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California has revoked over 280 fraudulent hospice licenses in the past two years as part of a crackdown on schemes where operators enrolled Medicare patients in hospice care without their knowledge or proper services, potentially costing billions in taxpayer money. The fraud affected vulnerable elderly patients across multiple states including Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Georgia, and Ohio, with some operators using illegal tactics like "license flipping" to avoid regulatory oversight. Patients and their families should verify hospice provider legitimacy through state licensing boards and Medicare's official resources, and report suspicious enrollment or lack of services to federal authorities immediately.

A new survey ranks Nevada as America's most deceitful state, with nearly one in five residents admitting to frequent lying and the second-highest rate of romance scams, while Florida leads in overall fraud and identity theft, and Arizona suffered the largest losses to romance scams at $53.7 million in 2024. The study highlights serious threats including a notorious "romance scam on steroids" in Nevada where a woman targeted elderly men through dating apps, as well as increasingly sophisticated AI-enabled voice cloning scams in Florida. Experts advise residents to be cautious with online dating profiles, protect personal information carefully, verify urgent requests from loved ones through direct contact, and report suspicious activity to authorities.

# Nevada County Inheritance Mail Scam Alert Nevada County authorities are warning residents about a fraudulent mail scam targeting vulnerable adults, particularly seniors, claiming they've inherited millions from a life insurance policy. The official-looking letters falsely claim the recipient shares a surname and nationality with a deceased person and offer to split 90% of a supposed $10 million estate between the recipient and a law firm. Residents should be skeptical of unsolicited inheritance claims and contact Nevada County Adult Services (530-265-1639) or the Sheriff's Office if they receive suspicious mail or suspect they've been targeted.

Three men were sentenced to federal prison for stealing $520,910 in pandemic unemployment benefits between August and October 2020 through a scheme involving stolen debit cards and fraudulent unemployment claims. Kamaldeen Karaole, Stephen Olamigoke, and Johnson Omodusonu obtained 168 UI debit cards issued by California, Arizona, and Nevada using stolen personally identifiable information, then made 529 ATM withdrawals in Indianapolis to steal funds intended for workers unemployed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each defendant received sentences ranging from 2 to 4.25 years in prison and was ordered to pay full restitution of $520,910.

Impersonation scams targeting older adults have surged dramatically, with the FTC reporting a four-fold increase in reports of losses exceeding $10,000 and an eight-fold increase in losses over $100,000 (from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024), totaling nearly $5 billion in fraud losses in 2024. Common scam tactics include fake security alerts impersonating banks, government agencies, and tech companies like Microsoft and Apple, as well as fraudsters posing as FTC officials directing victims to Bitcoin ATMs or cash couriers. Arizona, Indiana, and Nevada reported the highest fraud complaint rates among

Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) co-introduced the Stop the Scammers Act, which aims to restore Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) funding that was cut in a Republican budget bill and establish whistleblower rewards for reporting financial wrongdoing. The bill seeks to reinstate consumer protections against fraud and abusive practices by financial institutions, particularly to protect Nevada residents who are frequently targeted by online scams.

Federal agencies coordinated the 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, resulting in criminal charges against 324 defendants responsible for over $14.6 billion in health care fraud, with particular concerns about fraudulent activity in the hospice industry in California, Texas, Nevada, and Arizona. The operation seized more than $245 million in assets, prevented payment on $4 billion in false claims, and included civil charges and settlements totaling $48.5 million. Vulnerable populations, including seniors relying on Medicare and Medicaid, were identified as primary targets of these criminal schemes.

On June 20, 2025, Rushabh Rajesh Desai, 35, of San Jose, was arrested by Nevada County Sheriff's Office deputies after attempting to scam a 75-year-old woman out of $30,000 through a phone scam; a vigilant friend called 911 while the scam was in progress, allowing deputies to intercept Desai's vehicle near the victim's residence. Desai was charged with conspiracy to commit crime, attempting to obtain money by false pretense, and elder theft. The sheriff's office emphasized that scams targeting elderly individuals are common and often go unreported due to victim shame, and recommends immediate action including

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada and FBI Las Vegas Division are reinforcing efforts to combat elder fraud during World Elder Abuse Awareness Month, noting that such schemes cost billions annually and affect over 100,000 elder Americans each year. The office charged Aurora Phelps with 21 counts including wire fraud, mail fraud, and identity theft for allegedly defrauding older men she met through online dating services; Phelps is currently in custody in Mexico. The Justice Department provides a National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-FRAUD-11) offering personalized support to victims age 60 and older, with case managers helping victims report fraud an

During World Elder Abuse Awareness Month in June, the U.S. Attorney's Office for Nevada and FBI Las Vegas Division announced intensified efforts to combat elder fraud, which costs the U.S. billions annually and affects over 100,000 seniors each year. The agencies highlighted a case involving Aurora Phelps, who faces a 21-count indictment for luring older men through online dating services and stealing their money; she is currently in custody in Mexico. The National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-372-8311) offers support to victims aged 60 and older, with officials emphasizing that reporting fraud helps authorities identify perpetrators and recover financial losses.

On June 20, 2025, Rushabh Rajesh Desai, 35, of San Jose, was arrested by Nevada County Sheriff's Office deputies after attempting to scam a 75-year-old woman out of $30,000 through a phone scam; a concerned friend called 911 during the scam in progress, and deputies located Desai's vehicle near the victim's residence before the money could be handed over. Desai was charged with conspiracy to commit crime, attempting to obtain money by false pretense, and elder theft. The incident highlights the importance of contacting law enforcement or a trusted person immediately when suspicious contact occurs, as this quick action prevented the

A Las Vegas couple, Jong Rhee, 45, and Neelufar Rhee, 34, were arrested in May 2025 and face multiple charges for operating a $57 million investment fraud scheme through their businesses Twisted Twins Motorsports and Lusso Auto Spa, where they promised investors extraordinary returns on luxury vehicles and boats allegedly being resold to overseas buyers who investigators say never existed. The couple claimed vehicles like a $526,000 Rolls-Royce could be sold for $7.5 million and promised one investor a $57 million investment could yield $2.5 billion, but instead allegedly used investor funds for personal luxury purchases, travel, an

Scammers are sending text messages impersonating the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, falsely claiming recipients have outstanding traffic tickets requiring immediate payment under a non-existent regulation. The Nevada DMV warns that they only contact residents via mail or email—never text messages—and legitimate communications never come from out-of-country phone numbers like those originating from the Philippines.

Scammers are sending phishing text messages to Nevada residents (and victims as far as Oklahoma) impersonating Las Vegas Courts with fake .gov addresses, demanding immediate payment for outstanding traffic tickets to avoid fines or legal action. Clark County and Las Vegas officials warn that legitimate court entities do not solicit payments via text, and advise residents to delete suspicious messages and verify tickets directly through official channels rather than clicking links.

This article describes a traffic accident, not elder fraud or abuse, and is therefore outside the scope of the Elderus database. The incident involved an impaired driver who crashed into a power pole in Sparks, Nevada, resulting in a power outage and DUI arrest—a public safety matter rather than a scam or fraud case targeting seniors or vulnerable populations.

The Reno Police Department arrested two men, Amit Bhanwala-Singh and Anil Kumar, in connection with a "pig butchering" elder fraud scheme targeting northern Nevada and California residents. The suspects impersonated U.S. Marshals to convince elderly victims that their assets were under investigation, then coerced them into withdrawing cash and gold; one 64-year-old victim from Truckee lost hundreds of thousands of dollars before the suspects were apprehended attempting to collect a fake gold package valued at $213,000.

Two California men were arrested in a "pig butchering" elder fraud scheme that targeted a 64-year-old Truckee woman, coercing her to withdraw and deliver over $213,000 in cash and gold between April and May 2025 by impersonating U.S. Marshals. Amit Bhanwala-Singh and Anil Kumar allegedly used fear tactics and false claims of asset investigations to manipulate the victim into making multiple transactions across Northern California and Nevada. The coordinated operation by Reno Police and U.S. Secret Service resulted in charges of obtaining money under false pretenses and exploitation of an older person.

