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cryptotimes.io
· 2026-10-03
A blockchain investigator publicly questioned whether UPay, a crypto payment card provider, had allowed a sanctioned criminal marketplace called Xinbi to white-label its Visa crypto card, citing Xinbi's use for pig butchering scams, fraud, and money laundering. UPay's CEO announced the company opened an internal investigation but did not confirm or deny any relationship with Xinbi, which the US Treasury designated as a significant transnational criminal organization in September 2026 with over $36 billion in throughput since 2022. The investigation's scope and findings remain unclear, with no confirmation yet that Xinbi actually issued or launched cards through UPay.
komonews.com
· 2026-10-03
MyChart patient portals have experienced an uptick in phishing scams targeting approximately 190 million worldwide users, with fraudsters sending deceptive emails that direct patients to fake login pages to steal personal information and expose computers to malware. To combat this threat, LexisNexis Risk Solutions introduced Identity Proofing for MyChart, which uses additional security checks like one-time passwords and biometric verification, while advising patients to verify sender email addresses, avoid clicking suspicious links, and log into portals directly rather than through emails. Experts warn that compromised MyChart credentials combined with other stolen personal data can enable criminals to build fraudulent profiles and commit identity theft, including opening credit cards in victims' names
aol.com
· 2026-10-02
This article is a product review comparing identity theft protection services rather than reporting on actual fraud incidents. It does not contain information about specific scams, victims, or dollar amounts lost to fraud—instead, it lists seven identity theft protection services with their features, coverage limits, and pricing tiers designed to help consumers prevent identity theft and fraud.
3news.com
· 2026-10-02
Cybercrime investigator Dunstan Guba is raising awareness about the growing romance scam epidemic in Ghana, where fraudsters build emotional relationships through social media before requesting money under false pretenses. Ghana reported GH¢23.3 million in cybercrime losses in 2024 and GH¢14.9 million in just the first half of 2025, with a 2025 pan-African operation revealing approximately US$450,000 in romance scam losses and US$8 million defrauded from elderly victims by a network using artificial intelligence to create false identities. Romance fraud is particularly dangerous because criminals exploit trust rather than just targeting devices, using tactics like fake
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.
foxnews.com
· 2026-10-02
"Ghost students" using stolen or fabricated identities—sometimes created with AI—have been exploiting federal student aid programs by enrolling in colleges and collecting grants and loans intended for legitimate students, costing taxpayers millions of dollars. The Education Department reported saving nearly $200 million after implementing identity verification requirements in June, with estimates of over $1 billion in savings this cycle, while the Trump administration has suspended over 870,000 borrowers allegedly involved in COVID-era fraud. Fraud investigators warn students and parents to watch for red flags such as multiple applications with common information, as scammers target student aid programs because of historically weak controls.
hoodline.com
· 2026-10-02
A 25-year-old Indian national pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after collecting $137,458 in gold bars from an 80-year-old Kaneohe woman who was tricked by fake Apple and U.S. Marshal scam calls into liquidating her IRA. The victim was caught in a controlled sting operation by federal agents who used prop gold to arrest the courier, who earned $25,000-$30,000 per ten pickups for an international fraud ring orchestrated from Gujarat, India. The case is part of a broader pattern targeting elderly victims, with similar schemes operating across multiple states through WhatsApp-coordinated courier networks.
theapopkavoice.com
· 2026-10-01
Floridians age 60 and older reported over 17,000 cybercrime complaints with nearly $710 million in losses in 2025, with scammers using tactics like fake technical-support warnings, account lockouts, and cryptocurrency schemes to steal funds. One woman in her early 70s lost approximately $100,000 after being manipulated through a series of coordinated scams involving a fake bank transfer, computer security warning, and pressure to move money to cryptocurrency. Nationally, people 60 and older account for over 37% of all reported fraud losses ($7.75 billion) despite representing only 20% of complaints, with an average loss of $38,500 per
digitaltoday.co.kr
· 2026-10-01
Approximately 72% of internet crimes targeting people aged 60 and older in 2024 involved personal data exploitation, resulting in estimated losses of $4.2 billion, according to an Incogni analysis. Scammers use exposed personal information combined with techniques like SIM swaps and AI voice cloning to impersonate family members through compromised accounts and family group chats. The FBI recommends verifying urgent requests through separate communication channels and using authentication apps instead of SMS-based two-factor authentication to prevent these scams.
