U.S. Launches Scam Center Strike Force to Combat Cryptocurrency Fraud

The U.S. Attorney's Office, together with federal law enforcement and interagency partners, has announced the creation of the Scam Center Strike Force to address cryptocurrency-related fraud targeting American investors. Acting U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro emphasized the initiative's focus on protecting citizens from sophisticated transnational scams.

"President Trump wants the United States to be the global center of the world's cryptocurrency industry. So it is absolutely crucial that Americans understand the safe use of this commodity," Pirro said. She added that the Strike Force aims to expose and prosecute criminals who abuse investor trust, ensuring victims can recover stolen funds.

The Strike Force combines resources from the Department of Justice's Criminal Division, the FBI, and the U.S. Secret Service, among others. It targets scam networks in Southeast Asia that use online and text-based methods to deceive victims into transferring funds to fake cryptocurrency platforms. Many of these operations involve victims of human trafficking and armed supervision at the compounds where scams are run.

The Strike Force has already seized over $400 million in cryptocurrency from such schemes and announced forfeiture proceedings for an additional $80 million. Operations have targeted facilities in Burma and Bali, disrupting websites, satellite connections, and infrastructure used in fraud and money laundering.

FBI Deputy Assistant Director Gregory Heeb noted the devastating impact on victims and their families, while U.S. Secret Service Assistant Director Kyo Dolan highlighted the growing sophistication of cryptocurrency scams. The initiative also seeks cooperation with private sector partners to secure U.S.-based infrastructure and prevent its exploitation in fraud schemes.

Through these efforts, the Strike Force aims not only to prosecute offenders but also to educate the public, recover stolen assets, and prevent U.S. infrastructure from being leveraged to target Americans.