The Dismantle Foreign Scam Syndicates Act aims to establish a comprehensive, whole-of-government effort to combat transnational criminal syndicates responsible for mass online scam operations targeting Americans. It mandates the creation of an interagency Task Force, chaired by the Secretary of State, to dismantle these operations, which often involve large-scale scam compounds fueled by the forced labor of human trafficking victims. The bill highlights the severe impact of these scams, particularly "pig butchering" schemes originating from Chinese criminal organizations in Southeast Asia, which have led to billions of dollars in losses for Americans. These operations exploit hundreds of thousands of human trafficking victims, forced to meet aggressive scam quotas under threat of violence in countries like Burma, Laos, and Cambodia, often with the complicity of corrupt local governments. Within 180 days of enactment, the Task Force must develop a comprehensive strategy to shut down scam centers, prevent their proliferation, disrupt criminal entities and human traffickers, and hold corrupt enablers accountable. The Task Force will comprise representatives from key federal departments, including State, Justice, Homeland Security, and Treasury, and will consult regularly with U.S. law enforcement, NGOs, and private sector partners to enhance its effectiveness. The strategy's elements include pressuring complicit foreign governments, investigating the People's Republic of China's involvement, building the capacity of foreign law enforcement, and imposing sanctions on perpetrators and enablers using existing authorities. It also focuses on harnessing offensive cyber capabilities, recovering stolen assets, and integrating data collection across agencies. The bill specifically lists numerous foreign persons and entities for whom the President must determine and impose applicable sanctions. Furthermore, the Act authorizes the Secretary of State to carry out programs providing trauma-informed care and support services for victims of trafficking within online scam centers. It also authorizes $30,000,000 for the Department of State for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to develop and implement the strategy. The Task Force is set to terminate seven years after the bill's enactment and must submit annual reports to Congress detailing its progress and recommendations.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Crime and Law Enforcement
Dismantle Foreign Scam Syndicates Act
USA119th CongressHR-5490| House
| Updated: 9/18/2025
The Dismantle Foreign Scam Syndicates Act aims to establish a comprehensive, whole-of-government effort to combat transnational criminal syndicates responsible for mass online scam operations targeting Americans. It mandates the creation of an interagency Task Force, chaired by the Secretary of State, to dismantle these operations, which often involve large-scale scam compounds fueled by the forced labor of human trafficking victims. The bill highlights the severe impact of these scams, particularly "pig butchering" schemes originating from Chinese criminal organizations in Southeast Asia, which have led to billions of dollars in losses for Americans. These operations exploit hundreds of thousands of human trafficking victims, forced to meet aggressive scam quotas under threat of violence in countries like Burma, Laos, and Cambodia, often with the complicity of corrupt local governments. Within 180 days of enactment, the Task Force must develop a comprehensive strategy to shut down scam centers, prevent their proliferation, disrupt criminal entities and human traffickers, and hold corrupt enablers accountable. The Task Force will comprise representatives from key federal departments, including State, Justice, Homeland Security, and Treasury, and will consult regularly with U.S. law enforcement, NGOs, and private sector partners to enhance its effectiveness. The strategy's elements include pressuring complicit foreign governments, investigating the People's Republic of China's involvement, building the capacity of foreign law enforcement, and imposing sanctions on perpetrators and enablers using existing authorities. It also focuses on harnessing offensive cyber capabilities, recovering stolen assets, and integrating data collection across agencies. The bill specifically lists numerous foreign persons and entities for whom the President must determine and impose applicable sanctions. Furthermore, the Act authorizes the Secretary of State to carry out programs providing trauma-informed care and support services for victims of trafficking within online scam centers. It also authorizes $30,000,000 for the Department of State for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to develop and implement the strategy. The Task Force is set to terminate seven years after the bill's enactment and must submit annual reports to Congress detailing its progress and recommendations.
Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better
Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.