WASHINGTON — The U.S. Secret Service has recovered more than $25 million in cryptocurrency from five separate investigations into international fraud schemes, the agency said. The seizures, which span cases involving thousands of victims worldwide, mark one of the larger crypto clawbacks by federal law enforcement this year.
Five probes, one common thread
Each investigation targeted a complex laundering network operating across multiple countries. The scammers used overseas exchanges and mixing services to move stolen funds, making them hard to trace. The Secret Service's Office of Investigations led the probes, working with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. The agency didn't disclose the names of the exchanges or countries involved.
How the money moved
Investigators traced the flow of stolen crypto through a web of transactions. The Secret Service has been building out its forensic capabilities in recent years, and this recovery shows those tools in action. The $25 million figure represents funds recovered from five distinct operations — not a single haul. Authorities are still tracking additional assets tied to the same schemes.
The forfeiture fight
Now the government is pursuing forfeiture of the seized cryptocurrency. That legal process can take months, especially when assets sit in foreign jurisdictions. The Secret Service didn't say whether any arrests have been made or if charges are pending. For the thousands of victims, the path to restitution remains unclear.
Ongoing investigations
The probes are still active. Agents continue to trace funds and identify the individuals behind the frauds. The recoveries come as law enforcement agencies worldwide step up efforts to combat crypto-enabled crime. The Secret Service didn't provide a timeline for when victims might see their money returned.
