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Why Southeast Asia is a hotbed for Chinese criminal gangs

Press/Media

Description

Scam centres in Southeast Asia have drawn fresh attention after the high-profile abduction and release of a Chinese actor in Thailand. Criminal gangs have trafficked hundreds of thousands of people who are forced to work in such operations that generate illicit revenues estimated at billions of dollars a year, according to the United Nations. Most of the scam compounds are operated by criminal gangs from China and originate from loosely regulated casinos and online gambling in the region, according to the non-profit organisation United States Institute of Peace.

Subject

Interview with Sharon Kwok about triad society and Chinese criminals involvement in scam compound in SEA countries. 

Period24 Mar 2025

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitleWhy Southeast Asia is a hotbed for Chinese criminal gangs
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletSCMP
    Media typeFilm / Video
    Country/TerritoryHong Kong
    Date24/03/25
    DescriptionScam centres in Southeast Asia have drawn fresh attention after the high-profile abduction and release of a Chinese actor in Thailand. Criminal gangs have trafficked hundreds of thousands of people who are forced to work in such operations that generate illicit revenues estimated at billions of dollars a year, according to the United Nations. Most of the scam compounds are operated by criminal gangs from China and originate from loosely regulated casinos and online gambling in the region, according to the non-profit organisation United States Institute of Peace.
    Producer/AuthorCrystal Wu
    URLhttps://www.scmp.com/video/asia/3304125/chinese-criminal-gangs-behind-southeast-asias-scam-centres
    PersonsSharon Kwok

Keywords

  • scams
  • Chinese organised crime
  • scam compound
  • Southeast Asia