Chicago has become the epicenter of criminal use of cryptocurrency ATMs
Date: 2025-01-20 Author: Gabriel Deangelo Categories: IN WORLD
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) emphasizes that these devices have minimal regulation and attract the attention of criminal groups.
According to Coin Atm Radar, there are about 1,000 cryptocurrency ATMs operating in Chicago and its suburbs. During the DEA investigations, it was revealed that gangs from other states, where such devices are significantly fewer, are actively using Chicago cryptocurrency ATMs to implement their schemes.
While exact data on the scale of cryptocurrency use for drug trafficking is not disclosed, law enforcement officials note that the amount of funds laundered through cryptocurrency can reach 30% of the total drug turnover in the region.
At the same time, crypto ATM fraud cases continue to rise. Recently, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported that two Canadians fell victim to a scam, losing about $17,000 in cryptocurrency. The victims transferred bitcoins through an ATM after receiving a false report that their personal information had been leaked.
