FBI warns of surge in crypto ATM scam losses, exceeding $388 million

As outlined in Bleeping Computer, Americans have lost over $388 million to scams involving cryptocurrency kiosks, also known as crypto ATMs, according to the FBI. This represents a significant increase in both reported incidents and financial losses compared to the previous year.

Cybercriminals are reportedly instructing victims to withdraw cash and deposit it into crypto kiosks, which then transfer the funds to attacker-controlled wallets. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received more than 13,400 complaints related to crypto ATM scams in 2025, with losses exceeding $388 million. This marks a 23% increase in complaints and a 58% increase in losses from 2024. Individuals over 50 were disproportionately affected, reporting over $302 million in losses. States like Texas, Florida, and California saw over 3,300 complaints and $112 million in estimated losses.

In response to this growing threat, Minnesota, Indiana, and Tennessee have already banned cryptocurrency kiosks statewide. The FBI advises the public to be cautious of unsolicited instructions, verify communications, and avoid sharing personal information or sending cryptocurrency to unknown individuals.

Source: Bleeping Computer