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saharareporters.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Nigerian nationals—Olumide Olorunfunmi, Samson Amos, and Emmanuel Unuigbe—pleaded guilty to a multimillion-dollar money laundering conspiracy involving romance scams and business email compromise fraud that victimized over 125 individuals from 2020 to 2023. The conspirators deceived elderly victims and businesses into transferring funds, then laundered the money through multiple domestic and international accounts while converting stolen dollars to Nigerian currency at black market rates. The three defendants face a combined potential 60-year prison sentence, with money laundering charges carrying a maximum 20 years per defendant.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple residents in the Braintree and Hingham, Massachusetts area fell victim to Bitcoin ATM scams, with losses totaling at least $48,000 ($18,000 in Braintree and $30,000 in Hingham). Police warn that scammers convincingly instruct victims to withdraw cash and deposit it at Bitcoin ATMs, after which funds are transferred to untraceable Bitcoin wallets. Elderly residents are particularly targeted, and police advise that any instruction to use a Bitcoin ATM is a definitive sign of scam activity.
hinghamanchor.com
· 2025-12-08
A 76-year-old Hingham resident lost $30,000 in a tech support scam after scammers convinced him his bank account was at risk, instructing him to withdraw cash and deposit it into a Bitcoin machine at a gas station under the guise of an "FDIC machine." The resident became suspicious only when the scammer requested an additional $35,000 and arranged for someone to pick up cash at his home, at which point he realized the fraud and contacted his bank. Police warn that scammers typically keep victims on the phone for extended periods while directing them through withdrawal and deposit steps, using fear tactics to prevent victims from verifying information with trusted contacts.
knoxtntoday.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Scammers use phone number spoofing to impersonate banks like FirstBank, displaying legitimate bank names and numbers on caller ID to deceive victims. Banks never initiate calls requesting personal information, PINs, or online banking credentials, so recipients should be suspicious of such calls and refer to FCC guidance on identifying spoofing scams.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Michigan residents reported $204 million in fraud losses—a dramatic increase from $60 million in 2020—with an 84-year-old woman losing $40,000 to a man posing as a bank employee serving as one documented case. Scams targeting older adults have diversified to include impersonation, extortion, investment fraud, tech-support schemes, and cryptocurrency fraud, with crypto scams alone affecting Michigan seniors at growing rates (141 instances in 2022 vs. 262 in 2023, with losses rising from $14 million to $24 million). AARP Michigan is responding with fraud prevention education sessions, document sh
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
**Fraud Prevention Efforts in Virginia**
Fraud losses among Virginia adults 60 and over surged from $25 million in 2020 to $94 million in 2023, prompting AARP Virginia to launch widespread fraud prevention workshops throughout the state. Common scams targeting seniors include tech-support impostor schemes, utility bill fraud, identity theft, and impostor scams, with veterans being 40 percent more likely to lose money when targeted. AARP Virginia is combating this rising threat through community presentations, online workshops, and trained volunteer speakers who educate residents on recognizing and avoiding the latest fraud schemes.
annandaletoday.com
· 2025-12-08
A high school student named Arhan Menta founded the Kumar Project, a nonprofit organization, after his grandfather lost money to a remote-access scam, to educate seniors about financial fraud prevention. Through workshops at senior centers and libraries across Northern Virginia, California, Pennsylvania, and Texas, Arhan and his partners have reached over 1,000 seniors with educational programming and recommendations such as sharing account access with trusted relatives to monitor suspicious activity. Arhan is now working with Virginia state legislators to advocate for laws requiring greater financial scam education and bank transparency to protect seniors from exploitation.
