Authorities in Pleasant Hill, California, have returned most of a 70-year-old woman's life savings stolen in a cryptocurrency scam nearly four years ago. The victim lost $350,000 in March 2022 after an online fraudster persuaded her to invest. Detective Stephen Vuong, with help from the United States Secret Service, tracked and seized the funds from a digital wallet.
In March 2022, a 70-year-old resident of Pleasant Hill fell victim to an online cryptocurrency investment scheme, losing her entire life savings of $350,000. The scammer convinced her to transfer the money, which quickly vanished into digital obscurity.
Detective Stephen Vuong of the Pleasant Hill Police Department took up the case, initiating a meticulous trace of the cryptocurrency transactions. As detailed in a police news release, “Detective Stephen Vuong began tracking the cryptocurrency, and through extensive investigative efforts and with the assistance of the United States Secret Service, successfully located the majority of the victim’s funds in an online digital wallet.”
The wallet remained dormant for years, showing no activity until September 2025. At that point, Vuong acted swiftly: he monitored the account, froze the assets upon activation, and seized them. On December 30, 2025, the recovered funds were transferred back to the victim and her family.
Police Chief Scott Vermillion praised the effort, stating, “We are happy to be able to return these funds to the victim, and I congratulate Detective Vuong on the outstanding work he put into this case.”
This recovery highlights the challenges and possibilities in combating crypto-related fraud. The Pleasant Hill Police Department urges residents to exercise caution with online solicitations for investments or services, and to safeguard personal details. Victims of scams are encouraged to reach out via the non-emergency line at (925) 288-4600.