Jasper County S.O. recovers $25,000 family nearly lost in Bitcoin scam

Jasper County authorities recovered around $32,000, including $25,000 nearly lost by a family to an online scam involving a Bitcoin ATM. Sheriff Chuck Havard highlighted ongoing efforts to locate the scammers, urging citizens to remain cautious as investigations can be complex.

In a successful operation, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office has recovered nearly $32,000 from a Bitcoin ATM machine. This includes $25,000 that was almost lost by a family tricked by online scammers. Sheriff Chuck Havard has labelled the incident as a serious case of fraud, and his office has made it a priority to find the individuals responsible.

The ordeal began on June 16, around 5 p.m., when the family reached out to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office to report the scam. They were called by someone claiming they owed overdue fines and needed to pay immediately to avoid legal consequences. Upon arriving at the victim’s residence, Chief Deputy Pulliam and Deputy Gray quickly pieced together what had occurred, revealing the family had been scammed out of $25,000.

Upon realizing the scam originated in Hardin County, Chief Deputy Pulliam took immediate action. He travelled to Hardin County to locate the Bitcoin kiosk involved in the scam. With help from Investigator David Lampman, a search warrant was obtained and executed. They discovered the ATM held their money, and the recovery operation took shape from there as the investigation unfolded.

Once access to the Bitcoin kiosk was secured, investigators successfully seized a total of $31,900, which is now set to be returned to Jasper County after necessary hearings. Despite securing the funds, authorities have indicated that locating the actual scammers remains a significant challenge. Sheriff Havard underscored the determination of his office to combat such criminal activities.

“When thieves, low-lifes and scammers attempt to take advantage of the citizens of Jasper County, we will work swiftly and utilize every resource at our disposal to protect our citizens and their property at all costs,” said Havard. Additionally, he praised Chief Pulliam and the rest of his team for their dedication and effectiveness during the investigation.

Havard urged residents to stay vigilant against online scams, emphasising the intricate nature of such investigations. As this case demonstrates, scammers can easily deceive unsuspecting individuals, but law enforcement is committed to fighting back strongly against fraud.