Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan is calling on Elon Musk to take urgent action to stop transnational criminal groups in Southeast Asia from abusing SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service to scam American citizens. According to her, the service is being used to run large-scale cyber fraud operations targeting the West.

These criminal syndicates are reportedly operating from countries like Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. In these regions—marked by weak infrastructure and limited oversight—they have established so-called “fraud centers” used to run phishing campaigns, fake investment platforms, romance scams, and other cybercrimes. Starlink’s satellite internet allows them to stay online even when disconnected from local networks.

In her letter to Musk, Senator Hassan pointed out that Starlink’s own terms of service allow the company to terminate access if used for illegal activity—and she urged SpaceX to enforce that policy.

“SpaceX has a responsibility to ensure its technology isn’t being used as a tool by global cybercriminals targeting Americans,” Hassan wrote.

So far, SpaceX has not publicly responded to the senator’s concerns or the allegations made in the letter.

🛰️ Satellite Internet as a Weapon for Scammers

Despite measures taken by Thailand in February—including cutting off electricity, fuel, and internet access in five border areas—Starlink remains a crucial tool for these criminal groups. Its portability and independence from local infrastructure allow uninterrupted communication with victims and collaborators abroad.

Concerns deepened after the shocking kidnapping of Chinese actor Wang Xing. After arriving in Thailand in January, Wang was abducted and taken across the border into Myanmar, where he was held in one of the fraud compounds before being rescued by Thai police. The incident sparked public outcry and reinforced regional cooperation to dismantle the networks responsible.

🌐 Organized Crime Costing Billions

According to the U.S. Institute of Peace and the U.S. Treasury’s FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network), these Southeast Asian fraud operations have cost American citizens billions in losses. Many of the scam centers are believed to be run by China-linked organized crime groups that take advantage of weak legal enforcement in regions like Myawaddy.

The United States is now calling on the private sector—including companies like SpaceX—to play a more active role in fighting this new era of tech-driven transnational crime.


#ElonMusk , #starlink , #cybercrime , #USPolitics , #SpaceX

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