# International crackdown shuts nine crypto scam centers, 276 arrested

**Published:** 2026-07-21T18:55:17.328Z  
**Topic:** Crypto Scam  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/db2f4579-4e65-4e49-bf7e-2d3a336e2150

Nine cryptocurrency fraud hubs dismantled and 276 suspects arrested in a coordinated global operation, targeting pig‑butchering scams that stole billions from

A coordinated international law‑enforcement effort dismantled at least nine crypto “scam centers” and led to the arrest of 276 individuals suspected of running pig‑butchering schemes that siphoned millions from U.S. victims [1].

| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Arrests | 276 |
| Scam centers shut | 9 |
| Total U.S. losses 2025 | $15.9 billion (record) |
| Lead agencies | FBI, Dubai Police, Chinese Ministry of Public Security |

## Scope of the operation  
The Department of Justice announced the takedown on April 29, citing unprecedented cooperation among the FBI, Dubai Police (UAE Ministry of Interior) and China’s Ministry of Public Security [1]. Six defendants face federal wire‑fraud and money‑laundering charges in the Southern District of California, while two additional suspects remain at large [1]. The arrested individuals include nationals from Myanmar, Indonesia and other countries, apprehended by Dubai, Thai and U.S. authorities [1][3].

## Modus operandi and impact  
The suspects allegedly managed three companies—Ko Thet Company, Sanduo Group and Giant Company—to run “pig‑butchering” scams, where victims are groomed through online romance before being coaxed into fake cryptocurrency investments [2][3]. Victims were often urged to borrow money or take loans to fund these bogus investments, with the proceeds laundered into other crypto accounts [3]. The DOJ estimates that Americans lost a record $15.9 billion to such scams in 2025, underscoring the scale of the fraud [1].

## Law‑enforcement response and victim relief  
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva emphasized that “fraudsters who target Americans from overseas cannot operate with impunity,” highlighting the global consensus against such operations [1][3]. As part of the broader effort, the FBI’s Operation Level Up, launched in January 2024, has notified nearly 9,000 victims and recovered an estimated $562 million as of April 2026 [3].

## What to watch  
- Ongoing investigations into the two fugitive co‑defendants and any additional arrests.  
- Potential civil actions or restitution efforts stemming from the $562 million recovered.  
- Further international cooperation announcements that could signal expanded enforcement against crypto‑related fraud.

The crackdown demonstrates that transnational crypto fraud networks can be disrupted when law‑enforcement agencies align resources, but the record $15.9 billion loss in 2025 shows the continuing vulnerability of investors to sophisticated online scams.

## Sources
1. USA Today — [276 arrested in connection with 'scam centers' targeting Americans](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/04/29/scam-center-arrests-doj/89860379007/)
2. Breitbart — [DOJ: International Takedown of Crypto Scam Centers Nets 276...](https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2026/05/08/doj-international-takedown-of-cryptocurrency-scam-centers-nets-276-arrests/)
3. Thehackernews — [Global Crackdown Arrests 276, Shuts 9 Crypto Scam Centers...](https://thehackernews.com/2026/05/global-crackdown-arrests-276-shuts-9.html)

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Cite as: TrendWatcher, "International crackdown shuts nine crypto scam centers, 276 arrested", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/db2f4579-4e65-4e49-bf7e-2d3a336e2150