In case you missed it: US sanctions Philippine-based web host for aiding global crypto scam network

DECODED: TECH, TRUTH, AND THREATS

By Art Samaniego

In one of its strongest moves against cyber fraud to date, the US Treasury in May 2025 sanctioned Funnull Technology Inc., a web hosting company based in the Philippines, and its operator, Liu Lizhi. The charge: helping cybercriminals run crypto investment scams that lured in victims globally through fake online relationships, schemes often referred to as “pig butchering.”

That action might have felt distant at the time. But it’s suddenly more relevant than ever.

This week, US authorities unveiled a new slate of enforcement efforts targeting not only the scammers themselves but also the digital infrastructure that enables them to thrive. It’s part of a growing shift in cybercrime strategy, one that sees the servers, hosting services, and IP networks used by bad actors as just as culpable as the fraudsters behind the screens.

The May sanctions marked a turning point. Treasury officials linked Funnull to scams responsible for more than $200 million in losses from US victims alone, though experts warned that many more cases likely went unreported. Under Executive Orders 13694 and 14144, Funnull was designated for aiding operations that directly threaten national security. The FBI issued an advisory alongside the sanctions, outlining the tactics used and urging vigilance.

Since then, that initial enforcement has rippled outward. Federal agencies have begun coordinating more closely with private tech companies, asking them to identify suspicious IP clusters and hosting patterns proactively. New guidelines also encourage faster reporting through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), aiming to intercept scams before more damage is done.

There’s now a growing sense among cybersecurity officials that the only way to stop these scams is to cut off the resources they rely on. Taking down servers, blocking IP addresses, and denying access to legitimate digital tools may not garner headlines the way big arrests do, but it’s proving to be one of the more effective fronts in the battle.

And the sanctions against Funnull? They’ve become a kind of blueprint. Not a one-off, but a signal that going after infrastructure isn’t just possible, it’s a priority.