Addressing consumer fraud around the world. The Baker Fraud Report focuses on mass marketing fraud – where victims never meet the fraudster in person but communicate over the phone, though the mail, or on the internet.
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China arrests 80 selling counterfeit vaccines; seizes shots; worked with Interpol
From last week but with a bad link, so repeating
Should cryptocurrency simply be banned so we can eliminate ransomware?
Bulgaria raids major binary option investment scam operations
Amazon says it blocked ten billion fake listings for counterfeit goods last year
FTC does in depth look at skyrocketing fraud offering investment in crypto currencies
FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint center reports complaints rose 70% last year
Full report here
Online scams increase 1500% in the UK; tied to Brexit and Covid
Ransomware shuts down largest US oil pipeline
Biden signs executive order on cybersecurity
Notes and thoughts: Has the time finally come to bring some real forces to bear on ransomware scams? Prosecutions have been exceedingly rare, and the harm continues to grow. I don’t know if you saw this last week. US forms new ransomware task force; sends 81 page report to White House. But I’d hope that a serious effort is in the works.
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Review and recommendation: I highly recommend the movie Created Equal, Clarence Thomas in his own words. From a childhood that began in poverty in Georgia, to Yale law school, the Missouri Attorney General’s office, and to his confirmation for the Supreme Court. It is a fascinating account of an intellectual and spiritual journey. Note that this movie has been pulled from Amazon streaming.
Studies I’ve done for BBB can all be found here. Here are links to some of the study topics: puppy fraud, tech support fraud, romance fraud money mules, apartment rental, crooked movers, government imposters, online vehicle sale scams, rental fraud and gift cards.
Coronavirus
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Analysis of the Supreme Court’ decision that autodialers used in robocalls may not be subject to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and thus limit private legal action Note, though, that this decision does not affect the FTC’s National Do Not call enforcement authority
Online bitcoin scams in Australia claiming endorsements from Chris Hemsworth and Nicole Kidman
Italy arrests 30 Nigerian members of Black Axe gang for drug trafficking, prostitution, illegal immigration, internet fraud, ‘romantic fraud’, and money laundering; BBC story on the arrests
Confession of a scammer who offered to “sell” timeshares in Mexico
New York Times on fake charity impersonating MacKenzie Scott, former wife of Amazon owner Jeff Bezos; follow up article in Nigeria
If your phone rings do you answer it? My generation grew up before answering machines, and it was nearly unthinkable to not answer a ringing telephone. This may explain why telemarking scammers have more luck reaching older victims. But people are learning. And something is lost when we now have to email someone and arrange to talk by phone when we could once just pick up a phone and easily reach out.
Review and recommendation: Oliver, a musical based on Oliver Twist, which won best picture in 1968. A great story, wonderful production and music.
Studies I’ve done for BBB can all be found here. Here are links to some of the study topics: puppy fraud, tech support fraud, romance fraud money mules, apartment rental, crooked movers, government imposters, online vehicle sale scams, rental fraud and gift cards.
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SEC sues massive binary options investment fraud in Israel that has victims around the world
Virus Benefit Theft
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Singapore police arrest 329 for romance fraud, other frauds, and for being money mules
New York: Scammer who was based in Dubai gets 50 months prison for two frauds
EU issues Organized Crime Threat Assessment
Virus Benefit Theft
Virus Benefit Theft
Review and Recommendation: A great movie is House of Games, a David Mamet play made into this movie starring Joe Mantegna. How even a very bright psychiatrist can be taken in by a good con.
US databases begin sharing complaints again. The FBI’s IC3 at one time contributed its complaints to the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel system, making it easier to search for complaints and do analysis. Some years ago this ended. But the two are now sharing at least some complaints once again. As the FTC recently said: “This year, the FTC welcomed the data contributions of the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. Twenty-five states now contribute to Sentinel.” Note though, that the amount of data shared seems to be limited.
Studies I’ve done for BBB can all be found here. Here are links to some of the study topics: puppy fraud, tech support fraud, romance fraud money mules, apartment rental, crooked movers, government imposters, online vehicle sale scams, rental fraud and gift cards.
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Justice Department releases efforts to fight pandemic fraud to date
Joint US/Canadian Crackdown on Grandparent Scams
Virus Benefit Theft
Studies I’ve done for BBB can all be found here. Here are links to some of the study topics: puppy fraud, tech support fraud, romance fraud money mules, apartment rental, crooked movers, government imposters, online vehicle sale scams, rental fraud and gift cards.
March 25, 2021
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UK consumer watchdog buys fake Google reviews for its fake companies
Counterfeit check frauds continue to grow
Virus Benefit Theft
