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Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
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in Robocall / Phone Scam
citybeat.com
· 2025-12-08
Pamela Moore, a 66-year-old grandmother with no prior criminal record, was sentenced to 24 months in prison in August 2024 for money laundering related to online romance scams. Between 2020 and 2023, Moore's bank accounts received over $8 million in criminally derived funds from romance scammers nationwide, and she personally converted approximately $1.7 million to Bitcoin at the scammers' direction. Moore herself had initially lost six figures to the same scammers after becoming emotionally vulnerable following her husband's death in 2015, eventually being manipulated into laundering their illicit proceeds through a fraudulent shell company.
huffpost.com
· 2025-12-08
Nearly 70,000 people reported romance scams to the FTC in 2022, losing a total of $1.3 billion with an average loss of $4,400. A notable case involved a French woman who lost €830,000 ($865,000) to a scammer impersonating Brad Pitt over an 18-month period, who used AI-generated images of the actor in a hospital to convince her he needed money for cancer treatment. The article advises families to watch for warning signs like sudden mood changes or secretive behavior in loved ones, and recommends approaching suspected victims with gentle questions rather than accusations, as confrontation can actually strengthen the scammer's control over
secretservice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Pig butchering is a billion-dollar cryptocurrency investment fraud scheme where scammers build trust with victims—often through fake romantic relationships on dating apps or unsolicited social media contact—and convince them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency projects that promise high returns. Victims are gradually encouraged to transfer increasing amounts of money until they suffer financial ruin, with the scammer disappearing once substantial funds have been obtained. To protect yourself, avoid unsolicited investment advice from online contacts, verify investment legitimacy through regulatory authorities, never share personal financial information with people you haven't met in person, and be suspicious of projects with guaranteed high returns or romantic interests who refuse to meet in person or appear on video calls.
press-herald.com
· 2025-12-08
A call forwarding scam targets banking customers by impersonating financial institutions and tricking victims into activating call forwarding codes (*72 or *401) that redirect incoming calls to scammers, who then intercept sensitive account information. To protect against this increasingly common fraud, consumers should never enter forwarding codes on unsolicited calls, avoid sharing account information over the phone, verify caller identity independently, monitor accounts for suspicious activity, and hang up and call their bank directly using trusted contact information when something seems suspicious.
upnorthlive.com
· 2025-12-08
A Traverse City convenience store lost $10,000 in a lottery ticket scam where suspects purchased large quantities of tickets using stolen credit cards, then cashed them through the Michigan Lottery app before the fraud was detected. The scam has affected multiple businesses across Michigan from the Upper Peninsula to south of Cadillac, with suspects believed to originate from the Battle Creek area and operating as an organized ring rather than isolated individuals. Police advise store employees to be alert for customers attempting to buy thousands of dollars in lottery tickets with failing credit cards and to call 911 immediately if such activity occurs.
scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple Hong Kong university students, particularly mainland students, have fallen victim to sophisticated phone scams where fraudsters impersonated law enforcement or government officials, with over 90 students from HKU and City University of Hong Kong defrauded of approximately HK$75 million (US$9.6 million) in recent months. The scams targeting this vulnerable population have increased dramatically, with monthly cases rising from an average of 24 to 91 between mid-2023 and October, prompting calls for enhanced cross-border protective measures.
sierradailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
An Alturas resident fell victim to a sophisticated Publishers Clearing House (PCH) sweepstakes scam after receiving a fraudulent letter claiming he had won $750,000 and instructing him to deposit an enclosed check to cover processing fees. Once the victim deposited the fake check, scammers gained access to his bank account and withdrew funds before the check's fraudulent nature was discovered. Authorities warn residents to never deposit unsolicited checks, verify prize claims directly with organizations, and report suspicious communications to the FTC and local law enforcement.
substack.com
· 2025-12-08
A Twitter/X account holder was compromised after falling for a phishing scam involving a fake copyright infringement notice email that mimicked official platform communications. The attacker gained access by trick the user into logging through a fraudulent form, then locked them out by adding themselves as a delegate account manager—a feature that persists even after password changes and two-factor authentication is disabled. The victim was unable to regain control despite attempting platform support, which provided only automated responses and could not resolve the issue due to the delegation exploit.
