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The U.S. House passed five bipartisan bills championed by Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, including the GUARD Act to help law enforcement combat fraud targeting seniors, which costs Americans $20.9 billion annually with "pig butchering" cryptocurrency schemes accounting for $11.37 billion of that total. The legislation also addresses water infrastructure funding, utility rate protections, xylazine trafficking, and emergency radio access for New Hampshire residents.

Cryptocurrency ATMs have become a major fraud threat in New Hampshire, with scams totaling over $3 million documented by the Hampton Police Department alone and affecting primarily seniors through untraceable transactions. Governor Kelly Ayotte and law enforcement celebrated the passage of Senate Bill 482, which implements new restrictions on crypto kiosks including identity verification, transaction limits of $2,000 per day, a two-day waiting period, and fraud refund requirements—though it stops short of an outright ban. The bill, effective December 16, represents a "first step" in protecting residents from what Detective Raymond Lamy called one of the fastest-growing fraud threats against New Hampshire's senior population.

A Washington man received a 30-month federal prison sentence for stealing a Vietnam veteran's identity to fraudulently obtain VA benefits over decades, while a New Hampshire man was indicted for defrauding an older veteran of $225,000 through bank and mail fraud. According to the FTC, fraud reports from servicemembers, veterans, and their families totaled approximately $584 million in 2024, with scammers exploiting veterans' trust in VA institutions and their predictable benefit payments through schemes including disability benefit fraud, VA home loan scams, and job scams.

A Manchester couple fell victim to a government impersonation scam in March 2025 where scammers posing as a financial institution and FBI agent convinced the wife to deposit $3,900 in cryptocurrency at a bitcoin ATM as part of a fake "parallel transaction." The scam, which exploits fear and urgency through spoofed phone numbers, has affected 148 victims in New Hampshire with approximately $1.68 million in losses and $797 million nationwide in 2025. The FBI warns that it never calls citizens demanding payment and advises people to hang up, verify by calling the organization directly, and never send money via prepaid cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency ATMs.

A federal jury convicted Georgia man Babajide Adesayo, 41, of money laundering over $2.7 million stolen from elderly victims through romance and online scams between April 2020 and September 2021. Adesayo operated as a "bridge" in a transnational fraud network, receiving stolen funds and transferring them overseas to China, Hong Kong, and Nigeria, including $500,000 from a 67-year-old Concord, New Hampshire woman who believed she was in a romantic relationship with a scammer. He faces 14 to 16 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for November.

New Hampshire lawmakers are advocating for a dedicated website to help fraud victims as the state ranks among the highest nationally for money lost to scams. The push comes as one New Hampshire woman shared her personal scam experience, highlighting the growing fraud risk facing residents in the state.

Store owners at Varney Street Quick Stop in Manchester thwarted three cryptocurrency scams in a single month, preventing seniors from losing a combined $17,000. Scammers typically target elderly customers through phone calls impersonating authorities like the CIA, convincing them to deposit large sums into bitcoin ATMs while staying on the line to guide the transaction. In response, New Hampshire passed legislation in November setting a $2,000 transaction limit at crypto kiosks and implementing a 48-hour hold on first transactions, effective December 16.

A 38-year-old Chinese national living in Massachusetts was indicted for operating a scheme that involved stealing gift cards from American victims through romance scams, elder fraud, and hacking, then using those cards to purchase Apple products and electronics in New Hampshire (which has no sales tax) before shipping them to China and Hong Kong. The conspiracy, which defrauded victims of approximately $5 million, coordinated purchases via WeChat and cryptocurrency, with stolen merchandise funneled through a warehouse in Salem. To protect yourself, be cautious about unsolicited romantic advances online, monitor gift card usage, enable two-factor authentication on accounts, and report suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately.

A 38-year-old Lynnfield man named Jinbin Ren has been indicted for leading an international conspiracy that defrauded victims of millions of dollars by stealing gift cards through romance scams, elder fraud, and hacking, then using them to purchase approximately 4,000 iPhones (valued at $8-9 million) which were shipped to China and Hong Kong. Ren and his co-conspirators acquired the stolen gift cards, purchased Apple products tax-free in New Hampshire, and coordinated their operations through WeChat and cryptocurrency payments. Ren faces up to 20 years in prison, though his attorney has filed a motion to dismiss arguing the gift card

A Chinese national was indicted for leading an international gift card fraud conspiracy that victimized Americans through romance scams, elder fraud, and hacking, then used stolen gift cards to purchase electronics that were shipped to China through a New Hampshire warehouse. The defendant and his co-conspirators exploited the lack of sales tax in New Hampshire and used cryptocurrency and encrypted messaging to coordinate their illegal operations, netting millions of dollars. People should be cautious about unsolicited romantic connections and unexpected requests for gift cards, verify requests for money directly with loved ones through independent contact, and monitor their gift card accounts for suspicious activity.

