Scam industry in Asia spreading worldwide, warns UN

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA)— Transnational scam operations originating in East and Southeast Asia are rapidly spreading around the world, the United Nations warned in its new report issued on Monday.

According to the report released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), organized crime groups have expanded their networks beyond Asia, adapting to increased crackdowns by shifting operations to regions with weaker law enforcement.

These criminal groups are responsible for billions of dollars in losses due to romance scams, fraudulent investment schemes, and illegal online gambling, the report said.

Scam compounds have long operated in border areas of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines, constantly relocating to evade authorities.

However, the new report warned that fraudulent activities can now be seen in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia and selected Pacific islands, as well as related money laundering, trafficking in persons, and recruitment services as far as Europe, North America, and South America.

The report “Inflection Point: Global Implications of Scam Centers, Underground Banking, and Illicit Online Marketplaces in Southeast Asia” details how these syndicates are operating.

The UNODC warns that without prompt international cooperation, the rapid global growth of these criminal enterprises could escalate beyond control.