Fake Amazon bill scam uses a $988 iPad order to lure people
Fake Amazon Invoice Scam Uses a Nearly $1,000 iPad Purchase to Create Urgency An email claiming to be an Amazon invoice can be alarming, especially when it says you’ve been charged nearly $1,000 for a new iPad. It may even include a phone number and instructions for canceling the order. But that apparent solution is […]
A romance scam involving a Jon Bon Jovi impersonator takes $10,000 from a Louisiana fan.
Leslie Pickett thought she was chatting with Jon Bon Jovi, a rock star she had adored since her teenage years. For months, he engaged with her, sending personal videos and convincing messages, ultimately persuading her to send over $10,000. By the time she realized she had been scammed, she was facing the risk of losing […]
Federal Prosecutors Reveal the Breakup of a Migrant Marriage Scam in Boston
Fraud Ring Taken Down in Boston Over Sham Marriages The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts has revealed that authorities in Boston have dismantled a suspected fraud ring involved in arranging numerous fake marriages between migrants and American citizens. U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley made the announcement during a press conference on Wednesday. […]
Man charged with pretending to be 49ers player in $1.3M romance scam on Hinge
A Cautionary Tale of Online Deception Imagine connecting with someone on a dating app who claims to be a player for the San Francisco 49ers. Their Instagram boasts 85,000 followers, a blue checkmark, and flashy videos showcasing a luxurious lifestyle, complete with expensive cars. Would you actually believe him? Domonique DuBose found herself questioning the […]
Scam on Facebook Marketplace uses your name to create a fake listing to deceive you
You receive a text from an unfamiliar number asking, “Is this still available for purchase?” Attached is an image that looks like a Facebook Marketplace listing. At first, you might feel confused—after all, you don’t recall selling anything. But then you notice your name as the seller, which can trigger a knee-jerk reaction like, “That’s […]
Individual given a prison term for $8 million AI music streaming scam, according to officials
A man from North Carolina has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after prosecutors accused him of using AI technology to produce music and utilizing thousands of bots to fraudulently earn over $8 million in streaming royalties. Michael Smith, 54, from Cornelius, North Carolina, pleaded guilty earlier this year to a charge of conspiracy […]
Sacramento concert attendees affected by parking scam encounter lost vehicles and steep charges
A number of attendees at a Sacramento concert recently found themselves in quite a bind, staring down a hefty $562 bill after discovering that their cars had mysteriously disappeared following a music festival. One attendee, Bruce Capagli, even reported that the vehicle he got back was so damaged it’s no longer drivable. Capagli is among […]
Operation Blackout leads to 130 arrests in Ghana for scam investigation
FBI’s Global Crackdown on Scam Centers in Ghana In a significant operation, the FBI has recently arrested over 130 individuals in Ghana as part of a broad initiative targeting fraud schemes aimed at Americans, especially vulnerable seniors. Investigators have also identified nearly $10 million in financial losses, according to information from the FBI. This crackdown, […]
Voice cloning scam deceives Navy veteran mother into $5,400 wire transfer
I want you to think about the voice of someone you love. You can probably recall how they sound when they laugh, or even how they might sound in distress. So, imagine this: your phone rings, and it’s that voice, pleading for help. This was the reality for Deborah Del Mastro. Recently, I talked with […]
The kindness scam: Scammers take advantage of America’s support system
Governments have been distributing public work for ages, dating back to when stones were first laid on the Appian Way. Wherever there’s government funding, you can be sure people are lining up for a share. Abraham Lincoln, it’s said, grew weary of the many individuals clamoring for government positions and favors, famously remarking that “there […]