The White House has issued a new executive order directing federal agencies to intensify efforts against cybercrime, fraud, and online extortion schemes targeting Americans.
Signed by President Donald J. Trump on March 6, 2026, the order calls for a coordinated federal strategy involving law enforcement, intelligence agencies, diplomatic pressure on foreign governments, and increased collaboration with the private cybersecurity sector.
Under the order, several federal agencies, including the Departments of State, Treasury, Homeland Security, Justice, and War, must conduct a comprehensive review of existing operational, technical, diplomatic, and regulatory frameworks used to combat cyber-enabled criminal networks.
Within 60 days, the agencies must evaluate how current tools and authorities can be improved to disrupt transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) involved in ransomware attacks, phishing operations, financial fraud, sextortion, impersonation scams, and other online schemes.
Within 120 days, officials must submit a detailed action plan to the President outlining specific criminal groups responsible for global scam centers and cybercrime operations. The plan must propose measures to prevent, disrupt, investigate, and dismantle these networks.
A key element of the directive is the creation of a specialized operational cell within the National Coordination Center (NCC). The unit will coordinate federal efforts to detect and disrupt cyber-enabled crime targeting US individuals, businesses, and critical infrastructure, while also facilitating collaboration with private cybersecurity companies for threat intelligence and technical analysis.
The executive order also directs the Department of Justice to prioritize prosecutions of cyber-enabled fraud and extortion cases, focusing on the most serious and provable offenses linked to scam networks.
Another component of the order focuses on compensation for victims of cybercrime. Within 90 days, the Attorney General must submit recommendations for establishing a Victims Restoration Program, which would use funds seized or forfeited from criminal organizations to compensate victims of online fraud.
International pressure
The State Department is also instructed to increase diplomatic pressure on foreign governments where scam operations are believed to operate. According to the order, nations that fail to take action against cybercriminal networks could face consequences such as sanctions, visa restrictions, trade penalties, limits on foreign assistance, or the expulsion of officials deemed complicit.
According to the White House, American consumers reported more than $12.5 billion in losses to online scams in 2024, with older adults suffering the largest financial losses. Survey data also indicates that 73% of U.S. adults have experienced some form of online scam or cyberattack, while 87% of seniors consider online fraud a major problem.
Broader cybersecurity policy
The new order arrives amid ongoing debate about the federal government’s broader cybersecurity posture. Over the past year, several structural changes have affected key agencies involved in cyber defense.
In early 2025, the Department of Homeland Security dissolved the Cyber Safety Review Board, an advisory body that analyzed major cyber incidents. Around the same time, reports indicated that roughly 130 cybersecurity personnel were dismissed from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), including staff involved in election security and in monitoring foreign disinformation.
Despite CISA's assurances that it remains focused on its mission, concerns about staffing and operational capacity remain.
Users should follow good practices to mitigate the risk of online scams and fraud, such as treating unsolicited communications with caution, enabling multi-factor authentication on all accounts, and verifying payment requests and account changes.
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