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in Financial Crime
govexec.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece highlights warning signs of government imposter scams, particularly targeting Social Security beneficiaries and federal employees. The author shares a personal near-miss with a gift card scam impersonating a local NARFE president, then outlines four key red flags scammers use (impersonation, claiming problems/prizes, demanding immediate action, and requesting specific payment methods) and lists tactics Social Security will never employ, such as threatening arrest, demanding gift cards, or pressuring immediate payment. The article warns against a fraudulent phone number (888-353-9450) being used by scammers targeting federal employees and annuitants.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Police in the Philippines raided a scam centre north of Manila on Thursday and rescued 658 people (383 Filipinos, 202 Chinese, and 73 other foreign nationals) who were being forced to operate "love scams" or "pig butchering" schemes. The victims were trafficked under false job promises and coerced into posing as romantic partners online to manipulate targets into financial fraud, with the raid triggered by a tip from a Vietnamese man who escaped by climbing a wall and crossing a river, bearing signs of torture and electrocution.
fox23maine.com
· 2025-12-08
Maine seniors lost $12.7 million to fraud in 2022, a dramatic increase from $2 million in 2021, according to FBI data. One victim fell prey to a tech support scam involving fake virus warning popups that prompted her to call scammers who attempted to access her savings account information. Experts emphasize that education and community awareness are critical tools in combating fraud targeting Maine's elderly population, the oldest in the nation.
localprofile.com
· 2025-12-08
Plano Police Detective Vidmar was honored for his role in recovering over $8 million in stolen funds from victims of sweetheart scams, business email compromises, and other fraudulent crimes through his work with the U.S. Secret Service North Texas Financial Crimes Task Force. Working with Judge Ben Smith, Vidmar secured nearly 70 expedited search and seizure warrants targeting fraudulent bank accounts in Plano, Texas, which allowed authorities to freeze assets before criminals could withdraw stolen money. The collaborative effort successfully returned 99.8% of the recovered funds to victims across the United States and Canada over a 3.5-year period.
12onyourside.com
· 2025-12-08
Virginia's House Bill 692, which awaits Governor Youngkin's signature, aims to combat elder financial fraud that costs seniors $3 billion annually by incentivizing banks and credit unions to train employees to identify and report financial exploitation of seniors. The bill was inspired by the case of Navy veteran Commander Larry Cook, who was scammed out of $3.6 million, and would allow at-risk seniors to maintain lists of trusted contacts at their banks while offering financial institutions liability protection if they disclose red flags of exploitation. If signed, the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions must establish bank training guidelines by January 2026.
wgme.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud losses among Maine seniors have surged dramatically, increasing from $2 million in 2021 to $12.7 million in 2022, with tech support scams being among the most common threats to the state's aging population. One Maine senior fell victim to a tech support imposter scam involving malicious popups claiming she had a virus, which prompted her to call a fraudulent number where scammers attempted to access her savings account information. Experts emphasize that education and awareness are critical to protecting Maine's elderly residents, who represent the nation's oldest state population and face heightened vulnerability to fraud schemes.
todayonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Police in the Philippines rescued 875 people from a human trafficking and online scam operation during a raid on March 14, with eight suspects arrested. The compound north of Manila, posing as an internet gaming company, forced victims into love scams, romance scams, and cryptocurrency schemes under threat of physical harm and by confiscating their passports, affecting Chinese nationals, Filipinos, Vietnamese, and citizens from other Southeast Asian countries. This operation reflects a broader problem across Southeast Asia where crime syndicates generate billions of dollars annually by coercing workers into predatory online scams.
nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
International scammers drain hundreds of millions of dollars annually from New Zealand victims, with fraud cases nearly doubling between 2020-2022 and now representing the most common crime type in the country. Only 15 percent of victims recover their lost funds, and a significant majority of fraud occurs online or by phone, yet only 6.5 percent of fraud crimes are reported to police. The Independent Police Conduct Authority found major deficiencies in police responses to scam complaints, with authorities failing to prioritize fraud investigations and adequately support victims.
