The U.S. Finally Launches a Strike Force to Take on Southeast Asian Scam Centers—and It’s About Time
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C. just announced something big: a dedicated Scam Center Strike Force focused on shutting down the pig-butchering networks and crypto-investment fraud coming out of Southeast Asia. If you follow my work, you already know how much damage these operations cause — not just financially, but emotionally, psychologically, and socially.
So yes, this is overdue. But it’s a step in the right direction.
What’s Really Happening Behind These Scams
For years, Chinese transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) have been running large-scale scam compounds in places like Cambodia, Laos, and Burma. These aren’t “basement scammers.” These are industrial fraud factories.
And here’s the part most people still don’t realize:
A huge percentage of the people running these scam accounts are trafficking victims trapped inside these compounds.
They’re forced to work under threat of violence, held against their will, and beaten if they don’t hit quota. They aren’t criminals — they’re victims being used to victimize others.
The numbers are staggering:
Some countries see scam-center revenue reaching nearly half their GDP.
Americans lose nearly $10 billion a year to these scams.
And every dollar comes from manipulation — love, loneliness, fear, urgency, or simple human connection.
This is the reality we’re up against.
What the Strike Force Is Actually Doing
This new Strike Force brings together the U.S. Attorney’s Office, DOJ Criminal Division, FBI, Secret Service, Treasury/OFAC, State Department, and others. For once, the entire government seems aligned on the same mission.
Their main priorities:
1. Target the real criminal leadership
Not the trafficked workers, but the Chinese organized-crime affiliates running the show from Cambodia, Laos, and Burma.
2. Shut down U.S. infrastructure scammers rely on
Pig-butchering operations depend heavily on:
U.S. hosting companies
U.S. social-media accounts
U.S. phone numbers
U.S. internet services
The Strike Force is pushing companies here at home to finally sever access.
3. Recover stolen cryptocurrency
One team has already seized over $401 million linked to scam-center operations, with another $80 million in progress. Their goal: get as much back to victims as possible.
4. Support international crackdowns
Recent actions include:
Seizing scam-center websites in Burma
Targeting major compounds like Tai Chang and KK Park
Taking down Bali-based networks that hit more than 150 Americans
Assisting Indonesia in prosecuting 38 individuals
Issuing OFAC sanctions against groups tied to scam compounds
FBI agents have even been deployed to Bangkok to work directly with Thai police. This is what global cooperation is supposed to look like.
Why This Matters for Regular People
While law enforcement ramps up, Americans still need better education. Most people don’t understand how these scams operate, why victims get stuck, or how hard it is to break free once emotional manipulation kicks in.
That’s why I created resources like antiscam.education/courses — to help people understand what’s happening in their body, how scammers hijack the nervous system, and most importantly, how to get out once you’re hooked. These aren’t just “tips.” They’re tools that help people reclaim their clarity and safety.
Because this isn’t about “falling for a scam.”
It’s about surviving a psychological operation designed to disarm you.
If you or someone you know has been caught up in a scam-center scheme, report it at:
👉 ic3.gov
And if you need help understanding what happened — or how to get out safely — start with:
👉 antiscam.education/courses
Final Thoughts
The new Strike Force won’t solve everything overnight. Scam centers are deeply entrenched in trafficking, corruption, and organized crime. But this move shows that the U.S. is finally treating the issue with the seriousness and scale it deserves.
As always, my goal at antiscam.education is to give people clarity, context, and real-world tools to understand and escape these scams — and to support anyone walking the long road back from manipulation and loss