timesofsandiego.com
· 2025-12-08
Jiaci Liu pleaded guilty in San Diego federal court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after participating in a tech support scam targeting senior citizens in California and Arizona. Between June 2023 and his arrest, Liu collected over $202,500 from six victims (aged 63-83) who were tricked by fake pop-up warnings and fraudulent bank representatives into withdrawing cash. Liu's role involved collecting the withdrawn funds from victims' homes; he was arrested after a Poway resident became suspicious when instructed to hand over $28,000 to a supposed U.S. Marshals Service representative and contacted police instead.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A man pleaded guilty in San Diego federal court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after targeting senior citizens in California and Arizona through a tech support scam scheme. Between June 2022 and June 2023, Jiaci Liu and his co-conspirators defrauded six victims—ranging from their mid-70s to 83 years old—of over $202,500 by using fake pop-up alerts claiming computer viruses, then posing as bank representatives to convince victims to withdraw cash. Liu was arrested in June 2023 outside a Poway resident's home after attempting to collect $28,000; he is scheduled for sentencing in June 2025.
ospreyobserver.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece by an elder law attorney identifies three major scam types targeting seniors: confidence scams (where perpetrators build trust to gain financial access), tech support scams (unsolicited offers to fix computer problems in exchange for payment or personal information), and government impersonation scams (fraudsters posing as IRS, law enforcement, or Social Security officials). The article emphasizes that seniors, particularly isolated "elder orphans" without family support, are especially vulnerable and provides protective advice including verifying agency contacts independently and reporting suspected fraud to the National Elder Fraud Hotline or FTC.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Betty and Phil Runkle were defrauded by contractor Jeffrey Wackwitz, who took thousands of dollars for home renovation work that was never completed, leaving them in severe debt with a foreclosed home and repossessed vehicle. With assistance from the Center for Elder Law and Justice's multidisciplinary team, the couple pursued legal action; Wackwitz was convicted, sentenced to up to three years in prison, ordered to pay $60,000 in restitution (of which $8,000 was repaid), and issued a stay-away order. The case illustrates the importance of verifying contractor credentials and seeking help from elder fraud resources when exploited.
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
According to a 2024 Statista study, 90% of US adults aged 65 and older use the internet, making them frequent targets for online scams, particularly in states with older populations like Florida and Texas. The National Council on Aging recommends six protective strategies including listening without judgment, encouraging delayed responses to urgent-sounding messages, and involving anti-fraud organizations and peer networks to help vulnerable seniors recognize and avoid romance scams, crypto schemes, and other fraud.
tech.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article presents six tips to help seniors avoid scams, emphasizing the importance of listening without judgment, encouraging delays in responding to urgent requests, and leveraging anti-fraud resources like the FBI, AARP, and local senior centers. The piece notes that 90% of US adults aged 65 and older use the internet, making them targets for scammers who exploit their varying levels of technological comfort and social isolation.
daytondailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes four common scams targeting seniors: Social Security Administration impostor scams that use caller ID spoofing to trick victims into moving money to gift cards; tech support scams where criminals pose as representatives from recognized companies to gain remote device access and obtain banking information; lottery scams where perpetrators impersonate officials and extract fees from supposed foreign lottery winners; and romance scams conducted through dating sites and social media where scammers build relationships to solicit money. These represent a small fraction of the scams seniors face, with detailed information available through the Department of Justice's elder justice resources.
mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
Brad K., a sleep-deprived new father, fell victim to an IRS impersonation scam in May 2024 when a caller claimed he owed over $800 in back taxes and threatened jail time if he didn't pay immediately. The scammer was persuasive because he possessed personal information like Brad's address and wife's name, and Brad was stressed and vulnerable; Brad approved a payment that gave the scammer access to his bank account before learning that the IRS never initiates contact by phone and only communicates by certified mail. Though Brad quickly closed his account and froze his credit to minimize damage, the incident illustrates how evolving scams can target even vigilant, financially
boston.com
· 2025-12-08
Regina Henaku, a 33-year-old from Leominster, Massachusetts, was indicted on nine counts including larceny from elders and identity fraud for stealing approximately $28,000 from elderly patients between August and November 2024. She posed as a health care professional using stolen identities at five different facilities across Worcester and Middlesex counties, fraudulently using credit and debit cards from at least 11 patients over age 60 without their knowledge.
selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov
· 2025-12-08
The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party and Senate Special Committee on Aging will hold a joint hearing on April 9, 2025, to examine how the Chinese Communist Party exploits American retirees through financial scams and predatory investment practices that threaten retirement savings and national security. Expert witnesses including Kevin O'Leary, Chris Iacovella, and Brady Finta will testify on the risks posed to American investments in China and discuss scams targeting older Americans' retirement funds.
english.gujaratsamachar.com
· 2025-12-08
A 67-year-old retired senior bank manager in Surat was kept under "digital arrest" for 48 days by fraudsters impersonating Delhi Crime Branch and CBI officials who convinced him he was involved in a ₹6.89 crore money laundering case. The scammers extorted ₹1.05 crore from the victim through multiple bank transfers by threatening legal action and sending fake official documents via WhatsApp. The victim discovered the fraud only after receiving an RBI awareness message about digital arrest scams and reported it to cybercrime authorities, who have registered an investigation.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A 57-year-old accountant from NSW lost $2.6 million after clicking a fraudulent Facebook advertisement for a currency trading platform, which led her to borrow money and refinance three properties over three months. Australian Bureau of Statistics data released in 2024 found that card fraud affected 9.9 percent of Australians in 2023-24 (up from 8.7 percent), with 675,300 people engaging with scammers and a net loss of $477 million after reimbursements, though consumer advocates argue the figures underestimate the true scale since many victims with language barriers don't report incidents. Consumer advocates are calling for urgent government
moultonadvertiser.com
· 2025-12-08
NARCOG is hosting a Fraud Summit on April 11 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Moulton Senior Center to educate older adults on protecting themselves from scams, health insurance fraud, and financial exploitation. The event will feature expert speakers from the Better Business Bureau and Alabama Securities Commission, as well as representatives from Senior Medical Patrol and the State Health Insurance Program. Seating is limited and registration is required by calling Julie Campbell at 256-355-4515.
wjactv.com
· 2025-12-08
I don't see any article content about scams, fraud, or elder abuse in what you've provided. You've shared only a list of news headlines covering topics like animal abandonment, a memorial sculpture, a fatal fire, and a traffic accident—none of which relate to elder fraud or scams.
Please provide the full article text you'd like me to summarize for the Elderus database, and I'll be happy to create a concise summary focused on fraud, scam, or elder abuse details.
fortmyers.floridaweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
This article does not contain information relevant to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It is a sports article about Thanksgiving week basketball tournaments in Southwest Florida. It is not appropriate for the Elderus database.
chicagotribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using fake text messages claiming unpaid tollway balances to steal personal and financial information through "smishing" (SMS phishing), with Illinois residents particularly targeted at rates higher than the national average. The fraudulent messages impersonate E-ZPass accounts and direct victims to fake websites; authorities warn consumers never to click links or reply to such messages, as the Illinois Tollway uses the I-PASS system instead. Americans lost 25% more money to fraud in the past year compared to 2023, with complaints in Illinois reaching 1,470 per 100,000 residents versus the national average of 1,215 per 100,000.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
The FCC has issued alerts about multiple common scams targeting consumers, including port-out fraud (where scammers use personal information to hijack mobile phone numbers and access financial accounts), grandparent scams (fraudsters impersonating relatives in crisis situations to solicit money), and spoofed mortgage relief calls (criminals posing as lenders to extract fraudulent payments). These scams leverage personal data from social media and cyber theft, use caller ID spoofing, and often request payment through hard-to-trace methods like wire transfers or gift cards.
bluewin.ch
· 2025-12-08
Over a dozen senior citizens in Aargau, Switzerland were defrauded of CHF 272,000 through an elaborate telephone scam in which perpetrators impersonated police officers or prosecutors, claiming to investigate bank fraud and instructing victims to withdraw cash for a courier. A courier driver and an Aargau guardian who assisted in collecting the money were convicted; the man received three years' partial imprisonment and the woman received 14 months plus a fine of CHF 300 and damages of approximately CHF 50,000, though she was allowed to retain her guardianship position.
