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in Money Mule / Laundering
irs.gov
· 2025-12-07
The U.S. Attorney's Office announced the "Save our Seniors" initiative resulting in the arrest of eight defendants across seven criminal complaints for defrauding over 139 senior citizens of more than $11 million total. The defendants engaged in various schemes including customer support scams, romance scams, counterfeit check fraud, and identity theft, with notable cases including Dhruv Patel (accused of defrauding at least 12 victims of over $9.1 million through pickups of stolen goods), Stephen Odiboh (received $70,000 from a romance scam victim who lost $175,000), and Christopher Hernandez (stole $
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-07
A "money mule" scheme involves criminals recruiting individuals—often young people aged 18-24—to transfer illegally obtained money through personal bank accounts, typically by posing as friends or advertising remote job opportunities. Victims of this scheme face serious consequences including account closure, credit damage, and potential criminal charges of up to 14 years imprisonment, even if they unknowingly facilitated the money laundering. The article advises people to refuse any requests to share account access or transfer unexplained funds, and to immediately report suspicious activity to their bank and police.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-07
A Mumbai woman, a company secretary, lost Rs 27.20 lakh over 20 days to a digital detention scam despite nationwide awareness campaigns. Scammers posing as TRAI and police officials falsely accused her of misusing her Aadhaar card, operating illegal bank accounts, and involvement in human trafficking, then coerced her into transferring money through multiple fraudulent "verification" and "inquiry" processes. The Central Cyber Police registered an FIR after she reported the scam on September 8.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-07
Julio Cesar Montero Pinzon, a senior leader of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), and his half-sister Griselda Margarita Arredondo Pinzon were indicted for operating an international fraud scheme targeting American timeshare owners in Mexico for over a decade, defrauding thousands of victims. The scheme involved false promises requiring upfront payments from timeshare owners who were told they could sell or rent their properties, with the proceeds used to fund the cartel's terrorist activities and drug trafficking operations. Both defendants are Mexican nationals and remain at large; they face charges including wire fraud conspiracy, money
citybeat.com
· 2025-12-07
Richard Opoku Agyemang, a 41-year-old Cincinnati man, pleaded guilty to money laundering in connection with an online romance fraud scheme that defrauded victims of over $2 million. Agyemang managed accounts that received victims' wire transfers and check deposits as they believed they were helping romantic partners with expenses like medical bills, though the profiles were created using stolen photos and information. He faces up to 41 months in prison after being charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and related offenses in 2024.
allafrica.com
· 2025-12-07
Nigerian national Olamide Shanu was extradited from the UK and prosecuted in U.S. federal court for his role in cyber-enabled sextortion, romance scams, and wire fraud that defrauded victims of at least $2 million. Shanu and accomplices posed as women on social media to solicit sexually explicit images from male victims, then extorted money by threatening to release the images to their contacts, with proceeds laundered through cryptocurrency and peer-to-peer payment platforms. Shanu faces an eight-count indictment including wire fraud, extortion, and money laundering, with potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
coincentral.com
· 2025-12-07
Thai police dismantled the "Lungo Company" scam ring that defrauded over 870 South Koreans of $15 million using cryptocurrency, romance, and fake lottery schemes, resulting in the arrest of 25 suspects in South Korea and 9 core members in Thailand. The sophisticated operation employed multiple fraud tactics combined with complex money laundering methods including prepaid cards, casino cash-outs, and encrypted messaging apps like Telegram and WeChat to conceal stolen funds through OTC brokers in Southeast Asia.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-07
Shirley Waller, 43, of St. Louis County, Missouri, was sentenced to 93 months in prison (78 months for fraud crimes consecutive to 15 months for firearm possession) and ordered to repay $313,711 to victims. Waller acted as a "money mule" for overseas scammers, receiving over 193 packages of cash at her home from victims of online fraud schemes, including a 71-year-old woman who lost $35,000 in a romance scam, and she also committed pandemic loan fraud ($19,235) and mortgage fraud ($196,000). The government estimates the overseas fraud ring stole over $1
justice.gov
· 2025-12-07
**Summary:**
Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a 35-year-old Nigerian national, was sentenced to two years in prison for orchestrating romance scams that defrauded at least six victims of over $2 million between 2016 and 2019. The scheme involved creating fake online dating profiles to build trust with victims, then directing them to send money or transfer funds through cryptocurrency accounts that Nwadavid controlled. Nwadavid was ordered to pay $2,724,810.41 in restitution and faces deportation upon completion of his sentence.
timesofmalta.com
· 2025-12-07
A 24-year-old Ukrainian woman was arrested in Malta for defrauding multiple victims through AI-generated videos of Prime Minister Robert Abela promoting fake cryptocurrency investments; at least one victim lost €52,000 across multiple transactions before police conducted a controlled delivery operation using marked cash, resulting in the suspect's arrest at Żurrieq square. The court froze €63,000 in assets and remanded the accused in custody, with prosecutors citing concerns about evidence tampering, potential ties to organized crime, and flight risk due to her lack of local connections.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-07
A 22-year-old man from Pompano Beach was arrested after scamming an out-of-state senior citizen out of more than $20,000 in a bank fraud scheme where he impersonated a Wells Fargo representative and "investigator" to pressure the victim into withdrawing and mailing cash. The suspect, Omari Burke, was apprehended at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport after posting bragging photos on social media, and investigators believe he may have targeted additional seniors using similar tactics. The victim reported the scam devastated his savings, and authorities warned the public that legitimate banks never request customers withdraw funds or share PINs with third parties.
newsbytesapp.com
· 2025-12-07
A senior lawyer in Pimpri, India lost ₹1.8 crore in a "digital arrest" scam between September 4-19, 2024, after fraudsters impersonating CBI officers falsely accused him and his wife of involvement in a money laundering case involving a forged Aadhaar card and threatened their arrest. Despite government warnings and increased awareness efforts by India's Home Ministry and Prime Minister Modi, such scams continue to proliferate, with stolen funds frequently being routed through international cybercrime networks.
mhobserver.com
· 2025-12-07
Two Alabama residents were arrested in an undercover operation targeting impersonation scams targeting elderly victims, after attempting to collect a package containing $250,000 in bait money that an elderly man had been instructed to send via FedEx to Mountain Home. Josiah Kamal Smith, 25, and Briana Brittany Norwood, 33, were charged with criminal attempt to commit theft of property, conspiracy to commit theft of property, and financial identity fraud; Smith had been recruited as a "money mule" for $500 to pose as a deputy and collect the package, while Norwood drove him for the same amount. The arrests are part of a larger investigation that began in July
africanews.com
· 2025-12-07
In July-August 2025, authorities across 14 African countries arrested 260 people in Operation Contender 3.0, a coordinated INTERPOL crackdown on cybercrime including romance scams and sextortion schemes. The operation identified nearly 1,500 victims, seized over 1,200 electronic devices, and estimated losses at $2.8 million, with Ghana recording the highest arrests (68 suspects, $70,000 recovered) and Côte d'Ivoire dismantling a sextortion ring affecting over 800 victims. The coordinated action highlights the growing threat of digital-enabled crimes across Africa and the critical need for
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-07
A 71-year-old Broward County woman lost $61,530 in a romance scam after believing she was lending money to a romantic partner named "James Lee Jackson" for a construction project; the scammer was later identified as 64-year-old Kevin Crosswright from Colorado, who turned himself in to authorities. Crosswright was arrested on charges related to money laundering and investment fraud scheme, and the victim reported feeling betrayed and financially devastated by the incident.
microsoft.com
· 2025-12-07
Researchers at University College London studied the "hi mum and dad" SMS scam, where fraudsters impersonate children to convince parents to send money urgently. Through collaboration with a UK mobile operator and undercover interactions with 711 scammers, the study identified 582 mule accounts and found scammers requested over £577,000 in a three-month period, primarily exploiting psychological principles of kindness, distraction, and time pressure. The research provides the first empirical analysis of this technique and recommends mitigations involving mobile operators and financial institutions.
