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PLEASANT HILL, Calif. — Authorities said Monday they’ve returned the majority of a Pleasant Hill woman’s life savings that were stolen in a cryptocurrency investment scheme nearly four years ago.
In March 2022, the 70-year-old victim lost $350,000 in the scam after an online suspect convinced her to invest her life savings, according to Pleasant Hill police.
“Detective Stephen Vuong began tracking the cryptocurrency, and through extensive investigative efforts and with the assistance of the United States Secret Service, successfully located the majority of the victim’s funds in an online digital wallet,” police said in a news release.
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Police monitored the wallet, which was inactive until September 2025. Once it became active, Vuong froze the funds and seized them, police said. The money was then transferred back to the victim and her family on Dec. 30.
“We are happy to be able to return these funds to the victim, and I congratulate Detective Vuong on the outstanding work he put into this case,” Police Chief Scott Vermillion said.
The Pleasant Hill Police Department reminds residents to be wary when approached online for services and to always protect personal information. Those who feel they have been the victim of a scam should contact the PHPD non-emergency line at (925) 288-4600.
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