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in Tech Support Scams
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
A 28-year-old MBA student in Nagpur lost Rs 23 lakh in a cryptocurrency investment scam after a fraudster posing as an investment advisor contacted him via Telegram in November 2023. The scammer initially provided fake returns on a small investment to build trust, then persuaded the student to deposit the full amount, which was never recovered. Police registered a case and launched an investigation under IPC and IT Act provisions.
source.colostate.edu
This article explains two common email and phone scams: spoofing (impersonating trusted sources by disguising email addresses, phone numbers, or URLs) and phishing (using spoofed communications to trick victims into revealing sensitive information like passwords or financial data). The FBI notes that phishing has evolved into variations including vishing (phone calls), smishing (text messages), and pharming (malicious code redirecting to fake websites). Protection strategies include verifying requests independently, examining sender details carefully, enabling multi-factor authentication, avoiding unsolicited attachments, and limiting personal information shared online.
f-secure.com
This article is an educational resource from F-Secure promoting their scam protection service. It highlights that U.S. citizens lost an estimated $12.5 billion to cybercrime in the previous year (a 12% increase), and provides prevention advice across common scam vectors including phishing emails, SMS "smishing," fake delivery alerts, contact spoofing, and fraudulent online shopping sites. The resource emphasizes that legitimate organizations do not request sensitive information via email or text, and recommends verification through separate trusted channels before responding to suspicious communications.
cpr.org
While younger adults are statistically more likely to fall for fraud, people over 70 lose significantly more money overall. An 80-year-old man in Aurora lost $20,000 after scammers posed as his bank's fraud department over several weeks, convincing him to withdraw cash and convert it to Bitcoin at a gas station ATM. Deputy Ryan Falkner of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office identifies the most prevalent current scams targeting older adults as popup virus warnings and jury duty/arrest warrant phone scams, recommending that victims turn off their computers and never pay via gift cards or cryptocurrency.
indiatvnews.com
This educational article outlines major cybercrime threats targeting smart device users, including phishing, fake online stores, banking scams, impersonation scams, and romance scams. It provides guidance on recognizing red flags—such as unsolicited requests for personal information, suspicious payment methods, and poor grammar—and recommends preventative measures including verifying website legitimacy, avoiding unknown links and attachments, and monitoring financial accounts for unauthorized activity. The article advises reporting suspected scams to authorities like the FTC and contacting financial institutions immediately if fraud is suspected.
dominicantoday.com
Police in the Dominican Republic arrested Smaylin Berroa Lorenzo for benefiting from a phishing scam that defrauded a citizen in Cotuí of RD$77,931 (approximately $1,450 USD). The scam involved cybercriminals using fake emails and social engineering to steal the victim's confidential information and identity. The suspect was apprehended on a highway in Pedro Brand and turned over to prosecutors for legal proceedings.
patch.com
An 83-year-old man from Saddle Rock, New York, was defrauded of $16,000 in a tech support scam in January after receiving a computer notification claiming his device was compromised; scammers impersonating Microsoft representatives told him suspicious activity was detected and instructed him to withdraw cash, which an unknown man collected. Two men, Rong Chen, 47, and ZhenSheng Yu, 46, were arrested and charged with grand larceny after the victim contacted police when a third call attempted to collect an additional $15,000.
longisland.com
An 83-year-old victim in Saddle Rock was defrauded of $31,000 in a tech support scam after receiving a fake Microsoft notification on his computer claiming his device and bank account were compromised. Two men, Rong Chen, 47, and ZhenSheng Yu, 46, were arrested in April 2024 after collecting the cash withdrawals on behalf of the scammers, with Chen and Yu charged with Grand Larceny. The victim avoided additional loss by refusing a third request and contacting police.
nbcnewyork.com
Two individuals, Rong Chen and ZhenSheng Yu, were arrested for a tech support scam that defrauded an 83-year-old Long Island man of $31,000 in January. The scammers displayed a fake popup warning on the victim's computer, impersonated Microsoft support, and convinced him that his accounts were compromised and federal crimes were being committed, resulting in two cash withdrawals of $16,000 and $15,000 respectively that were collected in person. This case is part of a recent pattern of similar scams targeting Long Island residents, with multiple arrests made for variations of the same fraud scheme.
patch.com
Brick Township police warn residents, particularly seniors, about active scams in their community, including gift card/cryptocurrency fraud, grandparent scams, email phishing, tech support fraud, and romance scams. The department urges residents to verify caller identities, avoid unsolicited payment requests, maintain strong cybersecurity practices, and report suspected fraud to local police immediately.
nevalleynews.org
Scottsdale Community College hosted a cyber security awareness event featuring speakers from the U.S. Secret Service and Scottsdale Police Department who educated students and community members about online scams, including AI-voice impersonation schemes, cryptocurrency fraud, and romance scams targeting vulnerable populations. The presentation emphasized protective measures such as staying calm during suspicious calls, verifying caller identity through questions only loved ones would know, and strengthening passwords and security practices, noting that seniors and widows are particularly targeted by romance scammers who exploit loneliness and unfamiliarity with social media.
thesenior.com.au
Remote access scams initiated by phone, text, email, or social media cost Australians $15 million in 2023, with nearly half of 8,975 reported cases beginning via phone calls impersonating banks or service providers. Scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics—including spoofed numbers, fake social media profiles, and urgent requests for personal information or device access—to install malware, steal data, or make unauthorized purchases. Protection requires verification through official channels, refusing unsolicited requests, and immediately contacting your bank and reporting to Scamwatch if compromised.
ncwlife.com
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office received multiple reports of scam phone calls impersonating deputies who claimed callers owed money for failing to respond to jury duty summons or court dates, attempting to extort payment. The agency warns the public not to give personal information or money to unknown callers over the phone. Cashmere Valley Bank is hosting a free "Scam Prevention" seminar on April 16 to educate the community on fraud prevention strategies.
wisbusiness.com
This educational article identifies common scams targeting small businesses, which are particularly vulnerable due to limited cybersecurity resources and accounting processes compared to larger organizations. Key scams include Business Email Compromise (BEC), phony invoices, directory fraud, identity theft, fraudulent charity solicitations, phishing attacks, and office supply scams. The article emphasizes that knowledge and awareness are the best defenses and recommends businesses stay informed about these threats and report incidents when targeted.
wired.com
This article explains the emerging threat of AI-powered voice cloning scams, where fraudsters use artificial intelligence to impersonate family members or trusted contacts in urgent calls requesting money. The article provides expert advice on protection strategies, including hanging up and calling the person back using a verified number, establishing pre-agreed safe words with loved ones, and asking personal questions that only the real person would know to verify authenticity.
azfamily.com
This is an educational podcast series covering consumer protection topics rather than a specific fraud or elder abuse incident. Key episodes address red flags in standard contracts, risks associated with rewards credit cards that can lead to debt, vehicle recalls affecting safety, and credit denial trends affecting consumers. The podcast provides advice on identifying problematic contract clauses, understanding credit card pitfalls, and navigating consumer financial decisions.
hamlethub.com
**Summary:**
This educational piece outlines key strategies for protecting against hacking and scams. It advises securing internet-connected devices against malware, recognizing common scam tactics (phishing, romance scams, fake tech support, and demands for wire transfers or cryptocurrency), and reporting suspected fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
cryptotimes.io
Millions of dollars in fraudulent funds were seized at Evolve Bank and Trust after the bank discovered that entities including Parallel Design Limited, Gatcha Pictures Limited, and Bytechip LLC were facilitating crypto scams and pig-butchering schemes operated by a network of 26 Chinese nationals. Evolve froze over $15 million in virtual accounts linked to these fraudulent activities and subsequently severed relationships with the implicated firms due to unsatisfactory banking practices.
