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gulfnews.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly European woman lost nearly 12 million dirhams in savings to a romantic scam in which an African-based fraudster posed as a wealthy Dubai businessman, emotionally manipulating her into selling all her assets and relocating to Dubai. Dubai Police's Cybercrime Director warned that such "romantic fraud" or emotional entrapment schemes exploit vulnerable individuals through social media, where scammers study victims' personal information to identify and exploit emotional vulnerabilities, with authorities noting that organized crime groups specialize in this method and that reporting suspicious accounts and increasing digital literacy are critical protective measures.
newindianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A 45-year-old man from Kerala lost Rs 4.05 crore to a WhatsApp-based share trading scam in late 2024, part of a broader fraud epidemic in the state where 23,753 people lost Rs 201 crore to online financial frauds in 2023 alone. Additional major scams include a Rs 4.08 crore scheme targeting a Kozhikode doctor and an estimated Rs 1,000 crore CSR-based scam promising discounted scooters and laptops. Experts attribute Kerala's vulnerability to fraud to cultural factors including competitive mentality, herd behavior in financial decisions, and susceptibility
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
A Louisiana woman discovered her inherited family property had been fraudulently sold for $45,000 when she attempted to pay taxes on the lot in December; criminals used identity theft with a forged signature, stolen notary stamp, and fake witnesses to impersonate her and transfer the deed to a company. Although the $45,000 payment was frozen and reversed, Batiste continues fighting to restore her legal title to the property, which has been in her family for over 200 years. Investigators believe this case may be connected to an international crime ring, as similar real estate identity theft schemes are becoming increasingly common across the nation.
thefiscaltimes.com
· 2025-12-08
This article reports on the Trump administration's DOGE project gaining access to sensitive Social Security Administration data following the resignation of Acting Commissioner Michelle King, who reportedly objected to the request. Experts warn that if such detailed personal information—including bank details, earnings records, and family information for virtually all Americans—is mishandled, it could facilitate widespread elder fraud and scams targeting seniors, or be weaponized for political purposes. The administration claims to be investigating massive fraud in Social Security, but researchers who study the system say the data cited represents minor, well-known issues rather than evidence of significant fraud.
businesstimes.com.sg
· 2025-12-08
Standard Chartered Bank partnered with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to conduct monthly digital literacy workshops for seniors aged 50-90 from August 2024 to February 2025, addressing Singapore's 16.3% rise in scam cases in the first half of 2024. The workshops taught seniors how to identify and protect themselves from fake friend, investment, and phishing scams, with 120 participants and 70 bank volunteers participating in hands-on training sessions. The initiative, part of a corporate volunteering program, demonstrates how partnerships between financial institutions and government agencies can raise fraud awareness and help vulnerable populations avoid becoming victims of self-effected transfer
kmvt.com
· 2025-12-08
Idaho is advancing House Bill 182, the "Report and Hold" legislation, which would allow financial institutions to pause suspicious transactions for up to 15 days to investigate potential fraud affecting seniors 65 and older and vulnerable adults. According to AARP, Idaho reported over 14,000 scams in 2023 and is one of only 8 states without such protective measures; the bill's supporters argue it could recover significant funds by enabling faster law enforcement involvement, though some community leaders express concerns about temporary account restrictions.
