Saratoga resident loses $1.3 million in cryptocurrency scam

JULY 18

Theft by false pretenses: Between May 2 and July 18, someone contacted a Saratoga resident through a messaging application and ultimately convinced the victim to invest money in cryptocurrency using a specific coin-based wallet. The victim complied but then could no longer access the money for a total loss of about $1.3 million.

Theft by false pretenses: Between July 16 and 18, someone contacted a Saratoga resident through a social media application asking to paint a portrait of the victim, claimed payment would be provided, and then sent checks to the victim, which the victim deposited into their bank account. The victim then wired money to the suspect(s) and later learned the checks were fraudulent for a total loss of about $3,000.

Possession of a stolen vehicle, controlled substances and drug paraphernalia; reckless evading; assault with a deadly weapon on peace officer: At 3:27 a.m., deputies responded to an automated license plate reader notification for a stolen vehicle at Saratoga and Cox avenues. Deputies located and attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver did not yield and recklessly evaded. The suspect attempted to run over deputies during the incident, but the vehicle was ultimately disabled, and the driver and two passengers were detained. An investigation revealed the vehicle was previously stolen out of San Jose and the suspect was in possession of drug paraphernalia, Fentanyl and methamphetamine. Further investigation revealed the suspect violated probation terms and had multiple outstanding warrants. The vehicle’s two passengers also had multiple outstanding warrants. All three were arrested.

JULY 19

Residential burglary: At 9:40 a.m., someone entered a residence in the 20000 block of Canyon View Drive by breaking a rear sliding glass door. The house was searched, but details of any stolen property have not yet been provided.

Possession of a stolen vehicle, controlled substance and drug paraphernalia; petty theft: At 2:38 p.m., deputies responded to an automated license plate reader notification for a stolen vehicle at Quito Road and Marshall Lane. The vehicle was located a short time later, and the driver and passenger were detained. An investigation revealed the vehicle was previously stolen out of Ben Lomond and the suspects were in possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and mail packages stolen from a residence in the 14000 block of Sobey Road. Both suspects were arrested and booked into main jail.

JULY 21

Mail Theft Between 3 p.m. on July 19 and 11 a.m. on July 21, someone stole passports from a mail parcel delivered to a residence in the 19000 block of Via Escuela Drive.

Possession of a stolen vehicle, controlled substance and drug paraphernalia; reckless evading, DUI: At 1:35 a.m., deputies responded to an automated license plate reader notification for a vehicle with stolen license plates at Saratoga Avenue and Highway 85. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver did not yield and recklessly evaded until the vehicle became disabled. An investigation revealed the license plates were previously stolen out of San Jose and the vehicle was previously stolen out of Milpitas. The suspect was detained, and further investigation revealed the suspect was also in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia and was driving under the influence of narcotics. The suspect was arrested and booked into main jail.

Assault with a deadly weapon: At 9:35 a.m., someone was driving recklessly in the area of Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road and Oak Creek Lane and drove into the victim’s vehicle, breaking a side view mirror, then attempted to reverse into the victim while at a red light, but the victim averted and drove away. The total amount of damage was estimated at $800.