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in Romance Scams
cryptobriefing.com
· 2026-09-04
FinCEN identified $12.7 billion in suspected fraudulent transactions linked to "pig butchering" scams—long-con social engineering schemes where scammers pose as romantic interests or friends to lure victims into fake cryptocurrency investment platforms—operating primarily from compounds in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos between September 2023 and December 2025. The scams are growing at an average monthly rate of 18%, affecting victims across all US states and territories and all demographics, with funds laundered through stablecoins (particularly Tether's USDT), shell companies, and money mules. The FBI reported that US victims lost $7.2 billion to digital asset investment fraud in
documentedny.com
· 2026-09-04
Pig butchering scams, a rapidly growing form of financial fraud costing victims billions annually, begin with seemingly innocent messages from strangers who build trust over weeks or months before persuading victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency or investment platforms. Immigrants, older adults (particularly those 60+, who reported $7.7 billion in losses in 2025), and isolated individuals are frequently targeted, with scammers exploiting language barriers and social isolation. Victims can protect themselves by recognizing warning signs such as unsolicited contact, pressure to invest quickly, and requests to keep conversations secret, and should report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
documentedny.com
· 2026-09-04
A Chinese immigrant woman in Queens lost $130,000 over three months in a "pig butchering" scam, where a fraudster posing as someone she knew built trust over eight months before convincing her to invest in cryptocurrency, ultimately collecting cash in person through street handoffs. These confidence schemes, which originated in China and have spread globally, are increasingly targeting Chinese American immigrants through in-person cash exchanges in immigrant neighborhoods, making them harder to trace than purely online fraud. Experts note the scams exploit victims' limited English proficiency and unfamiliarity with evolving online fraud tactics, though exact victim numbers remain unclear as the FBI does not collect demographic data on cybercrime victims.
thepaypers.com
· 2026-09-04
Incognia reports that 81% of financial institutions have experienced a rise in mule account handover fraud, where organized networks recruit individuals to open legitimate accounts that are later transferred to overseas operators for money laundering and scam operations. These sophisticated "scam cities" primarily operating in Southeast Asia function like commercial enterprises, using large compounds with hundreds or thousands of devices to conduct sextortion, pig-butchering schemes, and other fraud, with 64% of institutions confirming or suspecting cross-border mule account transfers. The challenge for financial institutions is detecting these coordinated networks, as individual accounts appear legitimate but reveal fraudulent patterns when analyzed collectively across multiple devices, locations, and behavioral signals.
wbznewsradio.iheart.com
· 2026-09-04
A "pig butchering" scam exploits victims through weeks or months of trust-building via unsolicited text messages before scammers persuade them to invest money in fraudulent schemes. The article discusses how these scams operate and features cybersecurity expert Robert Siciliano offering advice on avoiding victimization.
cryptotimes.io
· 2026-09-04
The US Treasury's FinCEN identified nearly $13 billion in suspected illicit activity linked to "pig butchering" cryptocurrency investment scams operated by transnational criminal organizations based in Southeast Asia, based on analysis of 33,904 suspicious transaction reports filed between September 2023 and December 2025. These scams use fake personas and social engineering to deceive victims across all US states into fraudulent crypto investments, with proceeds laundered through money mules, shell companies, and stablecoin transfers to offshore exchanges. FinCEN is urging financial institutions to report suspicious transactions and notes that many scam operations in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos employ trafficked workers coerced into
en.bloomingbit.io
· 2026-09-04
Two Thai businessmen sued Tether over the freezing of $42.4 million in USDT in October 2025, arguing the stablecoin issuer froze their assets without a court warrant based solely on a request from US Homeland Security Investigations. The funds were allegedly connected to a $61 million pig-butchering investment scam, and while a seizure warrant was eventually issued in February 2026, the plaintiffs dispute whether the initial freeze without court authorization was lawful. The case raises questions about the extent to which centralized stablecoin issuers can restrict user assets based on law enforcement requests without due process protections.
legit.ng
· 2026-09-04
The FBI has placed four Nigerian men—Richard Izuchukwu Uzuh, Felix Osilama Okpoh, Nnamdi Orson Benson, and Micheal Olorunyomi—on its cybercrime wanted list for operating a Business Email Compromise (BEC) scheme that defrauded over 70 U.S. businesses of more than $6 million. The suspects, believed to be residing in Nigeria, sent spoofed emails requesting fraudulent wire transfers, operated romance scams targeting elderly individuals, and supplied fraudulent bank accounts to receive stolen funds. All four face federal charges including wire fraud, conspiracy, identity theft, and access device fraud
aol.com
· 2026-09-04
Adults aged 60 and over reported $2.4 billion in fraud losses in 2024, nearly quadrupling from $600 million in 2020, with investment scams causing the most damage at $744 million. The article identifies five common retirement scams targeting older adults, including impersonation scams (where reports of losses over $10,000 increased more than fourfold since 2020), tech support scams (which disproportionately affect seniors), and schemes that use social engineering and false urgency to manipulate victims. The FTC estimates actual fraud losses against older adults could be substantially higher at $10.1 billion to $81.5 billion when accounting for
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-09-04
A 72-year-old Maryland woman named Janey Sears was sentenced to 20 years in prison (15 years incarcerated, 5 years supervised probation) for stealing $406,954 from a victim she met on a dating app and moved in with in 2019. She convinced him the money was being invested in stocks through Goldman Sachs and an exclusive investment pool, when she actually spent it on casinos and expensive cars. Sears was convicted of theft scheme, securities fraud, and misappropriation of funds by a fiduciary in a case that highlights the growing danger of romance scams, particularly targeting vulnerable individuals.
moneywise.com
· 2026-09-04
A 72-year-old Maryland woman named Janey Sears was sentenced to 20 years in prison for a romance scam in which she defrauded a victim of over $406,000 over three years after meeting him on a dating app and moving into his home. She falsely claimed to be investing his money in stocks like Pfizer through Goldman Sachs, but instead spent the funds on casinos and luxury cars. She was convicted of theft scheme, securities fraud, and misappropriation of funds by a fiduciary.
hutchpost.com
· 2026-09-04
Financial scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated using artificial intelligence, caller ID spoofing, and impersonation tactics targeting people of all ages in Hutchinson, Kansas. Common schemes include impersonation of law enforcement, courts, and government agencies claiming warrants or injuries to create urgency and pressure victims into sending money or sharing personal information. Hutchinson Police Detective Pearson Schrag advises residents to slow down, verify caller information independently, and avoid providing personal details to unsolicited callers, with victims encouraged to contact their financial institutions and law enforcement immediately if money is stolen.
durhamregion.com
· 2026-09-04
A Durham resident, Salvatore Malandrino, 41, was arrested in connection with an alleged romance scam that defrauded at least five victims of approximately $1 million over five years. The suspect met victims through in-person interactions at a dog-training business and local gym, presenting himself as a successful entrepreneur and romantic partner to gain their trust and convince them to provide financial assistance. Police believe there may be additional victims and are urging anyone with information or who suffered losses to come forward.
comsuregroup.com
· 2026-09-04
Seychelles has implemented strict new crypto regulations through the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2024, requiring exchanges operating in the jurisdiction to become licensed and freezing unlicensed operations, with major platforms like Huobi, BitMEX, KuCoin, and OKX previously operating through loosely regulated corporate entities. Seychelles courts have begun treating cryptocurrency as recoverable property, successfully freezing and returning stolen digital assets to victims through injunctions and proprietary declarations, including cases where courts ordered the return of millions of dollars worth of Bitcoin and USDT to fraud victims. The shift from a lightly regulated crypto haven to an enforcing jurisdiction has enabled foreign law enforcement and private plaintiffs to
insurancebusinessmag.com
· 2026-09-04
Australia's Scams Prevention Framework Act 2025 is expanding liability requirements beyond banks to insurance brokers and other sectors, with the Federal Court ordering HSBC Bank Australia to pay $35 million in penalties plus $21.5 million in customer compensation for scam-related failures between 2020-2024. The Insurance Council of Australia is proactively preparing for mandatory compliance by building fraud detection infrastructure and advocating for sector-specific considerations, as national scam losses reached $2.18 billion in 2025 with investment scams accounting for the largest share at $837.7 million.
