Interpol declares Southeast Asia human trafficking and cyber scams a global crisis

Organized crime rings exploiting the pandemic have expanded their operations globally, making up to $3 trillion annually.

Human trafficking and cyber scam operations in Southeast Asia have exploded into a global crisis, with organized crime rings making up to $3 trillion a year.
Interpol's operations in Asia have led to nearly 3,500 arrests and the seizure of $300 million in illegally earned assets since 2021.
Victims, often lured with promises of legitimate jobs, face serious abuse in scam compounds across the region, including forced labor and torture.
Online scam operations, ranging from illegal gambling to crypto fraud, are using sophisticated schemes, including AI technology, to defraud people globally.
Efforts to combat these crimes face challenges, with limited success in curbing the rise of illicit operations and rescuing victims.