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A Colorado farmer lost $20,000 after wiring money for a backhoe through a fraudulent website that impersonated a legitimate farm equipment business; the equipment never arrived and the funds were quickly transferred overseas. The Federal Trade Commission warns that scammers increasingly use convincing fake websites and listings to target farmers and rural families seeking heavy equipment, often pressuring victims to pay via wire transfer—a payment method that makes recovery nearly impossible. The victim is urging others to avoid wiring money for online equipment purchases and to be extremely cautious when dealing with unfamiliar sellers.

Priscilla Johnson, 33, pleaded guilty to defrauding a 90-year-old Colorado man out of $40,000 through a romance scam that began with grocery store encounters and involved false stories about a deceased fiancé and cancer treatment. Johnson is accused of running the same scam on multiple victims totaling nearly $500,000, including one man who was allegedly defrauded of $450,000 through a fake gold company investment scheme.

A Colorado elder fraud victim and their family are publicly sharing their experience after falling prey to a scam, bringing attention to the broader issue of elder abuse in the state. The case highlights how scammers targeted an elderly person and the emotional and financial impact on both the victim and their loved ones. While specific dollar amounts and detailed scam methods are not mentioned in this headline, the family's decision to speak out aims to raise awareness and potentially help prevent similar crimes against other seniors.

Priscilla Johnson, 33, pleaded guilty to defrauding a 90-year-old man out of $40,000 after meeting him at a Colorado grocery store, claiming financial hardship and health emergencies to gain his trust and affection. Investigators have since launched additional charges against Johnson, alleging she systematically targeted multiple elderly men at the same store with similar sob stories, defrauding them of nearly half a million dollars combined. Johnson employed various tactics including claims about a deceased fiancé, stolen work equipment, cancer diagnosis requiring a kidney transplant, and false investment opportunities to manipulate her victims into giving her cash.

Priscilla Johnson, 33, pleaded guilty to defrauding a 90-year-old Colorado man out of $40,000 through a romance scam in which she posed as "Elizabeth John" and claimed to need money for cancer treatment and stolen items. Investigators have since linked Johnson to at least two other victims, including an 80-year-old man from whom she obtained approximately $7,500 and another man who lost roughly $450,000 in a fraudulent business investment scheme. As part of her plea agreement, Johnson must repay the initial victim in full plus interest and complete 60 hours of community service, though authorities continue investigating whether additional victims exist.

An 85-year-old Windsor, Colorado woman and her husband lost $14,300 after scammers convinced them their computer was compromised and instructed them to withdraw cash and purchase Bitcoin and gift cards. Windsor Police report that residents lost nearly $3 million to similar scams in the previous year, with losses already exceeding that amount by September, as scammers increasingly target victims across all age groups through fake tech support and cryptocurrency schemes. Police advise residents to hang up on unsolicited calls requesting payment and independently verify any claims by contacting financial institutions directly.

Aurora, Colorado police are investigating "blessing scams" targeting older and non-English-speaking residents, in which scammers pose as jewelry sellers and use sleight of hand to steal real jewelry while placing cheap fake necklaces on victims. Carolina Pavel, 29, was arrested in connection with an August 25 theft at a grocery store parking lot where an older woman's silver necklace was stolen; police believe Pavel may be connected to approximately a dozen similar incidents over the past year and suspect a larger theft ring. Authorities warn that victims may not immediately realize their jewelry is gone and encourage anyone with information to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.

A woman became a victim of an online romance scam after connecting with a man on Facebook in 2023 who claimed to be working in Syria and wanting to meet her in South Africa. Over approximately one year, the scammer convinced her to transfer substantial funds—approximately R200,000 related to alleged kidnapping situations and over R1 million for various emergencies including a hospital stay in Colorado—after selling her house and farm to help him. The scam escalated when the victim was told her "friend" had been kidnapped at OR Tambo International Airport, prompting her to seek assistance and eventually leading to investigation by Specialised Security Services.

Scammers in Jefferson County, Colorado are targeting domestic violence victims by calling them within hours of their abuser's arrest, impersonating jail deputies and demanding money via Cash App, Venmo, or gift cards to post bond, with victims losing hundreds to thousands of dollars. The scammers exploit victims' vulnerable state by creating urgency and using publicly available information combined with social media data to appear legitimate, knowing that domestic violence survivors may be emotionally devastated and financially controlled by their abusers. Officials warn that legitimate jail, court, and district attorney offices will never call demanding immediate payment through digital payment services, and urge victims to verify calls independently and report scams to local authorities.

