Retired Cop Loses $1.2M to Crypto Scam in Thailand After Year-Long Deception
Michael Reinecke, a retired Australian police officer with three decades of service, lost approximately $1.2 million in a cryptocurrency scam while living in Thailand. The incident was reported to the Mueang Udon Thani Police Station on July 18, 2025. Reinecke, who had developed a strong reputation for detecting deception during his career, was deceived by an individual known as “Alex,” a German national allegedly based in Phuket [1].
The scam began when Alex initiated contact with Reinecke through social media. Over the course of more than a year, he cultivated a relationship with Reinecke, eventually introducing him to so-called crypto investment opportunities. Alex claimed to offer monthly returns of 5%-10% and backed these…
