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In 2021, police seized 61,000 bitcoin from digital wallets linked to the Chinese takeaway worker. AdvertisementA former Chinese takeaway worker was found guilty of a money laundering offense after police discovered that she'd converted bitcoin worth billions into cash and big-ticket items including jewelry and properties in Dubai. The case unfolded after police seized 61,000 bitcoin from digital wallets linked to Wen in 2021. The crypto haul, which was worth £1.4 billion ($1.8 billion) then and would now be valued at $3.8 billion, the CPS said. AdvertisementWhen challenged, the woman said she'd made the money legitimately through bitcoin mining, and later claimed her employer gave her 3,000 bitcoin then worth about £15 million.
Persons: Jian Wen, Wen, , Prosecutors, Cash, Jian, CPS Wen, she'd, Andrew Penhale, Adrian Foster Organizations: Service, Southwark Crown, CPS, UK . Police Locations: London, Dubai, Southwark, Leeds, China
The following month, 10 men were indicted in Oklahoma, charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud for allegedly operating a refund fraud service named Artemis Refund Group. A thriving refund fraud marketFor every refund fraud service shut down by law enforcement, swarms of similar groups remain open for business. CNBC viewed several active refund fraud services on encrypted messaging app Telegram, each with thousands of followers. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards A Google form from an active refund fraud service explaining which stores it targets and how much it charges customers. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards A refund fraud service claims to have access to Amazon insiders in a Telegram post.
Persons: Stephanie Keith, Noah Page, Page, he'd, Ralph, , Rick Owens, Sajed Al, Ralph Lauren, Uber, Maarej, Chris Black, Amazon, Al, they'd, Rekk, Cyril Noel, Tagoe, Noel, Louis Vuitton, scammers, Reddit, Brittany Allen, Allen, Remi Vaughn, Vaughn, she's, David Johnston, Johnston Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, CNBC, National Retail Federation, Appriss, Amazon, Page, Riverside Press, Medianews, PayPal, Retailers, Artemis, Walmart, Apple, Nike, eBay, Saks Fifth, DoorDash, Google, MacBook, Mail, UPS, U.S . Postal Service, Al, Rekk, Gucci Locations: New York, Chattanooga , Tennessee, Reddit, TikTok, Eastvale, Michigan, Oklahoma, Chattanooga
The Federal Trade Commission announced on Wednesday it is refunding $4.1 million to 27,584 consumers who fell victim to student debt forgiveness scams. Fraudsters "tricked students into paying hundreds to thousands of dollars in illegal upfront fees and pretended to lower consumers' monthly student loan payments," the FTC said in a press release. Additionally, the operators claimed to take over the servicing of consumers' loans and thus, often pocketed consumers' monthly payments, the agency said. Scammers lure student loan borrowers by offering ways to lower their monthly payments or even eliminate their balances. Use these tips to avoid losing money to a student loan scammer.
Persons: Fraudsters, it's, scammer Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, Mission Hills Federal, Federal Direct Group, Data Initiative, FTC, Department of Justice
For the past two decades, Liz Birenbaum’s 88-year-old mother, Marge, has received her Social Security check on the second Wednesday of each month. When the deposit didn’t arrive in January, they logged into Marge’s Social Security account, where they found some startling clues: the last four digits of a bank account number that didn’t match her own, at a bank they didn’t recognize. (Ms. Birenbaum requested to refer to her mother by her first name only to protect her from future fraud.) Ms. Birenbaum immediately started making calls to set things right. When she finally connected with a Social Security representative from a local office in a Bloomington, Minn., the rep casually mentioned that this happens “all the time.”
Persons: Liz Birenbaum’s, Marge, It’s, , Birenbaum Organizations: Social, Citibank, Social Security Locations: Chappaqua, Minnesota, Bloomington, Minn
Spanish police bust alleged Banksy forgery ring
  + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Christy Choi | ) edition.cnn.com   time to read: +3 min
CNN —Spanish police said they have shut down an alleged forgery ring selling fake Banksy artworks across the US and Europe for up to 1,500 euros ($1,642) a piece. Investigators seized nine artworks during a raid of an apartment in the city of Zaragoza, northern Spain, according to Catalan police. Video Ad Feedback Related video: Banksy shares behind-the-scenes video from Ukraine 00:58 - Source: CNNPolice said they have charged four people with fraud and intellectual property offenses. Investigators said Banksy’s Pest Control organization, the only body able to officially authenticate the artist’s work, has confirmed that pieces linked to the Zaragoza workshop are fake, as are the accompanying certificates. Police became suspicious after noticing that many similar works had become available on the market, the statement added.
Persons: Banksy, Organizations: CNN, police, Historical Heritage Unit, CNN Police, Pest Control Locations: Europe, Zaragoza, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, United States, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Pest, British, Bristol,
A general view of the Baker Library/Bloomberg Center on February 17, 2024, at Harvard Business School in Allston, MA. A Harvard Business School graduate tricked his fellow alumni and associates into investing at least $2.9 million in a Ponzi scheme he ran, New York Attorney General Letitia James said Thursday. Artamonov allegedly lured at least 29 investors into the scheme, most of whom he met through his connections to the elite college, the attorney general said. "Vladimir Artamonov used his alumnus status from Harvard Business School to prey on his classmates and others while seeming legitimate and dependable. Harvard Business School did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Persons: Letitia James, James, Vladimir Artamonov, Berkshire Hathaway, Artamonov, Artamonov's, fraudsters Organizations: Baker Library, Bloomberg Center, Harvard Business School, New York, Finance Locations: Allston , MA, Berkshire, Manhattan
AI is Uncle Sam’s new secret weapon to fight fraud
  + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com   time to read: +5 min
Starting around late 2022, the Treasury Department began using enhanced fraud-detection methods powered by AI to spot fraud, CNN has learned. Treasury’s AI-powered fraud detection recovered $375 million in fiscal 2023 alone, Treasury officials tell CNN, marking the first time Treasury is publicly acknowledging it is using AI to detect fraud. Instead, Treasury officials say the type of AI they are using falls more into the bucket of machine learning and Big Data. The goal is to move with such speed that anomalies are flagged and banks are alerted before fraudulent checks are ever cashed, Treasury officials said. Catching fraud in millisecondsAmiram Shachar, co-founder and CEO of cloud security startup Upwind, told CNN the federal government should “absolutely” use AI to detect fraud.
Persons: Sam, Sam’s, Fraudsters, Wally Adeyemo, , ” Shachar, Steph Curry Organizations: New, New York CNN, Treasury Department, CNN, Treasury, Data, Washington, Office, Business Administration, Social, Internal Revenue Service, IRS, Google, Facebook, Penny Jar, NBA, Mastercard Locations: New York, Banks, Washington, Hong Kong
A New York judge on Friday ordered former President Donald Trump to pay $364 million in damages for fraud he committed by inflating his net worth to obtain favorable treatment from banks and insurers. The blistering 92-page ruling from Judge Arthur Engoron was replete with references to the brazen nature of the misdeeds of Trump, his adult sons and his business organization. Here are nine key quotes from Engoron’s ruling. The frauds found here leap off the page and shock the conscience.”On the reaction of Trump and his adult sons:“Their complete lack of contrition and remorse borders on pathological. Donald Trump is not Bernard Madoff.
Persons: Donald Trump, Judge Arthur Engoron, Trump, Justice Potter Stewart, , , Bernard Madoff, , “ Donald Trump, Trump’s, Ivanka Trump, Rosemary, ” Ivanka Trump, fraudsters, Eli Bartov’s, Bartov, “ John Shubin, Mr, Shubin, Robert Unell, Unell, Birney, Donald Trump’s, Whitley Penn, Donald Bender, Mazars, Allen Weisselberg doesn’t, Allen, Weisselberg Organizations: United States Supreme, Trump Organization, , Trump, Deutsche, OAG, trifles, Allen Weisselberg’s Locations: York, , New York,
Vasily Pindyurin | fStop | Getty ImagesConsumers lost a record $10 billion to fraud in 2023, and imposter scams were the most prevalent swindle, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Nearly 854,000 people filed complaints to the FTC about imposter scams in 2023. Consumers lost $2.7 billion to such scams in 2023, according to FTC data. In addition to financial loss, "we know fraud causes significant emotional and psychological harm," he added. Fraud victims lost $1.9 billion and $1.4 billion via these payment channels, respectively, in 2023.
