The United States has imposed sanctions on nearly 20 companies and individuals in Myanmar and Cambodia for their involvement in a multibillion-dollar global scam industry that exploits human trafficking victims.
The Treasury Department announced financial and diplomatic sanctions on nine targets operating in Myanmar’s notorious Shwe Kokko city and 10 in Cambodia.
According to John K Hurley, undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, “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.” Americans lost over $10 billion to scam operations originating in the region last year, Hurley added.
The sanctions target individuals and companies involved in protecting and facilitating massive scam operations. In Myanmar, sanctions were issued against Tin Win, Saw Min Min Oo, and Chit Linn Myaing Co for acting on behalf of the Karen National Army, which protects the scam operation.
She Zhijiang, the creator of the Yatai New City compound, was also sanctioned. Several companies linked to them were sanctioned as well, barring them from entry to the US and bank dealings.
In Cambodia, sanctions were imposed on Dong Lecheng, Xu Aimin, Chen Al Len, and Su Liangsheng, along with six companies tied to them, for turning hotels, office blocks, and casinos into scam compounds.
These operations often involve “pig-butchering” schemes, where scammers develop virtual relationships with victims before convincing them to invest in nonexistent ventures.
The scam industry in Southeast Asia has become a significant concern, with estimates suggesting that approximately 150,000 victims are trapped in scam compounds in Cambodia and 100,000 in Myanmar.
Thai authorities have facilitated the repatriation of thousands of foreign victims from Shwe Kokko, a city located just across the border from Thailand.
The US Treasury Department’s action aims to disrupt the financial networks supporting these scam operations and protect Americans from financial exploitation.
The sanctions also highlight the need for international cooperation to address the complex issue of human trafficking and cybercrime.
