Crypto Scam Crackdown: 276 Arrests Across Borders

A global police raid hit a major crypto scam ring, taking down nine fraud hubs and detaining 276 people. The FBI teamed up with Dubai Police and China’s Public Security Ministry to make the arrests. In California, three suspects face federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering. A fourth was seized by Thai authorities. The U. S. court papers say the defendants ran three “companies” that hid scam sites: Ko Thet, Sanduo, and Giant. These operators used a tactic called “pig‑butchering. ” They built fake friendships or romances, then convinced victims to send money for bogus crypto deals. Victims often opened accounts and moved funds into sham investment platforms. The scammers then seized the money, leaving people out of pocket and sometimes in debt.The crime spanned many nations, targeting Americans and others worldwide. The DOJ’s assistant attorney general said scammers cannot hide behind borders. He added that justice will be served in U. S. courts and abroad. The crackdown follows other high‑profile crypto cases, including a Hamas‑linked scheme seized in March 2025 and a U. S. contractor accused of stealing $46 million from the Marshals Service in 2026. The operation shows that law enforcement is expanding its reach into the digital finance world, aiming to protect citizens from global fraud.