U.S. authorities are seeking the forfeiture of more than $25 million in cryptocurrency allegedly connected to international romance, investment and recovery scams that targeted victims in Canada and the United States.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed five civil forfeiture complaints following separate investigations by the U.S. Secret Service’s Cyber Fraud Task Force. Investigators allege that thousands of victims were directed to fraudulent digital asset platforms before their funds were transferred through networks of cryptocurrency wallets.

The largest complaint involves approximately $12.1 million allegedly connected to romance scams affecting more than 200 victims. A second complaint seeks $10.4 million traced to more than 270 suspected victim transactions, while the remaining cases involve fake investment accounts and schemes that promised to recover money previously lost to fraud.

Authorities said the alleged laundering networks were primarily based in Southeast Asia, with related internet activity traced to China, Malaysia and Cambodia. Investigators allege that stolen funds were commingled with other victim payments and moved through intermediary wallet addresses to conceal their origins.

The forfeiture complaints are civil proceedings and do not establish criminal liability. The allegations have not been proven in court.

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Originally published on Canadian Fraud News.