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cointelegraph.com
Michael Zidell filed lawsuits against East West Bank and Cathay Bank, claiming they failed to detect and prevent a crypto romance scam that defrauded him of approximately $16.7 million across 31 transfers to accounts at these institutions. Zidell was targeted by a Facebook romance scammer posing as "Carolyn Parker" who convinced him to invest in a fraudulent NFT trading platform that disappeared in April 2023; he is also suing Citibank for $4 million in similar transfers. The lawsuits allege the banks were negligent in monitoring suspicious transactions, aided and abetted securities fraud, and aided elder abuse by failing to
ainvest.com
Michael Zidell lost approximately $20 million in a romance scam (classified as "pig butchering") in which a scammer posing as a woman named Carolyn Parker built trust with him on Facebook and WeChat before directing him to invest in a fake NFT platform called OpenrarityPro.com. Zidell has filed lawsuits against Citibank, East West Bank, and Cathay Bank, alleging the institutions negligently failed to detect red flags such as account discrepancies, suspicious wire transfer volumes, and transfers that exceeded stated transaction limits, thereby materially aiding the scheme. The case seeks to establish bank accountability for facilitating investment fraud and highlights
ainvest.com
Michael Zidell lost over $20 million in a romance scam between early 2023 and April 2023 after being targeted on Facebook by a woman posing as a successful NFT investor who convinced him to transfer funds through a fake trading platform. Zidell has filed lawsuits against three U.S. banks (Citibank, East West Bank, and Cathay Bank), alleging they failed to detect red flags in his 43 transfers totaling $20+ million and negligently enabled the fraud through poor compliance oversight and failure to protect against elder financial exploitation.
news3lv.com
Paul and Maryann Fox of Las Vegas lost $8,000 in a fake arrest warrant scam in which callers impersonating law enforcement claimed Paul had a warrant and demanded immediate payment via Bitcoin. The scammers used spoofed caller ID showing "Clark County" and a real officer's name to appear legitimate, pressuring Paul to transfer money at a cryptocurrency machine while keeping him isolated from his wife. The couple filed a police report but could not recover their funds and are warning others to recognize red flags and think clearly before complying with urgent demands from callers.
koaa.com
The Federal Trade Commission is warning consumers about fraudulent travel deals advertised through fake websites impersonating legitimate hotels and airlines, particularly around holiday periods like the 4th of July. Scammers use these fake sites to collect personal information and financial details, which they use to steal money or make unauthorized purchases; experts note that tracking and recovering funds from these schemes is extremely difficult due to the sites being quickly shut down and the use of advanced technology like AI to create convincing fakes. The FTC recommends researching websites, avoiding unsolicited links, and using secure payment methods rather than wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to protect yourself during travel booking.
welivesecurity.com
Employment and recruitment scams cost victims over $264 million in 2024, with "task scams" being a particularly prevalent variant where victims are tricked into paying deposits via cryptocurrency to unlock fake earnings. Task scams use gamification techniques—promising easy money for simple online tasks like clicking buttons—then pressure victims to "level up" their accounts by paying money that disappears permanently. The FBI and FTC report significant growth in these scams, driven by factors including remote work normalization, AI-generated convincing websites, breached personal data, and poor economic conditions making people vulnerable to job opportunities.
kutv.com
Utahns lost nearly $115 million to phone call fraud in 2024, with the FTC reporting that scam calls remain prevalent despite technological countermeasures, costing Americans $1 billion nationally. These operations are sophisticated organizations operating from call centers with trained employees using VoIP technology and spoofed local numbers, making them difficult to block or trace, particularly when based overseas. Experts recommend registering with the National DoNotCall Registry, verifying caller identity through official company numbers, and being cautious about sharing personal information over the phone.
sso.agc.gov.sg
Singapore enacted the Protection from Scams Act 2025 on February 3, 2025, legislation designed to protect individuals from scams by authorizing specified officers to issue restriction orders to banks that temporarily prohibit certain bank transactions and credit facility usage. The Act represents a proactive legal framework to combat fraud by enabling rapid intervention in banking activities when scam activity is suspected.
