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JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - SEPTEMBER 18: Peet & Melany Viljoen during Royalty Soapie Awards at Radisson Hotel and Convention Centre on September 18, 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Royalty Soapi...

If a rental listing looks like a great deal in a tight market, renters are often warned to slow down and take a closer look. Rental scams are becoming increasingly common, and they often rely on smal...

If a rental listing looks like a great deal in a tight market, renters are often warned to slow down and take a closer look. Rental scams are becoming increasingly common, and they often rely on smal...

Elder fraud is a growing and costly problem. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), Americans aged 60 and older reported nearly $4.9 billion in losse...

A bipartisan coalition in the U.S. Senate is taking a stand against the rising tide of financial fraud by officially designating March 5th as “National Slam the Scam Day.” Led by Chairman Rick Scott a...

While there are many types of elder fraud, power of attorney scams are particularly nefarious. Lyne Bien-Aime, a 55-year-old man, is facing charges for an alleged power of attorney scam in which he t...

A 53-year-old tech professional and fraud specialist named Tracy Cray intentionally strung along a romance scammer for nine months after recognizing classic con tactics on a dating site, including love bombing, requests to move to private messaging, and eventually requests for money. The scammer, posing as "Richy," used stolen photos from a real businessman in Florida and employed typical romance scam methods to try to extract money from victims. For people using dating apps, key warning signs include pressure to move conversations off-platform quickly, excessive declarations of love from someone you've just met, vague employment details with no online presence, and sudden requests for money due to emergencies or business problems.

An Indian national was sentenced to 18 years in prison for defrauding elderly Florida residents out of $6.6 million by posing as a trusted authority figure and convincing victims to buy gold bars under false pretenses. The scam specifically targeted vulnerable seniors who surrendered their life savings, part of a larger problem in Florida where elder fraud victims lost over $33 million last year to similar schemes. The FBI warns consumers to verify any unsolicited requests for money or investments independently through official channels before sending funds.

# Scam Summary Older Americans, who control $53 trillion in wealth, lost $2.4 billion to scams last year, with cybercrime against seniors skyrocketing. A new study from Florida universities found that vulnerability to scams isn't just about intelligence or cognitive ability—factors like loneliness, social connections, emotional recognition skills, and decision-making speed also play significant roles, meaning even educated, sharp individuals can fall victim. To protect yourself, be cautious when making quick financial decisions, maintain strong social connections, and take time to verify suspicious communications rather than responding immediately.

A Florida man has been arrested on 26 charges for running a phone scam targeting a Wallingford resident who received a fraudulent call impersonating her bank and was tricked into sharing personal information, leading to unauthorized charges on her account. The 31-year-old suspect, Errol Patton from Miami, faces multiple charges including telephone fraud, identity theft, and payment card theft, with some charges specifically related to targeting a victim over 60 years old. To protect yourself, never provide personal or financial information over the phone in response to unsolicited calls—instead, hang up and call your bank directly using the number on your statement or their official website to verify any claims.

# Scam Vulnerability Summary Older Americans lost $2.4 billion to scams last year, with those over 70 controlling $53 trillion in wealth and becoming increasingly targeted by cybercriminals. A new study from Florida universities found that vulnerability to scams isn't just about intelligence or cognitive ability—social and emotional factors like loneliness, lack of family connections, and time pressure to make decisions also play critical roles, meaning even educated, sharp seniors can fall victim. To protect yourself, take time before responding to suspicious messages, maintain strong social connections with family and friends, and be cautious of situations that pressure you to decide quickly, especially those involving fake news, deepfakes, or emotional appeals.

# Article Summary A Florida man nearly fell victim to an elaborate pet scam where a fraudster impersonating a police sergeant claimed his missing dog had been hit by a car and needed emergency surgery, even providing a convincing AI-generated photo as "proof." The scammer requested $1,900 through Zelle, but the transaction was flagged as suspicious, and the man discovered his dog was safe at home the next morning. Pet owners should be cautious of unsolicited calls about injured pets, verify information directly with police departments and veterinary clinics using official contact numbers, and remain skeptical of urgent payment requests, especially for large amounts.

A Florida man nearly fell victim to an AI-powered pet scam when someone impersonating a police sergeant called claiming his missing dog had been hit by a car and needed $1,900 in emergency surgery, even providing a fake photo of the injured puppy on an operating table. The scammer attempted to pressure the pet owner into sending money via Zelle, but the transaction was flagged and ultimately blocked, and the dog was found safe in the owner's yard the next morning. To protect yourself: be skeptical of unexpected urgent requests for money (even from seemingly legitimate sources), verify claims by contacting organizations directly using official phone numbers, and never send money via digital payment apps to unverified callers—especially when emotions are high.

