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Who’s Behind The Global Crime Expansion
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime has found that Asian crime syndicates are pushing beyond their home region. These gangs have caused about $37 billion in losses across East and Southeast Asia last year alone.
They mainly work from shady spots along Myanmar’s borders and in special business zones in Cambodia and Laos. Many use workers who were tricked or forced to work in awful conditions.
Benedikt Hofmann, who leads UNODC efforts in Southeast Asia, compared their spread to cancer. “Authorities treat it in one area, but the roots never disappear, they simply migrate,” he said.
Why These Crime Networks Are Growing
The gangs are setting up shop in new regions to dodge crackdowns in Asia. They’ve found fresh targets in Africa, South America, the Middle East, Europe, and even small Pacific islands.
This growth stems partly from their success in Asia. But it’s also a defence strategy against increased law enforcement pressure in their home base.
The money at stake is huge. Beyond the $37 billion lost in Asia, the UN says worldwide losses are significantly higher.
What These Criminal Operations Involve
These gangs run scams involving fake investments, crypto schemes, and romance frauds. Their operations have become more complex over time.
In one case from June 2023, Libyan police arrested 50 Chinese nationals running an illegal crypto mining operation in an area controlled by local fighters.
The syndicates have also formed new partnerships with South American drug cartels, Italian mafia groups, and Irish mobsters. This helps them move and hide their money.
How They’re Avoiding Authorities
The crime groups use cutting-edge tech to avoid getting caught. They’ve built their own digital systems with secret messaging, payment apps, and crypto to stay hidden.
Crypto mining has become a key tool for hiding dirty money. This makes tracking and stopping their operations much harder.
Recent crackdowns in Myanmar (backed by China) freed about 7,000 trapped workers. But the UN warns these disruptions are only temporary.
The groups simply adapt and then move elsewhere. The report urges countries to work together closely to cut off the money that keeps the criminal networks running.
