On September 8, 2025, the OFAC implemented sanctions against large network of scam centers across Southeast Asia that steal billions of dollars from Americans using forced labor and violence. The action includes nine targets operating in Shwe Kokko, Burma and ten targets based in Cambodia.
According to the Treasury, Transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) based in Southeast Asia are increasingly targeting Americans through large-scale cyber scam operations. Shwe Kokko, Burma is a known notorious hub for virtual currency investment scams under the protection of the OFAC-designated Karen National Army (KNA). Southeast Asia-based criminal organizations often recruit individuals to work in scam centers under false pretenses. Using debt bondage, violence, and the threat of forced prostitution, the scam operators coerce individuals to scam strangers online using messaging apps or by sending text messages directly to a potential victim’s phone.
Treasury is also targeting groups of scam centers in Cambodia. Many of these centers were built as casinos by Chinese criminal actors but became hubs for virtual currency investment scams when that activity proved to be more profitable. FinCEN previously issued an alert on virtual currency investment scam commonly known as “pig butchering.”
All property and interests of designated or blocked persons within the U.S. or controlled by U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. Entities owned 50% or more by blocked persons are also blocked. Transactions involving the property or interests of blocked persons are generally prohibited unless authorized by OFAC.
The Treasury’s press release can be found here.