UK Commits Funds to Combat Scam Centres in Southeast Asia

At the United Nations Crime Congress in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on September 27, 2026, Alex Davies-Jones, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice and Minister for Victims, Violence Against Women and Girls and International Justice, announced the UK's commitment to provide financial support to dismantle transnational scam centres in Southeast Asia. This initiative is part of the UK’s broader strategy to combat organized crime and will span from 2026 to 2031.

Davies-Jones emphasized the need for international cooperation, stating that organized crime is increasingly sophisticated and operates across borders. The UK government has identified scam centres as a significant global fraud threat and is investing £1.5 million in initiatives to counter organized crime.

Additionally, Davies-Jones mentioned the importance of digital evidence in serious investigations and pledged to introduce protections for children against technology-facilitated violence.