# DOJ seeks forfeiture of over $25 million in crypto tied to romance

**Published:** 2026-07-22T19:24:33.690Z  
**Topic:** Crypto Scam  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/2a725f3b-0d80-4ba8-8a03-78b13c5ecc17

DOJ moves to seize more than $25 million in crypto linked to international romance and investment frauds, targeting 670+ victim transactions across the US and

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed five civil forfeiture complaints to seize **more than $25 million in cryptocurrency** tied to cross‑border romance and investment scams that victimised hundreds in the United States and Canada【1】. The action underscores the growing reliance of fraud networks on crypto laundering and the DOJ’s expanding use of blockchain analytics.

| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Forfeiture target | > $25 million |
| Largest single case | $12.1 million (romance scams) |
| Total victim transactions | > 670 |
| Primary laundering hubs | Southeast Asia (IP links to China, Malaysia, Cambodia) |

## Scope of the forfeiture action  
The five complaints, filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Secret Service’s Washington Field Office, each stem from separate investigations that uncovered layered wallet transfers designed to hide stolen funds【1】. The biggest complaint seeks **$12.1 million** linked to romance schemes that defrauded more than 200 victims, while another targets **$10.4 million** from over 270 suspected victim transactions【1】. Smaller cases involve $1.2 million, $2.4 million and roughly $285 000 tied to fake investment accounts and a fee‑based recovery scam【2】.

## How the scams operated  
Scammers first built trust through romantic relationships or promises of high‑yield crypto investments, then directed victims to fabricated trading platforms. Funds were moved through multiple intermediary wallets and cross‑chain token swaps, often routed through networks based in Southeast Asia, to obscure the trail【1】. Blockchain analytics firms mapped these flows, enabling investigators to trace the assets back to the laundering pipelines【3】.

## Enforcement context  
The forfeiture follows a broader DOJ crackdown that has recovered **over $800 million** since the Scam Center Strike Force was launched in November 2025【2】. Earlier actions include a June 2025 seizure of $225 million in tokens and a February 2026 confiscation of $61 million in USDT stablecoin linked to similar schemes【1】【3】. International cooperation, such as Interpol’s Operation First Light 2026, has amplified enforcement, resulting in thousands of arrests and the interception of hundreds of millions in illicit assets【1】.

## What to watch  
- **Further forfeiture filings** – additional civil complaints may arise as blockchain analytics continue to uncover linked wallets.  
- **Victim compensation proceedings** – once courts resolve ownership claims, eligible victims could receive restitution, influencing future recovery efforts.  
- **Law enforcement focus on Southeast Asian networks** – continued targeting of pig‑butchering operations may lead to more asset freezes in that region.

The DOJ’s move highlights how crypto’s pseudonymous nature is being leveraged by sophisticated fraud networks, while also demonstrating that federal agencies are increasingly capable of tracing and seizing digital assets. The outcome of these forfeiture cases will shape both victim restitution and the broader regulatory approach to crypto‑enabled financial crime.

## Sources
1. Cointelegraph — [US seeks forfeiture of $25M in crypto tied to romance, investment scams](https://cointelegraph.com/news/doj-25m-crypto-forfeiture-romance-investment-scams)
2. Coinalertnews — [DOJ Seeks Forfeiture of $25 Million in Crypto Tied to Global ...](https://coinalertnews.com/news/2026/07/22/doj-25m-crypto-forfeiture-fraud)
3. Crypto Briefing — [US seeks forfeiture of $25M in crypto linked to international ...](https://cryptobriefing.com/us-seeks-forfeiture-25m-crypto-fraud-schemes/)
4. En — [Crypto Fraud Forfeiture: DOJ Seizes $25M in Global Scams](https://en.cryptonomist.ch/2026/07/22/crypto-fraud-forfeiture-doj/)

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Cite as: TrendWatcher, "DOJ seeks forfeiture of over $25 million in crypto tied to romance", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/2a725f3b-0d80-4ba8-8a03-78b13c5ecc17