Cryptocurrency Heist, Investment Fraud, Massachusetts 2022

BOSTON, Massachusetts – A brazen cryptocurrency heist has left a Massachusetts resident reeling, with a staggering $73,586 in Tether (USDT) currency allegedly seized by federal agents in a civil forfeiture action.

The victim, targeted by scammers in October 2021 through LinkedIn, was lured into investing in what she believed was a legitimate cryptocurrency platform. However, the platform turned out to be a sham, and the victim lost her hard-earned money.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, federal agents began investigating the case in January 2022 after the victim reported the crime. A thorough investigation led to the seizure of 73,586 USDT, a cryptocurrency unit equivalent to one U.S. dollar, from another wallet.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has filed a civil forfeiture action to recover the seized cryptocurrency, which is alleged to be proceeds of an online investment fraud scheme. A civil forfeiture action allows third parties to assert claims to property, which must be resolved before the property can be forfeited to the United States and returned to victims.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Andrew Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra W. Amrhein of Rollins’ Asset Recovery Unit is prosecuting the civil forfeiture action.

The details contained in the civil forfeiture complaint are allegations. The United States Attorney’s Office has not filed a corresponding criminal action on the matter.

The defendant/respondent in this case is unknown, as no real defendant name is provided in the source. However, the exact criminal charges are investment fraud and wire communications as part of a scheme to defraud or to obtain money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses.