September 13, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Commerce: COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Securities is warning Ohioans about an increased risk of affinity fraud and the significant financial impact it can have on victims. Affinity fraud scams exploit the trust and friendship that exist within groups of people who share common interests in order to exploit vulnerable investors. Often times, affinity fraud victims are targeted through their religious affiliation, and fraudsters may even enlist respected leaders within the group to unknowingly promote fraudulent investment opportunities. According to the North American Securities Administrators Association, last year, states across the country received 2,761 reports of such financial exploitation, which was nearly a 100% increase from the previous year.