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justice.gov
Ella Mae Woods, 76, a former Brattleboro resident, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for wire fraud and theft of government money after pleading guilty in May 2024 to misappropriating her deceased mother's Social Security benefits for approximately 28 years. Woods fraudulently collected $328,000 in payments that should have stopped when her mother died in 1994, including opening bank accounts in her mother's name and forging signature documents; she was ordered to pay full restitution of $328,000 and serve one year of supervised release following her prison term.
decrypt.co
Shan Hanes, former CEO of Kansas Heartland Tri-State Bank, was sentenced to over 24 years in prison for embezzling more than $47 million between May and July 2023 to fund a cryptocurrency pig butchering scam. His fraudulent transfers, which also included stealing from a local church and investment club, directly caused the bank's collapse and resulted in $9 million in investor losses. Hanes pleaded guilty to embezzlement by a bank officer, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 30 years.
aarp.org
Journalist April Helm watched her widowed mother, Sherri Tyson, lose $350,000 to a romance scammer between 2018 and 2020, despite Helm's extensive intervention efforts including presenting evidence, involving family, and arranging federal law enforcement involvement. The article explains that chronic fraud victims like Tyson often cannot reject scammers' lies due to psychological manipulation, isolation, emotional investment, and rationalization traps that make admitting the fraud feel more shameful than continuing to deny reality. Risk factors for chronic victimization include isolation, depression, cognitive decline, and lack of purpose, and scammers deliberately create immersive false realities that prevent rational thinking
romesentinel.com
The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection is raising awareness about financial scams targeting older adults, noting that Americans aged 60 and older lose at least $3.4 billion annually to fraud—the highest amount of any age group. Investment scams represent the costliest fraud type, with losses jumping 38% from $3.31 billion in 2022 to $4.57 billion in 2023, with seniors losing over $1 billion to these schemes in 2023 alone.
fingerlakes1.com
The New York State Department of Consumer Protection is warning seniors about financial scams ahead of National Senior Citizens Day, noting that older adults lost an estimated $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023. The department recommends vigilance and education to combat common scams targeting seniors, including investment fraud, reverse mortgage scams, and government imposter schemes. Officials advise seniors to verify unexpected requests for personal information or money before responding.
americanbanker.com
A widow lost $87,000 to Social Security Administration impersonators who contacted her two weeks after her husband's death, likely finding her through obituaries. The incident illustrates a broader crisis: over 8.68 million elder fraud cases occur annually in the U.S., costing victims an average of $20,015 each and totaling $113.7 billion yearly, with perpetrators increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes and threatening language to exploit vulnerable seniors unfamiliar with modern technology. Several states are responding by passing laws that require banks to report suspected fraud, block suspicious transactions, and train employees to identify elder exploitation schemes.
communitycare.co.uk
This educational guide from Community Care Inform Adults outlines best practices for social workers protecting vulnerable adults from scams, which are recognized as financial abuse under the Care Act 2014. Key recommendations include treating scams as safeguarding concerns, working multi-agency with police and trading standards, acting quickly to prevent escalation, assessing mental capacity, and developing comprehensive risk assessment and protection plans in partnership with clients. The guide notes that 73% of UK adults have been targeted by scams, with 35% (19 million people) losing money, yet fewer than one-third report the crime to authorities.
foxbusiness.com
During back-to-school season, fraudsters employ multiple scams targeting families seeking savings, including deep-discount shopping scams on social media (offering counterfeit or non-existent brand-name items), textbook scams (selling fake or undelivered books at reduced prices), and financial aid scams. The Federal Trade Commission advises consumers to research sellers beyond social media platforms, use credit cards for purchases, avoid payment methods like gift cards and wire transfers, and buy from official retailers to protect themselves from losing money to these schemes.
wmtv15news.com
The Better Business Bureau warns college students, particularly freshmen ages 18-24, about six prevalent scams: fake apartment listings (where scammers copy real listings and request deposits for properties that don't exist), fraudulent credit card offers targeting first-time users, identity theft (requiring regular credit report monitoring), fake scholarship and grant offers, and other schemes exploiting their inexperience. The BBB emphasizes the importance of verifying sources, researching offers that seem too good to be true, and protecting personal information to prevent financial and identity-related harm.
