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Law enforcement shut down three call centers in India and arrested six leaders after an FBI investigation uncovered a major fraud scheme targeting 660 Americans who lost over $48 million, including 10 Wisconsin residents who lost more than $500,000. Scammers posed as tech support workers or federal agents, convincing victims their bank accounts were compromised, then tricked them into converting money to cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or gold, which was then smuggled overseas and sold. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming to be from banks or government agencies, never move money or convert assets based on such calls, and verify any urgent account warnings by calling your bank directly using the number on your official statements.

# Tax Impostor Scams on the Rise in Wisconsin Scammers are impersonating the IRS through unsolicited calls and voicemails claiming consumers owe back taxes and must pay immediately to avoid penalties or legal action. These fraudulent messages often use fake agent names, case IDs, and threats of arrest or license suspension to sound official, targeting victims who fear legal consequences. To protect yourself, remember that the IRS never initiates contact by phone or text—always verify caller identity through BBB.org, never respond to urgent payment demands, and consult with a trusted tax professional before taking any action.

A presentation at a Wisconsin Men's Shed meeting warned senior citizens about online scams while encouraging continued safe internet use. Former Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald shared practical tips including avoiding suspicious links and unsolicited emails, verifying bank contacts directly before sharing information, watching for spelling errors in messages, and enabling two-factor authentication on accounts. If fraud occurs, he advised reporting it immediately to your bank and closing compromised accounts, despite the inconvenience of switching accounts and waiting for new cards.

# Romance Scam Summary A 67-year-old woman from Wisconsin lost £60,000 to a romance scammer who posed as a construction worker online, promised her high-return investment opportunities to pay off her debts, then disappeared with her money. The victim has since had to remortgage her home and now works at a supermarket while warning others about the dangers of romance scams. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities from people you've only met online, especially those who quickly build emotional connections and promise guaranteed financial returns.

A 67-year-old widow from Wisconsin lost £60,000 to a romance scam after meeting a man online who posed as a construction worker and promised her high-return investments to solve her financial problems. After she invested the money, the scammer disappeared and cut all contact, forcing her to remortgage her home and take additional work to recover from the loss. The victim is now warning others to be cautious of romance scams and to verify investment opportunities through official channels, particularly when meeting new romantic partners online who quickly discuss financial matters.

Scammers in Northeast Wisconsin are sending fake text messages impersonating Verizon to trick people into providing credit card and banking information through phishing links, with criminals then using the stolen data to make purchases at Wisconsin stores. The texts claim expired reward points need to be redeemed and come from international numbers with slightly altered links to fake websites designed to look legitimate. To protect yourself, never click links in unsolicited texts, don't share payment or verification information via text, and if you've already fallen victim, contact your bank or credit card company immediately.

The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about scams targeting people seeking weight loss and GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, which scammers are exploiting due to high demand and limited availability. Fraudsters use fake websites, text messages, deepfake videos of celebrities and doctors, and AI-generated images to trick people into purchasing fake or unsafe products, with victims losing hundreds of dollars and struggling to get refunds. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited messages about weight loss offers, verify celebrity endorsements independently, only purchase medications from legitimate pharmacies, and avoid clicking links in suspicious texts or ads.

As weight loss medications like Ozempic surge in popularity, scammers are exploiting demand through fake websites, fraudulent texts, and AI-generated celebrity endorsements that trick consumers into buying counterfeit products or handing over personal information. The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau reports receiving numerous complaints about these scams, which range from fake doctors promoting bogus weight loss products to phony online pharmacies offering discounted medications that either never arrive or are unsafe. To protect yourself, consumers should only purchase medications from legitimate, licensed pharmacies, verify endorsements directly with official sources, and be wary of unsolicited messages claiming you're eligible for exclusive deals on prescription medications.

In 2025, Wisconsin consumers fell victim to numerous high-impact scams including bank impersonation schemes (often initiated via text), Medicare fraud targeting seniors, and family emergency scams that exploited emotional panic to steal money. The scams affected people across the state, with victims losing thousands of dollars and experiencing lasting psychological distress, while data breaches raised concerns about future identity theft. To protect yourself, verify requests by independently calling your bank or trusted organizations, be skeptical of unsolicited texts and calls asking for money or personal information, and alert bank employees if you suspect fraudulent activity—they may recognize patterns and stop the scam.

