FinCEN Flags Crypto Kiosk Scam Surge Targeting Elderly

FinCEN Flags $247 Million Crypto Kiosk Scam Surge Targeting Elderly

Written by Aaron S.,

Editor-In-Chief

Last Updated: August 05, 2025

Key Takeaways

FinCEN warns that crypto kiosk scams led to $247 million in losses in 2024, with older adults making up most of the victims;
Reports to the FBI on Bitcoin ATM fraud nearly doubled in 2024 as machines grew to over 37,000 nationwide;
Many kiosks skip ID checks and promote anonymity, which allows scammers to guide victims through untraceable transactions.

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The US Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has issued a warning about the growing use of crypto kiosks in scams, especially those targeting older adults.

In an August 4 notice, the agency said losses tied to these machines reached nearly $247 million in 2024, a 31% increase compared to the previous year.

Often referred to as Bitcoin BTC $108,190.31 ATMs or convertible virtual currency (CVC) kiosks, these machines have seen a rise in usage and complaints. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 10,950 related reports in 2024.

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At the same time, the number of kiosks operating across the US has surged from around 4,100 in 2019 to more than 37,000 today.

FinCEN highlighted several problems with how many of these kiosks are run. A number of operators fail to register as money service businesses, and many skip basic steps like verifying users’ identities.

Some advertise privacy and charge high fees, sometimes as much as 25%, while allowing repeated transactions without ID checks.

The alert also noted that adults over 60 are suffering the most harm. Despite being less likely to use cryptocurrency, they make up more than two-thirds of those affected by these scams.

In many cases, victims are pressured into withdrawing savings or retirement funds and converting them into crypto, which is then sent through a kiosk.

The Michigan town of Grosse Pointe Farms has recently introduced rules to regulate crypto ATM operations, despite none currently existing there. What do the rules include? Read the full story.