Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
7,257 results
in General Elder Fraud
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Craig Case, a 76-year-old Santa Barbara security company owner and part-time TV host, was found guilty on 63 of 64 counts for embezzling approximately $690,000 from Constance McCormick Fearing, a Montecito arts patron who died in 2022. Between 2018 and April 2021, Case conspired with Nancy Coglizer (who held power of attorney over Fearing) to write checks to Case in small amounts disguised as security service payments, avoiding financial institution oversight. The jury determined multiple aggravating factors applied, including the victim's vulnerability, the significant financial loss, and Case's exploitation of
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Southern California men were arrested in connection with a $10 million fraud scheme that targeted at least 100 elderly victims through phone calls, emails, and fake real estate offers between fall 2021 and the present. The defendants created fake identities, shell companies, and fraudulent bank accounts to impersonate law enforcement and company employees, convincing victims their accounts were compromised and tricking them into transferring funds or purchase fake property. If convicted of money laundering conspiracy, each defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
tribtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Organized scam operations, particularly from Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, are increasingly targeting older adults and professionals through sophisticated "pig butchering" schemes that involve months of psychological grooming before stealing victims' money via cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or money transfer apps. Victims—including financial advisers, bank presidents, attorneys, and even FBI agents—lose funds that are rarely recovered, with artificial intelligence making scams more effective and harder to detect. The article recommends older adults protect themselves by verifying all communications, avoiding online dating sites, limiting social media activity, refusing cryptocurrency offers, and consulting trusted contacts before sending any money.
lehighvalleylive.com
· 2025-12-08
A 24-year-old New Jersey man, Hirtik Hemchand Khatri, was arrested and faces first-degree felony charges for defrauding a 74-year-old Pennsylvania man out of approximately $688,372 through a fake bank error scheme. The scam began with a disputed PayPal charge, escalated through false claims of accidental overpayments, and ultimately involved the victim purchasing nearly $600,000 in gold bars and transferring Bitcoin, which Khatri collected in person. Authorities identified Khatri through a license plate reader and photo identification, and note that the Lehigh County Elder Abuse Task Force has
wkyt.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FBI received 908 elder fraud complaints in Kentucky totaling over $12 million in losses, with gold and precious metals scams on the rise. Scammers impersonate government officials to pressure elderly victims into converting their savings to gold, often failing to deliver the promised metals; one Kentucky woman lost $113,000 in such a scheme. The FBI advises that legitimate government agencies would never call to pressure gold purchases and recommends researching dealers and reporting suspected fraud to the FBI's Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michael P. Garcia, 36, of Miami was arrested in Florida and indicted on conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for his role in a scam that defrauded at least four victims of over $550,000. Garcia allegedly recruited couriers to collect cash, gold bars, and other valuables from victims after conspirators falsely claimed to represent financial institutions and told victims their accounts had been compromised. Specific victims included individuals in Brooklyn and North Carolina, and a 76-year-old Fenton, Missouri resident who lost $20,000 in cryptocurrency and approximately $200,000 in gold bars.
wccbcharlotte.com
· 2025-12-08
While younger people in their 20s and 30s fall for scams at more than twice the rate of those over 60, older adults lose significantly more money when victimized—the FTC estimates seniors lost $61 billion to fraud last year compared to $158 billion total across all ages. Scammers tailor tactics by age group, targeting seniors with tech support and gift card scams while exploiting millennials through romance, shopping, and employment fraud. The key takeaway is that vulnerability to scams is not age-specific; rather, financial impact differs substantially based on available resources.