ckom.com
· 2025-12-08
A 44-year-old Montreal woman was charged with three counts of fraud over $5,000 for her role in the "grandparent scam," in which she contacted seniors with fabricated emergencies involving family members and collected money from three Saskatoon victims between March 17-20. Additionally, a 54-year-old Saskatoon man was arrested for defrauding three victims of $30,000 total by selling fake tickets to sporting events and travel packages that were never booked or arranged.
fox4now.com
· 2025-12-08
Lee County Sheriff's Office reports a sharp rise in scams, with reported cases increasing from 1,588 in 2022 to 2,401 in 2024, with 60% of victims losing over $10,000. Common scams include impersonation of law enforcement demanding payment via untraceable methods like Bitcoin or gift cards, and wire fraud targeting title companies, with recent cases involving losses of $158,000 to $475,000. The department advises victims to check credit annually, verify caller information, and report suspected fraud, though recovery is difficult when funds are transferred overseas by predominantly non-U.S.-based scammers.
brainandlife.org
· 2025-12-08
Philip Lehman's 80-year-old mother and 85-year-old stepfather experienced financial mismanagement due to early-stage cognitive impairment, including unpaid bills, missed tax filings, and excessive duplicate online purchases, prompting Lehman to obtain power of attorney and eventually move them to assisted living. A 2022 study found that over 7 million older adults with cognitive impairment or dementia manage their own finances despite difficulty doing so, and Americans 60 and older lost approximately $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, with average losses near $34,000 per case. Natural age-related changes in the brain's prefron
abcactionnews.com
· 2025-12-08
SAGES Theater is presenting "Phoney Baloney," an educational theatrical production about fraud prevention performed by senior actors, with free shows beginning April 6th at venues across Tampa Bay in partnership with local police departments, consumer protection agencies, and the FBI. The production aims to raise awareness about scams and protect seniors from losing savings to fraud through engaging, empowering storytelling.
news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
On March 19, Simi Valley police arrested 21-year-old Ruishan Liu for his alleged role in a "large-scale" financial scam that defrauded an elderly resident of $200,000 by posing as bank representatives and convincing the victim to withdraw and hand over cash under the guise of a bank security measure. Liu was caught during a sting operation when he arrived to collect a decoy package of cash at an undisclosed location. The arrest highlights a growing trend of financial scams targeting vulnerable elderly victims through various methods including cryptocurrency and gift cards.
newindianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Abhishek Lodha, owner of Macrotech Developers, accused his younger brother Abhinandan Lodha of forgery and fraud for illegally using the "Lodha" trademark to market real estate projects under shell companies between 2022-2023. The scheme involved forging Macrotech board resolutions and an independent director's identity to obtain permission to rename a subsidiary company to "Lodha Landbuild Infrastructure," deceiving customers into believing they were dealing with the country's leading real estate firm before changing the name again in April 2023 to cover the misuse. Macrotech announced plans to pursue legal action against the House of Abhin
winknews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Timothy Deaton, 74, was arrested and charged with 22 felonies for allegedly exploiting at least five elderly victims by posing as a pastor, befriending them, and creating fraudulent legal documents that made him a beneficiary of their estates. He unlawfully obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars and even forced one victim out of his own home while still alive. Deaton targeted seniors in assisted living facilities and his Bonita Springs neighborhood; he has pleaded not guilty.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
The Fresno Police Department reports a rising surge in impersonation scams targeting elderly residents, wherein fraudsters pose as legal representatives or government officials claiming a family member is in legal trouble and demanding immediate payment via cash pickups or gift cards. Victims are instructed to wire money or purchase gift cards and provide card numbers over the phone, with scammers sometimes arranging in-person cash collection from homes. Authorities advise that legitimate government agencies never demand payment in this manner and recommend verifying claims by contacting family members directly, never using provided phone numbers, and reporting suspected scams to local law enforcement immediately.
