The United States has pledged to intensify its global crackdown on sprawling fraud syndicates operating in Southeast Asia that have stolen billions of dollars from American victims.
Speaking during a virtual press briefing on 23rd February, 2026, FBI Deputy Assistant Director Scott Schelble said the U.S. is committed to leading the fight against transnational criminal networks running what he described as industrial-scale scam operations across the region.
Schelble delivered the remarks after returning from high-level meetings and site visits in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, where he observed large scam compounds allegedly run by Chinese organized crime groups.
According to Schelble, the scam centers function as highly organized fraud production facilities, using advanced technology and trafficked labor to target Americans at an unmatched scale.
“These are large-scale criminal operations where foreigners and vulnerable people are preyed on, using technology to make enormous illicit profits from their victims,” he said.
He said the huge compounds operate as sophisticated, well-funded criminal enterprises that combine large-scale fraud with human trafficking, forcing victims to conduct online scams.
Data from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) shows that in 2025 alone, more than 80,000 complaints were filed related to these scams, with reported losses exceeding $2.9 billion.
Many of the operations involve ‘pig butchering’ scams where complex online investment schemes where fraudsters build trust with victims over time before convincing them to invest substantial amounts.
“When an investment opportunity appears too good to be true, it probably is, so people should avoid all quick get rich schemes,” Schelble warned.
He identified the Royal Thai Police as a key partner, with FBI agents participating in a joint task force in Thailand that is already producing results.
The FBI Deputy Assistant Director expressed hope that similar task-force arrangements could be established in Cambodia and Vietnam, where he held what he described as productive discussions with senior officials.
The FBI official emphasized that no single country can tackle the problem alone, emphasizing the need for coordinated regional and international action.
Addressing concerns about shifting operations, Schelble acknowledged that scam syndicates frequently relocate when law enforcement increases pressure.
“When authorities target one area, these criminals simply move elsewhere, driven by the huge profits they can make,” he added.
Schelble also delivered a clear warning to the perpetrators, emphasizing that fleeing abroad will not protect them from U.S. law enforcement.
“Crossing borders won’t shield criminals from justice, if you target Americans, we will come for you,” he stated.
As fraud syndicates continue evolving and expanding, U.S. authorities say the fight against Southeast Asia’s scam factories is now a top international law enforcement priority.
