The OSCE Special Representative and Co‑ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (CTHB), the Co‑ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) and the OSCE Transnational Threats Department (TNTD) hosted a side event on the margins of the Global Fraud Summit to examine how virtual assets are used in scam operations, trafficking in human beings and related financial crimes.
The event brought together experts from law enforcement, financial intelligence units, international organizations, and the private sector to discuss how the misuse of cryptocurrencies and other virtual assets can facilitate criminal activity.
"The convergence of fraud schemes, trafficking in human beings and financial crime shows how criminal networks exploit digital tools to expand their operations," said OSCE Special Representative and Co‑ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Kari Johnstone. "Addressing these risks requires a cross-dimensional response that places victim protection at the center while strengthening the ability of authorities to detect and disrupt exploitation."
The session also highlighted the CTHB's new publication to support public- and private-sector stakeholders to identify and investigate trafficking cases involving cryptocurrencies.
"Fraud is increasingly driven by complex financial ecosystems that operate across borders and technologies," said the Co‑ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, Bakyt Dzhusupov. "Today's discussion once again demonstrated that addressing the criminal misuse of virtual assets requires strong co-operation between governments, international organizations, and the private sector."
Participants identified opportunities to strenghten detection, investigation and disruption efforts. "Criminal groups adapt quickly to technological change, exploiting online platforms and digital financial tools to scale fraud and other crimes," said Martha Stickings from TNTD. "The OSCE's cross-dimensional approach offers participating States the comprehensive support that is critical to detecting illicit financial flows and disrupting criminal networks."
In line with the Call to Action on Combatting Fraud led by UNODC and INTERPOL, the event aimed to promote crime prevention, strengthen financial investigative and disruption capabilities, and foster cross-border public-private co-operation to better protect victims in the OSCE region.
