Retired Couple Loses $76,000 Life Savings To Bitcoin ATM Scam, Sues Bitcoin Depot In Federal Court A retired Idaho couple has filed a federal class action lawsuit against Bitcoin Depot Inc., alleging the company’s ATM network was exploited by scammers who drained their entire retirement savings — $76,000 — over five consecutive days in August 2025. The lawsuit, Lacey et al. v. Bitcoin Depot Inc., et al. (Case No. 1:26-cv-00288-DKG), was filed May 11, 2026, in U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho. The plaintiffs, Karen and Robert Lacey, claim fraudsters posing as Norton customer service representatives and FBI agents convinced them their accounts were linked to child pornography and illegal gambling investigations. The scammers directed the couple to deposit cash at Bitcoin Depot ATMs between August 9 and August 13, 2025, while simultaneously creating wireless networks labeled “FBI” on their phones — signals that remained visible for months after the deposits. The 43-page complaint alleges Bitcoin Depot processed each transaction “without meaningful intervention” despite clear warning signs, including first-time users making large cash deposits during calls with unknown parties. The lawsuit further criticizes the company’s fee structure, which charges up to 50% per transaction, and its reliance on on-screen warning stickers, which the plaintiffs describe as “demonstrably ineffective.” After Karen and Robert’s son filed a federal crime complaint, Bitcoin Depot issued two $1,000 refund checks, an amount the lawsuit states did not cover even the fees the company collected. Karen Lacey, who was retired when the fraud occurred, has since returned to the workforce, now working rotating hospital shifts.#fbi #federal_trade_commission #bitcoin_depots_inc #karen_lacey #robert_lacey
