The United States has rolled out a new worldwide visa restriction policy targeting people involved in cybercrime, online scams and sextortion, with the sanctions also extending to certain immediate family members of offenders.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the measure on Thursday, saying it is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to crack down on cyber-enabled crimes and international fraud networks that prey on Americans.
Under the policy, anyone found to have participated in or supported cybercrimes—including investment fraud, cyberscams and sextortion—may be barred from entering the United States, regardless of their nationality. Their close relatives could also face visa restrictions.
Rubio said the initiative supports President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14390, which seeks to combat cybercrime, fraud and other online schemes targeting U.S. citizens.
He warned that online investment scams, many allegedly linked to Chinese transnational criminal organisations, have become a major threat.
According to Rubio, such scams swindled Americans out of at least $10 billion in 2024 while also contributing to corruption, money laundering and human trafficking.
He also highlighted the rise in online sextortion cases, particularly those involving children.
“American children also have been specifically targeted by offenders operating overseas for sextortion scams, devastating families and futures,” Rubio said.
Explaining the policy, he stated:
“This policy targets individuals responsible for, or complicit in, cybercrime and cyber-enabled crime, such as those involved in cyberscams and sextortion. Immediate family members of individuals engaged in such illicit activities may also be subjected to visa restrictions.”
Rubio added that the Trump administration will continue using sanctions, criminal prosecutions, asset seizures, extradition requests and international law enforcement partnerships to dismantle global scam networks.
He stressed that the visa restrictions are meant to send a strong message that the United States will pursue those responsible for cyber-enabled crimes against its citizens.
