By OLIVIA BERGMEIER
Salina Post
A senior Salina resident fell victim to an email scam last week, which cost the citizen $11,000 in Bitcoin and various gift cards.
On Monday, March 4, an alleged scammer posing as Norton LifeLock emailed a 72-year-old Salina man to tell him his subscription was renewing and the company would charge his account for $450.
According to Salina Police Department Capt. James Feldman, the victim didn't want to renew the subscription, so he called the number provided in the email.
"He [the victim] stated while he was on the computer, they said they were supposed to put $100 into his account," Feldman said. "He was watching the computer, and his bank account did indeed show a deposit, but it showed a $10,000 deposit."
Feldman said the suspect told the victim that it was a mistake and then threatened the victim, stating if the victim didn't return the cash, authorities may consider it fraud.
Now concerned, Feldman said the resident followed the alleged scammers' instructions and withdrew $8,000 from his bank account to transfer Bitcoin to the company. The victim also purchased $3,000 in gift cards to make up the rest of the cash, totaling $11,000.
The victim sent the cash to the scammers and contacted SPD about the scam on Thursday, March 7.
"We ask everybody, if something like this happens and people put extra money into your bank account, just go to your bank, talk with your bank, and they will take care of it," Feldman said. "You don't need to do anything."
SPD is still investigating the crime. Salina Post will update the story as more information becomes available.
READ MORE: Spring ahead of schedule in Kansas — climatologists uncertain for severe weather season