Summary:
Richmond woman loses over $30,000 to a Bitcoin scam.
Scammer posed as a PayPal representative via email.
Victim manipulated emotionally to withdraw $34,300.
Funds loaded into a Bitcoin machine after 873 transactions.
Police successfully recovered her money, which is currently held as evidence.
A Shocking Scam in Richmond, Virginia
A Richmond woman recently became a victim of a Bitcoin scam, losing over $30,000. According to police reports, she was misled by a fraudulent email that appeared to be from PayPal.
The Deceptive Email
The email warned her about a supposed purchase of malware and instructed her to call a specific number to resolve the issue. When she called, she fell prey to a skilled scammer who manipulated her emotions.
Emotional Manipulation
Detective Greg Wade shared that the scammer claimed, âYou added too many zeroes,â and played on her sympathy by saying he would lose his job during the Christmas season. This emotional appeal led her to make a hasty decision.
The Financial Loss
In a desperate attempt to rectify her mistake, the woman withdrew $34,300 from two banks. Following the scammer's instructions, she loaded the cash into a Bitcoin machine on Azalea Avenue, taking her two hours and completing 873 separate transactions.
Recovery of Funds
Fortunately, Detective Wade acted swiftly by obtaining a search warrant, which allowed the police to shut down the Bitcoin machine. When they accessed it, they found her cash still intact. Although her money is currently being held as evidence, she is set to recover it all.
The Scammer's Location
The investigation revealed that the scammer was traced to a location outside the United States.
Thanks to the efforts of the Richmond City Police Department, the victim will get her money back.
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