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In a recent guest column, retired law enforcement officer and former Nevada State Assemblyman Tom Roberts called for urgent federal action to address the growing wave of online scams and fraud costing state residents hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
According to Roberts, Nevadans lost $302 million to scams and fraud in 2025 alone, with seniors accounting for $115 million of those losses.
Scammers are getting really clever these days. They hit you with ads on social media, fake texts about unpaid tolls or messed-up deliveries, and all kinds of other sneaky tricks.
These operations are relentless and continue to evolve faster than local agencies can respond.
Why Local Police Are Limited
Roberts, who served with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, pointed out that traditional law enforcement tools and jurisdiction work well for local crimes.
However, most modern cyber scams originate overseas. These scam groups set up big compounds. These are basically large buildings or camps where they force trafficked workers to follow very detailed scripts. The workers have to repeat the exact same lines over and over to trick people.
They slowly build trust with victims before draining their money.
Once the job’s done, the scammers disappear completely, putting them far beyond the reach of local city police, county sheriffs, or even state authorities.
Roberts stressed that this issue has outgrown local solutions and requires a serious federal response.
He’s supporting the bipartisan TRAPS Act, which would establish a coordinated task force bringing together the Treasury Department, Justice Department, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, FCC, FTC, and private industry partners.
He also recommends giving investigators more resources for proactive work and applying diplomatic pressure on foreign governments to shut down these scam operations within their borders.
While calling for strong action, Roberts warned against proposals that sound tough but miss the real criminals.
He specifically criticized plans that would force banks and online platforms to reimburse all scam victims, saying they just shift costs onto everyday consumers and businesses without actually stopping scammers.
This approach, he said, would only encourage more fraud by guaranteeing that crime remains profitable.
Roberts concluded that Nevadans deserve real protection both online and offline, and Congress must deliver solutions that match the seriousness and sophistication of these international criminal networks.
Living in Las Vegas, you see how quickly a cybercrime or fraud allegation can disrupt someone’s day-to-day life. We’ve worked with plenty of people here whose cases affected their work, finances, and family routines in unexpected ways.
If you’re dealing with charges related to financial crimes, identity theft, or other complex matters, having solid legal support makes a real difference. Our team at LV Criminal Defense focuses on giving straightforward advice, building practical defense strategies, and helping clients across Nevada navigate the process with clarity and focus.
Reach out to us. Perhaps we can help turn things around. You never know until you take that first step. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation by completing our online form or calling our office. We are here to protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome.
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