Persons: Vasily Pindyurin, Hardeep Rai, Rai, , fraudsters, Breyault Organizations: fStop, Getty, Federal Trade Commission, Consumers, FBI
Airbnb told CNBC that business practices such as Agyeman's aren't permitted. Airbnb told CNBC it had no business relationship with Agyeman and had taken action to curtail his operations. Carr and other HFA investors told CNBC their frustrations were dismissed or met with legal threats. To get around Airbnb's rules, HFA instructed its investors to list their own homes, a former employee and two investors told CNBC. Airbnb told CNBC that it was rolling out a more robust verification process in the U.S. and elsewhere beginning as early as 2024.
Persons: Elham Ataeiazar Daryn Carr, Carr, Anthony Agyeman, Agyeman, HFA, they've, Agyeman haven't, Airbnb, Brian Chesky, Brendan McDermid, Reuters Carr, Thomas Hunker, Hunker, Wessel Botes, Megan Shears, Shears, It's, Kathy, she'd, copywriters, couldn't, who'd, Collin Ballard, Collin Ballard Ballard, Ballard, lister, HFA's, Agyeman's Wealthway, Wealthway, David Levine, he's, Levine, Levine didn't Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, Department of Justice, Justice Department, FTC, CNBC, Inc, New York Stock Exchange, Reuters, Agyeman, Investors, Google, HFA, MGM, Dallas, North Locations: hustles, Covid, New York City, New York, Airbnb, HFA, Texas, Instagram, Fort Myers, Sanibel, Las Vegas, Dallas, U.S, Agyeman, Florida, North America, Botes
The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday outlawed robocalls that contain voices generated by artificial intelligence, a decision that sends a clear message that exploiting the technology to scam people and mislead voters won’t be tolerated. The announcement comes as New Hampshire authorities are advancing their investigation into AI-generated robocalls that mimicked President Joe Biden’s voice to discourage people from voting in the state's first-in-the-nation primary last month. Effective immediately, the regulation empowers the FCC to fine companies that use AI voices in their calls or block the service providers that carry them. “Bad actors are using AI-generated voices in unsolicited robocalls to extort vulnerable family members, imitate celebrities, and misinform voters,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a news release. “We’re putting the fraudsters behind these robocalls on notice.”Photos You Should See View All 15 Images
Persons: robocalls, Joe Biden’s, Jessica Rosenworcel, “ We’re Organizations: Federal Communications Commission, Telephone Consumer Protection, FCC, Locations: New Hampshire
The unanimous FCC vote extends anti-robocall rules to cover unsolicited AI deepfake calls by recognizing those voices as “artificial” under a federal law governing telemarketing and robocalling. The FCC’s move gives state attorneys general more legal tools to pursue illegal robocallers that use AI-generated voices to fool Americans, the FCC said. “Bad actors are using AI-generated voices in unsolicited robocalls to extort vulnerable family members, imitate celebrities, and misinform voters,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a statement. In 2021, the FCC announced a $5 million proposed fine against right-wing operatives Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman for allegedly using illegal robocalls to discourage voting in the 2020 election. As the FCC updates its interpretation of federal law, some US lawmakers have proposed revising the law directly to further deter illegal robocallers.
