State police report: Laceyville man swindled out of $13,500 in PayPal Bitcoin scam
March 2, 2026
A 51-year-old man from Laceyville, Pennsylvania, recently fell victim to a wire fraud scheme, losing $13,500 in an online scam. Pennsylvania State Police in Tunkhannock are currently investigating the incident, which was reported on Feb. 13, 2026. The fraudulent activity took place on Orchard Terrace Street in Laceyville Borough, located in Wyoming County.
The victim was lured into the scam through what is known as a PayPal email scam. The perpetrators, who remain unidentified, contacted the man and falsely claimed that he owed money as a result of a PayPal refund overage. He was then instructed to repay the alleged funds by converting the money into Bitcoin.
Out of fear of facing financial consequences from PayPal, the victim complied with the scammers’ demands. He proceeded to deposit $13,500, all in $100 bills, into a Bitcoin kiosk. Subsequently, the cryptocurrency was transferred to the fraudsters. This unfortunate situation highlights the dangers of falling for online scams and the importance of verifying the legitimacy of all financial transactions before proceeding.
Trooper Bernosky from the Tunkhannock Patrol Unit is currently leading the investigation into this wire fraud case. As of now, no suspects have been identified in connection with the incident. Pennsylvania State Police are urging residents to exercise caution when dealing with unsolicited emails that request payment, especially those that direct individuals to make cryptocurrency transactions.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of online scams and the need for individuals to remain vigilant and skeptical of any requests for money or personal information received via email or other electronic means. It is crucial to verify the authenticity of such communications before taking any action to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.
In the digital age, where financial transactions are increasingly conducted online, it is essential to exercise caution and skepticism when faced with unfamiliar or suspicious requests for funds. By remaining vigilant and verifying the legitimacy of all financial transactions, individuals can better protect themselves from falling prey to scammers and fraudsters operating in cyberspace.
