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in Phishing
ca.news.yahoo.com
Over 500 Booking.com customers were victimized by a hotel payment scam between June 2023 and September 2024, resulting in losses of at least £370,000. Fraudsters used phishing attacks to hijack hotel accounts on the platform and sent fake messages, emails, and WhatsApps to customers with genuine reservations, requesting credit card details and payments. Action Fraud advised holiday bookers to verify any payment requests directly with Booking.com or hotels and to report suspicious communications to the appropriate authorities.
newsregister.com
This opinion column discusses the widespread problem of consumer fraud in America and globally, noting that the FTC estimated over $10 billion in U.S. consumer fraud in 2024 while worldwide losses exceeded $1.03 trillion. The piece highlights that elderly people are particularly vulnerable due to their trust, but cautions that even cautious individuals can fall victim to increasingly sophisticated scams involving AI deepfakes, impostor schemes, romance fraud, and investment fraud. The author emphasizes that people should be vigilant about sharing personal information, clicking suspicious links, and falling for phishing emails, as scams can cause life-altering financial damage within hours.
kdhlradio.com
Scam attempts in Minnesota and globally are escalating, with over $1.03 trillion lost to scammers in 2024, increasingly aided by artificial intelligence that generates convincing phishing emails, fake images, and cloned voices. High-risk scams include imposter schemes (grandparent and romance scams with median losses of $800), government imposter scams ($14,000+ median loss), cryptocurrency scams, employment scams, and task scams (which increased from 5,000 reports in 2023 to 20,000 in the first half of 2024). Scammers exploit recent disasters and events while using AI to intensify existing frau
ottawa.citynews.ca
Ontario Provincial Police reported that scammers in the east region are using multiple fraud schemes, including a recent case where a business employee was manipulated into withdrawing cash and depositing it into a Bitcoin machine in Peterborough. The top scams targeting the region include cryptocurrency investment fraud ("get rich quick" schemes), bank investigator fraud, romance scams, and identity theft/phishing attacks, with Canadians losing an estimated $638 million to fraud in 2024, though actual losses are likely much higher due to significant underreporting.
cbsnews.com
A "smishing" scam targeting Massachusetts drivers has resurfaced, with scammers sending text messages claiming unpaid E-ZPass tolls through EZDriveMA and directing recipients to click links to settle bills before late fees occur. The scam, which first appeared in June and surged again during the holidays, aims to steal personal and financial information by exploiting drivers' desire to avoid charges. MassDOT advises drivers never to click unknown links or provide personal information via text, and recommends validating toll information directly through the official website or phone number (877-627-7745); those who clicked links should contact their bank immediately and file complaints with the FBI's Internet Crime
dispatch.com
AI-powered phishing scams are increasingly difficult to detect as artificial intelligence generates highly personalized fraudulent emails that appear to come from friends or family by analyzing victims' social media activity. Major email platforms like Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail currently lack adequate defenses against these AI-generated attacks. To protect yourself, the FCC recommends using multi-factor authentication, installing auto-updating anti-malware software, backing up data, and reporting suspected phishing emails to the FBI's IC3 database.
forbes.com
Scammers are exploiting generosity during the California Wildfires (which began January 7th and displaced 200,000 people with $135 billion in damages) by posing as legitimate charities and FEMA officials to steal donations and charge fees for disaster assistance. Fraudsters use techniques including caller ID spoofing, AI-generated content, deepfakes, and fake charity websites to appear legitimate, making it difficult for donors to verify authenticity through phone, email, text, or social media contact. To protect themselves, donors should verify charities through Charity Navigator before giving, never provide payment information to unsolicited contacts, and avoid charities that use more than 25
wxyz.com
This article is a news roundup that does not contain elder fraud content. The piece covers the 2025 Detroit Auto Show, LA wildfires affecting a metro Detroit music producer, and Lions playoff games' economic impact. The headline references "jury duty phone scams" but the article text is cut off and does not provide details about this scam type.
cgsentinel.com
This educational article warns that scams occur year-round through emails, texts, and phone calls, often impersonating legitimate agencies and using threats of penalties or emotional manipulation to extract personal information and payments via gift cards, bitcoin, or money orders. The article advises verifying agency legitimacy by independently looking up contact information, bookmarking official websites, and never sharing passwords or clicking links from suspicious communications. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office specifically clarifies it will not contact residents about jury duty, request phone payments, or accept non-traditional payment methods.
psychologytoday.com
Rural Americans face unique vulnerabilities to fraud due to geographic isolation, limited access to resources, and higher concentrations of older adults who report larger financial losses to scams. Rural residents are more reliant on online services for shopping, may turn to online dating platforms due to limited in-person social opportunities, and often encounter barriers to reporting scams including decreased government trust, lack of support services, and social stigma. Scammers exploit these vulnerabilities through various schemes including online shopping fraud, romance scams, and disaster relief impersonation, yet rural fraud trends remain largely undocumented because most consumer protection agencies do not differentiate data by population density.
paymentsjournal.com
A Fortiguard security officer discovered a sophisticated "no-phish" phishing scam that exploits PayPal's legitimate money request feature, using authentic PayPal emails and URLs to direct victims to the real PayPal site where fraudsters submit fake payment requests. The scam bypasses typical warning signs consumers are trained to identify, making it particularly dangerous; in this case, a $2,185.96 payment was requested. Security experts recommend the best defense is bypassing email links entirely and logging directly into financial accounts to verify any transaction requests.
yorknewstimes.com
"Pig butchering" is a romance scam scheme developed by Asian organized crime groups that targets individuals through social media and dating apps by building fake romantic relationships to gain trust before requesting investments in cryptocurrency. The scam involves four phases—the Hook, Relationship building, Investment pitches, and Delivery—where perpetrators use AI-generated profiles, false identities, and fraudulent investment websites to convince victims to send money, sometimes requesting initial investments as small as $10. According to Claire McHenry, deputy director of Nebraska's Department of Banking and Finance, victims can be anyone, and scammers employ sophisticated tactics including AI-generated voices and appearances to make fake personas seem credible before eventually asking
theameryfreepress.com
This educational piece from the Amery Police Department warns about common holiday scams targeting vulnerable populations, including phishing emails that impersonate legitimate institutions like banks and Amazon, grandparent scams requesting gift cards or money, and fraudulent packages containing malicious QR codes. The article advises verifying email sources and URLs for suspicious details, avoiding clicking links that request personal information, never sharing banking details, and using parental controls on children's devices to prevent fraud.
newscentral.africa
Two Nigerian nationals, Olutayo Sunday Ogunlaja and Abel Adeyi Daramola, were sentenced to a combined 40 years in prison for orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded an Albuquerque victim of approximately $560,000 between January 2016 and April 2017. The scheme involved creating a fake dating profile under the name "Glenn Brown" on eHarmony.com to establish a romantic relationship with the victim and convince them to send money for a fictitious Malaysian construction project. Ogunlaja and Daramola facilitated the fraud by providing bank accounts to receive and launder the stolen funds.
greybullstandard.com
Scams are becoming increasingly frequent, sophisticated, and successful, with law enforcement reporting a notable uptick in impostor scams where criminals pose as government officials or law enforcement to threaten arrest and extort money—one Big Horn County resident lost over $20,000 in such a scheme. Scammers employ phishing techniques to harvest personal information from victims and social media, using these details to make fraudulent requests appear legitimate and to impersonate targets for additional scams. The FBI reported that online fraud complaints doubled from 2019 to 2023 (467,361 to 880,418 complaints) with financial losses exceeding $12.5 billion, and authorities advise
deltapolice.ca
In September 2024, Operation DeCloak—a joint effort between Delta Police and blockchain analytics company Chainalysis—identified over 1,100 cryptocurrency fraud victims worldwide, including numerous Canadians, with estimated losses of $35 million CAD across 240 examined crypto addresses. The investigation revealed a growing tactic called "approval phishing," where scammers deceive victims via social media and investment schemes into approving malicious blockchain transactions that drain their digital wallets. Following the workshop, DPD successfully applied these techniques to recover $800,000 USD in stolen cryptocurrency from Canadian victims while working to identify additional affected individuals and seize funds for restitution.
