cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/30997192
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Experts pointed out that Chinese cybercrime has evolved significantly over the decades. Hacking activities surged in the early 2000s, driven by nationalism and political incidents. Groups such as the Honker Union of China (HUC) and China Eagle Union targeted foreign entities, but later disbanded as patriotic fervour declined.
Modern Chinese cybercrime operates like structured firms, with hierarchies resembling legitimate companies. Platforms such as Tencent QQ and Baidu Tieba facilitate illicit trade while Southeast Asian “scam compounds” house multiple cybercrime operations with dormitories and amenities.
Additionally, traditional organised crime groups have embraced cyberspace for activities such as money laundering. Despite its scale and complexity, systematic analysis of Chinese cybercrime remains limited, leaving gaps in understanding its industrialisation and global impact, as reported in the web portal Nature (nature.com).
Experts believe Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) poses a global threat, encompassing activities such as drugs and human trafficking, money laundering and cybercrime. Chinese Triads, one of the oldest and most notorious TOC groups, operate extensively in Southeast Asia, exploiting weak law enforcement.
They run drug trafficking from the Golden Triangle and have shifted to online scams post-Covid-19, generating billions annually.
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Cybercrime sponsored by Chinese gangs in the Asian region is a significant issue, involving various forms of cyberattacks and scams. There have been reports of state-sponsored Chinese hackers targeting government and private organisations across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia. These attacks often involve custom malware and align with China’s political and economic interests.
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These operations also involve human trafficking. Victims are lured under false promises of high-paying jobs [in other countries like Thailand, Camdodia, and other Asian countries] but are instead trapped and exploited.
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The Indian government has established the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to combat cybercrimes. Authorities have rescued many citizens and made multiple arrests related to illegal recruitment activities. They are also working to coordinate with international law enforcement and provide witness protection. They have also signed agreements with the Myanmar and Cambodian governments on curbing human trafficking.
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Initially driven by patriotic hacking, Chinese cybercrime has evolved into profit-driven enterprises using advanced technology. Combating this transnational threat requires international collaboration, stricter law enforcement and victim protection to dismantle these networks and address the significant economic and social damage caused.