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13wham.com
The FBI is warning consumers in the Rochester area about gold bar scams targeting seniors, where fraudsters trick victims—often through impersonation schemes like posing as grandchildren in distress—into liquidating their savings to purchase gold bars that are then picked up by couriers. People aged 60 and older lost $3.4 billion to scams in the previous year, with individual victims losing between $500,000 to over $1 million in single incidents, and the average elder fraud loss reaching $33,000. The FBI emphasizes that legitimate government agencies and businesses will never request consumers to purchase gold or precious metals, and urges victims to report suspicious activity immediately to the Internet Crime Complaint
readthereporter.com
American Senior Communities is hosting a free educational session in partnership with the Indiana Attorney General and U.S. Department of Justice to teach seniors how to recognize and avoid scams and fraud. The session covers common elder fraud tactics, including grandparent scams, romance scams, and fake investment schemes, which collectively cost seniors over $5.9 billion annually. The event takes place July 25 from 2-4 p.m. at Allisonville Meadows in Fishers, Indiana.
wxii12.com
Fraud investigators in Guilford County are warning senior citizens about a court-related scam in which callers falsely claim victims missed jury duty or failed to appear in court, demanding payment of fines to resolve the alleged offense. Detective Chris Malloy emphasized that law enforcement does not collect money over the phone and advised potential victims to recognize this as a fear-based scam; scammers accept payment through gift cards, cash, cryptocurrency, and gold, and are difficult to prosecute, especially when operating from overseas. The Guilford County Sheriff's Office offers a senior academy program to help residents protect themselves against fraud.
jcsentinel.com
In 2023, elder fraud reports to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center rose 14 percent, with over 101,000 victims aged 60 and older losing more than $3.4 billion—an average of $33,915 per victim. The most common scams included tech support fraud, investment schemes (costing $1.2 billion alone), government impersonation, romance scams, and cryptocurrency fraud, with scammers often using spoofed caller IDs and posing as agencies like the IRS and Social Security Administration. TARCOG hosted a Fraud & Scam Summit in Alabama to educate the community about these schemes and provide resources to
indianexpress.com
Two senior citizens in Maharashtra lost a combined Rs 96 lakh in stock market scams involving fake investment apps and WhatsApp groups impersonating legitimate companies like IIFL. A 65-year-old retiree from Thane invested Rs 46 lakh after responding to an online advertisement, while a Navi Mumbai senior citizen lost Rs 50 lakh through a similar scheme; both discovered their money had disappeared when attempting withdrawals. Police report these scams are increasingly targeting vulnerable elderly victims, with fraudsters operating from other states and converting stolen funds into cryptocurrencies sent abroad, though immediate reporting to the cyber helpline (1930) may help recover funds.
azfamily.com
This article collection does not contain content relevant to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. The articles cover education policy, traffic incidents, immigration enforcement, workplace accidents, and restaurant features—none of which relate to fraudulent schemes or elder victimization. No summary for the Elderus database is applicable.
mypunepulse.com
A 77-year-old woman in Bengaluru was defrauded of Rs 1.2 crore by scammers posing as government officials who fabricated accusations of illegal SIM card purchase and money laundering, then coerced her into transferring funds by threatening arrest with forged documents. The victim realized she had been scammed only after attempting to contact the fraudsters once the supposed investigation concluded. Key prevention measures include independently verifying caller identities, being skeptical of threats demanding immediate payment, protecting personal financial information, and verifying claims through official channels.
aol.com
This educational article describes 12 common scams targeting seniors, including government impersonation (IRS, Medicare, Social Security), fake charity donations, lottery/sweepstakes schemes, phishing emails, voice recording scams, grandchild emergency requests, computer repair scams, and romance scams. The article advises seniors to verify requests independently, never provide personal information to unsolicited callers, hang up without responding to suspicious calls, and confirm the identity of family members before sending money.
