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CNN
· 2024-02-19
A financial columnist for New York magazine fell victim to an elaborate multi-stage scam in which fraudsters impersonating Amazon, the Federal Trade Commission, and a CIA investigator convinced her to withdraw $50,000 and hand it to them in cash over the course of a five-hour phone call. The scammers exploited her vulnerability by threatening her family and creating a false sense of urgency, using isolation tactics to prevent her from seeking help or verification. She came forward with her story to highlight that scam victims span all demographics and professions, and that sophisticated scammers are skilled at identifying and exploiting individual vulnerabilities.
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WRAL
· 2024-09-13
A woman filed a fraudulent deed claiming ownership of a high-end home in Raleigh, North Carolina, listing herself as both grantor and grantee; the actual homeowner, Craig Adams, stated he had never met the woman and had no connection to the fraudulent filing. When contacted by reporters, a man claiming to be the woman's attorney questioned what law was broken by recording the deed, highlighting the lack of accountability measures at the Wake County register of deeds.
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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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Arizona’s Family (3TV / CBS 5)
· 2024-10-17
Real estate fraud is at an all-time high, with fraudsters using tactics such as recording false deeds to squat in properties and passing bad checks to take control of homes. According to Tanner Herrick, Executive Vice President of Premier Title Company, his firm handles approximately 500 transactions monthly and encounters fraud cases every single week, leaving legitimate owners unable to remove fraudulent occupants. Common schemes include filing fraudulent deeds on properties and attempting to complete transactions with counterfeit cashier's checks.
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IRSvideos
· 2025-01-06
This is an educational webinar presented by the IRS and FTC during National Tax Security Awareness Week that covers common identity theft and tax-related scams, methods for identifying and reporting fraud, the IRS Identity Protection PIN program, and resources for protecting against identity thieves. The 75-minute presentation includes technical guidance for participants and a live Q&A session to address audience questions about fraud prevention and recovery.
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ABC 7 Amarillo
· 2025-02-18
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is seeking access to Social Security Administration data, claiming significant fraud exists in the system, with White House adviser Elon Musk alleging potential savings of over $1 trillion over a 10-year period by addressing fraud and waste. Musk cited irregularities such as Social Security numbers assigned to individuals with ages ranging from 0 to 369 and claims of more eligible Social Security numbers than U.S. citizens, though previous SSA audits in 2023 had already identified substantial fraud cases. The push for access reportedly led to the exit of SSA acting commissioner Michelle King.
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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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CBS 8 San Diego
· 2025-05-09
San Diego County seniors lost $100 million to scams in the past year, with one victim paying $1,700 in gift cards after a phone scammer impersonated a court official threatening arrest. A seminar in North County drew 250 seniors and local officials to educate the community on increasingly sophisticated scam tactics including fake court documents and deceptive pop-ups, as FBI data shows seniors nationally lost $4.8 billion to internet scammers in 2024—a 43% increase from the prior year.
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WREG News Channel 3
· 2025-08-11
Unable to provide accurate summary. The provided text appears to be a garbled or corrupted transcript with significant OCR errors and incomplete segments that make the actual content indecipherable. While the title mentions "tariff scams" involving fake government and shipping messages that trick people into paying fees, the body text does not contain coherent information about this scam. To create an accurate summary for the Elderus database, please provide a clean, readable version of the article.
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WFMY News 2
· 2025-09-11
Deed fraud has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, involving the unauthorized transfer of real estate through forged documents with false signatures, identity theft, and fraudulent mortgage information filed in public records. Guilford County and other counties have issued property tax fraud alerts to protect homeowners from losing their homes to scammers, and state lawmakers are working to draft legislation to address this costly and complex problem.
ca.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A New York State Supreme Court judge ruled that Donald Trump owes New York over $350 million in damages for decades of fraudulent business practices, including inflating asset values to obtain favorable loans from banks and insurers. Trump and his two sons Eric and Donald Jr. were also barred from serving as officers or directors of New York corporations for three and two years respectively, while former Trump associates Allen Weisselberg and Jeffrey McConney received permanent bans from financial control of New York businesses. The civil fraud case did not result in the dissolution of Trump's business empire, though any future restructuring will be subject to court-appointed oversight.
hometownsource.com
· 2025-12-08
The Aging With Clarity Seminar Series is hosting a free educational presentation on homeowner scams targeting older adults on February 26 at the Burnsville Public Library, led by Burnsville Police Sergeant Brent Murray and Home Title Advisor Heidi Fuhrman. The seminar aims to equip attendees with knowledge to identify, report, and prevent scams while protecting their homes and finances. The monthly series, organized by Certified Senior Housing Professional Katie Ashland, continues with an estate planning presentation on March 25.
mercurynews.com
· 2025-12-08
This is a Q&A advisory piece rather than a news article about a completed scam. The questioner, an adult inheritor of multi-million-dollar Silicon Valley properties held in a special-needs trust, expressed concerns about pressure from a professional fiduciary and unresponsive attorney to sell the properties without full understanding. The response provides educational guidance on elder fraud awareness—citing AARP data that $28.3 billion is lost annually to elder fraud, with 72% perpetrated by known individuals—and directs the questioner to file complaints with California's Professional Fiduciaries Bureau and Santa Clara County Bar Association, contact Adult Protective Services, and hire specialized legal counsel before signing any documents.
atlantanewsfirst.com
· 2025-12-08
An 85-year-old Atlanta man claims his stepson forged his signature on three deeds filed between July and September to illegally transfer ownership of his home, in which he had invested over 50 years of equity. The forged deeds were notarized despite signatures not matching Robert Elder's authentic signature on official documents, exploiting a Georgia law that does not require identification to file property paperwork. The case highlights deed theft as a widespread crime in Georgia and underscores vulnerabilities in the notarization process.
thereporteronline.com
· 2025-12-08
Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds Jeanne Sorg is promoting FraudSleuth, a free property alert service that notifies homeowners of suspicious documents recorded against their properties, with over 3,100 residents currently enrolled. The service acts as an early warning system for property fraud rather than prevention, allowing homeowners to take immediate action if fraudulent activity occurs. Homeowners can register using their Parcel ID through the county website or at mobile sign-up events.
fox23maine.com
· 2025-12-08
Maine seniors lost $12.7 million to fraud in 2022, a dramatic increase from $2 million in 2021, with victims over 60 nationwide experiencing skyrocketing losses according to FBI data. One Maine senior fell victim to a tech support scam involving deceptive popups claiming she had a virus and requesting access to her savings account information. Experts emphasize that education and awareness are critical to protecting Maine's aging population, the oldest in the nation, from increasingly prevalent fraud schemes.
fox23maine.com
· 2025-12-08
Maine seniors lost $12.7 million to fraud in 2022, a dramatic increase from $2 million in 2021, according to FBI data. One victim fell prey to a tech support scam involving fake virus warning popups that prompted her to call scammers who attempted to access her savings account information. Experts emphasize that education and community awareness are critical tools in combating fraud targeting Maine's elderly population, the oldest in the nation.
wgme.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud losses among Maine seniors have surged dramatically, increasing from $2 million in 2021 to $12.7 million in 2022, with tech support scams being among the most common threats to the state's aging population. One Maine senior fell victim to a tech support imposter scam involving malicious popups claiming she had a virus, which prompted her to call a fraudulent number where scammers attempted to access her savings account information. Experts emphasize that education and awareness are critical to protecting Maine's elderly residents, who represent the nation's oldest state population and face heightened vulnerability to fraud schemes.
stories.td.com
· 2025-12-08
New Canadians face heightened vulnerability to financial fraud, with 90% of surveyed newcomers worried about becoming victims and 73% feeling particularly susceptible. Common scams targeting this population include phishing (stealing personal/financial information via fake emails or texts), job scams (fraudsters posing as employers to extract money for fake training or supplies), and romance scams, with 28% of affected new Canadians unsure how to respond if victimized. The best defense is awareness of warning signs, understanding common fraud tactics, and knowing how to report fraudulent activity.
stories.td.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Canadian fraudsters targeted thousands of people, with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre processing over 62,000 fraud reports affecting more than 41,000 individuals and resulting in $554 million in losses. Common scams include the "Bank Investigator" scam, where fraudsters impersonate bank officials or law enforcement to trick victims into wiring money or revealing banking credentials, and the CRA scam. To protect yourself, never provide banking information or remote device access to unsolicited callers, verify the legitimacy of calls by contacting your institution directly, and remember that financial institutions will never ask you to withdraw money or share security codes for investigations.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Lynn Schofield, age 60, from Louisiana, was sentenced to 12 months in prison (with 6 months home detention) in March 2024 for conspiracy to commit wire fraud involving fraudulent COVID-19 relief loan applications. Schofield and her two adult children submitted false Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications that misrepresented nonexistent or low-earning businesses and falsely claimed loan proceeds were for business purposes, resulting in approximately $282,650 in losses to the Small Business Administration. She was ordered to repay full restitution and serve three years of supervised release.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Pig butchering scams are a sophisticated investment fraud scheme in which scammers create fake online identities to build trust with victims before stealing their money, often through fraudulent cryptocurrency investments. The scams use social engineering, AI-generated content, and emotional manipulation to exploit victims' vulnerabilities, with billions of dollars in global losses reported. To protect yourself, ignore unsolicited messages, verify financial advice independently, and immediately report any suspected scam to your bank and law enforcement.
umaine.edu
· 2025-12-08
MoneyGeek published expert guidance from University of Maine social work professor Lenard Kaye on two topics affecting seniors: protecting loved ones from elder financial fraud and navigating the process of choosing and paying for senior care. The articles draw on Kaye's professional expertise as director of the Center on Aging to provide practical information for families managing financial and care decisions for older adults.
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The Bombay High Court ruled in April 2024 that India's Senior Citizens Act is intended to ensure elderly parents' welfare after gifting property to children, not to automatically cancel valid gift deeds. The court overturned a lower tribunal's October 2022 decision to cancel three gift deeds from a widower to his son in Mumbai and instead ordered the son to pay Rs 25,000 monthly maintenance while the father resides separately, clarifying that the law should protect seniors from neglect and fraud rather than serve as a tool for resolving family property disputes.
mychesco.com
· 2025-12-08
Senator Bob Casey released a report documenting how the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act negatively impacted fraud victims by eliminating the casualty and theft loss tax deduction, a century-old provision that had allowed scam victims to deduct stolen funds from their taxable income. The report highlighted cases of seniors who lost life savings to scams and then faced substantial tax bills—including one victim facing hundreds of thousands in taxes and another hit with a $60,000 bill—and proposed reinstating the deduction through the Tax Relief for Victims of Crime, Scams, and Disasters Act. Republicans countered that the report was politically motivated and that the broader economic benefits of the tax cuts outweighe
gistmania.com
· 2025-12-08
Nigerian footballer Olanrewaju Kayode issued a public warning about alleged property fraud involving his wife Ezinne Dora Okoro, Ziloc Construction Ltd, and Ugochukwu Igboanugo in multiple Lagos real estate transactions. The scheme allegedly involved the fraudulent sale of seven properties including luxury vehicles, residential duplexes, and land parcels across prestigious estates in Lagos. Kayode urged the public to conduct thorough due diligence on property titles and sellers, and to report suspected fraudulent activity to law enforcement.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
**Deed Fraud Case – Property Theft**
Robert Elder, 85, lost ownership of his Atlanta home of 50 years after his former stepson, Torrey Elder, allegedly forged multiple deeds and filed them at the county clerk's office between July and September of last year, transferring the property to himself. The retiree's attorney argues the forged signatures do not match Elder's authentic signature, and questions whether notaries properly verified the signer's identity before stamping the fraudulent documents. Georgia's lack of identification requirements for filing property paperwork and the notarization process failures enabled the deed theft to occur.
thetomahawk.com
· 2025-12-08
The Johnson County Senior Center hosted a presentation on property fraud awareness, highlighting that Americans lost $10 billion to scams in 2023, with imposter scams accounting for $2.7 billion of that total. Seller impersonation schemes—where scammers create fake deeds to sell property they don't own—were recognized as the "Scam of the Year" and have been reported across the U.S., including in nearby Nashville, Tennessee. The senior center aims to educate and protect its members by providing fraud resources and regularly hosting informational presentations on scams and other elder-related services.
wtsp.com
· 2025-12-08
I appreciate you testing my summarization capability, but this content doesn't appear to be about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It's a technical notice about downloading a streaming app for a local news station (10 Tampa Bay).
For the Elderus database, I'm designed to summarize articles related to:
- Scams targeting older adults
- Financial fraud
- Elder abuse
- Predatory schemes
- Exploitation
- Fraud prevention advice
Please provide an article or transcript related to elder fraud or abuse if you'd like me to create a summary for the database.
khou.com
· 2025-12-08
I appreciate you sharing this, but this appears to be a technical notice about downloading a news station app rather than an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. It contains no information about fraudulent activity, elder victimization, or scam tactics that would be relevant for the Elderus fraud research database.
If you have an article or transcript about elder fraud, scams, or abuse that you'd like summarized, please feel free to share that instead.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Mark Steven Diamond, a 67-year-old Chicago businessman, pleaded guilty to wire fraud for orchestrating a reverse mortgage scheme that victimized at least 18 elderly homeowners (potentially 80 total victims). Diamond and co-conspirators deceived homeowners into obtaining reverse mortgage loans by misrepresenting documents as repair authorizations, then fraudulently kept the loan proceeds—approximately $929,000 confirmed and up to $6 million estimated in total losses—while failing to perform promised home repairs. Four co-conspirators, including loan originators and a title agency owner, have also pleaded guilty, with Diamond's sentencing scheduled for September 4, 2024.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated property fraud scheme involving Jose Manuel Santiago, Rosson Dwayne Hamilton, and Vernon Lavoie resulted in multiple homes being stolen and sold without owners' knowledge across Virginia, Florida, and North Carolina. The trio created fraudulent bank accounts in homeowners' names, with Lavoie using fake IDs to impersonate owners; one home in Tampa, Florida sold for $65,000 and a U.S. Army veteran lost his house along with military memorabilia and his Jeep. Santiago received three years in prison for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, Hamilton received one day, and Lavoie received two years and seven months; experts recommend homeowners obtain
thezebra.org
· 2025-12-08
Senior Services of Alexandria and the Alexandria Bar Association are hosting Senior Law Day 2024 on June 8 in Alexandria, VA, a free educational event featuring panels on protecting against financial scams, housing and end-of-life decisions, and essential legal documents like wills and powers of attorney. The event highlights that financial fraud affecting older adults totals approximately $3 billion annually, with fraud by known individuals averaging $120,000 in losses per incident, and will include presentations from AARP's fraud prevention director, local law enforcement, and elder-care attorneys.
floridadaily.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida state officials have prioritized combating fraud after FBI data showed seniors lost over $300 million to scams in 2023, the second-highest rate nationally. Governor Ron DeSantis signed new legislation protecting residents who sign up for fraud notification services and allowing deed fraud alerts to combat property theft schemes. State officials warn against common scams including deed fraud, jury duty impersonation, roof scams, and cryptocurrency transfers, urging residents never to respond to unrecognized emails or send money through unsecured methods.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS warned that thousands of taxpayers who filed false tax returns claiming inflated refunds based on social media scams and inaccurate advice face potential jail time (up to 3 years), steep financial penalties (up to $5,000 per return), and extended refund delays. Common fraudulent claims involved ineligible tax credits like the Fuel Tax Credit and Sick and Family Leave Credit, as well as fabricated household employees on Schedule H forms. The IRS recommends taxpayers consult legitimate tax preparers, file amended returns if necessary, and ignore trendy tax credit advice on social media.
nbcmontana.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS warned of widespread tax scams involving false claims for fuel tax credits, sick and family leave credits, and household employment taxes, which social media posts and scam artists have misrepresented as pathways to large refunds. Taxpayers who file fraudulent or frivolous claims face penalties up to $5,000 per return, audits, and potential criminal prosecution, with the IRS having already frozen refunds for thousands of affected filers. To avoid such scams, taxpayers should use reputable tax software, consult certified tax professionals, or seek assistance from IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance programs rather than relying on social media advice.
sandhillsexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nebraska identified an impersonation scam using U.S. Attorney Susan Lehr's name, image, and title in fraudulent emails requesting payment from victims; several concerned citizens reported receiving the emails, but no financial losses occurred. The office advises recipients to avoid opening attachments or sharing personal information, and to report such emails to the FBI Tip Line and FTC Fraud Line, noting that the U.S. Attorney's Office only collects money for court-ordered restitution in criminal cases.
thesuntimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a consumer alert warning about tax scams involving inflated refund claims for three specialized credits: the Fuel Tax Credit, Sick and Family Leave Credit, and household employment taxes. Thousands of taxpayers were misled by social media posts and scam artists into filing false claims for credits they didn't qualify for, resulting in frozen refunds and potential penalties, audits, or criminal action. The IRS urged affected taxpayers to verify their eligibility, consult legitimate tax preparers, and file amended returns if necessary to avoid severe financial consequences.
herald-review.com
· 2025-12-08
A Mount Zion woman was charged with stealing over $100,000 in cash and property from an elderly female victim between May 2022 and July 2023. Ali L. Fisher, 31, faces two counts including financial exploitation of an elderly person and obtaining control of property through deception, with the alleged theft totaling more than $40,000 in additional cash. Fisher was arrested on May 14 and released on pretrial release pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 24 in Macon County Circuit Court.
uscis.gov
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article about elder fraud or scams. It appears to be a privacy notice and instructions for a USCIS immigration fraud reporting form (Form G-1530). It contains legal disclaimers about information collection, data sharing procedures, and paperwork reduction requirements—not a summary of a fraudulent scheme or elder abuse incident. I cannot provide the requested summary as this document falls outside the scope of elder fraud cases.
macombgov.org
· 2025-12-08
The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office and Chase Bank are co-hosting two free educational presentations on June 18, 2024, to help seniors recognize and avoid scams. Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido will distribute an informational booklet covering common scams targeting seniors including identity theft, telemarketing fraud, internet fraud, home improvement fraud, and caregiver fraud, with discussions on recent financial scams and protective measures. The events are open to all Macomb County residents at two college campuses with no reservations required.
berkshireeagle.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud reports exceeded $10 billion in the United States last year, representing a 14% increase from the previous year, with scammers increasingly using sophisticated tactics including phishing, fake urgency, and AI-enhanced schemes. Key prevention strategies include never sharing personal information or online banking credentials with anyone claiming to be from a financial institution or government agency, avoiding unknown callers, and immediately contacting your bank using numbers from official statements rather than online searches if fraud is suspected. A local couple nearly lost $46,000 in a Microsoft impersonation scam but was protected when a bank manager intervened, highlighting the importance of quick action and institutional fraud prevention measures.
therogersvillereview.com
· 2025-12-08
Housing scams specifically target seniors through fraudulent rental listings, phantom rentals, fake property management schemes, and reverse mortgage fraud that exploits homeowners over 62 seeking income from home equity. Key protective measures include verifying property listings through reputable websites, physically visiting properties before payment, researching property management company credentials, using traceable payment methods, and seeking independent financial advice before committing to any housing arrangement. Red flags include unusually low rental prices, demands for upfront payment before lease signing, pressure tactics, and reluctance to provide verifiable credentials or detailed agreements.
nny360.com
· 2025-12-08
During World Elder Abuse Month, New York's Department of State highlighted the growing crisis of elder fraud, noting that adults over 60 lost over $3.4 billion in 2023 (an 11% increase from 2022), with the average victim losing $33,915. State officials urged New Yorkers to educate themselves and older family members about common scam tactics, warning that scammers use increasingly sophisticated methods to steal money and personal information, and emphasized the importance of reporting suspected abuse to adult protective services.
phillytrib.com
· 2025-12-08
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging held an Elder Abuse Awareness Day panel discussion to address rising financial fraud against seniors, highlighting that elder abuse affects approximately 1 in 10 seniors nationally, with Pennsylvania victims losing about $12.5 million to financial exploitation. The panel discussed common fraud schemes including dishonest caregivers, unauthorized account withdrawals, and vacation rental scams, and emphasized that 60-90% of perpetrators are family members, making reporting difficult. Officials recommended protective measures such as establishing power of attorney, monitoring joint accounts, and contacting authorities like the Philadelphia District Attorney's Elder Justice Unit at (215) 686-5710 or the AARP Fraud Watch Network at (
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, major consumer protection organizations reported that elder real estate fraud losses increased 14 percent since 2022, with nearly 1,500 Americans ages 60 and older losing $65 million in real estate scams in 2023 alone. The fraud includes forged documents, Power of Attorney abuse, deed theft, and deceptive financial schemes targeting seniors' property and money. Organizations including AARP, the National Association of Realtors, and the National Consumer Law Center are urging states to implement stronger protections such as uniform power of attorney laws, multi-factor authentication, property record monitoring, and enhanced enforcement by adult protective services and law enforcement.
cryptopolitan.com
· 2025-12-08
CISA warned of increasing impersonation scams targeting crypto investors, where fraudsters pose as government employees to solicit wire transfers, cash, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. The FTC simultaneously issued an alert about romance scams involving cryptocurrency, where scammers build emotional relationships with victims before manipulating them into fake crypto investments. Both agencies advise verifying caller identity through official channels and rejecting unsolicited requests for money or personal information, emphasizing that legitimate government agencies never request such payments.
kqed.org
· 2025-12-08
An 81-year-old Alhambra woman lost her life savings in a text-based romance scam after making seven bank withdrawals over three weeks, prompting her to sponsor Senate Bill 278 with California Sen. Bill Dodd. The bill would require financial institutions to delay transactions over $5,000 by at least three days if elder fraud is suspected, mandate employee training on fraud red flags, and require banks to notify designated emergency contacts or joint account holders of suspicious activity. With annual elder fraud losses exceeding $23 billion, the bill passed the California Senate with support from major senior advocacy groups, though initially faced opposition from banking and business lobbies over concerns about liability
gcmaz.com
· 2025-12-08
An educational seminar titled "Senior Scams and Fraud Protection" is being held in Flagstaff to help seniors recognize and prevent fraud targeting their age group. The seminar covers common scams, red flags such as requests to purchase prepaid cards or use Bitcoin ATMs, and protective resources, with free attendance available through registration with organizers.
staysafeonline.org
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reported nearly 10,000 Americans fell victim to real estate scams in 2023, losing over $145 million, with one in four home buyers and sellers targeted by fraudulent activities. The article outlines five common real estate scams including wire transfer fraud (where criminals intercept payment instructions), predatory lending targeting vulnerable populations like seniors, and mortgage/foreclosure relief scams that demand upfront fees without delivering services. Protection strategies emphasize verifying payment instructions through secure channels, consulting trusted financial advisors, avoiding pressure tactics, and educating all parties involved in real estate transactions about fraud risks.
newsregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans age 60 and older lost more than $3 billion to scammers in 2023, with elder fraud complaints to the FBI increasing 14% year-over-year, though actual losses are likely far higher due to underreporting and unreported crimes. Older adults are disproportionately targeted because they tend to be trusting, have savings, and may be less comfortable with technology, with tech-support scams, romance scams, and investment frauds being the most common schemes. Prevention through education—such as being cautious of unsolicited contacts, verifying businesses online, and never sharing personal information with unverified sources—can help mitigate the psychological and financial
mk.co.kr
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams and online fraud operations, predominantly run by Chinese criminal organizations based in Southeast Asia (particularly Myanmar and Cambodia), have caused an estimated $1.26 trillion in global damage annually through impersonation schemes, investment fraud, and phishing. Approximately 220,000 people are mobilized across Myanmar and Cambodia for these crimes, with victims including those abducted from 35 countries who are coerced to impersonate others via social media, email, and phone calls. In response, China has blocked over $157 billion in fraudulent transactions since 2021, and Myanmar authorities rescued 19 kidnapped South Koreans in the previous year as international law enforcement intensifies crack
dailyprogress.com
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated overseas scammers are stealing tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans, with the crime wave projected to worsen as the U.S. population ages and technology advances, yet law enforcement agencies lack resources to catch perpetrators and most victims never recover their money. Common scams targeting Americans include romance schemes, grandparent fraud, technical support fraud, and other confidence schemes, with particular vulnerability among older adults who have lost life savings. The challenge is compounded by the ease of committing fraud without consequences, the difficulty of investigating international crimes and cryptocurrency transfers, and the overwhelming volume of cases that stretch thin police and prosecutorial resources.
mb.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo proposed legislation that would impose jail sentences of three to six years and fines of at least P500,000 on scammers who target senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) through internet and telecommunications fraud. The bill aims to protect vulnerable populations who depend on pensions and savings and are frequently victimized by fraudsters and criminal syndicates. Tulfo cited numerous complaints from elderly and disabled victims whose life savings have been depleted through scams.
manilastandard.net
· 2025-12-08
Rep. Erwin Tulfo announced plans to file legislation titled "An Act Protecting the Integrity of the Electronic Transactions of Senior Citizens and PWDs" to strengthen legal protections against internet and telecommunications fraud targeting senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The proposed bill aims to clearly define and penalize such fraud while building confidence among vulnerable populations in using digital platforms for transactions and communication.
filipinotimes.net
· 2025-12-08
A Philippine legislative bill is advancing to protect senior citizens and persons with disabilities from internet and telecommunications fraud targeting these vulnerable populations. If enacted, the law would impose penalties including fines of at least PHP 500,000 and imprisonment of three months to six years or more for scammers, with severity depending on the amount stolen. The bill aims to address the growing number of fraud complaints against seniors and PWDs while promoting safer use of digital platforms.
punchng.com
· 2025-12-08
Tech entrepreneur Kingsley Inegbedion was arrested and charged by the FBI for orchestrating romance scams and business email compromise schemes between April 2020 and May 2023, working with accomplice Efemena Igbe (still at large) to defraud American citizens using fake corporate entities and laundering funds through multiple accounts. The FBI is seeking restitution of funds and forfeiture of property obtained through the scheme, which involved converting stolen money into cashier's checks and cash withdrawals. The article also highlights similar cases including Nigerian crypto executive Linus Williams arrested for fraud and terrorism funding allegations, and the convictions of scammers Hushpuppi (
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Jeffrey Paul Vappie II, a former New Orleans Police Department officer assigned to the Mayor's Executive Protection Unit, was federally indicted on seven counts of wire fraud and one count of making false statements for submitting false timecards while conducting a personal romantic relationship with a city official between November 2021 and June 2024. Vappie disguised personal activities—including spending time in a city-owned apartment, sharing meals, traveling on city-funded trips, and exchanging encrypted romantic messages—as official duties while claiming to be working and receiving payment from NOPD. He faces up to 20 years in prison per wire fraud count and up to 5 years for false statements after lying
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Six Nigerian nationals were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 82 to 128 months for operating an international inheritance fraud scheme that targeted elderly U.S. victims through personalized letters claiming they were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances from deceased relatives. Victims were deceived into sending money for alleged delivery fees and taxes, with proceeds routed through a complex network of U.S.-based accomplices; the defendants defrauded over 400 victims and were ordered to pay more than $6 million in restitution.
themix.net
· 2025-12-08
Priscilla Presley, 79, filed an elder financial abuse lawsuit on July 18 against four former business associates—Brigitte Kruse, Kevin Fialko, Vahe Sislyan, and Lynn Walker Wright—alleging they orchestrated a scheme to isolate her and fraudulently obtain power of attorney over her finances, resulting in approximately $1 million in losses. The defendants allegedly convinced Presley that her previous advisers were incompetent and tricked her into signing contracts that granted them 80% of her income. Presley is seeking at least $1 million in damages plus attorney's fees and punitive damages, while the defendants have denie
paymentsjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Seller impersonation fraud in real estate is increasing, with one in five title companies reporting such attempts in April 2024 and 28% experiencing at least one attempt in the prior year. Fraudsters target vacant properties and desperate buyers by creating fake listings and forged documents, sometimes using stolen personal information of legitimate owners, to facilitate quick all-cash sales. Buyers can protect themselves by verifying the seller's identity through in-person or video meetings, using approved notaries, and obtaining title insurance, with nearly half of title companies successfully detecting and preventing fraudulent transactions before closing.
thehackernews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Singapore-based commodity firm lost $42.3 million in a business email compromise (BEC) scam in July 2024 when fraudsters impersonated a supplier and redirected a payment to a fake bank account in Timor-Leste; using INTERPOL's Global Rapid Intervention of Payments (I-GRIP) mechanism, authorities recovered $39 million and froze the fraudulent account within one day, with seven suspects arrested and an additional $2 million recovered. The article also covers law enforcement's seizure of the Cryptonator cryptocurrency exchange, which facilitated over 4 million transactions worth $1.4 billion and allegedly enabled money laun
abc7ny.com
· 2025-12-08
A 90-year-old Brooklyn homeowner, Ray Cortez, faced eviction after a 2006 deed theft scam in which a conman convinced him to sign over his home's deed, then took out a $700,000 line of credit against the property before it was sold at foreclosure for $2 million—fraud Cortez did not discover until a decade later. His eviction proceedings have been temporarily paused until September 9, with the New York Attorney General's office reviewing the case as part of investigating a pattern of real estate fraud targeting communities of color in Brooklyn and Queens. Cortez's $3 million home, purchased in 1969, remains at the
abc7ny.com
· 2025-12-08
90-year-old Ray Cortez of Brooklyn fell victim to deed theft in 2006 when he was tricked into signing over his home's deed to a con man in exchange for renovation funds; the fraudster obtained a $700,000 line of credit against the property, which was subsequently foreclosed and sold for $2 million, leaving Cortez fighting eviction from his $3 million home that he purchased in 1969. His attorney notes this type of real estate fraud is widespread in gentrifying Brooklyn neighborhoods, particularly in communities of color, with the scam's complexity intentionally designed to confuse victims. The New York Attorney General's office is reviewing Cortez's case
fortune.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder real estate fraud is rising with 1,500 Americans ages 60+ reporting $65 million in losses last year, while seniors overall lost over $1.6 billion to all scams. The fraud takes multiple forms—including deed theft, forged signatures, and exploitation of Power of Attorney—often perpetrated by trusted relatives or advisors, leaving victims to lose their homes and life savings. To combat this trend, state and federal governments must implement stronger legislation, consumer education, and enforcement mechanisms in collaboration with industry groups and Adult Protective Services.
ca.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Nearly 1,500 Americans ages 60 and older reported losing $65 million to real estate scams last year, with overall elder fraud losses exceeding $1.6 billion across all scam types—a problem exacerbated by an aging population and AI-enhanced scammer tactics. Elder real estate fraud and financial exploitation often involve document forgery, coercion, or misuse of power of attorney, frequently perpetrated by trusted relatives or advisors, leaving victims losing life savings, retirement funds, and homes. Industry and advocacy groups are calling for coordinated state and federal government action, combined with private sector collaboration, to implement legislative, educational, and enforcement measures to combat this rising threat.
welivesecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
This article outlines six common Craigslist scams to avoid: fraudsters selling non-existent items (tickets, cars, rentals, jobs) at below-market prices to solicit untraceable payments; overpayment schemes where a bounced check leaves sellers out of pocket; Google Voice verification code theft that allows scammers to create accounts linked to victims' phone numbers; phishing emails impersonating Craigslist to harvest personal information; fake cashier's checks that are easier to counterfeit than genuine ones; and fake escrow services. The article advises users to only use secure payment methods, verify items in person before payment, never share verification codes
fortune.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not relevant to the Elderus database. It is a business/HR feature about Synchrony's employee benefits strategy and workplace listening practices, with no connection to elder fraud, scams, elder abuse, or financial exploitation of older adults.
cpr.org
· 2025-12-08
Real estate scammers are fraudulently selling properties they do not own, targeting owners with out-of-state addresses and free-and-clear titles. Sasha Henderson of Parker nearly fell victim to such a scam when she and her husband attempted to purchase 10 acres in Elbert County, but the title company detected suspicious emails and contacted the actual owner out of state, preventing the fraudulent sale from closing. Real estate professionals advise that buyers should always obtain title insurance regardless of whether they are paying cash, and should be cautious of remote transactions, as title companies are better equipped to identify fraud than third-party monitoring services.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Ray Cortez, a 90-year-old Brooklyn resident, is facing eviction from his Park Slope home of over 50 years after he unknowingly signed over the deed in 2006 when seeking funds for home renovations; a nearly $700,000 line of credit was taken out against the property without his knowledge, and when it went unpaid, the bank foreclosed and sold the home for $2 million, leaving Cortez's name off the current deed despite having purchased the house in 1969. Deed theft and real estate fraud are common scams in up-and-coming neighborhoods, particularly in communities of color in Brooklyn and Queens, according to his attorney
concordmonitor.com
· 2025-12-08
Quit-claim fraud is an emerging scam where criminals forge property deed documents to illegally transfer homeownership without the victim's knowledge or payment, as happened at Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion. The scam exploits easily accessible personal and property information combined with advanced document forgery technology, and victims must pursue costly legal action to recover their property. New Hampshire offers free protection through a fraud alert system that notifies property owners via text or email whenever documents bearing their name are filed with the county registry of deeds.
newscentermaine.com
· 2025-12-08
I appreciate you providing text, but this doesn't appear to be an article about elder fraud, scams, elder abuse, or related financial crimes. This is a technical instruction about streaming an app.