ntd.com
· 2025-12-08
Syretta Scherer, a 42-year-old Georgia woman, was sentenced to nearly four years in prison in March for her role in a romance scam conspiracy that defrauded at least 28 seniors across multiple states of $5.8 million between February 2018 and November 2019. The scheme involved cultivating fake online relationships through dating apps, then pressuring victims to send money for fabricated emergencies; Scherer laundered approximately $1.1 million through bank accounts created under a sham company called Precise Carriers. Multiple co-conspirators were also prosecuted, with one receiving 78 months in prison and ordered to pay over $
adirondackdailyenterprise.com
· 2025-12-08
Scams targeting vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly, are rising statewide through phone calls, social media, and online channels. Common scams include Social Security imposter schemes (threatening suspended benefits or arrest), gift card fraud (posing as government agencies), fake rental listings, and warrant payment demands, with scammers using fear, fake documents, and fraudulent letterhead to coerce victims into providing personal information or money. Authorities recommend verifying caller identity by hanging up and calling agencies directly, never sending gift cards or money to unknown callers, and reporting scams to relevant agencies like the SSA's Office of the Inspector General.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A Gujarat businessman lost ₹95 lakh in a romance/investment scam after accepting a Facebook friend request from a woman named Steff Mhiz, who posed a fake business opportunity to buy herbal products at ₹1 lakh per packet and resell them for ₹2 lakhs. When he began making payments to a contact named Dr Virendra across multiple accounts, the scammers eventually disappeared, and upon opening the packages, he discovered they contained only powder and fried chips instead of herbal products.
wpr.org
· 2025-12-08
The city of Chetek, Wisconsin recovered $2.6 million stolen in a phishing scam where fraudsters impersonated a contractor for the city's wastewater treatment plant project and redirected a wire transfer to a fake account in November. The city borrowed funds to continue construction while investigating, then successfully recovered the full amount by March 1st after contacting law enforcement and the FBI. Chetek subsequently enhanced its security measures and employee training, joining other Wisconsin communities that have fallen victim to similar contractor impersonation scams in recent years.
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
The Cuyahoga County Scam Squad warned of a spike in arrest scams where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement, send fake court documents, and claim victims missed hearings or are under investigation—with a newer variant targeting PPP loan recipients using accurate loan information to appear credible. Scammers pressure victims to pay via gift cards or cryptocurrency, with one local resident losing $7,000 to such a scam this week. Law enforcement urges victims to hang up immediately, as legitimate police never demand money or threaten arrest over the phone, and to report incidents to local police or the Scam Squad hotline.
itemonline.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece warns about Social Security scams in which fraudsters send fake letters, emails, and texts impersonating the Social Security Administration or Office of the Inspector General to steal personal information and money. The article advises recipients to ignore unsolicited contact, independently verify by calling SSA directly, and never share sensitive information through unsecured channels, noting that SSA will never threaten arrest or suspend benefits. Victims should report fraud to the Office of the Inspector General at oig-ssa.gov/report and local law enforcement to help authorities identify and prosecute perpetrators.
wxii12.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The Graham Police Department issued a warning about phone scams targeting seniors in their community, in which callers impersonate Federal Trade Commission or Department of Homeland Security agents to coerce victims into withdrawing large sums of cash from their bank accounts. The scammer has used various phone numbers, including spoofed numbers mimicking the police department's main line, with calls coming from the 336 area code. Police advised residents not to share personal or financial information over the phone, not to comply with demands to withdraw money, and to report suspicious calls to authorities or the FBI's Cybercrime Reporting Page at ic3.gov.
