UPDATED: MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The Murfreesboro Police Department is warning residents about a growing cryptocurrency scam that has already cost victims nearly $4 million, with many of those targeted being older adults. According to Murfreesboro police, fraud detectives have received reports from dozens of victims who were tricked by scammers posing as law enforcement officers. The callers falsely claim the victim missed a court appearance and now has an active warrant for their arrest.

In the scam, victims are instructed to withdraw large amounts of cash from their bank accounts and take the money to a Bitcoin ATM. The scammers then direct the victims to deposit the funds into a cryptocurrency account. In many cases, victims are told to provide a QR code or IP address to confirm the transaction.

Once the cash is deposited into the cryptocurrency wallet, investigators say the money is typically transferred or withdrawn within hours, making it extremely difficult for authorities to trace or recover the funds.

“No local, state, or federal law enforcement officer will ever ask for money to dismiss a warrant,” said Murfreesboro Police CID Fraud Detective Tommy Massey. “We don’t handle cash.”

Detectives say the investigation is complicated because the scammers frequently operate outside the United States, with connections reported in countries including India, Pakistan, Ukraine, and several African nations.

Authorities say the crime often targets elderly and retired residents, many of whom lose large portions of their life savings.

“The biggest problem with these scams is that most victims are elderly and retired, and they cannot recoup the lost money,” Massey said. “That makes them some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”

Police urge residents to immediately hang up if they receive a call claiming they have a warrant and are asked to pay money through cryptocurrency or a Bitcoin ATM. Legitimate law enforcement agencies do not collect fines or dismiss warrants through phone calls or digital currency.

Anyone who believes they may have been targeted or victimized by the scam is encouraged to contact the Murfreesboro Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 615-893-2717.

• See the latest NEWS on SCAMS in our area HERE.