Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 26,669 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
8,014 results
in Financial Crime
vernonmatters.ca
Kelowna RCMP reported a surge in grandparent scams targeting local residents, with multiple victims losing over $20,000 combined. Scammers impersonated grandchildren or lawyers claiming the grandchild had been arrested and needed bail money, then arranged to pick up the cash at designated locations or victims' homes. Police urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited money requests.
justice.gov
Ryan DaCruz, a 28-year-old from Central Falls, Rhode Island, pleaded guilty to bank fraud conspiracy for depositing stolen and fraudulently altered checks totaling approximately $46,000 into multiple bank accounts he controlled between February 2022 and May 2023. Working with confederates who stole checks from the U.S. Mail, DaCruz had the checks "washed" to change payee names to his own, then rapidly depleted the accounts through cash withdrawals and transfers before opening new accounts at different banks when fraud was detected. He faces sentencing on March 11, 2025, and is currently incarcerated on a separate conviction for
mountaineagle.com
The Walker County Community Action Agency offers free financial planning classes at multiple dates in February and March to help locals organize finances, plan major purchases, and budget for expenses. Additionally, a free elder fraud prevention workshop is scheduled for February 22 at Cordova First Baptist Church, sponsored by the Cordova Ministerial Association and Birmingham FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association, to educate seniors about common fraud schemes targeting elderly Americans.
cnet.com
In 2023, people lost $10 billion to fraud according to FTC data, but consumers can protect themselves by recognizing common banking scams. The article outlines ten prevalent scam tactics—including check-cashing schemes, phishing, fake websites, advance fee fraud, and government imposter scams—and provides specific protective strategies such as verifying bank URLs, never clicking unsolicited links, using secure checks, and contacting official customer service lines to confirm requests.
poconorecord.com
Skimming scams—where criminals install devices on ATMs, point-of-sale terminals, and fuel pumps to steal card data—increased 96% in 2023 and cost U.S. consumers over $1 billion annually. Recent law enforcement operations have targeted organized crime groups, including a three-year FBI investigation resulting in 48 arrests and recovery of over 8,000 stolen credit card numbers. The FBI advises consumers to inspect card readers for tampering, use chip/tap-to-pay technology, pull at keypads for overlays, monitor accounts regularly, and choose fuel pumps visible to attendants.
fox10tv.com
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission launched the "Dating or Defrauding" awareness campaign to warn Americans about relationship investment scams, in which fraudsters use fake dating profiles and text messages to trick victims into converting money to cryptocurrency under the false promise of investment returns. These scams caused reported losses exceeding $4 billion to the FBI in 2023 and target people of all ages, particularly those who live alone or spend significant time on social media. The campaign advises never sending money to people you haven't met in person and recommends reporting suspected fraud through the CFTC or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
prnewswire.com
New York's StateWide Senior Action Council identified Medicare card scams as their February fraud alert, warning seniors that Medicare does not issue new cards annually and scammers exploit this by calling to collect personal medical information or promoting fraudulent "upgraded" cards. Seniors should verify suspicious calls directly with Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE) and protect their Medicare and Social Security numbers like credit cards, reporting suspected fraud to the NY Senior Medicare Patrol Helpline at 800-333-4374.
wktv.com
The U.S. Postal Service warns consumers about romance scams that intensify around Valentine's Day, in which fraudsters create fake online identities to build trust with victims over weeks or months before fabricating financial emergencies and requesting money, gift cards, or checks sent through the mail. These scams cause both financial and emotional harm, with victims often unable to recover their funds once the fraud is discovered. USPS recommends avoiding rapid online relationships without in-person or video contact, never sending money to people you haven't met, and reporting suspicious behavior immediately.
