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in Robocall / Phone Scam
chicagotribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season presents increased fraud risk as scammers use phishing emails, texts, phone calls, and social media to impersonate the IRS and steal personal information or money. Common tactics include creating false urgency, threatening arrest, promising inflated refunds through "ghost" preparers who file fraudulent returns, and exploiting uncertainty around recent IRS workforce cuts to appear more convincing. Experts recommend using only trusted tax professionals, avoiding suspicious links and unsolicited offers, and reporting scams to the IRS, as reduced agency staffing may slow response times to fraud complaints.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
A "smishing" scam has spread across multiple states for over a year, with scammers sending text messages claiming recipients owe small toll amounts (e.g., $12.51) and directing them to fake E-ZPass websites to pay outstanding balances. Clicking the malicious links can expose victims to identity theft, unauthorized credit accounts, and financial fraud, as scammers gain access to personal and financial information. The FBI recommends verifying toll balances directly through official websites or customer service, not clicking unknown links, and filing complaints with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) if targeted.
11alive.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season fraud is escalating, with scammers using common tactics like phishing emails, threatening calls impersonating the IRS, and fake tax preparers who file fraudulent returns with inflated deductions to steal refunds. This year, criminals are exploiting uncertainty from recent IRS workforce cuts—both to impersonate the agency with false filing claims and because reduced IRS staffing may slow response times to reported scams and takedown of malicious websites. Consumers are advised to watch for red flags including urgency, threats, suspicious links, and promises of large payouts, and to only use accredited tax professionals.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS has warned Americans about tax scams targeting older adults that surge during filing season, with IRS impersonation being the most common fraud type. Scammers pose as government agencies or tax professionals using spoofed caller IDs and high-pressure tactics demanding untraceable payments (cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers), with adults aged 65-74 most frequently targeted; a McAfee survey found 48 percent of Americans received fake IRS messages, and 79 percent of those experienced collection attempts or threats. The IRS clarified it will never demand immediate payment via prepaid cards, threaten arrest, or request sensitive financial information by phone, and warns that AI-enhanced deep
mcknightsseniorliving.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the FTC's 2024 Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book, while younger people (ages 20-29) report fraud more frequently than seniors, adults aged 70 and older experience significantly higher median losses, with those 80+ losing a median of $1,650 per incident and seniors collectively losing $2.3 billion in 2024. Overall fraud losses in the United States reached $12.5 billion in 2024 (a 25% increase from 2023), with business imposters and government imposters being the most common scams targeting older adults, followed by tech support and lottery scams.
msutoday.msu.edu
· 2025-12-08
Global cybercrime cost nearly $10 trillion in the previous year and is expected to rise in 2025, with scammers increasingly targeting everyday people through common fraud schemes. Michigan State University experts highlight three major scam types: package delay scams (smishing texts impersonating delivery services), romance fraud (building fake emotional relationships to extract money), and other cyber threats, offering guidance on protection strategies such as verifying official websites and recognizing common fraudster tactics like fake military profiles or stolen social media images.
koreaherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Two men in their 20s were sentenced to four years in prison by a Busan court for their roles in a romance scam that defrauded eleven victims of 2.8 billion won ($1.9 million). The defendants traveled to Cambodia in January 2024 to join a fraud ring, where they worked at a call center impersonating women via Telegram to build relationships with victims before convincing them to invest in cryptocurrency or fake business opportunities.
idtechwire.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Bumble launched a biometric ID verification feature across 11 markets, including the US and UK, allowing users to verify their identity through government-issued IDs and selfies to combat romance scams on the platform. The optional feature provides a profile badge for verified users and includes a companion safety tool called "Share My Date" that enables users to share date details with trusted contacts; however, Bumble is simultaneously facing a $40 million class action lawsuit in Illinois over biometric privacy violations.
dallasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article explores "scam baiting"—a relatively new practice where individuals waste scammers' time through various tactics to prevent them from targeting victims. The piece profiles prominent baiters like Kitboga and Pierogi, who have built lucrative YouTube careers (millions of views) exposing scammers through entertaining videos, and now offer protective tools like Seraph Secure software to help people avoid online fraud.
clickorlando.com
· 2025-12-08
IRS impersonation scams targeting seniors have become the most common senior fraud scheme, with scammers using spoofed caller IDs to pose as IRS officials and pressure victims into immediate payments for alleged tax debt. According to former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel, seniors over 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, with these scams intensifying during tax season. The IRS never initiates contact by phone, text, or email, and legitimate tax notices always arrive by mail first—knowing this distinction is key to avoiding these fraudulent schemes.
centralmaine.com
· 2025-12-08
A victim in Portland fell for a voice-cloning AI scam in which a caller impersonated a family member claiming to need bail money for a serious incident. The scammer's artificially generated voice was convincing enough to bypass the victim's initial skepticism, though the fraud was eventually discovered. The victim advises establishing private passwords with family and friends, warns that court "gag orders" are red flags used to prevent verification, and cautions against confirming identity to unknown callers to prevent voice cloning.
nbcwashington.com
· 2025-12-08
I don't see an actual article content in what you've provided—only the navigation menu and header structure from an NBC4 Washington news website.
Could you please provide the actual article text or content that you'd like me to summarize? Once you share the body of the article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse, I'll be happy to write a concise 2-3 sentence summary for the Elderus database.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI issued a warning about criminals using fake online document converter websites to infect users' computers with malware and ransomware by mimicking legitimate URLs with slight variations. These fraudulent converters, including sites like convertix-api.xyz and convertallfiles.com, exploit users searching for free file conversion tools and may have been linked to a February ransomware attack on Lee Enterprises, a media company operating outlets across 70 U.S. markets. The FBI recommends avoiding free online document converters entirely and instead using established apps and platforms, while being vigilant about checking URLs and avoiding paid search results.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season presents heightened fraud risks, with scammers using common tactics like phishing emails, threatening phone calls impersonating the IRS, and fake tax preparers who file fraudulent returns to steal refunds. Recent IRS workforce cuts may amplify these threats by creating uncertainty that scammers exploit and reducing the agency's capacity to respond to reported fraud. Experts recommend consumers watch for red flags such as urgency, threats, suspicious links, and promises of inflated refunds, while using only trusted tax professionals and reporting scams directly to the IRS.
newscentermaine.com
· 2025-12-08
A Cumberland, Maine woman lost $100,000 to a sophisticated scam that began with a phishing email giving scammers remote computer access, followed by an impersonator claiming to be a Microsoft employee who convinced her to convert her savings into gold bars that were later picked up by a fake courier. Police arrested 44-year-old Zhangqi Xie of New York and charged him with Theft by Deception, while warning the public never to exchange money for gold, bitcoin, or gift cards based on unsolicited communications and to avoid opening suspicious email attachments.
fox11online.com
· 2025-12-08
Manitowoc police are warning of a dramatic increase in scams, including romance schemes where scammers gradually request money and personal information before using explicit photos for blackmail, and impersonation scams where callers pose as law enforcement demanding payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency for alleged court fines or debts. Police emphasize that government agencies never request payments through cryptocurrency ATMs or gift cards, and advise victims to verify any such requests before sending funds.
norfolktoday.ca
· 2025-12-08
During Fraud Prevention Month, authorities highlight romance scams as a persistent threat in the province, where scammers build emotional connections with victims through online dating sites before requesting money. A variation called "Pig Butchering" involves scammers posing as romantic interests to lure victims into fraudulent investment or financial schemes rather than requesting travel funds. Police emphasize that victims should not feel ashamed, as scammers employ sophisticated manipulation tactics designed to exploit trust and connection.
