The evolving landscape of online recruitment into cyber-scam centres presents new challenges for regional law enforcement. These networks employ sophisticated recruitment methods, using misleading employment promises to recruit individuals before coercing them into conducting online fraud in cyber-scam centres. The transnational nature of these operations, and increasing geographical spread into South Asia, presents unique challenges for law enforcement, requiring strengthened online investigation skills and cross-border cooperation to effectively respond.

To support Members States capacity to respond, the Regional Support Office of the Bali Process (RSO) held a five-day technical workshop in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Supported by UK International Development and marking the second in a series of coordinated workshops being funded by the United Kingdom through the RSO, the workshop brought together 37 participants from cybercrime and counter-trafficking agencies across South Asia. 

Throughout the workshop, participants developed practical Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) skills applicable to cyber-scam investigations, focusing on digital search techniques, social media analysis, geolocation skills and best practices for sharing information across borders

“OSINT is not just a tool, it is a capability. It allows investigators to detect early signs of recruitment, map suspicious online behaviour, trace digital footprints, and analyze content and trends across platforms such as Facebook, Telegram, and job search sites.”

– Major General Ruwan Wanigasooriya, The Chief of National Intelligence and the Head of Officials Committee of National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force of Sri Lanka

1. Enhance participants’ capability to detect, investigate, and disrupt cyber-scam centre recruitment efforts targeting South Asian citizens;
2. Discuss strategies for coordinating with social media companies and job search websites to facilitate content moderation and/or the sharing of electronic evidence;
3. Provide law enforcement with the tools needed to independently monitor the shifting geography of cyber-scam centres and the primary trafficking routes leading to them;
4. Improve cross-border cooperation and information sharing among South Asian countries;
5. Develop an informal network of practitioners utilising online investigations across South Asia who can share information as well as research/investigative strategies related to cyber-scam centre response with one another.

“These criminal operations continue to evolve, using increasingly sophisticated methods to recruit victims, conceal their activities, and evade detection. The transnational nature of these crimes makes them particularly difficult to address through traditional law enforcement approaches. However, the skills and connections developed during this workshop provide a strong foundation for more effective regional cooperation.”

– Fuad Adriansyah, Co-Manager (Indonesia) of the RSO

Following this South Asia-focused workshop in Colombo, a final inter-regional workshop in May 2025 brought together both South and Southeast Asian law enforcement in the Golden Triangle. The third workshop further developed OSINT skills and informal cross-border information sharing networks, while also providing participants with the opportunity to travel to a hotspot for trafficking for forced criminality and developing an understanding of the on the ground realities facing law enforcement.