“What we can see in these data is limited, but so far the content we have is accurate,” Heintz said. “If anything, I think it weakens the scale of the problem.”
The data obtained by the researchers are just snapshots of some of the suspected one-seventh activity related to the Scam Center. For example, the advertising industry’s mobile data is incomplete, the NCMEC data does not contain all possible reported sales cases, and the technology companies that report data to the NCMEC may be biased towards U.S. companies.
The IJM pointed out multiple reports in its report that suggests that the scam center is related to a broader breakdown targeting adults. The report does not exclude children from intentionally targeting the target of breaking down crimes, but points out that children may be trapped in programs targeting adults if they use the equipment of their parents or other caregivers. Now that the study has demonstrated the link, the researchers stressed that further research is needed to strengthen the authorities’ understanding of the link between children’s six-spectrophotometers and scam compounds and to determine whether targeting children is specifically targeted. NCMEC did not immediately respond to Wired’s request for comment.
Since 2019, scams have been run by organized criminal groups in China and exploded in Southeast Asia. Criminals have trafficked thousands of people into these compounds from more than 70 countries, often captured, captured, taken away, and forced to deceive people online. If they refuse, they may be beaten and cruel. Initially, the scam center targeted Chinese speakers, deploying so-called “pig slaughter” scams, as well as various other forms of investment and romantic scams. Criminals are increasingly opening up scams in the Middle East, West Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe. Targeted scams targeting people around the world; and changed the way they deceive people.
“Scope Centers and network-backed fraud networks in Southeast Asia have quickly diversified their business boundaries and scope of targets, increasingly integrating decomposition, malware, deep cakes and pornography. An October 2024 report on the growth of scam compounds at the UN Office of Drugs and Crime, written in part by Wojcik, who works in the organization, notes the increase in secondary cases targeting adults and the use of AI.
Wojcik said the IJM research is consistent with the report of Southeast Asian law enforcement agencies that the “steady rise” of financial decomposition cases for children.
Reformed crime hacker and now cybercrime investigator Hieu Minh Ngo, a Vietnamese afor-profit scam combat group Chongluadao, said he has seen Sexttort efforts targeting young and adults in Vietnam over the past few years, “the actions are all traced back to Vietnamese-style scams.” “These strategies are consistent: Bad actors act as attractive people on social media, build trust with victims and then coerce them to share sensitive images or videos,” said the NGO. He added that the use of AI Deepfakes is also increasing. “This trend shows a clear link between regional scam compounds and organized secession targeting children and vulnerable groups.”
