An Allen County woman has successfully recovered more than $15,000 that she lost to a sophisticated tech support scam involving cryptocurrency ATMs. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) recently returned $15,300 to the 63-year-old victim, whose case highlights the growing risks associated with digital currency kiosks.
The scam began in 2024 when the woman received a pop-up message on her computer, falsely claiming that her device had been hacked. The message instructed her to call a fake Microsoft hotline. Upon calling the number, she spoke with a scammer who directed her to withdraw money, convert it into cryptocurrency, and send it to the scammer via a crypto ATM.
After realizing she had been scammed, the woman reported the incident to the FBI, which then referred the case to BCI. BCI’s Electronic Financial Investigations Unit, established in 2024, promptly traced and froze the stolen funds. Working collaboratively with the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office, agents secured a search warrant, which led to the full recovery of the funds.
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson, whose office oversees BCI, stated that "Crypto ATMs are a favorite tool for scammers looking to steal victims’ hard-earned money." Wilson emphasized the need for the state to consider action to protect Ohioans from these "criminal tools" and advised consumers to be extremely cautious if asked to send cryptocurrency, as "a scam might be right around the corner."
Allen County Prosecutor Destiny Caldwell underscored the tactics employed by criminals. She noted that "scammers rely on the speed and confusion of cryptocurrency to exploit unsuspecting victims." Caldwell affirmed the successful partnership with BCI in recovering the stolen funds and returning every dollar to the victim.
Since its inception in 2024, BCI’s Electronic Financial Investigations Unit has assisted law enforcement with 309 fraud cases, resulting in total losses of $5.6 million tied to crypto ATMs. The average loss for victims in these scams is $18,767.
These machines, often located in convenience stores and gas stations, enable users to buy and sell cryptocurrency using cash or credit cards. Scammers frequently target vulnerable individuals, often seniors, tricking them into sending money directly to the scammer’s cryptocurrency wallet. Once a transaction is completed through these ATMs, it cannot be reversed, and the funds become difficult to trace.
Education and prevention remain crucial defenses against cryptocurrency scams, according to officials. Targets of fraud are typically older individuals who may appear vulnerable or confused. They are often prompted to call a phone number and then directed to withdraw a significant amount of cash, typically ranging from $500 to $20,000, and deposit it into a crypto ATM.
Scammers employ various deceptive reasons to persuade their targets to pay. These might include claiming: * An issue with the target's bank account or credit card. * A need to pay taxes or fees. * That the target has won a lottery or sweepstakes. * A need to pay for a loved one’s bail or medical emergency. * That law enforcement is involved and demanding payment.
Consumers are generally advised to be vigilant about potential scams and to exercise skepticism if unknown individuals request financial transactions. Any suspected scams should be reported to local law enforcement immediately.