newswest9.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season presents heightened fraud risks as scammers exploit uncertainty surrounding recent IRS workforce cuts to impersonate the agency and steal personal information and money through phishing emails, texts, fake refund promises, and fraudulent tax preparers. Common red flags include urgent language, threats, promises of large payoffs, and suspicious links; the IRS warns it never initiates contact via email or text and urges consumers to use only accredited tax professionals and report suspected scams. Experts caution that reduced IRS staffing could slow response times to fraud reports and allow malicious websites and predatory campaigns to remain active longer, creating an increased risk environment for taxpayers.
wwltv.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season presents heightened fraud risks, with scammers using common tactics like phishing emails, threatening phone calls impersonating the IRS, and "ghost" tax preparers who file fraudulent returns with inflated deductions to steal refunds. Experts warn that recent IRS workforce cuts may make scammers' false claims about "new filing methods" more convincing while simultaneously reducing the agency's ability to quickly respond to and remove fraudulent websites or investigate scam reports. Key warning signs include urgency, threats, promises of large payouts, and suspicious links—and consumers should only contact the IRS through official channels and use accredited tax professionals.
ksl.com
· 2025-12-08
A Provo man in his 70s lost $186,000 over two years in a romance scam in which a person claiming to be a woman from Maryland convinced him to send money via multiple cash app accounts for an inheritance claim and promised relocation to Utah, with investigators believing a video call between them may have been AI-generated. Provo police used the case to warn of increasing online scams targeting seniors, including impersonation schemes (law enforcement, banks, utilities), tech support fraud, and kidnapping hoaxes, recommending that victims hang up on unsolicited callers and verify requests through official channels.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
West Virginians reported over $27 million in fraud losses in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission, as scams continue to rise across the state through phone calls, emails, and text messages. The article outlines common scam tactics including IRS/Social Security impersonation, romance scams, tech support scams, and phishing emails, and advises consumers to watch for red flags such as urgent language, requests for payment via gift cards or wire transfers, and unfamiliar contact information. Key protective measures include not answering unknown numbers, never clicking suspicious links, verifying charities before donating, and reporting suspected scams to authorities.
azdot.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending text messages claiming to be from "AZDOT" demanding payment for overdue tolls, a "smishing" attack exploiting social engineering tactics. The scam is fake because Arizona has no toll roads, the phone number originates from another country, and the website domain contains red flags; recipients should delete the message, avoid clicking links, and report it to the FTC or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
news9.com
· 2025-12-08
A nationwide "smishing" scam impersonates the E-ZPass toll collection system, sending text messages claiming unpaid toll balances or violations and demanding payment within 12-24 hours to avoid DMV reporting and late fees. The fraudulent texts contain malicious links designed to steal personal information or money from victims across multiple states. To protect themselves, recipients should verify suspicious messages through official agency websites, avoid clicking unknown links, and report scam texts as spam; imposter scams collectively cost Americans nearly $3 billion in 2023.
bostonglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
Modern scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and effective due to advanced technology and organized criminal groups operating internationally. The article illustrates this trend through the example of a utility company impersonation scam targeting a Maine resident, and explains how scammers exploit phishing, deepfakes, AI-generated content, and cryptocurrency investment schemes to defraud victims. Key protective strategies include verifying accounts directly through official channels and remaining suspicious of urgent payment demands, particularly those requesting digital payment methods like Zelle.
jalopnik.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending text messages claiming recipients owe unpaid toll charges, directing them to click links to pay fines or provide personal information. The scam, which has proliferated since early 2024 and become increasingly sophisticated, preys on the plausibility of legitimate toll systems and is particularly risky for older adults who may be more vulnerable; authorities including the FTC, FBI, and transportation departments have issued warnings, though stopping the scams is difficult because many perpetrators operate overseas.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season presents heightened fraud risks, with scammers using impersonation emails, texts, calls, and social media offers to steal personal information and money. Experts warn that recent IRS workforce cuts may embolden fraudsters who exploit taxpayer uncertainty while potentially slowing the agency's ability to respond to reported scams, and recommend taxpayers use only accredited tax professionals, watch for pressure tactics and suspicious refund promises, and report suspected fraud to the IRS.
