DOJ Seeks to Recover $200,000 Stolen in Tinder Crypto Pig Butchering Scam

TLDR:

• DOJ filed civil forfeiture to recover 200,000 USDT stolen through Tinder cryptocurrency romance scam
• Massachusetts victim transferred $504,353 to fraudulent platform after meeting scammer on Tinder
• FBI seized cryptocurrency account in June 2025 containing approximately $200,000 in Tether
• Scammer posed as financial advisor named Nino Martin to gain victim trust before fraud began
  

The United States Department of Justice has initiated legal proceedings to reclaim $200,000 stolen through a cryptocurrency fraud scheme on Tinder. The Massachusetts US Attorney’s Office filed a civil forfeiture action targeting funds held in Tether stablecoin. 

The case represents one of several efforts by federal authorities to recover assets from crypto scams affecting Massachusetts residents. 

Investigators traced the stolen funds to a cryptocurrency account that was seized in June 2025.

Victim Falls Prey to Pig Butchering Scheme

The fraud began when a Massachusetts resident matched with someone using the name “Nino Martin” on Tinder. Martin quickly suggested moving their conversation to WhatsApp, where he claimed to be a financial advisor. 

He offered to help the victim earn money through cryptocurrency trading. The victim followed instructions to create an account and transfer funds to what investigators believe was a fraudulent trading platform.

The scam followed a pattern known as pig butchering, where criminals build trust before exploiting victims financially. 

Martin convinced the victim to transfer approximately $504,353 to the suspected fraudulent platform over time. The victim accidentally revealed having $500,000 in their bank account during conversations. 

Representatives from the fraudulent platform later contacted the victim with instructions to bypass security restrictions on legitimate accounts.

The victim’s initial transfers had been flagged as suspicious by their financial institution. However, individuals from the fraudulent platform guided them around these safeguards. 

The victim continued making transfers until finally contacting law enforcement. FBI Special Agent Hannah Wong filed an affidavit supporting the forfeiture request this month.

Federal authorities traced a portion of the stolen funds to a specific cryptocurrency account. Law enforcement seized approximately 200,000 USDT from this account in June 2025. 

The civil forfeiture action allows third parties to assert claims before the property returns to victims.

Federal Action Against Cryptocurrency Fraud

Using wire communications for fraud schemes violates federal law. Conducting financial transactions to conceal criminal proceeds also constitutes a federal offense. 

The US Attorney’s Office has filed multiple civil forfeiture actions involving cryptocurrency traced to fraud schemes. These cases target scams affecting Massachusetts residents specifically.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the action alongside Ted E. Docks from the FBI Boston Field Office. 

Assistant US Attorney Matthew M. Lyons from the Asset Recovery Unit handles the civil forfeiture prosecution. Authorities encourage potential cybercrime victims to report incidents to [email protected].

Pig butchering scams typically involve perpetrators located overseas, making prosecution challenging. These criminals establish emotional connections through friendship or romantic relationships before introducing investment opportunities. 

Many victims realize the fraud only after making multiple payments. The schemes cause both financial losses and emotional harm to victims.

The civil forfeiture complaint contains allegations that remain unproven in court. Defendants maintain presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. 

Federal authorities continue investigating cryptocurrency fraud schemes targeting American consumers through various online platforms.

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