Elderly victims lose hundreds of thousands in fraud scams in Argentina and Australia

An 80‑year‑old man in Perth, Australia, was forced out of his home after a three‑year online romance scam cost him about $300,000. He sent money for gifts, travel and passports to a woman he met on Facebook, ultimately losing his life savings and seeing his house foreclosed.

In Los Toldos, Argentina, a 91‑year‑old pensioner’s account was emptied of 426,400 pesos through unauthorized loans made via the provincial internet banking app. After her daughter discovered the missing funds, police traced the fraud to two nearby neighbours, who were arrested and had electronic devices seized during a raid.

Both cases highlight the growing vulnerability of seniors to financial scams, ranging from romantic fraud to pension theft, prompting consumer‑protection warnings and police investigations.