Simply put
- Two individuals fell victim to a scam, losing nearly $7,000, after being told they owed money for not serving jury duty.
- They were directed to use Bitcoin ATMs to send money they believed was owed.
- According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report, fraud involving Bitcoin ATMs has escalated, with losses hitting almost $247 million last year.
Authorities in Massachusetts report that two residents lost close to $7,000 in a scam involving Bitcoin ATMs, instigated by a phone call claiming they owed money for missing jury duty.
In the wake of this incident, the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning to the public.
Sheriff Patrick McDermott emphasized: “The Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office never takes calls like this, and local police departments don’t either.”
“If someone demands payment, pretends to represent our office or another law enforcement entity, and threatens arrest over issues like ‘failure to serve jury duty’ or ‘outstanding warrants,’ just hang up,” he added.
In both instances, the victims were misled into thinking the caller was affiliated with the sheriff’s office. They were told that failure to pay would lead to arrest and were instructed to use a nearby Bitcoin ATM to make the transaction.
“You might unexpectedly find yourself a victim. If you get such a call, hang up and reach out to law enforcement,” the Sheriff’s Office advised.
A representative from the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office noted that there’s no straightforward way to recover the lost funds, highlighting that cryptocurrency transactions aren’t reversible.
Scams involving Bitcoin ATMs and kiosks are becoming more prevalent, with projections suggesting losses could near $247 million in 2024.
In August, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) alerted that kiosks are often exploited for fraud, particularly targeting the elderly.
Some regions have begun to enforce restrictions; for example, Spokane City Council passed a ban on virtual currency kiosks, while New Zealand has imposed limits on cash transfers. In Illinois, the Digital Asset Kiosk Act was signed into law, enforcing transaction limits for newcomers and mandating full refunds to fraud victims.
