Elderly Couple Loses $1.3M Retirement Savings to Crypto Scammers Posing as Amazon, Bank Officials
Barbara and Larry Cook, an elderly couple from Maine, were defrauded of $1.3 million in retirement savings after scammers posing as Amazon and TD Bank representatives convinced them their identities had been compromised on the dark web. The scammers manipulated the couple into transferring funds via bitcoin ATMs and surrendering gold bullion over six months.
The fraudsters exploited the Cooks' trust by falsely claiming affiliation with the FTC, threatening legal action if they didn’t comply. Larry Cook, 82, a former pastor, stated they believed they were assisting law enforcement. The couple’s savings, earmarked for retirement, charity, and family inheritances, were entirely depleted.