What is Operation Atlantic and does it help pig butchering victims?

Operation Atlantic is a joint international law enforcement operation launched on March 16, 2026 by the US Secret Service, UK National Crime Agency, Ontario Provincial Police, and Ontario Securities Commission, specifically targeting approval-phishing and pig butchering cryptocurrency fraud. The operation runs from hubs in San Francisco and Washington DC on 16-hour daily shifts. For victims: Operation Atlantic creates an active enforcement channel — victims who have filed FBI IC3 reports and retained forensic evidence packages can be flagged into this investigation faster. Attach your ProofSnap captures of the scammer's Telegram, WhatsApp, fake exchange, and wallet addresses to your IC3 filing to increase the chance of linkage to a live Operation Atlantic case.

What is the DOJ Scam Center Strike Force?

The D.C. Scam Center Strike Force is a US Justice Department initiative formed in November 2025, bringing together the D.C. U.S. Attorney's Office, the DOJ Criminal Division, FBI, Secret Service, and IRS Criminal Investigation. It targets Chinese transnational criminal organizations running pig butchering fraud compounds in Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, and Laos. By late February 2026, Strike Force freezes and seizures of cryptocurrency tied to these operations had surpassed $578 million (of which $402 million was recovered by January 2026, plus approximately $80 million in additional forfeiture proceedings filed in February). Victims whose outgoing wallet transactions can be traced to seized pools are eligible to file a DOJ petition for remission to claim a share of the recovered funds. Capturing the destination wallet addresses at the time of the scam (deposit pages on the fake exchange, blockchain explorer pages) is critical — after the funds move through mixers and across exchanges, linkage becomes difficult without the original destination proof.

What is IRC §165(c)(2) and IRS CCA 202511015?

Internal Revenue Code §165(c)(2) allows individuals to deduct losses from 'transactions entered into for profit, though not connected with a trade or business.' For decades, the IRS took the position that scam-loss deductions were unavailable to individuals after the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act suspended most miscellaneous itemized deductions. In 2025, the IRS Office of Chief Counsel issued Memorandum 202511015, clarifying that scam victims who transferred funds believing they were making a legitimate investment (not consumer purchases) can still claim a theft-loss deduction under §165(c)(2) — specifically because the 'profit motive' transforms the loss from a personal to an investment loss. This has opened a major tax relief path for pig butchering victims who lost retirement savings, home equity, or other profit-motivated transfers.

Should I hire a pig butchering scam lawyer?

If your loss exceeds $25,000–50,000, probably yes — but choose carefully. Legitimate pig butchering attorneys include TorHoerman Law, Wallace Miller (Coinbase lawsuit), Dynamis LLP (Binance lawsuit), Silver Miller, Riley Jackson, MDF Law, and Zuckerman Law (CFTC whistleblower). They understand the federal forfeiture and remission process, can file civil RICO actions against platforms for KYC/AML failures, and coordinate with criminal enforcement. WARNING: avoid 'recovery firms' that contact you unsolicited, ask for upfront payment, or claim they can directly trace and return your crypto — the FBI, NY AG, and FTC have all warned these are secondary recovery scams. Always verify an attorney's bar license at your state bar's website before retaining. A forensic evidence package (ProofSnap) is the first thing your attorney will ask for.

Do I have to admit I was scammed publicly to get my money back?

No. IC3 reports, IRS theft-loss deductions, DOJ remission petitions, and CFTC whistleblower submissions are all confidential. The CFTC Whistleblower Program is statutorily anonymous when filed through an attorney. Civil lawsuits can sometimes be filed under seal or as John/Jane Doe, especially in sensitive cases. The only public exposure is optional: some victims choose to share their story with journalists or advocacy groups to pressure enforcement. Operation Level Up (FBI) has notified 5,831 victims as of April 2025, saving them over $359 million — 77% of whom did not know they were being scammed — and the FBI's outreach is confidential. You can pursue every recovery path without a single public statement.

What if the scammer asked me to pay 'tax' or 'unlock fees' to withdraw my profits?

That is the final phase of the pig butchering scam — the 'butcher.' No legitimate exchange demands that you wire additional funds to a personal wallet, pay 'withdrawal taxes' to a third-party account, or deposit more crypto to 'unlock' existing balances. DO NOT PAY. The fake dashboard shows growing balances to convince you to deposit more; the moment you try to withdraw, a new 'fee' appears. Capture every 'fee' demand, every 'tax' notification, every support chat exchange with ProofSnap — these screenshots are powerful evidence of the fraudulent intent required for the IRS theft-loss deduction and for civil claims. Then stop responding, preserve the evidence, and report to IC3 and your state AG.

