The Perfect Scam The Crypto Detectives: Tracking Down Stolen Funds
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Sep 19, 2025 Join Detective Scott Simons, a cyber investigation specialist from the Greenfield Police Department, and Erin West, the founder of Operation Shamrock and former prosecutor, as they unpack the dark world of cryptocurrency scams. Discover how they helped a victim recover $80,000 from a $450,000 loss. Simons shares his techniques for tracing stolen funds through crypto wallets, while West emphasizes the importance of public-private collaboration in combating transnational fraud. Their insights offer both hope and practical strategies for scam victims.
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Widower Duped By Romantic Crypto Scam
- Paul grieved his wife and then fell for a romantic crypto investment scam that promised big returns.
- He borrowed, remortgaged, and lost about $450,000 before discovering it was a fraud.
Detective Traces Funds And Freezes Wallet
- Paul found Detective Scott Simons on LinkedIn and reached out after researching similar cases.
- Simons traced the stolen crypto, set an alert, and later froze about $80,000 when funds moved to a swapping service.
Large Hauls Can Sit And Create Windows
- Scammers sometimes let large sums sit in unhosted wallets because they struggle to 'clean' or cash out huge amounts.
- That delay can give investigators a window to monitor and intercept funds.