tl;dr
Texas sheriffs used power tools to open a Bitcoin ATM after a Jasper County family reported losing $25,000 to scammers. The sheriff’s office posted images of the operation, including sparks from a saw cutting into the kiosk and recovered cash totaling $31,900. Authorities warned against sharing pers...
Texas sheriffs recently used power tools to open a Bitcoin ATM and retrieve nearly $32,000 after a Jasper County family reported being scammed out of $25,000. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office shared images of the dramatic operation, capturing sparks flying as officials sawed into the Bitcoin Depot kiosk. The recovered cash totaled $31,900, and authorities emphasized the importance of not sharing personal information with unverified sources to avoid scams.
Bitcoin ATMs enable users to convert cash into Bitcoin, but this convenience has made them ripe targets for fraud. According to an FBI report, Americans over 60 lost a staggering $107 million to Bitcoin ATM-related scams in 2024, often due to criminals impersonating tech support or government officials. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office vowed to use all available resources to protect citizens and swiftly combat scammers.
Bitcoin Depot, which operates thousands of kiosks across North America, highlighted its compliance measures such as transaction monitoring, know-your-customer protocols, and anti-money laundering programs. They stressed that recovering funds generally involves the receiving wallet provider rather than the kiosk itself. While the ATM in question has been in operation for over a year at a rural gas station, usage appears limited according to a local employee.
Authorities obtained a search warrant prior to opening the machine and recovering the money, but they continue hunting for the scammers online. The incident sparked mixed reactions, with some praising law enforcement’s decisive action and others expressing concern over the financial loss to the ATM owner and the damaged machine. Meanwhile, lawmakers continue to debate the regulation of Bitcoin ATMs amid rising concerns over fraud and consumer protection.