Policy Brief: Scam Centres – Combating a Global Phenomenon

Short Summary

Scam centres are a fast-growing global organized crime threat, generating over $1 trillion in losses in 2024. They use technology and psychological manipulation to target victims worldwide, supported by global criminal networks and easy-to-access tools.

Despite enforcement efforts, scams are expanding and adapting, often moving to low-governance environments and exploiting geopolitical gaps.

Key Actions

• Increase international coordination and intelligence sharing

• Pressure safe havens and strengthen regulation of tech and financial platforms

• Cooperate across political divides to close enforcement gaps

• Use new tools (including AI) and raise public awareness

• Support rehabilitation to prevent re-entry into criminal activity

Recommendations

• Harmonize tools of leverage, at home and abroad: strengthen coordination, share intelligence, and use diplomatic and economic pressure on safe havens; improve accountability of tech and financial platforms

• Improve cooperation between geopolitical rivals: enable targeted, case-by-case collaboration to prevent criminals from exploiting political divisions

• Adopt new approaches for emerging threats: develop responses to AI-enabled scams through partnerships with the private sector and stronger public awareness

• Reintegrate former scammers: support rehabilitation and employment pathways, while monitoring risks to prevent further spread of criminal skills