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The Columbia Police Department is searching for a man suspected of running a cryptocurrency investment scheme.
Charles Spencer Burri of Columbia was charged earlier this month with financial exploitation of an elder and stealing $750 or more and has a warrant out for his arrest, court records show.
A probable cause statement alleges that Burri, who owns and operates Burri Asset Management, told a 71-year-old woman that he would give her returns on a $15,000 investment she made with Burri Asset Management in July.
The woman told police that Burri offered her returns on cryptocurrency investment and that she later asked for her money back, according to the statement. She told police that Burri initially said he would give her money back but then stopped responding to her, according to the statement.
A subpoena of Burri’s bank account showed a deposit of $10,000 the day after the woman made the investment, according to the probable cause statement.
The Police Department made a Facebook post Wednesday asking for the public’s help in finding Burri and any other people who believe they have been involved in a similar scam.
The Police Department said it suspects there are more people who have been scammed in the Columbia area.
The Police Department asked anyone with information to call 573-874-7652. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 573-875-8477 or visiting p3tips.com/899.