cantonrep.com
· 2025-12-08
IRS impersonation scams reappear annually in various forms, with scammers posing as tax agents via phone calls, emails, and mail to either demand immediate payment for back taxes (threatening arrest) or request personal information under the guise of issuing refunds. The IRS will only initiate contact by mail and never demands immediate payment, specific payment methods, or personal financial information over the phone or email. To protect yourself, file taxes early, obtain an Identity Protection PIN from the IRS, and remember that any urgent contact via phone, email, text, or social media claiming to be from the IRS is fraudulent.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC reported a sharp rise in AI-related scam complaints, with mentions of artificial intelligence in ad-related complaints increasing from 2 in February 2023 to 14 a year later, with at least one-third involving social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube. Scammers are using deepfakes and AI impersonation tools to defraud consumers, including one case where a Los Angeles resident lost $7,000 after seeing a deepfake Elon Musk video promising cryptocurrency returns. In response, the FTC proposed new rules to bar impersonation fraud and combat the growing use of AI-driven scams targeting Americans.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Princo Oduro, a 34-year-old former Chase bank employee from Ohio, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for operating multiple fraud schemes that defrauded victims of $1.8 million. Using stolen personal information from at least five Chase customers, Oduro ran romance scams—posing as a soldier, medical patient, or precious metals dealer—and laundered stolen funds through PayPal accounts, including targeting a widow by falsely claiming her deceased husband had stored valuable artwork. He has been ordered to pay $1.8 million in restitution.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Bethany Olmsted, a 43-year-old controller in Kokomo, Indiana, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud for stealing $413,531 from her employer and five investment companies between November 2018 and September 2021. Olmsted wrote approximately 520 fraudulent checks to herself and falsely categorized them as payments to legitimate vendors while transferring funds between accounts to conceal the thefts; she used the stolen money for personal expenses including spa treatments, jewelry, and high-end dining. The court ordered her to pay full restitution of $413,531.98 and serve 2 years of supervised release
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Justice Department and law enforcement officials attended the United Kingdom's first Global Fraud Summit in March, joining over 200 leaders from 11 countries and international organizations to address global fraud threats. The U.S. delegation participated in discussions on law enforcement collaboration, coordinated with international partners to enhance intelligence sharing and disrupt fraud networks at the source, and held bilateral meetings with Singapore and UK officials to strengthen transnational fraud-fighting efforts.
qns.com
· 2025-12-08
A Flushing man, Fei Liang, 39, was charged with scamming more than $600,000 from seniors across the country by impersonating Social Security Administration officials and bank representatives, convincing victims to wire money to accounts he controlled for "safekeeping." Following the charges, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and elected officials held community presentations at senior centers to educate older adults about common scams including government impersonation, sweepstakes schemes, tech support fraud, and the grandparent scam, emphasizing the importance of never sharing personal information with strangers and contacting authorities if contacted by potential fraudsters.
stories.td.com
· 2025-12-08
New Canadians face heightened vulnerability to financial fraud, with 90% of surveyed newcomers worried about becoming victims and 73% feeling particularly susceptible. Common scams targeting this population include phishing (stealing personal/financial information via fake emails or texts), job scams (fraudsters posing as employers to extract money for fake training or supplies), and romance scams, with 28% of affected new Canadians unsure how to respond if victimized. The best defense is awareness of warning signs, understanding common fraud tactics, and knowing how to report fraudulent activity.
ktvb.com
· 2025-12-08
Detective Brad Thorne of the Boise Police Department is hosting a live Q&A session on March 20 to educate the public about scams and fraud prevention. With over 15 years of experience investigating financial crimes, Thorne will address common scam methods, warning signs, and strategies for protecting vulnerable family members, as well as guidance for victims. The session will be broadcast live on the Boise Police Department's Facebook and Instagram stories at 2 p.m.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old woman and her 91-year-old husband lost $1.46 million over six months in a sophisticated scam involving fraudsters impersonating a Wells Fargo representative and U.S. Marshal who claimed their accounts were compromised and placed them in a witness protection program. The scammers isolated the couple by threatening legal consequences if they contacted family, directing them to liquidate savings into Bitcoin and gold supposedly held in a Federal Reserve account; the couple realized the fraud in October 2023 after losing contact with the scammer, and one arrest has been made in connection with the crime.
beincrypto.com
· 2025-12-08
A scammer impersonating crypto influencer Ansem stole over $2.6 million in Solana tokens by promoting a fake "BULL" token presale on X (formerly Twitter), with the largest individual victim losing nearly $1.2 million. The fraud occurred amid a broader surge in crypto scams, with 57,000 people losing approximately $47 million in February alone, primarily through phishing attacks on social media that impersonate verified accounts. Investors are advised to verify the legitimacy of investment opportunities and exercise caution, particularly during periods of intense market activity and meme coin frenzies.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Jeremy Clay Guthrie, a 45-year-old Alabama man, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for wire fraud and preparing false tax returns after stealing over $550,000 from his employer and customers while managing an aviary supply business in Kentucky. His scheme involved charging customer credit cards while diverting payments to his personal company, altering checks, offering unauthorized discounts for cash, and concealing fraudulent sales; he also underreported $325,543 in income to the IRS for 2016-2017. The court determined total criminal losses between $550,000 and $1.5 million, with restitution to victims pending.
