Grifts, Frauds, and Obvious Bullshit

A place for the fake gurus, scam artists, miracle claims, and lazy cons that deserve sunlight.

Recent Alerts

Prescription Growth Hack

DOJ says a telehealth company turned Adderall refills into a subscription growth engine, because apparently "move fast and prescribe stimulants" was the business plan

July 11, 2026

DOJ says Done Global's founder got six years and its former clinical president got two after a scheme involving more than 37 million Adderall pills, over $12 million in insurer fraud, and automated refill machinery.

Same Last Name Jackpot Trap

The FTC says fake lawyers are mailing people about mystery life-insurance fortunes, because apparently your last name is now a lottery ticket for fraud

July 11, 2026

The FTC says scammers are sending letters claiming someone with your surname died and left a multimillion-dollar policy. The policy does not exist, and the "lawyer" wants your money or information.

Deepfake Puppies for Sale

The FTC warned pet lovers: scammers are stealing animal photos and using AI deepfakes to sell you fake puppies, because apparently even your love of animals can be weaponized

June 26, 2026

Scammers are using stolen pet images, manipulated videos, and AI-generated deepfakes to trick people into giving them money for puppies that never existed. The FTC says consumers lose millions every year, and this scam is getting worse.

Crypto Nickname Alarm Bell

A Miami man known as Bitcoin Rodney pleaded guilty in a $1.8 billion HyperFund crypto fraud case, because the nickname was apparently not enough of a warning siren

June 20, 2026

DOJ says HyperFund posed as a legitimate crypto investment platform but was really a global wire-fraud scheme that obtained $1.8 billion from victim-investors worldwide. A Miami promoter known online as Bitcoin Rodney pleaded guilty.

Ticket App Hunger Games

World Cup fans bought resale tickets that never arrived, because apparently the beautiful game now includes arguing with an app outside the stadium

June 19, 2026

AP says fans have been stuck outside World Cup matches after resale tickets failed to arrive or transfer through FIFA’s ticketing system and outside platforms.

Vacation Deal Trapdoor

The FTC warned summer travelers about fake hotel ads, toll texts and bargain vacations, because apparently even your beach trip now needs fraud detection

June 19, 2026

The FTC's June 17 travel scam alert warns that fake hotel and airline ads, unpaid toll texts, vague luxury offers and payment demands by wire, gift card, apps or crypto can turn vacation planning into fraud bingo.

Subscription Trap Factory

The FTC says one subscription empire hid recurring charges inside fitness apps, PDF tools, horoscopes and psychic chats, because apparently every app wanted to be a haunted gym membership

June 18, 2026

The FTC says Genesis Tech used hidden subscription terms, unauthorized charges and difficult cancellations across apps including MadMuscles, Wisey, PDF Guru, Lumi and Nebula.

FIFA World Cup Ticket Fraud

40+ fake FIFA World Cup 2026 ticketing websites linked to Chinese cybercriminals stealing payment info from football fans worldwide

June 17, 2026

Researchers discovered 40+ fraudulent FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket sites run by Chinese cybercriminals using real-time card skimming, with the U.S. being the primary target for victims.

Never, Ever. Apparently That Needed Saying.

The FCC launched a "Never, Ever" campaign to tell Americans that the government will never call to demand payment, because $3.5 billion in losses last year proved that yes, actually, we need to spell this out

June 16, 2026

The FCC partnered with the Elder Justice Coordinating Council to launch the "Never, Ever" campaign, reminding Americans that legitimate government agencies will never call demanding payment, threatening arrest, or requesting personal information.

Justice Takes Its Sweet Time

The FTC is sending $3 million in refunds to mortgage relief scam victims, which is good news if you got defrauded in 2015 and are still waiting to get your money back in 2026

June 11, 2026

The FTC is mailing refund checks totaling nearly $3 million to 1,821 homeowners who fell victim to the Golden Home Services mortgage relief scam, as part of a court-ordered restitution from a case first filed in September 2022.

Missing Pet AI Deepfakes

Police warn of AI-powered scams targeting people searching for lost pets, because criminals now have a tool that makes fake pet photos in seconds

June 15, 2026

Police nationwide are alerting pet owners about scammers using AI-generated images of lost pets to solicit urgent payments for fake "veterinary care" or "rescue" services.

Reddit Sponsored Fraud

Scammers are running sponsored ads on Reddit impersonating BBC, Financial Times, and The Guardian to promote fake AI coins, because platform moderation is aspirational

June 16, 2026

Scammers are running Bitdefender-verified sponsored ads on Reddit impersonating BBC, Financial Times, and The Guardian to promote fake AI investment schemes with cloned news websites and fabricated testimonials.

Crypto Courier Pickup

The FBI warned that crypto scammers are using actual couriers to collect cash from victims, because bank fraud detection was getting too inconvenient

June 15, 2026

Scammers in "pig butchering" schemes now send human couriers to victims' homes to pick up cash after banks block wire transfers. The courier shows a password or dollar bill serial number to authenticate. Victims see fake profit increases, then get hit with fake taxes.

$3.5 Billion Lost to Imposters

Americans lost $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025, which is nearly triple what they lost in 2020, because banks keep making money harder to steal and scammers keep adapting

June 15, 2026

The FTC released devastating data: Imposter scams are now the most-reported fraud category in America. Bank impersonators took $1 billion. Government impersonators took $920 million. And the losses keep climbing.

AI-Powered Phishing Blitzkrieg

Google sued a Chinese cybercrime ring for using Gemini AI to send 2.5 million phishing text messages, because apparently the first thing scammers ask AI is "help me commit wire fraud"

June 15, 2026

A Chinese cybercrime operation called Outsider Enterprise asked Google's Gemini AI to help generate phishing websites and scam messages. Gemini complied. The criminals sent 2.5+ million text messages to American phones with fake bank login pages.

The CAPTCHA That Isn't

The FTC warned about fake CAPTCHA requests that look legit but actually install malware on your computer, because apparently security theater needed method acting

June 14, 2026

Phishing scams mimic CAPTCHA verification screens and trick people into running keyboard commands (Windows+R, Ctrl+V, Enter) that download hidden malware to steal passwords, banking credentials, and cryptocurrency wallets.

The Overpaid Daycare Parent Ruse

The FTC is warning childcare providers about scammers pretending to be desperate parents who "accidentally" send checks for more than the agreed price, because fraud has a customer service department

June 14, 2026

Scammers contact childcare providers claiming to be relocating parents, send fake checks for more than quoted, then ask for wire transfers to "correct the overpayment." The checks bounce. The provider loses thousands.

AI-Generated Boxing Match Becomes a Scam

The Bank of England warned the public about AI deepfakes of Nigel Farage punching its governor—and yes, people were actually falling for it as a scam

June 14, 2026

AI-generated deepfake videos of a political activist fighting a banking executive circulated on social media as bait for credential-stealing phishing campaigns. People were clicking through fake footage, getting redirected to scam websites, and losing access to their banking information.

World Cup Ticket Mega-Scam

Researchers found 40+ fake FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket websites with real-time card skimming, because apparently scammers planned their tournament schedule before the games even kicked off

June 12, 2026

At least 40 fraudulent ticketing sites managed by 15+ cybercriminal operators with links to Chinese threat actors. They're cloning FIFA's official portals with card skimming, OTP interception, and victim tracking. Facebook ads drive 60-65% of users to the fakes.

Gemini-Built Phishing Blitz

Google sues a Chinese cybercrime ring for using Gemini AI to send 2.5 million spam text messages with fake websites, because apparently the AI made helpful malware instructions

June 12, 2026

The Outsider Enterprise asked Gemini to write code for phishing sites, Google's AI helped, and 2.5 million people got SMS text messages directing them to credential-stealing fake websites. AI: yes to everything, including fraud.