etedge-insights.com
· 2025-12-08
A 60-year-old technology professional in Bengaluru lost ₹2.8 crore to a sophisticated "free gift" scam in which a fraudster posed as a bank representative and delivered a smartphone preloaded with malicious software and a cloning app. After the victim inserted his SIM card, scammers gained remote access to his device, altered his bank account's registered mobile number, and siphoned funds from his fixed deposits. The article advises protecting against such scams by verifying unsolicited offers through official channels, inspecting unexpected devices before use, enabling two-factor authentication, and remaining skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
live959.com
· 2025-12-08
A Massachusetts resident received unsolicited calls from someone claiming to be "Sid" from American Express warning about fraudulent credit card activity and requesting verification at the number 1-800-450-8738. After initial skepticism, the caller's persistence led the recipient to investigate; while some online sources claimed the number was legitimate, contacting the real American Express fraud department confirmed it was a scam number. The scam demonstrates the increasing sophistication of voice impersonation fraud, where scammers use personal information and persistent contact attempts to gain trust before attempting financial exploitation.
newsbug.info
· 2025-12-08
Oak Grove Christian Retirement Village hosted an educational program featuring DeMotte police officials who presented information on elder financial abuse, which affects over 13% of American seniors annually and costs victims more than $3 billion yearly. The presentation covered eleven common scam types targeting seniors—including grandparent scams, charity fraud, phishing, and tax scams—while noting that victims aged 80-89, particularly women and those living alone, are most vulnerable, and that only 1 in 44 incidents are reported due to embarrassment and fear of losing independence. Attendees learned protective strategies such as verifying requests before sending money, monitoring financial statements, and reporting scams to the FTC or calling
wktn.com
· 2025-12-08
The Auglaize County Sheriff's Office issued a public awareness alert urging residents to recognize elder fraud threats, which include phone calls, emails, pop-ups, text messages, and letters targeting seniors. The advisory recommends not sharing personal information with unverified callers, avoiding sending money or gift cards to strangers, verifying emergency claims and prize winnings through trusted sources, and reporting suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission.
wfsb.com
· 2025-12-08
"Brushing" scams involve criminals sending unsolicited packages to consumers' addresses, often with QR codes that may contain malware or lead to personal information theft, while also using the shipment to write fake reviews under the recipient's name. The Better Business Bureau warns that consumers should avoid scanning QR codes on unexpected packages and report unordered items through Amazon's "report unsolicited packages" feature to prevent fraudsters from creating fake reviews that mislead other shoppers.
athensreview.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2025, scammers continue exploiting individuals through evolving phone, online, social media, and AI-powered schemes including voice recording manipulation, fake missing child posts, brushing scams, false invoices targeting businesses, and deepfake technology. Protection strategies include avoiding unfamiliar calls, verifying information through trusted sources, monitoring accounts for identity theft, enabling multi-factor authentication, and promptly reporting suspicious activity to the FTC, Better Business Bureau, or relevant authorities.
eagletimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers posing as Eversource energy company representatives are targeting customers in New Hampshire with threats to disconnect power unless they make immediate payments, using scare tactics to pressure victims into handing over money or personal information. Eversource and local police warn that the company never demands instant payment over the phone, requests gift cards or prepaid cards, or asks for personal information in unsolicited communications. Residents are advised to hang up on suspicious callers, verify requests through official company channels, and report incidents to local police.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns of four common tax season scams: tax identity theft through phishing and data breaches, email phishing impersonating the IRS, IRS impersonation via spoofed phone calls demanding payment under threats of arrest, and fraudulent "ghost" tax preparers who charge high fees and disappear. According to the IRS, taxpayers lost $5.5 billion to tax scams and fraud in 2023, and the BBB recommends verifying businesses, using personal accounts for deposits, and filing early to protect against these schemes.
