WILLOW SPRING - A Willow Spring man recently lost $130,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam.
The unsuspecting 71 year-old Johnston County residence was friended on Facebook by an individual who claimed they could assist with investments. The disabled victim was convinced to send the stranger thousands of dollars.
Weeks after investing $130,000, the victim received a financial statement claiming his account had grown to $800,000. When he tried to withdraw some of the money he could not and eventually realized he had been scammed.
Law enforcement authorities urge the public to be cautious about unrealistic promises of high returns, pressure to act quickly, and unsolicited contact. Fraudster frequently use social media, fake websites that resemble real businesses, and poor website design.
If it seems too good to be true, or it can't be verified, the investment is likely fraudulent.
If you are the victim of a scam notify your local law enforcement agency and the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov