A category motion filed in Idaho accuses the now-bankrupt crypto ATM operator of cashing in on fraud whereas leaving weak customers unprotected.
A retired Idaho couple has filed a federal class motion lawsuit in opposition to Bitcoin Depot Inc., alleging the corporate’s ATM community served as a pipeline for scammers who drained their whole retirement financial savings — $76,000 — over 5 consecutive days in August 2025.
Karen and Robert Lacey, named plaintiffs in Lacey et al. v. Bitcoin Depot Inc., et al. (Case No. 1:26-cv-00288-DKG), say fraudsters posing as Norton customer support representatives and FBI brokers satisfied them their accounts have been tied to youngster pornography and unlawful playing investigations.
The scammers directed the couple to deposit money at Bitcoin Depot ATMs between August 9 and August 13, 2025. To strengthen the deception, the fraudsters brought about wi-fi networks labeled “FBI” to seem on the Laceys’ telephones — alerts that remained seen for months after the deposits.
The 43-page grievance, filed Might 11, 2026, in U.S. District Court docket for the District of Idaho, expenses that Bitcoin Depot processed every transaction “with out significant intervention” regardless of what it calls clear warning indicators: first-time customers making massive money deposits whereas on telephone calls with unknown events.
The lawsuit additional alleges the corporate expenses charges of as much as 50% per transaction and depends on on-screen warning stickers — a safeguard the plaintiffs name “demonstrably ineffective”.
After Karen and Robert’s son filed a federal crime grievance, Bitcoin Depot issued two $1,000 refund checks — an quantity the lawsuit states didn’t cowl even the charges the corporate collected. Karen Lacey, who was retired when the fraud occurred, has since returned to the workforce, now working rotating hospital shifts.
The grievance cites Bitcoin Depot’s personal SEC filings, which state its providers “could also be exploited to facilitate criminal activity corresponding to fraud” and that its danger administration “will not be enough”.
Federal Commerce Fee information present Bitcoin ATM fraud losses elevated almost tenfold between 2020 and 2023, with a median sufferer lack of $10,000. By 2025, the FBI reported People misplaced $333 million to Bitcoin ATM fraud — greater than 10,000 victims in a single yr.
Bitcoin Depot submitting for chapter
The lawsuit arrives as Bitcoin Depot’s company place collapses. The corporate filed for voluntary Chapter 11 chapter on Might 18, 2026, and shut down its whole community of greater than 9,000 ATMs throughout North America. The corporate had earlier disclosed a $3.6 million Bitcoin theft from its personal wallets in March 2026 and reported a 49.2% income decline in Q1 2026.
Plaintiffs search a jury trial, injunctive aid, compensatory and punitive damages, restitution of charges paid, and legal professional’s charges.