# Romance and Confidence Scams Warning As Valentine's Day approaches, Operation Senior Shield warns of romance and confidence scams where fraudsters build trust with victims through online relationships or social networks, then manipulate them into sending money or sharing personal information over weeks or months. These scams often involve urgent requests for financial help, overly sympathetic stories, and pressure to act quickly without verification. To protect yourself, verify any financial requests independently, be cautious of people who quickly ask for money, and discuss suspicious requests with trusted friends or family before responding—if you suspect a scam, report it to the Florida Abuse Hotline (1-800-962-2873), the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311), or the IC3 at complaint.ic3.gov.

Scammers posing as representatives from medical device manufacturers like Boston Scientific and Johnson & Johnson called women with pelvic mesh implants, claiming their devices were dangerous "time bombs" and offering free removal surgery at specific clinics in Florida. Women like Sharon Gore and Barbara Shepard, who didn't even know they had mesh implants or weren't experiencing serious problems, were manipulated through knowledge of their private medical histories into believing they needed urgent surgery. The scam exploited both the women's health vulnerabilities and a system that allowed fraudsters easy access to private medical information, making it crucial for patients to verify any unsolicited medical calls directly with their doctors and manufacturers rather than trusting caller information.

Florida seniors and vulnerable adults are increasingly falling victim to predatory public adjuster contracts that exploit people during stressful situations following home disasters or storms, using high-pressure tactics to force them into unfair agreements. Two proposed bills in the Florida Legislature (SB 266 and HB 427) would allow seniors, veterans, and vulnerable adults to cancel these contracts without penalty if they didn't fully understand the terms. The author, an elder law attorney, urges lawmakers to pass these common-sense protections to safeguard Floridians during moments of crisis when they're most susceptible to exploitation.

Florida lawmakers are advancing a bill to regulate cryptocurrency ATMs, which have become a popular tool for scammers targeting residents, particularly seniors who have lost significant savings with little recourse. Senate Bill 198 would require crypto kiosk operators to be licensed, set daily withdrawal limits, display fraud warnings, and provide detailed receipts to prevent future scams. If you or a family member has fallen victim to a crypto scam, contact [email protected] for assistance.

The FBI is warning people about romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day, noting that over 550 people in North Florida lost $22.2 million to these schemes last year, where scammers create fake dating profiles to extract money and personal information from victims. To protect yourself, the FBI recommends verifying the identity of people you meet online, never sending money or personal details to someone you haven't met in person, and being wary of anyone trying to isolate you from friends and family. If you suspect you're being targeted by a romance scam, stop contact with the person and report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov, even if no money was lost.

Two Minnesota women of Ecuadorian descent lost money to a scam involving a fake attorney who promised to help get their detained relatives released from ICE custody. The scammer, operating under the name "Inmigrate & Asociados L.LC." with a Florida phone number, collected $1,500 from each victim while providing inconsistent information and fraudulent documents, with the detainees never actually being contacted by the supposed attorney. Potential victims seeking immigration legal assistance should verify an attorney's credentials through official bar associations, avoid paying large upfront fees before services are rendered, and seek help from established nonprofit organizations or pro-bono legal services instead of unknown contacts found on digital flyers.

Two Ecuadorian women in Minnesota say they were scammed while seeking legal help to free family members detained by ICE, paying $1,500 to someone posing as an attorney from "Inmigrate & Asociados L.LC." who contacted them through a digital flyer with a Florida phone number. The scammers targeted vulnerable immigrants desperate to navigate the immigration court system and prevent their loved ones' deportation. To protect yourself, verify attorneys through official state bar associations, be wary of unsolicited legal offers, and never pay upfront fees to unknown legal representatives without confirming their credentials independently.

# Fraud Summary Two Minnesota women lost $1,500 each to someone posing as an immigration attorney after their family members were detained by ICE, according to WCCO reporting. The scammer, operating under the name "Inmigrate & Asociados L.LC." with a Florida phone number, collected payments but provided inconsistent information and forged legal documents with typos and grammatical errors, while the detained relatives were never actually contacted by any attorney. People seeking immigration legal help should verify attorneys through official bar association databases, work with established nonprofits or accredited representatives, and be wary of unsolicited contact or demands for upfront payments without clear documentation and direct communication with the detainee.

Romance scammers are targeting Northeast Florida residents at an alarming rate, with the FBI reporting a 39% surge in victims from 2024 to 2025 and losses more than doubling from $4.9 million to $10.6 million. Anyone who suspects they're being targeted by these scams should report it immediately to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov to protect themselves and help authorities track down the perpetrators.

An 80-year-old Florida woman is suing JPMorgan Chase for failing to prevent scammers from draining $1.3 million from her account after she fell victim to a fraudulent investment scheme in September 2023. The woman claims the bank flagged the suspicious withdrawals but took no action and failed to report the activity as required by Florida law, while Chase argues she made the transfers voluntarily. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment advertisements, verify opportunities independently before sending money, and alert your bank immediately if you suspect fraudulent activity on your account.

# Romantic Scam Summary A 56-year-old Florida woman was arrested for running a romantic scam that defrauded vulnerable elderly and lonely people out of approximately $3 million over six years, with one victim losing nearly $140,000 after believing she was helping someone return to the U.S. The suspect used social media and online dating sites to build trust with victims before requesting money for emergencies, travel, or visa fees. Authorities advise people to never send money or gifts to individuals they know only through the internet, as the Federal Trade Commission warns that romance scams are specifically designed to exploit emotional vulnerability before making financial requests.

# Fraud Alert Summary Scammers are impersonating a Tampa-based mobile home brokerage by stealing the company's logo, name, and address to defraud customers—primarily elderly adults seeking affordable housing—into sending deposits via Zelle for properties they never own. Victims who believed they were buying manufactured homes lost their deposits, which are unlikely to be recovered since they authorized the transactions themselves. To protect yourself: verify any mobile home seller's legitimacy by contacting the company directly using independently found contact information, never send deposits before viewing a property in person and meeting with an official representative, and be skeptical of any pressure to quickly transfer money via Zelle or similar payment systems.

Fraudsters impersonated a Florida mobile home brokerage by stealing its logo, name, and address to trick customers—primarily older adults seeking affordable housing—into sending deposits via Zelle for properties that didn't exist. The victims are unlikely to recover their money since they authorized the transactions themselves. To protect yourself, verify companies directly by calling their official phone number (not from listings), never send deposits before viewing properties in person, and be especially cautious with affordable housing offers that pressure you to pay quickly.

A 23-year-old man named Atharva Shailesh Sathawane has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in an international fraud scheme that targeted elderly Americans, convincing them to liquidate retirement accounts and convert their savings into cash and gold, which he then collected and delivered to co-conspirators. The scheme resulted in millions of dollars in losses and particularly affected Florida's large retiree population, though such scams occur across the country. Seniors should be cautious of unsolicited contact pressuring them to liquidate savings or convert assets to cash or gold, and should contact law enforcement if they suspect fraud.

# Romance Scam Summary A Florida woman was arrested for operating a romance scam that defrauded victims of approximately $3 million over six years, with at least one victim losing over $100,000. The scam involved creating fake dating profiles and social media accounts to build trust with victims before requesting money. To protect yourself, be cautious of online dating profiles that quickly ask for money, avoid using gift cards for payments to people you haven't met in person, and verify the identity of anyone you meet online before sending any funds.

A 23-year-old courier named Atharva Shailesh Sathawane was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in an international fraud scheme targeting elderly Americans, particularly retirees in Florida. The scam convinced victims to liquidate their retirement accounts and convert savings into cash and gold, which Sathawane then collected from their homes and delivered to co-conspirators operating abroad, resulting in millions of dollars in losses. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited requests to liquidate assets or convert savings into cash or precious metals, and contact law enforcement if you suspect fraud.

# Romance Scam Summary A 56-year-old Florida woman was arrested and extradited to North Carolina after defrauding multiple victims of approximately $3 million over six years through romance scams conducted on dating apps and social media. The scammer created fake profiles to build trust with victims before requesting money, exploiting dozens of people across the country. To protect yourself, never send money or gifts to online romantic interests you haven't met in person, and report suspected scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or to the platform where you encountered the scammer.

# Romance Scam Summary A 56-year-old Florida woman was arrested after allegedly defrauding victims nationwide of approximately $3 million over six years through romance scams, with one North Carolina victim losing $139,900. Romance scammers typically create fake profiles on dating sites or social media, build trust with victims, and then request money under false pretenses. To protect yourself, never send money or gifts to someone you haven't met in person, and report suspected scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

A Florida woman was arrested for allegedly running a romance scam that defrauded victims of approximately $3 million over six years, with one North Carolina victim alone losing $139,900 after being tricked into sending money for a fake male suitor. Romance scammers typically create fake dating profiles or contact people through social media, build trust, then request money under false pretenses, often accepting gift cards as payment. To protect yourself, never send money or gifts to someone you haven't met in person, and report suspected scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

A 23-year-old Indian citizen living in Florida was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role as a delivery driver in an elaborate fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims. The scam involved con artists calling victims and falsely claiming they had received unauthorized payments, then convincing them to send increasingly large amounts of money via cryptocurrency and gold coins—one 83-year-old victim lost nearly $200,000 in gold coins before becoming suspicious. Consumers should be wary of unsolicited calls about account issues, never send money or valuables to unknown parties, and contact police immediately if they suspect fraud.

