Southeast Asia sees surge in online scam centers
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — A United Nations (UN) Human Rights Office report highlighted the alarming rise of individuals trafficked into online scams in Southeast Asia.
Facing stark human rights abuses, these individuals are caught in cryptocurrency fraud, romance scams, and illegal gambling schemes.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk underscored these people as victims of brutal treatment.
“People who are coerced into working in these scamming operations endure inhumane treatment while being forced to carry out crimes. They are victims. They are not criminals,” Türk said.
The key hotspots of online scam recruitment include Myanmar and Cambodia, accounting for an estimated 120,000 and 100,000 victims, respectively.
Lao PDR, the Philippines, and Thailand also record tens of thousands of people involved in these schemes.
The UN stated that the COVID-19 pandemic further complicated matters. With traditional casinos shut, operators migrated online or to less monitored zones. Opportunistic criminals also targeted stranded migrants with deceptive job offers. Furthermore, pandemic-induced online activity made more people prone to these deceptions.
Surprisingly, many victims from the ASEAN region to Latin America have advanced educational backgrounds and professional experiences.
While some countries already initiated counter-trafficking strategies, many don’t meet international benchmarks. Türk is now advocating for a comprehensive solution, emphasizing better human rights observance, improved governance, and a robust fight against corruption.
“Only such a holistic approach can break the cycle of impunity and ensure protection and justice for the people who have been so horrifically abused,” he concluded.
