WASHINGTON: The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has seized a scam website operated by a Myanmar-based scam compound that stole thousands of dollars from unsuspecting investors.
The site tickmilleas.com, a spoof of the legitimate trading platform TickMill was traced to the Tai Chang scam compound in Kyaukhat, Myanmar, according to an affidavit supporting the domain seizure.
The compound, raided three weeks ago by international law enforcement, has now had three domains taken down by U.S. authorities.
The DOJ said scammers used the fake TickMill website to lure victims into depositing funds and downloading fraudulent trading apps.
Victims reported being shown fake account balances and fabricated “profits” to convince them that their investments were growing. Several were tricked into transferring cryptocurrency through the fraudulent platform.
Despite the domain being registered only in early November 2025, the FBI identified multiple victims within weeks. Google and Apple were alerted to the fake apps linked to the website, several of which have since been removed.
The enforcement action is part of the Scam Center Strike Force, a joint FBI–Royal Thai Police initiative targeting transnational scam syndicates operating out of Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.
The Tai Chang compound linked to the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) and connected to Chinese organized crime is one of several such centers believed to collectively steal over $10 billion annually from U.S. victims through “pig butchering” investment scams.
A law enforcement notice has now replaced the scam website as investigations continue. Source: Therecord
🔍 HackWarn.com Quick Analysis
What is pig butchering scam?
Scary as it sounds, here’s what it really means: Pig butchering scams are schemes where scammers slowly gain a victim’s trust often by pretending to be a romantic partner and then trick them into investing in fake cryptocurrency projects.
These scams usually start when the victim meets someone on an online dating app or website.
How the Scam Worked
- The domain mimicked a real investment platform (TickMill) to appear trustworthy.
- Victims saw fake profits and falsified deposits designed to build confidence.
- The platform pushed users to send cryptocurrency, making funds nearly impossible to recover.
- Fraudulent apps tied to the website strengthened the illusion of legitimacy.
Why It Was Dangerous
- Linked to large-scale “pig butchering” syndicates operating from Myanmar.
- Part of an international criminal network estimated to steal $10 billion annually.
- Scammers used sophisticated social engineering to manipulate long-term victims.
What Users Should Do
- Always verify trading platforms through official websites and regulators.
- Be cautious with unsolicited investment invites or links from social media.
- Never download trading apps from outside official app stores.
- Report suspicious platforms to local cybercrime authorities.
