Leawood police warn residents of bitcoin ATMs often used for scams

LEAWOOD, Kan. — Police investigators in Johnson County have their eye on ATMs used to purchase bitcoin.

Federal law enforcement officials said those cryptocurrency machines are often used by predators who force victims to send untraceable money to scammers.

Detectives with the Leawood Police Department are applauding a convenience store clerk, calling him a hero because he's learned to help victims before they lose their dollars.

Moammed Abd, who works at the Zips convenience store at 135th Street and Briar, told FOX4 that he often sees senior citizens walk into the store with money in hand, terrified as they use an ATM designed for purchasing and transmitting cryptocurrency purchases. Abd is aware those purchases often involve illicit transactions.

Investigators said scammers often co