Americans lost $388.98 million to cryptocurrency ATM scams during 2025, according to data released by the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. The FBI received 13,460 complaints involving crypto kiosks last year, marking a 23% increase in complaint volume and a 58% surge in reported losses compared with 2024. Scammers exploit cryptocurrency kiosks because they enable victims to quickly convert cash into digital assets that are immediately transferred to wallets controlled by criminals, making fund recovery significantly more difficult than traditional payment reversals. The figures were published as a supplement to the FBI's 2025 IC3 Annual Report as regulators and lawmakers across the United States intensify scrutiny of cryptocurrency kiosk operators.
Victims Aged 50 and Older Reported $302 Million in Losses
More than half of all complaints involved victims aged 50 or older, who collectively reported losses exceeding $302 million. This demographic accounted for almost four-fifths of all money reported stolen through scams involving cryptocurrency kiosks. The FBI data shows that older adults remain the primary targets of crypto ATM fraud schemes.
Scammers Direct Victims to Crypto Kiosks After Unsolicited Contact
Criminals contact victims through telephone calls, emails, text messages or social media before persuading them to withdraw cash from their bank accounts. Victims are then instructed to visit a nearby cryptocurrency kiosk, scan a QR code supplied by the scammer and deposit the cash into a cryptocurrency wallet controlled by the fraudsters. Once the blockchain transaction is completed, recovering the funds becomes significantly more difficult than reversing traditional bank transfers or card payments.
The FBI identified several common warning signs associated with cryptocurrency kiosk scams. Victims often arrive after receiving unsolicited phone calls or online messages, carry QR codes they cannot explain, withdraw unusually large amounts of cash for the first time, or remain on mobile phone calls while making deposits into cryptocurrency kiosks. Scammers frequently impersonate government agencies, law enforcement officers, utility companies, financial institutions or technical support personnel to convince victims that immediate payment is required. The FBI emphasized that no legitimate government agency or law enforcement official will ever demand payment through a cryptocurrency kiosk.
Every US State Reported Crypto ATM Scam Victims in 2025
The state-level breakdown demonstrates that crypto ATM fraud occurred across all US jurisdictions during 2025. The highest overall losses were recorded in Texas, Florida, California, Illinois and New Jersey, with these five states accounting for well over $150 million in reported losses. From Alaska to Puerto Rico, victims reported losing money after being directed to cryptocurrency kiosks by fraudsters using social engineering techniques. The FBI cautioned that the reported losses reflect scams in which cryptocurrency kiosks formed part of the fraud, meaning some complaints also involved additional payment methods.
States Introduce Legislation Targeting Crypto Kiosk Protections
Several states have introduced legislation aimed at strengthening consumer protections, limiting transaction amounts, improving fraud warnings and requiring additional safeguards for first-time users. Law enforcement agencies have increased public awareness campaigns warning consumers about scams involving cryptocurrency kiosks. Financial institutions are being encouraged to identify customers making unusually large cash withdrawals under suspicious circumstances, particularly older customers who appear to be acting under the direction of someone communicating by telephone. Many kiosk operators have introduced transaction monitoring, warning screens and fraud detection systems designed to interrupt suspicious transactions before they are completed.
The FBI continues to urge consumers never to send cryptocurrency to someone they have only communicated with online, never to follow instructions from unknown callers directing them to cryptocurrency kiosks, and never to trust demands for payment claiming to come from government agencies, law enforcement or utility providers. The bureau recommends preserving transaction receipts, wallet addresses and transaction IDs if funds have already been sent, as this information can assist investigators when complaints are submitted through the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
FAQ
How much did Americans lose to crypto ATM scams in 2025?
Americans lost $388.98 million to cryptocurrency ATM scams during 2025, according to data released by the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. The FBI received 13,460 complaints involving crypto kiosks last year, representing a 23% increase in complaint volume and a 58% surge in reported losses compared with 2024.
Why do scammers target cryptocurrency kiosks?
Scammers exploit cryptocurrency kiosks because they allow victims to quickly convert cash into digital assets that are immediately transferred to wallets controlled by criminals. Once the blockchain transaction is completed, recovering the funds becomes significantly more difficult than reversing traditional bank transfers or card payments. The FBI says organized criminal groups increasingly exploit crypto ATMs because transactions are fast, irreversible and widely available through thousands of retail locations across the United States.
Which age group lost the most money to crypto ATM scams?
Victims aged 50 or older collectively reported losses exceeding $302 million during 2025, accounting for almost four-fifths of all money reported stolen through scams involving cryptocurrency kiosks. More than half of all complaints received by the FBI involved victims in this age demographic, making older adults the primary targets of crypto ATM fraud schemes.
