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An FBI Art Crime Team investigation recovered 22 Okinawan artifacts—including scrolls, pottery, a 19th-century hand-drawn map, and metalwork—that had been looted during World War II and were discovered in Massachusetts among a deceased man's personal effects. The artifacts were matched to items in the FBI's National Stolen Art File using a detailed collection letter found with them and photographic comparison with known looted pieces. The FBI coordinated with the Department of Defense to repatriate the culturally significant items back to Okinawa, where they represent an important part of the region's historical and cultural heritage.

A Townsend, Massachusetts woman was defrauded by romance scammers posing as actor Christoph Waltz, who convinced her to send money. On the same day she reported the fraud to police, her husband Paul became unresponsive and was rushed to the hospital; she was subsequently investigated as a suspect in his alleged attempted murder. The case highlights how romance scammers use sophisticated scripts to build trust with vulnerable targets before exploiting them financially.

A Massachusetts couple, Russell and Linda Callahan, defrauded multiple landlords across Western County by posing as trustworthy tenants with forged documentation including fake credit reports, background checks, and pay stubs. After securing leases and keys, their security deposit checks bounced due to closed bank accounts, and they subsequently refused to pay rent while remaining in the properties for extended periods. The scheme exploited landlords' trust in professional paperwork and the couple's credible appearance.

Massachusetts residents lost $2.2 million to real estate scams last year, including rental fraud where scammers use sophisticated tactics to impersonate licensed agents. One victim, Caroline Newman, lost $500 when she submitted a security deposit to a fraudster posing as a realtor after seeing a listing posted on multiple platforms; she later learned the actual agent had no involvement in the transaction.

Jasiel Correia, the former mayor of Fall River, Massachusetts, was denied early release from his federal prison sentence following a 2021 conviction for public corruption and fraud. The 32-year-old, who is currently serving a six-year sentence at a Kentucky facility, failed to demonstrate sufficient grounds for sentence reduction to the presiding judge. Correia is scheduled for release in July 2026.

Hundreds of Massachusetts residents received fraudulent text messages impersonating E-ZPass (Easy Drive MA), requesting payment for tolls, in what authorities are investigating as a "smishing" scam with FBI involvement. One victim clicked the malicious link and was directed to a fake payment page; the scam messages originated from a Philippines phone number and contained spelling errors that revealed their fraudulent nature. Cybersecurity experts advise users not to click links in unsolicited text messages and to verify directly with official sources before providing payment information.

A Charlotte-area wedding photographer named Courtney Smith allegedly scammed dozens of couples across multiple states (Massachusetts to the Carolinas) by accepting deposits for wedding photography services, then disappearing without delivering photos or refunds. Affected couples lost their deposits and were left without photographers for their weddings, prompting victims to speak out publicly to prevent further fraud.

Massachusetts consumer protection officials warn residents to stay alert against increasingly common scams, noting that older Americans lost nearly $5 billion to fraud in the past year. Key red flags include social media scams that create urgency, unsolicited phone calls, tech support scams, romance scams, and cryptocurrency schemes, with protective measures including ignoring unknown callers, using two-factor authentication, and regularly changing passwords.

Thirteen members of a transnational elder fraud ring operating from a call center in the Dominican Republic were charged, with nine arrested and four still at large. The sophisticated operation targeted more than 400 victims, including at least 50 in Massachusetts, using the "grandchild in trouble" scam and even arranging Uber rides to banks to collect cash from seniors. Many victims lost their life savings and suffered lasting emotional trauma, with full financial recovery unlikely as authorities work to seize assets.

Thirteen individuals have been charged for operating a transnational elder fraud scheme centered at a call center in the Dominican Republic that defrauded over 400 U.S. seniors of more than $5 million. The perpetrators used fake emergency scripts claiming victims' loved ones needed money, sometimes orchestrating ride-share drivers to transport elderly victims to banks for additional withdrawals, before laundering funds back to the Dominican Republic. Nine suspects are in custody while four remain at large; all face multiple fraud charges.

Federal law enforcement dismantled a coordinated grandparent scam ring operating from a call center in the Dominican Republic, charging 13 alleged scammers who stole millions of dollars from hundreds of elderly victims across the country. The operation used runners in the United States, including Massachusetts, to pick up cash from victims' homes and used ride-share services to transport the money, with the investigation initiated after alert Uber drivers reported suspicious activity. The scammers posed as grandchildren in emergencies to manipulate victims into sending money.

Thirteen suspects were arrested in connection with a sophisticated international grandparent scam ring that stole over $5 million from more than 400 seniors, with call centers in the Dominican Republic and money-collection runners across the United States including Massachusetts. The scam involved criminals posing as grandchildren in distress and pressuring elderly victims to withdraw cash from banks, with one victim's family losing $18,000 in the scheme. Authorities recommend families establish a code word that grandchildren must provide when calling, as a protective measure against this type of fraud.

Boston police warn of increased home improvement scams targeting residents as spring weather approaches, often perpetrated by international travelers offering cheap initial quotes before claiming additional damage requiring thousands in repairs. Massachusetts residents lost nearly $30,000 to these scams in 2021, with seniors particularly targeted; scammers typically use generic business names, lack proper licensing, and operate without city permits. Homeowners should obtain multiple estimates from verified contractors and report suspected scams to local police with detailed information about the perpetrators.

Two bank branch managers in Massachusetts prevented an elderly couple in their mid-70s from losing $80,000 in March 2024 after scammers posed as law enforcement, claiming the couple needed to transfer funds due to alleged illegal images and money laundering on their computer. Branch Manager Kim Giammasi at Hanscom Federal Credit Union became suspicious and required the couple to complete the transfer in person, allowing her colleague Melody Anoli to contact Billerica police, who confirmed the scam and secured the couple's accounts. The article emphasizes the importance of bank employee vigilance and provides Federal Trade Commission guidance on avoiding such schemes, including never clicking unexpected links, refusing unsolicited payment requests

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts filed a civil forfeiture action to return $2.3 million in cryptocurrency to 37 victims of online scams, including a "pig butchering" scam where one Massachusetts resident lost $400,000. The cryptocurrencies were seized from two Binance accounts in January following an investigation that traced funds from multiple victims to the same scammers. This action follows a similar recovery by the Chicago U.S. Attorney's Office, which seized $1.4 million in cryptocurrency tied to tech support scams targeting elderly victims.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Boston filed a civil forfeiture action to recover approximately $2.3 million in cryptocurrency from a "pig butchering" romance scam that defrauded a Massachusetts resident of over $400,000 in spring 2023. The seized cryptocurrency from two Binance accounts was traced to fraud affecting 37 victims across the United States, with the scammer using manipulative online tactics to build trust before luring the victim into fraudulent cryptocurrency investments.

A 77-year-old Massachusetts woman lost $9,500 to a "grandparent scam" in which a caller claimed to be her grandson in need of emergency cash for a car accident involving a pregnant woman. When scammers attempted to extract an additional $5,000 by impersonating a federal agent, the victim became suspicious and contacted police, who intercepted the second pickup and apprehended the driver (who was unknowingly hired through a ride-share app). The case remains under investigation, and police are urging public awareness to help prevent this common scheme targeting seniors.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell established a new Elder Justice Unit to combat the frequent and pervasive fraud targeting older residents, with director Mary Freeley coordinating resources across multiple bureaus to enhance prosecution and education. In 2023, Massachusetts consumers reported over 87,000 fraud cases resulting in $142.3 million in losses, though experts note significant underreporting due to shame and lack of awareness. Common scams include impostor fraud targeting bank and government agency impersonation, grandparent scams, and cryptocurrency schemes, with prevention experts recommending victims slow down and avoid emotional reactions that bypass logical thinking.

An 83-year-old Marin County, California woman lost $30,000 in a phone scam where a caller impersonated her bank's fraud department and convinced her to withdraw cash, which was then collected from her home by the scammer. The suspect, Hao Canh Diep, was apprehended when he attempted to target the woman again for an additional $25,000, and he was charged with financial elder abuse and grand theft. The article also highlights a separate check-washing scam that defrauded a Massachusetts business owner of $13,000 and provides general tips for avoiding scams.

Chukwunonso Umegbo, a former New Bedford man, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for wire fraud and money laundering related to romance scams between 2018 and 2019. Umegbo used fake identities to open bank accounts in the Boston area that received over $568,000 from romance scam victims, which he then withdrew as cash, converted to cashier's checks, or spent; he was arrested in London in 2022 and extradited to face charges in 2023. He was ordered to pay $578,954.78 in restitution and forfeiture.

Chukwunonso "Douglas" Umegbo, 39, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for his role in laundering money from romance scams, having pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges. Between 2018 and 2019, Umegbo opened fraudulent bank accounts using fake identity documents in Greater Boston to receive funds from romance scam victims, ultimately processing over $568,000 in stolen money before withdrawing it in cash or converting it to cashier's checks. He was ordered to pay $570,000 in restitution and forfeiture.

Chukwunonso "Douglas" Umegbo, 39, a former New Bedford resident, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison after pleading guilty to running romance scams between 2018 and 2019 that defrauded victims of over $568,000. Umegbo used fake identities to open bank accounts and receive money from fictitious online relationships, then withdrew the funds in cash, purchased cashier's checks, or spent the money directly, and continued directing victim funds to co-conspirators' accounts even after fleeing to London. He was arrested in London in April 2022, extradited to the U.S.

Chukwunonso "Douglas" Umegbo, a 39-year-old Massachusetts man, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for laundering over $568,000 obtained through romance scams between 2018 and 2019. Using fake identities and fraudulent bank accounts in the Boston area, Umegbo received funds from romance scam victims, withdrew the money in cash, and purchased cashier's checks to obscure the funds' origin. He was arrested in London in April 2022, extradited to the U.S. in February 2023, and ordered to pay $578,954.78 in restitution and forfeiture.

On April 16, Massachusetts' Attorney General issued an advisory notice clarifying that AI developers, suppliers, and users must comply with consumer protection laws (Chapter 93A) to avoid "unfair and deceptive" practices. The advisory identified specific violations including false advertising of AI quality, supplying defective systems, misrepresenting reliability or safety, breach of warranty, and using AI-generated deceptive content such as deepfakes or voice cloning for fraud. The guidance reinforces that consumers are protected against AI-related harms including bias, lack of transparency, and data privacy issues under existing Massachusetts and federal consumer protection statutes.

A Townsend, Massachusetts woman was victimized by romance scammers posing as actor Thorsten Kaye, who manipulated her through sophisticated scripts and persuasive messaging into sending money and allegedly considering poisoning her husband with contaminated soup. After reporting the fraud to police in December 2023, Doucette was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder when her daughter discovered text exchanges with the scammers discussing "getting rid of" her husband, though toxicology tests came back negative and authorities acknowledge the case's complexity. The incident highlights a growing problem in Massachusetts, where over 14,600 imposter scams were reported in 2023, with federal agents noting that

Vidal Roquez, 39, from Providence, Rhode Island, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in a grandparent scam that victimized at least thirteen seniors in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, where he personally collected cash from victims after they were deceived into believing a relative needed bail money. He was sentenced to twelve months and one day in federal prison, ordered to pay $130,300 in restitution, and required to perform community service by educating senior citizen groups about the scam and fraud prevention after his release.

Vidal Roquez, 39, was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for his role in a "grandparent scheme" that defrauded over a dozen seniors in Rhode Island and Massachusetts by convincing them to send cash for a relative's bail. He pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and was ordered to pay $130,300 in restitution, perform 60 hours of community service educating seniors about scams, and serve three years of supervised release.

A 25-year-old Massachusetts woman, Rachel Chen, was charged with stealing $20,000 from a 75-year-old New Hampshire resident through an online support scam that impersonated Microsoft and the victim's bank, instructing the victim to withdraw cash for supposed FBI pickup. Chen allegedly received the box of money in person while working with unknown accomplices and faces charges of theft by deception with potential penalties of 7½ to 15 years in prison and a $4,000 fine.

Massachusetts residents over age 60 lost more than $70 million to fraud in 2022, with 1,653 victims averaging $42,408 in losses per person, according to an analysis of FBI and FTC data by VPNPro. Seniors aged 60 and older were 517 percent more likely to fall victim to online tech support scams than younger adults, with investment scams, business imposter scams, and romance scams being the most prevalent types. Experts recommend that families discuss fraud prevention with elderly relatives, including warning signs such as requests for unusual payment methods, pressure to act quickly, and unsolicited offers.

Massachusetts residents over age 60 lost more than $70 million to fraud in 2022, with 1,653 victims averaging $42,408 in losses each, according to VPNPro's analysis of FBI and FTC data. Seniors in the state were 517 percent more likely to fall victim to online tech support scams than younger adults, with investment scams, business imposter scams, and romance scams being the most prevalent types. Experts recommend that adult children have conversations with elderly parents about fraud red flags and caution them against providing personal or financial information over the phone or through unusual payment methods.

A reformed romance scammer from Nigeria revealed the tactics used in romance fraud schemes, including targeting vulnerable women on dating apps with fake military or single-parent profiles, building trust through virtual gifts and affection, and gradually extracting money by claiming financial hardship abroad. The scammer personally defrauded victims of tens of thousands of dollars by juggling multiple women and requesting payments in installments, while Massachusetts alone saw $8.6 million in romance scam losses in 2023. Now working as an educator, he advises potential victims to request video calls from suspected scammers and never send money to people they haven't met in person.

