A surge in arrests of suspected foreign scammers in Sri Lanka has authorities concerned that the island is fast becoming a hub for online crime, following sweeping crackdowns in hotspots Cambodia and Myanmar. Officials say some scam networks forced out of countries in Southeast Asia have simply shifted to new bases, increasingly moving operations to […]
Southeast Asia
Thailand accuses Cambodia of border strike, soldier wounded
BANGKOK: Thailand’s army on Tuesday accused Cambodian forces of violating a 10-day-old truce by firing mortar rounds into Ubon Ratchathani province, wounding a Thai soldier. The Cambodian side claimed the incident was accidental, saying it resulted from an operational error. Read More: Thailand–Cambodia Border Clashes Intensify as Air Strikes Begin The border dispute between the neighbours, which has […]
Thailand launches air strikes as border ceasefire collapses
Thailand has launched air strikes along its disputed border with Cambodia after both sides accused each other of violating a US-brokered ceasefire. The Thai military confirmed on Monday that the escalation followed Cambodian fire on its troops stationed in Ubon Ratchathani province. Read More: Thai, Cambodian leaders agree to ceasefire after five days of battle […]
FIA warns Pakistanis against fake job offers in Southeast Asia
LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has issued a stern warning to Pakistanis about criminal syndicates operating in Southeast Asia that lure job seekers with fake offers. According to FIA deputy director Mehmood Ali Khokhar, these syndicates are active in countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, targeting aspirants, particularly in the IT […]
Scam centres in Southeast Asia on the rise despite crackdowns
It often starts with a text message asking if you are available on weekends, looking for a part-time job or you get a simple “hello” from an unknown number. Halfway across the world, a laborer is usually pulling in 12-16 hour days, sending non-stop messages, hoping someone will take the bait. The ultimate goal is […]
Malaysia launches ‘Investor Pass’ golden visa for global entrepreneurs
KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) has introduced the Investor Pass, a new golden visa that allows international businesspeople to reside in Malaysia for up to one year, aiming to attract global investors and entrepreneurs to the country’s growing economy. The pass offers a streamlined application process with approval in just five […]
Historic floods devastate Vietnam, killing 10 and submerging ancient Hoi An
HANOI: At least 10 people have died and eight are missing after catastrophic flooding hit Vietnam’s central coastal provinces this week, officials said Thursday, as water levels on a major river reached their highest in 60 years. The floods, triggered by torrential rains since the weekend, have inundated more than 128,000 homes across five provinces, […]
East Timor joins ASEAN as 11th member after 14-year wait
East Timor has officially joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as its 11th member, marking a major milestone in the young nation’s diplomatic journey after 14 years of campaigning. The announcement came during a summit in Kuala Lumpur, where Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao joined other ASEAN leaders for a signing ceremony and traditional […]
ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur to address trade, conflicts, and East Timor’s accession
KUALA LUMPUR – Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and global partners, including US President Donald Trump, are set to convene in Malaysia from October 26 to 28 for a high-stakes summit focusing on trade, diplomacy, and regional security. The summit will bring together heads of state from ASEAN’s 10 member nations […]
UN warns of growing global threat from cyberscam industry
The United Nations is sounding the alarm over a billion-dollar cyberscam industry expanding globally. Originally, these criminal networks emerged in Southeast Asia and have now reached South America and Africa. Despite intensified crackdowns in Southeast Asia, these syndicates continue to grow and adapt, effectively evading authorities. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported […]