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Think Before You Tap: Tasmania’s Crypto ATM Craze Turns Into $1.6M Scam Disaster

2025-07-12 11:47:39

Think Before You Tap: Tasmania’s Crypto ATM Craze Turns Into $1.6M Scam Disaster

Main Idea

Tasmania's crypto ATM craze has led to a $1.6M scam, with scammers directing victims to use crypto ATMs after banks block suspicious transactions, prompting regulatory measures.

Key Points

1. Top 15 users of crypto ATMs in Tasmania lost approximately 2.5 million Australian dollars, with $592,000 funneled through crypto ATMs.

2. Scammers bypassed traditional financial safeguards by directing victims to crypto ATMs after banks flagged suspicious transactions.

3. Australia is the third-largest country in crypto ATM installations, with the number of machines growing from 67 in August 2022 to over 20 by mid-2025.

4. AUSTRAC has implemented updated operational measures and designated cryptocurrency-related activity as a regulatory priority for 2025.

5. Major crypto ATM providers in Australia include Localcoin, Coinflip, and Bitcoin Depot, reflecting the accessibility of these machines.

Description

Tasmania’s law enforcement agencies are intensifying their scrutiny of cryptocurrency ATMs following the discovery that the most active users in the region have been victims of fraudulent schemes. According to a new announcement from Tasmania Police Cyber Investigations, the top 15 users of crypto ATMs across the state have all fallen prey to scams, resulting in a combined loss of approximately 2.5 million Australian dollars (USD $1.6 million). Notably, around $592,000 of this total was funneled...

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