DOJ Freezes Over $3.8M in Crypto Fraud, Arrests 63 in Global Operation

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has completed an operation called 'Disruption Week' in collaboration with nine private companies, including Apple, Coinbase, Google, Meta, and Microsoft. The goal was to disrupt cryptocurrency fraud networks, resulting in the freezing of over $3.8 million in assets tied to these operations.

Coinbase accounted for most of the frozen funds, locking more than $3 million in assets. The operation also led to 63 arrests, with authorities from multiple countries participating. Thai authorities made the first arrests, detaining seven people during the operation.

The campaign extended beyond US borders, with police agencies from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Thailand, and the UK joining forces for the first time in a coordinated effort to combat cryptocurrency fraud. The FBI's Director Kash Patel highlighted the importance of partnerships in combating illicit actors.