HONG KONG (AP) - In a significant operation targeting scam networks across Asia, more than 1,800 individuals have been arrested, as announced by Hong Kong police on Tuesday. The joint crackdown involved cooperation from authorities in six additional jurisdictions, leading to the interception of approximately $20 million in fraudulent funds.
The operation, which was conducted collaboratively among law enforcement from South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and the nearby Chinese gambling hub, Macao, focused on dismantling scam networks known for a variety of fraudulent schemes. According to Wong Chun-yue, the chief superintendent of the Hong Kong Police's Commercial Crime Bureau, this effort also saw the freezing of nearly 33,000 accounts up until May 28. The ages of those arrested ranged from 14 to 81.
The scams targeted by this operation included online shopping fraud, telephone scams, and deceptive practices related to investments and employment. One notable case involved a finance director in Singapore who was deceived through the use of deep-fake videos by an individual impersonating the chief executive of a multinational corporation. The victim ended up transferring $499,000 to Hong Kong, but thanks to cross-border cooperation, the funds were subsequently recovered.
The victims of these scams often extend beyond just the individuals who are directly defrauded. Workers involved in the scamming operations frequently face severe mistreatment, including threats, violence, and poor working conditions. Many of these operations are run in conditions akin to virtual slavery, where workers are coerced into exploiting victims globally through various fraudulent means, such as fake romantic relationships, bogus investment opportunities, and illegal gambling activities.
A report released by the United Nations in April highlighted that transnational organized crime groups in East and Southeast Asia have been expanding their scam operations worldwide. Over recent years, scam compounds have notably proliferated in Southeast Asia, particularly in border jurisdictions of Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, as well as in the Philippines. These groups often shift their operations from one location to another to evade law enforcement actions.
The scam centers located in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos have gained notoriety for luring unsuspecting individuals to work for them under false pretenses. Unfortunately, many find themselves ensnared in a web of deception and forced labor. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports that these workers are often manipulated into exploiting others while facing dire conditions themselves.
In conclusion, the recent joint operation underscores the growing concern regarding cybercrime and the need for international collaboration to combat these sophisticated scam networks that increasingly threaten individuals and economies across Asia and beyond.
