Asian SCAM Centers: How Cryptocurrency, Gambling, and Romance Fraud Are Spreading Worldwide
According to a UN report, Asian SCAM centers involved in illegal online gambling, crypto fraud, and romance scams are rapidly spreading beyond Southeast Asia — they are now actively operating in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe.
The UNODC estimates the annual profits from these schemes at nearly $40 billion.
Scale and Geography of the Fraud
International criminal groups from East and Southeast Asia are adapting to law enforcement pressure and expanding the geography of their operations. Previously, the main SCAM center hubs were border areas of Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, as well as the Philippines.
Now, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report titled “Inflection Point: Global Implications of Scam Centers, Underground Banking and Illicit Online Marketplaces in Southeast Asia”, such centers are also active in remote regions of Africa and Latin America, where state control is weaker.
Methods and Victims
Scam centers use a variety of deception tactics:
- Romance scams — extracting money through fake relationships
- Cryptocurrency fraud — promises of high returns on investments
- Illegal online gambling — unlicensed betting and gaming
Victims are often individuals in difficult life situations or those poorly informed about digital threats.
Meanwhile, the scam centers themselves are often staffed by people who were forcibly brought there. Many of them are citizens of China, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Indonesia.
Human Trafficking Inside SCAM Centers
According to recent reports, thousands of people have been forcibly taken and compelled to work in these centers. Examples include:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 12, 2025 | Over 250 people from 20 countries were rescued at the Myanmar–Thailand border |
| March 18, 2025 | Indonesians working in SCAM centers returned to Jakarta |
| February 26, 2025 | Citizens of China, Vietnam, and Ethiopia were freed from a center in the Myawaddy area |
Reasons for Global Expansion
According to UNODC representative Benedikt Hofmann, the expansion of fraudulent operations is linked both to the growth of the “industry” and to attempts to reduce risk amid increased scrutiny in Southeast Asia.
New regions are chosen based on weak local authority oversight and lack of effective law enforcement infrastructure.
Conclusions and Consequences
The globalization of SCAM centers poses a threat to internet users’ safety worldwide. Fraud networks not only deceive individuals but also involve trafficking victims in criminal activities.
UNODC estimates that the annual revenue from such operations could reach $40 billion, making them one of the largest transnational sources of criminal income.