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Scammers are increasingly using cryptocurrency kiosks—machines that convert cash into digital currency found in gas stations and grocery stores—to defraud victims by tricking them into depositing money under false pretenses like fake IRS fines or bank hacking alerts. AARP Wisconsin is advocating for state legislation to protect consumers through measures such as daily transaction limits of $2,000, mandatory receipts, and refund options for scam victims. To avoid becoming a target, be skeptical of unsolicited calls demanding immediate payment, especially those directing you to unfamiliar machines or services, and verify any claims directly with the alleged organization through official channels.

Wisconsin ranks first nationally in protecting senior citizens from abuse and fraud, according to a WalletHub study comparing all 50 states and Washington D.C. The state earned a top score of 70.77 due to strong protections including dedicated shelters for victims, numerous elder care organizations, twice-yearly inspections of assisted living facilities, and substantial spending on legal assistance and prevention programs. While Wisconsin has room for improvement in reducing the actual prevalence of elder abuse incidents, seniors there benefit from some of the nation's most comprehensive resources and legal protections against exploitation.

This article describes common scams targeting consumers—including IRS impersonation calls, toll payment texts, and lottery email schemes—and notes that fraud losses reached $12.5 billion in 2024, a 25% increase from the prior year. Scammers typically use spoofed numbers, demand urgent payment, and attempt to steal personal information or get victims to click malicious links. The article provides five resources for victims: filing complaints with state agencies (Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection or Minnesota's Attorney General's Office), reporting to local police and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, contacting AARP's Fraud Watch Helpline at 877-908-

Wisconsin's Division of Trade and Consumer Protection warns that scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence tools—including chatbots for mass messaging, deepfake videos, and voice cloning—to deceive people and steal personal information and money. Scammers leverage AI because it allows them to contact multiple targets simultaneously and maintain convincing conversations. Consumers should watch for typical scam red flags including artificial urgency, suspicious payment requests, and requests for sensitive personal information.

Wisconsin officials warn of two scams targeting Amazon users: text messages falsely claiming product recalls and offering refunds that direct victims to fake Amazon sites to steal personal and financial information, and a cryptocurrency investment scam where a fraudster impersonated an online course instructor and convinced a victim to invest $40,000, ultimately resulting in a total loss of $140,000 when fake fees and taxes were demanded before withdrawal. Consumers are advised to never click unsolicited links, be wary of cryptocurrency investment offers on social media, and report suspected scams to Amazon or state authorities.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin issued a public warning about a prevalent romance scam targeting local residents. The scam operates by having perpetrators initiate contact on social media (Facebook or Instagram), move conversations to private messaging apps, then rapidly build romantic relationships with victims using love-bombing tactics and AI-generated fake profiles before requesting money. Residents are advised to be cautious of online relationships with people they've never met in person and to never send money to strangers online.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin issued a warning about romance scams, one of the most frequently reported scam types in the area. Scammers initiate contact via social media (Facebook or Instagram), move conversations to private messaging apps, quickly build romantic relationships through love-bombing, and request money from victims who have never met them in person, often using AI-generated fake photos to appear legitimate.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin issued a warning about romance scams, which are among the most frequently reported scams to their office. Scammers initiate contact via social media (Facebook/Instagram), move conversations to private messaging apps, quickly build romantic relationships through "love bombing," and request money from victims they've never met in person, often using AI-generated fake photos to appear legitimate. The article advises people to be cautious of online relationships and never send money to people they haven't met face-to-face.

A Wisconsin man nearly fell victim to a sophisticated pop-up scam impersonating Target's account suspension process, which directed him to call a fraudulent number and provide financial information. The incident illustrates the increasing sophistication of fraud schemes; the FTC reported over 6.47 million fraud complaints in 2024 (a 25% increase from 2023), with Americans losing over $12.5 billion, and seniors over 70 experiencing median losses of $1,600. Law enforcement and organizations like AARP warn that scams are becoming more professionally organized—with an estimated 80% originating from crime syndicates outside the United States—and recommend protective measures including credit monitoring

A nationwide gold coin scam victimized more than 50 people in Wisconsin, resulting in over $15 million in losses. A New Berlin couple lost $526,095 after scammers posing as U.S. Treasury officials convinced them to convert their cash to gold coins for protection; however, they stopped a fourth transfer after seeing a news report and contacted police, who arrested courier Roshan Shah during a sting operation when he attempted to pick up a decoy package filled with rocks instead of gold coins.

