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KVUE
· 2024-02-19
Romance scams typically begin online through dating platforms, social media, or messaging apps, with scammers' goal being financial gain. Red flags include declarations of love very quickly, elaborate backstories (such as working in oil/gas or military deployment) to explain communication gaps, and reluctance to video chat; scammers may spend months or even years building trust before requesting money. People should recognize these warning signs early to avoid becoming victims of these prevalent scams.
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CTV News
· 2024-02-28
A Toronto woman lost $340,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam after seeing a YouTube advertisement promising fast returns. The scammer built trust by showing fake account growth and sending her $5,000 to purchase diamond earrings, convincing her to invest progressively larger amounts ($250, then $100,000, then $240,000), but when she attempted to withdraw funds, she discovered the account was fraudulent and lost her entire investment.
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LastWeekTonight
· 2024-02-29
**Pig Butchering Scams Overview**
"Pig Butchering" is a romance/investment scam that typically begins with unsolicited text messages appearing to be sent to the wrong person, establishing false familiarity and trust. Scammers then gradually build relationships with victims and persuade them to invest money in fraudulent cryptocurrency or trading schemes, often resulting in significant financial losses. The scam gets its name from the process of cultivating ("fattening") victims before extracting ("butchering") their money.
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WION
· 2024-03-10
**Pig Butchering Scam Overview**
Pig butchering scams are a type of cryptocurrency investment fraud that targets victims globally through emotional manipulation and deceptive investment schemes. Scammers pose as romantic interests or long-lost friends on dating platforms to build trust, then convince victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency trading platforms controlled by the fraudsters, resulting in significant financial losses such as the $450,000 stolen from victim Shrea through an imposter posing as a French wine trader.
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FOX59 News
· 2024-03-12
Americans lost $10 billion to scams in 2023, a $1 billion increase from 2022, with investment scams being the costliest at $4 billion (averaging $7,000 per victim), followed by imposter scams at $2.7 billion and social media scams at $1.4 billion. The FTC is responding with increased enforcement actions, including 180 actions against telemarketers and new rules being drafted against impersonation fraud with tougher penalties. Consumers can protect themselves by guarding personal information, avoiding unsolicited links, and using unique passwords across accounts.
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The Deshbhakt
· 2024-04-02
This video essay discusses political corruption allegations in India, focusing on how the BJP appears to avoid corruption charges while opposition parties face various scams and legal actions. The video then explains the 2G spectrum scam of 2008, where the Indian government allocated mobile spectrum to companies at artificially low prices through administrative allocation rather than auction, resulting in an estimated loss of 1.76 lakh crore to the national treasury—a controversy that contributed to the fall of the UPA government and led the Supreme Court to cancel 112 spectrum licenses in 2012.
**Note:** This is a political commentary/educational piece rather than a scam affecting individual elders, so it falls outside the typical scope of
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ABC11
· 2024-04-04
The FBI in Raleigh warned of a sharp rise in cryptocurrency investment scams across North Carolina, with losses increasing more than 50% year-over-year and totaling nearly $4 billion nationally. Scammers target victims through social media and job networking sites, building trust through shared interests before convincing them to invest and displaying fake profits to encourage continued investment, after which they disappear with the funds. North Carolina residents have lost tens of millions to these schemes, with individual victims losing amounts ranging from $40,000 to over $53,000.
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ABC News
· 2024-04-05
Officials in New York seized nearly two dozen web domains from IP addresses in China used to conduct "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams, which operate across multiple states including California, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. Scammers use dating apps and group chats to build trust with victims before convincing them to invest in cryptocurrency schemes that appear to generate returns, then steal their money; reported losses include $16,000 and $118,000 from individual victims in Brooklyn.
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CBS Evening News
· 2024-04-22
A 57-year-old widowed healthcare executive from Illinois lost $1.5 million in a romance scam after meeting a man posing as a Swedish businessman on Match.com; the scammer used stolen photos of a Chilean doctor and manipulated her emotionally over an extended period. The case, investigated by CBS News, illustrates a growing threat affecting tens of thousands of Americans, with romance scammers defrauding over 64,000 people of more than $1 billion annually. The victim's daughter is seeking answers and working with law enforcement to understand how her mother fell victim to the sophisticated scam.
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CBS News
· 2024-04-23
A 57-year-old retired healthcare executive from Illinois was defrauded of her life savings through a romance scam after meeting a man posing as a Swedish businessman on Match.com; the scammer used stolen photos of a Chilean doctor and manipulated her emotionally over an extended period. The case highlights a growing epidemic of romance scams in the United States, with 64,000 Americans losing over $1 billion to such scams in the previous year—more than double the $500 million lost four years prior. The victim's daughter is seeking answers from law enforcement about the circumstances surrounding her mother's death in connection to the fraud.
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CBS News
· 2024-05-01
A CBS News investigation explored romance scams targeting vulnerable adults on dating platforms. The report featured the case of Laura Coal, a 57-year-old retired hospital executive who fell victim to a scammer posing as "Frank," a Swedish businessman with a fake profile photo on Match.com; within days of initial contact, she professed deep emotional attachment to someone she had never met in person. The story illustrates how lonely individuals seeking companionship can be manipulated by sophisticated scammers who exploit emotional vulnerabilities through online dating platforms.
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10 Tampa Bay News
· 2024-05-06
According to an FBI report, Florida seniors over age 60 lost more than $290 million to fraud in 2023, ranking the state second worst in the nation, with scams targeting this age group increasing 11% from 2022 and averaging nearly $34,000 per victim. The most common fraud schemes include investment scams, fake tech support, online romance scams, and law enforcement impersonation schemes, with many cases going unreported due to victim shame.
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NBC4 Columbus
· 2024-05-07
According to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Annual Report, seniors over 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud and scams in that year, a nearly 11% increase from the previous year, with Ohio seniors alone reporting over $64 million in losses across nearly 3,300 cases. Tech support fraud emerged as the leading scam targeting older Americans, exploiting their increasing use of technology and computers.
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This Morning
· 2024-05-10
Becky Holmes began exposing romance scammers in 2020 after receiving suspicious messages from fake profiles on social media, turning her interactions with catfish into humorous content that gained thousands of followers and led to a published book titled "Kiana Reeves is Not in Love with You." The article features Holmes discussing her anti-scam mission and sharing warning signs to help others identify romance scams.
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The Project
· 2024-05-23
A Melbourne woman lost her entire life savings after entering her details into a fake investment comparison website, which scammers used to steal approximately half a million dollars. The incident is part of a broader Australian fraud trend where fake investment scams have caused over $47 million in losses in the first three months of the year, with victims experiencing severe financial and emotional harm that extends beyond individual losses to impact entire families.
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WGN News
· 2024-05-30
A YouTube content creator known as "Skip" operates a scam-baiting channel with over 3 million followers that exposes online scams targeting vulnerable people. The creator deliberately engages with scammers through fake scenarios (such as fake cryptocurrency and gift card redemption schemes) to waste their time and reveal their tactics, preventing them from targeting actual victims. This educational approach demonstrates common scam methods and how scammers attempt to manipulate people into believing they can easily access free money or cryptocurrency.
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KTSM 9 NEWS
· 2024-06-16
The FBI reports a significant surge in elder fraud cases, with older Americans losing over $1.6 billion to financial scams from January to May 2024—a nearly $300 million increase compared to the same period in 2023. The most common schemes targeting seniors include tech support scams, romance/confidence schemes, investment fraud, and government impersonation scams, with Texas alone reporting $278 million in losses and the nation totaling $3.4 billion in 2023.
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NBC4 Columbus
· 2024-06-25
According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crime Complaint Center report, seniors over 60 reported approximately $3.4 billion in losses to fraud and scams in the past year. Common scams targeting older adults include tech support fraud, investment scams, and grandparent scams, which continue to exploit the nation's senior population. The article highlights the ongoing problem of elder financial exploitation and emphasizes the need for awareness and prevention strategies to help protect vulnerable seniors from becoming victims.
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FOX23 News Tulsa
· 2024-07-10
A scam targeting seniors uses fake romantic relationships to manipulate victims into making fraudulent investments. According to cybersecurity experts, crimes against seniors increased 11% in the past year, resulting in $3.4 billion in losses, with victims averaging $34,000 lost each; scammers pose as wealthy individuals on dating sites, build trust over time, and eventually pressure victims to invest in fake schemes.
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WREG News Channel 3
· 2024-07-11
This educational piece warns about cryptocurrency scams targeting consumers in Shelby County, Tennessee. The article highlights that scammers increasingly demand cryptocurrency payments for various schemes, and notes that legitimate businesses never require cryptocurrency as the sole payment method—it may be one option among many. According to the Better Business Bureau, over 180 reports of cryptocurrency scams were filed in the past year, with victims losing more than $180,000 combined to fraudsters demanding crypto payments.
Cryptocurrency
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NBC4 Washington
· 2024-07-17
An 82-year-old Montgomery County retiree lost nearly $1 million after clicking on a malicious popup ad that falsely claimed Russian spyware had compromised her computer. The scammers, posing as federal agents, coerced her into purchasing $900,000 in gold bars and handing them to a courier; she was prevented from losing an additional $2 million when she realized she was dealing with criminals rather than government officials. A 19-year-old suspect from Brooklyn was arrested after arriving in Silver Spring to collect the gold, and authorities indicate this scam remains active in the county.
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Central Florida Public Media
· 2024-07-19
Volusia County Sheriff's Office partnered with a free community screening of the film "Thelma"—which depicts a 93-year-old grandmother being scammed—to raise awareness about elder fraud, which costs older Americans billions of dollars annually and significantly affects Central Florida seniors. Law enforcement officers provided prevention advice to attendees, emphasizing strategies such as not answering unknown phone numbers, ignoring unfamiliar text messages, and contacting police or trusted neighbors when uncertain.
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News 5 Cleveland
· 2024-07-31
Strongville United Methodist Church in Ohio became a target of phishing scams when cybercriminals impersonated Reverend Abby Almond in emails sent to congregation members, requesting money and gift cards. Phishing scams have nearly doubled to over 9,000 reports annually in the Better Business Bureau's Northeast Ohio region, ranking as the second-most common scam type locally.
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VICE
· 2024-08-05
A Northern Irish digital marketing entrepreneur discovered that scammers had created dozens of fake profiles impersonating him across multiple social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Bumble, Tinder, and others) using his photos and personal information to deceive people. After investigating the fraudulent accounts, he uncovered a larger criminal enterprise operating the identity theft and catfishing scheme, which involved fabricating romantic relationships and divorce scenarios to manipulate victims.
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ABC 7 News - WJLA
· 2024-08-12
Maryland authorities arrested five people for operating a gold bar scam that targeted elderly residents in Montgomery County, with at least 20 victims losing millions of dollars combined. Notable victims include an 81-year-old woman who lost over $900,000 and a 74-year-old man who lost $240,000, with some victims now at risk of losing their homes. Law enforcement believes this organized criminal enterprise has affected many more cases beyond those identified so far.
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WJZ
· 2024-08-12
Five people have been charged in Maryland for operating a "gold bar" scam that tricked senior citizens into converting their assets into gold, with seven identified victims in Montgomery County alone losing over $7 million. Police report that millions of dollars have been lost to this scam nationwide, though their prevention efforts have stopped over $3 million in additional losses. Authorities recommend not answering calls from unknown numbers, avoiding popup ads, and have partnered with local pawn shops to educate merchants on identifying suspicious bulk gold purchases.