kaaltv.com
Amazon Prime Day (July 8-11) attracts scammers who use fake order confirmations, price adjustment notices, and gift card offers via email and text to direct shoppers to counterfeit Amazon login pages and steal credentials and payment information. With 200 million Prime members and $14 billion in annual Prime Day sales, thousands of victims fall prey to these schemes yearly. Consumers should protect themselves by never clicking links in unsolicited messages and instead verifying orders directly through the official Amazon app or website, and parents should educate children about these online safety risks.
cnn.com
Two individuals were arrested at Australian airports in connection with "Chinese blessing scams," a fraud scheme that has targeted elderly Asian women worldwide for 25 years. The suspects are accused of defrauding a 77-year-old woman of AUD $130,000 (USD $85,000) and are linked to 80 reported cases involving approximately AUD $3 million (USD $2 million) in losses. In these scams, perpetrators convince victims that family members are cursed and that money must be "blessed" by spiritual healers, after which the victims discover their valuables have been replaced with empty bags.
newschannel6now.com
Experts warn that seniors and residents of rural communities are increasingly targeted by scams, including cryptocurrency investment schemes and door-to-door contractor fraud, with investment scams averaging $4,000 in losses per victim. Red flags include unsolicited investment offers from unknown individuals and scammers exploiting loneliness through friendship-building tactics before pitching schemes. The Better Business Bureau recommends verifying the legitimacy of contacts and reaching out to the BBB if you suspect involvement in a scam.
vocal.media
The Health 2.0 Conference highlighted healthcare fraud as a rapidly growing threat targeting seniors, who are vulnerable due to complex medical needs, digital disadvantages, and social isolation that scammers exploit through fake insurance plans, Medicare billing fraud, telehealth scams, and spoofed portals. Healthcare providers, policymakers, and innovators are urged to implement intelligent systems and vigilance to detect red flags such as unexpected charges and unfamiliar providers to protect this vulnerable population.
amac.us
Senior citizens are targeted by an emerging scam involving street vendors selling bottled water in Atlanta who use Cash App and QR codes to overcharge customers—two victims reported losses exceeding $1,000 and $800 respectively after scammers obtained access to their phones or directed them to fraudulent QR codes that bypassed verification steps. To protect themselves, seniors should avoid purchases from unestablished roadside vendors, never hand phones to sellers, and refrain from scanning unfamiliar QR codes, instead conducting transactions only with reputable, established businesses through verified payment methods.
fox35orlando.com
Mei Dong and Dong Ye, owners of a sushi restaurant in Rockledge, Florida, were arrested in June 2024 after a Wisconsin police investigation dating to 2023 uncovered an alleged tech support scam targeting seniors across multiple states. A 76-year-old victim was deceived into purchasing $4,300 in gift cards and wiring $10,000 to California after his computer was compromised, with investigators tracing the gift card purchases to the suspects through store surveillance and receipts. Both suspects bonded out of Florida jail and face theft and false representation charges in Wisconsin.
