illustration depicting online fraud
Online platforms together with artificial intelligence have made it easier than ever to perpetrate identity and monetary fraud.
Photo:UNODC

Follow the money. Stop organized fraud.

Organized fraud is one of the fastest-growing forms of transnational organized crime. Every year, criminal networks steal billions of dollars through online scams, fraudulent investments and other schemes. This year’s theme, “Follow the money. Stop organized fraud”, highlights how illicit profits fuel organized fraud and enable criminal networks to expand their operations across borders. 

How big is the problem?

Fraud-related Notices issued by INTERPOL have increased by 54 per cent since 2024. Criminal networks increasingly exploit artificial intelligence, deepfakes, malware and money laundering to carry out sophisticated fraud across borders.

The human cost

Beyond financial losses, victims face devastating consequences, losing their savings, livelihoods and security. Some are trafficked into scam centres, particularly in Southeast Asia, where they are forced to commit fraud under threats, violence and coercion.

Follow the money

Organized fraud thrives on illicit profits. Targeting individual scam operations is not enough, as criminal networks often relocate to evade authorities. Tracing financial flows can expose those profiting from fraud, disrupt criminal networks and prevent them from expanding into other crimes.

Taking action

Combating organized fraud requires more than shutting down individual scam operations. Countries must work together to trace illicit profits, dismantle criminal networks, prosecute those responsible and protect victims.

To support these efforts, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) helps countries strengthen legislation, investigate illicit financial flows, improve cross-border cooperation and equip law enforcement with the tools needed to combat organized fraud.

UNODC also supports implementation of two international agreements: the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, which provide frameworks for international cooperation and criminal investigations.

coins going in and out of piggy bank

The ubiquitous crime: fraud, explained

A message from a trusted authority. An investment too good to miss. A romance built on lies. Fraud takes many forms, and organized criminal networks are making it harder to spot. Artificial intelligence and fake online identities help scammers target victims across borders, while stolen money moves through financial channels. Fraud is everywhere, touching nearly everyone’s lives. Find out to how UNODC fights back.

The toll of organized transnational crime

Organized crime thrives worldwide, affecting governance and political processes, and weakening the advancement of the rule of law. It encompasses, inter alia, illicit trafficking of firearms, drugs, protected species, cultural property, or falsified medical products and, among its most severe manifestations, human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants. It also includes the laundering of proceeds of crime and obstruction of justice. Moreover, with all forms of organized crime shifting ever more to being dependent on or incorporating online aspects, including the use of virtual assets, its reach and capability of harm is increasing.

Organized criminal groups are flexible in changing or expanding their illicit businesses for profit. They misuse vulnerabilities and crisis situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic, economic downturns, natural disasters, and armed conflicts exploiting them for their own purposes.

Traditional, territorial-based criminal groups have evolved or have been partially replaced by smaller and more flexible networks with branches across several jurisdictions. Criminal actors, witnesses, victims and proceeds of crime may be located in many different States. It is therefore evident, that joint efforts from States across the world are required as organized crime cannot be tackled in isolation.

Convention against Transnational Organized Crime

The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime is applicable to all forms of serious crime of transnational nature committed by organized criminal groups. More than two decades after its adoption it is among the most ratified international legal instruments.

Together with its three Protocols the Convention remains the primary global tool to prevent and address a broad range of criminal activities effectively.

International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime

In March 2024, the General Assembly declared 15 November the International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime, in order to raise awareness of the threats posed by all forms of transnational organized crime and to enhance international cooperation in this regard.

It recognized the importance of the prevention of and fight against transnational organized crime for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The General Assembly commemorated all victims of organized crime, including those who have lost their lives fighting such crime, in particular law enforcement and judicial personnel, and paying special tribute to all those persons, such as Judge Giovanni Falcone, whose work and sacrifice paved the way for the adoption of the Convention, and affirming that their legacy lives on through our global commitment to preventing and combating organized crime.

Staying safe from scams – protect yourself, protect your loved ones

Documents

Observances

Links

Crop monitoring in Myanmar

For two decades, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been helping make the world safer from drugs, organized crime, corruption and terrorism. We are committed to achieving health, security and justice for all by tackling these threats and promoting peace and sustainable well-being as deterrents to them.

 

Illustration of report covers

Tools and publications on the work and efforts of UNODC in the fight against transnational organized crime. Also available resources on human trafficking and migrant smuggling, illicit manufacturing and trafficking in firearms, cybercrime and money laundering.

 

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International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.