Leawood police have successfully recovered more than $19,000 for a victim of a cryptocurrency scam after tracing and seizing the stolen funds.
The victim was deceived into purchasing cryptocurrency at a “Bitcoin ATM” as part of the fraudulent scheme, according to the police. This recovery is part of the department’s ongoing efforts to combat such scams, with over a dozen similar cases resulting in the retrieval of more than $1 million in stolen funds.
To help others avoid falling victim to these types of scams, Leawood police offer the following tips:
- Be cautious of individuals claiming to represent companies you already use, especially if they offer better rates or claim you owe money.
- Avoid promises of extraordinary investment opportunities with high returns, such as “100% return” or “double your money.”
- Be wary of anyone claiming to be from the government or law enforcement who threatens penalties.
- Be suspicious of messages from individuals pretending to represent your bank, especially if they urge immediate action to protect your funds.
- Be skeptical of developing relationships with individuals who eventually request money.
- If you receive an electronic message asking you to pay with cryptocurrency, it is likely a scam.
Following these guidelines can help protect you from falling prey to such fraudulent schemes.