According to the Report, from January to October 2023, procuratorates nationwide filed charges against over 34,000 individuals involved in telecom and online fraud, marking a year-on-year increase of nearly 52%. Additionally, more than 115,000 persons were charged with aiding and abetting such crimes, an increase of almost 13% year on year.
As domestic crackdowns have intensified, criminal groups engaged in telecom and online fraud have increasingly moved their operations overseas. These groups systematically recruit and absorb domestic personnel, who then cross borders clandestinely to participate in criminal activities abroad.
The prevalence of scattered, independent fraud gangs is declining, replaced by large-scale criminal organizations operating under the guise of “industrial parks” or “technology parks”. These mega criminal groups are primarily based overseas, exercising control over and managing independent fraud gangs, forming vast and stable networks for fraudulent activities.
For instance, in one specific case, criminals established an industrial park in northern Myanmar and then successively recruited 18 fraud gangs to move in, provided them with office spaces, accommodations, and food, and enforced closed management with armed guards, forming a huge criminal network.
Furthermore, these crimes have evolved from isolated cases of telecom and online fraud to more serious crimes, including human trafficking, kidnapping, and illegal detention, which constitute serious violations of citizens’ personal rights.
Photo by DDDanny D on Unsplash
Contributors: CJO Staff Contributors Team
