US Congress seeks to identify foreign countries behind scam calls

Inquiry comes as US government reports tying much of the financial damage from scams to Chinese criminal networks based in Southeast Asia

The inquiry follows a string of US government reports tying much of the financial damage from scams to Chinese criminal networks based in Southeast Asia.

“Everyone with a phone has received a robocall or scam call,” said Representative Tom Kean, Jr., a Republican from New Jersey. “Robocalls originating from overseas pose an especially nefarious threat. Congress has taken strides to identify and to trace back illegal robocalls.”

Under the House bill, the task force would 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.

It would also assess the financial losses and identity theft associated with foreign-originating robocalls, examine how countries could work together to authenticate international calls, and consider incentives for foreign governments to cooperate with US law enforcement.