Published March 14, 2024

Our property crimes unit has observed a concerning increase in scams revolving around transferring money into bitcoins. In a recent incident, the victim was convinced by a caller that their email had been compromised and their bank account was implicated in the breach. The victim was then directed to what they believed was their bank, where they were persuaded to transfer $15,000 into Bitcoin under the guise of protecting their funds. Subsequently, the victim received a call from someone posing as the FBI, who convinced them to transfer an additional $8,000 for the same reason. It wasn't until after the second transfer that the victim grew suspicious and reached out to the Sheriffs Office.

These scams are regrettably prevalent and often highly successful. If you ever receive emails or calls alleging an urgent situation that requires transferring money, STOP immediately and contact law enforcement. Neither law enforcement nor legitimate banking institutions will ever ask you to transfer your funds into Bitcoin or gift cards. This should serve as a major red flag indicating something is amiss.

Please assist us in spreading awareness about these types of scams to ensure that your loved ones do not fall prey to them. Together, we can combat these fraudulent activities and safeguard our community's financial well-being.

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Sheriff's office warns residents to beware of Bitcoin scams - Placer County