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[INTERNATIONAL] · United States, United Kingdom · 10 sources

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US and UK form alliance to combat cryptocurrency scam centers

The United States and the United Kingdom have established a landmark international law enforcement alliance to combat cryptocurrency investment fraud and cyber-enabled financial crimes. The agreement, formalized through a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the Crown Prosecution Service of England and Wales, and the UK National Crime Agency, is described as the first of its kind specifically targeting the dismantling of global scam centers.

Under the pact, investigators from both nations will conduct parallel investigations into shared targets, exchange intelligence on organized crime syndicates, and coordinate on which jurisdiction should lead prosecutions. The alliance specifically aims to disrupt Chinese transnational organized crime networks operating scam compounds, primarily in Southeast Asia. These operations are reportedly linked to money laundering and human trafficking.

The cooperation comes in response to a sharp rise in reported cyber-enabled investment fraud losses in the U.S., which grew 89% from $4.57 billion in 2023 to $8.65 billion in 2025. U.S. authorities estimate that such schemes cost citizens approximately $10 billion annually. To initiate active enforcement, the agencies plan a joint disruption operation in London in early October, involving collaboration with private-sector partners to target criminal infrastructure and financial flows.

Entities

Crown Prosecution Service · Jeanine Ferris Pirro · Jeanine Pirro · National Crime Agency · Stephen Parkinson · U.S. Department of Justice

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