The United States government is stepping up its fight against Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams — one of the most damaging and widespread cybercrimes affecting individuals, corporations, and institutions worldwide.

With billions lost each year to these deceptive schemes, federal agencies have launched coordinated efforts to track, arrest, and prosecute the criminals behind them.

What is BEC?

Business Email Compromise (BEC) is a cyberattack where scammers gain access to email accounts — often those of executives or finance teams — and use them to fraudulently request money transfers, alter invoice details, or impersonate trusted contacts.

These scams are subtle, professional, and often go undetected until significant financial damage has occurred.

A Global Crime, a U.S.-Led Crackdown

BEC scams frequently originate from international criminal networks operating across Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. But in recent years, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) have made major progress in dismantling these networks.

In partnership with law enforcement around the world, the U.S. has:

• Conducted multi-country sting operations to arrest BEC suspects

• Seized millions of dollars in stolen funds and cryptocurrency

• Taken down fake domains, phishing websites, and malware servers

• Brought high-profile criminals to trial and secured convictions

“These scammers target hardworking businesses and families, often wiping out life savings or disrupting entire organizations,” said an FBI official. “We are committed to tracking them down — wherever they hide.”

Success Stories

Recent operations like Operation Eagle Sweep and Operation WireWire have led to dozens of arrests in Nigeria, the U.K., South Africa, and the United States. In many cases, authorities recovered stolen funds and returned them to victims.

These efforts are part of a growing global network of collaboration — and the U.S. remains at the forefront of fighting digital financial crime.

What You Can Do

While the government intensifies its crackdown, the Financial Crime Enforcement Network (FCEN) continues to help businesses and individuals protect themselves and recover their losses:

• If you’ve been scammed, visit efincengovs.com and click “File a Complaint.”

• Provide evidence — including email trails, bank records, and file attachments.

• FCEN will help assess your case, work with global partners, and support fund recovery wherever possible.

Don’t Be the Next Target

BEC scams are not going away — but neither are the efforts to stop them. The U.S. is proving that justice can reach even the most elusive cybercriminals.

Be alert. Stay informed. And report fraud the moment it happens.

For protection, reporting, and recovery, trust efincengovs.com — your line of defense against financial crime.