kesq.com
Two individuals were arrested in Australia in connection with "Chinese blessing scams" targeting elderly Asian women, with one 63-year-old woman detained at Sydney Airport and her alleged accomplice, also 63, arrested at Brisbane Airport as he attempted to flee to China. The pair are accused of defrauding a 77-year-old woman of approximately $85,000 AUD in cash and jewelry in June, part of a larger investigation into 80 reported cases involving alleged theft totaling $2 million AUD across Australia's east coast. The scam involves perpetrators convincing vulnerable elderly victims that family members are cursed and that their wealth must be "blessed" by spiritual healers,
ainvest.com
Michael Zidell sued East West Bank and Cathay Bank for allegedly failing to detect and prevent fraudulent transfers totaling approximately $17 million that he lost in a sophisticated crypto romance scam involving an NFT investment platform. The scam began when Zidell was contacted via Facebook by someone posing as "Carolyn Parker," who cultivated a romantic relationship before directing him to transfer funds through multiple bank accounts; the platform disappeared in April 2023, leaving Zidell with losses exceeding $20 million. Zidell's lawsuits allege the banks ignored red flags including unusually large and repetitive transactions and violated elder abuse protections, marking a significant case regarding financial institutions'
punchng.com
Ehis Akhimie, a 41-year-old Nigerian man, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for his role in a transnational inheritance scam that defrauded over 400 elderly Americans of more than $6 million. The scheme involved sending fake letters claiming victims were beneficiaries of multimillion-dollar inheritances from Spanish relatives and demanding upfront fees for processing and delivery. Akhimie, who faces up to 20 years in prison, worked with international accomplices and money mules to receive and launder stolen funds, with law enforcement from the U.S., UK, Spain, Portugal, and Nigeria collaborating to
bhaskarenglish.in
A 43-year-old British man from Southampton lost approximately $270 to an AI-generated deepfake romance scam in which the perpetrator impersonated Jennifer Aniston using AI videos, photos, and voice recordings to convince him the actress was in love with him and needed financial help. The victim, Paul Davis, sent non-refundable Apple gift cards before realizing the deception, and reported being simultaneously targeted by scammers posing as Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg over a five-month period. The case highlights the growing threat of AI-powered romance scams that exploit emotional vulnerability and the need for individuals to verify the authenticity
news.shib.io
Paul Davis, a 43-year-old Southampton resident, lost approximately $255 (£200) to an AI deepfake romance scam in which fraudsters impersonated actress Jennifer Aniston through manipulated images, videos, and "love bombing" messages, ultimately convincing him to purchase non-refundable Apple gift cards. Davis also reported being targeted by similar deepfake schemes featuring Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk over a five-month period, and the article notes a French woman lost approximately $850,000 in a comparable Brad Pitt deepfake romance scam. AI-driven romance scams increasingly target elderly individuals and those with limited technological
cnynews.com
In early July, Wappinger Town Supervisor Joseph D. Cavaccini warned residents of a phishing scam in which fraudsters impersonated Planning and Zoning Department officials using fake email addresses to pressure residents into wire transferring money under the false pretense of being added to Planning Board agendas. Fortunately, no community members fell victim to the scheme; the town clarified it never requests wire transfers or online payments for board agenda placement and urged residents to report suspicious communications to Town Hall.
kashmirreader.com
The Cyber Cell of District Police Kupwara successfully solved multiple online financial fraud cases and recovered Rs 11,06,555.82 from victims including civilians, government employees, and defense personnel who fell prey to job scams, fake investment schemes, fraudulent KYC requests, and impersonation fraud. Police recovered funds through digital evidence collection, coordination with financial institutions, and advanced cyber tactics, and are warning the public to avoid common online threats including digital arrest scams, fake trading platforms, malicious loan apps, and fraudulent calls impersonating telecom companies.
partnersgroup.com
This educational article warns against rising scams impersonating trusted organizations like Partners Group and provides protective measures for potential victims. Key advice includes staying alert to unsolicited contacts, independently verifying company information, and immediately reporting suspected fraud to law enforcement and banks, while Partners Group clarifies it does not solicit investments via phone, email, or social media, and does not offer cryptocurrency investments or conduct business through unauthorized social messaging accounts.
corporate.target.com
Hiring scams target job seekers by impersonating Target employees or recruitment agencies through text or email, using fake or outdated job postings to solicit recruitment fees or steal personal information. Target only posts legitimate job opportunities on corporate.target.com/careers or through Workday, and will never request personal information via text message. Recipients of suspected recruitment scams should report them as spam on the platform where they received the message.
yubanet.com
PG&E customers reported over $190,000 in losses to utility scams during 2025, with scammers impersonating utility representatives and threatening service disconnection unless immediate payment is made via prepaid debit cards or digital payment apps. PG&E has received over 10,000 scam reports affecting residential and business customers, with vulnerable populations including seniors and small business owners being targeted. PG&E advises customers never to provide financial information over the phone or email, and to report suspicious contacts by calling 1-833-500-SCAM or visiting www.pge.com/scams.
