CINCINNATI, OH – The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) has successfully recovered and returned more than $36,000 to a 67-year-old Butler County woman who was defrauded in a cryptocurrency scam, according to an announcement from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Butler County Prosecutor Michael T. Gmoser.
“Technology drives innovation, but sometimes cybercriminals are behind the wheel,” Yost said. “While we can help after the fact, your best defense is to be skeptical anytime a stranger asks you to make a financial transaction.”
The scam began on Dec. 4, 2024, when the Fairfield Township woman received a pop-up alert on her computer warning that it had been hacked. Following the on-screen instructions, she called a number that connected her to a scammer posing as a Microsoft technician. Over the following days, other fraudsters—pretending to be representatives from her bank and the Social Security Administration—convinced her to buy a new laptop, allow them remote access, and withdraw a total of $88,000 to deposit into a cryptocurrency kiosk.
Once she realized she had been defrauded, the victim contacted the Fairfield Township Police Department, which sought help from BCI’s Electronic Financial Investigations Unit. Working alongside the Butler County Prosecutor’s Office, investigators traced the stolen funds, froze pending transactions, and—using search warrants and a court order—successfully recovered $36,000 of the stolen amount.
“Scammers use technology to steal from our elderly population, but we can use that same technology and the long arm of the law to get those stolen funds back,” Prosecutor Gmoser said.
About BCI’s Electronic Financial Investigations Unit
The Electronic Financial Investigations Unit specializes in tackling electronic fraud and cryptocurrency-related crimes. The unit collaborates with other divisions—such as Forensic Accounting, Cyber Crime, and Criminal Intelligence—to help local law enforcement track, investigate, and prosecute offenders, and recover stolen assets.
Agencies seeking BCI’s assistance can call 855-BCI-OHIO or email [email protected].
How to Avoid Cryptocurrency Scams
BCI reminds Ohioans that the best protection against scams is awareness. Common red flags include:
- Unexpected pop-up messages claiming your computer is hacked.
- Requests to withdraw large sums of cash to deposit into Bitcoin or cryptocurrency ATMs.
- Calls demanding payment for bail, computer repairs, or to prevent alleged data leaks.
- Requests for money from an online romantic partner you’ve never met.
Anyone who suspects they’ve been targeted by a scam should contact local law enforcement immediately.