becu.org
· 2025-12-07
This educational article identifies the six most common financial scams in 2025, including imposter scams, online shopping scams, investment scams, job opportunity scams, carrier scams, and debt/credit scams, which are perpetrated through phone calls, texts, emails, social media, websites, and pop-ups. According to the Federal Trade Commission, scams resulted in $12.5 billion in losses in 2024, with people aged 70 and older losing significantly more money than any other age group, sometimes losing their entire life savings. The article advises consumers to avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages, verify the legitimacy of contacts before sharing personal information, and remain vigil
devdiscourse.com
· 2025-12-07
Delhi Police arrested two individuals, Sahil Yadav and Aryan, for defrauding victims of over Rs 47 lakh (approximately $57,000 USD) through a sophisticated online stock trading scheme orchestrated by a China-based handler named Tom. Victims were recruited via social media and subjected to fake investment opportunities and threats, with stolen funds laundered through shell entities across multiple locations using fraudulent documentation.
bostonherald.com
· 2025-12-07
The Boston Police Department warns that older residents face multiple evolving scams, including cryptocurrency fraud (with Boston residents losing over $9 million in 2024), home improvement schemes, imposter scams (up 400% since 2020 among victims losing $10,000+), and unwitting money mule recruitment. Police advise seniors to research investments, verify contractor credentials, hang up on suspicious callers and independently confirm with known numbers, keep digital wallet keys private, and avoid transferring money for unknown parties.
cubaheadlines.com
· 2025-12-07
Operation "False Haven," a coordinated ICE and Department of Justice initiative launched in 2019, identifies and revokes fraudulently obtained citizenships, particularly those concealing serious crimes during naturalization. The case of Orlando Chávez, a 43-year-old Cuban who was convicted of child abuse in 2019 but had concealed the crimes during his 2018 naturalization process, exemplifies the operation's reach—resulting in his citizenship revocation, 14-month prison sentence, and deportation proceedings. The operation has identified numerous cases involving sex offenders, human traffickers, and individuals involved in elder abuse and other serious crimes who obtained citizenship through false statements or material om
markets.financialcontent.com
· 2025-12-07
A Colorado man lost his entire life savings of approximately $1.4 million to a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency romance scam after being lured by a woman on Ashley Madison who posed as a successful crypto trader on WhatsApp. Over six weeks, the victim was manipulated into transferring funds to a fraudulent investment app displaying fake profits, and the scam was only exposed when he was asked to pay an additional $400,000 in "fees" to withdraw his earnings. The case, under investigation by the Colorado Bureau of Investigations, highlights the vulnerability of individuals facing personal difficulties and the difficulty in recovering cryptocurrency funds once they enter anonymous wallets.
bostonherald.com
· 2025-12-07
The Boston Police Department warns that older residents are being targeted by multiple scam types, including cryptocurrency investment schemes (which caused Boston residents over $9 million in losses in 2024 alone), home improvement fraud by door-to-door contractors, imposter scams, and unwitting money mule schemes. Police advise seniors to research investments thoroughly, verify contractor credentials, be skeptical of unsolicited offers on social media and dating apps, and hang up on suspicious callers to independently verify identities before transferring money or cryptocurrency.
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-07
In 2024, Australians lost over A$2.03 billion to scams across 494,732 reported cases, with most enabled through online or phone contact. Scammers exploit universal psychological principles—such as appeals to need/greed, authority, kindness, distraction, and social proof—that are similar to legitimate persuasion techniques used in sales and marketing. To protect yourself, evaluate whether a request has legitimate intent, who benefits, and whether you have a free, informed choice.
wdbj7.com
· 2025-12-07
An 84-year-old TikTok creator named Charles Ray discovered that scammers used AI technology to create fake videos impersonating him across multiple channels, claiming he operated struggling animal rescues, churches, and farms to fraudulently sell products like dog slippers and bible bags. The FBI confirmed this constitutes criminal activity, though investigators face significant challenges tracking perpetrators overseas; investigators tested the scheme by purchasing dachshund slippers for $34.98 that arrived labeled "Made in China" despite being promoted as handmade charitable donations. The scheme represents a growing trend of AI-enabled fraud that law enforcement says is challenging to combat due to the scale, speed, and international nature of the
patch.com
· 2025-12-07
A 76-year-old Newton psychologist, Eric Brown, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering after falling victim to an internet romance scam and misusing a patient's $700,000 trust fund. Brown fraudulently invested approximately $600,000 of the trust overseas and deceived a family member into lending him an additional $310,000, sending both sums to the scammer he believed was his online romantic partner. The charges carry a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison.
