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Federal authorities are warning of a cryptocurrency scam that has cost Americans millions, as shown by a recent incident in Sunrise, Florida, where police stopped an 80-year-old man from depositing cash into a crypto ATM. Victims have lost millions of dollars to scams like these, and in this case, the victim’s son alerted police after noticing large withdrawals from his father’s bank account.Body camera footage shows Sunrise police officers interrupting the scam in real time. “Hey, hey what are we doing?” an officer is heard saying as they approach the man. Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 NewsThe victim was convinced by scammers on the phone that he needed to move his cash, believing he was speaking with a Chase bank representative. “How much money have you put in here? Sir, sir, calm down. A Chase bank is on the telephone. No, a Chase bank is not on the telephone,” an officer said.Sunrise Police Sgt. Marc Rodriguez said the scam began when the victim received a computer link warning him that his money was about to be stolen. “I’m from the bank, your funds are compromised, you need to go to the bank right away to remove the funds if not, we’re going to take them from you,” Rodriguez said.BITCOIN SCAM: Deputies warn of scams using Bitcoin after Martin County family loses $16KThe victim was instructed to transfer his money to a crypto wallet, but police intervened and even spoke with the scammer. “Who are you?” the scammer asked. “I’m the police. Don’t put any more money in this machine,” the officer replied. The scammer retorted, “If you’re, if you’re the police, I’m Donald Trump.”According to the FBI, scammers caused nearly $250 million in losses in 2024, and from January through November 2025, that figure rose to $333 million. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is also warning the public on social media about cryptocurrency fraud and how to protect their money. “Know that no legitimate agency, P.B.S.O, FPL, no legitimate business agency or government agency will ever ask you to pay in cryptocurrency,” Detective James Shackelford said.Police said the Sunrise victim had already transferred more than $50,000 before they were able to stop him.Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25
Federal authorities are warning of a cryptocurrency scam that has cost Americans millions, as shown by a recent incident in Sunrise, Florida, where police stopped an 80-year-old man from depositing cash into a crypto ATM.
Victims have lost millions of dollars to scams like these, and in this case, the victim’s son alerted police after noticing large withdrawals from his father’s bank account.
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Body camera footage shows Sunrise police officers interrupting the scam in real time. “Hey, hey what are we doing?” an officer is heard saying as they approach the man.
Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News
The victim was convinced by scammers on the phone that he needed to move his cash, believing he was speaking with a Chase bank representative. “How much money have you put in here? Sir, sir, calm down. A Chase bank is on the telephone. No, a Chase bank is not on the telephone,” an officer said.
Sunrise Police Sgt. Marc Rodriguez said the scam began when the victim received a computer link warning him that his money was about to be stolen.
“I’m from the bank, your funds are compromised, you need to go to the bank right away to remove the funds if not, we’re going to take them from you,” Rodriguez said.
BITCOIN SCAM: Deputies warn of scams using Bitcoin after Martin County family loses $16K
The victim was instructed to transfer his money to a crypto wallet, but police intervened and even spoke with the scammer. “Who are you?” the scammer asked. “I’m the police. Don’t put any more money in this machine,” the officer replied. The scammer retorted, “If you’re, if you’re the police, I’m Donald Trump.”
According to the FBI, scammers caused nearly $250 million in losses in 2024, and from January through November 2025, that figure rose to $333 million.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is also warning the public on social media about cryptocurrency fraud and how to protect their money. “Know that no legitimate agency, P.B.S.O, FPL, no legitimate business agency or government agency will ever ask you to pay in cryptocurrency,” Detective James Shackelford said.
Police said the Sunrise victim had already transferred more than $50,000 before they were able to stop him.
Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25