Crypto Scam Risk Calculator
Assess Your Scam Risk
This tool helps you understand your vulnerability to US-sanctioned crypto scams. Based on your investment habits, it calculates your risk level and provides personalized protection advice.
On September 8, 2025, the U.S. Treasury slapped sanctions on nine crypto-related entities operating out of Shwe Kokko, Myanmar-a lawless border town that’s become the epicenter of one of the world’s most brutal financial crime rings. These aren’t just random hackers or rogue traders. These are organized criminal networks protected by armed militias, running forced-labor compounds where victims are trafficked, locked up, and forced to scam Americans out of billions. The U.S. didn’t just freeze bank accounts. It went after the entire machine: the bosses, the enforcers, the money pipelines, and the militia that shields them.
What Exactly Did the U.S. Do?
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated nine entities tied to crypto scam operations in Shwe Kokko and ten more in Cambodia under multiple executive orders, including E.O. 13851 (targeting transnational crime), E.O. 13694 (cyber-enabled fraud), and E.O. 13818 (human rights abuses). This wasn’t a warning. It was a full-scale takedown. All U.S.-based assets of these entities were frozen. Americans are now legally barred from doing any business with them-no payments, no transfers, no crypto trades. The sanctions specifically named the Karen National Army (KNA) as a transnational criminal organization. Not just a rebel group. Not just a militia. A criminal enterprise that profits directly from crypto fraud. Its leader, Saw Chit Thu, and his two sons, Saw Htoo Eh Moo and Saw Chit Chit, were also sanctioned. The KNA controls Shwe Kokko, a town on the Thai-Burmese border where over 100,000 people are estimated to be held in scam compounds. Many of them are trafficked from China, Vietnam, and Southeast Asia-lured by fake job offers, then forced to run scams under threat of torture or death.How Do These Crypto Scams Work?
These aren’t simple phishing emails or fake websites. These are high-volume, highly coordinated operations. Victims in the U.S. get messages on dating apps, social media, or even LinkedIn. They’re pitched “guaranteed” crypto investments-Bitcoin, Ethereum, or obscure tokens-with promises of 20%, 50%, even 100% monthly returns. The scammers use professional-looking websites, fake testimonials, and live video calls with actors posing as financial advisors. Once the victim sends crypto, the money flows through a chain of wallets-mixed, layered, and laundered through decentralized exchanges and privacy coins like Monero. The final destination? Wallets controlled by the KNA-linked entities in Shwe Kokko. The entire operation runs like a factory. One floor handles phishing. Another handles wallet management. A third handles money laundering. And at the top? Armed guards ensuring no one escapes. The Treasury estimates Americans lost $10 billion to these scams in 2024 alone. That’s more than the GDP of 120 countries. And it’s not just money. It’s trust. It’s retirement savings. It’s life insurance payouts. People who thought they were investing in the future ended up funding slavery.Why Myanmar? Why Shwe Kokko?
Myanmar’s military coup in 2021 shattered the country’s legal infrastructure. In the chaos, armed groups like the KNA carved out their own territories. Shwe Kokko became a no-man’s-land-no police, no courts, no international oversight. The KNA doesn’t just tolerate these scams. They profit from them. They take a cut of every dollar stolen. They provide security. They supply electricity and internet. They even run the prisons where the scam workers are held. The U.S. Treasury called this relationship “a symbiotic criminal alliance.” The KNA gets cash. The scammers get protection. And the victims? They’re trapped on both ends-Americans losing their savings, and Southeast Asians forced into cyber slavery.
Who Else Got Hit?
The nine Myanmar-based targets are all linked to specific scam compounds in Shwe Kokko. Each one controls a cluster of buildings housing hundreds of forced workers. The ten Cambodia-based targets are the financial backbone: money laundering hubs, crypto exchange accounts, and shell companies that move the stolen funds out of Southeast Asia and into global markets. The sanctions didn’t just name companies. They named the people behind them. Owners. Managers. Accountants. Even the IT staff who built the scam websites. If you’re part of the operation, you’re on the list. And if you’re a U.S. person-bank, exchange, wallet provider, or individual-you can’t touch any of them. Ever.What Happens Now?
This isn’t the end. It’s the beginning. The Treasury said this action “builds on a series of actions taken in the last several months.” That means more are coming. The U.S. is now using its full legal arsenal: financial sanctions, human rights violations, cybercrime laws, and even anti-slavery statutes. The message is clear: if you’re running a crypto scam out of Myanmar, you’re not just breaking financial rules. You’re committing crimes against humanity. Crypto exchanges and wallet providers are now under pressure to monitor for transactions linked to these sanctioned addresses. Major platforms like Coinbase and Kraken have already updated their compliance systems to block any transfers to the sanctioned wallets. If you’re sending crypto to an address tied to Shwe Kokko, your transaction will be flagged-and possibly frozen.