boston.com
· 2025-12-07
A 76-year-old Newton psychologist pleaded guilty to defrauding nearly $1 million from two victims: a psychotherapy patient whose $700,000 accident settlement he managed as trustee (which he depleted by investing $600,000 overseas after falling victim to a romance scam) and a family member from whom he borrowed $310,000 under false pretenses. Brown faced charges of wire fraud and money laundering with potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison.
cps.gov.uk
· 2025-12-07
Five money launderers were sentenced to between three years nine months and seven years ten months imprisonment for orchestrating a romance fraud scheme that defrauded 99 suspected victims of approximately £2.37 million. The criminals created fake dating profiles to manipulate victims into transferring money under false pretenses, such as business trip expenses or stolen wallets, with only 40 victims formally reporting the fraud. The convicted men laundered the stolen funds through their bank accounts, and authorities emphasize that victims should report such crimes without shame.
regtechtimes.com
· 2025-12-07
Tochuwku Albert Nnebocha, a 43-year-old Nigerian national, was extradited from Poland to the United States to face federal charges for allegedly operating a large-scale inheritance scam that defrauded elderly Americans over five years. The scheme involved sending personalized letters claiming victims had inherited millions from deceased relatives in Spain, then requesting fees and taxes upfront that victims never recovered. Nnebocha faces mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy charges carrying potential sentences up to 20 years, while two co-conspirators have already pleaded guilty and received sentences exceeding eight years each.
sun-sentinel.com
· 2025-12-07
Tochukwu Albert Nnebocha and seven co-conspirators defrauded over 400 elderly victims in South Florida of more than $6 million between May 2017 and December 2023 through an inheritance scam, posing as attorneys and bank representatives to convince victims they were rightful heirs to deceased individuals' fortunes. The defendants purchased victim lists targeting people over 65, sent fake government documents, and demanded advance fees for "delivery," "taxes," and anti-terrorism certificates, instructing victims to send money through couriers who unknowingly facilitated the scheme. Nnebocha was extradited from Poland to face up to 20
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A Nigerian man, Tochuwku Albert Nnebocha, was extradited from Poland to face federal charges for orchestrating an elaborate inheritance scam that defrauded over 400 elderly victims in South Florida of more than $6 million between May 2017 and December 2023. The scheme involved posing as attorneys and bank representatives who sent fake letters claiming victims were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances, then demanded advance fees for delivery, taxes, and government certificates before the victims could receive the non-existent funds. Seven co-conspirators were also charged or convicted in the scheme, with two having already received sentences exceeding eight years in prison.
cornyn.senate.gov
· 2025-12-07
Senators Cornyn and Shaheen introduced the SCAM Act to counter transnational criminal organizations operating cyber scam compounds, primarily based in Southeast Asia and affiliated with China, that traffic victims and force them into committing fraud against Americans. The organizations defrauded Americans of approximately $14 billion in 2024, and the legislation proposes a comprehensive strategy including sanctions authority, an inter-agency task force, and international law enforcement cooperation to hold these criminal operations accountable.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-07
Rome Police Department warned residents about the rising sophistication of scams targeting locals, particularly seniors who have lost significant amounts to romance, investment, and elder fraud schemes. Three recent victims lost a combined $1,019,000 to scammers, while national data shows fraud losses reached $16.6 billion in 2024, up 33% from the previous year. Police advise residents to avoid sending money or personal information to strangers and to verify communications, cautioning that about half of current local fraud cases involve seniors who often don't report incidents due to embarrassment.
markets.financialcontent.com
· 2025-12-07
Indian youth are being trafficked to Southeast Asia and forced to conduct cryptocurrency scams—including fake investment schemes, romance scams, and phishing attacks—while stripped of passports and subjected to brutal conditions. The criminals launder illicit proceeds through cryptocurrencies like USDT and ETH via platforms such as Binance, exploiting the speed and relative anonymity of digital assets for international transfers. This ongoing crisis, active since early 2023, has prompted increased regulatory scrutiny globally and eroded trust in the crypto ecosystem, potentially deterring institutional investors and spurring stricter AML and KYC requirements.