ifamagazine.com
Research from LV= found that 3.8 million UK adults lost money to purchase scams last year, with young adults aged 18-34 reporting higher victimization rates across all scam types (phishing, trusted organization impersonation, refund scams, and others) compared to those aged 65 and over. The disparity is attributed partly to younger adults spending significantly more time online (averaging 4 hours 35 minutes daily), making them more exposed to fraudulent schemes.
cheknews.ca
A 70-year-old senior in Nanaimo was scammed out of $150 on June 7 when four people (two adults and two youth) in a Dodge Caravan approached him claiming they needed ferry money to reach Vancouver for a flight to Toronto; in exchange, they gave him two rings and a gold chain that were later determined to be worthless. Similar fake jewelry scams have been reported multiple times across Vancouver Island in 2024, with victims targeted by groups posing as families in financial distress who offer jewelry as collateral for cash loans they never intend to repay.
interest.co.nz
"Pig butchering" is a cryptocurrency investment scam originating in China where fraudsters build personal relationships with victims through fake handlers (like "Mr Glenn Hutchins" and "Sophia") to convince them to deposit cryptocurrency into bogus trading platforms and transfer funds for promised high returns and 20% commissions. The scam operates globally through WhatsApp groups and spoofed websites (such as btcs-alpha.com mimicking legitimate sites), targeting victims who are lured by fake screenshots of profits from other group members. Victims lose money when the promised trades and profits never materialize, with billions lost globally to this form of online fraud.
daytonatimes.com
Elder fraud is rising nationwide, costing seniors $3.4 billion annually, with Volusia County reporting $4.6 million in losses over the past year as scammers target older adults through imposter calls, investment fraud, and tech scams. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office created a three-person financial fraud unit and used a screening of the movie "Thelma"—which depicts a grandmother falling victim to an imposter scam—to educate 140+ seniors on fraud awareness and prevention. A 90-year-old attendee avoided a fake son/lawyer scam demanding $10,000 by verifying her son's location, exemplifying the importance of
goldrushcam.com
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office reports a sophisticated scam targeting older residents in which fraudsters send pop-up warnings claiming computers are compromised and direct victims to call a number for help. After gaining the victim's trust through multiple conversations and posing as bank fraud departments, the scammers arrange in-person cash pickups at victims' homes using fake "security codes" to appear legitimate. Victims have lost substantial sums, including cases exceeding $60,000 and $120,000, and authorities urge residents to report suspicious pop-ups or money-demanding calls and warn family members about this scheme.
wrrv.com
New York State Police issued a fraud alert warning older residents about a scam in which perpetrators convince victims to withdraw money from their bank accounts for the scammers to pick up. The scam has generated multiple complaints from seniors, and police emphasized that anyone contacted by phone or computer with such requests should immediately call 911 and never withdraw or surrender funds. Scams targeting New Yorkers cost the state over $10 million last year, with other common schemes against seniors including romance, investment, and "grandparents" scams.
express.co.uk
This article provides awareness and prevention tips for common tourist scams across Europe, including pickpocketing in crowded areas, inflated bar bills in Budapest, fake police officers posing as authorities to steal money or valuables, and street vendors offering unsolicited items like bracelets or flowers. The piece advises travelers to stay alert, use anti-theft bags, avoid dingy bars with unclear pricing, insist on going to police stations if approached by officers, and trust their instincts when meeting strangers.
aol.com
Elder scams cost banks over $27 billion in 2023, with victims losing an average of $33,000 per case, increasingly facilitated by AI-enabled voice cloning and impersonation fraud. Common scams targeting older adults employ two main tactics: creating urgency (tech support, government imposter, grandparent scams) or offering too-good-to-be-true opportunities (investment, romance, lottery scams). The most effective prevention involves pausing when pressured, verifying identities through independent channels, and consulting trusted third parties before making financial decisions or sharing personal information.
gctelegram.com
This article identifies six common scams targeting older Americans in an era of advancing technology. The piece emphasizes that elders and their families need to remain informed about fraud schemes to protect themselves. The specific scams and detailed advice are not fully visible in the provided excerpt.
azbigmedia.com
Up to 20% of older Americans fall victim to elder fraud annually, with losses totaling over $3.4 billion in 2023 and averaging $34,000 per victim, using methods like deceptive emails, phone calls, and impersonation scams. Common schemes include government impersonation, sweepstakes scams, robocalls, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams targeting seniors due to isolation and limited technical knowledge. Prevention strategies include staying informed about evolving scams, monitoring accounts regularly, maintaining open communication with family about finances, reporting suspicious activity immediately, and pausing before responding to urgent requests for money or personal information.
yahoo.com
Elder scams cost banks over $27 billion in suspicious activity in 2023, with individual losses averaging more than $33,000 per case, increasingly enabled by AI-powered voice cloning and identity masking technology. Six common scam types target older adults through two main strategies: creating urgency (tech support, government imposter, and grandparent scams) or offering too-good-to-be-true opportunities (investment, romance, and lottery scams). Protective measures include pausing when rushed, verifying identities through independent channels before acting, avoiding nontraditional payment methods, and consulting trusted third parties when emotional decisions are involved.
usatoday.com
Priscilla Presley, 79, filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleging that former business associates Brigitte Kruse and Kevin Fialko committed financial elder abuse and misappropriated over $1 million from her accounts between 2021 and 2023 by fraudulently obtaining power of attorney over her finances, trusts, and personal affairs. Presley claims the defendants isolated her from family, coerced her into working to benefit them, and forced her into "indentured servitude," seeking $1 million in damages and a court order barring them from accessing her finances. The defendants dispute the allegations, characterizing the lawsuit as ret
nationalseniors.com.au
Scammers are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence technologies, particularly generative AI, to create convincing fake content used in various fraud schemes targeting the public. Common AI-enabled scams include deepfake payment redirection scams impersonating company executives, social media investment scams featuring fake celebrity videos, voice-cloning "Hi Mum" scams, sophisticated phishing emails with realistic logos, job scams with fake websites, and romance scams using AI-generated profile pictures and chatbots. To protect against these evolving threats, individuals should verify information independently, maintain strong online security practices, and educate themselves about AI-based scam techniques.
newsmirror.net
Seniors lost over $3 billion to scams in 2023, with losses reaching $1.6 billion in just the first five months of 2024, representing a significant increase year-over-year. Older adults are particularly vulnerable targets because they tend to be trusting, have financial savings, and good credit, making them attractive to con artists. Common scams targeting seniors include romance scams (where scammers pose as romantic partners to extract money) and tech support scams (where fake pop-ups trick victims into calling numbers and granting remote computer access).
law.com
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission struggles to combat precious metals fraud targeting seniors due to insufficient staffing and funding, with fraudulent dealers continuing to emerge faster than authorities can shut them down. The agency faces a persistent "Whack-A-Mole" challenge as it lacks adequate resources to effectively prevent the ongoing proliferation of precious metals scams.
bbc.com
A 53-year-old woman from Norfolk lost £2,408 to a scammer impersonating musician Rag'n'Bone Man on Instagram and Telegram, who initially lured her in with a fake membership offer and later claimed to be romantically interested in her. The con escalated with fake messages from the singer's "management team" demanding money for a meeting, and the scammer continued pressuring her for additional funds until she realized the deception. The woman shared her story to warn others about the dangers of social media impersonation scams, which experts note involve sophisticated "grooming" tactics that can affect anyone.
forbes.com
Job scams are increasingly sophisticated and targeting vulnerable job seekers, particularly in tight labor markets like the U.K. which had 904,000 vacancies in May 2024. Experts warn job hunters to avoid offers with vague descriptions, too-good-to-be-true promises, suspicious website URLs, poor communication quality, unsolicited job offers through social media, and any listings requiring upfront payments.
