Centralia Police Department: Woman nearly scammed out of $25,000

The Chronicle, Centralia, Wash.The Chronicle

Mar. 14—The Centralia Police Department is investigating fraud that occurred in Centralia on March 10 involving a woman who was nearly scammed out of $25,000.

The victim was reportedly contacted via email and later by phone by "at least one suspect who portrayed themselves as an employee of Twin Star Credit Union," according to a Centralia Police Department news release.

The suspect convinced the victim to withdraw $25,000 from her bank account and later deposit the money into a Bitcoin machine at a local business, according to the Centralia Police Department.

After the scam was reported to the Centralia Police Department, officers obtained a search warrant for the Bitcoin machine and, with the assistance of a Bitcoin machine representative, recovered the fraudulently deposited money.

"The money was subsequently placed into evidence as the case is still under investigation," the Centralia Police Department said in a news release.

"This is an ongoing investigation and no further information is being released at this time," the Centralia Police Department stated.

Officers encourage anyone with information about the incident to contact them at 360-330-7680 or through the non-emergency dispatch line at 360-740-1105.

"The Centralia Police Department would like to remind citizens to use caution when being contacted by solicitors asking them to withdraw funds from their bank accounts and then deposit them into other unknown accounts," the Centralia Police Department stated in a news release. "Always verify the validity of the person or company trying to get funds from you. You can ask for phone numbers, request to speak to a manager, or contact the company the person alleges they work for before sending any money. No legitimate business or government agency will ever ask you to convert your money into Bitcoin or ask you (to) purchase gift cards for them."