The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fraud reported Wednesday where the victim lost $156,000, Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said.Â
Deputies were sent to a rural northeast Lancaster County home near Waverly on Wednesday on a report of a fraud committed on a 67-year-old man.
Houchin said the man had recently become interested in cryptocurrency and wanted to invest in it. After doing research online for several months, the man found a company named Verge Blockchain Technology.
In September, the man began communicating with the company through WhatsApp.
The victim invested $156,000 into the company. Houchin said the company told the 67-year-old man his investment had grown to $28 million in a short amount of time.Â
When the man wanted to withdraw the money, company officials refused and said 30% of the money belonged to them.Â
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The Sheriff's Office believes the man transferred the money from his bank account to the company using a standard transfer.
"We will have a very difficult time getting this money back," Houchin said.Â
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Top Journal Star photos for January 2025
Two parkgoers fish through the ice of Holmes Lake on Monday at Holmes Lake Park in Lincoln. Nebraska Game and Parks is reminding people to use caution and test the ice before venturing out onto frozen lakes or ponds.
Members of the media record Gov. Jim Pillen (bottom right) as he delivers his State of the State address Wednesday at the Capitol.
Nebraska's Christopher Minto reacts after defeating Minnesota's Andrew Sparks at 165 pounds Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center.
People attend a Lancaster County Board meeting Tuesday at the County-City Building. Opponents and supporters of a large solar farm planned for southern Lancaster County offered testimony for six hours on the proposed $600 million, 304-megawatt solar project, which Florida company NextEra Energy wants to build on 2,400 acres east of Hallam.
Zoe, 6, (left) and Betsy, 7, (right) spend time on the floor with their mother, Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln (center), during the first day of the legislative session Wednesday at the Capitol.
Volunteer Olivia Guynan takes Teddy the cat out of his cage on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, at the Capital Humane Society Pieloch Pet Adoption Center.
Nebraska State Board of Education member Deborah Neary (left) listens as her colleague Elizabeth Tegtmeier discusses her qualifications to be board president during a board orientation meeting Thursday at the Nebraska Department of Education's Lincoln office.
Lincoln Southwest’s Jayven Mitchell (left) rebounds the ball next to Lincoln Southeast’s Uzziah Sanders on Friday at Lincoln Southwest High School.
Jordyn Bahl (center) is greeted by fellow Husker athlete Rebekah Allick after she leaves the podium in the Governor's Hearing Room on Friday at the Capitol. At left is Hannah Holtmeier, a UNL student. They spoke in support of a bill introduced by Sen. Kathleen Kauth (right) that would ban transgender individuals from certain bathrooms and locker rooms in the state.
Kevin Stocker (bottom right)a Nebraska Public Service commissioner, takes a phone call on the first day of the legislative session Wednesday at the Capitol.
Logan Sweet, a newly graduated firefighter recruit at Lincoln Fire and Rescue, introduces his 10-month-old daughter Lennon to Archie, a golden lab, and his handler Samantha Wilkins, an LFR firefighter and EMT, following an LFR badge ceremony for firefighter recruits Tuesday at Lincoln Firefighters Reception Hall. Eleven recruits and three canine teams received badges in the ceremony.
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Nebraska's Logan Nissley (2) and Amiah Hargrove (33) celebrate in the fourth quarter of the game against Michigan State on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Milford's Ayla Roth (4) dives to save the ball amid Malcolm defenders on Thursday at Malcolm High School.
Brandon Lenners snow blows the sidewalk outside of an apartment complex near Old Cheney and 84th street on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
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Quentin Shaw, assistant coordinator of legislative services, changes the nameplates in the Norris Chamber Friday. Senators return to the Capitol for the first session of the 109th Nebraska Legislature on Wednesday.
Lincoln North Star's Jakeyce Fowler (left) and Rieal Acin (5) celebrate during the fourth quarter of the game against Lincoln Southwest on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, at Lincoln North Star High School.
