- DOJ operation disrupted 1.4M+ scam accounts tied to crypto fraud networks.
- Coinbase froze $3.8M in crypto during coordinated anti-scam crackdown.
- Thai police arrested seven suspects linked to Southeast Asian scam rings.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced the results of its first-ever “Disruption Week.” The coordinated effort involved government agencies, law enforcement partners, and major technology firms.
The operation led to the disruption of more than 1.4 million scam-related accounts. Authorities also froze over $3.8 million in cryptocurrency and arrested seven alleged scammers in Thailand.
The initiative was organized by the DOJ’s Scam Center Strike Force. It targeted cyber-enabled investment fraud networks operating mainly from Southeast Asia. Officials said these groups have stolen billions of dollars from victims worldwide.
Millions of Scam Accounts Taken Down
According to the DOJ, Disruption Week took place from May 18 to May 21 in Washington, D.C. The event brought together representatives from the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), foreign law enforcement agencies, and major private-sector companies.
Participants included Apple, Coinbase, Google, Meta, Microsoft, SpaceX, TRM Labs, Silent Push, and Zenlayer.
The collaboration focused on identifying infrastructure used by organized crime groups running cryptocurrency investment scams. These schemes are commonly known as “pig butchering” scams.
Through intelligence sharing and coordinated action, private-sector firms voluntarily disrupted more than 1.4 million social media and email accounts linked to scam operations.
Authorities also interrupted malicious internet traffic. They dismantled servers and hosting infrastructure and identified multiple scam platforms for further investigation.
Coinbase Freezes More Than $3 Million
Coinbase confirmed that it froze more than $3 million worth of cryptocurrency connected to the fraud networks during the operation.
The exchange said the operation highlighted the importance of cross-industry cooperation. It noted that no single company or agency can effectively combat these sophisticated scam networks alone.
The initiative also involved coordinated efforts with Meta, Microsoft, and Starlink. Together, they targeted online infrastructure used by criminal organizations.
The combined actions disrupted scam networks across social media, financial services, internet connectivity, and hosting platforms.
Arrests in Thailand and New Investigations
One of the operation’s most significant outcomes was the arrest of seven suspected scammers by Thai authorities.
The Royal Thai Police Anti-Cyber Scam Center also launched new investigations using intelligence gathered during the campaign.
Foreign law enforcement agencies involved in the effort included the Australian Federal Police, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, New Zealand Police, the Royal Thai Police, and the U.K. National Crime Agency.
The DOJ said the operation demonstrated the scale of disruption possible when governments and private companies share intelligence and coordinate enforcement efforts against organized cybercrime groups.
DOJ Targets Southeast Asian Scam Compounds
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro described cyber-enabled crypto investment fraud as one of the most damaging financial crimes affecting Americans today.
According to the DOJ, many of these fraud operations are run from large compounds in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar near the Thai border.
Criminal syndicates often recruit workers with promises of legitimate employment. Once recruited, many are allegedly forced to participate in online fraud schemes.
Victims are typically persuaded over weeks or months to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms that display fabricated profits. After victims deposit funds, the money is transferred directly to the scammers.
Ultimately, the DOJ said Disruption Week represents a new model for combating large-scale crypto fraud. The approach relies on coordinated action between governments, law enforcement agencies, and private-sector firms. Officials indicated that similar operations could be carried out in the future.
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