Trump to spotlight federal action on overseas crypto scams
Trump plans White House remarks on seized scam sites as FBI reports crypto losses top $11 billion.
Key takeaways
- Losses top billions. Americans reported more than $11 billion in crypto-linked losses during 2025.
- Complaints rose sharply. The complaint center logged 1,008,597 reports during 2025 against 859,532 in 2024.
- Older adults hit hardest. People aged 60 and older reported approximately $7.7 billion in losses.
What happened
President Donald Trump plans to use a White House session on October 21 to outline a drive against fraud groups based abroad that push fake crypto offers. The White House says officials will review web domains taken down by investigators and steps to curb identity misuse. Senior security, defense and law enforcement leaders are due to join the discussion.
The meeting builds on earlier directives. In March, Trump told the Justice Department to give priority to cases tied to web fraud. An August 12 memo expanded the use of cyber tools against crime groups outside the country and urged teamwork with private security firms. In April, investigators said they froze $701 million in digital assets linked to cross-border scams and broke up recruitment routes and 500 sham investing sites, including support structures tied to compounds in Southeast Asia.
Why it matters
Federal figures point to fast growth in harm. The FBI said Americans filed 1,008,597 cybercrime reports during 2025, compared with 859,532 in 2024, a rise of approximately 17%. Total cybercrime losses were close to USD 21 billion, with crypto-linked reports making up $11 billion. The bureau logged 181,565 reports that involved digital coins.
Older residents face heavy exposure. People aged 60 and older reported approximately $7.7 billion in losses from cyber-enabled crime, the largest share by age. Officials say investing cons that steer savers toward services that do not exist drive nearly half of scam losses. The pattern shows why seizures of web infrastructure and action against impersonation sit at the center of the planned remarks.
What the data shows
The latest FBI release frames the push. Complaints reached 1,008,597 during 2025. Crypto cases totaled 181,565, with related losses at $11 billion. People over 60 accounted for approximately $7.7 billion. An earlier Justice Department move restrained $701 million and removed 500 fake sites.
Background
The administration has paired enforcement with policy moves. Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao in October 2025 after a federal compliance case. Research cited in recent coverage flags deepfakes and social engineering as common tools in AI-powered cons. Officials also point to cooperation with private firms to aid intelligence work and field operations.
Questions readers ask
What will Trump discuss at the White House crypto event?
He is expected to review action against fraud groups based abroad, including domains taken down and steps to curb impersonation. Senior defense, security and law officials are due to attend.
How large were crypto scam losses in 2025?
Americans reported $11 billion in crypto-linked losses during 2025 from 181,565 reports. Total cybercrime losses were close to USD 21 billion.
What enforcement has already happened?
In April investigators froze $701 million tied to cross-border scams and removed 500 sham sites. In March Trump told the Justice Department to prioritize web fraud cases.