Ohio's New BCI Unit Tackles Cryptocurrency Scams
BCI’s new Electronic Fraud Investigation unit is on a mission to combat cryptocurrency scams and recover funds for victims in Ohio.
Victim Story
An elderly woman from Worthington fell victim to a cryptocurrency scam, losing $280,000. Fortunately, BCI managed to recover $130,000 of her funds.
Challenges in Investigation
Scott Stranahan, special agent supervisor with BCI, highlighted that time is crucial in these investigations. "The sooner we get involved, the better suited we are able to help,” he stated.
How the Scam Happened
The victim reported the scam to the Worthington Police Department, who contacted BCI at the end of July. The 75-year-old woman received a pop-up message claiming she was a fraud victim. Following the scammer's instructions, she withdrew $1,000 and deposited it into a Bitcoin ATM. The situation escalated as she continued to comply with the scammer’s demands.
Warning Signs to Look For
Stranahan emphasized several warning signs to be aware of:
- Never call any numbers provided by potential scammers.
- Scammers often direct victims to deplete their bank accounts.
- If you are a victim, you should not need to deposit funds into a Bitcoin ATM.
Vulnerability of the Elderly
While the elderly are often targeted, Stranahan warned that anyone can fall victim to such scams. "It could be the difference of having a good retirement or losing all of your retirement income,” he cautioned.
Ongoing Investigations
BCI's unit is currently investigating several similar cases, hoping for positive outcomes in recovering more lost funds.
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