A resident of Knox County, Ohio, recently discovered that his substantial investment of over $800,000 in cryptocurrency was part of a scam. Although federal authorities have been able to trace the funds, they remain inaccessible to him.

“It’s a mess,” said the victim, Dusty Frazier. “I don’t know how else to describe it.”

Frazier, who resides in Fredericktown, kept a large collection of documents detailing his transactions.

“I’ve kept a paper trail,” he explained as he sorted through the papers—a mix of evidence for the ongoing investigation and reminders of a poor investment decision.

Initially, Frazier invested approximately $807,000 after being persuaded by an acquaintance he met online in early 2023. “He sounded trustworthy and said I could make more money, so I believed him,” he recounted.

Unfortunately, the situation worsened when he was pressured to continue investing, leading him to realize he had been scammed. “Once you’re in too deep, it’s hard to get out,” Frazier lamented.

Frazier reported the scam, prompting an investigation. While he received initial optimism that some of his funds had been located, uncertainty lingered as months passed without resolution. He expresses a strong desire for justice, saying, “I work a 40-hour week. I’m 70 years old and should be retired, but instead, I have to work.”

To avoid falling victim to similar scams, it’s crucial to be cautious with online acquaintances offering investments and to recognize signs of urgency in requests for money. Reporting scams promptly improves your chances of recovery.