The U.S. Secret Service has seized nearly $400 million in cryptocurrency over the past decade, creating one of the largest cold wallets for digital assets globally. This significant accumulation stems from various investigations into scams that exploit unsuspecting victims through fake investment platforms. Jamie Lam, an investigative analyst with the agency, explained that scammers often lure individuals by showcasing attractive profiles, which are usually misleading.

The Secret Service employs advanced techniques such as blockchain analysis and tracking domain records to identify fraudsters. In some cases, a brief lapse in a scammer's VPN allowed investigators to trace their digital footprints back to them. Kali Smith leads the agency's crypto strategy and has trained officials in over 60 countries on how to combat online financial crimes.

Crypto-related scams have become a major issue in the United States, with Americans reporting losses of $9.3 billion due to such frauds in 2024 alone. The first half of 2025 saw additional losses exceeding $2.47 billion from hacks and scams, indicating a growing problem within the digital currency landscape.

Recovering stolen cryptocurrency often relies on cooperation with industry players like Coinbase and Tether, who assist law enforcement by analyzing transactions and freezing suspicious wallets. One notable recovery involved $225 million linked to romance scams. The ongoing efforts highlight not only the scale of crypto fraud but also the importance of vigilance and collaboration among various stakeholders in tackling these crimes effectively.

Original article

The article provides some actionable information, but it is limited. The reader is informed that the U.S. Secret Service has seized nearly $400 million in cryptocurrency, and that scammers often lure individuals through fake investment platforms. However, the article does not provide concrete steps or specific guidance on how to avoid falling victim to these scams. The reader is left with a general understanding of the problem but no clear plan of action.

In terms of educational depth, the article provides some background information on how the Secret Service uses blockchain analysis and tracking domain records to identify fraudsters. However, this information is not particularly new or insightful, and the article does not delve deeper into the technical aspects of cryptocurrency or online financial crimes.

The personal relevance of this article is moderate. While cryptocurrency scams are a significant issue in the United States, and Americans have reported losses of $9.3 billion due to such frauds in 2024 alone, it's unclear whether individual readers will be directly affected by these scams unless they are actively involved in cryptocurrency trading.

The article serves a public service function by highlighting the scale of crypto fraud and emphasizing the importance of vigilance and collaboration among various stakeholders in tackling these crimes effectively. However, it does not provide access to official statements, safety protocols, emergency contacts, or resources that readers can use.

The practicality of any recommendations or advice in the article is limited. The reader is encouraged to be vigilant and collaborate with industry players like Coinbase and Tether to combat online financial crimes, but there are no concrete steps provided on how to do so.

In terms of long-term impact and sustainability, the article encourages awareness about crypto fraud but does not promote any lasting positive effects beyond being cautious when dealing with online investments.

The constructive emotional or psychological impact of this article is neutral. It presents a factual account of crypto-related scams without offering any emotional support or guidance on how readers can cope with potential losses.

Finally, while there are some sensational headlines used throughout this piece ("one-of-the-largest-cold-wallets"), they do not appear excessive compared to other articles about similar topics; however further investigation reveals an underlying motive for sensationalism rather than genuine concern for public awareness - the content primarily exists to inform rather than generate clicks

The text conveys a range of emotions, from frustration and concern to a sense of accomplishment and determination. One of the most prominent emotions is frustration, which is evident in the description of scammers exploiting unsuspecting victims through fake investment platforms. The phrase "scams that exploit unsuspecting victims" (emphasis added) highlights the severity of the issue, creating a sense of urgency and concern for the reader. This emotion serves to alert the reader to the problem and encourage them to take notice.

Another strong emotion expressed in the text is pride, particularly in Jamie Lam's explanation of how advanced techniques like blockchain analysis help identify fraudsters. The use of words like "advanced" and "investigative analyst" convey a sense of expertise and professionalism, showcasing the Secret Service's capabilities in combating online financial crimes. This pride serves to build trust with the reader, demonstrating that law enforcement agencies are equipped to tackle complex issues.

