The UN warns: East Timor may become a new destination for scammers

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has issued a warning that East Timor is becoming a new hotspot for international criminal networks. Organized criminal groups allegedly organize fraudulent centers and illegal gambling establishments under the guise of foreign direct investment.

According to UNODC, the reason for the appearance was pressure from the police and special services in the traditional points of activity in Southeast Asia, which is why the scammers had to look for new territories where there is no experience in combating organized crime. Thus, the groups began to exploit loopholes in the regulatory framework of the regions and present their illegal companies as legitimate business investments.

One such area was Oecussi Ambeno in East Timor. A search was conducted in the Oecussi hotel in the area, during which law enforcement officers found SIM cards and satellite Internet equipment. The discovered items turned out to be related to fraud centers in Southeast Asia and the Triad 14K group.

The authorities of East Timor had already been warned about the possible appearance of Philippine offshore gambling operators, but the government was not against it and in April 2025 issued the first license for offshore gambling activities.