U.S. Authorities and Major Tech Firms Freeze $3.8 Million in Cryptocurrency Linked to Fraud

Coinbase, Meta, Google, and law enforcement agencies from several countries joined forces to combat cryptocurrency fraud.

DOJ reports $3.8 Million in crypto frozen during international anti-fraud operation

04.06.2026 - 10:20

2 min

Key points:

The U.S. Department of Justice and leading technology companies froze more than $3.8 million in cryptocurrency linked to fraud networks operating across Southeast Asia.
The operation resulted in 63 arrests, the shutdown of 1.4 million accounts, the deactivation of thousands of Starlink terminals, and the disruption of key scam infrastructure.

The U.S. Department of Justice has released the results of Operation Level Up, an international crackdown targeting fraud networks operating throughout Southeast Asia. Through coordinated efforts between law enforcement agencies and major technology companies, authorities froze more than $3.8 million in cryptocurrency connected to criminal activity.

The operation brought together Apple, Coinbase, Google, Meta, Microsoft, SpaceX, TRM Labs, Silent Push, and Zenlayer. Meta played a central role in coordinating private-sector participation.

According to the DOJ, authorities in Thailand arrested seven suspects during the operation. Investigators also identified multiple scam platforms and shared intelligence with U.S. law enforcement for further investigation and potential prosecution.

Coinbase said it helped freeze more than $3 million in cryptocurrency tied to criminal networks. The broader effort also led to the suspension of over 1.4 million accounts, the deactivation of thousands of Starlink terminals, and a total of 63 arrests.

International Cooperation Against Crypto Fraud

The operation involved the FBI, the U.S. Secret Service, and Homeland Security Investigations, alongside law enforcement agencies from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.

FBI Director Kash Patel said that collaboration between government agencies and private companies remains one of the most effective tools for combating organized fraud networks.

According to FBI data, losses from cryptocurrency investment scams continue to rise. Reported losses increased from $3.96 billion in 2023 to $5.8 billion in 2024, and surpassed $7.2 billion in 2025, representing a 24% year-over-year increase.

The DOJ noted that many of these operations are run from large-scale scam compounds located in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. Criminal organizations often recruit workers with promises of high-paying jobs before coercing them into carrying out fraud schemes targeting victims around the world.

Author: