US and UK Launch Joint Task Force to Dismantle Global Crypto Scam Hubs

The memorandum of understanding, signed by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, Crown Prosecutor Stephen Parkinson, and NCA Director General Graeme Biggar, marks a strategic shift in how authorities address cyber-enabled fraud. Investigators will now coordinate parallel probes into common targets and determine the most effective jurisdiction for prosecution, closing loopholes that previously allowed syndicates to exploit geographical boundaries. This agreement builds on the work of the Scam Center Strike Force, which has already seen successes in freezing millions in illicit assets and disrupting the digital infrastructure—including servers and social media accounts—used by these groups.

Financial data underscores the urgency of this partnership. Reported losses from cyber-enabled investment fraud in the U.S. surged to 8.65 billion dollars in 2025, an 89 percent increase from the previous year. These scams frequently involve human trafficking, with workers coerced into running sophisticated operations that use fake investment platforms to deceive victims. Beyond the U.S. and UK, international efforts are intensifying, with recent INTERPOL-led operations resulting in thousands of arrests globally. The alliance is scheduled to begin its first in-person disruption operation in London this October, working alongside private-sector partners to sever the networks' access to financial and technological resources.