DOJ’s Scam Center Strike Force Is a Major Win for Consumers
Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829
Washington, DC — The National Consumers League (NCL) applauded the Justice Department’s creation of a new federal Scam Center Strike Force to crack down on cryptocurrency-related fraud. NCL, through its Fraud.org campaign, has long urged stronger action to hold both scammers—and the communication and financial networks they use—accountable for the hundreds of billions lost to fraud each year.
The following statement is attributable to John Breyault, NCL’s Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud:
“These criminals don’t just drain bank accounts—they destroy lives. This Strike Force is a major step toward putting global fraudsters on notice. For too long, overseas crypto-investment scammers have been operating with impunity, stealing billions from Americans. This new coordinated approach sends a clear message: the U.S. is fighting back.
Crypto scams are the new face of global fraud. They’re high-tech, transnational, and devastating for victims. By treating these operations as the national-security threat they are, DOJ is showing real leadership. The announcement that law enforcement has already seized over $400 million in cryptocurrency is a powerful sign that these criminals can—and will—be caught. But it’s not just about arrests; it’s about getting money back into the hands of victims.
We urge policymakers not to stop here. Consumers need stronger education, more accountability from the platforms and telecom networks that enable scams, and better systems for restitution. This is a fight we can win—but only if we work together.”
Consumer who have been targeted by scammers should not be silent. By filing a complaint via Fraud.org’s secure online complaint form, we can share your story with our network of law enforcement and consumer protection agency partners.
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About the National Consumers League (NCL)
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.