What This Means for Crypto Users
If you’re an investor, this is a wake-up call. Not all crypto is equal. Not all wallets are safe. If you’re using decentralized platforms, you’re on the front lines of this war. There’s no central authority to reverse a transaction. Once your crypto leaves your wallet, it’s gone. And if it ends up in a sanctioned wallet? You might not get it back-and you could be violating U.S. law just by sending it there. The Treasury’s message to the public is simple: if it sounds too good to be true, it is. And if you’re sending crypto to someone in Southeast Asia you’ve never met? You’re probably funding a prison camp.How to Protect Yourself
- Never invest in crypto through unsolicited messages on social media or dating apps.
- Verify every platform using official websites-never click links in DMs.
- Use wallets that support transaction monitoring and sanctions screening.
- If you think you’ve been scammed, report it to the FBI’s IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center) immediately.
- Never send crypto to addresses you don’t fully control or verify.
Are U.S. citizens allowed to send crypto to Myanmar?
No. U.S. persons are legally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with entities or individuals sanctioned by OFAC, including those tied to Myanmar’s crypto scam networks. This includes sending, receiving, or facilitating any cryptocurrency transfers to or from these targets. Violating these sanctions can result in civil penalties, criminal charges, and asset seizures.
How do I know if a crypto wallet is linked to a sanctioned entity?
OFAC publishes the full list of sanctioned addresses in its SDN (Specially Designated Nationals) database. Most major crypto exchanges automatically screen transactions against this list. If you’re using a non-custodial wallet, you can check addresses manually using blockchain explorers like Etherscan or Blockchain.com, then cross-reference them with OFAC’s published sanctions list. If an address matches a sanctioned entity, avoid any interaction with it.
Why did the U.S. target the Karen National Army (KNA)?
The KNA isn’t just a militia-it’s an active criminal organization that profits directly from cyber scam operations in Shwe Kokko. The U.S. determined the KNA provides protection, infrastructure, and security to these scam centers in exchange for a share of stolen funds. This makes the KNA a transnational criminal organization under U.S. law, not a political group. Sanctioning them breaks the financial lifeline that keeps these operations running.
Is this the first time the U.S. has sanctioned crypto scams?
No. The U.S. has sanctioned crypto-related fraud before, including North Korean hacking groups and ransomware operators. But this is the largest and most comprehensive action targeting Southeast Asian scam networks. What makes this unique is the direct link to human trafficking and forced labor-allowing the U.S. to use human rights sanctions, not just financial crime tools.
Can I still use cryptocurrency if I’m not involved in scams?
Yes. The sanctions target specific entities and addresses linked to criminal operations-not cryptocurrency as a whole. Legitimate users, exchanges, and developers are unaffected. But you must be vigilant. Always verify where your crypto is going. Use reputable platforms with compliance tools. Avoid peer-to-peer transactions with unknown parties. The goal is to clean up the ecosystem, not shut it down.
What happens to the people forced to work in these scam centers?
Many are victims themselves-trafficked, held against their will, and tortured if they refuse to scam. The U.S. sanctions don’t directly free them, but by cutting off funding and exposing the networks, the government hopes to pressure regional actors into shutting down the compounds. International NGOs and law enforcement agencies are working on rescue operations, but progress is slow due to the remote location and armed control of the area.
Helen Hardman
November 1, 2025 AT 06:40Okay but can we just take a second to appreciate how insane it is that people are getting scammed out of BILLIONS while being held in prison camps? I mean, I knew crypto had shady corners, but this is like a horror movie turned real. My cousin almost sent her life savings to some ‘crypto guru’ on Instagram last year-thank god her sister caught it. We need way more public awareness campaigns. This isn’t just about money, it’s about human lives. Every time someone thinks ‘it won’t happen to me,’ another person gets trapped. We gotta stop normalizing these ‘get rich quick’ DMs. Period.
And seriously, if you’re using a non-custodial wallet and don’t check addresses? You’re playing Russian roulette with someone’s freedom. I’ve started sharing OFAC’s list on my Twitter thread every week. Small actions matter.
Also-why aren’t more exchanges being forced to freeze these wallets in real-time? If Coinbase can block ransomware addresses, why not these? We’re talking slavery here, not just fraud.
Also also-can we please stop calling these ‘scams’? That word softens it. This is modern-day human trafficking with blockchain as the weapon. We need to reframe the language. It’s not ‘a bad investment.’ It’s a crime scene.
And to everyone who says ‘crypto is decentralized so it’s free’-no. Freedom doesn’t mean lawlessness. This is exactly why regulation matters. Not to kill crypto-to save people from it.
I’m not anti-crypto. I’m anti-slavery. And these people are being forced to scam their own kind. That’s the worst part.
Let’s not just tweet about it. Let’s call our reps. Let’s demand Congress fund rescue ops. Let’s pressure Thai and Cambodian authorities. This isn’t just a U.S. problem-it’s a global moral emergency.
And if you’re reading this and you’ve ever sent crypto to a stranger… please, just pause. Breathe. Check the address. Someone’s life might depend on it.
Bhavna Suri
November 2, 2025 AT 22:56This is very bad. People are hurt. Money is stolen. Government should do more.
naveen kumar
November 3, 2025 AT 18:21Let’s be real-this whole thing is a distraction. The U.S. sanctions these groups because they want control over global crypto flows, not because they care about ‘human rights.’ The Karen National Army? A rebel group that’s been fighting for autonomy for decades, now labeled a ‘criminal enterprise’ because they’re in the way of American financial hegemony.
And who exactly benefits from freezing these wallets? The same banks that laundered money for the Taliban, the Sinaloa Cartel, and the Russian oligarchs. OFAC is a tool of empire, not justice.
Also-how many of these ‘sanctioned addresses’ are just decoys? The real money’s moving through private DeFi pools and cross-chain bridges that aren’t even on the list. This is theater. A PR stunt to make Americans feel safe while the real systemic rot continues untouched.
And don’t get me started on the ‘forced labor’ narrative. Every war zone has exploitation. Why single out Myanmar? Because it’s convenient. China’s got millions in labor camps. The U.S. has private prisons. But no sanctions there. Why? Because they’re not in the way of Wall Street’s crypto ambitions.
This isn’t about ethics. It’s about power. And anyone who buys the ‘clean crypto’ narrative is naive.
Wesley Grimm
November 4, 2025 AT 21:5910 billion? That number smells like a press release. The Treasury inflates these figures to justify budget increases. Realistic estimates from Chainalysis put the total Southeast Asian crypto fraud at $3.2B in 2024. Even that’s probably inflated by double-counting wash trades.
Also, the KNA being labeled a ‘transnational criminal organization’? That’s legally dubious. They’re an ethnic armed group with a territorial base. Not a corporate entity. Sanctioning them under E.O. 13818 stretches the statute beyond recognition.
And the claim that ‘Americans are now barred from doing any business’? What does that even mean? If I hold a wallet that received a dust transaction from a sanctioned address five years ago, am I now in violation? The compliance burden on individuals is absurd.
Also-why are we not talking about the fact that the Thai government has been complicit in allowing Shwe Kokko to operate for years? No sanctions on Thai banks? No sanctions on Thai police who take bribes to look the other way?
This isn’t a takedown. It’s a symbolic gesture with zero chance of real impact. And it’ll only push the operations further underground-into Monero, Zcash, and privacy chains where even OFAC can’t follow.
Bottom line: This looks good on paper. In practice? It’s performative.
Masechaba Setona
November 6, 2025 AT 00:51OMG I’m literally shaking. 😭 This is the darkest thing I’ve ever read. Like… people are being tortured to scam strangers on dating apps? That’s not crypto. That’s a dystopian Netflix series. And we’re just scrolling past it like it’s a TikTok ad.
Why is no one talking about the fact that these victims are mostly young women from Vietnam and China? They’re lured with fake modeling jobs, then forced to flirt with American men for months before asking for ‘investments’? That’s not a scam. That’s emotional warfare.
And the KNA? They’re not ‘militia.’ They’re psychopaths with Wi-Fi. And the U.S. is acting like they’re the only ones who can fix this? What about ASEAN? What about the UN? Why are we letting a bunch of armed men run a digital slavery factory on the Thai border?
I’m done. I’m deleting my crypto wallets. I’m donating to rescue orgs. I’m calling my senator. I’m not just angry-I’m ashamed. We built this world. And now we’re paying for it with other people’s screams.
And if you’re still buying Dogecoin from some guy on Discord? You’re part of the machine. 💔
Kymberley Sant
November 6, 2025 AT 16:02So like… I just checked my wallet and I think I might’ve sent like 0.02 ETH to a wallet that looks kinda similar to one of those addresses? Not sure. I think it was called ‘CryptoKing777’ or something? Anyway, I didn’t know. I thought it was a legit pump. Should I be worried? 😬
Also why do all these scam sites have the same template? Like the same ‘team’ photos and ‘guaranteed returns’ text? Are they all using the same template from a shady Fiverr guy?
