NKY deputies help senior couple from losing tens of thousands in cryptocurrency scam

BURLINGTON, Ky. (WXIX) - A senior couple in Boone County nearly lost tens of thousands of dollars in a cryptocurrency scam - all from a simple pop-up message on their home computer.

Deputies from the Boone County Sheriff's Office returned the couple their money after it was converted to cryptocurrency. But they said that's rare.

Major Philip Ridgell said it's difficult to catch the people involved and get the victims their funds back.

"In the grand scheme of things, to recover any amount of money associated wit this scam is rare," Ridgell said. "We're certainly happy that we were able to accomplish that."

Ridgell said the couple had a pop-up appear on their computer. It told the user to call a phone number to unlock their computer.

When they called and allowed the scammer access to their computer, the seniors were told that their financial accounts had been compromised and to call another number.

"When they called that number, they were in contact with somebody who told them here's what I need you to do: I need you to take all of the money out of your accounts," Ridgell said. "We need to protect it."

The couple was directed to a vape shop that had a machine to convert cash to BItcoin and told to make a deposit.

Jesse George, who owns Club Vape, said he doesn't own any of the machines but leases space out to the company that does. George said he saw the couple with an envelope full of cash by one of the machines and approached them.

"We said hey, we just want to make sure you know who you're talking to," George said. "(And) you know the person you're sending this money to because if you don't, you're getting scammed."

Ridgell said if they had actually deposited the amount into the account the scammers wanted, they wouldn't have been able to recover it. The sheriff's office was able to recover their funds and give them a check.

"This is the tragedy of these scams," Ridgell said. "You get so caught up in the storyline, the fear that your life savings, your retirement may be lost - if they've accomplished their goal in taking your money from you, you have that moment where you say something doesn't feel right, I think I need to report this."

Ridgell said this was what the couple did - they came to the sheriff's office after they made the deposit.

Deputies insist on confirming with your financial institution if any activity has occurred. If it's a scam call local law enforcement.