November 23, 2025 - In one of the most significant enforcement actions against Southeast Asia's sprawling cybercrime industry, Myanmar's military forces arrested nearly 1,600 foreign nationals during a five-day operation targeting the notorious Shwe Kokko scam compound along the Thai border. The raids, conducted between
Global Scam Series 2025
KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia is hemorrhaging RM54.02 billion annually to scams—a staggering 3% of the nation's GDP—as sophisticated "Macau scam" syndicates impersonate police and government officials, romance scam call centers operate from luxury condominiums, and 750 Malaysians have been rescued from forced labor in
Global Scam Series 2025
NAIROBI — Kenya's M-Pesa mobile money revolution—the world's most successful mobile banking platform that brought financial services to tens of millions of unbanked Kenyans and became a global model for financial inclusion—now faces an existential trust crisis as fraud losses surge to Ksh810 million in
Global Scam Series 2025
DHAKA — Bangladesh's mobile financial services revolution—with 87% of users on bKash, tens of millions using Nagad, and the nation leading South Asia in financial inclusion through mobile money—faces an existential crisis as one in every 10 MFS users (9.3%) falls victim to fraud. The average
Global Scam Series 2025
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan is hemorrhaging $9.3 billion annually to fraud and scams—a staggering 2.5% of the nation's GDP—as economic crisis, crushing youth unemployment, and sophisticated criminal networks converge to create one of the developing world's most severe fraud epidemics. With one-third of Pakistani
Global Scam Series 2025
ISTANBUL — Turkey stands at a dangerous crossroads in 2025, positioned both geographically and economically at the intersection of Europe and Asia, tradition and modernity, legitimate cryptocurrency innovation and catastrophic fraud. With nearly 1 million fraud cases brought to prosecutors in 2023, $2 billion+ lost in a single cryptocurrency exchange collapse,
The holiday season is supposed to be about joy, family gatherings, and finding the perfect gifts. Instead, for 34 million Americans, it became a nightmare of drained bank accounts, stolen identities, and fraudulent charges. As Thanksgiving 2025 approaches and Black Friday deals flood your inbox, cybercriminals are already counting their
Introducing ScamWatchHQ: Your New AI-Powered Guardian Against Scams In today's digital age, scams have become increasingly sophisticated, targeting individuals and businesses alike. From phishing emails and fraudulent phone calls to deceptive online advertisements, the variety of tactics used by scammers continues to expand. At ScamWatchHQ, we understand the
In the digital age, scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, preying on unsuspecting individuals and causing significant financial and emotional damage. Thankfully, several YouTube channels are dedicated to exposing these scammers, educating the public, and providing a mix of entertainment and crucial scam-prevention advice. Here are nine top channels that are
Falling victim to a scam can be a distressing and overwhelming experience. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and even the most vigilant individuals can find themselves caught in their schemes. If you suspect that you’ve been targeted by a scam, it’s crucial to act quickly to minimize the
In today’s digital age, scams have become more sophisticated and varied, making it crucial to stay informed about the tactics scammers use to deceive and defraud. From phishing emails to investment frauds, understanding the most common types of scams can help you recognize and avoid them. Here, we introduce
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International crackdown exposes payment industry corruption as 18 arrested in sophisticated subscription scam affecting 4.3 million victims across 193 countries Executive Summary In one of the most significant cybercrime enforcement actions of 2025, international law enforcement coordinated by Eurojust executed Operation Chargeback on November 4, resulting in 18 arrests
Operation Nothing But Net: How Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, and 34 Others Got Caught in a Mafia-Backed Sports Betting Ring The Biggest Sports Corruption Scandal Since the Black Sox The FBI dropped a bombshell on October 23, 2025, unveiling what authorities are calling one of the most brazen sports corruption
Executive Summary Dubai has emerged as the world's "Crypto Oasis" – a gleaming financial hub where legitimate blockchain innovation collides with sophisticated fraud on an unprecedented scale. In the first half of 2025 alone, UAE cryptocurrency victims lost an average of $80,000 (Dh293,600) each, the
Executive Summary Russia occupies a unique and disturbing position in the global cybercrime ecosystem – a nation-state that doesn't just harbor cybercriminals, but cultivates, protects, and weaponizes them for strategic advantage. Ranked #1 on the World Cybercrime Index, Russia serves as the birthplace and safe harbor for the world&
Executive Summary Nigeria stands at a crossroads in 2025, simultaneously serving as both a major source of global cybercrime and one of its most significant victims. The birthplace of the infamous "419 scam" has evolved into a sophisticated cybercrime ecosystem where unemployment drives young people into fraud, spiritual
Executive Summary New Zealand, long known for its laid-back "she'll be right" attitude and trusted community spirit, faces a staggering fraud crisis that is draining NZ$2.3 billion ($1.4 billion USD) annually from the nation's economy—equivalent to 0.6% of GDP.
Executive Summary Poland presents a fascinating paradox in 2025's global cybersecurity landscape: ranked 2nd globally in the National Cyber Security Index for preparedness, yet simultaneously suffering the highest ransomware attack rate worldwide at 6% of all global incidents—surpassing even the United States. With 113,600 serious cyberattacks
Executive Summary Spain stands at a dangerous crossroads in 2025: while 85 million annual tourists flock to Barcelona's beaches and Madrid's museums, they walk into one of Europe's most sophisticated fraud ecosystems. With €240 million lost to banking fraud in 2023 alone (a 117%
Executive Summary Vietnam stands at a dangerous crossroads where rapid digital transformation meets sophisticated cross-border cybercrime. With economic losses reaching $16.23 billion (3.6% of GDP) in 2023 and a 65% surge in online scams through 2025, the nation faces a dual crisis: Vietnamese citizens being victimized by domestic
Executive Summary Thailand faces a dual-front crisis in 2025: while tourists lose millions to traditional street scams in Bangkok and Phuket, the nation's Myanmar border has transformed into the epicenter of a global human trafficking and cybercrime empire. With ₿115.3 billion ($3.2 billion USD) lost annually
Executive Summary Indonesia, Southeast Asia's digital payment powerhouse and home to 270+ million people, is grappling with an unprecedented fraud crisis that threatens to undermine its remarkable digital transformation. With financial losses reaching Rp 7 trillion ($438 million) in less than one year and 89% of all unknown
Executive Summary Italy, a nation celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and world-class tourism industry, confronts a sobering reality in 2025: €181 million lost to online fraud—a staggering 32% increase from 2023's €137 million. With 18,714 cases reported in 2024 (up 15% from the previous year)