Organized crime networks in Southeast Asia rely on Telegram for illegal activities: UN report

Powerful criminal networks in Southeast Asia are making extensive use of the messaging app Telegram, leading to a significant shift in the way organized crime carries out large-scale illegal activities, according to a report released by the United Nations on Monday.

The report represents the latest allegations leveled against the controversial encrypted app since France, using a tough new law with no international equivalent, charged its boss Pavel Durov with allowing criminal activity on the platform, News.Az reports , citing Reuters.

Compromised data, including credit card details, passwords and browser history, is being openly and widely traded with little restraint through the app, which has vast channels, the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report said.

Tools used for cybercrime, including so-called deepfake software designed for fraud, and data-stealing malware, are also being widely sold, while unlicensed cryptocurrency exchanges are offering money laundering services, the report said.

“We transport 3 million USDT stolen from abroad every day,” the report quoted an advertisement in Chinese.

There is “strong evidence that underground data markets are moving to Telegram and that sellers are actively seeking out transnational organized crime groups in Southeast Asia,” the report said.

Southeast Asia has become a major hub for a multi-billion dollar industry that targets victims around the world with fraudulent schemes. Many are Chinese syndicates operating from fortified complexes staffed by trafficked workers. The industry generates between $27.4 billion and $36.5 billion annually, according to UNODC.

Russian-born Durov was arrested in Paris in August and charged with allowing criminal activity on the platform, including the distribution of sexual images of children. The move has put the criminal liability of app providers in the spotlight and has also sparked a debate about where freedom of expression ends and enforcement of the law begins.

Telegram, which has nearly 1 billion users, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

News.Az