crypto.news
· 2026-09-04
The United States and United Kingdom have formed a joint law enforcement alliance to investigate and dismantle cryptocurrency investment fraud scam centers, with U.S. authorities estimating such schemes cost Americans approximately $10 billion annually. The agreement, signed in September, represents the first international cooperation pact specifically designed to target cyber-enabled investment fraud, and builds on a May enforcement initiative that disrupted over 1.4 million fraudulent accounts and froze $3.8 million in stolen cryptocurrency. Reported losses from cyber-enabled investment fraud in the U.S. climbed 89% from $4.57 billion in 2023 to $8.65 billion in 2025, prompting intensified
helpnetsecurity.com
· 2026-09-04
Malwarebytes' analysis of threat data from April-July 2026 found that scammers strategically choose platforms based on scam type, with job scams via email, romance scams via social media, and tech support scams via phone being most effective. Scam texts peak at noon ET (874% higher than 1 am) and increase throughout the week, peaking on Friday, while MrBeast is the most impersonated person in 30% of impersonation scams, ahead of Elon Musk and Donald Trump. The web remains the top scam delivery method, with Google, Microsoft, and Apple being the most impersonated brands, and gaming platforms
wbko.com
· 2026-09-04
The Bowling Green Police Department hosted a scam prevention seminar after residents lost approximately $800,000 to scams in 2026. Law enforcement, FBI agents, and financial representatives educated attendees on common fraud tactics, including romance scams, tech scams, and impersonation schemes that often involve cryptocurrency or gift cards. Adults aged 60 and older are disproportionately targeted, though scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated with new technology like AI.
facebook.com
· 2026-09-04
A Kentucky man is allegedly involved in an international romance scam that defrauded a woman of $10,500. The victim was targeted through a romantic relationship scheme that appears to have originated or operated across international borders. This case highlights the continued vulnerability of individuals to romance scams despite their widespread prevalence.
news.immigration.gov.tw
· 2026-09-04
An online romance scam warning from Taiwan's 165 Anti-Fraud Campaign alerts people to red flags including requests to move conversations to LINE, claims of company rules preventing in-person meetings, and demands for money, personal information, or ATM transactions to verify identity or purchase game points. Scammers gradually build trust through dating and social platforms before making these financial or personal requests, and victims should immediately stop communicating and block anyone exhibiting such suspicious behavior.
ground.news
· 2026-09-04
A 41-year-old man from Durham Region has been charged with orchestrating a sophisticated romance scam that defrauded five women of more than $1 million over a five-year period. The suspect allegedly established romantic relationships with his victims as part of the scheme and is facing multiple fraud-related charges.
straitstimes.com
· 2026-09-04
Since August 2026, Singapore police have reported at least 52 cases of cyber extortion involving intimate images and sexually explicit video calls, resulting in losses of at least $134,000. Scammers approach victims through dating apps and social media, convince them to participate in explicit video calls or share intimate photos, secretly record the content, and then extort money by threatening to share the material with the victims' contacts. Police advise victims not to pay, to cease communication with scammers, and to report incidents immediately.
kvoa.com
· 2026-09-04
Cochise County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about multiple aggressive scams including fake FBI agents threatening victims into buying cash cards, fraudulent sweepstakes claiming $6 million prizes, and romance scams targeting older adults for wedding money. The scams use impersonation, fake credentials, and emotional manipulation to defraud vulnerable community members, with amounts ranging from personal savings to thousands of dollars.
blackenterprise.com
· 2026-09-04
Artificial intelligence is enabling scammers to create more sophisticated and convincing fraud schemes targeting older adults nearing or in retirement, including romance scams and fake investment claims. One case involved a 63-year-old woman deceived by someone posing as a high-ranking U.S. Army official on a dating platform, illustrating how AI helps fraudsters identify victims and generate fake content at scale. The SEC has taken enforcement action against investment firms making misleading AI claims, as experts warn that AI has become "an industrial revolution for fraud criminals."
eu.36kr.com
· 2026-09-03
Former private equity manager Ye Fei, who served 4 years in prison for market manipulation that defrauded retail investors, was released and pivoted to entertainment by creating a short drama series called "Fraud King" depicting various scam types including pig-butchering scams, fake cashback fraud, and pension fraud to educate the public. The 10-episode drama was taken down shortly after launch and Ye Fei is currently appealing the removal while developing additional films based on his experiences in finance and incarceration.
