A federal forfeiture order finalized seizure of approximately 1.96 BTC and 60,139 USDT—over $200,000—linked to an "emergency" cryptocurrency scam that targeted elderly victims. The Middle District of Louisiana said the order enables the Justice Department to begin returning funds to multiple victims and highlights interagency cooperation to recover ill-gotten crypto.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana announced on December 18, 2025 that a federal forfeiture order was finalized for digital assets connected to an "emergency" confidence fraud preying on elderly victims. Authorities seized roughly 1.96 bitcoin and about 60,139 USDT, assets the office valued at more than $200,000. Investigators allege the scheme used social engineering that manufactured urgent scenarios and directed victims to transfer funds into a foreign exchange wallet controlled by fraudsters. The forfeiture ruling clears the legal pathway for the Department of Justice to begin returning recovered cryptocurrency to multiple identified victims and to freeze assets tied to conspirators. Officials emphasized sustained collaboration among federal prosecutors, financial investigators, law enforcement partners, and virtual asset firms to trace transactions, identify beneficiary wallets, and repatriate funds. The release underscores heightened attention to scams targeting older adults and the role of coordinated forfeiture and restitution actions in mitigating financial harm and deterring similar campaigns.