Older adults in New Hampshire are increasingly falling victim to sophisticated scams including cryptocurrency fraud, investment schemes, romance scams, and government imposter scams, with many victims pressured into secrecy before they can consult family or authorities. These crimes often result in devastating financial losses and eroded sense of security, though many incidents go unreported. Authorities urge immediate reporting of suspected elder fraud and recommend that older adults consult trusted family members and financial institutions before acting on urgent financial requests.

A California man was sentenced to two to four years in prison after attempting to collect $50,000 in cash from a 92-year-old New Hampshire woman as part of a tech-support scam in which fraudsters used fake pop-up alerts to convince her that her bank accounts were compromised. The woman realized something was wrong and contacted police, who set up a controlled operation and arrested the suspect when he arrived at her home. Authorities advise elderly individuals and their families to be suspicious of unsolicited tech alerts, never withdraw large sums of cash based on computer warnings, and to contact local police or the state's Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit if they suspect they've been targeted by scammers.

A California man was convicted of attempted theft by deception after trying to steal $50,000 from a 92-year-old New Hampshire resident through a tech support scam that used a fake computer pop-up alert to convince her that her bank accounts were compromised. The victim was manipulated into believing she needed to pay a supposed bank agent to protect her money, and the suspect traveled to her home to collect the cash. Seniors should be cautious of unsolicited tech support alerts and unexpected requests for payment, and anyone experiencing or witnessing elder fraud should contact local police or New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services at nheasy.nh.gov.

A 41-year-old man was murdered in Derry, New Hampshire in May 2025 during what authorities believe was a coordinated theft operation linked to an international gift card fraud scheme. The victim, Gui Lin, was stabbed while unloading boxes of iPhones and Apple products purchased with stolen gift cards at a warehouse; three men have been arrested in connection with the killing, with the investigation revealing that multiple warehouses across Southern New Hampshire were being targeted for bulk electronics purchases made fraudulently. To protect yourself, be cautious about unsolicited gift cards, monitor your accounts for unauthorized purchases, and report suspicious activity to your bank or payment provider immediately.

New Hampshire's Attorney General is offering free scam prevention training sessions in April 2026 specifically designed to help older adults (age 60+) recognize and avoid increasingly common fraud schemes. The 90-minute presentations, part of the "Protect Your Wallet, Protect Yourself" initiative, will be held in Rochester and Manchester and are open to seniors, caregivers, and community members. Anyone interested in attending can register online or simply show up at the no-registration-required sessions to learn practical tools for protecting their personal and financial security.

New Hampshire's Attorney General is offering free scam prevention training sessions in April 2026 for older adults (age 60+) and their families, as part of efforts to combat the rising tide of financial exploitation schemes targeting seniors. The educational programs, held in Rochester and Manchester in partnership with local law enforcement, will teach participants how to recognize, avoid, and respond to common scams. Anyone aware of financial exploitation of vulnerable adults can report it through the New Hampshire Bureau of Adult and Aging Services at nheasy.nh.gov.

Police are warning people about a scam going around in the Greater Manchester Area that involves fake court documents. Manchester Police say it's a 'notice of hearing' which falsely claims the recipi...

# Deed Theft Scam Summary Criminals in New Hampshire are stealing home ownership through "quit claim deed fraud," where scammers forge documents to sell properties they don't own, with victims in New England losing over $61 million between 2019-2023. The scam targets homeowners by using forged identification and real estate documents to sell, rent, or take out mortgages on properties without the owners' knowledge, as happened to a New Hampshire couple who discovered their property being marketed for sale without their consent. To protect yourself, homeowners should monitor their property records regularly, place fraud alerts with credit bureaus, and consider title insurance to verify ownership and catch unauthorized transactions quickly.

# 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.

A New York man was sentenced to two to five years in prison for attempting to defraud an elderly Seabrook woman out of $20,000 by impersonating a PayPal representative and instructing her to withdraw cash from her bank. The scam was prevented when a family member recognized the warning signs and alerted police before the perpetrator could collect the money. Seniors should be alert to unsolicited calls claiming urgent financial problems, never withdraw large sums of cash based on phone requests, and immediately report suspected fraud to local police or the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-949-0470.

A rising wave of gold bar scams is costing victims millions of dollars across the country, with one New Hampshire case involving a 72-year-old who lost over $3 million after scammers convinced him his identity was compromised and he needed to convert his savings to gold bars. The FBI documented over 100 such cases in New England alone between 2023 and May 2025, resulting in $26 million in losses. To protect yourself, experts recommend never withdrawing money or converting assets based on unsolicited calls, talking to a trusted friend or family member before making financial decisions, and reporting suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

Arizona ranks as the fourth most dangerous state for online dating, with a romance scam rate of 14 per 100,000 users—the highest in the nation—according to a Privacy Journal study. The state also reports elevated rates of fraud, identity theft, and STD reports on dating apps, though it ranks sixth in registered sex offender numbers. Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire are identified as the safest states for online dating.

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

A 38-year-old California man was indicted for his role in a tech-support scam that targeted a 92-year-old New Hampshire woman, in which he attempted to collect $50,000 in cash from her home. The victim received fraudulent calls falsely claiming to be from Apple support and her bank, falsely claiming her computer was hacked and bank account compromised, before being instructed to withdraw cash for pickup. The suspect was arrested on April 8 and faces 7½ to 15 years in prison and a $4,000 fine if convicted.

New Hampshire authorities warn of quit claim deed fraud, where scammers forge property ownership documents and record them without the owner's knowledge, potentially allowing them to sell, mortgage, or rent the property before detection. Between 2019 and 2023, 239 New Hampshire residents lost $4.1 million to this scheme, with scammers targeting vacant lots, properties with liens, and out-of-state owners using fake IDs in remote closings. The Attorney General's Office recommends victims set up property address alerts, monitor real estate listings, check social media, inspect their property regularly, and contact title insurance professionals, with reporting available through the Consumer Protection Hotline.

Tyra Brown, a 27-year-old customer service representative at a New Hampshire credit union, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for stealing $301,674.89 from at least 10 elderly customers using unauthorized access to their personal information and account details. Brown exploited her position of trust to transfer victim funds via wires, electronic debits, and Zelle, targeting elderly account holders she knew were unfamiliar with electronic banking.

Tyra Brown, a 27-year-old Arkansas customer service representative at a New Hampshire credit union, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for wire fraud after stealing $301,674.89 from at least 10 elderly customers. Brown exploited her job access to customers' personal information and account details to conduct unauthorized transfers via wire, electronic debits, and the Zelle app, with attempted theft totaling $428,526.85.

Tyra Brown, a 27-year-old Arkansas woman employed as a customer service representative at a New Hampshire credit union, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for stealing over $300,000 from at least 10 elderly customers. Brown exploited her authorized access to personal identifying information and account details to conduct wire fraud, transferring stolen funds via wire transfers, electronic debits, and Zelle payments, with attempted theft totaling $428,526.85. She pleaded guilty in January 2025 to one count of wire fraud and was specifically criticized for deliberately targeting elderly victims unfamiliar with electronic banking.

Tyra Brown, a 27-year-old customer service representative at a New Hampshire credit union, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for wire fraud after stealing over $301,000 from at least 10 elderly customers. Brown abused her authorized access to customer accounts to fraudulently transfer funds via wires, electronic debits, and Zelle, targeting elderly victims she knew were unfamiliar with electronic banking.

Tyra Brown, a 27-year-old Arkansas woman employed as a customer service representative at a New Hampshire credit union, was sentenced to three years in prison for stealing $301,674.89 from at least 10 elderly customers by exploiting her access to their personal information and security questions. Brown used wire transfers, electronic debits, and Zelle to commit the fraud and had attempted to steal an additional $428,526.85 before her arrest; she pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges in January.

