Key Highlights
- America and Britain have formalized an unprecedented memorandum of understanding targeting cryptocurrency investment scams
- The partnership connects the US Attorney’s Office, UK Crown Prosecution Service, and UK National Crime Agency
- American victims lost $8.65 billion to crypto investment scams in 2025, representing an 89% increase from 2023 figures
- A coordinated disruption operation involving private sector collaboration is scheduled for London this October
- This partnership strengthens the Scam Center Strike Force, established in November 2025 to dismantle criminal operations in Southeast Asia
America and Britain have formalized a collaborative law enforcement partnership designed to dismantle scam operations utilizing cryptocurrency and digitally-enabled investment schemes.
The formal agreement was revealed Thursday through an announcement from the US Department of Justice. The partnership unites the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia with England and Wales’ Crown Prosecution Service and the UK National Crime Agency.
Justice Department officials characterized the arrangement as an unprecedented international law enforcement collaboration.
Framework of the Partnership
The agreement establishes a framework for conducting simultaneous investigations targeting common suspects. Participating agencies will share intelligence regarding organized criminal enterprises and collaboratively determine the appropriate jurisdiction for prosecution in each instance.
Authorities revealed they have already identified cases with overlapping elements. An on-site disruption initiative featuring private sector participation is planned for early October in London.
This partnership reinforces the Scam Center Strike Force, which US Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro established in November 2025. The strike force concentrates on dismantling Chinese organized crime syndicates operating fraudulent compounds, predominantly throughout Southeast Asia.
Participating agencies in the strike force include the FBI, US Secret Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations. The initiative also coordinates with the US Treasury Department, State Department, and commercial entities.
Escalating Financial Damage
Data from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center indicates that documented losses from cryptocurrency investment fraud totaled $8.65 billion in 2025. This represents an 89% escalation from the $4.57 billion recorded in 2023.
Law enforcement officials acknowledge that genuine losses probably exceed reported figures substantially, as numerous victims fail to report their experiences.
The DOJ notes these fraudulent enterprises frequently connect to human trafficking operations and money laundering schemes.
Global law enforcement has already executed operations addressing similar criminal activities. On April 29, Dubai’s police force coordinated with the FBI and China’s Ministry of Public Security in a joint operation. The raid resulted in 276 apprehensions and eliminated at least nine cryptocurrency scam facilities.
Authorities charged six individuals for orchestrating schemes employing fraudulent crypto investment platforms to collect victim deposits.
Throughout Southeast Asia, national governments have advocated for stricter regulations. Myanmar’s military administration introduced legislation in May establishing sentences ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment for digital currency fraud. Capital punishment could be imposed in cases involving worker fatalities.
Myanmar’s legislative body approved the measure on July 28, though presidential approval was still pending at that juncture.
The newly established US-UK partnership represents an evolving chapter in global initiatives to neutralize cryptocurrency fraud networks functioning across international boundaries.
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