Police Officer Awards $23,900 Check to 84-Year-Old Woman Rescued from Bitcoin Scam in North Texas

In White Settlement, Texas, Chief of Police Christopher Cook shared an uplifting update on a situation involving an elderly woman who was falling victim to a scam, losing $40,000 in the process. The incident unfolded at a Chevron gas station off I-30, where the woman was observed depositing substantial sums of money into a Bitcoin machine.

Mindy Jordan, a compassionate bystander, approached the woman and overheard her conversations with individuals on the phone, quickly discerning that the situation was likely a targeted scam preying on the elderly. The woman, carrying $44,000 in cash, insisted that the individuals on the phone were representatives from the bank. Concerned for the woman’s well-being, Jordan promptly contacted the authorities.

Upon arrival, Sgt. James Stewart engaged with the alleged scammer over the phone, confronting and berating them for their actions. Thankfully, Jordan and Stewart’s timely intervention prevented the woman from losing thousands of dollars to the fraudulent scheme. Chief Cook later revealed that Stewart handed the victim a check for $23,900, which was successfully recovered from the Bitcoin ATM where she had made the deposit.

In a gesture of support, Stewart accompanied the woman to Chase bank to facilitate the re-depositing of the recovered funds. Chief Cook acknowledged the efforts of Lt. Denise Callahan, who collaborated on retrieving the money from Bitcoin to return it to the victim.

The White Settlement Police Department emphasized the importance of vigilance, reminding the public that legitimate entities such as banks and law enforcement would never demand money over the phone. This incident serves as a poignant reminder of the prevalence of scams targeting vulnerable individuals, underscoring the significance of community awareness and intervention to combat financial exploitation.

The heartening resolution to this case highlights the impact of swift action and community support in safeguarding individuals from falling victim to fraudulent schemes. As the community rallies together to protect its members, instances of financial exploitation can be mitigated through collective vigilance and proactive measures to thwart scammers’ malicious intentions.