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hoodline.com
A 25-year-old caregiver named Heather Moore was arrested in Ojai, California for financially exploiting an 81-year-old elderly woman by altering and forging checks to steal over $3,000. Moore's fraud was discovered when a vigilant bookkeeper noticed suspicious check alterations and reported the scheme to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. Moore was arrested on January 23 and charged with elder abuse, forgery, and grand theft.
newsbreak.com
A 77-year-old woman lost $130,000 of her life savings to a lottery scam operated by Darien Deventon Smith and Sheniece Elaine Smith of Connecticut, who convinced her in March 2024 that she had won a jackpot and car but needed to pay various "taxes" and "processing fees" to claim the prize. Over months of manipulation, the victim opened multiple bank accounts and purchased money orders at the scammers' direction before becoming suspicious and contacting authorities; both suspects were arrested in February 2025 and face charges of obtaining money by false pretenses and conspiracy to commit a felony.
standard.net.au
Geoff Clark, a long-time administrator of the Framlingham Aboriginal Trust, was imprisoned for over six years after pleading guilty to 25 fraud offences involving approximately $950,000 stolen from the trust, including two perjury charges and false testimony regarding assets and the fraudulent transfer of 1,900 trust shares. Indigenous elder Shirley McGuinness has now requested the trust's committee of management develop a recovery framework to reclaim the stolen funds and associated legal costs, and has also asked Victoria Police to investigate the shares dispute. The case highlights the impact of the fraud on an already disadvantaged community, with McGuinness noting that hundreds of thousands of dollars were stolen
postguam.com
Docomo Pacific issued a public warning about sophisticated AI-driven scam calls targeting elderly residents in Guam, prompted by an incident where the company's CEO's mother received a call from a scammer impersonating a federal agent demanding personal information and threatening home visits. The warning highlights how artificial intelligence now enables scammers to clone voices of family members and gather personal details from social media to pressure seniors into revealing information or sending money. The advisory recommends residents verify callers through trusted contacts, maintain skepticism of unexpected communications, and report suspected scams to the FCC.
cyberdaily.au
Australia's reported scam losses dropped 25.9% to $2 billion in 2024, with investment scams accounting for $945 million of losses, followed by romance, payment redirection, remote access, and phishing scams. However, experts warn the reported figures likely underrepresent the true impact, as many victims fail to report scams due to shame and embarrassment, with romance baiting scams being particularly devastating when combined with fake cryptocurrency platforms.
yahoo.com
Star Strategies is hosting a Financial Elder Fraud Workshop on March 28 in Wooster, Ohio, featuring FBI Cleveland Division special agents who will discuss current fraud schemes targeting older adults. The workshop will educate participants on how financial scams have evolved and provide practical strategies for protection, in response to older adults losing $538 million to investment scams in 2024.
law.georgia.gov
In 2024, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr's Consumer Protection Division secured nearly $80 million for Georgia taxpayers and consumers combined, including $3.3 million in restitution for nearly 500 older and disabled adults who were defrauded into purchasing unproven stem cell products. The division assisted over 26,755 consumers and conducted extensive education and outreach efforts, reaching more than 980,000 people through speaking engagements, webinars, and educational resources to help Georgians recognize and avoid scams and fraud.
arabnews.com
**Summary:**
Thailand dismissed Deputy Police Chief Surachate Hakparn (nicknamed "Big Joke") on Tuesday following his involvement in an illegal online gambling network called "Betflix" that was raided in 2023. He was charged with money laundering, which he denies, and has 30 days to appeal his dismissal. While this case involves police corruption rather than elder fraud specifically, it illustrates how organized illegal gambling operations operate and the financial crimes associated with them.
