Government

Crypto kiosk fraud topped $389M in 2025

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April 8, 2026

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The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center has reported cryptocurrency ATMs and kiosks played an expanding role in digital asset fraud in 2025, according to a Decrypt report, with losses tied to these machines jumping 58% to $389 million.

More than 13,000 complaints were filed, as scammers increasingly used kiosks and QR codes to pressure victims into making fast, hard-to-trace payments. Older Americans accounted for more than $257 million in kiosk-related losses.

Overall, crypto-related fraud in the U.S. climbed to a record $11.4 billion in 2025, a 22% increase from the prior year. Authorities logged more than 181,000 complaints, with investment scams remaining the largest category at over $7.2 billion. Average losses exceeded $62,000, and thousands of victims reported six-figure losses, highlighting the growing financial impact of these schemes.

Seniors bore the greatest burden of the overall total as well, with $4.4 billion in losses across more than 44,000 complaints. That total far outpaced losses among younger age groups and represented a disproportionate share relative to the senior population. The data underscore how scammers continue to target older individuals with increasingly sophisticated tactics.

Experts caution stricter oversight and enforcement alone will not be sufficient, noting that fraud networks are evolving rapidly and incorporating advanced tools such as artificial intelligence, making prevention, recovery and consumer education critical components of any response.