Attorney General James Uthmeier returns $229,000 to victims of cryptocurrency scams in statewide recovery effort

Tallahassee, Florida – Attorney General James Uthmeier has announced the return of more than $229,000 to victims of cryptocurrency-related scams, marking a recent effort by Florida’s Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit (CFEU) to recover stolen digital assets and provide restitution to residents who were defrauded in increasingly sophisticated online schemes.

According to officials, the Office of Statewide Prosecution’s Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit successfully recovered and returned a total of $229,096 in cryptocurrency forfeitures over the past week. The cases involved victims across multiple counties, with scams ranging from fake investment platforms to impersonation schemes and online romance fraud.

“Cyber criminals are often targeting our most vulnerable populations, including seniors,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “My Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit is setting the standard for cryptocurrency fraud recovery nationwide. We continue to partner with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to maximize all available resources, recover stolen funds, and return as much as possible to the victims.”

Officials say the recovered funds represent only a portion of what victims originally lost, but the returns highlight the growing capability of law enforcement to trace and recover assets in blockchain-based financial crimes. Each case involved complex digital tracking, coordination between agencies, and legal processes to secure restitution.

One of the largest recoveries came from Sarasota County, where a 69-year-old man was defrauded in a cryptocurrency investment scam. The investigation began in October 2025 after the victim reported the crime to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.

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According to the report, the victim was contacted by phone by a scammer posing as a professional cryptocurrency investment advisor. Over time, the scammer built trust and convinced him to invest heavily in a fraudulent platform. The victim transferred more than $970,000 into what appeared to be a legitimate investment app, which falsely displayed gains exceeding $3.2 million.

Trouble began when the victim attempted to withdraw funds and was told he needed to invest an additional $325,000 to access his account. At that point, he realized something was wrong and contacted law enforcement. Through coordinated efforts, CFEU recovered and returned $139,400 to him.

A separate case in St. Johns County involved a 77-year-old woman who was targeted in a scam beginning in July 2025. Investigators say the victim was contacted by individuals impersonating PayPal representatives, who warned her that her bank account had been compromised.

The scammers instructed her to transfer her funds into Bitcoin for “security,” leading her to complete 17 separate transactions over four months. In total, she sent approximately $165,000 through what were described as “Bitcoin machines.” When communication with the scammers abruptly ended and the phone number was disconnected, she reported the incident to authorities.

CFEU investigators were able to trace and recover part of the stolen funds, ultimately returning $17,376 to the victim.

Another St. Johns County case involved a more prolonged deception. Beginning in December 2024, a woman reported that she had met a scammer on the dating app “Coffee Meets Bagel.” Their communication quickly moved to WhatsApp, where the scammer falsely claimed to be employed at Goldman Sachs and presented himself as a knowledgeable investment advisor.

At first, the victim invested a small amount—around $1,000—into what appeared to be a legitimate cryptocurrency platform. Over time, she was pressured into taking out loans and borrowing money from family members to increase her investments. The fraudulent platform showed fake profits, convincing her that her account had grown significantly.

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However, when she attempted to withdraw funds, she was told she needed to pay nearly $59,000 in taxes before any money could be released. That demand raised concerns, and after discussing the situation with family members and conducting her own research, she realized she had been defrauded. She ultimately lost more than $108,000. Through investigation and recovery efforts, CFEU returned $45,156 to her.

A fourth case in Marion County involved a 77-year-old man who was targeted through Facebook. Investigators say the victim began communicating with a female scammer, and their conversation eventually moved to WhatsApp, where the fraudulent scheme developed over the course of a year.

The scammer convinced him to invest more than $160,000 into a fake cryptocurrency platform that displayed fabricated returns. When he later attempted to withdraw his funds, he was told he would need to pay additional fees. That request triggered suspicion, and the victim reported the case to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Using blockchain tracing techniques, investigators were able to identify and recover portions of the stolen funds. The Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit then worked through legal channels to return $27,162 to the victim.

Officials say these cases reflect a broader trend of increasingly complex cryptocurrency scams, often involving emotional manipulation, impersonation, and fake investment platforms designed to look legitimate. Victims are frequently contacted through phone calls, social media platforms, or dating apps, and are gradually drawn into financial schemes that can last months.

Law enforcement agencies emphasize that recovery is possible but challenging, especially as scammers move funds quickly across digital wallets. The ability to trace blockchain transactions, however, has become a key tool in rebuilding some financial losses.
The Attorney General’s office says it remains focused on strengthening partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies to improve detection, enforcement, and recovery efforts. While not all stolen funds can be retrieved, officials stress that each successful case represents a step forward in combating cyber-enabled financial crime and supporting victims across Florida.