According to Sheriff Chuck Havard, on June 16, 2025, the Jasper County Sheriff's Office received a report from a family targeted by fraudsters who coerced them into depositing a large sum through a bitcoin kiosk in neighboring Hardin County. Deputies Puliam and Grey responded swiftly, gathering details about the suspected scam, and—working alongside investigator David Lampman and the Hardin County Sheriff's Office—obtained a search warrant for the ATM.
Officers used construction tools to open the machine, discovering $31,900 inside—including the funds intended for the scammers. The seized cash was placed under Jasper County’s control pending a court forfeiture hearing, and the rightful amount was promptly returned to the victims’ family.
While the perpetrators remain unidentified, police emphasized that investigations into crypto-related crimes are often complicated by the anonymity of blockchain transactions. Sheriff Havard praised his team and Hardin County colleagues for their “aggressive approach” to halting criminal activity and urged citizens to remain vigilant against phone and online fraud.
“When scammers target our citizens, we move fast and decisively,” Havard stated, highlighting the department’s commitment to protecting residents from digital financial crime.
The case comes amid broader regulatory scrutiny: in Spokane, Washington, the city council recently voted unanimously to ban crypto ATMs, citing similar fraud risks.