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# Romance Scams Warning for Valentine's Day Scammers are targeting people seeking love online by creating fake identities to manipulate victims into sending money or revealing financial information, with consumers losing over $1.1 billion to romance scams in 2025. Banks and the Federal Trade Commission are warning the public to watch for common red flags, including sob stories about needing money for medical emergencies or legal troubles, and to verify identities by reverse-image searching profile photos and never sharing personal details like your name or workplace. If you suspect you've been targeted, report it immediately and share these warning signs with friends and family who might be vulnerable to these scams.

Arkansas residents are losing millions to financial fraud through phone calls and text messages, with Americans losing over $16 billion in 2024 according to the FBI, though actual losses are believed to be much higher since many victims don't report crimes. Common scams include lottery and tax schemes that trick victims into sending money upfront, with affected individuals losing an average of $80,000 or more. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited messages claiming you've won money or owe taxes, and report suspected scams to authorities and your bank immediately—Arkansas passed Act 1015 in 2021 to help financial institutions identify and stop fraudulent transactions targeting vulnerable residents.

The FBI's Kansas City Office is warning people about romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day, which can lead to financial loss and extortion. These scams typically target lonely individuals seeking romantic connections online. To protect yourself, be cautious about new online relationships that quickly ask for money or personal information, and verify the person's identity before sharing sensitive details or sending funds.

The Carroll County Sheriff's Office has arrested three foreign nationals working as "cash mules" for scam operations in recent operations coordinated with multiple law enforcement agencies and a social media organization. These individuals were traveling to the area to collect money from scam victims in person when electronic transfers weren't possible. The crackdown has been so effective that scam call centers have shut down operations and flagged Arkansas as hostile territory, significantly reducing scammer activity in the state. **Actionable advice:** Be cautious if anyone requests money through unusual payment methods like Bitcoin or prepaid cards, never send cash to strangers, and report suspected scams to local law enforcement or the FBI.

The FBI's Kansas City Office is warning people about romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day, where scammers pose as romantic interests to extort money from victims. These scams exploit people seeking companionship, making them particularly prevalent around the holiday. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic connections that quickly escalate to requests for money or personal information.

Scammers are impersonating Kansas Legal Services by selling fake legal document kits for $175-$300 or falsely promising to move people up waiting lists for a fee, targeting low-income individuals seeking legal help. The legitimate Kansas Legal Services never charges for legal kits, expediting cases, or legal fees—only court filing fees and document service fees are legitimate charges, and they never request payment over the phone or ask for bank account information. If you encounter such offers, report them immediately to authorities with details about the scammer's name, company, phone number, and what payment was requested.

# Lottery Scam Conviction A man from out of state was sentenced to 10 years in prison for defrauding a 76-year-old Arkansas resident in a lottery scam scheme that promised an $11 million Jamaican lottery prize. The victim lost approximately $57,000 before law enforcement intervened during a cash exchange in May 2025, where the perpetrator attempted to hand over a briefcase containing only printer paper instead of winnings. Authorities advise elderly citizens and others to be suspicious of unsolicited lottery claims requiring upfront payments, as legitimate lotteries never ask winners to pay fees to collect winnings.

# Siloam Springs Couple Falls Victim to $35,000 Scam A Siloam Springs couple lost $35,000 after falling victim to a scam last month, demonstrating how easily fraudsters can target residents despite victims' awareness of the threat. While the article doesn't specify the exact nature of the scam or recovery details, it highlights the real financial damage such schemes cause to families in the community. Residents should remain vigilant about unsolicited requests for money or personal information, verify requests through official channels before sending funds, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

# Holiday Scams Surge with AI Technology The FBI is warning Kansas City shoppers that scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to commit fraud during the holiday season, with over 535,000 Americans losing $13.7 billion to online scams in 2024 alone. Criminals are now using AI to create convincing fake social media profiles, clone voices, forge documents, and produce deepfake videos impersonating loved ones and public figures to pressure victims into quick decisions. To protect yourself, the FBI recommends verifying requests before clicking links, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and trusting your instincts if something feels suspicious—and reporting any scams you encounter, even if you didn't lose money, helps law enforcement stop future victims.

