Spokane Police identify suspect in cryptocurrency scam

The Spokane Police Department’s Stolen Property Enforcement and Recovery Unit (SPEAR) is actively investigating an apparent scam where over $100,000 has been stolen.

Last Friday, the Better Business Bureau issued an alert to consumers to be aware of such elaborate cryptocurrency scams as the BBB has seen a recent uptick in reports from victims.

According to a news release issued by Spokane Police on Wednesday, the suspect has been referred to as “Crypto Mike" by victims.

He purports to be an investor and convinces victims to transfer money to him under the guise that he will invest it in cryptocurrency. “Mike” reportedly takes the money and disappears; multiple individuals in the Spokane area have reported that “Mike” stole from them. The suspect has met victims in a variety of ways.

SPD believes there may be additional people who have been victimized. Investigators released pictures of the suspect in case someone has had a financial dealing with the suspect and has not yet spoken with SPD.

This individual is believed to have left the Spokane area, and currently has an arrest warrant for theft out of California.

There are no charges filed against this suspect from the Spokane Police investigation and individuals are presumed innocent until adjudicated otherwise.

If you have any information, or if you have given money to this person, please email Detective L. Taylor at ltaylor@spokanepolice.org, reference incident 2022-20097401.