With the rise of digital platforms and social media, online scams have become a significant issue in Southeast Asia. Scammers are not only stealing money but are also luring thousands of people into human trafficking and forced labor in cybercrime hubs like Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand.
Cybercrime hubs
Cambodia has become a major hub for cybercrime in recent years, with thousands of people being lured into the country to participate in online scams. Indian citizens, in particular, have been targeted by fake job offers on Facebook and WhatsApp, only to be trapped in virtual prisons and forced to work in scam centers under dangerous and life-threatening conditions. These criminals exploit the victims' lack of awareness of migration labor laws and use social media to falsify their credentials and contact information.
The proliferation of scam centers in Cambodia has made the country a hotbed for cybercrime. According to a UNHCR report, scam centers in Myanmar and Cambodia held approximately 120,000 and 100,000 victims, respectively, in 2023, mostly trafficked and forced into cybercrime activities. These activities not only affect Southeast Asia but also spread to other countries such as the Middle East and Latin America, creating a global trafficking crisis.
Interpol has warned that human trafficking-driven fraud has expanded beyond Southeast Asia to the Middle East and Latin America, generating billions in profits for organized crime rings each year. These organizations use technology like AI and deepfakes to create more sophisticated phishing attacks.
Chongluadao survey
Chongluadao, a Vietnamese anti-scam nonprofit, has played a significant role in addressing these cybercrime operations. According to their survey, cyber scam activities in Southeast Asia have risen by 29.8% annually since 2020, with scam calls and text messages growing by 15 times in 2022. The success of these scams is due to the lack of awareness and the enticing nature of fraudulent offers.
Chongluadao emphasizes the importance of investing in digital literacy and consumer awareness initiatives to help people recognize scams and protect themselves from falling victim. The organization is actively working on building anti-fraud frameworks and collaborating with governments, corporations, and civil society to mitigate the rise of cybercrime.
