Warning Issued After Two Victims Fall Prey to Cryptocurrency Scams

The Salmon Arm RCMP has issued a warning to the public after two victims were targeted in separate cryptocurrency scams.

A woman lost $11,900 after receiving a phone call from a scammer posing as a federal official. The caller claimed to be a deputy in Ottawa and told the victim that she had committed identity theft, when in fact she had not. The scammer demanded that the victim prove her identity by opening a cryptocurrency wallet and depositing cash into a Bitcoin ATM.

The victim followed the instructions and deposited the money, but later realized it was a scam. Meanwhile, another victim received an email with a government letterhead claiming his identity was being used for crime. The email contained threats of arrest and irreversible financial losses if he did not immediately comply.

Police advise the public to be cautious of unsolicited requests for money or personal information. A general rule of thumb is that if you receive such requests, it should be treated as a scam. Police recommend contacting local authorities before taking any action if unsure.