The FTC's report shows a massive increase in Bitcoin ATM scams, with $110 million scammed last year. This year alone, the figure has already reached $65 million just in the first half. If we compare this to 2020, there's been a tenfold increase in scams...isn't that alarming?
What do you expect from these figures? I don't think I ever expected the figures to reduce, the figures directly corresponds with the increasing crime rate. By next year, the figures may be higher if the economic situation in some countries do not change and improve for the better because as people become more desperate, they are more willing to find more ways to get money even if it is stealing. Bitcoin ATM's may just be the easier target currently for these criminals.
These crimes shouldn't be linked to a country's economic situation. Many countries struggle; does that mean this problems gets worsen in the future? No, the key is educating people about these scams. Is it easy? Not at all, but continuous effort will help reduce them. If we assume that scams will keep rising, then it just shows we don't trust the government to tighten the law and educate people effectively. For the Bitcoin community to gain mass adoption, these incidents- or Bitcoin scams in general- need to be minimized. Why just minimize and not completely eliminate them? Because it's impossible to get rid of them entirely.