Dorchester Workers' Union

History

2024: Transfer of $5.3 million to fraudsters after email correspondence

In early June 2024, the US government filed a civil lawsuit to recover $5.3 million that the Dorchester (Massachusetts) workers union transferred to fraudsters after an email correspondence in January 2023. As a result of the investigation, the US authorities confiscated money from seven internal accounts that turned out to be associated with this fraudulent scheme.

Fraudulent schemes involving the compromise of business correspondence pose a serious threat to businesses and individuals across the country, causing significant financial and emotional harm to victims who rely on the reliability of communication channels. The current forfeiture claim shows that in cases where victims report such violations to the authorities, we can take certain measures to recover stolen funds. We hope that our actions will help restore justice and help victims affected by fraud, "said Acting US Attorney Joshua S. Levy.

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According to a government press release, fraudsters transferred fraudulently obtained funds through a number of intermediate bank accounts, including through cryptocurrency exchanges and accounts registered in, Hong Kong, and China. Singapore Nigeria Investigators were able to track the funds to seven domestic registered bank accounts. However, under the civil action procedure, the government must provide evidence to prove the charges are right before the court can rule on forfeiture.

The allegations presented in the complaint only indicate that certain property is related to a fraudulent scheme. Law enforcement agencies must prove, on the basis of the principle of superiority of evidence, that this property is subject to confiscation and return to deceived victims.[1]

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