Explore the Archive

Senator Helmy discusses the urgent problem of elder fraud with committee experts, noting that New Jersey seniors reported over $1 million in losses to scams and fraud according to the FBI's IC3 Elder report. He raises concerns about a major data breach at background company National Public Data that exposed approximately 2.9 billion personal records containing names, addresses, and Social Security numbers, which he believes was underreported and could facilitate further fraud targeting vulnerable elderly populations.

As Spring Break approaches, the Better Business Bureau reports a rise in travel scams targeting people booking vacations and making last-minute reservation changes. Scammers are creating fraudulent websites that mimic legitimate travel companies (such as Royal Caribbean), often using slightly misspelled URLs, and targeting consumers searching for customer service numbers or deals online. Recent reported losses include $444 in Southern California, $1,458 in Orlando, and nearly $88,000 in New Jersey.

Washington Township Police Department in New Jersey partnered with the FBI to host an educational seminar teaching seniors and families how to recognize and avoid scams, prompted by recent major fraud cases in their community. Scammers commonly use fear, urgency, and confusion to target seniors through IRS scams, grandparent scams, tax support scams, online banking scams, and EasyPass billing scams, with recent local cases involving losses of $100,000 or more. Police emphasize that recognizing red flags through education is the most effective way to prevent seniors from losing their savings to fraud.

The FBI and Washington Township Police hosted a fraud awareness seminar at a senior center in Gloucester County, New Jersey, prompted by an incident where a 78-year-old resident nearly lost over $244,000 to scammers. The event aimed to educate seniors about common scam tactics and help prevent fraud in the community.

Scammers are using crypto ATMs in a modern twist on classic extortion schemes, with an estimated incident occurring every minute in the United States. A New Jersey woman was targeted by fraudsters posing as a sheriff's lieutenant claiming she missed jury duty and had arrest warrants, keeping her on the phone for two hours under duress before convincing her to withdraw $7,500 from her bank and deposit it into a cryptocurrency ATM. The scheme exploits victims' anxiety and unfamiliarity with crypto technology to quickly move funds beyond recovery.

Howell Township Police issued a warning about rising phone scams targeting senior citizens in New Jersey, where scammers typically pose as government agencies (IRS, utilities) or claim relatives need bail or medical money. Police advise seniors never to pay via gift cards or allow strangers to pick up money, and urge victims to report incidents to local law enforcement to help track patterns.

Six members of a fraud enterprise were arrested between October 2020 and February 2021 for orchestrating business email compromise scams, romance fraud targeting vulnerable elderly victims, and fraudulent COVID-19 relief loan applications, collectively controlling over 45 bank accounts with approximately $55 million in deposits. The defendants used spoofed emails, fake online identities, and fraudulent Small Business Administration loan applications to deceive victims and divert funds to accounts they controlled. Authorities seized luxury vehicles purchased with fraud proceeds, and the defendants face prosecution in federal court by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigations division.

A 26-year-old Jersey City man, Sagar Patel, was arrested and extradited to Colorado, where he faces grand theft charges for scamming a 79-year-old woman out of $120,000 in gold bars. Patel was taken into custody in February and now faces 4 to 12 years in prison if convicted.

Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey is hosting a "Senior Scam Prevention" educational program on March 20 at the Lavy House in Westfield, presented by Officer Victoria Smith of the Union County Sheriff's Office. The community event aims to educate attendees of all ages about scams targeting seniors, with light refreshments provided and free registration available by contacting the organization.

Attorney General Kris Mayes joined the U.S. Justice Department and 15 state attorneys general in filing an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, alleging the company illegally maintains a smartphone monopoly by restricting developer access and blocking competitive services like cloud streaming, cross-platform messaging, and third-party digital wallets. The lawsuit claims Apple uses its monopoly power to extract higher prices from consumers, developers, and businesses while stifling innovation and interoperability across the smartphone market. --- **Note:** This article concerns antitrust/competition law and does not involve elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It would not typically be included in an elder fraud research database unless the

Three New Jersey residents pleaded guilty to operating a romance fraud scheme from 2016 to 2020 that defrauded over 100 victims of millions of dollars. Martins Friday Inalegwu and Steincy Mathieu, along with co-conspirator Oluwaseyi Fatolu, worked with accomplices in Nigeria to pose as romantic partners on dating sites, convincing victims to send money while evading taxes on their illegal proceeds. The defendants face charges including unlawful money transmitting, tax evasion, and conspiracy related to the multi-million dollar scheme.

