FBI Warns of Crypto Human Trafficking Rings in Asia – CryptoSaurus

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a warning on fake job advertisements luring people to Southeast Asia, where “victims are held against their will and forced to conduct international crypto scams on victims.”

These scammers usually place advertisements on social media and lure their victims by promising well-paying jobs. However, upon arrival, the victims' passports are taken and innocent people are duped and forced to work. Furthermore, if the workers were unsuccessful, they would reportedly face torture, abuse, murder, or be sold to another gang.

FBI issues warning

According to the press release, the FBI warned US citizens and individuals living or traveling abroad to beware of false job advertisements linked to labor trafficking. The intelligence service said people making threats by posting fake job advertisements on social media and online employment sites targeted victims in employment fraud schemes, mainly in Asia.

The FBI said the fake jobs could range from technical support, call center customer service and beauty salon technicians. Attractive benefits, salary and accommodation are offered to lure the victims.

“Often throughout the process, the location for the position is moved from the advertised location. Upon arrival of job seekers overseas, criminal actors present them with cryptocurrency investment schemes, such as confiscation of passports and travel documents, threats of violence, and Use many means to force you to use.

The victims are then forced to pay mounting debts – travel fees, room and board. When loans go bad they are often sold to other criminal groups.

The FBI outlines some steps to avoid falling into such a trap. This includes researching the advertised company before accepting a job offer, as well as keeping an eye out for “vague language” about the company or limited employment descriptions. Job seekers should also be wary of advertisements with unusually high salaries and many perks.

crypto scam rings

The latest warning comes amid multiple reports of cryptocurrency scams that use enslaved persons. In November last year, the Cambodian government found itself at the receiving end of a severe backlash for allegedly turning a blind eye to Chinese crime rings that manned nearly 100,000 migrant workers and forced them to run online scams including fraudulent crypto ICOs. Did.

Most recently, the Philippine National Police (PNP) rescued 1,000 human trafficking victims who were forced to labor for 18 hours a day earlier this month in a cryptocurrency scam. After busting the scam ring, the authorities arrested 12 suspected ringleaders.