The United Nations reports that Telegram serves as a platform for 'underground markets' utilized by criminal organizations in Southeast Asia.

Criminal organizations in Southeast Asia are increasingly utilizing the messaging platform Telegram, leading to a significant transformation in the operations of organized crime, as highlighted in a report released by the United Nations today.

This report adds to the growing concerns surrounding the controversial encrypted application, particularly following France's recent legal actions against Telegram's CEO, Pavel Durov, for permitting criminal activities on the platform under a stringent new law without any international precedent.

According to the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), hacked information such as credit card numbers, passwords, and browsing histories is being traded extensively on Telegram, which features numerous channels with minimal oversight.

The report also notes the widespread availability of cybercrime tools, including deepfake software intended for fraudulent purposes and malware designed to steal data. Additionally, unregulated cryptocurrency exchanges are reportedly providing services for money laundering.

One advertisement cited in the report stated, “We move 3 million USDT stolen from overseas per day,” written in Chinese.

There is substantial evidence indicating that underground data markets are migrating to Telegram, with vendors actively seeking to engage transnational organized crime groups operating in Southeast Asia, according to the report.

The accompanying line chart illustrates the frequency of deepfake-related keywords mentioned in various underground Telegram marketplaces and forums across Southeast Asia from February to August 2024.

Southeast Asia has become a significant center for a multibillion-dollar industry that exploits victims globally through fraudulent activities. A considerable number of these operations are run by Chinese syndicates, which are based in heavily fortified locations and employ trafficked individuals. The industry is estimated to generate between US$27.4 billion (RM117.06 billion) and US$36.5 billion annually, as reported by the UNODC.

Durov, who was born in Russia, was apprehended in Paris in August and faced charges for permitting criminal activities on the platform, including the distribution of child sexual abuse material. This incident has raised questions regarding the criminal responsibilities of app providers and sparked discussions about the boundaries between freedom of speech and law enforcement.

Telegram, which boasts nearly one billion users, has not yet provided a response to a request for comment.