China and 10 Southeast Asian countries reach deal for fighting against casino crime across borders.
China collaborates with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to combat transnational criminal activities related to gambling in the region. ASEAN consists of 10 member countries: Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
Organized crime syndicates have increasingly operated casino and scam businesses, such as in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. These groups exploit infrastructure in special economic zones (SEZs) and utilize high unemployment rates to recruit victims.
Crimes committed by these groups encompass human trafficking, online scams, money laundering, drug trafficking, wildlife trafficking, and child prostitution. Thousands of people from various countries have been enticed by the promise of profitable employment opportunities in the casino and scam industry.
The recent agreement emphasizes the need to confront the multidimensional challenges posed by organized crime groups in the region. These challenges include human trafficking, digital technology fraud, extortion, money laundering, and corruption. Illegal financial flows have reached levels that threaten regional stability.
Strategic Measures
A key action in the agreement entails conducting parallel or joint investigations on cross-border criminal cases. Measures to identify potential victims of human trafficking and strengthen assistance and repatriation mechanisms for those caught in forced criminality are also included.
Signatory countries also commit to revising and enhancing their legal frameworks concerning the entertainment industry, including casinos, gaming, and online betting. Furthermore, they pledge to develop procedures for screening casino investors, including online platforms and junket operations, and SEZs for potential ties to organized crime.
Infamous Sanctuary
The infamous casino-run criminal haven in the area is the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Laos, governed by Zhao Wei from the Kings Romans Casino Group. Zhao has been subjected to U.S. sanctions due to his engagement in "appalling illicit activities."
Reports surfaced about prison-like compounds within the SEZ, tempting job seekers with the prospect of lucrative employment. Some of these individuals were tricked into working as "chat girls" before being forced into prostitution.
The agreement recognizes the need for a collaborative, regional approach to tackle transnational organized crime and trafficking associated with casinos and scams: "By its very nature, transnational organized crime and trafficking in persons associated with casinos and scams cannot be effectively addressed by each state alone."
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Source: www.casino.org
