Elderly Clay County Man Loses $48,000 in Bitcoin Scam, Authorities Warn

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to remain vigilant after a 79-year-old man fell victim to a scam that drained $48,000 from his cryptocurrency account.

According to authorities, the incident was reported Friday, April 10, 2026, at approximately 9:37 a.m. The victim told deputies he received a letter in the mail instructing him to submit information via Bitcoin to “increase his security.”

The letter included a QR code, which the man scanned, directing him to a website. While on the site, he entered personal information, investigators said.

The fraudulent activity is believed to have occurred between March 10 and March 18. When the victim checked his account on April 10, he discovered the balance had dropped to zero following an unauthorized withdrawal of $48,000 in Bitcoin.

The man told authorities he did not approve the transaction and has no information on potential suspects.

A report has been filed, and the victim was advised to contact federal authorities, including the FBI’s fraud complaint line and the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Officials say scams like this are becoming increasingly common and are often difficult for local law enforcement to investigate due to their complexity and lack of local connections.

The sheriff’s office is urging residents to talk with family members—especially elderly relatives—about the risks of unsolicited mail, suspicious websites, and QR codes.

“Scams and fraud are rampant,” the agency said in a statement, emphasizing the importance of caution when sharing personal or financial information.