justice.gov
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced a civil complaint against cryptocurrency stolen through a Business Email Compromise scheme in which a scammer impersonating Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee Co-Chair Steve Witkoff defrauded a donor of $250,300 in cryptocurrency on December 26, 2024. The scammer, located in Nigeria, used a fraudulent email address with a lowercase "L" substituted for an uppercase "I" to appear legitimate, and laundered the funds through multiple wallets before the FBI recovered $40,300 through blockchain analysis. Law enforcement urges donors to carefully verify email addresses and website URLs before sending cryptocurrency,
ag.state.mn.us
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison warned residents about door-to-door pest-control scams involving high-pressure sales tactics, hidden fees, and undisclosed long-term contracts. The scam typically targets consumers off-guard during summer months, with fraudsters failing to deliver services, imposing surprise charges, or forcing automatic contract renewals. Consumers are advised to avoid pressure tactics, read contracts carefully before signing, verify local peddler registration, and report suspected scams to the Attorney General's office rather than remaining silent out of embarrassment.
ballardspahr.com
The Aspen Institute's National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention, launched in 2024, addresses a critical problem: criminals steal $430 million daily from American families, totaling $158 billion annually and funding transnational criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking and human trafficking. This podcast features discussions with task force leaders about the scope of fraud in the U.S., systemic vulnerabilities that scammers exploit, the role of emerging technologies like AI in perpetuating scams, and the need for a coordinated national strategy involving government, law enforcement, industry, and consumer advocates to combat fraud at its root.
ksbw.com
Scammers posing as PG&E targeted families across California's Central Coast, with nearly 200 reports in the past six months from Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, and San Luis Obispo counties, including over 70 cases in Salinas alone. The scam primarily involved phone calls demanding immediate payment and personal information, deliberately targeting vulnerable populations including seniors, immigrants, and non-English speakers. PG&E advises the public that legitimate representatives will never request payment or personal information by phone and urges victims to report suspicious calls to customer service.
kzyx.org
**Government Impersonation Scam Alert - Mendocino County**
The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office issued a public alert on July 3, 2025, regarding a surge in fraudulent phone calls and emails targeting senior citizens, in which scammers falsely claim victims have missed court summonses or have arrest warrants issued against them and demand personal information or money. Most reported victims recognized the fraud and did not comply, but authorities urge the public to verify any legal concerns independently through official government contact information and to recognize that legitimate agencies never demand payment via phone for warrants or fines.
consumerfinancemonitor.com
The Aspen Institute launched the National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention in 2024 to develop the first coordinated U.S. national strategy against financial fraud, which currently costs Americans $430 million daily and $158 billion annually while funding transnational criminal organizations. Fraud losses reported to the FBI have increased 15-fold over the past decade, with new technologies like AI making scams more sophisticated, prompting leaders from government, law enforcement, industry, and civil society to collaborate on cross-sector solutions including improved data-sharing, victim support, and a unified reporting system.
aarp.org
A North Carolina widower fell victim to a romance scam over nearly a decade, during which his girlfriend and her daughter convinced him to pay approximately $2,800 monthly in rent and living expenses in Los Angeles, causing him to struggle with basic obligations like property taxes. The scammer, a woman named Bobbie whom he met on a dating site in 2011, had a criminal history with arrests for assault and harassment, warning signs the family had flagged years earlier. The author discovered the fraud when her father revealed he could only cover half his property taxes, prompting her husband (a bankruptcy lawyer) to investigate and uncover the long-running financial exploitation.
fox35orlando.com
Following the 2025 hurricane season, officials warn residents to be cautious of unlicensed contractors and scammers seeking to exploit storm damage. The Better Business Bureau recommends vetting contractors in advance of needing repairs to protect oneself from hurricane-related fraud schemes.