aarp.org
In 2024, older adults lost a record $12.5 billion to scams and fraud—a 25 percent increase from 2023—with adults in their 70s reporting median losses of $1,000 compared to $417 for those in their 20s. The most common scams were imposter schemes (particularly government impostors, which surged from $171 million to $789 million), followed by online shopping, job opportunity, and investment scams, with investment fraud being the most lucrative for criminals at $5.7 billion in reported losses. The FTC notes that fraud's impact on older adults is often catastrophic, affecting retirement security and forcing
signalscv.com
Twenty-five Canadian nationals were arrested for operating a "grandpailer scam" that defrauded elderly Americans across more than 40 states of over $21 million between summer 2021 and June 2023. The defendants, operating from call centers near Montreal, posed as grandchildren needing bail money and convinced victims to hand cash to fake bail bondsmen; the money was then laundered to Canada using cryptocurrency and other methods while victims were threatened with gag orders. The indictment includes five alleged call center managers facing up to 40 years in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering, while other defendants face up to 20 years.
forbes.com
Elon Musk claimed he could cut up to $700 billion in fraud and waste from Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, but independent evidence does not support this assertion. Social Security's Office of Inspector General reported approximately $72 billion in improper payments between 2015-2022 (about 1% of total benefits), while Medicare and Medicaid combined made roughly $100 billion in incorrect payments in 2023, totaling approximately $170 billion across all three programs—far below Musk's claims. Achieving Musk's stated goals would likely require slashing benefits for recipients rather than eliminating fraud alone, as most program spending goes directly to benefici
kcrg.com
**Grandparent scams** are increasing in prevalence, with criminals impersonating grandchildren in distress (accidents, jail, hospitalization) to pressure elderly victims into sending money immediately, often using social media research to make calls convincing. Recent Iowa cases resulted in losses of at least $10,000, with one arrest made in the Burt area in March 2025. Key protective measures include hanging up to verify information, contacting family members directly, resisting pressure to act quickly, and reporting suspicious calls to law enforcement immediately.
pymnts.com
In 2024, the FTC received 2.6 million fraud reports (stable compared to 2023), but the percentage of victims who lost money increased significantly from 27% to 38%, representing a 25% overall increase in reported losses. Investment scams led all categories with $5.7 billion in losses (up 24%), followed by imposter scams at $2.95 billion, with government imposter scams alone reaching $789 million; consumers increasingly paid scammers via bank transfers and cryptocurrency.
the-daily-record.com
Older adults in the U.S. lost $538 million to investment scams in 2024. Star Strategies is hosting a Financial Elder Fraud Workshop on March 28 in Wooster featuring FBI Cleveland Division special agents who will discuss current fraud schemes, their evolution, financial impacts, and protective strategies for seniors.
kpel965.com
A 77-year-old blind military veteran in Opelousas, Louisiana was financially exploited by his caregiver, Marvin Washington (63), who illegally collected the victim's $1,408-monthly VA benefits and accessed his financial account without authorization, resulting in the veteran being denied necessary rehabilitation care. Washington was charged with exploitation of the infirmed and access device fraud, while his wife Mary Washington was charged as an accessory after the fact; both suspects turned themselves in on March 10th. The article advises anyone suspecting veteran financial exploitation to report it to the VA Office of Inspector General at (800) 488-8244 and to contact local authorities and Adult Protective Services as
julieroys.com
Four members of Dallas-based Gateway Church filed a lawsuit alleging that the megachurch and its leadership, including founder Robert Morris and former executive global pastor Kevin Grove, committed financial fraud by misallocating members' tithes and making false promises about refunds. A federal court granted a motion to dismiss Grove from the suit (without prejudice), while the church and Morris continue to challenge the claims, arguing the court lacks jurisdiction and that no binding contract existed between the church and its members; the court has yet to rule on those motions.
abcactionnews.com
Scammers in the Tampa Bay area have stolen over $1 million from senior citizens using phone scams that impersonate law enforcement, including jury duty summons, warrant, and failure-to-appear schemes. One victim, Beverly Boyarsky, nearly fell for a call claiming she owed $9,800 in bail for missing jury duty before recognizing the scam when the caller requested payment via Apple Pay and demanded she sign documents online. Law enforcement officials warn that courts always send jury summons by mail and legitimate authorities never demand payment over the phone, gift cards, or cash.
