PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — Scammers impersonating law enforcement officers and government agents are targeting Pinellas Park residents in an emerging scheme that uses Bitcoin ATMs to steal money, the Pinellas Park Police Department announced.
According to authorities, callers pose as local police, federal agents, or court officials, telling victims they face an active arrest warrant, missed jury duty, an unpaid subpoena, or an outstanding fine. The callers threaten immediate arrest or additional criminal charges unless the victim pays right away.
During these calls, victims are told to withdraw cash from their bank accounts and deposit the money into a nearby Bitcoin ATM or cryptocurrency kiosk. Scammers frequently stay on the line, walking targets through the deposit process step-by-step…