Angel Giancarlo Bellido Cosio and Angel Eugenio Bances Chaponan, both Peruvian citizens, were indicted on federal charges of credit card fraud and identity theft for operating a distraction theft scheme at Trader Joe's and other retail stores across the United States. The defendants rented vehicles using fraudulent passports, stole wallets from victims, and then used the stolen credit and debit cards to purchase electronic devices and other merchandise. Both men were arrested on March 13, 2024, and face up to 10 years imprisonment for access device fraud plus a mandatory 2-year consecutive sentence for aggravated identity theft.

A New Jersey married couple, Martins Friday Inalegwu (35) and Steincy Mathieu (27), admitted to stealing at least $4.5 million from over 100 victims through an online romance scam operating from October 2016 to May 2020, using dating websites and social media to build fake relationships before requesting money for fabricated emergencies. The perpetrators received funds via wire transfers, checks, Western Union, MoneyGram, and international bank accounts in Turkey and Nigeria, and also failed to pay taxes on the stolen money. Inalegwu pleaded guilty to money transmitting violations and tax evasion, while Mathieu

Three New Jersey residents—married couple Martins Friday Inalegwu and Steincy Mathieu, plus Oluwaseyi Fatolu—pleaded guilty to operating a romance scam from 2016 to 2020 that defrauded over 100 victims of $4.5 million. The defendants posed as romantic interests on dating sites and social media to convince victims to send money for fictitious emergencies, with funds wired to U.S. bank accounts, mailed as checks, or transferred overseas to accomplices in Nigeria and Turkey, while the defendants spent proceeds on personal expenses and cash withdrawals.

A husband and wife from Burlington County, New Jersey (Martins Friday Inalegwu and Steincy Mathieu), along with a third codefendant, pleaded guilty to tax evasion and unlawful money-transmitting charges for their roles in a romance fraud scheme that defrauded over 100 victims of more than $4.5 million between October 2016 and May 2020. The conspirators, some based in Nigeria, posed as romantic interests on dating sites, built relationships with victims, and requested money for fake emergencies, which they then spent on personal expenses or transferred to overseas accounts without paying taxes.

New Jersey residents lost $441.2 million to scams in 2023, a 55% increase from 2022, making the state the fifth-highest in total losses nationwide, according to an FBI report. Over 12,000 New Jersey victims fell prey to various scams including phishing, tech support fraud, and personal data breaches, with seniors accounting for more than half of tech scam losses, particularly those ages 60 and older who lost $3.4 billion nationally.

An 18-year-old New Jersey teenager was arrested for allegedly using Facebook Marketplace to lure victims into robberies, including a March incident where he robbed a buyer of $275 and hit them with his car while fleeing. The investigation revealed a pattern of similar robberies involving fake accounts selling PlayStation 5 consoles across northern New Jersey. Authorities recommend Facebook Marketplace users meet in public, well-lit areas, avoid cash transactions, review seller profiles carefully, and report suspicious activity to police.

Three men were charged with money laundering conspiracy and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business after laundering over $4.5 million in proceeds from business email compromise schemes and romance scams targeting elderly victims between 2020 and 2023. The defendants directed victims to wire funds into bank accounts they controlled, then depleted those accounts through multiple withdrawals and transfers, including to overseas accounts, while keeping a percentage of the fraudulent proceeds. One co-conspirator has already pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

Gift card draining—a scam where fraudsters obtain card codes from retail displays, reseal the packaging, and drain the balance once consumers load money—resulted in $217 million in losses in 2023 as part of a broader $10 billion fraud crisis. States including New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island have enacted laws requiring retailer warnings and employee training, while Maryland recently approved legislation mandating secure packaging to conceal activation information, though retailers and manufacturers have resisted such regulations.

