A new international intergovernmental organization dedicated to fighting cross-border telecom and cyber fraud has been formally established. The telecom fraud alliance, initiated by the Chinese government, brings together 46 founding countries, 34 observer countries and four international organizations in a coordinated effort to dismantle transnational fraud networks and strengthen law enforcement cooperation across borders.
The inaugural conference took place in Lianyungang in eastern China, with representatives from founding members including Vietnam, Laos, Kenya, Cambodia, Pakistan and Russia. The United Nations and Interpol were among the international organizations in attendance, with Interpol delivering a congratulatory message at the event. Participants recognized the significance of the telecom fraud alliance in safeguarding global public security and welcomed China’s role in bringing the initiative to fruition.
Scope of the Cross-Border Telecom and Cyber Fraud Threat
Telecom and cyber fraud has grown into a serious global challenge, with criminal operations frequently spanning multiple countries and involving sophisticated organized networks. According to estimates from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, fraud of this nature caused losses of between $18 billion and $37 billion in Southeast Asia alone during 2023, with many of the schemes tied to organized criminal groups operating across borders.
Participants at the conference issued a joint statement acknowledging that telecom and cyber fraud demands stronger international cooperation. The statement outlined the need for a more focused, professional, efficient and action-oriented mechanism to coordinate efforts against these crimes and protect the security and legitimate rights of individuals, legal entities and other organizations. The alliance is built on the framework of international conventions and is intended to serve as a purpose-driven intergovernmental body for law enforcement coordination.
China’s Track Record in Law Enforcement Cooperation
China has in recent years deepened law enforcement cooperation with more than 30 countries to address cross-border telecom and cyber fraud. These partnerships have produced tangible results. Since 2023, joint operations between China and Myanmar have led to the dismantling of four major criminal gangs in Myanmar’s Kokang region. Earlier this year, police authorities from China, the United States and the United Arab Emirates carried out their first joint law enforcement operation, resulting in the arrest of 276 suspects.
Cooperation with Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and other countries has also led to the arrest and repatriation of more than 20,000 telecom and online fraud suspects this year. These joint efforts demonstrate the practical value of international cooperation in tackling cross-border fraud at scale.
The telecom fraud alliance also reflects broader efforts to translate the Global Security Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative into concrete actions. Put forward in 2022 and 2025 respectively, these two initiatives emphasize addressing global challenges through cooperation and improving global governance. The establishment of this alliance represents a structured commitment by participating nations to confront telecom and cyber fraud through collective, coordinated action.