cbs6albany.com
Harmish Patel, 26, of Illinois was indicted for his role in a multi-state gold bullion scam targeting an elderly couple in Brunswick, New York, between December 2023 and March 2024. Patel allegedly conspired with others to transport fraudulently obtained gold bullion across state lines from New York to New Jersey on multiple occasions. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
justice.gov
Harmish Patel, 26, of Illinois was indicted for his role in a gold bullion scam targeting an elderly couple in Rensselaer County, New York. Between December 2023 and March 2024, Patel conspired with others to transport gold bullion obtained through fraud across state lines from New York to New Jersey on three separate occasions. Patel faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
yahoo.com
The Grandparent Scam is a fraud scheme where criminals pose as a relative—typically a grandchild—claiming to need immediate financial assistance to exploit seniors' emotional attachments and trust. Seniors are targeted because they tend to be trusting, have financial resources, and may be reluctant to report fraud due to shame or fear of losing family confidence. To protect themselves, seniors should resist pressure to act quickly, verify caller information with family members, never wire money based on phone or email requests, and report suspicious calls to local police or the FBI.
goldrushcam.com
Fabrisio Arias was sentenced to 41 months in prison and ordered to pay $395,536 in restitution to 22 victims for his role in an international sweepstakes scam that operated from November 2020 to September 2022. Scammers in Costa Rica used spoofed phone numbers to impersonate IRS and FTC officials, convincing elderly victims (many in their 70s-90s) that they'd won prizes and needed to pay fees; Arias received the victims' checks and money orders at his California home, laundered the funds through his bank accounts, and transferred over $237,000 to co-conspi
newsweek.com
The FBI warned of rising romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day, with victims losing $1.14 billion in 2023 according to the FTC. Scammers create fake profiles on dating apps and social media, build trust quickly, and manipulate victims—sometimes impersonating celebrities or military personnel—to send money or invest in cryptocurrency, with one victim losing $850,000 to a scammer posing as Brad Pitt. Red flags include requests for money, reluctance to meet in person or video chat, and inconsistent stories; prevention through identity verification and caution about rapidly escalating relationships is the best defense.
click2houston.com
The FBI Houston issued a Valentine's Day safety guide warning about romance scams, in which fraudsters quickly build fake online relationships and eventually request money by claiming emergencies or business expenses abroad. The guide advises potential victims to be cautious about what they share online, verify profiles through reverse image searches, watch for excuses to avoid in-person meetings, and never send money to people they've only met online. Victims are encouraged to cease contact with scammers and report incidents to the FBI immediately.
fox26houston.com
The U.S. Postal Service warns that romance scammers target individuals seeking companionship by creating fake online identities and building trust over weeks or months before requesting money for fabricated emergencies like medical bills or travel expenses. The article provides red flags (such as avoiding video calls, pledging love quickly, and requesting urgent financial help), protective measures (verifying identities through video or reverse image searches, never sending money to strangers), and common scammer tactics to help people avoid losing money through wire transfers, checks, or gift cards that are difficult to recover.
wisbusiness.com
Tax scams reappear seasonally with scammers impersonating the IRS through phone calls, emails, and mail to pressure victims into paying fake debts or divulging personal information for identity theft. Common schemes include threatening arrest for unpaid taxes, claiming refunds are owed, using fake IRS logos and spoofed caller IDs, and sending phishing emails directing victims to bogus websites. To protect yourself, file taxes early, remember that the IRS initiates contact by mail only, never accepts prepaid debit cards or wire transfers for payment, and verify any IRS communication directly with the agency.
cftc.gov
The CFTC and multiple federal, state, and nonprofit organizations launched the "Dating or Defrauding?" awareness campaign to alert Americans to relationship investment scams, which caused nearly $4 billion in reported losses to the FBI in 2023. These scams, also called "pig butchering," use fake profiles on dating apps, social media, and messaging platforms to build false relationships and convince victims to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency or trading platforms. The campaign identifies red flags including requests for payment, inability to meet in person, and pressure to move conversations to encrypted apps, urging the public to be skeptical and share warnings with friends and family.
wcnc.com
Romance scams have surged significantly, with BBB reporting a 13% increase in 2021 and more than double the cases in early 2022 compared to the prior year. Scammers create fake dating profiles using stolen photos and fabricate elaborate backstories (often claiming military or overseas work) to build fake relationships, eventually requesting money with increasingly persistent demands. The BBB advises potential dating app users to watch for red flags such as reluctance to meet in person, rapid declarations of love, requests to move off dating platforms, suspicious language patterns, and hard luck stories before money requests are made.
cullmantimes.com
This educational piece from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns about romance scams, which exploit people seeking companionship by building trust online before requesting money through mail, wire transfers, or gift cards. The article outlines how scammers create fake identities and fabricate emergencies to solicit funds, and provides protective measures including avoiding rapid online relationships, verifying identities through in-person meetings, and never sending money to strangers. Victims are advised to report scams to USPIS, local law enforcement, and the Federal Trade Commission.
yahoo.com
A Seattle senior was defrauded of $435,000 by two brothers, Patrick and Matthew McDonagh, who convinced him his roof and foundation needed urgent repairs and then pressured him into ongoing payments for work that was never completed or unnecessary. The victim paid through checks and wire transfers over several weeks; he was able to recover $200,000 through a wire transfer reversal, but the outcome of recovering additional funds remains unclear. The McDonagh brothers pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges and were sentenced to 18 months in prison, and the case highlights how door-to-door home repair scams disproportionately target seniors, who reported $3.4 billion in frau
businesswire.com
Romance scams targeting older Americans have surged, with fraudsters impersonating celebrities like Keanu Reeves, Jason Momoa, Sandra Bullock, and Ryan Reynolds to build fake emotional relationships and extract money. Charlie, a banking service for seniors, released this data to raise awareness that scammers exploit lonely older adults through online dating sites and social media, fabricating crises to pressure victims into sending money—with one victim losing over $800,000 in a Brad Pitt impersonation scam. Seniors can protect themselves by recognizing warning signs including rapid professions of love, avoidance of in-person meetings, fabricated emergencies, and requests for
finance.yahoo.com
Romance scams targeting older Americans have surged, with fraudsters impersonating celebrities like Keanu Reeves, Jason Momoa, and Sandra Bullock to build fake emotional relationships and extract money. The scams exploit loneliness among seniors, with victims losing an average of $35,000 each, as demonstrated by a recent case where someone lost over $800,000 in a Brad Pitt impersonation scam. Charlie, a banking service for Americans 62+, released this data to educate seniors on red flags including rapid professions of love, avoidance of in-person meetings, fabricated emergencies, and requests for secrecy.
kauainownews.com
The County of Kauaʻi Agency on Elderly Affairs, in partnership with multiple state agencies through Kupuna Alert Partners, is hosting a free fraud and scam prevention presentation to address a rising tide of scams targeting seniors, particularly romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day. Romance scams involve criminals creating fake online identities to build trust with victims over weeks or months before soliciting money through fabricated emergencies, often requesting payment via mail, wire transfers, or gift cards. The presentation will cover Medicare fraud, securities fraud, identity theft, and prescription drug misuse prevention, with the U.S. Postal Service emphasizing caution against online relationships that escalate quickly and recommending victims never
ice.gov
Romance scams are confidence schemes where perpetrators build trust with victims to extract money through false pretenses. Nearly 70,000 Americans reported being victims in 2022, with older adults losing approximately $240 million that year; scammers commonly use red flags such as claims of foreign locations, requests for video call avoidance, inconsistent stories, and demands for payment via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers. Protection strategies include remaining suspicious of unsolicited contact, verifying identities through independent means, and never sharing personal information or sending money to online contacts, particularly those who quickly profess love or request alternative communication platforms.
fox40.com
A California man, Fabrisio Arias, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for his role in an international sweepstakes fraud scheme targeting elderly Americans between November 2020 and September 2022. Operating with co-conspirators in Costa Rica, Arias received fraudulent payments from 22 victims (many in their 70s-90s) who were tricked into paying fake taxes or fees to claim non-existent prizes, with perpetrators impersonating IRS and FTC officials using spoofed phone numbers. Arias was ordered to pay $395,536 in restitution after laundering over $395,000 through his bank accounts, keeping
wmtv15news.com
The Better Business Bureau warns consumers about several Valentine's Day scams targeting the $26 billion expected spending for the holiday, including fake websites offering unrealistically low prices on jewelry and goods, romance scams where fraudsters build emotional connections before requesting money, wrong-number text scams designed to extract personal information, and fake florist websites that either never deliver flowers or make unauthorized charges. To protect themselves, consumers should watch for red flags such as suspiciously low prices, requests for cryptocurrency or cash transfers, pressure to meet quickly in romance situations, and unverified sellers, and should verify websites are legitimate and use secure payment methods.
