RENO Resident Recovers $15,000 in Bitcoin Scam Thanks to Local Sheriff’s Office
Scammers Target Lemmon Valley Resident in $15,000 Bitcoin Fraud
A resident of Lemmon Valley, Nevada, had a stroke of luck after the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) helped them retrieve $15,000 that was stolen in a Bitcoin scam.
The WCSO received a fraud report from Lemmon Valley on August 24. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that the victim had fallen victim to a phone and computer scam, resulting in the loss of $15,000, which had been deposited into a Bitcoin ATM.
According to authorities, the victim was coerced and threatened, falsely informed that their bank account was linked to online criminal activities. The fraudsters convinced the victim to withdraw the money from their bank account for protection and instructed them to secure it in a cryptocurrency account instead.
Sadly, this type of scam has already cost Washoe County residents over $500,000 in losses in 2023 alone, according to the WCSO.
Local Law Enforcement Retrieves Stolen Funds
Detectives from the WCSO promptly responded to the Bitcoin ATM and confirmed that the victim’s money was still inside. They then obtained a search warrant and successfully returned the $15,000 to its rightful owner.
The WCSO warns that these scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with fraudsters often possessing personal information about their targets, such as their name, address, and even banking details.
Scammers employ various tactics, including threatening victims with jail time if they fail to comply. The WCSO advises anyone who suspects they have fallen victim to fraud to immediately report the incident to the relevant authorities.
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