FraudsWatch

FraudsWatch is а site reporting on fraud and scammers on internet, in financial services and personal. Providing a daily news service publishes articles contributed by experts; is widely reported in thе latest compliance requirements, and offers very broad coverage of thе latest online theft cases, pending investigations and threats of fraud.

Conceptual image of hands reaching for COVID-19 relief funds, symbolizing PPP and EIDL loan fraud.

COVID-19 Relief Fraud: The Case of Casie Hynes and the $2 Million+ Scheme – A Deep Dive into Pandemic Loan Abuse

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented economic challenges, prompting the US government to launch massive relief programs like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. These initiatives, designed to keep businesses afloat and protect jobs,

COVID-19 Relief Fraud: The Case of Casie Hynes and the $2 Million+ Scheme – A Deep Dive into Pandemic Loan Abuse Read More »

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

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

Suspicious text message on smartphone screen

“Zero-Click” Attacks Exploit Text Messages: FBI Urges iPhone and Android Users to Delete Suspicious Texts

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a stark warning to millions of iPhone and Android users across the globe: delete any suspicious or unsolicited text messages immediately, without clicking on any links or responding. This urgent advisory comes

“Zero-Click” Attacks Exploit Text Messages: FBI Urges iPhone and Android Users to Delete Suspicious Texts Read More »

Four pharmacy owners sentenced for $13M Medicare and Medicaid fraud scheme involving fake prescriptions. DOJ Health Care Fraud Strike Force investigation.

Four Pharmacy Owners Sentenced in Landmark $13 Million Healthcare Fraud Case: A Deep Dive into the Conspiracy and Its Implications

In a significant victory against healthcare fraud, four pharmacy owners have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a multimillion-dollar conspiracy targeting Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. The case, prosecuted by the U.S. Department

Four Pharmacy Owners Sentenced in Landmark $13 Million Healthcare Fraud Case: A Deep Dive into the Conspiracy and Its Implications Read More »

Ippei Mizuhara sentenced for stealing $17 million from MLB star Shohei Ohtani in a gambling fraud case.

Ippei Mizuhara Sentenced to 57 Months: How Shohei Ohtani’s Trusted Interpreter Stole $17 Million in Shocking Gambling Scandal

Santa Ana, California – October 2024 – In a shocking case of betrayal and financial fraud, Ippei Mizuhara, the former Japanese-language interpreter for Major League Baseball (MLB) superstar Shohei Ohtani, has been sentenced to 57 months in federal prison. Mizuhara, 40,

Ippei Mizuhara Sentenced to 57 Months: How Shohei Ohtani’s Trusted Interpreter Stole $17 Million in Shocking Gambling Scandal Read More »

Depicts online scam protection and awareness

Top 10 Online Scams in 2025: How to Recognize and Protect Yourself from Phishing, Romance Scams, and More

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, online scams have become increasingly sophisticated, targeting individuals and businesses alike. As we move into 2025, cybercriminals are leveraging advanced technologies and psychological tactics to deceive victims. This article delves into the top 10 online

Top 10 Online Scams in 2025: How to Recognize and Protect Yourself from Phishing, Romance Scams, and More Read More »

Pill bottles and opioid pills representing the Louisiana doctor sentenced for opioid prescription fraud.

Dr. Adrian Dexter Talbot Gets Stiff 7-Year Prison Sentence for $5.4 Million Opioid Scheme: 1.8 Million Doses Illegally Distributed

Slidell – A Louisiana physician has been handed a harsh sentence of 87 months in federal prison for his central role in a massive conspiracy to illegally distribute over 1.8 million doses of highly addictive Schedule II controlled substances, including

Dr. Adrian Dexter Talbot Gets Stiff 7-Year Prison Sentence for $5.4 Million Opioid Scheme: 1.8 Million Doses Illegally Distributed Read More »

Illustration depicting alleged theft of Google AI secrets by former engineer, with connections to China and potential economic espionage

Google AI Secrets at Risk? Linwei Ding Faces 14 Counts of Espionage and Trade Secret Theft in China Scheme

The high-stakes world of artificial intelligence (AI) development has become a battleground for global technological dominance. A new superseding indictment against a former Google engineer, Linwei Ding (also known as Leon Ding), highlights the intense competition and the lengths to

Google AI Secrets at Risk? Linwei Ding Faces 14 Counts of Espionage and Trade Secret Theft in China Scheme Read More »

Petros Fichidzhyan Pleads Guilty

Petros Fichidzhyan Pleads Guilty in $17 Million Medicare Hospice Fraud Scheme: A Deep Dive into Identity Theft and Money Laundering

The United States healthcare system, despite its advancements, remains vulnerable to fraudulent activities, particularly within programs like Medicare. These schemes not only drain taxpayer dollars but also undermine the integrity of healthcare services, especially for vulnerable populations like the terminally

Petros Fichidzhyan Pleads Guilty in $17 Million Medicare Hospice Fraud Scheme: A Deep Dive into Identity Theft and Money Laundering Read More »