US and UK Launch Alliance to Combat Global Crypto Fraud Costing $10 Billion Annually

The United States and the United Kingdom have announced the formation of a unique alliance designed to tackle global scam centers associated with cryptocurrency fraud. This initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Justice, aims to address the growing threat of international scam operations that defraud American citizens through various cyber-enabled investment schemes.

Officials from the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the Crown Prosecution Service of England and Wales, and the UK’s National Crime Agency have formalized this collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This agreement marks the first international framework specifically targeting the disruption of scam centers involved in cryptocurrency fraud and related activities.

According to estimates, these fraudulent schemes collectively cost Americans approximately $10 billion each year. The newly established Scam Center Strike Force will focus on conducting parallel investigations, sharing intelligence on organized crime groups, and coordinating prosecution efforts across borders.

US Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating that the UK is a long-standing ally in combating global threats. She highlighted the commitment to dismantling transnational organized crime networks, particularly those linked to Chinese operations that exploit human trafficking to maximize profits.

The Scam Center Strike Force was initiated in November 2025 in response to the increasing prevalence of Chinese organized crime groups operating scam centers primarily in Southeast Asia. The task force is dedicated to addressing cryptocurrency investment scams, cyber-enabled fraud, human trafficking, and money laundering, which have resulted in substantial financial losses for American victims.