Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Combats Cybercrime, Fraud, and Predatory Schemes Against American Citizens

On March 6, 2026, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to dismantle transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) responsible for cybercrime, fraud, and predatory scams. The order aims to protect vulnerable Americans—particularly seniors and children—from a "shadow economy" of ransomware, phishing, and sextortion that cost consumers over $12.5 billion in 2024.Key components of the Executive Order include:Coordinated Federal Response: The order establishes a dedicated operational cell within the National Coordination Center (NCC) to lead the strategy for disrupting and dismantling foreign scam centers and TCOs.Victim Restitution: The Attorney General is directed to prioritize the prosecution of these schemes and develop a Victims Restoration Program to return seized and forfeited funds directly to the people defrauded.Diplomatic Pressure: The Secretary of State is ordered to demand enforcement actions from foreign governments where these TCOs reside. Nations that tolerate such schemes face consequences including sanctions, visa restrictions, and the loss of foreign assistance.State and Local Support: The Department of Homeland Security will partner with the NCC to provide technical assistance and resilience training to state and local partners.Child Protection: The order builds on the TAKE IT DOWN Act (signed May 2025), a bipartisan initiative championed by First Lady Melania Trump to combat deepfake abuse and the non-consensual distribution of intimate images.The administration characterizes this move as a transition from "outdated frameworks" to a "relentless focus" on the security of the nation’s information systems, ensuring that American families and businesses are shielded from foreign-backed extortion and exploitation.