Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
10,158 results
in Scam Awareness
lockhaven.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common holiday scams targeting seniors, including fake online stores, gift card fraud, phishing emails, government impersonation, grandparent scams, lottery schemes, and romance scams (which caused $652 million in losses to Americans in 2023). The article provides practical prevention advice such as verifying legitimate websites, not clicking suspicious links, and remembering that the IRS never calls by phone. It also lists warning signs of financial exploitation, including unusual bank visits, large cash withdrawals, unpaid bills, and sudden changes in financial habits or relationships.
yorkdispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
Holiday shoppers face increased online scams during peak shopping season, including puppy scams (fake breeders requesting upfront deposits for dogs never delivered), toy scams (counterfeit or non-existent products offered at discounted prices on fraudulent websites), and Facebook Marketplace scams (sellers disappearing after collecting payment via payment apps or gift cards). Security experts advise shoppers to be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true, avoid clicking links from social media ads, shop directly on official websites, and avoid sending payment in advance to unknown sellers.
abc7chicago.com
· 2025-12-08
Online shopping scams have surged 125% year-over-year, with scammers using AI to create fictitious products and lure consumers with unrealistic discounts on social media. A Chicago woman, Annette Wilson, lost money after purchasing jeans advertised for $1-2 and was unable to obtain a full refund despite two months of attempts. The Better Business Bureau advises shoppers to research businesses before purchasing, avoid impulse buys, verify original prices, and read fine print to protect themselves during the holiday season.
wdtv.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns consumers to increase vigilance against fraud during the holiday shopping season, when criminals intensify efforts to steal money and personal information. Key prevention measures include purchasing from secure, reputable websites; verifying seller legitimacy; regularly monitoring bank and credit card statements; and requesting tracking numbers for online purchases. Victims should contact their bank immediately and report incidents to local law enforcement as soon as possible to maximize recovery chances.
nbclosangeles.com
· 2025-12-08
Brushing scams involve fraudsters using stolen personal information to create fake Amazon accounts and send unsolicited packages to victims' homes; once the recipient confirms delivery, scammers post positive reviews under the victim's name to boost their seller ratings. A more dangerous variant includes QR codes in packages that, when scanned, can compromise the victim's personal and banking information. Experts advise consumers to avoid scanning unfamiliar QR codes, update passwords regularly, and monitor bank accounts for suspicious activity.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article outlines six common gift card scams that surge during the holiday season, including display rack tampering (where scammers record activation codes or swap barcodes to drain cards before use), impersonation schemes (where fraudsters pose as trusted contacts requesting gift card purchases), resale fraud (fake or empty cards sold on online platforms), and phishing attacks. The piece provides practical prevention advice for each scam type, such as checking packaging for tampering, verifying caller identity through independent contact, using reputable retailers only, and avoiding unsolicited requests for gift card information or payment.
devdiscourse.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Australians AUD 201 million annually, with victims experiencing significant emotional distress including shame and embarrassment alongside financial losses. Individuals with acquired brain injuries are particularly vulnerable due to cognitive challenges that impair their ability to identify scam red flags. Collaborative initiatives like the CyberAbility project address this vulnerability by creating tailored prevention resources and support to increase awareness and reduce stigma among affected communities.
ia.acs.org.au
· 2025-12-08
Australian and Philippine authorities raided a Manila scam centre in October, arresting over 250 people (190 foreign nationals and 68 Filipino nationals) involved in a transnational romance scam operation targeting Australian men over 35. Australians lost $34.3 million to romance scams in 2023, with the operation using over 300 computer systems and 1,000 mobile phones to conduct "pig-butchering" scams where victims were gradually convinced to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms. The raid, part of Operation Firestorm, yielded valuable intelligence on scam centre structures and money laundering methods to help identify and assist Australian victims.
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Australians A$201 million last year, with scammers using fake identities and emotional manipulation through dating platforms and social media to exploit victims. People with acquired brain injuries are particularly vulnerable, with over half of surveyed clinicians reporting clients affected by romance scams, as cognitive difficulties make it harder to recognize red flags and complex manipulation tactics. Sharing experiences from survivors with brain injuries can raise awareness, reduce stigma, and help prevent future scams.
au.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Proofpoint cybersecurity study found that 66% of Australian banks failed to implement the highest level of email authentication protection (DMARC), leaving customers vulnerable to spoofing and phishing scams—a significant gap compared to 42% of U.S. banks that lack such protections. In 2024, over 66,000 Australians reported falling victim to email scams, resulting in losses exceeding $224 million, prompting the government's new Scam Prevention Framework to impose mandatory fraud prevention obligations on financial institutions with potential fines up to $50 million.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC approved final amendments to the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) in November to extend coverage to "inbound" telemarketing calls for technical support services, aiming to combat tech support scams that defraud consumers. Tech support scams, which use false malware alerts to trick people into calling scammers who sell bogus services, accounted for $2.7 billion in losses in 2023 and were the most widely reported form of elder fraud that year, with 17,696 victims aged 60+ reporting such scams to the FBI.
fticonsulting.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Australians lost $2.7 billion to scams, with older Australians and those from culturally diverse backgrounds being disproportionately vulnerable, particularly to investment, phone, and social media scams. Australia has implemented a new regulatory framework through ASIC oversight, the National Anti-Scam Centre, and the Financial Accountability Regime, which holds bank directors and senior executives personally accountable for scam management failures with potential financial penalties. Global banks are being required to develop documented scam strategies, improve detection and payment-delay capabilities, and enhance responses to scam victims to address identified gaps in current anti-scam practices.
castanet.net
· 2025-12-08
A 71-year-old woman in Trail, British Columbia was defrauded of $6,000 in a remote-access scam after clicking on a pop-up message claiming to be from a legitimate computer company. The scammer posed as a technician, gained remote access to her computer, and convinced her to provide banking information to transfer $6,000 to a cryptocurrency wallet. RCMP warned that the money is not recoverable and advised residents never to allow remote access to devices or download files from unsolicited callers, and to use antivirus software as protection.
wlos.com
· 2025-12-08
Following Hurricane Helene, approximately 70% of scams tracked by the Carolina Cyber Center have been linked to relief donation fraud, with criminals impersonating charities, sending phishing emails, and using fake text messages to steal money and personal information from victims. Experts recommend donating only through trusted established organizations like the Red Cross or Salvation Army, verifying websites and social media profiles before giving, and avoiding clicking suspicious links. The center warns that fraudulent activity is expected to continue for years as donations keep coming in.
prunderground.com
· 2025-12-08
Andy LaPointe, a retired registered investment advisor, held a book signing event on November 27, 2024, for *Senior Savvy: A Comprehensive Guide to Avoiding Scams*, a resource designed to help seniors recognize and protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes. The book covers common scams targeting seniors—including phishing, cryptocurrency schemes, and door-to-door fraud—and provides practical guidance on internet safety, password creation, and recovery steps if victimized. Organizations can purchase bulk editions with customized branding to strengthen fraud prevention efforts in their communities.
9news.com
· 2025-12-08
A Florida couple, Phil and Nicole Scolaro, were indicted on five felony charges including fraud and theft after deceiving two elderly Colorado women into sending over $4 million by posing as owners of a working gold mine in Africa and promising them partial ownership. Law enforcement emphasized that seniors are particularly vulnerable to scams due to their trusting nature, accumulated savings, and perceived lower tech-savviness, and recommended victims report fraud quickly to authorities and banks to prevent further financial loss.
9to5mac.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission closed a significant loophole in the Telemarketing Sales Rule by extending protections to "inbound" calls—those initiated by consumers responding to deceptive online ads, emails, and pop-ups that impersonate tech support services. Seniors are disproportionately targeted by these scams, losing over $175 million last year, with adults 60 and older being five times more likely than younger consumers to report losses to fraudulent tech support schemes. The expanded rule now prohibits scammers from even requesting payment through irreversible methods like wire transfers or cash reload cards, enabling the FTC to take action against perpetrators regardless of whether victims were ultimately defrauded.
mysuncoast.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides Giving Tuesday safety advice for charitable donors. Givers who cannot afford cash donations can volunteer or donate gently used items like blankets, sheets, and cleaning supplies to local charities. Donors should verify charities are legitimate using resources like Charity Navigator, request receipts for tax purposes, and avoid organizations that use high-pressure tactics or request donations via gift cards or wire transfers.