Two men were arrested in Reno on May 14, 2025, for operating a "pig butchering" elder fraud scheme that defrauded victims of millions across northern Nevada and California. The scam involved impersonating federal law enforcement to convince elderly victims their assets were under investigation, coercing them into withdrawing cash and gold bullion for fake "agents"; a 64-year-old Truckee victim alone lost hundreds of thousands of dollars before suspects were caught attempting to collect a package worth over $213,000. Amit Bhanwala-Singh and Anil Kumar were charged with obtaining money under false pretenses and exploiting an older person.

A scam awareness seminar presented by the Better Business Bureau and Douglas County Sheriff's Office emphasized that fraud can affect anyone regardless of age, though seniors are disproportionately targeted due to having savings, home ownership, and good credit. Key scam tactics include robocalls, identity theft, and cryptocurrency investment schemes that use fear and urgency to pressure victims into immediate payment, with Nevada ranking fourth in fraud reports and third in identity theft cases. Protection strategies include regularly monitoring financial statements, reporting suspected fraud to relevant companies and agencies, and utilizing free resources like IdentityTheft.gov to create recovery plans.

Three individuals were arrested in Douglas County, Nevada in connection with extortion schemes using fraudulent emails impersonating Microsoft or offering unsolicited services, with threats escalating if payment was not made. Junyan Wu (22) and Lirui Diao (21) were arrested on May 2 in Genoa after arriving to collect money from a homeowner, while Quan Fu Ma (45) was arrested on May 7 in Gardnerville under similar circumstances; all three faced charges including extortion, exploitation of the elderly, and conspiracy. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office partnered with the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and other agencies on the joint investigation and is offering a free Senior

Seniors in Henderson, Nevada are being targeted by scammers using calls, emails, and AI-generated voices to steal money, with one woman's mother losing a quarter of her net worth over nearly two years before intervention stopped the fraud. According to the Federal Trade Commission, people lost $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, with seniors particularly vulnerable to employment offers, loan scams, tech support fraud, and AI impersonation calls. Former FBI agent Thomas Quilty recommends seniors establish secret code words with family, limit WiFi connections, use strong passwords, and report fraud without shame to help combat the growing problem.

Nevada officials warned seniors about rising SSA impersonation scams, following an FTC report showing Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, with adults aged 70 and older heavily targeted. Scammers use spoofed numbers and fear tactics—claiming suspended Social Security numbers or unpaid taxes—to extract personal information, with Filipino-American seniors particularly vulnerable due to language barriers and cultural factors. Authorities recommend hanging up on suspicious calls, never providing personal information unsolicited, and reporting incidents to the FTC or Nevada Attorney General's office, while community groups advocate for multilingual prevention resources.

Barbara Trickle, an 80-year-old Las Vegas resident, pleaded guilty to operating a prize notice scam that defrauded over $15 million from thousands of elderly victims across the United States between 2012 and 2018. Using her printing and mailing company, Trickle designed and distributed millions of fraudulent letters claiming recipients had won cash prizes but needed to pay small upfront fees ($20-$50) to claim them; victims received only cheap trinkets or bogus reports and were repeatedly targeted with additional mailings. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service shut down the operation in February 2018, and authorities warn the public to avoid responding

Karina Singer is pursuing a Nevada Supreme Court appeal (Case No. 89171) involving allegations of elder financial abuse, fiduciary misconduct, and over $1 million in improper trust asset distributions from her late father Steven J. Singer's estate. The case was transferred from the Nevada Supreme Court to the Court of Appeals without addressing Singer's pending motions and evidence, which she contends violated appellate procedure rules and constitutional due process protections. Singer has filed an emergency motion to recall the transfer and retain jurisdiction, arguing the Supreme Court has a mandatory obligation to address the uncontested allegations of judicial misconduct and systemic failures in Nevada's probate system.

Congresswoman Susie Lee hosted a scam prevention event at a Las Vegas senior center to address growing fraud concerns as Social Security Administration changes create vulnerability among Nevada's 480,000 Social Security-dependent seniors. Older adults lost a record $12.5 billion to scams in 2024 (a 25% increase from 2023), with Nevada leading the nation in per-capita financial fraud and scammers exploiting confusion created by SSA office closures and policy changes.

The Nevada State Contractors Board issued a consumer alert warning homeowners, particularly seniors, to watch for contractor scams during summer months, including unsolicited door-to-door offers and suspicious online advertisements. Red flags include requests for cash-only payments, "free" inspections, pressure tactics, and mismatched company information, while protective measures include verifying contractor license numbers, obtaining multiple bids, and confirming employee status through the Board's website before hiring.

This educational article identifies New Jersey as the safest U.S. state for retirees based on FBI data analysis, citing low violent and property crime rates, minimal senior involvement in fatal accidents, and strong healthcare access. The article also lists nine additional safe states for retirement (New York, Mississippi, Louisiana, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Connecticut, Alabama) and warns against five states with higher risks of elder fraud, property crime, and scams (Colorado, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico).

A 72-year-old Las Vegas woman, "Cozy" Giles, lost over $12,000 from her Citibank account after falling victim to a scam in January 2024, one of three fraudulent incidents targeting her savings. Despite reporting the theft to Citibank multiple times and contacting numerous agencies including the FBI, Metro Police, and the Nevada Attorney General's Office, she received minimal assistance and was told by the bank that she needed a subpoena to access her own transaction records. The case illustrates a broader problem: more than 369,000 financial abuse incidents targeting older adults are reported annually in the United States, resulting in estimated losses of $

Aurora Phelps, currently incarcerated in Mexico and awaiting extradition, has been indicted on multiple charges including wire fraud, bank fraud, and kidnapping resulting in death for allegedly targeting older men through online dating applications, drugging them with prescription sedatives, and stealing millions in cash, vehicles, and assets between July 2021 and December 2022. At least three of her victims died shortly after encounters with her, including one Nevada man she allegedly drugged and transported to Mexico City where he was found dead hours later, while another survivor emerged from a coma after she administered large doses of sedatives over a week. The FBI describes the scheme as "one of the most egregious and repreh

Aurora Phelps, a 43-year-old Las Vegas woman, faces federal charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping resulting in death for a scheme in which she met older men on dating websites, drugged them, and stole thousands of dollars from their financial accounts between 2021 and 2022. Three of her alleged victims died, and she has been charged in connection with one death; she also faces separate 2019 Arkansas charges for drugging a woman and fraudulently using her credit card for over $5,000 in purchases. The FBI is seeking additional victims and notes Phelps used multiple aliases and operated across Arkansas, Nevada, an

Aurora Phelps, a 43-year-old Las Vegas woman, was federally charged in February 2025 with wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, and identity theft for carrying out romance scams targeting older men between July 2021 and December 2022, in which she allegedly drugged victims and stole from their financial accounts. She also faces Arkansas charges stemming from a June 2019 incident where she drugged a woman and stole her credit card, resulting in approximately $5,000 in fraudulent charges. Phelps is currently in custody in Mexico on murder charges, with her Arkansas hearings postponed to March 2025, and authorities are

Aurora Phelps, a 43-year-old Las Vegas woman, has been charged in a 21-count indictment for an elaborate romance scam in which she allegedly used online dating apps to lure elderly men, drug them, and steal from their bank and investment accounts, resulting in at least three deaths and over $3 million in losses. One victim was allegedly drugged, pushed across the US-Mexico border in a wheelchair, and found dead in a Mexico City hotel room hours later; another victim died on his bathroom floor after a date in Guadalajara. Phelps, currently in Mexican custody, faces charges including wire fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, kidnapping, and kidnapping

A 43-year-old Las Vegas woman, Aurora Phelps, was arrested in Mexico for operating romance scams targeting older men across multiple states from 2019-2022. Phelps met victims on dating sites, gained their trust, drugged them with sedatives, and stole their financial information and bank accounts, with one victim allegedly losing millions in liquidated stock; the FBI identified at least four victims (two from Nevada, one each from Arkansas and Mexico) and believes three U.S. citizens died as a result of her crimes. Phelps faces 21 federal charges including bank fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping resulting in death, and is awaiting extra

Aurora Phelps, 43, a Nevada woman currently in custody in Mexico, faces 21 counts including wire fraud, identity theft, and one count of kidnapping resulting in death for operating what the FBI called a "romance scam on steroids." Using dating apps like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble, Phelps targeted at least four men between 2021 and 2022, luring them to meet in person before secretly drugging them with sedatives and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars through theft of vehicles, bank withdrawals, credit card purchases, and unauthorized access to investment accounts—with three of the victims dying and one victim being transported across the U.

Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar presented Senate Bill 76, which would redirect money from successful judgments against financial scammers into a victim compensation fund offering up to $25,000 per victim, with initial funding of $500,000. The bill aims to encourage victims—particularly elderly residents who AARP noted are most vulnerable to these scams—to come forward by reducing shame and stigma, as Nevada ranks third nationally in financial crimes. Aguilar advised victims to verify financial planners' legitimacy through his office and warned that scammers typically build trust before presenting fraudulent investment opportunities.

43-year-old Aurora Phelps of Las Vegas was charged in a 21-count indictment for running a romance scam targeting older men through online dating services between July 2021 and December 2022, during which she allegedly drugged victims and stole from their bank accounts. Phelps, currently in custody in Mexico, faces charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping, with a potential life sentence if convicted on all counts. The FBI is seeking additional victims and has established resources including a dedicated webpage and the National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-372-8311) for those 60 and older who may

Violent crime against seniors in the United States increased 331% over the past decade, prompting a shift in retirement planning toward safety considerations. Seniorly's analysis of FBI data and federal statistics identified New Jersey as the safest state for older adults to retire, followed by New York and Mississippi, while Colorado and Western states (Nevada, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico) ranked as the most dangerous due to high rates of elder fraud, property crime, and violent crime. The safest states were characterized by strong police presence, lower elder fraud rates, and better healthcare access, with East Coast states dominating the top 10.

Violent crime against seniors in the United States increased 331% over the past decade, prompting a comprehensive safety analysis of all 50 states across seven categories including scams, violent crime, property crime, falls, and healthcare access. New Jersey ranked as the safest state for retirement with low elder fraud and violent crime rates, while East Coast states dominated the top 10; conversely, Western states like Colorado, Nevada, Washington, and Oregon ranked as the least safe due to high property crime, elder fraud, and limited police presence. The research reveals a significant shift in retirement planning priorities, with older adults now prioritizing security alongside traditional factors.

Seniors with cognitive decline from Alzheimer's or dementia face significant financial risks beyond traditional scams, including unauthorized charges, forgotten recurring payments, and neglected account monitoring. Nevada ranks third nationally for senior fraud, and financial experts warn that memory loss-related financial mismanagement can deplete decades of savings within a year. Experts recommend caregivers maintain regular contact, establish powers of attorney, educate seniors on common scams, and monitor accounts vigilantly.

Nevada ranks as the most dangerous state for online dating scams, with the state ranking second nationally in romance scams, fourth in identity scams, and third in fraud overall. In 2023, Nevada residents filed approximately 259 romance scam complaints resulting in $5.8 million in losses, while nationally the FBI recorded nearly 18,000 romance scam complaints with victims losing over $652 million. Scammers use elaborate storytelling and false urgency to manipulate victims into sending money, sometimes totaling thousands of dollars, and victims are often reluctant to report due to embarrassment.

