Tether helps authorities seize $12m in Southeast Asia scam

Tether provided blockchain intelligence to Thai and U.S. agents, enabling the seizure of $12 million in USDT and the arrest of 73 individuals connected to a sprawling transnational scam network operating across Southeast Asia.

According to a press release dated Nov. 13, the operation was spearheaded by Thailand’s Technology Crime Suppression Division, which worked in concert with the U.S. Secret Service.

The coordinated effort led to the arrest of 73 individuals, including 51 Thai nationals and 22 foreigners, and the seizure of additional assets valued at over 522 million baht. Tether said its involvement provided key blockchain analysis that enabled authorities to trace the movement of the stolen USDT across the digital ledger.

“This operation highlights how blockchain transparency can empower law enforcement to act quickly and effectively against criminal activity,” Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino noted. “We are committed to supporting law enforcement around the world in freezing illicit assets, protecting victims, and ensuring that USDT continues to serve as a transparent tool for global commerce.”

Tether’s ongoing role

Tether’s involvement in the Southeast Asia seizure builds on a broader pattern of collaboration with law enforcement worldwide. Over the past year, the company has supported multiple high-profile operations aimed at halting illicit flows of digital assets.

In June, the U.S. Department of Justice publicly acknowledged Tether’s assistance in a landmark case that led to the seizure of approximately $225 million in USDT . The cooperation deepened this past March, with Tether acting on requests from the U.S. Secret Service to immobilize $23 million in illicit funds connected to transactions on the sanctioned crypto exchange Garantex.

In that same month, the company also moved to freeze an additional $9 million linked directly to the sophisticated attack on the Bybit exchange. The scale of this behind-the-scenes work is further illustrated by Tether’s disclosure that it has now blocked over 3,660 wallets at the request of law enforcement, with 2,100 cases conducted in direct coordination with various U.S. agencies.

According to the release, Tether has provided support to more than 290 law enforcement agencies across 59 different jurisdictions.