Dismantle Foreign Scam Syndicates Act

This bill would require the President to impose sanctions, such as blocking property transactions, on foreign individuals or entities responsible for online financial scams targeting U.S. nationals. It proposes the creation of an interagency task force to develop and implement a strategy to dismantle transnational criminal syndicates that utilize large-scale scam centers and forced labor. Additionally, the bill would authorize the Department of State to provide support services and trauma-informed care for human trafficking victims found within these scam operations.

The bill affects 43 specified foreign individuals and entities, as well as other foreign persons determined to be responsible for or complicit in online financial scams against U.S. nationals. It also impacts transnational criminal syndicates that utilize large-scale scam centers and forced labor. Additionally, the Department of State is authorized to provide support services and trauma-informed care to victims of human trafficking within these online scam centers.

• Sanctions on foreign scam operators. The President is required to determine if 43 specified foreign individuals or entities, and others complicit in online financial scams against U.S. nationals, meet the criteria for sanctions. Authorized penalties include blocking property transactions within the United States for those found responsible.
• Interagency task force establishment. The bill mandates the creation of a task force to dismantle transnational criminal syndicates that utilize large-scale scam centers and forced labor. This body is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing a comprehensive strategy to combat these criminal elements.
• Congressional reporting requirements. The task force must submit its initial strategy to Congress, followed by annual reports for five years. these reports must address the status of scam centers and provide a list of all foreign persons sanctioned for involvement in these operations.
• Support services for trafficking victims. The Department of State is authorized to provide trauma-informed care, shelter, and reintegration services for individuals trafficked into labor at online scam centers.

• H.R. 5490, Dismantle Foreign Scam Syndicates Act
  Feb 3, 2026 · As ordered reported by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on December 3, 2025

The interagency task force must submit its first report to Congress within 360 days of submitting its initial strategy, with subsequent reports required annually for five years.

The bill requires the President to determine if specific foreign persons meet the criteria for sanctions under existing laws and Executive Order 13581, which relates to blocking property of transnational criminal organizations. It also authorizes the Department of State to provide support services for victims of human trafficking within online scam centers.

The bill aims to combat online financial scams targeting U.S. nationals by imposing sanctions on responsible foreign individuals and entities. It also seeks to dismantle transnational criminal syndicates that utilize large-scale scam centers and forced labor through the establishment of a coordinated interagency task force and the provision of support services for trafficking victims.