dtnext.in
· 2025-12-08
Fifty account holders at a private Indian bank were fraudulently issued loans totaling Rs 7.5 crore (approximately $900,000 USD) without their knowledge or consent in 2024, with cybercriminals using stolen credentials to secure loans ranging from Rs 20-40 lakh each. Forty-one victims were compromised through FedEx scams, while the bank issued default notices to account holders and refused responsibility for the security breach, forcing victims to escalate complaints to the RBI and consumer courts. One Chennai victim is paying Rs 38,000 monthly on a Rs 20 lakh loan he never requested, while another victim lost Rs 3 l
oakdaleleader.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly male customer in Oakdale was targeted in a phone scam instructing him to withdraw $50,000 from Wells Fargo; a vigilant bank teller detected the suspicious transaction and alerted authorities. The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department coordinated an undercover operation with the victim's cooperation, apprehending the suspects when they arrived to collect the funds at a pre-arranged location. The department urges residents to be cautious of scams requesting large cash withdrawals or personal information, particularly warning elderly individuals and their families to report suspected fraud to law enforcement immediately.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
A free educational seminar on phishing and fraud prevention for seniors will be held on Tuesday, April 1, at Smith Village in Chicago, featuring Katherine Walsh from the Cook County Sheriff's Office. The seminar will cover common scams targeting older adults including phishing calls, text smishing, and pharming attacks, such as impersonations of the IRS, Social Security Administration, grandparent scams, and fraudulent service solicitations. The event is part of a broader awareness effort, as Americans lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2023, a 25 percent increase from the previous year.
altoonamirror.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania State Police presented a seminar on scams targeting seniors, noting that older adults lost over $1 billion to cybercrimes in 2023, with common schemes including government imposter scams, grandparent scams, and tech support fraud. One victim paid $500 for fake tech support and later wired $65,000 to the same scammers after they gained remote access to her device, highlighting how emotional manipulation and technology exploitation are used to defraud older adults.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, a 34-year-old Cleveland resident, was indicted on federal charges for participating in a grandparent fraud scheme that operated across Pennsylvania and Ohio between October 2024 and January 2025. The organized crime group defrauded at least five elderly victims in Western Pennsylvania of over $50,000 by impersonating grandchildren in crisis situations and requesting immediate money transfers; Rodriguez received the stolen funds via rideshare drivers and transferred much of it to the Dominican Republic through wire transfers. The FBI indicates there are likely additional victims across multiple states and requests that anyone with information report it through the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
midmichigannow.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly targeting older adults, particularly those over 75, with sweepstakes, impersonation, and text message scams. Law enforcement agencies recommend that seniors use the "Five P's" framework (Pretend, Problem, Prize, Pressure, Pay) to identify scams, hang up on pressuring callers, and verify claims with family and trusted sources before taking action. Authorities stress the importance of reporting fraud to local police or AARP's Fraud Watch Network at 877-908-3360, even when victims feel embarrassed.
upi.com
· 2025-12-08
Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, a 34-year-old Cleveland resident, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for operating a grandparent fraud scheme targeting elderly victims across Pennsylvania and Ohio from October through January. The organized crime operation involved scammers calling seniors impersonating grandchildren in crisis situations to solicit emergency funds, with money collected in Pennsylvania transported via rideshare drivers to Rodriguez, who then wired over $50,000 to the Dominican Republic; at least five elderly individuals were victimized, though authorities believe the actual number is higher.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 34-year-old man was indicted in a grandparent scam that targeted at least five Pittsburgh-area seniors, resulting in over $50,000 in losses between October and January, with investigators suspecting many more victims across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other states. The organized crime group operated by having callers impersonate grandchildren claiming to need emergency money for arrests or accidents, with money collected from victims delivered via ride-share drivers to northern Ohio where the defendant was captured on surveillance. The FBI estimates grandparent scams and similar elder fraud schemes cost seniors over $3 billion annually, targeting them because they are typically trusting, polite, and have significant financial resources.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, a 34-year-old Cleveland resident, was indicted by federal prosecutors in Pittsburgh on charges related to his role in an organized "grandparent scam" operating across Pennsylvania and Ohio. Rodriguez and his crime group defrauded at least five elderly victims out of more than $50,000 between October 2024 and January 2025 by impersonating grandchildren in crisis situations, collecting payments via Lyft and Uber drivers, and funneling proceeds to the Dominican Republic through wire transfers and bank deposits. Investigators believe there are additional victims across multiple states and are seeking information from the public through the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
eastidahonews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Provo man in his 70s lost $186,000 over two years in a romance scam in which someone claiming to be a woman from Maryland promised a romantic relationship and help claiming an inheritance, but the two never met in person and a video call may have been AI-generated. The case, discovered only when the man's son intervened, exemplifies a broader problem affecting seniors nationally, with other common scams including impersonation of law enforcement, banks, and utility companies; tech support schemes; and "grandparent in jail" fraud. Police and the FBI recommend hanging up on calls demanding urgent payment, independently verifying callers' identities, watching for cryptocurrency requests, and family members monitoring elderly relatives
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
During the 2025 tax season leading up to the April 15 filing deadline, IRS-related scams have surged 77 percent, with criminals using phone calls, texts, emails, and AI voice-cloning technology to impersonate tax agents and demand personal information by promising large refunds or threatening legal action. Common schemes include fake unclaimed refund offers, fraudulent stimulus payment messages, unlicensed "ghost" tax preparers who file returns without proper credentials, and phishing scams on social media platforms. Experts advise taxpayers to remember that the IRS initiates contact only by mail, verify tax preparers through official IRS directories and legitimate business listings, an
kvoa.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending fake text messages falsely claiming recipients owe tolls to the Arizona Department of Transportation, using "smishing" tactics with spoofed websites and foreign phone numbers to deceive people into paying. Arizona has no toll roads, making these messages easily identifiable as fraudulent; authorities recommend deleting the messages without clicking links and reporting them to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
worldofbuzz.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A 20-year-old Chinese international student in Malaysia died by suicide after being targeted by a China-based scam syndicate that impersonated police and demanded approximately RM156,000 (RMB258,000) to avoid extradition and imprisonment. The student, Lee, endured four days of severe emotional and psychological pressure from the scammers who claimed she was a murder suspect and monitored her 24/7, ultimately leading her to jump from the 39th floor of her condominium despite attempts by her mother to help after discovering the scam through her handwritten letter and call logs.
pcworld.com
· 2025-12-08
Security expert Troy Hunt fell victim to a phishing scam targeting his Mailchimp account while traveling, resulting in the compromise of 16,000 email addresses from his newsletter mailing list. The incident illustrates that phishing attacks can succeed against security professionals through social engineering tactics (false urgency, fake senders) and that defensive measures like avoiding suspicious links, using passkeys, and enabling hardware-based two-factor authentication are critical safeguards. Additionally, users should proactively request data deletion from services rather than assuming unsubscribing removes their information from company databases.
fox5vegas.com
· 2025-12-08
The Nevada State Contractors Board issued a consumer alert warning homeowners, particularly seniors, to watch for contractor scams during summer months, including unsolicited door-to-door offers and suspicious online advertisements. Red flags include requests for cash-only payments, "free" inspections, pressure tactics, and mismatched company information, while protective measures include verifying contractor license numbers, obtaining multiple bids, and confirming employee status through the Board's website before hiring.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes warned consumers about "smishing" scams—fraudulent text messages designed to trick recipients into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information, or clicking links to counterfeit websites that steal personal and financial data. Common smishing tactics include fake unpaid toll notices, job offers, bank alerts, package delivery notices, and tax refund claims. The FTC reported that consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024 (a 25% increase), with Arizona's Consumer Information and Complaints Unit receiving nearly 22,000 complaints and recovering a record $5.2 million for consumers.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old retired IT professional in Northeast Ohio, known as "Eastside Eddie," uses technology and social engineering to tie up organized crime scammers by posing as potential victims, preventing them from targeting actual people. Operating from his home, he handles dozens of calls daily by connecting scammers to fake computer systems and characters, while simultaneously cautioning the public that legitimate companies never call unsolicited and recommending people report scams rather than engage with scammers themselves. Eastside Eddie plans to expand his awareness mission by offering free educational workshops at senior centers and assisted living facilities to help people recognize and avoid scams.
