Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
U.S. authorities reportedly recovered about $2.3 million in cryptocurrency from two Binance accounts as part of a civil forfeiture action tied to a pig-butchering investigation. The investigation began with a Massachusetts resident who reported losing $400,000 to an investment scam, then expanded to funds linked to 36 additional people, according to BleepingComputer’s March 15, 2024 report.
What happened in the reported forfeiture action?
BleepingComputer reported that cryptocurrency in two Binance accounts was recovered in January 2024 through a civil forfeiture action. The case reportedly started after a Massachusetts resident lost $400,000 in a 2023 investment scam. Further investigation connected funds to 36 other people affected by schemes attributed to the same threat actor, bringing the reported victim count to at least 37.
The report describes a law-enforcement effort to recover assets associated with alleged fraud. It does not establish that Binance operated the fake investment platform or committed the underlying fraud. The exact complaint, case number, filing venue, allegations, and subsequent procedural outcome are not established in the available report.
How does a pig-butchering scam work?
Pig butchering is a trust-building investment scam. A fraudster typically makes contact through social media or messaging, builds a relationship, and then steers the target toward a fake investment website or app. The platform displays fictitious gains to persuade the victim to deposit more money. The supposed investment is not genuine; the funds are taken by the scammers.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
- Proven security at scale: Over 9 years and millions of cards issued with no known remote hacks, while military‑grade EAL6+ security keeps your private keys locked inside the chip. Your cryptocurrencies stay strongly protected from online attackers.
- Tap once to manage your entire crypto wallet across 90 blockchains - no USB cables or Bluetooth, no batteries, no setup. Access 14,100+ coins & tokens, DeFi, NFTs, and staking instantly from your phone
- Smart backup: Use your second Tangem Wallet as your Backup keys with end‑to‑end encryption; no more papers, pictures. If one card is lost, the remaining can still restore full access, with an optional seed phrase available for advanced users.
- Engineered to last up to 25 years: Waterproof (IP69K), shockproof and tested for extreme temperatures from −25°C to 50°C. A durable cold wallet with long‑term protection and independently audited security.
- Trusted by 6 million users worldwide - buy, sell, swap, stake, and spend cryptocurrency directly. The secure offline storage wallet designed for how people actually use crypto wallets
The apparent account balance or profits on a fake platform do not demonstrate that real assets exist or can be withdrawn. A request to pay additional fees to unlock a withdrawal, or to hire a separate service to recover the money, should be treated with caution.
Which cryptocurrencies were reportedly recovered?
BleepingComputer listed the following assets as recovered in January 2024. The outlet gave a combined estimate of approximately $2.3 million, but did not specify its valuation method or the date used to price the assets. That figure is the report’s approximate valuation, not a current market value.
Rank #2
- Proven security at scale: Over 9 years and millions of cards issued with no known remote hacks, while military‑grade EAL6+ security keeps your private keys locked inside the chip. Your cryptocurrencies stay strongly protected from online attackers.
- Tap once to manage your entire crypto wallet across 90 blockchains - no USB cables or Bluetooth, no batteries, no setup. Access 14,100+ coins & tokens, DeFi, NFTs, and staking instantly from your phone
- Smart backup: Use your second Tangem Wallet as your Backup keys with end‑to‑end encryption; no more papers, pictures. If one card is lost, the remaining can still restore full access, with an optional seed phrase available for advanced users.
- Engineered to last up to 25 years: Waterproof (IP69K), shockproof and tested for extreme temperatures from −25°C to 50°C. A durable cold wallet with long‑term protection and independently audited security.
- Trusted by 6 million users worldwide (4.9 App Store, 4.8 Google Play) - buy, sell, swap, stake, and spend cryptocurrency directly. The secure offline storage wallet designed for how people actually use crypto wallets
| Asset | Amount reported |
|---|---|
| USDC | 299,457 |
| USDT | 1,455,305 |
| TRX | 102,278 |
| SOL | 3,032 |
| BNB | 67 |
| ADA | 13,703 |
| ETH | 0.5 |
How much did victims reportedly lose?
The Massachusetts resident’s reported loss was $400,000. BleepingComputer also reported average losses above $62,000 per victim. These are figures attributed to that report, not independently verified totals; the article does not say that all reported victim losses were recovered. The approximately $2.3 million figure refers to the reported value of seized cryptocurrency, not necessarily compensation distributed to victims.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should someone do after encountering this kind of scam?
