Kentucky Scammers Use Jury Duty Threats to Steal Bitcoin

A combined jury duty and cryptocurrency scam is targeting residents in Kentucky, according to the Kentucky State Police (KSP). The scammers, posing as local or state law enforcement, call victims claiming they missed jury duty and pressure them to pay a fine. They instruct their targets to withdraw cash from an ATM, take it to a local cryptocurrency kiosk, and pay the fine in Bitcoin.

The KSP warns that once cryptocurrency is sent, it's extremely difficult to recover. Legitimate law enforcement officials do not accept Bitcoin as payment for fines. To avoid falling victim to this scam, residents are advised to use the 'Pause, Check, and Protect' method: pause before acting, check the information through an official source, and protect personal data.

The scam was reported in Bowling Green but could expand to other communities in the state. Kentuckians should remain vigilant and report any suspicious calls to the authorities. For more information on this scam and others, visit StopScams.ky.gov.