thestar.com
Romance scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to create convincing fake profiles and communications on dating apps and social media, making it harder for victims to distinguish real from fabricated interactions. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, $52.4 million in romance fraud losses were reported in 2023, though actual losses are estimated at five to ten times higher due to underreporting; scammers typically target vulnerable individuals by building trust before requesting money for emergencies, investments, or other financial schemes. Experts advise that any request for money is a major red flag, and urge victims to report incidents to police despite potential embarrassment, as information sharing helps investigators identify patterns across
bbc.co.uk
A 53-year-old woman from Norfolk lost £2,408 to a scammer impersonating musician Rag'n'Bone Man on Instagram and Telegram, who lured her in by claiming to be in love with her and pressuring her to pay for a membership card and meeting fees. The scam, which began in May after she commented on the real artist's post, exemplifies the growing problem of celebrity impersonation romance scams, where fraudsters use emotional manipulation and false urgency to extract money from victims.
mymcmedia.org
Zhenyong Weng of Brooklyn was arrested in July 2024 for operating a government-imposter gold bar scam targeting an 82-year-old Silver Spring woman, Barbara Lampe, who lost over $900,000 with an attempted theft of an additional $2.5 million. The victim was lured by a fake computer alert claiming her accounts were compromised and instructed by a scammer posing as "Tracy" to transfer funds to prevent theft by Russia. Weng was apprehended while attempting to collect a package valued at over $70,000 from the victim, and authorities believe there may be additional victims.
outkick.com
In February 2022, the City of Memphis lost $773,000 in taxpayer funds to a phishing scam targeting payments to Zellner Construction Company. A city employee received what appeared to be a legitimate request to change the contractor's account details and transferred the full amount to an unauthorized account, discovering the fraud only after the money had already been sent.
mypunepulse.com
A resident of Rahatani, Pune lost Rs 23.5 lakhs in an online stock market scam in which fraudsters used WhatsApp to lure the victim into investing through a fake ACVVL online account app, promising high returns and pressuring them to deposit increasing amounts of money. A case was registered at Wakad Police Station under sections 419, 406, and 420 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita against unidentified accused, with Police Inspector Pawar investigating the matter.
npnewsmm.com
Online scams are escalating in Myanmar by exploiting socio-economic hardship, with fraudsters using increasingly sophisticated methods including fake lottery wins, investment schemes promising high returns (sometimes up to 100%), stock market manipulation, and fake job ads. A 56-year-old housewife lost approximately 6 million kyats after initially investing 200,000 kyats in a scheme involving fake websites, Facebook pages, and in-person meetings that created false legitimacy. Anti-fraud experts note that lack of public education and scammers' constant adaptation of tactics—including use of foreign images, fake accounts, and deepfake technology—are enabling these crimes to proliferate.
cfpublic.org
Elder fraud is surging nationwide, costing seniors $3.4 billion annually, with investment scams and cryptocurrency schemes driving dramatic increases in losses. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office formed a dedicated financial fraud unit and launched awareness campaigns, including a screening of the movie "Thelma" that depicted a grandparent falling victim to an impersonation scam—a con that mirrors real schemes targeting seniors' trust and assets. In Volusia County alone, seniors lost approximately $4.6 million over the past year, with detectives recovering only $760,000 of the nearly 575 reported fraud cases.
wtop.com
An 82-year-old Montgomery County, Maryland woman lost $900,000 in a gold bar scam after scammers posing as federal agents convinced her to purchase gold bars for "safekeeping" following a fake computer security alert. Zhenyong Weng, 19, of New York City was arrested and charged with attempted theft; prosecutors indicate at least 17 victims in Montgomery County have lost millions of dollars in similar schemes, and recovery of the gold is unlikely due to its untraceable nature.
nbcwashington.com
An 82-year-old Maryland retiree lost approximately $900,000 after clicking a pop-up ad that falsely claimed Russian spyware had compromised her computer; the scammers, posing as federal agents, convinced her to convert her life savings into gold bars and hand them over to a courier. A 19-year-old suspect from Brooklyn was arrested when he arrived to collect what he believed was a box of gold bars worth millions, but was instead apprehended by a detective posing as the victim. Montgomery County authorities warned residents that legitimate government officials never request citizens convert cash to gold or make similar demands.
