US Seeks to Recover $456K in Cryptocurrency Linked to Online Romance Scams
US federal prosecutors have filed a civil forfeiture action to recover approximately $456,602 in Tether (USDT) allegedly connected to cryptocurrency romance scams conducted through online dating platforms and Facebook.
The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced the action on November 9, 2026, following an investigation into fraudulent investment schemes targeting victims across multiple states. According to authorities, scammers established romantic relationships and gained victims’ trust before persuading them to invest through fake cryptocurrency trading platforms that displayed misleading profits. Instead of reaching legitimate investments, the funds were transferred to private crypto wallets controlled by the alleged fraudsters. Victims discovered the deception when they were unable to withdraw their money, even after paying additional fees and taxes demanded by the platforms.
Investigators traced the suspected proceeds to two cryptocurrency wallets and seized the assets. Prosecutors are now seeking legal forfeiture of the funds, with any third-party ownership claims requiring resolution before potential restitution to victims. The case highlights growing concerns over cryptocurrency investment fraud, particularly romance-based schemes that exploit social media and online relationships, while reinforcing US authorities’ efforts to trace and recover stolen digital assets.
Clever Robot News Desk 11th November 2026
Related Article
