DOJ Issued Seizure Warrant to Starlink Over Satellite Internet Systems Used at Scam Compound


As scam compounds in Southeast Asia continue to rake in billions of dollars in stolen funds from victims around the world, United States law enforcement aims to cut scammers off at the source by issuing seizure warrants for Starlink satellite internet terminals that provide cybercriminals with connectivity. Two US warrants and affidavits seen by WIRED detail how Starlink devices are allegedly being used by cybercriminals running scam compounds in Myanmar.

One warrant, issued on Wednesday by US magistrate judge G. Michael Harvey, authorized the seizure of nine Starlink terminals and two Starlink accounts allegedly used in scam compounds in Payathonzu, near Three Pagodas Pass at the Myanmar-Thai border. A linked affidavit, written by FBI investigators, claims that the Starlink devices and accounts played a “substantial role” in an alleged money laundering and wire fraud operation targeting US citizens—saying Starlink parent company SpaceX should “disable service” to the devices. It also claims that at least 26 Starlink dishes appeared to be on the roofs of several buildings making up one scam center of several in the Three Pagodas Pass area.

The second warrant and affidavit—which was not issued to Starlink but focused on seizing websites used in scamming—also claims that “at least” 79 Starlink dishes appear on the roofs of buildings at the notorious Tai Chang compound in Myanmar, which US officials say is controlled by the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army, an armed group in Myanmar that was sanctioned by the US government this week. The warrant was signed on Monday by US magistrate judge Matthew J. Sharbaugh.

Both sets of legal documents cite a WIRED investigation from earlier this year, which revealed that scam compounds in Myanmar have been using Starlink for internet access. Starlink, which is owned and operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is a high-speed satellite internet service available in more than 150 countries around the world.

The action comes as part of a new US law enforcement initiative known as the District of Columbia Scam Center Strike Force that was announced by the Justice Department, FBI, and Secret Service on Wednesday. The effort aims to combat cryptocurrency scams targeting Americans, specifically fraud that originates from an ecosystem of systematized scamming that has evolved in multiple Southeast Asian countries and is often linked to Chinese organized crime. The “Strike Force” is already operational, and the Justice Department says it has seized roughly $400 million in cryptocurrency so far that was stolen in scams.

“The Department of Justice will not stand by while Chinese organized crime victimizes Americans and bleeds dry the hard-earned investments of American citizens,” Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for the District of Columbia, said in a press conference. “We have seized websites being used by these compounds in Southeast Asia that are used to victimize Americans. We are seeking warrants to see satellite terminals and accounts being used by the perpetrators to connect to the internet.”



Source link

  • Related Posts

    Get a four-pack of first-gen AirTags for only $64

    Good deals on Apple products aren’t as frequent as we’d like them to be, but if there’s one of the company’s products that does seem to enjoy pretty regular price…

    The First Planet Parade of 2026 Is Approaching: When and Where to See It

    Skygazers, mark your calendars for the last week of February because one of the coolest celestial events is coming around again. Six planets will be visible in the night sky…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    WATCH: New clues emerge in Nancy Guthrie abduction case

    WATCH:  New clues emerge in Nancy Guthrie abduction case

    X awards $1 million prize to creator with history of racist posts

    X awards $1 million prize to creator with history of racist posts

    29 Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts for Everyone You Love

    29 Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts for Everyone You Love

    What to Know About Thailand’s Election

    Get a four-pack of first-gen AirTags for only $64

    Get a four-pack of first-gen AirTags for only $64

    Straker, Swepson trump Brasher in possible Shield final preview