U.S attorney returns over $300k stolen in computer scam

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Connecticut has returned approximately $328,573 to a victim of a computer support scam. The announcement was made by Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England.

Computer support scams involve fraudulent alerts that mimic legitimate customer support notifications on victims' computers. Victims are tricked into contacting scammers who then take control of their computers and steal money through direct transfers or deceitful means.

In February 2024, an elderly woman fell victim to such a scheme that imitated Microsoft customer support. She transferred about $550,000 to scammers via two wire transfers. Within two days, she reported the incident with the help of a family member to the Simsbury Police Department, which collaborated with HSI to investigate the crime. The bank reversed one transfer amounting to $221,000 and returned it to her. HSI traced and seized the remaining funds totaling around $328,573.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a civil asset forfeiture action for these funds before returning them to the victim with assistance from the Department of Justice’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS). MLARS initiated this process on February 4, 2025.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to helping victims of crime," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman. "This case represents the best-case scenario where nearly every dollar taken from the victim was returned."

Krol added: “Cyber scams run by foreign malign actors are becoming more common... It is essential for victims...to come forward as soon as possible.”

Victims of similar scams are advised to contact their banks immediately for reversal requests and report incidents through local law enforcement or file complaints at www.ic3.gov.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Nelson is prosecuting this case.