cryptocrime

U.S. federal authorities are investigating another cryptocurrency fraud case involving a fake romantic relationship, this time seeking to seize digital assets worth approximately $200,000. According to prosecutors, the funds are linked to a carefully orchestrated online investment scam.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts confirmed that on January 12, 2026, it filed a forfeiture complaint targeting 200,039.646 USDT, which investigators say was obtained through manipulation on an online dating platform. The case is part of a broader wave of so-called romance-investment scams, which have surged in recent years.

How the Scheme Worked: Trust First, Money Later
The investigation began in April last year, when federal agents started probing a case involving a Massachusetts resident who became the target of a sophisticated online fraud. According to the Department of Justice, the operation followed the well-known “pig-butchering” model — a scheme in which scammers slowly build trust before exploiting victims financially.
The victim was initially contacted on the dating app Tinder by an individual using the name “Nino Martin.” After establishing rapport, the conversation was moved to WhatsApp, where the scammer claimed to be a professional financial advisor. Over time, the victim was persuaded that they could profit from cryptocurrency trading.
Following the scammer’s instructions, the victim opened an account on what later turned out to be a completely fraudulent trading platform. Early on, the site displayed convincing “profits,” reinforcing the illusion of legitimacy. However, when the victim attempted to withdraw funds, banks flagged the activity and froze several accounts due to suspicious transactions.

Bypassing Safeguards and Losing Over Half a Million Dollars
After the bank intervention, individuals linked to the fake platform contacted the victim again, providing detailed instructions on how to bypass security measures and continue transferring funds. Before law enforcement or federal authorities were notified, the victim had sent approximately $504,353 to the alleged scammers.

Blockchain Tracing and Asset Seizure Efforts
Federal investigators were later able to trace a portion of the stolen funds to a specific cryptocurrency wallet. In June 2025, authorities took control of that wallet. The latest court filing outlines the legal process for handling any competing claims to the assets.
If no party can demonstrate a legitimate right to the funds, the cryptocurrency will become government property and may ultimately be returned to the victim.

Part of a Broader Crackdown on Crypto Fraud
Prosecutors emphasized that this is not an isolated case. In recent months, federal authorities have filed multiple forfeiture actions aimed at recovering cryptocurrency tied to investment and romance scams affecting residents of Massachusetts.
U.S. law prohibits using electronic communications to defraud individuals or obtain property through false representations, as well as conducting financial transactions intended to conceal the origins of criminal proceeds.
The case involves the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Boston field office of the FBI, and a specialized asset-recovery unit. Law enforcement officials are urging anyone who believes they may have been targeted by investment scams, romance scams, or business email compromise schemes to come forward, as early reporting significantly improves the chances of fund recovery.
As with all civil forfeiture cases, the allegations outlined in court documents are claims only. All individuals involved are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

#Cryptoscam , #CryptoFraud , #USDT , #CryptoCrime , #CryptoNews

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,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

Скандал року: згідно з новим розслідуванням, іранські військові структури, ймовірно, вивели понад $1 мільярд у криптовалюті через британські криптобіржі. Ця шокуюча інформація свідчить про використання цифрових активів для обходу міжнародних санкцій та фінансування діяльності, яка викликає занепокоєння у світової спільноти.
Розслідування вказує на складні схеми, що включають використання декількох облікових записів, міксерів та "підставних" компаній для приховування джерела походження коштів. Британські біржі, які стали транзитними пунктами для цих операцій, тепер перебувають під пильною увагою регуляторів, яким закидають недостатній контроль за дотриманням правил боротьби з відмиванням грошей (AML) та знання свого клієнта (KYC).
Цей інцидент є серйозним викликом для репутації Великобританії як фінансового центру та підкреслює глобальну проблему використання криптовалют для незаконної діяльності. Він також посилює тиск на уряди та регуляторні органи у всьому світі щодо розробки більш ефективних механізмів відстеження та контролю за криптоактивами, особливо у контексті національної безпеки та геополітики.
⚡️ Щоб бути в курсі найважливіших новин про криптовалюти, геополітику та безпеку — підписуйтесь на @Mining Updates #MiningUpdates !
#IranCrypto #SanctionsEvasion #BritishExchanges #CryptoCrime #AML #KYC #NationalSecurity #Cryptocurrency #BlockchainSecurity #Geopolitics

France is facing a disturbing trend. The country is increasingly becoming Europe’s epicenter of so-called crypto-wrench attacks — violent home invasions where the target is not a bank, but private cryptocurrency keys. The latest case from the south of the country shows just how dangerous this phenomenon is becoming.
On Monday evening, three masked attackers broke into a family home in the town of Manosque, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region. Inside, they assaulted a woman, threatened her with a handgun, physically attacked her, and tied her up in order to obtain a single target: a USB drive containing cryptocurrency data belonging to her partner.

Weapon, Violence, and a Rapid Escape
According to available information, the attackers did not hesitate to use brute force. They slapped the woman, intimidated her with a firearm, and fled immediately after securing the USB drive. Fortunately, the victim did not suffer serious injuries, managed to free herself within minutes, and contacted the police.
The case is now being investigated by specialized units of the criminal police. The investigation comes at a time when similar attacks are rapidly increasing across France.

France as a Hub of Crypto-Related Violence
According to publicly tracked databases, more than 70 violent attacks targeting cryptocurrency holders have been recorded worldwide. Over 14 of these incidents occurred in France, making it the most dangerous European country in this category.
Experts warn that a combination of several factors creates an ideal environment for this type of crime:
🔹 High overall crime rates

🔹 A visible concentration of cryptocurrency wealth

🔹 Growing knowledge of digital assets among criminal groups

🔹 Easy identification of targets through public information
Cryptocurrencies are particularly attractive to criminals because they allow the instant transfer of large sums across borders, operate 24/7, and are often perceived as harder to trace than traditional financial systems.

Shocking Revelation: The State as a Source of Information for Criminals?
The case unfolds in an exceptionally sensitive context. It recently emerged that a French tax official has been charged with abusing access to government databases.
According to investigators, she allegedly searched for addresses, income details, and family information of individuals outside her professional responsibilities and passed this data on to criminal groups. In at least one case, this activity is believed to have preceded a violent home invasion.
The court concluded that her actions could not be justified by her job duties, which were strictly limited to corporate taxation.

A New Reality for Crypto Holders
The Manosque case reveals a harsh reality:

The greatest threat to cryptocurrency investors is no longer hackers, but physical violence.
Crypto-wrench attacks are reshaping security paradigms and forcing investors to reconsider how and where they store their digital assets. USB drives, hardware wallets, and public visibility of wealth are becoming potential liabilities — especially in environments where sensitive information can fall into the wrong hands.

#CryptoCrime , #CryptoSecurity , #CryptoNews , #DigitalAssets , #CryptoCommunity

Stay one step ahead – follow our profile and stay informed about everything important in the world of cryptocurrencies!
Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“