Michelle Singletary

Unfortunately, her money's gone. The FBI did get the case. And in fact, she was one of 13 victims with the same scammer using the same agent's information. The amount of money stolen from them was almost $3 million. And they tracked it to a syndicate in India. And that's where it is now. There are investigators in India trying to track it down. But in all likelihood, the money is all gone.

She was able to get back about $50,000 through the quick thinking of a local investigator. Some of the money was sent in cashier checks. So they were able to track it to California, to a woman who was supposed to pick it up, who herself was a scam victim. And she suspected something and didn't pick up the checks. And they were able to have that money sent back to Judah.

She was able to get back about $50,000 through the quick thinking of a local investigator. Some of the money was sent in cashier checks. So they were able to track it to California, to a woman who was supposed to pick it up, who herself was a scam victim. And she suspected something and didn't pick up the checks. And they were able to have that money sent back to Judah.

She was able to get back about $50,000 through the quick thinking of a local investigator. Some of the money was sent in cashier checks. So they were able to track it to California, to a woman who was supposed to pick it up, who herself was a scam victim. And she suspected something and didn't pick up the checks. And they were able to have that money sent back to Judah.

She's also facing a huge tax bill. Because this was tax-advantaged retirement money, the government, she took a withdrawal. She's getting taxed on it because they just see it as withdrawal. There was a law change, you know, the 2017 tax law change took out the deduction for theft. So many scam victims are facing huge tax bills for retirement money that they no longer have.

She's also facing a huge tax bill. Because this was tax-advantaged retirement money, the government, she took a withdrawal. She's getting taxed on it because they just see it as withdrawal. There was a law change, you know, the 2017 tax law change took out the deduction for theft. So many scam victims are facing huge tax bills for retirement money that they no longer have.

She's also facing a huge tax bill. Because this was tax-advantaged retirement money, the government, she took a withdrawal. She's getting taxed on it because they just see it as withdrawal. There was a law change, you know, the 2017 tax law change took out the deduction for theft. So many scam victims are facing huge tax bills for retirement money that they no longer have.

That's correct. Lots of times the money's in cash or gold or things that are not traceable. Oddly enough, they are in some cases able to track it if cryptocurrency was used. But if it's cash or gold bars, the money's gone. And in her case... It's very unlikely. The case is still pending.

That's correct. Lots of times the money's in cash or gold or things that are not traceable. Oddly enough, they are in some cases able to track it if cryptocurrency was used. But if it's cash or gold bars, the money's gone. And in her case... It's very unlikely. The case is still pending.

That's correct. Lots of times the money's in cash or gold or things that are not traceable. Oddly enough, they are in some cases able to track it if cryptocurrency was used. But if it's cash or gold bars, the money's gone. And in her case... It's very unlikely. The case is still pending.

Sometimes if they are able to catch the syndicate and freeze bank accounts and identify victims, some money can be returned, but often not. They never see this money again.

Sometimes if they are able to catch the syndicate and freeze bank accounts and identify victims, some money can be returned, but often not. They never see this money again.

Sometimes if they are able to catch the syndicate and freeze bank accounts and identify victims, some money can be returned, but often not. They never see this money again.

It irritates me so because they make it sound like these feeble old people sitting by their phone answering calls for scammers. That's just not how it happens at all. Young adults, I think, is twice as likely to fall for or be victimized in a scam because they're online more, they're searching for jobs, the avenues where the scammers are, young adults are, right?

It irritates me so because they make it sound like these feeble old people sitting by their phone answering calls for scammers. That's just not how it happens at all. Young adults, I think, is twice as likely to fall for or be victimized in a scam because they're online more, they're searching for jobs, the avenues where the scammers are, young adults are, right?

It irritates me so because they make it sound like these feeble old people sitting by their phone answering calls for scammers. That's just not how it happens at all. Young adults, I think, is twice as likely to fall for or be victimized in a scam because they're online more, they're searching for jobs, the avenues where the scammers are, young adults are, right?

The reason why we see more stories about the elderly population is because they've got the money. They've got big retirement accounts and the scammers know that. So they are targeting them, particularly not because of their age, but because they've got the money. They spent life careers saving up.

The reason why we see more stories about the elderly population is because they've got the money. They've got big retirement accounts and the scammers know that. So they are targeting them, particularly not because of their age, but because they've got the money. They spent life careers saving up.

The reason why we see more stories about the elderly population is because they've got the money. They've got big retirement accounts and the scammers know that. So they are targeting them, particularly not because of their age, but because they've got the money. They spent life careers saving up.

And so the score, if you will, is larger with them than with a young adult who may only have, you know, a couple thousand dollars. And that's why we see the large dollar amounts in the elderly community. So we have to change our language of that. It's not because they're old. It's because they got the money that they are targeting.