Scams in recent years have unfortunately become a latent aspect of social life, especially in democratic civil societies worldwide, and its adverse impact on people from all walks of life is undeniable.
Moreover, scams have become a lucrative business for crime syndicates, who operate very efficiently like multinationals, albeit illegally.
Scam syndicates are extremely well organised and have even succeeded in luring some unscrupulous and more-than-willing law enforcement and government officials, including retired senior civil servants, into the fold.
In fact, scamming has become a bigger trade than drug trafficking, mainly due to the non-deterrent punishments for the crime.
Almost daily, the New Straits Times and other mainstream media, as well as social media, report on scam cases, the modus operandi, and the financial losses incurred by victims.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the arrest and prosecution rate of perpetrators in many countries which is deemed to be low.
The top guns of these syndicates appear to be almost untouchable and have brilliant lawyers, financial consultants and other professionals working for them.
Of course, to facilitate their business operations, there are tainted officials who voluntarily serve these syndicates as the perks are too attractive to turn down.
It must also be acknowledged that the technology utilised by scam syndicates is state of the art, allowing them to hack the databases of government departments, financial institutions, and other major business entities.
Regardless, the fact remains that these syndicates are run by criminals who, through their ingenuity, have scammed victims worldwide of billions of dollars.
Thus, two major questions must be addressed to comprehensively understand the problem of scams.
1. Why are crime syndicates very successful in scamming?
2. How effective can lengthy prison sentences be in serving as a deterrent to the perpetrators and should restitution (financial compensation) be made mandatory?
Scams often involve complex technology such as hacking, phishing or creating fake websites.
Scam syndicates have access to technologically skilled individuals, enabling them to exploit vulnerabilities in systems and carry out scams with precision.
Operating across international borders, the scammers take advantage of the anonymity and reach provided by the Internet. They often establish operations in countries with lenient regulations, weak law enforcement or high corruption, making it difficult for authorities to track and target them effectively.
The syndicates continuously evolve to stay ahead of law enforcement. They employ social engineering techniques, use false identities, and adopt new technologies and strategies to exploit emerging trends, making it increasingly challenging for the authorities to keep up with them.
Scams generate substantial profits, and syndicates launder this money through various channels.
By converting illicit funds into legitimate assets or businesses, they obfuscate the source of their income, making it harder for law enforcers to track and seize their illicit gains.
On the other hand, the law enforcement agencies face a number of challenges in catching scammers.
With activities often across international borders, it is difficult for them to coordinate investigations and share information across multiple jurisdictions. Different legal frameworks, language barriers and bureaucratic hurdles create complications that hinder seamless cooperation.
The agencies often face constraints in terms of funding, technology and personnel. These limitations impact their ability to conduct comprehensive investigations, gather evidence and employ sophisticated tools that match the capabilities of syndicates.
Moreover, many agencies struggle to keep pace with scam tactics that keep changing, hence the need for regular training and investment in modern tools and technology.
Syndicates frequently infiltrate law enforcement agencies and judicial systems, weakening their effectiveness. Corruption within the ranks of these departments allows criminals to escape detection, receive inside information, or even obstruct investigations.
Addressing these challenges requires international cooperation, increased investment in law enforcement, and consistent implementation of effective legal frameworks to curb scamming.
Punishment enhancement for all levels of perpetrators involved in scams can be an effective deterrent and provide a sense of justice to victims.
Lengthy prison sentences are likely to force potential scammers to think twice before engaging in fraudulent activities. Mandatory restitution is also essential to ensure that victims are compensated for their losses as scams often lead to financial hardship, emotional distress and have even ruined many lives.
Furthermore, punishment enhancement and mandatory restitution may help prevent recidivism as well.
At the same time, it is essential to ensure that the justice system is fair and perpetrators are given the opportunity for rehabilitation.
Offering such resources and support for reform can lead to more positive outcomes, both for the individuals involved and society as a whole.
Ultimately, a comprehensive approach is necessary to address the problem of scams effectively.
This includes educating the public about scams, strengthening law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute perpetrators, and providing support to victims.
The writer is a criminologist at Universiti Sains Malaysia
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times