BANGKOK — A recent report from the United Nations has shed light on the expansion of transnational crime networks originating from East and Southeast Asia, which are increasingly extending their operations worldwide. This expansion is a direct response to intensified crackdowns from authorities in these regions.
In recent years, scam operations have been widespread in Southeast Asia, notably near the borders of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and also in the Philippines. These networks have been continuously moving around to stay ahead of law enforcement efforts aspiring to curtail their activities.
More recently, centers that exploit victims through deceptive romantic schemes, fake investment opportunities, and unlawful gambling have been detected as far away as Africa and Latin America.
According to the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report entitled “Inflection Point: Global Implications of Scam Centers, Underground Banking and Illicit Online Marketplaces in Southeast Asia,” Asian crime syndicates are venturing deeper into remote areas that have weak law enforcement, making them susceptible to criminal enterprises.
“This trend signals both a natural expansion as the industry scales, seeking new territories while simultaneously preparing for possible intensified disruptions in Southeast Asia,” explained Benedikt Hofmann, acting regional representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific for UNODC.
UNODC estimates suggest that numerous large-scale scam centers generate almost $40 billion annually in profits.
Reports have consistently shown that as authorities crack down on these fraudulent Asian-led operations, they have relocated to regions like Africa, South Asia, the Middle East, and specific Pacific islands. Additionally, money laundering and people trafficking networks connected to these scams have been identified in Europe, North America, and South America.
In Africa, Nigeria has become a focal point, with several police raids occurring in late 2024 and early 2025, resulting in multiple arrests. Suspects from East and Southeast Asia were believed to be involved in cryptocurrency and romance scams. Similarly, Angola and Zambia have dismantled cyberfraud operations linked to Asian networks.
In Latin America, Brazil has been encountering increasing cyber-related fraud challenges, online gambling, and associated money laundering, with connections to Southeast Asian crime organizations. In another instance, in late 2023, more than 40 Malaysians were rescued in Peru after being trafficked by a Taiwanese gang forcing them into cyberfraudulent activities.
The findings also note intensified police actions against Asian-led scam centers in Middle Eastern countries and some Pacific islands.
Worryingly, the report highlights that the geographical expansion by Asian criminal groups is accompanied by growing participation from criminal factions from other international regions. It also underscores the role of emerging online marketplaces, money laundering systems, pilfered data, and advanced technology such as artificial intelligence and deepfake tools in facilitating crime as a service.
“These operations are simultaneously becoming more sophisticated and expanding geographically, presenting new challenges for governments that must be ready to confront this evolving criminal landscape,” Hofmann said.