aba.com
· 2025-12-08
The American Bankers Association and U.S. Postal Inspection Service launched a joint initiative to combat check fraud, which has increased 385% nationwide since the pandemic. Check fraud schemes involve stealing mail, altering checks to change payee and amount information, and draining victims' accounts. The partnership focuses on consumer education, law enforcement collaboration, and employee training, with recommendations including prompt mail collection, use of security envelopes, indelible ink on checks, and monitoring bank statements for unauthorized alterations.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Truong My Lan, chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat Holdings Group, faces trial in Ho Chi Minh City for masterminding Vietnam's largest financial fraud, with Vietnamese prosecutors calling for the death penalty on embezzlement charges. Lan allegedly siphoned over $12.46 billion from Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (which she controlled through proxies) and caused an additional $7.54 billion in damages through unlawful loans to shell companies between 2018 and 2022, bringing total losses to approximately $20 billion (4.9% of Vietnam's GDP). Prosecutors argue for strict punishment due to the extremely serious and irreparable
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Ijeoma Okoro, 33, from Aubrey, Texas, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay $2.2 million in restitution for operating romance scams targeting elderly victims through dating websites like Match.com and Zoosk. Okoro and her coconspirators posed as romantic interests, built trust with vulnerable victims (often divorced or widowed), then fabricated emergencies requiring financial assistance and requested money they promised to repay. Four additional codefendants received sentences ranging from 24 to 37 months for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering in connection with the scheme.
fox5atlanta.com
· 2025-12-08
Johnna Hannah, a 28-year-old former business manager at Countryside Health Center in Buchanan, Georgia, faces 86 total felony charges (78 initial plus 8 additional) for embezzling over $60,000 from nearly 40 elderly patients over 18 months, including forging signatures and closing out bank accounts. The investigation, prompted by a forensic audit and subpoena of her personal bank records, revealed a pattern of financial exploitation of vulnerable residents, some of whom were deceased. The nursing home is working to repay victims' families as police indicate more charges are likely.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Wendy Renee Bunner, 48, of Florida pleaded guilty to money laundering for her role in defrauding a Berkeley County man with dementia alongside her husband Samuel, who previously pleaded guilty to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Together, the couple stole over $2.1 million from the elderly victim, using the funds to purchase homes, vehicles, campers, and consumer goods for their personal use. Wendy Bunner faces up to 10 years in prison while Samuel faces up to 30 years, with sentencing hearings scheduled for later in 2024.
electronicpaymentsinternational.com
· 2025-12-08
According to global verification platform Sumsub's 2023 research, approximately 1 in 100 digital platform users belonged to organized fraud networks that collectively engaged in multi-accounting, money laundering, and account takeovers. Fraud ring activity varied significantly by region, with Bangladesh (10.2%), Thailand (6.6%), and Vietnam (3.7%) showing elevated rates, while the US and UK reported only 0.2% each; detected networks ranged from 3 to over 750 coordinated members, including a case of Estonian cryptocurrency exchange applicants using identical fraudulent documents. Sumsub warns that fraud rings cause significantly greater damage than individual sc
theregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment fraud, predominantly cryptocurrency scams, cost Americans $4.57 billion in reported losses—a 38 percent increase from the previous year and significantly more than ransomware losses. The FBI found that these scams often begin with social engineering tactics like romance or confidence cons that evolve into investment fraud, with vulnerable victims subsequently targeted by recovery scams. Victims over 60 were disproportionately affected, accounting for 40 percent of complaints and 58 percent of the $1.3 billion in losses from customer support and impersonation scams.
