In 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a dedicated strike force targeting the criminal compounds in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos that operate the world's largest investment fraud operations — known as "pig butchering" scams.
What Are Scam Compounds?
These are large, fortified operations in Southeast Asian special economic zones where thousands of workers — many trafficked against their will — are forced to run online fraud operations. Workers are assigned quotas and face punishment for failing to meet targets. Some victims of these compounds were themselves lured with fake job offers.
The Scale Is Staggering
- An estimated $75+ billion is stolen annually from global victims (UN estimates).
- The U.S. is the single largest target, with losses exceeding $4.5 billion reported to the FBI in 2024 alone.
- Compounds employ over 200,000 workers across Southeast Asia, according to the UN.
How the Scams Work
Workers in these compounds pose as romantic interests or investment advisors on social media and dating apps. They spend weeks building trust before introducing a "cryptocurrency investment opportunity" with consistently high returns. When victims invest, the platform shows impressive gains — until a manufactured crisis causes victims to invest even more before the operators vanish.
The DOJ Strike Force Response
The strike force focuses on disrupting the financial infrastructure — the cryptocurrency wallets, shell companies, and money laundering networks — that move stolen funds. Several high-profile arrests and asset seizures have been made in 2025.
If You Were a Victim
Report to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and the FTC. Recovery of funds is rare but the reports contribute to ongoing law enforcement operations.
Sources: FBI IC3 Annual Report 2024; United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); U.S. Department of Justice press releases.