'Heartless Frauds': Feds Seize Record $225M In Crypto From 'Pig Butchering' Scammers 'Heartless Frauds': Feds Seize Record $225M In Crypto From 'Pig Butchering' Scammers
'Heartless Frauds': Feds Seize Record $225M In Crypto From 'Pig Butchering' Scammers Federal agents have seized the largest amount of cryptocurrency ever related to "pig butchering" scams, where victims were tricked into fake online relationships. The Department of Justice announced the seizure of $225.3 million in crypto from the global "confidence scam" on Wednesday, June 18. The scam is also known as "pig butchering" since it uses tactics used to "fatten up" victims before draining their savings. Scammers relied on false identities through online messaging to gain trust and enter fake relationships before pushing fraudulent investments. "These scams prey …
Don’t Answer If You Get This Call, FBI Says Don’t Answer If You Get This Call, FBI Says
Don’t Answer If You Get This Call, FBI Says If you get a call from someone claiming to be the FBI or another government agency and threatens arrest unless you pay up, hang up. Scammers across the country are impersonating federal authorities and spoofing legitimate government phone numbers in a rising wave of fraud, authorities say. Victims are being told they face immediate arrest unless they send money via prepaid gift cards, wire transfers, cash, or cryptocurrency. The threats are fake, but the financial losses are very real. Here’s how the scam works: Caller ID spoofing — Scammers manipulate phone numbers so it looks like the …
Scammers Using Trump Tariff Confusion To Trick Online Shoppers, BBB Warns Scammers Using Trump Tariff Confusion To Trick Online Shoppers, BBB Warns
Scammers Using Trump Tariff Confusion To Trick Online Shoppers, BBB Warns Scammers are using the confusion surrounding President Donald Trump's changing tariffs to cover up missing packages and ignore refund requests. The Better Business Bureau says it's seeing more reports of shady sellers blaming "tariffs" and "customs delays" when products don't arrive. In many cases, the sellers vanish after taking your money. The BBB has warned that shoppers aren't typically responsible for tariffs after buying online and it's a red flag if a seller says your item is stuck in customs due to tariffs. "After 2 months of not receiving my product I have…
'Crystal Clear': NJ Town Pool Employees Stole Chemicals To Run Secret Side Hustle, Cops Say 'Crystal Clear': NJ Town Pool Employees Stole Chemicals To Run Secret Side Hustle, Cops Say
'Crystal Clear': NJ Town Pool Employees Stole Chemicals To Run Secret Side Hustle, Cops Say Four Secaucus town employees were arrested after allegedly running a private pool business using stolen chemicals, town property, and taxpayer-funded hours, authorities said. The employees — John T. Schwartz, 61, Frank N. Flanagan, 32, Joseph Ferrara, 27, and Megan R. Wofsy-Flanagan, 31, all of Secaucus — were charged following a three-month investigation into their company, Crystal Clear Pool and Spa Management, according to the Secaucus Police Department. Detectives said the four used their positions with the Secaucus Recreation Department to steal pool chemicals from the Secaucus Town Po…
Thousands In NJ Hit With Fake Text Threatening License Suspension: Don't Fall For It Thousands In NJ Hit With Fake Text Threatening License Suspension: Don't Fall For It
Thousands In NJ Hit With Fake Text Threatening License Suspension: Don't Fall For It Thousands of Garden State residents were targeted this week by a fake text message claiming drivers owed traffic fines and faced immediate license suspension. The phishing scam used the names of the New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles, EZ-Pass, and NJ Courts, warning of penalties, toll charges, and even prosecution. The message read: “Final Notice: Enforcement Penalties Begin on May 30. Our records show you still have an outstanding traffic ticket… Suspension of driving privileges for 30 days… Credit score will be affected.” The text includes a link posing as a payment portal and urge…
Trio Of Cubans Living In NJ Caught In Credit Card Skimming Scheme In PA: DA Trio Of Cubans Living In NJ Caught In Credit Card Skimming Scheme In PA: DA
Trio Of Cubans Living In NJ Caught In Credit Card Skimming Scheme In PA: DA Three Cuban nationals living in New Jersey have been ordered to stand trial for an elaborate credit card skimming scheme that targeted gas station customers in Lancaster County, authorities announced on Thursday, June 5. Yosvel Gonzalez, 51, and Reinier Gracia-Martinez, 40, both of Elizabeth, NJ, along with Rudislandy Gracia-Toledo, 24, of North Bergen, NJ, are accused of installing hidden card skimmers at a gas station in the 1700 block of Hempstead Road in East Lampeter Township, then using stolen data to make thousands of dollars in purchases, according to the Lancaster County District At…
Foreign Exchange Student Nabbed In $35K Howell Scam: Police Foreign Exchange Student Nabbed In $35K Howell Scam: Police
Foreign Exchange Student Nabbed In $35K Howell Scam: Police A 21-year-old foreign exchange student from India, residing in Scranton, was arrested and charged on Thursday, May 22, with attempting to collect $80,000 in a phony Amazon scam that defrauded a Howell resident, authorities said. A Howell resident tried to replace an Amazon order delivered to the wrong address and while searching for Amazon's customer service, was led to an imposter phone number, Howell police said. A scammer posing as an Amazon employee convinced the victim to withdraw $35,000 to "fix" their Amazon and bank accounts, police said. A man later arrived at the victim's home…
EXCLUSIVE: $1M Theft At Iconic NY Music Store Is More Revenge From Ex-Boss, Owner Says EXCLUSIVE: $1M Theft At Iconic NY Music Store Is More Revenge From Ex-Boss, Owner Says
Exclusive: $1M Theft At Iconic NY Music Store Is More Revenge From Ex-Boss, Owner Says A Long Island music store owner whose father is accused of stealing more than $1 million in rare instruments says the criminal case against him is part of a long-running battle over control of the historic shop. Manuel Alvarez, 61, of East Rockaway, was arrested after Nassau County police say he removed over $1 million in musical instruments and items from Kolstein Music in Baldwin, and transported them to an undisclosed location in Florida, Nassau County Police said. But his son, Manny Alvarez, who has been the owner of the music shop for nearly seven years, tells a different story. “Barr…
FBI Issues Warning About 'Malicious' AI Scam: What To Know FBI Issues Warning About 'Malicious' AI Scam: What To Know
FBI Issues Warning About 'Malicious' AI Scam: What To Know Scammers are using fraudulent text messages and AI-generated voice messages, according to a new warning from the FBI. Since April 2025, malicious actors have been impersonating senior US officials to target individuals, particularly current and former federal and state government officials and their contacts.  Details The fraudsters are using text messages and AI-generated voice messages, known as smishing and vishing, to establish a false sense of rapport before attempting to access personal accounts. One common tactic involves sending a malicious link disguised as a request to tran…
NJ Transit Employee Made $700K Selling Stolen Phones: OAG NJ Transit Employee Made $700K Selling Stolen Phones: OAG
NJ Transit Employee Made $700K Selling Stolen Phones: OAG A 37-year-old NJ Transit employee and Hackensack resident, was arrested and charged in a scheme to sell phones purchased with public funds for a personal profit of more than $700,000, authorities said. Peejay Manila, who had been employed with NJ Transit since December 2019, sold NJ Transit-owned iPhones to cellphone buy-back companies after purchasing them using NJ Transit funds authorized only for official purposes, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. From November 2020 through September 2024, Manila sold 850 phones and other electronic devices to a cellphone trade-in c…
Luigi Mangione Musical Is Real, And It's Sold Out Luigi Mangione Musical Is Real, And It's Sold Out
Luigi Mangione Musical Is Real, And It's Sold Out A new musical rooted in true crime and real-world headlines is making waves for its surreal premise — and stranger backstory. The creators of Luigi The Musical, which centers on controversial figure Luigi Mangione, say it will offer a unique blend of comedy and social critique, distancing itself from any glorification of violence. It will premiere on Friday, June 13, in San Francisco, at the Taylor Street Theater. Tickets for all five of its initial performances are sold out, with new dates expected to be announced, according to the show’s website. Mangione, a 27-year-old Maryland native, …
Piscataway Woman Claimed Dead Mom’s Social Security Benefits For 8 Years: Feds Piscataway Woman Claimed Dead Mom’s Social Security Benefits For 8 Years: Feds
Piscataway Woman Claimed Dead Mom’s Social Security Benefits For 8 Years: Feds A 68-year-old Piscataway woman recently pleaded guilty to improperly claiming her dead mother’s Social Security retirement benefits, authorities said. Deborah Bailey’s mother was receiving retirement benefits through the Social Security Administration, paid through electronic funds into her bank account, US Attorney Alina Habba said. After Bailey’s mother died in 2016, Bailey did not notify the Social Security Administration about the death, and she made withdrawals from the bank account between 2016 and 2024, Habba said. Bailey withdrew $150,903 in retirement benefits, Habba said. She pl…