A retired woman in Oconomowoc lost $24,000 to a cryptocurrency scam, prompting local police to warn residents about the increasing prevalence of such fraud. Malec was manipulated into transferring funds to a Bitcoin ATM after being misled by a fake Microsoft alert. Efforts to combat these scams led to warnings being posted at local ATMs, and an investigation by Oconomowoc Police is underway.
Authorities in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, have sounded alarms following a distressing spike in cryptocurrency scams. A retired woman in the town lost her entire life savings after being misled into transferring funds to a Bitcoin ATM, highlighting the gravity of these fraud cases. Lee Ann Malec, the victim, parted with $24,000 after scammers persuaded her it was necessary to secure her bank account against alleged fraudulent actions.
The scheme began when a pop-up on Malec’s laptop—posing falsely as a Microsoft alert—led her to phone an unfamiliar number. Convinced by a man on the line, she was told her bank account faced potential threats. “Microsoft came up on my laptop, and I tried to shut down, and it wouldn’t shut down. So I called the number,” reflected Malec, who unwittingly became ensnared in the scam.
Compounding the issue, Malec reached out to what she believed was her bank’s fraud department, only to find she was still speaking to the scammers. “You don’t understand this is happening in the bank… We don’t know who it is,” they assured her, solidifying her fears. Within mere hours of this deception, she was convinced to transfer her entire savings.
Once the funds entered the Bitcoin ATM, police confirmed, there was no recovery as the money likely crossed international borders instantly. Looking back, Malec expressed a wish that she had made her concerns known to her bank teller during the ordeal. “I wish I had just lifted it up,” she noted, reflecting on how fear clouded her judgment at the moment.
The situation has grown severe enough that nearby Oshkosh police have begun placing cautionary signs on local crypto ATMs, warning patrons to be aware of common scams, including those that direct individuals to these machines. Following the incident, Malec’s son-in-law attempted to confront the scammer, but was met with hostile and unapologetic language.
“I don’t know how these people can get up and look at themselves in the mirror in the morning,” she said, articulating her confusion and dismay at those who profit from taking advantage of vulnerable individuals. The Oconomowoc Police are currently investigating the entire episode, as concerns over such scams continue to rise.
