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Two Knox County men lost a combined $500,000 in a sophisticated Bitcoin scam after clicking on a deceptive Facebook advertisement, with one man losing his entire life savings of $375,000. Detective Wayne Doster spent months investigating the international fraud ring operated from Malaysia, ultimately leading to the arrest of Lee Kah Poh, a Malaysian national who came to Tennessee to collect the money. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious about unsolicited investment opportunities on social media, never click links from unknown sources, and verify any investment through official channels before sending money.

# Pig Butchering Romance Scam Alert Pig Butchering scams are long-term romance frauds where scammers build fake relationships with victims over months before convincing them to invest in cryptocurrency, ultimately stealing their life savings. Tennessee's Department of Commerce & Insurance warns that these scams typically start with a "wrong number" text, progress to building trust and friendship, and gradually shift toward investment pitches. To protect yourself, never share personal or financial information with strangers online, remain skeptical of unsolicited contacts, ask questions before trusting anyone, and report suspected scams to local law enforcement or the FBI.

Elder fraud is reaching epidemic levels in Tennessee, with scammers targeting seniors through social media by building fake relationships over weeks or months before convincing them to invest money in fraudulent schemes. Knox County alone estimates that for every reported case, 22 go unreported, with seniors statewide losing hundreds of millions of dollars annually to financial exploitation. Seniors should be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities on social media, verify requests through independent contact with trusted sources, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or elder protection services.

Scammers in Hamblen County, Tennessee are impersonating police officers named "Detective Scott Davis," calling residents and claiming they missed jury duty and must pay fines via gift card or Cash App to avoid arrest—a tactic that authorities confirm is fraudulent since no such detective exists and law enforcement never requests payment through these methods. Both individuals and businesses have been targeted, with the scammer also attempting to extract employee personnel records from companies. Residents and business owners should hang up on suspicious calls and directly contact the Hamblen County Sheriff's Office at 423-586-3781 rather than calling any number provided by the caller, as legitimate law enforcement will never demand gift card or mobile payment app transfers.

# Romance Scam Summary A 76-year-old Navy veteran and widower in Union County, Tennessee lost $16,000 to a romance scammer who posed as a woman named "Rose Cate" and corresponded with him via text for five years, claiming she needed money to collect a $2 million inheritance. The Federal Trade Commission reports that romance scams cause over $1 billion in losses annually by exploiting victims' emotions through fake online relationships, typically on dating apps, social media, or email. To protect yourself, be wary of online romantic interests who quickly ask for money or claim to need funds for inheritances, legal fees, or emergencies—legitimate romantic partners won't request financial help before meeting in person.

Tennesseans lost over $12 million to government imposter scams in 2025, making it the state's most commonly reported fraud with more than 5,300 cases, according to the FTC. Scammers impersonate agencies like the Social Security Administration, IRS, and law enforcement through fake texts and websites to steal money and personal information. To protect yourself, be skeptical of threatening or urgent messages via text, watch for poor grammar and misspellings, and remember that legitimate government agencies never threaten people through text or demand immediate payment.

Tennessee's Department of Commerce & Insurance warns investors about a surge in sophisticated scams expected this holiday season, with fraudsters increasingly using AI technology like deepfake videos and fake trading bots to deceive victims—tactics that contributed to over $259 million in fines and restitution from 8,800 active investigations in 2024. Key threats include "pig butchering" romance scams, deepfake impersonations of celebrities, and phantom AI trading bots that promise guaranteed returns but are actually designed to steal money. Investors should be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, especially those involving new technologies or promises of guaranteed returns, and verify the legitimacy of investment platforms and contacts before committing any funds.

A 74-year-old Tennessee retiree was tricked by romance scammers who posed as a celebrity and then impersonated FBI and government officials to extort $86,900 from him, ultimately leading to his suicide in October 2023. Three perpetrators—Stephen Anagor, Chinagorom Onwumere, and Salma Abdalkareem—who were working on behalf of a relative in Nigeria, have been convicted and sentenced to prison with orders to pay restitution. To protect yourself, be wary of online relationships with celebrities or people you haven't met in person, never send money to "resolve legal issues," and verify any official communications directly through official government channels rather than through email or unsolicited contacts.

