# Woman loses $12,500 in jury‑duty scam via Bitcoin ATM

**Published:** 2026-06-23T16:46:43.734Z  
**Topic:** Crypto Scam  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/1caaa712-9204-462b-9ef6-055b4d683628

Woman in Las Vegas reports a $12,500 loss after scammers used a Bitcoin ATM to collect payment for a fake jury‑duty charge.

A Las Vegas resident was duped into depositing $12,500 through an Athena Bitcoin ATM after scammers impersonated law‑enforcement officers and claimed she owed fines for missed federal jury duty [1]. The incident highlights a growing pattern of fraudsters directing victims to cryptocurrency kiosks, a tactic also reported in North Carolina where a separate victim lost thousands [2].

| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Amount lost | $12,500 |
| Date of scam call | May 12 |
| ATM operator | Athena Bitcoin |
| Fraud pattern | Jury‑duty impersonation → crypto ATM payment |

## How the scam unfolded  

The caller, posing as a lieutenant, told Stefanie Clary she had an outstanding federal jury‑duty warrant and threatened arrest if she did not pay. Using personal details—including her address and Social Security number—the scammers maintained pressure for over five hours, even spoofing a Clark County constable’s number to appear legitimate [1]. They instructed Clary to deposit cash at an Athena Bitcoin ATM in downtown Las Vegas, where she first inserted $5,000 and later added another $7,500, totaling $12,500 [1].

## Wider trend and legal backdrop  

The same modus operandi appears in a case from Cary, North Carolina, where victim Mia Bashir was convinced to deposit “thousands of dollars” into a cryptocurrency ATM after a fake deputy cited a warrant for missed jury duty [2]. Federal authorities warn that law‑enforcement agencies never demand payment via crypto ATMs, gift cards, or similar methods. The U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada has recently added a public warning about jury‑duty scams to its website, noting an uptick in such impersonations [1]. Additionally, a lawsuit filed by the District of Columbia Attorney General alleges that 93 % of deposits at Athena machines in Washington, D.C., over a five‑month period were linked to fraud, though Athena denies wrongdoing [1].

## What to watch  

- **Regulatory scrutiny of crypto ATMs** – Ongoing investigations and lawsuits may prompt tighter oversight of operators like Athena.  
- **Law‑enforcement alerts** – Monitor updates from the FBI, FTC, and state attorneys general for new warnings about jury‑duty and other impersonation scams.  
- **Consumer protection legislation** – North Carolina lawmakers are considering limits on daily transaction amounts and mandatory fraud warnings for crypto ATM operators [2].

These cases underscore how scammers exploit the anonymity and speed of cryptocurrency kiosks to extract funds, exploiting victims’ fear and limited ability to verify claims in real time. The rise in such frauds raises questions about the adequacy of current consumer protections for crypto‑ATM users and the need for clearer guidance from law‑enforcement agencies.

## Sources
1. KTNV Las Vegas — [Las Vegas woman says fake jury duty scam cost her $12,500 through Bitcoin ATM](https://www.ktnv.com/news/las-vegas-woman-says-fake-jury-duty-scam-cost-her-12-500-through-bitcoin-atm)
2. Abc11 — [Cary woman loses thousands in Wake County jury duty scam through crypto ATM - ABC11 Raleigh-Durham](https://abc11.com/post/cary-woman-loses-thousands-wake-county-jury-duty-scam-crypto-atm/19311046/)
3. Abc7news — [Woman loses thousands in jury duty scam through crypto ATM](https://abc7news.com/post/cary-north-carolina-woman-loses-thousands-wake-county-jury-duty-scam-crypto-atm/19323316/)

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Cite as: TrendWatcher, "Woman loses $12,500 in jury‑duty scam via Bitcoin ATM", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/1caaa712-9204-462b-9ef6-055b4d683628