Global Spread of Asian Cyberscam Syndicates Fuels Rise in Cyberscams
Asian cyberscam syndicates behind the multibillion-dollar industry are expanding their reach far beyond Southeast Asia. According to a United Nations report released on Monday, these groups are now active in South America, Africa, and Eastern Europe, despite crackdowns in their original bases.
Crime Networks Evolve Into Global Operations
Initially rooted in Southeast Asia, criminal networks have built massive compounds that house tens of thousands of workers. Many of these individuals are trafficked and forced into running online scams targeting victims worldwide. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) describes the industry as highly organised and rapidly evolving into a sophisticated global enterprise.
Although Southeast Asian governments have increased efforts to dismantle these operations, the syndicates are shifting to areas with weaker governance. The report warns of a “potentially irreversible spillover,” giving these criminal groups freedom to relocate with ease.
“It spreads like a cancer,” said Benedikt Hofmann, the UNODC’s acting regional representative. “Authorities treat it in one area, but the roots never disappear; they simply migrate.”
Billions Lost as Syndicates Shift Regions
Conservative estimates suggest hundreds of large scam farms operate globally, generating tens of billions in profits each year. The US alone reported over $5.6 billion in cryptocurrency scam losses in 2023. A large portion of these losses stemmed from so-called pig-butchering or romance scams, often targeting elderly and vulnerable individuals.
The UNODC has urged international cooperation to stop the expansion of these criminal enterprises and to disrupt their financial networks. Analyst John Wojcik noted that cyberfraud has grown faster than other transnational crimes due to its scalability and online nature, requiring no cross-border movement of physical goods.
Remote Areas and Corruption Fuel Spread
Authorities from China, Thailand, and Myanmar have led crackdowns in border areas, with Thailand cutting power and internet to key compounds. However, cyberscam syndicates continue to adapt, shifting into more remote and poorly governed parts of Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia.
Raids in visible hotspots have pushed operations into lesser-known regions such as Cambodia’s Koh Kong province and border areas with Thailand and Vietnam. Cambodian spokesman Pen Bona stated the country is also a victim of these crimes and is taking steps to combat them. He highlighted the creation of a special commission led by Prime Minister Hun Manet to tighten enforcement and collaborate internationally.
Meanwhile, syndicates are forging ties with South American drug cartels to support money laundering and underground banking. The UN also confirmed increased activity in parts of Africa, such as Zambia, Angola, and Namibia, and in Eastern Europe, including Georgia.
These networks are recruiting from over 50 countries, showcasing their global scale. Citizens from nations like Brazil, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan were rescued during recent raids along the Thai-Myanmar border.
The UNODC warns the world is at a “critical inflection point” and that failure to act will have global consequences.
with inputs from Reuters