Trump raised cyber scam compound issue with Xi, State Department official says

Presidential Discussion on Cyber Scams

A senior State Department official, Michael DeSombre, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, testified to senators that former U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the issue of Southeast Asian cyber scam compounds with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This confirmation came during a Foreign Relations Committee hearing focused on international scam operations.

Impact of Scam Compounds

These scam compounds are responsible for siphoning billions of dollars from Americans each year through various romance and finance ruses. The operations are primarily run by Chinese organized crime groups based in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. U.S. officials have previously indicated that elements within the Chinese government might be tacitly supporting or selectively prosecuting these gangs.

Chinese Crackdown Efforts

DeSombre noted that Chinese crackdowns over the past six months have been successful in decreasing the number of scam compounds in Cambodia and Myanmar. He attributed much of this success to China's desire to combat scams targeting its own nationals. The expanding nature of these scams, now targeting multiple countries, has increased willingness for international cooperation, including from China.

Targeted Enforcement Concerns

While China has taken stronger actions, such as forcing Cambodia to extradite senior leaders involved in scams and executing members of crime families in Myanmar, U.S. officials have expressed concerns. Previous warnings suggested that Chinese law enforcement primarily targets gangs that defraud Chinese citizens, potentially allowing operations targeting Americans to continue.