By Amy Christey, Retired Police Chief

As a former police chief who served the communities of Pacific Grove and Morro Bay on California’s Central Coast, I’ve dedicated my career to protecting people, particularly our most vulnerable. Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed firsthand how crime adapts to technological advancements. Today, some of the most financially devastating crimes don’t occur on our streets; they happen online.

Over the past few years, there’s been a significant rise in sophisticated online scams targeting individuals of all ages and backgrounds who use technology. These scams encompass various forms, including phishing emails, toll scams, imposter calls and romance fraud (catfishing). 

In each instance, a scammer employs deception to manipulate someone into sending money or personal identifying information. Victims are often convinced that they owe money, that a loved one is in danger, or that they’ve found love online. In reality, they’re being exploited and blackmailed by criminal networks that disregard the damage they cause.

These scams are executed through various means, such as emails, text messages, social media, and phone calls. The offenders exploit almost every financial platform commonly used by everyday Americans, including checks, credit cards, peer-to-peer payments, cryptocurrency wallets, gift cards, and retirement accounts. 

No one is immune, but seniors, in particular, are hit the hardest. Last year alone, 25% of Americans fell victim to scams, with an average loss of $14,000. Seniors lost over $33,000 each. In total, $159 billion was stolen in 2023.

What’s more disturbing is that these aren’t just isolated bad actors working from a laptop. We now know that many of these operations are run by organized crime networks based in parts of Southeast Asia—particularly Myanmar and Cambodia. Even more appalling, many of these scam centers rely on trafficked workers forced to commit these crimes under duress. Some reports have revealed that even financial institutions in those countries are helping launder the money taken from Americans.

This issue is no longer confined to the realm of technology, where law enforcement lacks adequate response capabilities. It’s a comprehensive threat to Americans and should be regarded as a national security concern. Therefore, Congress must develop a comprehensive and coordinated response to protect our citizens.

Here are my recommendations for action that Congress can take:

• Provide law enforcement with more resources to identify, track, and eliminate scam networks.

• Establish a cross-functional federal task force, collaborating with all levels of law enforcement, to break down silos and lead the fight against scams.

• Create a centralized reporting system for victims to easily report instances of being targeted.

• Strengthen international cooperation, applying diplomatic and pressure to foreign governments where these scam centers operate.

• Adopt proven safeguards, such as requiring registration for mass text campaigns originating from outside the United States and flagging suspicious financial transactions. 

Our communities, particularly seniors and other vulnerable populations, are under siege from these digital predators. I don’t seek to stifle innovation or technology; my goal is to ensure that there are adequate protections in place and that online scams are treated with the seriousness they demand.

As someone who took an oath to protect and serve, I implore Congress to take action promptly. Americans deserve more than mere warnings and headlines; they deserve protection from international criminal organizations, and it’s time for decisive action. Let’s address this problem; talk alone has not been sufficient.