The US government has imposed sanctions on 19 scam network entities operating in Southeast Asia.
On the 8th, the US Treasury Department announced sanctions against 9 Myanmar entities and 10 Cambodian entities. They forced trafficked individuals to carry out virtual currency investment scam activities.
Regarding the 9 Myanmar entities, it is reported that they operate under the protection of the already sanctioned Karen National Army (KNA).
Brian Nelson, the Treasury's Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, issued a statement saying: "Online scam activities in Southeast Asia not only threaten the well-being and financial security of Americans, but have also turned tens of thousands into modern slaves."
He stated: "The US Treasury will use all available tools to fully combat organized financial crime and protect Americans from the significant harms these scams may cause."
The US Treasury pointed out that the scam groups use debt bondage, violence, and threats of forced prostitution to coerce individuals into online scams—reaching out via instant messaging apps or directly sending SMS messages to the phones of potential victims to scam strangers online."
The US Treasury said that many job seekers are lured into scam camps, where they are forced to participate in online scam activities under threats of violence.