08
During May 2025's Older Americans Month, Georgia's Attorney General Consumer Protection Division reached over 1,300 seniors to educate them on recognizing, preventing, and reporting financial abuse and exploitation. The division highlighted common scams targeting older adults—including government imposter schemes, investment/cryptocurrency fraud, and romance scams—and provided resources such as their free "Georgia Consumer Protection Guide for Older Adults" (available in English, Spanish, and Korean) along with reporting contacts for suspected financial abuse.
whio.com
· 2025-12-08
This article explores the legal landscape of scams and fraud, explaining that while scamming is generally illegal, some deceptive practices exist in legal gray areas by technically offering a service or relying on consumer awareness. The article discusses how scammers exploit loopholes—such as with carnival games and deceptive solicitations (like fake domain renewal notices)—by staying vague about their offerings and not explicitly making false promises, allowing them to operate despite feeling fraudulent to consumers. The key takeaway is that scamming tactics are increasingly sophisticated and difficult to distinguish from legitimate services, making consumer vigilance essential.
cbs12.com
· 2025-12-08
A 29-year-old Palm Beach County woman was arrested for orchestrating a SIM-swap fraud scheme that victimized over 50 people nationwide, including a 75-year-old Palm Beach man who lost over $200,000. The suspect used social engineering tactics to obtain verification codes, hijack phone numbers by porting them to different carriers, and gain unauthorized access to victims' bank accounts, email, and Apple accounts to commit wire fraud and theft. Investigators discovered a notebook with personal information of 50+ victims and over $15,000 in proceeds at her home.
news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania residents are receiving scam text messages impersonating state agencies including the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, Department of Motor Vehicles, and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, claiming outstanding traffic tickets or toll fees require immediate payment via links or gift cards. The scammers threaten fictitious penalties such as license suspension, criminal prosecution, and credit damage to pressure victims into sending money through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. State authorities advise recipients to ignore suspicious links, never provide personal information, and report such messages to local police or the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office, emphasizing that legitimate state agencies never solicit payment via text message.
limerickleader.ie
· 2025-12-08
AIB has issued a warning to Irish customers about an ongoing threat of text message and phone call fraud, with reports of people being scammed through impersonation of legitimate institutions. The bank's Financial Crime Prevention team advised customers to avoid clicking suspicious links, never share login details or PINs, and to hang up and call back on trusted numbers if receiving unexpected calls. AIB encourages victims to report fraud through their website security center or contact their 24/7 fraud support line.
garhwalpost.in
· 2025-12-08
An investigation into a Haridwar Municipal Corporation land deal worth Rs 54 crores found significant irregularities, including illegal land use conversion from agricultural to commercial within just 20 days, bypassing mandatory committees and procedures, and price inflation from approximately Rs 15 crore to Rs 54 crore. IAS officer Ranveer Singh Chauhan's report named three senior officials—Haridwar DM Karmendra Singh, then Municipal Administrator Varun Chaudhary, and SDM Ajayveer Singh—as culpable for violating government norms and recommended disciplinary action. The government now faces pressure to act on the findings, as
timesobserver.com
· 2025-12-08
Lacy G. Abraham, a 39-year-old in-home caregiver in Warren, was charged with second-degree felony forgery and financial exploitation after stealing approximately $1,750 from an elderly client between October 2023 and May 2024, including forging checks and misappropriating a beneficiary check. The victim's financial harm was severe enough to cause her bank to close her checking account, and the case was initiated by the Area Agency on Aging in October 2024. Abraham was jailed with bail set at $25,000 after admitting during police interviews to cashing checks she kept for personal use rather than their intended purposes.
columbiamagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary for the Elderus database based on this content. This article reports on a tornado-related death and emergency response in Washington County, Kentucky—it does not involve elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. This material falls outside the scope of elder fraud documentation.
troopers.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The New York State Police warned of an ongoing phone spoofing scam in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement or government officials to extract sensitive personal information like Social Security numbers from victims, often threatening arrest or legal action. Legitimate government agencies never demand personal information or threaten consequences over the phone; recipients should hang up immediately, avoid sharing any data, and verify calls by contacting agencies directly using trusted numbers.
