MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) - Detectives with the Murfreesboro Police Department (MPD) Fraud Unit conducted compliance checks at 30 local businesses to enforce Tennessee's new statewide ban on Bitcoin ATMs.
Led by Fraud Detective Sergeant Tommy Massey, officers last Thursday (August 10th) visited establishments previously known to house cryptocurrency devices. The operation ensured business owners were following state legislation that took effect on July 1st, making the possession and operation of virtual currency kiosks illegal inside Tennessee establishments. During the visits, the MPD Fraud Unit delivered official letters from Chief of Police Michael Bowen alongside copies of the new law.
Every inspected business was found to be in full compliance. While a few machines remain physically on-site at select locations, officers confirmed they are completely disconnected and awaiting removal by third-party vendors.
Investigators say the crackdown is already yielding clear results for Rutherford County residents. Fraud detectives report a drastic decrease in local scam reports involving cryptocurrency since the prohibition went live.
The legislative ban follows alarming financial losses across the city, where criminals stole nearly $4.1 million from local victims over a six-month period using cryptocurrency scams. Fraudsters frequently exploited the machines by targeting elderly residents, impersonating law enforcement officers, and frightening victims into converting their savings into Bitcoin.
Sergeant Massey noted that Tennessee is now only the second state in the nation to outlaw Bitcoin ATMs, calling the legislation a major step toward protecting citizens. However, police caution residents not to drop their guard, warning that scammers will inevitably create new tactics to target hard-earned savings.
Anyone who is a victim of a scam or knows someone who has been targeted can contact the MPD Criminal Investigations Division directly at 615-893-2717.
