Trump Orders Private-Sector Cyber Disruption of Foreign Scam Networks

Foreign cybercrime networks could face a new U.S. disruption program built around private companies, not just law enforcement. President Donald J. Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum on Aug. 12 titled "Expanding Capabilities to Combat Transnational Cyber-Enabled Crime." The White House fact sheet frames the policy around ransomware, phishing, financial fraud, sextortion, and impersonation schemes targeting Americans.

Patrick Witt, executive director of the President's Council of Advisors for Digital Assets, connected the memorandum to efforts against cryptocurrency-related scams. He wrote on X: "This action, while not crypto-specific, is a major step toward shutting down the scammers who exploit crypto to prey on Americans."

The memorandum directs the National Coordination Center to create a federally supervised program. Vetted U.S. companies can apply to perform cyber surveillance and cyber effects operations against foreign criminal networks. The Justice and Homeland Security departments co-manage approvals through appointed co-executive directors.

Participating firms must sign contracts with either department, meet technical and personnel standards, and disclose related commercial agreements. Implementation guidance may require a bond or escrow of at least $1 million, subject to forfeiture for contractual noncompliance.

The financial rationale draws from the FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report. The IC3 logged 1,008,597 complaints and $20.877 billion in losses, a 26% increase from 2024. Cryptocurrency-related complaints accounted for 181,565 reports and $11.37 billion in losses, more than half the total. Cryptocurrency investment fraud alone generated $7.2 billion, the largest single category.