Starlink

Rally

Force

Raise

<h3 id="what-to-know">What to know:</h3>
<ul>
 <li>DOJ operation froze $3.8 million in cryptocurrency tied to scams.</li>
 <li>Authorities dismantled servers, Starlink kits, and fraud infrastructure networks.</li>
 <li>Crypto investment scam losses climbed to $7.2 billion annually.</li>
</ul>
U.S. authorities and leading technology companies <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/scam-center-strike-force-announces-results-us-private-industry-disruption-week" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">froze more than $3.8 million</a> in cryptocurrency tied to fraud networks during a coordinated operation that targeted scam syndicates operating across several Southeast Asian countries. 
The initiative, known as “Disruption Week,” brought together the Department of Justice’s Scam Center Strike Force and major private-sector firms, including Apple, Coinbase, Google, Meta, Microsoft, SpaceX, Silent Push, TRM Labs, and Zenlayer, in a joint effort to dismantle criminal organizations involved in large-scale online fraud. 
Meta helped coordinate the operation and encouraged wider participation from technology and cybersecurity companies, while investigators identified multiple scam platforms and referred several suspects to U.S. authorities for possible prosecution. 
Coinbase revealed that it froze more than $3 million in cryptocurrency connected to the targeted networks, while the broader operation resulted in the disabling of more than 1.4 million accounts linked to fraudulent activities across several digital platforms. 
Also Read: <a href="https://36crypto.com/egrag-says-xrps-historic-rsi-crash-could-trigger-explosive-rally/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">EGRAG Says XRP’s Historic RSI Crash Could Trigger Explosive Rally</a> 
<h2 id="authorities-dismantle-infrastructure-used-by-fraud-networks">Authorities Dismantle Infrastructure Used by Fraud Networks</h2>
The operation extended far beyond cryptocurrency seizures, as participating organizations worked together to terminate thousands of Starlink kits that allegedly provided internet connectivity and operational support to criminal groups across remote locations in Southeast Asia. 
Authorities also dismantled servers, hosting services, and colocation facilities connected to the fraud networks, significantly disrupting the infrastructure used to communicate with victims, coordinate scams, and process illicit financial transactions. 
Law enforcement agencies <a href="https://36crypto.com/npr-host-scott-simon-hacked-as-crypto-scammers-exploit-x-account-in-major-breach/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">secured several arrests</a> during the crackdown, with the Royal Thai Police Anti-Cyber Scam Center arresting seven suspected scammers in Thailand, while the broader operation contributed to 63 arrests and the identification of additional individuals connected to organized fraud groups. 
Federal agencies played a central role throughout the campaign, with the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, and Homeland Security Investigations providing intelligence, investigative support, and operational coordination that helped identify key targets and facilitate enforcement actions. 
Moreover, international law enforcement agencies joined the effort, including the Australian Federal Police, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, New Zealand Police, the Royal Thai Police, and the UK’s National Crime Agency, highlighting the cross-border nature of the operation and the growing level of international cooperation against cyber-enabled financial crime. 
FBI Director Kash Patel said partnerships between government agencies, foreign authorities, and private companies remain among the most effective tools available for combating organized cybercrime, adding that the operation helped prevent additional victims from falling prey to fraudulent schemes. 
<h2 id="crypto-fraud-losses-continue-to-climb">Crypto Fraud Losses Continue to Climb</h2>
Data cited by the Department of Justice highlighted the increasing scale of cryptocurrency-related fraud, with reported losses from crypto investment scams exceeding $7.2 billion in 2025, representing a 24% increase from the $5.8 billion reported in 2024 and a substantial rise from the $3.96 billion recorded in 2023. 
Investigators said many of these <a href="https://36crypto.com/fbi-warns-of-fake-agency-tokens-targeting-tron-users-in-new-scam-wave/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">operations originate</a> from large scam compounds located in Cambodia, Laos, and Burma near the Thai border, where criminal organizations frequently recruit workers with promises of high-paying jobs before forcing them to participate in fraud schemes targeting victims in the United States and other countries. 
Authorities believe that disrupting the infrastructure, financial resources, and communication networks supporting these organizations will make it more difficult for criminal syndicates to continue operating at the scale seen in recent years. 
The latest crackdown reflects growing cooperation between governments, law enforcement agencies, and technology companies, as authorities increasingly focus on dismantling the financial networks and operational infrastructure that enable large-scale cryptocurrency fraud across international borders. 
Also Read: <a href="https://36crypto.com/bitmine-targets-new-capital-raise-as-ethereum-treasury-grows-larger/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Bitmine Targets New Capital Raise as Ethereum Treasury Grows Larger</a> 
The post <a href="https://36crypto.com/doj-led-operation-freezes-3-8m-in-crypto-tied-to-southeast-asia-scams/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">DOJ-Led Operation Freezes $3.8M in Crypto Tied to Southeast Asia Scams</a> appeared first on <a href="https://36crypto.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">36Crypto</a>.

DOJ-Led Operation Freezes $3.8M in Crypto Tied to Southeast Asia Scams

Table of Contents

36crypto

Other articles published on Jun 4, 2026

Join our free newsletter for daily crypto updates!