Tudou Guarantee's Shutdown: Implications for North East India and Beyond
Tudou Guarantee's Decline and Its Impact on Illicit Activities
Recent findings from Elliptic, a blockchain intelligence company, indicate that Tudou Guarantee, a Telegram-based guarantee marketplace, has halted transactions following a period of significant growth. Estimated to have processed over $12 billion in transactions, the marketplace was one of the largest illicit platforms of all time.
A Pivot or a Full Shutdown?
Although other parts of Tudou Guarantee, such as its gambling operations, continue to function, the company's decision to cease transactions raises questions about its future direction. It remains unclear whether this move represents the initial stages of a full shutdown or a shift away from fraud-related activities.
Telegram's Role in Hosting Illicit Marketplaces
Tudou Guarantee is not the only Telegram-based marketplace serving cyber fraudsters. HuiOne Guarantee and Xinbi Guarantee are other notable examples, collectively engaging in over $35 billion in USDT transactions. Thousands of channels associated with these services were shuttered by Telegram last year.
The Ecosystem of Scams on Telegram
Tudou Guarantee has emerged as a leading platform, attracting merchants who previously sold through HuiOne Guarantee. The marketplace offers a variety of illicit services, including stolen personal data, money laundering services, scam infrastructure, and software programs for face swapping, voice cloning, and deepfake-powered impersonation during video calls.
The Connection to Southeast Asian Scams and Law Enforcement
The apparent shutdown of Tudou Guarantee may be related to recent law enforcement actions against the Cambodian conglomerate Prince Group and its CEO, Chen Zhi. Chen Zhi stands accused of masterminding a vast investment scam known as romance baiting or pig butchering, which involved luring trafficked workers to forced labor camps in Southeast Asia to defraud victims globally.
The Fight Against Cryptocurrency-Related Fraud
In response to the growing problem of cryptocurrency-related fraud, the U.S. government announced the creation of the Scam Center Strike Force in November 2025. The team has seized and forfeited $401 million in cryptocurrency from these schemes, and is working with U.S. companies to seize and disable U.S.-based facilities and infrastructure that power the scams.
Implications for North East India and the Broader Indian Context
While the immediate impact of Tudou Guarantee's shutdown on North East India may not be significant, the broader issue of cyber fraud and money laundering is a concern for the region. As digital transactions become more prevalent, it is essential for authorities to collaborate and take proactive measures to combat these illicit activities.
A Continuing Battle Against Cybercrime
The closure of Tudou Guarantee is a significant blow to the Southeast Asian scam economy, but history suggests that the vacuum will not remain unfilled for long. As long as there is demand for illicit services, new marketplaces will emerge to fill the gap.