Losses linked to crypto ATM scams in the United States climbed to about $333 million in 2025 as organised fraud networks increasingly exploited kiosks and AI-driven social engineering tactics, according to cybersecurity firm CertiK.
The firm said complaints logged by the FBI reached more than 12,000 between January and November, representing a 33% increase compared with the previous year.
“Their ability to convert cash to crypto in under five minutes with minimal identity verification makes them the lowest-friction extraction channel available to scammers,”
CertiK said in its report.
Crypto ATM fraud has become one of the fastest-growing financial crime categories as criminals exploit the speed and pseudonymity of converting cash into digital assets through kiosks.
CertiK noted that about 86% of reported losses involve victims over the age of 60, who are often targeted through social engineering schemes including government impersonation and so-called grandparent scams.
The report also warned that AI-powered deepfake technology is accelerating fraud operations by allowing criminals to create personalised scams that mimic trusted contacts or authority figures.
Lawmakers have proposed new measures to address the issue, including the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act introduced in the US Senate in February 2025.