US Seeks Forfeiture of $25M in Crypto Linked to Global Fraud Schemes

What happened: U.S. prosecutors filed five civil forfeiture complaints on July 21, 2026, seeking to seize over $25 million in cryptocurrency tied to international fraud and laundering networks, including online romance and investment scams. The largest complaint involves $12.1 million from a romance scheme with over 200 victims; other cases include $10.4 million flagged by Canadian authorities and several million more linked to investment fraud and fee-based recovery scams. The DOJ’s Scam Center Strike Force, launched in late 2025, coordinated the action with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service and international partners.

Why it matters: The operation underscores the scale and persistence of crypto-enabled fraud, with launderers traced to Southeast Asia and victim counts in the hundreds per case. The Strike Force’s total crypto recoveries now exceed $800 million, reflecting both the magnitude of illicit flows and the increasing sophistication of law enforcement. No wallet addresses or token specifics were disclosed in the filings, but USDT was referenced in prior related seizures.

Source: The Block, Cointelegraph, DOJ