Crypto Kiosk Scams: 13,460 Complaints and $389M in 2025

TL;DR: On May 15, 2026, the FBI’s IC3 published cryptocurrency kiosk complaint data by state as a supplement to its 2025 annual report: 13,460 complaints and $388,981,267 in losses, up 23% and 58% on 2024. More than half of complaints involved people over 50. Kiosk losses are not solely attributable to kiosks.

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What happened

The IC3 kiosk supplement (I-051526-PSA) shows more than 13,400 complaints (table total 13,460) and over $388 million in losses (table total $388,981,267) in 2025. Complaints rose 23% and losses 58% from 2024. More than half of complaints involved people over 50, with losses over $302 million; no other age breakdown is provided.

By complaint count the top five states were Florida (1,213 complaints, $32,765,444), Texas (1,179, $56,802,197), California (978, $24,017,535), Pennsylvania (518, $14,485,236) and Illinois (510, $20,077,277). By adjusted losses the top five were Texas, Florida, California, Illinois and New Jersey ($17,873,478).

Why it works

The FBI defines a cryptocurrency kiosk as an ATM-like device that exchanges cash and cryptocurrency. Scammers direct victims to feed cash into a kiosk and send the coins to a wallet the scammer controls, so the money is gone within minutes.

Counts are complaints in which a kiosk was used, which may include other transaction types, and the figures are a point-in-time assessment that may change with further analysis, so treat them as a floor rather than a precise total.

Background: our explainers on pig butchering scams and realistic expectations for crypto scam recovery. See also FBI: Couriers Now Collect Cash in Crypto Investment Scams and FBI: Fake Owners Are Selling Vacant Land They Don’t Own. For wider numbers, see our data page on how scam money moves.

What the FBI advises

Do not send money to someone you have only met online, and do not scan a QR code or pay via a kiosk on instructions from someone you have never met.
Treat any government, law enforcement, legal or utility caller demanding kiosk payment as a red flag; legitimate officials do not make such demands.
If a kiosk operator warns that your transaction looks like fraud, stop or cancel it.
Keep every receipt and transaction record, then report to local police and at ic3.gov with the transaction ID, wallet address and kiosk location.

If you have already sent money

Contact your bank or card issuer immediately and ask to stop or recall the payment, then report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and, for internet-enabled crime, to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Our guides on how to report a scam to IC3, how to reverse a wire transfer scam and US bank impersonation scams walk through the steps, and what to do after a scam, wherever you live covers the first 24 hours. Scammers often start with details taken from past leaks, so run our free digital footprint check to see what of yours is already exposed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many crypto kiosk complaints did the FBI count in 2025?

The IC3 supplement shows 13,460 complaints in the table and over $388 million, specifically $388,981,267, in losses for 2025.

Which states had the most kiosk complaints?

Florida (1,213), Texas (1,179), California (978), Pennsylvania (518) and Illinois (510).

Are all those losses caused by kiosks?

No. The IC3 notes losses are not solely attributable to kiosks and cover scams involving kiosks plus other transaction types.

What should I do if someone tells me to pay at a kiosk?

Stop. Legitimate officials and companies do not demand kiosk payments. Verify through a number you look up yourself and report it to police and ic3.gov.

FBI Crypto Kiosk Data: 13,460 Complaints and $388,981,267 in Reported Losses in 2025