Meuser Applauds DOJ Scam Center Strike Force Operation Against Chinese-Run Scammer Marketplace

September 9, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) released the following statement commending U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and the Scam Center Strike Force for their recent actions against Southeast Asian cryptocurrency-related fraud and scams and Chinese organized crime operations in Madagascar. The Scam Center Strike Force announced major action against Xinbi Guarantee, a Chinese-language illicit marketplace operating through Telegram and based in Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos. Xinbi provided scam centers with services including fake investment websites, money laundering, and the recruitment of trafficking victims for Southeast Asian scam compounds. These overseas operations are estimated to extract roughly $12 billion annually from American victims, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. The Strike Force and Treasury restrained more than $52 million in cryptocurrency connected to Xinbi—bringing total restrained funds to approximately $938 million—and authorities also seized Xinbi’s Telegram channels and cryptocurrency wallets. Pirro also announced expanded international operations, including a two-week deployment to Madagascar that assisted local authorities in dismantling 13 scam centers and led to nearly 400 arrests. The operation also helped identify and target the Chinese organized crime leaders behind these compounds, with approximately 30 alleged leaders arrested. “Financial fraud and scams are a direct threat to American consumers and taxpayers, and this Administration has made clear that combating these schemes is a top priority,” said Subcommittee Chair Meuser. “In Congress, I have made combating fraud and scams a priority by convening roundtables with federal and local law enforcement, financial institutions, technology companies, and other stakeholders to identify vulnerabilities and develop solutions. The crackdown announced today, including the seizure of illicit funds and arrests of those operating scam centers, is exactly the kind of action needed to disrupt these criminal networks and protect Americans. I commend the Scam Center Strike Force and our federal, state, and international partners for their continued efforts to hold these criminals accountable and ensure that fraudsters have nowhere to hide.” Congressman Meuser’s Work on Combatting Consumer Fraud and Scams: Congressman Meuser has spearheaded Congress’ work on combating consumer fraud and scams. Most recently, the Congressman participated in a roundtable discussion with Vice President JD Vance and his Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, outlining legislative solutions to reduce fraud. He also introduced the bipartisan Safeguarding Consumers from Advertising Misconduct (SCAM) Act , which would combat predatory online scam advertisements and require online platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent fraudulent and deceptive ads. Further, under the leadership of Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill, Congressman Meuser and his Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation held multiple hearings and roundtables investigating consumer fraud and scams against the American people. The product of this important work was a staff report entitled Fighting Back: A Policy Framework for Combating the Rise of Financial Fraud & Scams , which was published following an exhaustive investigation into the growing threat of financial fraud. The investigation included roundtables with banks, social media firms, telecom companies, the DOJ, FBI, Attorneys General, the Fed, and other federal agencies to discuss the scope of the problem and identify policy solutions to address scams.