That’s why this feels more like yet another FUD aimed at slowing down Bitcoin adoption and scaring everyday users away from moving to self-custody. Just like the stories about quantum computers and other “end-of-Bitcoin” narratives that occasionally surface in the media.
That’s also why I thought at first when I read aboiyt this story. I even thought this would be a scam attempt since he posted a bitcoin adress and asked for donations.
But after reading his replies, I found that he shared a copy of the report he filed to IC3 which contains the transaction ID and the scammer’s address. You can also watch this interview on youtube in which he and his wife talk about what happened:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3PZKrCMkxsThey also organized a fund raising campaign on GoFundMe and they managed to raise ~$7k so far.
So, I beieve this story is genuine ad he did, indeed, get scammed.