DOJ restrains $700M crypto, charges two in SE Asia scam
DOJ restrained more than $700 million in cryptocurrency and charged two Chinese nationals accused of running a Shunda scam compound in Burma and planning a Cambodia operation.
The Department of Justice restrained over $700 million in cryptocurrency and filed wire fraud conspiracy charges against two Chinese nationals tied to compound-based fraud in Southeast Asia. Prosecutors identified the defendants as Huang Xingshan and Jiang Wen Jie and said they managed the Shunda compound in Min Let Pan, Burma, from January through November 2025.
According to the indictment, Huang acted as a high-level manager and enforcer at the compound and allegedly took part in physical punishment of trafficked workers. Jiang is accused of serving as a team leader who supervised employees that targeted U.S. victims. Prosecutors allege one U.S. victim lost more than $3 million to a worker overseen by Jiang.
The enforcement action included seizure of a Telegram channel with more than 6,000 followers that authorities say recruited victims into a Cambodia-based scheme impersonating law enforcement. Investigators also seized 503 websites that hosted fraudulent investment platforms. The DOJ said the restrained cryptocurrency is connected to money laundering from U.S. victims of fraud.
The Scam Center Strike Force led the operation in coordination with the Treasury and State departments. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated Kok An, a Cambodian senator, alleging he controlled scam compounds across Cambodia.
Prosecutors charged Huang and Jiang with wire fraud conspiracy, saying the network lured victims into sending money through fake investment platforms and other schemes. Officials described the compound model as one that uses coercion and the trafficking of workers who are forced to operate scam centers targeting victims abroad.
Court filings detail how operators recruit and exploit workers, create fake corporate and online infrastructure to launder proceeds, and use encrypted messaging to communicate with victims. U.S. law enforcement officials said they have increased cooperation with regional partners to identify websites, payment channels and cryptocurrency wallets tied to these fraud centers.
The DOJ did not disclose whether the defendants have been arrested. Authorities said they will continue to identify and restrain additional funds and to pursue those responsible for organizing and profiting from compound-based scams.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro said, “We have taken down more than 500 websites used to steal people’s savings. And my Office continues to work to identify funds stolen from victims, having now caused restraint of more than $700 million in cryptocurrency involved in money laundering from US victims of fraud. This Administration is lock-step in combatting these scams, and we are not done.” FBI Co-Deputy Director Christopher G. Raia described the action as “a significant blow to transnational criminal groups targeting Americans.”
