Africa In Crosshairs As Asia's Cybercrime Rings Go Global

Criminal networks that emerged in Southeast Asia in recent years, opening sprawling compounds housing tens of thousands of workers, many trafficked and forced to scam victims around the world, have evolved into a sophisticated global industry, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime UNODC said.

Even as Southeast Asian governments have intensified a crackdown, syndicates have moved within and beyond the region, the agency said, adding that a "potentially irreversible spillover has taken place leaving criminal groups free to pick, choose and move as needed".

"It spreads like a cancer," said Benedikt Hofmann, UNODC acting regional representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific. "Authorities treat it in one area, but the roots never disappear they simply migrate."

Conservative estimates indicate there are hundreds of large-scale scam farms around the world generating tens of billions of dollars in annual profits, the UNODC said. The agency called on countries to work together and intensify efforts to disrupt the gangs financing.

"The regional cyberfraud industry has outpaced other transnational crimes, given that it is easily scalable and able to reach millions of potential victims online, with no need to move or traffic illicit goods across borders," said John Wojcik, a regional analyst with UNODC.