Yes, they’re using us like ATMs (from article). I knew it was happening, but I thought it was only to money-trafficking criminals, not us ordinary Americans.
“but I thought it was only to money-trafficking criminals, not us ordinary Americans.”
According to recent history, if drive across the country with 30K cash to buy a vehicle you are a money-trafficking criminal.
Transfer millions through shell LLCs? MEH!
Here are a few. Just search for cash seizure for many more. Be sure to check the last one.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/31/us/california-illegal-marijuana-seizure-lawsuit/index.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/31/us/federal-agents-money-forfeiture.html
https://priceonomics.com/how-police-officers-seize-cash-from-innocent/
It's been going on for decades. Asset forfeiture is evil, and always has been. It was always intended to be used exactly the way it has been.
The average amount they take in CAF is $600. No, I did not leave a zero or two off.
You hear about the big amounts taken but you never hear about the guy who gets pulled over for speeding and the dog "alerts" on his car and they empty his wallet even though there were no drugs found.
You can not get a lawyer to talk to you for under six hundred dollars and to "prove the money innocent" is a major court case so most people just let it go.