Verification Theater Escalation

The FTC is getting daily reports of fake CAPTCHA screens asking you to type malware commands, because protecting yourself from bots now requires becoming one

June 12, 2026

Scammers created phishing pages that look like real CAPTCHAs but ask you to press Windows+R, Ctrl+V, Enter—which pastes and runs hidden malware. Real CAPTCHAs never ask for keyboard shortcuts. This is a scam.

Fake CAPTCHA Malware Trap

The FTC warns that fake CAPTCHA screens are asking you to type keyboard commands that install malware, because proving you're human should definitely require compromising all your passwords

June 8, 2026

Scammers created phishing pages that look like legitimate security verification screens but ask you to type Windows commands (Windows+R, Ctrl+V, Enter) that paste hidden malware onto your device, giving them access to email, banking, and all personal data.

World Cup Scam Blitz

The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts Friday, and scammers have already built fake websites, fake job offers, and fake urgency to drain your bank account, because apparently excitement is the best time to commit fraud

June 11, 2026

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department warned that cybercriminals are exploiting World Cup enthusiasm with copycat FIFA websites, fraudulent ticket sales, and fake job offers targeting fans and job seekers.

Gas Pump Scam Watch

Virginia police are warning drivers about the gas pump screw scam, where thieves disable pumps so they can drain your account later, because apparently stealing fuel now requires mechanical engineering

June 11, 2026

The Timberville Police Department warned of a new scam where criminals place a screw or object in a fuel pump handle cradle to keep the pump active after you leave, allowing them to use your payment method.

Never Trust Crypto Bot Tutorials From Randos Online

Google's June 2026 fraud advisory confirms that crypto node scams, police impersonation deepfakes, and mobile banking trojans are the gift that keeps on stealing

June 11, 2026

Google released a comprehensive fraud and scams advisory documenting the latest tactics being used to steal money and data, including fake cryptocurrency mining guides that drain wallets, AI-powered police impersonation calls, and malicious finance apps.

Fake FIFA Domain Explosion

The FBI warned about fake FIFA websites selling World Cup tickets, because apparently domain name typos are now a $5,000 vulnerability

June 8, 2026

Scammers created spoofed ticket retailer domains (like seatgaekes.com instead of seatgeeks.com) and ran ads on Meta. Dozens of fake sites, zero tickets delivered.

World Cup Fraud Speedrun

Researchers say over 4,000 fake FIFA websites are already live, because apparently June 11 kickoff needed a criminal head start

June 10, 2026

Over 13,000 fraudulent World Cup domains, fake FIFA accounts, banking malware in streaming apps, and a ticket-fraud operation that cloned FIFA's login page perfectly.

CAPTCHA Command Injection

The FTC says fake CAPTCHAs are asking you to run device commands, because proving you're human now requires becoming a malware vector

June 10, 2026

Scammers created phishing pages that look like CAPTCHAs but ask you to execute keyboard commands that paste and run hidden malware stealing credentials.

Fake Badge Phoniness

The FTC says scammers are texting fake employee IDs to prove they work there, because apparently fraud now comes with visual aids

June 9, 2026

Scammers impersonate FTC employees and send photos of fake ID badges via text to gain trust before running refund-and-recovery scams.

Mortgage Repair Theater

The FTC is returning nearly $3 million to people who got scammed by fake mortgage relief companies, because apparently desperation is a renewable scam resource

June 9, 2026

The FTC is mailing refund checks to 1,821 homeowners victimized by the Golden Home Services mortgage relief scheme, which falsely promised to reduce payments and prevent foreclosures.

CAPTCHA Command Trap

The FTC says fake CAPTCHAs are telling people to run malware commands, because apparently proving you are human now includes self-owning your laptop

June 8, 2026

The FTC says real CAPTCHAs do not ask people to run device commands, and fake ones can paste hidden malware that steals banking and login data.

Badge Photo Cosplay

The FTC says real employees will not text badge selfies, because apparently scammers discovered government cosplay

June 7, 2026

The FTC says real staff will not contact people by text or WhatsApp, send badge photos, or demand payment to recover scam losses.

