New Scam Involving Fraudulent Texts Impersonates IRS New Scam Involving Fraudulent Texts Impersonates IRS
New Scam Involving Fraudulent Texts Impersonates IRS A new scam involves unsolicited text messages impersonating the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the agency says. The fraudulent messages falsely claim recipients are eligible for a $1,400 Economic Impact Payment and instruct them to click a deceptive link to "claim" the funds. How The Scam Works Victims receive a text message that appears to be from the IRS, stating they are owed an Economic Impact Payment. The message urges them to provide personal information to process the supposed payment. Scammers promise the money will be deposited into a bank account or mailed as a check within 1-2…
EXCLUSIVE: SZA Allegedly Scammed By Woman Wanted For $600K+ Hospital Fraud EXCLUSIVE: SZA Allegedly Scammed By Woman Wanted For $600K+ Hospital Fraud
Exclusive: SZA Allegedly Scammed By Woman Wanted For $600K+ Hospital Fraud A New Jersey woman accused of defrauding Pennsylvania hospitals out of more than $600,000 while raising money for assisted suicide has also been accused of scamming Grammy-winning singer SZA. Taleah McKnight, 30, also known as Abygail Brooks, Chemory Brooks, Taleah Brooks, Leah Osei, and Leah Javon has an active arrest warrant for theft by deception and theft of services, East Hempfield Township Police in Lancaster County announced and Daily Voice previously reported.  McKnight has lived at addresses in Roselle Park and Rahway in Union County as well as Carteret, Middlesex County, New…
Rental Ford Expedition Linked To East Coast Thefts Sought By Police Rental Ford Expedition Linked To East Coast Thefts Sought By Police
Rental Ford Expedition Linked To East Coast Thefts Sought By Police A rented Ford Expedition tied to thefts along the East Coast remains missing, and Pennsylvania State Police are asking for the public’s help in locating its occupants. The 2024 Ford Expedition Max Limited, bearing Florida registration 16BSJL and VIN 1FMJK1K82REA28658, has been linked to multiple thefts involving cash, credit cards, checks, and driver’s licenses, police said. The stolen items are allegedly being used to fraudulently withdraw funds from banks. The suspects have reportedly used rental vehicles in recent crimes. This Ford Expedition was rented in New Jersey on March 13, 2025,…
EXCLUSIVE: Woman Wanted For $600K Hospital Fraud Launches Suicide Fundraiser EXCLUSIVE: Woman Wanted For $600K Hospital Fraud Launches Suicide Fundraiser
Exclusive: Woman Wanted For $600K Hospital Fraud Launches Suicide Fundraiser A New Jersey woman— with ties to multiple other states — is wanted for allegedly defrauding Pennsylvania hospitals of more than $600,000 by faking a sickle cell diagnosis and has been raising money online for assisted suicide in Switzerland, Pennsylvania State Police announced and GoFundMe confirmed to Daily Voice on Tuesday, March 18. Taleah McKnight, 30, also known as Abygail Brooks, Chemory Brooks, Taleah Brooks, and Leah Osei, has an active arrest warrant for theft by deception and theft of services, East Hempfield Township Police in Lancaster County said on Thursday, March 14. McK…
Scammers Stole Taylor Swift Eras Tour Tickets In $600K+ Scheme, Prosecutors Say Scammers Stole Taylor Swift Eras Tour Tickets In $600K+ Scheme, Prosecutors Say
Scammers Stole Taylor Swift Eras Tour Tickets In $600K+ Scheme, Prosecutors Say Taylor Swift fans are hoping "Karma" comes to whoever scammed them out of expensive tickets to The Eras Tour. Two people were accused of stealing nearly 1,000 tickets to high-demand events, including the popstar's record-breaking concert tour. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced arrests in the case in a news release on Monday, Mar. 3. Tyrone Rose, 20, of Kingston, Jamaica, and Shamara Simmons, 31, of Queens, NY, were facing charges including grand larceny, conspiracy, and computer tampering.  "These defendants tried to use the popularity of Taylor Swift…
Trucker Torches Tractor-Trailer Along I-68 In Maryland: Fire Marshal Trucker Torches Tractor-Trailer Along I-68 In Maryland: Fire Marshal
Trucker Torches Tractor-Trailer Along I-68 In Maryland: Fire Marshal A Baltimore County man is facing serious charges after investigators say he intentionally set his disabled semi-truck on fire along I-68 in Western Maryland. Robert Steven Silver, 42, of Cockeysville, was arrested Tuesday, March 4, with the help of Baltimore County Police after a months-long investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The incident happened on the night of Oct. 12, 2024, when firefighters from the Baltimore Pike Volunteer Fire Company responded to a burning tractor-trailer at the 50-mile marker of the interstate.  Crews arrived to find flames inside a 2012 V…
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever $44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever Seven New Yorkers have been charged in a sweeping tax fraud scheme, accused of exploiting pandemic relief programs to steal over $44 million, federal prosecutors announced. The indictment by the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, unsealed Wednesday, Jan. 22, alleges that the defendants filed over 8,000 fraudulent tax returns, seeking more than $600 million in COVID-19 relief funds through the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and related programs. Investigators determined the group successfully secured $44 million from the federal government. Defendants Long Island …
Gold Bar Scam 'To Keep Russia Away:' NY Teen Admits Bilking Elderly MD Woman Out Of Thousands Gold Bar Scam 'To Keep Russia Away:' NY Teen Admits Bilking Elderly MD Woman Out Of Thousands
Gold Bar Scam 'To Keep Russia Away:' NY Teen Admits Bilking Elderly MD Woman Out Of Thousands A 19-year-old New York resident implicated in a government-imposter-related scam is facing a harsh sentence above expected guidelines after admitting to targeting an elderly Maryland woman who sought to keep Russia away from her money, authorities announced on Tuesday. Brooklyn resident Zhenyong Weng was arrested last year after preying on an 82-year-old Silver Spring woman by reaching out to her and instructing her to transfer her assets into gold bars to keep Russian hands off. The woman complied, police say, and handed off several packages worth an estimated $900,000 in gold ba…
American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers
American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers American Express said it will pay $230 million to resolve federal investigations into deceptive sales tactics and recordkeeping violations involving small business credit card and wire transfer products. The credit card company agreed to pay a $108.7 million civil penalty, the Department of Justice said in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 16. The settlement resolved claims against American Express of deceptive marketing and "dummy" account information. American Express was accused of engaging in unlawful sales tactics and falsifying records between 2014 and 2021. "When financial companies …
Don't Fall For It: New Twist On Imposter Fraud Targets Your Money, Personal Info Don't Fall For It: New Twist On Imposter Fraud Targets Your Money, Personal Info
Don't Fall For It: New Twist On Imposter Fraud Targets Your Money, Personal Info The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is sounding the alarm on a sophisticated new imposter scheme designed to steal your money and personal information.  These scams are becoming increasingly convincing, but learning to spot the red flags can help you stay protected. How the Scam Works Initial Contact: Scammers pose as representatives from well-known companies, such as Amazon or a tech support service. They’ll claim there’s a routine issue, like suspicious charges on your account, a computer virus, or an account breach. Escalation: The scammers lie, saying your name is tied to serious …
Gold Bar Scammer Preying On Elderly Becomes First In Montgomery County Sentenced To Prison Gold Bar Scammer Preying On Elderly Becomes First In Montgomery County Sentenced To Prison
Gold Bar Scammer Preying On Elderly Becomes First In Montgomery County Sentenced To Prison The first gold bar scammer linked to an international crime ring targeting elderly residents in Maryland received a harsh sentence while making history in Montgomery County. On Monday, Dec. 11, Circuit Court Judge Margaret Schweitzer sentenced 26-year-old Ravinklejeet Mathon, of Rockville, to 10 years in prison, suspending all but five years, followed by five years of probation, well above the suggested guidelines for sentencing. Mathon was arrested in May after picking up the gold bars under the guise of being a courier.  The elderly victim, manipulated into believing his identity wa…
Brooklyn Man Charged In $400K Gold Bar Scam Targeting Elderly Maryland Couple, Police Say Brooklyn Man Charged In $400K Gold Bar Scam Targeting Elderly Maryland Couple, Police Say
Brooklyn Man Charged In $400K Gold Bar Scam Targeting Elderly Maryland Couple, Police Say A Brooklyn man is facing charges after allegedly scamming a 75-year-old Bethesda couple out of over $400,000 through a gold bar scheme, Montgomery County police announced. Yongxian Huang, 23, was arrested after posing as a federal agent and convincing the couple to convert their assets into gold bars for "safekeeping" with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, authorities said Friday, Nov. 22. The elaborate scam began in September 2024 when the victims received a fake text message claiming to be from Apple about unauthorized charges.  After contacting the number provided, the cou…