United States authorities in Louisiana have successfully recovered $200,000 from Bitcoin ATM scammers who specifically targeted elderly victims. The recovery was made possible by a recently enacted state law designed to make it harder for cryptocurrency scammers to steal from and evade consequences for defrauding senior residents.
The scam operation involved criminals contacting four elderly victims, falsely claiming their bank accounts had been hacked and that they faced pornography-related charges. The scammers threatened arrest unless the victims paid thousands of dollars via Bitcoin ATMs. Alfred Mason, President of AARP Louisiana, emphasized the predatory nature of these crimes, stating, "These people are crooks. They care less about you. All they’re interested in is your money." He detailed one case where an elderly resident in the Capital area fell victim despite repeated warnings from family members.
The new Louisiana legislation mandates several protective measures for cryptocurrency ATMs. Machines must now display signage clarifying that no state or government official will ever request cash deposits through them. According to Deon Guillory, a quick search reveals about 40 Bitcoin ATMs in the region, all of which now carry this warning. Furthermore, during transactions, the machines display explicit alerts when users select deposit amounts, warning that being given a QR code or wallet ID by someone is likely a scam.
Additional safeguards include a $3,000 daily transaction limit on deposits and a mandatory 72-hour waiting period that delays transactions. This window is intended to help victims recognize scams and request refunds. Law enforcement has urged residents to verify the recipient of funds when using Bitcoin ATMs and to contact their local police station for confirmation before proceeding with any payment.
The crackdown comes amid a national surge in such fraud. A recent FBI report indicated that Bitcoin ATM fraud reached $333 million in losses in 2025 alone. The agency noted that most cases involve scammers impersonating companies or banks, warning victims of suspicious account activity, and then directing them to "protect" their funds by sending money via Bitcoin ATM to an account controlled by the scammer. Authorities highlight that criminals exploit the speed, convenience, and perceived irreversibility of Bitcoin ATM transactions, often using urgency and fear to pressure older Americans.
