Organized crime groups that caused a rapid increase in human trafficking and cyber scam centers during the pandemic have grown from Southeast Asia to a global network that makes up to US$3 trillion annually, the head of Interpol said on Wednesday.
Interpol's secretary-general, Jurgen Stock, stated at a briefing in Singapore that due to online anonymity, new business models, and the impact of COVID, organized crime groups are now operating on a scale that was previously unimaginable.
Stock also mentioned that what started as a regional crime threat in Southeast Asia has turned into a worldwide human trafficking crisis, affecting millions of victims in cyber scam centers and elsewhere.
Stock explained that the new cyber-scam centers, often staffed by unwilling employees who were trafficked with the promise of legitimate jobs, have helped organized crime groups diversify their revenue from drug trafficking.
He noted that while drug trafficking still contributes 40 to 70 per cent of criminal groups' income, they are now diversifying into human trafficking, arms trafficking, intellectual property, stolen products, and car theft, using the same routes as for drug trafficking.
Stock also mentioned that about US$2 trillion to US$3 trillion in illicit proceeds are channeled through the global financial system annually, with an organized crime group being able to make US$50 billion a year.
The United Nations reported that over 100,000 people were trafficked into online scam centers in Cambodia, and Myanmar handed over thousands of fugitive Chinese telecom fraud suspects to China.
Last year, a Reuters investigation detailed the emergence of one branch of alleged cyber-crime and its financing in Thailand.
Interpol's head praised Singapore for successfully uncovering a money laundering case last year, involving seized assets totaling over US$2.23 billion.
Organized crime groups that fueled a surge in human trafficking and cyber scam centers during the pandemic have expanded from Southeast Asia to form a global network.
