Federal prosecutors in Boston have initiated a civil forfeiture action aimed at recovering a staggering $327,829 in Tether (USDT) after a Massachusetts resident was ensnared in a deceptive romance scam via a dating app.
The US Attorney’s Office for Massachusetts filed the forfeiture complaint on Monday, spotlighting a case that exemplifies the growing intersection of cryptocurrency and online scams. The alleged fraud, which dates back to early 2024, involved a perpetrator masquerading as one “Linda Brown,” who approached the victim through an online dating platform.
What unfolded over several weeks was a familiar pattern: after building what seemed like a genuine relationship, the scammer introduced a pseudo investment opportunity in cryptocurrency. The unsuspecting victim, enticed by prospects of high returns, sent money believing they were making a smart financial decision. However, the reality of the situation quickly became apparent when attempts to withdraw the so-called investment resulted in nothing but disappointment.
“Under the guise of legitimately investing the victim’s money, Brown instead tricked the victim into sending funds to wallets controlled by Brown and/or their co-conspirators,” noted the attorney’s office in a statement.
In a meticulous investigation, authorities tracked the flow of the stolen funds through a labyrinth of cryptocurrency wallets. Ultimately, these funds were converted into USDT and were part of a series of laundering transactions that raised some serious red flags.
The Justice Department has indicated that portions of the victim’s ill-gotten funds were linked to multiple unhosted cryptocurrency wallets, which were subsequently seized in August 2025, emphasizing the seriousness with which these crimes are treated.
Romance Scams and Crypto Fraud on the Rise
This troubling case is not an isolated incident but rather part of a disturbing trend of romance-related cryptocurrency frauds. Leading up to Valentine’s Day this year, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Ohio issued a foreboding warning entitled “Cupid Doesn’t Ask for Crypto,” cautioning individuals about the tactics used by scammers.
Criminals are increasingly leveraging social media and messaging apps to foster relationships, subsequently pivoting to solicit funds from their victims. These schemes have gained notoriety in the community, often referred to as “pig butchering” scams, where victims are led to believe they are making legitimate investments.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, losses from romance scams exceeded $1 billion in the past year alone, with the FBI identifying cryptocurrency-linked investment fraud as the largest category of financial losses from such scams.
Tether’s Role in the Fight Against Illicit Activity
Tether, a primary player in the stablecoin market, plays a crucial role when it comes to curtailing fraud in the crypto space. The company possesses the capability to freeze its stablecoin by blacklisting certain wallet addresses, a tool it has employed at the request of law enforcement in various cases.
For instance, in February, Tether froze approximately $544 million suspected to be associated with illegal betting and money laundering at the behest of Turkish authorities. Since 2023, the company has reportedly frozen around $4.2 billion worth of USDT linked to suspected criminal activities.
The civil forfeiture action asserts that all cryptocurrency associated with the seized wallets constitutes property involved in money laundering, highlighting the ongoing battle to protect individuals from falling prey to such scams.
As cases like these unfold, they serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist in the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrency and the importance of vigilance in financial dealings online.
