Risky Business Risky Business #814 -- It's a bad time to be a scam compound operator
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Nov 12, 2025 Haroon Meer, Founder of Thinkst Canary, emphasizes the need for transparency in vendor security practices. He argues that companies must demonstrate how they secure their architecture instead of relying on vague assurances. The discussion touches on the importance of accountability, with Meer advocating for pen tests and ongoing audits from vendors. They also explore innovative security designs like allowlisting and honeypots, highlighting recent updates to Thinkst Canary's cloud platforms.
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Scam Hubs Escalate Into Geopolitical Targets
- Scam compounds in Myanmar have become large, politicized operations drawing military and international responses.
- Dynamiting buildings is both spectacle and signal that control of the scam economy is contested and dangerous.
China’s Harsh Response To Overseas Scams
- China uses extreme penalties, including death sentences, to deter cross-border scam operations preying on Chinese citizens.
- Beijing treats exploitation of its citizens from abroad as a political affront that invites harsh enforcement.
Don’t Operate In Harsh Legal Jurisdictions
- Avoid running scam operations in jurisdictions with corporal or capital punishment exposure.
- Recognize that Singapore and China now apply severe physical penalties to scammers and money mules.