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crypto.news
· 2026-10-03
Greek police arrested 17 people, including nine military personnel, for operating a cryptocurrency investment pyramid scheme that defrauded at least 10,000 participants of over $8 million since 2025. The operation used fake online platforms across multiple Greek cities to promise guaranteed high returns and double investments within 50 days, while failing to return deposited funds. Police seized €295,090 in cash along with computers and mobile devices during raids on five offices.
u105.com
· 2026-10-03
In 2025, Northern Ireland residents lost more than £814,400 to romance scams, with police receiving 61 reports of dating fraud where criminals built fake online relationships to manipulate victims into sending money. The PSNI believes the actual number of victims is higher due to underreporting, as victims often feel embarrassed to come forward, and warns that scammers use emotional manipulation and false promises of repayment to exploit trust before requesting financial help or investment opportunities.
psni.police.uk
· 2026-10-03
In 2025, Northern Ireland received 61 reports of romance scams resulting in losses totaling £814,400, prompting the Police Service of Northern Ireland to warn the public about this type of fraud on World Romance Scams Prevention Day. Romance scammers build fake relationships through dating sites and social media, gaining victims' trust before requesting money under false pretenses such as medical emergencies, travel costs, or investment opportunities, with no intention to repay. Authorities urge the public never to send money to people met only online and encourage victims to report the fraud to their banks and police without shame, as help and support are available.
gulfcoastnewsnow.com
· 2026-10-03
A Lee County woman avoided a scam in which fraudsters impersonated sheriff's deputies and threatened arrest over missed jury duty to extort money. The scheme instructs victims to withdraw cash from ATMs and purchase money vouchers, reading the voucher numbers aloud so scammers can steal the funds. Authorities warn that law enforcement never requests payment via ATM and encourage residents to hang up and call 911 if they receive such calls.
hawaiinewsnow.com
· 2026-10-03
The Honolulu Police Department is warning of scammers impersonating law enforcement and government officials who use spoofed caller IDs and fake badge numbers to trick victims into paying for fake classes via digital payment apps like Apple Pay, Zelle, and Cash App. One fraud group has been fraudulently using the identity and photograph of a former HPD sergeant to pose as an FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center agent in cryptocurrency recovery schemes. Victims are advised to immediately halt contact with scammers, notify their banks, and file reports with local police and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
mercerme.com
· 2026-10-02
A Hopewell Township resident lost over $20,800 in a fake Apple Security scam where fraudsters gained remote access to his computer and made unauthorized cryptocurrency transfers from his bank account. Another resident was targeted by a jury duty scam where a caller impersonating a sheriff's officer threatened her with arrest and demanded cash bail, and a third victim lost $15,000 after being tricked into withdrawing cash and meeting a courier through a computer pop-up scam.
wxyz.com
· 2026-10-02
Scammers placed fake QR code stickers on parking meters in Ann Arbor, Michigan's downtown area, with labels like "Scan to Park!" that direct users to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal and financial information. Ann Arbor police warn residents not to scan unfamiliar QR codes on meters and recommend using only official payment methods, with particular concern that older residents may be more vulnerable to this scam. City employees have been instructed to remove suspicious stickers from meters and residents are urged to report them to police to prevent identity theft and financial loss.
discoverweyburn.com
· 2026-10-01
Conexus Credit Union marks Cyber Security Awareness Month by highlighting that cybercrime affects all age groups, not just seniors, and emphasizes common fraud types including social engineering, romance scams, investment scams, verification code scams, and overpayment scams. The credit union recommends people familiarize themselves with fraud warning signs, follow the "three R's" (recognize, reject, report), and notes that only 5-10% of Canadian scams are reported. Conexus advises monitoring accounts through transaction alerts, never sharing verification codes, and reporting suspected fraud immediately to financial institutions and police.
nbcnewyork.com
· 2026-09-30
Scammers are impersonating real federal law enforcement agents and calling New Jersey residents, using the names of actual FBI employees and spoofed federal agency phone numbers to gain victims' trust and solicit money. The scheme is an evolved version of traditional federal impersonation fraud that makes it particularly difficult for victims and agencies to identify as fraudulent, with some scammers even creating fake virtual meetings with FBI office backdrops. The FBI Newark field office has documented multiple victims of this scam but has not disclosed specific dollar amounts stolen.
