Woodbury Police Urge Minnesota to Ban Crypto Kiosks Amid Scams

Authorities cite cases of seniors being targeted by scammers exploiting kiosk loopholes despite recent fraud law.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Woodbury police are calling on state lawmakers to consider banning cryptocurrency kiosks, citing a rise in scams targeting vulnerable residents, particularly seniors. The police have highlighted local cases along with examples from other Minnesota cities, showing how scammers are exploiting loopholes in a 2024 fraud law to continue targeting consumers through these kiosks.

Why it matters

The push to ban crypto kiosks in Minnesota is driven by growing concerns over the use of these machines to facilitate financial fraud, especially against the elderly. While a 2024 law aimed to curb such scams, police say loopholes remain that allow criminals to exploit consumers through the kiosks. This issue touches on the broader challenges of regulating emerging financial technologies to protect public safety.

The details

Woodbury police have documented several incidents where seniors were targeted by scammers using cryptocurrency kiosks. In these cases, the perpetrators have taken advantage of the kiosks' anonymity and lack of oversight to trick vulnerable consumers into depositing funds under false pretenses. Despite the 2024 law intended to address such fraud, police say scammers have found ways to circumvent the regulations.

  • In 2024, Minnesota passed a law aimed at curbing cryptocurrency-related fraud.
  • Woodbury police have seen a rise in kiosk-related scams targeting seniors in their city in recent months.

The players

Woodbury Police

The local law enforcement agency in Woodbury, Minnesota that is urging state lawmakers to consider banning cryptocurrency kiosks due to their use in scamming vulnerable residents.

Minnesota State Legislators

The state lawmakers that Woodbury police are calling on to pass legislation banning cryptocurrency kiosks in order to better protect consumers, especially seniors, from financial fraud.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

Woodbury police plan to continue advocating for state legislators to consider a ban on cryptocurrency kiosks in order to curb the rise in scams targeting vulnerable residents in their community and across Minnesota.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of regulating emerging financial technologies like cryptocurrency to protect consumers, especially seniors, from fraud. The push by Woodbury police for a statewide ban on crypto kiosks reflects a broader need for policymakers to stay vigilant and adapt regulations to address evolving scams enabled by new financial platforms.