Victims of transnational online scams across East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand lost up to $114.1 billion in 2025, according to a United Nations report released Tuesday. This figure marks at least a threefold increase in estimated losses compared to 2023, highlighting a rapid escalation in the scale of cybercrime in the region.
The report, published by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), attributes the surge primarily to investment fraud schemes, including fake cryptocurrency ventures and romance scams. Southeast Asia, with Cambodia and Myanmar identified as key hotspots, has become a hub for organized crime syndicates operating large-scale scam compounds. These centers often exploit trafficked individuals, alongside willing participants, to defraud victims globally.
Financial losses from online scams in the specified regions are estimated to range between $88.3 billion and $114.1 billion for 2025, a substantial rise from the $18 billion to $37 billion estimated for 2023. The increase underlines the rapid expansion of the online scam industry. The report notes that China, South Korea, and Taiwan suffered the largest financial damages among affected countries in recent years, each incurring billions in losses.
The growth of the cybercrime industry in Southeast Asia has been marked by its widening target base. Criminal groups initially focused on Chinese-speaking victims but have since extended their reach worldwide. Recruitment efforts are global as well, with individuals from at least 80 countries and territories found working in scam operations across the Mekong region. The use of AI-powered translation tools has facilitated the targeting of multiple language groups; job advertisements for scam centers seek staff proficient in German, Polish, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, French, Swedish, Norwegian, and English.
Authorities in the region have intensified efforts to combat the illicit industry, under pressure from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. Enforcement actions have resulted in the extradition of several alleged scam network leaders from Cambodia to China over the past year. Additionally, firms and individuals linked to widespread cyber scams, often supported by human trafficking, have faced sanctions from Western governments.
Despite arrests and extraditions, many scam operations persist, with some individuals released from raided compounds reportedly using their acquired expertise to continue criminal activities elsewhere. Delphine Schantz, UNODC regional representative, highlighted the blurred line between victims and perpetrators, noting that some exploited individuals gain criminal skills that they subsequently apply within their home countries. Schantz pointed to the spread of such expertise not only in Asia but also in regions including Africa and Europe, particularly the Balkans.
The UNODC report underscores the necessity for continued international cooperation and enhanced enforcement measures to address the growing threat posed by transnational online scams.