A 77-year-old Kansas man lost $200,000 in a multi-stage scam where three perpetrators first convinced him he'd won the lottery and a vehicle, then tricked him into sending gift cards for supposed fees, and finally posed as a helper to convince him to buy and sell a vehicle and transfer funds. The scam demonstrates how fraudsters use false promises and trust-building tactics to manipulate victims into sending money in increments. People should be cautious of unsolicited lottery or prize notifications, never send gift cards or cash to unknown contacts, and verify any assistance offers through official channels before taking action.

Law enforcement in Baxter County, Arkansas arrested three men acting as "money mules" who were sent to collect cash from senior citizens in elaborate scams. The arrests were part of undercover operations involving the FBI, Homeland Security, and a TV production company, where decoys and fake houses were used to catch the criminals—one operation involved a scammer trying to collect $250,000 from an 86-year-old and another targeting a 95-year-old for $60,000. Seniors should be extremely cautious of callers claiming to be FBI or government officials demanding urgent cash payments, overpayment refunds, or threatening legal action, and should always verify requests through official channels before sending money.

April Guadalupe Hernandez was indicted by a Bernalillo County grand jury for assuming the identities of licensed nurses and illegally providing hospice care, including mis-transcribing a medication order that nearly resulted in a fatal morphine overdose. Hernandez, a certified nurse assistant, allegedly stole the identities of three nurses from Texas, California, and Kansas to gain employment at three healthcare facilities over 18 months, defrauding them of approximately $40,000. She faces 19 charges including identity theft, nursing without a license, elder abuse, and violations of the Nursing Practice Act, with a potential sentence of up to 27.5 years in prison

A 26-year-old certified nurse assistant in New Mexico, April Guadalupe Hernandez, was charged with 19 counts of misconduct including nursing without a license, identity theft, abuse of a resident, and fraud for falsifying nursing credentials and stealing identities of nurses from Texas, California, and Kansas. Over one year, Hernandez worked at three hospice centers using different name variations, claiming to hold higher nursing credentials than she possessed, and made a potentially fatal medication error (an overdose of morphine) that was caught before administration; she has an arraignment scheduled for September 8th.

Baxter County, Arkansas is experiencing a rise in scams targeting residents, prompting local law enforcement to host a public call-in program with Sheriff John Montgomery to educate citizens on fraud prevention. The initiative follows recent arrests of three men accused of acting as "money mules" for overseas scam operations; common schemes affecting residents include government impersonation, tech support fraud, fake sweepstakes, romance scams, and home repair fraud using phishing emails, robocalls, and spoofed numbers.

This is an obituary for David Raymond Brockish, an 80-year-old Air Force veteran from Kansas who passed away on August 9, 2025. While not itself a scam or fraud incident, the obituary notably directs memorial contributions to "End Elder Fraud," suggesting the family's commitment to combating elder fraud awareness and prevention.

A patient at Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph Hospital in Wichita, Kansas received multiple scam calls on her husband's hospital room phone attempting to sell various insurance products (Medicaid, life insurance, and auto insurance), with six calls arriving within two hours and continuing into nighttime hours. The hospital acknowledged that room phone numbers can be reached by robocall technology, though they reported no widespread scam call issue at their facility; the problem affects hospitals nationwide despite federal legislation like the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act passed in 2019. Hospital staff advise patients to hang up on suspicious calls and never share personal, financial, or medical information over the phone

Cyber criminals are increasingly using malicious links hidden in emails, PDFs, and other documents rather than attachments to steal passwords and install malware, with over 3 billion such attacks reported. Emerging threats include "ClickFix" scams (fake error messages), QR code phishing (4.2 million attempts in early 2025), and "pig butchering" romance scams where criminals build trust with victims before pressuring them into fraudulent investments—including a 2023 case where a Kansas banker lost £34.6 million and received a 24-year sentence. Security experts warn these attacks exploit human psychology by using trusted brands and familiar technology rather

The Arkansas Department of Commerce is warning of phishing scams targeting former unemployment insurance claimants, in which scammers impersonate the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services via email to steal personal information like Social Security numbers and dates of birth through fake Wix websites. To avoid the scam, residents should verify that emails come from official @arkansas.gov addresses, avoid clicking suspicious links, and only enter information on official government websites including ezarc.arkansas.gov, arknet.arkansas.gov, login.gov, and launch.arkansas.gov.

The Kansas Department of Transportation warned of a text messaging scam falsely claiming to be from KDOT or the Kansas Department of Motor Vehicles demanding payment for unpaid traffic tickets. KDOT clarified that it does not collect payments via text message and urged recipients not to click links or share personal information, instead reporting suspicious messages to the FTC or Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Jordan Vales, 21, of Trumann, Arkansas, was arrested on charges of Medicaid fraud after submitting false claims for services he never provided as a fraudulent employee and caregiver at First Choice Home Care between June 2022 and December 2023. The scheme resulted in $96,711.68 in fraudulent Medicaid payments. Attorney General Tim Griffin praised the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and Special Agent Laura Glover for their investigation and arrest of Vales on the Class A felony charge.

A Kansas City man discovered someone had attempted to fraudulently sell his undeveloped property after a realtor contacted him about a suspicious transaction. The scammer used convincing forged documentation including a fake driver's license, but the scheme was stopped before the property changed hands. Real estate professionals report this type of identity theft and property fraud is increasing, and recommend property owners watch for red flags such as sellers who only communicate virtually and use apps, and consider enrolling in county land sale alert programs.

Arkansas is experiencing a rise in SNAP card fraud, with thieves primarily using skimmers at retail card readers to steal benefits from accounts. The state's SNAP cards lack embedded security chips—a feature that has reduced fraud by 76% in credit and debit cards—though the Arkansas Department of Human Services is working with its card issuer to enhance security measures. Attorney General Tim Griffin noted that even with improved card security, scammers will continue using impersonation and phishing tactics to compromise cardholders' information.

"Pig butchering" scams are sophisticated fraud schemes operated by organized crime groups that have stolen billions globally, in which scammers build fake romantic or friendly relationships with victims online before pressuring them into fraudulent investments, typically over a few months rather than years. Notable victims include a Kansas banker who embezzled $47 million to cover his losses and a Connecticut woman who lost nearly $1 million in cryptocurrency investments, with scammers exploiting victims' desire for financial gain rather than solely relying on romantic manipulation. The scams operate in three stages—hunting for victims online, building trust, and executing the "kill" by pushing large financial commitments—and are typically run by highly organized criminal

A Chinese actor named Wang Xing was abducted in Thailand and taken to a scam compound in Myanmar in early 2025, sparking widespread concern about fraud operations in Southeast Asia. The incident highlighted the prevalence of "pig butchering" scams—a type of fraud where criminals build fake romantic or financial relationships with victims to manipulate them into large investments, with victims worldwide losing billions of dollars. These scams, typically run by organized crime groups, operate in three stages (hunting, raising, and killing) and can result in devastating financial losses, as exemplified by cases like a Connecticut woman who lost nearly $1 million and a Kansas banker who embezzled $47 million to cover

The Overland Park, Kansas Police Department warns residents against romance scams, where online romantic partners request money or ask victims to deposit checks on their behalf. Victims who deposit fraudulent checks risk becoming unwitting accomplices and having funds withdrawn from their own accounts. Residents who suspect they've been victimized are urged to report the scam to local law enforcement.

A 35-year-old Nigerian man, Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, pleaded guilty to operating a romance scam that defrauded six women across Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Kansas of approximately $1.88 million between 2019 and 2024. Using fake identities such as "Williams Moore," "Manuel Sykes," and "Edward Nowak," Nwadavid posed as an oil rig worker and other professionals to build romantic relationships with vulnerable women online, then solicited money under false pretenses including medical emergencies and inheritance claims. The case highlights the growing threat of romance scams targeting women over 60, which

Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a 35-year-old married Nigerian real estate worker, pleaded guilty to running a sophisticated romance scam that defrauded six women across Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Kansas of approximately $1.88 million between January and June 2019. Using fake identities, he posed as men working on oil rigs or in overseas positions, love-bombing vulnerable victims and convincing them to send money for medical emergencies or travel expenses, with one victim losing over $896,000. The case reflects a broader epidemic of romance scams targeting older adults, with the FBI reporting nearly 18,000 complaints in 2024

Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a 35-year-old, admitted to orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded at least six women across multiple states of millions of dollars by posing as different men (including "Williams Moore" and "Manuel Sykes") claiming to need financial help due to oil rig injuries. Victims from Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Kansas were manipulated into opening cryptocurrency accounts and transferring funds totaling millions, with individual losses ranging from $235,000 to $896,000, which Nwadavid then laundered through his own Bitcoin wallets. The case reflects a broader trend of romance fraud, with the

Wendy Hopkins, a 54-year-old Kansas woman, was charged on July 2, 2025, with 48 counts including identity theft, computer crime, theft, forgery, and mistreatment of an elder person in connection with an alleged fraud scheme at Rockhill Women's Care. Patients of the women's care center who experienced financial fraud between September 2022 and November 2023 are asked to contact law enforcement, though specific details about the victims and amounts stolen were not disclosed. Hopkins' bond was set at $500,000.

