The United States has introduced a new global visa restriction policy targeting individuals involved in cybercrime and cyber-enabled criminal activity, including online investment scams and sextortion, the US Department of State announced.
In a statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the measure implements President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14390 on Combatting Cybercrime, Fraud, and Predatory Schemes Against American Citizens, aimed at tackling the growing threat posed by international cybercriminal networks.
According to the State Department, online scammers—many allegedly linked to Chinese transnational criminal organisations—defrauded US citizens of at least $10 billion in 2024, while also contributing to corruption, money laundering and human trafficking.
The department added that American children have increasingly been targeted by overseas perpetrators involved in sextortion schemes.
Rubio said the new policy, introduced under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, authorises visa restrictions on individuals responsible for or complicit in cybercrime and cyber-enabled offences, including cyberscams and sextortion.
The policy may also apply to the immediate family members of individuals found to be engaged in such criminal activities, the statement said.