27-3-2024 (SINGAPORE) The head of Interpol, Jurgen Stock, issued a stark warning on Wednesday, highlighting the proliferation of organised crime rings that have expanded globally, generating up to $3 trillion annually, with origins stemming from Southeast Asia. Stock addressed these concerns during a briefing at Interpol’s Singapore office, shedding light on the alarming surge in human trafficking and cyber scam centres, particularly accelerated by the pandemic.
Stock described how these criminal groups, leveraging online anonymity and innovative business models, have now reached a scale previously unimaginable. What began as a regional threat in Southeast Asia has now evolved into a global crisis, with millions of victims ensnared in the web of cyber scam centres and trafficking operations.
The emergence of cyber scam centres, often exploiting unwilling individuals trafficked under false pretenses of legitimate employment, has enabled organised crime groups to diversify their revenue streams beyond traditional drug trafficking. Although drug trafficking still remains a significant contributor, accounting for 40% to 70% of criminal groups’ income, Stock highlighted the growing trend of diversification into other illicit activities such as arms trafficking, intellectual property theft, and car theft.
Stock underscored the staggering scale of illicit proceeds flowing through the global financial system, ranging from $2 trillion to $3 trillion annually. He noted that an organised crime group could rake in a staggering $50 billion per year.
Recent events, including reports of over 100,000 people trafficked into online scam centres in Cambodia and Myanmar’s extradition of thousands of Chinese telecom fraud suspects to China, underscore the magnitude of the problem.
In light of these challenges, Stock commended Singapore for its proactive efforts in combatting organised crime, particularly citing a successful money laundering case last year that led to the seizure of assets valued at over S$3 billion ($2.2 billion).