wgxa.tv
· 2026-09-30
Two individuals, James Card and Tykeria Washington, were arrested after impersonating federal, court, and law enforcement officials to scam an elderly Perry, Georgia resident out of approximately $70,000. The suspects threatened the victim with arrest and coerced her to withdraw cash, purchase cryptocurrency, and transfer funds to other individuals before police located and intervened. Card was charged with theft by extortion, elderly exploitation, and impersonation of an officer, while Washington was charged with elderly exploitation, with the investigation ongoing to identify additional participants.
creators.yahoo.com
· 2026-09-30
A man impersonating an Adams County Sheriff's Department sergeant called the author claiming to discuss a legal matter, but the scammer made a critical error by calling it the "Sheriff's Department" instead of the correct "Sheriff's Office," which prompted the author to investigate further and discover the fraud. Police impersonation scams typically aim to extract money by claiming victims have missed jury duty, face arrest, or have other legal problems requiring immediate payment, and scammers can make these calls convincing by using real officer names, spoofed caller IDs, and personal information obtained from public records.
idahonews.com
· 2026-09-29
Scammers in Idaho's Treasure Valley are impersonating police and threatening victims with arrest warrants, instructing them to deposit cash into cryptocurrency ATMs to avoid prosecution. Between January 2025 and September 2026, victims across the region lost over $2.1 million, with approximately half of identified victims over age 60. Local governments are responding by considering bans on cryptocurrency ATMs within city limits to combat the fraud and prevent further losses.
wsbtv.com
· 2026-09-28
A suspect connected to a Georgia prison-based scam ring was arrested after a Florida woman lost $15,000 in Bitcoin in the scheme. The scam involved fraudsters operating from within a Georgia prison who targeted victims and convinced them to send cryptocurrency. This case highlights the growing problem of organized fraud operations being run from correctional facilities.
wabi.tv
· 2026-09-28
The Penobscot County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about scammers posing as law enforcement officials who call, text, or email demanding money and threatening arrest if payment is not made. These fraudsters impersonate sheriff's office or correctional facility staff to appear legitimate. Authorities emphasize that real law enforcement will never demand money or immediate payment by phone.
vietnam.vn
· 2026-09-27
Cambodian businessman Chen Zhi, founder of Prince Group, has been indicted by the US Department of Justice for operating forced labor camps in Cambodia that conducted "pig butchering" cryptocurrency investment scams, defrauding billions of dollars from victims worldwide. The scheme involved contacting victims via text and social media with false investment promises, stealing their cryptocurrency, and laundering proceeds through gambling and crypto mining. Federal prosecutors are simultaneously seeking to seize approximately 127,271 Bitcoin (valued at $15 billion) as illicit gains—the largest asset seizure in DOJ history—with Chen currently at large.
hoodline.com
· 2026-09-26
Oklahoma has enacted Senate Bill 2067, which takes effect in November and grants banks and credit unions legal immunity to freeze suspicious transactions and report suspected elder exploitation to authorities. The law addresses a growing crisis in which Oklahoma seniors lost $53.3 million to financial scams in 2025, including $24 million from investment fraud alone, representing a 32% increase in elderly victims year-over-year. The measure removes previous legal barriers that prevented financial institutions from alerting law enforcement and Adult Protective Services to potential fraud without risking privacy lawsuits or regulatory penalties.
watfordcitynd.com
· 2026-09-26
Americans over age 60 filed more than 201,000 internet-crime complaints in 2025 with losses exceeding $7.7 billion, representing a 37% increase in complaints and 59% increase in losses compared to 2024, with average losses of $38,000 per victim. Scammers target seniors through various schemes including grandparent scams, fake law enforcement calls, technical support fraud, and romance scams, often manipulating caller ID and using urgency to prevent victims from verifying requests. North Dakota residents and authorities have reported increasing incidents of these fraud schemes, and law enforcement urges families to establish safeguards and teach seniors that legitimate government agencies will never demand immediate
birminghamtimes.com
· 2026-09-26
Americans ages 20-29 reported over $500 million in internet crime losses in 2025, with college students particularly vulnerable to sophisticated scams including online shopping fraud, fake job offers, rental scams, and AI-enabled schemes. Scammers exploit students' digital familiarity and high demand for housing and employment by impersonating legitimate businesses, posting fake listings, and using deepfakes and cloned voices to deceive victims into sending money or sharing personal information. Students and parents can protect themselves by verifying website legitimacy, applying for jobs through official company websites, conducting reverse image searches on rental listings, and being wary of unsolicited job offers and unusually low prices.
