Ledger phishing make U.S. prosecutors kon confiscate over $600K USDT

U.S. Attorney Office wey dey District of Connecticut don forfeit over $600,000 worth of Tether (USDT) wey connect to one Ledger phishing scheme. Prosecutors talk say one victim wey dem identify as T.M. receive one unsolicited letter for September 2025 wey look like e come from “Ledger Security and Compliance” and the letter tell am make e do one “mandatory security review.” Dem use the Ledger phishing instructions to steal the wallet recovery seed phrase, and the scammers con take control of the money. Investigators use blockchain analytics to trace transfers through intermediary wallets and dem report say the stolen assets convert to USDT to hide the trail. On-chain records help identify USDT balance wey pass $600,000. Dem file civil forfeiture complaint for January 2026, and one forfeiture decree dated March 31, 2026 transfer the seized USDT to the U.S. government. Officials talk say the suspects dey overseas, and civil forfeiture fit continue without identifying or charging defendants. Prosecutors say DOJ asset management process go return the recovered USDT to the victim. Ledger come repeat say dem no dey send unsolicited messages wey dey ask for seed phrases or security verification, and dem stress how regulators dey use on-chain tracing more to recover crypto fraud proceeds.