Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 22,013 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
11,660 results
in Scam Awareness
newscentermaine.com
· 2025-12-08
Text message scams cost Americans over $330 million in 2022, with banking-related phishing messages being the most common type. Experts advise never clicking links or calling numbers in suspicious texts, instead independently verifying contact information with banks or organizations directly, and emphasize that banks never request personal information via text. Additional protective measures include using antivirus software on all devices, reporting suspicious messages to the FTC or FCC, and maintaining healthy skepticism toward unsolicited messages, particularly during tax season when scammers intensify their efforts.
today.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers create fake retail websites that impersonate popular retailers like J. Crew, Ann Taylor, and Old Navy, promoting these sites through social media ads offering deep discounts. When consumers click the links, they are directed to counterfeit sites designed to look legitimate, where they risk having personal and financial information compromised.
fox7austin.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using fake online dating profiles on apps and social media to defraud people seeking romance, often investing months or years building trust before requesting money for fabricated emergencies or investment opportunities. One Austin resident lost $60,000 after being lured into cryptocurrency investments by a scammer posing as someone named Anna, while others face extortion threats if intimate photos are shared. The Better Business Bureau recommends avoiding sending intimate images, being suspicious of vague answers about personal details, insisting on in-person meetings, and never sending money to people you haven't met.
miamitimesonline.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines major scam trends for 2025, including AI-enhanced scams (phishing, deepfakes, voice cloning), imposter scams where fraudsters pose as trusted contacts or companies with a median loss of $800 per victim, sextortion schemes involving explicit content extortion, romance scams using fake profiles and deepfake video calls, and phone-based scams using robocalls and malware. The article emphasizes that scammers primarily seek personal information or money, and recommends skepticism when contacted unexpectedly, especially regarding urgent requests or investment opportunities.
daily-tribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Data breaches and financial scams targeting seniors have reached all-time highs, with scammers exploiting seniors' perceived wealth, politeness from older generations, and limited technological skills to commit fraud. The article recommends protective measures including regularly reviewing credit reports from all three bureaus, placing credit freezes, seeking technology safety education, and screening phone calls from unknown numbers to reduce vulnerability to scams.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, over 4,300 New Yorkers age 60 and older lost more than $203 million to financial scams, averaging $47,000 per victim, prompting AARP New York and state legislators to call for enhanced consumer protections including bank teller training to identify exploitation signs. Common scams targeting seniors include the "grandparent scam," where fraudsters pose as relatives requesting emergency money via untraceable payment methods like cash or gift cards. Governor Hochul's proposed budget includes measures to equip financial institutions to recognize and prevent elder financial fraud through employee training and transaction monitoring.
cbs6albany.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, elder financial fraud cost New York State over $200 million, with 4,300 residents aged 60 and older losing an average of $47,000 each, ranking the state fourth nationally in such losses. Governor Hochul and AARP New York are urging state legislators to pass budget measures that would train bank employees to identify financial exploitation and allow financial institutions to place holds on suspicious transactions. The proposed legislation aims to empower the financial sector to prevent fraud and protect older New Yorkers' accumulated savings from scammers.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers target Medicare beneficiaries by offering free genetic testing (for conditions like cancer, dementia, and autoimmune diseases) without doctor orders, then bill Medicare for unnecessary tests or use stolen Medicare information for medical identity theft. Seniors should verify any genetic testing with their primary care doctor before proceeding, review their Medicare Summary Notices and Explanations of Benefits for unauthorized charges, and report suspected fraud to the New York Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374, as these scams can result in costs of $9,000 to $11,000 per test.
losalamosreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
Jacci Gruninger, Executive Director of the Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization (LARSO), was selected to present the organization's S.A.F.E. (Scam Awareness for Elders) program at the National Council on Aging's Age+Action Conference in Washington, DC. The S.A.F.E. initiative educates seniors about common scams and provides them with tools to protect themselves and their families from fraud. Gruninger's presentation will showcase LARSO's collaborative community efforts and success stories in helping vulnerable older adults recognize and avoid increasingly sophisticated scams.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational announcement for a three-part fraud prevention workshop series offered by AARP NJ at the Senior Resource Center in Chester, New Jersey, scheduled for May and June. The sessions cover fraud landscape awareness and prevention tools, government imposter scams with identity protection checklists, and cybercrime safety across various settings including social media and online banking.
