The Columbia Police Department is seeking Charles Spencer Burri, who faces charges for allegedly scamming an elderly woman out of $15,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scheme. Burri, owner of Burri Asset Management, promised returns but stopped responding when the victim requested her money back. Authorities suspect additional victims in the area.
In Columbia, Missouri, police have issued an arrest warrant for Charles Spencer Burri, charged earlier this month with financial exploitation of an elder and stealing $750 or more. Court records detail how Burri, through his company Burri Asset Management, convinced a 71-year-old woman to invest $15,000 in July, promising returns from cryptocurrency opportunities.
According to the probable cause statement, the woman later sought to withdraw her funds. Burri initially agreed to return the money but ceased all communication thereafter. A subpoena of his bank records revealed a $10,000 deposit into his account the day after the woman's investment, raising suspicions about the legitimacy of the scheme.
The Columbia Police Department believes Burri's actions may have affected others in the local community. On Wednesday, they posted on Facebook urging the public to assist in locating Burri and encouraging potential victims to come forward. "We suspect there are more people who have been scammed in the Columbia area," the department stated in the post.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 573-874-7652. Anonymous tips can be submitted via Crime Stoppers at 573-875-8477 or online at p3tips.com/899. This case highlights ongoing concerns about fraudulent investment schemes targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly in the volatile cryptocurrency market.
