EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KKTV) – On Wednesday, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPCSO) announced the recovery of nearly $147,000 for six victims of crypto-fraud schemes.
Deputies have also seized $24,500 from other fraudulent operations.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement uses a tool called Asset Reality to “identify, track, and recover funds lost through increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.” The major benefit is the ability to track and recover funds across jurisdictions and state lines.
EPCSO shared several recommendations for avoiding fraud:
Never send money (or cryptocurrency or gift cards) to someone without personally verifying their identityMaintain a healthy skepticism toward unsolicited calls, texts and emails claiming to be from government agencies, banks, or tech support servicesVerify any requests for payment by contacting the organization directly through trusted channelsDon’t download apps when prompted by text or email
Always discuss any suspicious requests with law enforcement or someone you trust before taking any action.
“Financial fraud investigations are among the most complex and time-consuming cases our detectives handle,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “Their work sends a clear message that the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office will relentlessly pursue those who exploit others for financial gain.”
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