Scam Farms Marque and Reprisal Authorization Act of 2025

This legislation, titled the "Scam Farms Marque and Reprisal Authorization Act of 2025," empowers the President of the United States to issue letters of marque and reprisal . This authority is intended to counter acts of aggression against the United States perpetrated by criminal enterprises or conspirators involved in cybercrimes, including those linked to foreign governments. The bill asserts that such enterprises, often employing coerced labor, pose a significant threat to U.S. economic and national security, referencing Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution as the basis for this power. Under this authorization, the President can commission privately armed and equipped persons and entities to seize the person and property of individuals or foreign governments determined to be responsible for these cybercrime-related acts of aggression. These actions are to occur outside the geographic boundaries of the United States and its territories. A crucial provision requires the posting of a security bond for each letter issued, ensuring adherence to its terms and conditions. The bill broadly defines "cybercrime" to encompass a range of offenses, including unauthorized computer access to obtain national security or personally identifiable information, engaging in fraud, causing computer damage, and trafficking in access credentials. Specific examples of cybercrimes targeted include pig butchering scams , ransomware attacks , cryptocurrency theft , and identity theft . The term "criminal enterprise" explicitly includes foreign governments, broadening the scope of potential targets for these reprisal actions.