Latest news with #Asian-led
Daily Tribune
16 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Kingdom Seeks Asian Investment
TDT | Manama Bahrain stepped up efforts to position itself as a key beneficiary of Asian-led infrastructure investment by engaging with top decision-makers during the 10th Annual Meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), held in Beijing under the theme 'Connecting for Development and Cooperation for Prosperity'. Leading the Kingdom's delegation, Yousef Abdullah Al-Hamoud, Undersecretary for Financial Affairs at the Ministry of Finance and National Economy, held meetings with bank executives and other high-level officials to expand Bahrain's role in the region's infrastructure development map. Strategic engagement On the sidelines of the summit, Al-Hamoud met with Konstantin Lemtovsky, Chief Investment Officer at AIIB, and Junjing Wang, CEO of the Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Financing. The discussions focused on enhancing joint cooperation and unlocking new opportunities for financing infrastructure, energy, and logistics projects in Bahrain. The summit, inaugurated by Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of China, brought together ministers, investors, and international organisations to address development challenges through strategic partnerships and sustainable infrastructure funding. Support for new leadership Al-Hamoud conveyed Bahrain's support for Ms. Zou Jiayi of China, who was elected by the AIIB Board of Governors as the bank's new President. He welcomed her vision for expanding the bank's contribution to development projects across member states and praised the AIIB's growing role in responding to climate and geopolitical changes. He also reaffirmed Bahrain's commitment to cooperating with the AIIB and aligning its national infrastructure strategies with the bank's regional investment goals. Platform for growth The AIIB, established in 2015, now includes 110 member countries. Its operational priorities span sectors such as transportation, energy, communications, agriculture, and urban development. Bahrain became a member in 2018 and continues to pursue opportunities to attract multilateral financing for strategic national projects. As infrastructure financing becomes increasingly competitive across the region, Bahrain's active engagement at this summit signals a renewed drive to tap into Asia-led development flows.
The Star
22-04-2025
- The Star
UN researchers warn that Asian scam operations are spreading across the rest of the world
People from China, Vietnam and Ethiopia, believed to have been trafficked and forced to work in scam centres, sit with their faces masked while in detention after being released from the centers in Myawaddy district in eastern Myanmar, on Feb 26, 2025. — AP BANGKOK: Transnational organised crime groups in East and South-East Asia are spreading their lucrative scam operations across the globe in response to increased crackdowns by authorities, according to a UN report issued on April 21. For several years, scam compounds have proliferated in South-East Asia, especially in border areas of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, as well as in the Philippines, shifting operations from site to site to stay a step ahead of the police. More recently, scam centres that have bilked victims out of billions of dollars through false romantic ploys, bogus investment pitches and illegal gambling schemes are now being reported operating as far afield as Africa and Latin America. Asian crime syndicates have been expanding operations deeper into remote areas with lax law enforcement that are vulnerable to the influx, according to the report issued by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime or UNODC. The report is titled "Inflection Point: Global Implications of Scam centres, Underground Banking and Illicit Online Marketplaces in South-East Asia.' "This reflects both a natural expansion as the industry grows and seeks new ways and places to do business, but also a hedging against future risks should disruption continue and intensify in South-East Asia,' Benedikt Hofmann, UNODC's acting regional representative for South-East Asia and the Pacific, said in a statement. UNODC estimates that hundreds of industrial-scale scam centres generate just under US$40bil (RM175.12bil) in annual profits. The trend to hedge beyond the region has been consistent with continued reports of crackdowns targeting Asian-led scam centres that have been found operating in Africa, South Asia, the Middle East and select Pacific islands, as well as related money laundering, people trafficking and recruitment services discovered in Europe, North America and South America. In Africa, Nigeria has become a hot spot, with police raids in late 2024 and early 2025 leading to many arrests, including people from East and South-East Asia suspected of cryptocurrency and romance scams. Zambia and Angola have also busted Asian-linked cyberfraud operations. In Latin America, the report says that it's "notable that Brazil has emerged as one country that has faced a growing set of challenges related to cyber-enabled fraud, online gambling, and related money laundering, with some linkages to criminal groups operating in South-East Asia'. It also notes that in late 2023 in Peru, more than 40 Malaysians were rescued after being trafficked by a Taiwan-based gang known as the Red Dragon syndicate that forced them to commit cyber-enabled fraud. The report also points to crackdowns on Asian-led scam centres in the Middle East and some Pacific islands. Alarmingly, even as Asian-led groups have been expanding the geographical scope of their operations, the involvement of criminal groups from other parts of the world is also growing, the report says. New online markets, money laundering networks, stolen data products, malware, artificial intelligence and deepfake technologies are laying the ground for the rise of crime as a service, the report says. These technological innovations facilitate conducting their businesses online and adapt to crackdowns. "The convergence between the acceleration and professionalisation of these operations on the one hand and their geographical expansion into new parts of the region and beyond on the other translates into a new intensity in the industry – one that governments need to be prepared to respond to,' Hofmann says. – AP
Saudi Gazette
22-04-2025
- Saudi Gazette
Asian scam operations worth €35 billion spreading across the world, UN warns
GENEVA — Transnational organized crime groups in East and Southeast Asia are spreading their lucrative scam operations across the globe in response to increased crackdowns by authorities, according to a UN report issued on Monday. For several years, scam compounds have proliferated in Southeast Asia, especially in the border areas of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, as well as in the Philippines, with scammers shifting operations from site to site to stay one step ahead of the police. More recently, scam centres that have cheated victims out of billions of dollars through false romantic ploys, bogus investment pitches and illegal gambling schemes are now being reported operating as far afield as Africa and Latin America. Asian crime syndicates have been expanding operations deeper into remote areas with lax law enforcement that are vulnerable to the influx, according to the report issued by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC). "This reflects both a natural expansion as the industry grows and seeks new ways and places to do business, but also a hedging against future risks should disruption continue and intensify in Southeast Asia," Benedikt Hofmann, UNODC's acting regional representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said in a statement. UNODC estimates that hundreds of industrial-scale scam centers generate just under $40 billion (€35 billion) in annual profits. The trend to hedge beyond the region has been consistent with continued reports of crackdowns targeting Asian-led scam centres that have been found operating in Africa, South Asia, the Middle East and select Pacific islands, as well as related money laundering, people trafficking and recruitment services discovered in Europe, North America and South America. In Africa, Nigeria has become a hot spot, with police raids in late 2024 and early 2025 leading to many arrests, including people from East and Southeast Asia suspected of cryptocurrency and romance scams. Zambia and Angola have also busted Asian-linked cyberfraud operations. In Latin America, the report says that it's "notable that Brazil has emerged as one country that has faced a growing set of challenges related to cyber-enabled fraud, online gambling and related money laundering, with some linkages to criminal groups operating in Southeast Asia." It also notes that in late 2023 in Peru, more than 40 Malaysians were rescued after being trafficked by a Taiwan-based gang known as the Red Dragon syndicate that forced them to commit cyber-enabled fraud. The report also points to crackdowns on Asian-led scam centers in the Middle East and some Pacific islands. Alarmingly, even as Asian-led groups have been expanding the geographical scope of their operations, the involvement of criminal groups from other parts of the world is also growing, the report says. New online markets, money laundering networks, stolen data products, malware, artificial intelligence and deepfake technologies are laying the ground for the rise of crime as a service, the report says. These technological innovations facilitate conducting their businesses online and adapt to crackdowns. "The convergence between the acceleration and professionalization of these operations on the one hand and their geographical expansion into new parts of the region and beyond on the other translates into a new intensity in the industry — one that governments need to be prepared to respond to," Hofmann says. — Euronews
Yomiuri Shimbun
22-04-2025
- Yomiuri Shimbun
UN Researchers Warn That Asian Scam Operations Are Spreading across the Rest of the World
AP file photo People from China, Vietnam and Ethiopia, believed to have been trafficked and forced to work in scam centers, sit with their faces masked while in detention after being released from the centers in Myawaddy district in eastern Myanmar, Feb. 26, 2025. BANGKOK (AP) — Transnational organized crime groups in East and Southeast Asia are spreading their lucrative scam operations across the globe in response to increased crackdowns by authorities, according to a U.N. report issued on Monday. For several years, scam compounds have proliferated in Southeast Asia, especially in border areas of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, as well as in the Philippines, shifting operations from site to site to stay a step ahead of the police. More recently, scam centers that have bilked victims out of billions of dollars through false romantic ploys, bogus investment pitches and illegal gambling schemes are now being reported operating as far afield as Africa and Latin America. Asian crime syndicates have been expanding operations deeper into remote areas with lax law enforcement that are vulnerable to the influx, according to the report issued by the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime or UNODC. The report is titled 'Inflection Point: Global Implications of Scam Centers, Underground Banking and Illicit Online Marketplaces in Southeast Asia.' 