(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kenosha Police Department is warning residents of an alarming spike in cryptocurrency scams that have already cost local victims more than $60,000 in recent weeks.
In a community alert issued Tuesday, police said scammers are using fake calls, emails, pop-up computer messages, and even texts to convince residents they are under investigation or that their finances are in danger. The fraudsters then instruct their victims to withdraw cash and deposit it into cryptocurrency ATMs as a way to “protect” their money or “cooperate with authorities.”
“Scammers are professionals at what they do,” the department wrote. “These machines allow scammers to instantly move money out of reach—often to foreign accounts where we can’t get it back.”
Victims are often told that their bank accounts have been compromised, they owe money to the government, or that they are being investigated for criminal activity. To resolve the issue, the fraudsters claim, the victim must send cryptocurrency using a QR code provided during the conversation.
Police said once the money is deposited into the ATM and converted to cryptocurrency, it is immediately transferred overseas—often leaving law enforcement with no way to recover the funds.
“No legitimate company or agency will ever ask you to pay or transfer money using a cryptocurrency ATM,” the alert emphasized. “If you find yourself standing in front of one because of a text, call, email, or pop-up warning, you are almost certainly being scammed.”
Kenosha police are urging the public to:
- Hang up on suspicious or high-pressure calls, even if the caller claims to be from law enforcement or a government agency.
- Ignore payment demands in text messages or emails.
- Never scan QR codes or send cryptocurrency to unknown individuals.
- Pause and verify the source by contacting local authorities directly.
The Financial Crimes Unit of the Kenosha Police Department is also offering free educational presentations to local groups and organizations to help prevent future fraud. Interested parties can contact Detective Buchanan at (262) 605-5268.
Anyone who believes they or a loved one may have fallen victim to one of these scams is urged to call the non-emergency police line at (262) 656-1234.
Police hope the public will share this warning with friends, relatives, and especially elderly family members, who are often primary targets of financial fraud.
“This scam is spreading fast,” the alert concluded. “Take a moment to talk about it before someone you love gets hurt.”
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8 Responses
Lord! Didn’t realize so many people fall for this. *hand slaps forehead*
when you get older some cognitive abilities naturally decline, these scammers aren’t your age, considering you weren’t bright enough to figure that out you’re a future victim.
Stupid is, as stupid does. The “alarming spike” is in stupidity!
when you get older some cognitive abilities naturally decline, these scammers aren’t your age, considering you weren’t bright enough to figure that out you’re a future victim.
As much as general intelligence may play a factor, I still feel terrible for these people. Mostly because it’s older folks who don’t understand or just don’t know better. There was someone who posted in one of the Kenosha facebook groups recently about being scammed and could read the despair and desperation in their words. You could just tell were in pain. I’d hope you’d have a least a smidgen of compassion or empathy.
A fool and his money will soon be parted
Where are these crypto machines located? Can’t the owner of the machine oversee what is going on a bit?