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U.S. Legat – Legal Attaché Worldwide – The FBI’s Overseas Offices – 2025

U.S. Legat – Legal Attaché Officers Worldwide – The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Overseas Offices

Reporting Scams Fraud & Cybercrimes – A SCARS Institute Guide

Authors:
•  SCARS Institute Encyclopedia of Scams Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
•  Portions from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information is subject to change without notice

Article Abstract

The FBI’s Legal Attaché (Legat) program places special agents and personnel in U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide to foster cooperation with foreign law enforcement and security agencies. Operating in over 180 countries, Legats build crucial international partnerships to combat terrorism, cybercrime, organized crime, and other transnational threats.

These offices, overseen by the International Operations Division in Washington, D.C., serve as the FBI’s global arm, facilitating information sharing, coordinating investigations, and providing training to promote the rule of law abroad. While Legats do not have law enforcement authority overseas, they work through host countries, emphasizing collaboration and mutual assistance. By positioning agents globally, the FBI can rapidly respond to crises, deter threats before they reach the U.S., and strengthen international security networks, contributing to global safety and national defense.

U.S. Legat - Legal Attaché Officers Worldwide - The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Overseas Offices - 2025

U.S. Legat – Legal Attaché Officers Worldwide – The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Overseas Offices – 2025

FBI International Offices – Crime and terror have a global reach.

For more than eight decades, the FBI has stationed special agents and other personnel overseas. We help protect Americans back home by building relationships with principal law enforcement, intelligence, and security services around the globe. Now, at a time when virtually all major FBI investigations have a significant international nexus, these partnerships have never been more crucial.

Our legal attaché offices—commonly known as Legats—and sub-offices are located in key cities around the globe and provide coverage for more than 180 countries, territories, and islands. About 250 special agents and support personnel are stationed in FBI legats worldwide.

What is a Legat

A Legat (short for Legal Attaché) is an FBI representative assigned to a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Legats serve as the primary liaison between the FBI and foreign law enforcement, intelligence, and security agencies. Their role is to facilitate international cooperation on criminal investigations, counterterrorism, cybercrime, and other transnational threats.

Key Responsibilities of a Legat:

    • Coordination of Investigations: Assisting in joint operations, sharing intelligence, and coordinating with foreign counterparts on FBI cases that extend beyond U.S. borders.
    • Extradition and Legal Processes: Facilitating extradition requests, gathering evidence from foreign jurisdictions, and ensuring U.S. legal interests are represented abroad.
    • Information Sharing: Exchanging intelligence and criminal data to combat terrorism, organized crime, human trafficking, and cybercrime.
    • Crisis Response: Supporting U.S. citizens affected by terrorism or major crimes overseas and contributing to international crisis management.

    Legats operate in over 60 countries and often cover multiple nations within a region. They report directly to the FBI’s International Operations Division in Washington, D.C.

    Example:

    If a cybercriminal based in Europe hacks a U.S. company, the Legat in the relevant embassy would work with local authorities to track down the perpetrator and assist in gathering evidence for prosecution.

    FBI International Operations

    Our legal attaché program is managed by the International Operations Division at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

    Through the legal attaché program and other efforts, the International Operations Division serves as a bridge to our overseas partners and a conduit for strengthening the global rule of law. It regularly works through elements of the international law enforcement community such as Interpol and Europol and numerous working groups, task forces, and training initiatives.

    The office coordinates meetings with international leaders and keeps in close contact with other federal agencies, foreign police, and security officers in Washington, D.C., and national and international law enforcement associations.

    Authorities and Jurisdiction

    A number of U.S. federal laws give the FBI authority to investigate extraterritorial criminal and terrorist activity. The FBI, however, conducts investigations abroad only when invited by the host country. In most cases, our international partners gather evidence and make arrests on behalf of, or in close cooperation with the Bureau.

    Each legat is established through mutual agreement with the host country and is located in that nation’s U.S. embassy or consulate. FBI personnel abroad serve under the authority of the Department of State, chief of mission at U.S. embassies, at the pleasure of ambassadors and host country governments.

