FBI Dismantles Global Scam Networks, Seizes $15 Billion and Rescues Thousands

The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced that Operation Blackout dismantled four of the world’s largest online scam compounds, seizing about $15.2 billion in assets and freeing thousands of people forced into labor. The operation is reported to have prevented roughly 10,000 Americans from losing their life savings.

Four coordinated actions were highlighted: Operation Zephyr Exodus targeted Cambodia’s Prince Group, resulting in the seizure of a record 127,000 Bitcoin; Operation Sand Dollar, conducted in Dubai with China’s Ministry of Public Security and Dubai Police, shut down nine compounds, arrested over 300 suspects, and confiscated around $300 million; Operation Compound Fracture focused on taking down domains and malicious apps used for scams; and the Shunda Compound Takedown, a joint FBI‑Thai effort, disrupted a network responsible for hundreds of millions in losses.

The FBI also announced new international partnerships to combat transnational fraud and human‑trafficking networks, and the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on 35 individuals and entities linked to the Prince Group.