'This reflects both a natural expansion as the industry grows and seeks new ways and places to do business, but also a hedging against future risks should disruption continue and intensify in Southeast Asia,' Benedikt Hofmann, UNODC's acting regional representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said in a statement. UNODC estimates that hundreds of industrial-scale scam centers generate just under $40 billion in annual profits. The trend to hedge beyond the region has been consistent with continued reports of crackdowns targeting Asian-led scam centers that have been found operating in Africa, South Asia, the Middle East and select Pacific islands, as well as related money laundering, people trafficking and recruitment services discovered in Europe, North America and South America. In Africa, Nigeria has become a hot spot, with police raids in late 2024 and early 2025 leading to many arrests, including people from East and Southeast Asia suspected of cryptocurrency and romance scams. Zambia and Angola have also busted Asian-linked cyberfraud operations. In Latin America, the report says that it's 'notable that Brazil has emerged as one country that has faced a growing set of challenges related to cyber-enabled fraud, online gambling, and related money laundering, with some linkages to criminal groups operating in Southeast Asia.' It also notes that in late 2023 in Peru, more than 40 Malaysians were rescued after being trafficked by a Taiwan-based gang known as the Red Dragon syndicate that forced them to commit cyber-enabled fraud. The report also points to crackdowns on Asian-led scam centers in the Middle East and some Pacific islands. Alarmingly, even as Asian-led groups have been expanding the geographical scope of their operations, the involvement of criminal groups from other parts of the world is also growing, the report says. New online markets, money laundering networks, stolen data products, malware, artificial intelligence and deepfake technologies are laying the ground for the rise of crime as a service, the report says. These technological innovations facilitate conducting their businesses online and adapt to crackdowns. 'The convergence between the acceleration and professionalization of these operations on the one hand and their geographical expansion into new parts of the region and beyond on the other translates into a new intensity in the industry — one that governments need to be prepared to respond to,' Hofmann says.
Asahi Shimbun
22-04-2025
- Asahi Shimbun
U.N. researchers warn that Asian scam operations are spreading across the rest of the world
People from China, Vietnam and Ethiopia, believed to have been trafficked and forced to work in scam centers, sit with their faces masked while in detention after being released from the centers in Myawaddy district in eastern Myanmar, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo) BANGKOK--Transnational organized crime groups in East and Southeast Asia are spreading their lucrative scam operations across the globe in response to increased crackdowns by authorities, according to a U.N. report issued on Monday. For several years, scam compounds have proliferated in Southeast Asia, especially in border areas of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, as well as in the Philippines, shifting operations from site to site to stay a step ahead of the police. More recently, scam centers that have bilked victims out of billions of dollars through false romantic ploys, bogus investment pitches and illegal gambling schemes are now being reported operating as far afield as Africa and Latin America. Asian crime syndicates have been expanding operations deeper into remote areas with lax law enforcement that are vulnerable to the influx, according to the report issued by the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime or UNODC. The report is titled 'Inflection Point: Global Implications of Scam Centers, Underground Banking and Illicit Online Marketplaces in Southeast Asia.' 'This reflects both a natural expansion as the industry grows and seeks new ways and places to do business, but also a hedging against future risks should disruption continue and intensify in Southeast Asia,' Benedikt Hofmann, UNODC's acting regional representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said in a statement. UNODC estimates that hundreds of industrial-scale scam centers generate just under $40 billion in annual profits. The trend to hedge beyond the region has been consistent with continued reports of crackdowns targeting Asian-led scam centers that have been found operating in Africa, South Asia, the Middle East and select Pacific islands, as well as related money laundering, people trafficking and recruitment services discovered in Europe, North America and South America. In Africa, Nigeria has become a hot spot, with police raids in late 2024 and early 2025 leading to many arrests, including people from East and Southeast Asia suspected of cryptocurrency and romance scams. Zambia and Angola have also busted Asian-linked cyberfraud operations. In Latin America, the report says that it's 'notable that Brazil has emerged as one country that has faced a growing set of challenges related to cyber-enabled fraud, online gambling, and related money laundering, with some linkages to criminal groups operating in Southeast Asia.' It also notes that in late 2023 in Peru, more than 40 Malaysians were rescued after being trafficked by a Taiwan-based gang known as the Red Dragon syndicate that forced them to commit cyber-enabled fraud. The report also points to crackdowns on Asian-led scam centers in the Middle East and some Pacific islands. Alarmingly, even as Asian-led groups have been expanding the geographical scope of their operations, the involvement of criminal groups from other parts of the world is also growing, the report says. New online markets, money laundering networks, stolen data products, malware, artificial intelligence and deepfake technologies are laying the ground for the rise of crime as a service, the report says. These technological innovations facilitate conducting their businesses online and adapt to crackdowns. 'The convergence between the acceleration and professionalization of these operations on the one hand and their geographical expansion into new parts of the region and beyond on the other translates into a new intensity in the industry — one that governments need to be prepared to respond to,' Hofmann says.
