U.S. Agencies Launch Task Force Targeting Southeast Asia Scam Rings

Key updates include: 

➡️ OFAC Targets DKBA Scam Network: The U.S. Treasury sanctions the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), senior leaders, and linked companies for operating large-scale scam centres that defraud Americans and fuel organised crime. 

➡️ Scam Operations Targeting Americans: The DKBA and affiliated companies have been running cyber scam centres that steal billions from U.S. victims, using fraudulent investment schemes and romance scams; 

➡️ Human Trafficking & Abuse: Many scam-centre workers are trafficking victims, subjected to violence, coercion, and forced labour inside compounds controlled by the DKBA and Chinese organised crime networks; and 

➡️ Broad Sanctions Package: OFAC designated four senior leaders of the DKBA for supporting cyber-enabled crime, ML, and activities that threaten U.S. national security. 

✅ Firms should strengthen monitoring for scam-linked transaction patterns and enhance sanctions screening for Southeast Asian criminal networks.