Crypto ATM scams have wreaked havoc in Wisconsin. A new law is helping change that, but did it go far enough?

This story was produced in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Investigative Journalism class taught in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Robert Semanko told police he thought he couldn’t be scammed.

Then last October the 31-year-old father of three from central Wisconsin got a call from a scammer posing as the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office. Semanko was told he missed jury duty, resulting in two citations, and owed an additional $2,000 fine. Over three hours the scammer tricked Semanko into inserting $7,000 into a crypto ATM.

Crypto ATM scams have become more prevalent in Wisconsin and throughout the U.S. in recent years, leading lawmakers to pass legislation. The scams have caused headaches...