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by Marshall Griffin | Mar 20, 2026 Screenshot of Case.net home page Missouri courts are warning the public about fake websites posing as the state’s official Case.net system. Court leaders say a fr...

# Tax Day Scam Warning Summary As tax season approaches, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is warning residents about a surge in scams targeting taxpayers through fake emails, texts, phone calls, and websites impersonating government agencies and tax services. Scammers use fear and urgency to pressure people into sharing personal information or making immediate payments, though legitimate tax authorities will never demand payment via email or threaten arrest. To protect yourself, verify messages independently through official channels, never share sensitive information unsolicited, and report suspected scams to Missouri's consumer hotline at 800-392-8222 or ago.mo.gov.

Romance scams are rapidly growing frauds where criminals create fake online identities to build emotional connections with victims and trick them into sending money or personal information, costing people billions of dollars annually and causing significant emotional harm. Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway warns that red flags include rushed relationships, requests for money or cryptocurrency, and reluctance to meet in person, while noting that friends and family members often spot warning signs first and can play a crucial role in prevention. If you suspect you or a loved one is being targeted, contact Missouri's Consumer Protection hotline at (800) 392-8222 or report online at ago.mo.gov for help.

# Crypto ATM Scam Summary An older man in Liberty, Missouri nearly lost money to scammers who convinced him they were Microsoft support and directed him to send cash through a cryptocurrency ATM to fix a computer virus. A vigilant store clerk noticed the confused customer and intervened, stopping the transaction and alerting police. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited tech support calls, never search for support numbers online (use official company websites instead), and avoid using cryptocurrency ATMs for urgent money transfers, as they are irreversible and frequently targeted by scammers.

# Fraud Alert Summary The Cole County Sheriff's Office is warning residents of a scam where callers impersonate deputies and claim victims have arrest warrants, demanding payment over the phone. Law enforcement will never contact you by phone about warrants or ask for payment, so if you receive such a call, hang up and independently contact your local sheriff's office using an official number to verify. If you've been targeted by this scam, contact the Cole County Sheriff's Office at 573-634-9160.

The Department of Justice significantly escalated its enforcement efforts against white-collar crime in 2025, with healthcare fraud as the top priority—exemplified by a record-breaking June takedown charging over 300 individuals, including nearly 100 medical professionals, for $14.6 billion in fraudulent claims. Healthcare providers, billing professionals, and compliance officers should expect increased scrutiny of their billing practices and business arrangements, with the DOJ expanding its specialized Strike Force model to nine regions nationwide to investigate and prosecute complex fraud schemes more rapidly. Companies in the healthcare sector are advised to strengthen their compliance programs and review their billing and business practices to mitigate fraud risks.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is warning residents about widespread investment scams, including Ponzi schemes, cryptocurrency fraud, and "pump and dump" schemes that trick people into investing in fake projects or assets. To protect yourself, verify investment claims carefully, ask tough questions before committing money, and report suspicious activity immediately. If you believe you've been scammed, contact the Missouri Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-392-8222 or file a complaint online at ago.mo.gov.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is warning residents about holiday gift card scams, where criminals impersonate government officials, utilities companies, or loved ones to pressure victims into buying gift cards and sharing their codes—money that becomes impossible to recover once spent. These scams exploit urgency and fear during the busy holiday season, targeting popular retailers like Walmart, Target, Amazon, and Apple, with millions of dollars lost nationwide annually. Missourians should remember that no legitimate organization requests payment via gift card, and anyone who suspects they've been scammed should contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-392-8222 or report it online at ago.mo.gov.

# Fraud Summary Scammers in the Fenton, Missouri area posed as fundraisers selling candy bars outside a Walmart, but when customers used tap-to-pay on their phones, the fraudsters altered the transaction amount from $5 to $1,000 and fled the scene. Multiple victims were targeted by at least four or five young males claiming to raise money for a football team, though one victim's bank caught the fraud and prevented the charge. To protect yourself, avoid using tap-to-pay with unfamiliar vendors, treat digital payments like handing over cash, and report any suspicious activity to St. Louis County Police at 314-349-8120.

Missouri held seven statewide forums in fall 2025 to address elder abuse concerns, where residents reported financial, physical, and emotional abuse targeting seniors—with scams increasingly using artificial intelligence. State Senator Adam Schnelting has drafted legislation (Senate Bill 910) requiring nursing homes and assisted living facilities to carry a minimum of $1 million in liability insurance, as Missouri currently has no such mandate. Seniors should be cautious about unsolicited phone calls and computer-based contacts, and families should ensure their loved ones' care facilities have proper liability insurance coverage.