thecitizen.com
An 82-year-old woman named Julie from Fayette County was scammed out of approximately $270,000 after receiving calls from people impersonating her bank who claimed there was an insider threat and convinced her to secretly withdraw funds via cashier's checks sent to multiple domestic addresses. Unlike many fraud cases where money is quickly converted to cryptocurrency and lost overseas, this case had a rare positive outcome: a UPS worker recognized one of the destination addresses in Waco, Texas as flagged by law enforcement, leading to the interception of the checks and recovery of all stolen funds. The article introduces an ongoing series about local scams and emphasizes that financial fraud is the most common and financially devastating crime affecting
kjrh.com
A Sapulpa, Oklahoma woman who had previously fallen victim to scammers shared her experience with a phony toll bill text message scam, where fraudsters sent increasingly threatening texts claiming she owed toll money and threatening license suspension and legal action. A Bankrate study found that 68% of Americans have encountered scams, with baby boomers experiencing the highest rate of scam encounters (39%) despite Gen Z suffering the greatest financial losses (53%), and notes that economic pressures and inflation make individuals more vulnerable to fraud. Victims are advised to report fraud to the FTC, local law enforcement, and their financial institutions while taking steps to freeze credit and monitor accounts.
fox13memphis.com
52-year-old Nooruddin Bhai Narsuddin of India was sentenced to five years in prison for wire fraud after participating in a phone scam operation where he impersonated a federal agent to collect money from victims. Operating with co-conspirators, Narsuddin convinced victims that their personal information was compromised, then instructed them to withdraw cash or purchase Bitcoin, promising their money would be safeguarded by the government—with Narsuddin personally collecting the funds in at least two known cases. Narsuddin was ordered to pay $104,000 in restitution and will serve five years of supervised release.
qns.com
Lisa Rossopoulos, 59, of Kew Gardens Hills, was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property for operating a nationwide elder fraud scheme targeting senior citizens through impersonation of government officials and companies. Between February and July 2023, she fraudulently obtained approximately $548,000 from a 92-year-old Hawaii resident and an 83-year-old Kentucky man through coordinated phone scams claiming their identities were stolen, with the victims wiring money to bank accounts under Rossopoulos' name that she promptly emptied. If convicted, she faces up to 15 years in prison.
pcmag.com
Vermont officials charged 25 Canadians operating call centers near Montreal for conducting a "Grandparent Scam" that defrauded elderly Americans of $21 million between summer 2021 and June 2024. The scammers used personal information to impersonate grandchildren in distress, then posed as attorneys and bail bondsmen to convince victims to send money, which was transferred to Canada via cash pickups and cryptocurrency. Law enforcement dismantled the operation on June 4, 2024, when they executed search warrants and caught defendants actively calling victims, with the alleged ring leaders facing up to 40 years imprisonment if convicted.
localnewsmatters.org
Marin County deputies arrested Uber driver Zhuowen Yu, 43, on suspicion of defrauding seniors of at least $64,000 through scams claiming their Apple ID or Adobe Acrobat accounts were compromised, then instructing victims to withdraw cash for a "courier" to collect. Yu was identified through automated license plate readers connecting him to at least two cases in San Rafael and Point Reyes, and was booked on felony charges including grand theft, financial elder abuse, and criminal conspiracy.
atlantanewsfirst.com
The FCC warned of increasingly sophisticated "grandparent scams" conducted via robocalls, following the indictment of 25 Canadians accused of running call centers near Montreal that stole tens of millions of dollars from elderly victims across 40+ U.S. states. Scammers impersonated grandchildren in legal trouble, used voice cloning and AI technology, and pressured victims to send bail money—ultimately transmitting $21 million to Canada through cash deliveries and cryptocurrency. The FCC advises recipients to hang up and call their grandchild back using a saved number, consult trusted contacts despite pressure to stay silent, and report suspicious calls to the National Elder Frau
justice.gov
Frank Lassen Garay, 45, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for bank fraud after he created fraudulent checks based on banking information from a legitimate $15,066.95 settlement check and used them to purchase over $400,000 worth of vehicles, jewelry, and services between November and December 2022. Over a span of just two weeks, Garay passed fifteen fraudulent checks to dealerships and businesses, making no attempt to conceal his identity and often leaving with the purchased items before the checks were discovered to be fake. Garay has a lengthy criminal history spanning over 15 years with prior convictions for theft, fraud, forgery, and receiving
wsmv.com
Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the bipartisan Romance Scam Prevention Act with Senator John Hickenlooper, which would require dating apps to alert users about potential scammers and provide fraud prevention guidance. The legislation addresses a growing problem where romance scams cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022, with seniors particularly vulnerable to losing their life savings to con artists on dating platforms.
aol.com
This educational article identifies six Social Security scams targeting Baby Boomers in 2025, including cost-of-living adjustment schemes, fake benefits applications, malicious security update tools, benefit suspension threats, and phony information update requests. According to the Office of the Inspector General, government impostors scammed Americans out of $577 million in the previous year, with approximately 61% of Social Security scams involving claims about SSN or benefits issues. The article advises recipients to verify communications directly through official SSA channels, avoid clicking suspicious links, and remember that the SSA will not demand money or threaten legal action via unsolicited contact.
atlanticsun.co.za
Camps Bay police have reported an increase in fraud cases targeting residents, particularly seniors, including impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as bank employees or government officials to steal money, fake payment schemes on social media marketplaces, and fraudulent holiday rental listings. The police station commander provided guidance on protective measures including verifying bank communications directly with financial institutions, never sharing personal details with callers, ensuring payment clears before releasing items in sales, and researching holiday accommodations through reputable platforms before booking.
foxnews.com
Jane received a suspicious text claiming to be from her bank Kinecta notifying her of a $950.44 transfer approval to an unfamiliar person, with a link to cancel the transaction—a classic smishing scam designed to steal login credentials or install malware. The message exhibited multiple red flags including artificial urgency, suspicious links, brand impersonation, and unsolicited contact. The article provides guidance on recognizing such scams and protecting oneself through verification practices, strong antivirus software, and never clicking suspicious links.
aol.com
iPhone users are receiving phishing text messages claiming suspicious purchases or unauthorized account activity, directing them to call fake Apple support numbers where scammers attempt to steal personal information, install spyware, or gain remote device access. To protect themselves, users should avoid clicking links in suspicious messages, verify any account issues directly through official Apple channels or their bank, and remember that Apple never initiates unsolicited contact via text, email, or phone.
hyannisnews.com
This article reports on federal law enforcement arrests of undocumented immigrants with criminal records in Massachusetts during early 2025, including individuals charged with sexual assault, drug trafficking, and weapons offenses. The cases involved coordination between DEA, ICE, and local police, with one suspect remaining in ICE custody pending removal proceedings and another wanted for felony drug trafficking in Brazil. The article does not contain information related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse and is therefore outside the scope of the Elderus database.
the420.in
NTT Communications Corporation disclosed a February 2025 cyberattack affecting nearly 18,000 corporate customers, with hackers accessing sensitive contract and personal information including names, phone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses through the company's Order Information Distribution System. The breach was contained by February 6, though a secondary intrusion was discovered on February 15, and NTT notified affected customers through a public website announcement rather than individual alerts. This incident marks the third major cybersecurity event for NTT in recent years, following a DDoS attack in January 2025 and a data theft in May 2020.
irishmirror.ie
A 68-year-old retired care worker lost €25,000 to a romance scammer who posed as "Daniel Peeters," a widowed businessman, after they met on Match.com in May. Over four months, the fraudster used romantic gestures, fabricated emergencies (frozen bank accounts, business deals, a taxi accident), and fake documents to manipulate her into sending multiple wire transfers. Fortunately, solicitors from the National Fraud Helpline recovered all of her lost funds through a fraud reclaim scheme.
ghanaweb.com
A 20-year-old scrap dealer, Tahiru Issah, was convicted and sentenced to 12 months hard labor by the Ashaiman Circuit Court for stealing water infrastructure components valued at GHS 3,250 from Ghana Water Limited on February 26, 2025. Police discovered him with six stopcocks, six safety valves, and one return valve, and upon interrogation, he admitted to stealing the items from residents in the area. Ghana Water Limited's regional manager noted the company has faced numerous meter-stealing cases that have damaged operations and urged the public to report suspicious activity.
