International alliance against telecom and cyber fraud launched in China
A new intergovernmental organisation with 46 founding countries and backing from the UN and Interpol was established Thursday to coordinate global law enforcement efforts against cross-border telecom and cyber fraud.
Sara Khan
International alliance against telecom and cyber fraud launched in China
An international alliance aimed at combating transnational telecom and cyber fraud was established on Thursday during an inaugural conference in Lianyungang, eastern China, marking a significant step in global cooperation against digital crime.
Representatives from 46 founding countries, 34 observer nations and four international organisations, including the United Nations and Interpol, attended the conference in the major port city located in Jiangsu Province.
A Response to Growing Global Threats
The Chinese-initiated alliance operates as an intergovernmental organisation designed to strengthen coordination among law enforcement agencies worldwide in tackling telecom and cyber fraud and related crimes. The move comes as global losses from cybercrime are projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, making it one of the world's largest economic threats.
China has faced substantial challenges from telecom fraud, reporting over 464,000 cases in 2023 that resulted in losses of approximately 38.4 billion yuan ($5.4 billion). Telecom fraud typically involves criminals using phone calls, text messages or internet communications to deceive victims into transferring money or revealing sensitive personal information through schemes such as fake investment opportunities, government official impersonation and romance scams.
International Participation and Support
Representatives from China and other founding members, including Vietnam, Laos, Kenya, Cambodia, Pakistan and Russia, delivered addresses at the conference. Interpol, which coordinates international police cooperation among 196 member countries and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in cybercrime proceeds through operations like Operation HAECHI, sent a representative who delivered a congratulatory message.
Kenya's participation as a founding member provides important African representation, as the country has experienced significant increases in cybercrime incidents. Several Southeast Asian nations joined as founding members, reflecting the region's status as a major hub for transnational fraud operations.
Joint Commitment to Combat Cybercrime
Participants welcomed China's initiative and recognised its significance for safeguarding global public security. They issued a joint statement acknowledging that telecom and cyber fraud has become a global challenge requiring enhanced international cooperation.
According to the statement, establishing a focused, professional, efficient and action-oriented intergovernmental organisation based on international conventions will help coordinate efforts to combat these crimes and protect the security and legitimate rights of individuals, legal entities and other organisations.
The alliance's formation aligns with broader international efforts to address cybercrime. The United Nations approved a comprehensive international convention against cybercrime in 2024, marking the first legally binding UN treaty on the issue and recognising cyber threats as a growing global concern.
Lianyungang, the conference host city, serves as the eastern terminus of the New Eurasian Land Bridge, connecting China with Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe, providing symbolic significance given the international nature of the cooperation being established.