Can I use ProofSnap evidence even if my case is from 2023 or 2024?

Yes, as long as the accounts still exist. For older cases, move quickly: the scammer's Telegram or dating profile may still be live if they are still running the operation, but they cycle accounts frequently. Even if the communication side is gone, capture what remains: your bank statements, your outgoing Coinbase/Kraken/Binance.US history, the blockchain explorer pages for the deposit addresses, any emails you received from the fake platform, and any fake 'recovery' contacts who have tried to re-scam you. For IRS theft-loss deduction purposes, the year the loss was 'discovered' (usually the year you realized you were scammed) is the deductible year — some older 2023/2024 losses can still be deducted on amended returns within three years. Consult a CPA.

I'm too embarrassed to tell my spouse or children. Do I have to?

You don't have to tell them today — but you will need to tell them eventually, and it is almost always easier than you fear. Three practical considerations: (1) If the scam drained joint accounts, retirement accounts, or a mortgaged home, your spouse will see it in the next statement or tax return — telling them now is better than letting them discover it. (2) Adult children are usually the first call pig butchering victims make, and they are overwhelmingly supportive once they understand it is a sophisticated organized-crime operation, not carelessness. (3) If you are filing an IRS theft-loss deduction (married filing jointly), your spouse's signature is required on Form 4684, so disclosure becomes necessary at tax time. Suggested sequence: call AARP Fraud Watch Helpline (1-877-908-3360) first — the counselors, many of whom are former victims themselves, can walk you through exactly how to tell your family and often offer a script. Many counselors will even stay on the line while you make the first call to a family member. You are not the first person in this situation. Roughly 25,000 Americans this year will have the same conversation.

What if the IRS audits my §165(c)(2) theft-loss deduction?

Audit defense relies on substantiation — exactly what a ProofSnap package is built for. Under IRS CCA 202511015 and IRC §165(c)(2), an auditor can challenge: (1) whether a theft occurred, (2) whether the transaction was entered with profit motive, (3) whether there is no reasonable prospect of recovery, and (4) the year of discovery. ProofSnap packages address all four: the captured fake-exchange 'dashboard' showing profits directly proves profit motive; the captured communication history proves theft and fraudulent intent; the FBI IC3 reference number + captures of the scammer's vanished accounts establish no-reasonable-prospect-of-recovery; and the blockchain-anchored OpenTimestamps on each file establish the year captures were made, which your CPA ties to the year of discovery. Because every file is SHA-256 hashed and timestamped on the Bitcoin blockchain at capture, an auditor cannot credibly argue the evidence was fabricated after the fact — the blockchain timestamp is independently verifiable at opentimestamps.org without any ProofSnap involvement. For audits of very large losses (over $1M), your CPA or tax attorney may retain a forensic expert to testify; ProofSnap dramatically reduces their hours because the authentication foundation is already in place.

What support organizations help pig butchering victims?

Four free, confidential resources specifically for pig butchering and crypto romance scam victims in the US: (1) AARP Fraud Watch Helpline 1-877-908-3360 (Mon-Fri 8 AM-8 PM ET) — trained fraud specialists and peer counselors, many former victims themselves, no age restriction despite the name. (2) Global Anti-Scam Organization (globalantiscam.org) — non-profit run by survivors, free peer-support groups, helps trace wallets. (3) Operation Shamrock (operationshamrock.org) — founded by former Santa Clara Deputy DA Erin West, coordinates victim advocacy and law enforcement. (4) 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) — 24/7 crisis support. FBI Operation Level Up has referred dozens of pig butchering victims to suicide-intervention specialists, and many survivors report reaching out to community resources was the turning point in their recovery.

Pig Butchering Scam Recovery · United States

· Updated April 17, 2026

Pig Butchering Scam Evidence That Claims Back $42K–$65K on Your Taxes.

Under IRS §165(c)(2) and Chief Counsel Advice 202511015 (2025) ↓ verify at irs.gov, pig butchering losses are deductible — if you can prove the "investment" was a fraud. The fake dashboard showing your imaginary profits is the single strongest piece of evidence. It disappears in 24–72 hours.

You were not careless. You were targeted by organized crime operating out of forced-labor compounds. Over 8,100 Americans were notified by the FBI that they were being scammed — 77% had no idea. The first step is not spending more money. It's preserving what already exists on your screen, right now, tonight.

Start free — phone capture checklist

Do this in the next 10 minutes. No install, no sign-up, no cost.

Then upgrade to forensic proof — SnapPack $4.99

Phone screenshots may be rejected by IRS / court. $4.99 makes them self-authenticating under FRE 902.

Or download a free sample evidence package to show your CPA first →

We are not a "recovery firm". We cannot return your money. We never contact victims first, never ask for wire transfers, never charge "unlock fees." We charge $4.99 for a browser tool that captures a web page in a way IRS and courts accept. If you see anyone claiming they can "get your crypto back" for a fee — report them to the FBI. That's another scam.

Chrome Web Store verified · Also on Microsoft Edge · Runs locally, scammer gets no signal

ProofSnap Chrome extension for pig butchering scam evidence — capture Telegram, WhatsApp, Tinder profiles, fake cryptocurrency exchanges and wallet transactions with SHA-256 hash and blockchain timestamp meeting FRE 901 authentication for FBI IC3, IRS and DOJ remission

Helping a parent, spouse, or friend who was scammed? This page is for them — forward it. The free checklist below works from any phone. You don't need to be the victim to follow it.

You are not alone. You are not the first. The FBI has confidentially notified 8,103 Americans they were being scammed — 77% had no idea. If you need to talk to a trained specialist, a survivor counselor, or a crisis line, helplines are at the bottom of this page ↓. Right now, the most useful thing you can do is capture the evidence before the scammer deletes it.

You're not "recovering" funds. You're preserving evidence — what every federal agency, your CPA, and any plaintiffs' lawyer needs to do their job. Every hour you wait, the scammer is closer to deleting their accounts.

$11B

Lost to crypto scams in 2025 across 181,565 FBI IC3 complaints — up from $9.3B in 2024. Pig butchering specifically: $4.57B (FBI IC3 2024), Treasury estimates up to $10B US losses, 8,500% growth 2020–2024 (Chainalysis). Average victim: $177,000. Older adults 60+ lost $2.8B to crypto scams alone (FBI).

Your CPA will thank you

$0 deduction IRS §165(c)(2)

CCA 202511015 (2025) unlocks theft-loss deduction. Captures = substantiation.

TL;DR Quick answers · Updated April 2026

Pig butchering scam — what to do today, in order

1. Capture the evidence before the scammer deletes it.: Telegram chats auto-delete in 24h / 7d / 90d, or via "Delete for Everyone." The scammer cycles accounts weekly. Capture first — confront and report afterward. Get SnapPack →
2. File an FBI IC3 complaint at ic3.gov.: Attach your ProofSnap ZIPs. The IC3 reference number is required for IRS theft-loss deduction, DOJ petitions for remission, and unlocks cooperation from exchanges and banks. File at ic3.gov ↗
3. Claim the IRS theft-loss deduction under IRC §165(c)(2).: IRS CCA 202511015 (2025) confirmed profit-motivated scam losses qualify. CPA reports on Form 4684. Potential tax savings: 24%–37% of your loss. Verify CCA at irs.gov ↗
4. File a DOJ petition for remission if your funds can be linked to a seizure.: Active seizures: $15B BTC (Chen Zhi/Prince Group, Oct 2025), $225M USDT (Philippines, June 2025), $61M Tether (Feb 2026), $40M OneCoin (April 2026). Free — DOJ never charges victims. See DOJ path →
5. Retain an attorney & consider CFTC whistleblower filing.: Civil lawsuits against exchanges are active (Licht v. Binance, Wallace Miller v. Coinbase, Apple class). CFTC pays 10–30% of sanctions over $1M. For your lawyer →
6. Never pay an unsolicited "recovery firm.": The FBI, NY AG, and FTC have all warned these are secondary scams. DOJ, IRS, and state AGs never charge victims. If someone contacted YOU promising recovery — it is a second butcher. Screenshot their email or pitch and add it to your IC3 report.

Reviewed April 16, 2026 · Sources: FBI IC3, IRS CCA 202511015, DOJ press releases, CA DFPI Playbook, NY AG advisory

Start capturing now →

Step 1 · Free · Do this now

Take phone screenshots in the next 10 minutes. Before anything else.

Don't install anything yet. Don't call anyone yet. Don't confront the scammer. Just grab your phone and screenshot the following, in this order, while the accounts are still live. A messy phone screenshot now is worth more than a perfect forensic capture tomorrow. The scammer can delete everything with one tap.

The full Telegram / WhatsApp chat — scroll slowly from day one, screenshot every screen. Yes, it will be 100+ photos. Do it anyway. Scammer's profile — Tinder, Bumble, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram. Photo, name, bio, location. The fake exchange dashboard — especially the "profit" balance. This alone is what makes your loss tax-deductible. Deposit-address pages — every wallet address you sent to. Screenshot the page, not just the copied text. Your bank / Coinbase / Kraken history — every outgoing transaction with date, amount, destination. "Tax" and "unlock fee" demands — any support chat pressuring you to deposit more. This is the "butcher" phase and is devastating civil/criminal evidence. KYC / onboarding pages — any ID you uploaded, "contract" you signed, or disclosure the fake platform showed you. Evidence of manufactured legitimacy. Blockchain explorer pages — etherscan.io, blockchain.com, tronscan.org for each transaction. Shows the destination side and onward hops. Any "recovery firm" that has already contacted you — email, phone, URL, their pitch. The FBI and state AGs track these secondary scammers; your capture helps shut them down before they hit the next victim.

When you're done: email the photos to yourself (creates an independent timestamp on Gmail's servers), back them up to iCloud / Google Photos, and do not delete the chat with the scammer yet. Don't confront them either — let them think you haven't realized. You'll need the next capture pass to be clean.

Phone screenshots buy you 24 hours — but an IRS auditor can argue they were made yesterday, and plain screenshots are routinely excluded in civil court (Griffin v. State, Mangel). For the $42K–$65K deduction and DOJ remission eligibility, you need forensic capture with independent blockchain timestamps — that's Step 2.

Step 2 · $4.99 · Do this in the next 24 hours

Why your phone screenshots might not be enough

For the IRS audit

IRS CCA 202511015 requires you to substantiate that the "investment" was a fraud entered into with profit motive. Raw iPhone screenshots have no independent timestamp — an auditor can argue you made them yesterday. A forensic capture with blockchain timestamp proves the dashboard existed on that URL at that time.

For civil court

Under Griffin v. State (Md. 2011) and Commonwealth v. Mangel (Pa. 2018), plain screenshots of social media are routinely excluded. Exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, and Apple are litigating with $1K/hr lawyers — they will challenge every screenshot. ProofSnap captures self-authenticate under FRE 902(13) + 902(14), eliminating the $5K–$15K expert witness you'd otherwise need.

$4.99 once → potentially $42,000–$65,000 back on your taxes + a real shot at DOJ remission.

Pay now, capture tonight. If the IRS or your lawyer says you don't need it, 7-day money-back.

Get SnapPack — $4.99, 10 captures

Every option you have, honestly compared

Are plain screenshots enough? Here is every option, honestly compared.

Here are every path victims actually try, what each costs, and what each produces. We included ourselves honestly. Pick whichever works for you.

Option	Cost	Time	IRS-accepted?	Court-admissible?
Plain iPhone screenshots Photo app, scroll-and-shoot	Free	30–60 min	Rejected at audit No independent timestamp	Usually excluded Griffin v. State, Mangel
Hire a forensic expert witness Certified examiner testifies	$5,000–$15,000	2–6 weeks	Yes	Yes Daubert-qualified
"Crypto recovery firm" If they contacted you first	$2,000–$20,000 up-front	Scam	No, and illegal	No — it is itself fraud FBI + FTC warnings
"I'll figure it out later" Do nothing tonight	Free	—	No evidence to submit	No evidence, no claim Scammer's accounts gone in 24–72h
ProofSnap SnapPack This page	$4.99 one-time	41 seconds per capture	Yes SHA-256 + blockchain + chain of custody	Self-authenticating FRE 902(13)/(14), all 50 states

The math of “just use phone screenshots”: free at capture time, but you lose the IRS §165(c)(2) deduction (-$42K to -$65K on an average loss), plus court excludability risk, plus inability to trace your wallet into DOJ seizures (-$K–$M). Net expected value: significantly negative.

The math of $4.99 SnapPack: one-time cost, 10 forensic captures, self-authenticating under FRE 902, IRS-substantiation-ready, admissible in all 50 states. On the $177K average loss, expected value of a clean IRS deduction alone is ~$42K–$65K. The forensic-expert alternative at $5K–$15K buys you the same evidentiary standard — 1,000–3,000× more expensive.

Get SnapPack — $4.99, the only realistic option

One capture, six recovery paths. Each one needs proof you already have.

There is no single "undo" button for a pig butchering scam. But there are six legitimate federal and state pathways that can each return a portion — and every one of them needs the same core evidence package you capture with ProofSnap.

FBI

1. FBI IC3 complaint — the foundation of every other path

File at ic3.gov. The IC3 reference number is the single most important identifier in the US pig butchering recovery ecosystem: it's required for IRS theft-loss substantiation, DOJ petitions for remission, and unlocks cooperation from Coinbase, Kraken, Binance.US, and US banks to freeze the destination wallets and accounts.

Evidence required: scammer's contact info (Telegram/WhatsApp/dating profile), fake platform URL, every transaction (date, amount, wallet address, TXID), bank wire confirmations, dashboard screenshots, and communication records. Also parallel-file to cryptofraud@usss.dhs.gov (U.S. Secret Service) and reportfraud.ftc.gov.

IRS

2. IRS §165(c)(2) theft-loss deduction — CCA 202511015 (2025)

IRS Chief Counsel Advice 202511015 (issued March 14, 2025) confirmed that victims of pig butchering and similar investment scams can deduct their losses under IRC §165(c)(2) — so long as the transaction was entered into with a profit motive (the fake "investment" setup makes this clear). Claimed on Form 4684 Section B in the year the loss is "discovered" (typically the year you realized you were scammed). Amended returns within 3 years can capture 2023/2024 losses.

Potential tax savings: 24%–37% of the loss, depending on your bracket. On a $177,000 average loss that's $42,000–$65,000 back in your pocket. Substantiation requires: FBI IC3 report, bank/exchange records, communications showing profit intent (captured dashboard, "mentor" chats), and written evidence of no reasonable prospect of recovery. Always coordinate with a CPA or tax attorney experienced with §165(c)(2) scam losses.

DOJ

3. DOJ petition for remission — claim a share of seized crypto

When the DOJ seizes cryptocurrency from a pig butchering operation, victims can apply to the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section for a share of the seized assets. The D.C. Scam Center Strike Force (formed November 2025) alone had frozen and seized over $578 million in crypto by late February 2026. Other active processes: $15B BTC (Chen Zhi / Prince Group, Cambodia, Oct 14, 2025), $225M USDT (Philippines compound, June 2025), $61M USDT (N.C., Feb 2026), $40M OneCoin assets (process opened April 2026). The DOJ never charges victims — anyone asking for "processing fees" is a recovery scam.

Evidence required: transaction IDs, wallet addresses, bank statements, and communication records that allow the Remission Administrator to trace your specific funds into the seized pool. ProofSnap captures of every deposit address the scammer gave you are the linchpin of this petition.

CFTC

4. CFTC Whistleblower Program — 10–30% of sanctions >$1M

Under the Commodity Exchange Act, the CFTC Whistleblower Program pays awards of 10–30% of monetary sanctions when a tip leads to enforcement actions yielding more than $1 million. The CFTC has paid over $390 million in awards to date. The largest individual awards: $200M, $45M, $30M, $10M. In May 2025, the CFTC issued its first pig butchering scam whistleblower award (~$700,000).

Strategy: file anonymously through a whistleblower attorney (Zuckerman Law, Kohn Kohn & Colapinto). Forensic evidence captures strengthen the "original information" requirement and increase the award percentage based on the "level of assistance" factor. Submission portal: whistleblower.gov.

STATE

5. State Attorney General & state financial regulators

Several states run active pig butchering enforcement programs in parallel with federal action: California DFPI (published the Pig Butchering Scam Playbook, March 2025), NY AG Letitia James (2026 consumer alert, complaints at ag.ny.gov), Florida AG (Operation Atlantic), Washington DFI, Texas State Securities Board, and Massachusetts Securities Division (SpireBit case returned $140K to a victim).

Why parallel-file: state AG actions are often faster than federal, trigger state civil recovery, and in several documented cases have directly returned funds to victims. Evidence needed is the same as IC3 — one ProofSnap package covers all filings.

CIVIL

6. Civil litigation — RICO, fraud, and exchange negligence

For losses above $50,000–$100,000, civil litigation is increasingly viable. Live cases: Licht v. Binance Holdings Limited (D. Mass., RICO class, 20+ plaintiffs), Wallace Miller v. Coinbase (pig butchering class), Northfield LLC v. Ava Lee et al. (E.D. Tex., $1.44M recovery action), Apple Inc. class action (fraudulent crypto apps in App Store). Theories: bank negligence (failing KYC/AML), RICO conspiracy, fraud, aiding and abetting.

Pick the right lawyer: TorHoerman Law, Wallace Miller, Dynamis LLP, Silver Miller, Riley Jackson, MDF Law. Avoid any firm that contacts you unsolicited — legitimate pig butchering attorneys don't cold-call victims. Verify the bar license on your state bar's website before retaining.

The common thread: every one of these six paths needs the same evidence package — communications, fake platform screenshots, wallet addresses, transaction records. Capture once, use the ZIP across IC3, IRS, DOJ, CFTC, state AG, and your civil lawyer. Plain screenshots fail; forensic packages work everywhere. Recovery-scam warning: see hero — never pay anyone who contacts you claiming they can retrieve your crypto.

Real US victims · Verified news sources · 2024–2026

This is happening to your neighbors, your parents, and bank CEOs.

Six documented pig butchering cases from the last 24 months. Every victim started with a message they thought was innocent. Every one needed evidence to recover anything. Click the source link to verify.

San Jose, CA 2025

~$1,000,000

Margaret Loke — Bay Area widow, $120K from her IRA

A San Jose widow was introduced through a Facebook friend to "Ed," a businessman claiming to be of Chinese descent from Texas. Daily good-morning messages. Then a crypto app where $15,000 "traded" into $24,000 in seconds. She wired $120,000 from her IRA. When the account "froze," Ed demanded another $1 million to release her funds. She described the situation to ChatGPT, which told her: "No, this is a scam — go to the police." The money had gone to a Malaysia bank. She now faces a massive IRS bill for early IRA withdrawal, on top of the loss.

ABC7 San Francisco, Dec 2025 →

Elkhart, KS · Bank CEO 2023

$47,100,000

Even a bank CEO fell for this. It is not about intelligence.

Shan Hanes, the CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank in rural Kansas, started with "a few thousand dollars" in 2022. Within a year the scammers had him so convinced he was investing in real crypto that he wired $47.1 million in 8 weeks. He is not a victim in the legal sense — he used customer funds and went to federal prison for 24 years — but the scam pattern that caught him is identical to the one that caught a widow in San Jose. If a community-bank CEO can be fooled this thoroughly, the shame you feel is misplaced. The same script, the same playbook, the same pressure.

CNBC, Aug 2024 →

Central Georgia 2025–26

$164,000

"J.M." — Facebook to Telegram, then gone

A man identified as J.M. met a woman calling herself "Hnin Phyu" on Facebook in June 2025. She quickly moved the chat to Telegram and introduced him to cryptocurrency investing. He lost $164,000. The FBI filed a civil forfeiture complaint on March 24, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia (Macon Division). Active federal case. Evidence of the Facebook profile, Telegram handle, and transaction records was essential to the forfeiture filing.

13WMAZ, March 2026 →

Illinois 2025

~$1,000,000

Illinois woman — entire life savings, home sold

A woman living in Illinois lost nearly $1 million in life savings to a pig butchering scam. When the money ran out and the "investment platform" demanded more to release her balance, she was forced to sell her home and belongings to keep paying. By the time she realized it was fraud, everything — retirement, home equity, personal possessions — was gone. Documented on ABC7 Los Angeles investigative report.

ABC7 Los Angeles →

DOJ Seizure June 2025

$225,000,000

DOJ's largest pig butchering seizure — 400+ victims

The Department of Justice seized $225 million in USDT linked to a pig butchering operation based in a Philippines compound — the largest crypto seizure tied to romance-investment scams at that time. The operation hit more than 400 people worldwide, including dozens of Americans. Victims who can link their outflows to the seized wallets can file a DOJ petition for remission to recover a portion. Without captured destination addresses, the petition cannot even be filed.

Fortune, June 2025 →

Queens DA, NY Oct 2025

$2,500,000

Bayside woman sentenced — $2.5M restitution for 13 victims

Tiffany Yang of Bayside, Queens, was sentenced in October 2025 to 120 days in jail and agreed to pay $2.5 million in restitution and forfeiture for her role in a pig butchering operation that targeted 13 victims across the United States. Queens DA Melinda Katz said documented evidence tracing scam funds through shell-company bank accounts (an IP address for the Chase account of one shell firm was traced back to Yang's Bayside home) was central to the prosecution. This is how real restitution gets paid: documented evidence + state enforcement.

Queens DA press release →

The pattern is identical every time. A friendly message on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Tinder, WhatsApp, or a "wrong number" text. A move to an encrypted chat. A "tip" about a crypto platform. Small wins. Growing deposits. A sudden "withdrawal tax." And then silence. The FBI's Operation Level Up has confidentially notified 8,103 victims of active scams they didn't know they were in. 77% did not realize they were being scammed. If any of this sounds familiar, capture the evidence before the scammer's account disappears.

What every one of these victims had in common.

The victims whose funds got returned — the $140K Massachusetts SpireBit check, the $2.5M Queens DA restitution, the J.M. Georgia FBI forfeiture — had one thing in common: they preserved the evidence. The ones who lost everything did not. You have that evidence on your screen right now. In 24–72 hours, it will not be there. $4.99 and 10 minutes tonight is the entire difference between "I tried" and "I filed a real claim."

