Kevin Jones

Washington, DC · Software · Transnational crime · Human security · Southeast Asia

Profile · Founder · Software Engineer

I build tools that turn fragmented information and risk signals into something people can act on.

I’m a software engineer and founder working where technology meets international security and Southeast Asia. My focus is transnational crime and human security: forced criminality, scam operations, trafficking, and the institutions that are supposed to stop them.

That work draws on 8+ years of full-stack engineering across finance, decentralized tech, and government, graduate training in international policy at GW’s Elliott School and RSIS in Singapore, and more than six years with the U.S. Army’s 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne).

01Current work

  1. 01
    [ Live ][ Sep 2026 – Present ]

    Blackbook Bangkok

    Founder & Full-Stack Engineer · Intelligence for us.

    What it is
    A weekly intelligence brief for Black residents, visitors, and professionals in Bangkok. It covers visa and immigration changes, safety, city news, and community, with every item sourced, verified, and explained.
    Why it matters
    Expat information in Bangkok mostly lives in rumor-heavy group chats. Blackbook filters it down to what’s confirmed, who it affects, and what to actually do. During the September 2026 floods it moved to daily updates.
    Built with
    Next.jsTypeScriptSupabasePrismaResendVercel
    Visit blackbook.fyi →
  2. 02
    [ Prototype ][ Jan 2026 – Present ]

    Multidimensional Scam Risk Index

    Researcher & Engineer · MSRI

    What it is
    A decision-support tool that scores the structural conditions enabling trafficking-driven scam compounds and the forced criminality inside them. It began as my capstone at George Washington University.
    Why it matters
    NGOs, financial and AML teams, and policy teams usually see scam compounds only after the damage is done. MSRI surfaces early-warning signals in a form those teams can use.
    Built with
    Next.jsTypeScriptTailwindVercel
  3. 03
    [ Ongoing ][ May 2026 – Present ]

    The Mekong Club

    Strategic Design Volunteer · Risk frameworks for the private sector

    What it is
    Strategic design work on usable risk frameworks that help private-sector companies identify and respond to modern slavery, trafficking, and scam-operation exposure.
    Why it matters
    Companies are often closest to the money and supply chains these networks rely on. I contribute research on transnational crime and institutional risk, and advise stakeholders on practical mitigation.

02Engineering record

8+ years shipping full-stack and mobile software in finance, decentralized technology, and government.

03Service

95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne)

U.S. Army · 2001–2016

Civil engagement, stabilization, and medical support in complex operating environments. JFK Special Warfare Center and School graduate.

  • Company Senior Medic
  • Team Sergeant / Medic
  • Civil Affairs NCO / Medic
  • Ammunition & Logistics Specialist

Awards

  • Bronze Star Medal
  • Joint Service Commendation Medal
  • Combat Action Badge
  • Army Commendation Medal (2)

04Education

  • M.A., International Policy and Practice

    The George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs

    2026

  • M.S., International Relations & Strategic Studies

    S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Singapore

    2025

  • B.S., Web Development

    Bellevue University

    2022

05Toolkit

Languages
TypeScript · JavaScript · SQL · HTML/CSS
Frameworks
Next.js · React · React Native · Vue / Nuxt · Angular · Node / Express
Data & infra
PostgreSQL · Supabase · MySQL · MongoDB · Docker · Vercel
Spoken
English · Thai · Russian

06Contact

Working on scams, trafficking, or risk in Southeast Asia? Let’s talk.

I’m open to collaborations, research partnerships, and engineering work. Send a note, or reach me at joneskj55@gmail.com or on LinkedIn.