clickorlando.com
· 2026-10-01
Scam calls in Central Florida are surging, with victims like realtor Tammy Jo Gaylord receiving 80-90 calls daily using spoofed numbers and robocalls designed to extract personal information or money. Florida's attorney general is proposing new anti-spam legislation, and authorities warn consumers to watch for red flags including unexpected calls that create fear or pressure, particularly scams impersonating process servers seeking personal details or payment. Consumer advocates stress that people should verify suspicious claims independently and never confirm personal information based solely on a caller's knowledge of partial details.
financefeeds.com
· 2026-10-01
Attempted banking scams rose 35% across 370+ financial institutions serving 760 million users, with mobile devices accounting for 90% of scam sessions, according to BioCatch's 2026 report. Investment scams showed the highest average attempted value at $6,600, while employment scams saw the fastest growth at 258% year-over-year, and romance scams increased 23%. The concentrated use of mobile devices for scams reflects how criminals manipulate victims through the same communication channels used for authentication and payment approval, with investment schemes presenting particular risk due to their higher per-case financial exposure.
themorningsun.com
· 2026-10-01
In 2025, nearly 25,000 people reported falling victim to employment scams with a median loss of $1,000, with the number of victims more than doubling since 2023. Fraudsters use increasingly sophisticated AI-generated materials to create fake job postings that capture applicants' personal data like addresses, birthdates, and passwords, or send fraudulent checks asking victims to deposit and transfer funds. The scams disproportionately target vulnerable populations such as recent graduates and low-income individuals who feel desperate pressure to secure employment.
cbsnews.com
· 2026-10-01
A Consumer Reports survey found that 90% of Americans have encountered digital scams or cyberattacks, with 17% reporting financial losses, as artificial intelligence enables criminals to create more personalized and sophisticated fraud schemes at lower cost. AI is accelerating fraud by allowing scammers to quickly synthesize personal data from breaches to craft targeted messages, with one in five scams now including customization expected to grow rapidly. Experts warn that traditional security measures are insufficient and call for companies and governments to implement stronger accountability and safeguards to combat the increasingly sophisticated threat landscape.
yahoo.com
· 2026-09-29
In 2025, Floridians over 60 lost nearly $710 million to cybercrime, with the state ranking second nationally for elder fraud losses among that age group. A cybersecurity educator describes how her neighbor, a woman in her early 70s, lost approximately $100,000 in three days through a coordinated scam involving fake bank support calls, fake computer warnings, and pressure to move funds into cryptocurrency. Nationally, people age 60 and older account for over 37% of all cybercrime financial losses totaling $7.75 billion, with an average loss of $38,500 per victim.
