The United States Attorney’s Office announced a significant legal development involving the forfeiture of over $5 million linked to a business email compromise (BEC) scheme. The court-ordered default judgment and final order of forfeiture was issued today, marking the conclusion of a civil forfeiture complaint initiated by the United States in June 2024.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley emphasized the gravity of financial fraud schemes: "This case underscores the sophisticated and global nature of financial fraud schemes that prey on organizations and their hard-earned resources." She added, "Thanks to the diligent efforts of our law enforcement partners, we have successfully traced and recovered millions of dollars stolen through deception. This forfeiture serves as a stark warning: We will relentlessly pursue stolen funds – no matter where cybercriminals operate."
According to allegations in the complaint, a workers union based in Dorchester, Massachusetts, fell victim to a scam in January 2023. The union was defrauded out of $6.4 million after receiving an email that appeared to be from its investment manager. The misleading communication prompted the union to transfer funds to an incorrect bank account.
Following this transfer, the illicitly obtained money moved through various intermediary accounts. Portions were directed or attempted to be sent to a cryptocurrency exchange and several bank accounts across Hong Kong, China, Singapore, and Nigeria. Investigators managed to trace parts of these proceeds back to seven domestic bank accounts, leading to their seizure.
Key figures involved in announcing this legal action include United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Deputy Assistant Attorney General Josh Goldfoot from the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and William Mancino, Special Agent in Charge at the United States Secret Service's Criminal Investigative Division in Washington Field Office. The prosecution team for this civil forfeiture action comprised Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Lyons from the Asset Recovery Unit along with Trial Attorneys Jasmin Salehi Fashami and Adrienne Rosen from the Justice Department’s Money Laundering & Asset Recovery Section.
