Over $6 Million in Crypto Seized from Southeast Asia Scammers

Authorities recently confiscated over $6 million in cryptocurrency linked to scammers based in Southeast Asia who targeted U.S. citizens with fraudulent investment schemes.

On September 26, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia reported that numerous individuals were deceived into believing they were investing in legitimate crypto businesses.

Using blockchain technology, the FBI tracked the stolen funds to multiple wallets associated with the scam, which still contained more than $6 million in victims’ assets. Tether played a crucial role in assisting authorities by freezing these wallets, facilitating the swift recovery of the funds.

Matthew Graves, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, highlighted the typical challenges in recovering funds, as the scammers often operate from abroad. He emphasized that victims are often tricked into believing they are investing in crypto opportunities, only to hand their money over to fraudsters.

Scammers employ various tactics to lure victims, including misleading text messages, dating apps, and investment groups. Once trust is established, they guide potential investors to fake platforms that resemble legitimate investment sites. Although these fraudulent sites may promise high returns and allow temporary withdrawals, all funds are funneled into wallets controlled by the scammers.

FBI Criminal Investigative Division Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough stated that these scams have a devastating impact on countless Americans. Victims have lost significant amounts of money, often taking out multiple mortgages in hopes of finding lucrative investment opportunities. The FBI’s 2023 cryptocurrency fraud report revealed that investment scams accounted for nearly 71% of crypto fraud complaints, resulting in over $3.9 billion in losses, with the majority of victims based in the U.S.