Maynard woman loses $1,900 due to Bitcoin scam in Sudbury | #phishing | #scams | #hacking | #aihp

The woman, whom Perodeau described as being a senior, had put $1,900 into the Bitcoin ATM when the machine stopped accepting money for an unknown reason. 

“The clerk noticed what was happening and told her it was a scam and they should call police,” Perodeau said.

The woman had sent the code for the $1,900 to the scammer and is likely out of that money, but she retained another $8,100 that would have likely been lost. Perodeau said it’s common for scammers to ask for $10,000 initially, then seek more later.

This is the third time this year that police know of someone falling victim to a Bitcoin scam and using the ATM at Sudbury Sundries. In June, a Lincoln woman had purchased $30,000 worth of Bitcoin, but a clerk stopped her from sending the code because they recognized it as a scam.

Another person sent $50,000 in May. Police are hoping they can get the money back, Perodeau said.

A clerk who answered the phone Thursday at Sudbury Sundries referred quries to the store owner, who could not be reached.

Perodeau said people need to take care — no legitimate business or government agency would demand payment via Bitcoin or cold call someone demanding money.