US prosecutors have applied to forfeit $327,000 in USDT in connection with a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam.

The U.S. Attorney in Massachusetts has filed a civil forfeiture lawsuit seeking to recover 327,829,720,952 USDT (approximately $327,000), allegedly linked to a cryptocurrency scam perpetrated through a dating app. Prosecutors stated that the investigation began in the fall of 2024 when authorities discovered a Massachusetts resident suspected of involvement in a "dating scam." The suspect, using the name "Linda Brown," established a relationship with the victim for several weeks before claiming a cryptocurrency investment opportunity and inducing the victim to transfer funds. Prosecutors allege that the suspect used the guise of a "legitimate investment" to trick the victim into transferring funds to wallet addresses controlled by the suspect or accomplices. The victim only realized the investment was a scam after failing to withdraw the funds. Law enforcement indicated that the stolen funds were transferred through multiple cryptocurrency wallets, subsequently converted to USDT, and ultimately used for money laundering. This case comes as U.S. regulators are increasing their warnings about "dating scams involving cryptocurrency." Previously, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Ohio issued a warning before Valentine's Day titled "Cupid Doesn't Ask for Crypto," alerting the public to be wary of romance investment scams perpetrated through social media and instant messaging platforms.