# Romance Scam Summary A Florida woman named Christina Julian has been extradited to North Carolina and accused of defrauding approximately $3 million from victims across the country over six years, including a Craven County woman who lost $139,900 in what authorities say was a romance scam involving false promises about money transfers. To protect yourself, be wary of online dating matches who claim to be unable to meet in person due to overseas work, military service, or travel, and never send money to people you've only met online—especially through gift cards—even if they've built a relationship with you over time. If someone you're communicating with online suddenly asks for financial help for medical bills, travel costs, visa fees, or other expenses, it's likely a scam.

A Florida woman has been arrested and extradited to North Carolina for orchestrating romance scams that defrauded multiple victims across the country of approximately $3 million over six years. Scammers typically create fake profiles on dating apps and social media to build trust with victims before fabricating emergencies and requesting money, with gift cards being a commonly used payment method. To protect yourself, never send money to someone you haven't met in person, and report suspected scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the platform where you encountered the scammer.

Thousands of 9/11 families and terrorism victims are competing in court to claim over $11 billion in Bitcoin seized by the U.S. government from a massive fraud and human trafficking operation allegedly run by Cambodian national Chen Zhi. Some plaintiffs argue the cryptocurrency actually originated from Iran's sanction-evasion scheme, making it eligible for seizure under terrorism victim compensation laws. While the legal battle unfolds, victims with unpaid judgments against terrorist organizations could potentially recover significant compensation, though the outcome remains uncertain as multiple law firms race to claim the assets.

A community event in The Villages will educate residents about scams targeting seniors, hosted by Seniors vs. Crime, a Florida Attorney General initiative, on Tuesday evening at El Santiago Recreation Center. The presentation will cover common fraud schemes, particularly financial scams, and provide practical tips for protection along with helpful resources and contact information. All Village residents are invited to attend the free session, which will include a question-and-answer period, making it an opportunity for seniors and their families to learn how to recognize and avoid becoming victims of fraud.

A new survey ranks Nevada as America's most deceitful state, with nearly one in five residents admitting to frequent lying and the second-highest rate of romance scams, while Florida leads in overall fraud and identity theft, and Arizona suffered the largest losses to romance scams at $53.7 million in 2024. The study highlights serious threats including a notorious "romance scam on steroids" in Nevada where a woman targeted elderly men through dating apps, as well as increasingly sophisticated AI-enabled voice cloning scams in Florida. Experts advise residents to be cautious with online dating profiles, protect personal information carefully, verify urgent requests from loved ones through direct contact, and report suspicious activity to authorities.

An 80-year-old Florida retiree lost $1.3 million after scammers convinced her to withdraw funds from her Chase account by posing as a legitimate investment opportunity; she made 30 large withdrawals over five months that Chase's systems flagged as suspicious but failed to stop. The woman is now suing Chase, arguing the bank should have done more to protect her given her long banking history with the branch and the unusually high transaction amounts for her account. **Actionable advice:** Seniors should be extremely cautious of unsolicited investment offers, never withdraw large sums of cash based on promises of returns, and consider asking trusted family members or advisors to review major financial decisions—banks may flag suspicious activity, but customers remain responsible for their own protection.

A 38-year-old Jamaican man has been arrested in Florida for scamming a Kentucky couple out of $83,000 through a fake lottery scheme, where victims were told they had won a $250 million Mega Millions jackpot and were instructed to deposit money to claim their winnings. The suspect, Deroney Facey, admitted to targeting multiple victims across the United States and faces four felony charges including organized crime and securities fraud. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited lottery notifications and remember that legitimate lotteries never require upfront payments to claim winnings—if you receive such a solicitation, report it to authorities immediately.

Microsoft disrupted RedVDS, a criminal subscription service that cost as little as $24 per month but caused over $40 million in losses to US victims alone since March 2025, affecting nearly 190,000 organizations worldwide—including a pharmaceutical company that lost $7.3 million and a Florida homeowners association that lost $500,000. The platform provided cybercriminals with virtual computers and infrastructure to launch phishing attacks and business email compromise scams, often enhanced with AI tools to identify targets and create convincing fake emails. To protect yourself, remain vigilant about verifying wire transfer requests through independent contact methods, be suspicious of phishing emails asking for sensitive information, and enable multi-factor authentication on business accounts.

