ADRIAN, Mich. (WTVG) – The Adrian Police Department is warning of a surge in crypto ATM scams that has cost local victims thousands of dollars in the past week.

Police say scammers are posing as law enforcement and threatening arrest to try to force people to pay potentially thousands of dollars.

Scammers are tricking people into sending irreversible Bitcoin and other virtual currencies through local gas station ATMs using scannable QR codes, according to Adrian police.

Lane Montz, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, said the scam is not new, but is increasing.

“Unfortunately, it’s been on the rise steadily since 2023, but it’s really starting to explode in 2026,” Montz said.

Source link