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Scammers posing as military officials have been calling families of deceased veterans near Fort Bragg, North Carolina, demanding $1,500 or more for fake "liability insurance" or "honor guard fees" required to present military honors at funerals. The Army Casualty Assistance Center warns that military funeral honors are always provided free of charge to eligible veterans, and any request for payment is fraudulent. Families should report suspicious calls to the Federal Trade Commission and verify all requests directly through their funeral home or the Army Casualty Assistance Center.

Lori Flowers lost $600,000 to a pig-butchering scam where a man claiming to be from Belgium built trust with her over months before convincing her to withdraw money from her retirement account. Because the IRS treated the retirement withdrawal as taxable income, Flowers owed approximately $225,000 in taxes and penalties on money she no longer had, leading her to file for bankruptcy. A bipartisan Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act recently passed the House that would restore theft-loss deductions for scam victims, addressing a gap created by 2017 tax law changes.

A North Carolina woman lost approximately $600,000 to a pig-butchering scam where she built a relationship with a fraudster online before sending him money from her retirement account. After discovering the fraud, she faced an additional $225,000 tax bill from the IRS for the withdrawn retirement funds, forcing her to file for bankruptcy. A bipartisan bill called the Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act, which would restore tax deductions for fraud victims lost in 2017 tax law changes, recently passed the House and awaits Senate action.

A 58-year-old North Carolina woman lost $600,000 to a pig-butchering scam after a man posing as a Brussels-based contact on LinkedIn built her trust and convinced her to invest in a fake business, resulting in a $225,000 tax bill when she withdrew $400,000 from her 401(k) and took out two personal loans for additional funds. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 limited personal theft loss deductions, leaving fraud victims responsible for taxes on stolen retirement funds, though pending legislation like the Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act aims to provide retroactive relief.

Lori Flowers of North Carolina lost $600,000 in a "pig-butchering" scam after withdrawing retirement savings and taking on debt based on a fraudulent romantic connection initiated via LinkedIn. She subsequently faced an additional $225,000 in IRS taxes and penalties on the withdrawn retirement funds, sparking congressional efforts to pass the Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act to prevent scam victims from owing taxes on stolen money. Americans aged 60 and older reported $7.7 billion in fraud losses in 2025, with many victims never reporting their losses.

A North Carolina woman lost $600,000 in a "pig-butchering" romance scam after withdrawing retirement savings and taking on debt, then faced an additional $225,000 in IRS taxes and penalties on the stolen funds. The incident highlights a gap in federal tax law where the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated the "casualty and theft loss" deduction for fraud victims, prompting Congress to consider the Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act to prevent scam victims from owing taxes on stolen money. Americans age 60 and older reported $7.7 billion in fraud losses in 2025, with pig-butchering scams involving lengthy trust-building schemes

A 58-year-old North Carolina woman lost $600,000 to a pig-butchering scam orchestrated through LinkedIn by a man posing as a Brussels-based investor who convinced her to withdraw $400,000 from her 401(k) and take out two personal loans for additional funds. Due to federal tax law restrictions on personal theft loss deductions, Flowers faces a $225,000 tax bill on the retirement withdrawal despite losing the money to fraud. Pending legislation, the Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act, could retroactively eliminate such tax liabilities for qualifying victims if enacted.

A North Carolina woman lost $600,000 in a pig-butchering scam after being targeted by a Brussels-based fraudster on LinkedIn who posed as a friend needing investment capital. Beyond the stolen funds, Flowers faced an additional $225,000 tax bill from the IRS because her 401(k) withdrawal was treated as taxable income, forcing her to declare bankruptcy. Congress has recently approved the Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act to protect future scam victims from tax liability on stolen funds, though it awaits Senate action.

Scammers in North Carolina are posing as police officers and court personnel to target domestic violence survivors, using public court records to create convincing stories and demanding immediate phone payments for bond, protective orders, and electronic monitoring. These callers exploit vulnerable victims by falsifying urgency and falsely claiming that legal services require fees, when in fact domestic violence protective orders and support services are always free. State officials urge victims to hang up on such calls and contact local law enforcement or the North Carolina Consumer Protection Division.

A Durham woman lost nearly $2,000 to scammers impersonating sheriff's deputies who claimed she had missed jury duty and owed bail for three arrest warrants. The fraudsters used personal information about the victim and created urgency through fake legal documents and intimidating language to convince her to wire money. This jury duty scam is among hundreds reported across central North Carolina in 2026, with law enforcement agencies documenting over 100 similar complaints in the Triangle area alone.

