West Virginia warns residents of rising scams involving fake warrants and Bitcoin payments

The West Virginia Attorney General’s Office is warning residents about a rise in scams across the state, including fraudulent calls impersonating the agency itself. The September scam report highlighted Medicare, robocalls, Social Security, lottery, and promotion scams as the most frequently reported. Kallie Cart, communications director for the attorney general’s office, expressed particular concern over sweepstakes and lottery scams, where callers falsely claimed to be from the Consumer Protection Division.

In Kanawha County, sheriff’s deputies are alerting the public about scammers posing as law enforcement officers. These callers falsely state that individuals have outstanding warrants and demand payment to avoid arrest. Sgt. Jeremy Burns reported that victims have been directed to deposit large sums, ranging from $10,000 to $30,000, into Bitcoin machines, sometimes under the pretense of paying a bond. Scammers have been known to refer to cryptocurrency machines as “bond” or “bail kiosks” to lend credibility to their demands.

Officials caution residents not to trust caller ID, as scammers can spoof local phone numbers. Evolving technologies, including artificial intelligence and deepfakes, are making these scams harder to detect. Unexpected requests for money, particularly through gift cards, Bitcoin, or other cryptocurrencies, are major red flags. Residents are advised to hang up and contact the relevant agency or law enforcement directly using verified phone numbers.