timesfreepress.com
· 2025-12-08
A phishing scam uses intimidating phone calls impersonating process servers, debt collectors, or police officers to pressure victims into immediate payment or provide personal information. The scam exploits common fears about legal consequences and debts to manipulate targets into compliance.
fingerlakes1.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York State Police warned residents about an escalating phone spoofing scam in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement through spoofed caller IDs, threatening legal action or arrest to coerce victims into revealing Social Security numbers and personal information. The scam exploits fear-based tactics and technology that manipulates caller ID displays; authorities emphasize that legitimate law enforcement never demands personal details or threatens arrests by phone. Residents are advised to hang up immediately on suspicious calls, verify caller identity through official agency numbers, and report incidents to the New York State Police.
e.vnexpress.net
· 2025-12-08
Sixteen foreign nationals (eleven Filipinos, two Chinese, one Malaysian, and one Indonesian) were sentenced in Lagos to one year in prison and fines of one million naira (US$629.50) each after pleading guilty to recruiting young Nigerians for identity theft and impersonation schemes. The international cybercrime syndicate used Nigerian accomplices to conduct phishing scams targeting victims in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, with confiscated devices forfeited to the Nigerian government.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Las Vegas police arrested 12 people involved in a $3 million courier scam that defrauded 24 victims who were tricked by fake security alerts into handing cash to fraudsters posing as couriers. Victims received spoofed emails, texts, or pop-ups mimicking banks or tech companies, convincing them their accounts or computers were compromised, then directed to give large sums to fake "security couriers" for safekeeping. Police urge additional victims to come forward immediately and recommend victims file reports with law enforcement and the FTC, freeze credit, update passwords, and monitor accounts.
whec.com
· 2025-12-08
New York State Police warned of a phone scam in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement or government officials, using spoofing technology to make calls appear legitimate while demanding Social Security numbers and personal information under threats of arrest. State Police clarified that legitimate agencies never request sensitive information or threaten legal action by phone.
vietnamnet.vn
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using affordable AI-generated deepfake technology (costing as little as $25-30) to impersonate authorities, executives, and romantic interests in fraud schemes, with documented losses reaching tens of millions of dollars. The technology requires only a single photo and 20-30 second audio clip to create convincing fake videos, and criminals are automating attacks to target thousands of victims daily through social media platforms. Users can reduce their vulnerability by restricting photo visibility and friend lists on social networks, verifying video callers through lip-sync checks or physical actions, and exercising caution when sharing personal information online.
tvblackbox.com.au
· 2025-12-08
This article announces an upcoming Amazon Prime Video docuseries about Jason Porter, a Toronto-based convicted con artist who conducted romance scams targeting multiple victims over several years. The two-part series follows real estate broker Heather Rovet, who discovered her three-year relationship with "Jace" was actually a scam perpetrated by Porter, as she transforms into an investigator connecting with other victims to expose his pattern of manipulation and pursue justice. The docuseries premieres June 13 and features survivor interviews, archival footage, and reconstructions documenting Porter's sophisticated dating scams and their impact on his victims.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
April Elick, 43, of Bluefield, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to stealing $84,000 in COVID-19 relief funds, including two Paycheck Protection Program loans totaling $14,520 and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan of $69,700, which she obtained by falsely claiming the money was for her home healthcare business. Elick admitted to converting the funds for personal use, including approximately $30,560 in cash withdrawals, $16,350 in digital wallet transfers, and $8,290 in purchases across multiple states. She faces sentencing on September 8, 2025, with a maximum penalty of 10
tampafp.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida law enforcement launched a coordinated crackdown on scams perpetrated by incarcerated individuals using contraband technology to defraud seniors. Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that recent correctional facility inspections confiscated "dozens and dozens of devices" and revealed victims have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars, including one 92-year-old who lost over $800,000 over two years. Law enforcement urged seniors to monitor their finances closely and avoid trusting unsolicited callers, while pledging to work with the Department of Corrections to prevent criminal activity from continuing behind bars.
metrophiladelphia.com
· 2025-12-08
A 36-year-old fiscal liaison at Community Options Inc., a nonprofit serving people with disabilities, stole over $103,000 from 15 Philadelphia seniors over a six-year period by issuing unauthorized checks, forging signatures, and withdrawing funds from clients' accounts. The fraud was discovered during an audit after the employee, Quay Fetherson of Bensalem, left the organization in 2023, and he was arrested and charged with 15 counts of financial exploitation of a care-dependent person, identity theft, theft, and forgery.
whyy.org
· 2025-12-08
A Delaware woman lost $701,529 in gold bars between August 2023 and February 2024 after scammers posing as federal agents claimed her identity had been stolen and she was under investigation; they told her the Treasury would safeguard gold bars she purchased to resolve the matter. When authorities caught the scheme, they arrested Rakeshkumar Patel, an Indian national illegally residing in New York, who pleaded guilty after attempting to collect an additional $300,000 in gold in May 2024. The scam was part of a larger fraud operation targeting older affluent adults across Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, with a combined loss of $2.1
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Blue Shield of California launched a Medicare Fraud Prevention Week campaign alerting seniors to common scams including unsolicited medical supplies, phantom billing, impersonation schemes, and AI-driven fraud, noting that the U.S. Department of Justice charged 193 individuals in 2024 for healthcare fraud involving over $2.75 billion in false claims. The health plan established a Special Investigations Unit and online reporting portal to detect fraud, and encourages members to review statements carefully, protect personal information, and report suspicious activity through their fraud hotline at (855) 331-4894.
news.blueshieldca.com
· 2025-12-08
Blue Shield of California launched educational initiatives during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week to combat rising healthcare fraud targeting seniors, noting that the U.S. Department of Justice charged 193 individuals in 2024 for schemes involving over $2.75 billion in false claims. The health plan highlighted prevalent scams including unsolicited medical supplies, impersonation schemes, phantom billing, and AI-driven fraud, and encouraged members to review statements carefully, protect personal information, and report suspicious activity to their health plan's Special Investigations Unit.
wisbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment and cryptocurrency scams remain the riskiest threat for adults 55+, followed by online purchase scams and romance scams for specific age groups, according to the BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report. The article provides practical prevention strategies including: avoiding unsolicited callers (especially those claiming to be government agents or bank employees), recognizing red flags like pressure to act or unusual payment requests, hiring only licensed contractors through verified sources, remaining alert to emergency/grandchild scams, and hanging up on calls about "free" medical equipment or government impersonations. Key advice emphasizes registering with the National Do-Not-Call Registry, verifying unexpected claims through official sources, and maintaining healthy
expressvpn.com
· 2025-12-08
The Nigerian prince scam (also called a 419 scam) is an advance-fee fraud where scammers pose as foreign royalty or wealthy individuals and convince victims to pay upfront "processing fees" or "taxes" for access to promised large sums of money. Originating from 19th-century Spanish prisoner schemes and proliferating via email in the 1990s, the scam continues to victimize people daily despite widespread awareness, sometimes escalating to using victims as money mules for stolen funds. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited contact from strangers claiming to need financial help, verify identities through official channels, never send money upfront, and avoi
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 92-year-old man in Sun City Center, Florida, lost $800,000 in a romance and bank scam orchestrated by Otiz Swinton Jr., a 37-year-old who was incarcerated at the time and had previously been convicted seven years earlier of stealing over $1 million from more than 50 seniors. The victim, isolated in an assisted living facility, was targeted beginning in June 2022, with funds transferred through cryptocurrency, peer-to-peer platforms, counterfeit checks, and ATM withdrawals between March and April of the scam year.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A cryptocurrency investment scam targeting two victims resulted in approximately $563,000 in stolen funds, which the U.S. Attorney's Office for Northern District of Ohio is seeking to forfeit as 679,981.22 USDT tokens. A victim in Solon, Ohio lost roughly $500,000 after being contacted by someone posing as "Kristina Tian" on LinkedIn who gained his trust and directed him to transfer cryptocurrency to a fraudulent investment platform; an Arizona woman lost $63,000 (including $15,000 from her 401(k) and $48,000 from a home equity loan her daughter obtained) through a similar scheme initiated on a
miamitimesonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida law enforcement officers disclosed that state prisoners using contraband phones, cryptocurrency, and drones are scamming senior citizens, with one documented case involving a 92-year-old man defrauded of over $800,000 over two years. "Operation Triple Threat," a coordinated search across three correctional facilities, confiscated 400 illegal cellphones, and authorities confirmed at least three known cases of inmates exploiting seniors, though formal charges have not yet been filed.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Nirav B. Patel, a 44-year-old illegal immigrant from India, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in an imposter scam that defrauded elderly victims across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana of over $400,000. Patel served as a cash collector for the scheme, which involved fraudsters posing as federal agents and convincing elderly victims that their accounts were compromised, then pressuring them to withdraw life savings into fake government trust accounts; in one instance, he collected $177,000 in gold bars from an elderly woman using a walker at an assisted living facility. The scammers, based in India, use
nbcdfw.com
· 2025-12-08
A Texas teenager created an app called Shield Seniors after her 86-year-old grandfather nearly fell victim to an impersonation scam in which a caller posing as a family member requested $2,000. Unable to find existing resources to help prevent such fraud, the teenager developed an app specifically designed for older adults that provides information on recognizing scams, enables users to report fraudulent activity, and uses AI chatbots to offer real-time guidance and education.
