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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
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
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
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,
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
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
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
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.
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
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