A category motion filed in Idaho accuses the now-bankrupt crypto ATM operator of taking advantage of fraud whereas leaving susceptible shoppers unprotected.
A retired Idaho couple has filed a federal class motion lawsuit towards Bitcoin Depot Inc., alleging the corporate’s ATM community served as a pipeline for scammers who drained their complete 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 had been tied to baby 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 bolster the deception, the fraudsters precipitated wi-fi networks labeled “FBI” to seem on the Laceys’ telephones — indicators that remained seen for months after the deposits.
The 43-page criticism, filed Could 11, 2026, in U.S. District Courtroom for the District of Idaho, costs that Bitcoin Depot processed every transaction “with out significant intervention” regardless of what it calls clear warning indicators: first-time customers making giant money deposits whereas on cellphone calls with unknown events.
The lawsuit additional alleges the corporate costs 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 criticism, 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 criticism cites Bitcoin Depot’s personal SEC filings, which state its companies “could also be exploited to facilitate criminal activity comparable to fraud” and that its danger administration “will not be adequate”.
Federal Commerce Fee knowledge present Bitcoin ATM fraud losses elevated practically 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 Could 18, 2026, and shut down its complete 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 lawyer’s charges.
