New Strike Force Set to Target Overseas 'Pig Butchering'

U.S. federal agencies are launching a Scam Center Strike Force aimed at tackling large-scale scam operations, particularly the 'pig butchering' schemes prevalent in Southeast Asia, which exploit American victims through fraudulent cryptocurrency transactions. The Department of the Treasury has implemented extensive sanctions against individuals and groups associated with these scams, notably those linked to operations in Burma. This new initiative will facilitate coordinated efforts among various federal entities, including the Department of Justice and the Treasury, to dismantle these criminal networks that have reportedly siphoned billions from unsuspecting Americans. The initiative highlights the urgency of addressing these scams that involve organized crime, often connected to human trafficking and considerable investments in fake romantic schemes. Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, John Hurley, emphasized the commitment to combating cybercrime aimed at protecting American families. The scope of these scams reflects a growing challenge for authorities, necessitating a collective governmental response to counteract such criminal enterprises effectively.

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