san.com
The FCC issued a consumer alert warning about AI-powered voice cloning scams that impersonate loved ones, often using social media videos to create convincing deepfakes requesting urgent money transfers. These scams exploit fear and pressure tactics—such as fake arrest scenarios and "don't tell anyone" instructions—to bypass victim skepticism, with elder fraud complaints rising 14% in 2023 and 25 Canadian nationals recently charged with using similar schemes across 45 states.
wmur.com
A global gift card fraud ring with ties to New Hampshire resulted in millions of dollars in losses from October 2023 through January 2024, with victims targeted through romance scams, elder fraud, and store card tampering to purchase high-end electronics that were resold overseas. Three Chinese nationals pleaded guilty in federal court, with prosecutors linking them to $4.8 million in fraudulent gift card purchases; a Salem warehouse search uncovered approximately $8 million in goods. Homeland Security Investigations and the New Hampshire U.S. Attorney's Office have established a restitution program allowing victims to recover funds by submitting gift card numbers and purchase receipts by June 30, 2024.
aol.com
Sam Miele, a 28-year-old former campaign fundraiser for U.S. Rep. George Santos, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for wire fraud after impersonating Kevin McCarthy's chief of staff to solicit campaign donations, a scheme that defrauded donors and involved approximately $100,000 in unauthorized credit card charges. Miele pleaded guilty and agreed to pay over $109,000 in restitution plus additional forfeitures and campaign contributor payments. This case was part of a broader federal investigation into Santos' 2022 campaign that led to Santos' own guilty plea for wire fraud, identity theft, and other crimes, ultimately resulting in his expulsion from
nypost.com
Cybercriminals are targeting Apple customers with phishing text messages that falsely claim suspicious purchases or unauthorized account activity, urging recipients to call a fraudulent support number or risk being charged. When victims call the fake support line, scammers impersonate Apple representatives to steal personal information or gain remote access to devices to install spyware and access bank accounts. Users should avoid clicking links or calling numbers in unsolicited messages and instead verify account security directly through official Apple channels or their bank.
nypost.com
Romance scams targeting older Americans are on the rise, with the FTC reporting nearly 70,000 victims in 2022, with people over 70 suffering median losses of $9,475. Bipartisan lawmakers introduced the Romance Scam Prevention Act, which would require dating apps to notify users who have interacted with accounts banned for fraudulent activity, enforced by the FTC and state attorneys general. The legislation was prompted by cases like that of 43-year-old Aurora Phelps, who met older men on dating sites, drugged them, and stole from their accounts, resulting in at least two deaths and 21 criminal charges against her.
wgnsradio.com
Romance scams targeting seniors on dating apps have escalated significantly, prompting Senator Marsha Blackburn to introduce the Romance Scam Prevention Act, which would require dating platforms to notify users about fraudulent accounts they've interacted with. Seniors lost $1.3 billion nationally to romance scams in 2022, with Tennessee residents over 60 alone losing $43 million in 2023—an 18% increase year-over-year—as scammers exploit recently widowed or divorced individuals seeking meaningful connections.
ghanaweb.com
Ghana's Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has raised concerns about rising romance scams in the country, with 107 active cases under investigation since 2021. EOCO recovered approximately 2 million Ghana cedis in 2024 and is partnering with the UK's National Crime Agency and international law enforcement agencies to combat the fraud through improved intelligence sharing and whistleblowing strategies.
mirror.co.uk
A 68-year-old retired care worker lost £22,000 to a romance scammer who posed as a widower named "Daniel Peeters" on Match.com over a four-month period from June to November. The fraudster used stolen photographs and fabricated increasingly elaborate stories—including a frozen bank account, a hospital accident, and marriage proposals—to manipulate the victim into making repeated wire transfers. Fortunately, solicitors from the National Fraud Helpline recovered all of the victim's lost funds through a fraud reclaim scheme.
