比特币ATM骗局针对西湖居民，耗资数千美元

恐慌片段。他们坚持解决问题的唯一方法是撤回资金并将其存入比特币ATM中。

In the quiet suburb of Westlake, Ohio, a wave of panic-inducing scams has left residents fearing for their finances and feeling helpless against the cunning of scammers.

在俄亥俄州韦斯特莱克的安静郊区，一波引起恐慌的骗局使居民担心自己的财务状况，对骗子的狡猾感到无助。

The scams varied, but they all had a common thread: they threatened the victims with legal or financial repercussions if they didn't cooperate immediately. To resolve the fictitious issues, the scammers instructed the victims to withdraw large sums of money and deposit them into Bitcoin ATMs.

这些骗局各不相同，但它们都有一个共同的话题：如果他们不立即合作，他们会威胁受害者，以法律或财务影响。为了解决虚构的问题，诈骗者指示受害者撤回大量资金并将其存入比特币ATM。

The scams were so convincing that several victims fell prey to the scammers' schemes, losing thousands of dollars in the process. However, some observant individuals intervened to save the victims from losing their life savings.

这些骗局是如此令人信服，以至于几名受害者陷入了骗子计划，在此过程中损失了数千美元。但是，一些观察的人干预以挽救受害者免于储蓄。

Bank Manager Noticed Warning Signs and Called Police

银行经理注意到警告标志，并打电话给警察

At a Chase Bank on Detroit Road in Westlake, a couple approached a bank manager to withdraw $17,000 in cash. They were visibly stressed and claimed they needed to pay off a warrant from the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office.

在韦斯特莱克底特律路的一家大通银行，一对夫妇接近一名银行经理，撤回了17,000美元的现金。他们明显压力很大，并声称他们需要从库亚霍加县警长办公室还清逮捕令。

But something felt off to the manager. The couple wasn't known for withdrawing large sums of money, and the bank manager had recently attended a presentation by the Westlake Police Department about common scams in the area.

但是经理感到有些感觉。这对夫妇并不以撤回大量资金而闻名，银行经理最近参加了韦斯特莱克警察局的演讲，内容涉及该地区的常见骗局。

Thinking fast, the manager decided to ask the couple a few questions about the warrant. As she suspected, the story quickly fell apart, and the couple realized they were about to be scammed. Instead of letting them leave with the cash, the manager called the police.

快速思考时，经理决定向这对夫妇询问有关逮捕令的几个问题。正如她所怀疑的那样，这个故事很快就崩溃了，这对夫妇意识到他们即将被骗。经理没有让他们带现金离开，而是打电话给警察。

"The bank manager noticed warning signs and took swift action to prevent a potential scam from unfolding before her very eyes," said Westlake Police Captain Jerry Vogel in a statement. "Her attentiveness and willingness to intervene directly contributed to saving this couple from a major financial setback."

韦斯特莱克警察局长杰里·沃格尔（Jerry Vogel）在一份声明中说：“银行经理注意到了警告标志，并采取了迅速采取的行动，以防止潜在的骗局在她眼前展开。” “她的注意力和干预的意愿直接有助于拯救这对夫妇摆脱重大的财务挫折。”

The police arrived and confirmed that the warrant was a fabrication. They advised the couple not to proceed with contacting any Bitcoin ATMs or completing the requested transactions.

警察到达并确认逮捕令是捏造的。他们建议这对夫妇不要与任何比特币ATM联系或完成所请求的交易。

"We want to express our gratitude to the Chase Bank manager for her quick thinking and decisive action," said Vogel. "Her actions serve as a reminder that awareness and vigilance are crucial in preventing these types of scams."

沃格尔说：“我们要感谢Chase银行经理的快速思考和决定性的行动。” “她的举动提醒人们意识和警惕对于防止这些类型的骗局至关重要。”

Fake Microsoft Support Call Cost Woman $20,000

假的微软支持电话费用$ 20,000

In another case, a Westlake woman thought she was calling Microsoft support after her computer crashed and she searched for a customer service number on Google. However, the number she found belonged to scammers who had manipulated search results to make their fake support line appear legitimate.

在另一种情况下，一位Westlake女人认为她的计算机崩溃后正在给Microsoft提供支持，她在Google上搜索了客户服务号码。但是，她发现的数字属于骗子，他们操纵搜索结果以使他们的假支持线显得合理。

The scammer told her that her computer was infected with viruses linked to illegal activity in China and that the FBI was investigating her. He threatened her with legal action and claimed her bank account was at risk. The only way to protect her money was to withdraw it and purchase Bitcoin to transfer to a safe account.

骗子告诉她，她的计算机感染了与中国非法活动有关的病毒，联邦调查局正在调查她。他以法律诉讼威胁她，并声称她的银行帐户处于危险之中。保护她的钱的唯一方法是撤回并购买比特币以转移到安全帐户。

Fearing legal trouble, the woman was instructed to withdraw $40,000 from her bank and purchase Bitcoin at a nearby gas station. She managed to withdraw $20,000 in cash from her bank but had difficulties completing the Bitcoin purchase at a Mobil gas station in the afternoon.

由于担心法律麻烦，该妇女被指示从她的银行撤回40,000美元，并在附近的加油站购买比特币。她设法从银行撤回了20,000美元的现金，但在下午在Mobil加油站完成了比特币购买的困难。

As she fumbled with the Bitcoin ATM, a store clerk noticed her distress and intervened, sensing that something wasn't right. The clerk tried to warn the woman about the scam but was unsuccessful.

当她摸索比特币ATM时，一家商店店员注意到了她的苦难并干预了，感觉到有些不对劲。店员试图警告该女子有关骗局的知识，但没有成功。

By the time she realized it was a scam, she had already lost half of her savings.

当她意识到这是一个骗局时，她已经损失了一半的积蓄。

Social Security Scam Tricks Another Victim Out of $5,500

社会保障骗局欺骗了5,500美元的另一个受害者

In yet another case, a Westlake resident received a call from someone pretending to be from the Social Security Administration. The scammer claimed that the victim's identity had been stolen and that several fraudulent accounts were opened in their name.

在另一个案例中，西湖居民接到了一个假装来自社会保障局的人的电话。骗子声称受害人的身份被盗，并以其名义开设了一些欺诈性帐户。

To protect their money, the scammer instructed them to withdraw it and deposit it into a Bitcoin ATM at Sam’s Convenient Store on Hilliard Boulevard.

为了保护他们的钱，骗子指示他们将其撤回并将其存放到Hilliard Boulevard的便利商店中的比特币ATM中。

Fearing for their finances, the victim cooperated and deposited $5,500 in cash into a Bitcoin machine at the store. However, before they were fully aware of what had happened, the funds were stolen by the scammer.

由于担心自己的财务状况，受害者将现金合作并存入了5500美元的现金中，并在商店的一台比特币机器中。但是，在他们完全意识到发生了什么事之前，这些资金被骗子偷走了。

The shop owner was later informed about the theft and decided to dismantle the Bitcoin ATM in the ensuing month in a bid to preclude future scams.

商店老板后来被告知盗窃案，并决定在随后的一个月中拆除比特币ATM，以阻止未来的骗局。

How to Protect Yourself from Bitcoin ATM and Gift Card Scams

如何保护自己免受比特币ATM和礼品卡骗局

Sadly, scammers are always coming up with new ways to trick people out of their money. But there are some things you can do to protect yourself:

可悲的是，骗子总是想出新的方法来欺骗人们的钱。但是，您可以做一些事情来保护自己：

If you receive a suspicious call, don't panic. Hang up and contact the company or organization directly to verify the message.

如果您收到可疑的电话，请不要惊慌。挂断并直接联系公司或组织以验证消息。

Don't invest in Bitcoin ATMs or buy gift cards for any payment. If it doesn't feel right, it likely isn't.

不要投资比特币ATM或购买礼品卡以进行任何付款。如果感觉不正确，则可能不是。

Be alert to the possibility of scams, especially if you are being pressured to make a quick financial decision or threatened with legal action.

警惕骗局的可能性，尤其是如果您被迫做出快速财务决定或受到法律诉讼的威胁时。

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a scam, report it to your local police department immediately. Together, we can put a stop to these scams and safeguard our community.

如果您或您认识的人是骗局的受害者，请立即将其报告给您的当地警察局。我们可以一起停止这些骗局并保护我们的社区。