Google, FBI partnering on lawsuit against major criminal scam syndicate in China
Google endorsing Harder’s Stop SCAMS Act to create all-of-government response to organized cybercrime
By Kevin Winslow, Communications Director, Office of Congressman Josh Harder
WASHINGTON – On Monday, June 15, 2026, Rep. Josh Harder (D, CA-09) announced that his anti-scam advocacy led to a major coordinated crackdown on international scammers. Google, major tech companies, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced a lawsuit today against the China-linked cybercriminal network “Outsider Enterprise” alongside Google’s endorsement of Harder’s “Stop Schemes, Cyberfraud, Abuse, Manipulation, and Swindles Act” or Stop SCAMS Act, H.R. 7215, which would establish a government-wide task force to respond to cyberscams.
Organized crime rings are overwhelming law enforcement and victims alike:
Groups like Outsider Enterprise have created over 9,000 fake websites, 1 million fraudulent URLs, and supported over 2.5 million scam texts to Android users alone.
Californians lost as much as $2.5 billion to online scams in 2024, in the form of robocalls, texts, fake tax collections, phony job ads, card-declined alerts, and cryptocurrency schemes targeting seniors, veterans, and working families.
Severe scams like identity theft are growing rapidly and increasingly targeting previous victims multiple times.
“International cybercriminals are robbing our families of their hard-earned savings, and we need a permanent solution to bring them to justice,” said Rep. Harder. “My Stop SCAMS Act would bring every level of government together to aggressively crack down on scams and the organized crime rings behind them. I’m grateful to have Google’s support and look forward to partnering with law enforcement and industry partners to stop cyber scams once and for all.”
“We strongly support the Stop SCAMS Act,” said Halimah DeLaine Prado, Google General Counsel. “Shutting down scammers takes a coordinated effort, and this bill will help government agencies work better together to keep Americans safe. Thank you to Representatives Harder and Fitzpatrick for championing this vital consumer protection.”
How the Stop SCAMS Act cracks down on organized cybercrime:
New Task Force – Directs the FBI to organize a coordinated, government-wide task force to prevent and respond to modern scams.
Better Data – Aligns inter-agency actions, definitions, and data to improve the efficiency of scam-fighting efforts.
Prevention – Measures the effectiveness of scam prevention efforts and improves public education campaigns.
Harder represents California’s 9th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. The new district boundaries under Prop 50 will include Antioch and other portions of Eastern Contra Costa County following the November election.
By City of Antioch Parks and Recreation Department
Juneteenth is not only a time for joy, but it is a time for reflection, giving back and sharing community resources.
The City of Antioch Parks and Recreation Department is proud to host Team Jesus who will be accepting donations of dry food, toys and school supplies during this year’s festivities.
Those who donate goods or monetary donations will receive a raffle ticket for a prize drawing at the Antioch Juneteenth Celebration!
The Antioch Police Department remained busy throughout the month of May, responding to thousands of calls for service, investigating crimes, and working to keep our community safe.
During the month of May:
17,000+ Calls Received by Dispatch
7,000+ Calls for Service
Responded to 900+ Cases Investigated
40 Stolen Vehicles Recovered
141 Arrests Made
These numbers represent the dedication and hard work of our dispatchers, officers, detectives, professional staff, and specialized units who serve our community every day.
Thank you to the residents of Antioch for your continued support and partnership. Together, we are working toward a safer community for everyone.
The male victim, 53, was in an argument with the known suspect when the suspect pulled out a gun and shot him in the leg. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Detectives responded and assumed the investigation.
According to the San Joaquin County Medical Examiner’s Office as Ceasar Raasann Ammons, Sr. of Antioch.
According to localcrimenews.com, the six-foot, four-inch tall, 225-pound Ammons had a history of 12 arrests dating back to 2014.
An effort to obtain the suspect’s name was unsuccessful prior to publication time. Please check back later for any updates to this report.
Calling all youth and young adults, join us for our Annual “Let Freedom Roll” Juneteenth Celebration as we Strengthen Our Village! We have a late morning-early afternoon of fun, excitement and educational moment celebrating FREEDOM, so grab your skates or rent them from Paradise Skate Roller Rink in addition to some field games and activities. Scan the QR code and we look forward to seeing you on Friday, June 19th as we let FREEDOM ROLL!!
On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 2:38 p.m., Antioch Police officers responded to the Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services building, located at 4545 Delta Fair Boulevard, regarding a reported battery that had just occurred at an outdoor phone vendor stand.
Upon arrival, officers learned that a customer, later identified as 77-year-old Paul Lawson of Pittsburg, had been involved in a verbal and physical fight with employees of the vendor stand. During the incident, Mr. Lawson fell to the ground. Witness statements regarding the circumstances of the fall vary, with some indicating he stumbled over a chair and others reporting he may have been pushed during the fight.
After falling, Mr. Lawson stated that he was unable to move. He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for medical treatment.
On the evening of June 13th, Mr. Lawson died while receiving care at the hospital.
This incident remains under active investigation by the Antioch Police Department.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Duff at rduff@antiochca.gov.
NOTE: Lawson’s age in the APD press release and other news reports was listed as 59. But Captain Matt Koch confirmed he was 77 years old.
By Rachel Clark, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager, 10,000 Degrees
The 10,000 Degrees College Access Program presents The Summit, a FREE one-day, in-person summer event on Saturday, July 18 | 9:00 – 5:00 PM, where students will visit San Francisco State University.
Lunch and transportation will be provided for FREE.
Open to Juniors and Sophomores who attend a high school in the following counties: Contra Costa, Sonoma, Lake, Napa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara.
Students will: Dive into action-oriented college workshops. Get an insider’s look at SF State. Explore essential student resources at a resource fair. Connect with the 10,000 Degrees team and learn about our scholarship. Bonus: Win raffle prizes.
About 10,000 Degrees College Access Program
We are dedicated to helping high school students from low-income backgrounds get to college, whether you enroll at a four-year university or community college. Students at our partner schools can receive support from Fellows right on campus and attend financial aid and college readiness workshops and events all year.
Our College Access Program for high school students starts with The Summit, an incredible college immersion program held in the summer before your senior year. You can participate in our programming as early as the spring of your junior year by checking out our program application! From there, we provide informational, action-oriented workshops to help you explore your college options, apply for free financial aid and the 10,000 Degrees Scholarship, complete college application, and more. Throughout your senior year, we also offer comprehensive college support at our partner high school directly on campus.
ANTIOCH, CA — The City of Antioch is launching an update to its General Plan, the long-term policy document that guides the community’s growth and development, addressing physical, economic, social, and environmental changes for years to come. As part of this effort, the City is hosting two Public Visioning Workshops this summer and is encouraging all residents to attend and share their vision for Antioch’s future.
The workshops will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, and Tuesday, July 7, 2026, both beginning at 6:00 PM at the Antioch Community Center, located at 4703 Lone Tree Way, Antioch, CA 94531. Both events are in person, free and open to the public and will cover the same information.
Each workshop will begin with a presentation designed to educate participants on relevant topics related to the General Plan Update, followed by a structured exercise to gather community input. The City will convene a total of four community workshops throughout the Update process, and this summer’s Visioning Workshops are the first opportunity for residents to get involved.
“Our General Plan is more than a policy document. It’s a blueprint of who we are, and as importantly, want to become as a community. These workshops are an open invitation to every resident to help shape that future. I encourage all of Antioch to come, participate, and make sure your voice is part of the vision we build together,” said Mayor Ron Bernal.
Community input gathered at these workshops will directly inform the development of the General Plan Update, ensuring the final document reflects the needs, values, and priorities of Antioch residents.
“The strength of this plan depends on hearing from as many residents as possible. Whether you’ve lived in Antioch your whole life or just moved here, your perspective matters. I hope our neighbors will take this first opportunity to get involved and help guide decisions that will affect our community for years to come,” said Economic and Community Development Interim Director Kevin Scudero.
For more information about the General Plan Update and to sign up for project notifications, visit https://antioch.generalplan.org/.
Spanish interpretation will be provided. Requests for alternative forms of interpretation should be sent at least 72 hours prior to the meeting to Kevin Scudero by email at generalplan@antiochca.gov or by phone at (925) 779-6133. Accessibility-related accommodations are available upon request at (925) 779-7009 or cityclerk@antiochca.gov.
