A Cancer: The United Nations warns of Asia -based electronic crime unions to expand all over the world | Electronic crime news

The agency says that the gangs have caused $ 37 billion in losses in Asia, where they acquire a new foothold in Africa, South America and the Middle East.

Asian electronic crime cows caused losses estimated at $ 37 billion in the eastern and southeastern regions, with the United Nations warning that It arrives One of the criminal networks is expanding globally.

In a report released on Monday, the United Nations Office for Medicines and Crime (UNODC) detailed how Chinese and Southeast Asian gangs were roaming in tens of billions of dollars targeting victims annually in a set of electronic crimes, including fake investments, cryptocurrencies, romance and other fraud.

The criminal organization has worked largely from scales vehicles in the border areas MyanmarAs well as in the so -called “Special Economic Zones” designed to attract foreign investments in Cambodia Laos. They relied on workers who are often trafficking forced to work in Qarara vehicles.

While the report said that the countries in East and Southeast Asia lost an estimated $ 37 billion against online fraud in 2023, there were “much larger losses” around the world.

The report warned that networks are spread to South America, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Pacific Islands.

“We are witnessing a global expansion of organized crime groups in East and Southeast Asia,” said Benedict Hoffman, the regional actor in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

“This reflects both the growth of industry and a strategy to evade repression in Southeast Asia,” Hoffman said.

“It spreads like cancer”

The report said that the unions have established a foothold in African countries, including Zambia, Angola and Namibia, as well as the Pacific Island states, including Fiji and Vanuato.

They also expanded their money laundering strategies, as they provided alliances with drug gangs in South America, the Italian mafia, and Irish mob, according to the report.

Coded Mining – In reference to the creation of new encrypted currencies and the validity of the transactions – it has become an essential tool for hiding illegal funds, according to the report.

In one case, in June 2023, the Libyan authorities raided an illegal mining operation in a militia -controlled area, as they arrested 50 Chinese citizens.

The last campaign in Myanmar, backed by China, also launched about 7,000 workers trafficking.

However, the United Nations warned that although the application temporarily disrupts operations, the unions have proven to be a skill in adaptation.

“It spreads like cancer,” Hoffmann said. “The authorities treat them in one field, but the roots never disappear, they are simply migrating.”

The report said that the new technologies have increased the complexity of the situation, as criminal networks run a stand -alone digital ecosystems, using encrypted messages, payment applications, and encrypted currencies to evade law application.

The United Nations Agency also warned of “the non -negotiable that has an irreversible possibility … leaving free criminal groups to choose, choose and move … as needed.”

He urged the countries to cooperate and intensify efforts to disrupt criminal network financing.