Venkateswara Chagamreddy, a 37-year-old Indian student visa holder in Texas, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for defrauding a 79-year-old Vietnam veteran through a tech support and impersonation scam. Chagamreddy convinced the victim his identity had been stolen and instructed him to convert money into gold; the victim lost money before a family member recognized the scam and authorities arrested Chagamreddy with $500 and 23 ounces of gold in his vehicle. Evidence connected Chagamreddy to similar gold collection schemes targeting an 87-year-old North Carolina woman and a

North Carolina law enforcement reports a 59% increase in elder fraud complaints in 2025, with seniors over 60 filing more complaints than any other age group, resulting in billions in losses including one case where an individual lost approximately $4 million from a phishing scam. Cary-area high school students have launched a nonprofit called Click With Confidence to educate seniors about avoiding common scams such as phishing emails, the "Grandparent Scam" using AI voice mimicry, and impersonation of government officials. Investigators advise seniors to pause and verify requests before acting, emphasizing that the IRS does not contact people demanding passwords or social security numbers.

A North Carolina high school student founded Click With Confidence after his grandfather's business collapsed following a 2022 phishing scam, and the organization now deploys over 30 teenagers to senior centers to educate older adults about fraud recognition and safe technology use. The effort addresses a growing crisis: the FBI recorded 201,266 fraud complaints from Americans 60 and older in 2025 with losses totaling $7.75 billion, while the IRS opened 255 elder fraud investigations from fiscal 2021-2026 involving approximately $885.86 million in alleged fraud. Click With Confidence provides in-person presentations, digital mentorship training, and a browser extension to help seniors identify

A 37-year-old Indian national on a student visa was sentenced to 30 months in prison for defrauding a Vietnam veteran in Oklahoma through a tech support scam, extracting nearly $65,000 by posing as Microsoft support and a fake federal officer. Chagamreddy was ordered to pay $99,496 in restitution and also victimized an 87-year-old woman from North Carolina; he will face deportation proceedings after his sentence.

Venkateswara Chagamreddy, a 37-year-old Indian national on a student visa, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for defrauding a Delaware County Vietnam veteran of approximately $65,000 through a romance/investment scam involving fake gold purchases and fabricated hotel expenses in Hong Kong, with additional attempts to extract $200,000-$500,000 from the victim's retirement accounts. Chagamreddy was also convicted of scamming an 87-year-old North Carolina woman and ordered to pay $99,496 in restitution. The case is part of a broader Department of Justice crackdown on elder fraud that

North Carolina residents lost $15.6 million to AI-related internet crimes in 2025, with 152 complaints filed, as the FBI began separately tracking artificial intelligence as a descriptor in crime reporting for the first time. Nationwide, over 22,000 AI-related complaints resulted in $890 million in losses, with investment scams being the most common crime type involving AI. The FBI warns that criminals are increasingly using manipulated media and deepfakes as tools in various fraud schemes targeting consumers.

Two Thai businessmen sued Tether in New York federal court after the company froze $42.4 million in USDT across ten Ethereum addresses in October 2025, allegedly following an informal request from Homeland Security Investigations without a court warrant. The freeze was reportedly connected to a pig-butchering fraud investigation, and a North Carolina court later issued a seizure warrant in February 2026 directing Tether to burn and reissue the tokens to a government-controlled wallet. The plaintiffs challenge Tether's authority to blacklist and freeze their funds before judicial authorization and seek unfreezing of the assets, damages, and recovery of reserve yield earned while their funds were frozen.

This article discusses credit union advocacy meetings with policymakers during congressional recess, not an actual fraud case or scam. The article mentions that credit unions raised fraud concerns, including elder fraud schemes, as a policy priority during meetings with representatives from Virginia, Alabama, Texas, North Carolina, and Illinois, but does not describe a specific fraud incident or victim impact.

Maggi Elizabeth Brady, 37, of Siler City, North Carolina, was arrested and charged with 97 felonies for exploiting her elderly uncle by misusing his money while holding power of attorney, fraudulently charging his bank and investment accounts to pay her own bills. She also faces 27 animal-related charges after authorities discovered abandoned and neglected animals at her home, including pigs left without food or water. Brady was released on a combined $225,000 bond and is scheduled for court proceedings through September 21.

A 90-year-old North Carolina woman nearly lost $10,000 to a cryptocurrency scam that began with a fake Geek Squad text message claiming unauthorized charges to her account. Wilmington Police Officer Nicholas Morrison spotted her holding nearly $10,000 in cash at a bitcoin kiosk and recognized the warning signs of a scam, convincing her to stop the transaction and helping her redeposit her money safely.

A veterans advocate in Rowan County, North Carolina is organizing an August 29 educational forum to help elderly residents recognize and avoid fraud scams, including phone, construction, and door-to-door schemes. The initiative was inspired by cases Hardin encountered, including an 80-year-old woman who lost over $100,000 after being pressured to sell her car and furniture. Local law enforcement and officials will participate in the forum to educate residents on fraud prevention tactics and provide resources.

North Carolina's Judicial Branch and Retail Merchants Association launched a fraud-awareness campaign to help consumers identify court-payment scams, which typically involve callers impersonating court officials demanding immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The scammers create urgency by threatening arrest or additional fines, but the state court system never requires payment through these methods. Consumers are directed to verify claims independently through NCCourts.gov before sending any money.

Scammers in North Carolina are impersonating court officials and law enforcement to trick residents into paying fake court costs, bail, or jury-duty penalties by threatening immediate arrest. The North Carolina Judicial Branch warns that legitimate courts never demand immediate payment via phone, email, or text, and advises residents to hang up and independently verify any such claims through official court portals or local clerk offices.

The North Carolina Judicial Branch is partnering with retailers to combat court-related scams where criminals impersonate court officials or law enforcement to demand immediate payments for court costs, bail, or jury duty penalties via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. The campaign places warning signs at retail locations, particularly at gift card kiosks in stores like Walgreens and CVS, to alert consumers before they send money and direct them to the court system's online portal to verify if demands are legitimate.

State and local agencies in Brunswick County, North Carolina held a free community awareness event called "Scam Jam" to educate job seekers and residents about employment fraud and identity theft risks. The event, hosted by NCWorks Career Center at Brunswick Community College, featured presentations on identifying job scams, protecting personal information, understanding worker rights, and recognizing legitimate hiring practices. No specific fraud cases or dollar losses were mentioned; the focus was preventative education as job scams continue to increase.

Ghanaian scammer Derrick Van Yeboah was sentenced to 85 months in prison for romance and business email compromise fraud targeting vulnerable Americans, with over $100 million stolen across multiple schemes. Van Yeboah used fake identities to deceive victims, including two women who sent $4.2 million between 2019 and 2020, and a North Carolina man who transferred $123,000 in 2024. He was ordered to pay $10.1 million in forfeiture after being extradited to the U.S. and pleading guilty to wire fraud conspiracy.

Ghanaian national Derrick Van Yeboah was sentenced to 7 years imprisonment by a US court for his role in an international romance scam network that stole over $100 million from victims, including vulnerable elderly Americans. Yeboah personally defrauded at least two women of $4.2 million using fake identities and deceived a North Carolina man into sending $123,000 under false pretenses. The court ordered him to forfeit $10 million in assets, and his case is part of a broader FBI investigation into eight Ghanaians involved in organized romance fraud and money laundering schemes targeting US citizens.

A North Carolina mother's personal information and image were used without her consent in a Florida extortion case, highlighting the growing threat of romance scams that have cost North Carolinians millions of dollars. Scammers are exploiting stolen personal information and photos to fraudulently establish fake identities for extortion purposes. The case demonstrates how victims can have their identities compromised and used to target others in romance-based fraud schemes.

A North Carolina woman's social media identity was stolen and used by Beverley Bejarano to conduct an online romance scam in Florida, where Bejarano allegedly extorted at least one victim out of multiple payments totaling at least $2,000 using a fake "Keisl Mary" profile. Bejarano, who was residing in Oregon, was extradited to Florida and now faces felony extortion and fraud charges for the scheme that operated between February and April 2025.

Haywood Pettiford, 41, was arrested in Greenville, North Carolina and charged with exploitation of a disabled or elderly adult after investigators discovered he stored over two pounds of marijuana at the home of Patricia Pollard, an adult lacking capacity, without her knowledge or consent. Pettiford allegedly used Pollard's residence on McGreggor Downs Road for drug distribution purposes while also possessing marijuana paraphernalia and intent to sell. He was booked into the Pitt County Detention Center on July 27 and held without bond.

A 21-year-old New York man, Ravi Punia, was extradited to North Carolina and charged with defrauding an elderly Lenoir County resident through a federal impersonation scam in May 2026. The victim was tricked into sending money via wire transfers, mailed cash, and Apple gift cards after scammers falsely claimed her bank accounts were compromised. Punia faces charges including obtaining property by false pretenses, possession of stolen goods, and identity fraud.

