By Emmanuel Onyedika
The United States has announced a new global visa restriction policy targeting individuals involved in cybercrime, cyberscams, and sextortion, with immediate family members of offenders also facing possible restrictions.
The policy, unveiled on Thursday by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to combat online fraud, cyber-enabled crime, and transnational criminal networks targeting Americans.
According to the U.S. government, the restrictions will apply to individuals responsible for or complicit in cyber-enabled crimes, including online investment scams and sextortion, regardless of their country of origin.
Rubio said the move aligns with President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14390 on combating cybercrime, fraud, and predatory schemes. He described online investment scams as a growing threat, noting they are “often orchestrated by Chinese transnational criminal organizations.”
He revealed that scammers defrauded U.S. citizens of at least $10 billion in 2024, fueling corruption, money laundering, and human trafficking. Rubio also highlighted the rising danger of online sextortion, particularly against minors. “American children have been specifically targeted by offenders operating overseas for sextortion scams, devastating families and futures,” he said.
The new visa restrictions underscore Washington’s determination to strengthen global cooperation against cyber-enabled crimes and protect U.S. citizens from online exploitation.