Overview of Huione Group's Operations - Huione Group is identified as a key gateway to global crime, facilitating scam compounds where trafficked people are forced to scam others [1][2] - The US Treasury Department classifies Huione as engaged in money laundering, describing it as the "Amazon for criminals" [3] - Huione operates through various arms, including Huione Pay (payment services) and Huione Guarantee (online marketplace for illicit items) [5][9] Illicit Activities and Modus Operandi - Huione Pay is alleged to be involved in money laundering through a cell called Huione International Pay, facilitating scams like fake romance schemes [7][8] - Huione Guarantee hosts an online marketplace on Telegram where buyers and sellers can purchase illegal items needed for online scams, including stolen data and money laundering services [9] - The platform facilitates efficient scam operations, offering everything needed to target and extract money from victims worldwide [10] Scale and Impact - Huione Guarantee's transaction volume ($28 billion) dwarfs that of previous darknet markets like Silk Road and AlphaBay (totaling $11 billion) [11] - Elliptic's research indicates that Huione Group entities received over $91 billion in crypto assets in the last five years [28] - The cybercrime industry in Southeast Asia, often underwritten by Chinese mafia members, is a multibillion-dollar industry, with Cambodia being a major driver [21] Regulatory and Investigative Actions - The US Treasury Department has blacklisted Huione from US markets for engaging in money laundering [30] - Telegram has taken action to shut down most of the channels used by Huione Guarantee [29] - Huione Crypto appears to have rebranded itself as Kex, but transaction volumes remain high [32] Connections and Complications - Huione has directors who also work for other powerful conglomerates and banks in Cambodia, including Hun To, a cousin of Cambodia's Prime Minister [27] - Huione has developed its own stablecoin (USDH) to evade attempts to freeze wallets [31] - Proving Huione facilitates illegal activity is challenging due to its lack of transparency and complex financial structure [12][13]