A UN report highlights how Telegram is facilitating organized crime and cyber fraud in Southeast Asia, with criminal networks using the platform to trade stolen data, sell malware, and exploit deepfake software for cyber schemes.

A UN report found that organized crime groups in the region have rapidly integrated malware, generative AI and deepfakes to enhance their fraud activities

The findings are the latest in a series of accusations implicating Telegram, whose CEO was recently arrested in France for allegedly allowing criminal activity to flourish on the platform. After the arrest — which led Telegram to agree to share some user data with law enforcement — several extremist groups moved to a new platform,

Telegram allegedly facilitated the transfer of "dirty" or "black" USDT in Southeast Asia as serviced by unlicensed VASPs in the area, and the platform has also been linked to an underground marketplace that has cyber-enabled fraud operations.