A coordinated 10-nation operation has led to the deactivation of 150,000 accounts and the rescue of 300 victims, targeting cybercrime networks across Southeast Asia. The Anti-Online Scam Centre (ACSC) spearheaded the effort, dismantling "scam factories" with help from international agencies. The operation resulted in significant arrests and disrupted a major organized crime entity. Get today's headlines by email This intervention, known as the second Joint Disruption Week, saw collaboration between the Royal Thai Police, the FBI, the US Department of Justice, and Meta. Concluded on March 12, 2026, the operation successfully disrupted digital infrastructures used by transnational criminals. It also led to the arrest of 21 suspects and identified over 300 individuals trafficked into forced labor at scam centers in Thailand. Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej highlighted the sophisticated nature of these networks, comparing them to legitimate businesses. This effort follows an earlier 2025 operation that removed 59,000 pages and accounts. The coalition has expanded its reach to include law enforcement from the UK, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, and Canada, and has partnered with LINE for regional cybercrime prevention strategies. Chris Sonderby of Meta stated that their efforts focus on "source suppression" to stop criminal activity before it affects users. The operation shared real-time intelligence with the FBI and local authorities to disrupt the financial engines of these syndicates. The ACSC now aims to trace financial activities to prevent these groups from reemerging. Looking forward, the coalition plans to continue its expansive efforts against cybercrime with a focus on financial analysis to counteract regrouping efforts by the criminals under new digital identities. This ongoing vigilance is critical to sustaining the pressure on such transnational networks and protecting potential future victims, reported The Nation. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Nation · 12 Mar 2026
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