The particular reason that this is now associated with a Chinese phrase, and organized Chinese crime in general, is because of the scale involved. The UN estim

The particular reason that this is now associated with a Chinese phrase, and organized Chinese crime in general, is because of the scale involved. The UN estimates that in Myanmar alone, up to 100,000 people are being trafficked to staff the call centers involved in these schemes. https://www.dw.com/en/how-chinese-mafia-are-running-a-scam-factory-in-myanmar/a-68113480 https://www.dw.com/en/how-chinese-mafia-are-running-a-scam-f... That being said it's not just Chinese people targeting overseas people. Chinese people are also often targets of pig butchering. The problem is so bad that a movie was made about it in China and earned $500M at the box office. Given that China heavily censors its media market, it is no secret who is doing what. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_More_Bets https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_More_Bets