Meta has announced the results of a major joint operation with the Royal Thai Police, the US Department of Justice and law enforcement agencies from several countries to disrupt online scam networks operating across Southeast Asia. The operation led to the arrest of 63 suspects linked to fraud schemes and the removal of more than 1.4 million Facebook and Instagram accounts, pages and groups connected to scam activity. Get today's headlines by email The announcement was made on 4 June. The operation relied on intelligence sharing and close cooperation between technology companies and law enforcement agencies. Information gathered during the initiative also helped identify new locations and call-centre scam networks believed to be involved in criminal activity, with details passed to authorities for further investigation. Key outcomes included Meta removing more than 1.4 million scam-related accounts, pages and groups across Facebook and Instagram. Microsoft suspended around 20,000 fraudulent accounts linked to criminal networks, while Coinbase froze more than US$3 million in cryptocurrency assets connected to organised crime groups. Starlink also disabled thousands of devices identified as being associated with illegal activities. The initiative followed collaboration launched on 18 May 2026 through the US Department of Justice’s Scam Center Strike Force, led by US Attorney Jeanine Pirro for the District of Columbia. Participants included Meta, Microsoft, Coinbase, Starlink, the Royal Thai Police and law enforcement agencies from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, working together in Bangkok and Washington, DC. The operation targeted criminal organisations behind investment scams, romance scams and other forms of online fraud affecting millions of people worldwide. Authorities said these groups often operate across multiple platforms, services and jurisdictions, making international cooperation essential to disrupting their activities. Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, Assistant Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police and head of the Anti-Online Scam Operation Centre, said this was the third joint operation with Meta and international partners. He stated that the results demonstrated tangible progress in dismantling transnational cybercrime networks and highlighted the importance of timely intelligence sharing. Chris Sonderby, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Meta, said protecting people from scams remains one of the company’s highest priorities. He said the operation showed the value of cooperation between industry, the US Department of Justice, the FBI, the Royal Thai Police and other agencies in tackling scam centres operating in Asia. Microsoft, Coinbase and Starlink executives also stressed the importance of cross-sector collaboration, blockchain transparency and proactive enforcement measures in identifying, tracking and disrupting criminal networks. Daily News reported that authorities and technology companies involved in the operation said they remain committed to continuing this partnership as online scammers adapt their tactics and increasingly use multiple platforms to evade detection. Picture courtesy of Daily News Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 5 June 2026
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