Crypto Pig-Butchering Scam Crackdown Leads to 276 Arrests

A multinational crackdown on cryptocurrency pig-butchering scams has led to at least 276 arrests and the dismantlement of at least nine scam centers, the U.S. Department of Justice announced on April 29, 2026.

The operation involved unprecedented cooperation among the FBI, the Dubai Police Department, and China's Ministry of Public Security, according to the DOJ. Dubai Police, operating under the UAE Ministry of Interior, spearheaded the crackdown.

Of the 276 total arrests, 275 were carried out by Dubai authorities. The Royal Thai Police accounted for one additional arrest. The DOJ described the operation as one of the largest coordinated actions against crypto investment fraud to date.

San Diego Charges Name 6 Defendants and 3 Operators

Federal prosecutors in San Diego unsealed fraud and money laundering charges against six defendants tied to three alleged scam-center operators: Ko Thet Company, Sanduo Group, and Giant Company. Among those charged were Thet Min Nyi, Wiliang Awang, Andreas Chandra, and Lisa Mariam, along with two fugitive co-conspirators.

The DOJ said victims of the schemes suffered millions of dollars in losses, though no precise total figure was disclosed for this specific action. The San Diego case represents the domestic prosecution arm of what was primarily an overseas enforcement sweep.

The charges carry significant weight for U.S. crypto fraud enforcement. Pig-butchering scams, which involve building fake romantic or investment relationships to lure victims into fraudulent crypto platforms, have become one of the fastest-growing categories of financial fraud globally. Similar enforcement patterns have emerged in cases involving fake tokens and fraudulent stablecoin claims across Asia-Pacific jurisdictions.

"These scammers thought they were safe half a world away. But their world has changed. Global crime now faces global justice," said Adam Gordon, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California.

Operation Level Up Warned 8,103 Victims as DOJ Restrained $700M

The arrests are part of a broader and escalating U.S. campaign against pig-butchering networks. The FBI's Operation Level Up, launched in January 2024, had notified 8,103 victims as of December 2025. Of those contacted, 77% were unaware they were being scammed.

The initiative's estimated savings reached $511,511,288, reflecting the cumulative losses prevented by early intervention. The program works by identifying active victims and warning them before they send additional funds to fraudulent platforms.

Separately, the DOJ announced on April 23, 2026 that its Scam Center Strike Force had restrained more than $700 million in cryptocurrency and seized 503 fake investment websites tied to scam-center activity in Southeast Asia. The Strike Force has also charged alleged managers connected to compounds in Burma and Cambodia.

The scale of these operations underscores an emerging pattern in U.S. government engagement with crypto infrastructure, spanning both enforcement and strategic applications. Authorities have also flagged concerns about large dormant wallet movements that can intersect with money laundering investigations.

With nearly $1.2 billion in combined cryptocurrency restrained or saved through Operation Level Up and the Strike Force, U.S. agencies appear to be shifting from reactive prosecutions to proactive disruption of scam-center supply chains.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.