September 19, 2024 at 08:53AM A postmortem on the accidental hiring of a North Korean threat actor at a security firm uncovered a network of fake IT workers groomed to deceive US companies for the financial benefit of the North Korean government. The actors slipped through background checks and posed as credible employees, exploiting the … Read more
September 17, 2024 at 06:11AM Cambodian tycoon Ly Yong Phat, his conglomerate, and O-Smach Resort have been sanctioned by the US Treasury for using forced labor to perpetuate cryptocurrency scams. Workers from various countries were lured under false pretenses, subjected to 15-hour work days, and faced abuse. Sanctions aim to combat cyber scams and address … Read more
September 13, 2024 at 01:34AM The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on Cambodian entrepreneur and senator Ly Yong Phat for his involvement in serious human rights abuses at O Smach Resort. The resort is alleged to be a forced labor camp operated by cyber scammers engaging in fraudulent … Read more
July 22, 2024 at 10:18AM A Chinese crime syndicate, linked to money laundering and human trafficking in Southeast Asia, operates an advanced technology suite for cybercrime. The suite includes DNS configurations, website hosting, payment mechanisms, and more, catering to illegal gambling operations and pig butchering scams. The syndicate, operating under various aliases, sponsors sports clubs … Read more
July 22, 2024 at 09:11AM A Chinese crime syndicate, Yabo Sports, operates illegal gambling platforms hidden behind shell companies with connections in European soccer. The syndicate has multimillion-dollar partnerships with major clubs and uses modern-day slaves to staff its gambling empire. Vigorish Viper technology conceals its operations, drawing in gamblers who then become slaves. The … Read more
June 11, 2024 at 10:03PM Chinese crime syndicates have shifted from illicit gambling houses to cybercrime fraud, stealing billions of dollars through online scams which also exploit job seekers. Authorities struggle to combat the criminal operations in Southeast Asia. Cybercrime syndicates in the region yield revenues comparable to annual GDPs, and police and financial institutions … Read more
April 1, 2024 at 10:33AM Indian government rescued and repatriated 250 citizens from Cambodia who were coerced into cyber scams. This follows reports of over 5,000 Indians forced into “cyber slavery.” Similar efforts to free victims in China and the Philippines have been undertaken. Criminals run pig butchering scams, gaining trust under the guise of … Read more
March 28, 2024 at 12:33AM Myanmar’s military junta has faced challenges in controlling its territory, with China backing rebel forces due to concerns about cyber scam centers in the country. The junta’s failure to address the proliferation of scam centers led to China’s tacit support for an armed offensive. The offensive, known as Operation 1027, … Read more
March 18, 2024 at 01:49AM Filipino police uncovered a forced labor camp posing as an online gaming company, rescuing 875 workers, including 504 foreigners. The victims were lured with job offers, but instead had their passports confiscated and were forced to run romance scams. Perpetrators have been charged with anti-trafficking violations following the raid at … Read more
February 2, 2024 at 04:27PM Myanmar authorities have extradited 10 suspects to China for involvement in organized cyber fraud, money laundering, and human trafficking. Among them are heads of well-known crime families, including Bai Suocheng and Wei Chaoren. China’s Ministry of Public Security had targeted these “family crime syndicates,” highlighting their scams and fraudulent activities … Read more