U.S. Government Entities Involved in Defending Against, Enforcing Laws on, and Prosecuting Scams, Fraud, and Cybercrimes

U.S. Government Agencies Combating Scams, Fraud, and Cybercrimes

TIER 1: PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

• President: Donald Trump (Inaugurated January 20, 2025, based on the current date of February 24, 2025, assuming the 2024 election outcome as the most recent). The President oversees the executive branch, setting national security and law enforcement priorities, including efforts against scams, fraud, and cybercrimes, often through executive orders and policy directives (e.g., the 2018 Executive Order establishing the Task Force on Market Integrity and Consumer Fraud). www.WhiteHouse.gov

TIER 2: EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

• Vice President: J.D. Vance – Supports the President and may chair task forces or councils related to cybercrime or fraud.
• National Security Council (NSC)
  • National Security Advisor: Coordinates responses to major cyber threats (e.g., activated Presidential Policy Directive 41 during the 2020 SolarWinds breach).
• Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD)
  • National Cyber Director: Established in 2021, oversees national cybersecurity strategy, including defending against cyber-enabled fraud and crimes.

TIER 3: CABINET-LEVEL DEPARTMENTS

These departments house agencies directly involved in combating scams, fraud, and cybercrimes.

Department of Justice (DOJ)

• • Attorney General: Leads federal law enforcement and prosecution efforts against fraud, scams, and cybercrimes.
  • Key Agencies and Divisions:
    • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Leads investigations into cyber attacks, intrusions, and major cyber fraud. Lead agency for investigating cyberattacks, fraud, and cybercrimes; operates the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
      • Internet Crime Complaint Center
        The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is the central hub for reporting cyber-enabled crime. It is run by the FBI, the lead federal agency for investigating crime. For more information about the IC3 and its mission, please see the About Us page.

      • Cyber Division: Focuses on cyber-based terrorism, espionage, computer intrusions, and major cyber fraud.

      • Criminal Investigative Division: Handles financial crimes, including fraud and public corruption.

      • National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force (NCIJTF): Collaborates with various agencies to coordinate cyber threat investigations.

    • Fraud Section (Criminal Division): Prosecutes complex white-collar crimes, including securities fraud and cyber-enabled fraud.
    • COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force (CFETF): Coordinates multi-agency efforts against pandemic-related fraud.
    • Task Force on Market Integrity and Consumer Fraud: Established 2018, targets cyber-fraud, consumer fraud, and financial crimes.
    • Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS): DOJ CCIPS is responsible for implementing the Department’s national strategies in combating computer and intellectual property crimes worldwide.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

• • Secretary: In addition to all other activities, Focuses on cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection.
  • Key Agencies:
    • Homeland Security Investigations (HSI): Investigates a wide range of domestic and international activities arising from the illegal movement of people and goods, including cybercrimes.
    • Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): National coordinator for critical infrastructure security; defends federal networks and issues cyber threat directives.
    • United States Secret Service (USSS): Investigates cyber-enabled financial crimes (e.g., ransomware, business email compromise, and cryptocurrency crimes) and protects financial infrastructure.
    • United States Coast Guard (USCG): Secures maritime interests against cyber threats.
    • Transportation Security Administration (TSA): Enhances cybersecurity for transportation systems.
    • U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT): Responds to computer security incidents across all US agencies

Department of the Treasury

• • Secretary: Protects financial systems from fraud and cybercrimes.
  • Key Agencies:
    • Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN): Combats money laundering and fraud tied to cybercrimes.
    • Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI): Develops and implements strategies to combat financial crimes and terrorist financing.
    • Office of Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection (OCCIP): Issues consumer advisories and strengthens financial cybersecurity.
    • Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Investigates tax fraud and identity theft scams.
      • Criminal Investigation (CI) Division: Investigates tax evasion, money laundering, and other financial crimes, including those involving cyber elements.

Department of Defense (DOD)

• • Secretary: Defends against state-sponsored cyberattacks affecting national security.
  • Key Agencies:
    • U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM): Conducts offensive and defensive cyber operations.
    • National Security Agency (NSA): Provides intelligence and defends against cyber threats.

Department of Commerce

• • Secretary: Supports cybersecurity standards and investigates breaches (e.g., SolarWinds).
  • Key Agency:
    • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): Develops cybersecurity frameworks used across government and industry.

Tier 4: Independent Agencies and Commissions

These operate outside cabinet departments but report to the President.

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Protects consumers from scams and fraud; educates the public on scam prevention.
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): Combats securities fraud, including cyber-enabled investment scams.
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) [May be discontinued]: Enforces laws against financial fraud targeting consumers.
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS): Investigates mail fraud and related cybercrimes.
• Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC): Addresses fraud in commodities and digital currency markets.
• General Accounting Office (GAO): Operates FraudNet hotline to report federal fund misuse.

Tier 5: Collaborative Task Forces and Partnerships

• Georgia Cyber Fraud Task Force: (Example of state-level collaboration under DOJ).
• Cyber Fraud Task Forces (CFTFs): (USSS-led, nationwide partnerships with local law enforcement).
• Money Mule Initiative: (DOJ, FBI, USPIS, and others targeting fraud facilitators).

Tier 5: Government Funded NGOs

• National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C): A nonprofit organization that provides a nationwide support system for law enforcement and regulatory agencies