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
French Olympic fencer Thibus says she has been cleared of any wrongdoing after abnormal doping test
PARIS (AP) — Ysaora Thibus, one of France’s leading fencers, says she will be able to compete at the2024-05-22- The U.S.' plan to invest billions in domestic manufacturing of cargo cranes to replace ones made in2024-05-22
China expenses concerns over EU commission probes
China has expressed strong concerns following the recent announcement by the European Commission to2024-05-22- China became the top overseas direct purchase choice for South Koreans last year, surpassing the Uni2024-05-22
Guardians pitcher Carlos Carrasco placed on IL and won't face his former team, the Mets
CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Guardians pitcher Carlos Carrasco, who was scheduled to start Tuesday nig2024-05-22Hainan eyes bigger role in nation's opening
Construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port is gathering momentum, said a top official of Hainan prov2024-05-22
atest comment