"Go to the Bitcoin machine"
The finale of many phone scams has changed. Instead of gift cards, the caller — a "fraud officer," "tax agent" or "investigator" — now directs you to a cryptocurrency ATM: a kiosk in a petrol station or corner shop.
They stay on the phone the whole way. They coach you to withdraw cash at the bank and to *lie to the teller* about why ("say it's for a car, or a family gift"). Then they have you feed the notes into the kiosk and scan a QR code from your phone — that code is the scammer's wallet. Once the cash goes in, it's gone within minutes and is effectively unrecoverable. US authorities counted over $330 million lost this way in 2025 alone, with people over 60 hit hardest.
What to do: the moment anyone on the phone mentions a "Bitcoin ATM," "crypto kiosk" or "wallet machine," the call is a scam — hang up. No bank, police force or Finanzamt settles anything through a crypto kiosk. And if a bank teller asks why you're withdrawing cash, the truth protects you.
Threat examples
Stay on the line with me. Withdraw the cash — if the teller asks, say it's a gift for your grandson, or they'll freeze the account. Then walk to the machine in the shop next door. I'll send a QR code to your phone; scan it at the kiosk to complete the security deposit.
Listen: how it sounds
Training example — recreated voice, not a real call