Global Cooperation in Countering Online Scams

Global Cooperation in Countering Online Scams

Time: 60 minutes (1st day, 14:30 – 15:30) 

Venue: Room R313, National Convention Center, Hanoi, Viet Nam

Language: English (interpretation TBC)

Background

Online scam facilitated by scam centers – organized criminal operations that use digital platforms to defraud individuals and businesses – have become a global threat. Online scams take place across borders, exploiting legal loopholes, digital anonymity, and weak international enforcement networks. From investment fraud and phishing to online romance scams and impersonation schemes, these crimes result in billions of dollars in losses annually and cause significant emotional and psychological harm to victims worldwide.

Scam centers are frequently enabled by transnational criminal networks that rely on complex infrastructures including call centers, crypto laundering, and social engineering tactics. The scale and reach of these operations demand a coordinated global response rooted in real-time information sharing, joint investigations, and harmonized legal frameworks.

The UN Convention against Cybercrime provides an important multilateral legal basis for enhancing international cooperation to counter such threats. As countries prepare to sign and implement the Convention, this side event provides an opportunity for high-level leaders to align priorities, share effective strategies, and identify opportunities for practical collaboration against online scam.

Objectives

This side event seeks to:

• • – Highlight the growing threat posed by online scams, scam centers and their evolving tactics.
  • – Showcase national efforts and intergovernmental cooperation initiatives that have successfully disrupted scam operations.
  • – Discuss how the UN Convention against Cybercrime can strengthen international legal and operational cooperation in countering online scam.

• – Explore opportunities for coordinated action, including capacity-building, joint investigations, and public-private partnerships.

Methodology

The 60-minute high-level side event will feature three presentations and a plenary session featuring four high-level speakers at the ministerial level, representing governments attending the signing ceremony. 

Each speaker will deliver a brief, focused presentation sharing national perspectives, key initiatives, and experiences in countering scam centers.

A moderator will guide the session to ensure a flow of discussion, alignment with the event’s objectives, and time for brief closing reflections. The format is designed to highlight concrete actions and political leadership, while reinforcing the importance of international cooperation under the framework of the UN Convention against Cybercrime.