Colorado's new ASSET Act, effective August 12, 2026, authorizes banks and credit unions to delay withdrawals for up to 90 days (extendable to 180 days) when employees reasonably suspect a vulnerable adult is experiencing financial exploitation. The law aims to give institutions time to investigate suspicious transactions and notify law enforcement or adult protective services, while protecting institutions and employees from liability for good-faith interventions. Colorado residents age 60 and older reported over $74 million in fraud losses during 2024 across more than 3,100 cases, prompting the protective measure.

Five men were arrested in Glendale following an investigation into a mail theft and identity theft scheme at an apartment complex on West Colorado Street, where suspects allegedly tampered with mailboxes, stole residents' mail, and used stolen personal information to fraudulently obtain credit cards. During search warrants executed on August 13, detectives recovered credit card re-encoding devices, numerous fraudulent credit cards, personal identity information, cash, and gold from the suspects' units. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to identify additional victims whose information may have been used in the fraudulent scheme.

Colorado residents are increasingly reporting "You're Invited" scams involving fake Evite and Paperless Post emails that compromise email accounts through phishing. AARP ElderWatch has documented rising incidents of this scam targeting victims in the state, with fraudsters using legitimate-looking party invitation platforms to steal personal information.

Starting August 12, 2026, two new Colorado laws take effect to protect vulnerable residents from fraud and financial exploitation. HB26-1017 redirects criminal restitution payments away from insurance companies and back to actual crime victims, while HB26-1110 specifically helps prevent older and vulnerable Coloradans from being scammed. These laws ensure that restitution funds—money criminals must pay back—go directly to people harmed by crime rather than to insurance companies, helping victims rebuild their lives rather than getting trapped in cycles of unpayable debt.

Older Americans, particularly those in Colorado, are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated financial scams that cost seniors nationwide an estimated $27 billion annually. Scammers use phishing emails, fake business and government imposter schemes to target seniors as digital banking and communication become more prevalent. To protect themselves, older adults should verify requests for personal information by contacting institutions directly through official phone numbers or websites, remain skeptical of unsolicited communications, and report suspected fraud to the Federal Trade Commission.

Seniors across the United States lost approximately $27 billion to scams in 2024, with Arizona, Delaware, and Colorado experiencing the highest rates of fraud targeting people over 60, according to a new analysis of Federal Trade Commission reports. Business impostor scams and government impostor scams are the most common types affecting older Americans, who are particularly vulnerable to fraudsters reaching them through phone calls, text messages, emails, and social media. To protect themselves, seniors should verify the identity of anyone contacting them, avoid sharing personal or financial information with unsolicited callers, and report suspected scams to the FTC.

Financial scams targeting older Americans are increasing at an alarming rate, with Arizona reporting the highest number of fraud cases among residents age 60 and older at seven reports per 1,000 people, followed by Delaware and Colorado. Business imposter scams are the most common fraud type nationwide, though government imposter scams are more prevalent in six states including Alaska and Iowa. Experts warn that as digital banking and online payments become more common, older Americans should be vigilant about verifying the identity of anyone requesting financial information and consider reporting suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission.

A scam targeting hundreds of people, particularly Spanish speakers in the Denver area, tricked them into believing they had unpaid traffic fines and would be arrested if they didn't pay. The fraudulent text messages included a QR code designed to steal money from victims, causing about 200 people to show up at Denver County Court seeking clarification on Friday. To protect yourself, never respond to suspicious texts about fines, remember that courts never contact people via text or QR codes about legal matters, and report any suspicious messages to local police or Colorado's Stop Fraud hotline at 720-913-9179.

Police in New York arrested two men after discovering three cash-filled packages at an abandoned house that were connected to fraud scams targeting seniors across multiple states, including a $6,700 bank con from Utah, a $12,500 computer virus scam from Illinois, and a $24,500 FBI impersonation scam from Colorado. The suspects were caught retrieving the packages containing a total of $43,700 in stolen funds. Seniors should be cautious of common scams like grandparent schemes, romance fraud, and government impersonation, and verify requests for money by contacting financial institutions or government agencies directly using official phone numbers.

Colorado has passed House Bill 26-1110, which allows banks and credit unions to temporarily pause customer transactions when they suspect fraud targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly older adults. The law, called the "Asset Act," aims to prevent financial losses like the $25,000 stolen from one victim through check fraud, by giving financial institutions a critical tool to intervene before scammers can drain accounts. If you're an older adult or vulnerable to scams, staying informed about fraud prevention through seminars offered by banks and being aware of common scams can help protect your finances, and you should alert your bank immediately if you suspect suspicious activity on your account.

