GARFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI – Police are warning people about a scam that was recently committed against an elderly couple in Northern Michigan.
The couple from Honor went to a gas station in Garfield Township to use its Bitcoin ATM, according to a news release from Michigan State Police. The manager of the station suspected something was wrong and called the police.
A trooper from the MSP Cadillac Post and a deputy from the Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Office responded to the store, police said. They worked together to distract the couple from a phone call with the scammer.
The scammer had used a virus on the couple’s computer to initiate the attack. The scammer then staged a series of phone calls posing as Microsoft and the couple’s bank, police said. The scammer convinced the couple they needed to pay money via Bitcoin to prevent loss of freedoms and further financial loss. The scammer also made threats of international crime violations.
When officers intervened at the gas station, the couple told them that they had already sent $2,900 to the scammer, police said. They had been told to withdraw $17,000 from their bank account and convert it to Bitcoin for the perpetrator.
“The MSP wants to remind everyone to never divulge personal information to anyone over the phone, online or by mail,” the release said. “If you suspect you are a being scammed or doubt the authenticity of the person contacting you, notify law enforcement immediately.”
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