Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 22,013 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
197 results
for "Massachusetts"
yahoo.com
· 2026-03-20
BOSTON (WWLP) – A Dominican national has been extradited to Massachusetts for allegedly laundering proceeds from a call center operation that defrauded hundreds of elderly victims, resulting in over $...
fallriverreporter.com
· 2026-03-20
BOSTON – A Dominican national has been extradited to the United States for his alleged role in a transnational “call center” operation in the Dominican Republic that tricked hundreds of elderly victim...
bostonherald.com
· 2026-03-10
A former local official accused of using city funds to pay for 153 pounds of bourbon steak tips, a Toyota Prius and more has pleaded guilty.
Thomas Clasby, Jr., 61, who used to be the Quincy director...
wmur.com
· 2026-02-14
# Romance Scam Warning
Law enforcement in New Hampshire and the broader Northeast are warning residents about romance scams, which have cost over 700 victims approximately $20 million across Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Scammers typically target people seeking companionship—especially recent widows—by creating fake online personas, quickly professing love, and then requesting money for emergencies via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Authorities advise people to watch for red flags like refusals to video call or meet in person, and urge victims not to feel ashamed but to reach out to loved ones and law enforcement for help.
cryptopolitan.com
· 2026-01-18
# Crypto Scam Summary
A Massachusetts man defrauded a Tinder user of $200,000 in a "pig butchering" scam, where he posed as a financial advisor named "Nino Martin" and convinced her to invest in fake cryptocurrency through fake platforms like a fraudulent Coinbase account. The Department of Justice is now working to recover the stolen funds in Tether stablecoin. To protect yourself, be suspicious of romantic connections who quickly pivot to financial opportunities, verify investment advisors through official channels, and never send money to unknown individuals or unverified platforms, especially those accessed through dating apps.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-01-14
Federal prosecutors in Massachusetts are seeking to recover over $200,000 in cryptocurrency from a "pig butchering" scam where a victim was deceived by a Tinder match posing as a financial advisor into investing in a fake crypto trading platform, ultimately losing over $500,000. Pig butchering scams combine romance and social engineering tactics, with scammers building trust online before directing victims to fraudulent investment sites and extracting repeated payments until victims realize their "profits" are fake. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited investment offers from online matches, never transfer money to unknown platforms, and use moderated communication channels rather than switching to private apps like WhatsApp with strangers.
bostonherald.com
· 2026-01-14
A Cambridge, Massachusetts resident lost over $500,000 in a "pig-butchering" romance scam after matching with someone on Tinder who posed as a financial advisor and convinced them to invest in cryptocurrency. The scammer, operating under the alias "Nino Martin," built trust through WhatsApp before directing the victim to a fraudulent trading platform, and when transfers were flagged as suspicious, instructed them on how to bypass security restrictions to continue sending money. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited investment offers from online matches, verify the legitimacy of any trading platforms independently, and never send money to someone you've only met online—especially if they push you to bypass security measures or move communications off dating apps.
bostonglobe.com
· 2026-01-14
boston.com
· 2026-01-11
A Massachusetts woman has been arrested in connection with a Publishers Clearing House scam that defrauded a North Carolina man of approximately $500,000 by falsely claiming he had won $4 million and a Mercedes-Benz, then pressuring him to pay fake IRS and FDIC fees. The victim liquidated his retirement and investment accounts to pay the scammers through checks and gift cards, with about $215,000 going to a suspicious company linked to previous fraud cases. Authorities warn that legitimate prize organizations and financial institutions never require upfront payments, fees, gift cards, or wire transfers to claim winnings, so recipients of such requests should hang up and contact the organization directly through official channels.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-10
A Massachusetts couple in their seventies lost their entire life savings after falling victim to a common scam that exploited their concern over fraudulent charges—a scammer posing as their bank convinced them to withdraw $7,000 and purchase Apple gift cards, then disappeared with the codes. Americans aged 60 and older lost $4.8 billion to scams last year, making seniors nearly twice as vulnerable to fraud as the next age group. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited calls claiming to be from your bank, never purchase gift cards at a scammer's request, and verify caller identity by hanging up and calling your bank directly using the number on your card.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Former U.S. Postal Inspector Scott Kelley, 51, of Massachusetts, was indicted on 45 counts for stealing over $330,000 in cash from packages mailed by elderly victims of a Jamaican lottery telemarketing scam between 2019 and 2023. Kelley, who led the Mail Fraud Unit investigating senior citizen scams, used his position to intercept approximately 1,950 flagged packages, launder the proceeds through money orders and multiple bank accounts, and even framed a subordinate for a separate $7,000 evidence locker theft. He faces up to 20 years in prison on each wire fraud and mail frau
masslive.com
· 2025-12-08
A former U.S. Postal Inspector in Massachusetts was indicted on 45 counts for stealing over $330,000 in cash from nearly 1,950 packages mailed by elderly victims (average age 75) who had been duped by lottery scams originating in Jamaica. Scott Kelley used his position as Mail Fraud Unit team leader to intercept packages containing $1,400 to $19,100 in cash each, launder the proceeds through home improvements and personal expenses, and falsely blame a subordinate for theft from an evidence locker. He pleaded not guilty and was released on $25,000 bond.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Scott Kelley, a 51-year-old former U.S. Postal Inspector in Massachusetts, was indicted on 45 counts for stealing over $330,000 in cash from nearly 1,950 packages mailed by elderly victims between January 2019 and August 2023, with seven identified victims averaging 75 years old who mailed between $1,400 and $19,100 each. Kelley, who previously led the Mail Fraud Unit investigating scams targeting seniors, used postal employees to intercept packages, stole cash from an evidence locker, and laundered the money on personal expenses including pool upgrades, Caribbean cruises, and escort services while filing
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Tech support scams cost consumers $1.464 billion in 2024, with scammers impersonating major tech company representatives and tricking victims—particularly Millennials and Gen Z—into believing their computers have security problems requiring expensive paid services. Common tactics include fraudulent pop-ups with phone numbers, phony calls with spoofed caller IDs, and requests for remote computer access or cryptocurrency payments; legitimate tech companies never initiate contact about security problems, request remote access, or demand cryptocurrency payment. One Massachusetts man was nearly defrauded of $12,000 through a cryptocurrency ATM before an off-duty police officer intervened.
spokesman.com
· 2025-12-08
A 51-year-old former postal inspector in Massachusetts was arrested and charged with 45 counts, including stealing over $330,000 from elderly victims (average age 75) who had been defrauded by lottery scams and mailed cash to scammers. Kelley, who ironically led the Mail Fraud Unit investigating such scams, intercepted packages flagged by the Postal Service's anti-fraud algorithm, stole the cash from victims attempting to recover their losses, and laundered the money through money orders and multiple bank accounts to fund personal expenses including a pool patio and Caribbean cruise. He also stole $7,000 from an evidence locker and falsely blamed another inspector
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Debora A. Siler, 68, of East Weymouth, Massachusetts, was charged with bank fraud for stealing approximately $61,685 in Social Security benefits over five years by fraudulently accessing the account of a deceased beneficiary. From June 2015 through September 2020, Siler forged checks and made debit card withdrawals from the account after the beneficiary died in May 2015, without reporting the death to authorities. She faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
theberkshireedge.com
· 2025-12-08
Adams Community Bank announced a partnership with Carefull, a financial safety platform, to offer free fraud and scam protection to its account holders, making ACB the first bank in Western Massachusetts to provide this service. The Carefull platform monitors accounts for unusual activity, detects romance scams and other financial exploitation, analyzes suspicious communications, and provides secure storage for important documents and records with $1 million identity theft insurance. This initiative reflects ACB's commitment to protecting seniors and their families as elder fraud cases continue to rise.
viconsortium.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old woman, Andrea Hull-King, was extradited to the U.S. Virgin Islands to face charges after defrauding an elderly relative of $26,730 between October 2021 and January 2022. Hull-King unlawfully registered the victim's Banco Popular account for online access and transferred funds to her personal account using her relative's credentials. She was apprehended in Massachusetts in August 2025 on an outstanding warrant and charged with multiple offenses including grand larceny, identity theft, and financial exploitation of an elderly person.
cnycentral.com
· 2025-12-08
A married elderly couple in Throop, New York lost nearly $25,000 in a grandparent scam after receiving a call claiming their grandchild was in trouble; the couple's local case was part of a larger federal investigation that charged 13 people involved in a transnational elder fraud scheme operating from the Dominican Republic that defrauded over 400 victims of approximately $5 million nationwide, with at least 50 victims in Massachusetts averaging 84 years old. Local deputies arrested three suspects and recovered the couple's money, while federal authorities determined the scammers used call centers in the Dominican Republic and unsuspecting rideshare drivers as intermediaries to funnel stolen funds
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
An off-duty police officer in Waltham, Massachusetts prevented an elderly man from losing $12,000 to a Bitcoin scam after recognizing a fraudulent caller impersonating Apple Customer Support and the FTC who instructed him to deposit money into a Bitcoin machine. The incident highlights a broader problem, as federal investigators recently charged 13 people involved in a separate scam targeting hundreds of elderly victims with an average age of 84, who were deceived by callers posing as grandchildren.
lowellsun.com
· 2025-12-08
A transnational grandparent scam operation based in the Dominican Republic defrauded over 400 elderly victims (average age 84) of more than $5 million, with at least 50 victims from Massachusetts, using fake calls claiming grandchildren needed emergency money. Thirteen suspects, including alleged mastermind Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, faced charges after a two-year FBI investigation, with the scheme involving "opener" and "closer" call center employees who posed as family members and lawyers, directing victims to hand cash to rideshare drivers for delivery. The operation highlights the emotional and financial devastation of elder fraud and the importance of bank scrutiny for unusual senior withdrawals
womansworld.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers posing as grandchildren are targeting elderly individuals by claiming emergencies (car accidents, arrests, etc.) and requesting urgent money transfers; thirteen Dominican Republic nationals were recently charged with defrauding approximately 400 U.S. grandparents of nearly $5 million across Massachusetts, California, New York, Florida, and Maryland. To protect themselves, grandparents should verify callers' identities through personal questions or video calls, avoid sharing financial information over the phone, and refrain from sending money immediately even if the caller claims to be a distressed family member.
wamc.org
· 2025-12-08
A transnational grandparent scam operating from the Dominican Republic was dismantled following a two-year investigation, with suspects from New York, Massachusetts, and the Dominican Republic charged after defrauding at least 400 elderly victims of over $5 million. The sophisticated operation used call centers with "openers" posing as grandchildren in emergencies and "closers" impersonating lawyers demanding cash, with unwitting rideshare drivers recruited to transport victims to banks and deliver money; the scheme was uncovered when Uber flagged suspicious rides and alerted federal authorities. At least nine suspects were arrested facing wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering charges carrying up to 20
wcvb.com
· 2025-12-08
Thirteen people were charged in a sophisticated transnational elder fraud ring that operated from call centers in the Dominican Republic and defrauded over 400 Massachusetts senior citizens of approximately $5 million in combined losses. The defendants used a coordinated system of "openers" posing as distressed grandchildren, "closers" impersonating lawyers, and "runners" collecting cash, often making repeated calls to victims to extract additional payments for fabricated emergencies. Alleged mastermind Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia and other defendants used rideshare drivers as unwitting money couriers, with nine suspects arrested, two remaining at large in the U.S., and two at large in the Dominican Republic.
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Thirteen Dominican Republic citizens have been charged with operating a sophisticated grandparent scam that defrauded approximately 400 U.S. seniors out of $5 million by posing as their grandchildren in distress and repeatedly extracting money from victims. The victims, averaging 84 years old and located across Massachusetts, California, New York, Florida, and Maryland, were targeted with calls claiming emergencies such as car accidents or arrests, with fraudsters sometimes contacting the same victims multiple times. Nine suspects are in custody while four remain at-large, each facing conspiracy charges for mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering with potential sentences up to 20 years in prison.
bostonherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal authorities dismantled a transnational "grandparent scam" operation based in the Dominican Republic that defrauded over 400 victims nationwide, including at least 50 in Massachusetts with an average age of 84, stealing more than $5 million. The scheme involved call center employees posing as grandchildren in distress or their attorneys, instructing elderly victims to send cash via rideshare drivers or mail, with some victims targeted multiple times for additional funds. Thirteen individuals were charged, with eleven arrested on Tuesday, after a two-year joint investigation by the FBI and Dominican Republic authorities, and the stolen proceeds were laundered back to the Caribbean.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Thirteen individuals, led by Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, were charged for operating a transnational "grandparent scam" call center in the Dominican Republic that defrauded over 400 elderly victims (average age 84) across the United States, resulting in more than $5 million in losses, including at least 50 victims in Massachusetts. The scheme involved callers posing as grandchildren in distress or their attorneys, instructing victims to send cash via rideshare drivers or mail, and often requesting additional payments through fabricated stories. The defendants allegedly laundered the illicit proceeds back to the Dominican Republic through money launderers and bank accounts in the United States.
