Youtube streamer Kitboga has taught a group of Crypto ATM Scammers a bitter lesson by trapping them in an infinite maze for over 164 days pretending it to be a way to redeem Bitcoin from their victims.
Using nothing but Photoshop, a fake crypto exchange, and a hotline, Kitboga and his merry band of scambaiters have successfully wasted 3,953 hours of scammer time through a fake Bitcoin ATM redemption process that leads to absolutely nowhere.
A Scam Within the Scam for Crypto ATM Scammers
Scammers typically convince victims to send money through Bitcoin ATMs, real machines where you insert cash and send crypto to the scammer’s wallet.
Kitboga built a fake receipt for a fake Bitcoin ATM leading to a fake exchange with a real 1-800 number that connects directly to total chaos.
“We took an actual receipt from a Bitcoin ATM, Photoshopped it, and made the QR code link to our fake site. The 1-800 number? Also ours. Welcome to the maze.”
Kitboga
Once a scammer tries to redeem their imaginary crypto, the site begins a slow descent into madness, with CAPTCHAs that ask questions like, “How tall is this wave?” or asking scammers to estimate how many peanuts are in a bucket and in rare cases to play sandstorm on a virtual piano.
Eventually, the site “fails” to redeem the Bitcoin and tells the scammer to call support. Cue the 1-800 Hotline of Doom where scammers experience an automated voice that mishears everything, hold music featuring dial-up tones and yelling call center agents, Hour-long holds… that end in silence or random hold prompts like “Please say: purple porcupine to continue”.
How Long Can You Waste a Crypto ATM Scammer’s Time?
Up to six and a half days, is the record set by one scammer who refused to give up on the phantom crypto.
On average, they last just under three hours before rage quitting and (probably) yelling at an actual victim out of frustration.
But for those hours, according to Kitboga, they are effectively neutralized.
“If they’re trapped in our maze or stuck on hold screaming ‘resourceful rattlesnake’ every two minutes, we know they’re not scamming someone else. That’s a win.”
Kitboga
While this sounds like a cruel and unusual digital escape room, there’s more at play. Kitboga and his 12 person team are also collecting intel.
Scammers, thinking they’re seconds away from stealing thousands in crypto, often reveal real wallet addresses, allow access to their cameras, and provide other nuggets of identity gold that can be handed off to law enforcement.
“We’ve helped freeze funds and identify attackers. Kraken even partners with us. Turns out scammers aren’t very bright when they smell fake money.” Kitboga said.
How Are Others Dealing with Crypto ATM Scammers?
In a parallel tale of Bitcoin ATM drama, Texas sheriffs recently went full Oceans 11 on a real kiosk, using power tools to retrieve $32,000 stolen via scam.
Photos show sparks flying and money bags stacked next to a gas station vending machine. So yes, scamming is still a problem, but now it has a very entertaining nemesis.
Meanwhile, in an extremely innovative move that is set to rattle scammers, Spokane City Council in Washington unanimously voted to ban virtual money machines or cryptocurrency ATMs across the city in June.
In July Tasmania joined the National Crackdown Of Crypto ATM’s as a means to fight Crypto ATM Scammers.
With the Bitcoin ATM trap now a well-oiled machine, Kitboga is expanding the fun. His team is building new infinite mazes for scammers who ask for gift cards, wire transfers, or cash via FedEx., Kitboga is fighting fire with confusion, chaos, and a dial tone.
His logic is simple: “If I’m wasting their time, they’re not talking to someone’s grandma.”