Police in eastern Ontario say the growing number of cryptocurrency ATMs is becoming an increasingly common feature in fraud cases, as victims are persuaded to convert money into crypto and send it to scammers. Investigators say the scale of crypto-related fraud continues to rise, with losses mounting across Ontario and Canada.

Police in eastern Ontario are warning that the growing presence of cryptocurrency ATMs is making it easier for fraudsters to move victims’ money quickly and with little chance of recovery.

According to the OPP, there are now more than 300 crypto ATMs across eastern Ontario, a figure that mirrors the broader rise in fraud cases affecting the region. Investigators say one of the most common patterns involves victims being convinced to turn cash into cryptocurrency before sending it to scammers, often outside Canada.

Authorities say these schemes take several forms. In some cases, victims are drawn in with fake investment opportunities. In others, they are pressured through extortion-style stories, including claims that a loved one is in trouble and needs urgent financial help. Whatever the setup, the goal is the same: persuade the victim to convert money into crypto where it becomes far more difficult to trace or recover.

Police say fraud continues to be one of the fastest-growing crimes in the country. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has reported more than $704 million in losses for 2025, and investigators believe the true total is likely much higher because many cases are never reported. Officials say crypto investment fraud alone has continued to increase, underscoring how rapidly these schemes are evolving.

The OPP says crypto ATMs themselves are not illegal and that cryptocurrency is not inherently the problem. Instead, investigators say fraudsters are exploiting a technology that allows money to be moved quickly across borders. That has made crypto a preferred tool for organized scammers looking to get funds out of Canada before victims or police can react.

Police have been working with ATM operators and businesses that host the machines to improve warnings and public education. Many of the machines now display scam alerts on their screens or nearby posters, but authorities say awareness remains a major challenge. In some cases, victims may return repeatedly to the same machine to convert cash without fully understanding they are being defrauded.

Investigators also say fraud techniques are continuing to shift. While crypto remains a major vehicle for losses, police are also seeing growth in other “touchless” payment methods, including wire transfers. The broader trend, they say, is that criminals are adapting quickly to any system that allows remote access to victims’ money.

Police are urging anyone who has converted funds into cryptocurrency as part of a suspicious transaction to keep their receipt, as it may help investigators track the movement of funds. They also encourage victims to report incidents to local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, both to support investigations and to help warn others before more money is lost.

The post Eastern Ontario’s Hundreds of Crypto ATMs Tied to Rising Fraud Concerns, OPP Warns appeared first on Canadian Fraud News Inc. | Fraud related news | Fraud in Canada.

Originally published on Canadian Fraud News.