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Black Friday shopping increases fraud risks as scammers exploit high consumer activity through phishing emails, fake websites, and compromised payment systems. To protect themselves, shoppers should avoid clicking suspicious links and instead navigate directly to official websites, use virtual credit cards or payment apps like PayPal, and verify product reviews with tools like Fakespot. Additional precautions include monitoring credit card statements for unauthorized charges and avoiding sign-ups on unverified sites.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Black Friday shopping increases credit card fraud risk, with approximately 60% of US credit card holders having experienced fraud and 52 million Americans victimized by fraudulent charges exceeding $5 billion last year. Common scams include gift card fraud (where scammers impersonate officials or drain altered cards), fake charity websites, cloned shopping sites, phone scams requesting card information, and credit card skimmers placed on payment terminals. To protect themselves, consumers should verify charities through the IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Search, monitor credit reports weekly at annualcreditreport.com, verify website URLs and encryption (https://), and hang up on unsolicited callers requesting card information.
wkow.com
· 2025-12-08
Wisconsin regulators warned consumers during the holiday shopping season about increasingly sophisticated scams involving fake package deliveries, fraudulent online marketplaces, and counterfeit websites designed to steal money and personal information. As of September 30, Wisconsin residents reported 21,540 fraud cases totaling $70.7 million in losses, with online shopping scams accounting for 3,551 reports. Authorities advised shoppers to purchase directly from retailer websites, avoid clicking suspicious links, use credit cards for transactions, and be cautious of AI-generated personas and voice clones used in scams like the grandparent scheme.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting Spotify's public playlists and podcasts by embedding keywords like "free download" and "crack" to appear in search results, directing users to malicious external links that distribute malware, steal personal information through phishing, and generate revenue via fake ads and affiliate links. The scam targets users searching for pirated software, ebooks, audiobooks, and game cheats, with some podcasts using synthesized speech to drive clicks to unsafe sites. Users should avoid suspicious links, download only from official sources, use antivirus software, and verify content legitimacy through trusted channels to protect themselves.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters are operating thousands of fake websites impersonating major retailers like Wayfair, IKEA, and The North Face to exploit Black Friday shoppers, stealing personal and payment information when consumers attempt purchases. Online shopping fraud reached $12.5 billion in potential losses in 2023 (a 22% increase from 2022), with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics including AI and fabricated "Trusted Store" badges to appear legitimate. To protect themselves, consumers should use multifactor authentication, avoid unfamiliar links, and be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.
independent.ie
· 2025-12-08
Gardaí in Limerick warned the public about counterfeit €50 notes in circulation and online scams, particularly ahead of the busy Christmas shopping season. One woman was scammed out of €250 after clicking a fraudulent link in a text purporting to be from An Post requesting payment for customs charges on a parcel. Police advised retailers to verify currency with marking pens and urged consumers to avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts or emails, especially during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping period.
bizzbuzz.news
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Australians $201 million annually and involve scammers creating fake identities to build trust through love bombing and manipulation before requesting money for investments, travel, or emergencies. People with acquired brain injuries are particularly vulnerable to these scams, with over half of surveyed clinicians reporting clients affected, because they struggle to recognize red flags and assess complex social situations. While romance scams cause significant financial loss, the emotional trauma—including shame and difficulty accepting the relationship was fake—can be equally or more damaging, though sharing survivor experiences can reduce stigma and help prevent future victimization.
news.virginmediao2.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
O2 has launched Call Defence, a free AI-powered service that flags suspected scam and nuisance calls to customers before they answer, using Adaptive AI technology to analyze call behavior in real-time. The rollout comes as data shows 16% of UK consumers fell victim to phone scams last year, losing an average of £798 each, with nearly a quarter of Brits targeted by scammers at least weekly. O2 is the first UK mobile operator to offer this protection at no extra cost to Pay Monthly and business customers on both Android and iOS 18+ devices.
onfocus.news
· 2025-12-08
Black Friday shopping attracts a spike in scams, with one in four American online shoppers falling victim to fraud during the season, largely because shoppers act impulsively when pursuing deals. Common scams include fake retail websites mimicking legitimate stores, social media phishing posts with fraudulent links, counterfeit goods, fake order confirmations and delivery notifications, gift card scams, and account verification schemes designed to steal financial and login information. Consumers can protect themselves by verifying URLs before clicking links, being skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true, avoiding links from unsolicited emails and social media posts, and shopping only through trusted retailers.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
A 25-year-old IIT Bombay student lost Rs 7.28 lakh in July after receiving a call from fraudsters impersonating Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) officials, who claimed 17 complaints of illegal activities were registered against his mobile number and threatened "digital arrest" if he didn't comply. The victim transferred the money across multiple transactions out of fear of legal consequences. Digital arrest scams exploit urgency and fear to manipulate victims—including educated professionals and seniors—into sending money by falsely claiming investigation for serious crimes; protection involves verifying caller identity through official channels, never sharing sensitive information with callers, and reporting suspected scams to
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
A Liverpool fan lost £1,500 to fake Champions League final tickets purchased through a fraudulent social media account that impersonated a legitimate ticket seller; he eventually recovered his money through his bank's ombudsman after proving prior legitimate transactions with the same account. Between January and September, Santander customers reported £243,000 in losses to sports ticket scams, with football-related fraud accounting for 52% of losses and an average loss per victim rising to £352 in 2024. Police warn that ticket scams spike during high-profile fixtures with limited availability, and victims who bypass official sellers lose consumer protections, though new UK banking rules now require refunds up to £
en.cibercuba.com
· 2025-12-08
A Venezuelan content creator in Spain used her TikTok platform to expose a "reverse Bizum" scam after a fraudster posing as a vehicle company representative tried to trick her into confirming a fake payment for a car sale. The scammer falsely claimed funds were "on hold" and needed her confirmation through the Bizum app, but the creator recognized the scheme after seeing prior warnings and avoided losing money. The incident prompted numerous users to share similar experiences with the same scam targeting car sales, apartment rentals, and motorcycle sales, highlighting the importance of never confirming transactions without verifying their legitimacy.
bitcoinist.com
· 2025-12-08
An Ohio man lost his $425,000 life savings to a cryptocurrency scam that began with a fake pop-up warning about a "technical issue" in October 2023; after granting remote access to his computer, scammers transferred the funds into crypto wallets and converted them to approximately 947,883 Tether tokens. Federal authorities used blockchain analysis to trace and recover the stolen cryptocurrency on July 31, 2024, with the US Attorney's Office filing a civil forfeiture complaint to return the funds to the victim. This case illustrates how malicious actors exploit inexperienced investors in the cryptocurrency market through social engineering and remote access tactics.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
An Ohio man lost his entire $425,000 life savings to a cryptocurrency scam that began in October 2023 after clicking on a pop-up claiming a technical issue and granting remote computer access to a scammer posing as a bank representative. Law enforcement successfully recovered the stolen funds (947,883 USDT tokens valued at approximately $947,883) through blockchain analysis and executed a seizure warrant in July 2024, with the U.S. Attorney's Office filing for civil forfeiture in November 2024 to compensate the victim. The article provides FTC guidance on avoiding similar schemes, including being skeptical of unsolicited pop-ups, verifying claims directly
digit.in
· 2025-12-08
A 61-year-old child specialist in Hyderabad was targeted by scammers using a digital arrest scam who convinced him to withdraw over Rs 13 lakhs to settle a supposed legal dispute, but alert SBI employees Surya Swathi and Kumar Gaud recognized his distressed behavior and continuous incoming calls, educating him about the scam with newspaper evidence before he lost his money. The scammers used fear-mongering tactics common in digital arrest schemes, which prey on elderly and less digitally aware individuals, but the victim severed contact with the fraudsters after realizing the deception.
republicworld.com
· 2025-12-08
An SBI bank officer in Hyderabad prevented a 61-year-old doctor from losing Rs 13 lakh in a digital arrest scam by recognizing suspicious behavior and educating the victim about the fraud scheme. The article documents several recent digital arrest scams in India where fraudsters impersonate government officials and threaten victims with virtual arrest to extort money, including cases involving a 77-year-old woman (Rs 3.8 crore lost), an IIT student (Rs 7.29 lakh lost), and a business chairman (Rs 7 crore lost). Key protection measures include never sharing banking details or OTPs with callers claiming to be
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 61-year-old doctor in Hyderabad was targeted by scammers using a "digital arrest" fraud scheme that pressured him to withdraw Rs 13 lakh from his bank accounts, but alert SBI employee Surya Swathi recognized his anxious behavior and inconsistent story during multiple branch visits, ultimately preventing the loss. Through persistent intervention and sharing educational materials about the scam, Swathi and branch manager Kumar Gaud helped the senior citizen recognize he was being defrauded and disconnect from the criminals. The incident highlights the importance of verifying caller identity, protecting financial information, and remaining suspicious of urgent withdrawal demands.
edmonton.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
An Edmonton woman was charged with fraud for systematically defrauding an 88-year-old senior of at least $1.6 million over approximately a decade by befriending him and exploiting his kindness and generosity. The 60-year-old accused, Tina "Phoeut" Soeung, was charged in September 2024 with fraud over $5,000, and police suspect there may be additional victims and are encouraging anyone with information to contact authorities.
dailyexcelsior.com
· 2025-12-08
Three individuals were arrested in Srinagar for operating a "digital arrest" scam that defrauded a senior citizen of Rs 21 lakh (approximately $25,000 USD). The fraudsters impersonated TRAI and CBI officials, fabricating money laundering allegations and arrest warrants to psychologically manipulate the victim into withdrawing fixed deposits and transferring funds to a fraudulent account. Police recovered Rs 4.13 lakhs for the victim and seized multiple phones, SIM cards, debit cards, and other materials; authorities emphasized that legitimate government agencies never conduct arrests or demand payments via video calls.
themirror.com
· 2025-12-08
Phil and Nicole Scolaro were arrested in Florida and charged with five felonies for defrauding two elderly Colorado women of over $4 million through a fake African goldmine investment scheme spanning three years. A Douglas County Sheriff's Senior Resource Deputy emphasized that seniors are frequent targets due to greater trust, lower tech-savvy, and accumulated wealth, and recommended using the "SCAM" and "STOP" acronyms to identify red flags, while encouraging families to establish trust so victims will report incidents to authorities and banks promptly.
krdo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Florida couple, Phil and Nicole Scolaro, defrauded two elderly Colorado women out of over $4 million over three years by claiming they were partial owners of an African gold mine and persuading the victims to send money for supposed mine ownership stakes. The couple was arrested in late October and faces five felony charges including fraud and theft, with bail set at $1 million combined. The article also highlights that seniors are particularly vulnerable to scams due to being more trusting and having accumulated savings, and emphasizes the importance of reporting fraud quickly to law enforcement and financial institutions.
boston25news.com
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses Cyber Monday shopping trends and scam prevention advice. It notes that Adobe predicts $13.2 billion will be spent on Cyber Monday this year, with deals from major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target, but warns that scammers use fake websites, phishing, and malicious QR codes to steal personal and financial information during the holiday shopping season. The article provides protective measures including verifying URLs and email senders, checking for "https://" security features, avoiding unsolicited QR codes, and using credit cards instead of debit cards.
