The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced charges against two Chinese nationals, Huang Xingshan and Jiang Wen Jie, for allegedly operating an overseas cryptocurrency scam center that targeted Americans. The charges were unveiled by U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, who emphasized the Trump administration's commitment to combating cyber-enabled and cryptocurrency investment fraud, describing it as 'among the fastest growing and the most financially devastating form of cybercrime that is targeting Americans today' [1].
The DOJ's actions follow the launch of the Scam Center Strike Force in November of the previous year, initiated by an executive order from President Donald Trump. Pirro detailed that the scam operation was based in the Shunda compound in Burma, which operated from at least January 2025 until its seizure by the Karen National Liberation Army in November 2025. The compound used fraudulent websites and mobile applications disguised as legitimate investment platforms to defraud victims, including Americans. Workers at the compound were trafficked, enslaved, and forced to participate in the scams under threats of violence and torture [1].
Huang Xingshan allegedly served as a high-level manager and enforcer at Shunda, personally participating in the physical punishment of trafficked workers, while Jiang Wen Jie was a team leader who supervised workers specifically targeting American victims. Under Jiang's supervision, one worker defrauded a single American victim of over $3 million [1]. The two suspects were arrested in Thailand earlier in the year and are facing charges of wire fraud conspiracy, with the U.S. seeking their extradition [1].
As part of the crackdown, the DOJ has taken down more than 500 scam websites and seized a Telegram channel used to lure workers into forced labor in Cambodia. Additionally, the DOJ has restrained more than $700 million in cryptocurrency linked to U.S. victims of fraud. Pirro stated, 'My office is going to continue to work to identify the funds stolen,' and emphasized that the administration is 'just getting started' in its efforts to combat these scams [1].
CONCLUSION
The DOJ's charges against Huang Xingshan and Jiang Wen Jie mark a significant escalation in U.S. efforts to combat overseas cryptocurrency scams targeting Americans. With over $700 million in cryptocurrency restrained and more than 500 scam websites taken down, authorities are signaling an aggressive stance against cyber-enabled investment fraud. The ongoing investigations and extradition efforts suggest continued enforcement actions in this area.