Cross-border crime syndicates are becoming increasingly sophisticated, taking advantage of technological developments to enable them to perpetrate offences ranging from hacking attacks to scams. They exploit differences between jurisdictions to evade justice and often escape with substantial proceeds. Law enforcement agencies around the world need to stay one step ahead, and that requires close cooperation.
Hong Kong’s Police Commissioner Joe Chow Yat-ming met top security officials from Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore and South Korea last month as part of efforts to reach out to counterparts in the region. The meetings, on the sidelines of the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, were timely, with Hong Kong due to host Interpol’s General Assembly next year. They provided a valuable opportunity to improve communication and collaboration, with efforts to combat scams high on the agenda.
Hong Kong’s delegates also explored opportunities to provide overseas agencies with training, drawing on the city’s expertise in areas such as financial and cybercrime.
Better communication has already borne fruit. A platform, Frontier+, was launched last year to provide for the quick and direct exchange of information across borders. Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea are among its 11 members. The first joint operation saw Hong Kong and six other Asian jurisdictions recover HK$157 million (US$20.2 million) in online scam proceeds and make over 1,800 arrests. Speed is vital when investigating scams as proceeds swiftly disappear. During the operation, Hong Kong bank accounts were quickly frozen at Singapore’s request, ensuring funds were recovered.
It makes sense for the authorities concerned to be looking to expand Frontier+. The need to work together has also been evident in rescuing victims trapped in scam centres in Myanmar.
Hong Kong’s growing collaboration with overseas agencies is in line with China’s broader efforts to strengthen cooperation and improve security. The Global Public Security Cooperation Forum, first held in 2022 and attended this year by representatives from 120 nations, regions and international organisations, pursues this aim.
