Public Safety Report: Waltham resident victim of multimillion-dollar crypto scam

A Waltham resident fell victim to a cryptocurrency scam on Tuesday, resulting in a loss of between $2 million and $5 million, a police spokesperson said.

The incident came to light on July 15 around 1 p.m., when officers responded to a larceny at a Main Street residence. Police directed the victim to file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, a division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

According to the police spokesperson, the office of the Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell is assisting in the investigation.

Additional public safety actions

A summary of public safety actions from July 11 to July 18 is as follows:

On July 11 around 1 a.m., Transito Lima-Perez, 23, of 83 Grant St., Waltham, was arrested on warrants for driving with a suspended license and a speeding infraction. The suspended license charge was dismissed by the Waltham District Court that day.

At 4:50 p.m. police responded to a report of a larceny at a Second Avenue business. The owner reported that someone had fraudulently changed banking information for the company’s payroll account, losing the business $250,000. The incident is under investigation.

At 8:20 p.m. officers responded to a Weston Street address to help the Newton Police Department locate a vehicle that was involved in a motor vehicle hit-and-run. Officers were unable to locate the vehicle.

On July 12 at 9:13 a.m., police responded to a report of an unwanted person at The Merc at Moody and Main at 710 Main St. An employee had found someone sleeping in the apartment complex’s lobby. Officers assisted with removing the person from the property.

At 1:08 p.m. police responded to a report of a gunshot or stabbing incident at CVS at 51 Linden St. A police spokesperson declined to provide further details on the incident as it was related to domestic abuse but said there is no threat to the public’s safety.

On June 13 at 8:08 a.m., police responded to a report of vandalism at the intersection of Lincoln and Wyman streets. Another driver had thrown a bottle at the reporting party’s car, damaging the vehicle’s side-view mirror. A police spokesperson said that similar incidents have been reported in the area recently. The incident is under investigation.

David Morico, 35, of 403 River St., Waltham, was arrested at 8:33 a.m. on warrants for breaking and entering and larceny under $1,200.

Around 11 a.m. police responded to a report of a motor vehicle larceny at a River Street address. Someone stole the reporting party’s motorcycle after it was parked on the corner of River and Ripley streets. A report was filed.

On July 14 at 1:12 a.m., police responded to an assault and battery outside of a Lyman Street residence. Someone reportedly struck another person with a tree branch before fleeing the area. Officers could not identify the alleged perpetrator. The incident is under investigation.

Shamil Hasanov, 27, of 284 River St., Waltham, was arrested around 11:30 a.m. for assault and battery on a police officer. According to a police report, Hasanov allegedly shoved a police officer who was trying to put him into protective custody while he was under the influence of drugs. Additional details of the arrest can be found in the latest Court Report.

At 8:44 p.m. a Fire Department engine responded to a report of a fire near a forested area along Chester Lane. Upon arrival, firefighters found a mattress smoldering from being burned. Firefighters sprayed the mattress with water to prevent further burning.

On July 15 at 6 a.m., police responded to a report of a lost person on Crescent Street. Someone had found a 4-year-old left unattended. Police determined it was the child of employees of a nearby business and returned him to his parents.

On July 16 at 11:12 p.m., police responded to a Moody Street residence to help the Newton Police Department locate an individual involved in a criminal investigation. Officers could not locate the individual.

On July 17 at 11:09 a.m., police responded to a report of a motor vehicle hit-and-run at Home Depot at 100 First Ave. The vehicle that was damaged was owned by the government. A spokesperson for the police department could not confirm if it was owned by the state or federal government.

At 9:21 p.m. police responded to a report of a stolen wallet at Game Underground at 349 Moody St. The reporting party later located the wallet and determined that it had just been lost.

On July 18 at 2:49 a.m., police responded to a break-in at a Gardner Street residence. A resident was woken up by an unknown voice in her house. The intruder identified himself as “Joe” and said he needed help before fleeing. The resident locked herself in the bathroom before calling the police. Officers could not locate a suspect. The incident is under investigation.

All information was obtained from spokespeople with the Waltham Police Department and the Waltham Fire Department, the publicly available police blotter and police reports available at Waltham District Court.