Wisconsinites are being targeted with phishing text messages impersonating Amazon, claiming items failed quality inspections or are subject to recalls and offering full refunds without returns if recipients click provided links. The FTC issued an alert warning consumers to recognize red flags such as unexpected orders, unfamiliar sender numbers, and suspicious URLs, and to report suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Those who accidentally engage with scam links should immediately contact their bank and credit card companies, change passwords, and freeze their credit with the three major bureaus.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin issued a warning about a prevalent romance scam targeting local residents. The scam typically begins with a fraudster contacting victims on Facebook or Instagram, then moving conversations to private messaging apps, building a rapid romantic relationship through love bombing, and eventually requesting money from the victim while claiming to have reasons (such as a distant job) to avoid meeting in person. Scammers use AI-generated photos and fake social media profiles to appear legitimate, making it crucial for people to avoid sending money to anyone they have not met in person.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin issued a warning about romance scams, which are among the most frequently reported scams to their office. Scammers initiate contact via social media (Facebook or Instagram), move conversations to private messaging apps, rapidly build emotional connections through love-bombing, and request money from victims who have never met them in person. The scammers use AI-generated photos and fake profiles to appear legitimate while claiming to work far away and asking victims to keep the relationship secret.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin is warning residents about a rise in romance scams, which are among the most frequently reported scams to their office. Scammers initiate contact via social media (Facebook or Instagram), move conversations to private messaging apps, and quickly establish emotional relationships through "love bombing" while claiming to work far away to avoid in-person meetings. The scams rely on AI-generated fake profiles and pictures, and victims are eventually asked to send money to someone they've never actually met.

A gold investment scam has resurfaced in Platteville, Wisconsin, targeting elderly residents by impersonating government employees who claim victims have arrest warrants and can settle them by purchasing gold. At least two people have fallen victim to this scheme, which instructs targets to withdraw large sums of money, purchase gold from local dealers, and hand it over to a supposed intermediary who never returns. The Platteville Police Department warns residents to educate elderly family members about this fraud, as scammers use urgency and panic tactics to manipulate vulnerable populations.

Mei Dong and Dong Ye, owners of a sushi restaurant in Rockledge, Florida, were arrested in June 2024 after a Wisconsin police investigation dating to 2023 uncovered an alleged tech support scam targeting seniors across multiple states. A 76-year-old victim was deceived into purchasing $4,300 in gift cards and wiring $10,000 to California after his computer was compromised, with investigators tracing the gift card purchases to the suspects through store surveillance and receipts. Both suspects bonded out of Florida jail and face theft and false representation charges in Wisconsin.

**Summary:** Dongdong Ye and Mei Mei Dong, owners of Da Sushi restaurant in Rockledge, Florida, face felony theft charges in Wisconsin for allegedly operating a multi-state gift card scam targeting elderly victims. The scheme involved fraudulent tech support pop-ups that tricked victims into purchasing and providing gift card information; investigators traced gift card usage to store purchases in Florida and Canada, identifying Ye through surveillance footage showing distinctive tattoos. At least three elderly victims lost substantial amounts ($4,300, $25,000, and $75,000), with suspicious deposits totaling tens of thousands of dollars linked to the couple's bank account from victims in multiple states.

This article advises employees at the Universities of Wisconsin to remain vigilant against phishing scams following the July 7 launch of the Workday system. Employees should avoid clicking links or replying to suspicious emails or texts related to Workday, and should report any phishing attempts to [email protected] or through Outlook's reporting feature. The institution emphasizes that cybersecurity depends on shared responsibility and employee awareness.

Wisconsin Public Service warns customers to be cautious of phone and door-to-door scammers impersonating utility company employees who threaten service shutoffs and demand immediate payment via prepaid cards or digital payment apps like Venmo. The company advises verifying employee identity through official ID badges, avoiding response to suspicious calls or texts, and being cautious of unusual payment requests. More information is available on their website's scam safety page.