kucoin.com
· 2026-09-03
Two Thai investors filed a lawsuit against Tether after the company froze $42.4 million in USDT across ten Ethereum addresses in October 2025 without a court order, later claiming they were caught in a case of mistaken identity related to a separate $17 million "pig butchering" scam investigation. Tether did not obtain formal legal authorization to seize the funds until February 2026, nearly four months after the freeze, raising concerns about the centralized stablecoin's unilateral power to blacklist addresses despite operating on public blockchains. The incident highlights the risks of centralized stablecoins like USDT, which maintain hardcoded blacklist mechanisms
financefeeds.com
· 2026-09-03
"Pig butchering" scams using WhatsApp fake profiles have cost Americans billions, with cryptocurrency fraud alone generating $11 billion in losses and 181,565 complaints in 2025. The scheme operates in four phases: scammers posing as attractive financial professionals contact victims via WhatsApp, build trust over weeks, encourage small crypto investments on fake platforms showing fabricated profits, then demand additional fees before disappearing. A recent federal case against the NanoBit platform resulted in $5.5 million in ordered restitution from six defendants who defrauded 18 victims of approximately $967,000 in direct deposits, with over $2 million wired to Hong Kong accounts
aspistrategist.org.au
· 2026-09-03
Southeast Asian crime groups operating sophisticated scam factories in Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and the Philippines have cost Australians approximately A$3 billion in 2022, with sophisticated operations including AI-driven fraud, banking trojans, and forced labor schemes. Major compounds like the Chinatown complex in Sihanoukville produce remote-access malware, impersonate government agencies, and recruit workers internationally who are coerced into conducting scams targeting Australian bank accounts and cryptocurrency. Scammers increasingly use AI to impersonate police officers and create realistic communications, making traditional fraud detection increasingly difficult as the operations grow more sophisticated.
miragenews.com
· 2026-09-03
This article is about a research tool developed by University of Southampton researchers to help people detect AI-generated faces, not about fraud cases or scams themselves. As a summarizer for an elder fraud research database, this article doesn't contain the typical fraud incident information (victim counts, dollar amounts, or specific scam cases) that would be relevant to the database.
If you have an article about actual elder fraud cases or scams that you'd like summarized, I'd be happy to help with that instead.
ibtimes.co.uk
· 2026-09-03
A 72-year-old woman was allegedly defrauded of $220,000 in cash by a scammer posing as a Christian missionary affiliated with Doctors Without Borders, who claimed to need financial assistance while awaiting a $1 million UN payment. The victim was instructed to withdraw cash, divide it into packages, and mail them through UPS to multiple addresses via encrypted messaging apps, with the scammer later deleting conversations and disappearing. Over 12 months, the woman lost approximately $300,000 total across multiple scams by withdrawing from her retirement savings, a scheme that mirrors common romance scam tactics identified by the FBI.
techtimes.com
· 2026-09-03
British media personality Katie Price discovered her husband Lee Andrews' claimed $50 million cryptocurrency wallet contained only $3, with evidence suggesting he had briefly funded it with $14,490 before draining it months earlier. Andrews, a self-described Dubai businessman, had provided a cryptocurrency recovery phrase as "proof" of wealth, exploiting a technical vulnerability where such phrases prove access but not actual account balances. The couple married within weeks of meeting in January 2026, and Price has since consulted a divorce lawyer after discovering the apparent fraud.
appleworld.today
· 2026-09-03
Malwarebytes research found that scammers are deliberately tailoring specific fraud types to particular platforms where they succeed most effectively, with toll scams arriving primarily via email or text (90%) and romance scams predominantly on social media (60%). The analysis of over 20 scam types revealed that criminals strategically choose delivery channels based on what works best for each fraud scheme, helping potential victims recognize risks on specific platforms.
wired.com
· 2026-09-03
Dating apps are increasingly adopting face recognition and biometric verification tools to combat a surge in AI-generated fake accounts and romance scams, which cost US users over $4 billion between 2015 and 2025. Tinder launched mandatory Face Check verification for new users in October 2025, with nearly half of US online daters having been targeted by dating scams. While these facial and biometric authentication systems aim to verify users are real, security experts warn they create new privacy risks and provide limited actual protection against fraud.
