A 71-year-old Saylorsburg man had $10,000 stolen from him in a theft by deception that was reported to state police at Fern Ridge at 1:25 p.m. June 26.

Police said the man received a phone call from someone who identified himself as a Social Security Administration agent and advised the man that he was implicated as a drug czar and money launderer.

The caller told the man he needed to follow specific steps to clear his name, including to remain on the phone, go to his bank and withdraw all of his money. The man was told to keep his phone in his pocket and tell bank personnel he needed the money to pay bills.

Police said the man withdrew $10,000 from his account and followed the caller’s instructions to go to the Stroud Mall, find a Bitcoin ATM machine and deposit the money. The man then sent the caller a photo of his driver’s license.