Amy Jo Reid, a former senior vice president and director of purchasing at a Green Bay, Wisconsin bank, pleaded guilty to stealing $411,923 over a six-year period (May 2018 to May 2024) by charging personal expenses—including flights, hotel stays, casino gambling, and property taxes—to bank-issued purchase cards while submitting falsified or misleading documentation. Reid agreed to pay full restitution of $411,923 and faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine on three fraud charges.

Wisconsin residents reported receiving fraudulent letters impersonating a Canadian law firm claiming they were eligible to claim a $10 million life insurance policy (requesting $980,000 in processing fees) and a fake Medicare letter threatening penalty fees and requesting personal information from a soon-to-be Medicare enrollee. The article advises consumers to pause before acting, verify the sender's legitimacy, research common scam templates, and take preventative steps such as opting out of prescreened offers and reducing unsolicited mail through services like OptOutPrescreen.com and the DMA Mail Preference Service.

Otaniyen Iduozee, a Nigerian citizen on a student visa, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for laundering millions of dollars obtained through romance scams targeting vulnerable Americans, primarily elderly and isolated individuals. Iduozee controlled fraudulent bank accounts and funneled victim money through various transactions to Nigeria, playing a central role in the money laundering operation. Upon completing his sentence, he has agreed to be deported from the United States.

On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15, 2025), the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions issued a public alert highlighting how social isolation—both voluntary and involuntary—significantly increases the risk of financial exploitation among older investors in the state. The awareness campaign emphasizes the connection between elderly isolation and vulnerability to financial fraud and scams.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection raised awareness about senior-targeting scams on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, noting that consumers aged 70 and over lost more than $1,000 per scam in 2024—double the losses of younger age groups—with investment, romance, and government imposter scams becoming increasingly sophisticated. The department recommends five preventative measures: staying informed about common scams, planning ahead to identify impersonation attempts, pausing before sharing personal information, consulting trusted contacts before acting, and reporting suspected fraud to authorities or the Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 422-7128.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection is urging consumers of all ages to protect older adults from scams, noting that seniors lose significantly more money to fraud than younger consumers—a median of over $1,000 versus less than $500 for those under 60, according to 2024 FTC data. Scammers specifically target older adults who have larger savings, may lack technological familiarity, experience isolation, or have cognitive vulnerabilities. The state recommends five protective strategies: staying informed about common scams, having proactive conversations with seniors about fraud tactics, pausing before sharing personal information, consulting trusted contacts before acting, and reporting scams to help prevent future victimization.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) issued a public awareness alert ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, urging consumers to recognize and report scams targeting older adults. The advisory encourages community members to educate themselves and others about senior-targeting fraud schemes in order to protect vulnerable populations.

State Departments of Transportation in Idaho, Iowa, and Wisconsin issued warnings about phishing text scams impersonating state agencies and demanding payment for unpaid tolls or traffic violations, with threats of legal action. The scams have already targeted Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and New York, and are becoming more sophisticated by using fear tactics to trick victims into clicking malicious links or sharing personal information. State agencies advise recipients to ignore urgency demands, avoid clicking links or sharing information, block senders, and report scams to the FTC or Internet Crime Complaint Center.

A Wisconsin consumer fell victim to a door-to-door charity scam where fraudsters convinced him to donate $40 but fraudulently charged his credit card $4,000 after scanning it. The state's Division of Trade and Consumer Protection recommends donating through familiar charities' official websites, paying by credit card for fraud protection, and verifying solicitors' credentials before contributing.

Scammers in Wisconsin are impersonating the Wisconsin Department of Transportation DMV by sending text messages claiming unpaid traffic violations or final notices, attempting to trick recipients into revealing personal information or clicking malicious links. The Wisconsin DMV received a large volume of complaints on June 2 and noted similar scams had recently targeted Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and New York. The DMV advises residents not to respond to unsolicited texts, avoid clicking links, and warns to be suspicious of communications requesting money or creating urgency.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is warning residents of a phishing scam where fraudsters send unsolicited text messages impersonating WisDOT/DMV officials, claiming unpaid traffic violations or issuing "final notices" to trick recipients into sharing personal information. The scam has surged in recent weeks, with the DMV experiencing an influx of customer inquiries; residents are advised to ignore unsolicited messages, avoid clicking links, and sign up for official eNotify alerts to monitor account activity. Victims should report incidents to local law enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission, or IC3.gov.