therecord.com
· 2025-12-08
A Guelph-area senior lost $250,000 to an online romance scam that operated over approximately one year, during which the victim sent roughly $20,000 monthly to someone they met online and was instructed to purchase gift cards and provide the card numbers to the scammer. The victim eventually grew suspicious and reported the fraud to Wellington OPP, whose investigation is ongoing. The article also outlines common romance scam tactics—including fake profiles, requests for money under false pretenses, pressure to use private communication platforms, and discouragement from discussing the relationship with others—and provides resources for reporting suspected fraud.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Oleg Beretsky was arrested and indicted in Brooklyn federal court for operating a healthcare fraud scheme from January 2017 to April 2024, in which he exploited elderly Medicare patients—particularly immigrants from the former Soviet Union—by referring them to doctors in exchange for kickbacks and bribes totaling over $12 million. Beretsky, owner of Obest, Inc., conspired with healthcare providers to bill Medicare for unnecessary or non-performed services while pocketing the proceeds through his fraudulent referral operation. He faces charges including healthcare fraud conspiracy, Anti-Kickback Statute violations, and money laundering conspiracy.
aba.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this content. What you've shared appears to be a navigation menu or table of contents from a banking organization's website, not an article or transcript about elder fraud, scams, or abuse.
To help you, please provide:
- An actual article text or transcript about a specific scam, fraud case, or elder abuse incident
- A news story with details about what happened, who was affected, and the outcome
Once you share the relevant content, I'll be happy to create a concise 2-3 sentence summary for the Elderus database.
boredpanda.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is a collection of various scam examples and general awareness advice rather than a single incident report. It showcases multiple types of fraud including restaurant billing schemes, GoFundMe donation fraud using deceased pets, charity scams involving emotional appeals (cancer), fake charity sales, and robocalls targeting business owners. The article highlights that scammers use psychological tactics such as professional language, appeals to trust, fear and urgency, and confusion to manipulate victims, and emphasizes the importance of verifying receipts, checking credentials, and remaining cautious even when feeling pressured.
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman reported a fraud case to police after falling victim to a scam in which fraudsters impersonated law enforcement officers, using spoofed phone numbers and psychological tactics to pressure her into providing personal and financial information. Authorities traced the financial transactions, detained the individuals involved, and issued warnings urging the public to remain vigilant and never share personal details or grant remote device access to unsolicited callers. Police emphasized that legitimate law enforcement and government officials never request such information, and advised citizens to report suspicious calls to UIDAI's helpline at 1947.
khou.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending fraudulent text messages and emails claiming recipients owe money for unpaid tolls or tax refunds; common red flags include awkward phrases like "Would you kindly" and "Dear sir or madam," which indicate the sender is likely a non-English speaker operating from another country. Consumers should scrutinize all unexpected communications for grammatical errors and unusual wording, though artificial intelligence increasingly threatens to eliminate these telltale signs by enabling scammers to craft grammatically correct messages impersonating banks, government agencies, and the IRS.
dcnewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old woman in Milesburg, Pennsylvania lost approximately $11,000 to a romance scam perpetrated over two to three years, during which she sent the scammer gift cards and checks. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the case. The FBI recommends protecting yourself from romance scams by being cautious about online information sharing, verifying profiles through reverse image searches, being suspicious of individuals who avoid meeting in person or request money, and never sending funds to people you've only met online.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams targeting unemployed individuals have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—a more than threefold increase since 2020. Scammers use text messages and messaging apps to lure victims with fake remote job offers promising unusually high pay ($100-$500/day), often pivoting to "task scams" where victims are asked to invest their own money to complete work, with cryptocurrency becoming the primary payment method and accounting for $41 million in losses in early 2024 alone. The FTC warns that these scams typically start with vague job offers, show small initial payments to build trust, then request personal
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The new manager of Pittsburgh's beloved Gus & Yiayia's ice ball cart reports that scammers operating a fake fan page are posting misleading content and selling unauthorized merchandise like t-shirts in the cart's name. The fraudulent "Gus and Yiayia's Fans" account, which emerged after the original owner Gus passed away last summer, has blocked the legitimate manager and is falsely claiming the cart will open on specific dates while impersonating the deceased owner. The manager is urging customers to only trust the official "Gus and Yiayia's Official" page and asking people to report the fake account to Facebook/Meta for removal.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Kylee Dennis, a former NSW Police detective, established Two Face Investigations to help identify romance scammers, particularly assisting women over 50 who suspect their online love interests are fraudulent. Her work was inspired by her mother's experience with a romance scammer posing as "Donald Johnson" and has been recognized with a nomination for Micro Business of the Year Award in the global Women Changing the World Awards; in 2024, Australians reported losing $23.6 million to dating and romance scams. Dennis advises people seeking online relationships to meet in person within two weeks of interaction or walk away, emphasizing that scammers often use isolation tactics to manipulate vulnerable victims seeking
fox23.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the Better Business Bureau's 2024 Scam Tracker Risk Report, cryptocurrency investment scams top the list of riskiest frauds, with 80 percent of victims losing an average of $5,000 through fake exchanges and pressure tactics. The report identifies five major scam categories affecting consumers: employment scams (involving fake job offers and training fees), romance scams (targeting people in online relationships), online purchase scams (non-delivery of goods), and home improvement scams (particularly prevalent after severe weather, involving door-to-door solicitors who take payment without completing work).
moneycheck.com
· 2025-12-08
An Arizona federal judge ordered crypto platform Debiex to pay $2.5 million in damages after the CFTC proved it operated a "pig butchering" romance scam, in which staff members created fake romantic relationships with victims on social media to convince them to invest in fraudulent crypto trading. Five victims lost approximately $2.3 million total; the court also ruled against an accomplice "money mule" and ordered the transfer of nearly 63 ETH and $5.70 USDT from his wallet to a victim. The case demonstrates how scammers exploit trust-building tactics and cryptocurrency platforms to defraud vulnerable individuals.
newstalkzb.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Actor Martin Henderson warned his 1.2 million Instagram followers to ignore fake accounts impersonating him after romance scammers fleece fans out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by posing as him and requesting money for flights, medical treatments, and legal fees. At least seven victims have come forward reporting losses ranging from $160,000 to $375,000, with scammers even attempting secondary scams posing as private investigators after the initial romance fraud was exposed. Henderson emphasized he has only one official Instagram account and urged people to be cautious as scammers become increasingly sophisticated with AI and deepfake technology.
blockonomi.com
· 2025-12-08
The CFTC secured a $2.5 million judgment against crypto platform Debiex for operating a "pig butchering" romance scam, in which scammers posed as successful female traders to defraud five victims of approximately $2.3 million. Federal Judge Douglas Rayes granted summary judgment after Debiex failed to respond to the lawsuit and ordered the platform to return about $2.26 million in stolen funds plus nearly $221,500 in civil penalties. The court also identified Zhāng Chéng Yáng as a "money mule" and ordered cryptocurrency assets from his OKX wallet to be returned to one victim.
startribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Minnesota lawmakers are proposing to expand the state's Medicaid fraud control unit from 32 to 41 investigators and increase penalties for health and elder-care providers who defraud Medicaid, with fines up to $100,000 and prison sentences up to 20 years for thefts exceeding $35,000. The $390,000 annual expansion is justified by the fraud unit's track record of recovering $53 million in civil penalties and criminal restitution over six years while costing the state $6 million. Attorney General Keith Ellison argues the expansion is critical to protect Medicaid's integrity and preserve public support for the program serving 1.4
wellingtonadvertiser.com
· 2025-12-08
A Mapleton senior was defrauded of approximately $250,000 over one year in an online phishing scam that began in February 2024, during which the victim was instructed to purchase gift cards at local businesses and provide the scammer with the card numbers. Wellington County OPP is warning residents to be alert to common fraud indicators such as unsolicited messages requesting personal information or payment via gift cards, spelling errors, and messages sent at odd hours, and encourages victims to report incidents to police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
livebitcoinnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency scams targeting seniors in Malaysia have resulted in millions of ringgit in losses, with fraudsters impersonating government officials via fake phone calls to convince victims to transfer crypto funds and investments. A 74-year-old investor lost millions after falling victim to these schemes, which promise excessive profits but result in complete loss of deposited funds. Malaysian authorities warn that seniors aged 60 and above should exercise extreme caution with digital asset investments, as scammers increasingly use sophisticated phone tactics and impersonation to target older investors and professional workers.
howtogeek.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece warns about a prevalent TikTok scam offering $750 for completing simple tasks, which actually steals personal information through surveys and free trial sign-ups. Scammers create legitimacy through fake influencer endorsements, FOMO tactics ("limited slots"), bot-generated comments, and sending real payments to initial participants to lure victims. The primary dangers include identity theft and sale of personal data (phone numbers, emails, Social Security numbers, credit card details) to other criminals or advertisers.
silive.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers, believed to be linked to Chinese criminal gangs, have sent millions of fraudulent text messages impersonating E-ZPass toll services, with cybersecurity firms reporting a 900% increase in such texts over three months and identifying over 60,000 associated domains across multiple states. While victims may pay small toll fees ($3), scammers primarily target valuable personal information that can be used for additional fraud, and they have successfully circumvented Apple and Android security features while using AI to generate more convincing messages. Experts advise recipients never to respond to or click links in such texts, as engagement confirms the phone number is active.
kbtx.com
· 2025-12-08
Following a hailstorm in Bryan, Texas, scammers targeted residents with roofing repair schemes, including calls falsely claiming roof evaluations were already scheduled. Local realtor Raylene Lewis warned that victims have been defrauded through incomplete or substandard work, or by paying scammers who then disappear, and advised residents to hire only local, reputable roofers who work directly with insurance companies.
2news.com
· 2025-12-08
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office warned the public about phone scams impersonating law enforcement demanding money for warrants, fines, or jury duty. The advisory identified red flags including pressure to act quickly or keep calls secret, use of real deputy names, and spoofed caller IDs, and recommended hanging up, blocking numbers, and verifying calls directly with WCSO at (775) 785-9276.
nbcmontana.com
· 2025-12-08
Montana State University graduate student Connor Green was inspired to create anti-fraud educational content after his grandfather received an AI-generated phone call impersonating Green's voice demanding $15,000. Green and fellow graduate students developed a presentation on common scams (family imitation, tech support, government impersonation, and phishing) that was so well-received at the Bozeman Senior Center that attendees extended it from 15 minutes to two hours with questions, leading to a second presentation to the MSU Alumni Foundation Retiree Association with 70 total attendees. The students emphasized the importance of the work given that seniors shared stories of losing thousands of dollars to scammers.
fox61.com
· 2025-12-08
Following JOANN Fabrics' bankruptcy, scammers created fake liquidation websites mimicking the official JOANN site with URLs designed to steal personal and financial information, offering unrealistic discounts of 80-90%. The Better Business Bureau received multiple reports of these scams in Connecticut, including from one person who nearly provided payment information before noticing the fraudulent URL. Consumers are advised to verify website URLs, use credit cards for online purchases (which offer fraud protections), and be wary of requests for sensitive information like Social Security numbers.
cantonrep.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau outlines five common vacation scams to watch for: vacation rental cons using fake listings and false urgency, "free" vacation offers with hidden fees, third-party booking site scams involving identity theft, hotel scams including fake front desk calls and fake wi-fi networks, and timeshare reselling frauds. Travelers are advised to use caution when booking travel, research companies on BBB.org, avoid sharing personal information over the phone, use secure networks, and work with reputable, accredited businesses to protect themselves during vacation planning and travel.
pahomepage.com
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old woman in Milesburg, Pennsylvania lost approximately $11,000 to a romance scam perpetrated over two to three years, during which she sent gift cards and checks to someone she believed was a romantic companion. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the case. The FBI recommends protecting yourself from romance scams by being cautious about online information sharing, verifying photos and profiles, moving slowly in relationships, and never sending money to people you've only met online.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old woman from Milesburg, Pennsylvania lost approximately $11,000 over two to three years in a romance scam involving gift cards and checks sent to someone she believed was a romantic companion. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the case, which highlights the importance of verifying online profiles, being cautious of individuals who avoid in-person meetings, and never sending money to people met only online or by phone.
nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers impersonated New Zealand actor Martin Henderson across dozens of fake social media accounts, defrauding his fans of hundreds of thousands of dollars by posing as him and claiming he needed money for flights, medical treatment, and legal fees. At least seven victims came forward, including a woman who lost $375,000 believing she was in a relationship with Henderson; scammers continued pursuing victims with follow-up scams even after the romance scheme was exposed. Henderson publicly warned his 1.2 million Instagram followers that he has only one official account and urged them to ignore all impersonators, expressing concern that deepfake technology could make future scams even more convincing.
newsroom.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
The Fraud Film Festival, running in Wellington since 2016, brings together fraud prevention professionals to screen documentaries exploring various types of fraud and deception. A 2023 BNZ survey found that 87 percent of New Zealanders were targeted by scams in the previous 12 months, with New Zealand losing approximately $200 million to fraud annually. Key fraud concerns in New Zealand include cryptocurrency investment scams, fake retail websites, and "pig butchering" romance scams originating from Southeast Asia, where perpetrators are often victims of human trafficking forced to conduct the schemes.
digitalreviews.net
· 2025-12-08
Following Cyclone Alfred, cyber security experts warn of a surge in disaster-related scams targeting vulnerable victims, including unannounced contractor fraud, phishing emails impersonating insurers, fake donation campaigns, and imposters posing as government and relief agencies. AUCyber recommends victims file insurance claims through official channels, verify contractor credentials, avoid upfront payments, check email sender addresses, and report suspicious activity to ScamWatch to protect themselves during cleanup and recovery efforts.
vice.com
· 2025-12-08
Authorities in Massachusetts are warning about a text message scam where criminals claim recipients are under investigation and demand they call back to avoid legal action, often including fake case numbers and malware-laden links. The scam exploits fear and urgency to pressure victims—particularly older and less tech-savvy individuals—into acting without thinking. Law enforcement advises that legitimate agencies never contact people via text or email demanding money or threatening legal action; recipients should delete such messages and report them.
mychesco.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC reported $12.5 billion in consumer fraud losses in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, with investment scams ($5.7 billion) and imposter scams ($2.95 billion) leading the categories. The percentage of fraud reporters who lost money jumped from 27% to 38%, indicating scammers are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics, particularly through bank transfers and cryptocurrency payments that are difficult to reverse. Job and employment scams saw explosive growth, tripling in reports and skyrocketing from $90 million to $501 million in losses between 2020 and 2024.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Losses from scams in Canada reached $638 million in 2024, with New Brunswickers reporting $6 million in investment scam losses alone—a fivefold increase from 2023. Scammers are using artificial intelligence and sophisticated tactics, including fake news articles impersonating trusted media outlets and politicians, to deceive victims; recent examples include a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme using Premier Susan Holt's image and AI-generated retail scams designed to exploit emotional responses. Industry experts warn that these evolving tactics make scams increasingly difficult to detect, requiring heightened digital literacy and skepticism when encountering content with recognizable names, logos, or timely headlines.
