CRYPTO-RELATED SCAMS IN 2024: FCPD [VA] GIVES TIPS TO AVOID FALLING VICTIM TO FRAUD

Fairfax County [Virginia] Police Department News ^ | 6 March 2024 | FCPD Public Affairs Bureau

[COBOL2Java]

Fairfax County, VA – Detectives and investigators from our Financial Crimes Division warn community members of Bitcoin and crypto-related scams being reported within the county.

In over a dozen reported cases since the beginning of the year, our investigators have observed a trend in scams involving cryptocurrency. Criminals are exploiting individuals into depositing money into crypto ATMs and defrauding them of their money.

• 1/11/2024: Victim was scammed into depositing $10,500 into bitcoin ATM.
• 1/12/2024: Victim was scammed into depositing $31,100 into bitcoin ATM.
• 2/13/2024: Victim was scammed into depositing $10,000 into bitcoin ATM.
• 2/14/2024: Victim was scammed into depositing $6,500 into bitcoin ATM.
• 2/15/2024: Victim was scammed into depositing $15,000 into bitcoin ATM.
• 2/20/2024: Victim was scammed into depositing $20,000 into bitcoin ATM.
• 2/21/2024: Victim was scammed into depositing $8,500 into bitcoin ATM.
• 2/21/2024: Victim was scammed into depositing $8,000 into bitcoin ATM.
• 2/22/2024: Attempted – Scammer posing as law enforcement imposter asking for deposit into bitcoin ATM.
• 2/22/2024: Scam call posing as law enforcement. Victim scammed into depositing $15,000 into bitcoin ATM.
• 2/27/2024: Victim was scammed into depositing $19,000 into bitcoin ATM.
• 2/28/2024: Victim was scammed into depositing $16,000 into bitcoin ATM.
• 2/29/2024: Scam call posing as law enforcement. Victim scammed into depositing undisclosed amount into bitcoin ATM.
• 3/1/2024: Scam call posing as law enforcement. Victim scammed into depositing $3,000 amount into bitcoin ATM.
• 3/1/2024: Attempted – Scammer asking for victim to deposit into bitcoin ATM.

The Scam:

These scams typically begin when suspects call victims and pose as law enforcement, banks, legitimate entities, businesses, or federal government agencies. Scammers then use varying deceptions to convince victims into depositing funds into a crypto ATM or converting money into gift cards or other forms of payments that are difficult to trace or recover. These criminals often prey on the elderly victims.

[Yo-Yo]

Here's a quick tip to spot a Crypto-related fraud:

If it starts with "Crypto", its a fraud.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

(((CRYPTO PING!)))

If you would like to be on a CRYPTO PING LIST, please pm me.

The Crypto Ping List covers the following:

Bitcoin
Ethereum
Other coins built on the Ethereum blockchain mining
etc.

Thanks! For it - or ag'in it, it'll be a wild ride.

[butlerweave]

Stay away from Junkcoins

[moovova]

"I'll gladly pay you in crypto Tuesday, for a hamburger today."

[catnipman]

the thing about crypto is that it’s nearly impossible to tell the fraudulent scams from the “legitimate” scams ...

[catnipman]

ROTFLOL!

much better than my posted line:

“the thing about crypto is that it’s nearly impossible to tell the fraudulent scams from the “legitimate” scams ...”

[catnipman]

more colloquially known in the “industry” as shitcoins ...

[Yo-Yo]

That’s not a bad line, either. Has a flavor of W.C. Fields to it.

[Yo-Yo]

That’s not a bad line, either. Has a flavor of W.C. Fields Will Rogers to it.

[RainMan]

I fell victim to a Crypto scam. The investment did well ... the problem was that my crypto wallet was hacked and $1.25M was taken. FBI investigated for a year and were not able to convict anyone.

[ronniesgal]

dont answer a # you don’t recognize. They won’t leave a message.

[TangoLimaSierra]

more colloquially known in the “industry” as shitcoins ...

So, if you had the chance to go back to 2010 and buy Bitcoin for .25 cents each, would you?

[catnipman]

if i had the chance, i’d go back to may 1982 and buy zerox for 5.57 and sell it on march 1999 for 104.00 ... i’d be gazillionaire! ... if i could go back ...