• Meta disabled over 150,000 accounts linked to Southeast Asian scam networks.
• A total of 21 arrests were made by Thai police during the operation.
• This marks the second joint enforcement operation since December last year.
• New protective tools have been introduced by Meta to help users identify scams.
• Authorities are also targeting scam centers in Cambodia, aiming to shut them down.

Meta has taken significant action against scam networks operating in Southeast Asia, disabling more than 150,000 accounts linked to these operations during a recent crackdown supported by numerous law enforcement agencies. This operation involved the Royal Thai Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Scam Center Strike Force. In addition, the operation resulted in the arrest of 21 individuals suspected of involvement in organizing these scams, which have increasingly targeted victims worldwide, particularly in the US and the UK, among others, according to Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, and Anadolu Agency.

The crackdown, termed the Joint Disruption Week, reflects a substantial increase in enforcement since a pilot operation in December 2025 that managed to remove 59,000 accounts and lead to six arrest warrants. Authorities revealed that many of the scam networks operate from compounds in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos, and often impersonate law enforcement or use deceptive romantic schemes to defraud their targets, as highlighted by comments from various officials, including those at Meta and the Royal Thai Police. This ongoing effort underscores the need for coordinated action against these complex networks, according to South China Morning Post, Channel News Asia, and Anadolu Agency.

In addition to disabling accounts, Meta announced new protective features to help users detect scams, including alerts on Facebook for suspicious activity and warnings on WhatsApp regarding fraudulent device-linking attempts. These improvements indicate an ongoing commitment to enhance user safety and disrupt scams before they can reach potential victims. Meta’s vice president noted, "When platforms and law enforcement can share intelligence in real time and coordinate action against the criminals, we can disrupt these networks faster and more effectively than any of us can do alone,” emphasizing the collaborative nature of this initiative, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

Additionally, Cambodia is ramping up efforts to eradicate online scam centers within its borders. According to senior officials, approximately 80 percent of known scam locations have been targeted for closure. However, experts warn that previous enforcement actions have often failed to address systemic issues within these operations, which could allow them to resurface. This complicates not only the enforcement effort but also the need for lasting solutions that address underlying causes, according to South China Morning Post and Anadolu Agency.