Meta led a coordinated two-week operation beginning May 18, 2026, targeting scam networks operating in Southeast Asia, which steal billions annually from Americans through romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, law enforcement impersonation, and fake job offers [1, 2, 3].
The effort involved the U.S. Department of Justice, FBI, Microsoft, Coinbase, Starlink, Royal Thai Police, and law enforcement from the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Thailand [1, 2, 3]. Meta removed approximately 1.4 million scam accounts, pages, and groups from Facebook and Instagram during the operation [1, 2, 3]. Microsoft suspended or disabled around 20,000 accounts linked to scams [1, 2, 3]. Coinbase froze more than $3 million in cryptocurrency assets tied to the criminal networks [1, 2, 3]. Starlink disconnected thousands of internet kits used by scammers [1].
Authorities arrested 63 individuals connected to scam centers based in Southeast Asia [1, 2, 3]. Some of these compounds reportedly involve forced labor and trafficking victims coerced into conducting fraud [1, 2, 3].
Chris Sonderby, Meta’s vice president and deputy general counsel, said, "Protecting people around the world from scams is one of our highest priorities. This operation demonstrates the power of partnerships to combat scammers. We’re proud to partner with industry and DOJ, FBI, Royal Thai Police, and other law enforcement agencies in taking this global fight directly to these Asia-based scam centers at their source" [2].
The joint effort drew to a close in late May 2026, with announcements of arrests, account removals, and asset freezes appearing by the end of May or early June [2, 3]. Authorities plan to continue monitoring scam activity and coordinating internationally against these criminal networks.