And can we talk about how the scammers always use the same voice? Like, super calm, super smooth, like a British guy whispering into your ear? It’s so creepy. I’ve seen it like 5 times now.
Also-why is everyone so shocked? I’ve been telling my friends for years: if someone DMs you on Instagram with a crypto link, RUN. Like, literally run.
Also also-I just saw a TikTok of a guy in Myanmar smiling in a suit holding a laptop. That’s probably one of them. 😳
Edgerton Trowbridge
November 8, 2025 AT 04:13It’s critical to recognize that this action by the U.S. Treasury represents a significant evolution in the application of financial sanctions. For the first time, human rights violations are being directly and explicitly tied to cryptocurrency infrastructure, creating a legal precedent that could reshape global compliance frameworks.
What’s particularly noteworthy is the multi-layered approach: not only are the financial entities being targeted, but the human enablers-IT staff, accountants, managers-are being held accountable under the same legal instruments used against terrorist financiers. This signals a shift from punishing institutions to dismantling ecosystems.
Moreover, the inclusion of the Karen National Army under E.O. 13818 is legally groundbreaking. It establishes that non-state armed groups can be designated as transnational criminal organizations when their activities meet the statutory thresholds of forced labor and cyber-enabled fraud.
For individual investors, this is a sobering reminder that decentralization does not equate to immunity. The burden of due diligence has now shifted from institutions to end users. Even non-custodial wallet holders must exercise reasonable care.
While the immediate impact on the ground may be limited due to operational secrecy and geographic remoteness, the long-term deterrence value cannot be overstated. The message to criminal networks is clear: there is no safe harbor. No anonymity. No impunity.
This is not merely a financial action. It is a moral statement. And history will judge us not by our intentions, but by our willingness to act when the stakes are human lives.
Matthew Affrunti
November 9, 2025 AT 12:21Bro. This is wild. I’ve been in crypto since 2017 and I’ve seen scams-but this? This is next level. I used to think the worst part was losing money. Now I know it’s knowing your cash is funding torture.
I just checked my old transactions. Thank god I’ve never sent anything to a weird Southeast Asian address. But I’ve clicked on a few sketchy links. Yikes.
My advice? If you’re new to crypto, stick to Coinbase or Kraken. Don’t even touch DeFi until you know what you’re doing. And if someone DMs you with a ‘guaranteed’ return? Block them. Then report them. Then tell five friends.
Also-don’t feel bad if you got scammed. I know someone who lost $12k. She’s still traumatized. But she’s now volunteering with a group that helps victims. That’s the real win.
We can’t fix this overnight. But we can stop being passive. Every time you share this post, you’re saving someone. So please-do it.
mark Hayes
November 11, 2025 AT 00:52man this hits different 😔
i used to think crypto was the future of freedom but now i realize it’s just a new way for bad people to hurt others
my uncle got scammed last year and he still talks about it like it was a dream
we need to teach this in schools. not just ‘how to invest’ but ‘how not to become part of a nightmare’
i’m not mad at the scammers anymore. i’m mad at the system that lets this happen
also if you’re reading this and you’ve got a wallet with a bunch of random tokens from 2021… delete it. you don’t know where it’s been
we’re all just trying to get by. let’s not make someone else pay for it
peace out 🙏
Derek Hardman
November 12, 2025 AT 17:22This is one of the most disturbing developments in financial crime I have encountered in recent years. The intersection of transnational organized crime, digital technology, and human trafficking creates a uniquely modern form of exploitation.
It is imperative that international cooperation be expanded beyond financial sanctions. The U.S. cannot act alone. ASEAN nations, particularly Thailand and Cambodia, must be engaged through diplomatic channels, technical assistance, and joint law enforcement task forces.
Furthermore, the role of internet service providers and cloud infrastructure companies must be addressed. These scam compounds rely on bandwidth, servers, and domain registrations. If these services are cut off, the operations collapse.
Additionally, the psychological manipulation employed in these scams-using dating apps, fake financial advisors, and fabricated success stories-is a form of cognitive warfare. Behavioral psychology research should be integrated into public awareness campaigns.
While sanctions are necessary, they are insufficient. We must pursue a holistic strategy: financial, technological, humanitarian, and educational. Only then can we dismantle this machinery of cruelty.
Eliane Karp Toledo
November 13, 2025 AT 21:39Okay but what if this is all a psyop? What if the U.S. is using ‘human trafficking’ as an excuse to crush crypto in Southeast Asia because China’s backing these operations? Think about it-why now? Why not when the North Koreans were stealing $2B? Why target Myanmar and not the Philippines or Nigeria?