Colorado lawmakers are advancing legislation to protect seniors from financial fraud, particularly romance scams, after cases like that of Debbie Fox, a retiree who lost $58,000 to a scammer she met on a dating app despite taking precautions like verifying his identity. House Bill 1110, which has passed both chambers and is heading to the governor, would allow banks to delay suspicious transactions for people 70 and older and require bank employees to report signs of financial exploitation to authorities. Seniors should be cautious on dating apps and consider enlisting trusted friends or family to review large financial decisions, as emotional manipulation by scammers is difficult to detect even with verification attempts.

Colorado's legislature has passed House Bill 1110, which aims to protect older adults from financial fraud by giving banks the authority to delay suspicious transactions for people 70 and older, allowing them time to reconsider before losing money. The bill was inspired by cases like that of Debbie Fox, a retiree who lost $58,000 to a romance scammer on a dating app despite taking precautions like verifying his identity online. The measure also requires bank employees to report suspected financial exploitation to law enforcement, and it has bipartisan support and is heading to the governor for final approval.

Millions of elderly Americans lose over $7 billion annually to financial scams including romance, lottery, and sweepstakes schemes, with seniors being targeted because they are often trusting, have savings, and own homes. Criminals use multiple communication channels—online, phone, mail, TV, and radio—to gain trust and exploit victims. To protect yourself, stay cautious of unsolicited contact offering money or romance, verify requests through official channels, and consult resources like the FBI's fraud prevention guidance or local senior protection services.

Elder fraud in Colorado and nationwide has reached crisis levels, with over 200,000 Americans age 60+ reporting fraud losses totaling nearly $8 billion last year—a 37% increase from 2024. Colorado alone saw more than 3,000 seniors lose nearly $75 million to scams involving romance schemes, grandparent impersonations, and fake IRS or tech support calls. State lawmakers are introducing legislation that would allow banks and credit unions to temporarily hold suspicious transactions to help prevent seniors from losing money to these elaborate schemes.

Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics that rely on creating urgency to pressure victims into acting quickly without thinking, according to police officials in Colorado. To protect yourself, watch for red flags like typos and misspellings in emails and texts, be skeptical of anyone claiming to be law enforcement demanding payment over the phone, and take time to verify information before responding. If anything seems suspicious, contact local law enforcement immediately—they encourage these calls and are available to help investigate potential scams.

An 83-year-old Florida man lost $21,000 in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam involving a fraudulent company registered in Colorado's business database, then sued the state's secretary of state to require verification of corporate filings to prevent future fraud. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that state law requires the secretary of state to accept business filings that meet basic requirements without verifying their legitimacy. To protect yourself, verify companies independently before investing, be skeptical of investment opportunities from unfamiliar businesses, and watch out for requests for additional fees when withdrawing funds.

A Colorado woman who fell victim to a romance scam later became complicit in the scheme, helping scammers steal approximately $3.5 million from other victims before being sentenced to over a year in federal prison and ordered to pay $3.1 million in restitution. Lori Ann Kimball, a 53-year-old widow, was initially deceived by someone posing as "Joe Hart" on a dating app who claimed to work on an offshore oil rig and eventually asked her for money; after sending her own funds via cryptocurrency, she began facilitating transfers from other victims at the scammer's direction. Authorities urge online daters—especially those grieving or vulnerable—to be cautious about people they meet online who request money, and to verify identities before sending any funds.

Pandemic profiteers who stole millions through shady schemes and laundered the proceeds have been brought to justice in the Centennial State. Following news that the UK government has failed to secur...

Tamara Chuang Business/Technology Reporter Quick links: Why send spam to 7726 | Privacy screens and other tools | Junk fee complaints | DEN airport’s price-gouging policy | Take the reader poll | Ot...

COLORADO (KOAA) — Scams and predatory tactics targeting the elderly across the United States and in Colorado continue to be a growing trend. The latest data available for scams in Colorado and the Un...

# Fraud Summary A Colorado Springs man discovered that someone fraudulently registered a business to his home address without permission, part of a larger scheme where nearly 60 businesses have been registered to residential addresses across Colorado using the same registered agent. Since 2023, the Secretary of State's office has identified over 5,000 cases of business fraud in the state, with 1,789 currently under investigation, though the process to resolve individual cases can take months. If you receive suspicious mail about businesses registered to your address, file a fraud report with your state's Secretary of State's office immediately rather than ignoring it, as this could be part of identity theft or other fraudulent activity.

# Fraud Awareness Summary The Boulder County Sheriff's Office launched a new training program to help people recognize and avoid fraud scams, after Sheriff's Victim Advocate Stephen Conley witnessed fraud impact his own family members through grandparent and tech support scams. The program, targeting seniors and the general public, teaches people to recognize warning signs like urgency, requests for secrecy, password demands, and money transfers—using the acronym SUPER as a memory tool. The key advice is to slow down when contacted with urgent demands, pause before acting, talk to someone you trust, and ask yourself "Could this be a scam?" before sending money or personal information.

In 2024, Colorado experienced a surge in AI-enabled romance scams, with 409 reported victims losing over $15.8 million to fraudsters who use artificial intelligence to create convincing fake identities, realistic video calls, and legitimate-looking investment websites. Scammers typically target vulnerable individuals through dating apps, build emotional connections, and convince victims to invest in cryptocurrency schemes, with most victims unable to recover their losses. To protect yourself, be cautious of dating app matches who quickly push financial discussions or investment opportunities, verify any investment advice independently with established financial institutions, and report suspicious activity immediately to your bank or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

A Colorado man lost his entire life savings and retirement funds totaling $1.4 million in a cryptocurrency romance scam after meeting a woman on Ashley Madison who posed as a successful crypto investor and convinced him to transfer money into a fraudulent account over six weeks. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation traced the funds to a digital wallet but recovery is unlikely due to blockchain anonymity, making this one of the state's largest single losses from an online scam. The victim warned others to conduct due diligence on online contacts and trust their instincts, as romance scams involving cryptocurrency are rising globally.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) warned the public of a phone scam in which impersonators pose as CBI Cyber Crimes Special Agents and claim to have detected cybercrime activity. The scammers request personal information, financial account details, and remote computer access from victims, often providing fake callback numbers and demonstrating knowledge of real information to appear credible. The CBI emphasized that it never requests payment over the phone and urged the public to report suspicious calls.

A Colorado author lost nearly $160,000 to a combined romance and investment scam in 2024, first depositing over $100,000 into a cryptocurrency platform recommended by a woman he met on a dating app, then losing an additional $50,000 to a fake scam recovery service when he attempted to retrieve his funds. After filing reports with the FBI, Colorado Attorney General's office, and FTC, Kern received no response and is now focused on repaying his parents, whose retirement funds he borrowed from to pay the fraudulent recovery service. The case exemplifies how romance scams—which ranked in the top 10 FBI complaints for 2024—often escalate into secondary frau

The Larimer County Sheriff's Office issued a public alert about a surge in fraud targeting Northern Colorado residents, particularly seniors and small business owners, including romance scams, bank impersonation, fake government texts (DMV, law enforcement), and business invoice schemes that pressure victims to pay via Bitcoin, gift cards, or money apps. Common red flags include unsolicited requests for personal information, urgent threats, and payment demands via untraceable methods, with victims urged to verify requests directly with official sources and report fraud to law enforcement and agencies like the FTC and IdentityTheft.gov.

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.

Senator Tina Smith is urging the Trump Administration to address a widespread text message scam targeting Minnesotans, in which fake DMV messages claim recipients have unpaid traffic tickets and threaten arrest to coerce online payments. The scam has been reported across multiple states including Georgia, New York, Indiana, Florida, New Jersey, and Colorado, and Smith has requested intervention from the Department of Justice to combat the scheme's scale and sophistication.

Thousands of Minnesotans received fraudulent text messages impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles, threatening legal consequences and demanding payment for fictitious traffic violations. This scam, which has also affected residents in Georgia, New York, Indiana, Florida, New Jersey, and Colorado, puts victims at financial risk and creates anxiety about message authenticity. Senator Tina Smith is urging the Trump Administration to take action against the widespread scheme.

A voicemail scam targeting El Paso County residents impersonated a real sheriff's sergeant, claiming a victim had missed a court appearance and including a local callback number to increase credibility. A Colorado Springs couple nearly fell for the scam but avoided it by researching the sergeant's name; authorities warn that such impersonation scams are evolving and often use threats of arrest or legal action to pressure victims into paying fines or providing financial information. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office advises never calling back suspicious numbers and instead verifying calls directly through official agency phone numbers.