Two Florida residents have been indicted for stealing over $200,000 from a 75-year-old Georgia woman through a phone spoofing scam that impersonated her bank and tricked her into revealing a security code. The suspects, who operated remotely from Miami, used fake Bank of America messages to gain access to her account and made numerous withdrawals, though investigators recovered about half the stolen funds. To protect yourself, never provide security codes or personal information to unsolicited callers or messages—legitimate banks will never ask for these codes—and be suspicious of any unexpected contact about account fraud.

AARP Florida has outlined its 2026 legislative priorities aimed at protecting the state's 2.7 million seniors, focusing on affordable housing, improved nursing home standards, expanded consumer protections against fraud and scams, and better access to healthcare services. The organization is pushing lawmakers to strengthen law enforcement efforts and increase public education about scams targeting seniors, while also improving support for family caregivers and expanding telehealth access. Seniors and their families should stay vigilant against exploitation schemes and take advantage of available educational resources about common scams targeting older adults.

—it's about Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appointing and reappointing five members to the Florida Gaming Control Commission, which oversees gambling regulation in the state. The appointees include Julie Brown (elevated to Chair), Peter Cuderman, and William Spicola as new members, with John Michael D'Aquila and Tina Repp returning to the board. All five appointees bring relevant experience in government, law, finance, and investigation to oversee Florida's gaming industry.

Florida launched Operation Senior Shield in 2025 to combat a growing epidemic of scams targeting the state's large senior population, who collectively hold significant wealth and are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated fraud schemes costing thousands of dollars daily. The initiative brings together law enforcement, cyber experts, government agencies, and community leaders to share intelligence and raise awareness about fraud targeting older adults. Seniors and their families can protect themselves by staying informed about evolving scam tactics and signing up for resources at opseniorshieldfl.com.

A 79-year-old former Tallahassee man was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to repay over $1 million for operating a fake computer tech support scam that targeted more than 300 elderly victims nationwide, convincing them their computers were infected with viruses and pressuring them to pay up to $150,000 in bogus repair fees. The perpetrator, John Kuhlmann, funneled approximately $3.5 million in stolen funds through two unlicensed Florida companies to overseas accomplices between 2018 and his conviction. To protect yourself: be skeptical of unsolicited pop-up warnings or calls about computer problems, never pay upfront for tech support from unsolicited contacts, and verify any technical support claims by calling your device manufacturer directly using a number you find independently.

Scammers are targeting seniors in Florida with a new gold-related scheme where victims receive fake notifications claiming their bank funds are unsafe and must be transferred to a federal institution, leading them to withdraw tens of thousands of dollars to buy gold for "security." Susan Lancaster, a Largo woman, lost nearly all her savings across two separate scams after unknowingly giving scammers access to her computer, and she's now refinancing her home to survive. Police warn that once money is sent to scammers, it's nearly impossible to recover, and advise residents to verify any unexpected financial notifications directly with their bank before taking action.

# Cryptocurrency Scam Summary Cryptocurrency scams have cost Americans $333 million in 2025, with scammers impersonating banks and government agencies to trick victims into transferring money to crypto wallets and ATMs. In one case caught on body camera, Sunrise, Florida police stopped an 80-year-old man from depositing thousands into a crypto ATM after his son noticed suspicious withdrawals and alerted authorities. To protect yourself, ignore unsolicited calls claiming to be from banks or agencies urging you to move money urgently, verify requests directly with your financial institution using a known phone number, and never transfer funds to cryptocurrency wallets based on these calls.

A 79-year-old Florida man was sentenced to pay over $1 million in restitution for running a fake tech support scam that defrauded more than 300 elderly victims out of approximately $3.5 million. The scheme operated through two fraudulent companies that posed as computer support services, convincing vulnerable seniors their computers were infected or hacked and pressuring them to pay up to $150,000 for fake repairs before wiring the money to international co-conspirators. Authorities urge residents, especially seniors, to be cautious of unsolicited tech support calls or pop-ups claiming computer problems, and to verify support requests through official channels before providing payment or access to their devices.

Operation Senior Shield, Florida's elder alert system, is warning seniors about sweepstakes scams where fraudsters claim victims have won prizes but request upfront fees or personal information to claim them. Red flags include requests for money upfront, prizes that seem too good to be true, and pressure to act immediately. To protect yourself, never send money or share personal details for prize claims, verify contests independently before responding, and report suspicious activity to local authorities.