The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia has announced the forfeiture, liquidation, and return of about $84,327.50 to a victim who lost funds in a cryptocurrency theft. The action was taken through a civil asset forfeiture process.
Margaret E. Heap, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, stated, “The Asset Forfeiture Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in coordination with the FBI and the Department of Justice’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, worked diligently to locate, seize, and forfeit these funds, and thereafter, return money to the victim. This case demonstrates my office’s commitment to helping victims of crime. By using civil asset forfeiture, we can expeditiously recover as much stolen money as possible and return this money to victims. Although it can be difficult to come forward and admit that you were a victim of a crime, we stand ready to help you to the fullest extent possible. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will work with the victims in these cases and with the Department of Justice’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section to properly return forfeited assets to eligible victims. If you think you have been a victim of a cybercrime, file a detailed complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.”
According to court documents from October 2024, a resident in Richmond Hill, Georgia discovered unauthorized transactions involving their cryptocurrency account that led to roughly $124,000 being stolen. After reporting the theft both locally and to federal authorities, an investigation by the FBI traced most of the stolen digital assets. The investigation revealed connections overseas including Cambodia. With assistance from the Asset Forfeiture Unit, agents seized the identified cryptocurrency.
Earlier this year in Savannah federal court, authorities completed civil forfeiture proceedings for these assets. The FBI worked closely with the victim throughout both investigative and legal stages.
Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta said: “The FBI is committed to pursuing justice for victims of cybercrime, no matter where the trail leads. In this case, our agents used advanced investigative techniques to trace stolen cryptocurrency across international borders and recover funds that otherwise might have been lost forever. We’ll continue working alongside our partners to identify cybercriminals, seize their illegal gains, and restore assets to those they’ve harmed.”
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), managed by the FBI at www.ic3.gov , remains available as a resource for individuals seeking information or wishing to report incidents related to cyber fraud.
Senior Litigation Counsel J. Bishop Ravenel represented the United States in this matter.
