Crypto scams are becoming more common in Apopka, according to the Apopka Police Department (APD). Police say scams involving Bitcoin and other digital currencies have increased in recent months and are affecting people of all ages.
CoinEdition spoke with the Apopka Police Department to understand the rise in cryptocurrency scams, the tactics scammers are using, and why recovering stolen crypto can be difficult for victims.
Many of these scams follow the same pattern. Scammers pretend to be from a bank, business, or government agency that the victim trusts. This can make people more likely to believe the scammer and follow their instructions, said Sergeant Jennifer Rudich, APD’s Public Information Officer.
Local losses are also growing. Earlier this week, APD warned residents that the department “will never demand payment in Bitcoin or cryptocurrency.” Police urged anyone who receives such a request to hang up and contact the department directly.
According to sources, APD received five reports involving Bitcoin or cryptocurrency during the first 26 days of August. That’s more than the department typically sees, with reports increasing over the past three months. Reported losses have ranged from $35 to more than $50,000.
Two Victims Lose More than $50,000
According to Rudich, APD has handled two cases this month where victims each lost more than $50,000. In the first case, a victim saw a pop-up warning saying their computer had a virus. The message told them to call a “Microsoft support” number. When the victim called, the scammer gained access to their financial accounts and took money.
In the second case, a victim was contacted online about a work-from-home job involving wine tastings and writing reviews. The fake employer asked the victim to send cryptocurrency to “verify” their information before they could get paid. After the victim sent the money, the scammers demanded more money, saying it was needed to unlock the victim’s earnings.
Why Cryptocurrency is Hard to Recover
Getting crypto back after sending it to a scammer can be much harder than reversing a bank transfer or credit card payment.
Bitcoin transactions can be completed in 10 minutes after money is deposited. Once the money moves, it can be difficult to track and find out who controls the receiving account, especially if the money is sent outside the United States.
Rudich said people who realize they may have been scammed should act quickly. They should contact police and their bank or financial institution right away to see if any pending transfers can be stopped.
APD also works with other law enforcement agencies when investigating cryptocurrency scams. Rudich said the department “works and trains closely with multiple agencies across different jurisdictions” because these scams often involve people in different cities, states, and countries.
Bitcoin ATMs are Often Used in Scams
Bitcoin ATMs continue to be used in local scams, according to Rudich. These machines can make it harder to reverse or track a transaction once it is completed.
Florida also had the most cryptocurrency kiosk complaints in the country in 2025, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. More than $32.7 million in losses were reported from scams involving these machines.
Anyone Can Be a Victim
Older adults are often seen as the main targets of cryptocurrency scams, but Rudich said APD has seen people of all ages fall victim.
Federal data shows that older adults are still frequent targets. In 2025, more than half of crypto-kiosk complaints across the country involved people over 50. Those victims reported losing more than $302 million combined.
What Residents Should Do
Police urge people to watch for warning signs before sending money. If someone claiming to be from a bank, government agency, or business demands cryptocurrency, asks them to keep it secret, or pressures them to act quickly, they should hang up.
Instead, look up the organization’s official phone number and call directly. Do not use a phone number or link provided by the caller. Anyone who thinks they have sent money to a scammer should contact police and their bank or financial institution immediately.
Related: Canacona Crypto Scam Victim Faces Bank Freeze Over Diverted Funds
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