A local sheriff in Jasper County, Texas, used a cutting tool to open a Bitcoin
$105,353.96
ATM after a family lost $25,000 in a scam.
A report by KFDM on June 17 explained that the family was contacted by someone posing as a government worker. The caller informed them that they owed a large amount in fines and needed to pay through Bitcoin.
Following the instructions, the family deposited the money at a nearby machine operated by Bitcoin Depot.
Did you know?
Subscribe – We publish new crypto explainer videos every week!
What is Solana in Crypto? (Beginner-Friendly Animation)
After hearing the report, Sheriff Chuck Havard got a warrant, opened the machine, and recovered around $32,000 in cash. This included the $25,000 the family had sent, as well as additional money from other deposits still in the ATM.
The incident has raised concerns about whether the action was appropriate and if the kiosk operator was treated fairly.
A Reddit user questioned whether officials had taken money from someone who had no connection to the scam. Another compared it to seizing a store’s cash register just because a scam victim used it to buy gift cards.
Sheriff Havard stated that his team would use all available tools to protect residents and their property. He also noted that crimes involving digital currency can be hard to investigate. So far, the person who tricked the family has not been found.
Meanwhile, Spokane, Washington’s second-largest city, recently decided to ban all crypto ATMs. Why? Read the full story.
Having completed a Master’s degree in Economics, Politics, and Cultures of the East Asia region, Aaron has written scientific papers analyzing the differences between Western and Collective forms of capitalism in the post-World War II era.With close to a decade of experience in the FinTech industry, Aaron understands all of the biggest issues and struggles that crypto enthusiasts face. He’s a passionate analyst who is concerned with data-driven and fact-based content, as well as that which speaks to both Web3 natives and industry newcomers.Aaron is the go-to person for everything and anything related to digital currencies. With a huge passion for blockchain & Web3 education, Aaron strives to transform the space as we know it, and make it more approachable to complete beginners.Aaron has been quoted by multiple established outlets, and is a published author himself. Even during his free time, he enjoys researching the market trends, and looking for the next supernova.