the420.in
Scammers are targeting vehicle owners with fraudulent e-challan (traffic fine) notifications via text messages, tricking them into downloading malicious APK files that compromise their phones and financial data. A businessman from Mumbai lost Rs 3 lakh through unauthorized credit card charges after installing a fake app called 'vahanpalivahann.apk' to pay counterfeit traffic fines. Experts recommend downloading apps only from official sources like Google Play Store, using reputable antivirus software, and verifying the authenticity of unsolicited messages before taking action.
candid.technology
This educational article describes common Apple Pay scams and protection strategies. The scams detailed include: fake customer support calls seeking personal information, overpayment schemes using stolen cards, phishing texts claiming account compromise, gift card extortion via fake emergencies, and man-in-the-middle attacks through insecure WiFi networks. The article advises users to never share sensitive information with unsolicited callers, verify suspicious links directly with Apple, avoid refunding overpayments, and use secure internet connections when making transactions.
postandcourier.com
This opinion piece highlights multiple types of elder and consumer fraud affecting South Carolina residents, including gift card scams, cryptocurrency schemes, the "grandparent" impersonation scam, and account takeovers, with documented losses ranging from $30,000 to $39,000. The author provides red flags to recognize scams (requests for gift cards or cryptocurrency, unsolicited requests for personal information, phishing emails) and recommends protective measures such as using strong passwords, utilizing password managers, and paying with credit cards rather than debit cards to limit liability. The piece emphasizes that while individuals have limited recourse, large institutions continue to suffer major data breaches that put personal information into criminals' hands.
news5cleveland.com
An 81-year-old Cleveland woman fell victim to a tech support scam after clicking on a fake news story that triggered pop-ups impersonating Microsoft, resulting in an initial $200 loss and subsequent threatening calls demanding $6,800. The scammers gained remote access to her computer and obtained her driver's license and credit card information before she realized the fraud. Federal Trade Commission officials advise that legitimate companies never request personal or financial information unsolicited, and recommend deleting suspicious pop-ups, hanging up on scam calls, and restarting devices; the FTC recently secured a $26 million settlement against tech support scammers.
startribune.com
The Federal Trade Commission warns that fraud losses exceeded $10 billion in 2023, with common scams targeting older adults including investment, grandparent, romance, tech-support, tax, and business impersonation schemes. The article emphasizes that anyone can fall victim to sophisticated fraud and recommends slowing down and resisting pressure to act immediately as a key protective measure against scammers.
capenews.net
This educational article discusses aging in place and the rising threat of elder fraud, reporting that seniors age 60+ filed 88,262 fraud complaints in 2022 resulting in $3.1 billion in losses—an 82% increase from 2021. Scammers target older adults due to accumulated savings, daytime availability, lower tech literacy, and potential cognitive vulnerabilities, with the five most common scams being government imposter schemes (Medicare, IRS, Social Security), sweepstakes/lottery fraud, phishing/vishing/smishing, tech support scams, and grandparent scams. The article emphasizes that seniors may underreport scams due to fears
ny1.com
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez warned New Yorkers about "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams, in which fraudsters lure victims through dating apps and group chat platforms into fake crypto investments, with documented losses ranging from $118,000 to $420,000 per victim and an estimated $3 billion stolen nationally in the past year. The DA's office has seized over 20 fraudulent crypto websites and domains that collectively defrauded victims of nearly $3 million, though law enforcement faces challenges in tracking perpetrators and recovering funds due to rapid cryptocurrency transfers and non-compliant exchanges. Officials urge victims to report crimes immediately, noting that actual case numbers are
technode.global
Internet love scams, including "pig butchering" schemes enhanced by AI-generated profiles and deepfakes, are rapidly increasing across Southeast Asia, with victims losing $25.9 million in Singapore (2023), RM43.9 million in Malaysia, and over 476 million baht in Thailand within nine months. Scammers exploit dating apps and AI tools to build emotional connections and manipulate victims into financial investments or divulging sensitive information, causing both financial and psychological harm. Common red flags include rushed declarations of love, refusal to video chat, requests for money, and requests for personal information—victims should remain cautious as scammers use sophisticated emotional manipulation tactics that exploit vulnerability
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
A 43-year-old auto-rickshaw driver from Thane, India fell victim to an e-challan scam after receiving a text message about a traffic violation and installing a fraudulent app called Vahan Parivahan, resulting in unauthorized transactions of Rs 50,000 from his account despite deleting the app quickly. E-challan scams use phishing messages, fake websites, and malicious apps impersonating traffic authorities to steal personal financial information and login credentials from victims. To protect themselves, people should avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages, verify traffic violations directly with official authorities, use only government websites ending in ".gov.