This article is not about elder fraud or scams targeting seniors. While it mentions that Nevada ranked high in "romance crimes" as part of a broader study on dating conditions for single adults, the piece focuses on general dating challenges (unemployment, mental health resources, cost of living) rather than elder fraud or abuse. The romance scam reference is included only as one data point in a ranking of states for single people, not as a detailed analysis of fraud patterns or victimization. **Recommendation:** This article is outside the scope of an elder fraud research database and should not be included in Elderus.

The FBI reported $3.4 billion in elder fraud losses in 2023, with complaints increasing 14% year-over-year, prompting the University of Nevada, Reno Extension's Healthy Aging Initiative to host its second annual summit on October 16 in Las Vegas. The "Shared Responsibility: Combating Elder Fraud" summit will feature keynote speaker Kathy Stokes from AARP and expert panels on prevalent scams targeting older adults, survivor testimonies, and prevention strategies.

The University of Nevada, Reno Extension hosted a second annual "Healthy Aging Summit" on October 16 in Las Vegas to educate community members and professionals on preventing elder fraud and scams. The event addressed the growing threat of elder fraud, with the FBI reporting $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 and a 14% increase in complaints from the previous year.

California ranks among the top 10 U.S. states for elder fraud reports per capita, with 142 reports per 100,000 adults aged 60 and older in 2023, a slight 2% decrease from 2022's rate of 145 reports per 100,000 seniors. Arizona leads the nation with 289 reports per 100,000 elderly residents, followed by Nevada (264) and Colorado (242), according to an analysis by All About Cookies based on FBI data.

Cristine Petitfrere from Florida pleaded guilty to operating romance scams that defrauded victims of millions of dollars; she laundered over $2.7 million and earned hundreds of thousands in fees with a co-conspirator, facing up to ten years in prison at sentencing. The case highlights the widespread impact of romance scams, which caused Americans $1.14 billion in losses in 2023, often targeting elderly individuals with both severe financial and emotional harm. Additionally, a Nevada man was convicted of fraudulently obtaining $11.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds through fake Paycheck Protection Program loan applications.

This article discusses online dating safety in Illinois, ranking the state 30th for safety among U.S. states, primarily due to high STD rates of 839.2 per 100,000 people annually. The piece mentions various online dating risks including romance scams, catfishing, and dishonest actors, while noting that Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire are the safest states for online dating, whereas Nevada, Alaska, and Georgia pose the greatest risks.

A study ranking online dating safety across U.S. states identified Nevada, Alaska, Georgia, Florida, and Arizona as the five most dangerous states, based on rates of romance scams, identity theft, fraud, violent crime, and encounters with registered sex offenders. Georgia and Florida ranked among the least safe due to particularly high identity theft and fraud rates, while Arizona led the nation in romance scams specifically. The research demonstrates that geographic location significantly influences online dating risks for users.

A study by PrivacyJournal.net ranked Nevada as the most dangerous state for online dating, based on reported incidents of romance scams, fraud, identity theft, and violent crime per 100,000 residents. Nevada ranked second nationally for romance scam reports and third for fraud reports, with Las Vegas contributing significantly to these numbers. The article advises online daters to take common sense precautions, noting that Vermont and Maine are the safest states for online dating.

A study by PrivacyJournal.net ranked Nevada as the most dangerous state for online dating based on reported romance scams, fraud, identity theft, and violent crime per 100,000 residents. Nevada ranked second nationally for romance scam reports and third for fraud reports, making it a higher-risk state for online daters seeking to avoid financial and personal victimization. The analysis identified Vermont as the safest state for online dating, while other risky states included Alaska, Georgia, Florida, Arizona, and South Carolina.

South Carolina ranks as the 45th safest state for online dating, with elevated risks including 396 registered sex offenders per 100,000 residents, 1,062 STD reports per 100,000 residents, and 334 fraud cases per 100,000 residents. A study by PrivacyJournal.net identified romance scams, fraud, identity theft, and violent crime as primary dangers in online dating nationwide, with Nevada ranking as the most dangerous state overall.