NYPD report that over $2 million has been stolen by phone scammers asking for Bitcoin payments
- It has been reported that callers have been claiming to be officials from the Social Security Administration.
- Victims notified that their Social Security number is involved in illegal activity, in order to protect their money or to avoid being arrested victims must send money in bitcoin to a certain address.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has sent out a warning to the public, calling for much vigilance, on phone scams. There have been growing cases of callers impersonating government officials and demand payments in Bitcoin and other methods.
It has been reported that callers have been claiming to be officials from the Social Security Administration, in addition to other law enforcement agencies and threatening victims, requesting Bitcoin as well as; prepaid gift cards, and bank wire transfers, according to the NYPD.
NYPD noted that already some $2 million so far this year has been stolen, by defrauding more than 200 people. Victims are usually told by the callers that their Social Security number is involved in illegal activity like drug trafficking or money laundering activities, in order to protect their money or to avoid being arrested victims must send money in bitcoin to a certain address.
Author
Ken Chigbo
Independent Analyst
Ken has over 8 years exposure to the financial markets. He started his career as an analyst, covering a variety of asset classes; forex, fixed income, commodities and equities.
