The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ), alongside international law enforcement and major tech companies, has announced a large-scale disruption targeting cyber-enabled fraud and cryptocurrency investment scams affecting Americans.
The operation, known as “Disruption Week” (May 18, 2026), led to the removal of millions of social media, email, and internet accounts linked to transnational scam networks based primarily in Southeast Asia. Private sector partners also froze over $3.8 million in cryptocurrency connected to stolen funds.
According to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, the schemes are “devastating Main Street Americans,” often wiping out life savings through highly organised fraud operations.
The crackdown is part of the broader Scam Center Strike Force, a coordinated effort aimed at dismantling criminal networks running so-called “pig butchering” scams—a form of long-con romance and investment fraud where victims are gradually manipulated into investing in fake trading platforms.
Once funds are deposited, scammers typically route money through multiple accounts before disappearing entirely.
Massive Multi-Agency and Big Tech Operation
The disruption involved cooperation between major technology and infrastructure companies including Apple, Coinbase, Google, Meta, Microsoft, SpaceX/Starlink, TRM Labs, Silent Push, and Zenlayer, alongside international law enforcement agencies such as the UK National Crime Agency, Australian Federal Police, Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, New Zealand Police, and Thai authorities.
Key outcomes of the operation included:
- Disruption of over 1.4 million social media accounts, pages, and groups across Meta platforms
- Shutdown of 20,000 Microsoft accounts
- Removal of thousands of Starlink kits used in scam operations
- Blocking of malicious IP traffic and scam-linked infrastructure
- Identification and referral of suspects for prosecution
- Arrests of seven individuals in Thailand linked to scam networks
The Scale of the Scam Economy
Authorities say crypto investment fraud has become one of the fastest-growing global crime threats. Reported losses have surged dramatically:
- $3.96 billion in 2023
- $5.8 billion in 2024
- Over $7.2 billion in 2025 (a 24% year-on-year increase)
Much of this activity is linked to industrial-scale scam compounds in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, often near the Thai border.
Reports indicate victims are frequently trafficked under false job offers, then forced to participate in online fraud operations under coercion and violence.
Ongoing Global Pressure
Earlier coordinated efforts between U.S. and Chinese authorities led to the arrest of 276 suspects and the shutdown of nine scam centres targeting crypto investors.
Meta reported that 63 individuals tied to scam operations have been arrested so far, while Coinbase confirmed it had frozen more than $3 million in criminal-linked crypto assets.
Officials stress that tackling these networks requires sustained international cooperation, with Thai authorities noting that no single country or agency can dismantle transnational fraud operations alone.