Australia: Whistleblowers claim Facebook blocked essential government web sites in response to government policies

 What is with those emails claiming your subscription to a computer support  service has been “renewed” for $495?  In this video a reporter calls the number in the email. Voila. It is a tech support fraud from India that wants to remote in and get access to your online bank account to give you a “refund.”  

 
Costa Rican government declares state of emergency after attack cripples national computers
 
Need an expert witness for consumer protection or fraud issues?  Let me know. Steve@bakerfraudreport.com
 
Fraud Studies. Here are links to the studies I’ve written for the Better Business Bureau: puppy fraud, romance fraud; BEC fraud, sweepstakes/lottery fraud,  tech support fraud, romance fraud money mules, crooked movers, government imposters, online vehicle sale scams, rental fraud, gift cards,  job scams,  online shopping fraud, and crypto scams

 
Virus Scams

• Ohio: DOJ shuts down operation that sold fake vaccine cards
• UK: Woman gets two years prison for fake vaccine cards for travelers

Fraud News Around the world

• US signs agreement with Europe to battle cybercrime
• India busts four tech support boiler rooms; rooms were subject to recent video that went viral
• EFCC in Nigeria arrests 36 for internet fraud
• EFCC in Nigeria arrest 16 at Yahoo Yahoo school
• Pittsburgh: Two from California indicted for tech support fraud; laundered victim money with crypto
• Hong Kong: Five arrested, $2.8 million of counterfeit luxury goods seized
• Special UK police unit focused on covid fraud prevented scams costing £101 million last year  

Humor

• Saudi man charged after driving Maserati down Rome’s Spanish Steps

FTC and CFPB  

• FTC announces agenda for May 19 open Commission meeting; to consider issues around fake reviews, others issues; 1pm ET
• 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals considering whether it is legal to fund the CFPB through the federal reserve instead of appropriations from Congress
• FTC sues chain of opioid addiction treatment centers over false claims; to pay $3.8 million penalty
• FTC swears in Commissioner Bedoya, making the FTC 3-2 Democrats  
• Chamber of Commerce views on significance of new FTC Commissioner

Virus Benefit Theft

• Georgia: Man (Nigerian?) charged with PPP fraud; got $9.5 million
• Virginia: Man pleads guilty to stolen identity refund fraud and PPP fraud; gang got $100 million total; used names of professional athletes
• Mississippi: Man pleads guilty to PPP fraud; got $6 million
• Pennsylvania: Man charged with PPP fraud; got $1.7 million
• Virginia: Woman pleads guilty to PPP fraud; got $1.2 million
• Georgia: Man arrested for PPP fraud; got $9.5 million

Social media

• Australia: Whistleblowers claim Facebook blocked essential government web sites in response to government policies

Ransomware  

• Historically black Lincoln College in Illinois closes permanently due to ransomware attack
• Hits US producer of agricultural machinery

Data Breaches 

• Capital One settles case over 2019 data breach for $190 million

Bitcoin and cryptocurrency

• New York: Rhode Island man gets 3.5 years prison for crypto investment fraud

ATM skimming

• In joint effort with Germany, Netherlands police arrest three from an ATM skimming gang active in Germany

Jamaica and Lottery Fraud

• Former FBI director William Webster was targeted with threats by Jamaican lottery scammers
• New York: Jury convicts two men for scheme that sent millions of letters telling victims they had won a big prize but needed to pay a small sum to receive winnings

Romance Fraud and Sextortion

• Utah: Man gets 63 months (5.25 years) prison for romance fraud; impersonated US army general; ordered to repay $8.4 million
• New Jersey: Prison for two men who laundered money from internet and romance scams