SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Bitcoin ATM machines that convert cash into cryptocurrency have become the favorite tool of scammers, many operating from overseas. The I-Team has been working with ABC News on this investigation.
It's the same old scams with a new twist. You've heard of people being drawn into a phony romance or being convinced there's a problem with their computer or bank account - all a ruse to get their money. But now, the bad guys are convincing victims to feed their life savings into these Bitcoin ATMs.
San Jose's Jim Meduri got a phone call early one morning from someone who sounded like his son, crying that he had been arrested for a DUI accident involving a pregnant woman.
"It was a male voice," said Meduri. "I mean, anybody that is emotional and their voice starts cracking, obviously it changes the voice a little bit, but it was close enough to let me think it was my son."