Note: Names appear as reported in the linked news sources. ProofSnap is not affiliated with any of the victims, investigators, or prosecutors referenced. We include these cases because documented evidence was central to each outcome. Consult a licensed attorney and a CPA before acting on captured evidence.

Get SnapPack — $4.99, capture tonight

Worried your CPA or attorney won't know what to do with this?

What your CPA and your lawyer will see when you hand them the ZIP

You don't have to explain blockchain timestamps, SHA-256 hashing, or CCA 202511015. The evidence package speaks the exact language that tax professionals and litigators already use.

Plain-English summary your CPA and lawyer will understand immediately:

✓

13-file forensic package per capture

Screenshot, full page HTML, DOM snapshot, PDF report, metadata JSON, forensic log, chain of custody, SHA-256 hash, OpenTimestamps anchor, digital signature, capture video

✓

IRS §165(c)(2) substantiation ready

Captures of the fake "profit" dashboard prove profit motive under CCA 202511015. Bank/exchange captures show the theft-loss. Chain of custody is IRS-audit-proof.

✓

Self-authenticating under FRE 902(13) + 902(14)

Certified records of an electronic process and certified digital data. Admissible in federal court without a live forensic expert. Saves $5K–$15K in expert witness fees on civil claims.

✓

Independently verifiable blockchain timestamp

OpenTimestamps anchors to the Bitcoin blockchain. Your lawyer can verify the timestamp at opentimestamps.org without any ProofSnap involvement — true third-party proof.

For high-value civil RICO actions or contested IRS audits, your attorney or CPA may still recommend a qualified forensic expert for contested testimony under the Daubert standard. ProofSnap reduces but does not always eliminate that need — it gives the expert a stronger authenticated foundation and shortens their billable hours.

For your CPA

“I have forensic captures of the fraudulent platform dashboard, bank/exchange records showing the outflow, the communication history proving investment intent, and an FBI IC3 reference number. I am claiming a theft-loss deduction under IRC §165(c)(2) consistent with IRS CCA 202511015, reported on Form 4684 for the year of discovery.”

For your lawyer

“These are forensic capture packages with SHA-256 hashing, OpenTimestamps blockchain anchoring, and chain of custody documents. They meet FRE 901(b)(9) process authentication and self-authenticate under FRE 902(13) and 902(14). The manifest.json and evidence.pdf in each ZIP contain what you need for a pre-trial authentication motion or a DOJ remission petition.”

Download a sample evidence package to show your CPA or lawyer first

Start capturing pig butchering evidence now

Spend $4.99 tonight. Claim up to $42K–$65K back on next year's taxes.

IRS CCA 202511015 opened the theft-loss deduction under §165(c)(2) for pig butchering victims. But your CPA needs forensic proof the fake dashboard existed — not a phone screenshot. That's the entire job of this $4.99 purchase.

Recommended for pig butchering cases

ROI math on average $177K loss

Pay $4.99 Potential $42K–$65K back (IRS §165(c)(2) at 24%–37% bracket)

×8,400 ROI

$4.99 one-time

SnapPack — 10 forensic captures

No subscription. Pay once, done.
Credits never expire. Capture tonight or across months.
13-file forensic package per capture: screenshot, HTML, metadata, video, hash, blockchain timestamp
FRE 901/902 compliant — admissible in all 50 states + federal court
IRS §165(c)(2) substantiation-ready
7-day money-back guarantee

Install & Buy Now →

Chrome · Edge · 30-second install

10 captures = Telegram chat, WhatsApp, fake dashboard, deposit addresses, KYC pages, bank history, dating profile — covers the entire emergency checklist above.

Money-back guarantee

Data stays on your device

Scammer gets no signal

Not sure which is right for you?

Two situations, two plans. Pick the one that matches yours.

Acute case Most victims

Just discovered the scam.

File IC3 report tonight
5–15 pieces of evidence — chat, dashboard, wallets
Hand ZIP to your CPA for §165(c)(2) deduction
No subscription, one-time payment

You want

SnapPack — $4.99

10 forensic captures · one-time

Ongoing case Lawsuit / multi-month

Civil lawsuit or long investigation.

20+ captures over multiple months
Blockchain wallet tracing & new-scammer contacts
DOJ remission petition or RICO civil suit
Cancel anytime once case settles

You want

Essential — $8.99/mo

100 captures/month · 7-day trial

For contested audits or international litigation, see Enterprise ($28.99/mo) with eIDAS qualified timestamps below.

Need more than 10 captures? See monthly plans

Essential

$8.99/mo

100 captures/month

✓ 13-file package
✓ Capture video
✓ File certification 5/mo

POPULAR

Professional

$16.99/mo

200 captures/month

✓ Everything in Essential
✓ Blockchain timestamp
✓ FRE 901(b)(9) compliant

Enterprise

$28.99/mo

Unlimited captures

✓ Everything in Pro
✓ eIDAS qualified
✓ Priority support

7-day free trial (credit card required) · Annual saves 20% · full pricing

Not ready to buy? Download a sample evidence package to see exactly what the FBI, your CPA, and your lawyer will receive.

Pig butchering scam FAQ — United States

About ProofSnap · radical transparency

We'd rather tell you the honest truth than show you a fake testimonial.

What we are

A browser extension listed on the official Chrome Web Store and Microsoft Edge Add-ons — both audited stores.
A tool for evidence preservation, not a "recovery" service. We cannot return your money. Our output is a ZIP file your CPA, lawyer, or the FBI IC3 can use.
Built on OpenTimestamps + Bitcoin blockchain — the same open protocol used by journalism and academic archiving. Independently verifiable at opentimestamps.org.
A newer category. We are transparent about that. Pig butchering evidence tools at this price point are a 2025–2026 market. Our Enterprise tier offers eIDAS-qualified timestamps via a regulated EU trust service provider for the most contested cases.

What we are not

We are not a law firm. We do not give legal advice.
We are not a CPA firm. We do not give tax advice.
We are not a "crypto recovery firm." We do not contact victims first. We do not charge wire-transfer "fees." If someone claiming to be us does — it is a scam, report to the FBI.
We are not showing you testimonials we cannot verify. Displaying fake or unauthenticated customer stories would contradict the entire premise of authenticated evidence. When we have verified, consenting victim testimonials, they will appear here — and every one will link to real contact consent.

Real, verified customer stories will appear here as victims authorize them

Your story here — shared with your written consent, attributed however you wish (initials, first name only, or anonymous).

Press coverage and CPA referrals we can verify will be linked here with source URLs you can check yourself.

If ProofSnap helped you — and only if you choose

Your story could reach the next victim before they lose their savings.

We will never publish anything without your written consent, and you control how you are attributed — initials, first name only, anonymous, or with full name. If you successfully filed with the IRS, recovered funds through DOJ remission, or got your day in court with evidence captured here, we would be honored to share (with your permission) what worked. If you prefer to share anonymously with other survivors without public attribution, GASO has private support groups.

Email stories@getproofsnap.com

Nothing published without written consent. You can withdraw at any time.

You are not alone · You are not the first

Before anything else — talk to someone who has been through this.

The shame is the hardest part. These organizations run free, confidential helplines specifically for pig butchering victims. They will not judge you. They will not try to sell you anything. They exist because this happens to tens of thousands of Americans each year.

You may also be grieving a relationship that was not real. The person on the other end of the chat — the "investor friend," the "romantic partner," the "mentor" — was a script, often run by a trafficked worker who was themselves forced into this job. What you felt was real. What you thought you shared was manufactured. Mourning that fake relationship alongside the financial loss is normal, not weak. Therapists who work with scam-fraud survivors exist. AARP and GASO can refer you to one. This is grief, and it deserves its own space.

Free helpline

AARP Fraud Watch Helpline

1-877-908-3360 · Mon–Fri 8 AM–8 PM ET. Run by trained fraud specialists and volunteer counselors, many of whom are former scam victims themselves. Free, confidential, no age restriction despite the name.

Visit AARP Fraud Watch Network →

Survivor community

Global Anti-Scam Organization (GASO)

Non-profit run by pig butchering survivors. Free peer-support groups, victim resources, case intake. They have helped trace wallets for thousands of victims and published many of the playbooks law enforcement uses.

Join the survivor community →

Victim advocacy

Operation Shamrock

Founded by Erin West, a former Deputy DA from Santa Clara County who prosecuted some of the first US pig butchering cases. Coordinates law enforcement, survivor networks, and victim advocacy groups across the country.

operationshamrock.org →

Crisis · 24/7

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988 · 24 hours a day. If the financial loss has pushed you to dark thoughts, please reach out — FBI Operation Level Up has already referred dozens of pig butchering victims to suicide-intervention specialists. You are not alone. The shame is the scam talking, not reality.

988lifeline.org →

Do one of these first. The evidence can wait 30 minutes. Your phone screenshots are safe. The scammer's account will most likely still be live in half an hour. But if you are sitting alone with this right now, please pick up the phone and call AARP Fraud Watch (1-877-908-3360) or 988 first. We will be here when you come back.

More resources

Related ProofSnap guides and official US agencies.

Related ProofSnap guides

Trusted US agencies & authorities