UNODC Warns of $114 Billion Annual Online Scam Losses in Asia-Pacific; Cambodia Steps Up Countermeasures

Delphine Schantz, the UNODC Regional Representative, has warned that online scams are becoming a significant and rapidly expanding source of income for organized crime, operating across borders. Speaking at an international conference on combating online fraud in Phnom Penh on September 23, 2026, Schantz highlighted that losses from scams in East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand amount to $114 billion annually, a figure that is rapidly escalating. She noted that this estimate does not include losses from other regions of the world. According to Schantz, the profits generated from these scams are reinvested to expand and sophisticate criminal networks. UNODC assessments indicate that the scam industry in Southeast Asia is transitioning from fragmented criminal networks to a unified, technology-driven transnational criminal economy. These networks are interconnected, comprising specialized divisions for money laundering, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and data collection. Schantz likened the operational methods of these criminal networks to a "franchise model," enabling them to offer services and collaborate across borders. This makes it increasingly difficult for law enforcement agencies to distinguish between victims and perpetrators and to ensure adequate protection and assistance for victims. She also cautioned that criminals are leveraging emerging technologies such as cryptocurrencies, virtual asset service providers, and malware to expand their activities and evade law enforcement. Some criminal groups are not only using but also developing new technologies themselves, Schantz added. Despite these challenges, Schantz welcomed the growing response in the region, citing the establishment of anti-scam centers, specialized task forces, and increased law enforcement operations. Cambodia, in particular, was highlighted as an example of a country intensifying its efforts to shut down scam operations. The establishment of an inter-ministerial/special commission to combat online scams and the organization of this international conference demonstrate Cambodia's commitment and openness to international cooperation. Schantz proposed five key areas for future focus: 1. Building a common understanding of scam crime trends and evolution. 2. Strengthening legal frameworks and capabilities for collecting, managing, and analyzing digital evidence. 3. Enhancing inter-agency cooperation and information sharing. 4. Increasing engagement from the private sector, especially FinTech and social media. 5. Thoroughly studying the flow of illicit profits from scams and how to prevent their reinvestment into criminal enterprises. "Online scams are not a problem that any single country can solve alone," Schantz emphasized. "Therefore, continuous cooperation at national, regional, and international levels is needed to prevent criminal networks from moving from one place to another." She also expressed gratitude to the Cambodian government for hosting the conference and called on participating countries to define concrete, actionable steps to create a more effective response to online scams.