US DOJ Targets Starlink in Global Scam Crackdown

The US Department of Justice issued seizure warrants for Starlink satellite internet terminals allegedly used by cybercriminals running scam compounds in Myanmar. Two US warrants and affidavits seen by WIRED detail how Starlink devices are being used by scammers in the region. One warrant, issued on Wednesday by US magistrate judge G. Michael Harvey, authorized the seizure of nine Starlink terminals and two Starlink accounts allegedly used in scam compounds in Payathonzu, near Three Pagodas Pass at the Myanmar-Thai border. According to the linked affidavit, written by FBI investigators, the Starlink devices and accounts played a substantial role in an alleged money laundering and wire fraud operation targeting US citizens. The affidavit claims that at least 26 Starlink dishes appeared to be on the roofs of several buildings making up one scam center of several in the Three Pagodas Pass area. The investigators also requested that Starlink parent company SpaceX disable service to the devices. "We are working closely with our international partners to disrupt and dismantle these scam operations," said a spokesperson for the US Department of Justice. "The use of Starlink devices in these operations is a significant concern, and we will continue to take all necessary steps to prevent them from being used for illicit purposes." The scam compounds in Southeast Asia have been a major concern for law enforcement agencies around the world. These operations, often run by organized crime groups, have been using various means to launder and transfer stolen funds, including cryptocurrency and online payment systems. The use of Starlink devices in these operations highlights the need for greater international cooperation to combat cybercrime. The Myanmar-Thai border region has been a hub for scam operations in recent years, with many of these groups using the area's porous borders and lack of effective law enforcement to carry out their activities. The use of Starlink devices in these operations is a new development, and it is unclear how widespread the practice is. The US Department of Justice has not commented on whether the seizure warrants are part of a broader effort to crack down on scam operations in the region. However, the move is seen as a significant step in the fight against cybercrime, and it may set a precedent for other countries to take similar action. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how the Starlink devices will be used as evidence in the case against the scammers. The US Department of Justice has not announced any plans to extradite the suspects or to bring them to trial.