A 38-year-old man from Illinois was sentenced to over seven years in prison for targeting elderly women in Missouri and Illinois with elaborate scams, including fake identity theft and computer security alerts that tricked victims into sending large sums of cash. Patel's victims—11 identified across five states—lost a combined amount exceeding $2 million, with individual losses ranging from $50,000 to $148,000. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited alerts about identity theft or account compromise, never send cash to unknown parties, and verify callers' identities by contacting official agencies directly using phone numbers from their official websites rather than numbers provided by the caller.

**Summary:** Kristina Higgins, 54, the former general manager of a Missouri company, pleaded guilty to eight counts of bank fraud after embezzling $878,711 by issuing company checks to pay her personal credit card bills and forging the company owner's signature. She also falsified information to the bank's positive pay system in December 2022 to ensure the fraudulent checks would be processed. Higgins agreed to repay the full amount and faces sentencing on December 4, with potential penalties of up to 30 years in prison and/or a $1 million fine.

James L. Townes Jr., 50, of Berkeley, Missouri, and accomplice Charnay Bartlett, 29, were indicted on multiple counts for orchestrating a property fraud scheme in which they fraudulently transferred ownership of 16 homes and a duplex between September 2018 and April 2025 by stealing identities, forging signatures, and creating fraudulent notarized deeds. In a separate indictment, Townes was charged with falsely claiming disability benefits while simultaneously operating multiple businesses and managing investment accounts and notary commissions from February 2017 through August 2025. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the combine

The Palmer Center in Independence, Missouri hosted its annual "Scamboree" event to educate approximately 175 senior attendees about fraud prevention, featuring resources on common scams including investment fraud and utility company impersonation schemes. According to the Senior Medicare Patrol program, Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion annually to fraud, errors, and abuse, with participants advised to avoid sharing personal information with unknown callers and to hang up immediately on suspicious calls.

Two Missouri men, James Johnson (77) and Darrell Niswonger (68), pleaded guilty to operating a nearly 20-year Ponzi scheme that defrauded over 90 victims of at least $3 million starting in 2006. Operating as Johnson & Niswonger Financial Resources LLC in Perryville, they falsely claimed to invest clients' money in municipal bonds while actually using the funds for personal expenses including country club memberships, home improvements, and biweekly salaries of $7,500, making selective payments to victims to maintain the illusion of legitimate returns. When the business closed in April 2025, the

Mary Kaphuka and her family of six fell victim to a rental apartment scam in Milwaukee after paying a $1,200 security deposit to a woman named "Ms. Allie" on Facebook who claimed to assist vulnerable mothers find housing; the apartment did not exist and the scammer disappeared, leaving the family homeless. Kaphuka has reported the case to police and plans to file a small claims lawsuit, while the family currently relies on shelters and temporary housing. According to the FTC, real estate scams are prevalent, with the FBI documenting 9,521 complaints in 2023 resulting in over $145 million in damages.

Harlin Dilday Jr., owner of home repair companies "D&D Outdoors" and "Dilday & Sons," was charged with felony financial exploitation of an elderly person and deceptive business practices in Morgan County, Missouri. In February 2025, the company allegedly approached a homeowner with an unsolicited estimate of $1,000 for asphalt and tree work, then demanded $15,000 after beginning the job. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced the charges as part of the state's commitment to prosecuting elder fraud cases.

Eight people have been charged in a sophisticated $8.8 million bank fraud operation that victimized over 230 people, many of them seniors, after three Maryland bank employees allegedly used their access to steal customer information including Social Security numbers and account details, which co-conspirators then used to open fraudulent accounts and transfer funds. The defendants, arrested across multiple states, face charges including racketeering, conspiracy, identity fraud, and unauthorized computer access, with bonds ranging from $10,000 to $1,020,000. Authorities recovered some stolen funds that were spent on personal purchases including vehicles, and the case involved coordination between Florida, Maryland, Virginia, and Missouri law enforcement agencies.

