Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Eugene Vindman (D-Va.-07) and Jim Baird (R-Ind.-04) today introduced the Stopping Cross-border Attacks and Manipulation (SCAM) Act, legislation that directs U.S. Cyber Command to establish a joint task force to investigate, disrupt, and protect Americans from international cybercrimes and foreign-operated scam networks.
“These foreign operations aren’t small-time scams — they’re coordinated, state-linked ways to target the American people and undermine our national security. The United States must be prepared to defend its citizens in cyberspace just as we defend them on land, at sea, and in the air,” said Vindman. “By enabling U.S. Cyber Command to respond to these schemes, this legislation promotes vigilance in cyberspace and protects Americans from foreign exploitation.”
The SCAM Act addresses a fast-growing national security and consumer threat: foreign-operated scam networks that prey on Americans, erode trust in U.S. systems, and bankroll human trafficking and instability overseas. By establishing a coordinated federal task force, the bill strengthens defenses against cyber-enabled fraud, safeguards American citizens and partners, and promotes a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“Crime syndicates linked to the Chinese Communist Party steal billions of dollars annually through scams particularly targeted at our seniors. The CCP uses the funds from these scams to fuel their malign actions around the world,” said Baird. “I’m proud to join with Congressman Vindman to introduce the SCAM Act to help our national security agents confront this growing threat, counter the ongoing global threat posed by the CCP, and protect American citizens.”
Specifically, the SCAM Act requires the DoD, in coordination with other agencies, to:
- Establish a Joint Task Force federal, state, local and nonprofit experts;
- Identify trends in scam operations, including espionage links, land purchases near military bases, and targeting of Americans;
- Recommend policy options such as sanctions, asset forfeiture, and cyber defense measures,
- Develop a whole-of-society framework to share information and protect victims;
- Coordinate with Congress, federal agencies, and local governments to implement recommendations.
BACKGROUND
China-linked transnational organized crime networks operating across Southeast Asia steal at least $44 billion annually through text, email, and phone scams targeting Americans. These large-scale “fraud farms” are linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and have been associated with espionage activities, human trafficking, and financing regional conflict.
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