International Takedown Disrupts Dubai-Based Pig-Butchering Crypto Scam Network
U.S., Chinese, Thai, and Dubai law enforcement agencies disrupted a major cryptocurrency investment fraud network by raiding at least nine scam centers in Dubai and arresting 276 people across the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The investigation began after the FBI received complaints from American victims who lost millions of dollars in so-called pig-butchering schemes, and authorities said the operation used fake online personas, romance-style social engineering, and fraudulent crypto investment platforms to steal funds from victims worldwide.
U.S. prosecutors in San Diego unsealed fraud and money laundering charges against alleged operators Thet Min Nyi, Wiliang Awang, Andreas Chandra, and Lisa Mariam, along with two fugitive co-conspirators. Investigators said the network operated through Ko Thet Company, Sanduo Group, and Giant Company, luring victims to bogus platforms including CoinswiftTrading and SwiftLedger, then moving stolen money through cryptocurrency accounts to obstruct recovery. The Justice Department said the action forms part of its broader Scam Center Strike Force campaign against cyber-enabled fraud that reportedly cost Americans $16 billion in the prior year.
Timeline
Apr 29, 2026
DOJ presents case as part of 2026 Scam Center Strike Force actions
The U.S. Department of Justice framed the takedown as part of its broader 2026 Scam Center Strike Force campaign targeting cyber-enabled fraud. Officials said such scams stole about $16 billion from Americans in the prior year.
Apr 29, 2026
U.S. prosecutors unseal charges against alleged operators
Federal prosecutors in San Diego announced fraud and money laundering charges against four alleged operators—Thet Min Nyi, Wiliang Awang, Andreas Chandra, and Lisa Mariam—along with two unnamed fugitive co-conspirators. The indictment says the conspiracy ran through early March 2026 and used fake crypto platforms such as CoinswiftTrading and SwiftLedger.
Apr 29, 2026
Authorities raid Dubai scam centers and arrest 276 suspects
U.S., Chinese, Thai, and Dubai law enforcement disrupted the fraud network by raiding at least nine scam centers in Dubai. The coordinated action resulted in at least 276 arrests tied to cryptocurrency investment fraud operations affecting victims in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Apr 29, 2026
FBI complaints from U.S. victims trigger investigation
After numerous American victims reported losing millions of dollars in pig-butchering scams, the FBI and partners began investigating the fraud network. Investigators used Meta-provided information, financial data, and cryptocurrency records to trace the operation to Dubai.
Jan 1, 2024
Scam-center conspiracy begins operating across multiple jurisdictions
According to the indictment, the cryptocurrency investment fraud conspiracy was active from at least 2024, using fake personas and fraudulent trading platforms to target victims. The network allegedly operated through entities including Ko Thet Company, Sanduo Group, and Giant Company.
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