State and local officials cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Financial Crimes Investigation Center in Tyler. The FCIC must create space in its current building to accommodate growth, according to Smith County.

Texas’ fight against financial fraud is paying off.

Since its launch in 2021, the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (FCIC) in Tyler has prevented nearly $274 million in losses and recovered more than 20,000 stolen credit cards and nearly 1,000 skimmers from gas pumps, ATMs and point-of-sale terminals.

“The Financial Crimes Intelligence Center has done so much to protect Texans from financial crimes and unfortunately there’s much more work for the investigators to do,” a press release from the FCIC said.

Established through House Bill 2106 in partnership with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and the Smith County District Attorney’s Office, the center operates with a two-year budget of $2.65 million.

Its Digital Forensics Laboratory, among the most advanced in the country, has helped law enforcement identify nearly 1,200 suspects and disrupt emerging criminal enterprises. Experts at the laboratory can perform forensics on phones, computers, tablets and skimmers of all types.

With financial fraud tactics rapidly evolving, the FCIC continues to develop investigative techniques, working closely with regulators, law enforcement and private industry to safeguard Texans against organized financial crimes.

TDLR oversees motor fuel metering and quality while handling consumer complaints and merchant reports on credit card skimmers. The Smith County DA actively investigates and prosecutes organized financial crimes, including fraud involving gas pump skimmers.

“We’re grateful to the Texas Legislature, the Lieutenant Governor and the Governor for the trust they have placed in the FCIC, TDLR and the Smith County District Attorney’s Office, and look forward to accomplishing even more,” according to the FCIC press release.