U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro Launches Federal Task Force to Combat Chinese Crypto Scam Syndicates Stealing Billions from Americans
Washington, D.C., November 13, 2025 — U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced the creation of a specialized federal investigative unit, termed the Scam Center Strike Force, aimed at dismantling Chinese organized crime groups responsible for massive cryptocurrency investment scams targeting Americans. This new task force seeks to investigate, disrupt, and prosecute criminal enterprises operating primarily out of Southeast Asia that have defrauded millions of U.S. citizens, with losses estimated at over $9 billion in 2024 alone.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Pirro explained that these syndicates exploit social media to build trust with victims, often older Americans suffering from loneliness. The fraudsters begin contact via social media “mistaken” engagements, then shift communications to encrypted platforms where they manipulate victims into transferring funds. They move victims from legitimate cryptocurrency exchanges to fraudulent platforms created by the criminal organizations themselves, enabling easy theft of funds.
“My office will not stand by as these Chinese organized crime enterprises empty out the bank accounts of hardworking Americans,” Pirro declared, emphasizing the severity of the problem and the devastating impact on victims many of whom are elderly and unable to re-enter the workforce after financial ruin.
The Scam Center Strike Force’s mission extends beyond prosecution; it will trace stolen cryptocurrency assets, work to return funds to victims, and seize U.S.-based infrastructure facilitating scams, including fraudulent websites and satellite connections used by perpetrators. Since initiating operations, the task force has already seized over $400 million and is in the process of forfeiting an additional $80 million, which will be returned to defrauded investors.
Highlighting the transnational nature of these crimes, Pirro revealed collaboration with Treasury and law enforcement agencies, and the sanctioning of groups such as the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), which supports cyber scam centers in Burma (Myanmar). These operations form part of a wider crackdown against Southeast Asian scam centers whose leaders remain a priority for federal prosecution.
Experts estimate that the actual financial damage caused by these scams could be up to fifteen times higher than reported figures due to significant underreporting and the complexity of tracing cryptocurrency flows.
The task force’s creation marks a concerted federal effort to counter the ever-evolving tactics of international criminals exploiting digital finance technologies to target American consumers, protecting the public from fraud and financial abuse.
U.S. Attorney Pirro urged vigilance among the public, especially vulnerable communities, and called for stronger cooperation between governments, tech companies, and law enforcement to root out these fraudsters who use sophisticated means to extort billions under the guise of cryptocurrency investment opportunities.