The United Kingdom has pledged to provide financial support to dismantle transnational scam centres in Southeast Asia as part of a series of commitments to strengthen the global fight against organised crime. This pledge was contained in the UK’s national statement delivered by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice, Alex Davies-Jones at the United Nations Crime Congress in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Davies-Jones delivered the speech on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
Davies-Jones, who is Minister for Victims, Violence Against Women and Girls and International Justice, said organised crime was becoming increasingly sophisticated and operating across borders, requiring countries to strengthen cooperation. She stated that crime does not respect borders and that the response has to be every bit as connected and relentless, built on co-operation and a determination to act together.
The UK government has previously identified scam centres as part of the global fraud threat, with its 2026 Fraud Strategy stating that criminal networks and scam centres operate worldwide and often target people and businesses across borders. The UK will provide financial support between 2026 and 2031 to dismantle scam centres operating across Southeast Asia and strengthen international efforts against fraud.
In addition to the financial support, the UK government is also investing £1.5m in initiatives aimed at countering organised crime. This investment includes supporting the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s Global Programme on Implementing the Organized Crime Convention and promoting the Organized Crime Strategy Toolkit, supporting thousands of practitioners in 20 countries worldwide.
Davies-Jones also highlighted the importance of access to digital evidence in serious investigations, as criminals increasingly operate online. She stated that the UK’s capabilities have to keep pace, making sure agencies can access the data they need to counter serious organised crime, coupled with the right oversight.
The UK government has also pledged to introduce protections on phones and tablets to prevent children from taking, sharing or viewing nude images. This commitment is part of the UK’s wider efforts to tackle technology-facilitated violence against women and girls. The government had announced in June that technology companies would be expected to activate or implement measures on smartphones and tablets to detect and block nude images for children, with legislation planned if companies failed to act.
Davies-Jones concluded that international cooperation remained necessary because countries could not tackle organised crime independently. She stated that friends and countries can build justice systems that are stronger, more effective, trusted, and create safer societies for all by sharing expertise and working together.
Key points
- The UK has pledged financial support to dismantle transnational scam centres in Southeast Asia.
- The UK government is investing £1.5m in initiatives aimed at countering organised crime.
- The UK will introduce protections on phones and tablets to prevent children from taking, sharing or viewing nude images.
