President Donald J. Trump signed a sweeping executive order Friday aimed at dismantling transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) that target Americans through cybercrime, financial fraud, and predatory schemes.
The order establishes a hardline policy against foreign regimes that harbor these “scam centers,” threatening them with sanctions, trade penalties, and the expulsion of diplomats if they fail to cooperate with U.S. law enforcement.
The directive highlights a growing “shadow economy” fueled by stolen identities, ransomware, and human trafficking. According to the text of the order, these criminal campaigns are “draining American families of their life savings” and “destroying the lives of our youth” through tactics like malware deployment and “sextortion.”
To counter these threats, the administration is mandating a “commensurate response” that combines traditional law enforcement with diplomacy and potential offensive operations.
Under the new guidelines, the Secretaries of State, Treasury, War, and Homeland Security, along with the Attorney General, have 60 days to review current frameworks for combating cyber-enabled crime. Within 120 days, these agencies must deliver a comprehensive action plan to the President.
A central piece of this plan is the creation of a new operational cell within the National Coordination Center (NCC). This cell will be responsible for detecting and disrupting foreign criminal networks by coordinating federal resources and partnering with private-sector cybersecurity firms.
The order also places a heavy emphasis on victim support and the recovery of stolen assets. Within 90 days, the Attorney General is required to submit recommendations for a “Victims Restoration Program.” This initiative is intended to provide “restoration or remission to victims of cyber-enabled fraud schemes from funds clawed back, forfeited, or seized from the TCOs that perpetrate such schemes.”
On the international stage, the Secretary of State has been directed to demand that foreign governments take enforcement action against criminal groups operating within their borders.
The order explicitly warns that nations tolerating such activity will face consequences, including the limitation of foreign assistance and visa restrictions.
President Trump stated in the order’s purpose that the United States will “harden our financial and digital systems” and prioritize protections for the most vulnerable citizens to “end the exploitation and victimization of Americans.”
Additionally, the Department of Justice has been instructed to prioritize the prosecution of defendants involved in large-scale fraud and extortion.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will also expand its role, providing technical assistance and training to state, local, tribal, and territorial partners to help shield local critical infrastructure from foreign cyber exploitation.
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