“This is a massive romance investment scam that is bleeding the world of its money.”

On the 27th of February 2024, Asset Reality’s co-founder and CEO Aidan Larkin had the opportunity to sit down with Erin West to explore the real-world consequences of cyber-enabled crimes like pig butchering.

In this eye-opening conversation, Erin exposes the industrial scale of pig butchering sweatshops, revealing how even the 'scammers' themselves are often victims of trafficking.

Erin and Aidan discuss why a unified global response and drastic policy reforms are the only way to confront this escalating crisis effectively and highlight Operation Shamrock’s plan to educate the global public, seize the illicit proceeds and disrupt the activities of criminal networks.

Timestamps

04:00 | Erin West's background as a prosecutor and her mission to combat pig butchering

07:00 | The REACT task force and its role in investigating high-tech crimes

13:00 | Underestimating the emotional toll on victims of financial fraud

19:00 | Examples of transnational organized crime in Southeast Asia

27:00 | Operation Shamrock’s efforts to educate, seize, and disrupt cybercriminals

34:00 | Erin West explains how hackers use SIM swaps to gain access to financial accounts

38:00 | The dangers of crypto and the importance of authenticator tools for security

40:00 | The power of raising awareness through media coverage and public attention

45:00 | Why a unified global response is the only way to combat pig butchering scams

52:00 | Erin’s advice for potential victims of fraud

Resources Mentioned:

• Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - February 25, 2024: Pig Butchering
• UNODC Report:Transnational Organized Crime in East and Southeast Asia
• NY Times Story: 7 Months Inside an Online Scam Labor Camp 
• Operation Shamrock
• Erin West on LinkedIn

About our Guest:

Erin West is one of the leading voices in transnational organised crime prevention and a passionate advocate for the rights of victims of financial crimes, particularly those affected by pig butchering. 

As the Deputy District Attorney in Santa Clara County in the state of California, she collaborates with detectives and prosecutors as part of the REACT task force to investigate and address cyber-enabled crimes. Erin is on a mission to improve the practical support available for the most affected vulnerable victims through her latest initiative, Operation Shamrock.

Disclaimer

Our podcasts are for informational purposes only.  They are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, and/or investment advice. Listeners must consult their own advisors before making decisions on the topics discussed.  

Asset Reality has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material.

The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Asset Reality employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the views of the company. 

Asset Reality does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of the information in any particular podcast and will not be responsible for any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies of any part of such material. 

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