U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro launches aggressive new strike force targeting Chinese organized crime syndicates that have stolen over $9 billion from hardworking Americans through sophisticated cryptocurrency scams.
Story Highlights
- New Scam Center Strike Force targets Chinese organized crime stealing billions from Americans.
- Fraudsters scammed Americans out of $9 billion in 2024, with actual losses potentially 15 times higher.
- The strike force has already seized $400 million and filed actions seeking an additional $80 million in recovery.
- Treasury Department sanctions Burma-based armed group supporting cyber scam operations.
Strike Force Targets Criminal Networks Preying on Americans
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced the formation of a specialized Scam Center Strike Force on November 12, 2025, designed to dismantle Chinese organized crime syndicates operating cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes.
The criminal networks have systematically targeted American citizens, particularly older Americans, through sophisticated social media manipulation tactics that exploit loneliness and build false trust relationships before transitioning victims to encrypted platforms.
New Scam Center Strike Force Battles Southeast Asian Crypto Investment Fraud Targeting Americans https://t.co/ypch311B4j pic.twitter.com/AaELQAg8BV
— FBI (@FBI) November 12, 2025
Massive Financial Impact on American Families
The scope of financial devastation reveals the urgent need for federal intervention. Official reports indicate these criminal enterprises stole more than $9 billion from Americans in 2024 alone, though experts estimate actual losses could reach 15 times higher due to widespread underreporting.
Pirro emphasized that many victims, particularly older Americans, have been left financially devastated without the ability to return to the workforce and rebuild their savings.
Coordinated Government Response Against Foreign Criminals
The strike force operates with a three-pronged mission: identifying and prosecuting scam organization leaders, tracing stolen funds for victim recovery, and seizing U.S. infrastructure used in criminal operations.
Early results demonstrate the initiative’s effectiveness, with $400 million already seized and legal actions filed to recover an additional $80 million for American victims. This represents the kind of decisive action Americans expect when foreign criminals target our citizens.
Treasury Sanctions Target Southeast Asian Operations
Concurrent with Pirro’s announcement, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), a Burma-based armed group, and four of its leaders for supporting cyber scam centers targeting Americans.
Additional sanctions targeted Trans Asia International Holding Group Thailand Company Limited, Troth Star Company Limited, and Thai national Chamu Sawang for their connections to organized crime networks and scam center operations.
Private Sector Partnership Strengthens Defense
Major American corporations, including Meta, Microsoft, and AARP, have voluntarily partnered with the strike force to enhance protection measures for American consumers.
This public-private collaboration represents effective coordination between government enforcement and private industry to shield Americans from foreign criminal exploitation.
Under Secretary John K. Hurley noted that these criminal networks not only steal from Americans but also engage in human trafficking and fuel Burma’s civil conflict.
