Southeast Asia Scammers Using Cryptocurrencies as National Security Concern
Interpol has sounded the alarm on romance and cryptocurrency scams in Southeast Asia, calling them a national security threat. According to Interpol official Nicholas Court, who heads the Taskforce Coordination Directorate, these schemes have grown so severe that some governments see them as a major concern.
Court warned that digital-asset-related investment fraud is becoming increasingly prevalent, with scammers using social media and dating apps to target vulnerable victims. He singled out cryptocurrency scams as one of the most worrying developments.
Interpol's second Global Financial Fraud Threat Assessment estimated worldwide losses from financial fraud in 2025 at about $442 billion. Court noted that 'millions of dollars are lost daily to fraud worldwide,' with Southeast Asia feeling the impact.