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NBC4 Washington
· 2024-08-13
Scammers impersonating law enforcement are targeting seniors in Montgomery County and the DC area, convincing them to convert large sums of money into gold bars and surrender them for "safekeeping." Authorities have charged four men in connection with these scams, which have affected approximately 20 victims ranging from 61 to 94 years old, with losses totaling millions of dollars and a single largest loss of $2.3 million.
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KCENNews
· 2024-08-13
The Better Business Bureau reports that three major scams are currently prevalent and have stolen millions of dollars since the start of the year: employment scams that promise work-from-home jobs with easy money but steal personal information or demand upfront payments; online purchase and rental scams involving unreliable merchants who access credit card data; and cryptocurrency/investment scams that exploit people seeking quick wealth. The BBB offers a Scam Tracker tool to report fraudulent businesses and scams affecting specific areas.
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CNBC
· 2024-08-18
A growing "pig butchering" scam scheme targets victims through dating apps and text messages, with scammers spending weeks building trust before directing them to fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms designed to mimic legitimate exchanges. One victim lost $152,000 after being lured through Bumble; the FBI reported $4.5 billion in investment fraud losses in 2023, with 86% involving cryptocurrencies. These scams employ sophisticated social engineering tactics and fake investment apps that have prompted tech companies like Google to take legal action against developers distributing fraudulent apps on their platforms.
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FOX 2 St. Louis
· 2024-08-22
Bait-and-switch scams on social media exploit emotional posts about missing children or lost pets by using localized Facebook groups with minimal oversight. Scammers edit these posts to redirect users to sales listings, rental scams, job opportunities, or donation requests, then manipulate victims' social networks when they share the content. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to watch for red flags including urgent emotional language, disabled comments, missing contact information, and newly created profiles, and to report suspected scams to both the BBB Scam Tracker and Facebook directly.
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ABC7 News Bay Area
· 2024-08-24
The FBI launched a "Take a Beat" awareness campaign to educate the public about common fraud and scam tactics that exploit people's emotions through urgent phone calls, texts, and emails requesting money or passwords. The campaign highlights scams such as impersonation of bank fraud departments, with one victim losing $950 after a caller claiming to be from her bank convinced her to transfer funds and disclose banking information.
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60 Minutes Australia
· 2024-08-25
This 60 Minutes Australia segment exposes a large-scale scam operation headquartered in Myanmar where transnational crime bosses traffic approximately 120,000 people and force them to conduct romance scams, phishing schemes, and investment fraud against Western victims. The scammers employ sophisticated AI-powered deepfake technology and brainwashing techniques to deceive victims, while the Australian Securities and Investments Commission has shut down over 7,300 fraudulent websites but scammers continue generating billions in illegal revenue.
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FOX 2 St. Louis
· 2024-08-29
The FBI warns that scammers are targeting older adults by posing as police, the FTC, or bank representatives and convincing them to cash out retirement accounts like 401(k)s and convert the funds into gold or bitcoin. From May to December 2023, this scheme resulted in over $55 million in losses, with scammers either claiming to hold the gold for safekeeping or pressuring victims to convert it into cryptocurrency. Authorities advise verifying any urgent financial requests by independently contacting your bank and discussing suspicious calls with trusted family members.
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WGN News
· 2024-08-31
Federal Trade Commission data shows American consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with digital platforms making it easier for scammers to target victims. Common scams include romance/relationship scams on Facebook where perpetrators build trust before requesting money, "pig butchering" investment schemes promising fake returns, and grandparent scams, with reported losses ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. Protection strategies include verifying urgent requests by hanging up and calling back the person directly, avoiding quick money transfers, researching websites and investment opportunities, and reporting scams to law enforcement and platforms to help track and recover stolen funds.
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FOX8 WGHP
· 2024-09-03
An elderly woman in Asheboro was defrauded of $25,000 after scammers used fear tactics and impersonation of law enforcement to manipulate her into withdrawing cash and purchasing gift cards. The suspect met the victim at a gas station to collect a large cash withdrawal before fleeing in a white van, and Detective Marcus Pierce is actively investigating the case while advocating for awareness of common red flags like requests for gift card payments.
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WHO13
· 2024-09-08
Congressman Zach Nunn introduced legislation to combat "pig butchering" scams, which target elderly victims into investing in fraudulent opportunities; authorities seized $300 million in stolen funds from these schemes in 2023 alone. The bill would provide federal grant funding to local and state law enforcement agencies to investigate these fraud cases. Iowa's Attorney General's office reported receiving over 13,000 fraud complaints related to these scams.
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Dare County
· 2024-09-09
The Dare County Sheriff's Office presented an educational overview of common scams affecting their community, including an explanation of "pig butchering" scams that operate through dating apps. In this scam type, perpetrators use VPNs to hide their location, create fake glamorous personas, and systematically contact potential victims through dating platforms with the goal of manipulating them into financial schemes. The presentation aims to help community members recognize and avoid falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics.
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13News Now
· 2024-09-11
Elder fraud complaints increased 14% in 2023, with Americans losing $1.6 billion to scams nationally and Virginia residents losing $265 million, according to FBI data. Virginia reported approximately 2,700 elder fraud complaints in 2023, with investment scams being the most common type targeting seniors with regular income by exploiting their loneliness or desire to earn additional money. The FBI emphasizes that scammers are skilled manipulators who deliberately identify and exploit vulnerable elderly individuals.
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WJZ
· 2024-09-12
Cryptocurrency scams cost Maryland residents nearly $94 million in 2023, according to an FBI report, with romance-based schemes being particularly prevalent. Though representing only 10% of financial fraud complaints to the FBI, cryptocurrency scams account for 50% of total money stolen, with approximately 1,400 Maryland complaints among nearly 58,000 nationwide. The scams exploit emotional manipulation and leverage the online nature of cryptocurrency to easily access victims' financial and personal information.
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Forbes Breaking News
· 2024-09-12
Senator Elizabeth Warren held a hearing examining online dating scams targeting seniors, specifically highlighting romance scams combined with cryptocurrency investment fraud. The typical scheme involves a scammer building trust with an older adult over weeks or months through a dating app, then gradually introducing investment opportunities and encouraging the victim to set up their own trading account—creating a false sense of security and control while the scammer provides "tips" on investments.
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KVUE
· 2024-09-16
A new study shows investment scams are rising, with median losses increasing from $1,000 in 2021 to $6,000 currently, as scammers coerce victims into withdrawing funds from retirement and savings accounts. These scams typically begin on social media or instant messaging platforms, where perpetrators research victims' profiles, establish rapport (sometimes romantic), and pitch fraudulent investment opportunities promising high returns on small initial investments. The Better Business Bureau advises awareness of these tactics to help people avoid falling victim to such schemes.
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Which?
· 2024-09-15
I cannot provide an accurate summary of this article. The text appears to be a garbled or poorly OCR-scanned transcript of a consumer advice program introduction that repeatedly duplicates phrases and lacks coherent content about specific scams or fraud prevention tips. While it mentions that scams are becoming more sophisticated and references a discussion about ticket scams, the actual substantive advice or details about scams are not clearly present in the provided text. A proper summary would require a clearer, complete version of the source material.
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Forbes Breaking News
· 2024-09-17
Senator Helmy discusses the urgent problem of elder fraud with committee experts, noting that New Jersey seniors reported over $1 million in losses to scams and fraud according to the FBI's IC3 Elder report. He raises concerns about a major data breach at background company National Public Data that exposed approximately 2.9 billion personal records containing names, addresses, and Social Security numbers, which he believes was underreported and could facilitate further fraud targeting vulnerable elderly populations.
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Forbes Breaking News
· 2024-09-18
The House Financial Services Committee held a hearing on romance confidence scams (also called "pig butchering"), examining this multi-billion dollar fraud scheme that targets everyday Americans. The scam operates by building trust with victims over weeks or months before exploiting that confidence to extract money, with text-based contact attempts increasing dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Forbes Breaking News
· 2024-09-19
Senator Bob Casey led a Senate Aging Committee hearing on fraud targeting older Americans, during which the committee released its annual "Fighting Fraud" resource book. The hearing addressed multiple scam types affecting seniors including grandparent scams, investment fraud, government impostor schemes, lottery scams, and tech support scams, while noting that scammers have become increasingly sophisticated in their tactics over recent years. The committee discussed both fraud prevention strategies and how federal law enforcement agencies respond to fraud reports.
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CBS Evening News
· 2024-09-27
A U.S. man lost $700,000 in an elaborate romance scam orchestrated by criminal syndicates operating from underground "boiler rooms" in Ghana. The scammers pose as romantic partners to gain the trust of elderly Americans and convince them to send money, devastating victims both emotionally and financially. The investigation revealed that unemployed youth in Ghana are recruited into these operations, viewing the scams as an alternative to other forms of theft or crime.
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CBS News
· 2024-10-04
Overseas scammers defrauded a 92-year-old woman in Los Angeles of her life savings by impersonating IT experts and government officials, convincing her that her computer had been hacked and pressuring her to withdraw funds to purchase gold as a "safer investment." The scammers instructed the victim to keep the scheme secret, and despite her daughter's attempts to alert her bank (Charles Schwab) to the suspicious large transactions and wire transfers, the funds were lost. This case exemplifies a widespread epidemic affecting tens of thousands of Americans who fall victim to similar overseas fraud schemes operating through impersonation and deception tactics.
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CBS Evening News
· 2024-10-11
A 92-year-old woman in Los Angeles lost her life savings to overseas scammers who impersonated IT experts and government officials, convincing her that her computer had been hacked and pressuring her to withdraw funds to purchase gold as a "safer investment." The scam involved large wire transfers from her Charles Schwab investment account, and the perpetrators instructed her to keep the scheme secret from her family. This case exemplifies a broader epidemic of multi-million-dollar fraud targeting Americans by overseas criminals operating tech support and investment scams.
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NOLA.com
· 2024-10-17
AARP Louisiana hosted an educational presentation titled "Unmasking Fraud" featuring nationally recognized fraud expert and former prosecutor Paul Greenwood to address senior fraud targeting older adults in Louisiana. The event emphasized that fraud against seniors impacts not only financial security but also causes lasting emotional and psychological harm, and provided practical strategies for protection. AARP directs people to its Fraud Watch Network resource for current scam information and personal data protection guidance.
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NOLA.com
· 2024-10-17
AARP Louisiana hosted a fraud awareness townhall event featuring nationally recognized fraud expert and former prosecutor Paul Greenwood to educate seniors about scams targeting older adults. The event aimed to provide practical protection strategies and highlight how fraud impacts seniors beyond financial loss, including emotional and trust-related consequences. AARP encourages seniors to utilize resources like their FraudWatch Network to stay informed about emerging scams and safeguard personal information.
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KVUE
· 2024-10-21
Bait-and-switch scams on social media use emotional posts (hospital photos, crying children, mug shots, animals in distress) shared in community groups to gain likes and shares; once the post gains traction, scammers edit it to embed malicious links requesting donations or personal information. To protect yourself, verify information directly with local law enforcement, check if the original poster account appears fake, and avoid clicking links in widely-shared posts, as the high number of shares can create a false sense of legitimacy.
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Arizona’s Family (3TV / CBS 5)
· 2024-10-30
Impostor scams are intensifying as the holiday season approaches, with scammers posing as trusted entities like banks to steal money through deceptive tactics. A common scheme involves fraudsters calling or texting victims claiming fraudulent card activity, then convincing them to hand over debit cards to supposed bank representatives or mail cards to fraudulent addresses. Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to enhance their deception tactics, making these scams more sophisticated and harder to detect.