veronapress.com
On March 28, Verona Police arrested 23-year-old Jiale Yang after receiving an anonymous tip that he would commit elder fraud that afternoon; Yang falsely identified himself as an IRS agent and obtained $30,000 in cash from the victim, who had been deceived by a pop-up claiming her computer had a virus and directed her to "Apple Support" where she was told her money was involved in criminal activity. The article also outlines five common types of elder fraud schemes: grandparent scams, government impersonation scams, phishing scams (which increased from 114,702 reports in 2019 to 298,878 in 2
the420.in
Google filed its first-ever lawsuit against cryptocurrency scammers based in China and Hong Kong for distributing 87 fraudulent trading apps on the Google Play Store that were used to conduct "pig butchering" romance scams. The scheme targeted over 100,000 victims who lost between $100 and tens of thousands of dollars each after being manipulated into downloading fake apps that displayed false investment returns but prevented fund withdrawals. Google is seeking damages, financial compensation exceeding $75,000 in investigation costs, and a court order to bar the developers from future fraudulent activity.
govtech.com
In 2022, seniors aged 60 and older filed 88,262 fraud complaints resulting in $3.1 billion in losses, according to FBI data. Solano County responded to this spike by launching the Solano Senior Fraud Prevention Center (SolanoScamCenter.org) to educate residents and provide resources for fraud prevention and reporting, offering guidance on identifying government impersonation, social media scams, prize schemes, and urgent account compromise claims. The center provides contact information for filing reports with Adult Protective Services, law enforcement, and regulatory agencies to help victims respond and protect their finances.
cfodive.com
The IRS released its 2024 "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams targeting both businesses and consumers, including questionable employee retention credit (ERC) claims, fraudulent fuel tax credit claims, and phishing scams designed to steal IRS account credentials. The IRS has already protected over $1 billion in revenue from erroneous ERC claims, while warning that unscrupulous preparers are misleading taxpayers about fuel eligibility and creating fictitious documents to support improper credits. Business owners and corporate officers who sign tax returns remain legally responsible for their accuracy, even if they relied on third-party preparers' advice.
thepointsguy.com
Advances in technology and social engineering are enabling sophisticated scams that cost consumers billions of dollars annually. Visa's 2024 Threats Report identifies four major scams on the rise, including pig butchering (romance) scams where fraudsters use AI and deepfake technology to build trust with victims over weeks or months before convincing them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms—affecting 10% of surveyed adults and resulting in billions in losses. The report notes that beyond financial victims, these scams often involve human trafficking victims forced to participate in the fraud operations.
finance.yahoo.com
Social Security scams targeting the 68 million American beneficiaries use five common tactics: impersonating SSA officials to steal personal information, falsely claiming benefits have been suspended, alleging overpayment and threatening legal action, promising automatic benefit increases that require activation, and offering fraudulent investment schemes to multiply benefits. The Social Security Administration advises recognizing scams by the four "P"s—scammers pretend to be official, present problems or prizes, pressure immediate action, and request specific payment methods—and remembers that SSA will never threaten arrest, demand personal information to activate benefits, or pressure immediate payment.
