Fraud has evolved significantly over the years, adapting to technological advancements and changes in society. It has become increasingly sophisticated, using psychological manipulation and technology, even making use of artificial intelligence and automation. Fraud affects all society while the elderly and others in vulnerable situations are often hit the hardest. Fraud does not only have a financial impact, but also an emotional one on the victims.
Nowadays, the response to fraud can no longer be disentangled from organized crime. As in the case of fraud, organized fraud can be highly profitable, making use of technology as an enabler of crime, and often has an international dimension. Organized criminal groups involved in fraud are harnessing technology and are able to operate across geographical borders and have more access to victims and data than ever before, due to the pervasive online environments. New artificial intelligence language models such as ChatGPT, machine learning tools, technological advances such as deepfakes, allow fraudsters to become more effective and to create more persuasive fraudulent communications making it even harder for victims to spot them.
Without understanding the exact nature of the threat, States will continue to struggle in containing the risk emanating from organized fraud. There is a need to understand the evolving nature of organized fraud, so that States can make informed decisions and identify proper courses of action to respond to or otherwise address organized fraud.
To remedy this, the UNODC Global Programme on Implementing the Organized Crime Convention is supporting States in tackling organized fraud by developing tools on its typology and on legislative and policy measures against it.
We appreciate your interest in the Global Programme on Implementing the Organized Crime Convention. For further information, contact us.