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CNBC-TV18
· 2024-10-31
Online trading scams have swept across India, affecting unsuspecting investors lured by social media ads and messaging apps that promise huge profits, resulting in losses exceeding 1,400 crore rupees. Scammers use fake photos of stock market experts and fake news articles to build trust, then direct victims to unregistered trading apps where they deposit funds that are never actually invested—instead, scammers show fake profits in the app wallet before eventually disappearing with the money. To protect themselves, investors should verify that trading apps are registered with SEBBI (the stock market regulator) and be wary of "insider tips" offered through social media and messaging groups.
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WREG News Channel 3
· 2024-11-13
Three Nigerian men in their 40s were sentenced to federal prison for orchestrating romance and investment scams that targeted victims across America from 2017 to 2021, including a Western Tennessee resident who lost $400,000. The perpetrators used fake identities on social media and dating sites, posing as romantic partners and repeatedly requesting emergency financial assistance from victims. Law enforcement urges scam victims to report incidents to police, as victims of romance scams often face additional risks including identity theft when they unknowingly share personal information with fraudsters.
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TheStreet
· 2024-11-19
Cryptocurrency and other online scams targeting Americans aged 60 and older reached alarming levels, with the number of seniors defrauded of $100,000 or more tripling between 2020 and 2023. The FTC reported $1.9 billion in confirmed fraud losses for this age group in 2023, though estimates suggest the actual figure may reach $62 billion when accounting for unreported cases. Common scams include romance schemes, impersonation of family members or government agencies like Social Security, lottery schemes, and cryptocurrency investment fraud.
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10 Tampa Bay News
· 2024-11-26
Scammers are increasingly using AI-powered tools including deepfake videos and synthetic voice technology to impersonate celebrities and trusted figures in order to defraud seniors, particularly during the vulnerable holiday season. Law enforcement agencies across multiple states report a widespread epidemic of elder fraud, with a recent case in Texas involving a scammer using deepfake video calls to steal $600,000 from a senior victim. These AI manipulation tools make it easier than ever for fraudsters to deceive vulnerable populations by creating convincing impersonations that are difficult to distinguish from authentic communications.
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FOX31 Denver
· 2024-11-27
A Denver man lost thousands of dollars after scammers gained access to his Venmo account by using a phishing email to change his password, exploiting his recent grief over his father's death. The hackers transferred funds from his linked checking account before he regained access, and while PayPal later confirmed the breach and pledged to make things right, the incident highlights vulnerabilities across cash transfer apps including Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App. Experts recommend users enable two-factor authentication, transfer money to bank accounts promptly, change passwords regularly, and remain vigilant against common scams like "paid by mistake" schemes and pyramid schemes on these platforms.
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12NewsNow
· 2024-12-03
The FBI warned the public about an increase in holiday season scams, including cryptocurrency investment schemes, tech support fraud, social media scams with fake contests, and charity scams targeting older adults. According to FBI official Connor Hagen, seniors are particularly vulnerable during the holidays when they are more likely to give gifts and donate to charities, though scammers also target younger people through social media ads and fake contests. Victims are advised to contact local law enforcement if they believe they have been defrauded.
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WPLG Local 10
· 2024-12-04
The FBI Miami issued a holiday season warning about the rise of online scams, which increased 22% between 2022 and 2023, with South Florida's online investment fraud losses jumping from $12 million to $300 million. Elderly individuals are particularly targeted for romance fraud, tech support fraud, and impersonation schemes, with AI increasingly used to facilitate scams; charity fraud also peaks during the holidays. The agency advises consumers to be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, as billions of dollars are lost annually to fraud schemes nationwide.
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CBC News
· 2024-12-06
Vietnamese billionaire Truong My Lan was sentenced to death for orchestrating one of the world's largest bank fraud schemes, in which she siphoned approximately $17 billion CAD (12 billion dong) from the Saigon Commercial Bank. However, Vietnamese law allows her to commute her death sentence to life imprisonment if she can repay 75% of the stolen funds, giving her a financial pathway to avoid execution.
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CBS Chicago
· 2024-12-09
Social media has become the leading platform for scams, with fraudsters generating $2.7 billion in reported losses since 2021—surpassing losses from texts, phone calls, and emails. Common social media scams include fake advertisements on Instagram and other platforms, which scammers exploit during peak shopping periods like the holidays by creating fraudulent accounts and websites to steal money and personal information from victims.
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KCENNews
· 2024-12-15
**Summary:**
"Secret Sister" and similar social media gift exchanges are pyramid schemes where participants send one gift expecting to receive multiple gifts in return. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service considers these exchanges a form of gambling and mail fraud, and participants risk fines, lawsuits, or criminal charges.
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KTVB
· 2024-12-16
"Don't Click December" is an awareness campaign aimed at protecting consumers from online fraud during the holiday shopping season, when scammers exploit increased internet usage for gift purchases and charitable donations. U.S. Attorney Josh Hert advises consumers to be cautious of suspicious emails, text messages, and popups that use fear tactics to trick people into clicking malicious links or providing personal information.
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TV360 Nigeria
· 2024-12-17
In a major enforcement operation in Lagos, Nigeria, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested 792 suspects involved in cryptocurrency investment fraud and romance scams, including 148 Chinese nationals and citizens from the Philippines, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and Indonesia. The foreign perpetrators operated from a facility disguised as a corporate office, where they trained Nigerian accomplices using scripts to conduct romance and investment fraud schemes while using the Nigerians' identities to carry out the crimes.
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WION
· 2024-12-17
Nigerian authorities arrested 792 suspects, including 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino nationals, in a raid on a luxury office building in Lagos operating as a cryptocurrency romance scam hub. The operation targeted victims primarily from America and Europe through social media platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram, using fake romantic relationships to lure people into fraudulent cryptocurrency investment schemes. The EFCC seized computers, phones, and vehicles during the raid and is collaborating with international partners to investigate further links to organized crime.
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Scripps News
· 2024-12-22
In 2024, scammers are targeting all demographics with increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes, as reported losses reached $10 billion—the highest annual total on record. The most common scams include impostor schemes, online shopping fraud, fake job opportunities, and investment scams, with 80% of investment scam victims losing money. The piece highlights how scammers exploit personal information and worst fears, noting that artificial intelligence is making these schemes even more difficult to detect and avoid.
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CNN-News18
· 2024-12-26
Cyber crimes in India surged dramatically in 2024, with the tech-driven region of Hyderabad experiencing a 64% rise in overall crime and an 882% increase in digital arrest scams, reaching losses of 80 crores compared to 6.2 crores the previous year. Cyber fraud cases accounted for 11,900 incidents (23% of all crimes in the region), with citizens losing over 700 crores to fraudsters through job scams, trading frauds, and SMS phishing schemes. The segment emphasizes the importance of avoiding calls from unidentified numbers and highlights ongoing efforts to combat the escalating digital crime problem across the nation.
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WCPO 9
· 2024-12-31
In 2025, the most common scams targeting everyone include impostor scams (posing as banks), online shopping fraud, fake job opportunities, and investment schemes, with reported losses reaching $10 billion in the most recent year. A woman lost nearly $10,000 to a banking impostor scam, while others have fallen victim to work-from-home scams involving fraudulent check deposits. Artificial intelligence is making these scams increasingly difficult to detect, and individuals should be more cautious about sharing personally identifiable information like names and addresses.
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ABC11
· 2025-01-01
**Summary:**
Experts warn that scammers are increasingly using generative AI in 2025 to create more realistic fraudulent websites, deepfake videos and audio, and fake social media content, making scams harder to detect. According to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, consumers lost over $1 trillion to scams in 2024, and the FBI has issued alerts about criminals exploiting AI to commit fraud at larger scales and increase the believability of their schemes. Consumers are advised to remain vigilant in protecting their money and personal information as scam tactics continue to evolve.
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PBS NewsHour
· 2025-01-04
Pig-butchering investment scams have cost victims worldwide an estimated $75 billion over the past four years, with Americans alone losing $4.6 billion in 2023, through fake romantic relationships that manipulate targets into investing in cryptocurrency on fraudulent platforms. The scams typically begin with a wrong-number text leading to conversation with a fake attractive persona who builds trust over 90 days before pressuring victims to invest increasingly large sums until they lose their life savings. Beyond the financial victims, the scammers themselves are often human trafficking victims forced by Asian organized crime syndicates (primarily Chinese, but including Yakuza and Korean groups) operating from compound cities built specifically to run these
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WGN News
· 2025-01-07
The Better Business Bureau released its top 10 local scams of 2024, with online purchases through fake websites ranking as the #1 threat, followed by phishing scams, employment scams, debt collection scams, and social media shopping scams involving counterfeit products. Consumers are advised to verify companies through the BBB before providing personal or financial information, avoid clicking suspicious links in emails or social media ads, be wary of unsolicited urgent requests, and recognize that legitimate debt collectors must notify in writing before taking action.
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Irish Independent
· 2025-01-14
Romance scams (also called "pig butchering") are surging in Ireland, primarily targeting middle-aged women through dating apps where scammers build emotional relationships over time before requesting money for bills, fees, and expenses. Detective Superintendent Michael Crry of Ireland's National Economic Crime Bureau explains that these online fraud schemes rely on social engineering, manipulation, and exploitation, with recent arrests highlighting law enforcement efforts to combat the crime, which is particularly prevalent during vulnerable winter months when people seek connection.
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KOMO News
· 2025-01-28
An elderly man from Shoreline lost $435,000 in a home repair scam perpetrated by brothers Patrick and Matthew McDonna, who used high-pressure tactics and false claims about roof and foundation damage to convince him to pay for materials they never purchased. The suspects, who targeted multiple victims across the Northwest, are now in federal prison, and the victim's family hopes sharing his story will warn others about this common construction scam.
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WKRN News 2
· 2025-02-06
Romance scams rank among the top 10 most perpetrated scams in the U.S., with individual losses increasing dramatically from $1,600 in 2021 to nearly $4,000 in recent years. Scammers create false profiles on dating apps to build emotional connections and exploit victims financially. Red flags include attempts to move communication off the app to unmonitored platforms, which allows scammers greater freedom to manipulate targets.
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FOX 2 St. Louis
· 2025-02-06
Romance scams are prevalent and increasingly sophisticated, with the Better Business Bureau reporting a median loss of $6,000 per victim. Scammers create fake profiles on dating sites and social media to build trust over weeks or months before requesting money or pushing cryptocurrency investment schemes, and they now use AI to generate realistic photos and communicate with multiple victims simultaneously. To protect yourself, verify profile photos using reverse image search, trust your instincts if something seems too good to be true, independently research any investment opportunities, and avoid clicking links or sharing financial information provided by potential romantic contacts.
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Eyewitness News ABC7NY
· 2025-02-07
Romance scammers are targeting people seeking relationships online, with the FTC reporting these scams cost Americans $1.3 billion annually. Scammers employ "love bombing" tactics, building emotional connections over months or even a year before requesting money, increasingly through cryptocurrency to remain untraceable. One Connecticut woman lost nearly $1 million to this type of fraud.
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News 3 Las Vegas
· 2025-02-11
Federal agencies launched a "Dating or Defrauding" awareness campaign ahead of Valentine's Day to warn Americans about online romance scams involving fake dating profiles, fraudulent apps, and unsolicited text messages. Scammers build romantic relationships with victims and then convince them to invest money or trade cryptocurrency, claiming they can generate significant returns. The multi-agency initiative advises Americans never to send money or invest with people known only online.
