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Hackers, your game is over - US government announces strike force to stamp 
out Southeast Asian cyber scams

Date:
Sun, 16 Nov 2025 20:32:00 +0000

Description:
US Strike Force disrupts Southeast Asian scam centers, seizing cryptocurrency
and targeting DKBA and Chinese criminal networks.

FULL STORY

The United States has established a "Strike Force" to tackle
cryptocurrency-related fraud and scams operating out of Southeast Asia. 

The initiative targets scam centers in countries including Burma, Cambodia,
and Laos, where organized networks have defrauded Americans of billions of
dollars over the last five years. 

The Strike Force will employ investigations, criminal prosecutions, 
sanctions, and seizures to disrupt these operations while seeking restitution
for victims.

Operations and seizures are underway 

The operation involves multiple federal agencies, including the Department of
Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the US Secret Service, and
interagency partners. 

"The FBI is committed to the important work of the Scam Center Strike Force,"
said FBI Criminal Division Deputy Assistant Director Gregory Heeb. 

"It is the FBI's job to stop these criminals, and with the help of our
partners around the globe, we will do just that." 

The Strike Force has acted against key targets in Myanmar, seizing Tai Chang
websites and seeking warrants to confiscate satellite terminals linking other
scam centers. 

Criminal networks operating out of Burma are stealing billions of dollars 
from hardworking Americans through online scams, said senior Treasury
Department official John Hurley. These same networks traffic human beings and
help fuel Burmas brutal civil war." 

Teams investigating Bali-based scam networks have helped Indonesian
authorities prosecute 38 individuals. 

The Crypto Seizure team announced the forfeiture of over $401.6 million in
cryptocurrency and filed proceedings for another $80 million in stolen funds. 

These operations are intended to recover assets and prevent scammers from
leveraging US infrastructure to target citizens. 

Strike Force members are embedded with local law enforcement, including the
Royal Thai Police, to combat scam centers like KK Park and others. 

However, some coordinated ethnic groups like the Democratic Karen Benevolent
Army (DKBA) are associated with these crimes. 

The Treasury Department has sanctioned the DKBA and associated entities as
specially-designated nationals, blocking assets and restricting business
dealings with them. 

The DKBA is accused of securing scam compounds and exploiting trafficked
workers, with revenue supporting organized crime and armed groups involved in
Myanmars civil conflict. 

Chinese transnational criminal organizations have also been implicated in
coordinating these scams. 

DKBA soldiers have been filmed beating handcuffed scam workers. Rescued
victims have claimed that they were subjected to electric shocks, being hung
by their arms inside dark rooms, and other brutal treatment, the Treasury
Department said. 

For its participation in these scam operations, the DKBA receives funding 
that it uses to support its ongoing illicit activities. 

The schemes have caused widespread financial losses, with some Americans
losing entire life savings. 

Since 2019, the U.S. Secret Service has seen a major uptick in cryptocurrency
investment scams, said Secret Service Assistant Director Kyo Dolan. 

In fiscal year 2025 alone, the U.S. Secret Service has responded to
approximately 3,000 victims who contacted us regarding cryptocurrency
investment schemes. 

The Strike Force not only demonstrates the US commitment to dismantling these
networks, but President Trump also wants the US to be the hub of global
cryptocurrency.

"Scam centers are creating a generational wealth transfer from Main Street
America into the pockets of Chinese organized crime," said U.S. Attorney
Pirro. 

"President Trump wants the United States to be the global center of the worlds
cryptocurrency industry. So it is absolutely crucial that Americans 
understand the safe use of this commodity."

======================================================================
Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/hackers-your-game-is-over-us-government
-announces-strike-force-to-stamp-out-southeast-asian-cyber-scams

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