    International liaison and information sharing are conducted in accordance with executive orders, laws, treaties, attorney general guidelines, FBI policies, and interagency agreements.

    The Role of the Legal Attaché Agent

    The FBI agent who heads an international office is also called a legal attaché or legat. They serve as the FBI Director’s personal representative in the country where they have regional responsibilities.

    Legal attachés are experienced, highly trained investigators who work directly and openly with their international colleagues. They do not conduct foreign intelligence gathering or counterintelligence investigations. Most legal attachés are supported by a deputy or assistant legal attaché and other staff.

    Typical duties of a legal attaché include:

    • coordinating requests for FBI or host country assistance overseas
    • conducting investigations in coordination with the host government
    • sharing investigative leads and information
    • coordinating FBI training classes for police in their geographic areas
    • briefing embassy counterparts from other agencies, including law enforcement agencies and ambassadors
    • managing country clearances
    • providing situation reports concerning cultural protocol
    • assessing political and security climates
    • coordinating victim and humanitarian assistance

    How Legal Attaché Offices Help to Protect the United States

    Relationship Building: Since FBI agents do not have traditional law enforcement powers overseas, they must rely on strong, mutually beneficial relationships with their foreign counterparts. Legal attachés maintain regular, often face-to-face contact with foreign officials and security agencies that enables the prompt and continuous exchange of information and reciprocal assistance in investigations. Legal attachés also provide critical and timely support in the defense of our homeland through direct coordination with the Department of Justice, the Department of State, Interpol, and other law enforcement and security entities.

    Physical Proximity: Legal attachés are positioned to enable agents to reach virtually anywhere in the world in a few hours, allowing the FBI to respond more quickly and effectively to terrorist attacks, cyber crime, fugitive sightings, crisis situations, natural disasters, and other global security matters.

    Training/Rule of Law: Through international training facilitated by legal attachés, the FBI provides foreign law enforcement officers with skills in both basic and advanced investigative techniques and principles that promote cooperation and aid in the collection of evidence. These efforts help create more capable and democratic police institutions around the world, strengthening the global rule of law. Funded by the Department of State or Department of Defense, significant training programs include the International Law Enforcement Academies in Budapest, Hungary; Bangkok, Thailand; Gaborone, Botswana; and San Salvador, El Salvador, as well as bilateral training programs targeting anti-terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and terrorist financing.

    Detection and Prevention: By keeping their fingers on the pulse of criminal activity, national security threats, and emerging trends in the nations and regions they serve, legal attachés function as an early warning system to help keep crime and terrorism from reaching our shores.

    FBI’s International Offices

    Visit these Official FBI International Officer locations. If the contact information is not listed, visit the U.S. Embassy listing here: https://www.usembassy.gov/

    AFRICA

    Abuja, Nigeria

    American Embassy: 011-234-9-461-4000
    Nations covered: Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Nigeria

    Lagos, Nigeria, Suboffice
    American Consulate: 011-234-1-460-3400

    Accra, Ghana

    American Embassy: 011-233-30-2741-000
    Nations covered: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Niger, Togo

    Niamey, Niger, Suboffice

    American Embassy: 011-277-20-72-26-61

    Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    American Embassy: 011-251-11-130-6000
    Nations covered: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan

    Djibouti, Djibouti, Suboffice

    American Embassy: 253-21-453-000

    Dakar, Senegal

    American Embassy: 011-221-33-879-4000
    Nations covered: Cape Verde, Cote D’Ivoire, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone

    Nairobi, Kenya

    American Embassy: 011-254-20-363-6000
    Nations covered: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda

    Pretoria, South Africa

    American Embassy: 011-27-12-431-4000
    Nations covered: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

    Rabat, Morocco

    American Embassy: 011-212-537-762-265
    Nations covered: Mali, Mauritania, Morocco

