Federal prosecutors filed a civil forfeiture complaint seeking about $1.2 million in digital currency tied to an online investment fraud that used a "wrong number" social engineering text. The Western District of Missouri action aims to disrupt money laundering, preserve assets for restitution, and identify fraud-controlled wallets linked to fake platforms TMGM and NEEX.

On December 19, 2025 the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri filed a civil forfeiture complaint against roughly $1.2 million in cryptocurrency seized in connection with an online investment fraud and alleged money laundering. According to the complaint, perpetrators used a "wrong number" text message to initiate contact, develop rapport through social engineering, and steer victims toward fraudulent trading platforms identified as TMGM and NEEX. Victims allegedly were persuaded to purchase cryptocurrency and transfer funds to wallets controlled by the fraud ring, after which funds were layered through additional addresses. The forfeiture filing seeks preservation of the seized digital assets to prevent dissipation and to enable eventual restitution to victims. Prosecutors said the filing is part of broader investigative work to dismantle the laundering infrastructure and to identify co-conspirators, service providers, and intermediary wallets. The complaint signals persistent use of evolving social-engineering techniques to move funds and the continuing importance of civil forfeiture in disrupting financial flows tied to online investment fraud.