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moneywise.com
· 2025-12-08
A Seattle man identified as David lost over $400,000 to two brothers, Patrick and Matthew McDonagh, who convinced him his roof and foundation needed urgent repairs and then collected payment for work they never completed. The brothers pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges and were sentenced to 18 months in prison, though David was only able to recover $200,000 of the fraudulent wire transfer. The case highlights a common scam targeting homeowners, particularly seniors, and experts recommend never hiring door-to-door solicitors and always obtaining a second opinion from a trusted professional before authorizing any repairs.
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting fake Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems—automated phone systems used by banks and government agencies—to trick victims into revealing sensitive financial information through spoofed caller IDs and professional voice cloning. Recent incidents include a woman in Bengaluru who lost Rs 2 lakh and a man in Sri Vijaya Puram who lost Rs 80,000 after responding to fraudulent calls mimicking their bank and government agencies. Legitimate IVRs never request OTPs, CVVs, or passwords; senior citizens, non-English speakers, and new online banking users are most vulnerable, and people should hang up and independently verify contact numbers when
theedgemalaysia.com
· 2025-12-08
A cybercriminal group earned US$46 million from deepfake romance scams targeting men across Asia, including cases like an 80-year-old Malaysian widow losing RM30,000 to an AI-generated video mimicking a Chinese celebrity. In 2024, Malaysians lost US$12.8 billion to scams overall, with deepfake technology making it increasingly difficult to distinguish genuine online dating profiles despite facial verification features. The article advises victims to avoid unverified investment advice from online contacts, refrain from sharing personal information early in conversations, and limit location sharing to protect against emotional manipulation and physical safety threats.
goal.com
· 2025-12-08
This article does not contain information relevant to the Elderus elder fraud research database. The content discusses a sports transfer rumor involving a player and football club, which is unrelated to scams, fraud, elder abuse, or senior citizen exploitation. Please provide an article about elder fraud, scams targeting seniors, or elder abuse for summarization.
fox40.com
· 2025-12-08
A California man, Fabrisio Arias, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for his role in an international sweepstakes fraud scheme targeting elderly Americans between November 2020 and September 2022. Operating with co-conspirators in Costa Rica, Arias received fraudulent payments from 22 victims (many in their 70s-90s) who were tricked into paying fake taxes or fees to claim non-existent prizes, with perpetrators impersonating IRS and FTC officials using spoofed phone numbers. Arias was ordered to pay $395,536 in restitution after laundering over $395,000 through his bank accounts, keeping
ice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are confidence schemes where perpetrators build trust with victims to extract money through false pretenses. Nearly 70,000 Americans reported being victims in 2022, with older adults losing approximately $240 million that year; scammers commonly use red flags such as claims of foreign locations, requests for video call avoidance, inconsistent stories, and demands for payment via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers. Protection strategies include remaining suspicious of unsolicited contact, verifying identities through independent means, and never sharing personal information or sending money to online contacts, particularly those who quickly profess love or request alternative communication platforms.
kauainownews.com
· 2025-12-08
The County of Kauaʻi Agency on Elderly Affairs, in partnership with multiple state agencies through Kupuna Alert Partners, is hosting a free fraud and scam prevention presentation to address a rising tide of scams targeting seniors, particularly romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day. Romance scams involve criminals creating fake online identities to build trust with victims over weeks or months before soliciting money through fabricated emergencies, often requesting payment via mail, wire transfers, or gift cards. The presentation will cover Medicare fraud, securities fraud, identity theft, and prescription drug misuse prevention, with the U.S. Postal Service emphasizing caution against online relationships that escalate quickly and recommending victims never
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams targeting older Americans have surged, with fraudsters impersonating celebrities like Keanu Reeves, Jason Momoa, and Sandra Bullock to build fake emotional relationships and extract money. The scams exploit loneliness among seniors, with victims losing an average of $35,000 each, as demonstrated by a recent case where someone lost over $800,000 in a Brad Pitt impersonation scam. Charlie, a banking service for Americans 62+, released this data to educate seniors on red flags including rapid professions of love, avoidance of in-person meetings, fabricated emergencies, and requests for secrecy.
businesswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams targeting older Americans have surged, with fraudsters impersonating celebrities like Keanu Reeves, Jason Momoa, Sandra Bullock, and Ryan Reynolds to build fake emotional relationships and extract money. Charlie, a banking service for seniors, released this data to raise awareness that scammers exploit lonely older adults through online dating sites and social media, fabricating crises to pressure victims into sending money—with one victim losing over $800,000 in a Brad Pitt impersonation scam. Seniors can protect themselves by recognizing warning signs including rapid professions of love, avoidance of in-person meetings, fabricated emergencies, and requests for
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Seattle senior was defrauded of $435,000 by two brothers, Patrick and Matthew McDonagh, who convinced him his roof and foundation needed urgent repairs and then pressured him into ongoing payments for work that was never completed or unnecessary. The victim paid through checks and wire transfers over several weeks; he was able to recover $200,000 through a wire transfer reversal, but the outcome of recovering additional funds remains unclear. The McDonagh brothers pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges and were sentenced to 18 months in prison, and the case highlights how door-to-door home repair scams disproportionately target seniors, who reported $3.4 billion in frau
recordnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers intensify their tactics around Valentine's Day, using social media research and emotional manipulation to build trust with victims before requesting money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Scammers employ various schemes including fabricated emergencies (medical bills, travel costs, equipment damage) and increasingly sophisticated methods like Bitcoin transactions, while also resorting to blackmail and threats. Experts advise vigilance across all communication channels and recommend contacting local law enforcement if victimized, noting that while elderly individuals were traditionally targeted, younger people are now also vulnerable to these evolving scams.
spdblotter.seattle.gov
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost victims over $1 billion in 2023 and $800 million in 2024, with scammers using fake personas and social media information to build trust before requesting money, cryptocurrency, or personal information. Older Americans are particularly vulnerable, with seniors losing an estimated $28.3 billion annually to financial exploitation. The FBI recommends verifying online identities, taking relationships slowly, never sending money to online-only contacts, and remaining cautious of requests to move communication offline or claims of overseas emergencies.
sahanjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
In October 2023, Dennis from Maplewood lost $20,000 in a grandparent scam when callers impersonated his grandson and a public defender, claiming he needed bail money for a car accident, followed by a second request for $15,000 for a manslaughter settlement. The article reports that fraud victimizes billions of dollars annually from U.S. consumers, with Minnesota alone receiving over 22,000 fraud reports totaling nearly $103 million in losses during the first three quarters of 2024, and notes that recovery options remain limited. AARP Minnesota is advocating for a state Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund financed by civil penalties
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
Italian business leaders, including Giorgio Armani and Patrizio Bertelli, were targeted by an AI-based voice-cloning scam that impersonated Defence Minister Guido Crosetto to solicit money for allegedly freed Italian journalists. At least one victim transferred €1 million to a Hong Kong account after being deceived, while other targets included former Inter Milan owner Massimo Moratti and members of prominent families heading major companies; the scammers used sophisticated technology to identify and manipulate high-net-worth individuals by appealing to their patriotism. This incident reflects a broader rise in AI voice-cloning telephone scams in Italy, with an elderly woman also de
wnyt.com
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old Illinois man, Harmish Patel, is accused of defrauding an elderly couple from Rensselaer County by swindling them out of gold bullion between December 2023 and March 2024. Patel allegedly conspired with others to transport the stolen gold from New York to New Jersey across multiple trips. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
Fabrisio Arias was sentenced to 41 months in prison and ordered to pay $395,536 in restitution to 22 victims for his role in an international sweepstakes scam that operated from November 2020 to September 2022. Scammers in Costa Rica used spoofed phone numbers to impersonate IRS and FTC officials, convincing elderly victims (many in their 70s-90s) that they'd won prizes and needed to pay fees; Arias received the victims' checks and money orders at his California home, laundered the funds through his bank accounts, and transferred over $237,000 to co-conspi
analyticsinsight.net
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece identifies nursing home residents as vulnerable targets for fraud due to limited technology familiarity and describes common scam tactics including phishing, Medicare fraud, prize scams, and investment schemes. According to LA County District Attorney data, one in five older adults experiences financial fraud, with California seniors over 60 filing over 11,000 fraud complaints in 2023 totaling $620 million in losses (averaging $57,000 per victim). The article emphasizes that education is the primary prevention method and recommends immediate legal action if a loved one becomes victimized.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The Grandparent Scam is a fraud scheme where criminals pose as a relative—typically a grandchild—claiming to need immediate financial assistance to exploit seniors' emotional attachments and trust. Seniors are targeted because they tend to be trusting, have financial resources, and may be reluctant to report fraud due to shame or fear of losing family confidence. To protect themselves, seniors should resist pressure to act quickly, verify caller information with family members, never wire money based on phone or email requests, and report suspicious calls to local police or the FBI.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Harmish Patel, 26, of Illinois was indicted for his role in a gold bullion scam targeting an elderly couple in Rensselaer County, New York. Between December 2023 and March 2024, Patel conspired with others to transport gold bullion obtained through fraud across state lines from New York to New Jersey on three separate occasions. Patel faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
cbs6albany.com
· 2025-12-08
Harmish Patel, 26, of Illinois was indicted for his role in a multi-state gold bullion scam targeting an elderly couple in Brunswick, New York, between December 2023 and March 2024. Patel allegedly conspired with others to transport fraudulently obtained gold bullion across state lines from New York to New Jersey on multiple occasions. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Great Yarmouth Police organized a scam awareness event following an incident in which an elderly woman lost a large sum of money to courier fraud, where scammers impersonated police, bank officials, and other authority figures to trick her into withdrawing cash over several weeks. The educational event, held at Age Connected on February 12, aims to help the public recognize and avoid similar fraudulent schemes.
ag.state.mn.us
· 2025-12-08
Brandon Michael Ferguson and his asphalt company, Community Blacktop LLC (operating under multiple aliases), defrauded consumers across Minnesota and nationwide by quoting low prices for asphalt work, then delivering substandard results and demanding inflated bills multiple times the original quote—with one victim quoted $2,000-$3,000 charged $17,000 instead. The Minnesota Attorney General reached a settlement requiring the company to dissolve and pay $100,000 in restitution to victims, with Ferguson admitting to procuring work through fraud and violating consumer protection laws. The AG urges victims to contact his office to help identify affected consumers, as poor recordkeeping makes tracking
mynorthwest.com
· 2025-12-08
Seattle Police issued a Valentine's Day warning about romance scams, where perpetrators build fake relationships to trick victims into sending money or personal information. According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scam victims lost over $1 billion in 2023 and $800 million in 2024, with older Americans particularly vulnerable; the FBI and SPD recommend using reputable dating sites, moving slowly in relationships, never sending money to online contacts, and reporting suspected scams to authorities immediately.
mylethbridgenow.com
· 2025-12-08
Lethbridge County FCSS is hosting an educational session in Coaldale on scams and fraud prevention from a banking perspective, following positive reception from a previous session in Barons where seniors requested additional information on this topic. The program aims to help older adults protect themselves against increasingly sophisticated scams through community awareness and education. The session is part of an ongoing Senior Speakers Series held monthly across the county's communities.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
New York's StateWide Senior Action Council identified Medicare card scams as their February fraud alert, warning seniors that Medicare does not issue new cards annually and scammers exploit this by calling to collect personal medical information or promoting fraudulent "upgraded" cards. Seniors should verify suspicious calls directly with Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE) and protect their Medicare and Social Security numbers like credit cards, reporting suspected fraud to the NY Senior Medicare Patrol Helpline at 800-333-4374.
bradfordera.com
· 2025-12-08
The Eldred and Smethport senior centers are hosting educational programs on senior scams today to raise awareness among older adults about fraud risks. The article also promotes an unrelated community survey with a $1,000 prize.
techtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams have become increasingly sophisticated with the use of generative AI and deepfake technology, with scammers using AI-crafted personalized messages and realistic videos to deceive victims. Over $46 million has been stolen across Taiwan, Singapore, and India through these scams, which particularly target vulnerable groups including the elderly, former military members, and those seeking financial connections, often through tactics like fake investment schemes ("pig butchering") that build trust over weeks before requesting money. Recovery of stolen funds is extremely difficult, especially with cryptocurrency, and victims are cautioned to verify identities and never send money to people they haven't met in person who request payment.
wtol.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance and confidence scams are rising in Ohio and nationwide, with fraudsters creating fake profiles on dating sites and social media to build trust before requesting money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or valuable items under false pretenses such as medical emergencies or legal fees. Ohioans lost over $15.3 million to these scams in 2023, while nationwide losses exceeded $652 million in romance fraud complaints and $823 million in 2024, with scammers primarily targeting women over 40 who are divorced, widowed, elderly, or disabled. The FBI and Ohio Department of Commerce advise the public to remain vigilant online, avoid sending money to unknown contacts, and verify investment tips through
dos.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Romance Scams Warning for Valentine's Day**
New York's Department of Consumer Protection warned residents about romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day, noting that New Yorkers lost over $25 million to such scams in 2024, with older adults—particularly widows, widowers, and recent divorcees—being commonly targeted. Scammers use fake online profiles and build trust over weeks or months before requesting money for various pretexts, often starting with small amounts and escalating to larger sums. Effective February 19, 2025, a new state law requires online dating platforms to notify users who have been targeted by banned scammers and to delete user
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Romance scams represent the highest financial loss among all fraud types, with older adults particularly vulnerable due to isolation, loneliness, and lower tech awareness, according to an AARP presentation by Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi Panth. Red flags include scammers misrepresenting their identity, building trust quickly, requesting money via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and pressuring victims to keep the relationship secret. The best defense is skepticism, thorough research of online romantic interests, taking time before committing emotionally or financially, and reporting suspected scams to local authorities or www.ic3.gov.