Scammers have been impersonating Senior Resource Center employees and attempting to sell burial plots to Douglas County residents, prompting the center's director to warn the public that the organization does not sell anything. The FBI reports that cybercriminals stole over $16 billion from Americans in 2024, with people over 60 losing nearly $5 billion; experts recommend the "Stop, Verify and Report" approach—stopping the conversation, verifying legitimacy through trusted sources, and reporting suspected scams to the Kansas Protection Report Center at 1-800-922-5330.

Sextortion cases in Arkansas have already exceeded the total number of incidents reported throughout 2024, according to state police investigators. The scam involves perpetrators convincing teenagers to share explicit images online and subsequently using those images for blackmail, with investigators anticipating a further surge in cases during the summer months.

Elder fraud complaints increased 46% in 2024, with victims nationwide losing $4.885 billion—a 43% increase from 2023—while Arkansas seniors over 60 alone lost more than $27 million. The FBI identifies investment schemes, technical support scams, romance fraud, and money mule operations as common tactics targeting elderly individuals perceived as more trusting and financially stable. The FBI recommends seniors research unknown contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources, and report suspected fraud through their tip line or online complaint center.

**Elder Fraud on Rise in Arkansas and Nationally** The FBI reported that seniors over 60 lost $4.885 billion nationally in 2024 across 147,127 fraud complaints—a 46% increase from 2023—with Arkansas seniors alone losing $27.3 million to investment scams, technical support scams, money mule schemes, and romance fraud. Seniors are targeted because they tend to be trusting and may be unfamiliar with reporting channels like IC3.gov. The FBI recommends verifying unknown contacts through legitimate sources, resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding unsolicited communications, never sharing personal information with unverified parties

Arkansas seniors suffered $27.25 million in fraud losses during 2024, part of a national epidemic where those over 60 lost $4.885 billion to scams—a 46% increase from 2023. Common schemes targeting older adults include investment fraud, tech support scams, romance scams, and money mule schemes, which succeed because seniors tend to be trusting and may be unfamiliar with reporting mechanisms. The FBI recommends seniors verify unknown contacts through reputable sources, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid unsolicited contact, never share personal information with unverified parties, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement or IC3.gov.

Kansas state agencies partnered to host World Elder Abuse Awareness Day events in June to educate communities about preventing financial scams targeting older adults, emphasizing that recovery rates for investment fraud victims are below 5%. The Kansas Department of Insurance, Department for Children and Families, and Department for Aging and Disability Services offered presentations across the state highlighting how to recognize and prevent financial exploitation of seniors.

Kansas state agencies—the Department of Insurance, Department for Children and Families, and Department for Aging and Disability Services—are partnering to host World Elder Abuse Awareness Day events from June 9–13 and June 20, 2025, featuring presentations on recognizing and preventing financial scams targeting older adults. The initiative aims to educate Kansas communities about elder exploitation, with resources available through multiple state agencies and hotlines for reporting suspected investment fraud.

Tom Grauburger of Lakin, Kansas lost $30,000 to a sophisticated tech support scam that used fear tactics and constant phone monitoring to manipulate him over three weeks. The scammers posed as Microsoft Defender and the FTC, falsely claiming illegal activity was occurring on his computer and demanding cash sent to Boston as "proof of assets," while threatening him with a fake non-disclosure agreement to prevent him from telling family members. His bank ultimately prevented a larger loss by flagging a $100,000+ wire transfer attempt to his retirement fund, but Grauburger and his family are still fighting to recover the initial $30,000.

Multiple states including Kansas, New Mexico, Missouri, and Oregon have warned residents about widespread text and email scams falsely claiming unpaid toll debts and threatening license suspension or legal action to pressure victims into revealing personal and financial information. Scammers are targeting states with no toll roads, and in Indiana's case, fraudulent emails posing as the state DOT requesting payment for TxTag balances were traced to a contractor's hacked account. Authorities recommend reporting suspected scam texts and emails to the Federal Trade Commission and Internet Crime Complaint Center.