And who’s really behind the KNA? Are they even real? Or is this just a front to justify U.S. military presence near Chinese trade routes?
I’ve looked at the OFAC list. Half these addresses are old, inactive, or just dust from 2020. This is a smear campaign wrapped in moral outrage.
Also-how many of these ‘forced laborers’ are actually working there because they’re fleeing war zones and see it as their only option? Maybe they’re not victims. Maybe they’re survivors.
And why is no one asking who’s funding the NGOs that ‘rescue’ them? Are they tied to U.S. intelligence? Is this a covert operation?
I’m not saying it’s not bad. I’m saying we’re being manipulated into believing a story that serves a geopolitical agenda. The truth is buried under layers of propaganda.
And if you believe this is just about ‘crypto scams,’ you’re not thinking deep enough.
Phyllis Nordquist
November 14, 2025 AT 17:30The U.S. Treasury’s action constitutes a landmark application of multilateral financial tools to address transnational human rights abuses embedded within digital asset ecosystems. The designation of the Karen National Army as a transnational criminal organization under Executive Order 13818 is legally significant, as it explicitly links armed conflict actors to cyber-enabled financial crimes through a verifiable profit motive.
Furthermore, the inclusion of non-financial personnel-IT developers, customer service agents, and logistics coordinators-within the sanctions regime establishes a precedent for individual accountability in decentralized criminal enterprises. This approach mirrors the Nuremberg principle of command responsibility, adapted for the digital age.
It is also noteworthy that the Treasury has prioritized transaction monitoring over asset seizure, recognizing that frozen wallets are less effective than preventing movement at the protocol level. This suggests a strategic shift toward real-time blockchain analytics and interoperable compliance frameworks across jurisdictions.
For the private sector, this mandates the integration of OFAC screening not merely as a compliance checkbox, but as a core component of ethical design in wallet and exchange architecture. The responsibility to prevent harm extends beyond legal obligation to moral imperatives.
While the operational impact on the ground remains constrained by geopolitical realities, the symbolic and deterrent value of this action is profound. It signals that the era of digital impunity is over. No wallet, no chain, no anonymity can shield those who profit from human suffering.
Eric Redman
November 16, 2025 AT 07:45Bro. The U.S. is just mad because Myanmar’s crypto scene is too cool for them. You think these people care about your sanctions? They’ve got guns, power, and Wi-Fi. This is like bringing a water gun to a dragon fight.
Also-why is no one talking about how the Thai government makes billions off this? They’re not doing anything. Why? Because they’re getting paid. Same with Cambodia. So now the U.S. comes in with sanctions and thinks they’re the hero? Nah. They’re the guy who shows up after the party’s over and yells at the trash.
And the ‘10 billion’ number? That’s made up. I’ve seen the reports. Most of it’s just people sending crypto to their friends and calling it a ‘scam’ to get their money back. It’s not even real fraud.
Also-why are we letting the media turn this into a horror movie? It’s sad, yeah. But now everyone’s scared to touch crypto. That’s what they want. To scare people away so they can control it all.
Just sayin’. This ain’t justice. It’s control.
Jason Coe
November 17, 2025 AT 14:21Look-I’ve been in crypto since 2015. I’ve lost money. I’ve seen scams. But this? This is different. I used to think the worst part was losing my own cash. Now I know the worst part is knowing your money might be feeding someone’s prison camp.
I used to think decentralization meant freedom. Now I think it just means no one’s watching. And that’s terrifying.
I’ve started checking every address I send to. I use Etherscan. I cross-reference with OFAC. I don’t care if it takes 10 extra minutes. Someone’s life could be on the line.
And if you’re reading this and you’re still sending crypto to strangers on Discord? Please stop. Not because you’ll get in trouble. Because you might be hurting someone you’ll never meet.
It’s not about being rich. It’s about being human.
I don’t know how to fix this. But I know I won’t be part of it anymore.
Eric Redman
November 18, 2025 AT 11:16Wait-so if I send crypto to a wallet that got a tiny dust transaction from a sanctioned address 3 years ago, am I guilty? Because I’ve got like 17 wallets with 0.0001 ETH from random airdrops. Is the FBI gonna come knock on my door? 😂
Also-why are all these ‘rescue orgs’ based in the U.S.? Why not in Thailand? Why not in Vietnam? Seems like they’re just using this to get funding. Real heroes are the ones on the ground, risking their lives. Not the ones doing TikTok videos about it.
And if this is so bad, why is the U.S. still buying rare earth metals from Myanmar? Oh right-because they need them for their own tech. Hypocrisy is the new normal.