SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
The United States Scam Center Strike Force
We have told you that this administration has been taking scams seriously for a while, but now the action plan has been revealed.
What the Scam Center Strike Force is:
The Scam Center Strike Force is a newly established (November 2025) interagency U.S. law enforcement initiative created in late 2025 to combat large-scale cryptocurrency investment scams and other cyber-fraud operations run from “scam centers” in Southeast Asia that target U.S. citizens.
It brings together resources from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), including its Criminal Division (fraud, money-laundering, and computer crimes units), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the United States Secret Service. The strike force also coordinates with the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the State Department, the Commerce Department, and domestic private-sector partners.
Its Mission and Activities
The Strike Force aims to investigate, disrupt, and prosecute the most egregious scam centers operating in Southeast Asia, especially those in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, by targeting the key leaders of transnational criminal organizations behind the schemes.
It seeks to seize and disable U.S.-based infrastructure (such as internet services, social media accounts, and payment channels) used by scammers to defraud Americans.
The Strike Force also works to recover stolen cryptocurrency and assets for victims. As of its initial announcements, it had already seized more than $400 million in cryptocurrency linked to scam networks.
In addition, the Strike Force engages in public-private cooperation, including working with technology firms, financial institutions, and social media companies, to cut off scam operations and prevent scammers from re-establishing access through U.S.-based infrastructure.
Why It Matters
Scam centers in Southeast Asia have been identified as major sources of “pig-butchering” crypto scams and other online frauds that have cost American victims billions of dollars annually. U.S. officials have characterized this wave of cybercrime as a national security threat.
By combining legal, financial, and diplomatic tools, prosecution, sanctions, asset seizure, infrastructure disruption, and international cooperation, the Strike Force represents a coordinated, strategic approach rather than ad hoc efforts.
For scam victims, the Strike Force offers hope of justice, recovery of stolen funds, and increased pressure on criminal networks to dismantle their operations.
The full press release is here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/new-scam-center-strike-force-battles-southeast-asian-crypto-investment-fraud-targeting
Prof. Tim McGuinness, Ph.D.
December 2025
Key Results and Seizures 2025 – So Far
The Strike Force has already seized and forfeited more than $401,657,274.33 in cryptocurrency linked to Southeast Asia–based scam operations.
The Strike Force has filed forfeiture proceedings for an additional $80 million in stolen funds, aimed at returning those assets to victims.
In a public announcement, prosecutors confirmed that the web domain tickmilleas.com, operated by scammers at the Tai Chang scam compound (also known as Casino Kosai) in Kyaukhat, Burma, has been seized. This domain had posed as a legitimate cryptocurrency investment platform to defraud Americans.
That domain seizure came less than three weeks after the Strike Force launched, and followed the forfeiture of two other domains tied to the same compound.
In operations linked to the Strike Force, U.S. and interagency partners targeted the internet infrastructure used by scam centers, seeking to disable U.S.-based infrastructure (websites, cloud services, social media and hosting accounts) used to facilitate scams.
Their investigations extended beyond just assets: the Strike Force backed operations that led to arrests. For example, in Bali, information from the Strike Force enabled local authorities to prosecute 38 Indonesian nationals who were part of networks that targeted more than 150 U.S.-based victims.
Case examples
The Tai Chang scam compound in Burma: The Strike Force seized the domain tickmilleas.com, along with two other domains, shutting down a major front used to carry out cryptocurrency investment fraud targeting Americans. That compound has been linked to organized crime and a sanctioned armed group, underscoring the cross-border and violent nature of these operations.
Bali-linked scam networks: Through information sharing and cooperation, the Strike Force helped Indonesian law enforcement dismantle part of a global fraud ring, resulting in the prosecution of dozens of individuals tied to scams that victimized Americans.
Why these results matter
These early actions by the Strike Force demonstrate that large-scale cryptocurrency and online scam networks rooted in Southeast Asia can be disrupted through coordinated international law enforcement efforts. The seizures of domains and crypto assets cut off access points and financial flows. The arrests and prosecutions send a message that the perpetrators, including those operating far overseas, can be held accountable. For scam victims, these efforts offer a concrete path toward justice and potential recovery of assets.
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Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- Enroll in FREE SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.
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