lex18.com
· 2026-09-26
Kentucky residents lost nearly $6.5 million to phone and text scams in 2025, with over 300 million robocalls placed in the state, according to Attorney General Russell Coleman's office. Scammers commonly use caller ID spoofing and AI voice cloning to impersonate law enforcement and create panic, with one documented case involving a woman losing her entire $128,000 life savings to a single call. Coleman and 49 other state attorneys general are urging the FCC to strengthen protections like STIR/SHAKEN protocols and implement stricter upstream provider monitoring to combat the escalating robocall threat.
pa.gov
· 2026-09-26
Scammers impersonating federal law enforcement officials have defrauded victims across multiple states of approximately $6.5 million through a scheme involving fake pop-up alerts claiming compromised identities, then directing victims to purchase gold bars or coins and hand them over to couriers. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the organized fraud ring and have identified a silver 2025 Honda Accord used in the scheme, with two suspects arrested in September 2026. Authorities warn that legitimate law enforcement will never instruct people to purchase gold or transfer cash or precious metals to couriers.
aol.com
· 2026-09-25
A 70-year-old Michigan woman lost over $270,000 after a scammer impersonating an FTC agent threatened her with arrest for money laundering and drug trafficking. Believing the false charges, she initially purchased gold and later cashed out her own and her late husband's pension accounts to pay the fraudster, who was eventually arrested after she reported the crime to police. This case exemplifies a common government impersonation scam targeting seniors, who collectively lost $7.7 billion to fraud in 2025.
14news.com
· 2026-09-25
Madisonville Police Department is warning residents of increasing scams involving Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and fake jury duty schemes where callers impersonate law enforcement or court officials and threaten arrest or legal consequences to demand immediate payment. Scammers use hard-to-trace payment methods like Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and gift cards, while legitimate authorities never demand payment through these methods. Police advise residents to verify suspicious calls through official sources and contact local law enforcement rather than sending money.
kmbc.com
· 2026-09-25
A Kansas City couple received a convincing jury duty scam call where scammers used personal information including their addresses, birthdates, and social security numbers to claim they had missed jury duty and had arrest warrants, demanding $5,000 in Walmart payment. The couple grew suspicious when instructed to remain on the line and not contact anyone, and the husband verified the scam by calling the actual sheriff's department using a second phone, ultimately avoiding financial loss. According to cybersecurity experts, scammers obtained personal details through public records, data brokers, breached databases, and social media, then used caller ID spoofing to make the fraudulent calls appear legitimate.
abc.net.au
· 2026-09-25
Cambodia's multi-billion-dollar online scam industry persists despite government crackdowns, as evidenced by analysis of nearly 5,000 job advertisements posted on Telegram recruiting workers for scam operations between April 2023 and July 2024. The ads, posted in multiple languages, offered various roles including "victim finders" ($600/month), romance scam "models" (up to $12,000/month for those with "Western" or "Japanese" features), and money launderers, with some explicitly targeting victims in the US, Europe, Australia, and other countries. While Cambodia's government claims to have successfully dismantled scam compounds through raids in 2025, the persistence
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-09-24
A 70-year-old Michigan woman cashed out her and her late husband's pension accounts, totaling over $270,000, after a scammer posing as an FTC agent threatened her with arrest for alleged money laundering and drug trafficking. The victim was instructed to purchase gold and later withdraw cash to pay the fake charges, and was threatened with arrest if she contacted police. A 30-year-old man from Sacramento was arrested using community camera footage, though it's unclear whether the victim recovered her money.
broadandliberty.com
· 2026-09-24
Pennsylvania's elderly population, which comprises over one-quarter of the state's residents, lost over $215 million to scams in 2025 alone, according to FBI data. Common scams targeting seniors include romance and investment fraud, online shopping counterfeit schemes, phishing scams impersonating government agencies like Social Security and the IRS, and grandparent emergency scams. Scammers exploit seniors' vulnerability by using spoofed phone numbers, fake websites, and increasingly AI technology to deceive victims into divulging sensitive financial information or transferring funds.
lbpost.com
· 2026-09-24
Young adults ages 20-29 reported over $500 million in internet-crime losses in 2025, with students increasingly targeted by sophisticated scams including online shopping fraud, fake job offers, and rental listing schemes. Scammers are leveraging AI technology to create deepfakes and cloned voices to impersonate trusted contacts, employers, and family members to obtain money or personal information. To protect themselves, students and families should verify URLs and seller credentials, apply for jobs only through official company websites, use reverse image searches for rental listings, and remain cautious of unsolicited contact offering money or requesting urgent payments.
wsmv.com
· 2026-09-24
The Williamson County Sheriff's Office is warning residents of increasingly sophisticated scams in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement, court officials, and federal agents to solicit personal information or money by creating false urgency and manipulating caller IDs. The scammers use convincing details, official-looking documents with government seals and real judge names, and threats of arrest to deceive victims. Authorities advise residents to hang up, independently verify calls with legitimate authorities, and never share personal or financial information or send money based on such calls.
johnstonnc.gov
· 2026-09-24
A Johnston County resident avoided a jury duty scam when a caller impersonating Sergeant Michael Pope claimed she had missed jury duty and faced arrest, using a real badge number to appear legitimate. The scammer's claim that a forged signature was on file at the sheriff's office raised red flags, and when the victim asked for proof and later verified the phone number, the scammer hung up. The incident illustrates the importance of verifying caller information independently and contacting law enforcement directly rather than calling back suspicious numbers.
whtc.com
· 2026-09-23
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet declared at an international anti-fraud summit that the country would not serve as a haven for transnational scam syndicates, citing government raids on hundreds of compounds that have deported hundreds of thousands of people over the past year. The country has emerged as a major hub for cyberscams—particularly romance scams and police impersonation fraud—operated by mostly Chinese-led criminal gangs, with Americans alone losing over $10 billion to scammers in the region during 2024. Skeptics, including analysts and opposition figures, question the effectiveness of the crackdown, arguing that politically connected figures remain untouched while criminal organizations have adapted by fragmenting into smaller
thestar.com.my
· 2026-09-23
Cambodia hosted a global anti-cyberfraud summit to demonstrate its crackdown on transnational scam operations that have cost Americans over $10 billion in 2024 alone, with the government claiming to have raided hundreds of compounds and deported hundreds of thousands of people. The country has become a hub for Chinese-led criminal gangs operating large-scale facilities where trafficking victims are coerced into conducting romance scams and police impersonation fraud schemes. However, analysts and opposition figures question the effectiveness of the crackdown, noting that politically connected figures remain untouched while criminal networks continue operating by fragmenting into smaller units and relocating operations overseas.
asiaone.com
· 2026-09-23
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet declared at a global anti-fraud conference that the country will not serve as a safe haven for transnational scam syndicates, as the government showcases its crackdown on the multibillion-dollar cyberscam industry operating in Southeast Asia. Cambodian authorities claim to have raided hundreds of compounds and deported hundreds of thousands of people over the past year, with the US estimating that Americans lost over $10 billion to scammers operating in the region in 2024 alone. However, analysts and opposition figures express skepticism, noting that high-level figures allegedly protecting these criminal networks have remained untouched while scam operations continue adapting by fragment
theregister.com
· 2026-09-23
Swedish cybercriminals profited 5.7 billion SEK ($579.9 million USD) in 2025 by targeting elderly citizens through telephone-based scams, prompting police to launch a celebrity-backed public awareness campaign encouraging people to be "rude" and hang up on suspicious callers. Common scams include fraudsters posing as banks or government officials via SMS messages, and fake police officers claiming to collect valuables for safekeeping before stealing them. Sweden has implemented new regulations requiring telecom providers to block suspected fraud communications, working to combat the organized crime networks behind these scams.
