Why Bitcoin ATMs Are a Scammer’s Tool of Choice
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Data from Financial Crimes Enforcement Network shows reports of Bitcoin ATM-related fraud nearly doubled year over year, underscoring how attractive these machines are to criminals. The kiosks act as a bridge between recoverable cash and irreversible crypto transactions, creating a low-friction path for scams.
Victims are often instructed over the phone to visit a nearby kiosk, deposit cash, and send Bitcoin to a scammer’s wallet. Once the transfer is completed, it cannot be reversed—bypassing the chargeback protections built into traditional banking systems and making recovery nearly impossible.