'Operation Atlantic': US Secret Service Teams With UK, Canada to Stop Crypto Fraud
Law enforcement agencies in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada have launched “Operation Atlantic,” a joint initiative targeting “approval phishing” or “pig butchering” crypto fraud schemes. These scams typically involve perpetrators building fake online relationships with victims, ultimately manipulating them into granting access to their funds. The agencies—including the U.S. Secret Service, the UK National Crime Agency, and Canadian provincial authorities—aim to disrupt such scams in near real-time and prevent further losses. Operation Atlantic builds on the collaborative approach of “Operation Atlas,” a similar Canadian-led effort. Authorities note these scams have grown increasingly sophisticated, contributing to a surge in crypto-related crimes, with losses exceeding $17 billion in 2025 according to Chainalysis. The new initiative complements recent actions such as the U.S. Department of Justice’s Scam Center Strike Force, reflecting international efforts to combat rapidly-evolving digital financial crimes.
