UN Report: Asia-Pacific Cyberscam Victims Lost 4 Billion in 2023

UN Report: Asia-Pacific Cyberscam Victims Lost $114 Billion in 2023

A UN report reveals that victims of online scams in Asia-Pacific lost up to $114 billion in 2023, highlighting a surge in cybercrime across the region.

Editorial Desk

July 21, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — City, Country — Victims of transnational online scams in East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand collectively lost up to $114.1 billion in 2023, according to a UN report released on Tuesday. The estimated losses have at least tripled from the previous year.

Southeast Asia, particularly Cambodia and Myanmar, has become a regional hub for crime syndicates orchestrating fake romance and cryptocurrency investment schemes. These syndicates defraud internet users globally, often operating from fortified locations.

The report underscores the escalating threat of cybercrime in the Asia-Pacific region, noting that scammers employ various tactics to deceive victims. Some scammers are willing participants, while others are trafficked into the criminal enterprises.

Authorities in the affected countries are struggling to combat these sophisticated criminal networks. The UN has called for increased international cooperation to address the growing problem.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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