Online Scams

Meta rolls out new scam detection tools for Facebook, WhatsApp and Messenger

Meta introduces new safety alerts across its platforms to warn users about suspicious activity, as the company intensifies efforts to tackle global scam networks and online fraud.

Valentine’s Day: Beware your perfect match could be an AI scam, FBI warns

This Valentine’s Day, AI-powered romance scams are rising rapidly. It’s not just lonely hearts at risk, fake profiles, deepfake voices and emotional trickery are fooling online daters worldwide. Here is what is happening and what can be done to protect yourself.

The notorious legacy of Chinese-origin mafia families behind Myanmar’s deadly scam centres

China’s execution of members of the Ming and Bai families has exposed how powerful crime dynasties ran vast scam centres in Myanmar. Operating from Kokang, these networks oversaw online fraud, trafficking, torture and killings, defrauding victims of billions while exploiting political ties and weak governance

Why is Southeast Asia still the global hub for online scam networks?

Cambodia’s extradition of tycoon Chen Zhi highlights a rare crackdown on the transnational scam industry that has defrauded billions worldwide. Yet, forced labour, trafficked workers, and sprawling scam compounds across Southeast Asia continue to fuel digital fraud operations

Over Rs 3,000 crore lost in digital arrest fraud, Supreme Court calls it a major challenge

The criminals’ modus operandi involved using AI-generated deepfakes of judges and fake courtroom settings to intimidate victims while luring them abroad with fraudulent job offers that led to human trafficking.

South Korea arrests 64 nationals repatriated from Cambodia over online fraud operations

South Korean authorities arrested 64 nationals repatriated from Cambodia over alleged involvement in cyber scams, human trafficking, and other criminal activities

US indicts UK-Cambodian business tycoon over $15 bn crypto scam, forced labour

US authorities have charged UK-Cambodian businessman Chen Zhi with orchestrating forced labour and cryptocurrency fraud schemes worth billions across Asia

$242 million and counting: How Singaporeans keep losing vast sums of money to criminals

According to reports, the city-state of Singapore, since 2019, has witnessed an increase in both the number of scams and the amount of money lost. In 2024, Singaporeans, including the rich and famous, lost around $800 million to scamsters in over 50,000 cases. Why do experts say Singaporeans are ‘uniquely vulnerable’?

Over 70% Indians are targeted by AI dating scams, 61% may develop feelings for AI bots: McAfee

AI romance or dating scams aren’t the only problem—fraudsters are also impersonating celebrities to lure people in. About 42 per cent of respondents reported that they or someone they know had been contacted by a scammer pretending to be a famous person

Did an Australian influencer poison her baby for social media fame and donations?

A Queensland influencer, 34, is charged with poisoning her one-year-old daughter to raise over $60,000 via GoFundMe. Police allege she filmed the child in distress to gain followers and solicit donations. The case has sparked outrage as the woman faces charges including fraud, torture, and child exploitation