Inside the ‘Scamdemic’ with Operation Shamrock
Asset Reality | CEO Aidan Larkin sits down with Erin West and Detective Matthew Hogan of Operation Shamrock to unpack the global scam industry that’s devastating victims and fueling organized crime, and to explore the human cost behind crypto-enabled fraud.
Erin and Matt join Aidan on the Seize & Desist podcast to share their frontline insights on why law enforcement struggles to keep pace with the scam industry, how AI is supercharging scams, and the systemic changes we urgently need.
Key Takeaways
Pig-butchering scams and sextortion are run from compounds housing tens of thousands of trafficked workers, weaponizing AI and psychological manipulation.
Crypto recovery is technically easier than physical asset recovery, but resource gaps, bureaucracy and lack of training stall progress.
From unified reporting systems to breaking down silos, collaboration across law enforcement, tech platforms and financial institutions is critical.
Aidan also spotlights Asset Reality’s strategic alliance with Operation Shamrock, which aims to close the enforcement gap and accelerate victim restitution worldwide.
Episode Chapters
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
Episode page: Ep. 31: Inside the 'Scamdemic' with Operation Shamrock