waka.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
While younger people (ages 20-30) fall for scams at more than twice the rate of those over 60, older adults lose significantly larger amounts of money when victimized, accounting for approximately $61 billion of the $158 billion in total consumer fraud losses last year. Scammers employ age-specific tactics, targeting seniors with computer support and gift card scams while using shopping, romance, employment, and sextortion schemes against younger demographics. The key finding challenges the common misconception that older adults are the primary scam victims, revealing instead that vulnerability varies by age group in terms of both frequency and financial impact.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Fraud targeting older adults in Arizona and nationwide represents a significant crisis, with those 60 and over reporting $3.4 billion in losses nationally in 2023, including $128 million in Arizona, according to FBI data. AARP volunteer Jerry Watterworth and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes are leading prevention efforts by educating seniors about evolving scams including romance frauds, Bitcoin schemes, identity theft, and tech-support scams, emphasizing that fraudsters continuously adapt their methods and prevention through awareness of red flags is key. The article stresses that because scammers exploit human nature—the desire to trust and connect—older residents must remain vigilant across all communication
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This article highlights AARP Arizona's fraud prevention efforts in response to a significant crisis: people over 60 reported $3.4 billion in fraud losses nationwide in 2023, with $128 million in Arizona alone. The article details common scams targeting older Arizonans—including romance scams, Bitcoin/cryptocurrency schemes, identity theft, and tech-support fraud—and emphasizes that prevention through awareness of red flags (unsolicited contact, high-pressure tactics, requests for personal information) is essential, as scam methods continually evolve with changing technology.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" annual warning list identifying twelve common tax scams, including phishing/smishing attacks impersonating the IRS, misleading tax advice on social media, fake charity donations, ghost tax preparers, and schemes involving false fuel tax credits and inflated withholding claims. The IRS urges taxpayers to verify information through official channels, avoid unsolicited communications, use registered tax professionals, and report suspected fraud to protect against identity theft, financial losses, and legal penalties during tax season.
local3news.com
· 2025-12-08
While older adults are commonly perceived as primary scam victims, data shows that people in their 20s and 30s fall for scams at more than twice the rate of those over 60, though seniors who do lose money typically lose significantly larger amounts. Younger people are frequently targeted by shopping, romance, employment, and identity theft scams, while older adults are more susceptible to tech support and gift card scams. Despite accounting for only some of the overall scam losses, people over 60 lost approximately $61 billion to fraud last year, highlighting that all age groups face risk and require vigilance.
grandforksherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Grand Forks Public Schools fell victim to a phishing scam in August when staff members transferred approximately $2.2 million to a fraudster posing as a construction vendor, resulting in a net loss of $842,730 after recovery efforts and insurance payments. The scam highlights the increasing prevalence of phishing and other online fraud schemes targeting both individuals and public entities, with the FBI reporting 298,878 phishing complaints in 2023 alone. The article emphasizes that phishing scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and persuasive, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds, and urges the public to exercise extreme caution with online transactions.
nbcbayarea.com
· 2025-12-08
Bay Area police are warning elderly residents about an ongoing jewelry theft scam in which perpetrators approach victims claiming to offer or upgrade their jewelry, then quickly steal their genuine gold and valuables using distraction tactics and sleight of hand. The scam has affected multiple seniors across the South Bay, including incidents in San Jose, Palo Alto, San Ramon, and Milpitas, with at least one documented victim losing a genuine gold necklace. Police advise residents to avoid accepting gifts from strangers, maintain distance from unfamiliar people, and report any incidents to local law enforcement.
wkbn.com
· 2025-12-08
A Mentor, Ohio woman lost her entire life savings of over $663,000 to a cryptocurrency romance scam after being contacted via text in November 2023, becoming one of at least 33 victims who collectively lost approximately $4.9 million. The scammer built trust by bonding over shared interests, then convinced the victim to open a cryptocurrency account and transfer funds to a fake investment platform that promised high returns but was controlled entirely by the fraudster. U.S. attorneys have seized over 8.2 million USDT in cryptocurrency and filed a civil complaint to recover and return the stolen funds to victims.
newindianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A special Anti-Corruption Bureau court in Mumbai ordered police to file criminal charges against former SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and five senior officials of the Bombay Stock Exchange for alleged stock market fraud, regulatory violations, and collusion in facilitating the fraudulent listing of a company that did not meet prescribed norms. The court found prima facie evidence of regulatory lapses and noted that SEBI and law enforcement had failed to act despite multiple complaints, directing the ACB to file a status report within 30 days and oversee the investigation.
bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly couple lost Rs 1.3 crore (approximately $155,000 USD) over six months in a "digital arrest" scam that began in August 2024 when fraudsters impersonating officials from mobile service providers, TRAI, cybercrime, and police departments convinced the victim she faced arrest for money laundering and other crimes. The scammers manipulated her into liquidating savings, breaking fixed deposits, and pledging gold and mutual funds through repeated threats and false claims delivered via phone, video calls, Skype, and WhatsApp, with the fraud only discovered when contact abruptly ceased. The victim experienced severe mental distress and health issues; a police
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Etienne Jackson, 39, of Menands, New York, was arrested on March 1, 2025, after attempting a "grandparent scam" targeting an elderly woman by calling and claiming her grandson needed $9,800 for bail. The victim contacted police instead of paying, and officers arrested Jackson without incident when he arrived at her home to collect the money. Jackson was charged with Attempted Grand Larceny 3rd Degree.
mytexasdaily.com
· 2025-12-08
A 47-year-old Houston man pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy in a romance scam that defrauded over 25 elderly and retired victims nationwide of more than $3 million. Darlington Akporugo used fake identities on social media to build trust with victims, then convinced them to invest in fake businesses or send money for fabricated personal emergencies, directing funds to accounts he controlled, often overseas. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine at sentencing scheduled for June 6.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
In August 2021, Kate Kleinert, a 68-year-old widow near Philadelphia, fell victim to a romance scam when a man posing as a doctor on Facebook befriended her and eventually convinced her to send him $39,000 under false pretenses. The scam highlights the prevalence of imposter fraud, with Pennsylvania reporting nearly $237 million in fraud losses in 2023, and has spurred AARP Pennsylvania to advocate for "report and hold" legislation that would require banks to freeze suspicious transfers to seniors for at least seven days and notify family members and authorities.
kaaltv.com
· 2025-12-08
While older adults are commonly perceived as the primary scam victims, data shows that people in their 20s and 30s fall for scams at more than twice the rate of those over 60, though seniors lose significantly larger dollar amounts per incident. Scammers tailor tactics by age group, targeting younger people with shopping, romance, employment, and sextortion scams, while seniors face computer support, gift card, and financial fraud schemes. The Federal Trade Commission reported consumers lost over $158 billion to fraud last year, with people over 60 accounting for approximately $61 billion of those losses.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns retired Americans about task scams, a rapidly growing job fraud scheme that cost victims over $220 million in 2024 and accounted for 40% of all job scam reports to the FTC. The scams target economically insecure retirees seeking side income by advertising easy online work but ultimately pressuring victims to invest their own money or use cryptocurrency. The article advises retirees to recognize red flags such as unsolicited job offers via text, vague job descriptions, and requests for personal investment, while recommending data removal services to reduce the risk of scammers obtaining their contact information from public data brokers.
bctv.org
· 2025-12-08
The IRS released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list of common tax scams to warn taxpayers, businesses, and tax professionals about prevalent fraud schemes that peak during filing season but occur year-round. The list highlights 12 pervasive threats including email phishing scams, text message scams (smishing), and misleading social media tax advice, which can lead to identity theft, unauthorized tax credit claims, and financial loss. The IRS has maintained this educational awareness campaign since 2002 and works with state agencies, tax software companies, and financial institutions to protect taxpayers from evolving scams and refund fraud.
indiatvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old bedridden woman in Kolkata was defrauded when a bank employee falsely claimed her son had authorized a Rs 40 lakh fixed deposit, convincing her to sign documents without verification. The funds were transferred from her savings account on February 27, 2025, shortly after she had received an inheritance following her uncle's death in January. The woman's son has since reported the incident to bank officials, alleging the employee fabricated the authorization to meet sales targets and exploited her vulnerability and isolation.
bradfordera.com
· 2025-12-08
Smethport Senior Center hosted a presentation by Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Ronald Chewning on senior safety and scams awareness. The event provided valuable information to help seniors protect themselves from fraud.
ipsos.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2025 Ipsos poll found that younger Canadians are more likely than older adults to have experienced impersonation scams on social media and phone, contrary to common stereotypes about elder vulnerability. While 84% of Canadians are confident detecting email scams, confidence drops significantly to 57% for detecting smart device intrusions, with those 55+ showing the lowest confidence at 51%. Notably, most Canadians—including seniors—are aware of AI's rapid advancement and its use in creating realistic voice and video impersonations, though older adults show lower awareness (60%) than younger groups of how easily scammers can access AI tools like ChatGPT.
localnews8.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly couple in Rexburg, Idaho lost $35,000 after being targeted by scammers who impersonated PayPal's fraud department and their local bank, convincing them to make large cash withdrawals under the false pretense of investigating fraudulent Bitcoin purchases. The victims were instructed to lie to bank tellers about the withdrawals and later deposit the cash into a Bitcoin ATM, after which two men arrived at their home to collect the money in person. Rexburg Police warn seniors to verify requests directly with their financial institutions and note that legitimate banks never conduct fraud investigations through individual customers.
eastidahonews.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly couple in Rexburg was scammed out of $35,000 after receiving a fraudulent email impersonating PayPal's fraud department, which directed them to withdraw cash from multiple bank branches under the pretense of investigating unauthorized Bitcoin purchases. The scammers instructed the victims to lie to bank employees about the withdrawal reason and later sent two men to the home to physically collect the cash in an envelope. The Rexburg Police Department is investigating and warns that scammers often keep victims on the phone for extended periods to exploit their emotional vulnerability and lack of technological knowledge.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A man was sentenced to over eight years in prison for his role in an international fraud scheme originating from India that targeted older Americans, including a Georgetown woman who lost $300,000, with 21 identified victims losing nearly $6 million total. The scheme involved impersonating U.S. government officials to convince victims to transfer money from retirement and savings accounts, part of a growing problem highlighted by FBI data showing an 11% increase in financial losses for people over 60 in 2023. AARP Texas is advocating for increased law enforcement funding and expansion of the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center to combat online fraud schemes that disproportionately impact older adults who have accumulated significant lifetime savings
edmonton.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Edmonton residents lost over $48 million to fraud, with investment scams leading at $14.1 million, followed by romance scams at $1.7 million and employment fraud at $1.3 million. Police highlighted the emotional toll of these crimes, featuring the case of Heather Robicheau, who lost money to a year-long romance scam involving a fake cheque and false emergencies. During fraud prevention month, Edmonton Police and community partners urged residents to avoid sharing personal or financial information and to be skeptical of unsolicited requests for money, particularly those involving emotional manipulation or crisis scenarios.
edmontonjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Edmonton lost approximately $48.1 million to fraud in 2024, with investment scams being the largest category at $14.1 million, followed by romance, employment, and identity fraud scams. Edmonton Police Service launched Fraud Prevention Month to educate the public on common tactics used by increasingly sophisticated scammers, including phone spoofing, phishing, social engineering, grandparent scams, and person-in-authority scams that exploit psychological manipulation and urgency to steal money and personal information.
evertiq.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Swedish high school students, Henning Lindeberg and Erik Apelqvist, are developing a mini-computer device designed to detect phone scams by identifying words commonly associated with fraud and alerting users in real-time. The invention was motivated by personal experience—both students' grandparents were targeted by scammers—and addresses a significant problem in Sweden where nearly 30,000 phone scams were reported in 2023, resulting in approximately 66 million dollars in losses primarily targeting elderly individuals. The students aim to complete a fully functional prototype by their summer graduation.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
According to the FBI's 2024 Elder Fraud Report, elder fraud complaints increased 46% with losses rising 43%, while New York ranked fourth nationally in complaints and monetary losses among seniors over 60. The median loss for victims aged 60+ exceeded $83,000, with investment scams causing the highest losses at $6.6 billion overall and New York seniors losing $257.7 million in 2024. AARP warns that holiday season scams are escalating, particularly gift card fraud, phishing, and delivery scams, and recommends shopping directly from official websites, purchasing gift cards only from authorized locations, and being wary of urgent requests for payment via gift cards or
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
The article outlines 11 common tax scams expected in 2025, including phishing emails, IRS impersonation phone calls, fake tax preparation services, social media fraud, and stimulus payment scams. Key protective measures include verifying sender authenticity before clicking links, never providing personal information to unsolicited callers, confirming tax preparers are IRS-registered, and remembering that legitimate government agencies never demand immediate payment or charge fees for assistance. Scammers increasingly use sophisticated tactics targeting vulnerable taxpayers, making awareness and verification critical during tax-filing season.
mulletwrapper.net
· 2025-12-08
The Baldwin County Extension office is hosting a free educational class on March 7 designed to help seniors recognize and avoid common scams. The session covers "The Dirty Dozen"—the top 12 scams frequently targeting older adults, including fraudulent calls, phishing emails, investment schemes, and fake lotteries.
storyboard18.com
· 2025-12-08
**Cybercrimes against India's elderly population surged 86% between 2020 and 2022 as seniors increasingly adopted digital platforms, with phishing scams, fraudulent advertisements, and privacy breaches being the primary threats.** Nearly half of surveyed seniors struggle to identify scams, and 45% of those over 70 now use mobile phones, making them vulnerable to messaging app and email-based fraud. Experts recommend enhanced digital literacy campaigns, user-friendly interfaces, and stronger cybersecurity frameworks to protect this growing demographic, as India's senior population is projected to reach 193 million by 2031.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Virgin Islands reports that 65% of residents aged 45 and older have encountered fraudulent schemes, with 40% experiencing financial losses, prompting the organization to intensify anti-fraud efforts through its Fraud Watch Network and educational initiatives. The organization is conducting workshops, webinars, and community events to educate residents about scam prevention, and is advocating for legislative measures including a proposed elder abuse amendment that would establish an adult abuse registry, require law enforcement fraud prevention training, and create a multi-disciplinary adult protection team.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines key strategies for retirees to protect themselves from AI-powered banking scams that increasingly target seniors. The recommended preventive measures include staying informed about current scam tactics, using strong mixed-character passwords with two-factor authentication, monitoring accounts regularly, verifying claims directly with financial institutions before sharing information, avoiding sharing personal details online, and installing antivirus software on devices.
oleantimesherald.com
· 2025-12-08
The Smethport Senior Center is hosting a presentation by Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Ronald Chewning on senior safety and scams to educate local seniors on fraud prevention and personal security. The event is scheduled for Thursday at 11 a.m. and aims to provide valuable information to help older adults protect themselves from potential threats.
bostonglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary for this content. The text provided appears to be only a navigation menu and section headers from a news website, not an actual article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse.
To help you, please provide the full article text or content that discusses a specific incident or topic related to elder fraud, scams, or abuse.
thenationonlineng.net
· 2025-12-08
A 47-year-old Nigerian national, Darlington Akporugo, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy charges for orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded over 25 elderly and retired Americans of more than $3 million across multiple states. Akporugo used fake identities on social media to manipulate victims into sending money, opening lines of credit in his name, and purchasing luxury items, and now faces up to 20 years in federal prison with sentencing scheduled for June 6, 2025.
punchng.com
· 2025-12-08
A 47-year-old Nigerian national, Darlington Akporugo, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy for operating a nationwide romance scam from Houston that defrauded more than 25 elderly and retired victims of over $3 million. Operating over seven years, Akporugo and co-conspirators used fake identities on social media to build trust with victims, then manipulated them into sending money for fictitious business ventures and emergencies, with much of the stolen funds funneled overseas. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine at sentencing scheduled for June 6.
