New Louisiana Law Curbs Bitcoin ATM Scams Targeting the Elderly

TLDR

• Louisiana law adds limits and delays on Bitcoin ATM use to protect seniors.

• Four elderly victims were tricked into sending over $200K via Bitcoin ATMs.

• ATM alerts now warn users of scams involving QR codes and wallet IDs.

• U.S. authorities traced and seized crypto funds from wallets linked to scammers.

The state of Louisiana has passed a law introducing new protections at Bitcoin ATMs to safeguard older residents from scams. This comes after multiple seniors were misled into depositing large sums into Bitcoin ATMs, thinking they were avoiding legal trouble or protecting their finances.

The law requires Bitcoin ATMs to display warnings that no official will ever request cryptocurrency payments. The machines now show alerts during transactions, especially when users scan QR codes or input wallet IDs, warning that it may be a scam.

Law enforcement reports show scammers used scripted phone calls to impersonate government or bank officials. Victims were told their accounts were compromised or linked to criminal activity, and were threatened with arrest unless they paid in crypto.

Daily Limits and Waiting Periods Now Enforced

To further deter scams, the new regulation sets a $3,000 daily limit on Bitcoin ATM deposits. It also includes a 72-hour waiting period before the transaction is finalized. This delay gives victims time to verify the information or contact authorities.

In one case, a woman was told her bank account had child pornography charges. She withdrew $31,000 and deposited it into a Bitcoin ATM under instructions from a scammer posing as a fraud department agent. Other victims were similarly tricked into sending thousands in Bitcoin or USDT.

Authorities say the waiting period was key in preventing further loss and helped identify fraudulent patterns across multiple states.

Over $200,000 in Cryptocurrency Recovered

According to a recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Justice, a federal judge approved the forfeiture of over 1.9 BTC and 60,139 USDT. These funds were seized from a wallet belonging to a foreign national based in the Seychelles.

The wallet was linked to schemes that targeted at least four victims — two in Louisiana, one in Texas, and one in Minnesota — all over the age of 70. Victims withdrew cash and converted it to crypto through ATMs, unaware they were sending it to fraudsters.

The forfeited funds are being processed for return to the victims through federal recovery efforts. The U.S. Secret Service Cyber Fraud Task Force and multiple sheriff’s offices collaborated in the investigation.

Broader Efforts to Protect the Elderly from Financial Abuse

Alfred Mason, AARP Louisiana President, stressed that falling for a scam is not the victim’s fault. He said one case involved a woman ignoring her daughter’s warnings before making a deposit at a Bitcoin ATM.

The AARP operates a national fraud helpline at 877-908-3360, which allows seniors and family members to report suspected scams. The Justice Department also continues its Elder Justice Initiative, providing training and resources to help local law enforcement and prosecutors address financial crimes against older adults.

More cases may be investigated as agencies work to trace cryptocurrency used in similar scams. As CNF reported, recent federal forfeiture cases show increased efforts to recover funds tied to crypto fraud targeting vulnerable groups.

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