Crypto ATM Scams Cost Americans $389 Million in 2025, FBI Reports 58% Surge in Losses

According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, Americans lost nearly $389 million to cryptocurrency ATM scams during 2025, with the bureau receiving 13,460 complaints about crypto kiosks last year. Reported losses surged 58% compared with 2024, while complaint volumes increased 23%.

Older adults aged 50 or older accounted for more than half of all complaints and reported losses exceeding $302 million, representing nearly four-fifths of total stolen funds. Criminals typically contact victims via phone calls, emails or social media, directing them to deposit cash into cryptocurrency wallets controlled by fraudsters by scanning QR codes at kiosks. Once blockchain transactions are completed, funds become significantly harder to recover than through traditional banking channels.