UNODC-INTERPOL global summit mobilizes action against fraud surge

Closer cooperation between governments and the private sector is critical to tackling the rising global threat of fraud, according to a joint statement released today at the Global Fraud Summit.

From 16-17 March, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), with the support of Canada, Singapore and the United Kingdom, as well as private sector partners, including the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), Amazon, Chainalysis, Meta, Santander Bank and TikTok convened a unique platform to identify practical solutions and chart a path forward in the fight against fraud.

"The only way to fight back against fraud effectively is to build a truly global and coordinated response. The Summit provided a unique platform to bring governments, the private sector, tech companies, banks and law enforcement together under the same roof to better understand the threat, identify opportunities for collaboration and build stronger networks," said John Brandolino, UNODC Acting Executive Director.

Fraud has become one of the world's fastest-growing criminal threats, affecting nearly every community and millions of individuals worldwide. Fueled by rapid technological advances, it has evolved into a sophisticated and highly organized global enterprise.

"Fraud has become one of the defining criminal threats of our time. It often begins quietly - with a text message, a phone call, or what looks like a legitimate investment opportunity. But behind these schemes are organized criminal networks that traffic human beings, launder billions in illicit profits and devastate lives across the globe. We should be clear about what this is. Fraud is not just a financial crime. It is a global security crisis. And confronting it will require countries to work together with urgency, determination and resolve," said Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL Secretary General.

For two days, more than 1,300 participants gathered in Vienna, Austria, including government officials, law enforcement agencies, private sector leaders, tech companies and civil society organizations to explore how to work together and disrupt the systems that allow fraud to flourish.

Information and communication technologies play a major role in modern fraud. Tools such as generative AI, including deepfake videos, images, audio and chatbots, make it easier for criminals to impersonate trusted people and defraud victims.

"With today's technology, everyone is a potential target, and no target is out of reach. Digital tools have reshaped the fraud landscape in critical ways, and we need to rapidly step up our efforts and take action to fight back," said Brandolino.

According to GASA, losses from organized fraud and scams are estimated at USD 442 billion, underscoring the scale and urgency of the threat.

During the event, 44 countries and participants pledged concrete actions to combat fraud. Signatories will implement their commitments and report progress as the initiatives move forward.

Two new UNODC resources designed to help governments and companies collaborate more effectively to prevent and combat fraud were also presented at the Summit.

More information about the Summit can be found here.

Download B-roll footage of the Summit here, including soundbites from John Brandolino, UNODC Acting Executive Director and Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL Secretary General. High-resolution images can be found on the UNODC Flickr account. This material is free to use under the copyright provisions of the UNODC Terms of Use.