The Expert Podcast

Welcome to 2025! What can we expect in the world of forensic investigations and financial fraud this year? Well, 2025 is going to bring significant developments in areas where our agency works the most. The common issues we see are financial fraud, Ponzi schemes, online scams, crypto scams, probate fraud, family law fraud, divorce case fraud, and embezzlement. These are the areas where victims are losing money left and right, including asset searches for hidden assets in court cases.

So, what's going to be the transition for 2025? Well, there's some good news for victims. A lot of things are happening, and we'll talk about them. Number one is the federal government is now getting more involved with these pig butchering scams. Pig butchering scams occur when a scammer engages with you online, often through social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok. They follow you for weeks or even months, pretending to be a friend or associate, and sometimes even follow your relatives to seem like they're part of the family.

After several weeks or months, they’ll post something related to finances, often showing off how much money they've made. They might flaunt things like a private plane, vacation, fancy meals, or a new car, trying to get you to ask how they made the money. This is a trap—a scam. They make it seem innocent at first, asking for a small amount of money, just a few hundred bucks, which you might be willing to lose. They say, "Look, it only costs a few hundred to start. You put in a little, and then you'll see your account grow."

They show you that your account has gained $1,000, and they encourage you to invest more. The scammer might say, "If your account had $5,000, you could double that in a month." They keep increasing the amounts, showing you larger balances and making you believe you could buy a house, a car, or send your kids to college with the profits. They use your personal information to manipulate you psychologically, and eventually, they take a lot of money, sometimes convincing victims to borrow money to invest.

The good news is that the federal government is now more aware of these scams. If you're a victim, you want to do three things immediately: file a case with the IC3 (the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center), file a report with the attorney general in your state (by mail, not phone or email), and gather evidence. If needed, you can hire a private investigator for asset searches or identification of the scammers. The government is taking more action now, so don't just let it go. Stand your ground, file your reports, and collect any evidence you can.

Another major issue we're seeing is probate fraud. More and more, we're getting calls from people whose family members are stealing from their own relatives—whether it's a deceased person's estate or someone in conservatorship or a care facility. Scammers think no one will notice as they manipulate or steal assets like houses, cars, or bank accounts. Probate fraud is a huge issue, with thousands of inquiries and consultations every year. In many cases, there's some form of fraud, no matter how small. For example, just this month, a grandson stole an old car from a barn and forged the title.

What's different now is that some states are passing laws to require asset audits in probate cases. If you’re dealing with a probate case or estate, it’s crucial to do a full asset search to ensure no one is tampering with the assets. Asset tracing helps you track the value of the assets at the time of death and beyond, so you can catch any discrepancies. The same applies to divorce cases. While divorce fraud is more expected, with people fighting over assets, it's important not to underestimate the potential for fraud even in family matters.

If a family member is getting older and has a will or trust, we recommend appointing an attorney or accountant—not a relative—as the executor of the estate. This person should be bonded, and there should be regular reporting on what’s being done with the money. Money can easily be moved around or hidden, especially when family members are involved.

Another significant change for 2025 will be the rise in cyber attacks. These attacks are going to affect individuals just as much as they affect companies. Hackers can break into your computer or router, lock your accounts, steal your passwords, and take your money. Prevention is key, and there are now cyber protection policies available. You can check out options for cyber defense on websites like riskcoverage.com, which offers coverage for digital security.

Finally, let's talk about digital forensics. If you have a phone, computer, laptop, or even an old flip phone, these devices are like mini computers, storing more information than you might realize. Even your car is equipped with a computer that tracks things like speed, seatbelt use, and whether the brakes are applied. These devices are all storing evidence that could be vital in cases like divorce, fraud, or embezzlement.

Digital forensics tools are now incredibly powerful. Investigators can extract data from devices remotely, even from routers, to gather evidence for your case. So don't overlook the fact that your devices are recording and storing data every day that might help you solve a case or uncover wrongdoing. Digital forensics can be the solution you need to find the truth in a conflict or legal matter.

Thank you for watching our videos over the past year. Keep an eye on our channel, and remember that we offer live consulting if you prefer a more personalized experience. See you in the next episode! If you found this video helpful, be sure to check out our other videos for more insights into resolving your particular situation.