John K. Hurley, the Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI) | Official Website
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), a Burmese armed group, and four of its senior leaders for their involvement in cyber scam centers operating in Burma. These scams have targeted Americans through fraudulent investment schemes. OFAC also sanctioned Trans Asia International Holding Group Thailand Company Limited (Trans Asia), Troth Star Company Limited (Troth Star), and Thai national Chamu Sawang, who are linked to Chinese organized crime groups collaborating with DKBA and other armed organizations to develop these scam operations.
According to Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley, “Criminal networks operating out of Burma are stealing billions of dollars from hardworking Americans through online scams. These same networks traffic human beings and help fuel Burma’s brutal civil war. The Administration will keep using every tool we have to go after these cybercriminals—wherever they operate—and to protect American families from their exploitation.”
This action was coordinated with several federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s San Diego field office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the criminal division of the Department of Justice, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
In a related move, a Scam Center Strike Force has been established by federal law enforcement agencies to address Southeast Asian scam centers that target Americans. This task force will focus on investigating, disrupting, and prosecuting major scam centers in countries such as Burma, Cambodia, and Laos. The strike force aims to use all available tools—including sanctions, asset seizures, criminal prosecution, infrastructure protection measures against scammers’ access to U.S systems, public education campaigns about scams targeting Americans and restitution for victims—to counter these operations.
The latest designations build upon previous Treasury actions against similar actors in Southeast Asia engaged in human trafficking and cyber scams affecting U.S citizens. In May 2025, OFAC designated another Burmese armed group—the Karen National Army—as a transnational criminal organization along with its leadership for facilitating such activities.
A significant increase in losses due to Southeast Asian scam operations has been observed: government estimates indicate that Americans lost at least $10 billion in 2024—a 66 percent rise compared to 2023 according to FBI data. Many individuals working at these scam centers are themselves victims recruited under false pretenses; operators often use coercion methods such as debt bondage or threats of violence.
One compound known for housing cyber scam operations is Tai Chang near Myawaddy in Burma’s Karen State—territory controlled by DKBA—which has supported both military regime efforts and illicit financial activities tied to Chinese organized crime groups.
OFAC is sanctioning Trans Asia, Troth Star, DKBA leadership including Sai Kyaw Hla (brigadier general), Saw Steel (commander-in-chief), Saw Sein Win (adjutant general), Saw San Aung (chief of staff), and Chamu Sawang (director of Trans Asia). The sanctions were issued under Executive Orders addressing support for cyber-enabled activities threatening U.S national security or economic health as well as actions undermining peace or stability in Burma.
All property belonging to those sanctioned within U.S jurisdiction is now blocked; entities owned 50 percent or more by designated persons are also affected by these restrictions. Financial institutions or individuals engaging with sanctioned parties risk exposure to further penalties or enforcement actions under OFAC regulations.
OFAC emphasizes that its sanctions aim not only at punishment but also encourage behavioral change among designated entities or individuals. Guidance on removal from sanctions lists is available through official channels provided by OFAC.