For the Elderus database, I'm designed to summarize content specifically related to:
- Scam schemes targeting older adults
- Elder fraud cases
- Financial exploitation of seniors
- Elder abuse incidents
- Fraud awareness/prevention advice
Could you provide an article or transcript that covers one of these topics? I'd be happy to create a summary for the database.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Louisiana hosted an "Unmasking Fraud" educational event on October 15 featuring keynote speaker Paul Greenwood, a retired San Diego Deputy District Attorney who prosecuted over 750 elder abuse and fraud cases during his 22-year career. The free public event included a resource fair, stakeholder roundtable, and presentation of the AARP Fraud Fighter of the Year Award to recognize organizations dedicated to combating fraud in Louisiana.
brantfordexpositor.ca
· 2025-12-08
A Brantford senior lost her home and approximately $374,000 through a renovation and mortgage fraud scheme involving four predatory mortgages between 2021 and 2022, resulting in mortgage enforcement in January 2024. Police charged four individuals—a 29-year-old from Oakville, a 34-year-old from Hamilton, a 60-year-old from Toronto, and a 39-year-old from Brampton—with fraud and related offenses following a joint investigation by Brantford and Waterloo Regional Police. Authorities advise seniors to be cautious of unsolicited door-to-door visitors and document signing, and encourage
banking.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
Senator Sherrod Brown testified before the Senate Banking Committee on the escalating problem of scams and fraud targeting Americans, particularly seniors. In 2023, Americans lost at least $10 billion to reported fraud—an increase of over $1 billion from the previous year—with Ohio alone experiencing $126 million in losses; scammers employ increasingly sophisticated tactics including AI voice mimicry, fake bank calls, and romance schemes to target retirees' savings. Brown emphasized that seniors, who represented more than half of fraud losses in Ohio, often hesitate to report crimes due to shame and self-blame, allowing criminals to continue victimizing others.
macombgov.org
· 2025-12-08
The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office has established a dedicated senior crime unit and launched an educational initiative to protect seniors from rising scams in the area. The office distributes an informational booklet titled "S.C.A.M.S. – Stopping Crimes Against Macomb Seniors" that covers common fraud schemes including identity theft, telemarketing fraud, internet fraud, home improvement fraud, and caregiver fraud, along with free presentations scheduled throughout the county. The initiative advises seniors to never share personal information over the phone or email with unfamiliar individuals and encourages community participation in anti-fraud awareness events.
riverreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
On September 19, the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing titled "Fighting Fraud: How Scammers are Stealing from Older Adults," chaired by Senator Bob Casey and ranking member Mike Braun. The hearing featured witnesses from AARP, law enforcement, and aging services agencies who discussed scam prevention strategies, reporting mechanisms, investigation procedures, and resources available to seniors. Topics covered included where consumers should report fraud and how these crimes are investigated and prosecuted.
riverreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing on September 19 titled "Fighting Fraud: How Scammers are Stealing from Older Adults," featuring testimony from fraud prevention experts, law enforcement, and senior services administrators. The hearing focused on preventing scams targeting seniors, reporting mechanisms, investigation procedures, and available resources for older adults. Witnesses included representatives from AARP's Fraud Watch Network, elder abuse prosecutors, and state senior services programs.
courierpostonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Martins Inalegwu and Steincy Mathieu, a Burlington County couple, were sentenced to prison (80 months and 16 months respectively) for operating a romance scam that defrauded over 100 victims of approximately $4.5 million between 2016 and 2020. The scammers posed as romantic interests on dating websites, targeting vulnerable older adults and others, with one victim—a tourism board finance director—embezzling $2.8 million from her employer to send to the couple. Both defendants were ordered to pay millions in restitution and unpaid taxes.
aging.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
In a September 19, 2024 Senate hearing on elder fraud, lawmakers discussed how scammers stole over $3.4 billion from American seniors in 2023, often through impersonation, romance scams, and false investment promises by transnational criminal organizations based in countries like Mexico and China. The hearing highlighted that Medicare alone lost an estimated $60 billion to fraud, errors, and abuse in 2023, with scammers using stolen Medicare numbers to bill for unnecessary medical equipment. Senators emphasized the importance of community banks, local law enforcement, and AI-powered fraud detection systems in combating these crimes and called for enhanced education to help seniors recognize warning signs.
bradfordera.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.), chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, held a hearing titled "Fighting Fraud: How Scammers Are Stealing from Older" Americans to address scams targeting elderly citizens. The hearing examined fraud schemes affecting seniors, though specific details about the scams discussed and outcomes are not provided in the excerpt.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
The Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director warned the public to be cautious of love scams, citing a case where a 58-year-old female lawyer lost RM1.7 million to a scammer who posed as an American marine geologist and requested loans. The CCID also reported dismantling a Pantheon Ventures investment scam involving 17 suspects that defrauded 66 victims of RM32.9 million since January, using fake investment packages promising unrealistic returns of 6-400% daily through Facebook and WhatsApp advertisements.
northwichguardian.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Age UK Cheshire is hosting free educational events in October titled "Scam Proof? Protect Yourself and Others from Fraud" to help elderly residents and community members recognize and prevent scams. Expert speakers from local authorities, police, and the Crown Prosecution Service, along with scam survivors sharing their stories, will cover warning signs and tactics used by fraudsters across phone, online, and doorstep scams. The sessions are designed to equip participants with practical strategies to protect their personal and financial information.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-08
Property theft scams have increased 500% in recent years, with scammers impersonating homeowners to sell properties they don't own by filing false deeds with county registers of deeds offices. Notable cases include a North Carolina woman who filed a fraudulent warranty deed on a $4 million Raleigh home and another incident where a woman's three-acre property was listed for sale without authorization; authorities recommend homeowners sign up for fraud alerts with their county register of deeds and emphasize the importance of thorough due diligence by buyers, real estate agents, and title companies.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Senate's Special Committee On Aging held a hearing on elder financial fraud, featuring testimony from AARP's Kathy Stokes revealing that organized transnational crime rings operate like corporations, using emotional manipulation to bypass victims' logical thinking, and that identity fraud alone cost Americans $43 billion in 2023. Scammers are increasingly using AI to create convincing fake communications, emails, and deepfakes, making tech support scams and bank impostor scams harder to detect, though awareness of common tactics and red flags can help protect vulnerable adults.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Plymouth, Massachusetts homeowner discovered fraudsters had created a forged purchase and sale agreement for his home when an attorney called to verify the sale; the scammers planned to record a fraudulent deed at the registry of deeds to steal the property, though the scheme was thwarted when the attorney alerted the victim. This incident is part of a rising trend of real estate fraud targeting homeowners, with both the FBI and Secret Service issuing warnings, and the victim has since filed a fraud report and enrolled in free registry of deeds notification alerts to monitor his property.
blog.google
· 2025-12-08
Google announced the launch of the Global Signal Exchange (GSE), a partnership with the Global Anti-Scam Alliance and DNS Research Federation to create a centralized platform for sharing online fraud and scam signals across organizations and platforms. The initiative leverages Google's fraud detection expertise, GASA's stakeholder network, and the DNS Research Federation's data platform containing over 40 million signals, with Google sharing over 100,000 URLs of fraudulent merchants in an initial pilot. Additionally, Google announced that its Cross-Account Protection tool is now actively protecting 3.2 billion users by enabling privacy-preserving security notifications across platforms where users sign in with their Google Account.
azfamily.com
· 2025-12-08
Real estate fraudsters in Phoenix use tactics including recording false deeds to assume property ownership, passing fake cashier's checks, and selling land they don't own, leaving homeowners and title companies unable to remove squatters. Experts recommend verifying funds through wire transactions, using secure communication, and working with trusted real estate professionals to protect against these scams. Maricopa County has implemented measures to prevent property theft, though incidents continue to occur.
futurism.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers attempted to defraud a Florida title company by using an AI-generated deepfake video to impersonate a missing woman and fraudulently sell a vacant property. The scheme was caught before completion, but property appraiser Marty Kiar warns that AI-enabled title fraud will likely increase as criminals leverage automated tools to synthesize public property records and create sophisticated impersonations faster than ever before.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
The BBC is launching "Scam Safe Week" (November 23-29, 2024), a multi-platform educational initiative featuring TV, radio, and online content designed to help the public recognize and prevent scams. With fraud now comprising over 40% of all crime in the UK, the week will include the TV-BAFTA winning series "Scam Interceptors," live roadshow events across the country, and expert advice from fraud specialists, in partnership with organizations including Age UK and Stop Scams UK.
dailypioneer.com
· 2025-12-08
A "digital arrest" scam is rapidly spreading across India, where fraudsters impersonate police officers and convince victims they face legal charges, demanding money to drop fabricated cases. The scheme exploits fear and confusion by using deepfake technology, fake credentials, and authoritative impersonation to appear legitimate, with Prime Minister Modi issuing a national warning and clarifying that "digital arrest" does not exist under Indian law. Victims are advised to avoid panic, record interactions when possible, and immediately report incidents to cyber helplines and local police, while the government is urged to strengthen cybersecurity efforts and enforcement to combat the growing threat.
wiley.law
· 2025-12-08
This Wiley Consumer Protection newsletter (October 29, 2024) covers three major regulatory developments: the CFPB's final rule implementing Section 1033 requiring financial institutions to share consumer financial data with authorized third parties under privacy standards; the FTC's finalized "click-to-cancel" rule making subscription cancellations as easy as sign-ups and prohibiting deceptive negative option practices; and the CFPB's guidance that employers using third-party background dossiers must comply with Fair Credit Reporting Act protections. These regulatory updates primarily affect financial services providers, subscription businesses, and employers rather than describing specific fraud incidents.
bbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Raymond McDonald, a 51-year-old serial romance fraudster from County Durham, was jailed again in August 2024 after defrauding multiple women through dating sites within months of his December 2023 release from prison. Police believe he may have victimized hundreds of women over two decades by posing as a wealthy, distinguished military officer and extracting thousands of pounds through false promises of luxury items, property investments, and even marriage. The victims reported experiencing trauma comparable to sexual assault and domestic abuse, with McDonald's emotional manipulation causing deep psychological harm beyond the financial losses.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Raymond McDonald, a 51-year-old serial romance fraudster from County Durham, has been repeatedly imprisoned for scamming multiple women out of thousands of pounds through dating sites by posing as a wealthy, distinguished military man with properties abroad. Police believe he may have victimized "hundreds" of women over decades, with his latest victims reporting severe emotional trauma comparable to sexual assault, though he was arrested again in August 2024 after his December 2023 release. McDonald's scheme involved juggling simultaneous relationships while fabricating stories about military work, property investments, and fake marriages, extracting money for items and services that never materialized.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee launched the "Scam Free HC" initiative to combat a surge in holiday-season fraud, warning that thousands of Houston residents fall victim annually to scams including gift card schemes, spam calls, and contractor fraud. A notable case involved former police officer Julia Marino, who lost $16,200 in a deposit to A & L Sheds, a company accused of defrauding over 100 victims totaling $1.1 million; the company postponed her shed project 27 times without delivering services or refunds. The initiative provides educational resources and a reporting platform as Texas ranks as the 4th most scammed state in the country with $
vindy.com
· 2025-12-08
A fraud awareness forum in Youngstown hosted by Jewish Family and Community Services attracted 126 seniors to learn prevention strategies from Mahoning County Prosecutor Gina DeGenova. The program covered major scam tactics including phishing text links, romance and catfishing schemes, AI voice impersonation, home improvement fraud, and warned against sharing personal information on social media that could endanger children or be used to answer security questions.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
Deepfake technology is being weaponized for widespread fraud, including financial scams where criminals impersonate executives or loved ones to steal money (one case involved a $25.6 million loss), sextortion schemes, and romance scams enhanced with fake video. The technology poses escalating threats to individuals, corporations, and institutions as criminals exploit AI-generated deepfakes faster than legal protections can be established, with victims including everyday people, minors, and public figures targeted for financial exploitation and non-consensual explicit content.
digit.in
· 2025-12-08
A 61-year-old child specialist in Hyderabad was targeted by scammers using a digital arrest scam who convinced him to withdraw over Rs 13 lakhs to settle a supposed legal dispute, but alert SBI employees Surya Swathi and Kumar Gaud recognized his distressed behavior and continuous incoming calls, educating him about the scam with newspaper evidence before he lost his money. The scammers used fear-mongering tactics common in digital arrest schemes, which prey on elderly and less digitally aware individuals, but the victim severed contact with the fraudsters after realizing the deception.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Catherine Corrine Daly, a 54-year-old former office manager at a Memphis law firm, was indicted on embezzlement charges for stealing approximately $1.25 million over a two-year period (June 2019 to October 2021). Daly allegedly used company funds from the firm's operating account to pay personal American Express credit card bills that she and two relatives used for luxury purchases including designer clothing, jewelry, furnishings, and salon services. She faces six federal counts punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and $250,000 in fines per count.
prunderground.com
· 2025-12-08
"Senior Savvy: A Comprehensive Guide to Avoiding Scams" is an educational resource released by financial expert Andy LaPointe that teaches seniors to recognize and prevent fraud across multiple platforms, including phishing emails, social media scams, cryptocurrency schemes, romance scams, and door-to-door deception. The guide provides step-by-step explanations, real-world examples, and actionable strategies for responding to scams, with particular emphasis on protecting seniors during high-risk periods like the holiday season when scammer activity increases.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
**Source:** AARP Hearing Center – AARP Texas 2025 Legislative Agenda
AARP Texas has announced its 2025 legislative priorities, which include preventing elder fraud and exploitation through enhanced consumer protections for solar contracts and cryptocurrency transactions, as well as addressing common scams like identity theft, spoofing, and deed theft. The organization will also advocate for improved emergency preparedness for vulnerable older adults, healthcare access and affordability, and financial security measures including affordable housing and utilities. These initiatives aim to protect older Texans during the 89th regular session of the Texas Legislature.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Baltimore resident Ami Porter avoided an employment scam when she recognized that a supposed remote data entry position with "Northzone" required her to purchase equipment (a computer and iPhone 15) and mail it to the company. Porter remembered the key rule: "you shouldn't have to pay to work," which prompted her to verify the offer and report it to the Better Business Bureau. The article highlights that employment scams have surged during the pandemic, with an estimated 14 million people exposed annually resulting in $2 billion in losses, and advises job seekers to verify companies directly and avoid any offer requiring upfront payments.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio forfeited $7.7 million in criminal assets during fiscal year 2024, with over $50 million in additional assets pending forfeiture orders from 214 cases involving cash, cryptocurrency, vehicles, real estate, and jewelry. In FY24, $11.1 million of forfeited funds were returned to crime victims as restitution, and $10.5 million was shared with 83 local law enforcement agency partners who assisted federal investigations. Asset forfeiture serves as a tool to punish criminals, deter criminal activity, and compensate victims harmed by fraud and other crimes.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Rebecca C. Lutzko announced her resignation as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, effective January 3, 2025, with First Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik assuming the role. During her tenure leading approximately 175 prosecutors and staff, Lutzko's office oversaw prosecutions involving violent crime, organized gang activity, financial crime, public corruption, drug trafficking, child exploitation, and cybercrime, while also recovering tens of millions of dollars in healthcare fraud and civil cases across Ohio's 40 northern counties.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Mark Steven Diamond, a Chicago businessman, was sentenced to over 17 years in federal prison for defrauding more than 100 elderly homeowners through a reverse mortgage and home repair scheme in which he tricked them into obtaining reverse mortgage loans and pocketed the proceeds without performing promised repairs. Diamond was ordered to pay $2.7 million in restitution, and four co-conspirators involved in originating loans and facilitating the fraud also pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS Criminal Investigation unit uncovered over $9.1 billion in tax fraud and financial crimes in 2024, with scams expected to peak during the 2025 tax-filing season. Common tactics include scammers impersonating IRS agents or tax preparers to claim taxpayers owe additional taxes or are due larger refunds, with threats of arrest or requests for bank details to steal information. Retired taxpayers and those nearing retirement are frequent targets, and experts recommend taking time to verify communications and avoiding pressure from scammers rather than responding immediately.
dfpi.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
Following Southern California wildfires, the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation warns consumers to avoid scams targeting disaster victims, particularly deed-transfer foreclosure schemes, intentional default fraud, and advance-fee loan modification scams. The DFPI advises homeowners to contact their mortgage servicer directly or a HUD-certified counselor for legitimate relief options, and urges all consumers to verify company licensing before borrowing or investing. Residents can report complaints to the DFPI at dfpi.ca.gov or call 866-275-2677.
weareiowa.com
· 2025-12-08
I can't provide a summary of this content because it doesn't contain information about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. This appears to be a brief instructional note about downloading a streaming app.
The Elderus database focuses on elder fraud, scams, and abuse cases. Please provide an article or transcript related to those topics if you'd like me to create a summary.
sbu.edu
· 2025-12-08
Three accounting and management professors analyzed 20 years of IRS "Dirty Dozen" fraud data and found that identity theft and phishing schemes have been the most prevalent tax scams since 2002, with pandemic-era fraud increasingly involving theft of government relief funds like PPP and Employee Retention Program money intended for legitimate taxpayers. Their research, published in the Journal of Business and Accounting, highlights how fraudsters exploited pandemic relief programs to divert funds away from deserving recipients.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Criminals are impersonating Elon Musk using fake advertisements and deepfake videos to perpetrate three main scams: selling ineffective energy-saving devices (with victims reporting losses of $152+ per unit), promoting a fraudulent Quantum AI investment platform using fabricated celebrity endorsements, and running giveaway schemes that extract fees or personal information from victims (with one person losing $6,000). These scams exploit AI deepfake technology to create convincing but entirely fictitious endorsements designed to steal money and personal information from unsuspecting targets.
townandcountrymag.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, multiple high-profile fraud cases emerged involving sophisticated impersonation schemes: a Hermès heir reported a $13 billion fortune missing, Elvis Presley's estate discovered Graceland nearly sold at auction after a woman forged loan documents and signatures, and an Arup engineering employee wired $25 million to fraudsters using deepfake technology to impersonate company executives. The article highlights how modern scammers exploit advancing technology—including AI-generated voices and deepfakes—to impersonate authority figures, family members, and trusted individuals, with experts predicting AI-generated fraud could reach $40 billion by 2027. Recommended protections include establishing family
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This AARP article provides educational guidance on protecting oneself from common fraud schemes affecting adults. It recommends three key protective steps: placing security freezes on credit accounts, monitoring financial accounts regularly, and using strong unique passwords. The article also warns about three specific scams—romance scams involving cryptocurrency, fake gift card balance-checking websites, and identity fraud from data breaches—and advises checking official sources like the SEC's investor.gov before making investments and using phone numbers or addresses on the back of gift cards rather than search results. For victims, AARP offers the Fraud Watch Network Helpline (1-877-908-3360) available weekdays 8 a.m.–
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
James Henley, 35, of Greenwood, Indiana, was sentenced to ten years in federal prison for orchestrating complex fraud schemes over three years that defrauded homeowners, government agencies, a bank, and an attorney of approximately $2.9 million. His crimes included COVID-19 unemployment fraud ($1.1 million), home title theft (5 homes stolen and sold), mortgage fraud, and auto loan fraud, all facilitated through five fake businesses used to mask his identity and launder proceeds. Henley was ordered to pay $1,887,426.63 in restitution, with co-conspirators including his wife and an associate also facing
da.lacounty.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 27-year-old man in Lancaster, California was charged with stealing over $4,000 and attempting to steal over $13,000 in public benefits using fraudulent EBT cards obtained through skimming devices at an ATM. The suspect allegedly used nine different cloned cards and possessed multiple skimming devices, pinhole cameras, and re-encoded gift cards in what authorities describe as a sophisticated operation targeting vulnerable benefit recipients. The case highlights California's broader EBT fraud crisis, with over $100 million in stolen funds reported statewide in the past year, primarily in Los Angeles County.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
A Louisiana woman discovered her inherited family property had been fraudulently sold for $45,000 when she attempted to pay taxes on the lot in December; criminals used identity theft with a forged signature, stolen notary stamp, and fake witnesses to impersonate her and transfer the deed to a company. Although the $45,000 payment was frozen and reversed, Batiste continues fighting to restore her legal title to the property, which has been in her family for over 200 years. Investigators believe this case may be connected to an international crime ring, as similar real estate identity theft schemes are becoming increasingly common across the nation.
thenationaldesk.com
· 2025-12-08
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is seeking access to Social Security Administration data to identify and combat fraud, with White House officials claiming potential savings of over $1 trillion over a decade through crackdowns on entitlement system fraud. Elon Musk has posted claims of massive fraud in Social Security, citing data showing more eligible social security numbers than U.S. citizens, though a 2023 SSA audit found that nearly 19 million records for people over 100 with active numbers receive almost no benefits. The push for data access has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers concerned about potential data breaches, and reportedly led to the departure of SSA acting commissioner Michelle
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 65-year-old Fort Myers woman was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for wire fraud involving a 19-year scheme to fraudulently obtain $338,364.66 in Department of Veterans Affairs survivor's benefits intended for her deceased mother. Laurie Ann Roszell forged her mother's signature on documents, impersonated her mother's voice during calls with the VA, and made false statements to federal agents claiming her mother was alive and living with her. The court ordered her to forfeit the full amount of stolen benefits.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two Southern California men were arrested on federal charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering as part of a sophisticated scheme that targeted over 100 elderly victims, resulting in more than $10 million in losses from November 2021 to present. The defendants created fake identities and shell companies to open numerous fraudulent bank accounts and mailboxes, then impersonated law enforcement and company employees via phone and email to convince victims their accounts were compromised and persuade them to transfer funds into accounts controlled by the criminals. The stolen money was then laundered through cash withdrawals and used for personal expenses.
housebeautiful.com
· 2025-12-08
**Title Piracy Fraud** - Real estate scammers are increasingly hijacking property titles by forging deeds, forging signatures, and exploiting public records to fraudulently sell homes and vacant land, particularly targeting absent owners, out-of-town buyers, and investors. The FBI received over 9,500 title fraud complaints in 2023, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated techniques including AI-generated fake documents that can deceive banks, title officers, and real estate agents. Real estate professionals recommend in-person verification and working with vigilant title insurers to detect and prevent these fast-growing scams.
americanbar.org
· 2025-12-08
Law firms are frequent targets of sophisticated scams despite their size, as scammers exploit limited security measures and access to valuable personal information. Common schemes include voice-cloning fraud, email impersonation of attorneys to solicit unauthorized payments, and phishing attacks that compromise email systems to redirect client funds—with firms facing disciplinary action and financial losses when wire transfer instructions are not independently verified. Attorneys and staff should be cautious about clicking links in emails and verify requests through direct contact, as cybersecurity breaches can expose sensitive client data and enable ransomware attacks.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
A leak of 1 million audio files from Georgian scam call centers exposed sophisticated cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes that defrauded victims of £9 million combined through "authorised push payment" (APP) fraud, which tricks people into voluntarily sending money from their bank accounts. In the first half of 2024, investment scammers cheated Britons out of at least £56 million, accounting for a quarter of the £214 million lost to APP fraud despite representing only 4% of cases. As of October 7, 2024, new UK regulatory rules now mandate banks refund victims up to £85,000 within five days for domestic transfers, significantly improving reimburs
gothamist.com
· 2025-12-08
New York reported a 44% increase in internet fraud complaints in 2024, with over 3,700 cases, driven by rising account takeover schemes and AI-enabled phishing techniques including synthesized voice calls. Cybersecurity experts attribute the surge to attackers exploiting human vulnerabilities, and recommend consumers use strong multi-factor authentication, separate passwords, and account change notifications to protect themselves.
silive.com
· 2025-12-08
New York Attorney General Letitia James released data on the top 10 consumer complaints filed by state residents in 2024, with tens of thousands of New Yorkers falling victim to scams and fraud. Retail sales complaints topped the list at 5,150, followed by landlord/tenant disputes (3,856), automobile issues (3,761), and internet fraud (3,708), while credit, banking, and mortgage complaints ranked fifth at 3,560. The Attorney General's office encourages consumers to stay vigilant, follow fraud prevention tips available on their website, and report any scams or deceptive practices.
firstcoastnews.com
· 2025-12-08
I appreciate you testing my summarization capability, but this text appears to be a technical instruction or website interface element about downloading an app, not an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse.
I'm specifically designed to summarize content related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse for the Elderus database. If you have an actual article or transcript about fraud or scams affecting seniors, I'd be happy to summarize that for you instead.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
Identity theft remains the most common fraud, but real estate fraud is rapidly increasing, with the industry losing $500 million annually to business email compromise scams. Wire fraud particularly threatens homebuyers and sellers during transactions, with 25% of consumers targeted and 1 in 20 falling victim, resulting in 27% of victims unable to recover their funds. Key protection strategies include verifying wire transfer instructions directly with lenders or title companies using independently confirmed phone numbers, avoiding reliance on email instructions, and confirming property listings are legitimate by visiting in person.
msutoday.msu.edu
· 2025-12-08
Global cybercrime cost nearly $10 trillion in the previous year and is expected to rise in 2025, with scammers increasingly targeting everyday people through common fraud schemes. Michigan State University experts highlight three major scam types: package delay scams (smishing texts impersonating delivery services), romance fraud (building fake emotional relationships to extract money), and other cyber threats, offering guidance on protection strategies such as verifying official websites and recognizing common fraudster tactics like fake military profiles or stolen social media images.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
The FCC has issued alerts about multiple common scams targeting consumers, including port-out fraud (where scammers use personal information to hijack mobile phone numbers and access financial accounts), grandparent scams (fraudsters impersonating relatives in crisis situations to solicit money), and spoofed mortgage relief calls (criminals posing as lenders to extract fraudulent payments). These scams leverage personal data from social media and cyber theft, use caller ID spoofing, and often request payment through hard-to-trace methods like wire transfers or gift cards.
wcvb.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned New England homeowners and real estate agents about Quit Claim Deed fraud, in which scammers forge documents to illegally transfer property ownership and then sell, mortgage, or rent the properties for profit. Since 2019, the scam has cost victims over $61.5 million across New England, with Massachusetts accounting for $46 million in losses, and victims in Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island suffering an additional $15 million combined. The FBI provided recommendations for both homeowners (monitoring property records, setting up title alerts, and watching for suspicious activity) and real estate agents (requiring in-person identity verification, requesting original documentation, and confirming notary credentials) to
fox4now.com
· 2025-12-08
Lee County Sheriff's Office reports a sharp rise in scams, with reported cases increasing from 1,588 in 2022 to 2,401 in 2024, with 60% of victims losing over $10,000. Common scams include impersonation of law enforcement demanding payment via untraceable methods like Bitcoin or gift cards, and wire fraud targeting title companies, with recent cases involving losses of $158,000 to $475,000. The department advises victims to check credit annually, verify caller information, and report suspected fraud, though recovery is difficult when funds are transferred overseas by predominantly non-U.S.-based scammers.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Real estate scammers are increasingly targeting seniors, with those over 60 reporting losses exceeding $3.4 billion in 2023 according to FBI data. Common scams include deed theft and title fraud (where scammers forge signatures and file false deeds), wire transfer fraud (impersonating title companies to solicit payments), and exploitation by trusted individuals who offer to purchase homes at steep discounts. Seniors can protect themselves by monitoring property records, verifying any financial requests directly with their lender, placing assets in trusts, and using powers of attorney that require unanimous consent before property sales.
nasdaq.com
· 2025-12-08
Real estate scammers are increasingly targeting older Americans to steal home equity, with those over 60 reporting $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 according to FBI data. Common scams include deed theft and title fraud (using forged documents), wire transfer fraud impersonating title companies or escrow services, predatory offers from acquaintances to purchase homes at steep discounts, and contractor scams. Protective measures include regularly checking county deed records, verifying all property-related communications directly with mortgage companies, placing assets in trusts, and using powers of attorney that require unanimous consent for property sales.
barchart.com
· 2025-12-08
Real estate scams targeting seniors have surged as home values increased post-COVID, with Americans over 60 reporting losses exceeding $3.4 billion in 2023 according to FBI data. Common scams include deed theft and title fraud (where scammers forge signatures and file false deeds), wire transfer fraud (impersonating title companies to request emergency payments), and exploitation by trusted individuals offering to purchase homes at steep discounts. Protective measures include placing assets in trusts, using powers of attorney with unanimous agreement requirements for property sales, and periodically verifying property records with county recorders.
fool.com
· 2025-12-08
**Real Estate Scams Targeting Seniors (2025)**
Scammers are exploiting rising home values to target homeowners over 60, with reported losses exceeding $3.4 billion in 2023 alone. Common schemes include deed theft and title fraud (using forged documents to claim ownership), wire transfer scams (impersonating title companies to demand money), manipulation by trusted individuals offering to buy properties at steep discounts, and contractor fraud. Seniors can protect themselves by placing assets in trusts, using powers of attorney with unanimous consent requirements for property sales, monitoring county deed records regularly, and verifying any claims about property or mortgage issues directly with their lender
spokanejournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams targeting companies and their employees have surged in sophistication due to AI availability, with cybercriminals posing as vendors or trusted contacts to trick employees into sending money or data. Between 2013 and 2023, BEC scams resulted in over $55 billion in losses, with a 9% increase in losses between December 2022 and December 2023, and 71% of businesses reporting BEC attempts in 2022. Financial institutions in the Inland Northwest are launching educational programs to warn businesses, particularly small business owners and accounts payable personnel who are primary targets, that verification procedures and email security awareness are critical
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI has warned of a rising trend of "home title theft" or quitclaim deed fraud, particularly targeting elderly homeowners in Massachusetts, after a Boston city employee and family members were accused of fraudulently transferring an 89-year-old man with dementia's paid-off Dorchester home to themselves and securing a $2 million mortgage against it. The scheme involved deceiving the homeowner into signing documents he believed were for insurance while forging his life partner's signature, then using the fraudulently obtained funds to purchase another property at foreclosure. The FBI attributes the increase in such cases since the COVID-19 pandemic to remote real estate transactions conducted via email and phone, which create
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, a Nigerian national, was sentenced to 97 months in prison for leading a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded over 400 elderly and vulnerable U.S. victims of more than $6 million. The scheme involved sending personalized letters falsely claiming victims had inherited money from deceased overseas relatives and requesting upfront payments for delivery fees and taxes before the funds could be released. The defendants used a network of U.S.-based money mules to collect victim payments, with no victim ever receiving any actual inheritance funds.
ice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A Nigerian national, Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, was sentenced to 97 months in prison for his role in an international inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded over 400 elderly and vulnerable U.S. victims of more than $6 million. The scheme involved sending fraudulent letters falsely claiming victims were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances from deceased overseas relatives, then convincing them to send money for delivery fees and taxes that never resulted in any actual inheritance payments. The investigation was conducted by ICE, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and international law enforcement agencies from the UK, Spain, and Portugal.
ice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A Cameroonian criminal organization operating across southern California defrauded at least 100 elderly victims of over $10 million through phone and email scams impersonating law enforcement and bank employees, as well as fake real estate sales schemes. Leslie Kibula Bongajum, 34, is wanted on money laundering charges after three co-conspirators were arrested in February 2024; the group created 36 shell companies, 145 fraudulent bank accounts, and 32 fake mailboxes to launder stolen funds and facilitate their asylum system abuse. The conspiracy operated from at least November 2021 to the present, with victims tricked into transferring money to accounts controlled by
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
The Cook County State's Attorney's Office will present a free educational program on May 23, 2025, titled "Consumer Fraud Prevention Tips for Seniors" at Oak Park Arms Senior Living in Oak Park, featuring Assistant State's Attorney Rosa Abreu discussing how to identify and avoid common scams targeting seniors. The program highlights that fraud costs Americans approximately $100 billion annually, with seniors identified as particularly vulnerable due to factors including leisure time, isolation, anxiety, and discretionary income.
welivesecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Jury duty scams involve fraudsters impersonating government officials or court workers who contact victims by phone, email, or text claiming they missed jury service and must pay a fine immediately or face arrest. Scammers use threatening language, phishing tactics, requests for personal information (like Social Security numbers), and demand payment via untraceable methods such as cryptocurrency, gift cards, or payment apps. Legitimate courts never request payment over the phone for missed jury service, and actual summonses and notices are only sent via USPS mail with fines issued only after repeated ignored notices.
cbs8.com
· 2025-12-08
In response to escalating elder fraud losses—$100 million in San Diego last year and $4.8 billion nationally in 2024—the District Attorney's office in Oceanside hosted a fraud prevention seminar for 250 seniors, highlighting common scams including fake court documents, computer pop-ups, and property title theft. Officials discussed new legislative tools to stop suspicious transactions in real time and promoted free monitoring programs, while emphasizing that scams affect people of all education levels and encouraging victims to report incidents to law enforcement and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Nationwide Building Society warns that romance scams result in victims rarely recovering their money, with scammers typically disappearing after funds are sent. In 2022, romance fraud cost UK victims £31.3 million, with 29% of online daters reporting being asked for money by someone they haven't met in person, and over half complying with these requests. The institution advises victims to immediately contact their bank with evidence and outlines seven prevention steps, including staying on reputable platforms, avoiding money discussions before meeting in person, conducting background research on potential matches, and consulting trusted friends or family about new relationships.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reported that internet-related crime reached a five-year high in 2024, with victims losing $16.6 billion across approximately 860,000 complaints—a 33% increase from 2023. Individuals aged 60 and older suffered the largest financial losses at $4.8 billion, with the most common scams being phishing/spoofing, cryptocurrency fraud, and extortion, while investment fraud, business email compromise, and tech support fraud were the costliest schemes overall.
sportskeeda.com
· 2025-12-08
A Hulu docuseries examines a coordinated romance scam that targeted three women—Annette, Roxy, and Gaby—who were each deceived by the same fraudster using multiple aliases (Scott Donald Hall, James Richards, and Michael Silver) to solicit money under false pretenses including medical emergencies and business crises. The victims lost significant sums, with at least one woman reporting losses exceeding $30,000, and the case illustrates how scammers increasingly employ AI and deepfake technology alongside emotional manipulation to deceive victims across online dating platforms. The series documents how the women eventually discovered they shared the same deceiver and worked together to expose the fraud.
brooklyneagle.com
· 2025-12-08
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez hosted an Older Americans Month event in Canarsie on May 20, 2025, with over 100 seniors in attendance to raise awareness about scams, fraud, and elder abuse targeting seniors. Presenters from the DA's office discussed various scam types including phone/text scams, cryptocurrency fraud, grandson scams, gift card schemes, and deed theft, while noting that the office had taken down over 300 fraudulent websites in the previous 18 months and assisted thousands of scam victims. The event provided resources and encouraged seniors to report abuse and fraud without shame, emphasizing that scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics and that victims should contact
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The Cambria County Area Agency on Aging held an educational luncheon where seniors learned to identify financial scams from local police and Pennsylvania Attorney General's office officials. Attendees received information about common fraud tactics including online relationship scams, tax filing schemes, and fake toll fee requests, which have resulted in some elderly victims losing thousands of dollars or even their homes. The agency reports receiving calls almost weekly about financial exploitation in the county, emphasizing that financial crimes against seniors are among the fastest growing in the United States.
bossierpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Gina Martinez, an outreach representative from the Louisiana Department of Justice, presented to the Bossier City Lions Club on elder fraud targeting seniors in Louisiana, highlighting ten red flags including pressure tactics, requests for personal information, and too-good-to-be-true offers. Martinez warned that scammers are increasingly using sophisticated technology, including AI-powered voice cloning, to impersonate trusted individuals like grandchildren. She emphasized that awareness and education for seniors, families, and community members is the best defense, and encouraged reporting suspected fraud to the Louisiana Department of Justice or local law enforcement.
morningstar.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly family member with moderate dementia was deceived by charity solicitation letters designed to resemble overdue bills in large red font, sending thousands of dollars monthly to charities and relatives before family discovered the fraud. The situation was compounded by vulnerability to additional scams, including a nearly-executed deed scheme that would have resulted in homelessness, prompting the family to implement protective measures including removing access to checkbooks, switching to direct deposit for Social Security, and using postal informed delivery to monitor incoming mail.
wmur.com
· 2025-12-08
New Hampshire authorities warn of quit claim deed fraud, where scammers forge property ownership documents and record them without the owner's knowledge, potentially allowing them to sell, mortgage, or rent the property before detection. Between 2019 and 2023, 239 New Hampshire residents lost $4.1 million to this scheme, with scammers targeting vacant lots, properties with liens, and out-of-state owners using fake IDs in remote closings. The Attorney General's Office recommends victims set up property address alerts, monitor real estate listings, check social media, inspect their property regularly, and contact title insurance professionals, with reporting available through the Consumer Protection Hotline.
davisvanguard.org
· 2025-12-08
A June 2024 Sacramento County Grand Jury report found that elder financial abuse cases have surged in the county, with Adult Protective Services confirming nearly 4,000 cases between 2019 and 2024, yet over 97% went unprosecuted due to inadequate staffing, poor data systems, and lack of specialized training in law enforcement and the District Attorney's Office. The report identified that perpetrators are typically trusted individuals (caregivers, family members, or advisors) in over 72% of cases, creating emotional barriers to reporting, and recommended increased funding for investigators, prosecutors, victim advocates, and specialized social workers to address the growing problem as Sacramento County's senior
durbin.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
Senator Dick Durbin testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on elder fraud, reporting that Americans aged 60 and older lost nearly $4.9 billion to fraud in the prior year, with average losses of $83,000, representing a 43 percent increase year-over-year. He highlighted the particular threat of cryptocurrency ATM scams, which caused nearly $247 million in losses in 2024, a 31 percent increase, with one case involving an elderly Illinois woman losing her entire $40,000 life savings. Durbin introduced the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act to require operators to register with regulators, display scam warnings, implement transaction limits, and ref
liherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Nearly 25 seniors at General Douglas MacArthur Village in Hempstead attended a scam awareness workshop presented by the Office of Crime Victim Advocate on June 9, where they learned to recognize and avoid common fraud schemes including romance scams, identity theft, deed theft, and "grandparent scams." The training, which covered tactics like phishing and bogus official calls that create artificial urgency, statistically reduces victimization risk by 80 percent according to studies. The New Greater Hempstead Chamber of Commerce Committee on Aging continues to provide resources and will host another awareness workshop in September.
cheatsheet.com
· 2025-12-08
Steven McBee Sr., patriarch of the reality TV show "The McBee Dynasty," pleaded guilty in November 2024 to a multi-million-dollar federal crop insurance fraud scheme spanning 2018-2020, in which he underreported crops and misrepresented planting dates to illegally obtain over $4 million in USDA benefits and subsidies. He faces up to 30 years in prison, must pay restitution, and forfeit $3.2 million to the government, with sentencing scheduled for September 2025. McBee Sr. will not appear in season 2 of his family's Bravo show, which premieres June 30,
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, a Nigerian national, pleaded guilty to operating a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded over 400 elderly and vulnerable U.S. victims of more than $6 million. The scheme involved sending personalized letters falsely claiming victims were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances from overseas relatives, then requesting upfront fees for delivery and taxes before victims could receive the funds. Akhimie faces up to 20 years in prison, and seven co-conspirators from the United Kingdom, Spain, and Nigeria have also been convicted in connection with this international fraud operation.
consumerfinancemonitor.com
· 2025-12-08
The Aspen Institute launched the National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention in 2024 to develop the first coordinated U.S. national strategy against financial fraud, which currently costs Americans $430 million daily and $158 billion annually while funding transnational criminal organizations. Fraud losses reported to the FBI have increased 15-fold over the past decade, with new technologies like AI making scams more sophisticated, prompting leaders from government, law enforcement, industry, and civil society to collaborate on cross-sector solutions including improved data-sharing, victim support, and a unified reporting system.
ballardspahr.com
· 2025-12-08
The Aspen Institute's National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention, launched in 2024, addresses a critical problem: criminals steal $430 million daily from American families, totaling $158 billion annually and funding transnational criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking and human trafficking. This podcast features discussions with task force leaders about the scope of fraud in the U.S., systemic vulnerabilities that scammers exploit, the role of emerging technologies like AI in perpetuating scams, and the need for a coordinated national strategy involving government, law enforcement, industry, and consumer advocates to combat fraud at its root.
databreaches.net
· 2025-12-08
A Nigerian national pleaded guilty to operating a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded over 400 vulnerable and elderly U.S. victims of more than $6 million. Ehis Lawrence Akhimie and his conspirators sent personalized letters falsely claiming victims had inherited millions from deceased overseas relatives, then solicited upfront payments for delivery fees and taxes that victims never received. This case represents coordinated international prosecution involving U.S., UK, and Spanish authorities, with Akhimie facing up to 20 years imprisonment and seven co-conspirators previously convicted.
thegeorgiavirtue.com
· 2025-12-08
Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, a Nigerian national, pleaded guilty to operating a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded over 400 elderly and vulnerable U.S. consumers of more than $6 million. The scheme used personalized letters falsely claiming to be from Spanish bank representatives offering unclaimed inheritances, then requested upfront fees for delivery and taxes before victims could receive funds that never materialized. Akhimie faces up to 20 years imprisonment, and seven co-conspirators from Nigeria, Spain, and the United Kingdom have already been convicted and sentenced in connection with this international fraud ring.
channelnewsasia.com
· 2025-12-08
"Revenge on Gold Diggers," a Chinese interactive video game released in June, became a commercial hit by simulating pig-butchering love scams where players protect themselves from women who manipulate men for money, selling over one million copies. The game sparked intense debate in China, with supporters praising its anti-fraud educational value amid rising scam concerns (40,000 telecom fraud cases in 2024), while critics condemned it for reinforcing misogynistic stereotypes and portraying women as inherent schemers rather than addressing systemic vulnerabilities in relationships. The developers changed the Chinese title to "Emotional Anti-Fraud Simulator" but maintained the English title remained "
capeargus.co.za
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals deliberately target adults 65 and older through socio-economic crimes like romance fraud, fake investments, and phishing, exploiting age-based stereotypes and vulnerabilities such as memory issues, social isolation, and limited digital confidence. A research study by Dr. Suleman Lazarus and colleagues emphasizes that recognizing "ageism in cybercrime"—where older adults are purposefully targeted because they are perceived as easier to deceive—is essential to building effective defenses. Better awareness, clearer guidance, and stronger support systems are needed to protect older adults online, as the issue stems not from lack of money but from lack of confidence navigating digital financial systems.
fingerlakes1.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Americans lost over $12.5 billion to scams, with seniors accounting for $4.8 billion in losses, prompting Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Elizabeth Warren to request a Government Accountability Office investigation into staffing cuts at federal consumer protection agencies including the CFPB, FTC, and FBI. The senators argue that the Trump administration's actions—including firing approximately 90% of CFPB employees and implementing the Department of Government Efficiency—have severely undermined fraud prevention efforts at a time when they are most needed. The GAO has been asked to assess how these cuts have impacted the government's ability to implement fraud prevention recommendations and protect
consumerbankers.com
· 2025-12-08
Consumer Bankers Association Vice President Brian Fritzsche argues that while banks invest in fraud prevention technologies and coordinate with law enforcement, combating financial fraud and scams requires a broader, coordinated national response involving government agencies, telecommunications providers, social media platforms, and fintech companies. Fritzsche emphasizes that modern fraud schemes are sophisticated criminal enterprises using AI voice cloning, phishing emails, and social media manipulation that extend beyond traditional banking channels, affecting hundreds of thousands of Americans annually with significant financial and psychological impacts, including reported suicidal ideation among identity crime victims.
mcknightsseniorliving.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults lost nearly $5 billion to fraud and scams in 2024, with losses increasing 41% from $3.4 billion in 2023 and average individual losses reaching $83,000, according to a U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging report. The report highlights an alarming rise in AI-powered schemes and traditional fraud methods including imposter scams, investment fraud, healthcare scams, and gift card fraud, with cryptocurrency losses alone reaching nearly $3 billion. The number of older adults reporting fraud jumped 43% in 2024, prompting calls for increased federal protection and consumer education initiatives.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Tampa homeowners Larry and Dreama Bilby discovered criminals attempting to steal their home through a "title piracy" scheme involving a fraudulent quitclaim deed while their house was undergoing repairs after being damaged by a fallen tree. After setting up security cameras and registering for property record alerts, they were notified that Michelle Cherry and Victor Rodriguez had filed a quitclaim deed to transfer ownership of the Bilbys' home without their knowledge. This scam exploits legal documents typically used for legitimate property transfers between family members to fraudulently steal homes from unsuspecting owners.
govtech.com
· 2025-12-08
This article highlights the prevalence of cryptocurrency scams targeting investors, despite rising Bitcoin prices and mainstream crypto adoption. Recent cases include a $650 million OmegaPro multi-level marketing scheme promising 300% returns, a Chicago-area veteran defrauded of $10,000 by an Elon Musk impersonator, and a Secret Service operation that seized nearly $400 million in crypto assets stolen through various scams. The article warns that scammers exploit legitimate market enthusiasm and media coverage to lure victims into fraudulent investment platforms that vanish with deposits once initial profits are shown.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated fraudsters in Kerala are targeting elderly pensioners through phone scams impersonating government officials, using stolen personal data (pension details, Aadhaar numbers, nominee information) to build trust before requesting OTPs to access bank accounts. Kerala's Cyber Operations Division reports 2,000-2,500 daily fraud complaints with approximately 125 resulting in cases, causing an estimated loss of ₹1-1.5 crore daily, though 90% of losses are under ₹1 lakh per victim. The Pension Directorate has warned pensioners that legitimate government officials never contact them by phone or online to update life certificates, and victims should report frau
ice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, a Nigerian national, pleaded guilty to operating a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded over 400 elderly and vulnerable U.S. victims of more than $6 million. The scheme involved sending personalized letters falsely claiming victims were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances and requesting upfront payments for delivery fees and taxes, with funds collected through a network of U.S.-based money mules. Akhimie faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, and seven co-conspirators from the United Kingdom, Spain, and Nigeria have also been convicted in connection with this international fraud operation.
legaltalknetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
Legal experts from LSC-funded organizations discuss how civil legal services address critical needs of aging Americans, with LSC programs assisting over 312,000 seniors age 60+ annually with issues including wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives. Seniors face particular vulnerability to scams and fraud, and these legal crises compound other challenges like housing costs and medical issues that threaten their safety, stability, and ability to age independently with dignity.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
Sam responded to an unsolicited text about a marketing job opportunity and was drawn into a task-based scam after being contacted via WhatsApp by scammers posing as recruiters. The scammers lured him with promises of $900+ weekly wages for easy work, daily payments, and a paid trial, ultimately resulting in Sam losing thousands of dollars before he ended contact. The article identifies multiple red flags Sam missed, including error-riddled messages, unrealistic wages for unskilled work, requests to move communication off legitimate platforms, and pressure to proceed without standard employment verification procedures.
williamsmullen.com
· 2025-12-08
Email payment scams involving last-minute changes to payment methods and destinations cost parties significant sums, including a $475,000 settlement in Thomas v. Corbyn Rest. Dev. Corp where defendants' attorney wired funds to an imposter's account after receiving a fraudulent email requesting a change from check to wire transfer. Courts have held the party in the best position to prevent fraud—typically through verifying requests via independent phone contact and scrutinizing suspicious email addresses and sudden payment term changes—liable for losses. The key defense against these schemes is to assume the worst when receiving unexpected payment modification requests and verify all changes through established, verified communication channels rather than relying on email alone.
2urbangirls.com
· 2025-12-08
**Incident:** A wildfire survivor in Ventura County filed a lawsuit against ServPro Global DRT alleging fraud, elder abuse, and property destruction following the November 2024 Camarillo Mountain Wildfire. The contractor allegedly performed unauthorized restoration work on the plaintiff's property, caused significant damage to HVAC systems and structural components, then demanded over $62,000 and filed a fraudulent mechanic's lien against the property when challenged. The California Contractors State License Board identified multiple violations including lack of proper contracts, failure to provide required senior cancellation rights, and use of unregistered sales personnel, supporting allegations of predatory fraud targeting vulnerable disaster survivors.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Mark Janbakhsh, CEO of auto dealership Auto Masters, was convicted of bank fraud, conspiracy, and related crimes after submitting false documentation to Capital One and First Tennessee Bank between 2013 and 2017 to fraudulently obtain approximately $26.4 million in credit. When auditors discovered discrepancies, Janbakhsh directed employees to destroy evidence and later lied under oath during bankruptcy proceedings, additionally attempting to bribe a co-conspirator with over $300,000 to flee and obstruct the federal investigation. He faces up to 30 years in federal prison and $1 million in fines at sentencing.
khou.com
· 2025-12-08
**Real Estate Wire Fraud Alert:** Scammers increasingly impersonate real estate agents, lenders, and title companies to deceive homebuyers into wiring money to fraudulent accounts, with first-time homebuyers being three times more likely to fall victim and 1 in 20 consumers expected to be scammed according to a 2025 CertifID report. Experts recommend verifying all wire instructions directly with verified phone numbers, remaining skeptical of urgent requests, and avoiding clicking unknown links in purchase-related communications.
myfoxzone.com
· 2025-12-08
I can't provide a summary for this request. The text provided appears to be a standard app promotion or website navigation element, not an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. It contains no information relevant to the Elderus database's purpose.
Please provide an actual article or transcript about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse if you'd like a summary created.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
James L. Townes Jr., 50, of Berkeley, Missouri, and accomplice Charnay Bartlett, 29, were indicted on multiple counts for orchestrating a property fraud scheme in which they fraudulently transferred ownership of 16 homes and a duplex between September 2018 and April 2025 by stealing identities, forging signatures, and creating fraudulent notarized deeds. In a separate indictment, Townes was charged with falsely claiming disability benefits while simultaneously operating multiple businesses and managing investment accounts and notary commissions from February 2017 through August 2025. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the combine
commonsenseinstituteus.org
· 2025-12-08
Financial fraud in Oregon resulted in an estimated $201 million in reported losses and $1.2 billion in unreported losses in 2025, with the FBI and FTC reporting significant increases in fraud cases nationwide. The state's economy faces a projected $3.9 billion reduction in GDP, $2.6 billion reduction in personal income, and approximately 15,000 job losses due to all financial fraud (reported and unreported). Oregon ranks 26th-28th among states for cyber-enabled crime losses and elder fraud complaints, with fraud cases up 3,336 since 2022 and total losses up 285% since 2020.
wlrn.org
· 2025-12-07
Palm Beach County officials held a community meeting in Delray Beach to alert residents about rising scams targeting seniors, including fake SunPass charges, Bitcoin ATM schemes, and identity theft via suspicious texts. State Attorney Alexcia Cox announced that her office has created specialized prosecution units for elder abuse, cybercrime, and property deed fraud, while noting that AI technology and overseas offenders have complicated fraud prosecution efforts. According to FBI data, cybercrimes cost Americans over $16 billion in 2024, representing a 33% increase from the previous year.
netflix.com
· 2025-12-07
Netflix's "Love Con Revenge" follows host Cecilie Fjellhøy (a former "Tinder Swindler" victim) and private investigator Brianne Joseph as they investigate romance scams and help victims pursue justice. The series documents cases including a man who manipulated a woman out of thousands by fabricating military trauma stories, and another who posed as a doctor while orchestrating approximately $2 million in fraud against his wife and her daughters. The hosts emphasize that romance fraud is widespread and encourage victims to come forward despite the emotional and financial devastation, as well as challenges in holding perpetrators accountable.
ew.com
· 2025-12-07
Netflix's docuseries "Love Con Revenge" features Cecilie Fjellhøy and private investigator Brianne Joseph exposing romance scams, with cases including Todd Dean (the "Selfie Scammer"), who defrauded at least eight women of tens of thousands of dollars for a fake wellness startup called Sanjara and was ordered to pay one victim $30,727.50 in court before filing for bankruptcy in December 2023, and Ricky Morrisey, who stole over $13,000 from victim Bridget Phillips while posing as a military veteran with a fabricated tragic backstory, resulting in fraud and larceny
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-07
Text message job scams have surged in recent years, with reported losses rising from $90 million in 2020 to $501 million by 2024. Contrary to expectations, younger Americans—particularly Gen Z (20%) and millennials (16%)—are more vulnerable to these scams than older generations, with young men being especially susceptible due to financial pressures, career inexperience, and the appeal of fast remote income. Among victims who engaged with scam texts, approximately 30% had money stolen from their accounts and 45% shared personal information with scammers.
aol.com
· 2025-12-07
Netflix's "Love Con Revenge" docuseries exposes romance scams where fraudsters manipulate victims into sending money through fake romantic relationships. The documentary follows cases including Todd Dean (the "Selfie Scammer") who convinced at least eight women to invest in a fake wellness startup, resulting in a $30,727.50 court judgment against him; and Ricky Morrisey, who stole over $13,000 from victim Bridget Phillips and was convicted of three felony counts, receiving a three-year prison sentence in September 2025, while some scammers continue to evade accountability.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-07
In February 2024, former U.S. Ambassador Cindy Dyer testified to the Senate about the connection between human trafficking abroad and romance scams targeting older Americans, noting that scam centers in Southeast Asia—particularly Cambodia—force trafficking victims to defraud Americans out of millions of dollars and life savings. The FTC estimated that Americans lost $158 billion to all fraud in 2023, with older Americans reporting $277 million in romance scam losses that year, though actual figures are likely much higher due to underreporting. Experts stress that international cooperation is essential to combat these overseas-based scams, but such efforts have been hindered by reduced foreign aid and weakened international all
kvue.com
· 2025-12-07
I appreciate you testing the system, but this appears to be a navigation prompt or app advertisement from a news website (KVUE) rather than an article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse.
To provide a proper summary for the Elderus database, please share an actual article or transcript about fraud, scams, or elder abuse involving seniors. I'm ready to summarize once you provide relevant content.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-07
A Nigerian national, Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, was sentenced to 97 months in prison for his role in a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded over $6 million from more than 400 elderly and vulnerable victims. The scheme involved sending personalized letters falsely claiming victims had unclaimed inheritances from overseas relatives, then requesting upfront fees for delivery, taxes, and other costs; the perpetrators collected money through a network of U.S.-based money mules, and victims never received any inheritance. Akhimie is the eighth defendant sentenced in connection with the scheme, which was investigated by U.S. law enforcement and international authorities from
auroranewsregister.com
· 2025-12-07
Bank fraud prevention experts presented findings at a senior center on common scams targeting older adults, including tech support, phishing, vishing, and grandparent scams that use fear and emotional appeals to steal money. According to Federal Trade Commission statistics cited, consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023—a 14% increase from 2022—with tech support fraud being the leading crime type for those over 60, resulting in nearly $600 million in reported losses. The presentation advised seniors to recognize red flags in phishing emails, be skeptical of unsolicited tech support offers, and trust their instincts to avoid becoming victims.
wkyc.com
· 2025-12-07
I don't have enough substantive content to summarize. The text provided appears to be a website navigation or instructional snippet about downloading a news station app (WKYC), rather than an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse.
To provide an appropriate summary for the Elderus database, please provide the full article text that discusses a fraud, scam, or elder abuse case or prevention guidance.
krem.com
· 2025-12-07
I appreciate you testing my functionality, but this appears to be a technical notice about a news station's streaming app rather than content related to elder fraud, scams, or abuse. This isn't suitable material for the Elderus database, which focuses on fraudulent schemes and elder mistreatment.
If you have an actual article about a scam, fraud case, or elder abuse situation you'd like summarized, I'd be happy to help with that.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
The Financial Exploitation Prevention Act, reintroduced in September by Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), would empower financial institutions to detect and delay suspicious transactions targeting seniors, particularly those involving securities and real estate. Financial exploitation costs U.S. seniors approximately $27 billion annually, and the bill seeks to close existing protection gaps by requiring the SEC to recommend legislative and regulatory changes to combat senior financial abuse, including romance scams and fraudulent home-related transactions.
nclc.org
· 2025-12-07
Consumers lose $158 billion annually to fraud affecting approximately 57,000 new victims daily, according to a National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention report. The report recommends that financial institutions, telecom companies, social media platforms, and tech companies implement stronger protections and accountability measures, while advocating for Congress to close consumer protection gaps, strengthen the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and hold VoIP providers accountable for facilitating scam calls and texts on their networks.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A scammer's attempt to fraudulently obtain a reverse mortgage on an elderly Ohio homeowner's property was prevented by EquityProtect's SmartPolicy fraud prevention technology, which flagged the unauthorized loan request and alerted the homeowner's daughter who held Power of Attorney. The incident illustrates growing financial crime targeting seniors, with the FBI reporting $4.88 billion in losses from 147,127 elder fraud complaints in 2024, a 46% increase in complaints year-over-year.
morningstar.com
· 2025-12-07
A scammer attempted to defraud an elderly Ohio homeowner by convincing him to take out a reverse mortgage to steal his home equity, but the scheme was foiled when EquityProtect's Property Title Lock service detected the unauthorized loan application and notified the homeowner's daughter, who held Power of Attorney over the property. The incident highlights growing financial crimes against seniors, with the FBI reporting $4.88 billion in losses from 147,127 elder fraud complaints in 2024, a 46% increase from the previous year.
consumerreports.org
· 2025-12-07
Texting and messaging scam attempts increased by 50 percent in the past year, with young adults experiencing the highest rise, according to Consumer Reports' 2025 Cyber Readiness Report. The report revealed significant disparities in scam vulnerability: low-income households were three times more likely to lose money from scams than high-income households (29% vs. 10%), and Black Americans who encountered scams lost money at more than twice the rate of white Americans (37% vs. 15%), partly due to lower credit card usage and reliance on less-protected payment methods. Consumers can protect themselves by not replying to suspicious texts, blocking senders, reporting to their mobile provider
unionprogress.com
· 2025-12-07
Pennsylvania residents are on track to lose more money to fraud in the current year than in the previous year, with Pennsylvanians having lost approximately $400 million to scams last year and ranking eighth nationally in total fraud losses. Artificial intelligence is enabling increasingly sophisticated scams—including the "grandparent scam" where criminals use AI voice technology to impersonate family members—making traditional detection methods like spotting typos ineffective, and most scams originate from organized networks outside the U.S., making investigation and prosecution difficult. The National Elder Fraud Coordination Center, launched this year with analysts based in Pittsburgh, is working to address this growing epidemic through coordination between private and public sector partners.