A 74-year-old retired teacher in Tennessee was victimized by an international romance scam in which con artists impersonated a celebrity and later FBI/government officials to extract $86,900 from him—money obtained through loans and savings—before he died by suicide in October 2023. Three perpetrators, including two U.S. residents working with accomplices in Nigeria, were convicted and sentenced to federal prison with orders to pay restitution. Seniors should be extremely cautious about unsolicited online romantic relationships, especially if requests for money follow, and should verify claims about legal matters by contacting official authorities directly rather than responding to suspicious emails or messages.

Tennessee's Department of Commerce & Insurance is warning residents about a surge in holiday scams using sophisticated technology like AI, which state regulators investigated over 8,800 cases of in 2024, resulting in $259 million in fines and restitution. Common scams include romance-based investment schemes ("pig butchering"), deepfake impersonations of celebrities or trusted contacts, and fake AI trading bots designed to steal money from victims. Investors should be skeptical of unsolicited investment pitches—especially those involving new technologies or celebrity endorsements—and verify the legitimacy of any investment opportunity before sending money.

During the 2024 holiday season, Tennessee authorities are warning investors about a surge in sophisticated scams that use artificial intelligence and technology trends to trick people into fraudulent investments, with scammers exploiting consumers' fear of missing out on new opportunities. State securities regulators conducted over 8,800 investigations last year, resulting in $259 million in fines and restitution, showing how widespread investment fraud has become. If you're considering any investment opportunity, especially one involving new technology, verify it through official channels like the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance Securities Division (800-863-9117) before committing your money.

A man in Nashville was arrested for defrauding two elderly victims in Putnam County, Tennessee, of over $268,000 through a sophisticated scam that began with a fake Microsoft pop-up warning. The scammers impersonated bank employees and falsely claimed the victims' accounts were under federal investigation, pressuring them to withdraw money and convert it into Bitcoin and gold coins between September and November. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited pop-up messages or calls claiming to be from banks or tech companies, never withdraw large sums of money based on phone calls, and immediately report any suspected fraud to authorities rather than keeping it secret.

An elderly couple in Hopkinsville, Kentucky was victimized by an asphalt paving scam in June when an unsolicited contractor approached them offering to patch their driveway at a low cost. After the mother signed a mostly blank invoice, the scammers filled in details and paved the entire driveway, charging $64,000 (totaling $79,000 with a duplicate charge), which the parents charged to multiple credit cards before their son stopped payment on three of the four cards. The Better Business Bureau warns consumers to avoid unsolicited door-to-door home improvement offers that use urgency tactics and to verify quotes before signing any documents.

Jim Maidens, a disabled Tennessee man and car enthusiast, lost $26,750 to a Facebook Marketplace scam after wiring payment for a 1963 Corvette advertised at an unusually low price without viewing it in person. The seller provided fraudulent paperwork and disappeared after confirming receipt of payment, blocking all communication attempts. The article outlines common red flags for advanced payment scams on marketplace listings—including drastically underpriced items, multiple cheap listings from one seller, stolen photos, and requests to switch to email—and recommends documenting evidence and reporting to Facebook and authorities.

A Tennessee woman and multiple passengers were scammed at Knoxville airport when an American Airlines worker handed them a Post-it note with a fraudulent phone number claiming they needed to rebook their flights due to late bag check-in; when they called the number, scammers posing as airline representatives collected their credit card information. The incident affected at least several passengers, with victims advised to cancel their payment cards, and a similar scam was reported on Reddit involving a fake airline rebooking service charging $160.

Mark Janbakhsh, CEO of auto dealership Auto Masters, was convicted of bank fraud, conspiracy, and related crimes after submitting false documentation to Capital One and First Tennessee Bank between 2013 and 2017 to fraudulently obtain approximately $26.4 million in credit. When auditors discovered discrepancies, Janbakhsh directed employees to destroy evidence and later lied under oath during bankruptcy proceedings, additionally attempting to bribe a co-conspirator with over $300,000 to flee and obstruct the federal investigation. He faces up to 30 years in federal prison and $1 million in fines at sentencing.