**Summary:** Timothy Bartlett, 69, of Deltona, Florida, was arrested for defrauding a Tampa-area nonprofit organization of $5,000 by falsely posing as a cancer patient named "Sally Holmes" seeking living expense assistance. Investigators discovered Bartlett had perpetrated the same scam against at least four other nonprofits in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Wisconsin that provide financial aid to cancer patients.

In January 2023, a Massachusetts workers union was defrauded of $6.4 million through a business email compromise (BEC) scheme in which scammers spoofed an investment consulting firm's email address (changing one letter) to request a payment information change. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a civil forfeiture action to recover approximately $5.3 million in traced proceeds that were transferred through multiple intermediary accounts in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, and Nigeria before being seized from seven domestic bank accounts.

This article is not relevant to the Elderus database. It discusses dating market conditions and relationship challenges for singles in various U.S. states, not scams, fraud, or elder abuse. While it briefly mentions "romance scams" in Massachusetts, the article focuses on general dating difficulty metrics rather than elder fraud prevention or elder abuse awareness.

Drivers in Massachusetts received scam text messages falsely claiming they owed unpaid E-ZPass tolls, a fraud that the FBI has received over 2,000 complaints about since early March. The scam exploits the common occurrence of drivers unknowingly passing through tolls, making small payment demands seem plausible. E-ZPass confirmed these messages are fake and advised that toll authorities never contact customers via text; recipients should avoid clicking links and instead contact the toll authority directly to verify any legitimate debts.

A 91-year-old Rockland woman became a victim of credit card fraud in late 2022 when over $3,000 in unauthorized charges from Texas energy companies appeared on her statement after a Florida vacation, though her family's dispute with Citibank was closed due to insufficient information. The case highlights a broader problem: Massachusetts residents over 60 lost over $70 million to fraud in 2022, with seniors 517 percent more likely to fall victim to online tech support scams than younger adults. Experts recommend families monitor elderly parents' financial accounts closely and discuss common scam tactics, including requests for unusual payment methods and pressure to act quickly.

A 91-year-old Rockland woman became a victim of credit card fraud when over $3,000 in fraudulent charges from Texas energy companies appeared on her statement in late 2022, shortly after she vacationed in Florida. Her daughter spent more than a year attempting to dispute the charges with Citibank, but the case was closed due to insufficient information, highlighting challenges elderly fraud victims face in resolving disputes. The incident reflects a broader trend in Massachusetts, where residents over 60 lost over $70 million to fraud in 2022, with seniors being significantly more vulnerable to online scams, investment fraud, and imposter schemes.

In observation of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts emphasized its commitment to prosecuting elder fraud and financial exploitation, noting that nearly one in 10 adults aged 60 and older experience some form of elder abuse annually. The office highlighted a recent case where Chukwunonso Umegbo was sentenced to over three years in prison for operating a romance scam that defrauded at least 45 victims of more than $568,000 between 2018 and 2019, including a senior who lost her home, car, and retirement savings. The District of Massachusetts has launched an Elder Justice Out

The U.S. government announced increased efforts to pursue international scammers targeting American citizens, following a business email compromise scheme that defrauded a U.S. company of approximately $8 billion (N8 billion). Scammers used spoofed emails to redirect payments to fraudulent accounts, with funds transferred to cryptocurrency wallets and banks in multiple countries including Nigeria; U.S. authorities successfully seized approximately $5.3 million held in domestic banks before it could be transferred overseas. The Department of Justice is directing victims of cryptocurrency scams, romance scams, investment scams, and business email compromise fraud to report through a dedicated government website to support investigation and recovery efforts.

Unsolicited packages from major e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Temu have been delivered to consumers nationwide as part of "brushing scams," where third-party sellers send random items to addresses obtained online to create fake verified-buyer reviews and artificially inflate product ratings. Affected consumers across Minnesota, Illinois, Massachusetts, and other states received unwanted items ranging from baby balloons to military hats and electronics. The Better Business Bureau recommends recipients document incidents, contact retailers to stop deliveries, monitor their accounts for fraudulent reviews and orders, and check credit reports, as the FTC has warned about this deceptive practice for at least a decade.