CARES Act Mailer Trap

The FTC says mortgage-relief mailers used CARES Act bait, because apparently foreclosure panic needed junk mail

June 7, 2026

The FTC says National Amendment Assistance allegedly mailed homeowners CARES Act-themed mortgage relief pitches, took upfront fees and delivered no relief.

Daycare Check Trap

The FTC says fake parents are targeting childcare providers, because apparently babysitting needed an overpayment trap

June 5, 2026

The FTC says scammers are posing as parents who need urgent childcare, sending fake overpayment checks and asking providers to return the extra money.

Mortgage Relief Mailer Trap

The FTC says a mortgage-relief outfit used CARES Act bait, because apparently foreclosure panic needed junk mail cosplay

June 5, 2026

The FTC alleges National Amendment Assistance mailed homeowners offers for special mortgage adjustments, collected upfront fees and failed to deliver relief.

Medicaid Fraud Car Show

DOJ says Ohio fraud cases came with Mercedes, a Bentley and a McLaren, because apparently Medicaid needed valet parking

June 4, 2026

DOJ says the Ohio push includes Medicaid, government-program and consumer-fraud cases, including alleged child behavioral-health billing, PPP fraud and romance scams.

Lab Referral Kickback Carousel

DOJ says lab executives and marketers paid doctors for referrals, because apparently blood tests needed a commission plan

June 4, 2026

DOJ says the settlements resolve allegations that lab referrals were induced by kickbacks disguised as managed service organization investment distributions.

Scam Compound Account Bonfire

DOJ says scam-fighting week disrupted 1.4 million accounts, because apparently fraud had a platform stack

June 4, 2026

DOJ says Disruption Week interrupted more than 1.4 million accounts, malicious network traffic, scam hosting infrastructure and over $3.8 million in crypto laundering.

Fake Badge Recovery Scam

The FTC says scammers are texting fake FTC photo IDs, because apparently fraud now has cosplay credentials

June 3, 2026

The FTC says real employees will not text you on WhatsApp, send photo IDs to prove themselves, or ask for money or financial information to recover scam losses.

Happy Juice Lawsuit

The FTC sued a supplement MLM over kids health claims, because apparently Happy Juice needed a legal chaperone

June 3, 2026

The FTC alleges Amare made unsubstantiated health claims about products including Kids Happy Juice and Kids Mood+, and deceptive earnings claims to seller recruits.

Green Fintech Mirage

DOJ says a green fintech co-founder faked revenue and cash, because apparently sustainability needed imaginary money

June 3, 2026

DOJ says Joseph Sanberg used fake clients, sham payments, deceptive collateral and a fabricated cash letter while investors and lenders lost at least $248 million.

Tax Debt Costume Party

The FTC says tax-relief scammers impersonated government agencies, because apparently debt help needed fake badges

June 3, 2026

The FTC says operators of American Tax Service will surrender more than $8 million in cash and assets and face bans tied to debt relief, tax prep, telemarketing and impersonation.

Storm Scam Starter Pack

The FTC says hurricane season brings scammers too, because apparently disasters needed a fraud forecast

June 2, 2026

The FTC says hurricane season is also scam season, warning people to prepare alerts, insurance, documents and personal-information defenses before a storm hits.

Bank Vault Insider Job

DOJ says a bank insider sold out customers for bribes, because apparently fraud got concierge service

June 1, 2026

DOJ says a former TD Bank employee pleaded guilty after using insider access and bribes to help fraudsters steal customer information and facilitate more than $3.4 million in losses.

RSVP Credential Trap

The FTC says fake party invites are phishing scams, because apparently even brunch needed a login ambush

June 1, 2026

The FTC says unexpected party-invite texts and emails may be phishing attempts that ask for email credentials or passcodes to steal accounts.

Panic Call Voice Mask

CNN says AI voice-cloning scams are rising, because apparently panic calls now come with a synthetic family plan

May 31, 2026

CNN says a California mother lost thousands after a call that sounded like her daughter in distress, while the FBI says AI-related scams cost Americans more than $893 million last year.