abc.net.au
· 2026-09-03
This article announces the return of ABC's "Crime Night!" television program for a new season starting September 30, featuring host Julia Zemiro and criminologist experts discussing various crime topics including romance scams, false confessions, and criminal profiling alongside rotating comedians. The program is an educational entertainment show that explores why people are fascinated by crime through real-life cases and social experiments, not a report about actual fraud incidents.
abcnepal.tv
· 2026-09-03
Americans reported a record $15.9 billion in losses to scams in the latest year, with an estimated $200 billion in actual losses, driven by advances in AI and cryptocurrency that enable scammers to operate at massive scale. Victims like Simon, who lost $800,000 to a romance scam, face compounding hardships including dismissive law enforcement, additional taxes on withdrawn funds, and social stigma, with advocates noting that post-scam consequences often exceed the initial fraud. Despite government efforts including a new complaint website and executive orders prioritizing prosecutions, the U.S. lags behind countries like the UK, EU, and Singapore in providing victim protections and holding financial institutions accountable.
thecooldown.com
· 2026-09-03
A Beijing woman in her 30s lost over $100,000 to a romance scammer who initially contacted her on Xiaohongshu, then moved their conversation to Microsoft Teams while posing as a company researcher to appear legitimate. The scammer used the shift to a professional platform and fake corporate credentials to build trust before directing her toward cryptocurrency investments. The case illustrates how fraudsters exploit workplace communication tools and brand authority to make scams appear credible while pressuring victims into financial transfers that are difficult to reverse.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2026-09-03
A retired nurse, Susan Bivins, lost over $200,000 to a scammer posing as a federal agent and subsequently received an $80,000 tax bill from the IRS for the withdrawn retirement funds, forcing her to sell her home. The case illustrates a broader problem where scam victims face compounding financial hardships including tax bills, bank fees, and loan repayments long after losing money to fraud. US consumers reported a record $15.9 billion in scam losses in 2025, a 25% increase from the previous year, with actual losses estimated much higher due to underreporting.
techbuzz.ai
· 2026-09-03
Dating apps are increasingly implementing facial recognition technology to verify user identities and combat romance scams, which cost Americans hundreds of millions of dollars annually and have become harder to detect with AI-generated fake profiles. While the "verified human" badges aim to close security loopholes, privacy advocates warn the technology expands surveillance risks and could normalize biometric scanning across other platforms, with unclear data retention and security practices. The regulatory landscape, particularly in jurisdictions with strict biometric privacy laws like Illinois, Texas, and the EU, will likely determine whether these verification systems become standard practice.
techbuzz.ai
· 2026-09-03
Dating apps are deploying facial recognition and biometric verification tools to combat AI-generated catfish profiles and romance scams, asking users to submit live selfies or videos that are compared against profile photos to receive "verified human" badges. While the technology aims to reduce fake accounts and build trust, privacy researchers warn that dating platforms have inconsistent data retention policies and weak track records on security, creating risks for users surrendering biometric data that cannot be changed if compromised, with protections varying significantly by state due to patchwork U.S. biometric privacy laws.
hudsonvalleycountry.com
· 2026-09-03
Two men, Daejon Labrayae Love and Taylor Jamie Chan, were arrested in August 2026 for operating a dating scam since February 2022 that targeted women across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California. Love posed as an NFL player for the San Francisco 49ers on dating apps while Chan impersonated his financial adviser, defrauding 26 women and collecting approximately $1.3 million through fictitious investment schemes. Love also falsely claimed to have played college football at Syracuse University and used multiple aliases and fake videos of himself in luxury cars and 49ers gear to gain victims' trust.
wbznewsradio.iheart.com
· 2026-09-03
A "pig butchering" scam involves fraudsters who build trust with victims over weeks or months through text messages before convincing them to invest money in fake opportunities that promise substantial returns. The scam gets its name from the practice of fattening up a pig before slaughter, as scammers gradually extract larger sums from their victims. Cybersecurity experts recommend being skeptical of unsolicited investment offers from unknown contacts to avoid falling victim to this scheme.
fincen.gov
· 2026-09-03
FinCEN identified nearly $13 billion in suspected transactions linked to digital asset investment scams, primarily operated by transnational criminal organizations based in Southeast Asia using fake personas and social engineering to defraud American victims. These sophisticated schemes, known as "pig butchering" or "romance baiting," leverage vast criminal networks and money laundering operations to facilitate illicit transfers. The Treasury Department has issued an alert urging financial institutions to identify and report suspicious activity related to these scams, with victims advised to contact the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center immediately.
facebook.com
· 2026-09-03
The article references alleged romance scammer Daejon Love, noting that references to the case appeared during an NXT wrestling broadcast, suggesting the scam story had become widespread enough to permeate popular culture and social media. No specific victim information, dollar amounts, or detailed scam mechanics are provided in this social media post excerpt.
yahoo.com
· 2026-09-02
Utah Attorney General Derek Brown launched a new Financial Crimes Intelligence Center to combat fraud in the state, where Utahns have lost approximately $450 million since 2020, with $60 million lost in 2025 alone. The center will investigate identity theft, bank fraud, elder fraud, romance scams, money laundering, and cryptocurrency scams by tracing funds, connecting cases, and helping authorities hold perpetrators accountable. The center aims to address increasingly sophisticated and organized financial crimes by providing investigators a centralized hub and training resources to police and financial institutions statewide.
theconversation.com
· 2026-09-02
Daejon Love, 35, and an accomplice were federally charged with defrauding over two dozen women of approximately $1.3 million through an online romance scam in which Love posed as a wealthy professional athlete or real estate investor to gain their trust before soliciting money for fictitious investments. The case exemplifies the broader problem of online romance scams, which the Federal Trade Commission reported affected nearly 70,000 Americans in 2022 with losses exceeding $1.3 billion, highlighting how scammers use calculated emotional manipulation and social engineering tactics rather than direct money requests. Research shows these scams follow distinct stages of planning and adaptation, with scammers leveraging social norms
essentiallysports.com
· 2026-09-02
Daejon Love, 35, and accomplice Taylor Jamie Chan allegedly scammed at least 26 women out of roughly $1.3 million between 2022 and 2026 by posing as an NFL San Francisco 49ers receiver, using fake helmets, workout videos, doctored financial documents, and romance tactics before requesting money for fake investments. Love found victims on dating platforms, built emotional connections by discussing marriage and family, then introduced Chan as a financial adviser to extract funds, blocking victims when they ran out of money or asked questions. Despite the elaborate props and fake credentials, victims could have discovered the deception by simply checking the official NFL roster, though FBI experts note that established emotional trust often
forklog.com
· 2026-09-02
Two Thai businessmen filed a lawsuit against Tether over the freezing of $42.4 million in USDT in October 2025, which the company allegedly froze without a warrant based on an informal request from U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations related to a $61 million "pig butchering" scam. While the plaintiffs acknowledge the funds' connection to the scam, they challenge Tether's authority to freeze the assets, as a court warrant for seizure was not issued until February 2026.
cryptopotato.com
· 2026-09-02
Two Thai businessmen are suing Tether for $42.4 million in USDT that was frozen in October 2025 after an informal Department of Homeland Security request, claiming the freeze occurred without a warrant, court order, or notice. The funds were allegedly connected to a pig-butchering romance and investment scam investigation, and were later subject to a court-ordered burn and remint to a government wallet in February 2026. The plaintiffs are not disputing the scam connection but are challenging Tether's authority to freeze and destroy the tokens, alleging conversion, unjust enrichment, and seeking damages and punitive relief.
bitcoinfoundation.org
· 2026-09-02
Two Thai businessmen sued Tether for allegedly freezing $42.4 million USDT before receiving a court warrant, claiming the freeze was based on an informal law enforcement request linked to a pig-butchering investment scam investigation. The dispute centers on whether Tether can unilaterally freeze and burn tokens held in third-party wallets without prior judicial authorization, with the plaintiffs arguing they legitimately acquired the assets on the secondary market and are now seeking damages and restoration of the frozen funds.
kucoin.com
· 2026-09-02
Two Thai businessmen are suing Tether for freezing 42.4 million USDT in their accounts on October 30, 2025, alleging the stablecoin issuer acted on an informal law enforcement request months before a U.S. seizure warrant was obtained in February 2026. The frozen funds are connected to a Justice Department investigation into over $61 million in USDT allegedly stolen through pig-butchering scams and subsequently laundered. The plaintiffs claim they legally acquired the tokens through secondary-market transactions and are seeking their return, damages, and a court order preventing Tether from destroying the frozen assets.