A school resource officer in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, has helped recover over $100,000 stolen in a cryptocurrency scam, marking the state's first seizure of Tether funds by law enforcement. The investigation began with a local victim's report of a $13,000 loss at a Bitcoin ATM. At least 13 victims stand to benefit from the recovered assets.
In April 2025, a Worcester County resident reported losing $13,000 in a Bitcoin ATM scam to Lunenburg police. School Resource Officer Bradley McNamara took up the case and, with assistance from the New England State Police Information Network (NESPIN)—specialists in cryptocurrency investigations—traced the funds to a Tether digital wallet.
Tether wallets facilitate the movement and exchange of cryptocurrency. Police reported that the wallet held more than $109,000 in assets. McNamara collaborated with the Worcester County District Attorney's office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), securing search warrants and subpoenas to freeze and seize the funds.
This effort identified at least 13 victims linked to the account. The district attorney's office has started civil asset forfeiture proceedings to return the money to those affected. No arrests have been made so far.
A NESPIN analyst noted that this was the first Tether seizure by a Massachusetts law enforcement agency. Lunenburg Police Chief Jeffrey Thibodeau praised the work: “We are proud of Officer McNamara for his continued commitment to our residents. He went out of his way to support the victims and did everything possible to help recover their money. I also want to thank our public safety partners for their collaboration throughout this investigation. We are fortunate to have an officer who truly represents the values of the Lunenburg Police Department.”
The recovery highlights growing law enforcement efforts against crypto scams in the region.