businessinsider.com
This educational piece advises families on recognizing when aging parents need help managing finances and how to assist appropriately. Key warning signs include reduced engagement with financial habits, difficulty organizing tax documents, and vulnerability to online scams and fraud. The article recommends starting conversations early, balancing autonomy with necessary safeguards, and working with financial advisors to protect seniors' retirement savings while preserving their dignity.
denvergazette.com
A 27-year-old man from New Jersey was sentenced to six years in prison for stealing over $120,000 from an 80-year-old Highlands Ranch woman through a fake federal agent gold bar scam in July 2023. Sagar Jayeshkuma Patel posed as law enforcement after she clicked a virus pop-up, convincing her to purchase gold bars and hand them over at a convenience store; he was caught through cellphone records, credit card records, and surveillance footage, and ordered to pay approximately $144,000 in restitution. Patel is also under investigation for similar crimes in New York and Delaware and faces an ICE hold for being an un
vvdailypress.com
A 75-year-old Apple Valley man foiled a tech support scam when he recognized a fraudulent pop-up ad claiming his information was compromised and asking him to withdraw $35,000. After reporting the scheme to the sheriff's department, the victim arranged for the suspect to pick up the money at his home, where deputies arrested 29-year-old Alex Yu of San Francisco on suspicion of attempted fraud. The incident underscores the importance of recognizing that legitimate banks and government agencies never request cash withdrawals or in-person money transfers.
tampafp.com
Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the bipartisan Romance Scam Prevention Act to protect dating app users, particularly seniors, from romance scams that cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022 and $43 million to Tennessee seniors over 60 in 2023 alone. The bill requires dating platforms to notify users when they have interacted with someone banned for fraud, addressing a gap where scammers shift conversations to private platforms like WhatsApp to avoid detection. Romance scam losses increased 70% between 2020 and 2022, with median individual losses of $4,400, prompting support from advocacy groups like AARP, though tech companies have raise
thefinancialbrand.com
A 2023 MIT and AARP study found that household wealth declines by more than half—from $217,000 to $104,000—in the eight years before a dementia diagnosis, as individuals make poor financial decisions and become vulnerable to exploitation while cognitive decline goes undetected. Nearly one in ten adults over 65 have diagnosable dementia, with financial red flags like missed payments and declining credit scores appearing up to six years before diagnosis, yet most financial institutions lack adequate proactive measures to protect at-risk clients during this critical pre-diagnosis window.
syvnews.com
Santa Maria financial advisor Julie Darrah pleaded guilty to wire fraud for stealing $2.25 million from at least nine elderly female clients between 2016 and 2023 through an investment scheme where she misappropriated funds from their brokerage and bank accounts, funneling money into her personal accounts and businesses. The scheme affected victims including an 85-year-old retired elementary school teacher, and Darrah faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, with sentencing scheduled for May 19 and restitution estimated at $7.7 million.
queensda.org
Lise Rossopoulos, 59, of Kew Gardens Hills, Queens, was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property for orchestrating a nationwide elder fraud scheme that defrauded senior citizens of over $500,000. The scam involved co-conspirators impersonating government officials (FTC and Amazon representatives) who convinced victims to wire money to bank accounts in Queens and upstate New York that Rossopoulos controlled, with funds withdrawn immediately after each transfer. Two identified victims—a 92-year-old from Hawaii and an 83-year-old from Kentucky—lost $446,000 and $101,980 respectively between February and July
audacy.com
Twenty-five Canadian nationals, mostly from Québec, were indicted for operating a "grandparent scam" that defrauded U.S. seniors in 41 states of approximately $21 million starting in summer 2021. The defendants made fraudulent phone calls from Montreal call centers posing as grandchildren or attorneys, claiming relatives needed bail money for arrests, and collected payments from victims' homes before transferring funds to Canada via cash deliveries and cryptocurrency transactions. Twenty-three suspects were arrested in Canada while two remained at large, with organizers facing up to 40 years in prison and other participants facing up to 20 years.