- US and UK authorities signed a memorandum of understanding targeting crypto scam centers.
- The agreement covers parallel investigations information sharing and a London operation planned for early October.
- The DOJ said reported US losses from crypto investment fraud rose to $8.65 billion in 2025.
US and UK authorities have created a joint law enforcement alliance aimed at crypto scam centers tied to crypto and cyber-enabled investment fraud. The US Department of Justice said the memorandum of understanding was signed by the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the Crown Prosecution Service of England and Wales, and the UK National Crime Agency. According to the DOJ, the arrangement is the first of its kind for international cooperation focused on disabling these operations. The agencies said they have already identified overlapping cases and are preparing an in-person disruption effort in London with private-sector partners in early October.
Alliance targets crypto scam centers
The agreement brings together agencies from both countries to work on common targets through coordinated action. The DOJ said the partners will run parallel investigations, exchange information about organized crime syndicates, and decide which jurisdiction should handle particular prosecutions. This structure is meant to support joint action where cases cross borders and involve linked criminal networks.
The signatories are the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the Crown Prosecution Service of England and Wales, and the UK National Crime Agency. The DOJ described the memorandum of understanding as a first-of-its-kind international cooperation agreement. Authorities also said they are planning a disruption operation in London in early October alongside private-sector partners.
Reported fraud losses continue to rise
The cross-border agreement comes as reported losses from crypto investment fraud in the United States have increased sharply. The DOJ cited FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center data showing that reported losses rose 89% to $8.65 billion in 2025 from $4.57 billion in 2023. Those figures were presented as part of the backdrop for the new alliance.
The DOJ connected the new effort to wider concerns about organized criminal activity behind investment fraud schemes. It said crypto scam centers are involved in crypto and cyber-enabled investment fraud, adding to the pressure on authorities to improve cross-border coordination. The agreement is designed to help agencies respond where cases and suspects overlap across jurisdictions.
Scam Center Strike Force and prior actions
The new agreement expands the Scam Center Strike Force, which US Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro launched in November 2025. The DOJ said the task force was created to target Chinese organized crime networks operating scam centers mainly in Southeast Asia. According to the department, those schemes include crypto investment fraud and are often linked to human trafficking and money laundering.
The task force includes the FBI, US Secret Service, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and Justice Department offices. It also works with the US Treasury, the State Department, and private companies. The DOJ said these partnerships are used to disrupt scam operations and to recover victims’ funds where possible.
International response to crypto scam centers
Authorities in several jurisdictions have already taken action against similar operations. On April 29, the DOJ reported a Dubai police-led operation that involved the FBI and China’s Ministry of Public Security. That action resulted in 276 arrests and the closure of at least nine crypto scam centers, according to the DOJ.
The same DOJ report said six people were charged over schemes that allegedly used fake crypto investment platforms to persuade victims to make deposits. Separately, Myanmar’s military government released draft legislation on May 15 that proposed prison terms ranging from 10 years to life for digital currency fraud. The proposal also allowed for the death penalty in cases where people forced to work at scam centers were killed. Parliament approved the bill on July 28, though presidential assent had not been confirmed.
Conclusion
The new US-UK pact places crypto scam centers at the center of a broader law enforcement effort that combines investigations, information sharing, and operational planning. The DOJ said the agencies have already found overlapping cases and intend to carry out a disruption operation in London in early October with private-sector partners. The agreement also expands an existing US strike force focused on organized crime networks in Southeast Asia. With reported US losses from crypto investment fraud reaching $8.65 billion in 2025, the cooperation between American and British authorities shows a more coordinated response to crypto scam centers and the networks connected to them.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. The article does not offer sufficient information to make investment decisions, nor does it constitute an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instrument. The content is opinion of the author and does not reflect any view or suggestion or any kind of advise from CryptoNewsBytes.com. The author declares he does not hold any of the above mentioned tokens or received any incentive from any company.
Featured image created by AI