- Stop sending money. Do not pay additional charges presented as withdrawal taxes, release fees, or recovery-service costs.
- Verify independently. Check an investment platform through trustworthy, independent sources rather than links, contact details, or assurances supplied by someone who approached you.
- Preserve records. Keep messages, transaction details, wallet addresses, platform URLs, and payment receipts in case you report the incident to the relevant authorities or seek professional advice.
BleepingComputer’s report recommends independently verifying investment platforms and avoiding further payments for purported withdrawals or recovery. Those are general anti-scam precautions, not legal guidance or a guarantee that funds can be recovered.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- EAL5+ CERTIFIED SECURE ELEMENT + FINGERPRINT PROTECTION — Your private keys stay encrypted offline on a certified EAL5+ chip, the same security tier used in EMV bank cards. Built by DCENT, securing crypto since 2018. Fingerprint authentication adds a second layer no PIN-only wallet can match.
- 10,000+ ASSETS NATIVE ON 100+ BLOCKCHAINS — Hold Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, Cardano, popular stablecoins (USDT, USDC), and NFTs in one wallet. No third-party apps, no fragmented setup — every supported asset works straight out of the box.
- TAP-TO-SIGN MOBILE EXPERIENCE — Pair your wallet with the DCENT mobile app over Bluetooth. Manage tokens, review transactions, and access in-app swap features directly from your phone — no cables, no desktop required.
- WEB3 & dAPP ACCESS VIA METAMASK — Connect to MetaMask and other browser extension wallets to manage NFTs, claim airdrops, and access dApps. A large screen and intuitive 4-button interface keep every transaction clearly visible before you sign.
- SEAMLESS FIRMWARE UPDATES & 30-DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE — Apply security updates without resetting your wallet or migrating funds. Backed by Amazon's 30-day money-back guarantee — your purchase is risk-free.
Rank #4
- Unparalleled Security: Protect your assets with EAL 6+ Secure Element, offering robust defense and complete transparency
- Simple & Secure Interface: Manage your digital assets easily with a clear OLED screen for secure on-device confirmations
- Supports 1000s of Coins & Tokens: Securely handle thousands of assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more, all in one wallet
- Effortless Asset Management: Monitor and transact seamlessly with Trezor Suite, our intuitive desktop and mobile app
- Enhanced Backup Solution: Multi-share Backup eliminates single points of failure for secure cold wallet recovery
Rank #3
- 100% Offline Crypto Wallet with Air-Gapped Tech: The ELLIPAL Titan 2.0 features fully air-gapped technology, making it a 100% offline crypto wallet that is completely isolated from the internet. With absolutely no WiFi, no Bluetooth, and no network cables, it ensures your private keys always remain safe and sound. You can create and recover your accounts entirely offline, signing transactions securely via simple QR code scans. Since this ultra-secure cold wallet never connects to any network, your cryptocurrency will never suffer from any network-level cyberattacks.
- Clear Signing Transparency with Your Hardware Wallet: Take absolute control of your funds with a massive 4-inch Touchscreen. The ELLIPAL Titan 2.0 lays out every single transaction in plain, readable words: exactly who you are paying, how much you are sending, and what smart contracts you are authorizing. It double-checks every detail between your phone and the crypto hardware wallet before anything is signed. This completely eliminates blind signing, giving you absolute peace of mind with your trusted hardware wallet.
- Multi-Asset Crypto Cold Wallet: Manage all your portfolio effortlessly within a single crypto cold wallet. Pair the Titan 2.0 with the intuitive ELLIPAL App to buy, sell, swap, send, and earn rewards across 45+ coins and more than 10,000 tokens all on one platform. It is a seamless and convenient crypto wallet for your digital asset management.
- 8 Years of Zero Breaches & Trusted Secure Crypto Wallet: Invest in a highly recommended, secure crypto wallet backed by an unblemished 8-year track record of zero security breaches. Proudly Forbes Recommended and trusted by over 1 million users across more than 140 countries, this robust cold storage wallet provides enterprise-grade physical and digital security, ensuring your life savings are perfectly protected against evolving Web3 threats and physical tampering.
- Up to 5 Accounts in One Cold Storage Hardware Wallet: Maximize your storage efficiency with a versatile cold storage hardware wallet that supports up to 5 completely separate accounts on a single device. You can perfectly isolate and organize your daily spending, long-term savings, active trading, and even family funds without the need for multiple devices. It is the ultimate companion for your long-term crypto journey.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