dailyrecord.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns that thousands fall victim to holiday scams annually, including nondelivery scams, nonpayment fraud, auction fraud, and gift card scams, which cost consumers over $309 million in 2023 alone. The agency recommends protecting oneself by avoiding suspicious links and unverified sellers, using secure websites with "https," never wiring money directly or paying with prepaid gift cards, obtaining tracking numbers for purchases, and monitoring credit card statements regularly. Key red flags include sellers claiming to be in the U.S. but stating they're abroad, requests to ship internationally to avoid customs, and unfavorable seller ratings.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
As Bitcoin approaches $100,000, cybercriminals are exploiting FOMO and market excitement through increasingly sophisticated cryptocurrency scams, including fake celebrity endorsements (particularly deepfakes of Elon Musk), phishing emails, Ponzi schemes, and "pig butchering" romance scams. The FBI received over 69,000 cryptocurrency fraud complaints last year resulting in losses exceeding $5.6 billion—nearly half of all reported fraud losses. Consumers should verify communications directly with providers, avoid one-time promotional offers, and never respond to unsolicited messages claiming account compromises.
theweek.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common online shopping scams that increase during peak shopping periods like Black Friday, including fake websites, bogus order confirmations, false card decline alerts, and phishing texts. Red flags to watch for include unusually low prices, URL spelling errors, artificial urgency, and requests for wire transfers or gift cards. To protect yourself, verify URLs before clicking, use secure payment methods, and be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Black Friday shoppers face increased cybercrime risks, with 30% of annual cybercrime occurring on this shopping day, including fraudulent websites using fake "Trusted Store" badges and counterfeit ads impersonating popular brands like Wayfair and IKEA to steal financial information. Experts recommend verifying website legitimacy by checking for secure "https" URLs, avoiding unrealistically steep discounts, looking for payment method inconsistencies, reading third-party reviews, and being cautious of smishing text scams that prompt victims to verify payment information.
thesouthafrican.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams in South Africa surged by 18.5% during July-September, with criminals using increasingly sophisticated methods to target vulnerable individuals, particularly women. Victims have lost millions of rands—including cases where a Gauteng mother lost R2.8 million and a SAPS captain lost nearly R3 million—leaving families financially devastated and causing severe emotional trauma. Authorities are urging victims to report scams to police and specialized commercial crime units, while recent arrests including that of businesswoman Mmakgomo Doris Ngcobo and two Ugandan nationals for a R2 million fraud demonstrate increased enforcement efforts.
knoxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Estate attorney Lisa Gammeltoft emphasizes that financial scams are prevalent year-round, particularly during holidays, and target people of all intelligence levels by exploiting vulnerable emotions and neurochemistry through schemes like "pig butchering" (fake cryptocurrency investments), catfishing (romance scams that cost Americans $740 million in 2022), and grandparent scams enhanced by voice cloning technology. Key defensive measures include keeping devices updated, never allowing remote access to computers, avoiding sharing financial information with online contacts, and seeking a second opinion from trusted sources before sending money, since scammers are sophisticated professionals who make fraud their full-time job.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Dale Lake of Hanford, California, agreed to a consent decree resolving federal allegations that he operated as a "money mule" in a mail and wire fraud scheme targeting senior citizens. Victims were deceived into believing they had won lotteries or sweepstakes and sent money to Lake, who then transmitted the funds to accomplices in Jamaica; the decree permanently prohibits Lake from participating in prize promotion fraud or money transmitting businesses and authorizes postal inspection monitoring of his mail.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Police and anti-fraud investigators are warning shoppers to remain vigilant during Black Friday shopping, both online and in stores, as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported over 100,000 fraud cases across Canada last year. Key recommendations include protecting personal information like debit card PINs, staying aware of surroundings in crowded stores, researching unfamiliar merchants before purchasing, and reporting suspicious activity to store security or police. The warning emphasizes that rushing to capitalize on sales makes shoppers vulnerable to fraud and theft.
sapeople.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams in South Africa increased by 18.5% between July and September, with criminals using increasingly sophisticated tactics to target vulnerable individuals, particularly women who are often breadwinners. Victims have suffered devastating losses ranging from R2.8 million to R3 million, with some experiencing severe emotional trauma and financial ruin for their families. Authorities are urging victims to report scams to police and calling for stronger prosecution and bail restrictions for suspects, while recent arrests including one case totaling R2 million demonstrate ongoing law enforcement efforts.