United States steps up fight against online fraud and sextortion
The United States will prohibit individuals involved in cyberscams, online fraud, and sexual blackmail from entering the country. In some cases, this ban will also extend to their immediate family members. This new visa restriction policy, announced by the US Department of State and promoted by the US Embassy in Chisinau, is part of the US administration's efforts to combat criminal networks that have caused over $10 billion in harm to American citizens in 2024 alone.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau, a new policy has been introduced that targets individuals "responsible for or complicit in cybercrime, online fraud, and sexual extortion." Furthermore, "first-degree relatives of such individuals may also be subject to visa restrictions."
The State Department stated that this measure was implemented pursuant to President Donald Trump's Executive Order 14390, which aims to combat cybercrime, fraud, and predatory schemes targeting U.S. citizens.
The official statement emphasizes that online investment scams pose an unprecedented threat, often organized by Chinese transnational criminal groups. These scams "defrauded U.S. citizens of at least $10 billion in 2024 alone," while also contributing to corruption, money laundering, and human trafficking.
Additionally, U.S. authorities warn that children in the United States have been targeted by sexual extortion schemes operated from abroad, resulting in severe consequences for the victims and their families.
In the State Department’s statement, it was announced: "Today, I am introducing a new global visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This policy targets individuals responsible for or complicit in cybercrime and cyber-facilitated crimes, including online scams and sex racketeering. Immediate family members of individuals involved in these illegal activities may also face visa restrictions."
U.S. officials indicated that the Trump administration will utilize all available tools to disrupt criminal networks involved in fraud.
"The Trump administration is employing all tools at its disposal — sanctions, prosecutions, asset forfeitures, extradition requests, and international law enforcement cooperation — to dismantle criminal fraud networks and hold those who facilitate them accountable. By imposing visa restrictions on individuals responsible for or complicit in these criminal enterprises, we send a clear message: The United States will pursue those who exploit our citizens," the statement added.
The U.S. Embassy in Chisinau advises citizens to remain vigilant online and to avoid unsolicited investment offers. It also urges them not to send money or personal images to unverified online contacts.
