Criminal networks use Telegram for illegal activities – UN

• Published On: 07 October 2024 at 18:23

According to a report that was made public by the United Nations on Monday, criminal organizations originating from Southeast Asia are making extensive use of the messaging app Telegram, which means that the landscape of organized crime is undergoing a fundamental transformation.

Earlier allegations were made against Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, who was charged in France for enabling criminal activity on the platform. The charges were brought in accordance with a new law that does not have an equivalent in the international legal system.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports that hacked data, which can include anything from passwords to credit card information, is freely traded on Telegram, which is characterized by its extensive channels and lack of moderation. In addition, the report highlights the fact that tools for cybercrime, such as deepfake software and malware that steals data, are easily accessible, and that unlicensed cryptocurrency exchanges offer services for money laundering.

It has been reported that one advertisement made the claim, "We move 3 million USDT stolen from overseas per day," which serves to illustrate the magnitude of the illegal transactions that are taking place. Because vendors are looking to target transnational organized crime groups in the region, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) stated that there is "strong evidence of underground data markets moving to Telegram."

There is a multibillion-dollar industry that focuses on fraudulent schemes, and Southeast Asia has emerged as a major hub for this industry. Many of the operations in this industry are linked to Chinese syndicates. According to reports, this sector generates between $27.4 billion and $36.5 billion annually.

His arrest in Paris in August for facilitating criminal activity on the platform has sparked discussions about the criminal liability of app providers. Durov was arrested for his role in facilitating criminal activity on the platform. Following his arrest, he made a statement that Telegram would cooperate with legal authorities by providing user IP addresses and phone numbers. In addition, he pledged to remove features that were being used for illegal activities.

As the deputy representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Benedikt Hofmann emphasized the platform's accessibility for criminals and issued a warning that the data of consumers is now more susceptible to scams and other illegal uses than it has ever been before. It is stated in the report that criminal organizations in the region are incorporating new technologies into their schemes, such as malware and generative artificial intelligence. This indicates that these organizations are innovating their operations.

Over ten deepfake software providers that target criminal organizations in Southeast Asia that are engaged in cyber-enabled fraud have been identified by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The authorities in South Korea are conducting an investigation into Telegram because of the possibility that it plays a role in the facilitation of online sexual offenses, particularly deepfake pornography.

The top Indian insurer Star Health was the victim of another incident in which a hacker used Telegram chatbots to leak sensitive data. As a result, the company decided to take legal action against the platform. Information such as names, phone numbers, addresses, and medical diagnoses were among the details that were exposed, highlighting the serious implications that are associated with data vulnerabilities on Telegram.