The FBI warned New England homeowners and real estate agents about Quit Claim Deed fraud, in which scammers forge documents to illegally transfer property ownership and then sell, mortgage, or rent the properties for profit. Since 2019, the scam has cost victims over $61.5 million across New England, with Massachusetts accounting for $46 million in losses, and victims in Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island suffering an additional $15 million combined. The FBI provided recommendations for both homeowners (monitoring property records, setting up title alerts, and watching for suspicious activity) and real estate agents (requiring in-person identity verification, requesting original documentation, and confirming notary credentials) to

A global gift card fraud ring with ties to New Hampshire resulted in millions of dollars in losses from October 2023 through January 2024, with victims targeted through romance scams, elder fraud, and store card tampering to purchase high-end electronics that were resold overseas. Three Chinese nationals pleaded guilty in federal court, with prosecutors linking them to $4.8 million in fraudulent gift card purchases; a Salem warehouse search uncovered approximately $8 million in goods. Homeland Security Investigations and the New Hampshire U.S. Attorney's Office have established a restitution program allowing victims to recover funds by submitting gift card numbers and purchase receipts by June 30, 2024.

Three Chinese nationals pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for operating a gift card fraud scheme based in China that targeted U.S. citizens through romance and elder fraud schemes to obtain gift cards, which they then used to purchase high-value electronics for shipment to Asia. Naxin Wu, Mengying Jiang, and Mingdong Chen, operating as a cell in New Hampshire, were responsible for $1.4 million, $3 million, and $400,000 in fraudulent gift card purchases respectively, with sentencing scheduled for April 2025. The investigation by Homeland Security Investigations revealed that organized crime groups acquire gift cards through hacking and fraud schemes, then exploit no-sales-

New Hampshire elderly residents are experiencing a surge in lottery and sweepstakes scams, where perpetrators falsely claim victims have won prizes like Publishers Clearing House and demand upfront fees for taxes or processing through wire transfers, Bitcoin ATMs, or gift cards, with some victims losing $8,500 or more. Attorney General John M. Formella advises residents that legitimate lotteries never require payment to release winnings, unsolicited winning notices should be ignored, and PCH never calls winners in advance—victims should verify directly at 1-800-392-4190 and report suspected scams to local police or the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Bureau.

Tyra Brown, a 27-year-old remote customer service representative for a New Hampshire credit union, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for stealing $301,674.89 from at least 10 elderly customers by abusing her access to their personal information and account details. Brown used wires, electronic debits, and Zelle to transfer victim funds and attempted to steal an additional $428,526.85 in total during her employment from December 2021 to May 2023.

New Hampshire's Attorney General issued a consumer alert warning of increasing lottery and sweepstakes scams targeting older adults, in which scammers falsely claim victims have won contests like Publishers Clearing House and demand upfront fees (taxes, legal fees, processing fees) ranging up to $8,500 via wire transfer, Bitcoin ATM, or gift cards. The alert advises that legitimate lotteries never require payment to claim prizes, unsolicited callers claiming to be from PCH should be ignored, and victims should report incidents to local police, the Attorney General's office, or the Department of Health and Human Services.

Scammers posing as Eversource energy company representatives are targeting customers in New Hampshire with threats to disconnect power unless they make immediate payments, using scare tactics to pressure victims into handing over money or personal information. Eversource and local police warn that the company never demands instant payment over the phone, requests gift cards or prepaid cards, or asks for personal information in unsolicited communications. Residents are advised to hang up on suspicious callers, verify requests through official company channels, and report incidents to local police.

Hampton residents lost nearly $1 million to phone, email, text, and social media scams over 13 months, with many involving cryptocurrency, according to Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno—though he notes this represents only reported cases. One particularly devastating case involved a "pig butchering scheme" where a resident lost $480,000 after a scammer built trust through social media before introducing a fraudulent investment opportunity. The Hampton Police Department has become New Hampshire's first law enforcement agency to open a Coinbase account to potentially freeze and recover stolen cryptocurrency, and the chief urges residents to contact police before sending money rather than after they've been victimized.

Three Chinese nationals pleaded guilty to running a scheme in 2023 that defrauded elderly Americans out of approximately $100 million through romance and elder fraud scams, using stolen gift cards to purchase Apple products that were stockpiled in a New Hampshire warehouse and shipped to China and Hong Kong for resale. The operation was part of a larger network of similar cells operating across the U.S., with investigators recovering $8 million in Apple products and additional counterfeit electronics during a warehouse search. This case demonstrates how proceeds from elder fraud and other scams fund organized crime operations abroad and fuel additional fraud schemes, including return fraud that costs retailers over $100 billion annually.

Three Chinese nationals pleaded guilty to wire fraud for operating a gift card scam cell in Concord, New Hampshire that stole $4.8 million in Apple products. The scheme involved hacking U.S. companies and targeting American citizens through romance and elder fraud schemes to obtain gift card numbers, which were then used to purchase electronics that were shipped overseas to China and Southeast Asia. Wu, Jiang, and Chen each face up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $250,000, with sentencing scheduled for April.

