The U.S. government has filed a civil forfeiture action to recover $5.3 million linked to a business email compromise (BEC) scheme that defrauded a Massachusetts workers union. However, the U.S. authorities have recovered some of the money from seven domestic accounts connected to the scheme.
On Wednesday, June 5, 2024, the press release obtained from the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts website states that BEC fraud schemes present a serious threat to businesses and individuals nationwide. They cause significant financial and emotional harm to victims by exploiting trusted communication channels they rely upon every day.
“Today’s civil forfeiture action demonstrates that when victims report such misconduct to the authorities, there may be steps we can take to recover stolen funds.”
The Acting U.S. Attorney, Joshua S. Levy, hopes the measure implored by the United States will help restore stability and justice to those impacted by fraud.
Also, in a statement issued in Boston, Levy admonished that “members of the public who believe they are victims of a cybercrime—including cryptocurrency scams, romance scams, investment scams, and business email compromise (BEC) fraud scams—should contact [email protected].”
According to the press release obtained from the United States Attorney, the funds received by the scammers were transferred through a series of intermediary bank accounts to move some funds to cryptocurrency exchange platforms and bank accounts located in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, and Nigeria.
The U.S. government has initiated cooperating with various enforcement agencies and prosecutors to pursue the case legally and recover funds allegedly obtained through fraud.
The statement also highlights the legal process of civil forfeiture, indicating that the government must provide evidence to prove its case before the court can order any forfeiture.
Other parts of the statement read, “Acting U.S. Attorney Levy; Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and Andrew Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service,
