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U.S. Authorities Seize $61 Million in Tether Linked to Crypto Scams

U.S. Authorities Seize $61 Million in Tether Linked to Crypto Scams

Federal prosecutors in North Carolina seized over $61 million in Tether from wallets tied to a romance-based investment fraud, highlighting a major crackdown on illicit digital asset operations.

USDT

Fact Check
An official press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina clearly confirms that U.S. authorities seized $61 million worth of Tether cryptocurrency linked to scams. This is a direct primary source from a highly authoritative entity — the U.S. Department of Justice — and provides specific details about the seizure, establishing both the amount and the connection to fraudulent activities. Multiple independent and secondary sources, including reputable industry news outlets, report the same event and corroborate the official statement without contradiction. These secondary reports consistently cite the DOJ’s announcement and align on the key facts: the amount seized ($61 million), the asset (Tether/USDT), and the link to crypto scams. There is no conflicting evidence or credible refutation in the gathered sources, and given the clear, official announcement and supporting consistent reporting, the statement has a very high likelihood of being true.
Summary

Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of North Carolina reported the seizure of more than $61 million in Tether (USDT) connected to a large-scale romance-style investment fraud known as a pig butchering scam. Homeland Security Investigations traced victim funds to wallets used for laundering and froze accounts holding illicit balances. The scheme involved building false romantic relationships to lure victims into fraudulent crypto platforms. This action is part of the DOJ’s ongoing efforts to dismantle major cryptocurrency fraud and money laundering networks.

Terms & Concepts
  • Tether (USDT): A stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar, widely used for digital transactions and cross-border payments.
  • Pig Butchering Scam: A deceptive scheme where fraudsters build trust with victims before luring them into fake crypto investments.