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Six lessons from real scam cases to protect yourself

Stories by Wichita Eagle journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of stories highlights real scam cases and the various tactics scammers use to target victims.

One story warns about phishing emails, including ones pretending to be from a bank or a streaming service, sent even to prosecutors.

Other examples include a massive loss from a real estate transaction where scammers used nearly identical email addresses to divert funds, and a deceptive postcard mailed to residents imitating official government notices. Read the stories below.

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NO. 1: WICHITA MAN WHO SEARCHED OBITS, ROBBED PEOPLE’S HOMES DURING FUNERALS GETS PRISON

Gary Steven Garrett, 50, was sentenced Thursday on 25 counts. | Published October 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Eduardo Castillo

Complaints about tech support scams to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center more than doubled - from 14,408 to more than 32,000 - between 2018 and 2022,

NO. 2: EVEN PROSECUTORS GET SCAM EMAILS TRYING TO STEAL THEIR BANK INFO. WATCH OUT FOR THESE

The Sedgwick County district attorney has a new warning about scam emails after he received one. | Published December 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Amy Renee Leiker

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NO. 3: ‘SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS’ GONE IN BAD BANK TRANSFER, KANSAS DA SAYS OF SCAM

Someone tricked parties involved in a property sale with fake email addresses that were so close to the real ones no one noticed until it was too late. | Published January 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Amy Renee Leiker

This mailer showed up recently in at least one Sedgwick County resident’s mailbox. The DA’s Office says it’s deceptive. By Courtesy/Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office

NO. 4: ‘DECEPTIVE’ POSTCARD ARRIVING IN LOCAL MAILBOXES. DON’T FALL FOR IT, DA’S OFFICE SAYS

People experiencing cognitive decline are especially vulnerable because the mailers “intentionally prey on their anxieties, vulnerabilities and ability to recall events,” the DA’s Office says. | Published April 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Amy Renee Leiker

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NO. 5: WOMAN STOLE $70K FROM HER GREAT-UNCLE IN WICHITA. NOW SHE’S GOING TO PRISON

In addition to her prison sentence, she’s being ordered to pay $52,000 in restitution. | Published October 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Eduardo Castillo

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NO. 6: FORMER KANSAS BANK CEO PLEADS GUILTY TO $47.1 MILLION CRYPTO EMBEZZLEMENT SCHEME

“Many victims will never fully recoup losses to their life savings and retirement funds.” | Published May 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jacob Unruh

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.