The FBI warns that online romance scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often perpetrated by organized crime rings exploiting dating app users. A victim named Carina lost $150,000 after being manipulated by a fake profile into investing in cryptocurrency over a three-month period, and in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware alone, 970 people reported romance scam losses totaling $33.5 million last year. Experts emphasize that victims experience significant emotional damage beyond financial loss and recommend approaching suspected victims with empathy rather than judgment, while noting that many scammers operate overseas, making recovery difficult.

Sixteen individuals—eleven from the Dominican Republic and five from New York—were charged in connection with a "grandparent scam" that defrauded hundreds of elderly Americans out of millions of dollars. The defendants allegedly impersonated grandchildren in distress, claiming they had been arrested and needed immediate cash for bail or legal fees, with victims sometimes losing tens of thousands of dollars before authorities intervened. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies including HSI, the FBI, and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General.

Sixteen people were charged in connection with a "grandparent scam" that defrauded hundreds of older Americans across the Northeast out of millions of dollars between January 2019 and December 2023. Scammers operating call centers in the Dominican Republic used spoofed phone numbers to call elderly victims, impersonating distressed grandchildren or relatives needing bail money, then posed as attorneys and officials to extract payments via couriers or mail. The charges carry penalties up to 20 years in prison, with elder fraud complaints rising 14% nationally and victims losing an average of $33,915 each in 2023.

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center released its 2023 Elder Fraud Report showing a 14% increase in complaints and 11% increase in losses targeting Americans over 60. New Jersey received 2,049 complaints from victims over 60, resulting in $104.1 million in losses (8th highest nationally), though the FBI notes actual fraud and losses likely exceed reported figures due to underreporting. FBI leadership emphasized that combatting elder financial exploitation remains a priority and urged the public to report all fraud incidents to help identify trends and support investigations.

Congressman Josh Gottheimer introduced legislation to protect seniors from social media scams, prompted by an FBI report showing seniors lost over $3.4 billion to fraud the previous year. The proposals include requiring social media platforms to use AI to identify fraudulent content, increasing state enforcement resources, establishing a federal Senior Investor Task Force within the SEC, and designating May 9 as National Scam Survivor Day.

Senior citizens at a Fair Lawn Senior Center learned about scams targeting older adults, with one attendee sharing how he nearly lost $1,000 to a gift card scam before CVS staff alerted him. Rep. Josh Gottheimer unveiled a Senior Security Strategy that includes requiring social media platforms to add warning labels to fraudulent accounts, establishing an SEC grant program for state scam response efforts, and notes that over 2,000 New Jersey seniors reported scams to the FBI last year. The key advice is to never provide personal information when contacted by phone, email, or social media, and to report suspected scams to local police or the FBI.

Congressman Josh Gottheimer introduced legislation aimed at protecting New Jersey seniors from scams, including a proposal requiring social media platforms like Facebook, X, and Instagram to display warning labels on flagged fraudulent content and accounts, as well as a grant program to strengthen the state's scam response capabilities.

U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer introduced bipartisan legislation seeking $60 million in federal funding over six years to help states combat senior scams through enforcement, technology, and education initiatives. The bill comes as seniors lose over $3.4 billion annually to scams involving impersonation, fake deliveries, and social media fraud, with over 2,000 New Jersey seniors reporting scams to the FBI in 2023 alone. Gottheimer also plans to urge social media companies to add warning labels, flag scammers, and improve fraud reporting tools on their platforms.

Galloway Township Police Department in New Jersey reported multiple incidents where scammers impersonated a "Detective Giberson" and contacted residents requesting their social security numbers. Police emphasized that legitimate law enforcement will never solicit social security numbers or financial information over the phone, and advised victims to report the scam immediately and call the department's verification line at (609) 652-3705.