indiacurrents.com
· 2025-12-08
An 85-year-old man in San Jose received a phishing message requesting personal and bank information, which his family recognized as a scam—an incident that prompted his granddaughter, Tejasvi Manoj, to develop Shield Seniors, an AI-powered application designed to help seniors identify fraudulent messages and learn cybersecurity practices. Research showed that 75% of adults over 65 lack understanding of basic cybersecurity measures, and elder fraud costs victims an average of $33,915 per person. The application, currently in demo stage, provides four functions: educational resources on cybersecurity, a chatbot to analyze suspicious messages, AI-powered scam
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Amanda Sargent, 35, of Independence, Missouri, was indicted on five federal counts for defrauding an elderly woman of over $1 million between late 2021 and mid-2023. Sargent met the victim through a Facebook group for people experiencing homelessness and made false claims about needing money for medical bills, rent, utilities, and a kidney transplant, then withdrew all donations in cash for personal use. If convicted, Sargent faces up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines per count.
caller.com
· 2025-12-08
Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, a 34-year-old Dominican Republic citizen living in Cleveland, was indicted in Pennsylvania for operating a grandparent fraud scheme that defrauded at least five elderly victims (ages up to 91) of approximately $50,000 between June 2024 and January 2025. The scammers posed as victims' relatives and authority figures, convincing seniors to withdraw cash and hand it to unsuspecting rideshare drivers, who transported the envelopes to Ohio where Rodriguez collected and wired the funds to the Dominican Republic. This case reflects a growing trend in which elderly Americans lose an estimated $3.4 billion annually to grandparent sc
news4sanantonio.com
· 2025-12-08
William Richard Holliday was sentenced to 10 years in prison for elder fraud after being convicted of stealing an elderly man's identity and fraudulently opening multiple financial accounts in his name, including purchasing a Mercedes-Benz, leasing two apartments, and attempting to sell the victim's home. The maximum sentence was imposed to send a message that those who prey on seniors will face serious consequences.
chroniclejournal.com
· 2025-12-08
In February 2024, Melanie McGovern from Montreal's Better Business Bureau received a suspicious message from what appeared to be her 16-year-old niece's hacked Instagram account requesting money, alerting her to a rising tide of investment fraud in Canada. Investment scams—including impersonations via social media, deepfake voice calls, and fake cryptocurrency schemes—cost Canadians $310 million in 2024 (compared to $33.5 million in 2020), with victims losing a median of $5,000 per incident, though experts estimate 90-95% of cases go unreported. To protect themselves, Canadians should pause before responding to
ibtimes.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
An 18-year-old aspiring mechanic from North Yorkshire, Kieron Mullins Bunn, died by suicide in February 2024 after falling victim to a financial scam; an inquest concluded that the emotional shock and financial panic from the scam directly contributed to his decision. The tragedy underscores the UK's escalating scam crisis, with one in five Britons (9 million people) victimized by financial scams in 2024, resulting in over £11.4 billion in total losses, with common schemes including investment fraud, fake debt assistance, and impersonation scams targeting people via social media.
riverdalepress.com
· 2025-12-08
Modern scam artists now use email, text, and phone calls to impersonate officials and solicit money, with Americans losing over $10 billion to imposter scams in 2023. A notable case involved an 85-year-old Riverdale woman who lost $70,000 after being threatened with utility shutoffs and home vandalism. While older adults lose the most money to scams, awareness and protective measures like monitoring accounts, avoiding gift card requests, and reporting suspicious activity to the FTC or local law enforcement can help prevent fraud.
