Reports are emerging of a scam targeting retirees through email, phone, or other electronic communication, warning them of supposed fraudulent activity involving their personal information. Victims are urged to contact individuals posing as representatives of their bank, who then direct them to a supposed “investigator” from a federal agency like the FBI or Federal Trade Commission.
This fake “investigator” instructs victims to withdraw large sums of cash from their bank accounts and deposit the money into local Bitcoin kiosks, supposedly to “safeguard their funds.” Victims are then asked to provide a receipt or connect their account to the scammer’s account via a QR code. This receipt contains a key that grants the scammer access to the funds deposited in the kiosk, allowing them to transfer the money without the victim’s knowledge.
Due to Bitcoin’s untraceable nature, tracking these transactions is nearly impossible, leaving little recourse for victims. The scammers often use “spoofed” phone numbers to make it appear as if the calls are coming from a legitimate financial institution.
Authorities note that these incidents primarily target elderly individuals, who may be more vulnerable to these sophisticated tactics.