Home / Business and Economy / Retiree Loses $13,100 in Cryptocurrency Scam Linked to Bitcoin ATM
Retiree Loses $13,100 in Cryptocurrency Scam Linked to Bitcoin ATM
31 Oct
Summary
- Retiree Diane Reynolds fell victim to a cryptocurrency scam
- Scammer claimed her bank account was hacked, told her to withdraw $13,100 and convert it to bitcoin
- Bitcoin ATM operator Athena Bitcoin accused of failing to prevent fraud and profiting from it
On November 1st, 2025, a Maryland retiree named Diane Reynolds fell victim to a cryptocurrency scam involving a Bitcoin ATM. Reynolds received a call claiming her computer had been hacked and her bank account was compromised. The scammer instructed her to withdraw her entire $13,100 balance and convert it to bitcoin at a nearby Athena Bitcoin ATM.
Authorities in Washington, D.C. have since filed a lawsuit against Athena Bitcoin, alleging the company is aware its ATMs are being used in such scams but has failed to implement proper anti-fraud measures. D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb stated that 93% of all deposits made through Athena's ATMs are linked to scams, and the company is profiting from these fraudulent transactions through high fees.
Reynolds is now suing Athena Bitcoin, with her attorney accusing the company of "not just allowing the fraud to happen—they're profiting from it." The retiree hopes to raise awareness and prevent others from losing their savings to similar cryptocurrency-related scams.
