A phone call. A fake FBI agent. A Bitcoin ATM. And more than $42,000 gone.

In this episode of Fraud Files, we examine how a 21-year-old Montana woman lost more than $42,000 after scammers posing as federal and local law enforcement convinced her she was connected to a serious criminal investigation.

Using personal information to make the threat believable, the scammers created fear and urgency, isolated her from friends and family, and convinced her to empty her bank and investment accounts and convert the money to Bitcoin.

The episode breaks down the warning signs, how scammers use fear and authority to manipulate victims, why cryptocurrency can make stolen money difficult to recover, and resources available to Montanans who fall victim to securities fraud.