Nirav B. Patel, a 44-year-old illegal immigrant from India, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in an imposter scam that defrauded elderly victims across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana of over $400,000. Patel served as a cash collector for the scheme, which involved fraudsters posing as federal agents and convincing elderly victims that their accounts were compromised, then pressuring them to withdraw life savings into fake government trust accounts; in one instance, he collected $177,000 in gold bars from an elderly woman using a walker at an assisted living facility. The scammers, based in India, use

**Summary:** Two Milwaukee-area prenatal care coordination companies (PNCCs) have been referred to the Wisconsin Department of Justice for Medicaid fraud investigations, with eight additional PNCCs flagged by the state Department of Health Services for potential fraud, waste, or abuse. These companies, which operate in the infant mortality prevention sector, are being scrutinized as part of a broader state examination of the troubled industry.

Kenosha, Wisconsin residents are falling victim to a rising cryptocurrency ATM scam where scammers trick victims into depositing cash into bitcoin machines, with three victims losing a combined $60,000 in untraceable funds. Scammers pose as police, banks, or tech support and pressure victims with urgent demands for payment, sometimes instructing them to deposit specific amounts like $9,500 into crypto ATMs. The Kenosha Police Department advises residents to hang up on suspicious calls, refuse urgent money demands, never use crypto ATMs, and is calling for state regulations similar to Minnesota and North Dakota that limit daily crypto ATM deposits to $2,000.

This weekend recap article mentions that romance scams are among the world's fastest-growing frauds, with $3.8 billion lost to romance scams and confidence schemes in 2023. A Wisconsin woman recently lost the fourth-largest amount of money in the U.S. to a romance scam, though specific dollar amounts and details about her case were not provided in this brief mention.

A Wisconsin woman lost over $500,000 to a romance scam, the fourth-largest amount lost to such fraud in the U.S., after meeting a man on a dating app who posed as an international oil rig worker and repeatedly requested money for emergencies. According to Nasdaq Verafrin, romance scams cost $3.8 billion globally in 2023, making them among the world's fastest-growing frauds. The victim, who had mortgaged her home and taken loans against her vehicles to send the money over seven months, eventually reported the scam to law enforcement with assistance from the Dane County Sheriff, FBI, and Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Detective Michelle Viney and Gwen Ruppert from the Dane County Sheriff's Office discuss the rising sophistication of scams across Wisconsin and the nation, including AI-generated dating scams and cryptocurrency fraud that exploit advancing technology. The detectives emphasize the importance of public awareness in combating these increasingly complex schemes.

Wisconsin Public Service warned customers of a scam in which fraudsters impersonate utility company representatives and demand immediate payment to avoid service disconnection, creating false urgency to panic victims into providing banking information for theft. The scam targeted residential customers, businesses, and religious organizations across Wisconsin, with scammers requesting payment details to steal money and personal identity information. WPS advised customers to hang up suspicious calls and contact the company directly to verify any service issues.

Credit card skimming devices were deployed at multiple locations across Milwaukee and Wisconsin between February and April, compromising the QUEST Cards (FoodShare/food stamp benefits) of vulnerable residents, including Miguel Sr., a disabled elderly man with limited English proficiency. The FBI estimates credit card skimming costs Americans over $1 billion annually; in response to this incident, the Department of Health Services reset PINs for 2,965 affected QUEST card users and advised recipients to change their PINs through the EBTEDGE website.

A retired woman in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin lost her entire savings of $24,000 to a cryptocurrency scam after scammers impersonated Microsoft and her bank, convincing her to transfer money to a Bitcoin ATM under the false pretense of protecting her account from fraud. Local police reported an alarming increase in similar crypto scams over the past year, with some departments posting warning signs at Bitcoin ATMs to alert residents to common scam tactics. Once the money was transferred to the ATM, it was lost and likely moved internationally.

A Wisconsin woman lost $80,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam after discovering it on Facebook and being lured by promises of rapid returns; she initially invested $30,000, saw her balance apparently double, invested additional funds, and ultimately paid an extra $30,000 in fraudulent "taxes and fees" before realizing the investment dashboard was fake. The scam exemplifies the growing sophistication of crypto fraud in the U.S., where Americans lost $1.4 billion to cryptocurrency-related scams in 2024, with police indicating recovery of the funds is unlikely.