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A 42-year-old Hawaii man was sentenced to four years in prison for defrauding a 79-year-old California man out of nearly $1.8 million between 2017 and 2024 through schemes involving a fraudulent yacht sale and unauthorized loans against the victim's home, ultimately leaving him homeless. The perpetrator used fabricated documents and false promises about tax benefits to gain control of the victim's assets and drain their value for personal spending. Anyone who suspects financial fraud targeting seniors should contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.

A Hawaii man named John Tamahere McCabe was sentenced to four years in federal prison for defrauding a 79-year-old elderly California resident out of nearly $2 million through schemes involving a fake yacht sale and unauthorized loans against the victim's home, ultimately leaving the man homeless. McCabe used forged documents to steal the yacht sale proceeds and tricked the victim into transferring his condo into an LLC controlled by McCabe, which he then used to take out loans that he spent for personal use. To protect yourself from similar scams, be extremely cautious about transferring assets or giving financial control to anyone, verify all documents directly, and consult with independent financial or legal advisors before making major financial decisions—especially if you're elderly or vulnerable.

A Hawaii man has been sentenced to four years in prison for defrauding an elderly Orange County resident out of nearly $2 million between 2017 and 2024 by falsely promising to sell his yacht and then manipulating him into transferring his Irvine home into a company the scammer controlled, ultimately costing the victim his house and boat. The perpetrator used forged documents, diverted funds to personal accounts, and took out fraudulent loans against the property without the victim's knowledge, leading to foreclosure and homelessness for the elderly man. Seniors and their families should report suspected financial fraud immediately by contacting the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11, as early reporting significantly improves the chances of recovering stolen funds.

# Article Summary A Hawaii man named John Tamahere McCabe was sentenced to four years in federal prison for defrauding an elderly Irvine resident out of nearly $2 million through schemes involving a yacht sale and unauthorized loans against the victim's home, leaving the 79-year-old widower homeless. McCabe used forged documents to take control of the victim's assets, including selling a yacht and fraudulently obtaining $1 million in loans against the victim's condo, then spent most of the money on himself. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious about transferring ownership of valuable assets, verify all documentation directly with financial institutions, and avoid working with individuals who promise quick financial gains—especially if you're elderly or vulnerable.

A Hawaii man named John Tamahere McCabe was sentenced to four years in federal prison for defrauding an elderly Orange County resident out of nearly $2 million through a scheme involving a yacht sale and fraudulent property transfer that cost the victim his Irvine home and yacht. McCabe used fake documents and false promises over multiple years to steal the victim's assets, eventually leaving him homeless after taking out loans against his property without permission. Federal authorities urge seniors and their families to report suspected financial fraud immediately by calling the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311, as quick reporting can improve chances of recovering stolen funds.

A Hawaii man was sentenced to four years in prison for defrauding a 79-year-old Orange County resident of nearly $1.8 million through a scheme involving a fake yacht sale and unauthorized loans against the victim's condo, ultimately leaving the senior homeless. McCabe used forged documents to take ownership of the yacht and divert its proceeds to himself, then convinced the victim to put his million-dollar condo into an LLC where McCabe secretly became the sole manager and took out $1 million in loans against it. Seniors should be cautious of financial offers involving asset transfers or sales, and anyone 60 or older who suspects fraud can contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.

During the holiday season, scammers are targeting generous donors in Hawaii through fake nonprofit websites, phishing emails, and fraudulent crowdfunding campaigns, taking advantage of the community's trusting nature. To protect yourself, verify any charity's legitimacy through the Hawaii Attorney General, IRS, or resources like Charity Navigator before donating, check website URLs carefully, and avoid untraceable payment methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. If you fall victim to a scam, report it immediately to authorities.

The Maui Police Department is warning residents about a phishing scam where fraudsters impersonate the County of Maui and contact people by phone, email, or text claiming they owe fees or fines, then pressure them to send money via wire transfer or payment apps. The scammers are using publicly available information from county board agendas to make their deception seem legitimate. To stay safe, remember that the County of Maui will never request immediate payment through wire transfers, cryptocurrency, payment apps, or gift cards—and report any suspected scam activity to the Maui Police Department at (808) 244-6400.

# Fraud Alert Summary As the holiday season approaches, Hawaii's Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs warns that scammers are using sophisticated new technologies, including artificial intelligence, to create convincing investment schemes that prey on consumers' fear of missing out on the latest trends. In 2024 alone, state securities regulators conducted over 8,800 investigations resulting in more than $259 million in fines and restitution, showing the widespread nature of these frauds. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment pitches, especially those claiming to involve cutting-edge technology, and verify any investment opportunity through official sources before committing money.

# Scam Warning Summary Hawaii state officials are warning of increasingly sophisticated scams using artificial intelligence and new technologies to defraud consumers, particularly during the holiday season. Scammers are exploiting people's fear of missing out by pitching fake investment opportunities tied to trending tech, though the underlying schemes remain traditional fraud. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment pitches, verify opportunities independently, and contact state securities regulators if you suspect fraud.

Hawaii state officials are warning consumers about increasingly sophisticated scams that use artificial intelligence and other new technologies to trick people into fraudulent investments, with scammers exploiting fear of missing out on tech trends. In 2024, state securities regulators investigated over 8,800 cases and recovered more than $259 million in fines and restitution from fraudsters. To protect yourself, be skeptical of investment pitches involving cutting-edge technology, verify opportunities through official channels, and report suspected fraud to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Hawaii's Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is warning consumers about increasingly sophisticated holiday scams that use artificial intelligence and technology to exploit victims, including fake investment schemes, deepfake impersonations of celebrities, and fraudulent "AI trading bots" promising guaranteed returns. State securities regulators investigated over 8,800 cases in 2024, resulting in $259 million in fines and restitution, revealing that while scammers employ new tools, their core goal remains stealing money from unsuspecting victims. Consumers should be cautious of unsolicited investment pitches—especially those involving FOMO (fear of missing out), online relationships pushing financial commitments, and promises of guaranteed AI-driven returns—and verify the legitimacy of investment opportunities before sending money.

Hawaii's Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is warning consumers about sophisticated holiday scams, with state securities regulators handling over 8,800 investigations in 2024 that recovered $259 million in fines and restitution. Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence and new technologies to execute schemes like "pig butchering" (romance scams combined with fake investments) that exploit people's fear of missing out on trending investments. Consumers should be cautious of unsolicited investment pitches, especially those involving new technologies or platforms that build trust through online relationships, and verify any investment opportunities through official channels before committing money.

Hawaii officials are warning residents about a surge in holiday scams powered by artificial intelligence and technology, including deepfake voice impersonations of trusted friends, fake investment schemes, and fraudulent trading bots that promise guaranteed returns. According to state regulators, scammers are exploiting people's fear of missing out on tech investments and using AI-generated videos and cloned voices to steal money, with tactics ranging from romance scams to fake cryptocurrency and stock offerings. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment pitches, verify requests for money by contacting friends or institutions directly through known channels, and avoid platforms promising guaranteed returns, especially those using AI or cryptocurrency.

Throughout 2025, Hawaii residents fell victim to increasingly sophisticated scams, including phone impersonations of police officers and sheriffs who falsely claimed victims had legal issues and demanded payment via gift cards or other methods. Law enforcement agencies warned the public that legitimate police officers never request payments over the phone and urged residents to be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming to be from authorities. To protect yourself, hang up on unexpected calls from law enforcement, independently verify any legal claims by contacting your local police department directly, and never purchase gift cards or send money in response to phone calls.

# Online Shopping Scams Surge During Holiday Season Over one-third of Americans have fallen victim to online shopping scams, with Hawaii consumers losing more than $61 million last year to fraudsters operating through fake websites, social media ads, and counterfeit emails impersonating legitimate retailers. Scammers exploit busy shoppers by creating convincing fake URLs with subtle typos, posting unrealistic discounts with urgent "buy now" pressure, and stealing credit card information through fraudulent sites. To protect yourself, carefully verify website URLs and sender information before purchasing, avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails, check discounts directly on official websites rather than social media, and use credit cards with fraud protection instead of debit cards or direct bank transfers.

The Hawaii Police Department is warning the public about a phone scam where callers impersonate police officers using real department personnel names, falsely claiming victims owe money for missed court appearances or warrants and pressuring them to pay via untraceable methods like gift cards. Scammers use caller ID spoofing and fraudulent documents to appear legitimate, but the department emphasizes it never requests phone payments or gift cards. Residents should verify caller identity independently, avoid sharing personal information, be suspicious of urgent threats, and report suspected scams to police or the Federal Trade Commission.

