💸 San Diego Seniors Scammed Out of $108 Million—How One Couple Fought Back

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Week of June 1, 2025

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SENIOR SCAM NEWS
Criminals Stole Over $108 Million from San Diego Seniors in 2024 - How One Couple Fought Back

Criminals around the world are getting bolder, and wealthier by targeting Seniors in a slew of scams. Let’s take a look at how it is impacting San Diego.

In 2024 alone, seniors in San Diego County reported losses totaling over $108 million from elder fraud scams. According to the FBI, more than 1,300 victims over age 60 came forward—but experts believe the real number is far higher, as less than 20% of victims typically report scams. Shockingly, this number can easily be over $500 million.

“Just in the last two weeks, I've had two victims who each lost over $2 million,” said Michael Rod, a supervisory FBI special agent.

The average victim? An intelligent, accomplished individual—doctors, lawyers, even pilots—who never saw it coming.

A Growing Crisis: Couriers and Cross-Border Crime

In San Diego, law enforcement is seeing an alarming pattern: couriers showing up at seniors’ homes to collect cash they’ve been manipulated into withdrawing. These runners are often paid up to $1,000 per pickup, and the rest is quickly laundered overseas.

Many of these scams begin with a fake tech support message or overpayment notice, often impersonating companies like Norton or Microsoft. Criminals, often based in India, use malware or remote access to manipulate the victim’s computer and create the illusion that thousands of dollars were “accidentally refunded” into their bank account.

Then comes the emotional hook: the fraudster, pretending to be a professional, pleads for the money back, often under the guise of losing their job or facing serious consequences.

Dale’s Story: A Close Call Before Thanksgiving

Just two days before Thanksgiving, 75-year-old Dale Marsh of Carlsbad received a text thanking him for a purchase from Norton Antivirus. Confused and responsible, Dale called the number to correct the error.

He ended up speaking with “Roger,” a man Dale described as “very polished, very professional, very non-threatening.”

Roger asked Dale to enter a refund of $500 into his bank portal—but due to clever on-screen manipulation, the number appeared as $50,000. In panic, Dale watched as what seemed to be $50,000 appeared in his account.

Roger pleaded with Dale to return the funds in cash. Hours later, a courier in an LA Dodgers cap showed up at Dale’s home to retrieve the money. But this story ends differently…

The Sting That Stopped the Scam

Dale’s wife, Chris, sensed something wasn’t right. She quietly called the local police non-emergency line. Fortunately, Carlsbad Police were already aware of the scam.

They contacted the FBI, and together they orchestrated an undercover sting operation. Dale handed the courier a shoebox containing fake $50,000 cash—and the man was promptly arrested.

That bust led to four arrests and triggered a broader investigation into an international criminal ring.

Hope on the Horizon

The FBI’s San Diego Elder Justice Task Force, the first of its kind in the U.S., brings together local police, prosecutors, social workers, Adult Protective Services, and federal agents under one roof. Their mission? Stop scams before they succeed.

In 2024, their operation—“Counter Strike”—returned over $7.5 million to victims.

And it’s not just a California issue. Scams like these are happening across the country.

Your Voice Could Be the Turning Point

If something feels wrong—it probably is.

Scammers count on silence. They rely on embarrassment to keep you quiet. But reporting a scam doesn’t make you a victim—it makes you part of the solution.

Whether you caught the scam in time or handed over money, your story can help catch criminals, protect others, and recover losses. Dale and Chris Marsh didn’t just stop a scam—they sparked an investigation that led to arrests.

You could be the next hero in your community.

📢 What To Do If You’ve Been Targeted

If you're over 60 or helping a loved one navigate fraud, take action right away:

• 📞 Call the National Elder Fraud Hotline:
  1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)
  Trained professionals will guide you through the next steps—confidentially and with compassion.

• 💻 Report it online at the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center:
  www.ic3.gov

• 🚔 Contact your local police department, even if the scam “didn’t work.” Every report builds a case.

What to Include in Your Report:

✅ Names, emails, or numbers used by the scammer
✅ Any websites, text messages, or voicemails
✅ Details of any money sent—cash, wire transfers, gold, or gift cards
✅ Screenshots or receipts, if available

Final Word: You’re Not Alone

Being targeted by a scam can feel isolating. But the truth is, you're not alone—and you’re never powerless. Every story shared, every report filed, and every dollar recovered helps protect others.

Together, we’re building a shield that scammers can’t break.

Until next time—stay aware, stay connected, and never hesitate to ask, “Does this feel right?”