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US lawmakers launch probe to trace foreign sources of scam robocalls

The House plan would map call volumes, estimate related financial losses and identity theft, and evaluate incentives for foreign governments to cooperate with US law enforcement.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Trade & Tariffs

US lawmakers are trying to identify which foreign countries are the biggest sources of unlawful robocalls and scam calls targeting Americans, as Congress steps up efforts to address a surge in phone scams, according to SCMP Economy.

The inquiry is being advanced after US government reports linked substantial financial harm from scams to Chinese criminal networks operating in Southeast Asia, SCMP Economy reported.

Under a House bill, lawmakers would create a task force to study the volume of unlawful robocalls originating inside and outside the US, and determine which foreign countries serve as the main departure points for the most calls entering the country.

The task force would also assess financial losses and identity theft tied to foreign-originating robocalls, examine options for countries to work together to authenticate international calls, and consider incentives for foreign governments to cooperate with US law enforcement, SCMP Economy said.

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