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Written question asked by James McMurdock (Independent (affiliation)) on Friday, 10 April 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 April 2026. It was answered by Seema Malhotra (Labour) on Thursday, 16 April 2026 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.


South East Asia: Fraud

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled UK crackdown on vile scam centres steps up with sanctions on illicit crypto network, published 26 March 2026, which countries in Southeast Asia are hosting the scam centres referenced in the press release.

Answer

The UK is working with international partners to tackle the threat of cyber-enabled fraud emanating from scam centres in Cambodia, Myanmar, and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. We have used sanctions to disrupt the networks behind these illicit activities and, where appropriate, we are providing technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of governments and law enforcement to address this issue. Nevertheless, it is important that we continue to go further, which is why strengthening international cooperation is at the heart of the Government's Fraud Strategy for 2026-29, published on 9 March.

We are supportive of actions taken by Governments in Southeast Asia to tackle the threat of scam centres, including most recently in Cambodia. We continue to monitor these efforts and regularly review the latest evidence of the threat of cyber-enabled fraud. This includes assessing emerging trends of displacement into other jurisdictions and our ongoing work to address the issue at a regional level. In regards to funds lost by UK victims of fraud linked to foreign-based scam centres, I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to question 21153 on 18 December 2024.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
126231
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Fraud Internet South East Asia Cryptocurrencies
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk