Saint Helena Warned of Cryptocurrency Fraud Scam
Authorities Issue Alert to Public
The public in Saint Helena has been warned by authorities about a nationwide cryptocurrency scam that is circulating and targeting victims across the country. According to an alert issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana, scammers are contacting people through phone calls or forged court documents, claiming they are being investigated for Payroll Protection Program fraud and are subjects of arrest warrants.
How the Scam Works
- Scammers contact victims through phone calls or forged court documents
- Documents appear to be sent from the Department of Justice Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch
- Victims are instructed to make a payment through a cryptocurrency kiosk to lift the alleged warrant
Warning Signs
- No law enforcement agency will ever ask for money to lift an arrest warrant
- Scammers use tactics to hastily provide personal information or payment
- Documents may appear authentic, but they are not legitimate
What You Can Do
- Do not respond or complete any requests from scammers
- Report any incidents to local law enforcement and the FBI
- Contact the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline at (866) 720-5721 or make a submission on their website
Quotes
“We are aware of scammers attempting to target Montanans to trick us into paying cryptocurrency for bogus arrest warrants,” said U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich. “No one should ever be contacted by law enforcement asking for money to lift an arrest warrant.”
“Federal agencies and law enforcement will never contact people requesting money,” added Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI.
By being aware of this scam, you can protect yourself from falling victim to it. Remember, no legitimate law enforcement agency will ever ask for payment or personal information over the phone or through forged documents.