US Announces New Visa Restrictions To Crack Down On Global Cyber Scam Networks
US Announces New Visa Restrictions To Crack Down On Global Cyber Scam Networks Published By, Last Updated: July 27, 2026, 10:21 IST Rubio said the
US Announces New Visa Restrictions To Crack Down On Global Cyber Scam Networks Published By, Last Updated: July 27, 2026, 10:21 IST Rubio said the policy is part of a wider campaign to dismantle international cybercrime networks that have caused billions of dollars in losses to American citizens. US Announces New Visa Restrictions to Crack Down on Overseas Fraud Networks. (Representative image) US New Visa Rules: The Donald Trump administration has announced a new visa restriction policy aimed at dismantling overseas criminal networks accused of defrauding Americans of billions of dollars through cyber-enabled scams and extortion schemes. The measures, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio under the Immigration and Nationality Act recently, will apply to individuals involved in such crimes as well as their immediate family members. Part Of Broader Anti-Cybercrime Push Rubio said the policy is part of a wider campaign to dismantle international cybercrime networks that have caused billions of dollars in losses to American citizens. He said that the administration will use “every tool at our disposal" — including sanctions, prosecutions, asset seizures, extradition requests and international cooperation — to hold perpetrators accountable.
The announcement builds on President Donald Trump’s executive order issued in March, which prioritised the prosecution of cyber-enabled fraud and called for stronger action against transnational criminal organisations. The order also warned that countries failing to act against such networks could face sanctions, visa restrictions, reductions in foreign aid and action against complicit officials. According to the US administration, cyber fraud cost Americans more than $12.5 billion in 2024, with senior citizens among the hardest hit. What’s In The New Policy? Restrictions are being enforced in accordance with Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, which grants the government the authority to refuse visas if people’s entry may result in negative foreign policy implications. According to the new policy, foreign nationals who are involved in or complicit with cyberscams, online investment fraud, sextortion, and other cyber-enabled criminal activities will be deemed ineligible for US visas. Additionally, immediate family members of those participating in such activities may also encounter restrictions. However, this policy does not specify particular countries or people as targets. It is simply characterised as having a global reach.
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