"Where is Your Hitman?": A 79-Year-Old Lawrence Widow’s Story of Fear and Scam

Published on April 24, 2026

It began with a frozen computer screen and a fake technical support alert. It ended in the back of a liquor store, with a 79-year-old widow feeding $17,000 in cash into a Bitcoin machine while fearing for her life.

The victim, who asked to remain anonymous, hopes sharing her story may prevent another neighbor from falling into the same trap.

"I just feel so violated," she said, her hands still shaking days after the incident. "I’m living in this limbo feeling that I’m still being watched. I didn’t leave the house for two days."

How it happened

As with many scams, it began with psychological manipulation. After her computer locked up, a woman named "Elena," claiming to be from Microsoft, told the victim her IP address was linked to child pornography. The call was then "transferred" to a man claiming to be with the FCC.

The scammers used a "fear and rescue" tactic – telling her the authorities were going to come arrest her without asking questions or allowing her time to tell the truth. The woman gave her another number to call claiming she would be talking to authorities with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The man on the other end offered her a "way out" by moving her money into a "secure government [FCC] locker" via a Bitcoin machine.

The terror was so visceral that while driving to the bank, the victim believed she was being followed by assassins.

"I got out to my car and he was still on the phone with me," she recalled. "I drove around the back of the bank, stopped my car, and said, 'Okay, where is your hitman? When are you going to shoot me?'"

Despite her gut feeling that something was wrong, the urgency of the scammers pushed her forward. She withdrew $17,000 from her bank.

The LKPD Response

In recounting the incident, responding officer James Scotti saw several missed opportunities for intervention.

"The bank didn't question the amount or why she was withdrawing it," Officer Scotti said. "Usually, the bank will call us when an elderly person is making a large withdrawal while on the phone. It’s unusual that no one raised an eyebrow."

The victim eventually ended up at a machine she’d never heard of inside a liquor store, where she spent more than an hour feeding in bills. They had her do it in groupings then go sit in her car after each deposit and wait for instructions. The machine even required her to take a photo of herself and her driver's license.

"I can’t believe I gave them all of that information," she said. "I thought, if I don't deposit this, the man watching me is going to do something to me."

Targeting the Vulnerable

The woman knows her life circumstances right now may have contributed to her vulnerability. Within the last year, she lost her son to a sudden heart attack, followed by her husband of nearly 60 years.

"She’s had a really tough year,” Officer Scotti remarked, “and these scammers are very good at what they do, recognizing susceptible people. It was heartbreaking.”

When Officer Scotti arrived at her home, the victim was so distraught he asked to console her. "She cried, and I just sat there with my arm around her," he said. "She reminded me of my grandmother."

"I'm so ashamed," the victim said, wiping away tears. "But I told the police because I don't want this to happen to anyone else. If one person hangs up because of my story, then it was worth it."

Boxed Content

Protecting Yourself

While the Attorney General’s office is looking into the case, the chances of recovering the money are slim. “It’s completely anonymous,” says Scotti. Bitcoin is favored by scammers because it is nearly impossible for law enforcement to track account holders, who usually aren’t nearby.

Officer Scotti and the LKPD offer the following advice to the public:

Trust Your Instincts: If a situation feels "outlandish" or illogical, it is likely a scam.
Government Agencies Don't Use Bitcoin: No legitimate agency will ever ask for payment via Bitcoin, gift cards, or wire transfers.
The "Freeze" Tactic: If your computer freezes with a "Call Microsoft" pop-up, do not call the number. Manually restart your computer or take it to a local professional.
Call the Police First: If someone threatens you with arrest, hang up and call non-emergency dispatch at (785) 843-0250 or 911.