Operation Shamrock Resource Library

Stay informed about scams, fraud, and the efforts to prevent and stop them.

Articles | Books | Education & Support | Podcasts | Research | Video

Articles

Featured
How banks can combat increasingly sophisticated scam tactics
How banks can combat increasingly sophisticated scam tactics

May 2025 | American Banker | Unlike fraud schemes where criminals gain unauthorized access to funds, scams often involve victims being manipulated into willingly initiating transactions themselves.

National Elder Fraud Coordination Center comes alive
National Elder Fraud Coordination Center comes alive

May 2025 | BioCatch | AARP, Amazon, Google, and Walmart have launched the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center (NEFCC) nonprofit to help protect older adults.

Better coverage, but exploited for crime? Southeast Asia confronts Starlink dilemma
Better coverage, but exploited for crime? Southeast Asia confronts Starlink dilemma

May 2025 | Channel News Asia | While Starlink could deliver better internet to remote and disaster-hit communities, experts say it poses challenges for regional governments, experts say.

India and Thailand Cooperate to Fight Cybercrime and Human Trafficking
India and Thailand Cooperate to Fight Cybercrime and Human Trafficking

VARINDIA | India and Thailand held talks to address growing concerns around cross-border cybercrime, online scam networks, and human trafficking in Southeast Asia.

North Korea-linked gang stole billions using ‘pig butchering’ romance scams
North Korea-linked gang stole billions using ‘pig butchering’ romance scams

May 2025 | New York Post | A Cambodia-based gang with ties to North Korea has stolen billions of dollars from Americans through romance scams and other cyber-heists, according to federal officials.

Make Some Noise for Manila
Make Some Noise for Manila

April 2025 | The Big Trace | The Philippines offers a glimmer of hope that Southeast Asia's scam industry isn’t destined for a future of unchecked growth.

FBI says online scams raked in $16.6 billion last year
FBI says online scams raked in $16.6 billion last year

May 2025 | NBC News | A new report from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center illustrates how cybercrime is a growing problem, with older Americans hit particularly hard.

Smishing Triad: The Scam Group Stealing the World’s Riches
Smishing Triad: The Scam Group Stealing the World’s Riches

April 2025 | WIRED | Millions of scam text messages are sent monthly. The Chinese cybercriminals sending them are expanding their operations — and innovating quickly.

Books

Featured
I Want You (Your Money)
I Want You (Your Money)

Romance scammers lurk behind screens, weaving deceitful tales to lure victims. Read a firsthand account from a woman dedicated to exposing online fraudsters.

Keanu Reeves Is Not in Love With You
Keanu Reeves Is Not in Love With You

Explore one woman's hilarious and fascinating quest to expose the truth behind fraudulent Twitter profiles. Romance scammers have met their match.

Education & Support

Featured
CU Fight Fraud
CU Fight Fraud

CU Fight Fraud helps credit unions and community banks build fraud-savvy cultures that protect what matters most.

BBB Scam Tracker
BBB Scam Tracker

Better Business Bureau | Scam Tracker is a free tool anyone can use to report suspected scams. Your reports warn others so they can avoid similar cons.

Protect Your Investments
Protect Your Investments

Investor.gov | The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission provides resources to identify potential scams, research investments, verify credentials of investment professionals, and more.

List of U.S. Secret Service Field Offices
List of U.S. Secret Service Field Offices

Report scams to your local field office. Cyber Fraud Task Forces work to prevent, detect, and mitigate cyber-enabled financial crimes, leading to arrests and convictions.

Types of Fraud
Types of Fraud

Investor.gov | Whether you are a first-time investor or have been investing for many years, here are some basic facts you should know about different types of fraud and scams.

Checklist: Investment Fraud Red Flags
Checklist: Investment Fraud Red Flags

Investor.gov | Can you spot the warning signs of investment fraud? Protect your investments and avoid scams using this list of red flags.

FTC: How To Avoid Imposter Scams
FTC: How To Avoid Imposter Scams

Federal Trade Commission | Imposter scams come in many varieties but work the same way: A scammer pretends to be someone, then tries to get you to send them money.

ReportFraud.ftc.gov
ReportFraud.ftc.gov

If you know it’s a scam or think it might be one, report it. The FTC investigates and brings cases against those who commit fraud, scams, and bad business practices.

Podcasts

Featured
Stolen: A Podcast with Erin West
Stolen: A Podcast with Erin West

Hear from law enforcement, cybersecurity experts, and victims of digital crime. Erin West investigates the global rise of digital crime — and the people caught in the crossfire.

Banking on Fraudology
Banking on Fraudology

In this weekly podcast, Hailey Windham educates the credit union community, organizations, and membership on scams and best practices to avoid them.

Designated: Uncovering “Pig Butchering” with Erin West
Designated: Uncovering “Pig Butchering” with Erin West

Yaya Jata Fanusie interviews Operation Shamrock Founder Erin West about how pig butchering scams work and steps to take to avoid becoming a victim.

Research

Featured
Threat Report Reveals Surge in Automated Cyberattacks
Threat Report Reveals Surge in Automated Cyberattacks

Fortinet | The 2025 Global Threat Landscape Report from FortiGuard Labs includes a comprehensive analysis across all tactics used in cyberattacks.

2024 Investment Scams Study
2024 Investment Scams Study

2025 | BBB Investment Scam Study | This study explores how crypto and romance fraud are used by investment scammers overseas to steals thousands from unsuspecting targets.

BBB Scam Studies
BBB Scam Studies

2025 | BBB | In-depth investigations outline how specific scams work, including how scammers use social engineering and manipulation emotions.

Video

Featured
Bitcoin ATM Scam Hits Arizona Hard
Bitcoin ATM Scam Hits Arizona Hard

May 2025 | Investigate TV | Arizona authorities are warning residents about a new wave of scams using Bitcoin ATMs that have already cost victims millions of dollars.

Let’s Talk About Relationship Scams
Let’s Talk About Relationship Scams

2025 | Investor.gov | Have you received a message from someone you don’t know? An unsolicited job offer, a wrong number, or an unknown DM. Be wary: It could be a scammer.

Pig Butchering Scams: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Pig Butchering Scams: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

February 2024 | Last Week Tonight with John Oliver | John Oliver discusses a popular internet scam and why it’s easier to fall for it than you might think.