$400M cold wallet seized by US Secret Service in scam probe

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• The US Secret Service seized nearly $400 million in crypto held in one cold wallet from scam cases.
• Investigators used blockchain analysis and VPN slip-ups to trace scammers and recover stolen funds.

What happened: Major crypto seizure

Over the past decade, the US Secret Service’s Global Investigative Operations Center (GIOC) has seized nearly $400 million worth of digital assets, storing much of it in a single cold wallet. The seizures stem from numerous investigations into online scams such as romance‑investment fraud and sextortion. In a recent case, investigators traced $4.1 million linked to a Nigerian passport through VPN slip‑ups and payment trails.

Jamie Lam, an analyst at GIOC, revealed that scammers often lure victims using attractive photos and fake crypto platforms promising early profits before disappearing with deposits. Lam described how tracing domain records and identifying brief VPN leaks helped reveal the fraudsters’ identities.

Kali Smith, who leads the Secret Service’s crypto team, has been working with law enforcement in over 60 countries to expose online financial crime. The agency also partners with major crypto firms such as Coinbase and Tether to analyze transactions and freeze illicit wallets.

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Why it’s important

The Secret Service’s success in tracing and seizing $400 million in crypto highlights the growing role of blockchain forensics and international cooperation in combating financial crime. As digital currencies gain mainstream use, sophisticated investigative tools become essential to deter fraud. The involvement of major crypto players like Coinbase and Tether underscores the importance of public‑private partnerships in securing the ecosystem.

From a regulatory perspective, the seizures send a strong signal: despite crypto’s decentralized nature, law enforcement can still trace illicit flows and hold criminals accountable. This may push for stronger global standards and compel jurisdictions to oversee crypto platforms more closely, especially in regions with lax regulation or residency programs.

For users, it’s a reminder that crypto platforms and wallets—cold or hot—are not immune to seizure if linked to criminal activity. It also emphasizes the need for personal vigilance against scams and the importance of education. The agency’s global training efforts led by industry experts like Kali Smith help law enforcement and users become more aware of risks and prevention strategies.