In a recent incident, a 77-year-old Oconomowoc woman, Lee Ann Malec, was defrauded $24,000 in a cryptocurrency scam. The scammer, posing as Microsoft tech support, convinced Malec that her accounts were compromised, prompting her to deposit the funds into cryptocurrency for protection. 

Malec’s daughter, Deanna Marincic, a trauma specialist, describes the incident as a psychological kidnapping, emphasizing the offenders’ manipulation of her mother’s personality and anxiety. To assist scam victims, Marincic plans to offer a free clinic at Gals Institute in Delafield.

Law enforcement seized the cash from the cryptocurrency machine and continued the investigation. Malec is uncertain about recovering her funds but urges others to remain watchful against such scams. Authorities advise hanging up, shutting down the computer, and promptly contacting the police if targeted in a similar scheme.

Also read: Matthew Perry’s  X Account Hacked by Crypto Scammers