kvoa.com
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued an alert about cryptocurrency scams targeting consumers through investment schemes, impersonation fraud, and blackmail extortion. Scammers use phone calls, emails, social media, and dating apps to pose as investment managers, government officials, or love interests to trick victims into buying and transferring cryptocurrency. The Attorney General recommends verifying caller information independently, remaining skeptical of unsolicited requests for cryptocurrency payments, never sharing personal information with unknown callers, consulting trusted individuals before major financial decisions, and reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement.
rfa.org
A South Korean court sentenced the leader of an international scam operation to eight years in prison for luring nearly 60 South Korean victims with promises of high-paying jobs and forcing them into fraudulent crimes in Laos and Myanmar, resulting in losses exceeding 23 billion won ($17 million) between May and October of the previous year. The scam group imprisoned victims in offices within special economic zones, confiscated their passports, and coerced them into illegal activities including voice phishing, investment scams, and romance scams while withholding travel and living expenses. In response to the escalating threat, South Korea imposed a level 4 travel ban on the Lao Golden
thestar.com.my
Malaysian celebrities, including singer Siti Nurhaliza, cooking influencer Khairul Aming, and former shuttler Lee Chong Wei, have raised alarm about AI-generated deepfake content that misuses their images and voices to promote financial schemes and fraudulent products. The scammers particularly target elderly social media users, using replicated audio and video to deceive victims into purchasing items or investing in schemes. The celebrities and Malaysia's Communications Minister are urging the public to verify online content and calling for social media platforms to label AI-generated material and implement stricter accountability measures.
azag.gov
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued a warning about cryptocurrency scams targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly senior citizens, which exploit victims' unfamiliarity with digital currencies. Common scams include investment schemes promising high returns with zero risk, impersonation scams claiming account fraud or legal issues that can only be resolved via cryptocurrency transfer, and blackmail scams threatening to release compromising information unless paid in Bitcoin. The Attorney General advises Arizonans to verify caller information independently, remain skeptical of unsolicited requests, recognize that legitimate businesses never demand cryptocurrency payment, protect personal information, consult trusted family members before financial decisions, and report suspicious activity to law enforcement or the Arizona Attorney General's Office.
info.gov.hk
From January to June 2024, Hong Kong Police recorded 19,897 scam cases resulting in $4.48 billion in losses, a 66.5% increase from the prior year, with "Impersonating Customer Service" scams being particularly prevalent and causing $379 million in losses. Mainland students in Hong Kong face heightened vulnerability to "Pretend Officials" scams, especially during September and October, with 481 cases reported in the first half of 2024. Police, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, and the banking sector launched an "Anti-Scam Month" campaign featuring educational initiatives, including a "Survival Guide" for Mainland students an
theadvocate.com.au
In the 2023/24 financial year, Tasmania Police recorded 163 victims of investment scams, with combined losses totaling $7.92 million and an average loss of $48,500 per victim. Older people are particularly targeted through unsolicited phone calls, text messages, and emails offering high-return, low-risk investments, with scammers using fake websites and persistent pressure to extract funds, often followed by recovery scams. Police advise verifying caller identity independently, conducting due diligence on companies, and consulting friends and family before investing, warning that victims are unlikely to recover lost funds.
nbclosangeles.com
"Pig butchering" scams involve fraudsters building trust with victims over weeks or months through dating apps and social media before convincing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. In 2023, investment scams resulted in $4.57 billion in losses, with $3.96 billion tied to fake crypto investments, representing a 38% increase from the previous year. One victim lost $152,000 after being courted on a dating app, and while law enforcement has identified funds traced to exchanges in Southeast Asia, recovery remains difficult due to multi-jurisdictional complications and the use of cryptocurrency.
the-review.com
QR codes are increasingly being exploited by scammers to direct victims to phishing websites, fraudulent payment portals, malware downloads, and fake cryptocurrency wallets. Common schemes include placing fraudulent QR codes on parking meters to steal payment information, conducting romance scams that culminate in cryptocurrency investment requests, impersonating utility companies and government agencies to collect fraudulent payments, and sending malicious codes via email or mail. Consumers should verify QR codes before scanning, avoid codes from unsolicited sources, and confirm suspicious requests directly with the legitimate organization or person claiming to contact them.
