The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged two Chinese nationals, Huang Xing Shan and Jiang Wen Jie, with managing a cryptocurrency fraud compound in Myanmar. The charges allege the suspects operated the Shunda Park compound, where workers were forced to participate in investment scams targeting Americans. The compound was seized by Myanmar’s military in November 2023.
The DOJ’s actions are part of a broader crackdown on Southeast Asian cybercrime networks. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced the charges, describing the scams as "industrial-scale fraud hubs" that lure victims with fake investments and romance scams. The DOJ has also seized a Telegram channel used to recruit workers into forced labor in Cambodia.
The Scam Center Strike Force, launched in November 2023, has recovered over $700 million in stolen cryptocurrency. The State Department is offering rewards of up to $10 million for information leading to asset seizures and $4 million for the arrest of a fugitive linked to money laundering. Treasury officials have also sanctioned Cambodian Senator Kok An for his alleged involvement.
The FBI investigated thousands of electronic devices seized from the Shunda compound and interviewed former workers. Scammers impersonated law enforcement and financial institutions to defraud victims globally. The DOJ has taken down over 500 fraudulent websites and plans to return stolen funds to victims.
The suspects, currently in Thai custody for immigration violations, may face extradition to the U.S. for prosecution. Myanmar’s military has previously vowed to eliminate scam centers near its border with Thailand, but such operations persist.