LaPorte, IN – A new phone scam involving cryptocurrency payments has surfaced in LaPorte County, Indiana, costing at least one resident $20,000 this week, according to a warning issued by the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office.
According to a post shared Sunday morning on the department’s official Facebook page, the scam involves a caller pretending to be a member of the sheriff’s office. The scammer allegedly contacts victims multiple times, pressuring them to send payment in Bitcoin under the threat of an arrest warrant if they do not comply.
Authorities say once the digital currency is transferred, it is nearly impossible to recover. “The crypto is GONE FOREVER,” the sheriff’s office stated in the advisory, emphasizing the urgency of public awareness.
The post outlines several red flags residents should watch for, including unsolicited calls from individuals claiming to be law enforcement, high-pressure tactics to act quickly, and threats of arrest. Scammers may also possess personal information like names, addresses, and phone numbers, making their claims appear legitimate.
To protect themselves, residents are urged to hang up on suspicious calls, enable two-factor authentication on all accounts, and avoid sharing passwords. The sheriff’s office also noted that these criminals often use spoofed phone numbers and false identities, making them difficult to trace.
Officials are asking the public to share the alert to prevent additional victims.
Anyone who believes they’ve been targeted or defrauded is encouraged to contact local law enforcement immediately.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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