nationwidemediacentre.co.uk
Nationwide research found that 41% of singles seek love online, with 36% admitting to white lies on dating profiles, while only 11% feel confident spotting romance scams where criminals use fake identities to extract money. The research reveals that 27% of online daters have been contacted by imposters and 46% would ignore red flags, with scammers particularly exploiting vulnerable individuals around Valentine's Day when 24% feel pressured to have a date and 29% report loneliness. Nationwide advises caution against suspicious profiles, "love bombing," unverified photos, requests for money, and recommends reporting suspicious activity to protect against romance fraud.
yahoo.com
The U.S. Postal Service warns consumers about romance scams that develop over months, in which scammers cultivate trust through social media and dating apps before creating fake financial emergencies to solicit money from victims. Once detected, these scams are difficult to recover from and leave victims with significant financial and emotional losses. Consumers should avoid sending money to people they've never met in person, especially those who avoid video calls or request secrecy, and should report suspected romance scams to the United States Postal Inspection Service.
moneywise.com
A Seattle man identified as David lost over $400,000 to two brothers, Patrick and Matthew McDonagh, who convinced him his roof and foundation needed urgent repairs and then collected payment for work they never completed. The brothers pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges and were sentenced to 18 months in prison, though David was only able to recover $200,000 of the fraudulent wire transfer. The case highlights a common scam targeting homeowners, particularly seniors, and experts recommend never hiring door-to-door solicitors and always obtaining a second opinion from a trusted professional before authorizing any repairs.
northcentralpa.com
Highmark's Financial Investigations and Provider Review department partnered with the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office in 2024 to launch an elder fraud awareness campaign, reaching over 650,000 seniors with information about common scams (romance, tech support, grandparent, and lottery schemes) that cost Americans over 60 approximately $3.1 billion annually. The initiative earned the 2024 Excellence in Public Awareness Award and complemented Highmark's broader anti-fraud efforts, which have saved over $2 billion since 2017 through billing error corrections and programs addressing prescription fraud and substance use disorder.
uk.news.yahoo.com
A Seattle senior identified as David was defrauded of $435,000 by two brothers, Patrick and Matthew McDonagh, who convinced him his roof and foundation needed urgent repairs and then pressured him into paying for work that was never completed or unnecessary. The brothers pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges and were sentenced to 18 months in prison, though David was only able to recover $200,000 of the lost funds. The case highlights a common scam targeting homeowners, particularly seniors, who are approached at their doors with claims of urgent repairs and pressured into multiple payments.
newsbreak.com
On February 3, 2025, the Grand Rapids Police Department arrested an out-of-state male in possession of $42,800 cash after investigating multiple "grandparent" scams in which callers falsely claimed victims' grandsons had been arrested and needed bail or legal fees. At least three elderly victims fell victim to the scheme, including a Southeast Grand Rapids couple who paid $17,000; law enforcement identified the suspect through victim descriptions and home surveillance footage, then located the cash in labeled envelopes during a vehicle search warrant execution. Police urge residents to verify family emergencies by directly contacting the family member in question and to report similar scam calls to the Itasca
justice.gov
**Summary:**
John Sposato, a 73-year-old Mississippi resident, was sentenced to 10 months in prison plus an additional 6 months for violating supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. While on supervised release from a prior conviction, Sposato attempted to deposit a counterfeit $10,000 check drawn on a Florida nonprofit organization's account into a credit union account under his shell company name, Pegasus Consulting, and falsely claimed to probation officers that the check was legitimate consulting compensation.
justice.gov
Kingsley Apenteng, a Dumfries man, pleaded guilty to wire fraud for fraudulently obtaining $149,740 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) COVID-19 relief funds by falsely claiming his inactive company, Pioneers Real Estate LLC, had nine employees and a substantial payroll. Apenteng fabricated tax forms with a forged tax preparer's signature, altered bank statements, and later submitted a false loan forgiveness application that resulted in the SBA approving full reimbursement in November 2021. He faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing scheduled for May 6.