Elder fraud losses in the FBI-Boston Division reached $89.6 million across 2,689 victims in 2023, with Massachusetts accounting for $63.7 million of those losses, and financial fraud targeting adults over 60 increasing by double digits. The most common scams include tech support, romance, investment, and government impersonation schemes, with investment scams showing the sharpest growth (419% increase in losses from 2021-2023, largely driven by cryptocurrency fraud). The FBI emphasizes that actual losses are likely higher due to underreporting and recommends that seniors avoid unsolicited contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, never share personal information with un

Fraud targeting people aged 60 and older increased 11 percent nationwide last year, resulting in $3.4 billion in total losses, with Massachusetts accounting for $63.6 million across 1,610 reported victims. Common schemes include tech support scams, romance scams, investment fraud, and government impersonation, with the average victim losing nearly $34,000; the FBI warns that actual numbers may be higher since only half of complaints include victim ages, and scammers are increasingly employing artificial intelligence tactics.

Elder fraud in the New England region resulted in $89.6 million in reported losses across Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island in 2023, with Massachusetts accounting for $63.7 million of that total, though the FBI estimates actual losses are significantly higher due to underreporting. The FBI-Boston reports a double-digit increase in financial fraud targeting adults over 60, with investment scams showing the sharpest growth (victimization up 209% and losses up 419% from 2021-2023), largely driven by cryptocurrency schemes, alongside common scams including tech support, romance, and government impersonation fraud. The FBI recommends elderly individuals and their families be

Elder fraud losses in the Boston FBI Division (Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island) totaled $89.6 million across 2,689 victims in 2023, with national losses reaching $1.6 billion from January to May 2024—a significant increase from the prior year. The most common scams targeting seniors include tech support, romance, investment, and government impersonation schemes, with investment scams involving cryptocurrency showing a particularly sharp rise of 419% in losses between 2021-2023. The FBI emphasizes that actual losses are likely higher due to underreporting and recommends elders be cautious of unsolicited contact, resist pressure

A man in Dedham, Massachusetts lost $12,000 after a scammer approached him at a Bank of America ATM, swapped his debit card with a fake one, and used it to make unauthorized withdrawals and cash checks. This incident occurred the same day as a nearly identical $12,000 theft from a woman in East Boston, prompting police and the bank to investigate whether the crimes are connected; the East Boston victim's funds were restored by Bank of America.

A Massachusetts man lost $12,000 after a scammer posing as a helpful stranger swapped his debit card for a fake one at a Bank of America ATM in Dedham on Friday, then made unauthorized withdrawals and cashed checks in his name. A nearly identical scam occurred the same day in East Boston, where a woman also lost $12,000 in the same manner at another Bank of America ATM. Experts believe these incidents are part of an organized crime ring using ATM card-swapping tactics, though police have not confirmed if the cases are connected.

Joyce, a 74-year-old Massachusetts woman, lost over $400,000 to scammers impersonating country star Vince Gill over nearly a year in 2022-2023, after she engaged with fake accounts that contacted her following a comment she posted on his Instagram page. Her daughter Jessica discovered the fraud involving romantic manipulation (the scammers posed as Gill and claimed to be her spouse) and discovered it was exacerbated by Joyce's undiagnosed cognitive decline, though experts note cognitive impairment is not required for someone to fall victim to such scams. The case highlights how celebrity impersonation scams exploit vulnerable individuals through manipulative tactics on social media

Rachel Chen, 25, of Massachusetts was arrested and indicted in three counties for her role in tech support scams targeting New Hampshire seniors. In one case, a Grafton County elderly resident lost $20,000 after being deceived into believing their bank account was hacked; Chen allegedly picked up the cash on behalf of the scam operation. The case is ongoing with Chen scheduled for court appearances later in 2024.

A Massachusetts woman fell victim to a romance scam in which a fraudster impersonated musician Vince Gill, creating fake social media accounts and engaging her in Google chats. The scammer fabricated a story claiming Gill's wife Amy Grant was divorcing him over a false sexual assault allegation and needed $350,000 in hush money, ultimately emptying three of the victim's accounts including her retirement fund. The incident, uncovered by the victim's daughter Jackie, highlights a common elder fraud scheme targeting vulnerable individuals through fake celebrity impersonation.

The Southborough, Massachusetts Police Department warned of an "Irish Traveller Scam" targeting residents, in which a man with an Irish accent solicited a homeowner for $150 to remove ivy, then pressured her to pay $2,000 for alleged chimney damage she refused. The advisory notes these scams use high-pressure sales tactics and typically result in incomplete or no work performed. A related investigation in Denver resulted in the arrest of two Irishmen accused of roofing scams that defrauded multiple homeowners by planting worms under roof shingles and falsely claiming they were maggots requiring expensive repairs, with the suspects now facing theft