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined a bipartisan group of state attorneys general urging the FCC to strengthen "Know Your Customer" rules to prevent scammers from accessing legitimate telephone numbers and making illegal robocalls. Americans received over 29.6 billion scam calls and texts last year and lost nearly $2 billion to these scams, prompting calls for phone companies to suspend or terminate callers using their networks for unlawful purposes.

A bipartisan coalition of 50 attorneys general, led by North Carolina's Attorney General Jeff Jackson, is urging the FCC to strengthen "Know Your Customer" rules for phone companies to better identify and stop customers using networks for illegal robocalls. Americans lost nearly $2 billion to robocall scams last year, receiving over 29.6 billion scam calls and texts, prompting the effort to require phone companies to verify customers are legitimate and suspend those conducting unlawful activities. The push is part of Operation Robocall Roundup Phase 2, which has sent warning letters to major voice service providers accused of allowing illegal robocalls onto the U.S. telephone network.

A North Carolina man who spent 30 years building a castle on his property became entangled in a costly legal dispute after a brief romance with a woman he met on Match.com; he accused her of romance scam fraud to gain control of his property, while she claimed he targeted her for her wealth to fund the castle's construction. A judge dismissed both parties' claims before trial, leaving both individuals with significant financial and reputational damage after a two-year legal battle. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of entering into joint business ventures with romantic partners, highlighting the importance of clear agreements and due diligence before mixing personal relationships with financial commitments.

A North Carolina man accused a woman he met on Match.com of a romance scam after she offered to lend $250,000 to help complete his decades-long castle project, but the woman countered that he defrauded her out of the investment and refused to give her promised ownership stakes. After a two-year legal battle, a judge dismissed both parties' claims, leaving both with significant financial and reputational damage. The case highlights the risks of entering informal joint business ventures with romantic partners met online, particularly when large sums of money are involved without proper documentation.

Multiple U.S. states, including North Carolina and Maryland, are expanding bank powers to combat rising financial exploitation of older adults by allowing financial institutions to temporarily freeze suspicious transactions for up to 30 days and notify authorities when fraud is suspected. Elder financial abuse costs older Americans approximately $28.3 billion annually through sophisticated scams involving impersonation, romance schemes, and AI-generated communications, prompting these legislative changes to provide protection before victims suffer irreversible losses. Older adults should remain vigilant about unsolicited financial requests, verify contact information independently before responding to urgent money requests, and consider designating a trusted contact with their bank who can be alerted to suspicious activity.

Scammers use a four-stage psychological manipulation process to exploit victims, as demonstrated by a North Carolina man who lost over $750,000 in a crypto investment scam that began with a seemingly innocent phone call and developed over six months through fake personal connections. According to fraud expert Anna Rowe, victims across all types of scams—including romance fraud and "pig-butchering" schemes—experience the same manipulation tactics, leaving them not only financially devastated but also emotionally embarrassed and heartbroken. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited contact from strangers, be skeptical of requests to invest money or share personal information, and report suspected scams to the FBI immediately, as early reporting may increase chances of recovering lost funds.

Older adults across North Carolina and the country are increasingly targeted by financial scams, prompting U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson to highlight common schemes and warning signs of fraud. The article emphasizes the importance of recognizing suspicious activity and provides resources for seniors and caregivers to report suspected financial exploitation. Those concerned about potential scams can visit ic3.gov to learn more information or report suspected fraud.

A North Carolina man lost $753,000 in a "pig-butchering" scam, where criminals spend months building trust with victims before stealing their cryptocurrency investments. While the FBI indicated he may recover about $630,000, experts warn that cryptocurrency's borderless nature makes it attractive to scammers and difficult for authorities to recover funds once they've been moved through multiple channels. To protect yourself, report suspected fraud immediately to the FBI and be wary of unsolicited investment offers online, especially those promising quick returns.

A North Carolina man lost $753,000 to a "pig-butchering" scam, where criminals build trust with victims over months before stealing their cryptocurrency investments, though he may recover about $630,000 after reporting it to the FBI. Experts note that scammers favor cryptocurrency because it's easy to move across borders, and while federal authorities recovered nearly $2.5 billion in crypto-related cybercrime in 2025, tracking stolen funds remains difficult since scammers often pool money from multiple victims. The key takeaway: reporting suspected fraud immediately to authorities can significantly increase the chances of recovering at least some stolen funds.

