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Pennsylvania State Police Warn Residents After Susquehanna County Man Loses $12,000 to Bitcoin Scam
A 59‑year‑old South Montrose resident lost $12,000 when a caller masquerading as a law‑enforcement officer convinced him to deposit the money into a Bitcoin machine. The incident, reported to the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) on Tuesday, has prompted the agency to issue a statewide warning.
According to PSP officials, the victim received a phone call from someone claiming to be Lt. Dan Williams of the Montrose courthouse. The caller alleged that a warrant had been issued against the man and that paying $12,000 would lift it. After the victim transferred the money, he was instructed to drop it into a Bitcoin machine located inside a smoke shop on Route 29 in Tunkhannock, Wyoming County.
PSP troopers stressed that legitimate law‑enforcement agencies never direct individuals to use a Bitcoin machine—or any cryptocurrency device—to resolve a warrant, avoid arrest, or pay fines. The agency urged anyone who receives a similar call to hang up, verify the claim by contacting local authorities directly, and never send money to a cryptocurrency terminal.
This case is part of a growing pattern of Bitcoin‑based scams in Pennsylvania. In early 2025, the Pennsylvania Attorney General issued an alert warning that scammers were exploiting Bitcoin ATMs, or BTMs, to target consumers with urgent messages such as “protect your money” or “take care of any criminal charges.” The alert emphasized that real businesses and government agencies would never require a person to use a Bitcoin ATM to resolve legal or financial problems.
Other incidents have involved larger sums. In March, a Crawford County resident fell victim to a $20,000 Bitcoin scam, while a woman in Carbon County lost more than $30,000 after being tricked into buying Bitcoin through a Telegram app. These cases illustrate how fraudsters blend social‑engineering tactics with the anonymity of cryptocurrency to siphon funds from unsuspecting victims.
Bitcoin, the first decentralized cryptocurrency, enables users to send and receive digital currency without a central authority. Transactions are recorded on a public ledger called the blockchain and secured by cryptographic proof of work. Because Bitcoin transactions are irreversible and pseudonymous, they can appeal to fraudsters who want to move money quickly and with limited traceability.
Law‑enforcement agencies across the United States have issued similar warnings. In 2024, the FBI released a consumer alert about “Bitcoin ATM scams,” advising the public not to trust anyone who claims that a Bitcoin ATM can resolve legal or financial issues. The alert also noted that scammers often use the urgency of a warrant or a fine to pressure victims into acting hastily.
The Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the Susquehanna County case and are collaborating with local law‑enforcement partners to determine whether the scammer can be identified. The agency has not released details about the caller’s identity or whether the Bitcoin machine used in the scheme was compromised.
While the victim’s funds were transferred to a Bitcoin wallet, it is unclear whether the money can be recovered. Bitcoin transactions are permanent, and once the funds move to a wallet, they are difficult to trace or reverse. The victim’s best recourse is to report the incident to the PSP and the Federal Trade Commission.
The incident underscores the importance of verifying the identity of anyone who contacts you about legal matters. Legitimate law‑enforcement officers typically do not call individuals to request payment via cryptocurrency. Residents are encouraged to use official channels—such as the local police department or courthouse—to confirm any claims of warrants or legal action.
As Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies continue to be used in both legitimate transactions and fraud, state and federal agencies are intensifying outreach efforts to educate the public. The Pennsylvania State Police remain vigilant and will continue to issue warnings as new scams emerge.
According to PSP officials, the victim received a phone call from someone claiming to be Lt. Dan Williams of the Montrose courthouse. The caller alleged that a warrant had been issued against the man and that paying $12,000 would lift it. After the victim transferred the money, he was instructed to drop it into a Bitcoin machine located inside a smoke shop on Route 29 in Tunkhannock, Wyoming County.
PSP troopers stressed that legitimate law‑enforcement agencies never direct individuals to use a Bitcoin machine—or any cryptocurrency device—to resolve a warrant, avoid arrest, or pay fines. The agency urged anyone who receives a similar call to hang up, verify the claim by contacting local authorities directly, and never send money to a cryptocurrency terminal.
This case is part of a growing pattern of Bitcoin‑based scams in Pennsylvania. In early 2025, the Pennsylvania Attorney General issued an alert warning that scammers were exploiting Bitcoin ATMs, or BTMs, to target consumers with urgent messages such as “protect your money” or “take care of any criminal charges.” The alert emphasized that real businesses and government agencies would never require a person to use a Bitcoin ATM to resolve legal or financial problems.
Other incidents have involved larger sums. In March, a Crawford County resident fell victim to a $20,000 Bitcoin scam, while a woman in Carbon County lost more than $30,000 after being tricked into buying Bitcoin through a Telegram app. These cases illustrate how fraudsters blend social‑engineering tactics with the anonymity of cryptocurrency to siphon funds from unsuspecting victims.
Bitcoin, the first decentralized cryptocurrency, enables users to send and receive digital currency without a central authority. Transactions are recorded on a public ledger called the blockchain and secured by cryptographic proof of work. Because Bitcoin transactions are irreversible and pseudonymous, they can appeal to fraudsters who want to move money quickly and with limited traceability.
Law‑enforcement agencies across the United States have issued similar warnings. In 2024, the FBI released a consumer alert about “Bitcoin ATM scams,” advising the public not to trust anyone who claims that a Bitcoin ATM can resolve legal or financial issues. The alert also noted that scammers often use the urgency of a warrant or a fine to pressure victims into acting hastily.
The Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the Susquehanna County case and are collaborating with local law‑enforcement partners to determine whether the scammer can be identified. The agency has not released details about the caller’s identity or whether the Bitcoin machine used in the scheme was compromised.
While the victim’s funds were transferred to a Bitcoin wallet, it is unclear whether the money can be recovered. Bitcoin transactions are permanent, and once the funds move to a wallet, they are difficult to trace or reverse. The victim’s best recourse is to report the incident to the PSP and the Federal Trade Commission.
The incident underscores the importance of verifying the identity of anyone who contacts you about legal matters. Legitimate law‑enforcement officers typically do not call individuals to request payment via cryptocurrency. Residents are encouraged to use official channels—such as the local police department or courthouse—to confirm any claims of warrants or legal action.
As Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies continue to be used in both legitimate transactions and fraud, state and federal agencies are intensifying outreach efforts to educate the public. The Pennsylvania State Police remain vigilant and will continue to issue warnings as new scams emerge.