7news.com.au
Former TV host David Koch's image was used without permission in a fraudulent investment scam that convinced victim Allison to lose $250,000. The article reports that fake celebrity-endorsed investment advertisements have defrauded over 600,000 Australians as part of a multi-billion-dollar scam industry, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes to impersonate celebrities and create fake endorsements. NAB warns that common red flags include unexpected contact, artificially created urgency, and celebrity or expert endorsements, particularly on social media platforms.
themountainmail.com
The Chaffee Sheriff's Office received multiple reports of phishing-style scam calls in which fraudsters impersonated local law enforcement officers using names obtained from social media, claiming victims missed court dates or jury duty and had warrants for their arrest. As of January 2, three residents had reported the scam, with some losing money before authorities could intervene. Sheriff Rohrich advised victims to immediately contact their banks to dispute transactions and to report incidents to the Chaffee County Communications Center.
weau.com
This article provides tax season fraud prevention advice from the Better Business Bureau. Scammers impersonate the IRS and tax preparers to steal sensitive documents and refunds through unsolicited calls, emails, and texts demanding immediate payment—tactics the IRS never uses. Key protective measures include filing taxes early to prevent identity theft, researching tax preparers' credentials through the BBB, and reporting suspected fraud to the IRS or FTC.
beincrypto.com
A 24-year-old Dutch law student was arrested for operating a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme that defrauded approximately 300 victims of €4.5 million ($4.6 million), with investigators finding he continued recruiting new investors even as the scheme collapsed. The student required minimum investments of €5,000 and took 50% profit fees while using new investor funds to pay earlier participants. The arrest reflects a broader trend of escalating crypto fraud, with 2024 losses reaching $2.3 billion—a 40% increase year-over-year—driven by bull market conditions and increasingly sophisticated scams including fake tokens, phishing schemes, and AI-enabled deepf
theguardian.com
This article is not about elder fraud or scams targeting seniors. Instead, it discusses the Jellycat plush toy phenomenon, including its massive popularity online, soaring sales (£200m in revenue), and the secondary market for rare collectibles. The article notes that the high resale value of limited-edition Jellies has made them theft targets, leading retailers to implement extensive security measures including CCTV, security tags, and facial recognition software to combat what may be organized shoplifting operations.
**Note:** This content falls outside Elderus's focus on elder fraud and abuse and should not be included in the database.
wafb.com
**Summary:**
During tax season, scammers pose as the IRS and tax preparers to steal sensitive documents and money through unsolicited phone calls, emails, and texts demanding immediate payment—a tactic the IRS never uses. Taxpayers can protect themselves by filing taxes early, verifying tax preparer credentials through the Better Business Bureau, and recognizing red flags such as poor grammar, urgent language, and generic greetings. Those who suspect tax identity theft should report the issue to the IRS and FTC and use the FTC's identity theft recovery plan.
aol.com
Johnny Depp warned fans on Instagram that scammers are impersonating him and his team through fake social media and email accounts to solicit money, exploiting AI technology to mimic his appearance and voice. He clarified that he and his team never ask fans for money, personal information, or payment for meetings, calls, or memberships, and shared his official account handles while noting he is not on X, Snapchat, or Discord. This follows similar warnings from other celebrities including Kelly Rowland and Reba McEntire, as scammers frequently use celebrity identities in online fraud schemes targeting fans.
vpnranks.com
Elder fraud losses reached $3.4 billion in 2023 with over 101,000 victims aged 60 and older reporting fraud, representing an 11% increase in losses and 14% increase in complaints compared to 2022. Tech support scams are the most commonly reported fraud type affecting seniors, while investment scams cause the highest financial damages at over $1.2 billion. Projections estimate elder fraud losses could rise to $4.47 billion by 2025 with approximately 121,229 victims, underscoring the need for stronger awareness and protective measures.
foxnews.com
The FBI warns that criminals are increasingly using generative AI and deepfakes to exploit victims through 17 common techniques, including voice cloning, fake video calls impersonating authority figures, and phishing emails designed to manipulate people into revealing personal information or transferring funds. These tactics exploit emotional manipulation during crises and use AI-generated content that mimics trusted individuals and public figures. Individuals should remain vigilant by verifying identities through independent contact methods and remaining skeptical of unsolicited urgent requests for money or sensitive information.
siliconvalley.com
The article outlines three major scams that persist year-round, particularly during the holiday season. "Pig butchering" scams involve fraudsters slowly building trust with victims before stealing money through fake investment schemes, often cryptocurrency-based; Santa Clara County prosecutors charged two suspects in a case where a 66-year-old man lost $170,000 after being targeted by a fake investment banker on Facebook. Travel scams have increased 500-900% with AI-generated fake booking websites, phishing emails, and fraudulent reviews, while utility scams cost PG&E customers over $334,000 in 2024 through threats of service disconnection and demands for immediate payment via prep
usatoday.com
Johnny Depp warned fans on Instagram that scammers are impersonating him through fake social media and email accounts to solicit money, exploiting AI technology that can replicate his face and voice. He clarified that he and his team never ask fans for money, personal information, or payment for meetings, memberships, or fan cards, and provided his official social media handles while noting he is not on X, Snapchat, or Discord. The warning reflects a broader trend of celebrity impersonation scams affecting stars like Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Swift, and Kelly Rowland, with the FTC advising consumers never to send money to unknown individuals claiming to be celebrities on social media.
abc7chicago.com
The Better Business Bureau released its 2024 annual Scam Tracker report showing that online shopping scams remained the top fraud scheme for the fifth consecutive year, followed by phishing and employment scams. Scammers increasingly exploit new technologies like AI and deepfake video to impersonate legitimate organizations, conduct fake interviews, and use emotional manipulation and urgency tactics to target victims across all age groups. The BBB emphasizes that vigilance and refusing to engage with fraudsters is essential to combating these schemes.
kens5.com
The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers are exploiting winter weather conditions to defraud consumers by impersonating utility companies and threatening immediate service shutoffs unless payment is made via untraceable methods like gift cards or peer-to-peer payments. Texas law prohibits utility companies from disconnecting service during freezing temperatures, making these threats illegal and fraudulent. The BBB advises customers to verify utility company policies, remain calm when receiving such communications, and report suspected scams to authorities.
bollywoodshaadis.com
**Summary:**
YouTuber Ankush Bahuguna fell victim to a sophisticated "digital arrest" scam in January 2025 after receiving an automated call claiming his courier delivery was cancelled. The scammers, impersonating police officers via WhatsApp video calls and armed with his personal information, isolated him from family and friends while holding him virtually hostage for 40 hours, threatening him with illegal substance charges. A vigilant friend's intervention ended the ordeal and prevented further financial loss, prompting Ankush to publicly share his experience to raise awareness about the evolving tactics and psychological manipulation tactics used in digital scams.
scoopwhoop.com
Popular YouTuber Ankush Bahuguna was held in a "digital arrest" scam for nearly 40 hours after receiving a fraudulent call claiming his package contained illegal items and had been seized by customs. The scammers used his personal information and fear tactics to manipulate him into complying with their demands, resulting in financial loss and significant emotional trauma. Bahuguna publicly shared his experience on Instagram to raise awareness that tech-savvy individuals remain vulnerable to sophisticated scams that exploit psychological manipulation and panic.
newsbytesapp.com
Social media influencer Ankush Bahuguna fell victim to a sophisticated digital scam involving phishing, identity theft, and extortion that lasted 40 hours, during which scammers posing as law enforcement kept him isolated via continuous video calls while threatening arrest and harm to his family to coerce financial transactions. The scam began with a spoofed customer service call about a canceled package and escalated with threats of criminal charges and demands for bank details and personal information. Bahuguna broke free from the scam after a friend warned him about the fraud trend, and he subsequently used his platform to raise awareness about the psychological manipulation tactics these scammers employ.
benningtonbanner.com
In 2023, romance scams cost Americans over $1.1 billion across more than 64,000 reported cases, with victims like Ellen experiencing severe financial and emotional losses after multi-year fake relationships. Scammers create elaborate fake identities on social media and dating sites to build trust over extended periods, using collected photos and relatable personas to manipulate victims who seek companionship, with the scam remaining undetected because no in-person or video meetings ever occur. Effective intervention requires patience, detailed planning, and avoiding shame or confrontation, instead using trusted third parties, reverse image searches to verify photos, and maintaining supportive communication to help victims recognize the fraud.
