February 2025

Warning sign: How to spot AI-generated real estate scams. Learn to identify fake listings and protect yourself from fraud.

Unmasking the Mirage: How to Spot AI-Generated Real Estate Scams

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The allure of a dream home or a lucrative investment property can be powerful. However, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has opened a Pandora’s box of sophisticated scams targeting the real estate market. From deepfake virtual tours to AI-generated listings, scammers are leveraging advanced technology to deceive unsuspecting buyers, sellers, and investors. This article

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Data visualization showing the increase in financial fraud affecting financial institution groups in 2025.

Fraud and Scam Protection in Financial Institutions: 2025 Strategies, Trends, and Lessons from the MGM Cyberattack

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The financial services industry is under siege. In an era defined by rapid digital transformation, financial institution groups – encompassing banks, credit unions, brokerage firms, insurance companies, and fintech startups – face an unprecedented wave of sophisticated fraud and scams. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported that global losses from financial fraud exceeded

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Close-up of a fraudulent tax document with a red 'FRAUDULENT' stamp, related to a COVID-19 relief fraud case.

Fake Tax Docs & Kickbacks: Inside a $5 Million COVID-19 Relief Fraud Case

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MEMPHIS, TN – A Mississippi woman has admitted to masterminding a sophisticated scheme that defrauded the U.S. government’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) of over $5 million. Lisa Evans, 42, of Olive Branch, Mississippi, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud on February 20, 2025, before United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker. The case

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FBI logo, encouraging victims of Michael Depetrillo's Forex fraud scheme to report information at fbi.gov/depetrillovictims.

New Orleans Financier Michael Depetrillo Pleads Guilty in $9.2 Million Forex Investment Fraud Scheme

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NEW ORLEANS, LA (February 19, 2025) – Michael Brian Depetrillo, a 43-year-old New Orleans resident, pleaded guilty on February 18, 2025, to violating the Commodity Exchange Act, admitting to a multi-million dollar investment fraud scheme that spanned seven years and defrauded at least 55 investors. Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced the guilty plea,

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Illustration showing a shield protecting against cryptocurrency scams, including phishing and rug pulls.

Cryptocurrency Scams: The Ultimate Guide to Avoiding the Latest Threats in 2025

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Learn how to identify and avoid cryptocurrency scams in 2024. This comprehensive guide covers the latest scam types, red flags, prevention strategies, and what to do if you’ve been victimized. Stay safe in the crypto world! The world of cryptocurrency is exciting, offering the potential for significant financial gains and technological innovation. However, this decentralized

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Infographic explaining how to spot, avoid, and report affinity fraud in 2025. It lists warning signs like unsolicited offers and high-pressure tactics, protective measures like independent research, and reporting agencies like the SEC, FINRA, and FBI.

Affinity Fraud 2025: Spot, Avoid, & Report

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The digital age has amplified both the connectivity and the vulnerability of our communities. Investment scams, particularly affinity fraud, which preys on the trust within close-knit groups, are evolving at an alarming rate. As we look to 2025, it’s vital to understand the specific threats posed by these schemes and equip ourselves with the knowledge

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Handcuffs on top of fake tax documents and a laptop showing a romance scam chat window, representing the Thomas Addaquay fraud case.

Thomas Addaquay Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for $7 Million Tax Refund and Romance Scam Conspiracy

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ATLANTA, GA (February 12, 2025) – A sophisticated, multi-layered fraud operation spanning several years and impacting victims across the United States has come to an end with the sentencing of Thomas Addaquay, 50, of Atlanta. Addaquay was handed a 12-year and six-month prison sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay

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Illustration of a person's digital profile being targeted by cyber threats in 2025, highlighting the need for identity theft and data breach protection.

The Escalating Crisis of Identity Theft and Data Breaches: A 2025 Survival Guide

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The Digital Age Dilemma: Convenience vs. Catastrophic Risk The digital revolution has woven itself into the fabric of our lives, offering unprecedented convenience and connectivity. We bank online, shop online, work online, and even manage our health online. But this interconnectedness comes at a steep price: an escalating crisis of identity theft and data breaches.

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Conceptual illustration of a computer network being attacked by Phobos ransomware, showing encrypted files and a ransom demand.

Phobos Ransomware Ring Busted: Roman Berezhnoy and Egor Nikolaevich Glebov Charged in $16M+ Global Cybercrime Spree

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a sweeping international operation, the U.S. Justice Department has unsealed charges against two Russian nationals accused of masterminding a global ransomware campaign that extorted over $16 million from victims, including hospitals, schools, and businesses. The operation, involving law enforcement agencies from over a dozen countries, marks a significant blow against the

Phobos Ransomware Ring Busted: Roman Berezhnoy and Egor Nikolaevich Glebov Charged in $16M+ Global Cybercrime Spree Read More »

Image promoting the SAVE Act to protect against fraud and scams. Graphic features a shield with the text "SAVE Act - Fraud & Scam" in red and blue.

Navigating the Murky Waters of Deception: Understanding the SAVE Act and the Fight Against Fraud & Scams

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In an era defined by rapid technological advancement and increasingly sophisticated methods of deception, the battle against fraud and scams has become more critical than ever. Legislators and regulatory bodies are constantly striving to create and update frameworks to protect citizens from financial exploitation and deceptive practices. Among these efforts, the term “SAVE Act” has

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