thehindu.com
· 2025-12-07
The CBI arrested eight individuals and identified 45 suspects during Operation HAECHI-VI, an Interpol-led international operation targeting transnational cyber-enabled financial crimes including voice phishing, romance scams, sextortion, and investment fraud. The operation, conducted in coordination with the FBI and German authorities, dismantled illegal call centers in Delhi, Amritsar, and Siliguri that targeted U.S. and German nationals, resulting in the seizure of $66,340 in cash and the blocking of 30 bank accounts.
info.gov.hk
· 2025-12-07
In Hong Kong during the first eight months of 2025, police reported 184 telephone scam cases targeting local tertiary students and 86 cases targeting Mainland students, resulting in approximately $32 million and $75 million in losses respectively. The government has implemented fraud prevention measures under the Theft Ordinance with penalties up to 14 years imprisonment, and is consulting with educational institutions and authorities to strengthen anti-scam awareness programs among students through seminars and enhanced promotional efforts.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-07
A 73-year-old retiree in Shah Alam lost nearly RM6 million (RM5,996,586.51) after falling victim to a phone scam in which fraudsters impersonated anti-financial crime officials and convinced her she was involved in money laundering, instructing her to open bank accounts and deposit her savings. The victim only discovered the fraud when her child alerted her, but by then all funds had been transferred; police emphasized that authorities never conduct financial transactions over the phone and urged the public not to disclose personal banking information or transfer money based on unsolicited calls.
aba.com
· 2025-12-07
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deloitte.com
· 2025-12-07
The FBI has highlighted "phantom hacker scams," where fraudsters impersonate tech support, banks, and government agents to manipulate victims—particularly seniors—into voluntarily transferring money directly to scammers' accounts. These scams are part of a broader category called authorized push payment (APP) fraud, which is rapidly growing; the Deloitte Center for Financial Services estimates APP fraud losses in the U.S. could reach $14.9 billion by 2028 (up from $8.3 billion in 2024), with investment scams like "pig butchering" driving the majority of growth, fueled by increasingly sophisticated AI-generated deepfakes and social engineering
therealdeal.com
· 2025-12-07
Platte Canyon Capital sued DJE Texas Management Group's former chief Devin Elder for fraud and breach of contract related to the July sale of a 268-unit San Antonio apartment complex, seeking over $1 million in damages. Elder allegedly misrepresented the property's 90%+ occupancy rate (actual rate was about 15% lower), failed to disclose tenant delinquencies, and improperly collected $52,000 in rent for two months after the sale. The lawsuit is part of widening legal fallout against Elder and DJE, which also faces FBI investigation for money laundering and wire fraud allegations.
devdiscourse.com
· 2025-12-07
**Summary:**
A 71-year-old retired judge from Maharashtra lost Rs 31 lakh in a digital arrest scam in September when an anonymous caller falsely accused him of sending obscene messages and money laundering, then impersonated a law enforcement official via video call to coerce fund transfers. The victim eventually recognized the deception and filed a complaint with Amravati cyber police, who launched an investigation into the sophisticated scam.
regtechtimes.com
· 2025-12-07
Reality television personalities Wendy and Edward Osefo from Real Housewives of Potomac were arrested in Maryland on October 9 and charged with 16 counts of fraud, including seven felonies, allegedly involving insurance fraud totaling $300. Both were released on $50,000 bonds each and are cooperating with authorities. The arrests resulted in a delayed broadcast of their scheduled appearance on Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition.
newtimes.co.rw
· 2025-12-07
Money mule schemes accounted for 29 percent of Rwanda's reported fraud losses between August and December 2024, with scammers targeting vulnerable job seekers through fake employment offers on social media that promise easy remote work involving payment transfers. Victims unknowingly become part of money-laundering chains, exposing their bank accounts to closure and themselves to legal consequences, though banks use advanced monitoring tools to detect suspicious activity such as sudden large transfers. Protection requires individuals to verify job offers, avoid sharing bank details with strangers, and report suspected scams to law enforcement or the Financial Intelligence Centre.
