Utah launches Financial Crimes Intelligence Center to combat scams

Utah has launched the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (FCIC) within the state Attorney General’s office to combat the rise of sophisticated financial scams. The center is designed to bridge communication gaps between banks, police departments, and hotlines, allowing investigators to connect isolated incidents to larger, organized criminal networks.

State officials noted that Utahns have lost nearly $450 million to fraud, scams, and other financial crimes since 2020. In 2025, reported losses totaled approximately $108 million, with nearly $60 million reported so far this year. The FCIC will focus on various threats, including identity theft, cryptocurrency schemes, romance scams, elder fraud, and money laundering.

The center will provide specialized expertise, training, and resources to local law enforcement and financial institutions. Utah lawmakers have committed $1.7 million in annual funding to support the initiative, which aims to address increasingly complex operations, including those utilizing artificial intelligence.