mocoshow.com
Montgomery County authorities charged five suspects in a gold bar scam that defrauded residents of nearly $3 million since January 2023, with investigators estimating close to 20 victims who lost their life savings. In this scam, fraudsters impersonate federal government officials or cybersecurity experts to pressure victims into converting money to gold, which is then stolen. Authorities advise residents not to answer unknown calls or click pop-up ads, to slow down and verify requests, and to remember that the federal government never requests large withdrawals or unusual transactions like gold or gift card purchases.
mk.co.kr
A criminal organization led by a 39-year-old woman was convicted of defrauding over 23 billion won from approximately 60 Korean victims through romance scams and fake investment schemes. The group lured economically vulnerable people from Daegu and Changwon with promises of earning millions of won monthly, then imprisoned them in offices in Laos and Myanmar where they were forced to commit fraud by sending fake stock investment messages and falsified profit graphs to potential victims. The ringleader received an 8-year prison sentence, with other members receiving 2 to 5 years in prison based on their roles in the operation.
mirror.co.uk
This educational article by consumer rights expert Martyn James outlines the growing landscape of fraud in 2024, explaining why scammers are increasingly successful through digital innovation, mass messaging, and sophisticated social engineering tactics. The article cites that 252,626 people lost nearly £341 million to "push payment" fraud in the UK, with some victims losing life savings exceeding £100,000, though £1.2 billion in fraud was prevented last year. James provides practical advice for fraud victims, including immediately contacting their bank via the official number or the 159 stop scams line, and emphasizes the importance of identifying the type of fraud to determine the appropriate response.
forbes.com
A Pennsylvania woman nearly fell victim to a romance scam involving a fake foreign inheritance scheme, where an online acquaintance convinced her to front money for supposed legal fees and escrow to unlock a British estate. Red flags included fake legal documents with spelling errors, an implausible timeline, and a fabricated London law firm address, which legal experts confirmed were fraudulent. The article highlights how elder fraud is increasingly difficult to recover due to modern money transfer methods and cryptocurrency, and emphasizes the importance of verifying credentials and seeking professional legal advice before sending money in estate-related matters.
gistlover.com
This article does not describe an elder fraud case. It covers a family dispute between music executive Jude Okoye and his younger brothers Paul and Peter (PSquare), in which Peter accused Jude of fraud and embezzlement, leading to his arrest by Nigeria's EFCC. The piece reports on social media backlash after Jude announced plans to publicly share his account of the conflict, with critics urging him to resolve the family dispute privately rather than air grievances publicly.
ibsintelligence.com
Americans are increasingly concerned about rising financial fraud, with the FTC reporting $10 billion lost to scams in 2023 (up from $3.5 billion in 2020), and 74% of survey respondents worried that AI advancements will increase fraud rates. Nearly half of Americans surveyed (45%) reported being victims of financial fraud, with credit card theft (53%), electronic payment fraud (19%), and check fraud (17%) as top scams, and 24% losing $5,000 or more. Financial institutions face mounting pressure as fraud victims often switch banks or reduce services, with recovery rates for stolen funds remaining below 10% in most cases.
gmanetwork.com
Six Chinese nationals were arrested in Angeles City, Pampanga by the NBI for operating online scam and cybercrime operations, including romance scams and fraudulent cryptocurrency investment schemes targeting victims globally. Operatives seized computers, phones, SIM cards, scripts, and customer ledgers that indicated organized fraudulent activities, and the suspects were referred to the Department of Justice for inquest under the Cybercrime Prevention Act and Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act.
ministers.treasury.gov.au
Australia has seen a modest decrease in scam losses over the past 12 months, with Queensland reporting losses dropping from $54 million (January-June 2023) to $21 million in the same period this year, down significantly from $37-38 million in 2022. Investment scams account for over half of losses nationwide, typically originating through emails or social media messages promoting cryptocurrency investments, fake bonds, or fake celebrity endorsements. Key prevention advice includes: never clicking links in unsolicited text messages or emails, avoiding investments that offer returns above market rates, and consulting professional financial advisors rather than relying on social media recommendations.
crypto.news
The Federal Trade Commission has banned the practice of buying and selling fake social media engagement indicators, with rules that will apply to crypto influencers and take effect 60 days after Federal Register publication; violators face financial fines and sanctions. The FTC has also warned of rising social media investment scams targeting users with fraudulent cryptocurrency opportunities, including romance scams where perpetrators pose as romantic partners to gain trust before directing victims to fake investment platforms that disappear once sufficient money is extracted.
mb.com.ph
Six Chinese nationals were arrested in Angeles City, Pampanga on August 14 for operating a cyber-scam operation involving romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, credit card scams, and fake investment schemes targeting victims globally. The NBI discovered computers, phones, fraudulent scripts, and cryptocurrency investment platforms at the arrested individuals' office during a warrant operation. The six suspects face charges under the Cybercrime Prevention Act and Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act.
dailydodge.com
A Bank Secrecy Act officer at Farmers and Merchants Union Bank in Columbus discussed common financial scams affecting consumers, including check, investment, and romance scams. Key prevention advice includes trusting your instincts when something seems suspicious, independently verifying phone numbers and caller identities rather than using provided contact information, contacting your financial institution directly to confirm requests, and signing up for FTC consumer alerts.
news.trendmicro.com
Deepfake technology powered by AI is fueling a rising tide of scams in 2024, with deepfake content increasing 900% between 2019 and 2020. Cybercriminals use deepfakes to impersonate celebrities, recruiters, and romantic partners through fake video calls, job interviews, and investment schemes to steal money and personal information from victims. Key scams include romance fraud (where scammers conduct convincing video calls using face-swapping), recruiting scams (impersonating employers on LinkedIn to extract payment and data), and investment scams (using fake celebrity endorsements to promote cryptocurrency schemes).
irs.gov
Ari Tietolman of Montreal, Canada, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for operating a massive telemarketing fraud scheme from 2005 to 2014 that targeted tens of thousands of American senior citizens, defrauding them of millions of dollars through worthless or non-existent products like fraud protection services, prescription drug discount cards, and legal services. Tietolman and his co-schemers made unauthorized debits from victims' bank accounts after making false claims about affiliations with banks, insurance companies, and the U.S. government, while he was ordered to pay $7,042,898.22 in restitution; two co-defendants also
fortune.com
Seniors across the country are taking artificial intelligence classes to understand both the technology's benefits—such as reducing loneliness and improving healthcare access—and its risks, particularly AI-enabled scams and deepfakes to which older adults are more susceptible. Educational programs like one at a Chicago-area senior center aim to help seniors develop balanced skepticism about AI while encouraging them to engage with the technology rather than becoming paralyzed by fear. Research shows senior citizens are disproportionately vulnerable to both AI-generated scams and misinformation, raising particular concerns about deepfakes' potential impact on voters.
freep.com
Kari Morales, a 51-year-old from Milford, pleaded guilty to wire fraud for acting as a money mule in an IRS impersonation scam targeting a Kent County woman for $60,000. Morales was recruited online by a co-conspirator known as "Tom" to collect the fraudulently obtained cash in Grand Rapids while posing as a federal agent with fake FBI and IRS documents, unaware the victim's phone number had been reassigned to an undercover federal agent. Morales was promised $2,500 for her role in the scheme and pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court.
digitaljournal.com
Multiple victims in Westchester, New York lost substantial funds in investment scams, including cryptocurrency Ponzi schemes and stock market manipulation frauds that promised high returns. Natisa Securities LLC, a recovery firm based in Westchester, assists defrauded investors by employing financial advisors, legal experts, and investigators to recover lost funds and navigate complex fraud cases through legal procedures and international networks.
wtop.com
Montgomery County, Maryland law enforcement officials warned of an organized crime scam targeting seniors in which approximately 20 victims lost millions of dollars since July 2023, with at least five suspects arrested. The scheme typically begins with fraudulent computer alerts, pop-up ads, or calls impersonating federal agents or tech support, convincing victims their accounts are compromised and pressuring them to convert savings to gold bars for "safekeeping." Notable cases include a 74-year-old man defrauded of over $1 million and an 82-year-old woman victimized by a 19-year-old suspect, with authorities believing significantly more unreported victims exist.
nbcnews.com
Senior citizens across the country are taking educational classes to learn about artificial intelligence and its potential benefits and risks. While AI offers seniors advantages like reducing loneliness and improving access to medical care, research shows older adults are particularly vulnerable to AI-enabled scams, deepfakes, and misinformation. Instructors emphasize teaching balanced skepticism—encouraging seniors to use AI tools while remaining cautious about false or manipulated content—rather than avoiding the technology altogether.
beverlyreview.net
The Cook County Sheriff's Department is launching an educational program to help seniors recognize and avoid "sweetheart scams," which involve scammers building fake romantic relationships to extract money or personal financial information. In 2023, over 101,000 Americans aged 60+ reported losses totaling $3.4 billion to financial fraud, with Illinois accounting for 2,887 victims and nearly $138 million in losses. Sheriff Thomas Dart advises victims to pause and verify suspicious requests with trusted contacts or law enforcement rather than providing immediate responses or financial access to unknown callers.
moco360.media
Montgomery County law enforcement warned residents about gold bar scams linked to international organized crime groups operating from China and India that have defrauded approximately 20 local victims of millions of dollars since July 2023. Notable cases include a 23-year-old charged with stealing over $700,000 from a mentally disabled Leisure World resident and a 19-year-old charged with swindling an 82-year-old woman of more than $900,000; police have identified seven cases totaling $6.3 million in losses. Officials advised residents to avoid clicking pop-up ads, answering unknown numbers, and liquidating assets into cash or gold for couriers, noting that while
justice.gov
Kari Melissa Morales, 51, of Milford, Michigan, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after attempting to scam a Grand Rapids resident out of $60,000 using fake FBI arrest warrant and IRS receipt documents. Morales and a co-conspirator were conducting a text message-based fraud scheme, but law enforcement had reassigned the victim's phone number to an undercover federal agent, resulting in no actual financial loss and leading to Morales's arrest. Morales faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for her role in the scam, which was intended to exploit the victim into sending money by falsely claiming legal authority.
indiatoday.in
A Hyderabad businessman lost Rs 5.9 crore after being deceived by scammers posing as Goldman Sachs representatives who promoted a fake IPO investment scheme through WhatsApp and a fraudulent trading app called "GSIN." The victim transferred money across multiple transactions between January 30 and February 22 but became suspicious when asked to pay 10-20 percent of profits (Rs 1.4-2.8 crore) to withdraw his funds. The scammers funneled the money through 11 different bank accounts, making recovery difficult.
onlineathens.com
The Athens Community Council on Aging is hosting "Scam Jam," a four-hour educational luncheon on August 26 to help senior citizens protect themselves from fraud, featuring presentations from local law enforcement, financial institutions, and government agencies including the FTC and Better Business Bureau. The event comes as the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report documented 101,068 complaints from people aged 60 and over, with tech support scams and fraudulent investments causing the largest financial losses, and Georgia ranking 10th nationally in elder fraud losses.
nbcwashington.com
Gold bar scams targeting seniors in the D.C. area have resulted in millions of dollars in losses, with scammers impersonating law enforcement officers and convincing victims to convert cash into gold bars for purported "safekeeping." Montgomery County alone has identified approximately 20 victims aged 61-94, with individual losses reaching $2.3 million, and the FBI has received over 250 complaints nationwide; authorities have charged four men and linked the schemes to criminal organizations in India and China. Experts advise avoiding suspicious pop-ups and calls from unknown numbers, and warn that once funds are handed over, recovery is virtually impossible as money is quickly laundered and sent overseas.
wsaw.com
The Better Business Bureau cautions college students to watch out for seven common scams targeting them during the school year: phishing emails impersonating the school's financial department, fake credit card offers, fraudulent rental listings, identity theft, scholarship grant scams, online shopping scams, and test preparation blackmail schemes. The BBB recommends students verify offers through official channels, check credit reports regularly at annualcreditreport.com, view apartments in person before paying, and research companies on BBB.org before engaging with them. Students are encouraged to report suspected scams to BBB's ScamTracker and contact their local BBB office with concerns.
states.aarp.org
Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to impersonate celebrities in fraud schemes targeting fans, offering fake investment opportunities, product endorsements, and bogus VIP tickets. These AI-enhanced scams make impersonations more realistic and convincing than traditional fake celebrity profiles. Consumers should be skeptical of direct personal contact from celebrities on social media and other platforms, recognizing that such opportunities are likely fraudulent.
bluenotes.anz.com
Despite 94% of Australians surveyed feeling confident they could spot a scam, this article emphasizes that sophisticated scammers exploit human emotions and psychology, with particular targeting of Australians over 55 with substantial savings. Key scam types include romance, investment, and impersonation schemes, with investment scams alone resulting in approximately $79 million in losses in 2024, though under-reporting suggests actual numbers are higher. The article advises victims to pause before acting on urgent requests, immediately contact their bank if money has been sent, and report incidents to help raise awareness and prevent future fraud.
bluenotes.anz.com
Despite 94% of Australians surveyed feeling confident they could spot a scam, sophisticated social engineering tactics and organized criminal syndicates continue to exploit human emotions and trust, particularly targeting Australians over 55 with substantial savings. Investment scams alone resulted in approximately $79 million in losses in 2024, though reporting remains low at 3,818 cases, suggesting significant underreporting. The article advises victims to pause before acting on urgent requests, contact their bank immediately if funds are sent, and report incidents to increase awareness, noting that ANZ's fraud controls prevented over $100 million in losses during the year to March 2024.
expressandstar.com
This article reports on the reopening of a refurbished Nationwide bank branch in Codsall, which the local MP visited to celebrate the branch's commitment to remaining open until at least 2028. The branch staff highlighted their fraud prevention efforts, noting they have stopped over £25,000 in fraudulent transactions in the past year by identifying romance scams, fake HMRC emails, and investment fraud through face-to-face customer conversations. The branch also serves the local community as a collection point for a food bank, underscoring the importance of physical banking locations in combating fraud and supporting vulnerable customers.
kiplinger.com
In 2023, over 101,000 people age 60 and older lost nearly $3.4 billion to financial exploitation, according to the FBI's Elder Fraud Report, with common scams including tech support fraud ($590 million in losses), investment fraud ($4.57 billion, up 38% year-over-year), power of attorney abuse, Medicare/Medicaid fraud, and homeowner scams. AI-driven fraud is making scams increasingly sophisticated, with criminals creating convincing fake audio and video to deceive victims. Protection requires vigilance about warning signs such as unusual account activity and suspicious communications, along with education and open family dialogue about financial security.
headtopics.com
The Nationwide branch in Codsall has reopened for face-to-face banking and is working to combat an increase in romance scams, fake HMRC emails, and investment fraud affecting local customers. The branch serves as both a banking hub and community resource, supporting local initiatives like the food bank "The Well" while providing customers with in-person financial services and fraud awareness support.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Ernakulam Rural police in Kochi launched a crackdown on individuals selling their bank accounts to cybercriminals, who receive payments of approximately Rs 15,000 or commission-based earnings for facilitating fraud schemes. In one case, a man with eight accounts was arrested after his account was used to defraud a woman of Rs 17 lakh, with police noting that fraudsters connect with youths through SIM card dealers and quickly move stolen funds into cryptocurrencies or untraceable assets. Police stated they would prosecute account sellers as conspirators and are investigating potential involvement of bank officials in receiving large fraudulent deposits.
straitstimes.com
A 21-year-old national serviceman's suicide in 2021 after losing $10,000 to a scam prompted Singapore's Government Technology Agency (GovTech) to intensify anti-scam efforts. GovTech's Scam Analytics and Tactical Intervention System (Satis) has taken down over 42,000 scam websites since July 2023, including fraudulent sites impersonating government agencies, banks, and concert ticketing platforms like Ticketmaster, which victimized at least 2,000 people of $1 million from January to May alone. GovTech warns that scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence an