Trump Administration Targets Foreign Scam Networks Stealing Billions, Especially Seniors
President Trump convened a White House roundtable on October 21 to address the growing threat of cybercrime, online fraud, and scam centers that have drained American families' savings for years. The discussion brought together Attorney General Todd Blanche, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, FBI Director Kash Patel, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, and other officials to outline a coordinated federal response.
Trump described a long-running menace of fraudsters, hackers, and foreign criminal syndicates running scam centers that target Americans through ransomware, phishing, impersonation schemes, and other tactics. Nearly three-quarters of American adults have encountered internet scams or cyberattacks. Reported losses exceeded $20 billion in a recent year alone—and the true figure is likely much higher. Seniors have been hit particularly hard, with one official noting more than $7 billion in losses among those over 60 in 2025, often wiping out retirements.
The administration’s approach stems from a March 2026 executive order directing agencies to dismantle transnational criminal organizations behind scam centers and predatory schemes, prioritize prosecutions, and establish a victim restoration program to recover funds where possible. An August national security memorandum further authorizes vetted private-sector companies to conduct offensive and defensive cyber operations against these networks under government oversight.
Officials reported concrete results. Federal law enforcement has warned more than 10,000 Americans targeted for victimization and prevented at least $1.6 billion in losses this year. Officials have shut down more than 500 fraudulent websites and disrupted millions of scam accounts through work with technology companies. FBI Director Kash Patel detailed Operation Blackout, the bureau’s campaign against sprawling scam compounds in Southeast Asia, Africa, and elsewhere. These operations have involved raids on compounds, arrests of hundreds, the freeing of trafficked workers forced into the schemes, and the seizure of roughly $17 billion in assets and cryptocurrency across related efforts. In recent actions in places such as Ghana and Nigeria, authorities arrested additional individuals and seized millions more. They are taking the offensive. Patel said the FBI has contacted thousands of potential victims and stopped an estimated $670–675 million in losses before money was sent.
Attorney General Blanche described a shift from isolated cases to a nationwide Cyber-Enabled Scam Initiative that deploys prosecutors across all 94 U.S. Attorney’s offices. The effort is coordinated through the Homeland Security Task Force and a new Scam Center Cell, with partnerships including Meta and X helping disrupt networks. Secretary Mullin noted DHS public education via “Know to Protect,” work by HSI and the Secret Service (including recovery of child exploitation material), and international arrests. Hegseth highlighted the Department of War’s intelligence support for mapping and disrupting overseas networks, while Miller described the use of offensive cyber capabilities against foreign scam centers that had operated unchecked for decades.
Trump and officials repeatedly stressed the human cost—life savings emptied, seniors left in poverty, and young people harmed by sextortion schemes. First Lady Melania Trump’s work on the bipartisan Take It Down Act, which passed with near-unanimous support, was cited as part of the broader push against online exploitation of children and women.
If You or Someone You Know—Especially an Elderly Family Member—Has Been Targeted
North State families, like families across the country, should treat this as a practical warning rather than abstract news. Scammers routinely use urgent phone calls claiming a grandchild is in jail or a loved one is in trouble, fake investment pitches, romance schemes, tech-support pop-ups, and impersonation of banks, government agencies, or law enforcement. Seniors are frequent targets because they often have retirement accounts and may be less familiar with evolving digital tactics.
If you suspect a scam is underway or has already caused a loss:
Contact a trusted family member or friend immediately and do not send more money or information.
Report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. Include as many details as possible: contact methods, names or companies involved, payment information, cryptocurrency addresses, and a clear timeline. Reports help map networks, even if individual recovery isn't guaranteed.
Seniors or those assisting them can also call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311) for help filing a complaint.
Additional reports can go to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Notify your bank, credit card company, or financial institution right away about unauthorized transfers. Contact local law enforcement using the non-emergency line and, if appropriate, your local FBI field office.
Be extremely cautious of anyone claiming they can “recover” the money for a fee—those are almost always secondary scams. Legitimate agencies do not contact victims unsolicited on social media or demand payment to return funds.
Officials emphasized that early reporting and family involvement improve the odds of stopping further losses. The administration’s public message is that victims should not face these schemes alone:
“The Trump administration is here to support you and will bring the perpetrators to justice.”
Local families can help by checking in regularly with aging parents or relatives about unexpected calls, emails, or requests for money, and by sharing the official reporting sites.
The roundtable made clear that the problem has been decades in the making and that the response now involves coordinated action across justice, homeland security, intelligence, and military channels, plus private-sector partners.
For North State readers whose families have already felt the impact—or who want to keep their savings and their relatives safe—the most useful next step is the same one the officials urged: speak up, report what you see, and involve trusted people before more money disappears.
For the full roundtable discussion: https://www.youtube.com/live/TLH3gXrPCTU?si=Pg-fSiZBZ1A8WKOm
