US Slams Southeast Asian Scam Centers with Multibillion-Dollar Sanctions

US Sanctions Companies and Individuals Behind Southeast Asian Scam Centers The US Treasury Department announced on Monday that it had issued financial and diplomatic sanctions against nearly 20 companies and individuals in Myanmar and Cambodia for their involvement in a multibillion-dollar global scam industry built on the back of enslaved human trafficking victims. According to the department, nine targets operating in Myanmar's notorious Shwe Kokko city were sanctioned, along with 10 in Cambodia. The move is part of an effort to disrupt the flow of funds to these illicit operations and bring those responsible to justice. "This action demonstrates our commitment to disrupting the global cyber scam industry, which not only threatens the financial security of Americans but also subjects thousands of people to modern slavery," said Undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley in a statement. The sanctions are the latest development in a long-running effort by US authorities to combat the Southeast Asian cyber scam industry, which has been linked to numerous cases of financial exploitation and human trafficking. In 2020, the US Department of Justice announced charges against over 60 individuals for their roles in a massive online scam operation based in Nigeria. The scam centers in Myanmar and Cambodia have been accused of using sophisticated tactics to trick victims into sending large sums of money, often under false pretenses. The operations have also been linked to human trafficking, with many victims being forced to work long hours in poor conditions without pay. "This is a major blow to the cyber scam industry," said a spokesperson for the US Embassy in Bangkok. "We will continue to work closely with our partners in Cambodia and Myanmar to disrupt these operations and bring those responsible to justice." The sanctions are also seen as a significant step forward in international cooperation on combating cybercrime. The US has been working closely with its allies, including Australia and the UK, to develop strategies for disrupting the flow of funds to illicit operations. As part of the sanctions, all assets held by the targeted individuals and companies within US jurisdiction will be frozen, and US citizens are prohibited from doing business with them. The move is also expected to have a significant impact on the global financial system, as many international banks and financial institutions are likely to follow suit in freezing assets. The development comes as the global community continues to grapple with the issue of cybercrime and human trafficking. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need for greater international cooperation on these issues, and the US sanctions are seen as an important step forward in this effort. In related news, the International Justice Mission, a non-governmental organization that works to combat human trafficking, welcomed the move. "This action sends a clear message that those who engage in modern slavery will be held accountable," said a spokesperson for the group. The US Treasury Department has stated that it will continue to work closely with its international partners to disrupt the global cyber scam industry and bring those responsible to justice. *Reporting by Aljazeera.*