As scam compounds across Southeast Asia continue to draw in billions of dollars from victims around the globe, U.S. law enforcement is escalating efforts to disrupt these criminal hubs at their technological core. Newly issued seizure warrants reveal that American authorities are now targeting Starlink satellite internet terminals believed to be supplying cybercriminals in Myanmar with the high-speed connectivity they depend on to operate.
Two warrants and corresponding affidavits examined by WIRED outline how these terminals—part of SpaceX’s satellite internet network—have been integrated into sprawling scam centers along the Myanmar–Thailand border, an area increasingly associated with organized fraud operations.
Starlink Equipment Found Installed Across Myanmar Scam Sites
One of the warrants, issued Wednesday by U.S. magistrate judge G. Michael Harvey, gives law enforcement permission to seize nine Starlink terminals and two Starlink user accounts connected to scam compounds in Payathonzu, a region in Myanmar long known for cross-border crime. According to the FBI affidavit, these terminals played a significant role in an alleged money laundering and wire fraud scheme that targeted U.S. victims.
Investigators say that at least 26 Starlink dishes were spotted mounted on buildings within one of several scam centers operating near the Three Pagodas Pass. The FBI argues that internet access provided through these terminals enabled scammers to communicate with victims, facilitate cryptocurrency transactions, and coordinate fraud networks without interruption. The affidavit also recommends that SpaceX disable the affected equipment.
A second warrant, signed Monday by U.S. magistrate judge Matthew J. Sharbaugh, focuses on web domains used in online scams but also notes extensive Starlink usage at the Tai Chang compound—one of the most notorious scam hubs in Myanmar. The affidavit states that at least 79 Starlink dishes were visible on rooftops at the site, which U.S. officials say is controlled by the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army, a group that received U.S. sanctions this week.
Both sets of documents cite a WIRED investigation published earlier this year, which verified that scam compounds in Myanmar frequently rely on Starlink due to unreliable or limited local infrastructure. Starlink’s global coverage and fast connectivity make it an ideal tool for operations intentionally located in difficult-to-access regions.
A New U.S. Strike Force Takes Aim at Transnational Crypto Fraud
These warrants are part of a wider effort by U.S. law enforcement to dismantle transnational scam networks. This week, the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the Secret Service jointly introduced the District of Columbia Scam Center Strike Force, a new initiative dedicated to combating cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes impacting Americans.
Officials say that many of these scams originate from highly organized criminal operations in Southeast Asia, frequently connected to networks associated with Chinese organized crime groups. The DOJ reported that the Strike Force has already recovered around $400 million worth of stolen cryptocurrency.
During a press briefing, Jeanine Pirro, U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, emphasized the government’s commitment to pursuing the networks responsible for these scams and targeting the tools that allow them to operate. She noted that the U.S. has already seized various web assets used by scam centers and is now seeking warrants to cut off the satellite devices that facilitate their internet access.
SpaceX Previously Disabled Thousands of Terminals Linked to Scam Compounds
SpaceX has not yet responded to questions regarding the latest warrants or whether it plans to deactivate the terminals listed in the legal filings. However, the company previously acknowledged taking action against illicit use of its systems. In October, Lauren Dreyer, Starlink’s vice president of business operations, posted that more than 2,500 Starlink terminals used near Myanmar scam compounds had already been proactively disabled. Following that announcement, local reports suggested a noticeable drop in Starlink usage in the region, though smuggling of devices continues.
Investigators Connect Starlink Activity to a Multi-Year Crypto Scam
The Wednesday affidavit links Starlink terminals found at the Three Pagodas Pass sites to a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme operating under the name “Wealthob.” Between 2017 and November 2024, at least 22 victims reported to the FBI that they collectively lost about $6.7 million to the fraud.
The scheme typically began with unsolicited text messages claiming a wrong number. Once contact was established, scammers steered victims toward private conversations on messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram. Over time, victims were encouraged to invest in phony cryptocurrency trading platforms controlled by scam operators.
According to investigators, phone numbers used in these interactions were matched to specific Starlink devices, which were in turn tied to two user accounts registered in the Philippines. Data provided by SpaceX and Meta helped establish these connections. Meta, which previously reported suspending millions of accounts tied to scam operations, did not immediately comment on the recent findings.
The affidavit argues that the Starlink accounts provided crucial internet access used to lure U.S. victims into transferring money overseas. The warrant instructs SpaceX to freeze or disconnect the terminals from its network.