techlicious.com
In 2023, U.S. consumers lost $10 billion to fraud, with investment scams topping the list, often orchestrated by cyber-scam factories in Southeast Asia that force trafficked victims into perpetrating schemes targeting wealthy nations. Common scams include "pig-butchering" cryptocurrency fraud, romance scams, and impersonation schemes, with authorities making arrests but struggling to shut down operations that rapidly relocate. Protection strategies include remaining suspicious of unsolicited contact, refusing remote computer access to unverified sources, ignoring threatening calls claiming to be government officials, and reporting scams to the FTC.
moneyweek.com
Online purchase scams are increasing significantly, with Santander customers losing £7.3 million in 2023 (a 32% increase from 2022) to fraudsters posing as sellers on online marketplaces, with an average loss of £500 per victim. To protect yourself, remain vigilant for red flags such as pushy sellers, fake or missing images, prices that seem too good to be true, and unprotected payment methods, as sophisticated scammers increasingly use AI to create convincing fraudulent listings for high-demand items like smartphones, gaming consoles, and collectibles.
aol.com
This educational article warns Gen Z that scammers target all age groups, not just seniors, with a particular focus on employment fraud. The article highlights two common remote work scams: shipping scams where victims unknowingly process stolen merchandise and face criminal liability, and equipment scams where victims deposit fraudulent checks and lose their own money purchasing non-existent job equipment. Gen Z is particularly vulnerable because they grew up with technology and are less skeptical of digital communications and remote work offers.
dailyrepublic.com
Solano County launched an online Senior Fraud Prevention Center to address increasing scam reports targeting local seniors. The county's public education campaign recommends seniors verify government communications, watch for fake social media identities and sweetheart scams, scrutinize investment offers, avoid urgent account compromise notices without proof, monitor finances closely, and protect Power of Attorney documents. The center provides resources, reporting strategies, and contact information for regulatory agencies, law enforcement, and Adult Protective Services through SolanoCares.org.
mha.gov.sg
Singapore's police force reported receiving some deepfake-related scam complaints in 2023, though the number was not high and cases were not being systematically tracked. The government addressed deepfake scam risks to elderly residents through its "SG Cyber Safe Seniors Programme" launched in 2021, which includes physical and online educational sessions, digital ambassador outreach, and multilingual handbooks designed to teach safe mobile application use and scam prevention tactics.
finance.yahoo.com
While scammers traditionally target seniors, Gen Z is increasingly vulnerable to digital fraud schemes, particularly remote work scams that exploit their comfort with technology and familiarity with remote employment. Two common scams affecting Gen Z are shipping scams (where victims process stolen merchandise and become liable for the fraud) and equipment scams (where fake checks are deposited and victims wire their own money for equipment, leaving them in debt). Scammers use sophisticated tactics including spoofed company websites and email addresses, fake job boards, and social media platforms to lure young victims into these schemes.
aol.com
This educational article warns Gen Z about four money scams targeting their generation, particularly employment-related fraud. The article highlights that Gen Z is vulnerable because they grew up with technology and are less skeptical of digital communications and remote work offers than older generations. Key scams include shipping scams (where victims unknowingly process stolen merchandise and face legal consequences) and equipment scams (where fake job offers use fraudulent checks to trick victims into sending their own money for equipment purchases).
indiatoday.in
A 41-year-old man from Thane, India lost Rs 50,000 after downloading a fraudulent app disguised as the legitimate "Vahan Parivahan" e-challan payment application, which he installed after receiving a fake text message claiming to be from Panvel Traffic Police about a traffic violation. The scammers gained unauthorized access to his bank account and conducted multiple transactions without requiring him to share his OTP, draining Rs 50,000 before he realized the fraud and uninstalled the app. Police registered a case under the Information Technology Act for identity theft and cheating by personation, and advised the public to verify official communications through legitimate channels rather than
ftc.gov
The Federal Trade Commission hosted an online meeting of the Scams Against Older Adults Advisory Group on April 2, 2024, featuring committee reports on expanding consumer education, improving industry training, reviewing effective anti-scam messaging, and identifying innovative detection methods under the Stop Senior Scams Act of 2022. The meeting was led by FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Samuel Levine and brought together four committees addressing separate areas of fraud prevention targeting older adults.
