Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from older Americans last year, an FBI report says
WASHINGTON (AP) — Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from older Americans last year, according to an FBI report released Tuesday that shows a rise in losses through increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics to trick the vulnerable into giving up their life savings.
Losses from scams reported by Americans over the age of 60 last year were up 11% over the year before, according to the FBI’s report. Investigators are warning of a rise in brazen schemes to drain bank accounts that involve sending couriers in person to collect cash or gold from victims.
“It can be a devastating impact to older Americans who lack the ability to go out and make money,” said Deputy Assistant Director James Barnacle of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “People lose all their money. Some people become destitute.”
The FBI received more than 100,000 complaints by victims of scams over the age of 60 last year, with nearly 6,000 people losing more than $100,000. It follows a sharp rise in reported losses by older Americans in the two years after the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, when people were stuck at home and easier for scammers to reach over the phone.
Related articles
Chinese coast guard fires water cannons at Philippine vessels in latest South China Sea incident
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Chinese coast guard ships fired water cannons at two Philippine patrol ve2024-05-01- Tourists visit the Xuanwu Lake scenic spot in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Mar2024-05-01
Xi Congratulates Mirziyoyev on Election as Uzbek President
Contact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom2024-05-01Solar floating project in Thailand's Rayong constructed with support of Huawei
Aerial photo taken on April 11, 2022 shows the solar floating project in Rayong, Thailand. The solar2024-05-01Nottingham stabbing victim Grace O'Malley
The parents of Nottingham stabbing victim Grace O'Malley-Kumar have backed calls for their daughter2024-05-01Sanyuesan: Folk art feasts across China
(ECNS)-- Sanyuesan, a traditional festival held on the third day of the third month in the Chinese l2024-05-01
atest comment