**Summary:** The Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South warns of a rising trend in online vehicle scams that accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic and persists today. Fraudulent websites impersonate legitimate vehicle and equipment dealerships, prompting the Tennessee Attorney General to issue a public warning with guidance on identifying red flags to protect consumers.

The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to research businesses before purchasing by verifying licenses with relevant agencies, confirming physical addresses, requesting references, and reviewing insurance information and refund policies. The bureau also warns against voice AI scams and recommends verifying requests with trusted contacts directly, noting that West Tennessee consumers have reported receiving items that did not match their expectations.

A Brentwood, Tennessee resident lost $648,000 in an elaborate scam after fraudsters posing as federal agents convinced him his identity was being used for money laundering and instructed him to liquidate his bank accounts and retirement savings into gold bars. The victim handed over gold worth $144,430 and $504,029 to fake couriers who arrived at his home on two separate occasions in April and May. Working with police, the victim set up a sting operation for a third pickup in July, resulting in the arrest of two suspects, Fan Zhang and Zhen Chen, who arrived in a gray Toyota van to collect what they believed was $273,895 in gold.

A 36-year-old Canadian man, Jia Hua Liu, was arrested in July after conducting a multi-state door-to-door scam targeting seniors across Ohio, Indiana, New Mexico, and Tennessee, defrauding victims of an estimated $309,000 total. One Charlestown, Indiana resident was tricked into withdrawing $27,000 from his retirement accounts and handing it over in cash; three additional attempted scams in Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan were prevented by family members, potentially saving another $70,000 in losses. Liu was apprehended at Louisville airport while attempting to flee the country and faces charges including theft, fraud, conspiracy, an

More than 60 real estate agents nationwide have lost a combined $15 million in "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams, where fraudsters build trust with agents through social media or text, pose as clients or financial advisors, and gradually coax them into investing on fraudulent crypto platforms before disappearing with the funds. The scams often exploit agents' access to MLS databases and their familiarity with large financial transactions, with victims like Tennessee agent Teri Radcliff losing over $200,000 and a North Carolina agent's family losing $815,000. The perpetrators frequently use deepfakes or video impersonation and withdraw victims' money through fake platforms before requesting additional security

On July 10, 2025, Johnny Ray Jackson, 55, was sentenced to ten years (at 45%) plus nine years of supervised probation for impersonating a licensed professional and illegally selling insurance in Sumner County, Tennessee, despite having his license revoked in 1999 for prior fraudulent conduct. Jackson fraudulently transferred an elderly client's annuity funds without consent, netting himself over $3,000 in commissions while causing substantial financial harm to the victim. The court determined Jackson posed a continuing risk to the community and immediately remanded him into custody.

A 36-year-old Canadian man, Jia Hua Liu, was arrested at Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport after police connected him to impersonation scams targeting seniors across multiple states including Indiana, Ohio, New Mexico, and Tennessee. Liu allegedly defrauded victims of approximately $400,000 by posing as a Department of Treasury employee and convincing them to withdraw money from retirement accounts, with one documented victim losing $27,000. Police are continuing to identify additional victims and investigate co-conspirators believed to be in other countries.

A 36-year-old Canadian man, Jia Liu, was arrested on July 2 at Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport for defrauding elderly people across multiple states. Liu targeted an elderly man in Charlestown who withdrew $27,000 from his retirement account in May, and investigators linked him to at least five additional victims in Indiana, Ohio, New Mexico, and Tennessee, with total losses exceeding $309,000. Liu faces charges including theft, fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering, and authorities are seeking additional victims who may be in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee.