kxxv.com
· 2025-12-08
McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara warned the public about a surge in cryptocurrency scams where scammers contact victims via email or text with threats (such as bail money needed or arrest warrants) to pressure them into depositing money into crypto kiosks. Reported losses from these scams jumped dramatically from $32,033 in 2023 to $3.84 million in the following year, with victims losing entire life savings; one New Braunfels woman lost $111,000, though another victim recovered $15,000 after police obtained a search warrant. Authorities advise victims to contact law enforcement immediately and warn that elderly individuals are frequently targeted by these
lamilano.it
· 2025-12-08
The Municipality of Bari approved the "Prevention of Fraud against the Elderly 2025" project, funded by the Ministry of the Interior with €60,532, to protect the over-65 population (approximately 75,000 residents) from scams via phone, in-person, and online. The initiative includes the "I won't fall for it" awareness campaign, a network of "Security Sentinels" for listening and support, and information distribution through community centers, banks, and other local organizations.
stomp.straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Two elderly victims lost a combined $5.9 million ($1 million and $4.9 million) in December 2024 to scammers who impersonated overseas police officers in a multi-step scheme involving fake telecom officials, forged documents, and local cash mules. The scammers convinced victims their phone numbers were involved in criminal activity abroad, then posed as foreign law enforcement to pressure them into withdrawing cash for "safekeeping." Singapore police clarified that foreign law enforcement cannot conduct investigations in Singapore and that local police never request cash withdrawals or send identification card images for verification.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Halifax police issued warnings about two suspects involved in multiple "grandparent scams" targeting seniors in the area, where callers impersonated arrested family members and demanded bail money, arranging to collect cash in person or via mail. Police emphasize that law enforcement and court officials never collect bail money at residences and urge seniors to hang up on such calls, avoid providing personal information, and verify caller identity before responding to money requests.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Imposter scams using AI and deepfake technology are among the most prevalent forms of fraud in 2024, with Floridians reporting approximately 35,000 complaints to the FTC between January and September. Scammers impersonate government officials, celebrities, and tech support representatives to steal money and personal information through spoofed calls, texts, emails, and convincing video calls. The article provides red flags to recognize these scams—such as demands for cryptocurrency payments, unsolicited security alerts, and threats of arrest—and advises victims to report incidents to law enforcement or the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline.
deccanherald.com
· 2025-12-08
A Bengaluru-based chartered accountant lost Rs 23.20 lakh in a stock investment scam that used deepfake videos of billionaires Mukesh Ambani, Narayana Murthy, and Sudha Murty to appear legitimate. After encountering the manipulated videos on Facebook in October 2024, the victim provided personal details, registered on a fraudulent website, and made multiple transfers between October and December 2024, only to be denied withdrawal requests and asked for additional payments. Police registered the case in January 2025 and are investigating the money trail and tracing the involved banks.
arynews.tv
· 2025-12-08
A 60-year-old IT expert in Bengaluru lost Rs90 million (approximately Rs28 million according to conversion noted in the article) after falling victim to a free mobile phone scam where he purchased a SIM card to receive a "free" phone that was pre-loaded with malware and spyware. The scammer used the infected device to steal the victim's banking credentials, OTPs, and passwords, then drained his accounts—a fraud he only discovered when his bank called to alert him.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 44-year-old woman in Hyderabad lost Rs 77 lakh of her family's life savings to a multi-stage crypto investment scam that began with a fake part-time job offer on Telegram in December 2024. The scammers built her trust through small initial payments, then lured her into a fraudulent "VIP programme" where a fake platform showed profit on her crypto investments while blocking her withdrawal attempts and continuously demanding larger deposits. The woman became suspicious only after repeated denials of access to profits and requests for additional fees and taxes, at which point she contacted police who are now investigating the case.
nwmissourinews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating Evergy electric utility have targeted Nodaway County residents since January, calling from cloned numbers and threatening immediate service disconnection unless customers purchase prepaid cards from Walmart to pay bills. Evergy warns that legitimate utility companies never demand immediate payment through gift cards, prepaid cards, or other untraceable methods, and advises customers to verify calls by contacting the company directly and avoiding suspicious links and emails. The scams particularly target vulnerable populations including elderly customers, and victims should report fraud to their bank and the utility company immediately.
kcentv.com
· 2025-12-08
The Temple Police Department is hosting a free Senior Scam Awareness Session on February 5 to educate community members about common scams targeting seniors, including Microsoft scams, IRS tax scams, Social Security/Medicare scams, and phishing schemes that typically request payment via prepaid cards, Bitcoin, or wire transfers. The session provides practical advice such as never sharing financial information with unverified callers, verifying contacts directly with banks, and checking official government websites for scam alerts. The event is open to all community members and aims to increase awareness of prevalent online and phone fraud tactics in Central Texas.
lakeexpo.com
· 2025-12-08
Russell Jason "Rusty" Rahm, a Lake of the Ozarks powerboater, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison in January 2025 for his role as a scheme leader in what federal prosecutors call the largest elder fraud incident in U.S. history. The 20-year magazine subscription fraud targeted 183,000 elderly victims who lost an estimated $335 million, with Rahm ordered to pay over $103 million in restitution. Rahm was one of 61 conspirators and must report to prison by March 11, 2025, despite his legal team's arguments that he suffers
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Fei Liang and Ziguang Li were sentenced to seven years and three months in prison for laundering over $6 million in proceeds from a nationwide "tech support" elder fraud scheme. The conspirators opened fictitious business bank accounts used to receive victim wire transfers after scammers falsely convinced elderly targets that they had criminal or technical account issues requiring immediate payment. Law enforcement recovered evidence from Li's residence including lists of fictitious businesses, victims' personal information, and bank account details for at least 25 entities involved in the money laundering operation.
ladailypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Los Alamos is launching the S.A.F.E. (Scam Awareness For Elders) initiative, a community-wide effort to combat the rising prevalence of scams targeting elderly residents. The program, supported by a $9,000 grant from the Non-Metro New Mexico Agency on Aging, will provide educational programs, training workshops, and outreach activities, including a kickoff event on January 29 featuring an FBI presentation on scam prevention. Planned activities include a February workshop on romance scams and a monthly book club beginning in March to help older adults recognize and avoid fraudulent schemes.
nbcmiami.com
· 2025-12-08
South Florida residents received phishing text messages claiming unpaid toll deadlines and threatening late fees or legal action, with fake links mimicking SunPass (a toll agency) to steal banking information and personal data. The scam targets toll customers nationwide and uses urgency tactics to prevent victims from verifying legitimacy. Authorities advise recipients to avoid clicking links, verify messages through official SunPass channels (786727 number or official email addresses), check accounts directly on sunpass.com, and report suspected scams to their messaging app or by forwarding to 7726.
techradar.com
· 2025-12-08
Sextortion scams are evolving to use personalized intimidation tactics, including victims' home addresses, phone numbers, and images of their neighborhoods in emails to create a false sense of immediate threat. Scammers now exploit invoicing platforms to bypass email security filters, claim devices are infected with malware like Pegasus, and demand cryptocurrency payments while threatening public humiliation or physical visits. Organizations and individuals can reduce vulnerability through robust email filtering and user education about these sophisticated social engineering tactics.
wsaw.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection outlines key strategies to prevent scams targeting older adults. While people in their 20s report scams most frequently, older adults experience the largest financial losses due to factors including unfamiliarity with technology and age-related cognitive conditions. The article recommends protecting yourself by securing social media privacy, avoiding engagement with scammers, verifying website legitimacy, and reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement or DATCP, while emphasizing the importance of supporting scam victims without blame.
wkbw.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a warning about two phone scams: one using spoofed Border Patrol numbers claiming the victim is in the country illegally and requesting Social Security numbers and dates of birth, and another involving scammers posing as CBP officers with pre-recorded or live calls claiming a package containing drugs and money was intercepted and requesting banking information. CBP emphasized that the agency does not solicit money or conduct enforcement over the phone, and urged residents to hang up and report such calls to the Federal Trade Commission.
democratandchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Customs and Border Protection warned New Yorkers of a rise in two phone scams: one using caller ID spoofing to impersonate Border Patrol agents and claim the recipient is in the country illegally, and another using pre-recorded messages or live callers claiming drugs and money addressed to the victim have been intercepted. Both scams attempt to extract personal identifying information or banking details by pressuring victims. The agency advises residents to hang up immediately, note the caller's number, and report suspected scams to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
abc7ny.com
· 2025-12-08
A Queens woman lost $700,000 in a gold bar scam after criminals installed malware on her computer and impersonated federal agents, convincing her that her bank accounts were hacked and she was under surveillance. The scammers manipulated her over two months through emails, phone calls, and texts, first draining her checking account with a $20,000 cash drop-off, then instructing her to purchase gold bars and coins from a Jackson Heights store in three separate transactions totaling nearly $700,000. The Nassau County District Attorney has arrested at least one alleged courier involved in this scam, which is occurring across the country.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Scam calls impersonating HMRC have increased by 84% since December, with fraudsters using automated messages in American-accented voices to threaten taxpayers with legal action and financial penalties ahead of the self-assessment deadline. Victims reported receiving intimidating calls claiming incorrect tax returns or demanding immediate payment, with scammers becoming aggressive when questioned. HMRC has warned the public never to share login details with unsolicited callers and provided red flags to identify fraudulent communications, noting that HMRC will never threaten legal action or arrest via voicemail.
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old retired Kerala High Court judge lost over Rs 90 lakh after joining a fraudulent WhatsApp group impersonating Aditya Birla Money, where scammers promised 850% returns on investments and disappeared with his funds. According to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Indians lost over Rs 120 crore to investment scams in Q1 2024 alone, with over 81,000 fake investment groups operating on WhatsApp. Investment scams typically involve fraudsters building trust through fake credentials, professional-looking platforms, and fabricated success stories, gradually escalating victim investments before vanishing with the funds.
walkermn.com
· 2025-12-08
Scams targeting Americans 60 and older resulted in over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, with imposter fraud rising significantly. The article provides seven protective strategies for older adults, including: ignoring unsolicited offers, avoiding suspicious links, being wary of pressure tactics, verifying remote access requests, withholding sensitive information, refusing to send money to unknown individuals, and designating a trusted contact at financial institutions.
mynorthwest.com
· 2025-12-08
Lynnwood Police arrested a 41-year-old man in California in December for allegedly stealing over $600,000 from retired victims through an impersonation scam involving fake calls from a 1-800 number posing as a U.S. Treasury Agent demanding payment. The suspect was extradited to Washington and charged with first-degree theft and first-degree criminal impersonation. Police emphasized that legitimate federal agencies never call demanding money and urged the public to hang up on such calls and report them immediately.
slguardian.org
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency scams targeting new investors are rising, including pump-and-dump schemes on meme coins, romance scams (causing $185 million in losses from 2021-2022), and fraudulent investment schemes promising unrealistic returns ($575 million in losses). Protection strategies include never sending crypto to strangers, verifying contact sources before engagement, and avoiding blackmail attempts, as cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible.
wxii12.com
· 2025-12-08
Davidson County Sheriff's Office warns residents of phone scams where fraudsters impersonate sheriff's office or court officials, claiming victims have outstanding warrants or missed court dates and demanding payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cash. Sheriff Richie Simmons emphasized that his office never requests money from citizens and noted that elderly individuals have lost significant sums to these scams, with some victims giving "their last dime." Simmons recommends victims pause before responding, consult trusted sources or contact the sheriff's office directly to verify claims, as scammers are often located outside the country and recovery is nearly impossible.
