Japan backs drive against Mekong scammer gangsJapan has pledged 516 million yen (124 million baht) to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to strengthen cross-border cooperation against transnational organised crime in the Mekong region. The move comes amid rising losses from online scams and growing concern over related human rights abuses. The grant was formalised at a signing and exchange-of-notes ceremony on Monday at the Japanese ambassador's residence in Bangkok. Otaka Masato, Japan's ambassador to Thailand, said transnational crime increasingly affects countries indiscriminately, including Japan, which recorded losses of 320 million yen from online scams last year. He said the funding would enhance investigative capacity, improve law enforcement coordination and streng­then international cooperation among the four countries.

Source: Bangkok Post February 17, 2026 22:45 UTC