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CBS Mornings
· 2025-02-11
Relationship investment scams, known as "pig butchering," are sweeping the nation by targeting people seeking romance on dating apps and social media. Sophisticated criminals use fake profiles, AI-generated images, and fabricated romantic connections to persuade victims to invest money in fraudulent business opportunities, resulting in nearly $159 billion in losses in 2023 alone according to one estimate. Federal agencies including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission are partnering with state and nonprofit organizations to warn the public about this growing threat.
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WTKR News 3
· 2025-02-11
Relationship investment scams, a growing problem identified by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, involve perpetrators using dating apps, social media, and random texts to build romantic connections with victims before soliciting investment money. Scammers use fake profiles and voices to establish trust, then promise investment returns, showing fake websites displaying huge profits to convince victims to withdraw and send their savings. Victims should consult trusted contacts if they suspect they are being victimized and can report scams to the CFTC.
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NBC News
· 2025-02-15
**Romance Scams Using Cryptocurrency on the Rise**
Scammers, often from Southeast Asian crime syndicates, are perpetrating "pig butchering" romance fraud schemes where they pose as romantic interests online and manipulate victims into fake cryptocurrency investment opportunities. One victim, Barry May from Mississippi, lost $500,000 of his life savings after being deceived by a scammer posing as a woman named Anna who promised investment returns and marriage. According to a Wall Street Watchdog report, these cryptocurrency-based scams result in untraceable fund transfers that leave victims with irreplaceable financial losses.
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PBS NewsHour
· 2025-02-16
Online romance scams target victims across all demographics through psychological manipulation, with perpetrators using fake profiles to convince people to invest money, often via cryptocurrency. Investigative reporter Cezary Podkul notes that victims have lost billions of dollars annually, with some individuals losing over $1 million, and that many scam operations are run by Chinese cybercriminal gangs that recruit trafficked individuals. To protect oneself, people should watch for red flags like unsolicited contact offering investments, seek second opinions from trusted friends, and report suspected scams immediately to local police, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, and the U.S. Secret Service to aid law enforcement in tracing funds and identifying additional
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KTVH Helena
· 2025-02-19
Susan Hall Skinner, a former Capitol High cheer coach and property manager at Pheasant Glenn (a low-income senior housing complex), was sentenced to 5 years in detention plus 5 years suspended for embezzlement and exploitation of elderly residents. Skinner took cash rent payments from tenants without crediting their accounts and fraudulently applied for emergency rental assistance benefits on their behalf without consent, resulting in $71,000 in restitution ordered (with $40,000 paid at sentencing).
Cash
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KPAX-TV
· 2025-02-20
Susan Hall Skinner, a former Capitol High cheer coach and property manager at Pheasant Glenn (a low-income senior housing community in Montana), was sentenced to 5 years in custody plus 5 years suspended for felony embezzlement and elderly exploitation. She stole cash rent payments from residents without crediting their accounts and fraudulently applied for emergency rental assistance benefits on their behalf without consent, resulting in $71,000 in restitution ordered (with $40,000 paid at sentencing).
Cash
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CNBC Television
· 2025-02-24
Crypto-related scams generated nearly $10 billion in fraudulent revenue in 2024, with pig butchering scams surging 40% and representing 33.2% of overall crypto fraud schemes. Pig butchering scams involve fraudsters building trust with victims through romance or investment schemes before directing them to fake platforms to steal cryptocurrency funds. The surge is driven by increased professionalization of scam operations, easier access to sophisticated tools, and state actors using cryptocurrency to evade sanctions.
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THV11
· 2025-02-27
The FBI's Little Rock office is warning the public about a significant rise in cryptocurrency investment fraud, which they identify as the largest and most costly scam currently operating. Scammers use online platforms to build relationships with victims and convince them to invest in cryptocurrency schemes, exploiting the growing popularity and public unfamiliarity with digital currencies. The FBI has launched "Operation Level Up" to combat this fraud and educate consumers before they become victims.
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CTV News
· 2025-02-27
An Airdrie woman and an Ontario man fell victim to an investment scam impersonating PC Financial, losing $233,000 and $750,000 respectively. The victims were directed to fraudulent websites mimicking PC Financial and contacted by scammers posing as employees, who offered attractive GIC rates and provided convincing documentation before the victims transferred their money. PC Financial subsequently issued a warning clarifying that they do not sell GICs through phone, email, or in-person contact.
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News Channel 3-12
· 2025-02-28
Craig Case, a former private investigator and TV host, was found guilty on 63 of 64 charges in a Montecito elder fraud case, including conspiracy, theft from an elder, identity theft, and money laundering totaling over $690,000. The victim was Constance McCormick Fearing, an elderly Montecito resident, with accomplice Nancy Coger (who held power of attorney and had already pleaded guilty) facilitating the scheme. Case has been in custody since July 2023, and sentencing will be determined after the jury considers aggravating factors.
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CTV News
· 2025-03-01
March marks Fraud Prevention Month across Canada, during which law enforcement and community groups collaborate to educate the public about fraud prevention. According to Edmonton police and the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association, current fraud trends include investment fraud, online employment scams, and romance fraud, with scammers becoming increasingly sophisticated in targeting both money and personal identity. Key prevention advice includes being skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true and verifying whether you initiated contact with the person or organization reaching out.
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National Geographic
· 2025-03-02
Investigative journalist Mariana Van Zeller explores cryptocurrency "rug pull" scams, where fraudsters create fake crypto tokens to steal investor money—a scheme that victimized people of nearly $3 billion in 2021 alone. The episode follows Van Zeller's investigation into young, wealthy scammers who exploit cryptocurrency's unregulated decentralized finance space, and features interviews with victims like Xavier, who lost money across multiple rug pull schemes with no recourse in the largely lawless crypto market.
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CBS4 Indy
· 2025-03-04
A cybersecurity survey reveals that many Americans are overconfident in their ability to avoid online scams, with over a third believing victimization only occurs from oversharing and nearly half thinking misspellings easily identify scams—misconceptions that no longer hold true as scammers increasingly sophisticate their tactics. Despite 75% of respondents agreeing scams should be reported, actual reporting rates are significantly lower, dropping to 14% for romance scams, while seniors remain the most targeted demographic though younger age groups are experiencing the fastest growth in scam victimization.
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CBS TEXAS
· 2025-03-05
A North Texas man fell victim to a combined romance and cryptocurrency scam after meeting a woman named "Giana" on a dating site for seniors. The scammer built trust through daily communication, then persuaded him to invest in cryptocurrency, ultimately causing him to lose nearly everything. The scam exemplifies how romance fraud is often layered with investment schemes to exploit victims' emotional vulnerability and financial resources.
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WBNS 10TV
· 2025-03-09
A Central Ohio man lost over $42,000 in a romance scam involving cryptocurrency investments after meeting a woman on Facebook who convinced him to invest in her crypto business. The scammer used fake investment screenshots showing growth to encourage continued payments before disappearing with his money, personal information, and Social Security number. The Better Business Bureau reports that crypto investment scams facilitated through online relationships are increasingly common in the Central Ohio area.
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19 News
· 2025-03-13
According to a 2024 Better Business Bureau report, cryptocurrency and investment scams ranked as the leading consumer fraud scheme, with victims losing anywhere from $5,000 to over $1.3 million in individual cases. Scammers exploit people's desire for easy money by posing as investment advisors and falsely promising tenfold returns on deposited funds. The BBB advises consumers to be cautious of anyone offering seemingly easy investment processes and recommends reporting suspected scams.
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60 Minutes
· 2025-03-23
This 60 Minutes segment examines why investment fraud and Ponzi schemes continue to thrive despite public awareness of high-profile cases like Bernie Madoff's multi-billion dollar fraud. The piece features expert Ricky Jay discussing how con artists exploit human psychology—including greed and excessive trust—and identifies key warning signs such as dealings with well-established figures who rely on exclusive affiliations to build credibility. The segment highlights that despite financial disasters and skepticism, investors remain vulnerable to sophisticated scams, a phenomenon regulators refer to as "ponzi-monium."
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WIRED
· 2025-03-28
A WIRED article examines romance scams through the story of a victim who lost $300,000 after meeting someone on the dating app Hinge who posed as a cryptocurrency entrepreneur and convinced her to invest her savings and IRA funds. The piece explores how scammers use dating platforms to build trust over weeks or months before exploiting victims financially, and notes that romance scams are among the most personally and financially damaging online fraud schemes, with perpetrators constantly evolving their tactics.
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KETV NewsWatch 7
· 2025-04-04
Two brothers in their 70s in Lancaster County lost $1.3 million in a cryptocurrency online trading scam, while another victim lost nearly $50,000 over six months in a similar scheme. Law enforcement reports multiple cryptocurrency scams in the area this year resulting in substantial losses, with funds often transferred overseas, making recovery unlikely. Officials recommend exercising caution when investing online, particularly with unfamiliar people or platforms, and suggest consulting the FBI's website for more information.
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Graham Cluley
· 2025-04-16
This is a transcript excerpt from the Smashing Security podcast (Episode 413) featuring hosts Graeme Cluey and Carol Tero discussing cybersecurity topics, including a mention of a Swiss cybersecurity company launching a "CIS initiative" and references to Nigerian fraud schemes (419 scams). The transcript appears to be a partial, auto-generated recording with significant repetition and unclear audio quality, making it unsuitable for detailed summarization of specific fraud cases or elder abuse incidents.
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Al Jazeera English
· 2025-04-18
Romance scams are rising significantly, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting that approximately 70,000 people across the US fell victim to fake virtual romances in 2022 alone, resulting in $1.3 billion in losses. Scammers use fake profiles with AI-generated images to pose as attractive individuals on social media platforms like Facebook, targeting victims emotionally before requesting money. Gen Z is among the biggest targets of these scams, yet victims are often blamed and reluctant to speak openly about their experiences.
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CBS 13 News
· 2025-04-27
Maine residents lost $31 million to cybercrime and scams in 2024, a 65% increase from $19 million in 2023, according to FBI data. Adults aged 60 and older accounted for $13 million (40%) of these losses, with tech support scams, government impersonation, and investment fraud being the primary threats to this age group. The FBI recommends reporting wire transfer fraud within 72 hours through IC3.gov to trigger a financial fraud response.
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ABC 6 News - KAAL TV
· 2025-04-27
Online scams surged in 2024, with over 859,000 complaints to the FBI resulting in $16.6 billion in losses—a 33% increase from 2023. People over age 60 were disproportionately affected, losing $2.5 billion, with investment scams, business email compromise scams ($2.7 billion), and tech support scams ($1.4 billion) among the leading fraud types. Tech support scams remain particularly prevalent, using fake virus warnings to trick victims into providing computer access and sensitive financial information.
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KSHB 41
· 2025-05-02
Kansas City seniors are participating in the "Show Me Seniors Digital Literacy Cohort," a new educational program designed to teach them computer skills and how to recognize digital scams. According to the FTC, the number of older adults losing $100,000 or more to fraud has tripled since 2020, with investment scams being the most common type targeting seniors. The program aims to protect seniors' financial security while improving their overall digital literacy and quality of life.
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CBS4 Indy
· 2025-05-05
A Full Stack Academy survey ranks Indiana second nationally for phishing scam victims, with 40% of Hoosiers reporting they've been targeted and 69% lacking confidence in spotting phishing attempts. The most common scam tactic in the state involves impersonating major delivery services (Amazon, USPS, UPS) and payment platforms (PayPal, FedEx) to lure victims into clicking malicious links through fake delivery delay notifications, with email remaining the primary attack vector. Experts recommend independently verifying suspicious messages by navigating directly to company websites or looking up official phone numbers rather than clicking links in unsolicited communications.
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CTV News
· 2025-05-06
A Montreal senior lost $25,000 after falling victim to a phone scam impersonating her bank, RBC. The fraudster convinced her that her card was compromised, obtained her security information, instructed her to cut up her cards, and arranged for an accomplice posing as an Uber driver to collect them. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Center reports that fake bank investigator scams cost Canadians over $16 million in 2024, with authorities receiving over 108,000 fraud reports annually.
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News Channel 3-12
· 2025-05-10
Craig Case, owner of a Santa Barbara security company, was sentenced to 26 years and 8 months in prison after being convicted of 63 of 64 felony counts for embezzling $690,000 from 94-year-old Montecito resident Constance McCormack Fearing. Case fraudulently obtained checks from the elderly woman's estate through Nancy Coglazer, who held power of attorney and testified against him; the victim was unaware of the fraudulent transactions due to declining health and mental capacity. Coglazer received 10 years probation and 364 days in jail for her role in the scheme.
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CBS Evening News
· 2025-06-01
A 26-year-old U.S. Navy electrician named Thomas Xiao admitted to passing sensitive military documents to a Chinese intelligence officer who posed as an investor and researcher on the Chinese social media app WeChat between 2021 and 2023. Chinese intelligence operatives are increasingly using social media and virtual contact to recruit U.S. military personnel and extract classified information, as traditional in-person espionage has become more difficult.
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WPLG Local 10
· 2025-06-13
Federal authorities warned of a 43% increase in elder fraud victim losses nationwide, with Florida ranking third in both losses and victims. FBI Miami highlighted rising impersonation fraud schemes—including immigration-related scams—that target seniors through phone calls and text messages, exploiting their politeness, desire for companionship, and lower technological literacy.
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CTV News
· 2025-06-26
A Manitoba senior lost his entire life savings of $2 million in a cryptocurrency investment scam involving a fake website called "Fargo Investor" created using artificial intelligence. Scammers, reportedly operating from outside Canada, used social media ads featuring celebrity endorsements to promote the unregistered investment opportunity, which the Manitoba Securities Commission warns is part of a rising trend of fraud targeting seniors.
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CTV News
· 2025-06-26
A Manitoba senior lost $2 million in a Fargo Investor cryptocurrency scam, prompting a warning from the Manitoba Securities Commission. The fraudulent scheme operated by showing the victim fake returns on his investments over time, creating the illusion of legitimate gains before the scammers converted his money to cryptocurrency and moved it overseas.
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Newsmax
· 2025-06-30
Scam artists, including foreign nationals living in the country illegally, are impersonating federal agents to defraud senior citizens by threatening them with false fraud investigations. In Spanish Fort, Alabama, a Chinese national posing as a federal agent swindled a retired educator out of over $400,000 through weeks of coercion involving cash withdrawals, gold purchases, and psychological intimidation about wire fraud cases. Law enforcement reports this is an organized, deliberate scheme targeting retirees' life savings and extends beyond Alabama.
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CTV News
· 2025-07-22
Fraudsters increasingly use AI to create convincing scams by generating personalized texts and emails mimicking real people's language, cloning voices, and creating deepfake videos and images. Common AI-enabled scams include impersonating familiar companies, promoting fake products and services through fraudulent videos and images, and building duplicate websites designed to deceive victims. To avoid being scammed, individuals should be aware of these sophisticated AI techniques and verify communications directly with known contacts and official company channels.
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KOAA 5
· 2025-07-25
A Colorado author lost over $100,000 in a combined romance and cryptocurrency investment scam after meeting someone on a dating app who convinced him to invest in what appeared to be a legitimate cryptocurrency opportunity. The incident is part of a larger trend in Colorado, where residents lost more than $240 million to scams in the previous year according to FBI data. The scammer used video calls and seemingly normal conversation tactics to build trust before pivoting to the fraudulent investment scheme.
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CBS 8 San Diego
· 2025-08-01
In the first half of 2025, over 700 senior citizens in San Diego County lost nearly $70 million to financial scams, with losses on track to exceed last year's total of $98 million, though actual figures are likely higher due to underreporting. The FBI reported that seniors accounted for more than one-third of the $16 billion in nationwide fraud losses last year, with scammers targeting vulnerable elderly people who are often deceived by professional-sounding perpetrators. Local law enforcement and prosecutors are working to combat these crimes and bring scam artists to justice.
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BBC News
· 2025-08-02
This BBC documentary exposes multi-million pound whiskey investment scams targeting investors in Scotland's unregulated whiskey trade. Criminals deceive investors into purchasing worthless assets (such as picture frames instead of actual whiskey), with victims losing between £47,000 and over £300,000 each. The investigation tracks perpetrators exploiting the industry's lack of regulation while investors are left financially devastated with no recourse.
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FOX59 News
· 2025-08-04
Phishing scammers are increasingly using recognizable brand names—including EZPass, Microsoft, Steam, Facebook, Coinbase, Netflix, American Express, and others—to trick victims into clicking malicious links or visiting fake websites. Scammers exploit familiarity and artificial urgency to prompt impulsive action, with AI making fraudulent emails and websites look increasingly realistic; fake DMV scams saw a 700% increase in one quarter. The best defense is to never click links in unsolicited messages and instead navigate directly to official websites through your own search to verify any account issues.
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WSYX ABC 6
· 2025-08-09
Investment scams cost Americans over $5 billion last year, with the Ohio Department of Commerce warning of increased fraud targeting vulnerable populations. Scammers exploit emotions like fear of missing out, loneliness, and guilt to manipulate victims—particularly seniors—into wiring money or sending checks for fake investment opportunities, often initiated through unsolicited text messages or social media contact.
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WREG News Channel 3
· 2025-08-11
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The Star
· 2025-08-19
A 55-year-old Malaysian man lost over RM450,000 in consecutive scams: first losing RM390,000 to a fake investment platform offering China-Hong Kong IPO shares, then losing an additional RM60,000+ to a fraudulent lawyer found on social media who claimed to specialize in investment fraud recovery. The fake lawyer, posing as a Chinese national based in Hong Kong, manipulated the victim by claiming his money had been traced to a Macau casino and demanding payment for recovery services.
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KENS 5: Your San Antonio News Source
· 2025-08-21
In the first half of 2025, Texas residents lost approximately $10 million to scams, with three types dominating: debt collection scams ($2 million in losses, a 100-fold increase from $20,000 the previous year), investment scams ($3.7 million, double the prior year's $1.9 million), and employment scams. The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers exploit financial vulnerabilities, particularly through debt collection schemes that now target medical debt included in credit reports.
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CNY Central
· 2025-08-20
Federal authorities arrested 13 people involved in a transnational grandparent scam that defrauded at least 400 elderly victims nationwide of approximately $5 million, with funds funneled to the Dominican Republic. Scammers called victims from call centers in the Dominican Republic, impersonating grandchildren in distress and requesting urgent wire transfers, sometimes using ride-share drivers to collect cash in person. An elderly couple from Cayuga County, New York, was among the victims, losing nearly $25,000 to the scheme.
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8 News Now — Las Vegas
· 2025-08-26
In 2024, older Americans ages 60 and up lost $12.5 billion to scams and fraud—a 25% increase from 2023—with impostor scams being the most common type, where criminals impersonate government officials or companies like Amazon and PayPal. Las Vegas seniors including Bernardet Bartal reported falling victim to multiple schemes involving fake checks, fraudulent car repairs, and housing scams, losing thousands of dollars with little recovery. According to AARP, seniors face relentless daily contact from scammers through phone calls, texts, and emails attempting to extract personal information and money.
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WDEF News 12
· 2025-09-04
Phishing scams have become increasingly sophisticated since the 1990s, with fraudsters now using emails, text messages, phone calls, QR codes, and AI-generated voices to deceive victims into sharing sensitive information like bank accounts, passwords, and social security numbers. Notably, younger adults aged 18-30 are now falling victim to these scams more frequently than older Americans, particularly through online shopping schemes, while businesses and consumers collectively face millions in losses annually from stolen funds, identity theft, and malware infections.
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CBS Mornings
· 2025-09-06
This educational piece outlines warning signs and protection strategies against modern scams, particularly AI scams and romance scams. It highlights that scammers stole a record $16.6 billion through internet crimes like identity theft and online impersonation in 2024—a 33% increase from the previous year—by exploiting personal data left behind through online activity. The article recommends protective measures including investigating your digital trail through Google searches, managing social media profiles, and being aware of how data brokers collect and sell personal information to third parties.
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Bangkok Post
· 2025-09-08
This episode from the Bangkok Post examines Thailand's growing cyber scam epidemic, which has expanded into a trillion-dollar industry over the past three years as both scammer and victim numbers have surged. The content outlines common scam tactics including advance-fee schemes (fake Nigerian prince emails), phishing attacks impersonating banks and government agencies to steal identity and funds, and tech support scams where fraudsters pose as Microsoft to gain computer access. The episode illustrates how modern cyber scams are adaptations of centuries-old swindle techniques now conducted through digital channels.
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ABC News
· 2025-09-25
**Grandparent Scam - Voice Technology Fraud**
Scammers are using advanced voice technology to impersonate grandchildren in what the FBI identifies as an escalating problem targeting older adults. A 91-year-old victim (Shirley Morrow) was convinced by a call mimicking her grandson's voice that he was in legal trouble and needed $9,000; older adults collectively lost $4.9 billion to these scams, which typically involve fraudsters posing as family members in supposed emergencies to pressure immediate payment.
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This Morning
· 2025-10-01
Alex Wood spent nearly two decades committing elaborate fraud schemes, stealing hundreds of thousands of pounds by impersonating judges and conning businesses, until a court appearance exposed the devastating impact of his crimes. After this turning point, Wood abandoned criminal activity and now works with police using his insider knowledge to combat the very fraud schemes he once perpetrated.
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CTV News
· 2025-10-04
A Winnipeg family lost $200,000 in two consecutive scams: first, a fraudulent investment scheme on social media promising returns on Netflix and Tesla stocks, followed by a second scam involving a fake UK-based lawyer who claimed to recover their losses. The initial scam used pressure tactics and threats of legal action, while funds were converted to cryptocurrency making recovery nearly impossible.
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KOAA 5
· 2025-10-07
A Colorado Springs woman lost her $37,000 inheritance to a fake cryptocurrency investment scam after seeing what appeared to be an investment opportunity posted by a close friend on Facebook. The friend's account had been hacked, and scammers used it to lure Suzanne Pence into the fraudulent scheme, stripping away the funds her father had left behind.
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CBC News
· 2025-10-10
**Scam Type:** Romance/Investment Fraud
**Victim:** Marcel Desan (Ontario, Canada)
**Perpetrator:** Mariam Chan (operating under fake identity "Mary")
**Amount Lost:** $3,500
A scammer using a fake identity and stolen photos defrauded Marcel Desan of $3,500 through an online romance scheme. When Desan discovered the fraud and confronted the perpetrator (identified as Mariam Chan on social media), recorded calls captured the scammer's abusive responses and threats. The investigation traced the stolen funds being used by the fraudster to finance a lavish lifestyle while the
capecodtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Robert Tobey, a Connecticut man with early-stage dementia, lost at least $5,000 to phone scammers between late 2018 and early 2019 who posed as friends, manipulating him into sending gift cards and money transfers and compromising his Social Security account. The article reports that scams affecting Cape Cod residents include romance scams, government impersonation schemes, sweepstakes scams, and grandchild-in-jail scams, with the National Council on Aging estimating five million older Americans lose $36.5 billion annually to fraud. Law enforcement warns that scams are constantly evolving and advise victims to hang up on suspicious calls
lafocusnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FTC reported nationwide fraud losses reached an all-time high of $10 billion—14% more than 2022—driven primarily by larger per-victim losses rather than increased report volume, with a median loss of $500 per consumer. The top scam categories were imposter schemes (particularly business and government imposters), online shopping fraud, prizes/lotteries, investment fraud, and job opportunities, with investment scams generating the highest total losses at $4.6 billion despite being ranked fourth in frequency. The FTC warned that scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence for voice cloning and deepfakes to impersonate trusted contacts, and advised consumers to be
yakimaherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams have increasingly targeted younger age groups (people in their 20s and 30s) across dating apps and social media platforms, with reported losses reaching $469.9 million in 2023—a 104% increase from 2019. Scammers use fake profiles and AI-generated photos to build romantic connections before requesting money or personal information, exploiting victims' emotional vulnerability. To avoid romance scams, people should be wary of requests for money or banking details, watch for requests to switch communication platforms, and verify suspicious requests before responding.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
Four California men were indicted in a nationwide tech support scam targeting elderly victims, with one serving as a courier collecting cash from victims under false pretenses of criminal prosecution. The scheme defrauded victims of millions of dollars between 2020-2023, including an $88,000 loss from a Missouri couple who became suspicious and alerted police; Yu-Chieh Huang (the courier) has been arrested, Liang Jin and Tsz Yin Kan have been apprehended, and Kaiyu Wen remains at large.
gcsynod.org
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reported 680 Arizona victims lost over $25.4 million to romance scams, with senior citizens accounting for 379 victims and $17.7 million in losses. Romance scams involve fraudsters building fake relationships to trick victims into sending money, personal information, or valuables. The FBI recommends verifying online suitors' identities, never sharing financial information or money with people met online, and watching for red flags such as reluctance to meet in person, requests to go offline quickly, or pressure to share inappropriate content.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial columnist Charlotte Cowles lost $50,000 to an elaborate scam that began with a fake Amazon customer service call in October 2023, escalating through impersonation of FTC and CIA officials who convinced her that her identity had been stolen and she faced arrest warrants. The scammers persuaded her to withdraw cash from her savings account and hand it to an undercover "agent" by creating an increasingly elaborate false narrative with fabricated evidence. Cowles' experience serves as a cautionary tale that fraud targets people across all demographics and education levels, countering the stereotype that only vulnerable populations fall victim to such schemes.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, scam victims lost over $10 billion—a 14% increase from 2022 and a new record—with the FTC receiving 2.6 million fraud reports where one in four people lost money (median loss of $500). Investment scams caused the largest losses at $4.6 billion (21% increase), followed by imposter scams at $2.7 billion, with the FTC advising consumers never to share private information with unsolicited callers and to be skeptical of unrealistic financial promises.
ksl.com
· 2025-12-08
Seven people were indicted on federal charges for operating a romance scam that defrauded victims of approximately $8 million between March 2018 and June 2019. The scheme, primarily operated by a Nigerian group known as the "Yahoo boys," involved creating fake online personas to build trust with victims—many of them elderly—before requesting money under false pretenses; the defendants in the U.S. (located in Texas, Canada, and Nigeria) and a group of "Utah Money Transmitters" facilitated money laundering by opening financial institution accounts to collect victim funds and distribute proceeds to the scammers overseas. Many victims lost their life savings and retirement funds in the scheme.
gazettengr.com
· 2025-12-08
Seven defendants across the United States and Nigeria were indicted for operating a romance scam that defrauded victims of approximately $8 million between March 2018 and June 2019. The scheme involved Nigerian operators creating fake online personas to build trust with victims before requesting money under false pretenses, with many elderly victims losing their life savings and retirement funds. The defendants facilitated money laundering by establishing U.S. bank accounts to collect and distribute fraud proceeds while concealing the funds' destination and the scammers' identities.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
A Troy grocery store manager was charged with embezzling at least $750,000 from Fresh Thyme Market between July 2022 and November 2023 by manipulating newly installed self-checkout kiosks to which he had access. Trevor Beaver, 31, of Roseville, admitted to the theft after an audit system implemented in October 2023 revealed significant discrepancies in cash deposits, with Beaver having strategically scheduled himself as the sole manager responsible for daily cash handling. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years to life imprisonment.
gulfcoastmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
The North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau are hosting a free "Protect Yourself Against Scammers Summit" on March 7 for senior citizens in Bay Minette, Alabama. The educational event will cover major fraud schemes including government impostor scams, romance scams, identity theft, investment fraud, cryptocurrency scams, and Medicare fraud to help seniors recognize and avoid becoming victims.
menafn.com
· 2025-12-08
Singapore recorded over 46,000 scam cases in 2023, resulting in losses of 651.8 million Singapore dollars (approximately 484 million U.S. dollars), a slight decrease from 2022. The most prevalent scam types were job scams, e-commerce scams, fake friend call scams, phishing scams, and investment scams. Police conducted 24 enforcement activities that led to the investigation of more than 9,600 money mules and scam suspects.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
According to Experian's 2024 fraud report, AI-generated deepfakes, identity theft, and fake charity schemes are among the year's biggest scams targeting consumers and businesses, with nearly 70% of businesses reporting increased fraud losses and over half of consumers feeling more vulnerable to fraud than the previous year. The report identifies five major fraud threats: AI scams and deepfakes, weaker in-person bank identity verification, retail return fraud, synthetic identity fraud, and fake charitable campaigns—with deepfakes particularly empowering fraudsters to conduct more accessible and convincing attacks.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
The Orange County Sheriff's Department issued a February 2024 awareness advisory warning residents about romance scams and various other fraud schemes, noting that scammers manipulate victims into believing they're in committed relationships to steal money and that criminal tactics evolve constantly. The advisory identified eight common scam types including text phishing, online employment fraud, tech support scams, and impersonation schemes (involving fake tax, utility, warrant, and arrest claims), and advised victims of financial fraud to immediately report incidents to their financial institutions and request new accounts.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Singapore reported a record high of 46,563 scam cases with victims losing $651.8 million, marking a 46.8 percent increase in cases from 2022 despite public warnings. Job scams were the most prevalent fraud type, followed by e-commerce scams (which more than doubled), with 73 percent of victims aged below 50, contrary to assumptions that elderly people are most vulnerable. The police attributed most scams to organized criminal groups operating transnationally and noted that 19 scam syndicates were dismantled in 2023 through international cooperation.
todayonline.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, scam cases in Singapore surged 49.6 percent to 50,376 total cases, with Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram identified as the primary platforms used by scammers to contact victims. Job scams became the most prevalent type with 9,914 cases (up 52.7 percent from 2022), followed by investment scams, while adults aged 30-49 represented the largest victim demographic; notably, despite increased case numbers, total losses decreased slightly to S$651.8 million (down 1.3 percent) and average loss per case dropped 32.8 percent to S$13,999.
freep.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, consumers reported losing a record $10 billion to fraud and scams—a 14% increase from 2022—according to FTC data, with 2.6 million fraud reports filed nationwide and approximately 700,000 people reporting financial losses. Common scams included romance fraud, fake bank and tech support calls, and impersonation schemes, with criminals exploiting digital payment methods including bank transfers ($1.86 billion) and cryptocurrency ($1.41 billion). Michigan consumers alone lost $151.7 million to fraud in 2023, with a median loss of $410 per victim.
marketing-interactive.com
· 2025-12-08
Singapore reported 46,563 scam cases in 2023, a 50% increase from 31,728 cases in 2022, with job scams (9,914 cases) and eCommerce scams (9,783 cases) being the most common types. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp were the primary platforms used by scammers, accounting for the majority of social media-based fraud, while victims spanned all age groups with adults aged 30-49 comprising the largest proportion at 43.1%. Despite the surge in cases, the average loss per scam decreased 32.8% to SG$13,999 in 2023,
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Between October 2023 and January 2024, 3,066 victims in Singapore lost over $45.7 million to job scams, according to police reports. Scammers used dating apps, messaging platforms, and social media to recruit victims, offering commissions for tasks like boosting social media engagement, completing surveys, or affiliate marketing, then pressuring them to transfer money to bank accounts or cryptocurrency wallets via fake websites or investment schemes. Police warned the public to verify job offers through official channels, avoid unknown links and apps, and use privacy settings on messaging platforms to prevent unsolicited recruitment into chat groups.
businesstimes.com.sg
· 2025-12-08
Singapore reported a record 46,563 scam cases in 2023, representing a 46.8% increase from 2022, with victims losing S$651.8 million. Job scams were the most prevalent (9,914 cases; S$135.7 million lost), primarily targeting those aged 30-49 through WhatsApp and Telegram offers of work-from-home tasks, while fake friend call scams surged to 6,859 cases (S$23 million lost), disproportionately affecting adults aged 50-64. Contrary to common assumptions, 73% of victims were under age 50, with malware scams
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
A 58-year-old Kolkata man lost Rs 20 lakh after enrolling in a free online stock trading course advertised on Facebook, which turned out to be a cyber fraud scheme. The scammers added him to WhatsApp and Telegram groups, provided fake stock tips and a counterfeit certificate, and convinced him to invest through a fraudulent platform called "Zoksa" that falsely showed profits of Rs 1 crore; when he attempted withdrawal, they demanded Rs 13 lakh in taxes before blocking further access. The victim, who needed funds for his and his son's cancer treatment, lost his entire savings and existing stock investments before filing a police complaint
marketrealist.com
· 2025-12-08
In October 2023, Charlotte Cowles, a New York Times financial columnist, was scammed out of $50,000 by perpetrators posing as Amazon customer service, FTC, and CIA officials who convinced her that her identity had been stolen and used to purchase vehicles and properties, with warrants allegedly issued for her arrest. The scammers used social engineering tactics including spoofed government phone numbers, fake badge numbers, and threats of home raids to build credibility and pressure her into withdrawing cash. Cowles ultimately handed over $50,000 in a shoe box to a stranger, despite her professional expertise in personal finance and skepticism about the claims.
wsfa.com
· 2025-12-08
Nicholas Houston Allen, a 36-year-old Montgomery man, was sentenced to 76 months in prison and ordered to pay nearly $370,000 in restitution for defrauding elderly victims. Allen pleaded guilty to wire fraud after scamming at least five elderly people out of approximately $250,000 between 2020 and 2021 by falsely claiming he needed money for home renovation and other purposes, then using the funds for personal benefit. The United States Secret Service and Alabama Securities Commission investigated the case.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Charlotte Cowles, a financial columnist for New York Magazine's The Cut, lost $50,000 in a sophisticated phone scam that began with a fraudulent Amazon customer service call on October 31, 2023. The scammers used personal details about her family and threats of surveillance to manipulate her over five hours, employing the tactic of "blocking the exits" to prevent her from reaching out to trusted contacts. Cowles publicly defended her story by emphasizing that scam victims come from all walks of life—including financial professionals, doctors, and lawyers—and advised others to identify trusted people to contact and create exit strategies when feeling pressured.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 44-year-old former Wells Fargo branch manager in Battle Ground, Washington, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for stealing over $1.2 million from eight elderly and vulnerable customers through unauthorized withdrawals, transfers, and cashier's checks between 2014 and 2019. Davie deliberately targeted seniors with dementia or limited English skills who were less likely to monitor their accounts, with one victim losing more than $566,000 from her retirement accounts. Wells Fargo partially reimbursed victims for their losses, and the court will determine final restitution amounts in March 2024.
markets.businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Rosca Scarlato LLC, a senior investor advocacy law firm, released an educational guide titled "Recognizing and Preventing Elder Financial Abuse" to address the growing problem of financial exploitation targeting elderly Americans, particularly Baby Boomers in retirement. The guide identifies vulnerabilities that make seniors susceptible to fraud—including substantial savings, cognitive decline, and limited investment knowledge—and provides actionable advice for seniors, caregivers, professionals, and local governments to identify red flags and implement protective safeguards.
beincrypto.com
· 2025-12-08
A 57-year-old finance manager in Hong Kong lost over HK$17 million (~$2.1 million) to a sophisticated cryptocurrency investment scam after being contacted on Instagram by a scammer posing as a former business partner. Over several months, she made 45 transfers to 29 bank accounts based on false promises of profits from gold and crypto investments before discovering the fraudulent trading platform was inaccessible. The scam was part of a broader trend in crypto fraud, and police noted that nine of the accounts involved had been previously flagged for similar schemes.
skepchick.org
· 2025-12-08
Charlotte Cowles, a financial advice columnist for The Cut, lost $50,000 to a government impersonation scam in which she received a phone call spoofed to appear from Amazon, was transferred through fake FTC and CIA contacts, and was instructed to withdraw cash, place it in a shoebox, and hand it to an "undercover agent." The scam succeeded despite being transparently fraudulent—involving obvious red flags like being told not to inform her husband and to conduct the handoff immediately—partly due to Cowles' lack of financial literacy despite her advice columnist role and her apparent overconfidence that she was not a typical scam victim.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A 65-year-old Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania woman was indicted on federal theft of government funds charges for unlawfully obtaining approximately $91,300 in Social Security benefits between May 2016 and January 2022. The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, and if convicted, Merlo faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine.
tahawultech.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Romance scammers increasingly target online dating and social media users by creating fake profiles to build relationships and extract money through manipulation. In 2021 alone, approximately 24,000 Americans lost nearly $1 billion to romance fraud, while the UK reported £92 million in losses; scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics including deepfake technology and AI-generated content. Key warning signs include love bombing, persistent excuses to avoid in-person meetings, escalating money requests, and requests for explicit photos; individuals should verify contacts through reverse image searches, use privacy settings, and avoid sharing personal information or money with online contacts.
okcfox.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old Piedmont, Oklahoma woman lost approximately $52,000 in a phone scam where callers impersonated Social Security Administration officials and a local police officer, claiming her accounts were compromised and convincing her to withdraw cash for a man who collected it in person. The victim is now facing financial hardship including potential inability to pay rent and nursing home expenses for her husband, and authorities are investigating the case while she seeks public assistance through a GoFundMe page.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-08
During tax season, scammers targeted taxpayers through phishing emails, texts, and phone calls impersonating the IRS, with the FTC reporting $4.2 million in losses to IRS imposters the previous year. One Raleigh resident, Teresia Porter, fell victim to a fraudulent tax preparer (D&V Taxes) who promised inflated refunds using incorrect deductions, leaving her owing the money back; the preparer subsequently faced over two dozen charges for preparing fraudulent state income tax returns. Authorities advise taxpayers to verify tax preparers' reputations, remember that the IRS never threatens immediate payment or demands gift cards/wire transfers, an
cavazossentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
Military personnel, veterans, and their families can protect themselves from scams by using strong passwords, password managers, two-factor authentication, and separating work and personal accounts. The most rapidly growing scams targeting this population are confidence and romance scams, along with online impersonation accounts (often impersonating high-ranking officials), credit repair schemes, cryptocurrency fraud, social media account takeovers, and extortion attempts involving compromised photos. Awareness of common tactics—such as requests for gift cards or money from supposed military officials via text, fake investment opportunities posted from hacked accounts, and suspicious website URLs—can help individuals avoid becoming victims.
coshoctontribune.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, consumers lost a record $10 billion to scams—$1 billion more than the previous year—with approximately 2.6 million reports filed to the FTC, including one in four people experiencing losses with a median of $500 each. The top three scam types were imposter scams ($2.7 billion in losses), investment scams (with median losses rising from $5,000 to $7,700), and social media scams ($1.4 billion total losses). Consumer protection agencies like the FTC and Ohio Attorney General's Office educate the public on recognizing scams targeting specific groups—such as older adults, college students, an
inews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Chris Pitt, head of First Direct bank, fell victim to fraud five years ago when £250 in unauthorized betting transactions appeared on his account, illustrating how fraud affects people across all backgrounds despite awareness. UK Finance data shows fraud remains prevalent with £580m stolen in the first half of 2023, while average losses per case have increased to £3,589 at HSBC, with romance scams averaging £69,164 and investment scams averaging £27,680. The article emphasizes common scam types (phone, online, mobile, APP fraud, and romance scams) and advises consumers to question uninvited contact, never share personal information or passwords, an
etnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 58-year-old man in Kolkata lost Rs 20 lakh in an online investment scam after responding to a Facebook advertisement for a free stock trading course, which led him through a WhatsApp group to a fraudulent trading platform called Zoksa. The article outlines common online investment fraud tactics including pump-and-dump schemes, phishing, Ponzi schemes, unlicensed platforms, and fraudulent robot trading software. Key protection measures include researching platforms thoroughly, using only licensed and regulated services, avoiding sharing personal information, and consulting certified financial advisors before making large investments.
acamstoday.org
· 2025-12-08
FinCEN issued an advisory in June 2022 highlighting the rising trend of elder financial exploitation (EFE), noting that at least 10% of older adults in the U.S. are affected annually, with losses exceeding $3 billion as of 2019. Common EFE schemes include government imposter scams, romance scams, emergency scams, lottery scams, and tech support scams, though most cases go unreported due to fear, embarrassment, and lack of resources. Financial institutions and analysts are encouraged to identify red flag indicators of suspicious activity and report potential cases of elder financial exploitation.
fox13seattle.com
· 2025-12-08
Brian Davie, a former Wells Fargo branch manager in Battle Ground, Washington, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison after stealing $1,279,840 from elderly and vulnerable customers between March 2014 and June 2019 through unauthorized withdrawals, transfers, and checks. One victim lost $566,000 from her retirement accounts, and Wells Fargo partially reimbursed victims while a federal judge will determine additional restitution amounts. Law enforcement and fraud prevention experts urge victims to report incidents immediately to banks and law enforcement, and recommend seniors use online banking, set up account alerts, and monitor transactions to prevent similar exploitation.
marketrealist.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Taiwanese immigrant lost approximately $720,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam after being approached on WeChat by a scammer who built her trust and convinced her to invest her life savings and retirement funds into a fraudulent trading app. She subsequently sued Chase Bank, claiming the bank failed to alert her or her daughter (joint account owner) to the suspicious transactions that deviated from her normal spending patterns, though the bank disputed this account and stated it had provided warnings about fraud risks. The case highlights the vulnerability of seniors to investment scams, with Americans losing over $3 billion to such schemes in 2022 alone.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office partnered with Winchester and Waltham Police Departments to host financial fraud awareness seminars for older adults, featuring presentations from federal prosecutors, the IRS, and U.S. Postal Service on common scams and protective measures. According to FBI data, victims over 60 experienced an 84% increase in losses from 2021 to 2022, totaling over $3 billion, with nearly 5,500 victims losing more than $100,000 each to schemes including tech support, romance, and sweepstakes scams.
punekarnews.in
· 2025-12-08
A couple in Pune's Wakad area lost Rs 35 lakhs 35 thousand between January 29 and February 17, 2024, after being lured through social media advertisements into a fake share market investment scheme. The fraudsters created a deceptive WhatsApp group and counterfeit mobile app to convince the victims to invest, then prevented them from withdrawing funds and refused to return their money or promised profits. Five individuals have been identified in the case, and Wakad Police are investigating the incident.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Tinder is implementing an enhanced verification process requiring users to submit both a government-issued photo ID and a video selfie to receive a blue checkmark, with the rollout expected by summer 2024 in the US. The company states it will delete the redacted ID image and video selfie after 30 days, though two screenshots from the video will be retained indefinitely for auditing purposes. Security experts note that uploading government IDs online carries identity theft risks, and users can alternatively submit only a video selfie for a camera icon badge instead of the full checkmark.
pgurus.com
· 2025-12-08
A company operating in Myanmar's KK Park defrauded victims of over $100 million in less than two years using Tether (USDT) cryptocurrency, primarily through "pig butchering" romance scams where fraudsters build false romantic relationships to manipulate victims into sending money. The operation, which housed approximately 2,000 trafficked workers, also received ransom payments from families of trafficking victims, with a single Chinese company transferring over $100 million through just two digital wallets. In 2022 alone, U.S. citizens reported losses exceeding $700 million to romance scams and nearly $2.5 billion to cryptocurrency investment scams overall.
daijiworld.com
· 2025-12-08
A Myanmar-based company operating in KK Park defrauded victims of over $100 million in less than two years using "pig butchering" romance scams, where perpetrators engineer false romantic relationships to manipulate victims into sending cryptocurrency payments, often mixed with ransom demands from trafficked workers. Blockchain researchers tracked Tether cryptocurrency tokens flowing to the scam operation, with the single Chinese company transferring over $100 million through just two digital wallets, while the compound reportedly holds over 2,000 trafficked romance scam workers. In 2022 alone, U.S. citizens lost more than $700 million to romance scams and nearly $2
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scams in the United States reached record losses of $6.9 billion in 2021, nearly doubling since 2019, with Pennsylvania ranking fifth among most-scammed states at $207 million in losses affecting 17,262 victims who lost an average of $11,991 each. Romance, cryptocurrency, and investment scams are increasingly sophisticated and affecting educated individuals across all socioeconomic levels, with teens experiencing the highest percentage increase in losses (1,125% over five years) and seniors seeing a 390% increase. The article recommends avoiding money transfers to strangers met online, refusing requests for personal information, performing reverse image searches to verify identities,
chainalysis.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams ("pig butchering scams") generated over $700 million in reported losses to Americans in 2022, with scammers building fake relationships and coercing victims into fraudulent cryptocurrency and fiat investments before disappearing. Beyond victimizing romance scam targets, criminal gangs operating compounds in Myanmar and Southeast Asia have kidnapped and trafficked individuals forced to work 12+ hour days executing these scams, with gangs also collecting ransoms from victims' families in cryptocurrency, effectively mixing scam proceeds with extortion payments.
punekarnews.in
· 2025-12-08
Between December 2022 and February 2024, a 35-year-old investor in Pune lost Rs 1.3 crore (approximately $156,000 USD) in a stock market investment scam perpetrated by two accused individuals who promised returns but refused to repay the principal amount. The suspects, aged 23 and 24, gained the victim's trust and directed funds to bank accounts associated with We Task Academy and Aspire Enterprises, paying only partial interest (Rs 41.65 lakh) before disappearing with the remaining amount. The Wakad Police Station registered a case and are investigating the fraud.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Jack Connor Ridall, 29, of Miami, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for operating an investment fraud scheme through three shell companies (Stratcapital LLC, Guss Capital LLC, and Guss Actium Manager LLC) that defrauded at least three victims of approximately $735,000. Ridall misrepresented his investing experience, the safety of investments, and how funds would be used, then misappropriated the money for personal luxury purchases and fraudulent family transfers while providing forged attorney letters and audit reports to victims claiming high returns. Ridall pleaded guilty to wire fraud in November 2023.
wcti12.com
· 2025-12-08
Carteret County, North Carolina is experiencing a surge in elder scams involving cryptocurrency and phone-based fraud, including impersonation of law enforcement, fake bail/accident schemes, and romance scams. County officials warn against sending money to unknown contacts claiming legal authority, investing in cryptocurrency without research, clicking suspicious links, and falling victim to online relationship scams, while noting that cryptocurrency and gift cards are preferred by scammers because they are difficult for law enforcement to trace. Residents are advised to verify suspicious claims with local law enforcement before sending any funds.
uk.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Generation Z falls for online scams at more than three times the rate of baby boomers, with a 2023 Deloitte report highlighting younger adults' vulnerability to social media-based investment scams and get-rich-quick schemes tailored to their platforms. Consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023—a 14% increase from 2022—with experts warning that risks will intensify as scammers employ more sophisticated tactics, including AI-generated impersonations and exploitation of younger adults' greater trust in online information and reliance on digital banking.
mainichi.jp
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, social media scammers defrauded residents of Osaka Prefecture out of 4.9 billion yen ($32.6 million) through remote investment scams and international romance schemes, with victims in their 40s and 50s losing an average of 10 million yen ($66,500) each. The 256 investment scam cases resulted in 3.18 billion yen in losses, while 163 romance scams—often combining romantic manipulation with investment pitches—caused 1.72 billion yen in damages, with the largest single loss reaching 234 million yen ($1.55 million). Instagram was the primary
clickorlando.com
· 2025-12-08
A Miami man lost $42,000 in a romance scam involving a fake woman posing as an Estee Lauder executive named "Mandy Li" who connected with him via Instagram in December 2023. The scammer used a stolen photograph and initially showed small investment returns on Crypto.com to build trust, then convinced the victim to transfer funds to a fraudulent cryptocurrency platform where he was promised 1% daily gains; when he attempted withdrawal, he learned the funds were gone. This case exemplifies "pig butchering" scams, part of a broader trend where the FTC reported $1.14 billion in romance scam losses in 2023,
therecord.media
· 2025-12-08
Investigators traced nearly $100 million in cryptocurrency payments to a criminal scam compound in Myanmar (KK Park) operating pig butchering romance scams and worker trafficking ransoms over less than two years. Two cryptocurrency addresses linked to a Chinese front company received $24.2 million from known scam wallets and additional funds from ransoms, with families often extorted for $30,000+ to secure trafficked workers' release. The investigation reveals how romance scams and ransom extortion are interconnected operations generating significant profits for organized crime syndicates in Southeast Asia.
knoe.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are convincing victims to liquidate assets into cash or precious metals under the guise of protecting their funds, then arranging courier pickups to steal the converted assets. The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center reported over $55 million in aggregated losses from this scam between May and December 2023. The BBB advises avoiding unsolicited pop-up ads and unknown phone numbers associated with these ads.
pennwatch.org
· 2025-12-08
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is hosting multiple educational presentations throughout March 2024 to help seniors and the public protect themselves from financial fraud and identity theft. Topics include recognizing elder financial abuse (which is the #1 reported issue to Adult Protective Services), avoiding identity theft, cybersecurity best practices, investment fraud awareness, and common scam tactics, with sessions offered both in-person and virtually across the state.
golocalprov.com
· 2025-12-08
A Nigerian-based conspiracy defrauded elderly U.S. citizens of over $1.7 million through multiple scam methods, including romance scams on dating sites, fake sweepstakes claims, and rental property fraud. Dotun Olawale Alonge, the fifth defendant convicted in the case, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for money laundering; he and four other convicted co-conspirators were ordered to pay approximately $455,750 in joint restitution to victims, with one fugitive still at large.
m9.news
· 2025-12-08
Shreya Datta, a 37-year-old Indian-American tech professional in Philadelphia, lost $450,000 to a sophisticated "pig butchering" romance scam in which a fraudster posing as a French wine trader named Ancel used deepfake videos and emotional manipulation on the dating app Hinge to lure her into a fake cryptocurrency investment scheme. The scammer requested increasing investments and ultimately asked for a "tax" when Datta attempted to withdraw profits, revealing the fraud. Dating scams accounted for over $3.5 billion in losses in 2023, and victims often experience significant emotional distress compounded by social stigma and shame that disc
gmanetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
A 37-year-old Philadelphia tech professional lost $450,000 in a "pig butchering" romance scam involving a fake online suitor who used deepfake videos and sophisticated social engineering to build romantic trust before directing her to a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment app. The scammer, operating from Southeast Asia as part of an organized crime syndicate, convinced the victim to invest her savings and retirement funds by showing fake profitable trades and gradually escalating pressure to invest more. This type of romance-based cryptocurrency fraud has resulted in billions of dollars in losses across the United States with minimal victim recovery options.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Five foreign nationals, including Dotun Olawale Alonge (sentenced to 18 months in federal prison), were convicted for laundering over $1.7 million in proceeds from a Nigeria-based conspiracy that defrauded elderly U.S. citizens through romance scams, sweepstakes fraud, and rental property schemes. Victims were instructed to wire money or send cash to addresses in Rhode Island controlled by the defendants, who then moved the funds through multiple banks and businesses before sending most proceeds to Nigeria. The defendants have been ordered to pay approximately $455,750 in restitution to identified victims, with several facing deportation after their sentences.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Video call scams are fraudulent schemes conducted via platforms like WhatsApp where scammers use impersonation, deepfakes, and emotional manipulation to target victims through four main methods: blackmail (threatening to release recorded calls), investment fraud, tech support deception, and romance schemes. India's CERT-In recommends safeguards including avoiding video calls from unknown contacts, not sharing personal information, verifying identities, using secure platforms, and maintaining restricted privacy settings on social media.
akronlegalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams on social media, particularly cryptocurrency schemes, cost U.S. consumers $3.8 billion in 2023—double the 2021 amount. Troy Gochenour of Columbus, Ohio, lost $25,800 (including $15,800 in borrowed funds) to a romance-scam-turned-crypto-mining scheme that used fake wallet balances and fake contracts to pressure him into repeated payments. The article advises consumers to avoid investment offers promising quick, guaranteed, or risk-free returns; to verify endorsements and testimonials; and to contact friends directly if suspicious messages appear to come from their accounts.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are creating fake social media ads featuring false endorsements from Shark Tank investors like Lori Greiner and Mark Cuban to fraudulently promote products, particularly keto gummies and weight-loss supplements. The Shark Tank producers confirm that none of the show's investors have ever endorsed weight-loss supplements, and the fake ads sometimes use doctored photos and false credentials to deceive consumers into purchasing these products or investing in fraudulent schemes. The scammers exploit the show's reputation and investors' public images to lend false credibility to their schemes.
connachttribune.ie
· 2025-12-08
Galway residents experienced a 38% increase in reports of phishing, vishing, and smishing scams to gardaí, with many victims clicking malicious links in texts and emails purporting to come from legitimate businesses. Investment fraud cases also rose significantly from fewer than 10 cases to 16 in 2023, with authorities noting substantial sums of money involved that are often difficult to trace internationally. While account takeover and card fraud cases declined, police urged the public to remain vigilant against increasingly sophisticated cyber crimes affecting internet users regardless of location.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Generation Z is more than three times as likely to fall for online scams compared to baby boomers, according to a 2023 Deloitte report. Younger adults are particularly vulnerable to social media-based scams and get-rich-quick schemes because they tend to trust online information more, lack financial vetting skills, and conduct more of their finances online, making them susceptible to credential spoofing and account breaches. In 2023, consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud—a 14% increase from the prior year—with experts warning that AI-enhanced scams will likely increase victimization rates among younger generations.
wmar2news.com
· 2025-12-08
The "Phantom Hacker" scam has cost Marylanders millions of dollars through a multi-layered scheme where scammers pose as government officials (CIA, FBI, Treasury, etc.) and convince victims their identities have been stolen and accounts compromised. Victims are instructed to withdraw large sums of cash or purchase precious metals to "protect" their assets, which are then handed over to couriers; between May and December 2023, the FBI's IC3 received reports of over $55 million in losses nationwide, including $3.8 million from 7 Maryland victims, with one individual losing over $2 million.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Noel Chimezuru Agoha, age 40, of Baltimore, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for orchestrating business email compromise (BEC) and romance scams that defrauded victims of over $1.5 million between 2015 and 2018. Operating with co-conspirators, Agoha used fraudulent emails impersonating business contacts and fake dating profiles to trick victims into transferring funds to drop accounts he controlled, personally obtaining approximately $111,242 in BEC proceeds and over $1 million in dating scam proceeds, and was ordered to pay $1 million in restitution.
taipeitimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 37-year-old Philadelphia tech professional lost $450,000 in a "pig butchering" romance scam after being wooed for months on a dating app by someone posing as a French wine trader using deepfake videos and sophisticated manipulation tactics. The fraudster gained her trust through romantic attention, then convinced her to invest in cryptocurrency through a fake trading app, with initial fake gains encouraging larger investments including her retirement funds and loans. The scam, run by Southeast Asian crime syndicates, has caused billions in losses across the US with little recourse for victims to recover their money.
palmcoastobserver.com
· 2025-12-08
The Ormond Beach Police Department reported 246 fraud cases in 2024, with victims losing thousands of dollars in schemes including fake investments (Belgian mine), romance scams (Gaza war), and tech support fraud using gift cards and cryptocurrency. Elderly victims over 60 are disproportionately targeted, with national data showing losses increased 84% and cryptocurrency-related losses surged 350%, with victims averaging $35,101 in losses. Police note that cryptocurrency fraud cases have grown from roughly one per month to several per week, as criminals increasingly exploit digital payment methods and cryptocurrency ATMs to evade detection.
wwmt.com
· 2025-12-08
A 44-year-old Battle Creek man was charged with a 5-year felony for allegedly embezzling from his elderly father's debit card while the father was in an assisted living facility from November 2021 to September 2022, using the funds for personal bills and purchases without legal authority. The case highlights financial exploitation of vulnerable adults in care settings and authorities encourage reporting suspected elder abuse through the Michigan Attorney General's office.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Clayton Yorks, 44, of Battle Creek, Michigan was charged with embezzling $1,000-$20,000 from his elderly father, a vulnerable adult in assisted living, by using the father's debit card for personal expenses from November 2021 to September 2022 without legal authority. Yorks was arraigned on the five-year felony charge and released on a $5,000 bond, with preliminary examination scheduled for March 20, 2024. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel emphasized that vulnerable adults' finances are protected under law and encouraged reporting suspected elder abuse through the state's Elder Financial Exploitation complaint webform.
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old man from Mumbai lost Rs 3.69 crores in an investment scam operating through WhatsApp groups that promised stock market training and high returns between May and October. Mumbai police arrested one suspect, Ketab Biswas, and recovered Rs 2.20 crores; the scam involved luring victims with fake earnings displayed on a fraudulent app, then demanding large "tax" payments before allowing withdrawals. The operation is believed to be run by a gang based in eastern India, and police are continuing their investigation.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams continue to victimize Malaysians across all education and income levels, with recent cases including a trader losing RM6.2 million to a fake investment scheme and an elderly woman losing over RM10 million to a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme. Phone scammers posing as officials also defrauded senior citizens of RM3.83 million in retirement funds and savings. Between 2019 and 2023, Malaysia recorded 14,488 investment-related fraud cases totaling RM1.34 billion in losses, prompting police and the Securities Commission to increase collaboration efforts to combat such crimes.