Scam Watch

How can you recognize FBI Warns: Cryptocurrency Kiosk Scams Surged 23% in 2025, $388M Lost?

TLDR

FBI Warns: Cryptocurrency Kiosk Scams Surged 23% in 2025, $388M Lost The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reports over 13,400 complaints involving cryptocurrency kiosks in 2025, with losses exceeding $388 million —a 58% increase...

How it works

FBI Warns: Cryptocurrency Kiosk Scams Surged 23% in 2025, $388M Lost The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reports over 13,400 complaints involving cryptocurrency kiosks in 2025, with losses exceeding $388 million —a 58% increase...

Red flags

  • Unsolicited contact via email, social media, or phone offering services or demanding cryptocurrency payments
  • QR code instructions from strangers telling you to scan codes and pay via a cryptocurrency kiosk
  • Cash withdrawals with confusion — especially first time large withdrawals or nervous behavior when asked about the purpose

What to do

  1. 1Never send payment to someone you only met online, regardless of how trusted the relationship feels
  2. 2Verify independently — no legitimate law enforcement or government agency calls demanding cryptocurrency via kiosk
  3. 3Report immediately to www.ic3.gov and your local police if you suspect you

Source

fbi-ic3

Source reviewed by Mythos Forensic Team

https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2026/PSA260515-2

FAQ

Is FBI Warns: Cryptocurrency Kiosk Scams Surged 23% in 2025, $388M Lost a real scam pattern?

Yes. Treat the message, call, or payment request as suspicious until you verify it through an official channel.

What are the first warning signs?

Unsolicited contact via email, social media, or phone offering services or demanding cryptocurrency payments; QR code instructions from strangers telling you to scan codes and pay via a cryptocurrency kiosk; Cash withdrawals with confusion — especially first time large withdrawals or nervous behavior when asked about the purpose

What should I do first?

Never send payment to someone you only met online, regardless of how trusted the relationship feels; Verify independently — no legitimate law enforcement or government agency calls demanding cryptocurrency via kiosk; Report immediately to www.ic3.gov and your local police if you suspect you

Can LegalAudit check my case?

Yes. Start a free chat and paste the message, link, sender, or payment details for triage.