propublica.org
· 2025-12-08
**Article Type:** Government/Tax Fraud Accountability
The new acting administrator of the General Services Administration appointed Frank Schuler IV, co-founder of a firm that profited from "syndicated conservation easement" tax shelter schemes, as a senior adviser. Schuler's company exploited a tax deduction intended for land conservation by packaging inflated property appraisals into outsized tax deductions for wealthy clients, costing the government tens of billions in revenue and earning promoters millions in fees; the scheme was finally restricted through 2022 legislation after years of IRS crackdowns, court cases, and a bipartisan Senate investigation that deemed it among "the worst of the
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) requested access to Social Security Administration (SSA) data and claimed to have discovered "massive fraud" involving 150-year-olds receiving benefits, prompting the resignation of the SSA's acting commissioner after 30+ years of service. Experts believe the 150-year-old cases likely result from outdated COBOL programming errors rather than actual fraud, with overpayments representing less than 1% of total benefits, while the expanded access to sensitive beneficiary information—including medical records, earnings histories, and personal data on nearly 73 million recipients—raises cybersecurity concerns that could expose older adults to
en.vietnamplus.vn
· 2025-12-08
Thai police launched a "Senior's Community Cyber Police Club" to combat rising online fraud targeting older citizens, who lost 4.4 billion THB (125 million USD) in nearly 14,000 reported cases during 2024. The program provides weekly educational Zoom sessions teaching seniors about common scams such as fake product sales, fraudulent job offers, and extortion calls impersonating officials, with early results showing declining victimization rates and increasing membership. The initiative complements other awareness efforts including weekly Facebook programs and daily scam alerts as part of Thailand's broader cybercrime prevention strategy.
snopes.com
· 2025-12-08
A rumor circulated in February 2025 claiming that a Trump executive order ended FBI community outreach efforts, stemming from a photo of a cancellation notice for an FBI presentation on senior scams at an Ohio YMCA facility. While the FBI confirmed the February 17 event was canceled, the agency explicitly stated it was not due to any executive order, and no public evidence supports claims that Trump administration actions specifically dismantled FBI community outreach programs. The rumor spread widely on social media, accumulating thousands of upvotes on Reddit before being removed.
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Annette Ford, a 57-year-old Australian, lost approximately ₹4.2 crore (AUD $580,000) to two separate romance scams after joining the dating site Plenty of Fish in 2018. The first scammer, posing as "William," extracted ₹1.6 crore over time through fabricated emergencies, while a second scammer, "Nelson," induced her to use Bitcoin ATMs to transfer ₹2.5 crore, leaving her homeless and couch-surfing. In 2023, Australia recorded over 3,200 romance scams resulting in nearly ₹130 crore in
coppercourier.com
· 2025-12-08
Online romance scams in Arizona resulted in over $47 million in losses during 2022-2023, with victims ranging from elderly individuals to people in their 30s, making the state the fifth-highest in the nation for such fraud. Key warning signs include scammers professing "instant love," quickly moving communication off dating platforms, refusing to share photos, and requesting money, sometimes stringing victims along for extended periods. Law enforcement and AARP Arizona warn that scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence and new technology to impersonate people, and encourage vigilance especially around Valentine's Day when people are most vulnerable to romance-based fraud.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services offers a free educational workshop on recognizing and avoiding scams, covering phone, text, email, and online fraud prevention. The workshop teaches participants how to protect themselves online and provides guidance on what to do if they become scam victims.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Mortgage fraud increased over 8 percent in 2024, with one fraudulent application occurring in every 123 submitted applications. Common types include origination fraud (misrepresenting borrower qualifications, with falsified income being most frequent at 42 percent of investigated cases), occupancy fraud (claiming owner-occupancy to secure better terms while actually renting the property), identity fraud (using stolen personal information to apply for mortgages), and churning (unnecessary refinancing by loan officers). Victims of mortgage fraud—whether suspects or unknowing participants—face serious consequences including immediate loan repayment demands and potential foreclosure, while rising fraud also drives up mortgage rates for all borrowers.
denverpost.com
· 2025-12-08
A 55-year-old Colorado contractor, Lance Slayton, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for defrauding an elderly woman of over $70,000 in a home restoration project while also exposing an Arvada neighborhood to hazardous asbestos contamination. Instead of properly removing and abating asbestos from a fire-damaged property, Slayton used unlicensed workers, improperly disposed of the carcinogen, and failed to complete the work, placing residents and workers at risk. Prosecutors are seeking $85,000 in restitution, to be determined at an April hearing.
dailydot.com
· 2025-12-08
An FBI field office in Cleveland, Ohio canceled a free educational presentation on scams targeting seniors scheduled for February 17th at a Geauga County YMCA, with an agent initially citing a new executive order prohibiting FBI community outreach. The FBI later clarified the cancellation resulted from miscommunication rather than any official policy change, and stated it remains committed to its community outreach programs and fraud prevention education for seniors.
