According to statistics from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), California has consistently ranked at the top in the United States in terms of the number of fraud cases and the amount of losses incurred. Among them, Chinese seniors aged 60 and above have gradually become the main target of fraud groups due to their accumulated wealth and relatively lower awareness of scams related to emerging technologies.
To help raise awareness among the community, Detective Aily Baldwin from the Fraud and Cybercrime Investigation Bureau of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department gave a speech at the Los Angeles Overseas Chinese Center on October 4th (Saturday), sharing effective ways to prevent various rampant fraud schemes, especially those targeting the elderly population in investments and AI technology scams.
In recent years, fraud cases have been on the rise. According to statistics, between 2020 and 2024, the United States received over 4.2 million fraud complaints, with losses exceeding $50.5 billion. Detective Baldwin emphasized that among various types of fraud, “investment” fraud has become the type with the highest amount involved. Criminals often use “high returns, zero risks” as bait to attract people to invest their money.
Detective Baldwin reminded that when encountering recommendations claiming “doubling profits in a short period” or “automatic investments with guaranteed returns,” it is almost certain to be a scam, and individuals must remain vigilant. She stressed the importance of remembering the “Five Do Not’s” principle in preventing fraud: do not listen to messages from unclear sources, do not join unfamiliar investment groups, do not blindly trust self-proclaimed teachers, do not use suspicious investment platforms, and do not make payments before confirmation.
With the rapid development of technology, fraud schemes have shifted from face-to-face scams to highly networked and virtual ones. Detective Baldwin explained that nowadays, fraud groups only need a fake website or forged investment platform to make victims believe that they are making profits. For instance, when victims try to withdraw profits from their “investments,” they are often asked to pay “taxes” or “fees” before being able to retrieve their principal, falling into a typical trap.
What is even more concerning is the rising trend of Romance Scams using AI technology, making them more realistic. Fraud groups use AI to create fake photos and voices, even impersonating relatives or friends to deceive victims, making it difficult for them to distinguish between truth and deception.
Detective Baldwin advised people to immediately adjust their social media privacy settings to avoid personal information leakage. When receiving suspicious calls or investment invitations, individuals should stay calm, confirm with family members or trustworthy sources before taking any action.
In addition to investment fraud and new AI scams, Detective Baldwin also analyzed several common types of fraud, including phishing and data breaches, email impersonation scams, technical support and customer service fraud, fake friendships and virtual love investments, as well as advance payment and false tax traps.
In a light-hearted manner, Detective Baldwin reminded seniors that “no one will make you rich for free. If someone urges you that ‘missing this investment opportunity is a mistake,’ you should be especially cautious.” She encouraged people to verify the background of companies when faced with suspicious investment invitations, consult trustworthy family members or financial institutions, and report to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). She concluded that the key to fraud prevention lies in “awareness, verification, and staying calm.” She urged community members to stay connected, stay informed, and especially asked family members to help elderly individuals understand the latest fraud schemes, together creating a safer living environment. ◇