US authorities recover $327,000 USDT stolen in romance fraud: new challenges for crypto security
03.03.2026
U.S. authorities are taking active steps to recover 327,000 USDT stolen from a fraudulent scheme linked to a romance hoax, underscoring the ongoing threats in cryptocurrency transactions. According to law enforcement, the victim of the scheme met the scammer through a popular dating app. After gaining trust, the attacker convinced the victim to invest in a supposedly lucrative cryptocurrency project. As a result, the victim transferred a significant amount in USDT stablecoin to an address controlled by the scammers. During the investigation, cybersecurity specialists together with cryptocurrency analysts tracked the movement of funds and initiated the process of freezing them on the exchange. Work is now underway to return the funds to the rightful owner. Authorities emphasize that over the past 12 months, the number of such cases has increased by more than 20%, and the total damage from cryptocurrency fraud in the U.S. exceeded $2 billion. Experts note that fraudsters are increasingly using social engineering and psychological pressure to draw victims into criminal schemes. Authorities recommend users to be especially careful when investing in digital assets, do not trust unfamiliar individuals and always check the legality of investment offers. This case emphasizes the importance of awareness and caution when dealing with cryptocurrencies, as well as the need to improve user protection mechanisms and interaction with law enforcement agencies.