Trenton and Kirsten Hansuld were denied bond reduction after being accused of stealing over $3.2 million in money and property from an elderly couple they knew in Ray County, Missouri. The investigation began with a fraud alert from Bank Midwest in June 2024, revealing that Trenton Hansuld had added himself to the victims' account and withdrawn over $800,000 since November 2022, and had fraudulently changed the deed to their home and farmland into his own name. The couple, who owned an exotic pet shop, face decades in prison, and prosecutors are investigating whether there are additional victims.

Shirley Waller, 43, of Missouri pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy after admitting she aided Nigerian online scammers who defrauded victims of approximately $1.07 million, including a 71-year-old woman who sent $35,000 as part of a romance scam. Waller received cash shipments at her home (over 70 Express Mail packages in 60 days), forwarded portions to Nigeria via cryptocurrency, and was found with $59,150 in seized cash during a court-approved search in January 2024. She also separately pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining a $196,000 mortgage an

Thousands of people across the bi-state region received phishing text messages impersonating the Missouri Department of Transportation, threatening fines and prosecution for outstanding traffic tickets and demanding payment via a link. The scam originated from a Philippines-based number (+63 country code) and aimed to steal personal and financial information, though MoDOT does not actually enforce traffic tickets. Authorities advise recipients never to click links, respond, or reply "STOP" to these messages, as doing so can expose victims to cyberattacks or trigger additional spam.

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.

St. Louis County Police issued an alert about a text message scam impersonating Apple ID security notifications, claiming unauthorized purchases were made and requesting users to verify their account. The scam attempts to steal personal and payment information, with potential for identity theft and financial loss. Police recommend contacting local law enforcement if victimized, and advise recipients to avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts and instead visit Apple's official website directly to check account activity.

The Missouri Gaming Commission warned of a fraudulent gambling scam involving fake websites impersonating legitimate Missouri casinos, often shared on social media with authentic casino photos to appear credible. The scam is particularly dangerous because online casino gambling is illegal in Missouri, unregulated websites do not guarantee payouts, and bettors have no recourse if they lose money or are denied winnings. The Commission attributes increased targeting of Missouri residents to anticipation of upcoming legal online sports wagering and advises consumers to report fraudulent sites to law enforcement and the Federal Internet Crime Complaint Center.

St. Louis County Police issued an alert about a text message scam impersonating Apple ID security warnings, claiming fraudulent account activity and directing victims to click links or call numbers to "secure" their accounts. The scam aims to steal personal and payment information, potentially leading to identity theft and financial loss. Police recommend contacting law enforcement if victimized and advise bypassing suspicious links by visiting Apple's website directly to check account activity.

A 28-year-old Chinese national, Dongyi Guo, was sentenced to 21 months in prison and ordered to repay $95,000 after stealing cash from a 79-year-old Missouri woman as part of a conspiracy targeting elderly victims. The scammers posed as financial institution and Social Security officials, claiming her accounts were compromised and instructing her to withdraw cash for an FDIC employee to collect; Guo made three pickups totaling $95,000 in March 2024 before his arrest. The victim's family reported that the trauma from the fraud contributed to her death seven months later, as she stopped eating, taking medication, and engaging in

Dongyi Guo, 28, a Chinese national, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and ordered to repay $95,000 for defrauding a 79-year-old Missouri woman through a coordinated phone and text scam in March 2024. Guo and co-conspirators falsely posed as financial institution and Social Security officials, claiming the victim's accounts were compromised, and collected $95,000 in cash during three visits to her home. The victim died seven months after the fraud, with her daughter stating the crime "unquestionably contributed" to her death, as the traumatized woman subsequently refused medication, food, and social

A 28-year-old man from China named Dongyi Guo was sentenced to 21 months in prison and ordered to repay $95,000 after stealing that amount from a 79-year-old Missouri woman as part of a coordinated wire fraud conspiracy. Guo and his co-conspirators posed as financial institution and Social Security representatives, falsely claiming the victim's accounts were compromised and pressuring her to withdraw cash in multiple pickups between March 4-7, 2024. The victim's daughter reported in court that her mother died seven months later, stating the crime "unquestionably contributed" to her death, as the victim became mentally

Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Nigerian national, was convicted and sentenced to 24 months in prison for his role in an online romance scam that defrauded elderly victims in Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and was ordered to pay $311,520 in restitution; he received funds from victims through personal and business accounts while scammers posed as romantic interests requesting money for business, medical, travel, and other expenses. The Taney County victim alone lost $27,460, with scammers attempting to solicit an additional

Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Nigerian national, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for his role in a transnational romance scam that defrauded elderly victims across Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and was ordered to pay $311,520 in restitution; one victim alone lost $27,460 after being lured through a fake Facebook identity. The scam involved establishing fake online relationships and soliciting funds under false pretenses such as business investments and medical emergencies, with Obafemi laundering proceeds through two Georgia

Badetito O. Obafemi, 42, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded elderly victims in Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey of approximately $311,520 between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi and co-conspirators posed as individuals like "Kevin Condon" online to build relationships with victims and convince them to send money for various expenses, with Obafemi receiving the fraudulent wire transfers through personal and business bank accounts he controlled. The court ordered Obafemi to pay full restitution to victims and serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration.

A woman in Battlefield, Missouri received threatening text messages from a scammer demanding $500 and including graphic images of dismembered bodies, prompting a 911 call to police. Police warn that scammers use emotionally manipulative messages—including threats, explicit content, and impersonations—targeting people of all ages, though seniors are particularly vulnerable. Victims should immediately call 911 and report scams to the Better Business Bureau to prevent others from being targeted.

A Georgia man, Badetito O. Obafemi, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded elderly victims across multiple states, including a Taney County, Missouri resident who lost $27,460. Obafemi conspired with scammers who posed as romantic interests online, requesting money for various expenses, and received the stolen funds through personal and business bank accounts he controlled. He was ordered to pay $311,520 in total restitution to all victims across Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey.

Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for his role in romance scams that defrauded elderly victims across Missouri, New Jersey, and Minnesota between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi used social media to establish fake romantic relationships with victims, convincing them to send money for various expenses, and coordinated the receipt and transfer of stolen funds through multiple bank accounts; he was ordered to pay over $311,500 in restitution to his victims. The scheme targeted at least one victim in Missouri who lost more than $27,400 to a scammer posing as "Kevin Condon

Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for his role in an online romance scam targeting elderly victims in Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi conspired to receive fraudulent wire transfers totaling $311,520 by coordinating bank accounts and fund transfers, with one victim in Missouri alone losing $27,460 after being deceived by someone claiming to be "Kevin Condon" seeking money for overseas business and medical expenses. He was ordered to pay full restitution to his victims and serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration.

Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded elderly victims in Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey of approximately $311,520 between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi received wire transfers from victims who were deceived by scammers posing as individuals like "Kevin Condon," who fabricated stories about business expenses, medical issues, and legal problems to solicit money. The court ordered Obafemi to pay full restitution and serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration.

Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded elderly victims across Missouri, New Jersey, and Minnesota between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi and co-conspirators used social media to build fake relationships with victims and convince them to send money for various pretexts, with one victim losing over $27,400; he was ordered to pay $311,500 in restitution. The investigation involved multiple federal agencies and resulted in charges for money laundering conspiracy.

Scammers have conducted multi-state toll fraud campaigns since late 2024, targeting residents with automated texts, calls, and spoofed websites claiming unpaid toll bills—even in states like Arizona, Connecticut, Missouri, and Mississippi that have no toll roads. The scams have grown increasingly sophisticated, mimicking official state transportation department websites and using threatening language, prompting state DOTs to issue warnings and work with law enforcement to track perpetrators. Residents are advised to verify messages by checking sender phone numbers, contacting toll agencies directly, and recognizing that legitimate agencies never request payment via text.

Amanda Sargent, 35, from Independence, Missouri, was indicted on five counts of federal fraud for allegedly defrauding an elderly victim of over $1 million between late 2021 and mid-2023. Sargent met the victim through a Facebook group for homeless assistance and made repeated false claims requesting money for car repairs, medical bills, rent, utilities, and a kidney transplant, while actually withdrawing the funds in cash for personal use. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines per count.

Amanda Sargent, 35, of Independence, Missouri, was indicted on five federal counts for defrauding an elderly woman of over $1 million between late 2021 and mid-2023. Sargent met the victim through a Facebook group for people experiencing homelessness and made false claims about needing money for medical bills, rent, utilities, and a kidney transplant, then withdrew all donations in cash for personal use. If convicted, Sargent faces up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines per count.