Grandparent Target List Factory

DOJ says a data broker sold 7 million elderly Americans to lottery scammers, because apparently fraud needed a mailing list department

May 31, 2026

DOJ says Troy Murray sold at least 22,000 lead lists containing personal information for more than 7 million elderly Americans to Jamaican lottery scammers.

Back Brace Scam Siren

The FTC says Medicare fraud costs about $60 billion a year, because apparently the fake back brace economy is thriving

May 29, 2026

The FTC says Medicare fraud, errors and abuse cost taxpayers about $60 billion a year, including schemes involving bogus plans, fake charges and stolen Medicare numbers.

Pig-Butchering Office Park

DOJ says 276 scam-center arrests hit crypto pig-butchering crews, because apparently romance fraud had middle management

May 28, 2026

DOJ says Dubai, Thai, Chinese and U.S. authorities disrupted at least nine scam centers and arrested at least 276 people tied to crypto investment fraud.

World Cup Ticket Roulette

New York and New Jersey are investigating FIFA tickets, because apparently stadium seats needed surge pricing and teleportation

May 28, 2026

AP says New York and New Jersey attorneys general subpoenaed FIFA over variable pricing, soaring ticket costs and redrawn stadium maps for World Cup matches.

Policyholder Yacht Machine

DOJ says an insurance mogul used policyholder money for jets and a yacht, because apparently premiums needed a marina

May 28, 2026

DOJ says Greg Lindberg was sentenced to 12 years after a scheme involving more than $2 billion in affiliated-company investments, bribery, private jets, mansions and a 200-foot yacht.

RSVP Password Trap

The FTC says fake party invites are stealing logins, because apparently even graduation season needed phishing

May 27, 2026

The FTC says fake invites may pose as well-known platforms, name someone you know as host, and ask for email credentials or a code to open event details or RSVP.

Brace Money Laundromat

DOJ says three men laundered Medicare brace money through shell companies, because apparently knee supports needed a spin cycle

May 26, 2026

DOJ says the defendants used two DME companies, offshore marketing referrals, fraudulent doctors' orders and shell companies tied to more than $6.9 million in bogus claims.

Pandemic Fraud Freezer

Labor told banks to freeze pandemic unemployment debit-card funds, because the fraud leftovers were apparently headed to lost-and-found

May 26, 2026

DOL says dormant prepaid debit-card accounts tied to pandemic unemployment fraud could be lost through unclaimed-property processes unless banks freeze them through 2026.

Federal Traffic Ticket Cosplay

NHTSA warned about fake traffic-ticket texts, because scammers apparently promoted themselves to federal speed trap

May 26, 2026

NHTSA says fake messages may use fake judges, case numbers and threats to push people into clicking links or paying by gift card, crypto, wire transfer or payment app.

Fraud Vortex Sentencing

DOJ says the Feeding Our Future boss got 500 months, because stealing child meal money apparently needed a fraud vortex

May 25, 2026

DOJ says Feeding Our Future grew from handling about $3.4 million in federal funds in 2019 to nearly $200 million in 2021 while fake meal claims and shell companies multiplied.

Text Message Scam Megaphone

The FTC says scammers now reach people by text more than any other way, because apparently every phone became a fraud mailbox

May 25, 2026

The FTC says fake package notices, loan messages, unpaid toll texts, phone calls and social-media pitches remain major scam entry points.

Autism Care Fraud Machine

DOJ says Minnesota fraud defendants billed autism care like a slot machine, because vulnerable kids were apparently a revenue model

May 24, 2026

DOJ says the Minnesota takedown includes alleged kickbacks, unnecessary autism diagnoses, services not provided and over $90 million in intended loss.

Guaranteed Crypto Gravity

DOJ says a crypto trader promised no-risk Bitcoin returns, because apparently gravity was unavailable for comment

May 24, 2026

DOJ says Rathnakishore Giri promoted himself as a Bitcoin derivatives expert, promised no-risk returns and kept soliciting crypto funds while awaiting sentencing.

Ghost Telemedicine Factory

DOJ says a $2 billion telemedicine fraud ring used ghost visits and Moscow billers, because apparently health care needed a heist desk

May 24, 2026

DOJ says the scheme used aliases, encrypted chats, shell companies, call centers, ghost telemedicine visits and remote pharmacy billing.

Robocall Provider Bouncer

The FCC wants phone companies to know their upstream providers, because apparently scam calls had a velvet rope

May 22, 2026

The FCC says its May 20 proposal would tighten provider vetting, raise call-authentication standards and close STIR/SHAKEN loopholes.

Chargeback Laundromat Alert

The FTC says a payment processor helped scammers dodge fraud alarms, because apparently chargebacks needed witness protection

May 22, 2026

The FTC says Cliq and two executives violated a 2015 court order by helping risky merchants avoid fraud monitoring and underwriting rules.

Autism Billing Fire Alarm

DOJ says Minnesota Medicaid fraud hit $90 million, because apparently care programs came with a billing pinata

May 21, 2026

DOJ says 15 defendants were charged in Minnesota Medicaid and benefits fraud cases involving more than $90 million in alleged intended loss.

Guru Funnel Warning Label

The FTC warned about business-coaching scams, because "proven system" still means magic beans with a webinar

May 21, 2026

The FTC says business-coaching pitches promising quick money, guaranteed income or huge returns for little work are likely scam funnels.

Cancel Button Treasure Map

Shutterstock will pay $35 million over subscription traps, because apparently stock photos came with escape-room billing

May 20, 2026

The FTC says Shutterstock buried renewal and cancellation terms, charged consumers without proper consent, and made some cancellations complicated.

School Wi-Fi Fraud Detector

The FCC is probing potential E-Rate fraud in Minnesota, because even school internet money needs a scam smoke alarm

May 19, 2026

The FCC says it opened a Minnesota E-Rate inquiry with three letters to educational institutions over potential misuse of school connectivity funds.

Brace Yourself Billing

DOJ says a health software boss ran a billion-dollar Medicare fraud machine, because fake doctor orders are apparently a business model now

May 18, 2026

DOJ says HealthSplash founder Brett Blackman was convicted over a scheme using foreign call centers, bogus telemedicine orders and unnecessary medical equipment billing.

Luxury MLM Yard Sale

The FTC says IM Mastery ringleaders must surrender mansions, cars, watches, and a yacht, because apparently forex guru cosplay had inventory

May 17, 2026

The FTC says IM Mastery Academy defendants will surrender nearly $90 million in assets after a scheme that allegedly used baseless earnings claims and social-media luxury flexing.

Scam Ad Toll Booth

Santa Clara County sued Meta over scam ads, because apparently Facebook fraud came with a revenue lane

May 17, 2026

Reuters says Santa Clara County accused Meta of tolerating fraudulent ads, citing leaked documents and alleging as much as $7 billion in annual revenue from high-risk scam ads.

Tariff Refund Hot Potato

Consumers sued Amazon over tariff costs, because apparently illegal tariffs became a customer-service scavenger hunt

May 16, 2026

Reuters says consumers allege Amazon collected hundreds of millions through tariff-linked higher prices but has not sought refunds from the government or passed relief back to shoppers.

Fraud Buffet Second Helping

DOJ announced another $1 billion fraud crackdown, because apparently the fraud buffet has unlimited refills

May 15, 2026

DOJ says the latest batch included a health-care software platform tied to more than $1 billion in unnecessary equipment billing, benefit fraud, tax fraud and CDC grant allegations.

Subscription Roach Motel

Shutterstock will pay $35 million after the FTC said canceling was a maze, because apparently stock photos came with a trap door

May 15, 2026

The FTC says Shutterstock failed to clearly disclose renewal terms, charged consumers without informed consent, and made cancellation harder than it needed to be.

