TL;DR: Federal and state authorities announced four crypto scam recoveries during 2025: $1,971,399.80 ordered returned to one victim (August 25), nearly $1.7 million for two victims (December 5), $84,327.50 returned in Georgia (November 24) and more than $26,000 recovered by the Maine Attorney General (June 26). Each began with a fake investment, a stolen wallet or a fraudulent donation link.

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$1.97 million, Virginia (announced August 25, 2025)

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia said the scammers contacted the victim by unsolicited text message, built rapport, then steered the victim to a fake crypto investment site that showed false gains and blocked withdrawals. When the victim tried to withdraw, the scammers demanded more payments for supposed taxes on the 'profits'. The FBI and the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office seized about $2 million from three wallets in December 2024, and after civil forfeiture proceedings the court ordered $1,971,399.80 returned to the victim.

Nearly $1.7 million, two victims (announced December 5, 2025)

A second Eastern District of Virginia case followed the same pattern: texts and social media posts that looked accidental, a fake platform, and demands for 'taxes and fees'. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia said the U.S. Secret Service seized the assets from three wallets, nearly $1.7 million in all, and is processing returns to the two victims.

$84,327.50, Georgia (announced November 24, 2025)

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Georgia said a Richmond Hill resident had about $124,000 stolen in October 2024 through unauthorised cryptocurrency transactions. The FBI traced the funds across borders and identified overseas actors in Cambodia. The assets were forfeited in federal court and, after liquidation, $84,327.50 in net proceeds went back to the victim.

More than $26,000, Maine (announced June 26, 2025)

The Office of the Maine Attorney General reported that a woman clicked a fraudulent donation link on social media, supposedly raising money for a friend's lung transplant, and tens of thousands of dollars left her bank account. Maine law enforcement, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and the Wisconsin Department of Justice traced the money to an online crypto trading site, and over $26,000 was returned through Wisconsin's courts.

What to take from these cases

Recovery depends on tracing and seizing funds quickly, and the amount returned can be less than the loss. Read realistic expectations for crypto scam recovery first, and compare with the larger Maine case in the Maine crypto scam recovery. To report, use the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Related background: crypto scam statistics for 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much was recovered in the Virginia crypto scam case?

$1,971,399.80 was ordered returned to the victim after the FBI and the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office seized about $2 million from three wallets in December 2024.

How did the Georgia victim get money back?

The FBI traced stolen cryptocurrency, a civil forfeiture was completed in federal court, and net proceeds of $84,327.50 were returned to the victim.

How did the Maine woman lose her money?

She clicked a fraudulent donation link on social media that claimed to raise money for a friend's lung transplant.

Does civil asset forfeiture mean victims get everything back?

Not always. Only funds that investigators trace and seize can be returned, and the amount can be less than the original loss, as in the Georgia case.

Sources

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