Security

Bitcoin ATM scammers using social media ads to undermine fraud warnings

Photo: Adobe Stock

March 24, 2026

Summarize withChatGPTGrokPerplexityClaude

Scammers are utilizing social media advertisements to discredit fraud warning stickers placed on Bitcoin ATMs in the Omaha metro area.

Authorities first placed the stickers when a couple was tricked by a scammer pretending to be police, according to a report by WOMT.

In the ads, scammers claimed the bitcoin ATM is a "bailing kiosk" and to ignore warning stickers. The ad also features an individual dressed as a police officer.

"They are trying to say in this message that this is a legitimate location to conduct government transactions and it's not. So this is their desperate effort to try to build confidence in people being swindled at these kiosks," Sheriff Aaron Hanson told the news outlet.

He pointed out the "officer" in the ad has a distorted badge. At times, scammers can spoof police agency numbers. Authorities recommend if you receive a call demanding money to hang up immediately.