US announces new visa restrictions targeting global online scam networks
The United States has announced a new global visa restriction policy aimed at people involved in cybercrime and online crimes, including cyberscams and sextortion.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the new policy is part of the administration’s wider effort to fight online criminal networks that target American citizens.
The move follows President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14390, which focuses on fighting cybercrime, fraud and schemes that exploit Americans.
The US State Department said online investment scams have become a serious threat. It said American citizens lost at least $10 billion to scammers in 2024 alone.
According to the statement, some of these scams are organised by Chinese transnational criminal organisations. The networks are also linked to other crimes, including corruption, money laundering and human trafficking.
American children have also become targets. The State Department said criminals operating from overseas have used sextortion schemes to target children in the United States.
Sextortion generally involves criminals threatening victims with the release of private or sensitive material unless money or other demands are met.
President Trump has made clear that his administration will take action to counter cybercrime, fraud, and predatory schemes against Americans. Today I am announcing a new policy that will restrict visas to foreign nationals responsible for or complicit in cybercrime and…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) July 23, 2026
Rubio said the new visa policy was introduced under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The policy targets people who are responsible for cybercrime or knowingly help criminal activities. This includes people involved in cyberscams and sextortion operations.
The restrictions could also affect immediate family members of people involved in these illegal activities, according to the State Department.
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The Trump administration says visa restrictions will be only one part of its response.
The US also plans to use sanctions, criminal prosecutions, asset seizures, extradition requests and cooperation with international law enforcement agencies.
The goal is to break up criminal networks and increase pressure on people who help these operations continue.
Rubio said the new policy sends a direct warning to criminals who target Americans.
The US government wants to make clear that people involved in online scam networks could face consequences even if they operate outside American territory.
The policy could therefore have an international impact, particularly on organised groups that use overseas operations to target victims in the United States.