pcworld.com
This educational article explains that while scams predate the internet, digital platforms have enabled fraudsters to operate faster through multiple channels like fake texts, emails, and malicious websites. The key advice provided by ethical hacker Mike Danseglio is to adopt a default mindset of suspicion and always verify requests by contacting organizations directly using independently sourced contact information rather than following links or phone numbers provided in unsolicited messages. Additional security practices include maintaining updated antivirus software, using password managers, and limiting personal information shared online.
cheknews.ca
A 53-year-old man was arrested in Saskatchewan on a Canada-wide warrant for defrauding a Sunshine Coast woman of $110,000 through a romance scam, in which he built trust over several months before convincing her to invest in a non-existent business venture. The initial report led to the identification of multiple additional victims, and authorities are seeking anyone else who may have been defrauded by the suspect. Romance-investment scams, also known as "pig butchering," are rising across Canada, with fraudsters using dating apps and social media to establish relationships with victims—particularly targeting lonely individuals—before soliciting cryptocurrency investments or other financial schemes.
pennlive.com
Three Lycoming County men, all age 70 or older, lost nearly $6 million in a romance scam operated from China involving enticing pictures of women who promised romance or investment returns. The scam targeted lonely older men, with one victim losing approximately $4.5 million and another sending $1 million total after being told the woman was being held hostage at the airport. District Attorney Marino warns that money sent in these scams leaves the country within minutes, making recovery difficult, and urges victims to report incidents to the FBI despite embarrassment.
paloaltoonline.com
Palo Alto and Santa Clara County law enforcement hosted educational seminars in spring to help seniors recognize and prevent scams, as the country experienced a record $16.6 billion in scam losses in the previous year—a 33% increase. The top five scams targeting seniors involve impersonation: grandparent scams (fake emergencies using AI voice replication), financial services impersonation, government imposter scams, tech support fraud, and romance scams, with warning signs including rushed calls demanding secrecy and threats. Experts advise seniors to hang up on suspicious calls, verify requests directly with the entity, and remember that legitimate institutions never request sensitive information or demand immediate
vietnamnews.vn
Interpol's March 2025 report revealed that victims from at least 66 countries have been trafficked and forced into labor at online scam centers, with 74% taken to Southeast Asia and emerging centers in West Africa, the Middle East, and Central America. Victims are lured through fake job advertisements, detained in compounds, and coerced to commit various fraud schemes including investment scams, romance fraud, and gambling fraud, with those resisting facing threats, abuse, or torture. The report identifies this as a "double-edged threat" affecting both trafficked workers and victims deceived online, with criminals increasingly using AI and deepfake technology to enhance their operations, prompting Interp
therecord.media
Interpol reports that West Africa, the Middle East, and Central America are emerging as new cybercrime hubs mirroring trends from Southeast Asia, with scam centers relying on human trafficking to force victims into conducting investment fraud and romance scams. As of March 2025, victims from 66 countries have been trafficked into online scam centers, with approximately three-quarters sent to Southeast Asian compounds where they face debt bondage, beatings, sexual exploitation, and torture under the control of Chinese-speaking crime syndicates. The agency's five-year analysis shows that while not all fraud perpetrators are trafficking victims, those held against their will endure severe exploitation and abuse.
justice.gov
Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, a Nigerian national, pleaded guilty to operating a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded over 400 elderly and vulnerable U.S. victims of more than $6 million. The scheme involved sending personalized letters falsely claiming victims were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances from overseas relatives, then requesting upfront fees for delivery and taxes before victims could receive the funds. Akhimie faces up to 20 years in prison, and seven co-conspirators from the United Kingdom, Spain, and Nigeria have also been convicted in connection with this international fraud operation.
times-herald.com
Coweta County experienced two distinct fraud schemes targeting residents: a sophisticated phone scam impersonating law enforcement deputies claiming seniors had active warrants and demanding immediate bail payments via threatening calls from restricted numbers, and a separate scheme using fraudulent invoices mimicking city departments (such as Planning and Zoning) to solicit wire transfers for fake fees around $4,900. Local authorities emphasized that legitimate law enforcement and government agencies never demand payment by phone or wire transfer, and urged victims to hang up immediately and report incidents to the sheriff's office or contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
thespacecoastrocket.com
**Summary:**
Dongdong Ye and Mei Mei Dong, owners of Da Sushi restaurant in Rockledge, Florida, face felony theft charges in Wisconsin for allegedly operating a multi-state gift card scam targeting elderly victims. The scheme involved fraudulent tech support pop-ups that tricked victims into purchasing and providing gift card information; investigators traced gift card usage to store purchases in Florida and Canada, identifying Ye through surveillance footage showing distinctive tattoos. At least three elderly victims lost substantial amounts ($4,300, $25,000, and $75,000), with suspicious deposits totaling tens of thousands of dollars linked to the couple's bank account from victims in multiple states.
ainvest.com
A Houston small business owner lost $20,000 from her business loan after a scammer impersonating a Prosperity Bank official gained access to her account by referencing her travel habits and requesting account verification information. The scammer transferred the funds to internal bank accounts, and while the bank recovered $12,000, only that amount has been restored so far. The incident underscores the need for small business owners to implement security measures such as strong passwords, account monitoring, and multi-factor authentication to protect against increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.
mirror.co.uk
A 43-year-old man from Southampton was scammed out of £200 by a fraudster impersonating Jennifer Aniston using AI-generated videos and deepfakes on social media; the scammer claimed to need money for Apple subscriptions and sent fake identification before receiving non-refundable gift cards. The victim's case is part of a broader wave of deepfake romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals, with another documented case involving a French woman losing nearly £700,000 to someone posing as Brad Pitt over the course of a year.
awfulannouncing.com
This article is not about elder fraud, scams targeting seniors, or elder abuse. It's a sports media commentary piece about ESPN reporters being briefly fooled by a parody social media account impersonating NBA insider Shams Charania to spread a false retirement rumor about announcer Mike Breen. This does not fit the Elderus database scope.
indianexpress.com
Three men from Jharkhand were arrested for operating a phishing and identity theft scam that defrauded a 49-year-old Delhi resident of Rs 10.8 lakh (approximately $13,000 USD) by impersonating a bank and requesting KYC updates via fake links. The sophisticated operation involved spoofed calls, malicious apps to intercept OTPs, and laundering stolen funds through gaming apps and digital wallets using mule accounts and fake SIM cards. Police recovered multiple devices and linked the accused to additional complaints through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.
firstcoastnews.com
A Putnam County woman lost over $7,500 and her car to a romance scam in which a fraudster impersonated actor Jason Momoa through Facebook and messaging apps, using AI-generated videos to build trust before requesting money via Bitcoin and CashApp. Romance scams are increasingly costly across Florida, with the FTC reporting over 42,000 reports in 2023 alone resulting in $823 million in nationwide losses, and scammers now employing sophisticated technology including deepfake videos and cloned faces. Experts recommend verifying digital contacts' identities, avoiding sharing personal information, never sending money to unknown individuals, and immediately reporting suspected scams to law enforcement an
paloaltoonline.com
Palo Alto police and FBI officials held an educational seminar at Mitchell Park Community Center to help seniors prevent scams, as the nation faced a record $16.6 billion in scam losses in the previous year—a 33% increase. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, led by Deputy Bob Yee, is expanding fraud prevention seminars throughout the region, teaching participants to identify the five most common senior scams involving impersonation: person-in-need/grandparent scams, financial services fraud, government impersonation, tech support scams, and romance scams. Experts advise seniors to hang up on suspicious callers, verify requests by contacting organizations directly, and remember
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
A multi-crore insurance scam in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district, involving policies fraudulently taken out in the names of terminally ill or deceased individuals across 12+ states, resulted in at least four murders committed to access insurance payouts—including the killing of a paralyzed man for a Rs 95 lakh policy and another victim for Rs 2.7 crore. Senior government officials, insurance regulators, and over 50 insurance companies convened to address systemic vulnerabilities, proposing reforms including stricter scrutiny of Section 45 (which restricts claim denials after three years), enhanced data sharing between insurers, real-time fraud detection systems