Beavercreek police warn of crypto scams after victims lose $400,000 in a week

ajc.com

After responding to $400,000 worth of cryptocurrency scams in a week, Beavercreek police are reminding residents to be cautious about where they invest or send money.

The department didn’t specify the number of victims who were impacted, but said they collectively lost more than $400,000. The scammers were seeking fake investments in the form of cryptocurrency.

Cryptocurrency is a digital currency that exists in electronic form, police said. People can buy cryptocurrency using their phone, computer or ATM. Bitcoin and Ether are two popular forms of cryptocurrency, but others also exist.

“Scammers favor cryptocurrency because transactions are instant and irreversible,” police shared in a social media post. “While we collaborate with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, which has established a Cyber-Facilitated Fraud Unit, recovery of lost funds is often not possible.”

People should be cautious about who they send money to or what they invest in, especially if they are not familiar with the person or service.

“If a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is,” police said.

Anyone who thinks they are the victim of a cryptocurrency scam or fraud should contact their local police department. People can also report fraud to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

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