The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) issued a public warning on Friday after uncovering a cryptocurrency fraud scheme that pretended to be bank employees. The scammers contacted victims, claimed a suspicious transaction in their accounts, and demanded payment in digital currency to avoid involvement of law‑enforcement.
How the scam unfolded
According to OSBI officials, a Norman resident reported that a transaction appeared in her bank account for the purchase of child sexual abuse material. When she called her bank, the caller claimed to be a bank employee and instructed her to transfer money via cryptocurrency, threatening that authorities would be notified if she refused.
Norman Police Department detectives traced the cryptocurrency transfers and discovered that the fraudsters had reached multiple victims across Oklahoma, neighboring states, and even Canada. The investigation identified dozens of individuals who had been defrauded of more than $70,000 in total.
Law‑enforcement response
OSBI special agents obtained a search warrant and seized more than $581,000 in cryptocurrency held in the scammers’ digital wallets. The seized assets are being held as evidence while the agency works with the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office to return the stolen funds to the victims.
Both agencies emphasized that victims should act quickly. Anyone who believes they may have been targeted by this scheme is urged to contact local law‑enforcement immediately and to report the incident through the online portal provided by the OSBI.
Protecting yourself from similar fraud
Officials reminded the public that legitimate banks will never ask customers to send money in cryptocurrency or any other form of digital asset to resolve a transaction issue. If a caller claims to be a bank representative, verify the request by calling the bank’s official phone number directly.
Scammers often use high‑pressure tactics, claiming that failure to comply will result in legal action or account closure. Residents should be wary of any unsolicited demand for payment, especially when it involves unfamiliar methods such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other cryptocurrencies.
What to do if you’re targeted
1. Do not send any cryptocurrency or other payment.
2. Hang up and contact your bank using a verified phone number.
3. Report the incident to your local police department or the OSBI via their online reporting form.
4. Keep records of all communications, including phone numbers, email addresses, and any screenshots of messages.
The OSBI and the Attorney General’s Office continue to investigate the network of scammers and encourage anyone with information to come forward. By staying vigilant and following these safety steps, Oklahomans can help protect themselves and their neighbors from further financial loss.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
