On 09/16/2024, at approximately 2:35 PM, I, Officer E.B. Shotwell was dispatched to Valero`s (700 NC HWY 42 W, Clayton, NC 27520) in reference to an individual placing money into the CoinFlip machine.
Upon arrival, I spoke with Mr. Joseph David Lee II (OL: 4890407). Mr. Lee II stated that he wanted his money back after placing $5,500 in cash in the CoinFlip machine. I inquired about what occurred for Mr. Lee II to place money into the CoinFlip machine and he stated that he received a telephone call from 984 230 2613 to his home phone number of 919 243 2622. He stated that the individual on the phone stated that they were with the Johnston County Sheriff`s Office and that he missed court. Mr. Lee II gave them his email address and the individual then sent emails to Mr. Lee II with court documents and instructions on how to use the CoinFlip machine. He stated that he used a QR code that was sent to his phone. He had about 5 different QR codes sent to him.
Mr. Lee II was instructed to send $5,500 to cover the cost of the warrant now out for him. In the text messages to Mr. Lee II, the individual would send the QR code and have the comments "directly sent from the Johnston County Sheriff`s Office".
I instructed Mr. Lee II to report the incident to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) in an attempt to receive his money back.
I also advised Mr. Lee II that law enforcement would never call him on the phone to inform him of a warrant, and that it is always a scam when someone asks to send money via Bitcoin, gift cards, or over-the-phone transactions with unknown individuals.
The phone number came back to "Onvoy Spectrum, LLC" in Smithfield, NC.
As of 09/16/2024, nothing further at this time.