theconversation.com
· 2026-09-29
In 2025, Floridians over 60 lost nearly $710 million to cybercrime across more than 17,000 reported complaints, making Florida second in the nation for elder fraud losses. The article highlights a case where a woman in her early 70s lost approximately $100,000 after scammers gained access to her bank account and convinced her to move funds to cryptocurrency, exploiting her isolation and fear during a three-day scheme involving fake technical support and computer warnings. Nationally, adults 60 and older account for over 37% of all cybercrime losses totaling $7.75 billion, with an average loss of $38,500 per complainant, driven
dailyhodl.com
· 2026-09-29
Two men, Sergio Romero and Franklin Florez, are accused of stealing nearly $6,000 from Wells Fargo customers across Southern California through an ATM card-switching scam, where they observed customers entering PINs, distracted them, swapped their debit cards, and withdrew cash. The pair are linked to approximately 5 confirmed victims in Lemon Grove with losses ranging from $100 to $2,700, and an estimated 30 additional similar cases across San Diego, Orange, and Los Angeles counties totaling approximately $120,000 in losses, with at least two elderly victims affected. Both men have pleaded not guilty to charges including robbery, identity theft, and
ladbible.com
· 2026-09-29
Britons are experiencing a surge in spam calls using AI-generated voices that sound more human-like, with scammers often requesting victims add them on WhatsApp to avoid detection through encrypted messaging. The increase is attributed to recent data breaches that have provided validated phone numbers to criminals, combined with AI technology that makes automated scam calls more convincing and harder to distinguish from legitimate callers. Experts recommend checking device security settings, avoiding sharing personal details, and reporting suspected scams to 7726.
fincrimecentral.com
· 2026-09-29
A 26-year-old man was sentenced to seven years and ten months for participating in a $10 million real estate fraud scheme that operated in 2021-2022, where conspirators used fake identities and fabricated documents to sell properties they had no authority to convey to unsuspecting buyers. The fraudsters laundered the stolen proceeds through Las Vegas casinos by depositing large amounts into gaming machines and cashing out after minimal or no play, with some funds subsequently used to purchase additional properties. The defendant pleaded guilty to wire fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft charges.
choice.com.au
· 2026-09-29
This article provides preventive advice for tourists to avoid common travel scams rather than describing specific fraud incidents. It recommends tourists learn local currency conversion rates, verify prices before purchasing, use smaller banknotes, notify their bank before traveling, set transaction limits on cards, and remain vigilant against card skimming to protect themselves from scams while abroad.
linkedin.com
· 2026-09-29
Token scams represent a rapidly growing fraud vector targeting AI platforms and services, involving tactics such as free trial abuse, fake account farms, stolen credit reselling, and distillation attacks that evade traditional identity verification methods like ID checks and selfies. Fraudsters exploit weak token controls and API vulnerabilities to mint and abuse tokens at scale, making behavior-based detection more effective than identity-level fraud prevention when accounts become disposable. The scam highlights a critical gap in payment-stage fraud tools and the need for companies to implement stronger controls before token abuse begins.
pymnts.com
· 2026-09-29
Fraudster-orchestrated scams where customers are manipulated into authorizing payments grew from 12% to 22.4% of fraud dollars between 2025 and 2026, representing the fastest-growing fraud type despite financial institutions' increased spending. Banks collectively spent $4.35 million per institution on fraud prevention in 2026, nearly triple the $1.67 million in 2024, yet still lost an average of $1.92 million per institution—indicating that traditional security measures like behavioral analytics and machine learning are ineffective against social engineering attacks. Large established banks have cut losses significantly through stronger defenses, while neobanks and fintech companies are particularly vulnerable, with losses tri
nbcnews.com
· 2026-09-29
ShinyHunters, an international cybercrime group, breached the FBI's jobs portal on September 21 and stole sensitive personal information including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, phone numbers, and addresses of FBI agents and employees. Dutch authorities arrested a 24-year-old Amsterdam man suspected of being a ShinyHunters leader on September 15, prompting the FBI to issue a public warning to remaining group members urging them to turn themselves in. The group demanded the FBI retract a public service announcement about ShinyHunters by September 29, though it later committed not to publish the stolen data.
investx.fr
· 2026-09-29
Two men in Southern California used a card-swapping scheme at ATMs, memorizing victims' PINs and replacing their cards with duplicates during withdrawals, resulting in approximately $120,000 in losses across multiple counties with at least 30 documented incidents. Sergio Romero and Franklin Florez targeted at least five victims in Lemon Grove alone, with individual losses ranging from $100 to over $2,700, and two elderly victims led to elder fraud charges against Romero. Both men were identified through surveillance cameras and license plate readers; Romero faces charges including elder fraud, robbery, and identity theft, while Florez faces robbery, identity theft, and conspiracy charges.
