United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada announced that over $37 million was forfeited through asset forfeiture actions and returned to crime victims between October 1, 2024, and July 16, 2025. These funds were deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund to compensate victims and restore losses from criminal activities.
A total of $37,236,606.37 was forfeited. In December 2024, a victim received $3,443,286.03. The Small Business Administration recovered $531,308.46 in April 2025 and $1,068,123.94 in May 2025 from fraudulently obtained Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. In July 2025, another victim received $32,193,787.94.
“The Asset Forfeiture and Financial Litigation Units of the U.S. Attorney’s Office… worked diligently to forfeit these funds and return them to victims,” stated U.S. Attorney Chattah. “Our office remains committed to holding offenders financially accountable and to restoring victims.”
Special Agent in Charge Amir Ehsaei for the FBI Las Vegas Division emphasized the importance of reporting scams promptly: “This serves as an important reminder of our unwavering commitment to pursuing justice for victims…”
Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick from IRS Criminal Investigation’s Phoenix Field Office praised her team’s efforts: “Financial crime can be devastating to victims… IRS-CI exists to protect American taxpayers.”
The PPP is part of the CARES Act aimed at providing funding for businesses’ payroll costs and other expenses during the pandemic.
Reports on COVID-19 related fraud can be made through the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline or Web Complaint Form.
