ABA Welcomes Launch of DOJ Scam Center Strike Force

“ABA welcomes the Justice Department’s launch of an interagency Scam Center Strike Force to dismantle Southeast Asian scam centers responsible for defrauding millions of Americans every year. Every day these transnational criminal operations steal hard-earned money from Americans through crypto scams and other financial frauds and pose a threat to national security. The FBI estimates Americans lost more than $16 billion to fraud and scams last year. By bringing together the relevant federal agencies to respond to this growing threat, the Scam Center Strike Force led by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia can take the fight against international fraud and scams to a new level. 

“ABA has long called for a whole-of-government approach to combating the global challenge, and today’s announcement marks an important step forward in that effort. We are grateful for the collaboration between the Justice Department and partner agencies including the Office of Foreign Assets Control, the State Department’s Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and the United States Secret Service. By working together and using sanctions, seizures, criminal prosecutions and other available tools, the Strike Force can target bad actors operating outside the U.S. as well as individuals and businesses in this country supporting the scammers. ABA and our member banks stand ready to support this effort and work with the Strike Force and other stakeholders to stop these scams, safeguard Americans’ financial security and ensure that criminals are held accountable.”

Additional Background

• ABA has been a leader in the fight against fraud, including launching the  industry-wide consumer education campaigns  #BanksNeverAskThat and #PracticeSafeChecks, which have reached millions of Americans with practical fraud prevention tips.

• ABA has also partnered with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and law enforcement agencies to combat check fraud, which has surged since the pandemic, and launched a free online platform that allows member banks to more easily verify payee information for government checks using the Treasury Department’s Treasury Check Verification System.

• In 2025, ABA created an industry-wide Fraud Contact Directory to help make it easier for banks across the country to identify and resolve potential instances of fraud. 

• In September, Paul Benda, executive vice president of risk, fraud and cybersecurity at ABA, testified before the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations during a hearing focused on fraud and the threat it poses to American families. In his prepared testimony, Benda highlighted the alarming rise in financial fraud targeting American consumers and businesses, emphasizing the need for a coordinated, multi-sector response to combat increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics.

• Paul Benda also hosts the ABA Fraudcast podcast, and the ABA Foundation has other helpful tips for consumers on how to spot fraud and scams including this recent infographic developed with the FBI on deepfake media scams.