The Federal Bureau of Investigation warned about the growing threat of bitcoin ATM scams, saying the schemes have already cost Americans hundreds of millions of dollars.
ABC reported on FBI statistics showing that fraudsters in 2025 stole more than $333 million through scams carried out using bitcoin ATMs. That marked a sharp increase over previous years as cryptocurrency use became more widespread.
New FBI data tracking fraudulent transactions at cryptocurrency kiosks show what a bureau spokesperson described as a clear and constant rise.
In 2024, reported losses tied to bitcoin ATM scams totaled about $250 million, more than double the amount reported the year before. This year, from January to November, losses reached $333.5 million, according to the bureau.
There are more than 45,000 bitcoin ATMs operating across the United States. The kiosks allow users to deposit cash and send funds to a digital wallet anywhere in the world, often within minutes.
Once a transaction is completed, the funds can be extremely difficult or impossible to recover, which has made bitcoin ATMs an appealing tool for scammers.