vrt.be
· 2026-09-28
Prince Laurent of Belgium and his wife Princess Claire lost over 17,000 euros in a December 2021 phishing scam after Claire received a fraudulent message impersonating her bank. Four suspects are being prosecuted for their roles in the scheme, with perpetrators operating from Spain and using stolen identities and bank accounts to facilitate the theft. The public prosecutor is seeking prison sentences ranging from 12 to 15 months for those involved.
hindustantimes.com
· 2026-09-28
Romance scams are confidence tricks where criminals build emotional trust through fake online profiles over weeks or months, then request money after establishing dependence. These scams occur across dating apps and social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, targeting vulnerable individuals experiencing life changes such as divorce or loneliness, as well as financially literate professionals. Warning signs include constant messaging, avoidance of video calls, requests to move conversations to private channels, and elaborate excuses for why they cannot meet in person.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2026-09-28
During Open Enrollment, scammers create fraudulent websites and ads mimicking legitimate government health insurance sites like Healthcare.gov and Medicare.gov, using similar web addresses, official logos, and keywords to trick consumers into purchasing fake plans or exposing themselves to medical identity theft. Victims may unknowingly pay for counterfeit insurance or have their personal health information compromised through these deceptive practices. Consumers should report suspected health insurance scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, their state attorney general, or Medicare directly at 800-633-4227.
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.
spokesman.com
· 2026-09-26
Fraud losses reported to the FTC reached a record $15.9 billion in 2025, up 27% from the previous year, with investment scams, romance scams, crypto scams, and impostor scams driving the increase. The article outlines 11 protection strategies including questioning unsolicited communications, trusting your instincts, avoiding phishing emails, using credit cards over debit cards, never sharing sensitive information like Social Security numbers or PINs, and being skeptical of spoofed caller IDs. Scammers increasingly use AI-generated fake websites, emails, texts, and videos to make their fraudulent schemes appear legitimate.
newsbug.info
· 2026-09-26
The federal government loses between $116 billion and $304 billion annually to tax fraud, according to a Government Accountability Office report that found the IRS lacks an agency-wide anti-fraud strategy. The case of Carl Delano Torjagbo, who fraudulently claimed $3.3 million in tax refunds using false identities and spent proceeds on luxury items, exemplifies vulnerabilities in the system. GAO recommended the IRS develop a comprehensive anti-fraud strategy and designate a central entity to coordinate fraud risk management, though the IRS only partially agreed to these recommendations.
press-herald.com
· 2026-09-25
Webster Parish residents are reporting scams to authorities three to four times weekly, with scammers increasingly using sophisticated tactics including spoofing the Sheriff's Office phone number and impersonating law enforcement to solicit bail payments for arrested relatives. One notable case involved a local businessman losing nearly $500,000 in a fake Bitcoin investment scheme, while romance scams remain prevalent among older adults, with perpetrators sometimes spending months building trust before requesting money. Officials emphasized that skepticism, independent verification of requests, and consulting trusted contacts are critical defenses against these evolving scams, which are often perpetrated by overseas criminals.
longisland.com
· 2026-09-25
A 79-year-old woman in Suffolk County was scammed out of $4,000 after being contacted by someone posing as a TD Bank representative who claimed fraudulent activity on her account and instructed her to hand over her debit card to a man who appeared at her home. Suffolk County Police are seeking the suspect involved in this elder fraud scheme. The scam is classified as identity theft.