news.abplive.com
This educational article from Kaspersky outlines nine major types of online scams targeting internet users: fake job offers with counterfeit checks, lottery scams, inheritance scams, romance scams, charity fraud, tech support scams, social media scams, robocall fraud, messaging scams, and online shopping scams. For each scam type, the article provides warning signs and protective measures, such as verifying charity status through trusted databases, avoiding remote access to unknown individuals, and checking website security features before making purchases. The overarching advice emphasizes vigilance, scrutinizing suspicious offers, and remembering that offers that sound too good to be true typically are.
vietnamnet.vn
The Department of Information Security warned of scammers in ASEAN "fraud camps" shifting from Telegram to Signal to conduct various frauds, including counterfeit currency schemes during Tet, fake investment and romance scams, and impersonation of bank employees requesting personal or financial information. Victims are advised to verify identities through official channels, avoid transacting with unknown individuals on social media, and report fraudulent activity to authorities rather than risk involvement in illegal transactions.
commbank.com.au
This educational article encourages readers to make cybersecurity a New Year's resolution by conducting a security audit on their accounts. The piece provides practical advice on preventing scams, including using strong passwords with multifactor authentication, verifying suspicious contacts before responding, improving banking security settings, staying connected with friends and family, and reporting incidents to the National Anti-Scam Centre—noting that Australian scam losses decreased 52.8% in the first half of 2024 due to increased public education about fraud.
newportnewstimes.com
This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It is a weather forecast combined with general consumer fraud prevention guidance from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office. While it contains useful scam awareness information (recognizing common scam tactics, verification methods, and what legitimate agencies will not do), it does not describe a specific fraud incident, victim demographics, financial losses, or outcomes relevant to an elder fraud research database.
**Note:** If you have an article specifically about elder fraud or scams targeting older adults, please submit that for summarization.
dnaindia.com
Popular YouTuber Ankush Bahuguna fell victim to a digital arrest scam in January 2024, during which scammers held him hostage for approximately 40 hours by impersonating customs officials and police officers. The scammers manipulated him through fake calls claiming illegal items were found in a package sent to China, threatened him with serious criminal charges including money laundering and drug trafficking, and extracted money from him while causing significant financial and mental health damage. Bahuguna publicly shared his experience on Instagram to raise awareness about the growing threat of digital arrest scams and how extensively scammers can control victims.
pbs.org
"Pig butchering" investment scams have cost victims worldwide an estimated $75 billion over the last four years, with Americans alone losing $4.6 billion in 2023. The scheme typically begins with a fake wrong-number text leading to conversations with fake profiles (often posing as attractive women) who build romantic relationships and convince victims to invest in cryptocurrency, showing false dashboards of returns until victims exhaust their savings. The scammers perpetrating these schemes are often human trafficking victims forced by crime syndicates in Asia to run the operations, making this a dual victimization crisis.
independent.ie
Romance scams exploit vulnerable individuals during isolating periods like January, when people are emotionally susceptible to manipulation and seeking connection or hope. The article emphasizes that romance scams are particularly effective because they target emotional needs rather than logic, making them difficult to defend against regardless of a person's intelligence or awareness. Ireland is noted as the most phished country in the world, highlighting the widespread nature of online fraud targeting emotionally vulnerable populations.
abc7news.com
A text phishing scam is targeting California drivers, claiming they owe money for FasTrak toll lane usage and threatening license suspension or late penalties if payment isn't made. Officials with Toll Roads (FasTrak's operator) warn that the company does not send unsolicited text messages to non-account holders, and advise drivers to ignore such messages and verify any claims by checking their accounts online or contacting their regional tolling agency directly.
foxnews.com
U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a warning about a nationwide phone scam where fraudsters impersonate CBP officers and Border Patrol agents, threatening that law enforcement is on the way or promising money in exchange for personal information like Social Security numbers. Scammers use pre-recorded messages claiming to have intercepted shipments of drugs or money, and some have spoofed real CBP employee names and badge numbers to appear authentic. CBP emphasized it never calls unsolicited to demand money, threaten citizens, or request sensitive information, and advised victims to report such calls to the Federal Trade Commission.
wcvb.com
Boston police warned residents about a text message scam falsely claiming recipients owe unpaid parking fees of $4.35 with threatened late fees of $35, directing them to a fraudulent website (parking_dash.boston.com). The scam used the city's official logo and came from a Montreal-based phone number, successfully deceiving many residents into paying, though the exact number of victims is unclear. Residents are advised that the City of Boston never sends parking ticket notices via text and to use only the official boston.gov website to pay legitimate violations, which are normally sent by U.S. mail.
sanjosespotlight.com
Rental listing scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office reporting nine cases in 2024 compared to four in 2023, featuring tactics such as requests for advance payment, below-market rent, and demands for sensitive personal information before property viewings. Authorities warn residents to verify listings in person, watch for red flags like requests for deposits before viewings, and consider freezing their credit if personal information is compromised, as scammers may use stolen Social Security numbers to open fraudulent accounts.
catcountry1073.com
Law enforcement agencies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania are alerting residents to five prevalent scams: Medicaid/Medicare impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as government workers to extract personal information; "brushing" scams involving unsolicited packages with malicious QR codes that compromise phone data; fake law enforcement calls claiming arrest warrants or missed jury duty to extort bond payments; and romance scams where criminals build trust through fake online identities to manipulate victims into sending money. Residents are advised to never provide financial or personal information over the phone, avoid scanning unknown QR codes, and verify contact legitimately through official channels.
aol.com
An 80-year-old Washington DC retiree was defrauded through a government impersonation scam in which scammers posing as FBI and police officials convinced her to withdraw $595,000 from her 401(k) to assist in a fake drug cartel investigation. In addition to losing her life savings, Boivin now faces a $180,000 tax liability ($137,000 federal and $42,000 state) since the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated protections that previously allowed fraud victims to claim theft deductions. Two bipartisan bills in Congress that would restore these protections for fraud victims remain stalled in the intro
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Rising voice phishing (vishing) attacks in Pune use sophisticated social engineering tactics, data familiarity, and technology tools like IVR to impersonate legitimate companies and manipulate victims into sharing personal information. Scammers specifically target vulnerable populations, including senior citizens, by exploiting psychological vulnerabilities such as fear, greed, and FOMO (fear of missing out), with surveys indicating over 60% of Indians receive three or more scam calls daily despite Do Not Disturb lists. Prevention measures include avoiding unknown calls, recognizing red flags like pressure tactics and suspicious numbers, and using legitimate communication channels like Caller ID badges and in-app calling services offered by companies.
m.economictimes.com
The Indian government launched a new "Report and Check Suspect" feature on its National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) that allows citizens to search a database of known cybercriminals using identifiers like phone numbers, email addresses, UPI IDs, and social media handles. This tool is designed to help prevent digital arrest scams and other cybercrimes by enabling the public to verify the legitimacy of unknown callers or entities before sharing personal information or conducting financial transactions. The I4C (Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre) database proactively identifies and blocks fake IDs used by fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officials.
dailybreeze.com
A text-based scam is circulating in California claiming recipients owe FasTrak toll fees and directing them to fraudulent websites to submit payment and personal information. California's Attorney General warns that legitimate tolling agencies do not send unsolicited text messages and advises recipients to avoid clicking links, file complaints with the FBI and FTC, and verify any toll charges directly through official agency websites.
classaction.org
Three California residents filed a class action lawsuit against Apple in December 2024, alleging the company failed to adequately vet cryptocurrency trading apps on its App Store that were actually "pig butchering" scams designed to defraud investors. One plaintiff lost over $1.2 million after downloading the fraudulent app Digicoins, which froze his assets in February 2024, and the suit claims Apple misrepresented that its App Store vets apps for security, legitimacy, and legal compliance. The lawsuit seeks to represent all users who downloaded the scam apps Digicoins, SolLuna, or Forex5 from the Apple App Store