mountaineagle.com
· 2025-12-08
The Walker County Community Action Agency offers free financial planning classes at multiple dates in February and March to help locals organize finances, plan major purchases, and budget for expenses. Additionally, a free elder fraud prevention workshop is scheduled for February 22 at Cordova First Baptist Church, sponsored by the Cordova Ministerial Association and Birmingham FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association, to educate seniors about common fraud schemes targeting elderly Americans.
wvua23.com
· 2025-12-08
The Cordova Ministerial Association and Birmingham FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association will host a free elder fraud awareness workshop on Saturday, February 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cordova First Baptist Church in Birmingham. The educational event will include refreshments for attendees seeking to learn about protecting seniors from fraud.
investmentnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 76-year-old Morgan Stanley client in Florida was defrauded of $1.75 million in a "gold bar" scam where fraudsters impersonated federal agents and convinced her to liquidate assets and purchase gold bullion for transfer to a supposed government escrow account. Morgan Stanley was ordered to pay $843,000 in damages after a Finra arbitration panel found the firm violated industry rules designed to protect senior investors, specifically the "trusted contact" standard and the financial exploitation of senior citizens rule, by failing to alert her son (who was involved in her financial decisions) about suspicious large withdrawals.
publicnewsservice.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Arizona warns consumers to be vigilant against romance scams, which target vulnerable individuals seeking companionship through social media and dating apps, with scammers requesting money after building false emotional connections. The organization also cautions against fraudulent tax season text messages impersonating the IRS that attempt to steal personal and financial information, recommending people contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network at 877-908-3360 if they suspect fraud.
thefintechtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scams have caused over $1.14 billion in losses, with victims losing an average of $2,000 each, and criminals are now using AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic identities to make these scams more convincing and personalized. Debbie Fox, a widow seeking companionship, was defrauded of $58,000 by a scammer using a fake identity who posed as a man named Russell and eventually requested money claiming to be in legal trouble. As generative AI becomes mainstream, fraudsters are increasingly exploiting the technology to automate romance scams, phishing attacks, and impersonation schemes, making them harder to
kingstonpolice.ca
· 2025-12-08
Kingston Police reported a significant increase in "grandparent" or "emergency" scams, with 15 reports received on February 11, 2025 alone. These scams target seniors by impersonating a grandchild in legal trouble and requesting $8,000-$9,000 in bail money via courier pickup, with scammers sometimes hiring legitimate courier companies unknowingly to transport the cash. Police emphasize that bail is never requested in cash and advise victims to verify caller identity through security questions, call back family members directly, and never send money to unknown persons.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are causing the highest financial losses of all fraud types, with older adults particularly vulnerable due to isolation, loneliness, and being targeted by scammers who exploit their assumed wealth and lower tech-savviness. Key red flags include fake identities, rapid declarations of love, requests for money via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and pressure to move off public sites and keep the relationship secret. Victims can protect themselves by developing skepticism, researching potential romantic interests thoroughly, taking time before committing emotionally or financially, and reporting incidents to authorities or contacting the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are increasingly targeting younger age groups (people in their 20s and 30s), with reported incidents shifting from primarily affecting those aged 50-59 in 2019 to younger demographics by 2023. According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scams resulted in $469.9 million in losses across all age groups in 2023, more than double the $229.3 million lost in 2019. Scammers typically build emotional connections through dating sites and social media before requesting money or personal information, and victims should be wary of requests for financial help, unusual stories requiring assistance, and fake profiles or AI-generated images.
keremeosreview.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this content. What you've shared appears to be a website homepage or navigation menu from a news publication, not an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse.
