The U.S. Department of Justice has recovered $7 million in stolen funds from a cryptocurrency fraud case and is now urging victims to claim the money

ChainCatcher news, according to News.bitcoin, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on March 21 that $7 million in proceeds from a cryptocurrency investment fraud scheme has been recovered, and victims are now being invited to submit petitions to have the funds returned.

Authorities stated: "These fraudulent websites mimic legitimate cryptocurrency investment platforms, but they funneled victims' funds to the perpetrators through more than 75 bank accounts opened in the names of shell companies." Victims were misled into believing that the value of their investments was increasing, but in reality, the profits were fabricated.

After laundering the funds through a series of complex domestic and international transactions, the criminals ultimately transferred the money overseas. In June 2023, the U.S. Secret Service seized funds from a foreign bank account, prompting the DOJ to file a civil forfeiture lawsuit.

After a claim was made by the foreign bank, both parties reached a settlement, resulting in the $7 million being forfeited to the United States.