nbcconnecticut.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating law enforcement and contacting people by phone or email claiming they missed jury duty, demanding payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer apps to avoid fines or jail time. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection warns that government imposter scams cost consumers $789 million in 2024, and advises that legitimate courts only communicate with jurors through mail, never by phone or email.
wxyz.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud losses reached $12.5 billion in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, affecting consumers nationwide including older adults who are increasingly targeted through evolving scam tactics that exploit vulnerabilities. Tanjai Green lost money through a money transfer app scam and was unable to recover her funds despite repeated requests, while psychologist Dr. Peter Lichtenberg emphasizes that scammers specifically target retired individuals and those with disabilities or anxiety. Experts recommend approaching potential scam victims by listening to their perspective rather than confronting them directly, maintaining trusted confidants for financial discussions, and following best practices such as verifying identities online, being skeptical of urgent requests, and avoiding money
wafb.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman in Baton Rouge, Louisiana lost $1,400 in a phone scam where imposters falsely claimed to be from the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office and threatened her with arrest for a missed court appearance, demanding she pay via Bitcoin to avoid immediate arrest. Law enforcement confirmed multiple victims fell for this scheme, with another victim losing nearly $7,000, and officials emphasized that legitimate law enforcement never demands immediate payment over the phone or threatens arrest without proper legal procedures.
whbl.com
· 2025-12-08
Manitowoc Police reported a dramatic increase in scams targeting residents, including romance scams that develop over weeks or months with escalating requests for money, impersonation scams where criminals pose as officials demanding payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and a novel tactic involving fraudulent crypto ATMs. Police advise residents to avoid currency transfers to unknown sources, be cautious of aggressive payment demands, and contact them with concerns, noting that government entities never use crypto ATMs or electronic payment methods for fines and fees.
technologyreview.com
· 2025-12-08
Gavesh, a South Asian man facing financial hardship, was trafficked into a "pig butchering" scam operation after responding to a fraudulent Facebook job posting promising $1,500 monthly salary. Criminal syndicates operating from compounds in Myanmar-Thailand border regions use social media platforms and tech services to recruit victims and conduct romance/investment fraud schemes that have netted billions of dollars globally, exploiting trafficked workers through coercion and violence. The investigation reveals that major tech companies—including social media, dating apps, cryptocurrency platforms, and messaging services—have enabled the industrialization of these fraud operations and may hold the key to dismantling them if compelled to take action.
upnorthlive.com
· 2025-12-08
A Northern Michigan woman lost over $20,000 in an online romance scam in 2024 after being contacted by someone impersonating a celebrity actor on Instagram. The scammer used love bombing and emotional manipulation, gradually building trust before requesting money for fabricated emergencies; the victim only recognized the fraud when asked for an additional $100,000. Experts note that romance scammers exploit emotional vulnerabilities and common interests to establish trust, and victims should understand that such crimes result from criminal manipulation rather than personal fault.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old woman in Pune lost Rs 2.5 crore in a sophisticated cyber scam where fraudsters impersonating Maharashtra Police and Enforcement Directorate officials falsely implicated her in a money laundering case involving Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal. Over three weeks from mid-February to March 10, the woman made 74 transfers after being coerced through fabricated legal notices, fake "digital arrest" orders, and forged government documents. Authorities suspect international cybercrime syndicates orchestrated the scheme, using mule accounts and cryptocurrency to launder the stolen funds, and have advised citizens to verify official identities independently and never