idahocountyfreepress.com
In 2023, seniors lost $3.4 billion to scams—an 11% increase from 2022—with common schemes including romance fraud, fake tech support, cryptocurrency conversion, and investment scams. The Idaho Attorney General and FBI provide educational resources and warning signs (unexpected contact, pressure to act quickly, requests for untraceable payments, demands for secrecy, and too-good-to-be-true offers) to help seniors identify fraud. Victims are encouraged to report incidents to local police, the FTC, FBI's IC3, or U.S. Postal Inspection Service despite shame or embarrassment, as reporting is critical to combating senior fraud.
levittownnow.com
Pennsylvania House Bill 2064, sponsored by State Representative Joe Hogan, passed the House with bipartisan support (152-49 votes) and is headed to the Senate. The legislation aims to protect seniors from financial exploitation by requiring financial institutions and fiduciaries to report suspected abuse, temporarily halt suspicious transactions, and share information with area agencies on aging, while granting them immunity from liability. According to Hogan, tens of thousands of dollars are lost weekly to scams and fraud in Bucks County alone, making this decade-long legislative effort critical to safeguarding seniors' assets.
vinepair.com
This article discusses various scams perpetrated by bartenders and servers against their employers and establishments, including schemes such as reselling personal inventory for profit, reprinting old receipts to pocket customer payments, submitting fraudulent gift card tips that later bounce, and purchasing discounted drinks without making them to resell at full price later. The article highlights that workplace fraud in the hospitality industry is more common than many realize, with employees exploiting gaps in payment systems and inventory tracking to steal thousands of dollars monthly.
staffordshire.gov.uk
**Summary:**
Staffordshire consumers are being warned of increased fraud risks as criminals leverage AI technology, including deepfakes, voice cloning, and phishing messages, to make scams more convincing and difficult to detect. Trading Standards officers are concerned that traditional scam tactics are becoming harder to identify when enhanced with AI-generated content such as fake celebrity endorsements and artificial voice recordings. Authorities advise victims to immediately contact their bank and report incidents to Action Fraud or call police on 101.
standard.net
This educational article explains how scammers psychologically manipulate victims by exploiting emotions like greed, fear, and need, and by impersonating trusted authorities to create artificial urgency. The piece outlines key fraudulent tactics including social engineering, building false legitimacy through fake websites and documents, and emotional manipulation, then provides protective strategies such as verifying sources independently, resisting pressure to act quickly, and maintaining healthy skepticism toward unsolicited offers.
crypto.news
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia has initiated civil forfeiture proceedings to recover $2.5 million in cryptocurrency seized from a Thailand-based perpetrator of a "pig-butchering" scam targeting American victims. Pig-butchering scams involve fraudsters establishing romantic relationships with victims to gain their trust, then pressuring them to invest in fake cryptocurrency opportunities before disappearing with the funds. U.S. authorities emphasize their commitment to holding scammers accountable and returning seized assets to victims.
ghanaweb.com
Between 2023 and the present, multiple Ghanaians were arrested in the United States for various crimes including romance scams (sakawa), money laundering, and gun smuggling. Notable cases include Abdul Inusah, 32, who was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay $128,000 in restitution for operating romance scams that defrauded victims across multiple states using false personas, and Eric Nana Kofi Ampong Coker, who pleaded guilty to illegally exporting firearms from Maryland to Ghana without proper licensing.
blocktelegraph.io
Since 2020, cryptocurrency scams have caused billions in losses to elderly victims, with crypto investment schemes defrauding victims of over $2 billion in 2022 and $4.6 billion in 2023. Scammers increasingly use sophisticated tactics such as romance scams and impersonation schemes (posing as professors or financial advisors) to build trust before luring victims into fraudulent investments, often freezing accounts when victims attempt withdrawals. The complexity of cryptocurrency transactions and limited law enforcement resources have made fund recovery extremely difficult for victims.
tcpalm.com
An 81-year-old Port St. Lucie man recovered $315,000 after falling victim to an elaborate online investment scam conducted through WhatsApp that promised large financial returns. The victim was lured into a fake online investment school, given access to fraudulent accounts showing fake returns, and ultimately invested $315,000 across three transactions (including $100,000, $15,000, and $200,000 for cryptocurrency) before realizing the scheme when asked to pay $1 million in taxes to withdraw funds. Police were able to recover the money after PNC Bank detected fraud and shut down the accounts before the scammers could transfer the funds, though no arrests have been
leicestermercury.co.uk
Leicestershire County Councillor and former police officer Ozzy O'Shea nearly fell victim to a sophisticated scam in which fraudsters gained unauthorized access to multiple accounts (email, Amazon, National Lottery, and his late wife's accounts) and attempted to impersonate his bank. He recognized the scam when a caller claiming to be from his bank used suspicious tactics and hung up when confronted. Trading Standards has used his experience to remind the public of protective measures including never confirming details to unsolicited callers, using unique passwords, enabling two-step verification, and reporting account hacks immediately.
home.treasury.gov
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned three Mexican accountants and four Mexican companies connected to timeshare fraud schemes operated by the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), which primarily targets U.S. timeshare owners in Mexico, including elderly victims. The scammers operate call centers impersonating legitimate brokers and attorneys, defrauding victims through complex multi-year schemes involving fake timeshare exits, re-rentals, and investment offers, with victims often re-victimized through impersonation of law firms and authorities. The stolen funds are funneled through wire transfers to Mexican shell companies and then laundered by cartel-connected money
justice.gov
Two Irish nationals, Patrick and Matthew McDonagh, were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud for stealing over $435,000 from an elderly Shoreline, Washington homeowner through a contractor scam. The brothers posed as repair workers, falsely claiming the victim's roof had holes and foundation was cracked, then pressured him to write multiple checks for fake repairs and building supplies over several days in January 2024. The FBI investigation also connected them to approximately $50,000 in additional contractor fraud complaints in Oregon and Washington using similar tactics of fake photos and misrepresentation.
nerdwallet.com
This educational article outlines key strategies for avoiding financial scams, noting that 54% of Americans have experienced scam attempts in the past two years, with 18% losing money (median loss of $325, though 32% lost $1,000 or more). Experts recommend four main protective measures: hanging up and contacting companies directly using verified numbers, enabling multifactor authentication and monitoring accounts weekly, familiarizing yourself with common scam types, and recognizing that anyone—regardless of education or income level—can fall victim to fraud.
justice.gov
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia filed a civil forfeiture action to recover approximately $2.5 million in USDT cryptocurrency seized by the FBI from a perpetrator in Thailand who operated "pig butchering" scams targeting U.S. citizens. Pig butchering schemes involve scammers building trust with victims through online communications before manipulating them into fraudulent cryptocurrency investment schemes, often extracting multiple payments before victims realize they have been defrauded. The forfeiture action demonstrates law enforcement's commitment to pursuing cryptocurrency-based fraud schemes across international borders and recovering assets to compensate victims.
fox19.com
Ohio ranked No. 6 nationally for elderly scams in the past year, with seniors losing over $3.4 billion to more than 110,000 reported scams across the U.S., according to FBI data. Law enforcement emphasizes the importance of reporting these crimes, as the sophistication of scams—including tech fraud and grandparent scams—is increasing, though many incidents go unreported. The article highlights tragic consequences, including a 73-year-old victim who robbed a credit union after being scammed for years, and an 81-year-old who fatally shot an Uber driver he mistakenly believed was involved in a bond scam targeting him.
highlandcountypress.com
Casey Alexander, a 27-year-old UK national, was sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a cold-calling scheme targeting elderly American investors. The scam promised high returns on wine and whiskey investments held in European warehouses, defrauding over 150 victims of more than $13 million collectively, with one victim losing $300,000 over 18 months; Alexander was ordered to pay $202,195.58 in restitution.