Elderly Woman Scammed Out of $17,600 Through Fake Tech Support and Bitcoin ATM

The Scam Unfolds

• 💡 An 87-year-old woman received an email alert stating her computer was hacked, prompting her to call a provided number.
• ⚠️ The scammers instructed her not to contact anyone else, claiming their communication lines were compromised.
• 🧠 They convinced her that her bank account had been hacked, keeping her on the phone for hours to manipulate her.

Financial Loss and Deception

• 💰 The scammers instructed the victim to withdraw a large sum of money from her bank, advising her to claim it was for a home remodeling project if asked.
• 💸 She was directed to a gas station in Richardson to use a Bitcoin ATM to send the funds.
• 📉 The transaction at the Bitcoin ATM resulted in a loss of $17,600.

Aftermath and Warning

• 😥 The victim expressed immense distress, stating she had the "worst day of her whole life" and felt mortified and embarrassed.
• 🗣️ Her daughter is speaking out as a cautionary tale to prevent others from falling victim to similar scams.
• 📢 Richardson police are urging businesses with cryptocurrency machines to display signage warning customers about potential scams.