boston.com
· 2025-12-08
A transnational elder fraud ring based in the Dominican Republic was disrupted after a two-year investigation resulting in nine arrests and four additional charges, with 13 suspects identified in total. The scheme defrauded over 400 victims (average age 84) of more than $5 million across Massachusetts, Florida, California, Maryland, and New York by using bilingual callers posing as distressed grandchildren in accidents or legal trouble, followed by a "closer" impersonating an attorney, then a "runner" collecting cash via rideshare services. Alleged ringleader Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia and associates face charges including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering,
boston25news.com
· 2025-12-08
A transnational elder fraud ring operating a call center in Santiago, Dominican Republic, defrauded over 400 elderly victims (average age 84) out of more than $5 million through "grandparent scams," with at least 50 victims in Massachusetts. Thirteen individuals have been charged in connection with the scheme, which involved callers posing as grandchildren in distress and then as attorneys requesting emergency funds; four suspects remain at large while nine are in custody. Federal authorities shut down the operation following a two-year investigation and are urging victims to come forward without shame, noting that such schemes are increasingly sophisticated, sometimes aided by AI.
witnessngr.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Nigerian nationals, Osakpamwan Henry Omoruyi (37) and Osaretin Godspower Omoruyi (36), were convicted by federal jury in Boston of bank fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and money laundering conspiracy for operating romance scams and pandemic unemployment assistance fraud schemes. Between 2019 and 2021, the defendants used fraudulent passports to open fake bank accounts that collected over $1.7 million in proceeds from romance scams, which they then transferred overseas. Both face sentencing in September 2023, with potential sentences up to 30 years in prison for the fraud charges.
berkshireeagle.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's Boston Division has reported a spike in "vishing" scams across New England in which callers impersonate law enforcement and government officials to extort money or steal personal information, with recent cases in Berkshire County demanding $2,500 for fake warrant clearances. In 2024, approximately 17,367 people nationwide reported losses exceeding $405 million from government impersonation scams, with over 500 Massachusetts victims losing around $9.5 million. Legitimate law enforcement agencies never call threatening arrest or demanding immediate payment; victims should verify caller identity, avoid engaging, and report suspected scams to local police and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
patriotledger.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Boston Division is warning New Englanders of an increasing surge in scam calls from fraudsters impersonating federal agents and law enforcement officials who use intimidation tactics—threatening arrest, property confiscation, or bank account freezes—to pressure victims into sending money via wire transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or cash. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, 778 complaints were filed across Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, resulting in total losses of $12.9 million. The FBI emphasizes that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not call threatening arrest or demanding payment, and victims should hang up immediately, contact their financial institutions, and report the scam to local police
capecodtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A texting scam impersonating the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles has resurfaced with an updated message, asking recipients for payments or personal information. The scam, known as "smishing," originally began in early June across multiple states and was updated again in mid-July 2025. Massachusetts officials are warning residents to be cautious of unsolicited RMV text messages requesting money or personal data.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A fire at Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts killed 9 residents (aged 61-86) and injured dozens more, with survivors reporting that staff members abandoned the scene without alerting residents or assisting evacuations. The incident revealed systemic safety failures including inadequate staffing levels, lack of fire drills, and insufficient emergency equipment and firefighting resources, which advocates and union officials said contributed to the tragedy's severity.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A 74-year-old Massachusetts woman lost approximately $450,000 of her retirement savings in a year-long romance scam where perpetrators impersonated country music star Vince Gill and his daughter, fabricating a story about divorce and legal troubles to extract money through wire transfers, checks, and cash. Despite warnings from banks, law enforcement, and family members, the victim continues to believe the online relationship is genuine. Santa Barbara County District Attorney investigators emphasize that romance scams are particularly difficult to prevent due to emotional manipulation tactics like "love bombing," and recommend that concerned family members approach victims with empathy while asking non-judgmental questions and contacting authorities if suspicious activity is detected.
keyt.com
· 2025-12-08
A 74-year-old Massachusetts woman lost approximately $450,000 in a year-long romance scam in which perpetrators impersonated country music star Vince Gill and his daughter, fabricating an emotional story about a false rape accusation to solicit money. Despite warnings from banks, law enforcement, and family members, the victim sent wire transfers, cashier's checks, cash, and took out personal loans and credit card advances before her daughter discovered the fraud on Christmas morning. Authorities emphasize that romance scammers exploit emotional manipulation and social isolation, particularly targeting older adults who are widowed, divorced, or lonely, and recommend that concerned family members ask non-judgmental questions and contact
businessnewsthisweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Recent CDC data indicates that approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60+ experience elder abuse annually. A comprehensive analysis of senior safety across U.S. states, measuring scam reports, homicide rates, violent death rates, and quality of life, ranked Massachusetts as the safest state for seniors (score: 89.96), followed by Minnesota (89.03) and Nebraska (88.78), with scam rates against seniors ranging from 95.5 to 141.1 reports per 100,000 people depending on the state.
