# 119-hr-4988: Scam Farms Marque and Reprisal Authorization Act of 2025

119-hr-4988, Scam Farms Marque and Reprisal Authorization Act of 2025, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Schweikert, David [R-AZ-1] (R-AZ); status introduced (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4988
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-4988
- Congress: 119
- Title: Scam Farms Marque and Reprisal Authorization Act of 2025
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-08-15
- Sponsor: Rep. Schweikert, David [R-AZ-1] (R-AZ)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: International Affairs
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## Summary

**Authorize letters of marque and reprisal against cybercriminal enterprises.** This bill would let the President commission private armed and equipped persons and entities to seize abroad the persons and property of individuals or foreign governments tied to specified cybercrimes. It defines a broad list of cyber offenses and treats a foreign government as a possible criminal enterprise for these actions. - Private contractors and leaders: The President could commission privately armed persons and entities and instruct their leaders to use all means reasonably necessary to seize people and property outside U.S. boundaries. Each letter would require a security bond in an amount the President sets. - Targets and accountability: Individuals, criminal networks, and foreign governments labeled as criminal enterprises could be targeted for extraterritorial seizure under these letters of marque and reprisal. - Scope and definitions: "Cybercrime" is defined to include offenses such as violations of 18 U.S.C. 1030, unauthorized access to government or personal data, ransomware, pig butchering scams, cryptocurrency theft, identity theft, password trafficking, and related fraud or damage-causing acts.

## Provisions PRIA read

- President could authorize private cyber hunters: benefit, high. If enacted, the President could issue letters of marque to private people or companies. They would be allowed to use armed force to seize people and property outside the United States. Targets would be individuals or foreign governments the President decides took part in a criminal cyber enterprise…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-7705: Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act of 2026
- 119-hr-4895: Afghan Adjustment Act
- 119-hr-2025: Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025
- 119-hr-4206: CONNECT for Health Act of 2025
- 119-hr-3466: SMART Act
- 119-hr-7971: Taxpayer Experience Improvement Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-4988 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4988)

## Related
- [119-hr-7705: Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7705)
- [119-hr-4895: Afghan Adjustment Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4895)
- [119-hr-2025: Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2025)
- [119-hr-4206: CONNECT for Health Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4206)
- [119-hr-3466: SMART Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3466)
- [119-hr-7971: Taxpayer Experience Improvement Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7971)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4988 (as of 2026-04-21).