Persons: , , Jessica Rosenworcel, “ We’re, Joe Biden, robocalls, Jacob Wohl, Jack Burkman, Andrew Schwartzman Organizations: Washington CNN, Federal Communications Commission, FCC, Protection, New, Authorities, YouMail, House Democrats, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, Locations: New Hampshire, Texas
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) logo is seen before the FCC Net Neutrality hearing in Washington February 26, 2015. The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday outlawed robocalls that contain voices generated by artificial intelligence, a decision that sends a clear message that exploiting the technology to scam people and mislead voters won't be tolerated. The unanimous ruling targets robocalls made with AI voice-cloning tools under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, a 1991 law restricting junk calls that use artificial and prerecorded voice messages. Effective immediately, the regulation empowers the FCC to fine companies that use AI voices in their calls or block the service providers that carry them. "Bad actors are using AI-generated voices in unsolicited robocalls to extort vulnerable family members, imitate celebrities, and misinform voters," FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a news release.
Persons: robocalls, Joe Biden's, Jessica Rosenworcel Organizations: Federal Communications Commission, FCC, Telephone Consumer Protection Locations: Washington, New Hampshire
CNN —A finance worker at a multinational firm was tricked into paying out $25 million to fraudsters using deepfake technology to pose as the company’s chief financial officer in a video conference call, according to Hong Kong police. Chan said the worker had grown suspicious after he received a message that was purportedly from the company’s UK-based chief financial officer. Dale De La Rey / AFPBelieving everyone else on the call was real, the worker agreed to remit a total of $200 million Hong Kong dollars – about $25.6 million, the police officer added. At the press briefing Friday, Hong Kong police said they had made six arrests in connection with such scams. Authorities across the world are growing increasingly concerned at the sophistication of deepfake technology and the nefarious uses it can be put to.
Persons: , Baron Chan Shun, Chan, Hong, Dale De La, deepfakes, Taylor Swift Organizations: CNN, Hong, RTHK Locations: Hong Kong, Dale De La Rey, AFP, American
New York CNN —Blue chip stocks have long been synonymous with stability and reliability. Named for the most valuable poker chips, these stocks supposedly represent the crème de la crème of the corporate world, companies like Disney, General Motors and Verizon. Known for their strong financial foundations, longevity, and a healthy flow of dividends, blue chip stocks have long been the go-to for investors seeking steady returns. Their values have surged so high that they’ve been buoying the broader market even as many blue chips have struggled. The problem is that despite being included in blue chip ETF indexes, companies like Nvidia and Tesla aren’t truly blue chip stocks, George Pearkes, an analyst at Bespoke, told CNN.
Persons: Tesla, , Henry Allen, George Pearkes, Mark Zuckerberg, Zuckerberg, Linda Yaccarino, Evan Spiegel, Jason Citron, Read, Brian Fung, Joe Biden, Frank Pallone Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, Disney, General Motors, Verizon, Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Investment, Nasdaq, Big Tech, Deutsche Bank, Tesla, Target, Pfizer, Nike, Charter Communications, CNN, Tech, , House Democrats, New, New Hampshire voters, YouMail, House Energy, Commerce Locations: New York, DC, , New Hampshire
In the US, romance scams resulting from catfishing have among the highest reported financial losses of internet crimes as a whole. A 2019 study found that young LGBTQ+ men in rural America experiencing catfishing on dating apps felt angry and fearful. She also emphasized the need to recognize today’s loneliness epidemic, which “leads people to perhaps be more susceptible to catfishing scams,” she said. Catfishing is not explicitly a crime, but the actions that often accompany catfishing, such as extortion for money, gifts or sexual images are crimes in many places. In the US, romance scams resulting from catfishing have among the highest reported financial losses of internet crimes as a whole.
Persons: CNN —, Nev Schulman, “ Megan ”, Schulman, Evita, scammers, Catfishing, Snapchat, , Ngo Minh Hieu, Chong, Hieu, Wang, , It’s, Fangzhou Wang, ” Wang, Maryna, WeChat Organizations: CNN, Cybersmile Foundation, Federation University, Fraud Intelligence, INTERPOL, Research, US Federal Trade Commission, SMS, University of Texas, Arlington, Getty, Facebook, UNICEF Locations: Alaska, Australia, Singapore, Southeast Asia, France, Germany, India, cryptocurrency, Vietnamese, America, catfishing, China, Cybersecurity, Australian
As more consumers shop online and send back more of those orders, retailers have moved to crack down on fraud. Retailers expect 16.5%, or $24.5 billion worth, of holiday returns to be fraudulent this year, according to a survey by Appriss Retail and the National Retail Federation. Shipping back an empty box or a different item than was received, such as a box of bricks instead of a television, is the most common form of return fraud, according to Pitney Bowes' Ramachandran. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Source: Appriss Retail/National Retail FederationReturn abuse is more commonThere's also less egregious behavior, often considered return abuse rather than fraud. More than half, or 56%, of consumers confess to "wardrobing," according to a survey from fraud prevention firm Forter.
Persons: it's, Vijay Ramachandran, Pitney, we've, Michael Osborne, Marc Metrick, That's, Pitney Bowes, Ramachandran, fraudsters, Osborne, Doriel Abrahams, Abrahams, Jeff Greenberg Organizations: Pitney Bowes, Retailers, Appriss Retail, National Retail Federation, Appriss, Saks, Shipping, CNBC, National, Federation, Ikea, Universal, Getty Locations: Doral , Miami
The number of robocalls placed in the US peaked at around 58.5 billion in 2019, according to estimates by YouMail, a robocall blocking service. For all robocalls, including those Americans have authorized from their bank or doctor’s office, any use of AI would have to be disclosed under the proposed law. But even as officials have gained some ground on unwanted robocalls, those making the calls are increasingly turning to new technologies such as artificial intelligence to stay a step ahead. It would also seek to force phone providers to offer free robocall-blocking services to consumers and require the FCC to maintain a public list of the top 100 illegal robocall campaigns. Other Democratic co-sponsors of the legislation include Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky, California Rep. Doris Matsui, Florida Rep. Darren Soto and Illinois Rep. Eric Sorensen.
Persons: Joe Biden, Frank Pallone, Pallone, ” Pallone, Jan Schakowsky, Doris Matsui, Darren Soto, Eric Sorensen Organizations: Washington CNN, House Democrats, New, New Hampshire voters, YouMail, CNN, House Energy, Commerce, Federal Communications Commission, Regulators, Industry, FCC, Federal Trade Commission, Democratic, Illinois, California Rep Locations: New Hampshire, California, Florida
The best way to avoid identity theft is to be aware of common scams and their tell-tale signs. Online account tax scamsThe Internal Revenue Service has come out with guidance on this particular scam. It involves scammers who try to sell or offer help with setting up an online account with irs.gov , and it can subject your personal and tax information to identity theft. Make sure that any online tax account that you open begins at irs.gov. The most common one involves the supposed employer sending you a fake money order or fake company check to deposit into your bank account.
Persons: , scammers Organizations: Service, Federal Trade Commission, FINRA Investor Education Foundation, Revenue Service, IRS, Valentine's Locations: irs.gov
Some Democratic voters in New Hampshire received calls appearing to be from Biden. The deepfakes of the president pushed Democrats to skip Tuesday's primary election in New Hampshire. AdvertisementJust before the first (but unofficial) Democratic primary of the 2024 election, voters in New Hampshire said they've received phone calls telling them not to turn out from an unlikely source: President Joe Biden. "We know the value of voting Democratic on our votes count," an inauthentic recording of Biden said in the call. The message continued, adding that participating in the Democratic primary in New Hampshire "only enables the Republicans in their quest to elect Donald Trump again.
Persons: Biden, , they've, Joe Biden, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Donald Trump, Dean Phillips —, Marianne Williamson, Prince, Phillips, Jacob Wohl, Jack Burkman Organizations: Democratic, Service, NBC News, New Hampshire, PAC, Democratic National Committee Locations: New Hampshire, Carolina, Cleveland
download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. NBC News was the first to report the robocalls, which instructed voters to skip out on Tuesday's primary. "We know the value of voting Democratic on our votes count," the deep-faked recording of Biden said in a call. AdvertisementNowadays, even if you trust the incoming phone number, "you can't even trust the voice" on the other line, he said. In the New Hampshire phone scam, the phone number that voters saw when ringing was "spoofed," or faked, to appear to be from the leader of a pro-Biden super PAC.