The text also evokes a sense of sadness or sympathy when discussing victims who have lost significant amounts due to crypto-related scams. The figures mentioned – $9.3 billion in 2024 alone, with additional losses exceeding $2.47 billion in 2025 – serve as stark reminders of the human impact behind these statistics. This emotional appeal aims to create empathy with readers, making them more invested in understanding and addressing this issue.

Furthermore, there is an underlying tone of excitement or enthusiasm when discussing Kali Smith's efforts to train officials worldwide on combating online financial crimes. Phrases like "trained officials in over 60 countries" convey a sense of momentum and dedication, highlighting the scope and importance of this work.

The writer uses various tools to create an emotional impact on readers. Repeating key statistics about losses due to crypto-related scams serves as a form of emotional reinforcement, driving home the severity of this issue. By sharing specific examples, such as recovering $225 million linked to romance scams, the writer creates tangible connections between these abstract numbers and real-life consequences.

Comparing one thing (the scale of crypto fraud) to another (the importance of vigilance) helps emphasize its significance: "not only... but also." This rhetorical device increases emotional impact by highlighting both sides simultaneously.

To persuade readers effectively without relying solely on facts or logic requires an understanding that emotions can be used intentionally or unintentionally throughout writing content; knowing where they are used makes it easier for readers not only understand what they read but also stay aware so their thinking isn't swayed by tricks meant solely for persuasion purposes rather than providing actual information about topics at hand

The text presents a clear example of virtue signaling, where the Secret Service is portrayed as a heroic agency that has seized nearly $400 million in cryptocurrency over the past decade. This creates a positive image of the agency and its efforts to combat online financial crimes. The phrase "one of the largest cold wallets for digital assets globally" (emphasis added) highlights the agency's success and reinforces its virtuous reputation. This language manipulation aims to create a sense of admiration and trust in the reader towards the Secret Service.

The text also employs gaslighting through selective framing, where it presents only one side of the story, focusing on the successes of law enforcement in combating crypto-related scams. The narrative omits any mention of potential failures or controversies surrounding these efforts, creating an overly optimistic view of the situation. The statement "Crypto-related scams have become a major issue in the United States, with Americans reporting losses of $9.3 billion due to such frauds in 2024 alone" (emphasis added) sets up a problem that is then solved by law enforcement's efforts, without acknowledging any complexities or nuances.

Cultural bias is evident in the text's assumption that Western-style law enforcement and regulation are effective solutions to online financial crimes. The narrative assumes that cooperation between law enforcement and industry players like Coinbase and Tether is sufficient to tackle these crimes effectively, without considering alternative perspectives or approaches from non-Western cultures. The phrase "Kali Smith leads the agency's crypto strategy and has trained officials in over 60 countries on how to combat online financial crimes" (emphasis added) reinforces this assumption by highlighting Western expertise as a model for global solutions.

Racial bias is implicit in the text's focus on American victims of crypto-related scams, with no mention of victims from other racial or ethnic groups. This omission creates an impression that American victims are representative of all victims worldwide, which may not be accurate. Additionally, there is no discussion about how racial biases within law enforcement agencies might impact their effectiveness in combating online financial crimes.

Sex-based bias is present through language that assumes binary classification based on reproductive anatomy and observable physical characteristics. While this may seem neutral at first glance, it subtly reinforces traditional notions about sex roles and identities without acknowledging alternative perspectives or non-binary classifications.

Economic bias is evident through language that favors large corporations like Coinbase and Tether as key players in combating online financial crimes. The narrative highlights their cooperation with law enforcement without questioning their motivations or potential conflicts of interest. The statement "Recovering stolen cryptocurrency often relies on cooperation with industry players like Coinbase and Tether" (emphasis added) implies that these companies are essential partners for effective crime-fighting efforts.

Linguistic bias manifests through emotionally charged language used to describe crypto-related scams as "scams," implying malicious intent rather than complex issues involving technology and human behavior. This framing creates an emotional response rather than encouraging critical thinking about these issues.

Structural bias becomes apparent when examining authority systems presented without critique or challenge within institutions like law enforcement agencies handling cryptocurrency cases . For example , when discussing blockchain analysis , there ' s no mention made regarding who holds power over access controls nor whether those controls might be biased toward certain groups .