This article is a general news roundup from Spectrum News Hawaii covering multiple unrelated stories from the week, including Rams rookies helping rebuild homes in Lahaina following the 2023 wildfires, an unannounced emergency alert test sent to Hawaii residents, a restaurant closure due to health violations, and a brush fire update. None of these stories involve elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse, so this content is not relevant to the Elderus database.

On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15), the FBI Honolulu warned about elder fraud targeting seniors through investment scams, technical support schemes, romance scams, and money mule operations, noting that victims lost $4.885 billion across 14,127 complaints nationally in 2024—a 46% increase from 2023—with Hawaii alone losing $18.9 million, of which $9.8 million came from investment scams. Criminals target seniors because they perceive them as polite, trusting, financially stable, and less likely to report fraud, which is why the FBI recommends verifying unknown contacts, resisting pressure to act quickly,

During Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, Hawaii advocates warned seniors about rising scam threats, noting that kupuna lost over $52 million to internet scams in 2023. The Senior Medicare Patrol highlighted that imposter scams and identity theft are the most common fraud types targeting Hawaii residents, with particular concern as the state's aging population continues to grow.

The Hawaii State Judiciary warned the public about a text message scam impersonating the DMV, which threatened suspension of driving privileges and vehicle registration unless payment for unpaid traffic citations was made. Officials clarified that legitimate DMV and court communications about unpaid citations only occur through U.S. mail, not via text, phone, or email.

A 78-year-old Orange County man lost nearly $1.8 million and his home to a fraud scheme orchestrated by John Tamahere McCabe, 42, of Hawaii, who used fabricated documents to gain control of the victim's yacht and home, then diverted proceeds and took out loans against the property before defaulting on them. McCabe pleaded guilty to wire fraud and faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison. The victim became homeless after his residence was sold at foreclosure.

A 78-year-old Orange County man lost nearly $2 million and his Irvine home in a fraud scheme perpetrated by John Tamahere McCabe, 42, of Hawaii. McCabe used fabricated documents to take control of the victim's yacht, diverted the sales proceeds to himself, and later convinced the victim to transfer his home into an LLC where McCabe made himself sole manager, taking out $1 million in loans against the property before defaulting on them and causing foreclosure. McCabe pleaded guilty to wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

A 42-year-old Hawaii man pleaded guilty to wire fraud for defrauding a 78-year-old Orange County victim of approximately $1.8 million through false promises to broker the sale of his yacht and fraudulent transfer of his home into a controlled LLC. McCabe used fabricated documents to steal yacht ownership, diverted the proceeds to his personal account, and obtained $1 million in loans against the victim's residence, ultimately causing the home to be foreclosed and leaving the victim homeless. McCabe faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison at his October 16 sentencing hearing.

Hawaii consumers lost $61.6 million to scams in 2024, a 32 percent increase from the prior year, with the most common frauds involving imposters, identity theft, and investment scams conducted via social media and cryptocurrency. AARP Hawaii is hosting a series of webinars in April featuring FBI agents and fraud prevention experts to help residents, particularly older adults (kupuna), recognize and report fraud including business imposter scams, online shopping fraud, and Medicare-related schemes. The webinars aim to educate consumers on protecting themselves and their families while encouraging fraud reporting despite the stigma surrounding victimization.

Lisa Rossopoulos, 59, of Kew Gardens Hills, was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property for operating a nationwide elder fraud scheme targeting senior citizens through impersonation of government officials and companies. Between February and July 2023, she fraudulently obtained approximately $548,000 from a 92-year-old Hawaii resident and an 83-year-old Kentucky man through coordinated phone scams claiming their identities were stolen, with the victims wiring money to bank accounts under Rossopoulos' name that she promptly emptied. If convicted, she faces up to 15 years in prison.

