The U.S. Department of Justice has recovered $7 million in stolen money from a cryptocurrency scam and is urging victims to apply for payment.

Odaily Planet Daily News The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on March 21 that $7 million in proceeds from a cryptocurrency investment fraud scheme had been recovered, and now has begun inviting victims to submit petitions to repatriate the funds. Authorities said: "These fraudulent websites imitate legitimate cryptocurrency investment platforms, but remit victims' funds to perpetrators through more than 75 bank accounts opened in the name of shell companies." Victims were misled into believing that the value of their investments was increasing, but in fact, the proceeds were fabricated. After laundering the money through a complex series of domestic and international transactions, the criminals eventually transferred the funds overseas. In June 2023, the U.S. Secret Service seized funds from a foreign bank account, prompting the Department of Justice to file a civil forfeiture lawsuit. After the foreign bank filed a claim, the two parties reached a settlement, resulting in $7 million being confiscated and returned to the United States. (News.bitcoin)