(Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)
A US senator is urging SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to stop scammers based in Southeast Asia from using Starlink for online fraud schemes targeting Americans.
In a Monday letter, Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) told Musk he has a "responsibility" to block criminals from using Starlink, which delivers satellite internet in remote areas. "While most people have probably noticed the increasing number of scam texts, calls, and emails they’re receiving, they may not know that transnational criminals halfway across the world may be perpetrating these scams by using Starlink internet access,” Hassan said.
Human rights groups, fraud investigators, and journalists have been warning that scammers have been using Starlink for over a year at dedicated compounds in Myanmar. These facilities often involve forced labor from hundreds of people who can speak English to defraud US consumers through romance or investment scams, also dubbed "pig butchering."
By installing smuggled Starlink dishes, the scammers can tap SpaceX's high-speed broadband service to launch fraud schemes over text, dating apps, and social media.
(Credit: Nyimas Laula/Bloomberg via Getty Images)Last week, one human rights group uncovered evidence that some scam compounds in Myanmar have added even more Starlink dishes after Thailand tried cutting off internet access to parts of the country. Sen. Hassan says she’s now “pushing for answers from Elon Musk” about whether SpaceX is making efforts to crack down on the Starlink use among criminal groups in Southeast Asia.
“One law enforcement operation in Thailand seized more than 130 Starlink devices from scam compounds around the country,” Hassan wrote. “While SpaceX has stated that it investigates and deactivates Starlink devices in various contexts, it seemingly has not publicly acknowledged the use of Starlink for scams originating in Southeast Asia.”
SpaceX didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. But the company’s acceptable use policy prohibits “fraudulent” and “deceptive” use of Starlink; violations could result in termination of service. Although Starlink is not officially available in Myanmar, Cambodia, or Thailand, the company offers a “Roam Unlimited” tier, which makes Starlink usable in Southeast Asia for at least two months.
Sen. Hassan’s letter is asking Musk provide some clarity on the company’s stance toward the scam activity. “What are SpaceX’s policies and procedures for investigating, deactivating, or restricting Starlink devices?” she asks.
The senator is calling for Musk to answer her questions by Aug. 18. Other questions include how much revenue Starlink has earned from devices used by scammers and how many dishes SpaceX has investigated in connection with Southeast Asian scam networks.