Oconomowoc Police have reported a rise in cryptocurrency scams after a retired woman lost $24,000. The victim, Lee Ann Malec, was misled by scammers posing as Microsoft, which led her to transfer her life savings to a Bitcoin ATM. Police warn the public about similar schemes and urge caution with digital transactions.
OCONOMOWOC, Wis. — In a troubling development, the Oconomowoc Police Department has issued a warning regarding a surge in cryptocurrency scams, sparked by a tragic incident involving a retired woman who lost all her savings. Lee Ann Malec fell victim to a sophisticated scam, losing $24,000 after being manipulated into transferring her money to a Bitcoin ATM, believing it would safeguard her bank account from fraud.
The ordeal began when Malec’s laptop displayed a message, which she thought was from Microsoft. Unable to close the alert, she dialled the number shown, only to connect with a scammer. This man misled her into believing that her bank account was under threat. “Microsoft came up on my laptop, and I tried to shut down, and it wouldn’t shut down. So I called the number,” Malec recalled, highlighting how easily people can be deceived by technology.
Under pressure from the scammer to act quickly, Malec even contacted what she thought was her bank’s fraud department—yet it was another trap set by the con artists. As the scam progressed, the caller advised her to transfer her entire savings. “He said you would have to go to the bank. I was skeptical, but he insisted that it was urgent and happening right then,” Malec explained, sharing how she felt cornered during the conversation.
Once Malec made the transfer, the money vanished. Oconomowoc Police have indicated that once funds enter a Bitcoin ATM, they are usually sent overseas, making recovery nearly impossible. Now, reflecting on her experience, Malec wishes she had taken the opportunity to speak with her bank teller at the time. “The phone was with me in the bank, I wish I had just lifted it up. But my mind was not there. He had me very scared,” she admitted.
In light of the rising scams, Oshkosh Police posted warning signs at local cryptocurrency ATMs advising individuals to be vigilant against common scams. These warnings include phrases like: “Did someone send you to a Bitcoin ATM? It’s a scam” and other similar alerts to help inform the public.
Adding to Malec’s distress, her son-in-law attempted to confront the scammer the following day. Unfortunately, the man displayed no empathy during the interaction, displaying profanity and indifference towards the victim’s plight. Malec expressed her frustration clearly: “I don’t know how these people can get up and look at themselves in the mirror in the morning, taking money from people. I don’t get it, I don’t get it.”
As the Oconomowoc Police continue to investigate this case, they stress the importance of awareness regarding cryptocurrency scams. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity promptly. This situation sheds light on the need for better understanding of digital threats and highlights the emotional toll such scams can take on victims.
