Texas Sheriffs Forcefully Retrieve Funds from Suspect Bitcoin ATM
Law enforcement in Texas employed power tools this week to access and recover approximately $32,000 from a Bitcoin ATM following a reported scam targeting a local family. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office posted images on Facebook showing officials using a saw-like tool to breach the kiosk.
- Jasper County law enforcement used power tools near a rural gas station to retrieve funds from the Bitcoin Depot ATM.
- The affected family reported losing $25,000 to scammers. Local officials recovered $31,900.
- While the ATM manufacturer claims they collaborate with investigators, they stated recovery efforts typically involve tracking cryptocurrency transactions, not the physical kiosk itself.
Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard confirmed the operation but refused to specify if force was being deployed regularly against ATM fraud, stating, “Do not give any personal information out to anybody that claims to be a law enforcement agency… unless you verify the validity.”
The incident highlights a concerning trend identified in a recent FBI report: Americans over 60 reported nearly $107 million in cryptocurrency ATM losses in 2024. The FBI notes criminals frequently impersonate tech support or government workers as part of the scams.
A Bitcoin Depot spokesperson emphasized their compliance measures and stated the company “actively supports and educates law enforcement agencies.” They also indicated that while they “regularly collaborate with investigators,” recovery efforts usually focus on tracking digital currency, not forcing open machines.
Community reaction to the incident was mixed online, with one commenter praising law enforcement while another noted the ATM owner incurred both financial and physical damages.
Meanwhile, the debate continues regarding cryptocurrency ATMs, with some lawmakers pushing for greater restrictions and others suggesting placement within federal buildings.
