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in General Elder Fraud
gothamist.com
· 2025-12-08
New York reported a 44% increase in internet fraud complaints in 2024, with over 3,700 cases, driven by rising account takeover schemes and AI-enabled phishing techniques including synthesized voice calls. Cybersecurity experts attribute the surge to attackers exploiting human vulnerabilities, and recommend consumers use strong multi-factor authentication, separate passwords, and account change notifications to protect themselves.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams targeting older Americans are on the rise, with the FTC reporting nearly 70,000 victims in 2022, with people over 70 suffering median losses of $9,475. Bipartisan lawmakers introduced the Romance Scam Prevention Act, which would require dating apps to notify users who have interacted with accounts banned for fraudulent activity, enforced by the FTC and state attorneys general. The legislation was prompted by cases like that of 43-year-old Aurora Phelps, who met older men on dating sites, drugged them, and stole from their accounts, resulting in at least two deaths and 21 criminal charges against her.
wmur.com
· 2025-12-08
A global gift card fraud ring with ties to New Hampshire resulted in millions of dollars in losses from October 2023 through January 2024, with victims targeted through romance scams, elder fraud, and store card tampering to purchase high-end electronics that were resold overseas. Three Chinese nationals pleaded guilty in federal court, with prosecutors linking them to $4.8 million in fraudulent gift card purchases; a Salem warehouse search uncovered approximately $8 million in goods. Homeland Security Investigations and the New Hampshire U.S. Attorney's Office have established a restitution program allowing victims to recover funds by submitting gift card numbers and purchase receipts by June 30, 2024.
san.com
· 2025-12-08
The FCC issued a consumer alert warning about AI-powered voice cloning scams that impersonate loved ones, often using social media videos to create convincing deepfakes requesting urgent money transfers. These scams exploit fear and pressure tactics—such as fake arrest scenarios and "don't tell anyone" instructions—to bypass victim skepticism, with elder fraud complaints rising 14% in 2023 and 25 Canadian nationals recently charged with using similar schemes across 45 states.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman in her 70s in Clark County, Washington was defrauded of over $500,000 in a sophisticated gold scam in which perpetrators impersonated Federal Office of Inspector General officials and convinced her that her social security number was compromised. The scammers pressured her to withdraw funds and purchase gold coins, which they claimed an "undercover agent" would safeguard and return, but the money was never returned. The Clark County Sheriff's Office is investigating this case alongside a similar incident in Portland, Oregon, and authorities believe the crimes may be linked.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman in her 70s in Clark County, Washington lost over $500,000 in a gold coin scam after scammers impersonating law enforcement and federal agents convinced her that her social security number was compromised and her money needed to be safeguarded. The scheme operated over several months, ultimately tricking the victim into withdrawing funds and purchasing gold coins that were promised to be returned by an "undercover agent" but never were. Authorities are investigating whether this case is linked to a nearly identical scam in Portland, Oregon involving gold bars, as the pattern of official impersonation and asset protection claims appears consistent across both incidents.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly Portland man lost $170,000 in a sophisticated gold bar scam in which he was manipulated into purchasing fake precious metals after receiving a call claiming his social security number had been compromised. The scheme mirrors a similar Clark County case where a victim lost $500,000, and law enforcement reports this type of fraud targeting retirees is on the rise, typically employing high-pressure tactics and false promises of returns. Authorities urge potential investors to exercise caution and conduct thorough research before precious metals purchases, and encourage victims to report suspected scams to local law enforcement or consumer protection agencies.
