Bitcoin ATM scams cost Tennesseans more than $15M in 2025, and victims are still fighting back

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (WTVF) — Tennessee banned bitcoin ATMs after scammers used the machines to steal more than $15 million from residents in 2025 — but cryptocurrency businesses are still fighting the ban in federal court.

The scams have devastated victims across the state, including in Williamson County, where Brentwood police have responded to multiple cases of people being manipulated into feeding thousands of dollars into the machines.

In March, Brentwood police responded to a 911 call of a theft in progress. The victim had received a call from a scammer claiming she had missed a court date.

"She just got a call from a scammer saying that I missed a court date... and it had me getting money and going places," the victim said.

The scammers used personal information to convince her to deposit thousands of dollars into a bitcoin ATM. She would then send a code to the scammer, giving them access to all the money she had just deposited.

"You're not allowed to call anyone until you get there," the victim said about the scammer calls.

A witness who recognized what was happening realized something was wrong and called 911 for the victim.

"When I got here and I saw bitcoin I was like holy — I mouthed to her, 'Call the police,' because I knew something was wrong," the victim said.