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Kentucky residents lost nearly $6.5 million to phone and text scams in 2025, with over 300 million robocalls placed in the state, according to Attorney General Russell Coleman's office. Scammers commonly use caller ID spoofing and AI voice cloning to impersonate law enforcement and create panic, with one documented case involving a woman losing her entire $128,000 life savings to a single call. Coleman and 49 other state attorneys general are urging the FCC to strengthen protections like STIR/SHAKEN protocols and implement stricter upstream provider monitoring to combat the escalating robocall threat.

The House of Representatives passed H.R. 2978, the GUARD Act, with a 414-7 vote to provide additional federal funding to state and local law enforcement agencies for protecting seniors from fraud schemes. Co-sponsored by Representatives Brett Guthrie of Kentucky and Zach Nunn of Iowa, the bill still requires Senate passage and presidential signature to become law.

Samuel Turner, a 42-year-old from Science Hill, Kentucky, was convicted by federal jury on four wire-fraud counts for illegally accessing an elderly relative's bank accounts and credit cards, including cashing out a certificate of deposit valued at more than $35,000. The conviction followed three hours of jury deliberation, with sentencing to be determined at a later court appearance. This case highlights the ongoing problem of financial exploitation of seniors, as people over 60 reported more than $3.4 billion in losses to internet crimes in 2023 alone.

William D. Brenner, a former board member of Susquehanna Valley FCU in Pennsylvania, pleaded not guilty to federal charges of wire fraud and unlawful monetary transactions after allegedly diverting over $1 million in retirement savings from an elderly woman born in 1936. Brenner convinced the woman and her daughter to transfer the funds into a credit union account under the pretense of providing better investment opportunities, but instead used the money to purchase commercial property in Kentucky, a Dodge Ram pickup, and other equipment. The scheme, which depleted nearly all the funds by September 2021, has prompted federal prosecutors to seek forfeiture of property connected to the alleged fraud.

Rehankumar D. Mekvan was arrested in Franklin County, Kentucky, in connection with a scam that targeted a local resident who nearly lost $235,000. Mekvan faces multiple charges including organized crime, impersonating a peace officer, and attempted theft by deception. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office warns residents against common scams involving demands for money related to court dates or jury duty, as well as technology scams impersonating Microsoft or technical support companies.

A Kentucky man is allegedly involved in an international romance scam that defrauded a woman of $10,500. The victim was targeted through a romantic relationship scheme that appears to have originated or operated across international borders. This case highlights the continued vulnerability of individuals to romance scams despite their widespread prevalence.

The Mason County Public Library is hosting a financial literacy scavenger hunt called "Dash for the Stash" (deadline May 15) with a $1,000 prize for the state-wide winner, jointly sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions to educate the public about savings and investing. The library is also offering a free fraud prevention program on April 4 presented by U.S. Bank, specifically addressing the rising problem of elder fraud and vulnerable adult fraud, with tips on avoiding identity theft and scams.

Four individuals from Kentucky and Indiana were indicted on August 19, 2026, for operating a deed theft scheme targeting vacant Louisville homes, particularly those of deceased owners without wills, between April 2024 and June 2026. The same defendants, along with a fifth conspirator, were also charged with vehicle title fraud involving forged Indiana documents to conceal ownership of stolen or abandoned vehicles. Defendants Donnie Russell, Lisa Cunningham, Steven Jamesray Cates, and Claude Oscar Cunningham III face charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft, with potential sentences up to 20 years per count.

Four individuals from Kentucky and Indiana were indicted in August 2026 for a deed theft conspiracy targeting vacant Louisville homes, often those of deceased owners without wills, between April 2024 and June 2026. The same defendants, plus a fifth conspirator, were also charged with mail fraud for obtaining fraudulent Indiana vehicle titles using forged documents between January 2024 and July 2025. If convicted, defendants face up to 20 years in prison per count, with one defendant, Donnie Russell, facing additional two-year sentences for aggravated identity theft.