goldcountrymedia.com
· 2025-12-08
This appears to be a system notification or website error message rather than an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. It contains generic website messaging about email verification and session renewal, along with an unrelated notice about a local history museum. This content does not contain information suitable for the Elderus elder fraud research database.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, romance scams resulted in $823 million in losses according to the Federal Trade Commission, with scammers increasingly using AI chatbots on dating apps and social media to make fraudulent schemes more convincing and personalized. Older adults are particularly vulnerable targets because scammers assume they have financial stability and retirement savings. Red flags include rapid relationship progression, no in-person meetings, and repeated money requests; victims should report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
truthout.org
· 2025-12-08
This article concerns a federal government appointment rather than elder fraud, so it falls outside Elderus's scope of elder abuse and scams targeting seniors. The piece details how Frank Schuler IV, co-founder of a real estate firm that profited from "syndicated conservation easement" tax schemes condemned by the Senate and IRS, was appointed as a senior adviser to the GSA administrator—a position critics argue is inappropriate given Schuler's history exploiting tax provisions and costing the government billions in lost revenue.
business-standard.com
· 2025-12-08
A senior citizen in Karnataka lost Rs 3 lakh after searching for his bank manager's phone number on Google and calling a fraudster who had planted fake contact details online; the scammer posed as the bank manager, built trust through video and voice calls, and tricked the victim into clicking a malicious link that enabled unauthorized withdrawal. The article also reports a separate "digital arrest" scam in Agra where two suspects extorted money by impersonating police officers and threatening legal consequences. Protection requires verifying contact details through official websites or bank helplines rather than search results, and avoiding clicks on suspicious message links.
king5.com
· 2025-12-08
A Washington State House hearing examined a bill to protect vulnerable adults after an Olympia senior citizen lost $300,000 in a coercion scam where fraudsters convinced her to liquidate investments and wire funds to purchase gold coins. The proposed House Bill 1900 would require banks to flag suspected fraudulent activity on vulnerable adults' accounts and immediately notify state authorities, addressing a gap in federal law that leaves victims of coerced wire transfers without reimbursement protection. The bill's sponsor cited the victim's case as motivation to prevent others from losing their life savings to financial exploitation.
thedailystar.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified New Medicare Card Scams as its February Medicare Fraud of the Month, warning seniors that Medicare does not issue new cards annually and scammers use fraudulent card offers to steal personal information like doctor names, medical conditions, and medications. The organization provided guidance on protecting oneself, including verifying caller legitimacy, not sharing personal details, and reporting suspected fraud to the NY Senior Medicare Patrol Helpline at 800-333-4374.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 57-year-old Perth woman lost ₹4.3 crore ($780,000) in life savings to two separate online romance scams between 2018 and 2022, leaving her homeless and couch-surfing across Western Australia. The first scam involved a man named "William" on a dating site who gained her trust over months before requesting money for increasingly elaborate emergencies (stolen wallet, medical bills, unpaid wages), ultimately costing her ₹1.6 crore; a second scam four years later with a man named "Nelson" on Facebook involved a fake FBI investigation scheme and Bitcoin transfers, resulting in an additional ₹1.5
iomtoday.co.im
· 2025-12-08
Sixteen Isle of Man residents reported being victims of dating scams to Action Fraud between 2020 and 2024, contributing to an estimated £409.7 million in losses across the British Isles from romance fraud during this five-year period. Victims lost an average of over £10,000 each, with the psychological and emotional impact often leaving victims isolated due to shame and stigma. The scams affected people across all age groups, though victims were more likely to be middle-aged.
hjnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Box Elder County Sheriff's Office issued a Valentine's Day awareness campaign warning residents about romance scams and catfishing schemes that increase during the holiday season. The advisory recommends exercising caution with online dating matches, particularly those professing quick romantic commitment, and advises against sending money, personal information, or compromising photos to individuals met only online. The Sheriff's Office and FCC recommend using public records and reverse image searches to verify identities and meeting in person before making emotional or financial commitments.
