North Dakota Battles Bitcoin ATM Scams as AARP Backs New Consumer Protection Bill

Stanley County sees over 30 scam reports involving Bitcoin ATMs, as AARP supports regulation to protect users.

The rise of cryptocurrency-related scams has hit a disturbing new high in North Dakota, as law enforcement in Stanley County reports an influx of cases involving fraudulent calls and Bitcoin ATM misuse. Over the past few days, the Stanley County Sheriff’s Office has received more than 30 reports from concerned residents who were targeted by callers posing as law enforcement officials.

According to the reports, these scammers falsely claimed there was a $2,000 warrant for the recipient’s arrest, urging them to visit local convenience stores to settle the amount via Bitcoin ATMs. Victims were often kept on the phone during the entire process, being guided step-by-step by the fraudsters until the money was irreversibly transferred.

Greg Swanson, Chief Deputy of the Stanley County Sheriff’s Office, stated, “They would keep them on the phone while they drove to the bitcoin machine and tell them how to go about this action.” Swanson added that some scammers have even gone so far as to spoof the official phone numbers of the Sheriff’s Office, making their calls appear legitimate. Others have embedded the Sheriff’s Office logo into fake emails to convince victims of their authenticity.

The United Judicial System (UJS) has also issued warnings to the public, clarifying that no government office will ever demand payment for jury duty over the phone. Despite this, criminals continue to exploit the fear of legal consequences to trick individuals into sending money through untraceable means.

In response to the surge in Bitcoin ATM scams, AARP North Dakota has voiced strong support for House Bill 1447—a legislative proposal aimed at regulating cryptocurrency kiosks. If passed, the bill would require kiosk operators to be licensed by the state, display fraud warnings clearly on their machines, and provide printed receipts showing full transaction details.

“These machines look like ATMs, and so people are inserting their money, thinking it’s secure,” said Janelle Moos, Advocacy Director for AARP North Dakota. “But once that money is sent to a scammer’s wallet, it’s gone. There’s no getting it back, and that’s exactly what these criminals are counting on.”

Moos emphasized that the legislation is especially crucial for protecting older adults and other vulnerable consumers who may not be as familiar with how digital currencies and ATMs operate. AARP believes the proposed bill will offer critical safeguards against one of the fastest-growing types of financial fraud in the state.

While crypto innovation continues to expand, the situation in North Dakota highlights the urgent need for regulatory frameworks to catch up with the tools being exploited by scammers. With rising cases and increasing sophistication, state and federal agencies are being urged to take action before more residents fall victim to these schemes.

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