A Jamaican citizen, 29-year-old Jenel Chrissancia Rowe, was extradited to the U.S. following investigation into a lottery scam that defrauded Graves County, Kentucky residents of approximately $80,000. Victims were deceived through the mail into believing they had won $250 million and were instructed to deposit money into Rowe's account to pay fake IRS fees. Rowe, identified as one of six co-conspirators, faces charges of Theft by Deception and Engaging in Organized Crime.

William Brenner, 62, of York County, Pennsylvania, is facing federal charges for defrauding an elderly woman out of over $1 million by convincing her and her power of attorney that he would invest the funds in a managed account earning fixed interest over two years. Instead, Brenner allegedly used the money to purchase a commercial property in Kentucky in his own name without authorization and forged documents to support the fraudulent scheme. The U.S. Secret Service is investigating the case.

The Simpson County Sheriff's Office in Kentucky is warning residents about a rental scam on TikTok where scammers post fake listings using photos of real properties in the area and direct interested renters to contact them via text or phone, despite the properties having legitimate owners or real estate agencies. Potential renters are at risk of losing money if they pay deposits or fees to these fraudsters. To protect yourself, verify rental listings directly with known real estate agencies or property owners, never pay upfront fees to unknown contacts, and report suspected scams to local law enforcement immediately.

Former college basketball player Kerr Kriisa was indicted on five counts of wire fraud after allegedly defrauding two victims of nearly $2.2 million between 2022 and 2024 by posing as different people, including his own mother, and claiming he and his family needed emergency financial assistance. The 25-year-old Estonian guard, who played for Arizona, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, was arrested in Kentucky and faces federal charges in West Virginia. Victims should be cautious of unsolicited requests for money—especially from people claiming emergencies—and verify the person's identity through independent contact information before sending any funds.

Barkley Regional Airport in Paducah is warning travelers about online romance scams where scammers pose as people they've met online and request money for airline tickets or travel expenses that never materialize. Local residents have fallen victim to these schemes in increasing numbers, with the Better Business Bureau reporting 123 phishing-style scams across Kentucky in a recent 90-day period. To protect yourself, be cautious about sending money to anyone you've only met online, verify requests through official channels, and remember that legitimate travel companions won't ask strangers for money to purchase tickets.

Barkley Regional Airport in Kentucky is warning the public about online romance and travel scams after multiple local victims lost money to criminals who posed as people needing help paying for airline tickets or travel expenses. The scammers typically build trust over weeks or months before requesting money and promising in-person meetings that never happen. Residents are urged to learn the warning signs of these scams and share information with family and friends to prevent others from becoming victims.

A public forum in Frankfort is addressing the growing problem of elder fraud and scams, which have become increasingly sophisticated as technology advances. Shellie A. May, Executive Director of Kentucky's Office of Senior Protection and Mediation, will speak on June 18 about common scams, protection strategies, and steps to take if you've been victimized. Attendees are encouraged to learn how to protect themselves and their elderly loved ones from fraud.

A Kentucky woman lost tens of thousands of dollars to a Nigerian romance scam where she believed she was dating a wealthy man named "Michael Oliver," who was actually a scammer operating from New Jersey. Federal investigators discovered the operation had defrauded at least 23 victims across the U.S. of over $700,000 through multiple schemes including romance scams, lottery fraud, and inheritance fraud, with money laundered through numerous bank accounts. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that quickly involve requests for money, verify identities through video calls, and never send cash or valuables to people you've only met online.

A 43-year-old New Jersey deacon has been arrested in Kentucky for operating a romance scam that defrauded an elderly New York woman of over $500,000 across three years, and then threatening to have her son killed when she tried to stop paying him. Police discovered the scheme when her son reported it and seized evidence including cell phones, computers, and Western Union receipts from the suspect's home. Law enforcement advises people to be suspicious of requests for money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or personal information from strangers, and to report anything suspicious to authorities rather than risk losing their savings.

A 43-year-old New Jersey man was arrested in Mt. Sterling after an elderly New York woman lost over $500,000 in a romance scam that turned into extortion when the perpetrator demanded money to prevent alleged harm to her son. The suspect was caught after investigators traced the scam to an address in Kentucky, where authorities seized phones, computers, and evidence of multiple money transfers. Police warn the public to never send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or personal information to unknown individuals, and to report anything suspicious immediately.

In February 2026, The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said several people came forward claiming to be victims of rental scams. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A new effort in Frankfort targets scammers wh...

A Frankfort-area senior lost $30,000 in a phone scam where callers impersonated the Federal Trade Commission, claiming the victim's accounts were under investigation and demanding immediate payment. Kentucky's Attorney General warns that scammers commonly target older adults by creating urgency and fear, and emphasized that legitimate government agencies never call demanding money, threatening arrest, or requesting wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. If you receive such a call, hang up immediately and verify any claims by contacting the agency directly through official phone numbers or websites.

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.

A Kentucky family lost $810 to rental scammers after their roof collapsed and they desperately needed emergency housing, having been tricked into paying deposits and rent for a property the scammers didn't own through prepaid cards. Scammers typically target vacant properties, list them below market value, and pressure victims for quick payment through untraceable methods like prepaid cards. To protect yourself, verify property ownership through public records, insist on meeting landlords in person, use established rental services, and be suspicious of deals that seem too good to be true—especially on social media platforms like Facebook Marketplace.

Scammers created a fake Facebook post impersonating the legitimate Woodland Art Fair in Lexington, Kentucky, targeting artists seeking booth space by directing them to an out-of-state phone number and requesting hundreds of dollars in fees. At least one artist lost $250 to the scheme, with an estimated $1,500 scammed from multiple artists over time, particularly vulnerable out-of-state vendors who may not recognize red flags like the fake email domain and missing official city logos. To protect themselves, artists should verify booth space applications directly through official websites (woodlandartfair.org) and city parks departments, check for official logos and verified contact information, and be suspicious of pressure tactics claiming limited spots are available.

An elderly couple in Hopkinsville, Kentucky was charged $64,000 (totaling $79,000 with a duplicate charge) after signing a blank invoice for asphalt driveway patching work in June. A man solicited the work unsolicited, claiming his crew had extra asphalt available, but after obtaining the wife's signature on a mostly blank invoice, the scammers completed a full driveway paving job and demanded immediate payment on multiple credit cards. The Better Business Bureau warns this is part of a pattern of door-to-door asphalt scams where fraudsters create urgency, use high-pressure tactics, and exploit blank or misleading invoices to

An elderly couple in Hopkinsville, Kentucky was charged $64,000 (totaling $79,000 with a duplicate charge) in an asphalt paving scam after an unsolicited worker approached their home claiming to have extra asphalt materials available. The scammers had the homeowner sign a mostly blank invoice, then filled in details afterward to make it appear the couple had approved full driveway paving work, and demanded immediate payment via multiple credit cards. The Better Business Bureau warns consumers to watch for common scam patterns including unsolicited door visits, pressure tactics creating urgency, and incomplete contracts, and advises victims to dispute charges and contact authorities immediately.

An elderly couple in Hopkinsville, Kentucky was victimized by an asphalt paving scam in June when an unsolicited contractor approached them offering to patch their driveway at a low cost. After the mother signed a mostly blank invoice, the scammers filled in details and paved the entire driveway, charging $64,000 (totaling $79,000 with a duplicate charge), which the parents charged to multiple credit cards before their son stopped payment on three of the four cards. The Better Business Bureau warns consumers to avoid unsolicited door-to-door home improvement offers that use urgency tactics and to verify quotes before signing any documents.

Governor Andy Beshear announced the launch of StopScams.ky.gov, a new website designed to help Kentuckians report scams, learn prevention strategies, and access recovery resources. According to a 2024 FBI report, Kentuckians lose over $74 million annually to online scammers, prompting the state to partner with the Better Business Bureau and AARP to equip residents with tools to identify and avoid fraud. The site emphasizes a "pause, check, and protect" approach and offers scam alerts via email or text, along with free educational "Scam Jam" events throughout the state.

A 36-year-old Canadian man, Jia Hua Liu, was arrested in July after conducting a multi-state door-to-door scam targeting seniors across Ohio, Indiana, New Mexico, and Tennessee, defrauding victims of an estimated $309,000 total. One Charlestown, Indiana resident was tricked into withdrawing $27,000 from his retirement accounts and handing it over in cash; three additional attempted scams in Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan were prevented by family members, potentially saving another $70,000 in losses. Liu was apprehended at Louisville airport while attempting to flee the country and faces charges including theft, fraud, conspiracy, an

A 36-year-old Canadian man, Jia Liu, was arrested on July 2 at Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport for defrauding elderly people across multiple states. Liu targeted an elderly man in Charlestown who withdrew $27,000 from his retirement account in May, and investigators linked him to at least five additional victims in Indiana, Ohio, New Mexico, and Tennessee, with total losses exceeding $309,000. Liu faces charges including theft, fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering, and authorities are seeking additional victims who may be in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee.

A 36-year-old Canadian citizen, Jia Hua Liu, was arrested at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in July after a multi-state scam targeting elderly victims, with confirmed losses exceeding $309,000 across Indiana, Ohio, New Mexico, and Tennessee. In the initial Charlestown, Kentucky case, an elderly resident was defrauded of $27,000 after being tricked into withdrawing funds from his retirement account; three additional elderly victims in Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan were nearly victimized for an additional $70,000 before family members intervened. Liu was charged with theft, fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering, and police believe there are

Patrick Waite, accused of murdering his wife Alma Waite and two others in Haubstadt, Kentucky, also faces a separate elder abuse and fraud complaint alleging that Alma pressured him to allow her family to move into their shared home, restricted his access to his children, and transferred property ownership to her children without his knowledge. An injunction was filed preventing Alma's daughter Alondre Tepia Medrano from selling the home or its contents, with another court hearing scheduled for January 2026.

Scammers sent fraudulent text messages across Kentucky impersonating the state DMV, claiming recipients had outstanding traffic tickets and directing them to click links to provide personal information and make payments. The Kentucky DMV does not request information via phone or text message, and multiple local police departments warned residents to delete and block such messages.

AARP hosted its Summer Scam Jam event in Louisville, Kentucky to educate seniors about rising fraud schemes, as reported losses reached $12.5 billion in 2024. One victim, Mary Ellen Strange, lost approximately $378,000 over seven weeks to an Amazon impersonation scam that used fear tactics and false law enforcement claims, leaving her facing additional IRS debt. Common fraud schemes include impersonation scams (family members, law enforcement, and customer service representatives), and AARP stressed that anyone regardless of education level can become a victim.

A Kentucky family is advocating for stronger protections against "sextortion" scams, in which perpetrators threaten to release intimate images unless victims pay money, after their son's death. The FBI reports that at least 20 teenagers in the U.S. have died by suicide as a result of sextortion schemes since 2021. A new law signed by President Trump aims to help combat these online scams and prevent further tragedies.

I cannot provide a summary for the Elderus database based on this content. This article reports on a tornado-related death and emergency response in Washington County, Kentucky—it does not involve elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. This material falls outside the scope of elder fraud documentation.

"Pig butchering," a financial grooming scam where perpetrators build trust over months before soliciting investments (often in cryptocurrency), has resulted in victims losing thousands to millions of dollars, with investment scam losses increasing from $3.3 billion in 2022 to $4.5 billion in 2023. One Kentucky victim lost $1.7 million in assets after being manipulated into selling her home and liquidating retirement accounts. AARP recommends victims research investments, ignore unsolicited messages, use reverse image searches, and work with certified financial advisers to protect themselves from these schemes.

Two elderly widows in Graves County, Kentucky lost approximately $320,000 combined to scammers using emotional manipulation tactics, including a Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes scam and fake emergency requests. The Graves County Sheriff's Office warns that scammers target vulnerable seniors on social media and through phone calls, using realistic scenarios to convince victims to wire money, and recommends that families have conversations with elderly relatives about recognizing scams and contact law enforcement immediately if suspicious contact occurs.

