Amazing that so many people are that stupidly gullible.
My BIL had $5,000 taken from his checking account via a fraudulent online withdrawal last year. The bank fraud department alerted on it as soon as it happened, froze the account, and was able to claw back the money.
The local bank manager in our small town bent over backwards to help. He said that, after the bank corp investigation, they concluded that it was an inside job.
I think these people prey on the emotions of older people. Unfortunately, many can be manipulated through their fear of losing their livelihoods or through their loneliness.