gsma.com
· 2026-09-23
Maxis, a Malaysian telecommunications operator, implemented a multi-layered anti-fraud framework combining SMS/call blocking, malicious website filtering, and fake base station detection to combat scams across Malaysia in coordination with regulators and law enforcement. The initiative achieved a 65% reduction in scam SMS deliveries between Q4 2024 and Q1 2025, with technical controls including SMS firewalls, fraud detection systems, and international gateway filtering working alongside government directives and the National Scam Response Centre. While successful enforcement actions have removed rogue infrastructure, scammers are adapting by shifting to over-the-top platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook that operate outside direct operator control.
local21news.com
· 2026-09-22
Two individuals were arrested on September 10 for orchestrating a gold bar scam targeting a 74-year-old woman in Pennsylvania, stealing over $250,000 across multiple transactions. The scammers impersonated federal law enforcement officers and convinced the victim that her identity had been stolen, instructing her to withdraw savings and purchase gold bars to hand off to couriers in out-of-state vehicles. Police recovered gold bars during a traffic stop and are seeking additional victims, as they believe at least two other people may have been targeted by the same fraud organization.
nzherald.co.nz
· 2026-09-22
Reece Salmon, a 28-year-old fraudster who was recently deported from New Zealand after serving time for a $400,000 elder fraud scheme, was murdered in London on September 16. Salmon had posed as an undercover police officer to defraud elderly victims aged 69-95, stealing $239,500 in cash and $172,000 in gold bullion from 19 victims between July and August 2024 by convincing them to withdraw money or purchase gold as part of a fake police investigation. He was released on parole in February and deported to the UK in May, but was fatally stabbed on a London street weeks later with no arrests made
newstalkzb.co.nz
· 2026-09-22
Reece Salmon, 28, was murdered in London in September after being released on parole from a New Zealand prison where he had served time for a $400,000 fraud scheme targeting elderly New Zealanders. Salmon had posed as an undercover police officer to convince victims aged 69-95 to withdraw cash and purchase gold bullion, which he then collected as a courier, stealing approximately $239,500 in cash and $172,000 in gold from 19 victims between July and August 2024. He pleaded guilty to 15 counts of obtaining money and gold by deception and was sentenced to four years in prison before his release and deportation to the UK, where he
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-09-22
Actor Channing Tatum denied speculation that he was running a secret Instagram burner account called "Nonya Bidness" after fans noticed the account followed only him and made comments about his ex-fiancée Zoe Kravitz and other celebrities. Tatum clarified via Instagram Stories that he only maintains one account (@channingtatum) and questioned why he would follow his own burner account if seeking anonymity. The Nonya Bidness account was later revealed to be a previously deactivated Channing Tatum fan page that had been repurposed, and has since been deactivated.
japantimes.co.jp
· 2026-09-22
Cambodia is hosting an international conference this week with representatives from about 20 countries, including the U.S. and China, to demonstrate its efforts against online fraud operations. The country displayed a seized scam compound containing counterfeit currency and a fake police station as evidence of enforcement actions against the multibillion-dollar online scam industry operating across Southeast Asia. These scam operations typically target internet users through romance fraud and cryptocurrency investment schemes, often involving trafficked individuals forced to participate.
france24.com
· 2026-09-22
Cambodia hosted a global anti-fraud conference while showcasing a shuttered scam compound that reportedly employed 20,000 scammers, as the country faces international pressure over its role as a Southeast Asian hub for online fraud operations estimated to generate billions annually. Cambodian authorities claimed to have closed 663 scam sites and frozen $300 million in related accounts, though analysts remain skeptical about the sustainability of the crackdown, noting that criminal operations have adapted by dispersing to smaller locations and that key protection networks remain intact. The U.S. estimates that transnational scam organizations in Southeast Asia defrauded Americans of at least $18.2 billion in 2025 alone through schemes involving
21alivenews.com
· 2026-09-22
An Allen County woman's search for her lost emotional support dog, Daisy Mae, was targeted by scammers who sent an AI-generated photo of a similar-looking dog and demanded $400 for the animal's return. The victim recognized the fake image upon closer inspection and refused to pay, but the incident highlights a growing trend of pet extortion scams using manipulated or AI-generated photos to exploit desperate pet owners, with similar cases reported nationwide involving demands ranging from $400 to $1,300.
