UN Alerts to Shift in Southeast Asia Cybercrime Operations to Timor-Leste
Dili, Timor-Leste – the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has issued a warning that criminal gangs involved in online scams and human trafficking are relocating operations from the former Steamer Center area to Timor-Leste. This shift comes amid increased law enforcement pressure in previous hubs, prompting the groups to seek new, less regulated environments.
These transnational crime syndicates lure individuals, particularly from Indonesia, Malaysia, and China, with false promises of employment. However, upon arrival, victims are often imprisoned and forced to participate in illicit online activities. Recent raids at the Steamer Center resulted in the arrest of 30 workers from these nations, though authorities are still determining whether they where victims of trafficking or active participants in the criminal network. Some individuals possess IT skills and multiple passports, perhaps used to evade prosecution, according to UNODC.
The UNODC’s assessment indicates a pattern of displacement driven by heightened scrutiny. As law enforcement tightens its grip on established locations, these groups actively seek jurisdictions with weaker regulatory frameworks, like Timor-Leste, to continue their operations. The agency is monitoring the situation closely and collaborating with regional partners to address the evolving threat.
