Crypto scams with a dash of fake romance
Crime enclaves have grown along Myanmar's border since the coup in 2021. These new cities are hubs for online gambling, drugs and lately online cryptocurrency scams. It's big money for criminal syndicates and the Myanmar military's allies who control the territory. How are the scams playing out and how are they linked to human trafficking?
Report: Justin Higginbottom, Mae Sot, Thailand
Disinformation for hire
In the East African nation of Kenya, where elections have often been marred by violence, social media platforms have been teeming with political disinformation. For hire. For about 10 to 15 US dollars a day, so-called keyboard warriors can launch a smear campaign on your opponents. It’s a lucrative business, considering many Kenyans make well below that in a day. Odanga Madung, a data journalist in Kenya and a researcher for the Mozilla Foundation, has been looking into disinformation-for-hire campaigns.
Interview: Sarah Steffen
Immigration fraud with fake admission letters
A scamming scandal in Canada involving Indian students has recently made headlines. Students from India found themselves at risk of deportation. They had reportedly used fake admission letters to start studying in Canada. They used the services of an agent who helped them apply for their visas. This man has now been charged by the Canadian authorities.
Report: Murali Krishnan, New Delhi