A Franklin County senior citizen lost nearly $90,000 in a sweepstakes scam after being told she won $3 million from Publishers Clearing House and needed to pay taxes upfront via personal checks sent to Arkansas. David Nelson, 68, of Little Rock was arrested and charged with felony theft in connection with the scheme. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office advised the public to be skeptical of unsolicited calls, avoid sharing personal information, resist pressure for immediate payments, and watch for high-pressure tactics and "free" offers.

A 68-year-old Little Rock man, David Nelson, was arrested for operating a sweepstakes scam that defrauded an Ohio senior citizen of over $89,000. Nelson posed as a Publishers Clearing House employee and convinced the victim she had won $3 million, then persuaded her to send personal checks for taxes before claiming the prize. He faces felony theft charges in Franklin County, Ohio, and is currently awaiting extradition from an Arkansas jail.

An 85-year-old Kansas woman named Shirley Crow died in November 2024 after her family reported suspected neglect by her caretaker to Adult Protective Services on October 5, 2024, alleging missed medications and missed medical appointments. The case remained open eight months later with minimal investigation progress, as the assigned caseworker carried a caseload of 70 other cases; the Kansas Department for Children and Families does not publicly share investigator caseload data, though analysis suggests investigators in some regions handle 12-14 new cases monthly, and proposed federal cuts threaten to further weaken the adult protective services system.

**Title:** Kansas City Senior Citizens Learn Digital Skills Amid Increased Consumer Scams **Summary:** Kansas City is offering digital skills training programs to senior citizens in response to rising consumer fraud targeting older adults. The initiative aims to help seniors recognize and avoid scams by improving their familiarity with technology and online safety practices. No specific scam cases or dollar amounts were detailed in this awareness-focused report.

A Kansas City digital literacy program called "Show Me Seniors Digital Literacy Cohort" graduated its first group of senior citizens who learned computer skills and scam prevention techniques. The initiative, funded by Senator Barbara Washington and Lincoln University, responds to a concerning trend: the Federal Trade Commission reports that the number of older adults losing $100,000 or more to fraud has tripled since 2020, with investment scams being the most common cause. Participants received free laptops and certifications, with the next cohort scheduled to begin in May.

Tyra Brown, a 27-year-old customer service representative at a New Hampshire credit union, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for stealing $301,674.89 from at least 10 elderly customers using unauthorized access to their personal information and account details. Brown exploited her position of trust to transfer victim funds via wires, electronic debits, and Zelle, targeting elderly account holders she knew were unfamiliar with electronic banking.

An Arkansas woman who worked as a customer service representative at a bank was sentenced to 36 months in prison for stealing from elderly customers. The defendant deliberately exploited her position of trust and targeted elderly account holders, particularly those unfamiliar with electronic banking.

The Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) is warning drivers about smishing scams impersonating the agency and demanding payment for unpaid tolls via unsolicited text messages with fraudulent payment links. The KTA clarified that it only sends texts to drivers who have voluntarily signed up for alerts through their DriveKS account and does not request payments through text messages. Residents receiving these scam texts are advised to avoid clicking links and instead report the messages to the Internet Crime Complaint Center and Federal Trade Commission.

Tyra Brown, a 27-year-old Arkansas customer service representative at a New Hampshire credit union, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for wire fraud after stealing $301,674.89 from at least 10 elderly customers. Brown exploited her job access to customers' personal information and account details to conduct unauthorized transfers via wire, electronic debits, and the Zelle app, with attempted theft totaling $428,526.85.

Tyra Brown, a 27-year-old Arkansas woman employed as a customer service representative at a New Hampshire credit union, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for stealing over $300,000 from at least 10 elderly customers. Brown exploited her authorized access to personal identifying information and account details to conduct wire fraud, transferring stolen funds via wire transfers, electronic debits, and Zelle payments, with attempted theft totaling $428,526.85. She pleaded guilty in January 2025 to one count of wire fraud and was specifically criticized for deliberately targeting elderly victims unfamiliar with electronic banking.

Tyra Brown, a 27-year-old Arkansas woman employed as a customer service representative at a New Hampshire credit union, was sentenced to three years in prison for stealing $301,674.89 from at least 10 elderly customers by exploiting her access to their personal information and security questions. Brown used wire transfers, electronic debits, and Zelle to commit the fraud and had attempted to steal an additional $428,526.85 before her arrest; she pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges in January.