1851franchise.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article provides guidance on protecting seniors from tax season scams, particularly IRS impersonation schemes and Medicare fraud. Key protective strategies are offered to help family members and caregivers safeguard seniors during tax time.
newportdispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Albany residents, Melissa D. Christie-Cameron, 30, and Naphtorley T. Wilson, 29, were arrested following a months-long investigation into a fraud scheme that resulted in significant financial losses to a local senior citizen, with the case first reported in October 2024. Both suspects were released on their own recognizance after arraignment in Menands Village Court, and police indicated that additional arrests may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.
kttn.com
· 2025-12-08
Amanda Sargent, 35, from Independence, Missouri, was indicted on five counts of federal fraud for allegedly defrauding an elderly victim of over $1 million between late 2021 and mid-2023. Sargent met the victim through a Facebook group for homeless assistance and made repeated false claims requesting money for car repairs, medical bills, rent, utilities, and a kidney transplant, while actually withdrawing the funds in cash for personal use. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines per count.
syracuse.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, seniors in Onondaga County lost over $4.1 million to financial scams, with an average loss of $50,000 per person affecting at least 81 reported cases, according to FBI data. Common schemes include grandparent scams using voice-cloning and deepfake technology, fake tax/toll warnings, and gift card purchase requests. Governor Hochul has proposed legislation to empower bank employees to place temporary holds on suspected fraudulent transactions and create better coordination between banks, adult protective services, and law enforcement to prevent these crimes.
rollingstone.com
· 2025-12-08
Priscilla Presley won a procedural ruling in her California elder abuse lawsuit against ex-associates Brigitte Kruse, Kruse's husband, and investor Kevin Fialko, with a Los Angeles judge determining the case should proceed in California rather than Florida. Presley claims the defendants defrauded her out of more than $1 million through a scheme that involved gaining her trust, isolating her from family, and manipulating her into signing contracts that gave them controlling interest in her publicity rights. The judge emphasized that the elder abuse allegations—the "beating heart" of the case—center on California, where Presley resides and where the alleged abuse occurred.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines major scams targeting older adults, including "pig butchering" (cryptocurrency investment fraud built through relationship manipulation), tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams (sometimes using AI voice cloning), and sweepstakes/lottery scams. The article advises seniors and their families to watch for red flags such as urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), poor grammar, and to have trusted individuals review any communication requesting personal information or payment before responding.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Debbie Crisp's mother, Donna, died suddenly in North Carolina, and while sorting through her belongings, Debbie's daughter discovered evidence that Donna had been the victim of a romance scam that stole over $400,000 from her. Donna had hidden this painful secret, leaving behind correspondence with the US Postal Inspection Service and a victim's advocate. A US Postal Inspector is now investigating the elaborate romance scam operation responsible for stealing millions from dozens of victims, with hopes of catching the ringleader and achieving justice for Donna and others affected.
1011now.com
· 2025-12-08
Two brothers, ages 76 and 77, lost $1.36 million in an online trading scam that began in November 2024 when a fraudster claimed to invest their money in stocks and cryptocurrency through a fake platform. The victims discovered the fraud when they attempted to withdraw funds during a market downturn and found their accounts were fraudulent. Lincoln Police are urging families to communicate about internet scams and direct victims to report fraud through the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
ketv.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Lancaster County brothers, ages 76 and 77, lost over $1.3 million in a cryptocurrency investment scam that began in November 2024, where fraudsters used a fake online trading platform claiming to invest their money in stocks and cryptocurrency. A separate investigation by the Lancaster County Sheriff involves a 40-year-old man who lost $48,000 to a similar cryptocurrency scam between October and April, discovering the fraud when charged a $6,000 withdrawal fee on a fake account. Authorities estimate cryptocurrency scams in the area have cost victims approximately $250,000 in 2024 and recommend exercising caution with unfamiliar online investment platforms and reporting suspected fraud.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A 76-year-old Massachusetts resident lost $30,000 in a tech support scam after fraudsters convinced him his computer had a virus and his bank account was at risk. The scammers instructed him to withdraw cash without telling bank staff (claiming an employee was "corrupt"), then directed him to deposit the money into a Bitcoin machine at a gas station, which he believed was an "FDIC machine." The victim became suspicious only when scammers asked him to convert additional stock funds and arrange for someone to pick up cash from his home, preventing total loss of a second $35,000.