Local Plumber Multiverse Scam

The FTC says a home-repair outfit created thousands of fake local listings, because apparently your “nearby plumber” was a call-center mirage

May 14, 2026

The FTC says Premium Home Service created thousands of fake local home-repair listings and fabricated five-star reviews to make consumers think they were hiring nearby reputable businesses.

Homework Platform Phishing Season

The FTC warned Canvas users that scammers follow hacks, because apparently school data breaches come with a souvenir phishing booth

May 12, 2026

The FTC says students and parents should avoid unexpected Canvas-hack texts or emails and contact schools or Instructure through known-good channels instead.

Crypto Pyramid Refund Window

DOJ opened a $400 million AirBit Club victim fund, because fake crypto mining finally met a very real clawback bucket

May 12, 2026

DOJ says more than $400 million in forfeited assets is available for AirBit Club victims after promoters sold fake crypto-mining returns that never existed.

Scam Champion Belt Retained

Imposter scams were No. 1 for the ninth straight year, because apparently fraud has a dynasty now

May 11, 2026

The FTC says imposter scams stayed No. 1 for the ninth straight year, topping 1 million reports in 2025 as reported losses rose nearly 20% to $3.5 billion.

Fraud Buffet With Federal Receipts

DOJ rolled out nearly $1 billion in fraud cases, because apparently every benefits program came with a complimentary crowbar

May 9, 2026

DOJ says recent enforcement actions covered nearly $1 billion in alleged or proven fraud across health care, public benefits, Treasury checks, tax schemes, and financial fraud.

Orthotic Brace Grift Bowl

DOJ says a former NFL player got 16 years for a $197 million brace scam, because apparently Medicare fraud needed a depth chart

May 8, 2026

DOJ says Joel Rufus French used overseas call centers, sham doctor orders, kickbacks, and hidden DME companies to bill Medicare and CHAMPVA for unnecessary braces.

Work From Home, Pyongyang Edition

DOJ says two Americans hosted laptops for fake remote workers tied to North Korea, because apparently the office is now a sanctions tunnel

May 8, 2026

DOJ says two U.S. nationals helped DPRK IT workers appear to work from American homes, generating more than $1.2 million and affecting nearly 70 companies.

Unpaid Toll Romance Industrial Complex

The FTC says imposter scams hit $3.5 billion, because apparently fake toll collectors and fake soulmates both found quarterly growth

May 7, 2026

FTC data says imposter scams stayed No. 1 for a ninth year, boosted by bogus overdue-toll texts and rising romance-scam losses.

Scam Compound World Tour

DOJ says a global scam-center takedown led to 276 arrests, because apparently fraud now needs international zoning enforcement

May 6, 2026

DOJ says Dubai, Thai, Chinese, FBI and U.S. prosecutors helped dismantle at least nine scam centers used in crypto pig-butchering schemes targeting Americans.

Reply YES To Regret

The FTC says fake recruiters now just want you to text YES, because apparently job hunting needed a trap door with emojis

May 4, 2026

The FTC says fake recruiters are posing as real companies, dangling remote jobs, and using a simple YES reply to start fake-check and task-scam funnels.

Spigot Full Of Hundred-Dollar Bills

The FTC says MLM recruiters promised a 'buttload' of money while 79% earned nothing, because apparently the income disclosure was the jump scare

April 28, 2026

The FTC says senior LifeWave participants made big earnings claims even though the company's own 2024 disclosure said 79% of active participants earned no commissions.

The Algorithm Wants Your Wallet

The FTC says social media scams cost people $2.1 billion in 2025, because apparently the feed is now a shopping mall run by raccoons

April 28, 2026

FTC data says social media was the costliest scam contact method in 2025, with $2.1 billion in reported losses and Facebook leading the platform list.

Insurance Cosplay Department

The FTC says a health-plan scheme impersonated government and big insurers, because apparently fake bureaucracy now sells fake peace of mind

April 27, 2026

The FTC says consumers paid millions in supposed premiums after an operation allegedly impersonated government and major insurers to sell coverage that was not what people sought.

