Fincen waarschuwt Bitcoin ATM -fraude stijgt: 'Criminelen zijn meedogenloos in hun inspanningen om geld te stelen'

Fri, Aug 8, 2025, 9:01 PM 3 min read

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The use of convertible virtual currency kiosks for fraud and other illicit purposes has “skyrocketed” over the past year in the U.S., according to the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.

FinCEN said in a notice to financial institutions on Monday that the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received nearly 11,000 complaints involving these machines, with victim losses estimated at around $247 million in 2024. The figures represent a 99% and 31% increase, respectively.

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FinCEN highlighted that these scams impacted older people the most, citing data from the Federal Trade Commission. The data showed that $2 out of every $3 reported lost to CVC kiosk fraud were lost by an older adult.

Victims are typically contacted through unsolicited phone calls by scammers posing as bank reps calling about an unauthorized transaction or government agents demanding taxes, FinCen said.

Beyond scams, FinCEN said these machines have been used to launder suspected drug proceeds. The government office cited a Drug Enforcement Administration report that criminal groups like “Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación” were using the machines.

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“Criminals are relentless in their efforts to steal money from victims, and they’ve learned to exploit innovative technologies like CVC kiosks,” FinCEN Director Andrea Gacki said in a statement. “The United States is committed to safeguarding the digital asset ecosystem for legitimate businesses and consumers, and financial institutions are a critical partner in that effort. This notice supports [sic] Treasury’s continuing mission to counter fraud and other illicit activities.”

CVC kiosks, more widely known as Bitcoin ATMs, allow users to exchange fiat for cryptocurrencies. While they can offer a convenient way for users to access cryptocurrencies, scammers and other illicit users like drug cartels are exploiting them for the irreversibility and speed they provide, FinCEN said.

FinCEN urged financial institutions to take more proactive measures to identify and report suspicious activity involving these Bitcoin ATMs, highlighting “substantial rates of non-compliance” with anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism rules among operators.