An aggressive new cryptocurrency scam has recently hit Campbell County, highlighting the growing threat of crypto-related fraud and the evolving tactics scammers use to steal from victims.

In these scams, fraudsters pretend to be local law enforcement, often claiming there is an outstanding arrest warrant for the victim due to a missed court date or unpaid fine. They then pressure individuals to pay a fine, frequently demanding payment in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. Some victims have been sent what appear to be official documents and threatened with immediate arrest if they do not comply. This intimidation can be so convincing that people are led step-by-step through transferring money via Bitcoin machines, ultimately handing over their hard-earned savings before realizing they have been conned.

Law enforcement in Campbell County stresses that they will never request payment for fines, warrants, or any legal matters over the phone, especially not through cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers. Crime prevention experts also warn that scammers often spoof official phone numbers and use the names of real deputies to appear more legitimate. Anyone asked for payment in this way should hang up and contact authorities directly.

In response to the surge in crypto scams, Campbell County has taken a significant step by opening a specialized crypto exchange account. Rather than investing or trading, this account exists solely to help law enforcement recover stolen funds and return them to scam victims. Once police successfully track and retrieve lost cryptocurrency, the county converts it through this new account, returning funds to victims by check as permitted by court order. Local officials say this resource makes Campbell County one of the first areas in the region to create an efficient method for helping scam victims recover their assets.

Public officials urge anyone contacted out of the blue by someone demanding immediate payment—especially in cryptocurrency—to be skeptical, avoid sharing personal information, and contact local authorities. This proactive approach by Campbell County serves as a model for how communities can fight back against increasingly sophisticated financial scams.