Key Facts

• Interpol 2025/2026 Report: Cybercrime accounts for 30% of national crime in more than half of 18 Asia-Pacific countries surveyed
• Operation Secure (Jan-Apr 2025) : Dismantled more than 20,000 malicious internet domains across 26 countries
• Scam States: Myawaddy, Payathonzu (Myanmar), Bokeo (Laos), Poipet, Koh Kong (Cambodia)
• Australia: $60 million commitment through 2028 for Southeast Asia and Pacific Cyber Program
• India: Strengthened coordination among I4C, CBI, and embassies across Southeast Asia
• Threat Assessment: “Threats emanating from these scam states rival and surpass threats from terrorism”

Direct Answer

Cybercrime is no longer viewed primarily as a law enforcement challenge — it is increasingly seen as a national security risk across the Indo-Pacific.

Nations are responding with whole-of-government strategies encompassing intelligence operations, border security, financial sanctions, international partnerships, and in some cases, military engagement. Interpol’s 2025/2026 Asia and South Pacific Cyberthreat Assessment Report found that cybercrime accounts for 30% of national crime in more than half of 18 countries surveyed.

In Southeast Asia, crime syndicates, militia groups, and corrupt actors have joined forces to control “scam states” where they engage in modern slavery, target victims globally, and drain billions of dollars.

India has strengthened coordination among its Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, CBI, and embassies across Southeast Asia to identify trafficking networks, warn potential victims, support rescue operations, and disrupt recruitment pipelines.

Australia has committed $60 million through 2028 for regional cyber resilience, while the Philippines is cracking down on text-blasting devices.

Interpol’s Operation Secure dismantled more than 20,000 malicious internet domains across 26 countries. However, experts warn that more regional cooperation is needed to combat a threat that is not going away anytime soon.

In this article:

• The Shift: From Law Enforcement to National Security
• The Rise of “Scam States” in Southeast Asia
• The Myanmar and China Connection
• India’s Preventive Approach
• Australia’s Regional Role
• The Philippines’ Crackdown
• Successes: Interpol’s Operation Secure
• The Path Forward: Regional Cooperation and Multistakeholder Partnerships
• FAQ

By Adv. Shoeb Hakim — Criminal defence, AML, digital forensics, and cybercrime specialist; former General Counsel, Credit Suisse; training police and judiciary since 1996.

The Shift: From Law Enforcement to National Security

Once viewed primarily as a law enforcement challenge, cybercrime is increasingly seen as a national security risk.

Nations across the Indo-Pacific are responding with whole-of-government strategies encompassing:

• Intelligence operations
• Border security
• Financial sanctions
• International partnerships
• In some cases, military engagement

Why the Shift?

The scale and sophistication of cybercrime has grown exponentially. Criminal syndicates now operate across borders with impunity, targeting millions of victims and draining billions of dollars from the global economy.

The Interpol 2025/2026 Asia and South Pacific Cyberthreat Assessment Report found that:

• Cybercrime accounts for 30% of national crime in more than half of the 18 countries surveyed
• The threat is no longer confined to individual cybercriminals — it involves organized criminal networks, militia groups, and state-aligned actors

The Rise of “Scam States” in Southeast Asia

In Southeast Asia, crime syndicates, militia groups, and other corrupt actors have joined together to control areas where they can:

• “Openly engage in modern slavery”
• “Target a global population with sophisticated scams with impunity”
• “Drain billions of dollars in resources from victims across the globe”

The Scam States

Traditional economies have been supplanted by online scam-based ones in:

• Myawaddy and Payathonzu (Myanmar)
• Bokeo (Laos)
• Poipet and Koh Kong (Cambodia)

The Impact

Thousands of workers remain trapped in regional scam centers. Local residents have few options to make a living outside the scam economy.

The Assessment

Jason G. Tower, an expert at the Switzerland-based Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, told FORUM: “The threats emanating from these scam states rival and, in many cases, surpass threats from terrorism.”

The Myanmar and China Connection

Myanmar’s Militia Support

Criminal operations in Myanmar are supported by militia groups, including those aligned with the nation’s ruling military junta.

China’s Role

Investigators have linked many scam center operators to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) . Although the scam groups are not necessarily directed by Beijing, they align with the CCP’s interests and are protected by political relationships.

India’s Preventive Approach

India has adopted a preventive approach to combat the cybercrime threat.

Key Coordinating Bodies

India has strengthened coordination among:

• The nation’s Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)
• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
• Embassies across Southeast Asia

The Objectives

India’s efforts are focused on:

• Identifying trafficking networks
• Warning potential victims
• Supporting rescue operations
• Disrupting recruitment pipelines feeding scam compounds

Australia’s Regional Role

Australia has positioned itself as a regional financial anchor for cyber resilience.

Commitments

• Committing about $60 million through 2028 under its Southeast Asia and Pacific Cyber Program
• Deploying cybersecurity experts to Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu

Sanctions

Canberra also imposes sanctions on cybercriminals — a powerful tool to disrupt criminal networks.

The Philippines’ Crackdown

The Philippines is taking action against text-blasting devices allegedly salvaged from shuttered offshore gaming operations.

The Threat

Officials say the devices serve as “portable cell sites, forcing nearby phones to receive unsolicited and often malicious messages,” the Philippine News Agency reported.

The Response

Police are cracking down on the resale of these devices, which can be used for phishing, spam, and other malicious activities.

Successes: Interpol’s Operation Secure

Multilateral law enforcement operations are producing results.

Operation Secure (January to April 2025)

Conducted across 26 countries, Operation Secure dismantled:

• More than 20,000 malicious internet domains and addresses

The Significance

This demonstrates the power of international cooperation in combating cybercrime. However, experts warn that more is needed.

The Path Forward: Regional Cooperation and Multistakeholder Partnerships

What’s Needed

Arindrajit Basu, a nonresident fellow at New America, told FORUM:

“Cybercrime syndicates are not going away any time soon. Building resilient multistakeholder partnerships that stops the trafficking of victims to the scam centers, raises awareness and protects the technical architecture of the internet will therefore prove crucial.”

Key Priorities

• Enhanced intelligence sharing among ASEAN nations and other regional bodies
• Resilient multistakeholder partnerships
• Disruption of trafficking pipelines
• Awareness campaigns to prevent victimization
• Protection of internet infrastructure

💬 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Q: Why is cybercrime now classified as a national security threat rather than routine fraud?
Ans: The sheer scale of financial loss, involvement of organized militia and state-aligned groups, and the integration of modern slavery in scam compounds have elevated digital crimes to sovereign security priorities.

Q: What role do emerging technologies play in modern cyber syndicates?
Ans: Syndicates utilize artificial intelligence, deepfakes, automated phishing, and ransomware-as-a-service models to execute attacks on an industrial scale.

Q: How are regional nations like Australia contributing to cyber resilience?
Ans: Australia has committed substantial funding through programs like the Southeast Asia and Pacific Cyber Program, deploying cybersecurity experts and imposing targeted sanctions on cybercriminals.

Q: What measures can organizations take to protect against regional cyber threats?
Ans: Organizations must harden cloud infrastructure, implement zero-trust protocols, conduct continuous forensic audits, and participate in real-time threat intelligence sharing.

Why is cybercrime now seen as a national security threat?

Cybercrime has evolved from individual criminal activity to organized networks operating across borders with impunity, involving militia groups and state-aligned actors. The scale of financial losses and human trafficking has made it a national security priority.

What are the “scam states” in Southeast Asia?

These are areas where traditional economies have been replaced by online scam-based ones. Examples include Myawaddy and Payathonzu in Myanmar, Bokeo in Laos, and Poipet and Koh Kong in Cambodia.

What did Interpol’s 2025/2026 report find?

Cybercrime accounts for 30% of national crime in more than half of the 18 Asia-Pacific countries surveyed.

What is Operation Secure?

Interpol’s Operation Secure (January-April 2025) dismantled more than 20,000 malicious internet domains across 26 countries.

How is India responding?

India has strengthened coordination among its Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), CBI, and embassies across Southeast Asia to identify trafficking networks, warn potential victims, support rescue operations, and disrupt recruitment pipelines.

What is Australia doing?

Australia has committed about $60 million through 2028 under its Southeast Asia and Pacific Cyber Program, deployed cybersecurity experts to Pacific nations, and imposed sanctions on cybercriminals.

What is the Philippines doing?

Police are cracking down on the resale of text-blasting devices that serve as “portable cell sites” for sending malicious messages.

What role does Myanmar play in the scam economy?

Criminal operations in Myanmar are supported by militia groups, including those aligned with the ruling military junta.

What is the China connection?

Investigators have linked many scam center operators to the CCP. While not necessarily directed by Beijing, they align with CCP interests and are protected by political relationships.

What does the future hold?

Experts warn that cybercrime syndicates are not going away. Building resilient multistakeholder partnerships, raising awareness, and protecting internet infrastructure will be crucial.

KNOWLEDGE CHECK QUIZ
Q: What percentage of national recorded crime does cybercrime account for in over half of surveyed countries according to Interpol’s report?
Ans: Cybercrime accounts for more than 30 percent of national recorded crime in over half of the 18 Asia-Pacific countries surveyed.

Q: What are some of the prominent “scam states” identified in Southeast Asia?
Ans: Regions such as Myawaddy and Payathonzu in Myanmar, Bokeo in Laos, and Poipet and Koh Kong in Cambodia.

Q: What was the primary achievement of Interpol’s Operation Secure between January and April 2025?
Ans: Operation Secure dismantled more than 20,000 malicious internet domains and addresses across 26 participating countries.

Q: How has India structured its preventive approach against transnational cyber syndicates?
Ans: India has strengthened inter-agency coordination among the Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), the CBI, and diplomatic embassies across Southeast Asia to disrupt trafficking and recruitment pipelines.

By Adv. Shoeb Hakim 
Criminal defence, AML, digital forensics, and cybercrime specialist; former General Counsel, Credit Suisse; training police and judiciary since 1996.

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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult qualified legal counsel for advice on their specific circumstances.

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Adv. Shoeb Hakim is a Mumbai-based criminal defence, AML, digital forensics and cybercrime specialist. Former General Counsel at Credit Suisse. Has been training police and judiciary since 1996. Provides expert commentary on cybercrime, national security, and digital forensics.

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cybercrime, national security, Indo-Pacific, scam states, Interpol, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, I4C, CBI, Operation Secure, Australia, Philippines, ASEAN, Adv Shoeb Hakim