Efforts Against Cybercrime Highlighted by Trump Administration

WASHINGTON—On Wednesday, President Trump and his cabinet gathered for a roundtable discussion at the White House to showcase advancements made by the administration in addressing cybercrime. They shared updates on preventing an estimated $1.6 billion in potential losses and their crackdown on sexual extortion.

During this meeting in the East Room, Trump and his team provided Americans with insights into their ongoing efforts, which included measures taken earlier this year.

“Federal law enforcement has warned over 10,000 Americans who were targeted for victimization, and we saved at least $1.6 billion in losses this year,” Trump stated.

He went on to explain that nearly $1 billion worth of cyber currency related to foreign scammers has been frozen, more than 500 fraudulent websites have been shut down, and coordination with tech companies has led to the disruption of numerous online accounts exploited by foreign criminals.

Trump also pointed out that his administration is focusing on “sexual extortion rackets,” which has been a priority for First Lady Melania Trump, particularly through the Take It Down Act.

“Our administration is actively tackling these sexual extortion schemes that have devastated the lives of many young individuals, leading, in some tragic cases, to suicides,” he said. “This effort has been a top priority for our amazing First Lady, who spearheaded a successful bipartisan initiative to pass the Take It Down Act—a significant achievement that nearly went through Congress unanimously.”

Moreover, Trump mentioned further actions taken against cybercrime, including an executive order signed in March aimed at coordinating efforts to confront “predatory internet schemes” and creating a program focused on helping victims recover lost funds.

“In August, I signed a national security memorandum that mobilizes the immense talent and resources of our private sector to take decisive actions against hackers and cybercriminals, including those operating large-scale scam operations that exploit American families and businesses,” he added.

According to the president, almost 75% of adults in the U.S. have fallen victim to online scams and cyberattacks, with a reported loss of $20 billion last year due to these schemes.

“Every American with an elderly parent or a young child understands the anxiety of knowing their loved ones are navigating an internet filled with thieves and predators,” he noted. “Under my administration, we have harnessed the full capabilities of the federal government to tackle this issue.”