biometricupdate.com
· 2025-12-08
Sumsub's research found that approximately 1 in 100 users on digital platforms are involved in fraud networks, with significant variation by region (Bangladesh at 10.2 percent, U.S. and UK at 0.2 percent each). The company updated its KYC verification platform to better detect and prevent fraud rings, which range from 3 to over 750 members and pose greater risks than individual scammers, with a notable case involving dozens of crypto exchange applicants in Estonia attempting to issue multiple cards to the same address using identical fake documents.
eng.lsm.lv
· 2025-12-08
Financial Literacy Week in Latvia focuses on protecting people of all ages from financial fraud, with experts noting that middle-aged individuals and young adults (18-30) are particularly vulnerable to scams promising quick profits and money muling schemes. The Bank of Latvia and partner institutions are providing educational programs for schoolchildren and adults through e-learning courses covering money management, financial planning, taxes, and social insurance. Despite common misconceptions, Latvian seniors demonstrate solid financial planning skills and are not the primary fraud victims.
savings.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australians over 65 are the primary victims of scams according to federal ScamWatch data, leading in both total losses and report numbers in 2023. The article attributes this vulnerability partly to older Australians' lower adoption of digital banking (26% use mobile apps versus 81% using internet banking) due to cybersecurity concerns and difficulty navigating technology changes, combined with over 2,100 bank branch closures since 2017. While banks have implemented safeguards like biometric checks and new payee warnings through a 2023 Scam-Safe Accord, advocates argue critical gaps remain—including customer requests for transfer delays and stronger consumer protection legislation that would compensate
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, at least 52 people in Singapore lost approximately $2.3 million to scammers impersonating Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras) officials, with 79% of cases involving fraudulent tax refund offers and 15% involving fake capital gains or income tax demands. The scams typically directed victims to fake Iras websites to steal payment details and one-time passwords, with six additional victims falling prey since early 2024. Iras advises taxpayers that legitimate refunds are credited via PayNow or registered bank accounts (never debit/credit cards) and that capital gains on investments and shares are not taxable in Singapore.
fox13news.com
· 2025-12-08
Robert Lamothe of Lamothe Monuments in Lakeland was arrested for defrauding 34 grieving families out of approximately $155,000 by failing to deliver headstones and inscriptions over several years. After a FOX 13 news report, P & G Memorials stepped in to help victims by completing headstones for free or at reduced cost, including installing a monument for victim Champ Barber that was promised five years earlier but never completed. Lamothe faces multiple grand theft charges with an arraignment scheduled for the following month.
cbs6albany.com
· 2025-12-08
A 24-year-old woman and two 18-year-old men were charged in two separate armed robberies in the Guilderland and Troy areas, where they lured victims through dating apps and robbed them at gunpoint of cars, money, and personal items. The Better Business Bureau reports that online dating and romance scams ranked in the top 5 consumer risks in 2023, with victims losing an average of $3,600 compared to $1,400 in 2022. Police advise dating app users to watch for red flags such as fast-moving relationships, hints of financial trouble, or financial pressure, and encourage reporting suspected scams to authorities and the BBB.
dallasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Ijeoma Okoro, a 33-year-old Denton County woman, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for her role in a large romance scam operation targeting elderly victims in North Texas between 2015 and 2020, with an order to pay $2.2 million in restitution. Okoro was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering; scammers used fake identities and online dating sites to build trust with divorced or widowed victims before requesting financial assistance. The operation involved 11 arrests in 2021, with several co-conspirators receiving lesser sentences ranging from 2 to 37 months
todayswillsandprobate.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
This webinar announcement promotes a presentation by forensic accountant Paul Smith on collaborating between public and private sectors to combat elder financial abuse. Smith will discuss a case involving 26 vulnerable residents in supported accommodation who were financially abused by their former landlady, resulting in approximately £2.5 million in identified fraud, with his investigation findings provided to police and social care to support their safeguarding and criminal investigations.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Terrence L. Pounds, 47, of Ohio, was sentenced to 94 months in prison for leading a COVID-19 relief fraud scheme that defrauded the Small Business Administration of over $4.2 million between March and December 2020. Pounds used stolen personal information to fraudulently apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans by falsely claiming applicants operated faith-based organizations with $1 million in revenue, and he used the proceeds to purchase luxury vehicles. He was ordered to pay $4,239,940.43 in restitution and forfeit the seized vehicles.