Three Chinese nationals pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for their roles in a large-scale scheme that obtained fraudulent gift cards through hacking, romance scams, and elder fraud schemes, then used them to purchase approximately $4.8 million in Apple products for export to China and Southeast Asia. Naxin Wu, Mengying Jiang, and Mingdong Chen were members of a New Hampshire-based cell that deliberately operated in states without sales tax to maximize profits, with Wu responsible for $1.4 million, Jiang for $3 million, and Chen for $400,000 in fraudulent gift card purchases. Sentencing is scheduled for April 2025, with

U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young resigned from her position on January 17, 2024, after serving for approximately two years. During her tenure, Young prosecuted various federal crimes including drug trafficking, financial fraud, elder and child exploitation, and violent crimes.

The New Hampshire attorney general warned of increased holiday shopping scams on social media, where hackers compromise Facebook accounts and post fake listings for cars, tickets, and other items to defraud the account owner's friends. Two women had their Facebook accounts hacked and used to scam acquaintances, including one victim who lost $400 via Venmo for a fraudulent hot tub listing. Officials recommend using strong passwords, two-factor authentication, avoiding credit card information in social media transactions, and meeting sellers in person when possible.

Two New Hampshire-based suspects, Naxin Wu and Mingdong Chen, reached a plea deal to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud as part of a sophisticated international gift card scheme. The criminal ring obtained gift cards through illegal means including theft, romance scams, and elder fraud, then used them to purchase Apple products for resale overseas, while also returning counterfeit Apple goods to stores for additional cards; a warehouse search uncovered nearly $2 million in fake iPhones and iPads. Wu and Chen each face up to 20 years in prison.

New Hampshire's Assistant Attorney General Alexandra Sosnowski warns consumers about holiday shopping scams, particularly those occurring online during the Christmas season. Key recommendations include verifying retailer URLs and checking reviews on trusted sources like the Better Business Bureau before purchasing, monitoring package deliveries to prevent porch theft, avoiding clicking links in unsolicited text messages claiming delivery issues, and purchasing gift cards directly from retailers to avoid tampered cards. The alert emphasizes taking extra time to verify sources and using tracking information directly from retailers rather than through suspicious links.

Elizabeth Morse, a former office manager at Bedford Women's Care Associates in New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud for manipulating payroll systems between 2020 and 2023 to increase her own pay, fraudulently obtaining approximately $168,366.66. Morse, now residing in Albuquerque, New Mexico, exploited her position of trust to access third-party payroll services and alter her compensation rate without authorization. She faces sentencing on February 26, 2025, with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and has agreed to pay full restitution to the medical practice.

New Hampshire residents are being targeted by "smishing" scams in which fraudulent text messages claim they owe E-ZPass toll fees and direct them to click malicious links designed to steal personal information. The New Hampshire Department of Transportation warns that legitimate E-ZPass will never request payment via text, and similar scams have been reported by toll agencies nationwide. Victims should check accounts only through official websites or apps, and report suspicious messages to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center or their mobile provider.

A New York man, Wenhua Zhuo, 48, was indicted on attempted theft by deception for acting as a courier in a bank impersonation scam targeting a 77-year-old New Hampshire man. Scammers posing as bank fraud department officials called the victim and instructed him to withdraw $20,000 in cash for a courier to collect, and Zhuo appeared at the victim's home to retrieve at least $1,500 in cash that had already been withdrawn. Zhuo was arrested in July and was scheduled for arraignment in November.

A 48-year-old New York man was indicted for attempting to steal $20,000 from a 77-year-old New Hampshire resident as part of a bank impersonation scam, where he posed as a courier to pick up cash after a fraudster called the victim claiming his bank account was compromised. Wenhua Zhuo traveled to the victim's home in Richmond and was arrested after approaching the victim who had withdrawn over $1,500 in cash, and he faces a class A felony charge of attempted theft by deception.

A New York man, Wenhua Zhuo, was indicted on attempted theft by deception charges for acting as a courier in a bank impersonation scam targeting a 77-year-old New Hampshire man. Scammers posing as bank fraud department employees called the victim and instructed him to withdraw $20,000 in cash for a courier to collect, though Zhuo only obtained over $1,500 before the scheme was interrupted. Zhuo was arrested in July and was scheduled for arraignment in November.