US Department of Justice He noted that law enforcement in the United States, United Arab Emirates, Thailand and China recently dismantled multiple offshore operations linked to cryptocurrency investment scams, resulting in the arrest of at least 276 people. The coordinated action last week focused on fraud centers that defrauded American victims of millions of dollars through sophisticated scams. fraudulent tactics.
The operation was primarily driven by: Dubai Police under UAE Ministry of Internal AffairsWith strong support from the FBI ChineseMinistry of Public Security.
dubai authorities detained 275 suspects, including three people now facing federal charges in San Diego. Thai police also arrested another important person.
Raids targeted at least nine fraudulent compounds used to operate large-scale cryptocurrency fake schemes.
Those charged in the Southern District of California include: Here is your mother27-year-old Burmese citizen, also known as Thet or Pixy; Wiliang AwangA 23-year-old Indonesian; Andreas Chandra29, from Indonesia; And Lisa Mariam29, also Indonesian.
Two more conspirators remained at large.
The defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
Court records show they allegedly supervised and recruited staff for three separate fraud organizations known as Ko Thet Company, Sanduo Group and Giant Company.
The fraud often relied on a method called “pig slaughter.” Perpetrators first established fake personal connections with victims to gain their trust; they often pretended to be friends or romantic interests.
Once the relationship is established, scammers fake cryptocurrency investment opportunities.
They helped victims open accounts on fake platforms, encouraged larger deposits by boasting of high returns, and even encouraged them to borrow money from their families or take out loans.
In reality, the funds were immediately transferred to the control of the operators and laundered through other cryptocurrency wallets.
FBI agents in San Diego launched the investigation in 2025 after identifying patterns linked to these offshore compounds.
Working through the Internet Crime Complaint Centre, they interviewed victims and digital currency The transactions confirmed widespread losses across the United States.
Senior officials hailed the operation as a clear message that criminals can no longer hide behind borders.
Deputy Chief Prosecutor A. Silent Dove An official from the Criminal Division of the Ministry of Justice emphasized that fraud centers are now considered unacceptable anywhere and will be pursued worldwide.
WE Lawyer Adam Gordon The Southern District of California noted that the world of crime has become global and the reach of justice has also increased.
FBI leaders, including Deputy Director Heath Janke and Special Representative in Charge Mark RemilyHe underscored the importance of international partnerships to protect Americans from further harm.
Dubai Police and ThailandThe Royal Thai Police played key roles in the arrests and ongoing disruption efforts. Meta Platforms provided valuable assistance by sharing critical data.
The cases are being handled by federal prosecutors in San Diego and the Department of Justice’s Computer Crimes division.
This takedown builds on previous ones FBI Initiatives like Operation Level Up, which has already alerted nearly 9,000 potential victims and prevented losses of approximately $562 million.
Authorities continue to research Similar networks, including those operating in Southeast Asia. Anyone who believes they have been a victim of these schemes is encouraged to submit a report. FBIInternet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