Lise Rossopoulos, 59, of Kew Gardens Hills, Queens, was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property for orchestrating a nationwide elder fraud scheme that defrauded senior citizens of over $500,000. The scam involved co-conspirators impersonating government officials (FTC and Amazon representatives) who convinced victims to wire money to bank accounts in Queens and upstate New York that Rossopoulos controlled, with funds withdrawn immediately after each transfer. Two identified victims—a 92-year-old from Hawaii and an 83-year-old from Kentucky—lost $446,000 and $101,980 respectively between February and July

Lise Rossopoulos, 59, of Queens, New York, was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property for her role in a nationwide scam that defrauded elderly victims of over $500,000. Working with a co-conspirator posing as a government official, Rossopoulos received wire transfers into bank accounts in her name from victims who were falsely told their identities had been stolen, including a 92-year-old Hawaii woman who lost $446,000 and an 83-year-old Kentucky man who lost nearly $102,000. She faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

I cannot provide a summary for this request. The article contains local news headlines from Hawaii covering e-bike accidents, Pearl Harbor commemorations, and traffic incidents—none of which relate to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. Please provide an article relevant to the Elderus database's focus on elder fraud research and scam awareness.

This article describes a charitable event rather than a scam or fraud case and is not relevant to the Elderus elder fraud database. The piece covers Lanakila Pacific's annual Christmas Meals on Wheels program in Honolulu, where hundreds of volunteers packed and delivered meals to 600 homebound seniors and individuals with disabilities, featuring traditional Hawaiian cuisine and gifts. The program also serves as a fundraiser and employment opportunity for individuals with significant disabilities.

Two Aiea, Hawaii women were federally charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy for stealing a credit card number and check from a man in his 90s between February and March, using them to make over $20,000 in unauthorized purchases at spas, car dealerships, jewelry stores, and other businesses. Kalehuaiwilliamekamaile "Maile" Montez and Totie Tauala also allegedly used stolen identities of a California woman and an Arizona woman to facilitate the fraudulent transactions. The scheme was discovered when the victim's caregiver and daughter were contacted by a credit card company

Scammers in Hawaii spoofed phone numbers from the Hilo Courthouse to impersonate court officials and demand personal information or immediate payments from residents. The State Judiciary Office warned that legitimate courts never call to demand personal details or payments, and advised residents to hang up on such calls and ignore similar texts or emails.

I apologize, but the content you provided appears to be a website navigation menu and header structure from a Hawaii news outlet, rather than an actual article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. To create a summary for the Elderus database, I would need the actual article text or transcript. Could you please provide: - The full article content, or - A different article about elder fraud/scams/abuse Once you share the actual article text, I'll be happy to provide a concise 2-3 sentence summary focused on what happened, who was affected, the type of scam, dollar amounts, and outcomes.

**Summary:** Hawai'i's Department of Law Enforcement warns the public of scammers impersonating law enforcement officers who call victims claiming they face arrest for missed court appearances or jury duty, then demand payment for bail or civil fees. The scammers use spoofed phone numbers and often make geographic mistakes (mispronouncing Hawaiian street names or referencing non-existent offices) that reveal they are calling from outside Hawai'i. Legitimate law enforcement agencies never solicit payment by phone, and residents should not provide financial information to callers claiming to be officers.

Senior Medicare Patrol Hawaii is hosting Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (June 3-9) to educate the public about Medicare fraud schemes, offering a free webinar on June 8 and providing resources like the "My Health Care Tracker" booklet to help seniors detect fraudulent claims. Medicare loses approximately $60 billion annually to false claims, and the program teaches seniors and their caregivers how to prevent, detect, and report fraud by monitoring billing statements, protecting their Medicare numbers, and reporting suspected identity theft.

A 2023 study by Incogni found that U.S. residents over age 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud—a 10.6% increase from 2022—with 101,068 reports filed, up 14.5% from the prior year. Minnesota elderly were among the hardest hit nationally, with victims over 60 losing an average of $44,623 each, ranking third-highest per-victim loss behind only DC and Hawaii. The article advises protecting against scams by scrutinizing emails for misspellings, avoiding clicking suspicious links, and verifying requests directly with companies' official websites or customer service.

A Honolulu resident received a scam call from someone impersonating an HPD officer claiming she had a bench warrant for missing jury duty, using spoofed caller ID to appear legitimate. The Hawaii State Judiciary warned that scammers are posing as law enforcement and judiciary employees to threaten arrests and demand upfront fees, though courts never contact people about jury duty bench warrants by phone or email. The victim avoided becoming a victim by independently researching the scam, highlighting the importance of verification, especially for vulnerable older adults who may lack computer access or live alone.

