Across Baltimore County, grieving families say they are stuck in a painful holding pattern, waiting months to receive loved ones’ remains while funeral plans stall and answers stay vague. Some have paid out of pocket for temporary storage, postponed services, and even turned to lawyers for help. At the same time, federal officials say AI‑powered scams are getting sharper and harder to spot, a double blow for people already running on empty.
According to reporting by WMAR2 News, several Maryland families say they waited months to receive remains from a Baltimore County funeral home and got only sparse updates along the way. Those relatives told reporters the delays deepened their grief and forced them to scramble for stopgap arrangements. WMAR’s coverage captures their sense that what should have been a straightforward, dignified process turned into an opaque backlog.
FBI data shows scams hitting record highs
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that Americans filed more than 1,008,597 complaints in 2025, with reported losses reaching $20.877 billion, according to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. The same report logged 22,364 complaints specifically tagged as AI‑related, with nearly $893 million in losses tied to that label. Investigators say investment fraud and business email compromise still account for the biggest dollar losses, but they warn AI‑enabled schemes are quickly becoming a major threat.
How AI is being used to trick people
Local FBI agents told WMAR2 News that criminals are using AI to clone voices, forge documents, and push out hyper‑personalized pitches that can fool even cautious targets. Agents warned that “you’re on a hit list,” a phrase they used to drive home that organized groups using AI are now top enforcement priorities. The FBI has described operations where agents contact people in the middle of an unfolding scam to stop transfers and has carried out international takedowns aimed at shutting down overseas call centers.
State arrests highlight risks in death care
Separately, Maryland State Police say criminal activity at death‑care businesses has forced a closer look at oversight. Investigators arrested the owners of a Charles County crematory in February after searches turned up alleged evidence, including records, cremated remains, and decomposing cadavers, according to a state press release. The arrests, tied to the Heaven Bound Crematory investigation, underscore that delays are not always just red tape; in some cases, regulators and prosecutors are directly involved. Families in Baltimore County told reporters they want the same level of clarity and accountability from local funeral operators.
What families can do now
If you are facing long delays, families are being advised to document every phone call, email and visit with the funeral home and to contact the Maryland Board of Morticians & Funeral Directors for complaint information and licensing checks. If you suspect criminal mishandling of remains, you are urged to reach out to local law enforcement or the Maryland State Police, as well as your county state’s attorney; the board’s site also outlines inspection and complaint procedures.
For those who believe they have been targeted by an AI‑driven fraud, officials say to report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and to notify your bank immediately.
Why it matters
Delays in funeral services and the rise of AI‑enabled fraud are separate problems that often land on the same people: those in mourning, older adults and others who do not expect high‑tech trickery in the middle of a personal crisis. Local families say they want more transparency from funeral providers and more visible outreach from regulators, while federal and state agencies continue to ramp up investigations.
