Tasmania Police Sound Alarm on Cryptocurrency ATM Scams

Tasmania Police is sounding the alarm about cryptocurrency ATMs after an investigation revealed that scammers have exploited them to steal over $1.5 million from Tasmanian victims.

The police identified a three-month period earlier this year where more than $1.5 million was deposited into cryptocurrency ATMs across the state, as part of a national crackdown on the criminal use of these machines.

Detective Sergeant Paul Turner warned that users should be vigilant, particularly if they are asked to deposit cash into an ATM by someone they've met online or over the phone. He said this is often a sign of a scam, and victims may be manipulated, intimidated, or pressured into sending money to scammers involved in fake investment opportunities or online romance scams.

In some cases, scammers directed victims to cryptocurrency ATMs after they encountered resistance from their financial institution when attempting to transfer funds. The police urged anyone who believes they have been targeted by a scam to report the matter and seek support without delay.