Dan Michalski from Hawaii lost over $30,000 from his bank account after receiving a spoofed call appearing to be from his bank; the scammer used knowledge of his recent transactions to establish credibility, then tricked him into providing a verification code that allowed unauthorized transfers to Zelle. Though Michalski recovered $10,000, he remains uncompensated for the remaining loss, highlighting how sophisticated caller-spoofing fraud can bypass even verification attempts like checking the phone number online.

The Maui Police Department warned residents about a recurring scam in which callers using spoofed phone numbers impersonate police and claim victims have pending warrants, missed jury duty, or legal sanctions, then demand payment via gift cards or cash. Legitimate law enforcement never request payment, financial information, or gift cards over the phone to resolve legal matters. Residents are advised not to provide information to such callers, to verify organizations directly through official websites rather than provided contact information, and to report suspected scam calls to the FBI or Maui Police Department.

Multiple Hawaiian residents received calls from imposters claiming to be deputy sheriffs, demanding electronic payment to dismiss alleged outstanding warrants for failure to appear in court. The Department of Law Enforcement clarified that legitimate sheriffs do not contact people by phone to collect warrant-related fees, and advised residents to never provide financial or personal information to unsolicited callers claiming to represent law enforcement agencies.

A grieving widow from Cambridgeshire lost over £500,000 to scammers impersonating actor Jason Momoa on social media, including funds from selling her home, leaving her homeless. The scammers built an online romantic relationship with the vulnerable woman over weeks, convincing her to send money for a house in Hawaii where they would live together. Cambridgeshire Police highlight this case as one of thousands of celebrity-based romance scams targeting isolated or grieving individuals, and emphasize that fraudsters deliberately research and exploit vulnerable people going through difficult times.

A woman in her 70s lost over £500,000 in a romance scam after being targeted on social media by a fraudster impersonating actor Jason Momoa who promised her a life in Hawaii; the victim, recently widowed and vulnerable, was manipulated over three years into selling her house and sending money, leaving her homeless and in debt. Cambridgeshire Police report seeing four romance fraud incidents weekly but face challenges in prosecuting cases due to organized criminals using cryptocurrency, operating outside UK jurisdiction, and moving money quickly. Police emphasize that education and awareness are key prevention tools, as romance fraud cases have risen nearly 60% over four years.

A Kailua woman received a voicemail from someone claiming to represent Hawaiian Electric Company, warning that her home utilities would be disconnected unless she called back immediately—a common scam tactic that exploited her vacation anxiety and inability to verify the claim. The article discusses how artificial intelligence and readily available personal information are making it increasingly easier for scammers to create sophisticated frauds, including voice-cloning technology that impersonates trusted contacts, with particular vulnerability among seniors and young people.

A Hawaii man who lost $275,000 of his life savings in an online luxury car scam was fully refunded following a Local 10 News investigation in April 2024 that prompted law enforcement action by the Hollywood Police Department and FBI. Alan Sue had responded to an online listing for a 2023 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon with a high-end Brabus package, but the transaction turned out to be fraudulent. The unexpected recovery of his entire $275,000 provided relief to Sue, who had experienced severe emotional distress and suicidal thoughts following the initial scam.

During Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, Hawaii advocates warned seniors—a particularly vulnerable population—about scams targeting the state. In 2023, Hawaii residents reported losing more than $52 million to internet scams, with impostor scams and identity theft identified as the most common fraud types. Advocates emphasized awareness and prevention efforts to protect seniors and safeguard Medicare's financial integrity as Hawaii's aging population continues to grow.

Employment scams in Hawaii have cost job seekers over $86,000 in losses since the beginning of 2027, with the Better Business Bureau warning of fake job opportunities that increasingly impersonate legitimate companies. Common scam tactics include fake onboarding processes that steal personal information, fraudulent reshipping jobs involving stolen goods, and "task optimization" schemes where victims pay upfront fees for tasks and are tricked into depositing increasingly larger amounts before losing access to their accounts. To protect themselves, job seekers should avoid any employer requesting payment, verify company legitimacy through official websites and BBB.org, and be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.

The AARP Hawaii organization is warning the public about online marketplace scams, citing an incident where an employee attempting to sell items on social media was targeted by a fake buyer requesting verification codes that would have granted access to her Google Voice account, email, and personal information. The organization advises consumers to conduct background checks on how personal information could be misused before sharing identifying details online and is offering an educational event on fraud prevention.