irishmirror.ie
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old retired care worker lost €25,000 to a romance scammer who posed as "Daniel Peeters," a widowed businessman, after they met on Match.com in May. Over four months, the fraudster used romantic gestures, fabricated emergencies (frozen bank accounts, business deals, a taxi accident), and fake documents to manipulate her into sending multiple wire transfers. Fortunately, solicitors from the National Fraud Helpline recovered all of her lost funds through a fraud reclaim scheme.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
This curated cybercrime news roundup covers multiple fraud incidents globally. Domestic cases include Indian police recovering Rs 1.05 lakh from 10 cyber fraud victims, an engineer losing Rs 1.76 crore to fake investment schemes via WhatsApp, a teacher losing Rs 2.1 lakh in stock market fraud, and a senior citizen defrauded of Rs 47 lakh in online trading schemes. International incidents include the FCC warning seniors about AI-powered "grandparent scams" that cloned voices, Bybit cryptocurrency exchange losing $1.5 billion to hackers exploiting insecure freeware, and law enforcement shutting
hyannisnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article reports on federal law enforcement arrests of undocumented immigrants with criminal records in Massachusetts during early 2025, including individuals charged with sexual assault, drug trafficking, and weapons offenses. The cases involved coordination between DEA, ICE, and local police, with one suspect remaining in ICE custody pending removal proceedings and another wanted for felony drug trafficking in Brazil. The article does not contain information related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse and is therefore outside the scope of the Elderus database.
heraldtribune.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is a community recognition column highlighting local philanthropists and public servants in Manatee County, Florida, not an article about fraud or elder abuse. However, it does mention that Detective Jim Curulla and Officer Deana McNeal from the Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit received the Tiger Bay Club's Pat Glass First Responders Leadership Award, acknowledging their work in combating elder fraud.
sooleader.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert during National Consumer Protection Week about "pig butchering" scams, which combine romance fraud with cryptocurrency investment schemes targeting seniors. The scam operates by criminals building trust with victims through fake online profiles on dating sites and social media, then gradually persuading them to invest in bogus cryptocurrency opportunities through fraudulent websites. Consumers are advised to avoid sending money to online contacts, refrain from sharing financial information with strangers, be skeptical of promises of quick returns, and contact AARP's ElderWatch program at 800-222-4444 for peer counseling if they suspect fraud.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Thousands of people trapped in forced labor scam operations across the Myanmar-Thailand border were released in a high-profile crackdown by Thai, Chinese, and Myanmar authorities targeting cyber scam compounds, but survivors found themselves detained in overcrowded facilities with poor sanitation, limited food, and no medical care. The scam industry has caused an estimated $18-37 billion in losses across Asia in 2023, with hundreds of thousands believed to still be enslaved in similar operations; the initial rescue effort has exposed a humanitarian crisis as detainees remain stuck in indefinite detention awaiting repatriation by their home governments.
apnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Thousands of trafficking victims who were forced to operate online scams targeting people worldwide were rescued from Myanmar compounds in a coordinated operation by Thai, Chinese, and Myanmar authorities, but have since been trapped in overcrowded detention facilities on the Myanmar-Thailand border with inadequate medical care and sanitation. The victims, lured with false job promises, were forced to work 16+ hours daily running scams that cost victims between $18-37 billion in Asia alone in 2023, and estimates suggest up to 300,000 people remain trapped in similar operations across the region. The crackdown, triggered by international pressure following a high-profile case involving a Chinese actor, has created a humanitarian crisis with
techinformed.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting YouTube creators with fake emails appearing to come from YouTube itself, featuring deepfake videos of CEO Neal Mohan and requesting creators download files or fill out forms to steal account credentials through phishing. YouTube confirmed the scam and warned creators that the platform never sends private videos; red flags include typos and grammatical errors, and at least one creator with 500,000 subscribers narrowly avoided account compromise when antivirus software blocked the malicious file. Experts emphasize that with 82% of phishing kits now including deepfake capabilities, digital mindfulness—pausing to verify information independently before reacting—is essential protection against increasingly sophisticated social engineering tactics.
atlanticsun.co.za
· 2025-12-08
Camps Bay police have reported an increase in fraud cases targeting residents, particularly seniors, including impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as bank employees or government officials to steal money, fake payment schemes on social media marketplaces, and fraudulent holiday rental listings. The police station commander provided guidance on protective measures including verifying bank communications directly with financial institutions, never sharing personal details with callers, ensuring payment clears before releasing items in sales, and researching holiday accommodations through reputable platforms before booking.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
According to RBC's 2025 Fraud Prevention Month Poll, 96% of Quebecers report seeing more targeted and sophisticated scams, with 88% noting a significant rise in scam attempts and nearly one-third admitting they have let their guard down. The survey reveals widespread "fraud fatigue," with phishing, spear phishing, senior-targeting scams, and deepfake scams identified as the most prevalent threats, while respondents emphasize that staying vigilant, using multi-factor authentication, and pausing to verify message sources are critical defenses against fraud.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies six Social Security scams targeting Baby Boomers in 2025, including cost-of-living adjustment schemes, fake benefits applications, malicious security update tools, benefit suspension threats, and phony information update requests. According to the Office of the Inspector General, government impostors scammed Americans out of $577 million in the previous year, with approximately 61% of Social Security scams involving claims about SSN or benefits issues. The article advises recipients to verify communications directly through official SSA channels, avoid clicking suspicious links, and remember that the SSA will not demand money or threaten legal action via unsolicited contact.
wsmv.com
· 2025-12-08
Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the bipartisan Romance Scam Prevention Act with Senator John Hickenlooper, which would require dating apps to alert users about potential scammers and provide fraud prevention guidance. The legislation addresses a growing problem where romance scams cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022, with seniors particularly vulnerable to losing their life savings to con artists on dating platforms.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Missouri man fell victim to a sextortion scam in which he sent intimate photos to someone posing as a romantic interest, who then threatened to publish the images unless he paid $2,500; a second scammer then impersonated police and demanded additional money by threatening to contact his employer. Sextortion—coercing victims into financial or behavioral compliance by threatening to share intimate images—affects not only children and teenagers but also older adults, with surveys indicating that 7.6% of adults ages 50-64 and 8.4% of those 65+ have experienced it, though experts believe actual numbers are higher due to underreporting caused by shame
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Katie Powell, a single mother from Portland, Oregon, lost $40,000 to a romance scammer on Tinder who posed as a civil engineer working in Turkey and used fabricated photos and emotional manipulation to build trust over several months before requesting money. The scammer also fraudulently moved $750,000 into her Vanguard retirement account, which was frozen and the funds disappeared; romance scams are increasingly prevalent, with the FTC reporting approximately 70,000 victims in 2022 alone, particularly targeting people ages 40-69, and one in ten dating app profiles are reportedly fake profiles created by scammers using AI technology.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Katie Powell, a single mother from Portland, Oregon, was scammed out of $40,000 by a romance scammer on Tinder who posed as a civil engineer working in Turkey. The scammer used fabricated photos (including a Photoshopped image of MLB pitcher Phil Hughes) and months of intensive communication to build trust before requesting money for medical emergencies, eventually moving $750,000 into her Vanguard retirement account before the funds disappeared. The article highlights that romance scams are increasingly prevalent on dating apps, with approximately 70,000 people targeted in 2022 alone, often using AI-generated fake profiles, and affecting vulnerable individuals seeking companionship.
atlantanewsfirst.com
· 2025-12-08
The FCC warned of increasingly sophisticated "grandparent scams" conducted via robocalls, following the indictment of 25 Canadians accused of running call centers near Montreal that stole tens of millions of dollars from elderly victims across 40+ U.S. states. Scammers impersonated grandchildren in legal trouble, used voice cloning and AI technology, and pressured victims to send bail money—ultimately transmitting $21 million to Canada through cash deliveries and cryptocurrency. The FCC advises recipients to hang up and call their grandchild back using a saved number, consult trusted contacts despite pressure to stay silent, and report suspicious calls to the National Elder Frau
localnewsmatters.org
· 2025-12-08
Marin County deputies arrested Uber driver Zhuowen Yu, 43, on suspicion of defrauding seniors of at least $64,000 through scams claiming their Apple ID or Adobe Acrobat accounts were compromised, then instructing victims to withdraw cash for a "courier" to collect. Yu was identified through automated license plate readers connecting him to at least two cases in San Rafael and Point Reyes, and was booked on felony charges including grand theft, financial elder abuse, and criminal conspiracy.
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
Vermont officials charged 25 Canadians operating call centers near Montreal for conducting a "Grandparent Scam" that defrauded elderly Americans of $21 million between summer 2021 and June 2024. The scammers used personal information to impersonate grandchildren in distress, then posed as attorneys and bail bondsmen to convince victims to send money, which was transferred to Canada via cash pickups and cryptocurrency. Law enforcement dismantled the operation on June 4, 2024, when they executed search warrants and caught defendants actively calling victims, with the alleged ring leaders facing up to 40 years imprisonment if convicted.
qns.com
· 2025-12-08
Lisa Rossopoulos, 59, of Kew Gardens Hills, was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property for operating a nationwide elder fraud scheme targeting senior citizens through impersonation of government officials and companies. Between February and July 2023, she fraudulently obtained approximately $548,000 from a 92-year-old Hawaii resident and an 83-year-old Kentucky man through coordinated phone scams claiming their identities were stolen, with the victims wiring money to bank accounts under Rossopoulos' name that she promptly emptied. If convicted, she faces up to 15 years in prison.
denver7.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans aged 60 and older are the most targeted group for scams, with elder fraud costing the nation $3.4 billion annually and averaging $33,915 per victim in 2023. Scammers exploit older Americans' cognitive vulnerabilities, loneliness, trust, and technological inexperience through impersonation via calls, texts, emails, and social media—sometimes using artificial intelligence to mimic voices. Protection strategies include monitoring accounts, using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, verifying unexpected requests directly with contacts, and reporting suspected fraud to the FBI, FTC, local police, or state attorney general offices despite potential embarrassment.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Missouri man was victimized in a sextortion scam where he sent intimate photos to an online romance scammer, who then extorted him for $2,500 and threatened to share the images; a second extortionist impersonating police demanded additional money by threatening to contact his employer. Sextortion—threatening to publish intimate images to coerce victims into financial or behavioral compliance—is an evolving form of abuse affecting not only minors but also older adults, with 7.6% of adults ages 50-64 and 8.4% of those 65+ reporting victimization, though actual rates are likely higher due to underreporting
uk.pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
Restoro and Reimage will pay $25.5 million to settle FTC charges that they defrauded over 736,000 consumers, particularly older adults, through fake antivirus pop-up ads and misleading telemarketing that falsely claimed computers had viruses and sold repair plans costing up to $499. The FTC will distribute refunds via PayPal starting March 13, with eligible consumers receiving a median refund of $21. As part of the settlement, both companies are prohibited from future deceptive marketing practices and their websites have been shut down.
thecitizen.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old woman named Julie from Fayette County was scammed out of approximately $270,000 after receiving calls from people impersonating her bank who claimed there was an insider threat and convinced her to secretly withdraw funds via cashier's checks sent to multiple domestic addresses. Unlike many fraud cases where money is quickly converted to cryptocurrency and lost overseas, this case had a rare positive outcome: a UPS worker recognized one of the destination addresses in Waco, Texas as flagged by law enforcement, leading to the interception of the checks and recovery of all stolen funds. The article introduces an ongoing series about local scams and emphasizes that financial fraud is the most common and financially devastating crime affecting
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
Restoro and Reimage will pay $25.5 million to settle FTC claims that they defrauded over 736,000 consumers, particularly older adults, by using fake antivirus pop-up alerts to trick users into purchasing unnecessary computer repair services costing up to $499. The companies have been prohibited from future deceptive practices, and affected consumers will receive PayPal refunds averaging $21, with payments scheduled for March 13-14.
sylacauganews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Lincoln Public Library organized an educational initiative pairing high school cybersecurity students with senior citizens to teach fraud prevention, recognizing that seniors are frequently targeted by cybercriminals. High school students presented research on common cyber criminal tactics at an "Avoiding Online Scams" event held on March 14 at The Laundry Room in Lincoln, Alabama, open to the public.
cityofmentor.com
· 2025-12-08
Mentor detectives report scams targeting seniors are at an all-time high, with 2-3 reports weekly in their city alone, though an estimated 87% of cases go unreported due to embarrassment. Recent local cases include a woman who lost $660,000 to a cryptocurrency scam initiated by a "wrong-number" text and a couple who lost $45,000 after clicking a malicious pop-up and speaking with an impostor bank officer. The article advises seniors to avoid unknown callers, never click suspicious links, verify requests through official channels, refuse gift card or cryptocurrency payments, guard personal information, and report incidents immediately to police to maximize recovery chances.
abcactionnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in the Tampa Bay area have stolen over $1 million from senior citizens using phone scams that impersonate law enforcement, including jury duty summons, warrant, and failure-to-appear schemes. One victim, Beverly Boyarsky, nearly fell for a call claiming she owed $9,800 in bail for missing jury duty before recognizing the scam when the caller requested payment via Apple Pay and demanded she sign documents online. Law enforcement officials warn that courts always send jury summons by mail and legitimate authorities never demand payment over the phone, gift cards, or cash.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old woman in the Pacific Northwest lost $300,000 to an elaborate computer help desk scam in which criminals impersonating tech workers, investment officers, and a U.S. marshal convinced her over weeks of lengthy phone calls that her investment account had been hacked and instructed her to liquidate funds and purchase gold to "protect" her money. The scam devastated her entire family, eliminating her retirement savings and funds earmarked for her children's down payments and grandchildren's education, and may force her to sell her home to cover resulting tax debt. The case illustrates how scam victims' family members become "secondary victims" experiencing emotional, financial, and care
riponadvance.com
· 2025-12-08
Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the Romance Scam Prevention Act (S. 841) to combat romance scams that target senior citizens, particularly widowed and divorced individuals seeking connections on dating apps. According to the FTC, romance scams caused victims to lose $1.3 billion in 2022. The proposed legislation would require dating app providers to notify users when they have interacted with someone whose account was removed for fraud, aiming to protect vulnerable seniors from financial exploitation.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Katie Powell, a single mother from Portland, Oregon, was scammed out of $40,000 by a romance scammer posing as a civil engineer on Tinder who used Photoshopped images and emotional manipulation to gain her trust over several months. The scammer eventually convinced Powell to send money by claiming financial hardship and hospitalization, and later deposited $750,000 into her Vanguard retirement account—funds that were frozen and disappeared when the scheme unraveled. Romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals are increasingly common on dating apps, with approximately 70,000 people reporting such fraud to the FTC in 2022, and experts note that one in ten
theprint.in
· 2025-12-08
Retired Lieutenant General Zameer Uddin Shah, the elder brother of actor Naseeruddin Shah, was defrauded of approximately Rs 1 lakh (Rs 93,978 total) by cyber-criminals posing as Booking.com customer service after he booked a hotel in Mussoorie in March 2025. Shah made six transactions via UPI after calling a fraudulent customer care number he found on Google, which claimed to collect a tax refund; he became suspicious when the fraudster requested his debit card PIN and reported the scam to the Cyber Crime Helpline. Gurugram Cyber Police registered an FIR on March 5,
julieroys.com
· 2025-12-08
Four members of Dallas-based Gateway Church filed a lawsuit alleging that the megachurch and its leadership, including founder Robert Morris and former executive global pastor Kevin Grove, committed financial fraud by misallocating members' tithes and making false promises about refunds. A federal court granted a motion to dismiss Grove from the suit (without prejudice), while the church and Morris continue to challenge the claims, arguing the court lacks jurisdiction and that no binding contract existed between the church and its members; the court has yet to rule on those motions.
kpel965.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old blind military veteran in Opelousas, Louisiana was financially exploited by his caregiver, Marvin Washington (63), who illegally collected the victim's $1,408-monthly VA benefits and accessed his financial account without authorization, resulting in the veteran being denied necessary rehabilitation care. Washington was charged with exploitation of the infirmed and access device fraud, while his wife Mary Washington was charged as an accessory after the fact; both suspects turned themselves in on March 10th. The article advises anyone suspecting veteran financial exploitation to report it to the VA Office of Inspector General at (800) 488-8244 and to contact local authorities and Adult Protective Services as
the-daily-record.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults in the U.S. lost $538 million to investment scams in 2024. Star Strategies is hosting a Financial Elder Fraud Workshop on March 28 in Wooster featuring FBI Cleveland Division special agents who will discuss current fraud schemes, their evolution, financial impacts, and protective strategies for seniors.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP New York criticized state legislators for approving $53 million in funding for home and community-based services for seniors but failing to include protections against elder fraud. The FBI reported that New Yorkers age 60 and older lost $203.4 million to scams in 2023 (approximately $557,000 daily), and AARP urged the legislature to support Governor Hochul's initiative to train bank tellers to flag and temporarily hold suspicious transactions to prevent financial exploitation of older adults.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 7,000 people trafficked into forced labor at cyber scam operations in Myanmar were rescued in a coordinated operation by Thai, Chinese, and Myanmar authorities, but survivors found themselves trapped in overcrowded detention facilities with poor sanitation, inadequate food, and no medical care. The victims—young people from around the world who were forced to work up to 16 hours daily defrauding people of their life savings—remain held indefinitely by armed militia groups while awaiting action from their home governments, creating what advocates describe as a growing humanitarian crisis. Experts estimate the crackdown represents only a fraction of potentially 300,000 people enslaved in similar scam operations across the
theregister.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC is distributing $25.5 million in refunds to consumers defrauded by Cyprus-based tech support scam companies Restoro and Reimage, which used fake malware warnings and scare tactics to trick victims into paying for unnecessary computer repairs, with payments averaging $34 per person among 736,375 victims. The companies agreed to a $26 million settlement and were barred from future misrepresentation, with the scam particularly targeting older consumers who lost between $27 and $58 per initial transaction, and sometimes significantly more through follow-up exploitation attempts.
freep.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, with investment scams accounting for nearly half at $5.7 billion and bank transfers and cryptocurrency being the most commonly exploited payment methods. The Federal Trade Commission data shows 38% of consumers reported losing money to fraud in 2024, up from 27% in 2023, with the number of fraud reports remaining stable at 2.6 million. Michigan consumers alone reported $204 million in losses, with seniors ages 60+ losing $45.9 million, though younger consumers are also increasingly victimized.
pennlive.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS is warning taxpayers about its 2025-26 "Dirty Dozen" list of common tax scams that increase during filing season, including email phishing, smishing via text messages, misleading social media tax advice, fake charity schemes, and false claims for fuel tax credits and non-existent self-employment credits. These scams can lead to identity theft, fraudulent tax credit claims, and other financial harm if taxpayers are not vigilant. The IRS emphasizes that scammers exploit tax season urgency to trick people into divulging personal information or filing false returns.
hamiltonpolice.on.ca
· 2025-12-08
Hamilton Police issued a warning about a phone scam targeting seniors in which fraudsters impersonate bank representatives, claim account compromise, and trick victims into surrendering personal information and bank cards to fake couriers, who then use the stolen credentials to withdraw funds or purchase electronics. Victims are urged to hang up on such calls, contact their bank directly, and report incidents to Hamilton Police through their online reporting system or non-emergency line.
calgary.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
A Calgary woman in her 80s was scammed out of $12,000 in January 2025 after receiving a phone call from a man posing as a bank employee who claimed the bank needed her help investigating an employee. The suspect convinced the victim to purchase gift cards, share security codes, and withdraw cash from her bank, which he then picked up from her home; police are seeking the public's help to identify the suspect. The Calgary Police Service advises seniors to be wary of high-pressure tactics, requests for gift card or e-transfer payments, and to verify claims with trusted contacts before taking action.
riverbender.com
· 2025-12-08
State Representative Amy Elik and an Illinois Attorney General's Office expert are hosting a free senior fraud protection seminar on March 14, 2025, in Granite City to educate seniors on recognizing scams, stopping fraud attempts, and accessing the Attorney General's Senior Help Line. The educational event aims to equip vulnerable seniors with knowledge and resources to protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes targeting older adults.
signalscv.com
· 2025-12-08
Twenty-five Canadian nationals were arrested for operating a "grandpailer scam" that defrauded elderly Americans across more than 40 states of over $21 million between summer 2021 and June 2023. The defendants, operating from call centers near Montreal, posed as grandchildren needing bail money and convinced victims to hand cash to fake bail bondsmen; the money was then laundered to Canada using cryptocurrency and other methods while victims were threatened with gag orders. The indictment includes five alleged call center managers facing up to 40 years in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering, while other defendants face up to 20 years.