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usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Kate Kleinert, a 71-year-old widow, lost $39,000 over four months to a romance scammer posing as a UN surgeon named "Tony" who built trust by involving his supposed children and eventually requesting money for medical emergencies and legal bail. Romance scams cost victims $1.14 billion in 2023 across 64,003 reported cases, with scammers using sophisticated psychological manipulation to build emotional investment before exploiting targets for money, often via cryptocurrency which is difficult to recover.
ice.gov
· 2025-12-08
In February 2024, an elderly woman lost approximately $550,000 in a computer support scam where criminals impersonated Microsoft customer support; she promptly reported the crime to police, enabling ICE Homeland Security Investigations to trace and seize the remaining funds after one wire transfer was reversed by the bank. Through a civil asset forfeiture action coordinated with the U.S. Attorney's Office, $328,573 was recovered and returned to the victim in February 2025, representing a rare successful recovery of nearly all stolen funds.
ice.gov
· 2025-12-08
In February 2024, an elderly woman lost approximately $550,000 to a computer support scam impersonating Microsoft customer support through two wire transfers. Following a quick report to local police, ICE Homeland Security Investigations traced and recovered $328,573 in seized funds, while the bank reversed an additional $221,000, ultimately returning nearly all the victim's money by February 2025. This case demonstrates the importance of reporting cyber scams immediately to law enforcement, as quick action enabled recovery of most of the stolen funds through coordinated federal and banking efforts.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Merck Employees Federal Credit Union partnered with Carefull, a financial safety service, to provide members with fraud protection tools including real-time account monitoring, identity protection, and issue resolution services. The partnership addresses rising elder fraud and sophisticated scams by offering 24/7 alerts and expert support to help members detect unauthorized transactions quickly and recover funds, with education components to help members learn fraud prevention strategies.
businesswire.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Merck Employees Federal Credit Union has partnered with Carefull, a financial safety service, to provide members with proactive account monitoring, identity protection, and fraud resolution tools to combat rising elder fraud and scams. The partnership offers all MEFCU members, their parents, and caregivers 24/7 account monitoring and real-time alerts for unusual transactions, addressing the gap in protection for older adults who may not regularly check their accounts.
advisorhub.com
· 2025-12-08
Marjorie Kessler, a senior investor in Tampa, Florida, lost nearly $1.75 million to scammers impersonating government officials who convinced her to withdraw funds for safekeeping in a U.S. Treasury account. Morgan Stanley was ordered to pay $843,000 in compensatory damages for failing to investigate her unusual withdrawal requests and neglecting to establish a trusted contact on her account as required by regulations, though the arbitration panel deducted the first transfer amount due to insufficient evidence of negligence.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Celebrity impersonation scams use AI-generated images, videos, and voices to impersonate famous figures like Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Swift, and Brad Pitt, defrauding victims of hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars through fake giveaways, investment opportunities, and cryptocurrency schemes. Key warning signs include unsolicited messages asking for money or personal information, with victims advised to verify celebrity identities through official social media accounts and remember that celebrities will not solicit funds directly. Fraud losses from generative AI are projected to reach $40 billion by 2027, up from $12.3 billion in 2023.
wilmingtonbiz.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common financial scams targeting seniors and the general public, including phishing, investment fraud, imposter scams (grandparent and IRS varieties), computer scams, romance scams, lottery schemes, charity fraud, and fake debt relief services. The article provides red flags and warning signs for each scam type, such as urgent requests, unsolicited offers, promises of guaranteed returns, and requests for upfront payments. Key protective measures include awareness of common scam tactics, verification of organizations before sharing information, and skepticism toward unsolicited offers or high-pressure requests.
cronkitenews.azpbs.org
· 2025-12-08
Arizona experienced over $47 million in losses from online romance scams during 2022-2023, ranking fifth nationally, with elderly residents particularly targeted by scammers who build false relationships to extract money. Common tactics include professing instant love, moving conversations off dating platforms to private channels, refusing to share photos, and requesting money—sometimes stringing victims along for extended periods. Authorities warn that scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to create convincing false identities, and many victims remain unreported due to embarrassment.
thecipherbrief.com
· 2025-12-08
Cyber-enabled scams originating primarily from criminal gangs in Southeast Asia, India, and Nigeria have become a global security emergency, with over 57,000 Americans scammed daily, resulting in $158 billion in annual losses and an average victim loss of $14,197 ($33,915 for seniors). These transnational fraud operations, often run by Chinese crime bosses using forced labor, fund additional criminal activities including human trafficking, drug manufacturing, and hostile nation weapons programs, while U.S. law enforcement capacity is severely overwhelmed and can only address a fraction of cases.
rnz.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams increase around Valentine's Day, targeting vulnerable individuals across all demographics who may be emotionally invested in fake relationships created by sophisticated scammers using fabricated social media profiles and forged documents. Common warning signs include rapid declarations of love, refusal to meet in person or video call, requests for secrecy, and requests for money or to receive funds on their behalf. The best defenses are to avoid keeping relationships secret, verify identities through reverse image searches, consult trusted friends and family who can spot red flags, and never send money to someone you haven't met in person.