innisfiltoday.ca
· 2025-12-08
The Ontario Provincial Police warns that residents are increasingly targeted by deceptive phone calls using caller ID spoofing technology—including "neighbouring," "mirroring," and "impersonation" tactics—to impersonate local numbers, government agencies, and financial institutions in order to extract personal information or fraudulent payments. The advisory recommends not trusting caller ID displays, allowing unknown calls to voicemail, never sharing personal or financial information over the phone, and verifying caller identity through official contact information before responding. Suspected fraud should be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or through the Fraud Reporting System.
kiow.com
· 2025-12-08
Iowa's Treasurer's Office warned residents about a phone spoofing scam where fraudsters impersonated treasury officers and solicited bank account numbers and personal information from victims. Treasurer Roby Smith emphasized that his office never calls to request such information and urged Iowans to report suspicious contacts immediately and avoid sharing personal data or sending money to unknown callers.
echopress.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the 2024 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report, investment and cryptocurrency scams remain the riskiest scam type, with romance and friendship scams rising to number three for the first time. These scams employ "financial grooming"—where perpetrators build trust over weeks or months before encouraging victims to invest, often in fake platforms—resulting in romance/friendship scams having the highest median loss of $6,099 and investment scams at $5,000, with people ages 65 and older reporting the highest median dollar loss. The report found that overall median losses rose 30% from 2023 to 2024, with victims experiencing significant
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Four Mumbai residents—a lawyer, student, share broker, and housewife—collectively lost Rs 1.3 crore to cyber criminals through various scams between 2024-2025. The scams involved fake trading apps (Rs 27.09 lakh and Rs 28.68 lakh losses), a fraudulent investment job scheme (Rs 21.19 lakh), and a prepaid task scam (Rs 45.37 lakh), all utilizing WhatsApp groups, Telegram, and fabricated platforms showing false profits to build trust before disappearing with funds. The Cyber Crime Unit has registered four FIRs and warned citizens to avoid unsolic
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Stephen Ratchford, 64, and his wife Karen fell victim to a £25,000 identity fraud while on a cruise holiday in October when scammers "SIM-jacked" their mobile phone numbers, gaining control of their accounts and taking out loans and overdrafts in their names. Although the couple ultimately did not lose money as banks cancelled the fraudulent accounts once identified, they faced significant stress during their holiday; their mobile provider iD Mobile apologized and implemented stronger security measures. Ratchford raised awareness about SIM-swapping attacks, emphasizing that two-factor verification is only effective when criminals cannot control a victim's phone number.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Smishing—a phishing scam conducted via text messages—has become increasingly prevalent, with the FBI and multiple U.S. cities issuing warnings about fraudulent campaigns. Scammers impersonating government agencies (parking violations, road tolls) and delivery services have created over 10,000 fake websites to steal personal and financial information from both iPhone and Android users, with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center receiving over 2,000 complaints since March 2024. To protect yourself, verify unsolicited messages by contacting organizations directly rather than clicking links, use strong antivirus software, and manually type URLs into your browser instead of following message links.
buzzfeed.com
· 2025-12-08
This Reddit discussion highlights various modern scams and exploitative industries that users identified, including: time-share presentations using high-pressure sales tactics; designer furniture brands that purchase mass-produced items and resell them at 5x markup; predatory towing schemes targeting ATM users; health insurance price disparities for medications like insulin; multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes that use deceptive recruitment tactics; mobile gaming designed with addictive mechanics and hidden paywalls; and cryptocurrency projects involving "rug pulls" and casino-like gambling structures. The common thread across these examples is that they exploit consumers through opacity, psychological manipulation, or artificial markup rather than offering genuine value.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, consumers lost $5.7 billion to investment scams—the highest amount for any fraud type and a 24% increase from 2023—with the typical victim losing over $9,000, according to FTC data. Common schemes include "pig-butchering" scams where fraudsters build trust through relationships before pitching high-return investments in cryptocurrency, often using AI-generated deepfakes and operating from organized crime centers in Southeast Asia. Consumers can reduce their risk by being skeptical of pitches with urgency, unusual payment methods (especially cryptocurrency), and attempts to isolate them from telling others.