techflowpost.com
· 2026-09-21
This article analyzes specialized jargon used in East and Southeast Asian cryptocurrency money laundering networks, specifically examining the term "Liao" (料), which refers to illicit fiat currency from fraud, extortion, gambling, and human trafficking awaiting conversion into untraceable cryptocurrencies or goods. The article describes common laundering methods such as Card-to-USDT exchanges and classifies illicit funds by risk level and victim type, including "pupil Liao" (money scammed from students), "part-time job Liao" (fake employment schemes), and "pig butchering scam Liao" (romance investment fraud), with higher-risk frontline launderers commanding
newswav.com
· 2026-09-21
Singapore police are warning the public about a phishing scam using fake SPF logos and pop-up alerts claiming devices are locked due to illegal website access and demanding payment of "outstanding fines" within hours. Victims who fall for the scam discover unauthorized foreign currency charges on their bank accounts that often exceed the stated fines. Authorities emphasized that the SPF never remotely locks devices or issues fines via pop-ups and urged the public to verify suspicious alerts through the ScamShield Helpline at 1799.
northcentralpa.com
· 2026-09-21
State police and the Lycoming County Sheriff's Office are warning residents of a phone scam where callers impersonate law enforcement and claim victims missed jury duty, now facing arrest warrants, then demand payment to resolve the alleged warrant. The scammers sometimes have personal details about victims, including their names and jury summons information, and may spoof caller IDs to appear as "Private Number." Authorities emphasize they never demand phone payment, gift cards, or personal information, and advise residents to hang up and call agencies directly using official numbers.
12onyourside.com
· 2026-09-21
The FBI warns that elder fraud targets adults 60 and older by exploiting emotional vulnerabilities—trust, fear, grief, and loneliness—rather than tech inexperience, with scammers impersonating law enforcement, romantic interests, or trusted entities to manipulate victims into wire transfers, gift cards, or liquidating assets like retirement funds and home equity. Reported elder fraud complaints rose 37% from 2024 to 2025 with losses totaling $7.7 billion, with some individual victims losing over $1 million accumulated over a lifetime. Scammers often spend months building relationships with isolated older adults before requesting money, deliberately isolating victims from family and social circles to increase depend
creators.yahoo.com
· 2026-09-20
A caller impersonating an Adams County Sheriff's sergeant attempted to scam the author by claiming there was a "legal matter" requiring attention, but the scam was foiled when the caller incorrectly referred to the agency as "Adams County Sheriff's Department" instead of the correct "Adams County Sheriff's Office." The scammer, identifying himself as "Sgt. Don Davis," was part of a broader scheme where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement to extract money from victims by claiming they missed jury duty, have legal violations, or face arrest unless they pay fines immediately.
abc45.com
· 2026-09-19
The Burlington Police Department is warning residents about multiple scam types including fake customer service, jury duty impersonation, malware pop-ups, sweepstakes, romance, and NFC/ghost tapping scams. Police advise residents to verify requests directly with official sources, never provide remote access or banking information to unsolicited callers, and report suspicious activity to avoid becoming victims of these evolving fraud schemes.
wesh.com
· 2026-09-19
A Seminole County gas station owner and his employees have prevented over $100,000 in losses by intervening in Bitcoin ATM scams targeting Central Florida residents. Scammers use threats of arrest, deportation, or legal consequences to pressure victims into depositing money into Bitcoin machines with false promises that transactions can be reversed. Authorities warn that legitimate organizations never request payment via Bitcoin, and victims should contact police if they suspect fraud.
wcjb.com
· 2026-09-19
Scammers in Bradford County, Florida are calling residents claiming they missed jury duty and demanding immediate fines, a tactic that has also appeared in neighboring counties. Law enforcement warns that legitimate legal summons are never issued by phone and authorities never demand payment via phone, gift cards, or wire transfers. Residents are advised to hang up immediately if they receive such calls.
fox13news.com
· 2026-09-18
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier proposed legislation to strengthen penalties for phone and text scams, including those using artificial intelligence, fake warrants, and impersonation, classifying high-volume or high-loss cases as elevated felonies with mandatory prison time. The proposal aims to address gaps in current Florida law that often treats such crimes as misdemeanors with minimal punishment, while also targeting phone farms and SIM farms used in large-scale scam operations. The Attorney General's Office has recovered nearly $10 million for scam victims this year and is seeking broader authority to investigate and pursue civil penalties against scammers and businesses trafficking in illegally obtained records.