US Treasury Sanctions Myanmar’s Karen National Army Over Crypto Fraud

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The U.S. Department of the Treasury has sanctioned the Karen National Army (KNA), citing their involvement in cyber scams, including crypto-related fraud that targeted U.S. citizens. The sanctions were announced on Thursday.

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This decision underscores the U.S. effort to combat crypto-related crimes, highlighting the use of “pig butchering” scams by KNA.

Sections

Karen National Army Sanctioned

The Karen National Army, led by Saw Chit Thu, has been sanctioned due to their facilitation of crypto-based scams. The KNA’s fraudulent activities involved romantic scams leading to significant crypto theft from victims, primarily involving Bitcoin and Ethereum. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has prohibited any dealings with the KNA, with their assets subject to a freeze.

U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), “Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned the Karen National Army (KNA)… for their role in facilitating cyber scams that harm U.S. citizens, human trafficking, and cross-border smuggling.”

Impact on Cryptocurrency Transactions

The imposition of these sanctions will likely impact cryptocurrency transactions linked to these scams. U.S. entities and individuals must halt any financial associations with KNA to comply with the sanctions. Historically, such actions have resulted in efforts to track and blacklist illicit crypto flows.

Previous Sanctions and Regulatory Measures

Previous sanctions have addressed similar criminal activities facilitated by entities such as North Korean cyber units. These measures often involve technological measures to increase security and compliance, aiming to deter fraudulent crypto transactions and enhance regulatory oversight.

Future Implications

As the situation develops, the crypto community remains attentive to the implications of these sanctions, with a focus on potential changes in regulatory and compliance practices.