With speculation and rumour running wild that the U.S. authorities have somehow managed to freeze Neteller payments to the e-wallet's former US clients, the British payment processor said on Thursday that the United States Attorney's Office (USAO) had seized funds, stopping customers from accessing their money.

Quoting a statement from the Isle of Man based and regulated financial company, Reuters news agency reported: "The group has been advised that the USAO has obtained court-ordered seizure warrants seizing funds pertaining to the group's transactions."

"The amount of funds seized by the USAO or otherwise restricted by third parties does not exceed $55 million," it added.

"As a result of the restrictions placed by third parties, court-ordered seizures, and related legal concerns, the group is currently unable to make payments to U.S. customers."