The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has called Southeast Asia “ground zero for the global scamming industry”, with centres found in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. But these centres are most prevalent in Myanmar, operating with impunity in territories contested by militias and warlords, outside the control of the junta or any formal state authority.
NON-INTERFERENCE IN THE FACE OF CROSS-BORDER CRIME
Malaysia, as the current chair of ASEAN, has proposed a more assertive, problem-solving posture on Myanmar. This includes engaging with the National Unity Government set up in opposition to military rule as well as the junta.
This is challenging for ASEAN’s non-interference but is also necessary to combat the scam challenge.
Across East and Southeast Asia, the UN estimates that countries collectively suffered estimated loss of US$37 billion in 2023 from the scam cartels. The problem is spreading to tourism after a Chinese actor was kidnapped in Thailand and smuggled to Myanmar, resulting in a vast drop in daily Chinese visitor numbers.
ASEAN’s responses have included both bilateral efforts and regional initiatives: Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand have mounted some rescue operations for trafficked nationals. A plan of action was also beefed up by the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) and the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC).
