Description

First a full computer screen Red Alert supposedly from Microsoft popped up saying to call 833-978-5707 for support, which, I did. I asked if this was Microsoft - an Asian sounding person responded, this is the number you are calling. He had me press the windows key and D and then Windows and H to access my computer files. He said I had been hacked and I needed to contact my Bank. I told him I banked with BMO Bank and he asked for a phone number. Shortly after that I was called by someone impersonating the Fraud Dept. at BMO. I said I didn't know who they were since they were calling from # 616.383.4631. He said he would hang up and call from the bank # 888.340.2265. Which he did, so I assumed I was speaking with the Bank's Fraud Dept. His name was Richard Dixon, however, this was another Asian speaking person, most likely not named Richard Dixon. He told that someone had authorized a $12000.00 withdrawal from my account. I told them I did not. They said the money would be withdrawn from my account in 2-3 hours. They said there suspecting an employee of compromising bank information of customers and they were trying to catch this person responsible. They told me to go to the Bank and W/D $12,000 (or as much as they would allow). Don't talk with anyone and go into the Bank with a smile on your face and watch for any suspicious behavior. They stayed on the phone with me as I drove to my bank (20 min away) and once I had the money they told me to go to Mauston (40 min away) to a Bitcoin machine. They stayed on the phone with me the entire process of this scam. Even when we lost contact several times, due to limited phone service, they called right back. The person at the BP station that was watching me this entire time I was in front of this Bitcoiin machine tried to tell me, several times, to watch out because Bitcoin scams are common, but I didn't listen to him because I was continually being told not to speak with anyone as they could be part of the "plot". I felt like I was Brainwashed. I kept listening to this person on the phone with me. I was told to create a Wallet in the Bitcoin machine. I knew nothing about Bitcoin, but followed the instructions and entered all of my information. I was being told by this person on the phone that BMO would be opening up new accounts for me tomorrow and the money would be transferred to my new account, then, when it would be safe from being taken. But I already had my money in my hand. Why didn't I just hang up the phone?? During the Wallet creation process, the machine would not upload my picture. It took the upload of my license, but not my photo. So this person told me to take a photo of my license with my phone, and my photo and send it to him at a specific number which I did. Then they asked me for my SS#, which I very reluctantly gave to them. So they have my full identity - license, photo and SS#. Shortly after this I received a QR code from #803.403.0670. They told me to use the QR code to deposit the money - 2 transactions - one for $2900 and one for $9100. He I am, in a very busy gas station, feeding $100 bills into this machine for about 20 min. I was afraid for my safety but this person said not to worry, there were cameras in the gas station. I told him I didn't see any cameras, but he assured me. Braninwashed !! I have receipts for both of these transactions, but they do me no good as I know now that this money was not deposited into my Wallet, but theirs. I did file a police report with the Adams County Sherrif's Dept. Case 23-4794 officer Tyler Bigalke. This imposter said he would call me tomorrow at 9am to be sure the rest of my money at the Bank was safe and that an officer from the Fraud Dept. would be coming to my home to get my accounts set up. The person did call the next day, from the BMO toll free number 888-340-2265. I told him I would not be taking out any more of my money. I wish I were in a better state of mind at the time of this return call. I would have liked to play along with him, with the help of the Sherrif's dept. to try to identify him in some way. An hour or so after the morning call, I did try to text the person back, at the 616-383-4631 number to say I changed my mind and would like to talk with him again, but he never called me back. He probably already realized I was on to the SCAM, by then. This is a tremendous loss to me. I have also had my computer cleaned, new antivirus software loaded by a trusted person, new bank accounts opened, passwords changed. But I worry about my identity being out there with these lunatics. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. I have other documentation, like the receipts, if they would be helpful. I have also filed fraud/scam reports to IC3.gov and FTC.gov. This scam happened on 7/13/2023.