The FBI has initiated a broad international effort aimed at eradicating global scam center fraud, which officials say siphons billions of dollars from Americans and fuels transnational criminal syndicates. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the agency is actively dismantling these networks, which operate from Southeast Asia to the Middle East, targeting American seniors and other victims.
According to Patel, this initiative treats scam centers as a top-priority threat, integrating them into the agency's mission to combat violent crime and defend the homeland. The FBI's strategy, outlined approximately 15 months prior, involves working with international partners to disrupt these compounds and their communication capabilities. This approach includes tracing infrastructure, seizing malicious domains, and following financial trails with the assistance of private sector technology and financial industry partners.
Recent operations have yielded significant results. Operation Sand Dollar, conducted in April with Dubai Police and China’s Ministry of Public Security, resulted in the takedown of nine scam centers run by Asian organized crime groups. This operation led to 311 arrests and the seizure of thousands of devices used to target Americans in the United Arab Emirates. Each of these centers was reportedly stealing approximately $6 million annually, and their disruption saved victims an estimated $54 million.
Another major operation, Zephyr Exodus, targeted the Prince Holding Group in Cambodia, described as a transnational criminal empire operating guarded compounds. This operation led to the indictment of the CEO for wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy, and the forfeiture of approximately 127,000 Bitcoin, valued at about $15 billion at the time. This forfeiture represents the largest in U.S. history and aimed to cripple the financial infrastructure of a syndicate that targeted everyday Americans.
Further actions include Operation Blackout, aimed at identifying and dismantling large international scam compounds. The FBI also conducted an operation against the Tai Chang scam compound in Burma, operated by Chinese criminals, leading to the seizure of domains and $30 million. In Thailand, a joint effort with local partners took down the Shunda compound, linked to hundreds of millions in losses. This compound had used a Telegram channel to recruit forced labor for a law enforcement impersonation scam.
Beyond reactive measures, the FBI, with support from the U.S. Secret Service and other partners, launched Operation Level Up. This initiative proactively identifies potential victims in real time, notifying nearly 9,000 individuals, approximately three-quarters of whom were unaware they were being scammed. This operation has prevented an estimated $562 million in losses.
Collectively, these efforts have resulted in over 30 FBI cases, the pursuit or restraint of assets valued at more than $15 billion, and hundreds of arrests. The FBI has also suspended more than 7,500 internet terminals, disrupting the connectivity that powers numerous scam devices. The agency recently hosted its first Scam Center Summit in Thailand, bringing together partners from 18 countries and hundreds of law enforcement agencies to strengthen the mission against scam centers.
The FBI attributes its success to strong partnerships with international law enforcement agencies, including the Royal Thai Police, Dubai Police, China’s Ministry of Public Security, Cambodian National Police, Indonesian National Police, and India’s Central Bureau of Investigation. These collaborations combine intelligence capabilities, overseas law enforcement access, sanctions, and technology.
Looking ahead, FBI Director Patel indicated plans to further dismantle scam compounds and target syndicate leadership. The agency aims to continue rescuing trafficking victims, recovering life savings, and demolishing these criminal networks.