Americans lost nearly $389 million to crypto ATM scams in 2025, according to newly released data from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), underscoring the rapid rise of one of the fastest-growing forms of crypto-related financial fraud.
The FBI received 13,460 complaints involving crypto ATMs during the year, up 23% from 2024. Reported losses climbed even faster, surging 58% to $388.98 million.
According to the agency, scammers increasingly use crypto ATMs because they allow victims to quickly convert cash into cryptocurrency and send it directly to wallets controlled by criminals. Once the transaction is confirmed on the blockchain, recovering the funds becomes extremely difficult.
Older adults remained the hardest-hit group. More than half of all complaints came from victims aged 50 and older, who reported losses exceeding $302 million, accounting for nearly 80% of the total losses.
The FBI said scammers typically contact victims by phone, email, text message, or social media before convincing them to withdraw cash from their bank accounts. Victims are then instructed to visit a nearby crypto ATM, scan a QR code provided by the scammer, and deposit the cash into the scammer’s crypto wallet.
The bureau emphasized that crypto ATMs themselves are legitimate financial services. However, organized criminal groups increasingly exploit them because transactions are fast, irreversible, and widely available across thousands of retail locations in the United States.
Common warning signs include victims arriving at crypto ATMs after receiving unsolicited calls or messages, carrying QR codes they cannot explain, withdrawing unusually large amounts of cash, or remaining on the phone while completing transactions.
Many scammers impersonate government agencies, law enforcement, utility companies, banks, or technical support providers to pressure victims into making immediate payments. The FBI stressed that no legitimate government agency or law enforcement official will ever request payment through a crypto ATM.
Crypto ATM scams were reported in every U.S. state during 2025, with the highest losses recorded in Texas, Florida, California, Illinois, and New Jersey. Together, these five states accounted for more than $150 million in reported losses.
As complaints continue to rise, regulators across the United States are increasing oversight of crypto ATM operators. Several states have proposed stronger consumer protections, including transaction limits, enhanced fraud warnings, and additional safeguards for first-time users. Many operators have also introduced transaction monitoring and fraud detection systems to help prevent suspicious transfers.
The FBI continues to urge consumers never to send cryptocurrency to someone they have only met online, never to follow instructions from unknown callers directing them to use a crypto ATM, and never to trust payment requests claiming to come from government agencies, law enforcement, or utility companies.
With reported losses approaching $389 million in a single year, the FBI says crypto ATM scams have become one of the fastest-growing forms of crypto-enabled financial crime, highlighting the need for greater public awareness and stronger consumer protections.
