United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Mekong Nations Target Cyber Fraud with New SIM Rules, Mule Account Database

By Manesh Samtani | 18/11/2025

The agreement includes identity-verified SIM registration and a shared database of mule accounts to combat rampant cross-border financial crime.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Korea Forms 9-Nation Alliance to Dismantle Financial Scam Hubs

By Manesh Samtani | 24/10/2025

The 'Breaking Chains' operation will target virtual asset fraud and voice phishing syndicates based in Southeast Asia, with Interpol also participating.

Supervision & Enforcement

INTERPOL Operation Recovers $439 Million, Highlights Need for Regulatory Unity

By Mark Johnston | 26/09/2025

An INTERPOL operation has recovered USD 439 million in illicit funds, highlighting the need for enhanced cross-border regulatory cooperation in APAC.

Anti-Money Laundering

Organised Crime Using FDI to Infiltrate Timor-Leste, UNODC Warns

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 15/09/2025

New UNODC report details how crime syndicates are using legitimate investment frameworks to establish scam centres and launder money.

Anti-Money Laundering

Global AML Watchdogs Urge Informal Cooperation in New Handbook

By Manesh Samtani | 08/09/2025

The FATF, Egmont Group, Interpol, and UNODC have released a guide promoting faster, informal cooperation to combat cross-border financial crime and recover assets.

Anti-Money Laundering

Malaysia to Push for ASEAN Money Laundering Working Group

By Nithya Subramanian | 01/09/2025

The initiative, led by Malaysia’s Home Ministry and central bank, aims to strengthen cooperation against financial crimes that affect all 10 member states.

Anti-Money Laundering

FATF Approves New Transparency Standards for Cross-Border Payments

By Manesh Samtani | 16/06/2025

The plenary also endorsed updated financial inclusion guidance to address the issue of ‘de-risking’ and agreed to publish several other reports.

Anti-Money Laundering

UNODC Flags Money Laundering Risks as Drug Crimes Surge in Asia

By Thisanka Siripala | 05/06/2025

Drug trafficking networks are increasingly turning to underground banking and digital platforms to launder drug proceeds.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Cambodia Scam Industry Generates Up to $19bn Annually – Report

By Manesh Samtani | 28/05/2025

New report recommends sanctions on 28 officials and businesspeople for alleged involvement in or support of Cambodia’s scam industry.