NC AG Issues Warning as Bitcoin Kiosk Scams Spread Statewide
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson has issued a warning about bitcoin kiosk scams that are spreading across the state. In one incident, a Wilmington police officer intervened when he saw a woman in her 90s trying to deposit $10,000 into a bitcoin ATM at a gas station.
The officer convinced her to stop the transaction and handed over her phone, then spoke directly to the scammer and shut down the deal. Jackson said this is just one example of a broader crime trend involving bitcoin kiosks at convenience stores and gas stations across North Carolina.
According to Jackson, scammers often convince victims they are under investigation or that their bank account is in trouble. He emphasized that no legitimate business or government agency will ever demand payment via bitcoin, cryptocurrency, or gift cards.
A new bill aims to limit crypto machine transactions for first-time users to $2,000, which Jackson sees as a step in the right direction.