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.
hk-now.com
· 2026-09-25
The Connecticut Department of Banking and State Rep. Chris Aniskovich hosted a free "Fraud Bingo" educational event on September 28, 2026, designed to help residents recognize and prevent common scams including banking fraud, identity theft, and financial exploitation. The interactive program was open to the public, particularly targeting seniors, and covered warning signs and protection strategies against evolving criminal schemes targeting personal information and money. No specific fraud cases or dollar amounts were discussed; the event was purely educational and preventative in nature.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-09-25
This article discusses industry efforts to combat cross-channel communications fraud, where bad actors spoof financial institutions' phone numbers to impersonate them and defraud customers across multiple platforms. Transaction Network Services (TNS) will present two sessions at the CFCA Fall Educational conference in Minneapolis highlighting how improved information-sharing across companies and industries, along with spoof protection technology, can help restore consumer trust and reduce fraud. The article emphasizes that fraudsters exploit gaps in how information is shared between departments, companies, and industries, causing legitimate communications to be flagged as spam and ignored by consumers.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-09-25
FiCare Federal Credit Union alleges that fraudsters have been calling Fiserv's cardholder-services call center, answering verification questions, and convincing agents to reactivate stolen cards, with at least 18 fraudulent transactions occurring in August alone after this scheme. Fiserv's call center reportedly relies only on knowledge-based authentication (Social Security numbers and card details) rather than multifactor authentication, making it vulnerable to fraud involving stolen card information. FiCare and five other institutions have reported this problem to Fiserv, and the credit union is seeking an expedited court ruling to force Fiserv to answer discovery questions about the security gaps in its fraud-mitigation
attackofthefanboy.com
· 2026-09-25
A sophisticated police impersonation scam uses spoofed phone numbers from legitimate UK police stations to deceive victims into revealing personal and financial information. Content creator Tom Wickstead received a call from someone claiming to be Detective Cunnings from Bromley Police Station who used rapport-building tactics and already possessed personal details (name, address, postcode), attempting to obtain his National Insurance number and bank details before he ended the call. UK police warn that callers will never request bank details, passwords, PINs, or threaten criminal action, and advise that these scammers aim to drain victims' life savings and assets.
foxbusiness.com
· 2026-09-25
The IRS launched a new mobile app that allows taxpayers to securely check refund status and make payments directly from their phones, with CEO Frank Bisignano claiming it is "100% secure" and designed to combat fraud and identity theft. The app expansion comes as the IRS handled 600 million online inquiries last year—double the previous year—and is working to reduce its backlog of identity theft cases, which peaked at roughly 500,000 items in 2024 but has since been cut by more than half.
nbclosangeles.com
· 2026-09-25
Michelle Bisnoff, a former Pacific Palisades resident, was found guilty of running a $2 million Ponzi scheme through her smart ring company Esos Rings, defrauding investors with false claims about the product's capabilities and fabricated partnerships with Apple and Roc Nation. Of the nearly $2 million raised from investors, approximately $1.4 million was never recovered, and Bisnoff also fraudulently obtained a $150,000 COVID-relief loan that she used for personal expenses. She was convicted of securities fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, identity theft, and COVID-relief fraud, with sentencing scheduled for January 21, 2027.
floridabar.org
· 2026-09-24
A lonely Jacksonville widower lost over $450,000 in a romance scam orchestrated by a male scammer operating from China who posed as a woman on WhatsApp and promised investment opportunities. An elder law attorney successfully used Florida's new SB 106 law to freeze an additional $200,000 wire transfer by serving the scammer through the same WhatsApp platform used in the scheme. The case highlights the vulnerability of isolated seniors to romance fraud, with FBI data showing elder fraud complaints rose 59% last year with total losses of $7.7 billion nationally, including $709.8 million from Florida victims.
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.
gobankingrates.com
· 2026-09-24
According to an Avast survey, 68% of U.S. respondents with older loved ones report that at least one has fallen victim to online scams, identity theft, or fraud at some point, highlighting a significant elder fraud problem in America. The survey underscores the vulnerability of seniors to digital scams and suggests that brief tech education and family conversations could help protect older adults from becoming victims.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2026-09-24
The Senate unanimously passed the Romance Scam Prevention Act requiring dating websites to notify users when accounts they've interacted with are banned for fraud, potentially involving false identities or attempted deception. The FTC and state attorneys general will enforce the law, which comes as financial regulators report approximately $12.7 billion in suspected romance and digital asset investment scam activity over a roughly two-year period beginning in 2023.
moneytalksnews.com
· 2026-09-24
Americans lost $15.9 billion to fraud in 2025, with investment fraud being the costliest category at $7.9 billion in losses, and adults over 60 reporting significantly larger individual losses including six-figure amounts when victimized. Traditional scams—including penny stock schemes, grandparent impersonations, romance fraud, prize scams, and bank impersonation—have been refined through modern technology like text messaging, AI voice cloning, and social media to target victims more efficiently and at unprecedented scale. The article advises verification of financial advisors, use of family code words, skepticism of unsolicited money requests from strangers, and direct contact with banks using verified phone numbers rather
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.
tech.yahoo.com
· 2026-09-24
UK residents are experiencing a surge in scam calls and WhatsApp messages from spoofed mobile numbers offering part-time job opportunities, which security experts say is a "numbers game" where scammers only need a small percentage of victims to fall for the scheme. These recruitment scams typically start as seemingly legitimate job offers but eventually escalate to requests for money, deposits, or personal information, with scammers obtaining phone numbers from data breaches, marketing lists, social media, and old CVs. Security consultants advise blocking and reporting suspicious accounts without clicking links, and note that simply receiving such contacts doesn't indicate a data breach or immediate danger unless personal information or money has been shared.
cyberguy.com
· 2026-09-24
Data brokers including Epsilon Data Management, KBM Group, Macromark, and Wiland Inc. sold "opportunity seeker" lists—targeting vulnerable older Americans—to fraudsters running sweepstakes, lottery, and other scams, resulting in over $23.7 million in losses to more than 218,000 victims in one scheme alone. The Department of Justice prosecuted multiple employees and companies, securing over $129 million in victim compensation by June 2025, with Troy Murray sentenced to 121 months in prison for selling data on 7 million older Americans to Jamaica-based lottery scammers from 2016-2023.
thevibes.com
· 2026-09-24
In Malaysia, victims lost RM2.97 billion to online scams, digital fraud, and cyber identity theft in the previous year, with authorities recovering only RM6.7 million, according to former Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng. Lim stated that current anti-scam efforts are inadequate and called for enhanced coordination and resources across government agencies, banks, and regulators to combat what he described as a national crime wave affecting elderly citizens, professionals, and ordinary Malaysians across all demographics. He emphasized that Bank Negara should lead a whole-of-government effort, with banks implementing mechanisms to flag suspicious account activities and prevent scammers from quickly transferring stolen funds.
ladbible.com
· 2026-09-24
A content creator named Tom Wickstead nearly fell victim to a sophisticated police impersonation scam where a fraudster claiming to be "Detective Cunnings" from Bromley Police Station called him, spoofed a legitimate police number, and attempted to extract his National Insurance number and bank details. The scammer used convincing tactics including small talk and qualifying questions to build false trust before requesting sensitive information. Police forces across the UK have warned that these impersonation scams are increasing, with criminals using technology to spoof official police numbers to make the fraud more believable.
goldrushcam.com
· 2026-09-23
Franco Fuentes, a Peruvian national, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for impersonating a bank employee to defraud elderly victims of over $270,000 by convincing them to surrender their bank cards, which he then used for cash withdrawals and purchases including $43,000 from a single 80-year-old victim. Fuentes was ordered to pay restitution of more than $270,000 and forfeit approximately $37,000 in cash and other assets seized from his residence. The scheme targeted vulnerable seniors through deceptive phone calls claiming to investigate fraud on their accounts, causing significant emotional and financial distress to victims.