clickondetroit.com
· 2025-12-08
A "smishing" scam is circulating nationwide, with criminals sending text messages impersonating state tolling agencies and claiming recipients owe overdue tolls, with the goal of obtaining one-time bank verification codes to fraudulently enroll stolen credit cards in Apple Pay or Google Pay. The scam software was built in China and sold to criminal gangs worldwide, and multiple Local 4 News staff members received these fraudulent messages. Experts recommend immediately blocking such messages, reporting them as spam, and never clicking links or providing one-time verification codes.
dakotanewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in the Sioux Falls region are impersonating law enforcement and the IRS to defraud residents through phone calls and text messages. In one recent case, a 64-year-old woman lost $2,000 after a caller falsely claimed she had outstanding warrants and threatened immediate jail if she visited the sheriff's office in person. Experts advise that these scams exploit fear and authority, use pressure tactics to cloud judgment, and often involve requests to pay money upfront—a red flag since legitimate government agencies never contact people unsolicited via phone, text, or social media to demand payment.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Drivers across multiple states are being targeted by a phishing scam impersonating EZDriveMA, Massachusetts' electronic toll collection system, with fraudulent texts claiming small unpaid tolls of $6.99 that direct victims to fake websites to steal personal and financial information. The scam has generated thousands of complaints to the FBI, with Massachusetts residents as primary victims, though texts have been sent nationwide, prompting alerts from highway authorities across six New England states and New York. Authorities advise recipients never to click links in such messages, as the legitimate EZDriveMA system never requests payment by text and only communicates through www.EZDriveMA.com.
mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
An E-ZPass scam text claims recipients have unpaid tolls and threatens fines or license suspension, directing them to click a malicious link. The scam texts typically originate from Philippine phone numbers (+63 country code) and use urgent language and suspicious URLs to deceive victims. The Federal Trade Commission advises recipients not to click links, contact their tolling agency directly to verify, and report/delete the messages, as clicking could expose personal information and enable identity theft.
dailycardinal.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department received three reports of scammers impersonating UWPD officers and calling parents demanding bail money for their detained students via PayPal, Venmo, or ApplePay. No parents were defrauded after verifying the calls with actual UWPD. Police advise hanging up on callers claiming to be law enforcement demanding money and never sharing personal or financial information with random callers.
amp.scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 300 mainland Chinese students in Hong Kong lost HK$230 million (US$29.5 million) to phone scams in the previous year, with scammers impersonating mainland law enforcement or government officials. In January alone, police recorded 16 additional cases resulting in HK$20 million in losses, including an 18-year-old HKU student defrauded of HK$9.2 million through a money-laundering scam. Hong Kong's security chief emphasized that anti-scam awareness campaigns and questionnaires could help students recognize and avoid such schemes.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Lloyds Bank is warning customers never to share one-time passcodes, passwords, or activation codes, as fraudsters are impersonating bank staff over the phone to steal account access and funds. Criminals use stolen personal details to appear legitimate and employ tactics like claiming they need codes to cancel fraudulent payments or secure accounts, though legitimate banks never request such information unsolicited. The warning comes as unauthorized fraud losses reached £358 million in the first half of 2024, with cases rising 19% year-on-year to over 1.5 million incidents.
mothership.sg
· 2025-12-08
Singaporeans lost at least S$385.6 million to various scams in the first half of 2024, including e-commerce fraud, job scams, investment schemes, and government impersonation scams. The article highlights specific cases such as a luggage scam that defrauded 19 victims of S$7,000 and a Facebook egg scam that cost a family their life savings of S$150,000. Singapore's response includes the ScamShield app and helpline (1799) designed to identify scam messages and calls, block fraudulent numbers, and provide immediate assistance to potential victims.
mustsharenews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 65-year-old retired woman in Singapore was scammed out of S$100,000 by criminals posing as Shopee customer service, a bank employee, and a Monetary Authority of Singapore officer during a four-hour phone call on January 9. The scammers claimed her bank account was involved in money laundering and instructed her to transfer funds to a digital bank account to "protect her funds," ultimately leading to two unauthorized transfers of S$75,000 and S$25,000 from her account. The woman made a police report and took precautionary measures after her niece intervened and ended the call, though the funds had already been transferred out.