Crypto Kiosks Used in Scams Targeting Older Adults, FinCEN Says

The U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has issued a notice urging financial institutions to monitor suspicious transactions involving convertible virtual currency (CVC) kiosks. This follows a rise in scams and other illicit activity tied to these machines.

Crypto Kiosks Draw Criminal Use

In the notice, released Monday, FinCEN said that while CVC kiosks offer a legitimate way for consumers to access cryptocurrencies, they are also being used to facilitate fraud, cybercrime, and money laundering tied to drug trafficking organizations.

The agency noted that risks increase when kiosk operators fail to meet their legal obligations under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA).

“Criminals are relentless in their efforts to steal money from victims, and they’ve learned to exploit innovative technologies like CVC kiosks,” said FinCEN Director Andrea Gacki.

“The United States is committed to safeguarding the digital asset ecosystem for legitimate businesses and consumers, and financial institutions are a critical partner in that effort. This Notice supports Treasury’s continuing mission to counter fraud and other illicit activities.”

Gacki added that financial institutions remain “a critical partner” in efforts to combat fraud and other illicit financial activity.

Scams Increasingly Target Older Adults

FinCEN said some of the most common criminal uses of CVC kiosks involve tech support scams, customer service scams, and bank impersonation schemes.

Many of these scams disproportionately affect older adults, who are often persuaded to withdraw cash and deposit it into a crypto kiosk as part of fraudulent schemes. The activity cited in the notice aligns with FinCEN’s national anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing priorities.

Related: New Zealand to Ban Crypto ATMs to Curb Money Laundering

The notice includes examples of red flag indicators to help institutions identify suspicious use of crypto kiosks. These include high-frequency transactions across different locations, customer behavior inconsistent with prior patterns, and transactions involving third parties who accompany users to the kiosk.

Red Flags and Compliance Reminder

FinCEN reminded financial institutions of their obligations under the BSA, including timely and accurate suspicious activity reporting when crypto kiosk use may involve criminal behavior.

The move is part of the Treasury’s broader effort to ensure regulatory oversight keeps pace with emerging financial technologies. FinCEN said it will continue to support compliance efforts and provide guidance to institutions navigating risks tied to digital asset services.