A North Carolina man lost over $753,000 in a "pig-butchering" scam—a fraud scheme where scammers build trust with victims before directing them to fake investment platforms showing false returns—and is now waiting for federal investigators to help recover approximately $630,000 of his lost savings. The victim, Wesley Marley, decided to speak publicly about his experience despite feeling embarrassed, hoping to warn others about the scam before they lose their own money. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities, verify investment platforms independently, and report suspected scams to law enforcement immediately, as delays can allow scammers to move funds out of reach.

A Fuquay-Varina man lost over $753,000 in a "pig-butchering" scam, an international fraud scheme where scammers build trust over months before stealing victims' money through fake cryptocurrency investments. The victim is awaiting potential recovery of $630,000 through federal investigation, as crypto scams surge in North Carolina and authorities report seizing nearly $2.5 billion in crime-linked cryptocurrency in 2025. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited investment opportunities, especially those involving cryptocurrency, and verify investment legitimacy through official channels before sending money.

North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall visited a senior center to warn older residents about the most common scams targeting them, particularly romance fraud where scammers build emotional connections to extract money from victims. Other prevalent scams include emergency impersonation calls claiming a family member needs immediate financial help and cryptocurrency ATM fraud. Seniors should protect themselves by never sharing personal financial information over the phone, being skeptical of unsolicited requests for money, and listening to concerns raised by family members about suspicious contacts.

This community calendar lists educational events at the Peggy M. Seegars Senior Center aimed at protecting vulnerable populations from fraud and scams. Notably, an Elder Abuse, Scam and Fraud Awareness Symposium on June 9 will feature North Carolina's Secretary of State discussing how to recognize and prevent these crimes, and a June 25 session will cover insurance marketing violations. The free and low-cost programs are open to the public and offer actionable advice on personal safety and fraud prevention for seniors and their families.

A North Carolina man was sentenced to over 10 years in prison for selling the personal information of more than 7 million elderly Americans to Jamaican scammers between 2016 and 2023, earning over $5.2 million while victims lost at least $9.5 million to lottery fraud schemes. Elderly Americans aged 60 and older are increasingly targeted by scammers, with over 200,000 fraud complaints filed in 2025 alone—a 37% increase from the previous year. To protect yourself, be cautious about unsolicited lottery or prize notifications, never share personal information with unknown callers, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

Troy Murray, a North Carolina man, was sentenced to over 10 years in prison for selling the personal data of more than 7 million elderly Americans to scammers between 2016 and 2023, resulting in over $9.5 million in victim losses from lottery fraud schemes. Murray sold detailed lead lists containing names, phone numbers, and addresses to scammers primarily in Jamaica, earning hundreds of thousands of dollars annually until wire services blocked him and he switched to accepting prepaid gift cards. Elderly Americans should be cautious of unsolicited lottery or prize notifications, verify any winnings through official channels before sharing personal information, and report suspicious calls or messages to authorities.

A North Carolina woman was arrested after defrauding a 66-year-old Florida man of over $100,000 through a two-layer scam involving fake investment opportunities and a fabricated romance with "Elon Musk." Elizabeth Ann Hildbrand posed as a financial broker while also claiming to be romantically involved with the billionaire, convincing the victim to wire money, purchase gift cards, and mail cash that she converted into cryptocurrency. To protect yourself: verify investment opportunities through official channels, be extremely skeptical of unsolicited romantic relationships online (especially with famous figures), never send money or gift card codes to people you haven't met in person, and contact authorities immediately if you suspect fraud.

A 51-year-old North Carolina woman was arrested for her role in scamming a 66-year-old Bradenton man out of at least $100,000 through a fake investment scheme called "Tesla 1." The victim transferred money via wire transfers, cashier's checks, and Apple gift cards over two years before realizing the scam when he couldn't withdraw funds; the suspect then moved the stolen money into cryptocurrency accounts. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities, avoid sending money through untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency, and verify investment companies through official channels before committing funds.

A Nigerian man named Samuel Ugberaese has been extradited to the United States and faces up to 40 years in prison for operating a romance scam ring between 2014 and 2018 that targeted American women, primarily in North Carolina. The scam involved false promises and stories designed to trick victims into sending money, with accomplices using fake business accounts to launder the stolen funds. People should be wary of online romantic relationships involving requests for money or financial assistance from individuals they haven't met in person.

Nigerian police have extradited Samuel Ugberease to the United States to face charges for operating an online romance scam that defrauded victims of $1.5 million between 2014 and 2018. The suspect and his accomplices targeted American women—particularly in North Carolina—by creating fake dating profiles to build fraudulent relationships and trick victims into sending money for fabricated emergencies. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic interests who quickly ask for money, verify identities through video calls, and never send funds to people you haven't met in person or to unfamiliar accounts.