The year ended with a flood of fake charity appeals. Scammers used AI to generate moving stories and images of disaster victims to solicit donations via crypto or wire transfer. They often used names that sounded very similar to established organizations, like “The American Cancer Relief Fund” instead of the American Cancer Society. Additionally, “Secret Sister” gift exchanges—actually illegal pyramid schemes—surged on social media, promising dozens of gifts in exchange for one, but only enriching those at the very top.