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New Smyrna Beach woman, 82, Scammed Out of $20,000 in Bitcoin Scheme
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Published: March 12, 2025
An 82-year-old woman from New smyrna beach, Florida, identified only as Barbara, has become the latest victim of a sophisticated Bitcoin scam, losing a staggering $20,000. The incident, which unfolded on January 29 and 30, occurred shortly after her husband’s death, a particularly vulnerable time as she was preparing to pay insurance bills. The scam involved a fraudster posing initially as an Apple support technician and later as an FBI agent,highlighting the elaborate and manipulative tactics employed by these criminals. The New Smyrna Beach Police Department and the FBI are currently investigating the incident.
The ordeal began innocently enough when Barbara encountered what appeared to be a technical issue on her computer. “I went to my computer, and when I opened it up all this red trash, or whatever it was, was on it,” Barbara recounted. “It said ‘if you are having problems call Apple, and it gave a number.'”
Unsuspecting, Barbara called the number provided. “they answered and they said ‘Just close your computer and we’ll take care of it.’ So I closed the computer,” she explained. This seemingly harmless action granted the scammers access to her system,setting the stage for the subsequent fraud.
The Fake FBI Agent and the Bitcoin Ruse
The following evening, around 7:30 p.m. on January 29, Barbara received a phone call from someone claiming to be an FBI agent from Washington, D.C. The caller informed her that “a dozen hackers had broken into her checking account and were trying to get her $20,000 balance.”
Barbara, a retired teacher from New Jersey, was understandably panicked by this news. “I was planning to pay insurance bills, and that’s the only reason I had a large amount in my checking account,” she said, underscoring the scammers’ exploitation of her specific circumstances.
The fake FBI agent then presented a solution: withdraw the money and deposit it into a Bitcoin machine, from where it would supposedly be returned to her account, safe from the “hackers.” To avoid raising suspicion, the scammer instructed Barbara to tell the bank manager she needed the cash to pay workers for home repairs. This manipulation played on her fear and desire to protect her savings.
On January 30, at 8:20 a.m., the scammer called again, guiding Barbara through the process. “I was panicked, I was crying, I was beside myself,” Barbara recalled, emphasizing the emotional distress the scammer inflicted.
The Bitcoin ATM and the Devastating Realization
Following the scammer’s instructions, Barbara drove eight miles to the BP gas station at Pioneer trail and Sugar Mill Drive, the location of the Bitcoin ATM. “He said turn here, make a left here,” Barbara said, illustrating the meticulous control the scammer exerted over her actions.
Throughout the drive, the scammer reassured her, urging her to remain calm and emphasizing that depositing the money into the Bitcoin machine was the only way to safeguard it. “He directed me to the gas station at Pioneer Trail and Sugar Mill Drive,” Barbara remembered.
At the gas station, the scammer continued to guide her. “He said ‘Go to the machine, you will see it there. and then step by step he told me how to use the machine,'” Barbara tearfully recounted.
She was instructed not to speak to anyone and to simply deposit the money, with the promise that “it will be alright, and ‘we’ll get it (money) right back into your account.'”
“I thought I was protecting my money as when I took the money out I was preventing the bad guys from getting it,” Barbara said, her voice breaking with emotion.
After feeding the machine $20,000, Barbara felt physically ill. “I felt dizzy. I felt like I was going to pass out, so I got a drink and went to my car, and put the air on,” she said. Concerned about raising suspicion for not paying for the drink, she went back inside and paid the cashier $5.
Elderly Targeted: Unmasking the Growing Threat of Bitcoin Scams Against Vulnerable adults
Did you know that sophisticated scammers are increasingly targeting vulnerable adults, like the 82-year-old woman in New Smyrna Beach, using Bitcoin ATMs as a crucial element in their schemes? This isn’t a singular incident; it spotlights a growing trend demanding immediate attention adn awareness.
Interviewer (Senior Editor, world-today-news.com): Dr. anya Sharma, a leading expert in cybersecurity and elder fraud, welcome to world-today-news.com. This recent case highlights the vulnerability of older adults to Bitcoin-related scams. Can you shed light on the tactics used in these schemes and why seniors are especially susceptible?
Dr. Sharma: Thank you for having me. The New Smyrna Beach case perfectly illustrates a common tactic: leveraging a sense of urgency and authority to manipulate victims. Scammers often impersonate trusted figures—tech support,government officials,or even family members—creating a believable scenario leading victims to believe their money is in immediate danger. seniors, unluckily, are particularly vulnerable because they may be less tech-savvy, more trusting, and potentially more isolated, making them easier targets for social engineering. The use of Bitcoin ATMs adds another layer of complexity, providing a seemingly untraceable method of payment. The victim believes it’s a secure transaction for protecting their funds, which is far from the truth.
Interviewer: The scammer in this instance cleverly used multiple layers of deception, starting with a seemingly harmless computer issue. Could you explain the psychological manipulation involved?
Dr. Sharma: Absolutely.This is a prime example of a multi-stage scam. By initially contacting the victim with a trivial technological problem, the scammer builds rapport.This builds trust, making the victim more susceptible to the later, more notable demands. this initial contact creates an emotional connection, and also enables the scammer to “test the waters” with the victim before escalating to more critical demands. Then, creating a sense of fear and panic (in this case, claiming hackers had compromised the victim’s account) pressures the victim to act irrationally and bypass rational thought processes – leading to immediate action to prevent further financial losses. This approach is highly effective,exploiting the emotional state of the victim.
Interviewer: What are some red flags that individuals, especially seniors, should watch out for to avoid becoming victims?
Dr. Sharma: Recognizing these red flags is paramount to staying safe.
Requests for cryptocurrency payments: This should raise immediate suspicion. Legitimate businesses and organizations rarely require cryptocurrency for payments.
High-pressure tactics: Any urgent demand for immediate action without time to verify the authenticity can be a significant red flag. Scammers use fear, panic, and limited time to pressure their targets into reckless actions.
Unverified identities: Always verify the identity of any individual requesting money. Check the caller’s ID, or verify their identity through a legitimate channel.
Unusual requests for personal information: Never reveal sensitive information (passwords, banking details, Social Security Number, etc.) over the phone or email without careful verification.
Interviewer: How can family members and caregivers protect their vulnerable loved ones from such schemes?
Dr. Sharma: Education is key. Open interaction about these scams and their tactics is crucial. Encourage the use of multi-factor authentication and other security measures to protect accounts. Regular checks and monitoring for any suspicious activity is as crucial as ongoing educational initiatives. Family members should regularly review bank statements and online accounts with their elderly parents and loved ones and be vigilant about unusual activity such as transactions involving Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. Also, creating a safety net of support from friends, family, and the community is imperative to protect individuals from undue stress, which can make them vulnerable to emotional manipulation.
Interviewer: what resources are available to report these crimes and seek assistance after becoming a victim?
Dr. Sharma: Victims should promptly report such scams to the local police, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint center (IC3), and the Federal Trade commission (FTC). These agencies have resources and processes for investigating these crimes.Additionally, organizations focused on elder fraud awareness can provide valuable support and guidance during the recovery process. Furthermore, reporting each incident helps law enforcement agencies track these scams and build stronger strategies for preventing them.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Sharma. This insightful discussion highlights the critical need for heightened awareness and proactive measures to combat this rising threat.
Final Thought: Stay vigilant,educate yourself and your loved ones,and remember—when in doubt,always verify. Don’t hesitate to share this vital information with your network; let’s work together to protect our vulnerable communities from these malicious schemes. What are your thoughts on protecting seniors from online scams? Share your comments and opinions below!