The United States Attorney’s Office in Ohio has filed a motion to forfeit and redistribute millions in seized cryptocurrency to victims who were defrauded in a fake investment scheme. Authorities are requesting the court to officially seize approximately $8.2 million in USDT held in three cryptocurrency wallets, with the intention of reimbursing affected individuals.
Crypto Scam Targeted Victims Through “Wrong Number” Texts
The scam operation lured victims into fraudulent investments through a technique known as “pig butchering,” where scammers establish trust over time before tricking individuals into transferring their funds. Fraudsters initiated contact via “wrong number” texts on mobile phones, dating apps, and professional networking platforms, engaging victims in casual conversations before slowly guiding them toward fake crypto investments.
Victims were instructed to create legitimate accounts on platforms like Crypto.com and Coinbase before being convinced to transfer their funds to fraudulent investment sites controlled by the scammers. Some individuals were even allowed to withdraw small amounts initially to create a false sense of legitimacy. However, as the scheme progressed, victims’ funds became inaccessible, and when they attempted to cash out, they were asked to pay additional “taxes.”
Victims Lost Millions Before Authorities Intervened
At least 33 victims across the United States lost a total of $4.9 million, while five additional victims—who remain unidentified—lost another $1 million. One of the most devastating cases involved a woman from Lake County, Ohio, who was scammed out of her entire life savings, including $663,000 from her Roth IRA. Her report to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center in June 2024 prompted the investigation.
Authorities conducted a blockchain analysis and traced the stolen funds to three cryptocurrency wallets. With assistance from Tether, the FBI executed a seizure warrant, freezing the assets and transferring them to a law enforcement-controlled wallet.
Forfeiture Complaint Filed to Recover Stolen Crypto
On February 27, U.S. Attorney Carol Skutnik and Assistant U.S. Attorney James Morford filed a forfeiture complaint requesting formal seizure of the recovered crypto. The motion also noted that the seized accounts contained additional funds beyond what victims lost, allegedly linked to wire fraud and money laundering activities.
Rise of Pig Butchering Scams in the Crypto Industry
Pig butchering scams accounted for 33.2% of scam-related crypto inflows in 2024, according to Chainalysis. Deposits to such fraudulent schemes surged by 210% year-over-year, highlighting the growing threat posed by online financial crimes.
With the case now before the court, U.S. authorities aim to ensure that victims receive compensation for their losses while continuing their crackdown on fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes.
