The United States Justice Department has acknowledged India’s cooperation in combating technology-support fraud and scams involving criminals posing as government officials. Richard Goldberg, director of the department’s Cyber-Enabled Scam Initiative, discussed these joint efforts during a Washington Foreign Press Center briefing on Wednesday. However, he did not announce a new operation in India or disclose specific arrests, dates, case details, or financial recoveries.
Goldberg said American authorities had worked with Indian law enforcement to dismantle such fraudulent schemes across India. He also outlined international investigations targeting cryptocurrency investment scams in Southeast Asia, romance and business-email fraud in West Africa, lottery schemes originating in Jamaica, and timeshare fraud linked to Mexican drug cartels.
According to the officials, cybercriminal networks frequently operate across national borders, using infrastructure in multiple countries and transferring illicit proceeds through complex channels. International partnerships help investigators exchange intelligence, collect evidence, pursue suspects, and recover criminal assets. The Justice Department also supports overseas partners through training and investigative assistance.
Jeanine Pirro, US attorney for the District of Columbia, said her international engagement had included a visit to India, although she provided no date or details of a new bilateral agreement. FBI Criminal Division Assistant Director Heith Janke emphasized the importance of overseas law enforcement attachés in strengthening relationships and sharing intelligence, particularly when American victims are targeted by organizations operating abroad.
Officials also highlighted the human consequences of scam operations, including people trafficked and forced to work inside fraudulent compounds. They stressed that prosecutions alone cannot eliminate cybercrime, making public awareness and preventive action essential.
Goldberg said the Justice Department launched its Cyber-Enabled Scam Initiative in summer 2026, bringing together specialists in fraud, cybercrime, money laundering, international evidence gathering, extradition, and asset forfeiture. Pirro added that the District of Columbia’s Scam Centre Strike Force, established in November 2025, has pursued cryptocurrency fraud networks, disrupted websites, and sought overseas extraditions. No Indian agencies or individual cases were identified during the briefing.
