‘Sever the chain’: Scam tycoons in China’s crosshairs

Bangkok: China is moving against the cyberscam tycoons making fortunes in Southeast Asia, driven by mounting public pressure and Beijing’s desire to keep control of judicial processes, analysts say.

Across Southeast Asia, scammers lure internet users globally into fake romantic relationships and cryptocurrency investments.

Initially largely targeting Chinese speakers — from whom they have extracted billions, prompting rising public anger — the scammers have expanded their operations into multiple languages to steal vast sums from victims around the world.