Interpol Warns of Global Crisis as Human Trafficking and Cyber Scams Surge
Trafficking in Southeast Asia is raking in an estimated $2 trillion to $3 trillion annually.
Pahang State Councilor Sim Chon Siang speaks to press members during a special press conference after arriving with 6 victims of human trafficking at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on December 21, 2022. Photo by Anadolu Images.
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n a stark warning issued on March 27, Interpol, the global police coordination body, declared the escalation of human trafficking and cyber scams to be a mounting global crisis. Jurgen Stock, the Secretary-General of Interpol, revealed that organized crime rings, originally rooted in Southeast Asia, have expanded their operations into a vast global network, raking in an estimated $2 trillion to $3 trillion annually.
During a briefing held at Interpol’s Singapore office, Stock emphasized the unprecedented scale at which these criminal enterprises are now operating, attributing their exponential growth to online anonymity and the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What began as a regional threat has evolved into a multifaceted global challenge, with millions of individuals falling victim to these criminal activities.
Cyber-scam centers
The proliferation of cyber-scam centers, often staffed by coerced or trafficked individuals promised legitimate employment, has facilitated the diversification of revenue streams for organized crime groups.
While drug trafficking remains a significant source of income, criminal enterprises have expanded their operations to include human trafficking, arms trafficking, intellectual property theft, and vehicle theft.
According to Stock, the interconnected nature of these illicit activities allows criminal groups to exploit existing trafficking routes, generating staggering profits estimated at up to $50 billion annually for a single organized crime group.
Cambodia
Recent instances of human trafficking for online scam centers have been reported across Southeast Asia, with over 100,000 individuals trafficked into such facilities in Cambodia alone. Additionally, in November of last year, Myanmar extradited thousands of Chinese telecom fraud suspects to China, highlighting the transnational nature of these criminal operations.
Stock commended Singapore for its successful efforts in combating money laundering, citing a recent case involving seized assets worth over S$3 billion ($2.23 billion). However, he underscored the need for enhanced international cooperation and coordinated law enforcement strategies to dismantle these criminal networks and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
The warning from Interpol serves as a clarion call for governments, law enforcement agencies, and international organizations to redouble their efforts in combating human trafficking and cyber scams, safeguarding the rights and dignity of individuals worldwide.
Source: Reuters
