US targets $26.4 million in five crypto scam cases as DOJ says $800 million recovered
U.S. prosecutors filed five civil-forfeiture complaints seeking about $26.4 million in cryptocurrency tied to separate international fraud schemes. The cases involve suspected investment fraud, romance scams, and repeat-victim recovery scams, with laundering activity mainly linked to Southeast Asia and related IP addresses in China, Malaysia, and Cambodia. One case involves a victim who was scammed again after being promised recovery of prior losses. The complaints let DOJ freeze suspected criminal proceeds before identifying all suspects, then ask a court to transfer ownership to the government. Civil forfeiture does not require a criminal conviction, but prosecutors must show the assets are linked to crime by a preponderance of the evidence. DOJ said the seizures are part of more than $800 million recovered or restrained through the Scam Center Strike Force. Final forfeiture, victim eligibility, and any repayment amounts remain unresolved.
