The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that consumer protection agencies from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Panama have joined a 2023 multilateral agreement with agencies from Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. This agreement, known as the Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MMOU), is focused on encouraging cooperation to combat cross-border fraud and illegal practices. By expanding the agreement, these nations plan to increase their collective ability to share information and offer investigative support—improving consumer protection efforts across borders. 

This announcement came during the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN) conference in Washington, D.C., where over 250 global representatives gathered to discuss issues like online gaming and artificial intelligence. The ICPEN also revealed an improved version of its website designed to make it easier for users to report scams and seek resolutions.