FBI: Over $333 Million Reported Stolen by Scammers Through Crypto Kiosks

It’s a huge red flag for fraud if someone asks you to pay them using a crypto ATM. Here’s what to know

Jessica McMaster,

AARP

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Published January 15, 2026

crypto a t m under text that reads scam alert

AARP (Getty Images)

Marlene Betesh, 80, had just logged off a Zoom call when a message appeared on her computer screen: “Suspicious activity – bank fraud. Call Apple.”

At her home in New Jersey, Betesh immediately called the phone number that flashed on her screen. She was then connected to someone who claimed to be a representative from Apple. She’d learn later that he was a scammer.

“They said that I accepted a sale from Russia the morning before,” Betesh says. “He goes, ‘Marlene, you have to go to the bank and take out your money before Russia empties your bank account.’ ”

The criminals told Betesh they were going to protect her money by holding it in a secure account. It was late in the day, so they urged her to rush to the bank for a withdrawal and then drive to a crypto kiosk inside a nearby liquor store, where she was to insert her money. It would be protected until the threat was gone.

Once Betesh deposited the cash, it disappeared. She lost $9,500 to the scammers — almost all she had in her checking account.

She was already in excruciating physical pain, suffering from serious health issues, but this was a different level of hurt. “I will never forget the pain it caused me,” Betesh says. “I cried for one month straight.” (You can hear more of Betesh’s story on this episode of AARP’s podcast The Perfect Scam.)

More than $333 million stolen last year

Betesh’s story highlights a troubling trend. Cryptocurrency kiosks, a favorite tool for scammers, were used in scams that led to more than $333 million in reported losses in 2025, according to newly released FBI numbers.

More than 12,000 complaints were filed with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) last year, which marks a “clear and constant rise” in cryptocurrency kiosk scams over recent years that is “not slowing down,” according to the agency.

And while those reported losses represent a massive increase in crypto kiosk fraud compared with previous years, the actual amount stolen through these machines is likely far higher than the official numbers indicate. That’s because many victims don’t report their losses.

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Older people are particularly at risk. A 2024 FBI report found that adults ages 60 and older accounted for over 85 percent of reported fraud losses involving crypto kiosks.

Once the money is sent through these kiosks, the transfer often cannot be reversed — which is precisely why criminals like this form of payment (along with gift cards and gold bars).

How the scam works

Crypto kiosks look like ordinary ATMs and can be found in places like grocery stores, gas stations, laundromats and convenience stores. As of 2024, there were more than 30,000 crypto kiosks nationwide.

Scams involving the kiosks often begin with a phone call or text message from a criminal posing as a bank fraud investigator, law enforcement officer or Social Security official. During the conversation, the criminal typically urges the targeted person to withdraw cash from their bank account, then directs the victim to a specific crypto kiosk to deposit the money into the machine.

Lieutenant Paul Bloom, a detective and crypto expert with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, says scammers often tell victims that there’s an imminent threat, similar to what happened to Betesh.

And these criminals are sophisticated, he adds. They spoof numbers, “so people see a local number coming up with their area code,” and sometimes they use the names of real law enforcement officers. “They’ve used my name before,” Bloom says.

Do the store owners who agree to host these kiosks know that they are often used for crimes? In Betesh’s case, the liquor store employees seemed to know something was wrong with the situation. She was so flustered in front of the kiosk that she was shaking and couldn’t figure out how to work the machine. So, she says, ‘I asked the man and the woman behind the counter, ‘Could you please help me? Could you please help me?’ And they both turned their backs on me. They raised their hands up to the ceiling: ‘No, we can’t help you.’ ”

Combating crypto-kiosk crimes

While 24 states have taken some protective action, 17 of them have passed comprehensive legislation to protect consumers from scams that utilize crypto kiosks.

The government affairs team at AARP assisted lawmakers with their efforts in 16 of those states. Françoise Cleveland, government affairs director at AARP, wants fraud warnings placed on crypto kiosks nationwide. AARP is also advocating for daily transaction limits and refunds for fraudulent transactions.

“What we’re trying to do is put some commonsense safeguards at the kiosks,” Cleveland said. “[Setting] daily transaction limits, limiting the loss from individuals, is probably the most important safeguard we can have.”

Maine, meanwhile, is beginning to compensate some consumers who lost money to scammers through crypto kiosks. State regulators secured a $1.9 million settlement with the cryptocurrency ATM operator Bitcoin Depot to reimburse victims who were defrauded between 2022 and 2025. (Maine’s Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection has more details.)

Protect yourself

It’s a major red flag if someone asks you to send money through a crypto kiosk. Contact law enforcement immediately if they do. And note that if a caller tells you not to tell anyone about what they’re discussing with you, it’s a good sign that you should tell someone.

Other scam-prevention tips:

Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. If it’s important, they’ll leave a message.

Stop and think. Pausing and taking a breath will give you a chance to think logically instead of emotionally.

Use direct contact numbers. If someone claims to be from your bank and cites a problem with your account, contact your bank directly. Never use a phone number provided to you by the caller or message. Instead, use the number on the back of your card or bank statement. Be cautious when searching for the number online, as scammers sometimes spoof legitimate sites that can show up at the top of search results.

Find a sounding board. It’s a good idea to have at least one person who can help you identify potential scams by being a financial confidante — an objective party you can consult before making big purchases or money transfers to ensure that they’re wise and legitimate. You can also call the toll-free AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360 for advice, support and resources. It’s available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.