fortune.com
· 2025-12-08
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
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
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
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
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
punchng.com
· 2025-12-08
Charles Nwadavid, a 35-year-old Nigerian businessman, pleaded guilty to mail fraud and money laundering for his role in romance scams that defrauded six victims of over $2.5 million between 2016 and 2019. He used a Massachusetts victim as an intermediary to receive funds from victims across the United States, then converted the money through cryptocurrency accounts he controlled. Nwadavid faces sentencing on September 23, 2025, with potential penalties including up to 40 years in prison, a $750,000 fine, and deportation.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Nigerian national Charles Uchenna Nwadavid pleaded guilty to orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded six victims of over $2.5 million, using fake online profiles to build trust before requesting money for fabricated emergencies like inheritances and medical crises. One Massachusetts resident was manipulated into serving as a money conduit, receiving funds from five other victims across the U.S. and transferring the collective $2.5 million to Nwadavid through cryptocurrency transactions on LocalBitcoins. Nwadavid was arrested in April 2025 upon arrival at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and faces up to 20 years in prison on
guardian.ng
· 2025-12-08
Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a Nigerian man, pleaded guilty to operating a romance scam that defrauded six U.S. victims of over $2.5 million, which he converted into cryptocurrency through accounts under his control. Arrested in April 2025 after arriving at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Nwadavid admitted to mail fraud and money laundering charges, using one victim from Massachusetts as a conduit to receive and transfer funds from five other victims. He faces up to 20 years in prison, fines up to $250,000-$500,000, restitution, and potential deportation to Nigeria upon sentencing.
news.shib.io
· 2025-12-08
Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a 35-year-old Nigerian national, pleaded guilty to stealing over $2.5 million from six victims through romance scams between 2016 and 2019, laundering the funds through cryptocurrency accounts he controlled. Nwadavid manipulated victims into sending money via fake dating profiles and romantic relationships, then transferred the stolen funds through a Massachusetts resident accomplice into crypto wallets on LocalBitcoins. He faces up to 20 years in prison on mail fraud and money laundering charges, along with potential deportation.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a 35-year-old Nigerian national, pleaded guilty to his role in a romance scam that defrauded six victims of over $2.5 million between 2016 and 2019. Nwadavid created fake online profiles to gain victims' trust, then directed them to send money under false pretenses, using a Massachusetts resident as an intermediary to transfer funds through cryptocurrency accounts he controlled. He faces sentencing on September 23, 2025, on charges of mail fraud and money laundering, with potential penalties including up to 20 years in prison and deportation.
massretirees.com
· 2025-12-08
The Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol Program, a national initiative to combat healthcare fraud and errors, presented educational workshops at its 11th Statewide Conference in May, emphasizing the billions of dollars annually lost to healthcare fraud and abuse. The program recommends that Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries maintain personal healthcare journals tracking all medical encounters, medications, and services, protect sensitive documents like Medicare cards, and ask key questions at medical appointments to detect errors and fraud. The MA SMP provides free educational sessions statewide and estimates that approximately 98,000 lives are lost annually due to medical errors, underscoring the importance of consumer engagement in preventing costly and health-damaging healthcare fraud and unnecessary treatments.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Month, the U.S. Department of Justice announced reinvigorated efforts to prosecute transnational elder fraud schemes that cost American seniors billions of dollars. Recent prosecutions in the District of Rhode Island include: a British national convicted in a multi-state construction fraud targeting seniors across four states for over $1 million; eight individuals indicted for orchestrating transnational tech support scams that defrauded approximately 300 seniors across 37 states of over $5 million; and two residents charged with grandparent scams that defrauded seniors in Rhode Island and Massachusetts of at least $230,000. The DOJ urged seniors an
cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Americans lost over $4.8 billion to financial scams across 147,127 reported complaints—a 46% increase in complaints and 43% increase in losses compared to 2023, according to FBI data released ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Massachusetts was particularly hard hit, with over 3,200 victims losing nearly $100 million, while the broader Boston Division reported $135 million in losses. Scammers exploit trust, loneliness, and fear by posing as romantic partners, tech support agents, government officials, or advisors, pressuring victims to send money through untraceable methods like wire transfers or gift cards.
bostonglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
Teresa Rogg, a 74-year-old Massachusetts resident, lost approximately $140,000 from her retirement account after falling victim to an evolving "phantom hacker" scam that began with a fake security pop-up and escalated to in-person cash pickups over two months. The scammers convinced her that suspicious activity had been detected on her accounts and instructed her to withdraw cash and hand it to couriers using code words, while also sending fraudulent letters impersonating the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Tech support scams in Massachusetts have surged dramatically, with reported losses increasing from $1.2 million in 2019 to over $50 million in the most
massretirees.com
· 2025-12-08