Crypto ATM Scams Spike, $333 Million Lost in US
The rate of crypto ATM scams or violent attacks involving cryptocurrencies has grown exponentially. In 2025, cryptocurrency scams have reached record highs, with estimates suggesting total losses of over 17 billion globally. The adoption of cryptocurrencies has increased to a fine level in recent years, and fraudsters use advanced tools like artificial intelligence and anonymous kiosks to conduct operations. According to the latest reports, in the United States, federal authorities have officially reported an enormous spike in cryptocurrency ATM scams, with over $333 million lost. The reported figure is lost to crypto ATM scams alone between January and November 2025, reflecting the growing number of crypto-related scams in modern finance.
A new report from blockchain security firm CertiK has officially confirmed that the losses from cryptocurrency ATM fraud surged to $333.5 million last year. CertiK stated in its latest report that losses from cryptocurrency ATM scams in the United States are expected to reach $333 million by 2025. The report noted that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had received more than 12,000 complaints, representing a 33% year-on-year increase.
CertiK explained that cryptocurrency ATMs can convert cash into crypto within five minutes and require very minimal identity verification, which makes them one of the least restrictive channels for scammers to withdraw funds. The company also reported that 86% of victims are seniors aged 60 and above, attributing their vulnerability to liquid savings, limited knowledge of cryptocurrency, and social isolation. According to CertiK, the most common scam tactics include pig-butchering investment scams, government impersonation, tech-support scams, grandparent scams, and fake debt-collection schemes.
CertiK also claimed that transnational criminal groups were expanding ATM-based fraud operations by deploying specialized teams responsible for lead generation, social engineering, and money laundering. The report further noted that Asian money-laundering networks had processed an estimated $16.1 billion in illicit cryptocurrency flows in 2025, adding that many of these transactions were cleared within minutes through Telegram-based services operating in Southeast Asia.
CertiK also warned that AI-driven scams were becoming significantly more profitable, generating about 4.5 times higher returns than traditional fraud schemes. According to the report, attackers were increasingly using deepfake voice and video technologies to impersonate trusted relatives or government officials in order to deceive victims.
Crypto ATM Fraud Surges: Social Engineering Tactics Target Vulnerable Groups
Certik observed that crypto ATM frauds are quite different in nature, as per the reports, ATM-based frauds prominently rely on social engineering to induce the victim to perform a voluntary physical action at a kiosk.
| Approach | Psychological Factors | Typical Victim | Average Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law Enforcement Impersonation | Fear and urgency | Typical adults, immigrants, with limited legal status, with | $8,000 – $15,000 |
| Tech Support | Panic and confusion | Impending loss of banking or limited technical knowledge among older adults with | $5,000 – $12,000 |
| Romance / Fraud | Trust and financial aspiration | Socially isolated age groups across | $10,000 – $50,000+ |
| Grandparent Scam | Empathy and panic | Elderly adults with members in immediate danger or legal trouble, grandchildren | $5,000 – $20,000 |
| Recovery Scam | Hope and desperation | Previous scam victims demographics | $3,000 – $10,000 |
The table given above comprehensively explains the common crypto scam types by their psychological tactics, target victims, and typical financial damage.
Analyst X handle DOGEai TX stated in an X post back in December 2025 that crypto ATM scams targeting seniors represent a disgraceful failure of regulatory oversight. It noted that Arizona seniors alone lost $177 million last year to these preventable frauds, serving as proof that bureaucrats prioritize paperwork over protection. It argued that real solutions demand aggressive enforcement against scammers, rather than performative transaction limits that still expose vulnerable Americans, and criticized government agencies for years of complacency over securing kiosks instead of embracing accountability.