kpbs.org
· 2025-12-08
On March 20, 2024, the U.S. Attorney's Office presented an educational program at San Diego State University featuring Assistant U.S. Attorney Oleksandra Johnson, an elder fraud coordinator, who discussed various methods of elder financial abuse including mail, phone, computer, and in-person schemes. The presentation covered trending fraud types in Southern California such as grandparent scams, romance scams, and investment fraud, while providing information on recognizing signs of financial abuse and prevention strategies.
irs.gov
· 2025-12-08
A Spring Hill, Florida couple, Wendy and Samuel Bunner, defrauded an elderly Berkeley County man with dementia of over $1.9 million by fraudulently obtaining cashier's checks, emptying bank and investment accounts, and opening credit cards in his name. The couple used the stolen funds to purchase homes, vehicles, campers, and consumer goods for their personal benefit, with Wendy pleading guilty to money laundering and Samuel previously pleading guilty to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft; they face up to 10 and 30 years in prison respectively.
cibolacitizen.com
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration and its Office of the Inspector General held the fifth annual "Slam the Scam" Day on March 7, 2024, to combat Social Security imposter scams that disproportionately target seniors and veterans. Scammers use spoofed caller IDs, fake documents, and threats of arrest to trick victims into sending cash, gift cards, or wire transfers by impersonating government officials, with veterans alone losing over $257 million to fraud in 2021. The SSA emphasized that legitimate contact never involves demands for immediate payment, threats, or requests for personal financial information, and urges the public to report suspicious activity to oig.ssa.gov
nwestiowa.com
· 2025-12-08
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers a free research-based workshop called "Stay Independent: Spot, Stop and Avoid Fraud" designed for adults 60 and older to help them identify and prevent financial scams. The workshop addresses why seniors are targeted by scammers, reviews common fraud schemes in Iowa, and provides strategies to protect finances, as elder financial fraud is the most prevalent form of elder abuse affecting over 50 million Americans age 62 and older. Interested participants can contact their local ISU Extension county office to request the workshop in their community.
observerlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 19-year-old Palm Coast man was indicted in January 2025 for federal wire fraud involving over $800,000, following a separate incident in October 2024 where Flagler Schools lost $719,000 to fraudulent transfer. Elderly residents are increasingly targeted by sophisticated fraud schemes including tech support scams, investment fraud, and impersonation of government officials, with FBI data showing that victims over 60 reported $3.1 billion in losses in 2022—an 84% increase—and cryptocurrency-related losses among seniors jumping 350%. Law enforcement officials note that most cases go unsolved due to funds being transferred overseas or through multiple accounts
nij.ojp.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. population of adults age 60 and older grew 33% from 2010 to 2020, yet research on fraud victimization in this demographic remains limited despite older adults losing over $36 billion annually to financial fraud. Older adults face heightened vulnerability to fraud due to cognitive decline, reduced financial literacy, social isolation, and greater trustfulness, with 34.8% of those age 50+ targeted by scams in a five-year period and 2.7-6.6% experiencing fraud annually, though actual numbers are likely higher due to significant underreporting.
stories.td.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Canadian fraudsters targeted thousands of people, with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre processing over 62,000 fraud reports affecting more than 41,000 individuals and resulting in $554 million in losses. Common scams include the "Bank Investigator" scam, where fraudsters impersonate bank officials or law enforcement to trick victims into wiring money or revealing banking credentials, and the CRA scam. To protect yourself, never provide banking information or remote device access to unsolicited callers, verify the legitimacy of calls by contacting your institution directly, and remember that financial institutions will never ask you to withdraw money or share security codes for investigations.
amac.us
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece outlines four common scam tactics targeting potential fraud victims: scammers impersonating trusted organizations (IRS, Social Security, tech companies) to steal financial or personal information; scammers falsely claiming computer or account problems to instill fear and extract payment or data; scammers posing as family members in emergencies (often using voice-cloning technology) to solicit money for bail or hostages; and scammers claiming victims have won prizes or sweepstakes requiring upfront fees. The article advises victims to block unwanted contacts, never open suspicious links, verify emergencies by calling family members using known phone numbers, and remain skeptical of unsolic