A 36-year-old Canadian citizen, Jia Hua Liu, was arrested at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in July after a multi-state scam targeting elderly victims, with confirmed losses exceeding $309,000 across Indiana, Ohio, New Mexico, and Tennessee. In the initial Charlestown, Kentucky case, an elderly resident was defrauded of $27,000 after being tricked into withdrawing funds from his retirement account; three additional elderly victims in Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan were nearly victimized for an additional $70,000 before family members intervened. Liu was charged with theft, fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering, and police believe there are

Jefferson County, Tennessee authorities warned of two recent scams: truck drivers were targeted at a Love's Travel Stop on Interstate 40 on June 11, where suspects lured victims into betting games and stole money and jewelry; additionally, a phishing scam involving text messages falsely claiming to be from the Tennessee Department of Vehicles threatened recipients with fines and legal action for unpaid traffic tickets and included malicious links. The scam is part of a multi-state pattern targeting residents in at least 10 states with fraudulent DMV messages demanding payment for unpaid tolls or traffic violations.

A workshop in Crockett County, Tennessee educated seniors about Medicare fraud schemes, which cost the program an estimated $60 billion annually. Common scams include unsolicited calls from fraudsters posing as Medicare representatives requesting personal information, offering free equipment or prescriptions, or using stolen Medicare numbers to submit false claims. The Senior Medicare Patrol supervisor advised residents to refuse unknown callers, protect personal information, monitor their Medicare statements against actual services received, and report suspected fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE or local authorities.

Scammers on Facebook Marketplace are posing as eager buyers and requesting sellers' email addresses or login credentials for payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App under the guise of technical errors, with the goal of stealing personal information and accessing financial accounts. The scam, exemplified by a case involving a scammer named "Angela," targets sellers nationwide by building trust before requesting sensitive information that legitimate payment apps do not require. Users are advised to never share email or login information, complete transactions in person with cash when possible, and be wary of urgent buyer tactics or suspicious payment error screenshots.

Smishing—fraudulent text messages—is increasing as criminals use SMS to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information or clicking malicious links. The article illustrates a common example where someone received a fake Tennessee DMV text claiming an unpaid traffic ticket with a 24-hour payment deadline and threatened license suspension. The key red flags include artificial urgency, unofficial sender information, and the fact that government agencies contact citizens through official mail, not text messages; protection involves verifying sources, avoiding suspicious links, blocking numbers, and reporting incidents to carriers.

Tennessee law enforcement agencies warned residents about fraudulent text messages impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles, claiming recipients have outstanding traffic tickets and threatening driver's license or registration suspension unless fines are paid via fake websites. The scammers use official-looking messages and links to trick victims into providing payment information. Authorities advised residents to avoid clicking suspicious links, verify contact information directly through official channels, and report scam messages to the Federal Trade Commission or Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Two men were indicted on six counts of wire fraud for a $1.6 million phishing scheme targeting Fresno County between September and October 2020, in which they compromised the email account of a nonprofit finance director to redirect ACH payments to accounts they controlled. Jafaar September Nyangoro, 52, of Tennessee, was arrested in May 2025, while Peter Bah Acha, 45, of Germany, remains at large; the fraudsters posed as the finance director to convince county officials that the nonprofit's banking information had changed and payments should be sent to Nyangoro's newly opened bank account instead.

Crime Stoppers Lieutenant Mike Johnson conducted a scam awareness presentation at Brookdale Senior Living in Jackson, Tennessee, highlighting that billions of dollars are lost annually to people over 60 through various scams including romantic schemes and fake court warrant threats. Johnson emphasized the importance of in-person education because seniors may not read all digital communications, and noted that many scams go unreported due to victims' reluctance to inform family members, with recent cases in the Jackson-Madison County area involving losses exceeding $50,000.

Residents of Tennessee received fraudulent text messages claiming they had unpaid toll balances requiring immediate payment to avoid fines, registration suspension, or collections action. The Tennessee Attorney General's Office confirmed the texts are scams designed to steal personal information and money, advising recipients to delete them and report suspicious messages that come from unknown numbers and direct to non-government websites. According to the FBI, scams of this type cost Tennesseans over $190 million in 2024, with seniors accounting for one-third of those losses.

Tennessee residents are being targeted by a phone scam impersonating the SafeTN App, with fraudsters sending text messages claiming recipients owe overdue toll fees and threatening license suspension to pressure immediate payment. The scam messages often contain links to fake government websites designed to steal personal information. Officials advise residents to never click suspicious links, verify communications through official channels using known phone numbers and "@tn.gov" email addresses, and report such messages to their carriers.

West Tennessee women lost nearly $50,000 to online romance scams over three weeks, with two victims each losing approximately $24,000 to men claiming to be military personnel who needed money due to financial hardship or restricted bank access abroad. The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers use fabricated "hard luck stories" and stolen social media photos to build trust before requesting money, and advises victims to use reverse image lookups to verify photos and report incidents to the BBB Scam Tracker or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

A Hixson caretaker, Dreama Jude, was arrested and charged with exploitation of an elderly adult and theft of property after using her client's credit card to purchase personal items while grocery shopping. The incident prompted Chattanooga police to share protective measures for seniors, including hiring from reputable companies that conduct background checks, monitoring bank and credit card statements, obtaining receipts for purchases, and consulting the Tennessee Abuse Registry before hiring caregivers. The FBI reports that scams targeting people aged 60 and older caused over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023.

Tennessee seniors lost $43 million to scams in 2023, with an 18% increase from the previous year, largely driven by romance scams on dating apps where perpetrators build trust before requesting money or financial access. U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the Romance Scam Prevention Act, which would require dating apps to notify users if they've communicated with someone banned for fraudulent activity and include warnings about potential scam attempts. The bill would be enforceable by the FTC and state attorneys general, addressing a nationwide problem in which romance scams alone cost victims $1.3 billion in 2022.

Romance scams targeting seniors on dating apps have escalated significantly, prompting Senator Marsha Blackburn to introduce the Romance Scam Prevention Act, which would require dating platforms to notify users about fraudulent accounts they've interacted with. Seniors lost $1.3 billion nationally to romance scams in 2022, with Tennessee residents over 60 alone losing $43 million in 2023—an 18% increase year-over-year—as scammers exploit recently widowed or divorced individuals seeking meaningful connections.

Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the bipartisan Romance Scam Prevention Act to protect dating app users, particularly seniors, from romance scams that cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022 and $43 million to Tennessee seniors over 60 in 2023 alone. The bill requires dating platforms to notify users when they have interacted with someone banned for fraud, addressing a gap where scammers shift conversations to private platforms like WhatsApp to avoid detection. Romance scam losses increased 70% between 2020 and 2022, with median individual losses of $4,400, prompting support from advocacy groups like AARP, though tech companies have raise

Tennessee seniors lost $43 million to scams in 2023, with an 18% increase from the previous year, largely driven by romance scams on dating apps where fraudsters build trust before requesting money for emergencies or loans. U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the Romance Scam Prevention Act to require dating apps to notify users who have interacted with accounts banned for fraudulent activity, including the banned member's profile details and fraud warnings. The bill would be enforceable by the FTC and state attorneys general, addressing a national problem where romance scams alone cost victims $1.3 billion in 2022.

As romance scams targeting seniors surge, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced the Romance Scam Prevention Act, which would require dating apps to notify users if they've communicated with someone banned for fraud. According to the FTC, nearly 70,000 Americans reported romance scam victimization in 2022, with people aged 70 and older experiencing median losses of $9,475, and Tennessee seniors over 60 losing $43 million in 2023. The legislation would be enforced by the FTC and allow state attorneys general to bring civil actions, addressing a growing threat exemplified by cases like Aurora Phelps, who was charged with using dating

Three Rutherford County, Tennessee residents reported scam attempts in which callers impersonated sheriff's deputies and threatened arrest via phone calls, text messages, and fake court documents to coerce victims into sending money via bitcoin or other payments. One senior victim nearly complied with a fake court document ordering bitcoin deposits after being threatened with 30-60 days jail time for missed jury duty, but stopped when she visited the Sheriff's Office in person; another senior recognized a toll road payment demand as fraudulent; and a third victim traced a caller's number to a China-linked company. The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office clarified that it does not call citizens threatening arrest or demanding money, and urged residents