thereporter.com
In 2022, people aged 60 and older filed 88,262 fraud complaints with the FBI resulting in $3.1 billion in losses. Solano County launched the Solano Senior Fraud Prevention Center (SolanoScamCenter.org) to combat a spike in scams targeting local seniors and provide resources for victims and their families. The center offers prevention tips including verifying government communications, identifying fake social media identities and sweetheart scams, skepticism toward prize offers, caution about urgent account compromise notices, and regular financial monitoring, along with reporting resources and assistance from Adult Protective Services.
news.trendmicro.com
This educational article identifies five common Google Chat scams: romance scams (fake profiles requesting money), phishing scams (impersonating legitimate contacts to steal personal information), tech support scams (posing as Google representatives), fake job offers, and investment scams. The article advises users to watch for red flags including unsolicited messages, unrealistic offers, urgent requests, and intrusive questions, and recommends verifying sender identity, enabling two-factor authentication, and reporting suspicious messages to stay safe.
gettysburgconnection.org
This educational article defines scams as trust-based fraud exploiting victims' emotions and provides practical defense strategies against common schemes. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023 (a 14% increase from 2022), with imposter scams and email being the most prevalent fraud type and contact method respectively. Key warning signs include unsolicited calls using spoofed numbers, requests for unusual payment methods (cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency), and high-pressure tactics designed to trigger fear and override critical thinking.
ftc.gov
In 2023, impersonation scams targeting consumers reported more than 330,000 business and nearly 160,000 government impersonation cases to the FTC, resulting in combined losses exceeding $1.1 billion—more than triple the losses from 2020. Scammers have evolved their tactics, shifting from phone calls to text and email communications, increasingly requesting payment through bank transfers and cryptocurrency, and often impersonating multiple organizations within a single scam. The five most common impersonation scams include fake account security alerts, bogus subscription renewals, fraudulent giveaways or government money offers, false legal threats, and fake package delivery notifications—all designed to
states.aarp.org
San Diego County Deputy District Attorney Scott Pirrello leads an Elder Abuse Unit that has partnered with the FBI and other agencies through the Elder Justice Task Force to combat elder financial fraud, which resulted in approximately $97 million in losses in San Diego County alone in 2023. The unit prosecutes cases ranging from grandparent scams to tech-support fraud, such as a 2023 case where a 22-year-old man stole over $200,000 from a 65-year-old woman through a fake Microsoft pop-up and fraudulent Chase Bank calls. While reported losses nationwide exceeded $1.6 billion in 2022 for adults
news.trendmicro.com
This educational article outlines emerging AI-enabled scams targeting the public, including deepfake celebrity giveaway scams, AI voice cloning used to impersonate family members or demand ransom for kidnapped children, and deepfake video attacks on business platforms like Microsoft Teams (with one Hong Kong firm losing $25 million to fraudsters impersonating their CFO). The article advises consumers to verify collaborations through official websites and social media accounts and warns of AI-generated fake news and romance scams as additional threats.
trendmicro.com
AI-generated deepfakes and voice cloning technology are increasingly being exploited by scammers to perpetrate fraud against unsuspecting victims. Common schemes include fake celebrity giveaways using deepfake videos, voice cloning to impersonate family members or authority figures for ransom demands and the "grandparent scam," and impersonation attacks via business platforms like Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp that have resulted in significant financial losses (including a $25 million case involving a deepfake CFO). Victims should verify collaborations through official websites and social media accounts, be cautious of unsolicited messages requesting meetings, and report suspicious activity to authorities.
the-sun.com
East Haven, Connecticut residents were warned about a lottery scam sent via mail claiming they won $500,000 from "Global Link Lottery Inc." and enclosing a fraudulent $6,985 check supposedly for taxes and fees. The scam instructed recipients to call a number to claim their winnings, but police warned that the check is fraudulent and cashing it would make the recipient liable for the lost funds, while calling the number could result in identity theft.