Scam Compound Accountability and Mobilization Act
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
IntroducedReported by Mr. Risch, with an amendment
Passed Senate (inferred from es version)
Mr. Cornyn (for himself, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Scott of Florida, …
Mr. Cornyn (for himself and Mrs. Shaheen) introduced the following …
Summary
What This Bill Does
The Scam Compound Accountability and Mobilization Act targets international fraud operations known as "scam compounds"—facilities primarily in Southeast Asia where human trafficking victims are forced to conduct cyber fraud against Americans. The FBI reported $13.7 billion in U.S. losses from cyber-enabled fraud in 2024. The bill requires the Secretary of State to develop a comprehensive strategy, establishes an interagency task force, and authorizes presidential sanctions against individuals and organizations involved in these operations.
Who Benefits and How
American fraud victims benefit from a coordinated federal response to the scam operations that defrauded them of billions. The strategy aims to disrupt the criminal networks responsible.
Human trafficking victims (hundreds of thousands from 40+ countries) who are lured to scam compounds and forced into "forced criminality" benefit from enhanced anti-trafficking efforts, victim protection measures, and international cooperation to shut down these operations.
Law enforcement gains new coordination tools through the interagency task force and clearer authority to pursue sanctions, asset seizures, and visa restrictions against perpetrators.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Transnational criminal organizations operating scam compounds face sanctions, asset freezes, and international pressure. The bill specifically notes many are affiliated with China and involved in Belt and Road Initiative projects.
"Enabling countries" (Burma, Cambodia, Laos, and others) face diplomatic pressure and potential consequences for permitting or failing to prevent scam compound operations.
Tech platforms and financial institutions may face increased scrutiny for enabling recruitment fraud and money laundering.
Key Provisions
- 180-day strategy requirement for Secretary of State to submit comprehensive global strategy to counter scam compounds
- Interagency task force established 90 days after strategy, with 6-year lifespan and annual public reporting
- Sanctions authority allowing President to block property and transactions of foreign persons involved in scam operations
- Defines key terms including "forced criminality," "enabling country," and "cyber-enabled fraud"
- 7-year sunset after which the Act expires
Evidence Chain:
This summary is derived from the structured analysis below. See "Detailed Analysis" for per-title beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
Primary Purpose
Combats international 'scam compounds' (fraud operations primarily in Southeast Asia that use human trafficking victims to perpetrate cyber fraud) by requiring a comprehensive federal strategy, establishing an interagency task force, and authorizing sanctions against individuals and organizations involved in these operations.
Policy Domains
Legislative Strategy
"Create a coordinated federal response to the growing threat of overseas scam compounds that defrauded Americans of \.7 billion in 2024, combining diplomatic pressure, sanctions authority, and anti-trafficking efforts"
Likely Beneficiaries
- American fraud victims (\.7B lost in 2024)
- Human trafficking victims forced to work in scam compounds
- Law enforcement agencies (new coordination tools)
- Foreign governments combating scam operations
Likely Burden Bearers
- Transnational criminal organizations running scam compounds
- Enabling countries (diplomatic pressure)
- Tech platforms used for recruitment fraud
- Financial institutions facilitating money laundering
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_president"
- → President of the United States
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of State
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
Use of internet or technology to commit fraud, including obtaining money, property, data, identification documents, or creating counterfeit goods/services.
Country where authorities permit/enable scam compounds or ineffective law enforcement allows scam operators to obtain facilitating services.
Form of forced labor causing victims to engage in criminal activity, including cyber-enabled fraud.
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology