DULUTH, GA — After a Duluth resident lost nearly a million dollars in a recent cryptocurrency scam, police officials are issuing a reminder to the public.

In this case, Duluth police say the scammer gained the victim’s trust over time in a sophisticated online scam.

• Be cautious of people you meet online who quickly move conversations to private apps.
• Never send money, gift cards, or invest through links shared by someone you haven’t met in person.
• Verify identities independently — photos, IDs, and even addresses can be faked. Use tools like reverse image searches to see if the person’s photos appear elsewhere or have been used in other scams.
• Officials say if you believe you’ve been scammed, file a report at www.ic3.gov.