The United States has announced a new global visa restriction policy targeting individuals involved in cybercrime, online scams, and sextortion as part of a broader crackdown on transnational criminal networks.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the policy implements President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14390, which focuses on combating cybercrime, fraud, and other predatory schemes targeting American citizens.
According to the US Department of State, Americans lost at least $10 billion to online scams in 2024. The department said many of these operations were linked to Chinese transnational criminal organisations involved in money laundering, corruption, and human trafficking. It also noted that overseas criminal groups have targeted American children through online sextortion schemes.
The new policy, introduced under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, allows the United States to deny visas to individuals who commit or facilitate cybercrime and cyber-enabled offences, including cyberscams and sextortion. The restrictions may also extend to the immediate family members of those involved.
The Trump administration said it will complement the visa restrictions with sanctions, criminal prosecutions, asset seizures, extradition efforts, and increased cooperation with international law enforcement agencies to dismantle global scam networks.
Rubio said the United States will continue using visa restrictions and other legal measures to hold cybercriminals accountable and prevent those responsible for exploiting American citizens from entering the country.
