HARMAR TOWNSHIP, PA — Three residents have lost more than $25,000 in a bitcoin fraud scheme, police said.
Each incident involved someone claiming to be from the sheriff’s department or the courthouse, according to Harmar Township Police.
The scammer tells the victim they missed a court hearing or a family member has been arrested, police said.
The scammer then tells the victim they need to deposit money into a bitcoin machine to resolve the matter, police said.
No government agency or reputable business will require someone to use bitcoin to resolve a problem or request someone to purchase gift cards and provide the card numbers, police said.
Police are asking residents who receive such phone calls and are unsure of their validity to call their local police department before providing any money.
Police are also asking residents to check in with older family members and inform them of current scams.