midmichigannow.com
· 2025-12-08
A federal grand jury indicted two people from Jamaica—Monique Clarke, 28, and Jon-Michael Hudson, 33—for operating a lottery scam conspiracy that defrauded at least 51 elderly victims of more than $6.6 million between October 2020 and January 2021. The scheme involved calling victims claiming they'd won lottery prizes, then demanding upfront payments for taxes and fees, with money mules depositing victim checks into accounts and funneling cash to the defendants; Clarke alone received over $500,000 and used part of it to purchase a Mercedes-Benz in Jamaica. Both defendants face up to 20 years in prison if convicted, and authorities
observernews.net
· 2025-12-08
This article announces the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office's eighth annual fraud awareness forum scheduled for March 4 in Sun City Center, Florida, designed to educate seniors about evolving scams and fraud prevention. The free event will feature presentations on AI fraud, nonprofit fraud, and the emotional impact of scams, with expert panelists available for questions and community resources on-site. The forum emphasizes that education is the primary defense against victimization, as scammers continually adapt their tactics using advancing technology.
clickorlando.com
· 2025-12-08
An 84-year-old woman in Volusia County, Florida was defrauded out of approximately $32,500 in a fake Publisher's Clearing House sweepstakes scam in June 2023, after being told she won $1 million and needed to pay upfront taxes. Two suspects were arrested, including 25-year-old Shania Baptiste, who was extradited from New York and faces felony charges of fraud and grand theft; the victim had sent two checks ($20,000 and $12,500) despite warnings from bank and store employees that she was being scammed. The case highlights the ongoing threat of PCH impersonation scams targeting
ctvnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
I appreciate you testing my instructions, but I should clarify: this content appears to be a collection of news headlines unrelated to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. The items cover weather in Alberta, a food/toy drive, an Istanbul building restoration, and a Chernobyl incident.
As an Elderus summarizer, I'm designed to process articles specifically about scams, fraud, elder abuse, or related awareness/education. This material falls outside that scope, so I cannot provide a relevant summary for the database.
If you have an article about elder fraud or scams you'd like summarized, please share that instead.
riverreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified Medicare card scams as its February Fraud of the Month, warning seniors against calls and offers claiming Medicare is issuing new cards or special upgraded versions. Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion annually, and scammers typically pose as Medicare representatives to solicit personal health information or trick beneficiaries into requesting replacement cards that do not actually exist. Seniors can protect themselves by remembering that Medicare cards do not expire and only issue standard paper cards, and they should report suspected fraud to the NYS Medicare Fraud Helpline at 800/333-4374.
ukiahdailyjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman lost money to a romance scam in which an online suitor fabricated emergencies (car accident, medical bills) to request loans totaling over $1,000. The executive director of the Ukiah Senior Center describes this as part of a widespread trend of financial fraud targeting seniors, including romance scams, impersonation schemes (government officials, grandchildren), and lottery scams. The article advises victims to verify requests before sending money, watch for red flags in online relationships, and report suspected fraud to law enforcement or the Federal Trade Commission without shame.
wrtv.com
· 2025-12-08
Hamilton County libraries launched free digital literacy workshops covering cybersecurity, email, internet, mobile devices, and videoconferencing to help community members, particularly older adults, safely navigate technology. The initiative addresses a critical need, as the FBI reported online elder scams caused $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, an 11% increase from 2022. Classes meet multiple times weekly and are open to seniors and small business owners seeking to build confidence and protect themselves from fraud.
keyt.com
· 2025-12-08
Craig Case, owner of Case Security and a TV show host, faces felony charges including elderly fraud and conspiracy for allegedly stealing $690,000 from the estate of elderly Montecito resident Constance McCormick Fearing between 2018-2021 through fraudulent loans obtained via Nancy Coglizer, who held power of attorney and has pleaded guilty to her role. The scheme involved small checks (typically $5,000) designed to avoid bank scrutiny, and Case's trial is nearing completion with jury instructions scheduled for Friday and closing arguments Monday morning.
wtov9.com
· 2025-12-08
A Texas man, Rockey Kuykendall, was arrested and extradited to West Virginia for defrauding an elderly Marshall County woman of approximately $53,000 through a prize-winning scam, in which he posed as a local representative claiming to deliver a cash prize and vehicle. The victim's alert family member reported the scheme, enabling detectives to trace checks and identify the suspect, with assistance from Texas National Bank and Marshall Police. Authorities indicate the investigation is ongoing and warn of increasing elder fraud cases, urging victims and their families to report suspected scams immediately.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
An Indian national, Moinuddin Mohammed, was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison for his role as a courier in an international money laundering conspiracy that defrauded elderly victims of nearly $6 million. The scheme involved fraudsters impersonating U.S. government officials to convince victims to surrender cash, gold, and savings; identified victims lost between $151,500 and $470,000 each, with 21 total victims nationwide. Mohammed was ordered to pay approximately $960,000 in restitution and forfeit an additional $36,000 in seized assets.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Thirty New York organizations, including AARP, have signed a letter supporting Governor Hochul's proposal to allow banks to place holds on transactions suspected of involving elder financial exploitation. According to FBI data, elder fraud complaints increased 14% nationally in 2023 with associated losses up 11%, and New York ranks among the top five states for elder fraud complaints and monetary losses. An AARP survey found 88% of New Yorkers age 45 and older support the proposed measure to protect vulnerable seniors from scammers using sophisticated methods to target older adults.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A speaker will present "Break Your Bank, Break Your Heart: Avoiding Romance Scams" at the La Canada Community Center on February 28, 2025, addressing the growing threat of romance scams targeting seniors. The presentation will cover the warning signs of romance scams, how to avoid them, recovery strategies, common victim characteristics, and ways to strengthen emotional resilience against these emotionally and financially devastating schemes.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
A 30-year-old Florida man was ordered to pay over $1.1 million for operating EmpiresX, a $100 million cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors across 50+ countries from 2020-2021. The article explains common crypto scams including Ponzi schemes, pig-butchering scams (which combine romance fraud with fake investment schemes), and advises protection strategies such as verifying investment legitimacy, being cautious of unsolicited financial offers, and understanding that cryptocurrency transactions are difficult to reverse or recover.
vox.com
· 2025-12-08
Text message scams have become a sophisticated and growing threat, with complaints increasing 500 percent from 2015 to 2022 as scammers use AI and personal data to craft convincing, targeted messages about unpaid fines, packages, and other common scenarios. In 2024 alone, phone scammers stole over $25 billion, averaging $450 per victim, with risks increasing when messages include personal details like names or addresses. The article advises consumers to verify suspicious texts independently, avoid clicking links from unknown senders, and recognize red flags like unusual domain extensions, as human vigilance remains the most effective defense against increasingly sophisticated text fraud.
cardrates.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission estimates that financial scams against older Americans in 2023 resulted in losses as high as $61.5 billion, with individuals over 60 reporting fraud more frequently than any other age group. Tech support fraud, where criminals impersonate legitimate tech employees to gain access to victims' accounts, is the leading fraud type targeting seniors. Huntington Bank launched a Caregiver Banking program in December 2024 that allows older adults and those needing financial assistance to securely share account access with trusted caregivers or family members to help prevent fraud exploitation.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A 60-year-old San Luis Obispo man was defrauded of $2,717 by his caregiver, 37-year-old Jessica Hamilton, and her boyfriend Rafael Gonzales, who made unauthorized cash advances, ATM withdrawals, and purchases at entertainment venues between October 2024 and January 2025 using the victim's debit card that he had entrusted to Hamilton for medication payments. Hamilton and Gonzales were arrested on February 8, 2025, with Hamilton facing charges including felony elder abuse, felony embezzlement, felony conspiracy, and felony dissuading a witness after she attempted to persuade the victim
indicanews.com
· 2025-12-08
An Indian national, Moinuddin Mohammed, 34, was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison in Austin for conspiracy to commit money laundering related to a scheme that defrauded elderly victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and gold. The defendant played a role in laundering the proceeds from this elder fraud operation.
theadvocate.com
· 2025-12-08
Helen Williams, a 78-year-old retired Lafayette educator, became a victim of elder financial exploitation when her nephew, Gregory T. Red, used her Social Security number and forged her signature to obtain fraudulent mortgage loans and credit cards totaling over $500,000 after gaining her trust under the pretense of settling a companion's estate. Red was arrested in July and charged with exploitation of a person with infirmities, mortgage fraud, and credit card fraud, but despite his arrest and dismissal of fraudulent debts by financial institutions, mortgage servicer Mill City Mortgage and debt collector CarVal Investors continue aggressively pursuing foreclosure on Williams' home. The case highlights financial exploitation as one of
2news.com
· 2025-12-08
43-year-old Aurora Phelps of Las Vegas was charged in a 21-count indictment for running a romance scam targeting older men through online dating services between July 2021 and December 2022, during which she allegedly drugged victims and stole from their bank accounts. Phelps, currently in custody in Mexico, faces charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping, with a potential life sentence if convicted on all counts. The FBI is seeking additional victims and has established resources including a dedicated webpage and the National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-372-8311) for those 60 and older who may
wbaltv.com
· 2025-12-08
Aurora Phelps, 43, used online dating apps (Tinder, Hinge, Bumble) to target at least four older men in 2021-2022, drugging them with prescription sedatives and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars through bank accounts, credit cards, and stock sales in what FBI officials described as "romance scam on steroids." Three of the victims died, and Phelps—currently in custody in Mexico—faces 21 federal charges including wire fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping resulting in death, with investigators seeking her extradition and urging additional potential victims to come forward.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Five defendants were convicted in a conspiracy to steal $1.1 million in retirement funds from 25 different 401(k) accounts belonging to elderly retired Florida school district employees between January and March 2022, with insider Vargas, who worked for the retirement fund company, orchestrating fraudulent withdrawal forms faxed to the company. The conspirators face up to 20 years in prison, with four defendants facing a mandatory minimum of two years, and sentencing is scheduled for April 28, 2025.
kolotv.com
· 2025-12-08
Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar presented Senate Bill 76, which would redirect money from successful judgments against financial scammers into a victim compensation fund offering up to $25,000 per victim, with initial funding of $500,000. The bill aims to encourage victims—particularly elderly residents who AARP noted are most vulnerable to these scams—to come forward by reducing shame and stigma, as Nevada ranks third nationally in financial crimes. Aguilar advised victims to verify financial planners' legitimacy through his office and warned that scammers typically build trust before presenting fraudulent investment opportunities.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Middlesex County, New Jersey is hosting a free Senior Fraud Prevention Conference on March 14, 2025, in partnership with the County Prosecutor's Office to educate older adults, caregivers, and service providers about scams targeting seniors. The conference will cover common fraud schemes including online, phone, and door-to-door scams, with expert guidance from law enforcement on protecting personal information and financial security. Registration is required and closes March 10.
wpdh.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old Town of Wallkill woman was defrauded of $30,000 after receiving a fraudulent email impersonating PayPal that directed her to a scammer posing as an FTC agent who convinced her to empty her bank account for "safe keeping." Working with Town of Wallkill Police, the victim agreed to a follow-up transaction of $20,000, during which an undercover officer posed as the elderly woman and arrested the suspected scammer, identified as Caiduan Li from Brooklyn, who was charged with Grand Larceny in the third degree and taken into custody by Homeland Security.
brandonsun.com
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old Winnipeg woman narrowly avoided a lottery scam when a caller claiming to represent Lotto Max offered her $150,000 and a Range Rover, then requested a $2,000-$3,000 bank draft as an upfront fee. According to TD Bank fraud data, nearly 600 Manitobans were defrauded of over $36 million in the first nine months of 2024, with 31 percent of Manitoba and Saskatchewan residents reporting victimization by financial fraud, though only 14 percent feel confident detecting scams.