U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has launched a powerful new strike force targeting Chinese organized crime syndicates that have ruthlessly 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.
- Criminals specifically prey on older Americans through loneliness manipulation tactics.
- Strike force has already seized $400 million with an additional $80 million in recovery actions.
- Treasury sanctions armed groups in Burma supporting cyber scam operations against U.S. citizens.
Strike Force Launches Aggressive Campaign Against Foreign Criminals
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced the formation of the Scam Center Strike Force on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, during a Washington D.C. news conference. The specialized unit directly targets Chinese organized crime syndicates operating sophisticated cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes from Southeast Asia.
These criminal enterprises have systematically targeted American citizens, particularly vulnerable older adults, through carefully orchestrated social media manipulation campaigns that exploit isolation and trust.
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
Billions Stolen from American Families Through Sophisticated Schemes
The scale of financial devastation reveals the urgent need for federal intervention. Pirro disclosed that fraudsters scammed Americans out of more than $9 billion in 2024 alone, though experts estimate the actual losses could reach 15 times higher due to widespread underreporting.
These criminal organizations employ a calculated approach, initially contacting victims through seemingly accidental social media interactions before gradually building trust and moving conversations to encrypted platforms where they execute their financial crimes.
Criminals Target America’s Most Vulnerable Citizens
The predatory nature of these schemes particularly targets older Americans through emotional manipulation.
Pirro explained that scammers deliberately exploit loneliness among senior citizens, establishing fake relationships before transitioning victims from legitimate cryptocurrency platforms to fraudulent systems the criminals control.
Many victims lose their entire life savings, leaving them financially devastated without the ability to return to the workforce and rebuild their retirement security.
Multi-Agency Response Delivers Immediate Results
The strike force’s mission encompasses identifying and charging criminal organization leaders, tracing stolen funds for victim restitution, and dismantling U.S.-based infrastructure supporting these operations.
Early results demonstrate the initiative’s effectiveness, with Pirro announcing the seizure of $400 million in recovered assets and filing actions to seize an additional $80 million for victim reimbursement.
The Treasury Department simultaneously imposed sanctions on the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army and four leaders for supporting cyber scam centers targeting Americans.
International Criminal Networks Face Coordinated Federal Action
Treasury officials identified multiple entities connected to the criminal enterprise, including Trans Asia International Holding Group Thailand Company Limited and Troth Star Company Limited.
Under Secretary John K. Hurley emphasized that these networks not only steal billions from Americans but also engage in human trafficking and fuel Burma’s civil conflict.
Private sector companies including Meta, Microsoft, and AARP have proactively reached out to collaborate with the strike force in protecting American citizens from these sophisticated international criminal operations.
