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We reveal the shocking reality of labor camps.
Romance scams, also known as "pig butchering," are a growing threat, especially in the world of cryptocurrencies. The essence of these scams is that scammers gradually gain the trust of the victim, often starting communication through instant messengers or dating apps.
Over time, by strengthening the "relationship," the attackers convince the victim to invest money in a fake investment that could include both cryptocurrencies and fiat money. These schemes continue until the scammers disappear, leaving the victim without funds.
According to a 2022 FBI report, Americans have lost more than $700 million due to romance scams, including cryptocurrency schemes. The total losses from crypto scams amounted to almost $2.5 billion. These figures do not take into account casualties in other countries, such as China, where similar schemes are also widespread.
However, behind the scenes of these scams, something even more horrific is happening. There is a growing awareness that many of those involved in these schemes are themselves victims. For example, people from China and Southeast Asia are kidnapped, transported to labor camps, and forced to participate in these schemes under threat of violence.
One of the centres of such activity is the city of Myawadee in Myanmar, where criminal groups operate with near impunity. Places like the KK Park complex hold more than 2,000 people forced into engaging in romance scams. These people work 12 or more hours a day, and for failing to meet quotas, they are tortured and deprived of food.
Companies that rent territory in such complexes are engaged not only in fraud, but also demand ransom from the families of the kidnapped workers. These ransoms are often paid for with cryptocurrency. For example, by analyzing the blockchain addresses provided by the victims, Chainalysis researchers were able to establish that about $100 million in cryptocurrency came to two such addresses, a significant part of which is related to fraud and ransoms.
This situation highlights how closely romance scams and cryptocurrency extortion are linked. In addition, it points to the scale of the humanitarian crisis created by these criminal groups.
However, there is good news: cryptocurrency companies and law enforcement agencies are already taking action. For example, in November 2023, thanks to cooperation with the US Department of Justice, about $225 million in USDT tokens associated with the international human trafficking network in Southeast Asia were frozen. Also, the South Korean-led Interpol operation resulted in the arrest of 3,500 cybercriminals and the seizure of $300 million, of which $100 million was in digital assets.
These measures help to counter criminal schemes and contribute to the protection of victims, but the situation remains critical, requiring further efforts and international cooperation.
Source
Romance scams, also known as "pig butchering," are a growing threat, especially in the world of cryptocurrencies. The essence of these scams is that scammers gradually gain the trust of the victim, often starting communication through instant messengers or dating apps.
Over time, by strengthening the "relationship," the attackers convince the victim to invest money in a fake investment that could include both cryptocurrencies and fiat money. These schemes continue until the scammers disappear, leaving the victim without funds.
According to a 2022 FBI report, Americans have lost more than $700 million due to romance scams, including cryptocurrency schemes. The total losses from crypto scams amounted to almost $2.5 billion. These figures do not take into account casualties in other countries, such as China, where similar schemes are also widespread.
However, behind the scenes of these scams, something even more horrific is happening. There is a growing awareness that many of those involved in these schemes are themselves victims. For example, people from China and Southeast Asia are kidnapped, transported to labor camps, and forced to participate in these schemes under threat of violence.
One of the centres of such activity is the city of Myawadee in Myanmar, where criminal groups operate with near impunity. Places like the KK Park complex hold more than 2,000 people forced into engaging in romance scams. These people work 12 or more hours a day, and for failing to meet quotas, they are tortured and deprived of food.
Companies that rent territory in such complexes are engaged not only in fraud, but also demand ransom from the families of the kidnapped workers. These ransoms are often paid for with cryptocurrency. For example, by analyzing the blockchain addresses provided by the victims, Chainalysis researchers were able to establish that about $100 million in cryptocurrency came to two such addresses, a significant part of which is related to fraud and ransoms.
This situation highlights how closely romance scams and cryptocurrency extortion are linked. In addition, it points to the scale of the humanitarian crisis created by these criminal groups.
However, there is good news: cryptocurrency companies and law enforcement agencies are already taking action. For example, in November 2023, thanks to cooperation with the US Department of Justice, about $225 million in USDT tokens associated with the international human trafficking network in Southeast Asia were frozen. Also, the South Korean-led Interpol operation resulted in the arrest of 3,500 cybercriminals and the seizure of $300 million, of which $100 million was in digital assets.
These measures help to counter criminal schemes and contribute to the protection of victims, but the situation remains critical, requiring further efforts and international cooperation.
Source
