How a local woman got back some of $40,000 she lost in cryptocurrency scam

DELHI TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WKRC) — A 73-year-old woman from Delhi Township fell victim to a cryptocurrency scam, losing more than $40,000. The woman received a pop-up message on her computer claiming her device had been hacked. Believing it to be legitimate, she called what she thought was a Microsoft hotline. The scammer on the other end convinced her to send over $41,000 via a Bitcoin ATM.

After transferring the money, the woman realized she had been scammed and contacted the Delhi Township Police Department. Recognizing the complexity of the case, local authorities sought assistance from the Electronic Financial Investigations Unit, a special division under the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations.

“These are tough cases and we can’t always do something. But in the case you are referring to we were able to give half the money back,” said Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.

The unit successfully traced the funds and froze any additional transfers to the scammer. Yost emphasized the importance of the unit, stating, “We want people to know that this unit is out there. It doesn’t do work on its own. We support your local sheriff, your local police department. We want them to know they can call on us.”