US Seizes Burmese Crypto Scam Domain in Major Fraud Crackdown

U.S. authorities seized a Burmese domain used for crypto scams, linked to sanctioned groups and fake trading platforms. The crackdown follows major losses and the removal of related apps and social media accounts.

U.S. authorities have seized the domain tickmilleas.com, which was operated from the Tai Chang compound, also known as Casino Kosai, in Kyaukhat, Burma. The site posed as a legitimate crypto trading platform but was used to defraud victims by displaying fake balances and profits, instructing them to deposit funds, and luring them into downloading scam-linked mobile apps. The operation was linked to groups sanctioned for ties to Chinese organized crime and for building scam centers across Southeast Asia. The FBI identified multiple victims who lost investments through the domain. Following FBI alerts, Google and Apple removed related mobile apps, and Meta took down over 2,000 associated social media accounts. The DOJ noted that these scams often begin with unsolicited contact on dating apps or social media, developing into virtual relationships that encourage victims to invest in fraudulent crypto schemes. The seizure is part of a broader crackdown on crypto fraud in the region, with over 41,000 cases and $5.8 billion in losses reported last year. Interpol highlighted that victims are sometimes trafficked and forced to participate in such scams.