wifr.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau's 2024 Scam Tracker Report ranks investment and cryptocurrency scams as the riskiest fraud type, followed by employment scams (averaging $1,500 in losses) and romance/friendship scams (with a median loss of $6,099—the highest among all scam types). Both investment and romance scams involve "financial grooming," where fraudsters build trust over weeks or months before encouraging victims to invest money, often in cryptocurrency, with experts warning that online investment offers are major red flags.
vermontbiz.com
· 2025-12-08
On February 20, 2025, a federal grand jury indicted 25 Canadian nationals for operating a "Grandparent Scam" from call centers in Montreal that defrauded elderly victims in Vermont and 40+ other states between summer 2021 and June 2024. Scammers posed as arrested grandchildren or their attorneys, convincing elderly victims to provide bail money (totaling over $21 million) that was then laundered to Canada through cash deliveries and cryptocurrency; 23 defendants were arrested in Canada on March 4, 2025, while two remain at large.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Ambrose A. Obinna Warrior, 44, of Maryland, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business that facilitated romance, business email compromise, and investment scams from March 2018 through August 2021. Warrior transmitted or attempted to transfer over $700,000 in fraudulent proceeds by depositing victims' funds into bank accounts and shell companies, retaining approximately 20% in fees while distributing the remainder to other scheme participants, with documented victim losses of at least $467,912.
presstelegram.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Southern California men were arrested for operating a $10 million fraud and money laundering scheme targeting over 100 victims, predominantly elderly individuals. Using fake identification documents and shell companies, the defendants posed as law enforcement and company employees via phone and email to convince victims their accounts were compromised, then redirected them to fraudulent accounts controlled by the perpetrators; they also posed as real estate sellers to solicit wire transfers and checks. Each defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted of money laundering conspiracy.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Julie Anne Darrah, a Santa Maria investment advisor and president of Vivid Financial Management Inc., pleaded guilty to wire fraud for stealing approximately $2.25 million from elderly clients between November 2016 and July 2023 by obtaining unauthorized control of their assets and liquidating their holdings without consent. Darrah exploited her clients' trust by convincing them to grant her power of attorney and trustee status, then used the stolen funds for personal expenses, property purchases, and luxury vehicles, leaving some victims unable to afford end-of-life care; she also defrauded an acquiring investment firm of $5.4 million through misrepresentation. She faces up to
business-standard.com
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old man named Priyesh Giri was arrested by Delhi Police for defrauding multiple senior citizens by posing as a health insurance agent and collecting renewal fees under false pretenses. A 74-year-old victim lost Rs 95,000 after receiving a fake insurance policy, prompting her complaint that led to Giri's arrest through online tracking; he confessed to cheating more than five seniors over the past year and reportedly had an accomplice still being sought. The case reflects India's broader surge in fraud, with cybercrime cases increasing by over 100% in early 2024, including investment and trading scams affecting thousands of victims.
wcax.com
· 2025-12-08
A cooperative U.S.-Canadian law enforcement effort resulted in the indictment of more than two dozen Quebec men accused of stealing over $21 million through "grandparent scams," in which they impersonated grandchildren in distress to manipulate seniors into sending money. Experts emphasize that scams targeting seniors have become increasingly sophisticated and difficult to combat across borders, and recommend that families establish code words to verify callers' identities and report suspicious contacts immediately to authorities. Vermont officials note that red flags include requests for urgent payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and encourage victims to report incidents without shame to help law enforcement understand the scope of fraud affecting their communities.
radio.wpsu.org
· 2025-12-08
Twenty-five Canadians, mostly based in Quebec, were charged with operating an elaborate "grandparent scam" that defrauded hundreds of elderly Americans across 46 states of more than $21 million between summer 2021 and June 2024. The scheme involved call centers in the Montreal area using spoofed technology to impersonate relatives in distress, claiming bail money was needed, with victims often targeted multiple times and referred to as "whales" if they provided substantial funds. All 25 defendants face conspiracy to defraud charges carrying up to 20 years in prison, with five also charged with money laundering conspiracy.