The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine announced on Mar. 13 that the Department of Justice will return approximately $470,735 to two Maine residents who were victims of a cryptocurrency investment scheme.
The restitution comes after more than $800,000 belonging to the victims was transferred in 2022 to cryptocurrency wallets controlled by criminal actors. The FBI seized 470,773 USDT (Tether), a digital currency pegged to the U.S. dollar, which was traced back to payments made by the victims. Following this seizure, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a civil forfeiture complaint alleging that these funds were connected to wire fraud and money laundering offenses. A federal court ordered the proceeds forfeited to the United States, allowing authorities to return them to the victims.
Officials warn that such cryptocurrency investment schemes are common and often involve scammers using social engineering tactics. These scams typically begin with unsolicited contact through messaging apps or social media platforms, where perpetrators use fake identities and build trust over time before introducing fraudulent investment opportunities or emergencies requiring payment in cryptocurrency.
Victims are sometimes directed to fake websites or applications that display false returns on their supposed investments. When attempting withdrawals, they may be asked for additional fees or taxes but ultimately do not receive their funds back.
For those seeking more information about these types of scams, resources are available at https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2023/PSA230824. Individuals who believe they have been targeted are encouraged to report incidents both locally and through the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or by contacting their local FBI Field Office.
The FBI handled this case and received assistance from Tether in transferring assets back to the victims.