The Masks That Do Not Scare Us: How Fraud Hides in Plain Sight with Bank of Guam

The Masks That Do Not Scare Us: How Fraud Hides in Plain Sight with Bank of Guam

By Corinne Monteverde and Kazzandra R. Edillor, Bank of Guam

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Every October, we enjoy the costumes and disguises that make Halloween memorable because we know they are not real. The greater risk often comes from the disguises we fail to recognize. For students and recent graduates entering financial and professional independence, understanding how fraud exploits trust, urgency, and opportunity is an essential form of financial literacy.

While many believe, “That will never happen to me,” fraud rarely presents itself as an obvious threat. It may appear as a trusted person, legitimate organization, routine email, or promising opportunity. As students navigate loans, online banking, and new career opportunities, fraudsters frequently exploit trust, urgency, and emotion through phishing schemes, fraudulent job postings, scholarship scams, and social media deception. 

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 859,000 complaints in 2024, with reported losses exceeding $16 billion. The FBI subsequently reported more than one million complaints in 2025, with losses exceeding $20 billion. These figures reflect the growing scale and financial impact of online fraud. Technology has accelerated communication and transactions, creating new opportunities for fraudsters to discourage verification and pressure individuals into acting quickly. The Federal Trade Commission notes that scammers commonly use high-pressure tactics designed to prompt immediate action before individuals can assess a request’s legitimacy. 

October is Fraud Prevention Month, a reminder that fraud often thrives in the shadows of trust. Awareness, healthy skepticism, and independent verification remain among the most effective defenses. Before responding, sharing information, or sending money, take time to verify the request through a trusted source. Financial confidence is demonstrated not by acting quickly, but by exercising the discipline to make informed decisions.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), 2024 Internet Crime Report. [fbi.gov], [ic3.gov]

Federal Trade Commission (FTC), How to Avoid Scholarship and Financial Aid Scams and Student Loan and Education Scams. [consumer.ftc.gov], [consumer.ftc.gov]

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Corinne Monteverde, BSA/AML Investigations Manager, Bank of Guam

Corinne Monteverde, CAMS is a Guam native, born and raised on the island she is proud to call home. She currently serves as a BSA/AML Investigations Manager at Bank of Guam, where she leads the Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) function and supports the Bank’s efforts to detect, investigate, and report potential financial crime.

With more than 15 years of banking experience, she specializes in anti-money laundering, fraud prevention, financial crime investigations, and regulatory compliance. Corinne holds the Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) designation and is dedicated to protecting customers, safeguarding communities, and strengthening the fight against financial crime.

Through education, awareness, and collaboration, she is passionate about helping individuals and organizations recognize emerging fraud threats, make informed decisions, and strengthen the safety and resilience of the communities served by Bank of Guam.

Kazzandra R. Edillor, Assistant Vice President, BSA/AML Support Manager, Bank of Guam

Kazzandra R. Edillor, CAMS, CGSS is a financial crime compliance professional and risk management leader with more than a decade of experience in public accounting, banking, regulatory compliance, and financial crime prevention. She serves as the BSA/AML Support Manager at Bank of Guam, where she oversees the Customer Identification Program (CIP), Sanctions Compliance Program, and Quality Assurance functions. Kazzandra holds the Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and Certified Global Sanctions Specialist (CGSS) designations.

A Guam-born Filipina, she brings a unique Pacific Island perspective to anti-money laundering, sanctions compliance, and financial integrity. Passionate about strengthening compliance cultures and advancing sound governance throughout the region, she is committed to empowering future Pacific Island leaders through education, mentorship, and service. Through her professional work and research, she advocates excellence, lifelong learning, and the belief that meaningful impact can emerge from any community.