NBC Bay Area | The Department of Justice has indicted the leader of a sophisticated crime network for operating scam compounds in Myanmar.

Security Brief Australia | Scam attempts have risen 65% globally over the past year, according to research from BioCatch. The Global Anti-Scam Alliance estimates that consumers lose $1.03 trillion to scams annually.

CNN | Every day, scammers manipulate people into believing they owe money. The scammers direct them to crypto ATMs to pay. And the owners of those machines profit.

The Guardian | Starlink has become Myanmar’s biggest internet provider. A US Congress committee is investigating the activity of Elon Musk’s business in providing internet access to scam centers.

US DOJ Press Release | Chairman of Prince Group indicted for operating Cambodian forced-labor compounds engaged in crypto scams. DOJ files forfeiture action against about $15 billion in Bitcoin.

The New Indian Express (AFP) | Despite a crackdown that was supposed to shut down Myanmar scam centers, they’re growing — and Starlink’s presence in the compounds has increased.

ABC7 - KGO | The voice on the phone sounded like his son. He’d been arrested. An attorney directed him to pay a $15,000 bail at a nearby Bitcoin ATM. But it was a scam.

Detonation Point | Former U.S. Secret Service Agent Matt O’Neill interviews Erin West about cybercrime, SIM swaps, pig butchering scams — and what we need to do to fight them.

KALW Public Radio digs into the reality of scams in the age of AI with an interview with AARP’s Amy Nofziger and Operation Shamrock’s Founder Erin West.

The Guardian | People seeking connection have long been the target of criminals. But romance fraud is increasing, especially among older adults. Learn about the warning signs.

The Fight of My Life | Escaping Scam City is a true-crime podcast about a couple who were trapped and forced into committing fraud. Operation Shamrock’s Erin West shares how the scams work and how we fight them.

KHOU | The FBI is warning about fake websites designed to mimic the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). The sites are designed to trick people into entering personal and banking details.

BBC | An Interpol operation has arrested 250 suspected cyber scammers across 14 African countries who used romance scams and sextortion to steal nearly $2.8 million from over 1,400 people.

Token for Your Thoughts  | Erin West explains pig butchering investment scams, the scam industry, and how Operation Shamrock unites banks, law enforcement, and advocates to fight back.

University of Notre Dame | When banks can provide details about fraudulent activity, customers are more likely to stay. In fact, 62% fewer leave compared with those who hadn’t experienced fraud.

Futurism | Scammers are using SMS blasters to increase their phishing game. They move around with the portable devices, sending thousands of messages with dangerous links to nearby phones.

Reuters uses illustrations to tell the story of Oly, an IT consultant who flew from Ethiopia to Thailand to meet a friend for a few days. He was trapped in Southeast Asia for five months.

The New York Times | A person called a reporter, asking for him by name. The caller ID said “Chase Bank.” The scammer had a ready answer for every question the reporter asked. It almost worked.