berkshireeagle.com
· 2025-12-08
A two-stage phone scam is circulating where criminals first defraud victims, then pose as FTC agents claiming to recover their money while stealing additional personal information and funds. The scam exploits victims' desperation to recover losses and uses fake badges and official-looking credentials easily created from internet images. The FTC warns that legitimate agents never call unsolicited, request money, or ask for personal information—victims should hang up and call agencies directly to verify identity, avoid payments via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and report suspected scams to local police and the FTC.
9news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australia's financial crime watchdog (AUSTRAC) announced a crackdown on cryptocurrency ATM scams, which have cost victims an estimated $3.1 million in reported losses over 12 months, with the actual figure likely much higher. Criminals exploit the machines to pressure victims—predominantly women over 50—into sending cryptocurrency through investment swindles, extortion, and romance scams; once sent, the crypto is nearly impossible to recover. New industry-wide controls are being implemented, and authorities warn people to be suspicious of urgent requests to use crypto ATMs, promises of guaranteed high returns, or any unsolicited pressure to deposit cash.
explodingtopics.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2025, scams affect billions globally: approximately 608 million people fall victim to scams annually worldwide, while in the US alone, 34% of adults experienced scams in the past year with losses exceeding $12.5 billion (a 25% increase year-over-year). The most common scam methods are phone calls and SMS messages, followed by email, with romance scams causing the highest average losses at $2,000 per victim, while identity theft remains the most prevalent scam type in the US.
wbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
A Catawba County woman lost over $160,000 to a government impersonation scam after being deceived by someone posing as a Department of Justice investigator who claimed she was under a gag order. Government impersonation crimes affected 17,367 people in 2024 with losses exceeding $405 million, while romance scams resulted in over $670 million in losses that year. U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson emphasized the importance of reporting fraud quickly to enable money recovery and highlighted his office's success in prosecuting scammers, including cryptocurrency fraud cases, with recent convictions resulting in lengthy prison sentences and millions of dollars recovered.
nbcboston.com
· 2025-12-08
A Texas teenager created an app called Shield Seniors after her 86-year-old grandfather nearly fell victim to an impersonation scam in which a caller posing as a family member requested $2,000. Unable to find existing online resources to help protect her grandfather, Tejasvi developed the app to help seniors recognize common scams, report fraud, and receive real-time advice through AI chatbots.
law.georgia.gov
· 2025-12-08
Christie Edwards, a 47-year-old Florida bookkeeper, was indicted in Glynn County, Georgia on charges of Racketeering and Theft by Taking for allegedly stealing over $380,000 from an elderly client through fraudulent ATM withdrawals, point-of-sale transactions, checks, and credit card payments while employed at a local accounting firm. The case was investigated by the Attorney General's White Collar and Cyber Crime Unit and highlights the vulnerability of seniors to financial exploitation by trusted individuals with direct access to their finances.
capitol-beat.org
· 2025-12-08
Christie Edwards, a 47-year-old bookkeeper at a Glynn County accounting firm, was indicted for stealing over $380,000 from an elderly client through fraudulent ATM withdrawals, point-of-sale transactions, checks, and credit card payments. The case highlights the vulnerability of seniors to financial exploitation by trusted individuals with access to their accounts, and Georgia's Attorney General urged families to establish oversight systems and report suspicious activity to law enforcement.
kbtx.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud is a rapidly growing crisis, with victims losing over $3 billion in 2023 at an average loss of $33,915 per victim, particularly affecting wealthy seniors over 65 who may have declining mental capacity. Scammers—often family members rather than strangers—exploit vulnerable elderly individuals through various schemes, making it critical for families to monitor finances, install cameras, establish legal protections like powers of attorney and trusts, and maintain regular contact with aging relatives. The FBI recommends contacting the National Elder Fraud Hotline for anyone suspecting financial exploitation of seniors.
echopress.com
· 2025-12-08
Douglas County is hosting a free Senior Expo on June 26 to educate older adults about current fraud and scams targeting seniors, featuring law enforcement presentations on phishing schemes, financial fraud, and bank security measures. The event, coordinated by the Sheriff's Office, Alexandria Police Department, and Senior Services through the TRIAD program, will include vendor booths, breakout sessions, attendee testimonials, and complimentary lunch, with pre-registration available by calling 320-762-3047.
wymt.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud is a rapidly growing crisis, with victims losing over $3 billion in 2023 at an average loss of $33,915 per person, particularly targeting older adults with cognitive decline and substantial wealth. Financial exploiters are frequently family members or caregivers rather than strangers, taking advantage of conditions like dementia to manipulate victims. To protect elderly relatives, experts recommend monitoring financial accounts, setting up legal protections like powers of attorney and trusts, and maintaining regular contact with aging parents.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes in real-time video calls to conduct romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and other schemes, with experts reporting a dramatic rise from approximately 4-5 cases monthly in 2023 to hundreds per month currently. Notable victims include a Hong Kong finance worker who lost $25 million to a deepfaked CFO impersonation and a New Zealand retiree defrauded of $133,000 through a cryptocurrency scam using a deepfaked government official. As AI tools become more accessible and capable of creating realistic faces and voices, deepfake fraud is expanding to encompass job interview scams, identity theft for banking and housing
ia.acs.org.au
· 2025-12-08
Australian police warned of a surge in cryptocurrency ATM scams, with 150 reported incidents in 2024 resulting in approximately $3.1 million in losses, averaging over $20,000 per scam. Investment scams were the most common type, with 72 victims aged over 51, and one elderly man lost $1.4 million in a romance scam involving crypto ATMs. In response, financial watchdog AUSTRAC implemented new regulations including $5,000 transaction limits, mandatory scam warnings, and enhanced customer due diligence requirements for crypto ATM operators.
dallasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Keller residents pleaded guilty to federal charges for operating a romance scam that targeted elderly victims nationwide from 2022-2023, causing over $818,000 in combined losses. Felix Clark used fake dating profiles and false claims about accessing gold in Ghana to defraud mostly elderly widows and widowers, while his partner Esther Amppiaw operated an unlicensed money transmitter business to move stolen funds abroad. Both face up to 20 years in prison, with Clark admitting to $501,071 in losses and attempting to obstruct justice.
freepressjournal.in
· 2025-12-08
A 65-year-old woman from Beed lost Rs 83 lakh in a digital arrest scam when fraudsters impersonating Mumbai police claimed her Aadhar card was used for money laundering and terrorism financing, then coerced her into transferring funds across multiple bank accounts over nine days. Mumbai police have registered 84 digital arrest cases this year, with 23 detected and 30 perpetrators arrested; charges filed include cheating and identity theft under Indian law.
wave3.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP hosted its Summer Scam Jam event in Louisville, Kentucky to educate seniors about rising fraud schemes, as reported losses reached $12.5 billion in 2024. One victim, Mary Ellen Strange, lost approximately $378,000 over seven weeks to an Amazon impersonation scam that used fear tactics and false law enforcement claims, leaving her facing additional IRS debt. Common fraud schemes include impersonation scams (family members, law enforcement, and customer service representatives), and AARP stressed that anyone regardless of education level can become a victim.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Nirav Patel was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for his role in an imposter scam that defrauded multiple elderly victims across the Midwest of thousands of dollars in life savings. Patel, operating from Chicago, would collect money and gold from victims after scammers impersonating federal agents threatened them with identity theft and legal consequences, sometimes calling up to 12 times daily; the collected funds were then sent to accounts in India. In 2024, gold bar schemes similar to this operation stole $219 million nationally, making imposter scams the most common type of criminal scheme as of March 2025.