Can the FTC really combat Cross-Border Fraud and Ransomware?

The Federal Trade Commission reported that it has “submitted two reports to Congress detailing the agency’s efforts to combat cross-border fraud through the U.S. SAFE WEB Act and work contributing to the fight against ransomware and other cyber attacks that originate outside the United States.”  The October 20, 2023 Press Release entitled “FTC Reports Outline Efforts to Combat Cross-Border Fraud and Ransomware Attacks” (https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/10/ftc-reports-outline-efforts-combat-cross-border-fraud-ransomware-attacks) included these comments:

 The first report provides an update on the FTC’s efforts to implement the Undertaking Spam, Spyware, And Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers Beyond Borders Act, or U.S. SAFE WEB Act (SAFE WEB).

The second report, which was required by the Reporting Attacks from Nations Selected for Oversight and Monitoring Web Attacks and Ransomware from Enemies Act (RANSOMWARE Act), addresses questions about FTC activities concerning China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran and the FTC’s efforts to combat ransomware—a type of cyber-related attack in which bad actors hold data or computer access hostage until they receive payment— and other types of cyber attacks.

 What do you think about how successful the FTC will be?