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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Scammers impersonated Honolulu Police Department officers in recent phone scams, falsely claiming victims had outstanding arrest warrants and demanding payment via Federal Deposit Box at supermarkets. The Honolulu Police Department warns that legitimate law enforcement agencies never request payment over the phone and urges anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Honolulu CrimeStoppers is seeking suspects in three crimes: a vehicle break-in on April 18 where a female stole property from a parked car, a May 10 vehicle break-in by a male suspect, and a May 4 armed robbery in which a male suspect with a handgun robbed a victim on Liliha Street. The department also warns the public about a phone scam where criminals pose as HPD officers (claiming names like "Captain Cortez") using spoofed phone numbers to demand payment for fake arrest warrants; residents should hang up and call the police directly, as law enforcement never requests payment by phone. Tips leading to arrests are eligible for

McAfee identified five cities with high rates of travel booking scams: Fort Myers Beach (FL), Sandusky (OH), Pocono Manor (PA), Waimea (HI), and Chicago (IL). Common scams include phishing fraud, rental scams (fake listings), and ticketing scams (fraudulent entertainment tickets), with families particularly targeted at attractions like Cedar Point amusement park. To protect yourself, book only through official channels and credit cards with fraud protection, avoid providing payment details on suspicious websites, and be skeptical of requests to complete transactions outside booking platforms.

McAfee identified five U.S. cities—Fort Myers Beach, Sandusky, Pocono Manor, Waimea, and Chicago—as hotspots for travel booking scams, including phishing fraud, rental scams, and ticketing scams targeting families and travelers. The company recommends booking only through official channels, using credit cards with fraud protection rather than debit cards, and avoiding requests to complete transactions off-platform or on suspicious websites to prevent identity theft.

**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.

An elderly victim in Honolulu was defrauded through a malware scam in which he received a fake Microsoft pop-up warning on August 29, then was instructed by a female caller to withdraw cash and place it in a cardboard box for a supposed courier pickup. Over two days, two suspects (one female, one male) used provided passcodes to collect the cash-filled boxes from the victim's home, with both captured on surveillance video. Police note that elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable to these digital scams and urge family members to warn their relatives about such threats.

I cannot provide a summary of this content because the text provided is only a navigation menu and website structure from what appears to be the Honolulu Star-Advertiser website. There is no actual article content about scams, fraud, or elder abuse present in the material you've shared. To create a summary for the Elderus database, please provide the full text of the actual article or transcript you'd like summarized.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Romance scammers are targeting elderly victims, particularly those recently divorced or widowed, by creating fake identities on social media and dating platforms to establish emotional bonds before requesting money under false pretenses. After gaining trust, scammers typically claim they need funds to visit the victim in person, then disappear with the money—sometimes in large amounts. Police advise families to have open conversations with elderly relatives about online safety and to regularly check in with them to help prevent victimization.

The Better Business Bureau warns consumers to avoid return scams and imposter websites during the holiday shopping season, cautioning against third-party return services that request personal information and claim to process refunds for a commission. The BBB recommends shoppers complete returns directly with retailers, keep receipts, act within return windows, and verify business legitimacy by checking official company websites and BBB profile pages.

The U.S. Postal Service warns consumers about romance scams that develop over months, in which scammers cultivate trust through social media and dating apps before creating fake financial emergencies to solicit money from victims. Once detected, these scams are difficult to recover from and leave victims with significant financial and emotional losses. Consumers should avoid sending money to people they've never met in person, especially those who avoid video calls or request secrecy, and should report suspected romance scams to the United States Postal Inspection Service.

A 78-year-old woman in Washington Township, New Jersey nearly lost $24,600 in a multi-layered scam involving fake iCloud alerts, spoofed police calls, and impersonation of a banker pressuring her to withdraw cash. An alert Uber driver recognized the suspicious situation and prevented the fraud by warning the woman and returning her to the bank to re-deposit the money. Washington Township Police partnered with the FBI to hold a senior scam awareness seminar in response to the incident.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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,

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.

The Honolulu Police Department warned of a fake arrest scam in which fraudsters impersonated attorneys and demanded bail money for purportedly arrested relatives. One resident nearly lost $8,000 after being told her son was arrested in a car crash, but bank staff identified the call as suspicious and the victim confirmed her son was safe. Police advised that bail payments are only accepted at police stations, and urged residents to ignore calls from unknown numbers and never share personal information or send money to unfamiliar callers.

The Maui Police Department warned the public about a text message scam claiming unauthorized charges on victims' accounts, which directs them to call a number where scammers pose as legitimate representatives and convince victims they are targets of identity theft. The scammers pressure victims to withdraw large sums of money and convert it to cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, while falsely claiming the matter should not be reported to law enforcement. Police advise that legitimate financial institutions never request cryptocurrency transfers, victims should never be told to hide fraud from law enforcement, and suspicious messages should be ignored in favor of contacting banks directly with verified contact information.

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.

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.

Research from a University of Southern California brain health expert found that poor financial decision-making in seniors may be an early indicator of dementia or Alzheimer's disease, even before other cognitive symptoms appear. Warning signs include missed bill payments, unusual purchases, and giving away large sums of money to unfamiliar charities or strangers, with social isolation identified as a significant risk factor. The researcher recommends documenting suspected elder fraud and contacting authorities, while encouraging seniors to engage in brain-stimulating exercises to maintain cognitive sharpness.

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 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.