(Des Moines, IA) -- A police investigation finds a Des Moines man allegedly helping phone scammers take money from people and convert it into crypto money.
71-year-old Loren Christopher Esse is accused of taking funds from residents and sending the cash to a Bitcoin ATM.
Police say Esse claimed he thought he was helping people in the government move their money.
Police warned him what he was doing was illegal, but he continued.
His preliminary hearing date is set for September 6..
Photo: DenisLarkin / iStock / Getty Images