NEW DELHI: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Wednesday said it has unearthed “clear links” between Chinese criminal enterprises and scam compounds in South East Asia and beyond, being used for transnational fraud operations that “steal billions of dollars, exploit crypto currency and mercilessly traffic in human beings”.FBI co-deputy director Andrew Bailey shared at a media briefing that the Chinese actors were currently assessed as “financially motivated” since “we have not uncovered evidence that indicates the scam compounds are operated or directed by members of the Chinese govt”.Counting Chinese criminal groups as part of the industrial-scale scam compound “eco-system”, Bailey said they operate through sophisticated transnational networks, moving “people, money, technology and illicit proceeds across Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and beyond”. “The organisations have demonstrated a remarkable ability to exploit weak governance, corruption and emerging technology to scale their criminal activities globally,” he added.FBI is using a strategic, intelligence-driven approach and prioritising investigation of major actors and scam centres in the region to identify the hidden networks that facilitate the scams, like the developers who create apps used to defraud victims and recruiters who recruit scam centre workers under false pretence and lure them into death bondage.Citing examples of Chinese criminal enterprises connected to scam compounds across the globe, Bailey said “Kings Romans and 14K triad have been active in the (South east Asia) region for many years and involved in a wide variety of criminal activities”. He said the FBI has been coordinating with law enforcement agencies across the world to dismantle these transnational, highly-organised criminal networks. “We recently worked with the Dubai police department, Royal Thai police and the Chinese ministry of public security in an investigation that led to the arrest of 276 individuals in the dismantlement of at least 9 different scam centres that they were using for cryptocurrency investment fraud scams”.Besides the cam compounds, Bailey identified nihilistic violent extremism and transnational narcotics trafficking as the two other top threats in South East Asia, with global impact. “As deputy director of FBI, my message for these criminal groups is ‘we know who you are, how you operate and together with our law enforcement allies, we will hunt you down and bring you to justice,” he stated. Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTamil Nadu CM Vijay Holds Talks With Congress Top Brass In Delhi Amid New Political SpeculationPM Modi Marks Historic Tenure, Credits NDA’s 12-Year Journey For India’s TransformationMEA Condemns Oman Ship Attack As 21 Indians Rescued, Three Crew Members Still MissingAt NDA Conclave, PM Modi Contrasts Congress Era With ‘NDA’s Development Record’ | WatchYusuf Pathan, Shatrughan Sinha, Sayoni Ghosh Among 19 MPs In Rebel Camp | WatchFrom Himanta To Bhupender: Are BJP Leaders Accelerating The TMC Rebellion?Pakistan Army Mi-17 Helicopter Crashes Near Muzaffarabad, All On Board Killed | WatchTMC Denies Congress Merger Buzz After Mamata-Sonia, Rahul-Abhishek Meetings | WatchAI-171 Victims’ Families Question Claim Waivers Before Probe Ends; Air India Denies PressureAfter Weeks In Captivity, 14 Freed In Manipur, Search Intensifies For Six Missing Men123Photostories10 baby boy names that symbolise limitlessness5 new sneakers releasing this June that are worth the hypeExclusive – Rubina Dilaik recalls hiding her pregnancy during a Punjabi film shoot, talks about mom guilt and motherhood; says, ‘My nose would start bleeding on set due to the extreme heat’6 subtle habits that make people lose respect for you, as per psychologistWhich quality makes others jealous of you? find out based on your birth date7 meaningful ways to celebrate your child’s biggest momentsYou don’t need a Gout attack to have high Uric Acid: The subtle symptoms doctors don’t want you to ignoreFrom Vinod Kambli to Virat Kohli; famous cricketers who own luxurious properties in Mumbai’s premium neighbourhoodsFrom brightening creams to face serums: Why men’s skincare is finally having its moment in IndiaAll about ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’ live-action cast: From Cate Blanchett to Mason Thames123Hot PicksSourth Africa ShootingBharathirajaDelhi hotel fireAshok MuralidaranFIFA World Cup ScheduleKarnataka Trader NewsHector PennKerala Plus One ResultTNEA Random NumberTop TrendingBAN vs AUS Live ScoreUS Iran warGold Rate TodayFIFA World Cup 2026Delhi Hotel FireChennai TNSTC BusMeerut Conversion CaseBareilly NewsFilmmaker Bharathiraja DeathKarnataka Murder
NEW DELHI: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Wednesday said it has unearthed “clear links” between Chinese criminal enterprises and scam compounds in South East Asia and beyond, being used for transnational fraud operations that “steal billions of dollars, exploit crypto currency and mercilessly traffic in human beings”.FBI co-deputy director Andrew Bailey shared at a media briefing that the Chinese actors were currently assessed as “financially motivated” since “we have not uncovered evidence that indicates the scam compounds are operated or directed by members of the Chinese govt”.Counting Chinese criminal groups as part of the industrial-scale scam compound “eco-system”, Bailey said they operate through sophisticated transnational networks, moving “people, money, technology and illicit proceeds across Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and beyond”. “The organisations have demonstrated a remarkable ability to exploit weak governance, corruption and emerging technology to scale their criminal activities globally,” he added.FBI is using a strategic, intelligence-driven approach and prioritising investigation of major actors and scam centres in the region to identify the hidden networks that facilitate the scams, like the developers who create apps used to defraud victims and recruiters who recruit scam centre workers under false pretence and lure them into death bondage.Citing examples of Chinese criminal enterprises connected to scam compounds across the globe, Bailey said “Kings Romans and 14K triad have been active in the (South east Asia) region for many years and involved in a wide variety of criminal activities”. He said the FBI has been coordinating with law enforcement agencies across the world to dismantle these transnational, highly-organised criminal networks. “We recently worked with the Dubai police department, Royal Thai police and the Chinese ministry of public security in an investigation that led to the arrest of 276 individuals in the dismantlement of at least 9 different scam centres that they were using for cryptocurrency investment fraud scams”.Besides the cam compounds, Bailey identified nihilistic violent extremism and transnational narcotics trafficking as the two other top threats in South East Asia, with global impact. “As deputy director of FBI, my message for these criminal groups is ‘we know who you are, how you operate and together with our law enforcement allies, we will hunt you down and bring you to justice,” he stated.