    Tunis, Tunisia

    American Embassy: 011-216-71-107-000
    Nations covered: Algeria, Libya, Tunisia

    Algiers, Algeria, Suboffice

    American Embassy: 213-770-08-20-00

    AMERICAS

    Bogota, Colombia

    American Embassy: 011-571-275-2000
    Nations covered: Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela

    Brasilia, Brazil

    American Embassy: 011-55-61-3312-7000
    011-55-61-3312-7400 (after hours)
    Nation covered: Brazil
    Sao Paolo, Brazil, Suboffice

    Bridgetown, Barbados

    American Embassy: 1-246-436-4950
    Nations covered: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Dominica, French Guiana, French West Indies, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique, Montserrat, Nassau (Islands of St. Barthelemy and French St. Martin), Netherland Antilles (islands of Bonaire and Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and Dutch St. Maarten), St. Christopher, St. Kitts/Nevis (British West Indies), St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos

    Nassau, Bahamas, Suboffice

    American Consulate: 1-242-322-1181

    Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Suboffice

    American Embassy: 1-868-622-6371

    Buenos Aires, Argentina

    American Embassy: 011-5411-5777-4300
    Nations covered: Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay

    Mexico City, Mexico

    American Embassy: 011-52-55-5080-2000
    Nation covered: Mexico

    Guadalajara Suboffice
    American Consulate: 011-52-33-3268-2100
    Hermosillo Suboffice
    American Consulate: 011-52-662-289-3500
    Juarez Suboffice
    American Consulate: 011-52-656-227-3000
    Monterrey Suboffice
    American Consulate: 011-52-81-8047-3100
    Tijuana Suboffice
    American Consulate: 011-52-664-977-2000

    Ottawa, Canada

    American Embassy: 1-613-238-5335
    Nation covered: Canada

    Toronto Suboffice
    American Consulate: 1-416-640-8650
    Vancouver Suboffice
    American Consulate: 1-604-685-4311

    Panama City, Panama

    American Embassy: 011-507-317-5000
    Nations covered: Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua

    San Jose, Costa Rica, Suboffice

    Calle 98 Vía 104, Pavas
    San José, Costa Rica
    American Embassy: Telephone: [506] 2519-2000

    San Salvador, El Salvador

    American Embassy: 011-503-2501-2999
    Nations covered: Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras

    Guatamala City, Guatamala, Suboffice

    American Embassy: 011-502-2326-4000

    Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Suboffice

    American Embassy: 011-504-2236-9320

    Santiago, Chile

    American Embassy: 011-56-22-330-3000
    Nations covered: Bolivia, Chile, Peru

    Lima, Peru, Suboffice

    U.S. Embassy in Lima
    Avenida La Encalada cdra. 17 s/n
    Surco, Lima 33, Peru
    Telephone: (51-1) 618-2000

    Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

    American Embassy: 1-809-221-2171 or 1-809-567-7775
    Nations covered: Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica

    ASIA

    Bangkok, Thailand

    American Embassy: 011-66-2-205-4000
    Nations covered: Burma (Myanmar), Laos, Thailand

    Beijing, China

    American Embassy: 011-86-10-8531-3000
    Nations covered: Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia, People’s Republic of China

    Hong Kong, China, Suboffice

    American Consulate: 011-852-2523-9011
    Nations covered: Hong Kong, Macau

    Jakarta, Indonesia

    American Embassy 011-62-21-5083-1000
    Nations covered: Indonesia, Timor-Leste

    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    American Embassy: 011-60-3-2168-5000
    Nation covered: Malaysia

    Manila, Philippines

    American Embassy: 011-63-2-5301-2000
    Nation covered: Philippines

    New Delhi, India

    American Embassy: 011-91-11-2419-8000
    Nations covered: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka

    Colombo, Sri Lanka, Suboffice

    American Consulate: 011-94-11-202-8500
    Nations covered: Maldives, Sri Lanka

    Dhaka, Bangladesh, Suboffice

    American Consulate: 011-880-2-5566-2000
    Nations covered: Bangladesh, Nepal

    Phnom Penh, Cambodia

    American Embassy: 011-85-23-728-000
    Nations covered: Cambodia, Vietnam

    Hanoi, Vietnam, Suboffice

    U.S. Embassy in Hanoi
    7 Lang Ha Street
    Hanoi, Vietnam
    Phone: +84-24-3850-5000

    Seoul, South Korea

    American Embassy: 011-82-2-397-4114
    Nation covered: Republic of Korea

    Singapore, Singapore

    American Embassy: 011-65-6476-9100
    Nations covered: Brunei, Diego Garcia, Singapore

    Taipei, Taiwan

    American Embassy: 011-886-2-2162-2000
    Nation covered: Taiwan

    Tokyo, Japan

    American Embassy: 011-81-3-3224-5000
    Nation covered: Japan

    AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND

    Canberra, Australia

    American Embassy: 011-61-2-6214-5600
    Nations covered: Antarctica, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Australia, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Cook Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Howland Island, Kingman Reef, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Palau, Palmyra Atoll, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis, Futuna

    Sydney, Australia, Suboffice
    American Consulate: 011-612-9373-9200
    Wellington, New Zealand, Suboffice
    American Embassy: 011-64-4-462-6000

    EASTERN EUROPE AND EURASIA

    Ankara, Turkey

    American Embassy: 011-90-312-455-5555
    Nation covered: Turkey

    Istanbul, Turkey, Suboffice
    American Consulate: 011-90-212-335-9000

    Astana, Kazakhstan

    American Embassy: 011-7-3172-70-2100
    Nations covered: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

    Athens, Greece

    American Embassy: 011-30-210-720-2490
    Nations covered: Cyprus, Greece

    Nicosia, Cyprus, Suboffice

    U.S. Embassy in Nicosia
    Metochiou & Ploutarchou Street
    2407, Engomi
    Nicosia, Cyprus
    Telephone: 357-22-393939

    Belgrade, Serbia

    American Embassy: 381-11-7064000
    Nations covered: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia

    Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Suboffice

    U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo
    1 Robert C. Frasure Street, 71000
    SARAJEVO
    tel: +387 33 704-000

    Bucharest, Romania

    American Embassy: 011-40-21-200-3300
    Nations covered: Moldova, Romania

    Budapest, Hungary

    American Embassy: 011-36-1-475-4400
    Nation covered: Hungary

    Kyiv, Ukraine

    American Embassy: 011-380-44-521-5000
    Nations covered: Belarus, Ukraine

    Moscow, Russia

    American Embassy: 011-7-495-728-5000
    Nation covered: Russia

    Prague, Czech Republic

    American Embassy: 011-420-2-5702-2000
    Nations covered: Czech Republic and Slovakia

    Riga, Latvia

    American Embassy: 011-371-6710-7000
    Nations covered: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania

    Tallinn, Estonia, Suboffice

    American Embassy: 011-372-668-8100

    Sofia, Bulgaria

    American Embassy: 011-3592-937-5100
    Nations covered: Albania, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Macedonia

    Tbilisi, Georgia

    American Embassy: 011-995-32-27-7000
    Nations covered: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia

    Warsaw, Poland

    American Embassy: 011-4822-628-3041
    Nation covered: Poland

    EUROPE

    Berlin, Germany

    American Embassy: 011-49-30-238-5174
    Nation covered: Germany

    Frankfurt, Germany, Suboffice
    American Consulate: 011-49-69-7535-0

    Bern, Switzerland

    American Embassy: 011-41-31-357-7011
    Nations covered: Liechtenstein, Switzerland

    Brussels, Belgium

    American Embassy: 011-32-2-512-5519
    Nations covered: Belgium, Luxembourg, U.S. Mission to NATO and the EU

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    American Embassy: 011-45-3341-7100
    Nations covered: Denmark, Faroe Island, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden

    Stockholm, Sweden, Suboffice

    American Embassy: 011-46-8-783-5300

    London, England

    American Embassy: 0-11-44-207-894-0007
    Nations covered: United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales), Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands (Guernsey, Jersey)

    Madrid, Spain

    American Embassy: 011-34-91-587-2200
    Nations covered: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal, Spain

    Paris, France

    American Embassy: 011-33-1-4312-2222
    Nations covered: France, Monaco

    Rome, Italy

    American Embassy: 011-39-06-4674-2710
    Nations covered: Italy, Malta, San Marino, Vatican City

    The Hague, Netherlands

    American Embassy:  011-31-70-310-2264
    Nations covered: Netherlands, U.S. Mission to Europol

    Vienna, Austria

    American Consulate: 011-43-1-313-39-2155
    Nations covered: Austria, Croatia, Slovenia

    MIDDLE EAST

    Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    American Embassy: 011-971-2-414-2200
    Nation covered: United Arab Emirates

    Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Suboffice

    011-971-4-309-4000

    Amman, Jordan

    American Embassy: 011-962-6-590-6000
    Nations covered: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria

    Beirut, Lebanon, Suboffice

    American Embassy: 011-961-4-542-600

    Baghdad, Iraq

    American Embassy: 1-240-553-0590
    Nation covered: Iraq

    Erbil, Iraq, Suboffice

    Cairo, Egypt

    American Embassy: 011-202-2797-3300
    Nation covered: Egypt

    Doha, Qatar

    American Embassy: 011-974-4496-6000
    Nations covered: Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar

    Kuwait City, Kuwait, Suboffice

    American Embassy: 011-965-2259-1001

    Islamabad, Pakistan

    American Embassy: 011-92-51-208-0000
    Nation covered: Pakistan

    Karachi, Pakistan, Suboffice

    American Consulate: 011-92-21-3527-5000

    Muscat, Oman

    American Embassy: 968-2464-3400
    Nation covered: Oman

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    American Embassy: 011-966-1-488-3800
    Nations covered: Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Yemen

    Tel Aviv, Israel

    American Embassy: 011-972-3-519-7575
    Nations covered: Israel, Palestinian National Authority

    Jerusalem, Israel, Suboffice
    972-2-622-7127

To Understand All Scams, Read This:
The SCARS Institute Relationship Scams Formula Checklist
This is the Formula that all Relationship Scams Follow

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Important Information for New Scam Victims

If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org

If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines

A Note About Labeling!

We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!

A Question of Trust

At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.

Statement About Victim Blaming

SCARS Institute articles examine different aspects of the scam victim experience, as well as those who may have been secondary victims. This work focuses on understanding victimization through the science of victimology, including common psychological and behavioral responses. The purpose is to help victims and survivors understand why these crimes occurred, reduce shame and self-blame, strengthen recovery programs and victim opportunities, and lower the risk of future victimization.

At times, these discussions may sound uncomfortable, overwhelming, or may be mistaken for blame. They are not. Scam victims are never blamed. Our goal is to explain the mechanisms of deception and the human responses that scammers exploit, and the processes that occur after the scam ends, so victims can better understand what happened to them and why it felt convincing at the time, and what the path looks like going forward.

Articles that address the psychology, neurology, physiology, and other characteristics of scams and the victim experience recognize that all people share cognitive and emotional traits that can be manipulated under the right conditions. These characteristics are not flaws. They are normal human functions that criminals deliberately exploit. Victims typically have little awareness of these mechanisms while a scam is unfolding and a very limited ability to control them. Awareness often comes only after the harm has occurred.

By explaining these processes, these articles help victims make sense of their experiences, understand common post-scam reactions, and identify ways to protect themselves moving forward. This knowledge supports recovery by replacing confusion and self-blame with clarity, context, and self-compassion.

Additional educational material on these topics is available at ScamPsychology.orgScamsNOW.com and other SCARS Institute websites.

Psychology Disclaimer:

All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only

The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.

While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.

Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.

If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.

Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.

If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.