keyt.com
Craig Case, a security company owner and TV host, is on trial for over 50 felony charges including elder financial abuse and grand theft after allegedly obtaining $690,000 in loans from the estate of deceased Montecito woman Constance McCormick Fearing between 2018-2021. Case used Nancy Coglizer, who held power of attorney over the estate, to obtain the funds in small increments (around $5,000 each) to avoid triggering bank alerts; Coglizer has pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against Case. The prosecution alleges Case exploited Coglizer's personal vulnerabilities, while the defense claims she
news.yahoo.com
The United States Postal Service warned consumers about romance scams that surge around Valentine's Day, in which fraudsters create fake identities on social media and dating apps to build trust with victims before requesting money, gift cards, or wire transfers under false pretenses. The USPS recommends avoiding online relationships that escalate quickly, refusing to send money to people you haven't met in person, and being alert to requests for secrecy or urgent financial assistance. Victims are encouraged to report incidents to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, local law enforcement, and the Federal Trade Commission.
reporternews.com
Scammers in Brown County and surrounding areas are impersonating sheriff's deputies in phone calls, claiming victims have missed court dates or arrest warrants and demanding immediate payment via cryptocurrency machines. The Brown County Sheriff's Office warns that legitimate law enforcement will never call demanding payment for fines or warrants, and victims should report such calls to local authorities. Similar scams have been reported across multiple Texas counties, with perpetrators instructing victims to withdraw bank funds and convert them to Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies.
fox10tv.com
Four Jamaican nationals were arrested in Foley, Alabama in February 2023 for operating a lottery scam that defrauded over $200,000 from victims nationwide, primarily elderly people. The suspects used a Publisher's Clearing House scheme, telling victims they had won a lottery but needed to pay "taxes" before claiming winnings; while FedEx intercepted thousands of dollars in cash and checks between April 2020 and February 2023, some victims still lost money. The four men face federal charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy, with potential sentences up to 20 years in prison.
english.gujaratsamachar.com
Indian authorities launched a special awareness campaign during Valentine's Week to combat romance scams, where cybercriminals pose as romantic interests to solicit money from victims. A recent case in Ranchi involved a woman who lost ₹7 lakh after meeting a man on a matrimonial site who claimed to need emergency funds before their planned meeting, then disappeared. Authorities urge people to report suspected fraud by calling 1930 or filing complaints at cybercrime.gov.in, emphasizing the need to verify online connections before sending money.
philstarlife.com
A Thai-British beauty queen lost 4 million baht after two scammers, Ramil Pantawong and 31, and Thanawut Kanyaphanthe, 28, impersonated Thai Department of Special Investigation officers and falsely accused her of money laundering to trick her into transferring funds. The two suspects were arrested as part of a 50-member gang operating from Cambodia that used AI technology to alter their faces during video calls and had victimized at least 163 people with similar schemes involving fake narcotics and money-laundering accusations. The suspects revealed they had been recruited under false pretenses and forced to work for Chinese gang leaders who controlled the operation through threats
justice.gov
A federal court issued a permanent injunction against Michael Brian Cotter and five companies operating a large-scale technical-support fraud scheme that defrauded hundreds of elderly and vulnerable Americans from 2011 to 2020. The scheme used fake Microsoft security pop-ups to trick victims into calling India-based call centers, where fraudsters gained remote computer access and convinced victims to pay hundreds to thousands of dollars for unnecessary software and services. The injunction permanently bars the defendants from selling technical-support services via telemarketing or websites and transfers 19 fraudulent domain names to the U.S. government.
justice.gov
Fabrisio Arias was sentenced to 41 months in prison and ordered to pay $395,536 in restitution for laundering money in an international sweepstakes scam that defrauded at least 22 elderly victims between November 2020 and September 2022. Scammers based in Costa Rica used spoofed phone numbers to call seniors, impersonating IRS and FTC officials, convincing victims they had won prizes but needed to pay fees first; victims sent cashier's checks and money orders to Arias in California, who deposited the funds and transferred most to co-conspirators abroad. Many victims in their seventies to n
mynbc15.com
Four Jamaican nationals were arrested in Baldwin County, Alabama as part of "Operation Jamaican Knights," a fraud ring that targeted elderly victims across the United States with a lottery scam, stealing over $200,000 from more than 75 victims nationwide. Victims were deceived into sending cash payments via FedEx, believing they needed to pay taxes to claim lottery winnings, with shipments intercepted at a Mobile FedEx center revealing the scheme in February 2023. The FBI recovered more than $180,000 and has returned most of it to victims, with six additional suspects identified and the investigation ongoing.
napavalleyregister.com
The Napa County District Attorney's Office is training bank employees to identify and report suspicious transactions targeting seniors, as fraud against elderly clients continues to rise. The initiative focuses on recognizing red flags such as unusual large withdrawals, requests for cashier's checks, and transactions initiated by accompanying third parties—common tactics in lottery scams where victims are deceived into sending thousands of dollars in "good faith" money. One case illustrates the program's potential impact: a bank clerk prevented a man from wiring $10,000 to Canada after he revealed he believed he had won a foreign lottery, while another victim lost $13,000 before the perpetrators were arrested and ordered to repay her.
justice.gov
A 75-year-old New York man, Carmine Maietta, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud for operating a multi-million dollar scheme that sent fraudulent prize notification mailings to thousands of consumers from 2013 to 2018, deceiving them into paying fees for cash prizes they never received. Five defendants total pleaded guilty in the scheme, with Maietta facing a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison at sentencing. The case highlights how mass mailing fraud schemes specifically target elderly and vulnerable victims, and the Department of Justice emphasized its commitment to prosecuting perpetrators of elder fraud.
ice.gov
Three Chinese nationals pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for operating a gift card fraud scheme based in China that targeted U.S. citizens through romance and elder fraud schemes to obtain gift cards, which they then used to purchase high-value electronics for shipment to Asia. Naxin Wu, Mengying Jiang, and Mingdong Chen, operating as a cell in New Hampshire, were responsible for $1.4 million, $3 million, and $400,000 in fraudulent gift card purchases respectively, with sentencing scheduled for April 2025. The investigation by Homeland Security Investigations revealed that organized crime groups acquire gift cards through hacking and fraud schemes, then exploit no-sales-
mynews4.com
The U.S. Postal Service and Postal Inspection Service issued a Valentine's Day alert about romance scams, which involve fraudsters creating fake identities online to build trust with victims before requesting money through mail, wire transfers, or gift cards for fabricated emergencies. The agencies recommend victims avoid relationships that escalate quickly or involve avoidance of video calls, never send money to online contacts, and report suspected scams to USPIS, local law enforcement, or the FTC.
kstp.com
During tax season, scammers pose as tax preparers and IRS agents to steal personal information, refunds, and identities, with some fraudsters filing returns to collect refunds of thousands of dollars in victims' names. To protect yourself, hire accredited local tax preparers with verifiable credentials and Preparer Tax Identification Numbers, be aware that the IRS initiates contact by mail (never by phone or email), and file your return early using trusted software or free IRS resources to prevent identity theft. Red flags include unsolicited IRS contact, pressure to pay immediately, or offers of instant refunds with high fees.
nj1015.com
A jury duty scam is resurfacing in New Jersey, where con artists contact people via phone, text, or email claiming they failed to appear for jury duty and threatening arrest unless they pay a fine immediately. The actual judiciary never requests payment, personal financial information, or identification numbers to resolve jury duty issues; legitimate communications may only request date of birth and residential address. Residents should hang up, avoid clicking links, and report suspected scam communications to their county jury management office and local law enforcement.
express.co.uk
A 16-year-old girl in Glasgow was scammed out of £125 after clicking on a fake social media advert for clothing brand Lucy & Yak that offered items at unusually low prices; she entered her debit card details but the items never arrived, though her bank successfully recovered the funds. The scam mimicked the legitimate brand with authentic logos and product images, with only a subtle dollar sign instead of a pound symbol as a red flag. The incident highlights that teens are vulnerable to social media fraud, with research showing a quarter of British teens are likely to fall for scam texts, prompting warnings to verify sources and check official websites before making purchases.