The United States has moved to sanction nearly 20 companies and individuals in Myanmar and Cambodia linked to a vast cyber scam and human trafficking operation, highlighting Southeast Asia’s growing role in global criminal networks.
A Multibillion-Dollar Web of Deception
The United States has sanctioned nearly 20 companies and individuals in Myanmar and Cambodia for their involvement in a sprawling multibillion-dollar global scam industry built on the suffering of enslaved human trafficking victims. On Monday, the Treasury Department announced financial and diplomatic sanctions on nine targets operating in Myanmar’s notorious Shwe Kokko city, and 10 in Cambodia. John K. Hurley, undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stressed in a statement the broader impact of these operations. Southeast Asia’s cyber scam industry not only threatens the well-being and financial security of Americans but also subjects thousands of people to modern slavery,he said. Last year, Americans lost more than $10 billion due to scam operations originating from the region.
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Sanctions Against Key Figures and Networks
The Treasury’s sanctions targeted individuals such as Tin Win, Saw Min Min Oo, and Chit Linn Myaing Co for their association with the Karen National Army, which provides protection for these massive scam operations. The department also sanctioned She Zhijiang, who created Shwe Kokko’s Yatai New City compound—an enclave known for illicit activities. Under the Magnitsky Act, these individuals and their linked companies are barred from entry into the United States and from conducting bank transactions involving U.S. financial institutions. In Cambodia, Dong Lecheng, Xu Aimin, Chen Al Len, and Su Liangsheng were sanctioned alongside six companies tied to them. These entities are implicated in turning hotels, office blocks, and casinos into scam compounds, perpetuating the region’s growing role as a cybercrime epicenter.
Pig-Butchering Schemes and Entrapped Victims
Known as “pig-butchering,” these schemes involve scammers developing virtual relationships with victims before coaxing them into investing in nonexistent ventures. Disturbingly, many individuals running these operations are themselves victims, lured from abroad with promises of legitimate employment. Once trapped, they face extreme violence and coercion. Although precise numbers remain elusive, estimates by a now-defunct U.S. aid agency suggest that roughly 150,000 victims are currently held in scam compounds in Cambodia, while the Thai government estimates about 100,000 people are enslaved in Myanmar.
The Role of Shwe Kokko and Regional Efforts
Shwe Kokko, a border city near Thailand, has become a notorious hub for these operations. In recent months, it has made headlines as Thai authorities began facilitating the repatriation of thousands of foreign victims. Despite these efforts, the region remains a fertile ground for cybercrime and human exploitation, with criminal networks allegedly linked to Chinese organized crime at the helm.