Immigration attorneys in Colorado's Roaring Fork Valley are warning of a surge in scams and extortion targeting immigrants, exacerbated by increased federal immigration enforcement and the climate of fear surrounding it. Scammers are impersonating attorneys, immigration agents, and consular officers to extort money through blackmail, false promises of expedited visas or green cards, fake documents, and exploiting language barriers—with victims reporting losses of $20,000 or more. Officials advise that legitimate immigration processes only occur through government websites like uscis.gov, never through social media, personal email, or wire transfers to individuals.

DMV text message scams, known as "smishing," are expanding across multiple states including Colorado, Indiana, Minnesota, California, Michigan, and North Carolina, with earlier warnings issued in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and New York. These fraudulent texts falsely claim recipients have unpaid traffic tickets or outstanding bills and threaten consequences like vehicle registration loss, driving privilege suspension, or credit score damage unless they click a link and pay. The Federal Trade Commission advises recipients not to click links or respond, instead contacting their state DMV directly through official channels and reporting the messages to their wireless provider, the FTC, and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Immigration attorneys in Colorado are raising awareness about a surge in scams and extortion targeting immigrants, exploiting heightened fear under increased federal immigration enforcement. Common tactics include blackmail demands, fake promises to expedite visas or green cards for large fees (some victims losing $20,000+), and impersonation of immigration officials through fake documents, Zoom calls, and social media. Attorneys advise that legitimate government agencies never conduct business via social media or personal email, never request wire transfers to individuals, and that all official immigration matters must go through government websites like uscis.gov.

The Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles is warning residents of a text message scam claiming recipients have outstanding traffic tickets and threatening license suspension or prosecution to pressure them into paying fake fines. The DMV clarified it never initiates contact via text and advises recipients not to click links or provide personal information, while the Better Business Bureau recommends verifying sender identity, avoiding suspicious links, and reporting such messages as junk.

A Colorado couple nearly lost $75,000 in a real estate scam when they attempted to purchase a five-acre property in Park County through what appeared to be a legitimate real estate transaction. The scammer had impersonated the actual property owner and worked through a deceived real estate agent via email and phone, but was caught when a title company closer noticed red flags including the seller's unavailability by phone and insistence on using an out-of-state notary. The fraud was prevented before any money changed hands, and the couple is now warning others about seller identity fraud in real estate transactions.

This article is about Boulder, Colorado being selected as the new home for the Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027, after the festival outgrows its longtime location in Park City, Utah. The move is expected to bring significant economic benefits to Boulder, with Colorado providing a $34 million tax incentive; the festival generated $132 million in economic impact and 1,730 jobs in Utah in 2024. CU Boulder and local institutions are preparing to support the festival's logistics and integrate it into academic programming and community partnerships.

Cybersecurity experts are warning of an increase in REAL ID-related scams as the federal enforcement deadline approaches on May 7, 2025. Scammers are impersonating DMVs via email, text, phone calls, and spoofed websites to trick people into providing personal information such as names, Social Security numbers, and addresses by claiming they can expedite the REAL ID process for a fee. The Colorado DMV clarifies it never contacts individuals directly requesting payment or personal information, and advises people to report suspicious messages to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center or Federal Trade Commission rather than clicking links or sharing details.

An 86-year-old Colorado resident named Beverly Russman has been repeatedly targeted by multiple scams over several years, including fake urgent payment demands, ATM withdrawal schemes, and the "Grandparent Scam," which nearly cost her thousands of dollars before bank tellers and family intervention stopped her. According to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report, Colorado ranks seventh nationwide in senior fraud complaints, with scammers stealing over $54 million from seniors that year, with perpetrators often using personal information gleaned from social media and obituaries to target victims. Experts note that seniors are prime fraud targets due to their financial assets, and victims can report fraud to the FTC but

In 2024, scammers stole $243.5 million from Colorado victims and over $16 billion nationwide, according to FBI data—a $56 million increase in Colorado compared to 2023. Seniors aged 60 and older reported 3,125 complaints involving $74.5 million in losses, with the most costly schemes being investment fraud ($90 million), business email compromise ($48 million), and personal data breaches ($23 million). The FBI warns that scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using social media, dating sites, and text messages to build trust before pitching fraudulent cryptocurrency and other investment schemes, with recovery of stolen funds typically

**Summary:** This is an educational awareness piece from Larimer County Sheriff's Office highlighting current scam trends affecting Northern Colorado residents, particularly seniors. Chief Scambuster Barbara Bennett presents 20+ active scams including romance schemes, impersonation frauds (bank, IRS, law enforcement), tech-based scams (DocuSign phishing, hacked Facebook accounts), and marketplace fraud, while proposing a confidential support group for scam victims and their families to address shame and isolation barriers to reporting.