Preventing Fugitive Fraudsters Act

This bill amends federal law to require defendants indicted for certain fraud-related offenses to surrender their passports and refrain from international travel as a condition of pretrial release. The legislation specifically targets crimes including theft or bribery concerning federal funds , wire fraud , and money laundering . Under the proposed changes to 18 U.S.C. 3142(c)(1)(B), individuals facing charges under sections 666, 1343, 1956, or 1957 would be subject to this mandatory passport surrender. This measure aims to prevent defendants from fleeing the country while awaiting trial for these serious financial crimes. However, a judicial officer retains the discretion to waive this requirement if they issue specific written findings of fact determining that the surrender of the passport or the prohibition on travel is unnecessary to assure the defendant's appearance in court.