Criminal gangs are using Telegram to trade stolen data and launder money, the UN warns

A recent United Nations (UN) report has revealed how powerful criminal networks in Southeast Asia are widely using the encrypted messaging app Telegram to facilitate large-scale illegal activities. According to the report, organized crime has taken advantage of the platform’s loose moderation, allowing them to trade hacked data, cybercrime tools and even launder money through unlicensed cryptocurrency exchanges.

The United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report outlines how Telegram channels have become a hub for illegal transactions. Stolen credit card details, passwords, browser history and malware designed to steal data are openly traded on the platform. Additionally, cybercriminals are using deepfake technology and other sophisticated fraud tools, with many targeting transnational organized crime groups operating in Southeast Asia.
An advertisement quoted in the report states: “We move 3 million USDT stolen from abroad every day,” demonstrating the scale of illegal money transfers on the platform.

The UNODC report, cited by Reuters, notes that Southeast Asia, especially Chinese syndicates, has become a hotspot for fraud operations, generating between $27.4 billion and $36.5 billion annually. These syndicates often operate from fortified complexes and exploit trafficked workers to carry out their schemes. Their reach extends across the globe, defrauding victims through various illegal means, aided by the use of technology and the dark web.

Telegram’s controversial role in facilitating criminal activity has led to increased legal scrutiny. In August, its founder, Pavel Durov, was arrested in France and charged with using the platform for criminal activities, including the distribution of child sexual abuse images. After his arrest, Durov promised to take action by sharing user data with authorities upon legal request and removing features that have been misused for illegal purposes. However, Telegram has not yet commented on the recent UN report.
The UNODC Deputy Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Benedikt Hofmann, expressed concern about the ease with which criminals can use the app. He warned that user data is at greater risk of being misused for scams and other illegal activities due to the platform’s minimal oversight.

The report also highlights how criminal organizations in Southeast Asia have adapted to technological advances. These groups are now using generative artificial intelligence, malware and deepfakes to innovate their activities. The UNODC has identified more than ten providers of deepfake software services specifically targeting criminal groups involved in cyber fraud in the region.

In South Korea, authorities have launched an investigation into Telegram’s involvement in facilitating online sex crimes, particularly involving deepfake pornography, a problem that has plagued the country. Meanwhile, a hacker in India used Telegram to leak sensitive data from insurer Star Health, leading to a lawsuit against the platform.