This segment features consumer advice on identifying and avoiding job offer text scams, a growing threat where scammers use SMS messages to impersonate employers and target job seekers. The piece, presented by Nina Pineda on a New York-based news program, aims to educate viewers on protective measures against this type of fraud.

Two Ghanaian nationals, Wigbert Bandie and Khadijah Adam, were arrested in the United States and face charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering for operating romance and advance-fee scams between June 2019 and December 2019. The defendants targeted victims through social media impersonation, with one victim, Richard Coleman from Knoxville, defrauded of $73,550 after being convinced to pay shipping fees for non-existent gold shipments; a third defendant, Mubarak Braimah, remains at large with an FBI warrant issued for his arrest. Pretrial proceedings were scheduled for June

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

On June 14 in Ewing Township, New Jersey's Attorney General's Office, Medicaid Fraud Unit, Insurance Fraud Prosecutor, and Elder Protection Task Force honored Certified Volunteer Advocates (CVAs) for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. CVAs work with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman to regularly visit nursing homes statewide, engage with residents, and advocate for their rights and interests.

**Summary:** Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for acting as a courier in a Dominican Republic-based "grandparent scam" that targeted elderly Americans between August 2020 and August 2021. Scammers from call centers in the Dominican Republic impersonated victims' grandchildren or legal representatives, claiming the grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money, then sent Valdez and other couriers to collect tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for his role in an international "grandparent scam" that operated from Dominican Republic call centers and targeted elderly residents in New Jersey and New York between August 2020 and August 2021. Scammers impersonated grandchildren, their attorneys, or court officials to convince victims that their grandchildren needed bail money and legal fees, with Valdez serving as a courier to collect tens of thousands of dollars from the victims. The case highlights the ongoing threat of grandparent scams targeting elderly Americans, with the public encouraged to report suspected elder fraud to the FTC.

Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for acting as a courier in a transnational "grandparent scam" operated from call centers in the Dominican Republic between August 2020 and August 2021. The scheme involved scammers posing as grandchildren, attorneys, or court personnel to convince elderly American victims that their relatives had been arrested and needed bail money, with Valdez collecting tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. If convicted, Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud for acting as a courier in a "grandparent scam" operation based in the Dominican Republic that targeted elderly Americans between 2020 and 2021. Scammers called elderly victims impersonating grandchildren requesting emergency cash for bail or expenses, and Valdez collected tens of thousands of dollars from victims in New Jersey and New York. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was indicted on wire fraud conspiracy charges for serving as a courier in a Dominican Republic-based "grandparent scam" targeting elderly Americans. Between August 2020 and August 2021, Valdez allegedly collected tens of thousands of dollars from victims in New York and New Jersey after call center operatives convinced seniors that their grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money. If convicted, Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Victor Anthony Valdez, 39, of the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for acting as a courier in a transnational "grandparent scam" operated from Dominican Republic call centers between August 2020 and August 2021. The scheme targeted elderly Americans by impersonating their grandchildren, attorneys, or court officials to convince victims their grandchild had been arrested and needed bail money, with Valdez collecting tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. If convicted, Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

A 39-year-old Bronx man, Victor Anthony Valdez, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for his role as a courier in an international "grandparent scam" that defrauded elderly residents of New York and New Jersey of tens of thousands of dollars between August 2020 and 2021. Scammers operating from call centers in the Dominican Republic posed as grandchildren or legal officials, convincing elderly victims their grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money, then sent Valdez to collect cash from victims' homes. Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

AARP New Jersey hosted a Fraud Prevention Summit on August 21, 2024, featuring keynote speakers including New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and AARP's Director of Fraud Prevention Programs Kathy Stokes, who discussed evolving fraud tactics and protective strategies. The free event included presentations on prevalent and emerging scams affecting New Jersey residents, panel discussions with law enforcement experts from the IRS, Middlesex Prosecutor's Office, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and resources for individuals to protect themselves and their loved ones from fraud.

Law professors argue that states should strengthen driving regulations for seniors by requiring physicians to refer patients with cognitive decline for formal driving assessments and report restrictions to the DMV, rather than imposing blanket age-based regulations. This targeted approach aims to address public safety concerns—as seniors outlive their safe driving ability by 7-10 years and are at increased accident risk—while preserving elderly drivers' autonomy and quality of life. The recommendation responds to incidents like three accidents involving drivers over 90 in New Jersey within one week, two of which were fatal.

A 74-year-old New Jersey resident and other seniors attended an educational event about protecting themselves from identity theft and online scams, which have become increasingly prevalent in their demographic. According to FBI data, over 101,000 people aged 60 and older reported fraud in 2023, resulting in $3.4 billion in losses—an 11% increase from the previous year. Experts advise seniors to protect themselves by using strong passwords, shredding sensitive documents, never sharing personal information, and recognizing urgency tactics as warning signs of scams.

A new warning has been issued about immigration scams targeting migrants in New York City, with reports spiking according to community agencies running a free immigration hotline. The scams include fraudsters offering to expedite court proceedings for payment, providing fake shelter assistance, and spoofing government phone numbers to deceive vulnerable immigrants.

A 52-year-old Maryland man was charged with operating a "Gold Bar Scam" that defrauded a 74-year-old Bethesda victim of over $1 million between May and June. The scam involved sending official-looking FTC lawsuit letters, then posing as an attorney who convinced the victim to convert his assets into gold eight separate times. Investigators believe this is part of a larger scheme affecting multiple elderly victims across Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Virginia.

Three Dominican men were extradited to New Jersey to face federal charges in a "grandparents' scam" that defrauded elderly Americans across the Northeast of millions of dollars. The defendants allegedly impersonated distressed grandchildren claiming arrest or emergency situations, convincing victims to send cash for bail or legal fees. The case involves 19 counts against 16 individuals total, with convictions carrying maximum sentences of 20 years per count plus fines.

Three Dominican Republic nationals were extradited to the U.S. and charged in a multi-state "grandparent scam" that defrauded hundreds of elderly victims across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts out of millions of dollars. The defendants operated call centers that impersonated family members claiming relatives needed bail money for vehicle accidents, with scammers posing as attorneys and police to pressure victims into sending thousands of dollars via courier or mail. The three men face charges including mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering as part of an 11-person indictment involving a long-running operation targeting vulnerable seniors.

Three Dominican nationals were extradited to face charges in a "grandparent scam" that defrauded hundreds of elderly Americans across multiple states out of millions of dollars. The defendants operated call centers in the Dominican Republic where they impersonated grandchildren in distress, then had "closers" pose as lawyers or police to convince victims to send thousands in cash via couriers or mail. Each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison and substantial fines if convicted on charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering conspiracy.

Financial experts identify seven prevalent money scams targeting Gen Z, including phishing schemes, fake job offers, scholarship scams, online marketplace fraud, student loan forgiveness scams, and "get rich quick" investment schemes. Gen Z faces particular vulnerability due to their digital integration and inexperience with financial matters. Experts recommend verifying legitimacy of offers, avoiding unsolicited links, researching opportunities thoroughly, consulting certified financial advisors, and using strong passwords to protect against fraud.

A study by PrivacyJournal.net ranking U.S. states on online dating safety found New Jersey to rank 12th safest, based on metrics including romance scams, violent crime, identity theft, fraud, STDs, and registered sex offenders. While New Jersey users may encounter dishonesty, the state has the lowest rate of registered sex offenders nationally and ranks 8th for lowest STD rates, making it safer than most states for online dating.

An older woman from Alexandria Township, New Jersey lost $13,000 in a tech support and bank impersonation scam where a fake Microsoft/TD Bank representative convinced her to withdraw cash to "protect" her account, with an accomplice posing as a courier collecting the money from her home. State police are seeking an Asian male suspect, approximately 5'9" and 30-35 years old, described as having black hair and a mustache.