YouTubers Detail How They Took Down an International Scam Ring Targeting Seniors
Washington, D.C. – August 30, 2025 – In a remarkable collaboration between online content creators and law enforcement, popular YouTubers from the channel “Scammer Payback” have played a pivotal role in dismantling a massive international fraud operation. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced indictments against 28 individuals linked to a Chinese-based scam ring that defrauded elderly Americans out of over $65 million. The YouTubers’ detailed accounts of their investigative efforts, shared through videos and behind-the-scenes revelations, highlight how digital vigilantism can intersect with official probes to combat cybercrime.
The scam ring, operating primarily from call centers in China, targeted vulnerable seniors through sophisticated tech support and investment fraud schemes. Victims were lured with fake alerts about computer viruses or lucrative investment opportunities, leading to wire transfers and cryptocurrency payments totaling more than $65 million between 2019 and 2024. The operation’s international scope involved money mules in the U.S. and laundering through shell companies, making it a complex web to untangle.
The Role of Scammer Payback
At the forefront of the takedown are Pierce, the host of the YouTube channel Scammer Payback, and his collaborators, who specialize in “scambaiting”—a practice where they pose as potential victims to gather intelligence on scammers. In a recent video titled “How We Helped the FBI Take Down a $65 Million Scam Ring,” Pierce detailed the multi-year effort that began with routine baiting sessions but escalated into providing actionable evidence to authorities.
According to the video and subsequent DOJ filings, the YouTubers recorded hundreds of hours of interactions with scammers, capturing phone calls, screen-sharing sessions, and even remote access to fraudulent websites. This footage revealed internal operations, including employee training videos and payment ledgers, which were handed over to the FBI. “We started this as a way to waste scammers’ time and educate the public, but it turned into something much bigger,” Pierce explained in the video, which has already garnered over 500,000 views since its upload earlier this week. “By pretending to be gullible victims, we infiltrated their systems and documented everything—names, locations, tactics—that the feds could use.”
The collaboration wasn’t isolated to Scammer Payback. Other YouTubers, including those from channels like Kitboga and Coffeezilla, contributed by cross-referencing scam scripts and victim testimonies. Kitboga, known for his impersonations of elderly victims, shared how his extended calls with the ring’s operatives uncovered patterns in their money laundering techniques. “These guys thought they were untouchable, operating from overseas,” Kitboga said in a follow-up stream. “But by keeping them on the line for hours, we got them to slip up and reveal their networks.”
DOJ Indictments and the Evidence Trail
The DOJ’s unsealed indictments, filed in the Eastern District of New York, charge the 28 defendants with wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy. Key figures include operators of the call centers in Fujian Province, China, and U.S.-based recruiters who posed as legitimate tech support. The evidence compiled by the YouTubers was instrumental, as traditional investigations struggled with jurisdictional issues and encrypted communications.
FBI Special Agent in Charge, James E. Dennehy, praised the unconventional partnership during a press conference: “Citizen journalists like these YouTubers have become invaluable allies in our fight against transnational crime. Their persistence provided the digital breadcrumbs we needed to build this case.” The indictments mark the largest elder fraud bust in recent years, with authorities seizing $10 million in assets and issuing international arrest warrants.
This case echoes previous successes, such as the 2023 takedown of a similar ring with help from scambaiters, underscoring a growing trend where online creators bridge the gap between public awareness and law enforcement action. However, experts caution that scambaiting carries risks, including potential legal repercussions for unauthorized hacking attempts, though the YouTubers emphasized their adherence to ethical boundaries.
Impact on Victims and Future Implications
The scam’s victims, primarily seniors over 70, reported losses averaging $50,000 each, often wiping out life savings. Advocacy groups like the AARP hailed the bust as a victory for elder protection, noting that awareness videos from channels like Scammer Payback have educated millions on recognizing red flags. “These YouTubers aren’t just entertaining; they’re saving lives and fortunes,” said AARP spokesperson Nancy Smith.
As the DOJ continues extradition efforts, the story of this takedown serves as a blueprint for future operations. Pierce announced plans for a documentary series detailing the full saga, promising more insights into the shadowy world of international scams. With cyber fraud evolving rapidly, the alliance between digital sleuths and authorities may become the new norm in global crime-fighting.
The rapid spread of the news on social media, including X (formerly Twitter), has amplified the YouTubers’ message, with posts from cybersecurity accounts like @the_yellow_fall highlighting the DOJ’s announcement and crediting Scammer Payback’s contributions.
Sources: DOJ Press Release, YouTube (Scammer Payback Channel), FBI.gov, AARP.org, SecurityOnline.info, X Posts