Posted on: September 27, 2023, 11:47h.
Last updated on: September 27, 2023, 11:47h.
China Partners with ASEAN and UNODC to Combat Gambling-Related Organized Crime
China has joined hands with ASEAN and UNODC to address the rise of transnational organized crime in the gambling industry across Southeast Asia. The partnership aims to combat various illicit activities associated with gambling, including human trafficking, money laundering, and online scams. The agreement highlights the need for a coordinated approach to tackle these issues efficiently.
ASEAN, a regional association consisting of ten member countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, and Malaysia, has witnessed a significant increase in organized crime operations involving casinos and scams in recent years. Criminal groups have taken advantage of special economic zones and high unemployment rates in the region to traffic victims and engage in various illegal activities.
“Thousands of people from across the Asia region and around the globe are being trafficked to work in casinos and other scam compounds, lured by the prospect of lucrative employment opportunities,” reads the agreement.
The partnership between China, ASEAN, and UNODC aims to strengthen investigative efforts, enhance victim identification and protection mechanisms, and revise regulatory frameworks governing the gambling industry. The signatories are committed to vetting casino investors, including online platforms and junket operations, and taking action against organized crime links in special economic zones.
One of the most notorious criminal enclaves in the region is the Golden Triangle SEZ in Laos, operated by Zhao Wei of the Kings Romans Casino Group. Zhao has been sanctioned by the US government for his involvement in illicit activities. Reports indicate the presence of prison-like compounds within the SEZ where individuals seeking job opportunities are coerced into forced labor and prostitution.
Many women who entered the zone expecting to work as “chat-girls” – selling shares in the casino to wealthy patrons – have been forced into prostitution.
The agreement emphasizes the need for a comprehensive and regional approach to effectively combat transnational organized crime and human trafficking associated with the gambling industry. It acknowledges the growing impact of these illicit activities on governance and stability in the region.