The DOJ announced a first-of-its-kind joint alliance with the UK to disrupt international “scam centers” tied to cryptocurrency and cyber-enabled investment fraud. The effort is aimed at stopping networks that cause losses to U.S. victims.

The U.S. Department of Justice, in coordination with the UK, described a new Memorandum of Understanding designed to improve the disruption of global scam centers associated with crypto and cyber-enabled investment fraud. The DOJ said the arrangement focuses on coordinating enforcement and operational efforts against organized networks that leverage technology to persuade victims to send money, often through investment-like pitches and online manipulation. According to the announcement, the targeted scam centers contribute to cross-border harm where victims in the United States are deceived by campaigns supported by infrastructure that can be difficult to dismantle without international coordination. The DOJ release emphasizes interagency participation and coordination across jurisdictions to help prevent further victim losses. The core risk for consumers is the fraud’s ability to scale: crypto-related schemes and cyber-driven investment scams can move quickly, reuse scripts, and operate through digital channels that complicate tracing and enforcement. By framing the alliance as a collaborative effort with the UK, the DOJ signals a stronger push to identify and dismantle the enabling centers behind these schemes—aimed at breaking the pipeline that turns cyber activity into financial harm.