mk.co.kr
· 2025-12-07
Employment fraud luring Cambodian victims has surged dramatically in Cambodia, with reports increasing from 4 in 2021 to 330 by August 2024, primarily targeting South Korean nationals through false job advertisements on Telegram and job sites promising high income. Victims are coerced into illegal online scams including voice phishing and romance fraud, with criminal gangs also targeting Korean nationals at restaurants to steal bankbooks and passports for money laundering. The Korean Embassy has limited ability to assist victims directly and recommends contacting local police via Telegram hotline 117, though rescued victims face detention and deportation after months of investigation for their involvement in financial crimes.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-07
A Chinese court recently sentenced 11 people to death for operating an illegal scam network along the Myanmar border, but experts warn this represents only a fraction of a multibillion-dollar "pig-butchering" fraud industry spanning Southeast Asia and beyond. The schemes victimize two groups: those defrauded by romance or business scammers, and trafficked workers forced to perpetrate crimes in prison-like compounds under threat, torture, and modern slavery conditions. An estimated 220,000 people have been trafficked into online scam centers in Myanmar and Cambodia alone, with operations now identified in Serbia, Peru, Pakistan, and Africa, exploiting deepfake technology and evading enforcement through corrupt
maltatoday.com.mt
· 2025-12-07
A 70-year-old Maltese woman named Maria lost €568,000 in a romance scam after meeting a man on Facebook who claimed to be a surgeon in Gaza; over six months, she made 39 bank transfers to various accounts and even mailed €8,000 cash in a teddy bear to Germany before customs intercepted it. Her case exemplifies a surge in online fraud affecting Malta, with Bank of Valletta alone reporting €5.3 million in losses to clients by September 2024 (double the 2024 total), while an additional €2.2 million was prevented from being fraudulently transferred. Experts note that reported figures likely represent
fallriverreporter.com
· 2025-12-07
Charles Uchenna Nwadivid, a 35-year-old Nigerian national, was sentenced to two years in prison for orchestrating romance scams that defrauded at least six victims of over $2 million between 2016 and 2019. He pleaded guilty to mail fraud, money laundering, and aiding and abetting money laundering after being arrested at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in April 2025, and was ordered to pay $2,724,810.41 in restitution. Nwadivid created fake online dating profiles to build trust with victims, then convinced them to send money or transfer funds to cryptocurrency accounts under his
irishtimes.com
· 2025-12-07
A woman in her 60s was victimized in a romance scam after joining a dating site in late 2023 and meeting a man claiming to be named Donald, who quickly professed feelings and moved their conversation to WhatsApp. The scammer, posing as a telecommunications executive working in Germany with a fabricated professional website, convinced her to make bank transfers on his behalf under the pretense of equipment payment issues, resulting in significant financial losses and debts. Despite her family's warnings and her own growing doubts, she continued the relationship until eventually recognizing the deception, but not before suffering major financial and legal consequences.
switzer.com.au
· 2025-12-07
In 2024, Australians lost over A$2.03 billion to scams across 494,732 reported cases, with most enabled by technology through online or phone contact. Scammers exploit universal psychological principles—including need, greed, authority, distraction, and social proof—that are similar to legitimate persuasion techniques used in advertising and marketing, making everyone vulnerable regardless of expertise or background. Understanding these manipulation tactics can help people recognize and resist scams by questioning whether they're being rushed, whether claims seem too good to be true, and whether the request matches legitimate practices.
jocoreport.com
· 2025-12-07
A 61-year-old woman in Johnston County lost $15,000 after receiving a phone call from someone impersonating a Wells Fargo employee who convinced her that fraudulent activity was occurring on her account. Following the scammer's instructions, she withdrew the cash and handed it to an unidentified man in a Toyota Prius in a Dollar General parking lot, believing she was assisting with a bank investigation. The sheriff's office is investigating the incident and reminds residents that legitimate financial institutions never request cash withdrawals or in-person handoffs for investigative purposes.
cnn.com
· 2025-12-07
Crypto ATM machines at convenience stores across the U.S. have become primary tools for scammers targeting Americans, particularly seniors, who are tricked into depositing cash to resolve fabricated legal or financial emergencies. In one Arizona location alone, at least a dozen victims lost $118,000 in a year, including four people defrauded of a combined $54,000 in just four days. The crypto ATM companies profit significantly from these frauds through 20-30% markups on cryptocurrency transactions while largely failing to implement fraud-prevention measures, refusing victim refunds, and lobbying against protective legislation—with the FBI reporting Americans lost approximately $240 million to such scams in