Ethical Hacking News
Cyber-scam camp operators are shifting their operations to vulnerable countries, taking advantage of lax cybersecurity measures and regulatory frameworks in these nations. This trend is attributed to growing law enforcement pressure in traditional hotspots, with organized crime groups creating new avenues for expanding their operations to jurisdictions with limited experience in responding to these threats.
Summary:
Cyber-scam camp operators are moving their operations to vulnerable countries in Southeast Asia and beyond, taking advantage of weak regulatory environments and lack of cybersecurity capabilities. The shift is attributed to growing law enforcement pressure in traditional hotspots and the creation of new avenues for organized crime groups to expand their operations.
Cyber-scam camp operators are shifting their operations to vulnerable countries with lax cybersecurity measures and regulatory frameworks. The shift is due to growing law enforcement pressure in traditional hotspots, such as Southeast Asia. Timor-Leste has become an attractive destination for cyber-scam camp operators due to its weak regulatory environment and limited cybersecurity capabilities. The US Department of the Treasury announced sanctions on individuals involved in scams targeting people around the world, particularly Americans. APNIC reduced fees for some members in least developed countries to encourage participation. Microsoft and Linode warned of cloud latency spikes due to problems with the Middle East submarine cable network. Japan provided ¥536 billion in funding for US memory-maker Micron to support AI R&D efforts. Mitsubishi Electric acquired Nozomi Networks Inc. for $883 million to strengthen its security prowess. China accused the US of dumping chips into its markets and imposing export controls. The Register reported on various other cybersecurity-related stories, including an AI-powered penetration tool and a new vulnerability discovered in Android devices.
Cyber-scam camp operators are shifting their operations to vulnerable countries, taking advantage of lax cybersecurity measures and regulatory frameworks in these nations. According to a recent warning from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC), entities associated with convicted cybercriminals, offshore gambling operators, and triad-linked networks have been found at hotels in Timor-Leste, a nation with a gross domestic product of under $2 billion.
The shift in operating locations is attributed to growing law enforcement pressure in traditional hotspots, such as Southeast Asia. As authorities crack down on scam centers and related criminal activity, organized crime groups are creating new avenues for expanding their operations to jurisdictions with limited experience in responding to these threats. Timor-Leste, with its weak regulatory environment and limited cybersecurity capabilities, has become an attractive destination for cyber-scam camp operators.
The UNDOC warning highlights the increasing use of vulnerable countries as bases for international scam centers. In Myanmar (also known as Burma), the US Department of the Treasury announced fresh sanctions on two individuals, She Zhijiang and Saw Chit Thu, who are believed to have transformed a small village into a resort city custom-built for gambling, drug trafficking, prostitution, and scams targeting people around the world, particularly Americans. The sanctions also targeted scam centers in Cambodia that were built as casinos by Chinese criminal actors but became hubs for virtual currency investment scams when this activity proved more profitable.
The Asia Pacific Network Information Center (APNIC), a regional internet registry for 56 economies in the Asia-Pacific region, has announced reduced fees for some members. Since 2009, APNIC has offered a 50% discount for members in least developed countries, which are defined as countries with average per-capita income below $1,306 and obstacles to development. When these countries graduate from this status, APNIC starts charging full fees.
Microsoft and Linode have also warned of cloud latency spikes due to problems with the Middle East submarine cable network. China has launched a new 'AI+' policy aimed at deepening its information technology revolution. Meanwhile, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has announced it will provide ¥536 billion ($3.63 billion) in funding for US memory-maker Micron to help fuel its R&D efforts and construction of a chipmaking plant.
The cash will go towards creating high-speed DRAM needed in AI applications. In return, Micron must give preference to Japanese buyers in the event of unusual supply chain disruptions such as a pandemic. This is the second time Japan has provided funding for Micron's R&D efforts; the ministry found similar quantities of cash for the company in 2023.
Mitsubishi Electric has made an infosec acquisition, buying US-based operational security outfit Nozomi Networks Inc. for $883 million. The acquisition will strengthen Mitsubishi Electric's overall security prowess and improve its ability to secure machines and networks used in various industries, including power, railways, and manufacturing.
However, China has accused the US of dumping chips into its markets. China's Ministry of Commerce announced an inquiry into whether US chipmakers are taking advantage of export controls and imposing "long-arm jurisdiction" to block and suppress Chinese chip products and artificial intelligence industry. Beijing is particularly concerned about increased imports of interface IC chip and gate driver IC chip from the USA, which it believes are being used to harm local chip manufacturers.
The Register has also reported on various other cybersecurity-related stories, including an AI-powered penetration tool that was downloaded 10K times in two months, a Chinese-based company offering all the apps needed for a fully automated attack, and a new vulnerability discovered in Android devices that may have been used to spy on WhatsApp messages.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Cyber-Scam-Camps-on-the-Move-Vulnerable-Countries-Become-New-Hotspots-for-Cybercrime-Operations-ehn.shtml
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/09/15/asia_tech_news_roundup/
Published: Sun Sep 14 22:10:02 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