Hardik Jayantilal Patel, 37, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for leading a money laundering operation that supported an international telemarketing fraud scheme targeting elderly Americans from March through November 2019. Operating from Kentucky, Patel coordinated with "runners" who picked up hundreds of cash-filled packages mailed by victims across multiple states after scammers impersonating government officials convinced them they were under investigation; Patel and his conspirators caused significant harm to 85 identified victims, with Patel ordered to pay $3,203,478 in restitution. The case involved seven total defendants sentenced, with co-conspirators receiving

A 34-year-old Dominican Republic citizen, Luis Alfonso Rodriguez, was arrested and federally charged with orchestrating a grandparent scam that targeted families across western Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Kentucky between December 2024 and March 2025. Rodriguez allegedly impersonated grandchildren in distress and convinced victims to withdraw thousands of dollars in cash, which they handed to rideshare drivers who unknowingly delivered the funds to him; victims lost tens of thousands of dollars total, with funds later wired to an unidentified person in the Dominican Republic. The FBI urges potential victims to report incidents to its Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.

A former pastor in Crofton, Kentucky, Marvin Upton, was sentenced to 2 years and 3 months in prison for defrauding an elderly parishioner with dementia between 2013 and 2016 through bank fraud, and for filing false tax returns that concealed the fraudulent income. Upton was ordered to pay $500,000 in restitution to the victim's estate and $222,037 to the IRS. The case was prosecuted under the Department of Justice's National Elder Justice Task Force as part of broader efforts to combat financial exploitation of seniors.

Marvin Upton, a former pastor at Crofton Pentecostal Church in Kentucky, was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison for defrauding an elderly congregation member with dementia between 2013 and 2016, along with filing false tax returns to conceal the fraudulent income. Upton was ordered to pay $500,000 in restitution to the victim's estate and $222,037 to the IRS.

Marvin Upton, a 58-year-old pastor in Crofton, Kentucky, was sentenced to 2 years and 3 months in prison for defrauding an elderly parishioner with dementia between 2013 and 2016, along with filing false tax returns to conceal the scheme. Upton was ordered to pay $500,000 in restitution to the victim's estate and $222,037 to the IRS, and the case was prosecuted as part of the National Elder Justice Task Force's efforts to combat financial exploitation of older adults.

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.

In 2023, the FBI received 908 elder fraud complaints in Kentucky totaling over $12 million in losses, with gold and precious metals scams on the rise. Scammers impersonate government officials to pressure elderly victims into converting their savings to gold, often failing to deliver the promised metals; one Kentucky woman lost $113,000 in such a scheme. The FBI advises that legitimate government agencies would never call to pressure gold purchases and recommends researching dealers and reporting suspected fraud to the FBI's Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.

AARP Kentucky is hosting free "Scam Jam" educational events and document shredding in Bowling Green (September 30) and Henderson County (October 3) to combat rising fraud, which the FTC estimates affected $137.4 billion in 2022 compared to only $9 billion reported. The events aim to educate consumers about recognizing and avoiding scams, with research showing that knowing about specific scams reduces engagement risk by 80%, particularly important given that nearly two-thirds of fraud victims experience serious health or emotional impacts.

A 74-year-old Kentucky woman lost $179,000 to a federal impersonation and gold coin scam in January 2024 after receiving fraudulent emails from scammers posing as the Social Security Administration and Inspector General's Office, threatening her with prison unless she paid money for investigation purposes. The scammer convinced her to purchase gold coins in person at a Lexington bank parking lot, after which he disappeared with her life savings; the traumatized victim attempted suicide but is now recovering, and her grandson is sharing their story to raise awareness and help prevent similar crimes.

A 74-year-old Kentucky woman lost her entire life savings of $180,000 in a gold coin scam after receiving a phone call from someone impersonating a Social Security Administration employee who claimed she was under fraud investigation. The scammer convinced her to drain her savings, purchase gold coins, and hand them off to a courier in a bank parking lot; after realizing the fraud, the emotional trauma led her to attempt suicide, and she remains hospitalized in critical condition. The FBI confirms a rising trend of government impersonation and precious metals scams targeting seniors, with Kentucky alone reporting 908 elder fraud complaints totaling over $12 million in 2023.