The US Senate has approved a bipartisan bill aimed at cracking down on foreign-based scam operations that target Americans, particularly senior citizens, amid growing concern over cyber-enabled fraud linked to transnational criminal networks.

The legislation, known as the Scam Compound Accountability and Mobilisation (SCAM) Act, is designed to disrupt scam compounds operating outside the United States and improve coordination among federal agencies. According to Senate leaders, the bill also strengthens international cooperation and seeks to hold criminal organisations accountable for human trafficking and forced participation in fraud schemes.

Senator Rick Scott, chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, said the measure addresses what lawmakers describe as a rapidly expanding threat that costs Americans billions of dollars each year. He emphasised that many of these operations exploit vulnerable victims while relying on coercion and forced labour abroad.

The bill drew support from both Republicans and Democrats, with lawmakers highlighting the increasing sophistication of global scam networks and their alleged links to criminal groups operating across multiple countries. Senators backing the legislation said it would enhance law enforcement capabilities to combat cyber scams tied to organised crime.

If enacted, the SCAM Act would represent one of the most comprehensive US legislative efforts to dismantle overseas scam operations and strengthen protections for Americans targeted by international fraud.