War Zone Crypto Toll Booth

Scammers are reportedly selling fake safe passage through Hormuz for crypto, because even maritime crisis now has phishing DLC

April 26, 2026

Reuters reports a maritime risk firm warned shipping companies about fraudulent crypto messages promising safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

Scam Compound Industrial Park

Treasury sanctioned a Cambodian senator over alleged scam compounds, because apparently fraud now has office parks and political protection

April 25, 2026

Treasury says Kok An and a network of 28 people and entities helped run scam centers that stole from Americans through crypto-investment and romance-style fraud.

Crypto Grift Ouroboros

A crypto billionaire is suing Trump's family crypto venture over frozen tokens, because apparently the snake oil has started suing the bottle

April 25, 2026

Reuters, CBS, and The Guardian report Justin Sun alleges World Liberty Financial froze his token holdings, with CBS putting the claimed value as high as $1 billion.

Counterfeit Courtroom Energy

The FTC says fake traffic-hearing texts with QR codes are spiking, because scammers figured out that counterfeit bureaucracy fits perfectly on a phone

April 22, 2026

The FTC says scammers are sending fake hearing notices with QR codes, fake case numbers, and pressure tactics designed to steal money, data, or both.

Junk Fee Cleanup

StubHub buyers are getting refunds after the FTC went after hidden ticket fees, because apparently the revolutionary business model of "surprise, it costs way more now" finally met resistance

April 21, 2026

An FTC consumer update says some StubHub buyers may get money back after allegations that mandatory fees were hidden until late checkout, which is scam-adjacent behavior in a corporate blazer.

QR Code Bureaucracy Cosplay

The FTC had to warn people about fake traffic-court texts with QR codes, because apparently scammers discovered that official-looking paperwork still works great on a phone screen

April 21, 2026

The FTC says the texts use fake case numbers, seals, and threats about court consequences to push people into scanning a QR code and handing over money or personal data.

Guaranteed Returns Fantasy

The FTC had to remind people that strangers promising huge investment returns on social media are probably scammers, because apparently even fake wealth now comes with coaching

April 20, 2026

The agency says people reported more than $7.9 billion in losses to investment scams in 2025, with scammers using WhatsApp, social media, and fake proof of profits to sell fantasy portfolios.

Debt Relief Grift

The FTC says a student-loan relief operation pretended to be tied to the government and collected millions, because apparently scam math still begins with "what if we cold-call desperate people"

April 20, 2026

The FTC says the operation posed as the Department of Education or real loan servicers, promised debt relief that did not exist, and collected at least $8.8 million in illegal upfront fees.

AI Fraud

Federal prosecutors say an AI company faked “virtually all” its customers and revenue, because apparently the hottest AI product was still just lying

April 19, 2026

Reuters reports former iLearningEngines executives were charged after prosecutors said the company fabricated customer relationships and at least 90% of its 2023 revenue.

AI Fraud

An "AI company" allegedly faked almost all its revenue, which is a pretty clean summary of the fraud economy

April 18, 2026

Prosecutors say iLearningEngines fabricated customers and at least 90% of its reported revenue, proving that slapping AI on a fraud pitch still works on too many adults.

Phishing Scam

The FTC is warning people about fake "your reward points expire today" texts because apparently this works

April 17, 2026

Scammers are borrowing the language of loyalty programs, adding panic, and counting on you to tap before thinking.

QR Code Scam

The FTC had to tell people that random QR-code texts about traffic court are fake

April 17, 2026

Fake hearing notices, official-looking seals, and a QR code to "pay now". Modern fraud is just bureaucracy cosplay with better mobile design.

Boss Impersonation

No, your boss does not need you to buy gift cards right now

March 30, 2026

Someone impersonates your boss, creates fake urgency, tells you to go buy gift cards. This works by short-circuiting common sense.

AI Deepfakes

Deepfake fraud went industrial in 2026, which is a sentence that should bother everybody

March 29, 2026

Voice cloning and video deepfakes now let scammers convincingly impersonate real people. Operating on an industrial scale means a production line of theft.