Scenario #06
THE LEGAL SEIZURE
Government Asset Forfeiture
6:13 AM
The pounding on your door begins at 6:13 AM. Through the peephole, you see several official-looking individuals in suits, accompanied by uniformed officers.
"Open up! We have a search warrant!"
ALERT: ASSET SEIZURE IN PROGRESS
The lead agent hands you a document. It's a search warrant for your residence, vehicles, and all electronic devices. You're being investigated for alleged financial crimes, accusations you know are false, possibly politically motivated.
"We're specifically looking for evidence related to cryptocurrency holdings," the agent states flatly. "Our forensic team will be examining all electronic devices, physical documents, and potential storage locations. Please step aside."
A team of eight people enters your home, methodically beginning their search.
Your Situation
You watch as they start examining:
- Your desktop computer and laptop
- Your smartphone and tablets
- Your home office with filing cabinets
- Your hardware wallets they've already discovered
- Your safe, which they're demanding you open
- Your bookshelves, picture frames, and other potential hiding spots
- Your bank statements and financial records
You notice them paying special attention to anything that could contain seed phrases or private keys.
Immediate Assessment
Legal Challenge: Protection Against Seizure
- How exposed are your seed phrases to this thorough search?
- What cryptocurrency traces exist on your seized devices?
- Have you implemented plausible deniability measures?
- Do you have assets secured in ways that resist legal discovery?
- What evidence of your holdings will they find versus what will remain secure?
Complications
As the search continues throughout the day:
- The agents reveal they have already frozen your bank accounts
- They have a warrant for your safe deposit box at the bank
- They mention monitoring your recent transactions on major exchanges
- Your lawyer arrives but advises that the warrant appears legally valid
- They're photographing and documenting everything, including notes, books, and potential password hints
Your Mission
Assess how well your cryptocurrency holdings will withstand this legal seizure attempt. Your goal is not to obstruct justice, but to protect legitimate assets from politically motivated confiscation through proper self-custody measures you previously implemented.
What aspects of your crypto security setup will resist this intensive legal scrutiny?
An agent approaches with your hardware wallet. "We'll need the PIN for this device," he states. Another agent has found a book with highlighted phrases. A third is examining your computer's encrypted drives.
Your lawyer whispers: "You're not legally obligated to provide passwords or keys, but they'll take everything they can physically seize."
LEGAL STATUS: Search in progress
How will your previous security decisions perform under this pressure?