A 70-year-old Missouri man was victimized in a sextortion scam where he sent intimate photos to an online romance scammer, who then extorted him for $2,500 and threatened to share the images; a second extortionist impersonating police demanded additional money by threatening to contact his employer. Sextortion—threatening to publish intimate images to coerce victims into financial or behavioral compliance—is an evolving form of abuse affecting not only minors but also older adults, with 7.6% of adults ages 50-64 and 8.4% of those 65+ reporting victimization, though actual rates are likely higher due to underreporting

A 70-year-old Missouri man fell victim to a sextortion scam in which he sent intimate photos to someone posing as a romantic interest, who then threatened to publish the images unless he paid $2,500; a second scammer then impersonated police and demanded additional money by threatening to contact his employer. Sextortion—coercing victims into financial or behavioral compliance by threatening to share intimate images—affects not only children and teenagers but also older adults, with surveys indicating that 7.6% of adults ages 50-64 and 8.4% of those 65+ have experienced it, though experts believe actual numbers are higher due to underreporting caused by shame

Michael P. Garcia, 36, of Miami was arrested in Florida and indicted on conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for his role in a scam that defrauded at least four victims of over $550,000. Garcia allegedly recruited couriers to collect cash, gold bars, and other valuables from victims after conspirators falsely claimed to represent financial institutions and told victims their accounts had been compromised. Specific victims included individuals in Brooklyn and North Carolina, and a 76-year-old Fenton, Missouri resident who lost $20,000 in cryptocurrency and approximately $200,000 in gold bars.

Romance scammers are increasing their efforts targeting Missourians around Valentine's Day by posing as military personnel, overseas businesspeople, or professionals on dating apps and social media, then requesting money for emergencies or travel under false pretenses. The Missouri Secretary of State warns that these emotionally and financially devastating scams build trust gradually before exploiting victims, and recommends skepticism of quick declarations of love, avoiding money transfers to unmet contacts, conducting reverse image searches, and reporting suspected scams to authorities.

I don't have access to the full article content from your submission—only the header information and metadata. To provide an accurate summary for the Elderus database, I would need the complete article text describing the Springfield woman's jury duty scam experience, including details about what the scam involved, how much money (if any) was at risk, and the outcome of her close call. Could you please provide the full article text?

Andres "Manny" Lopez, 36, pleaded guilty to wire fraud for defrauding at least nine victims of over $1.4 million between November 2019 and July 2023 through his Arizona auto repair business. Lopez accepted advance payments for vehicle upgrades, parts, and vehicle purchases with no intention of delivering, instead using the money for personal expenses and making false excuses to victims, including impersonating a Toyota dealership manager. He continued defrauding victims even after being indicted in October 2023, defrauding one victim alone of approximately $567,892.

Dennis Latour, 41, a convicted felon, pleaded guilty to illegally possessing firearms, conspiracy to purchase guns for a felon, and 13 counts of wire fraud, while his accomplice Jennifer Keegan, 50, pleaded guilty to conspiracy in the firearms scheme. Latour defrauded two investors of $830,000 total ($718,271 and $112,340) by falsely claiming successful cannabis industry investments, using the proceeds to purchase 29 firearms, vehicles, and jet skis that were discovered during an ATF search in September 2023. Both face sentencing in March 2025, with potential sentences up to 20

Dongyi Guo, a 28-year-old from China, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after scamming a 79-year-old Missouri woman out of $95,000 in March 2024. Guo and his co-conspirators impersonated representatives from financial institutions and the Social Security Office, falsely claiming the victim's accounts were compromised, then arranged for Guo to collect cash in person over multiple days ($40,000, $35,000, and $20,000) before his arrest on March 7 during an attempt to collect an additional $15,000. Guo faces up to 20 years in prison

This article is about a food-borne illness outbreak, not elder fraud. Approximately 69 high school students and parents in Missouri became ill with E. coli following two school-related events at Rockwood Summit High School in November 2024, with several requiring hospitalization. The St. Louis County Department of Public Health is investigating the outbreak, which stemmed from an end-of-season banquet hosted by Andre's Banquets and Catering, though the specific contaminated food has not been identified.

Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion annually to fraud, errors, and abuse—approximately $7 million per hour—according to Rona McNally, director of the Missouri Senior Medicare Patrol. Common scams targeting seniors include fraudulent genetic testing claims, calls impersonating Medicare requesting personal information under the guise of new card replacements, and unnecessary durable medical equipment sales. McNally recommends seniors protect themselves by guarding their Medicare cards, refusing to provide information over unsolicited calls, carefully reviewing statements to verify ordered services, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities, which helps investigators identify patterns of fraud.