"THE CHINESE GANGS TAUGHT ME HOW TO make my profile look credible, gain followers and post regularly. After finishing my training, I started identifying my victims through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Line," said Narin, a 20-year-old from northern Thailand.
Part of a troubling trend, Thailand leads Asia in scam calls and text messaging, with a staggering 78.8 million incidents reported since last year, according to the country's Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, and $2 billion lost to such crimes in recent years.
Now, the gangs, often led by Chinese masterminds, are expanding into the U.S. and appear to be ensnaring more Americans. In 2023, U.S. authorities issued a stark warning about the growing danger of Americans being trafficked into scam syndicates in Southeast Asia. The seriousness of the situation became evident in December 2023, when the Department of Justice announced the indictment of four individuals based in the U.S. These individuals were accused of laundering over $80 million in profits from scam operations.
To warn others, ex-scammer Narin told Newsweek about his journey into the dark underbelly of cybercrime. He traveled from Thailand's Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai before crossing the border to Tachileik, Myanmar, from where he was taken to border city Laukkai, notorious for call center scams.
Recruited by friends of friends, he trusted them out of desperation for money. But once in Myanmar, he realized the true nature of the operation. Fearful for his safety, Narin felt trapped and couldn't leave.
His role was to identify victims online and incite them to transfer money, to be funneled through the operation's network.
Often, he pretended to be an officer from Shopee or Lazada, Southeast Asia's e-commerce giants in shopping rewards scams.
Romance Scams
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 11, 2024-Ausgabe von Newsweek US.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 11, 2024-Ausgabe von Newsweek US.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Margo Martindale
Jamie Lee [Curtis, producer] called me and she says, \"Jamie Lee Curtis here. I have a project for you. And you're gonna do it.\"
Malala Yousafzai
\"AFGHANISTAN IS THE ONLY COUNTRY IN THE world where girls are banned from access to education and women are limited from work.\"
In the Eyes of the Law
Jude Law is unrecognizable as an FBI agent on the trail of aneo-Naziterrorist group in real-crime drama The Order
Gonzo Intelligence
Instead of keeping a low profile, Moscow's spies are embracing the limelight and even being welcomed home by Vladimir Putin after their cover is blown
House of Cards
Donald Trump faces negotiations between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. in his second term—could his legacy of normalizing ties between Israel and Arab nations be a help or hindrance?
AMERICA'S Most Responsible Companies 2025
IN THE FACE OF ISSUES LIKE CLIMATE CHANGE and wage inequality, consumers care about the impact of the businesses they interact with and companies are responding.
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
THE WORKPLACE IS BECOMING A BATTLEGROUND OVER POLARIZED OPINIONS. BUSINESS LEADERS NEED TO GET BETTER AT MANAGING DISPUTES
John David Washington
FOR JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON, BRINGING NETFLIX'S THE PIANO LESSON (November 22) from stage to screen was a family affair.
A Walk in the Parks
Jim O'Heir shares his memories of the hit NBC mockumentary and its cast's hopes of a reunion
Philomena Cunk
PHILOMENA CUNK IS JUST AS SURPRISED AS anyone else at her own popularity.
