Aidan Larkin sits down with Erin West and Detective Matthew Hogan of Operation Shamrock to unpack the global 'scamdemic' that’s devastating victims and fuelling organised crime, exploring the human cost behind crypto-enabled fraud. Erin and Matthew share frontline insights on why law enforcement struggles to keep pace, how AI is supercharging scams and what systemic changes are urgently needed.
We also spotlight Asset Reality’s new strategic alliance with Operation Shamrock, aimed at closing the enforcement gap and accelerating victim restitution worldwide.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
03:30 – The Scamdemic: How pig-butchering scams evolved and scaled globally
10:00 – AI and the psychology of scams
15:00 – Human trafficking and scam compounds
20:00 – Law enforcement challenges
29:00 – Why crypto recovery is easier than you think
46:00 – Social media’s role in enabling scams
59:00 – Community, Collaboration and the Crypto Coalition
About Our Guests
Erin West is the founder of Operation Shamrock, a nonprofit dedicated to disrupting the scam industry through education, advocacy and law enforcement support. After 26 years as a prosecutor, Erin now leads global efforts to fight transnational organized crime and protect victims.
Matthew Hogan is a detective with the Connecticut State Police and co-founder of its cryptocurrency working group. He serves on the Secret Service Financial Crimes Task Force and works tirelessly to recover assets for victims of crypto-enabled fraud.
Key Takeaways
The Scamdemic is Industrial: Pig-butchering scams and sextortion are run from compounds housing tens of thousands of trafficked workers, weaponizing AI and psychological manipulation.
Law Enforcement is Outpaced: Crypto recovery is technically easier than physical asset recovery, but resource gaps, bureaucracy and lack of training stall progress.
Systemic Change is Needed: From unified reporting systems to breaking down silos, collaboration across law enforcement, tech platforms and financial institutions is critical.
Our Partnership with Operation Shamrock
Asset Reality and Operation Shamrock have formed a global strategic alliance to:
As Aidan Larkin says:
“This isn’t just about crypto, it’s about systemic change. If we empower local agencies with the right playbook and tools, we can disrupt billion-dollar networks before the funds vanish.”
Resources
Chainalysis Report: Seizable Crypto Assets in 2025
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