Persons: , Joe Biden, Biden, Nomorobo, Aaron Foss, Foss, Jonathan Nelson, robocalls, he's, we've, Nelson, it's, they've, Hiya Organizations: Service, New Hampshire, Business, NBC, Democratic, New, New Hampshire voters, Clearing, Biden, FCC, Federal Communications Commission Locations: New Hampshire, Hiya
Once the new "love interest" gains your trust, they may claim that someone close to them is sick, hurt or in jail. Another frequent lie from an online "love interest" is an offer to help invest in cryptocurrency. How to avoid romance scams: Talk to friends or family about a new love interest and pay attention if they're concerned. Don't share with a love interest any personal information, usernames, passwords or one-time codes that others can use to access your accounts or steal your identity. Employment scamsBusiness and job-related scams are another top category of financial fraud, and with companies laying off workers, these schemes are likely to continue in 2024.
Persons: , Fraudsters, General Merrick B, Garland, Michael Bruemmer, Ted Rossman, you've, they've, it's Organizations: Istock, Getty, U.S, CNBC, FTC, cryptocurrency Locations: cryptocurrency
New York CNN —JPMorgan Chase now fights off about 45 billion attempts a day by hackers to infiltrate its systems. That’s double what it was last year, highlighting the escalating cybersecurity challenges the bank and other Wall Street titans are facing. Speaking on the same panel, Gita Gopinath, deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund, said that the use of AI by hackers is concerning to regulators. More than 70% of bank executives surveyed by KPMG last year said that cyber security was a major concern for their company. That’s why staying one step ahead of it is the job of each and every one of us,” said Erdoes on Wednesday.
Persons: JPMorgan Chase, Mary Callahan Erdoes, , , Banks, Gita Gopinath, Gopinath, There’s, Erdoes Organizations: New, New York CNN, JPMorgan, Wall, titans, Economic, Google, International Monetary Fund, of England, KPMG Locations: New York, Davos, Switzerland, United States, Europe, Ukraine
download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewHackers are getting smarter and increasingly keen on infiltrating JPMorgan, according to Mary Callahan Erdoes, the bank's asset and wealth management chief. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. A 2023 KPMG survey of bank executives found that more than two-thirds of respondents considered cybercrime a top concern moving forward. Net interest income, or the ratio of what banks earn on loans and pay back on deposits, helped fuel those lofty numbers thanks to a surge in interest rates and higher revolving credit card balances, the company said.
Persons: , Mary Callahan Erdoes, Erdoes Organizations: Service, JPMorgan, Business, Economic, Bloomberg, KPMG Locations: Davos
By Tom WilsonLONDON (Reuters) - North Korean hackers are sharing money-laundering and underground banking networks with fraudsters and drug traffickers in Southeast Asia, according to a United Nations report published on Monday, with casinos and crypto exchanges emerging as key venues for organised crime. Funds stolen by North Korean hackers are a key source of funding for Pyongyang and its weapons programmes. The junket sector has been infiltrated by organised crime for "industrial-scale money laundering and underground banking operations," with links to drug trafficking and cyberfraud, the report said. The proliferation of casinos and crypto have "supercharged" organised crime groups in Southeast Asia, UNODC Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific Jeremy Douglas told Reuters. "It's no surprise sophisticated threat actors would look to leverage the same underground banking systems and service providers," he said.
Persons: Tom Wilson LONDON, Lazarus, Pacific Jeremy Douglas, Tom Wilson, Tommy Reggiori Wilkes, Angus MacSwan Organizations: United, United Nations Office, Drugs, Korea's, United Nations, North, Casinos, Bangladesh's Central Bank, Lazarus, UNODC Regional Representative, Southeast, Pacific, Reuters Locations: Southeast Asia, United Nations, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, North, Geneva, United States, Pyongyang, Philippines
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