A Jamestown, Tennessee pharmacist, Philip Hall, was indicted on nine counts of health care fraud and six counts of aggravated identity theft for submitting false claims totaling over $6 million to Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and Blue Cross Blue Shield between 2018 and May 2024. Hall submitted claims for medically unnecessary prescriptions, drugs that were never dispensed, or medications not ordered by physicians, while also using other people's identities without authorization to obtain reimbursement. If convicted, he faces up to ten years in federal prison per health care fraud count and the government is seeking a money judgment of approximately $6.5 million in fraud proceeds

Two Ghanaian nationals, 34-year-old Wigbert Bandie and 30-year-old Adam Khadijah, were sentenced in November 2024 to 63 and 30 months in prison, respectively, by a U.S. federal judge in Tennessee for internet fraud and money laundering. From June through December 2019, the defendants conducted romance and advance-fee scams via social media, impersonating overseas individuals and fake gold shippers to defraud at least 11 victims, including one victim (Richard Coleman) who lost $73,550; Bandie was ordered to pay $2.18 million in restitution.

**Summary:** Xiao Kun Cheung, a 58-year-old deported Chinese national, was indicted in September for his role in a multi-state elder fraud conspiracy targeting seniors in Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. The scheme involved fraudsters contacting elderly victims via phone or pop-up messages claiming their accounts were compromised, then convincing them to withdraw cash, purchase gift cards, or buy gold bars for "safekeeping"; Cheung was arrested in March attempting to collect $132,000 in gold bars from a victim in Pooler, Georgia. According to the FBI, seniors lost over $3.5 billion to fraud in 2023, with Georgia victims alone losing

A 58-year-old man, Xiao Kun Cheung, was indicted for his role in a multi-state scheme that defrauded elderly victims out of more than $1 million, targeting seniors in Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee through phone calls and pop-up messages falsely claiming their computers or financial accounts were compromised. Cheung convinced victims to withdraw cash, purchase gift cards, or buy gold bars for "safekeeping," and was arrested in March attempting to collect $132,000 in gold bars from a victim in Pooler, Georgia. He faces up to 20 years in prison and financial penalties upon conviction, reflecting a broader crisis where seniors lost over $3

Xiao Kun Cheung, a 58-year-old Chinese national, was indicted for his role in a multi-state elder fraud conspiracy that defrauded senior citizens (up to age 92) of over $1 million across Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. The scheme involved contacting victims by phone or pop-up messages claiming their computers or accounts were compromised, then convincing them to withdraw cash, purchase gift cards, or buy gold bars; Cheung was arrested in March while attempting to collect approximately $132,000 in gold bars from a victim in Pooler, Georgia. He faces charges including wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud, carrying up to 20 years in federal

Xiao Kun Cheung, 58, a Chinese national, was indicted for his role in a multi-state elder fraud conspiracy that targeted seniors up to age 92 across Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee, swindling over $1 million through phone calls and pop-up messages falsely claiming compromised accounts, then persuading victims to withdraw cash, purchase gift cards, or buy gold bars. Cheung was arrested in March 2024 while attempting to collect approximately $132,000 in gold bars from a victim in Pooler, Georgia, and faces charges including wire fraud and extortion with potential penalties up to 20 years in prison. The case

A Chinese national, Xiao Kun Cheung, was arrested and charged for his role in a scam that defrauded elderly people across the U.S. of $1.2 million through fake pop-ups and phone calls claiming computer or financial account compromises. Cheung and his co-conspirators convinced victims to withdraw money to purchase gift cards and gold bars, which were then collected by conspirators posing as government agents; victims in Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee were affected. Cheung faces up to 20 years in prison and was charged with wire fraud, extortion conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, and drug possession charges.

This article is not relevant to the Elderus elder fraud research database. It reports the death of Bob Bryar, former drummer of My Chemical Romance, found in his Tennessee home with no suspected foul play or criminal elements. This is a celebrity news obituary and does not involve scams, fraud, elder abuse, or financial exploitation.